After riding <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-warns-china-of-serious-consequences-if-hong-kong-rights-not-honoured-232315">China</a>'s demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand.

By far the biggest user of coal-fired power, China is buying less thermal coal from global markets, said delegates to Asia's premier coal conference last month in Bali, both as renewables gain market share and as it digs up more of its own supply.

A backlash against coal is also growing in the West. Last week, investors managing nearly half the world's invested capital demanded ahead of a Group of 20 summits in Osaka that governments take urgent action on climate change.

Delegates to Coaltrans in Bali, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-troops-flood-jakarta-streets-after-post-election-riots-220989">Indonesia</a>, however, said that while coal's glory days are done, reports of its imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated.

"Coal will continue to provide low-cost energy. We are looking at increasing demand in Southeast Asia, so we are still positive," said Hendri Tan, marketing director at PT Adaro Indonesia, a unit of PT Adaro Energy, Indonesia's second-biggest coal producer.

Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, used primarily for power generation, shipping out 429 million tonnes last year and accounting for 43% of the 1 billion-tonne-a-year seaborne market, according to Australian government data.

Around 124 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity is under development in Southeast and South Asia, both key markets for Indonesia, and that is expected to offset declining demand from China, said the chairman of Indonesia Coal Mining Association, Pandu Sjahrir.

Indonesia itself is expected to add some 50 million tonnes a year of coal-fired power demand by 2023, he said, a rise of 55% that would make it one of Asia's biggest consumers.

As China takes less, economies like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines are also expected to pick up the slack, delegates said.

Between 2014 and 2018, China's coal demand fell by 2.4%, while India's swelled by 16.7%, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy report this year. Over the same period, Vietnam's coal use grew by 65% and Indonesia's by 36%, helping to offset falls in the United States, Japan and Germany as well.

 
Beach parties end, belly dancers, stay home

Indonesia shot to prominence as a coal producer last decade as it dug out and shipped the fuel to meet power demand from China, eventually outstripping then leader Australia.

As China's manufacturing might grow, so too did its hunger for electricity, turning it into a net thermal coal importer around 2004. That was a bonanza for miners and helped establish Coaltrans in Bali as the industry's main event in Asia.

 
During the boom years, companies would battle to outdo each other at Coaltrans with lavish beach parties. One Uzbekistan company flew in belly dancers to entertain potential customers drinking free-flow vodka and eating caviar, delegates said.

"People were throwing money at everything," said SMG Consultants' Alistair MacDonald, who has attended Coaltrans since 2000. But times have changed, he said.

"The bankers aren't here. A lot of the services like insurers aren't here any more," he said. "It's a lot more domestic (Indonesian) players, and they want to be perceived as energy companies, not as coal companies."

Staring at prospects of tougher conditions ahead, Indonesia's large thermal coal miners are diversifying into other geographies and other industries, Sacha Winzenried, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, told Reuters.

"They are looking into renewables, other infrastructure, supply chain support such as water, utilities, shipping and logistics," Winzenried said.

Indonesia's Adaro Energy bought an Australian coal mine from Rio Tinto last year. And Indonesian state coal miner Bukit Asam is targeting commercial operation of four coal processing plants in South Sumatra that would extract gas from, as well as burn, coal.

Financing dries up

Delegates also noted the difficulty of getting financing for their businesses, working capital and further investments, and some were pessimistic on the coal industry's longevity.

One mining engineer in his fifties, who had spent most of his career in coal at a major miner and also had an MBA, saw his career options as limited.

"I've spent twenty years in coal. Where can I go next?" he said. "I would not recommend any young people join this industry."

Still, renewables are not expected to make the same inroads in emerging Asian economies as in developed nations, because Asian governments are working to provide cheap baseload power from coal, and renewables can't compete on scale or price, said an industry analyst, declining to be named due to his listed company's policy.

"Less coal will mean a less polluted world," he said. "But if you don't want (coal) to exist, then you have to come up with a realistic alternative."

After riding China's demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand.

After riding China's demand train for nearly two decades, Asia's coal industry is looking to a future of smaller markets and slimmer pickings, as buying declines in the world's second-biggest economy and climate change concerns blunt demand. By far the biggest user of coal-fired power, China is buying less thermal coal from global markets, said delegates to Asia's premier coal conference last month in Bali, both as renewables gain market share and as it digs up more of its own supply. A backlash against coal is also growing in the West. Last week, investors managing nearly half the world's invested capital demanded ahead of a Group of 20 summits in Osaka that governments take urgent action on climate change. Delegates to Coaltrans in Bali, Indonesia, however, said that while coal's glory days are done, reports of its imminent demise have been greatly exaggerated. "Coal will continue to provide low-cost energy. We are looking at increasing demand in Southeast Asia, so we are still positive," said Hendri Tan, marketing director at PT Adaro Indonesia, a unit of PT Adaro Energy, Indonesia's second-biggest coal producer. Indonesia is the world's biggest exporter of thermal coal, used primarily for power generation, shipping out 429 million tonnes last year and accounting for 43% of the 1 billion-tonne-a-year seaborne market, according to Australian government data. Around 124 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired power capacity is under development in Southeast and South Asia, both key markets for Indonesia, and that is expected to offset declining demand from China, said the chairman of Indonesia Coal Mining Association, Pandu Sjahrir. Indonesia itself is expected to add some 50 million tonnes a year of coal-fired power demand by 2023, he said, a rise of 55% that would make it one of Asia's biggest consumers. As China takes less, economies like India, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Philippines are also expected to pick up the slack, delegates said. Between 2014 and 2018, China's coal demand fell by 2.4%, while India's swelled by 16.7%, according to BP's Statistical Review of World Energy report this year. Over the same period, Vietnam's coal use grew by 65% and Indonesia's by 36%, helping to offset falls in the United States, Japan and Germany as well. Beach parties end, belly dancers, stay home Indonesia shot to prominence as a coal producer last decade as it dug out and shipped the fuel to meet power demand from China, eventually outstripping then leader Australia. As China's manufacturing might grow, so too did its hunger for electricity, turning it into a net thermal coal importer around 2004. That was a bonanza for miners and helped establish Coaltrans in Bali as the industry's main event in Asia. During the boom years, companies would battle to outdo each other at Coaltrans with lavish beach parties. One Uzbekistan company flew in belly dancers to entertain potential customers drinking free-flow vodka and eating caviar, delegates said. "People were throwing money at everything," said SMG Consultants' Alistair MacDonald, who has attended Coaltrans since 2000. But times have changed, he said. "The bankers aren't here. A lot of the services like insurers aren't here any more," he said. "It's a lot more domestic (Indonesian) players, and they want to be perceived as energy companies, not as coal companies." Staring at prospects of tougher conditions ahead, Indonesia's large thermal coal miners are diversifying into other geographies and other industries, Sacha Winzenried, a partner at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, told Reuters. "They are looking into renewables, other infrastructure, supply chain support such as water, utilities, shipping and logistics," Winzenried said. Indonesia's Adaro Energy bought an Australian coal mine from Rio Tinto last year. And Indonesian state coal miner Bukit Asam is targeting commercial operation of four coal processing plants in South Sumatra that would extract gas from, as well as burn, coal. Financing dries up Delegates also noted the difficulty of getting financing for their businesses, working capital and further investments, and some were pessimistic on the coal industry's longevity. One mining engineer in his fifties, who had spent most of his career in coal at a major miner and also had an MBA, saw his career options as limited. "I've spent twenty years in coal. Where can I go next?" he said. "I would not recommend any young people join this industry." Still, renewables are not expected to make the same inroads in emerging Asian economies as in developed nations, because Asian governments are working to provide cheap baseload power from coal, and renewables can't compete on scale or price, said an industry analyst, declining to be named due to his listed company's policy. "Less coal will mean a less polluted world," he said. "But if you don't want (coal) to exist, then you have to come up with a realistic alternative."

Future tense: Fastest-growing market Asia rethinks coal's prospects

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs.

"China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-in-a-very-strong-position-no-boots-on-the-ground-against-iran-trump-230652">US in a very strong position, no boots on the ground against Iran: Trump</a>

Trump has hit $200 billion of Chinese imports with levies and has threatened to impose them on an additional $300 billion if Beijing does not agree to US demands for protection of intellectual property and other reforms to a trading system that Trump says gives China huge unfair advantages.

The two sides said they were close to a deal before talks broke down in May.

Trump noted that some companies are leaving China for Vietnam to avoid the US import tariffs, but he complained that Vietnam was "even worse than China" when it comes to unfair trading practices.

Vietnam is the "single worst abuser," he said.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs. "China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that China needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is so weakened by US tariffs. "China's economy is going down the tubes -- they want to make a deal," Trump said in an interview with Fox Business News hours before he took off for a G20 summit in Japan, where he will meet with President Xi Jinping. Also read-US in a very strong position, no boots on the ground against Iran: Trump Trump has hit $200 billion of Chinese imports with levies and has threatened to impose them on an additional $300 billion if Beijing does not agree to US demands for protection of intellectual property and other reforms to a trading system that Trump says gives China huge unfair advantages. The two sides said they were close to a deal before talks broke down in May. Trump noted that some companies are leaving China for Vietnam to avoid the US import tariffs, but he complained that Vietnam was "even worse than China" when it comes to unfair trading practices. Vietnam is the "single worst abuser," he said.

Trump says Vietnam worse than China on trade

Vietnam&nbsp;has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in&nbsp;Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports.

Vietnamese customs have found scores of such cases amid the ongoing United States-China&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/g20-says-worsening-trade-wars-pose-risk-to-world-economy-225664">trade&nbsp;dispute</a>, the department said in a statement posted to a government website on Sunday.

"The faking of origin and the illegal transhipment of goods happens most often in the sectors of textiles, seafood, agricultural products, tiles, honey, steel and iron, aluminium and timber products," the department said in the statement.

Some importers had been illegally re-packing goods from&nbsp;China&nbsp;in "Made in&nbsp;Vietnam" packaging and then applying for a&nbsp;Vietnamese certificate of origin with which to export to the United States, Europe and Japan,&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;customs said.

In one such example, which the statement said was uncovered by United States&nbsp;customs, a&nbsp;Vietnam-based manufacturer of timber products was found to have been importing Chinese timber which it then relabelled and exported to the United States.

Vietnam's customs department is developing a process to better identify and impose penalties on businesses which carry out such violations, the statement said.

Vietnam&nbsp;has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries of the&nbsp;trade&nbsp;war between Beijing and Washington as some businesses are shifting their supply chains away from&nbsp;China&nbsp;in order to avoid tariffs. An analysis of&nbsp;trade&nbsp;data by Japan's Nomura Holdings Inc earlier this month showed&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;had easily benefited more than other countries.

The Southeast Asian country relies heavily on&nbsp;China&nbsp;for materials and equipment for its labour-intensive manufacturing. Meanwhile, the United States is its largest export market.

Foreign minister Pham Binh Minh said in a speech to&nbsp;Vietnam's national assembly last week that the government has created a steering committee in response to the&nbsp;trade&nbsp;war.

Vietnam has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports.

Vietnam has said it will crack down on goods of Chinese origin illegally relabelled "Made in Vietnam" by exporters seeking to avoid the United States. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Chinese imports. Vietnamese customs have found scores of such cases amid the ongoing United States-China trade dispute, the department said in a statement posted to a government website on Sunday. "The faking of origin and the illegal transhipment of goods happens most often in the sectors of textiles, seafood, agricultural products, tiles, honey, steel and iron, aluminium and timber products," the department said in the statement. Some importers had been illegally re-packing goods from China in "Made in Vietnam" packaging and then applying for a Vietnamese certificate of origin with which to export to the United States, Europe and Japan, Vietnam customs said. In one such example, which the statement said was uncovered by United States customs, a Vietnam-based manufacturer of timber products was found to have been importing Chinese timber which it then relabelled and exported to the United States. Vietnam's customs department is developing a process to better identify and impose penalties on businesses which carry out such violations, the statement said. Vietnam has emerged as one of the largest beneficiaries of the trade war between Beijing and Washington as some businesses are shifting their supply chains away from China in order to avoid tariffs. An analysis of trade data by Japan's Nomura Holdings Inc earlier this month showed Vietnam had easily benefited more than other countries. The Southeast Asian country relies heavily on China for materials and equipment for its labour-intensive manufacturing. Meanwhile, the United States is its largest export market. Foreign minister Pham Binh Minh said in a speech to Vietnam's national assembly last week that the government has created a steering committee in response to the trade war.

Vietnam to crackdown on Chinese goods relabelled to beat United States tariffs

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-blames-us-for-failed-summit-urges-new-calculation-221306"> United States and North Korea </a>would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency.

North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam.

"Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying.

The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added.

In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers.

North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

&nbsp;

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position.

In response to Pyongyang`s statement that the dialogue between the United States and North Korea would not resume unless Washington comes up with " a new method of calculation," US State Department on Friday said that it remains open to holding talks with the communist country and is "very clear" about that position. The State Department added the Trump administration sticks to the Singapore agreement signed by the leaders of the two countries, that committed to the complete denuclearisation of the North and building a lasting peace, reported Yonhap news agency. North Korea has upped its criticism towards the United States, especially after Washington seized one of its cargo ships on suspicions of violating sanctions. Yesterday, Pyongyang blamed the US for the collapse of the second summit between the two countries in Vietnam. "Unless the United States puts aside the current method of calculation and comes forward with a new method of calculation, the North Korea-US dialogue will never be resumed and by extension, the prospect for resolving the nuclear issue will be much gloomy," North Korea`s state news agency quoted the country`s spokesperson as saying. The spokesperson also said that the US is attempting to shift the blame regarding the reigning impasse onto the reclusive state."We hereby make it clear once again that the United States would not be able to move us even an inch with the device it is now weighing in its mind, and the further its mistrust and hostile acts towards the DPRK grow, the fiercer our reaction will be," the official added. In its response, the US State Department added that it is ready to have a constructive discussion with the North to advance the process "simultaneously and in parallel."Nuclear talks between the two countries hit a roadblock after the second summit in Vietnam ended abruptly with no joint statement earlier this year. The two sides reportedly failed to resolve their differences on sanctions waivers. North Korea has since launched multiple projectiles as a sign of their apparent frustration regarding the stalled talks and continuing sanctions.

Doors remain open for North Korea to resume talks: United States

US President Donald Trump said his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal.

Trump Asks Tariffs Making Companies Leave China, A Deal Can't Be '50-50'

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-jails-two-activists-for-spreading-propaganda-on-facebook-217787">Vietnam</a>, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically.

The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub.

"The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement.

It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs.

The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam has culled more than 1.2 million farmed pigs infected with African swine fever, the government said on Monday, as the virus continues to spread rapidly in the Southeast Asian country. Pork accounts for three-quarters of total meat consumption in Vietnam, a country of 95 million people where most of its 30 million farm-raised pigs are consumed domestically. The virus was first detected in Vietnam in February and has spread to 29 provinces, including Dong Nai, which supplies around 40% of the pork consumed in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's southern economic hub. "The risk of the virus spreading further is very high and the evolution of the outbreak is complicated," the government said in a statement. It said many provinces had failed to detect outbreaks and cull infected pigs properly due to a lack of funds and the space needed for burying the dead pigs. The disease, which is harmless to humans but incurable in pigs, has also spread quickly across neighbouring China. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in March advised Vietnam to declare the swine fever outbreak as a national emergency.

Vietnam culls 1.2 million pigs as African swine fever spreads nationwide

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities.

Located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa airbase -- the latest site scheduled for rehabilitation after Danang airbase's clean-up last year -- was one of the main storage grounds for Agent Orange and only hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago.

US forces sprayed 80 million litres&nbsp;of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food.

The spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into groundwater and rivers and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese -- from enlarged heads to deformed limbs.

At Bien Hoa, more than 500,000 cubic metres of dioxin had contaminated the soil and sediment, making it the "largest remaining hotspot" in Vietnam, said a statement from the US development agency USAID, which kicked off a 10-year remediation effort on Saturday.&nbsp;

The dioxin amounts in Bien Hoa are four times more than the volume cleaned up at Danang airport, a six-year $110 million effort which was completed in November.

"The fact that two former foes are now partnering on such a complex task is nothing short of historic," said the US ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, at Saturday morning's launch attended by Vietnamese military officials and US senators.&nbsp;

Hanoi says up to three million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that one million suffer grave health repercussions today -- including at least 150,000 children with birth defects.

An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States has met with little success. The US Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case while neither the US government nor the manufacturers of the chemical have ever admitted liability.

While US officials have never admitted direct links between Agent Orange and birth defects, USAID on Saturday also issued a "memorandum of intent" to work with government agencies to improve the lives of people with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces.&nbsp;

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities.

The US launched on Saturday a $183 million clean-up at a former Vietnam storage site for Agent Orange, a toxic defoliant used in their bitter war which years later is still blamed for severe birth defects, cancers and disabilities. Located outside Ho Chi Minh City, Bien Hoa airbase -- the latest site scheduled for rehabilitation after Danang airbase's clean-up last year -- was one of the main storage grounds for Agent Orange and only hastily cleared by soldiers near the war's end more than four decades ago. US forces sprayed 80 million litres of Agent Orange over South Vietnam between 1962 and 1971 in a desperate bid to flush out Viet Cong communist guerrillas by depriving them of tree cover and food. The spillover from the clearing operation is believed to have seeped beyond the base and into groundwater and rivers and is linked to severe mental and physical disabilities across generations of Vietnamese -- from enlarged heads to deformed limbs. At Bien Hoa, more than 500,000 cubic metres of dioxin had contaminated the soil and sediment, making it the "largest remaining hotspot" in Vietnam, said a statement from the US development agency USAID, which kicked off a 10-year remediation effort on Saturday. The dioxin amounts in Bien Hoa are four times more than the volume cleaned up at Danang airport, a six-year $110 million effort which was completed in November. "The fact that two former foes are now partnering on such a complex task is nothing short of historic," said the US ambassador to Vietnam, Daniel Kritenbrink, at Saturday morning's launch attended by Vietnamese military officials and US senators. Hanoi says up to three million Vietnamese people were exposed to Agent Orange, and that one million suffer grave health repercussions today -- including at least 150,000 children with birth defects. An attempt by Vietnamese victims to obtain compensation from the United States has met with little success. The US Supreme Court in 2009 declined to take up the case while neither the US government nor the manufacturers of the chemical have ever admitted liability. While US officials have never admitted direct links between Agent Orange and birth defects, USAID on Saturday also issued a "memorandum of intent" to work with government agencies to improve the lives of people with disabilities in seven Vietnamese provinces.

USAID launches latest clean-up for Vietnam War-era Agent Orange site

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trump-kim-jong-un-summits-other-aim-was-to-sell-vietnam-model-to-north-korea-208086&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwil2c2RxMzhAhUC2o8KHexwBlcQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wiqe58eN9qS_vRGZh_dqd">Kim Jong-un </a>will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday.

Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1.

Subsequently, the 30-year-old former hair salon worker pleaded guilty to "causing injury" and was handed a three year and four-month jail term effective from the date of her arrest in February 2017 and later reduced for good behaviour.

The brazen killing of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/murder-at-the-airport-the-brazen-attack-on-kim-jong-nam-207113&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjT3ojnxMzhAhWD7XMBHcytAVYQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3QXXs80GmIxdk2C8nNvhJg">Kim Jong-nam</a>&nbsp;with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in broad daylight shocked the world.

Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting the Cold War-style hit as Malaysia allowed the two women's suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder.

"We have been told by prison authorities that Huong will be freed on May 3," lawyer Salim Bashir told AFP.

"Huong is in a jovial mood. The young woman is expected to be immediately flown to Hanoi."

Last month the charge against co-accused 27-year-old Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped.

During the women's long-running trial which began in October 2017, the court was shown CCTV footage of them approaching Kim as he waited for the flight, one of them placing their hands on his face, and then both of them running to bathrooms before fleeing the airport.

But the pair always maintained they were innocent pawns in a plan hatched by North Korea and believed they were carrying out pranks for a reality TV show.

The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder.

The women's lawyers said the real masterminds were four North Koreans who were seen at the airport on the day of the murder meeting the pair, and who fled after the assassination. The four were charged in absentia along with the women over the killing.

"Obviously Huong deserves this freedom after her long incarceration. She is looking forward to being with her family and friends," her lawyer Salim said.

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday. Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1.

A Vietnamese woman accused of killing the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will walk free on May 3, her lawyer said Saturday. Following diplomatic pressure from the Vietnamese government, Malaysian prosecutors had dropped the murder charge against Doan Thi Huong on April 1. Subsequently, the 30-year-old former hair salon worker pleaded guilty to "causing injury" and was handed a three year and four-month jail term effective from the date of her arrest in February 2017 and later reduced for good behaviour. The brazen killing of Kim Jong-nam with a toxic nerve agent at Kuala Lumpur's international airport in broad daylight shocked the world. Seoul accused Pyongyang of plotting the Cold War-style hit as Malaysia allowed the two women's suspected North Korean handlers to leave in the days after the murder. "We have been told by prison authorities that Huong will be freed on May 3," lawyer Salim Bashir told AFP. "Huong is in a jovial mood. The young woman is expected to be immediately flown to Hanoi." Last month the charge against co-accused 27-year-old Indonesian suspect Siti Aisyah was dropped. During the women's long-running trial which began in October 2017, the court was shown CCTV footage of them approaching Kim as he waited for the flight, one of them placing their hands on his face, and then both of them running to bathrooms before fleeing the airport. But the pair always maintained they were innocent pawns in a plan hatched by North Korea and believed they were carrying out pranks for a reality TV show. The women would have been sentenced to death by hanging if convicted of murder. The women's lawyers said the real masterminds were four North Koreans who were seen at the airport on the day of the murder meeting the pair, and who fled after the assassination. The four were charged in absentia along with the women over the killing. "Obviously Huong deserves this freedom after her long incarceration. She is looking forward to being with her family and friends," her lawyer Salim said.

Vietnam woman in Kim's brother murder to be freed on May 3

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086">Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086">new</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnam-woman-in-kim-jong-uns-half-brother-murder-case-accepts-new-charge-likely-to-walk-free-207086"> charge, likely to walk free</a>

A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-to-launch-defence-satellite-pslv-c45-from-sriharikota-today-207087">ISRO to launch defence satellite PSLV-C45 from Sriharikota today</a>

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch&nbsp;PSLV-C45&nbsp;from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at around 9:30 am today.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071">J&amp;K: 4 LeT terrorists killed in </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071">encounter</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-4-let-terrorists-killed-in-encounter-with-security-forces-207071"> with security forces</a>

Four terrorists belonging to the&nbsp;Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The terrorists were killed following an encounter in Lassipora area of Pulwama district.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066">Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066">setback</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogans-ruling-akp-set-for-defeat-in-ankara-vote-207066"> in Ankara's local election</a>

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the&nbsp;country's economic hub Istanbul.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/arabs-to-seek-un-security-council-action-on-golan-heights-207067">Arabs to seek UN Security Council action on Golan Heights&nbsp;</a>

Arab leaders said on Sunday they would seek a UN Security Council resolution against the US decision to recognize&nbsp;Israeli sovereignty&nbsp;over the Golan Heights and promised to support Palestinians in their bid for statehood.

Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts new charge, likely to walk free A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month.

Vietnam woman in Kim Jong-un's half-brother murder case accepts new charge, likely to walk free A Vietnamese woman suspected of assassinating the North Korean leader's half-brother accepted a lesser charge Monday and looks set to be freed soon, after her Indonesian co-accused was released last month. ISRO to launch defence satellite PSLV-C45 from Sriharikota today The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch PSLV-C45 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at around 9:30 am today. J&K: 4 LeT terrorists killed in encounter with security forces Four terrorists belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. The terrorists were killed following an encounter in Lassipora area of Pulwama district. Turkish President Erdogan's ruling AKP suffers setback in Ankara's local election Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's AKP suffered a major blow in Sunday's local election with the ruling party set to lose the capital Ankara and risking defeat in the country's economic hub Istanbul. Arabs to seek UN Security Council action on Golan Heights Arab leaders said on Sunday they would seek a UN Security Council resolution against the US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and promised to support Palestinians in their bid for statehood.

News brief: Big stories of the day

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week.

Before leaving for his country, he had visited the mausoleum of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-pays-tribute-to-ho-chi-minh-on-vietnam-visit-200677">Vietnamese national hero Ho Chi Minh</a>, with whom his grandfather Kim Il-Sung met in Hanoi in 1964, which had marked the last official visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam.

After the shortstop, he travelled by car the 170 kilometres (106 miles) that separate Hanoi from Dong Dang station on the border with China.

He arrived at the station after 12.30 pm and boarded a high-security train to return to his country.

A crowd waving Vietnamese and North Korean flags to the beats of the national orchestra had gathered at the gates of the railway station to bid farewell to the leader of North Korea.

Kim waved to the gathered crowd with a broad smile and boarded the train, flanked by his security personnel.

On Friday, Hanoi had hosted a grand dinner for Kim, that was attended by top officials of the country.

Earlier in the day, he had met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong.

During the meeting, both leaders had pledged to reinforce ties between the two countries that share historical and ideological affinities owing to the communist root of their regimes.

In recent months, North Korea has shown an interest in the economic transition undertaken by Vietnam since the mid-1980s.

Vietnam had successfully moved from orthodox communism to a state-protected market economy without the Communist Party losing its political hegemony.

Kim had arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday to participate in his second summit with US President Donald Trump, which ended ahead of schedule on Thursday after the two sides failed to agree on the denuclearization of North Korea and the lifting of sanctions.

The two countries had presented different versions of the meet, after it concluded, leading to confusion over its outcome.

However, on Friday, the negotiating teams of both the countries underlined the progress achieved during the talks and made an appeal to continue with the talks and hoped to reach an agreement at a forthcoming summit.

Meanwhile, Kim will be travelling 60 hours to cover 4,500 kilometres that separate the Vietnamese border from the North Korean capital.

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week.

The leader of North Korea left the Vietnamese capital on Saturday for Pyongyang by train, after concluding a two-day state visit, following his failed summit with the President of the United States earlier in the week. Before leaving for his country, he had visited the mausoleum of Vietnamese national hero Ho Chi Minh, with whom his grandfather Kim Il-Sung met in Hanoi in 1964, which had marked the last official visit by a North Korean leader to Vietnam. After the shortstop, he travelled by car the 170 kilometres (106 miles) that separate Hanoi from Dong Dang station on the border with China. He arrived at the station after 12.30 pm and boarded a high-security train to return to his country. A crowd waving Vietnamese and North Korean flags to the beats of the national orchestra had gathered at the gates of the railway station to bid farewell to the leader of North Korea. Kim waved to the gathered crowd with a broad smile and boarded the train, flanked by his security personnel. On Friday, Hanoi had hosted a grand dinner for Kim, that was attended by top officials of the country. Earlier in the day, he had met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong. During the meeting, both leaders had pledged to reinforce ties between the two countries that share historical and ideological affinities owing to the communist root of their regimes. In recent months, North Korea has shown an interest in the economic transition undertaken by Vietnam since the mid-1980s. Vietnam had successfully moved from orthodox communism to a state-protected market economy without the Communist Party losing its political hegemony. Kim had arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday to participate in his second summit with US President Donald Trump, which ended ahead of schedule on Thursday after the two sides failed to agree on the denuclearization of North Korea and the lifting of sanctions. The two countries had presented different versions of the meet, after it concluded, leading to confusion over its outcome. However, on Friday, the negotiating teams of both the countries underlined the progress achieved during the talks and made an appeal to continue with the talks and hoped to reach an agreement at a forthcoming summit. Meanwhile, Kim will be travelling 60 hours to cover 4,500 kilometres that separate the Vietnamese border from the North Korean capital.

North Korea leader Kim Jong Un leaves for Pyongyang after Vietnamese state visit

North Korea's foreign minister&nbsp;Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-deal-with-kim-thwarted-by-north-korean-sanction-demands-200231">during Kim Jong-un's summit </a>with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported.

In a highly unusual late-night statement at the North Korean delegation's hotel, Ri Yong Ho added Pyongyang was seeking partial sanctions relief, the South Korean agency reported, denying Trump's assertion it wanted them all lifted.

North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief, the foreign minister said.

The US-North Korea nuclear summit in Hanoi ended abruptly without a deal on Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying he had decided to "walk" in the face of Kim Jong Un's demands to drop sanctions.

The much-anticipated second meeting between the two leaders was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore, but they failed to sign a joint statement as initially scheduled and the talks ended in deadlock.

"Sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times," an unusually downbeat Trump told reporters.

"Basically they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn't do that," Trump said before leaving Vietnam aboard Air Force One to head back to Washington. &nbsp;

&nbsp;Trump noted Kim had vowed not to resume nuclear or ballistic missile testing -- something he previously identified as a yardstick for success -- and reiterated their "close relationship".

"We just like each other... there's a warmth that we have and I hope that stays, I think it will," he said.

North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" during Kim Jong-un's summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported.

North Korea's foreign minister Ri Yong Ho said that Pyongyang made a "realistic proposal" during Kim Jong-un's summit with US President Donald Trump in Hanoi, Yonhap news agency reported. In a highly unusual late-night statement at the North Korean delegation's hotel, Ri Yong Ho added Pyongyang was seeking partial sanctions relief, the South Korean agency reported, denying Trump's assertion it wanted them all lifted. North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief, the foreign minister said. The US-North Korea nuclear summit in Hanoi ended abruptly without a deal on Thursday, with President Donald Trump saying he had decided to "walk" in the face of Kim Jong Un's demands to drop sanctions. The much-anticipated second meeting between the two leaders was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore, but they failed to sign a joint statement as initially scheduled and the talks ended in deadlock. "Sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times," an unusually downbeat Trump told reporters. "Basically they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn't do that," Trump said before leaving Vietnam aboard Air Force One to head back to Washington. Trump noted Kim had vowed not to resume nuclear or ballistic missile testing -- something he previously identified as a yardstick for success -- and reiterated their "close relationship". "We just like each other... there's a warmth that we have and I hope that stays, I think it will," he said.

North Korea offered to close Yongbyon nuclear plant for partial sanctions relief during Trump-Kim summit: Foreign minister

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200106">Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony.

The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal.

Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070"> and North Korean</a> flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner.

Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people."

The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning.

This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail.

A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington.

But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world.

Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head.

Bidding to make history

Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953.

To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war.

At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability.

Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built.

From insults to love

A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status.

He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner.

Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route.

And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance.

Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard."

With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation.

Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. 
Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan.

In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted.

Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do.

In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession.&nbsp;

Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence.

Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit.

"If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP.

And Trump deserves credit, he said.

"You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons. At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony. The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal. Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating US and North Korean flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner. Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people." The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning. This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail. A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington. But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world. Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head. Bidding to make history Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953. To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war. At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability. Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built. From insults to love A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status. He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner. Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route. And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance. Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard." With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation. Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan. In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted. Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do. In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession. Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence. Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit. "If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP. And Trump deserves credit, he said. "You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

Trump, Kim express optimism over second summit in Vietnam

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292">summit between the North Korean leader and </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292">United</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-kim-ii-the-summit-the-script-and-the-sequel-199292"> States</a> president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-awesome-future-for-north-korea-if-kim-jong-un-gives-up-nukes-199965">Donald Trump</a> and Kim Jong-un are due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the denuclearization of the Pyongyang regime, as agreed on at their first summit held in Singapore in June last year.

"(Trump) is an intense, firm man, who gives everything for America and its people. He was already a millionaire before he became president. He is not there for money, he is making a sacrifice. I don't like Kim because he is a dictator and does not support policies of openness," An, a 40-year-old taxi driver, told EFE.

Trump's fortune is one of the main reasons for his popularity among the Vietnamese, who often consider wealth to be a personal virtue, and many people in Hanoi have decided to dye their hair to resemble the US president's.

"I like Trump more than Kim because he is rich and more powerful," says Duc, a 19-year-old student, who like his other 20 friends has been sporting the characteristic hair colour of the White House resident.

Artist Tram Lan Binh says he is fascinated by Trump, not because of his bank balance but because of his physical appearance, his facial expressions and his strong personality, and has painted 50 colourful portraits of the US president in acrylic over recent years.

Some of them have been displayed in the cafe that he runs on the outskirts of the capital, along with a life-size sculpture of Trump dressed in a striking yellow vest and shorts.

"We managed to get some exhibited a year ago in Washington, in front of the White House. The paintings are not for sale because I made them with a lot of heart and not for money. I feel a special fondness for Trump, his open and direct nature, his facial expressions and the way he deals with pressure inspires me. I am not bothered about what people say," explained the 37-year-old artist.

"I most enjoy painting his eyes and his facial expressions," he added.

The cafe has been specially decorated for the summit, with the flags of the US and North Korea, calls for peace and the portraits of Trump and Kim, another source of inspiration for Binh.

"I made these paintings when I learnt about the summit, but I have had an interest in Kim for a while. I began to draw his portrait even before his first meeting with Trump. He is intelligent, firm, direct and brave for agreeing to meet with Trump," he said.

The painter says he is especially drawn to the physical features of the North Korean leader, his "beautiful lips and round face," and went on to describe him as "a living masterpiece."

Even though Kim does not enjoy Trump's popularity in Vietnam, there was one place in Hanoi that on Tuesday was eagerly looking forward to the North Korean leader's arrival: the Kindergarten of Friendship between North Korea and Vietnam.

In Kim's honour, children between three and six years old along with their teachers performed a song and dance dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire, with the flags of both countries painted on their cheeks.

The kindergarten was built in 1978 with funds from Pyongyang, and is now one of the most prestigious preschools in Hanoi, with 450 students and 17 classrooms, one of them dedicated to Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and Kim Jong-un's grandfather.

Some of the teachers hope that Kim's agenda, which has not been made public by North Korean officials, will include a visit to their kindergarten.

"We are all very hopeful; we don't know if he will come, but if he does, we will be prepared to give him a welcome," said one of the teachers.

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a summit between the North Korean leader and United States president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality.

As the city of Hanoi continued its frenzied preparations for a summit between the North Korean leader and United States president on Tuesday, the local Vietnamese population appears to admire the latter's vast wealth, uncompromising politics and strong personality. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un are due to meet on Wednesday to discuss the denuclearization of the Pyongyang regime, as agreed on at their first summit held in Singapore in June last year. "(Trump) is an intense, firm man, who gives everything for America and its people. He was already a millionaire before he became president. He is not there for money, he is making a sacrifice. I don't like Kim because he is a dictator and does not support policies of openness," An, a 40-year-old taxi driver, told EFE. Trump's fortune is one of the main reasons for his popularity among the Vietnamese, who often consider wealth to be a personal virtue, and many people in Hanoi have decided to dye their hair to resemble the US president's. "I like Trump more than Kim because he is rich and more powerful," says Duc, a 19-year-old student, who like his other 20 friends has been sporting the characteristic hair colour of the White House resident. Artist Tram Lan Binh says he is fascinated by Trump, not because of his bank balance but because of his physical appearance, his facial expressions and his strong personality, and has painted 50 colourful portraits of the US president in acrylic over recent years. Some of them have been displayed in the cafe that he runs on the outskirts of the capital, along with a life-size sculpture of Trump dressed in a striking yellow vest and shorts. "We managed to get some exhibited a year ago in Washington, in front of the White House. The paintings are not for sale because I made them with a lot of heart and not for money. I feel a special fondness for Trump, his open and direct nature, his facial expressions and the way he deals with pressure inspires me. I am not bothered about what people say," explained the 37-year-old artist. "I most enjoy painting his eyes and his facial expressions," he added. The cafe has been specially decorated for the summit, with the flags of the US and North Korea, calls for peace and the portraits of Trump and Kim, another source of inspiration for Binh. "I made these paintings when I learnt about the summit, but I have had an interest in Kim for a while. I began to draw his portrait even before his first meeting with Trump. He is intelligent, firm, direct and brave for agreeing to meet with Trump," he said. The painter says he is especially drawn to the physical features of the North Korean leader, his "beautiful lips and round face," and went on to describe him as "a living masterpiece." Even though Kim does not enjoy Trump's popularity in Vietnam, there was one place in Hanoi that on Tuesday was eagerly looking forward to the North Korean leader's arrival: the Kindergarten of Friendship between North Korea and Vietnam. In Kim's honour, children between three and six years old along with their teachers performed a song and dance dressed in traditional Vietnamese attire, with the flags of both countries painted on their cheeks. The kindergarten was built in 1978 with funds from Pyongyang, and is now one of the most prestigious preschools in Hanoi, with 450 students and 17 classrooms, one of them dedicated to Kim Il-sung, the founder of North Korea and Kim Jong-un's grandfather. Some of the teachers hope that Kim's agenda, which has not been made public by North Korean officials, will include a visit to their kindergarten. "We are all very hopeful; we don't know if he will come, but if he does, we will be prepared to give him a welcome," said one of the teachers.

Trump trumps Kim in popularity among residents of Vietnamese capital

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-kim-trump-arrives-in-hanoi-for-summit-talks-199903">US President Donald Trump</a> met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit.

Trump and Trong, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, met at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace.&nbsp;

Trump was later due to have lunch with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

On Wednesday evening, Trump is scheduled to meet Kim at the city's Metropole hotel, eight months after their first summit in Singapore, to discuss efforts to get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.

US President Donald Trump met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit.

US President Donald Trump met Vietnam's president, Nguyen Phu Trong, in Hanoi on Wednesday, hours before Trump was due to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their second summit. Trump and Trong, who is also general secretary of the ruling Communist Party, met at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace. Trump was later due to have lunch with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. On Wednesday evening, Trump is scheduled to meet Kim at the city's Metropole hotel, eight months after their first summit in Singapore, to discuss efforts to get North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump meets Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong before second North Korea summit

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital.&nbsp;

Vietnam, a one-party state with little tolerance for dissent, is working hard to control every aspect of the closely-watched meeting to avoid even the most minor embarrassment on the world stage.&nbsp;

At least three dissidents were hauled off by police Wednesday as they tried to catch a glimpse of the leaders' motorcades in the streets of Hanoi.&nbsp;

"We were just taking photos then seven (plainclothes) men jumped into us and brought us here to the station," said Le Dung, livestreaming from a police post in Hanoi.&nbsp;

He was locked in a room with two other activists, he said, adding: "We are now guarded by only one militiaman, who knows nothing."

His live feed suddenly died late Wednesday and he could not be reached on his mobile phone.

Other dissidents said they were closely followed by plainclothes police or kept under de-facto house arrest with officers standing guard outside their homes.

"They are stationed outside my house and follow me whenever I go out," said Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist better known by his online nickname Anh Chi.

"For activists like me, the summit just means more trouble." 
Vietnam routinely locks up its critics, and has seen a spike in arrests since a hardline administration came to power in 2016.

Amnesty International called on Trump to press Kim on North Korea's dismal rights record at the summit.

The US president's "silence in the face of relentless and grave human rights violations has been deafening", said Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty's US branch.

Hanoi authorities deported Kim impersonator Howard X earlier this week after he appeared in public with Trump lookalike Russell White.

On Wednesday another Kim doppelganger, Thai Uthen Lueangsaengthong, was put on a plane home after he went on a walkabout in Hanoi, Thai press reported.&nbsp;

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital.

Several dissidents were detained in Hanoi on Wednesday as North Korea's Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump kicked off their second summit in the Vietnamese capital. Vietnam, a one-party state with little tolerance for dissent, is working hard to control every aspect of the closely-watched meeting to avoid even the most minor embarrassment on the world stage. At least three dissidents were hauled off by police Wednesday as they tried to catch a glimpse of the leaders' motorcades in the streets of Hanoi. "We were just taking photos then seven (plainclothes) men jumped into us and brought us here to the station," said Le Dung, livestreaming from a police post in Hanoi. He was locked in a room with two other activists, he said, adding: "We are now guarded by only one militiaman, who knows nothing." His live feed suddenly died late Wednesday and he could not be reached on his mobile phone. Other dissidents said they were closely followed by plainclothes police or kept under de-facto house arrest with officers standing guard outside their homes. "They are stationed outside my house and follow me whenever I go out," said Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist better known by his online nickname Anh Chi. "For activists like me, the summit just means more trouble." Vietnam routinely locks up its critics, and has seen a spike in arrests since a hardline administration came to power in 2016. Amnesty International called on Trump to press Kim on North Korea's dismal rights record at the summit. The US president's "silence in the face of relentless and grave human rights violations has been deafening", said Francisco Bencosme, advocacy manager for Asia-Pacific at Amnesty's US branch. Hanoi authorities deported Kim impersonator Howard X earlier this week after he appeared in public with Trump lookalike Russell White. On Wednesday another Kim doppelganger, Thai Uthen Lueangsaengthong, was put on a plane home after he went on a walkabout in Hanoi, Thai press reported.

Dissidents detained in Hanoi as Trump-Kim summit opens

Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Hanoi as second summit begins

US President Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un opened the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-hails-north-koreas-awesome-potential-ahead-of-talks-with-kim-200047"> second summit </a>in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Wednesday.

Kim and Trump shook hands and smiled briefly in front of a row of their countries' flags at the Metropole hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

Trump told reporters he thought the talks would be very successful, and asked if he was "walking back" on denuclearisation, said "no".

"I am certain that an outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people," Kim told Trump. "I will do my best to make that happen."

Trump had earlier met Kim in Singapore in June last year as the North Korean leader promised to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, however, no real progress was reported leading several experts to claim that North Korea a was stalling.

In the run-up to this <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/whats-at-stake-at-the-hanoi-summit-between-trump-and-kim-200065">summit</a>, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea's denuclearisation. He repeated that on Wednesday, saying while some people believed the talks should be moving more quickly, he was satisfied.

Trump has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful".

The two leaders are scheduled to hold a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides.

Trump will be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

US President Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un opened the second summit in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Wednesday. Kim and Trump shook hands and smiled briefly in front of a row of their countries' flags at the Metropole hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

US President Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong-un opened the second summit in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi on Wednesday. Kim and Trump shook hands and smiled briefly in front of a row of their countries' flags at the Metropole hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. Trump told reporters he thought the talks would be very successful, and asked if he was "walking back" on denuclearisation, said "no". "I am certain that an outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people," Kim told Trump. "I will do my best to make that happen." Trump had earlier met Kim in Singapore in June last year as the North Korean leader promised to denuclearise the Korean Peninsula, however, no real progress was reported leading several experts to claim that North Korea a was stalling. In the run-up to this summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea's denuclearisation. He repeated that on Wednesday, saying while some people believed the talks should be moving more quickly, he was satisfied. Trump has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful". The two leaders are scheduled to hold a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides. Trump will be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea.

Despite sweeping economic and social reforms in Vietnam, the ruling Communist Party retains tight controls on media and does not tolerate criticism.&nbsp;

Hosting the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen as a public relations coup for Vietnam and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said security should be a top priority.

Hanoi has branded itself a "city for peace" for hosting the summit.&nbsp;

Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist known as Anh Chi, said security officials had been stationed outside his house for two days.&nbsp;

"They follow me everywhere I go and warn me that I may be detained if I cross the river into the (city) centre," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

Police told him they will guard his house until March 1 and not to take photos of them, he added.&nbsp;

Vietnam`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Kim meet on Wednesday evening at Hanoi`s French-colonial-era Metropole Hotel for the start their second summit in less than a year, seeking to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

Dao Thu Hue, a Chinese teacher at a university in Hanoi known for her anti-communist protests, said police started restricting her movements on Tuesday evening. Her house is often sealed off during major events.

"This time they are tighter and very determined. They don`t say why they are blocking my house, only say `we are following orders`," Hue said.

Bui Hang, an activist based in the southern city of Vung Tau, told Reuters someone had padlocked her door from the outside and glued it in place.

Some other activists said they managed to strike compromises with security officers.&nbsp;

"I have been under guard for several days but there is still room to negotiate," said activist La Dung, speaking as he was riding on the back a local security officer`s motorbike on his way to play a game of tennis.&nbsp;

"They said tennis is OK, but other things is a no," Dung laughed.

Activist Mai Phuong Thao, known as Thao Teresa, said she has been prevented from leaving her house since Monday.

Police looked into her house several times a day to see if she was there or to hear her voice, but she said she has her own way to leave the house when she needs to.

Singer and activist Mai Khoi posted a video of herself on Twitter sticking her middle finger up as Trump`s motorcade was passed on Tuesday night with a caption "Peace on you, Trump!".

Last time Trump was in Vietnam in 2017, she held a poster that said "Piss on you Trump".

She was locked inside her house for several hours after that protest.

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea.

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea. Despite sweeping economic and social reforms in Vietnam, the ruling Communist Party retains tight controls on media and does not tolerate criticism. Hosting the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen as a public relations coup for Vietnam and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said security should be a top priority. Hanoi has branded itself a "city for peace" for hosting the summit. Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist known as Anh Chi, said security officials had been stationed outside his house for two days. "They follow me everywhere I go and warn me that I may be detained if I cross the river into the (city) centre," he told Reuters on Wednesday. Police told him they will guard his house until March 1 and not to take photos of them, he added. Vietnam`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump and Kim meet on Wednesday evening at Hanoi`s French-colonial-era Metropole Hotel for the start their second summit in less than a year, seeking to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons. Dao Thu Hue, a Chinese teacher at a university in Hanoi known for her anti-communist protests, said police started restricting her movements on Tuesday evening. Her house is often sealed off during major events. "This time they are tighter and very determined. They don`t say why they are blocking my house, only say `we are following orders`," Hue said. Bui Hang, an activist based in the southern city of Vung Tau, told Reuters someone had padlocked her door from the outside and glued it in place. Some other activists said they managed to strike compromises with security officers. "I have been under guard for several days but there is still room to negotiate," said activist La Dung, speaking as he was riding on the back a local security officer`s motorbike on his way to play a game of tennis. "They said tennis is OK, but other things is a no," Dung laughed. Activist Mai Phuong Thao, known as Thao Teresa, said she has been prevented from leaving her house since Monday. Police looked into her house several times a day to see if she was there or to hear her voice, but she said she has her own way to leave the house when she needs to. Singer and activist Mai Khoi posted a video of herself on Twitter sticking her middle finger up as Trump`s motorcade was passed on Tuesday night with a caption "Peace on you, Trump!". Last time Trump was in Vietnam in 2017, she held a poster that said "Piss on you Trump". She was locked inside her house for several hours after that protest.

Vietnamese activists say police restrict movements during Trump-Kim summit

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-awesome-future-for-north-korea-if-kim-jong-un-gives-up-nukes-199965">Trump hailed North Korea</a>`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries.

"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-vietnamese-president-nguyen-phu-trong-before-second-north-korea-summit-199964">Vietnam</a> is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim.

"The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" 
He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-like-trump-more-than-kim-because-he-is-rich-powerful-says-vietnams-resident-ahead-of-summit-199974">Trump and Kim </a>will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said.

Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar.

On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced.

Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship".

Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks.

Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion.&nbsp;

He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch.

PRESSURE

At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty.

That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return.

While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea.

US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased.&nbsp;

In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful".

The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say.

US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects.

Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests.

`STOP TALKING`

Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president.

"The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter.

Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home.

As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country.

For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles.

While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus.

Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying.

"I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons. Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries. "Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim. "The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said. Trump and Kim will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said. Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar. On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced. Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship". Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks. Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion. He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch. PRESSURE At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty. That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return. While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea. US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased. In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful". The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say. US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects. Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests. `STOP TALKING` Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president. "The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter. Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home. As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country. For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles. While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus. Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying. "I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Trump hails North Korea's 'awesome' potential ahead of talks with Kim

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/terror-camps-destroyed-as-12-mirage-jets-drops-1000-kg-bombs-across-loc-iaf-sources-199744">Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources&nbsp;</a>

India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI.

The attack is India's retaliation to Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF soldiers were killed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">summit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">; Trump on his way</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a summit with US President Donald Trump where they will try to reach an agreement on a North's Korean pledge to give up its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump is due to arrive in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Tuesday evening.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/top-vatican-cleric-cardinal-pell-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes-199719">Top Vatican cleric Cardinal Pell convicted of child sex crimes</a>

Australian Cardinal George Pell, who helped elect popes and ran the Vatican's finances, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, a court said Tuesday, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uks-labour-says-it-will-back-call-for-second-brexit-referendum-199733">UK's Labour party says it will back call for second Brexit referendum</a>

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-zarif-announces-unexpected-resignation-on-instagram-199721">Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announces unexpected resignation on Instagram</a>

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the urbane, US-educated architect of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram.

Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI.

Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI. The attack is India's retaliation to Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for summit; Trump on his way North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a summit with US President Donald Trump where they will try to reach an agreement on a North's Korean pledge to give up its nuclear weapons programme. Trump is due to arrive in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Tuesday evening. Top Vatican cleric Cardinal Pell convicted of child sex crimes Australian Cardinal George Pell, who helped elect popes and ran the Vatican's finances, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, a court said Tuesday, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes. UK's Labour party says it will back call for second Brexit referendum Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union. Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announces unexpected resignation on Instagram Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the urbane, US-educated architect of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram.

North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for summit

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strikes-on-terror-launchpads-meticulous-planning-led-to-successful-air-force-mission-199830">Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission</a>

The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uncalled-for-aggression-will-respond-at-time-place-of-our-choosing-say-pak-after-nsc-meeting-199838">Uncalled for aggression, will respond at time &amp; place of our choosing, says Pak after NSC meeting</a>

Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) held a meeting in which it said India has committed "uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821">China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821">air</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821"> strike</a>

China urged India and Pakistan on Tuesday to "exercise restraint" after New Delhi said its warplanes attacked a militant camp, in a move that sent tensions soaring between the two neighbours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/country-is-in-safe-hands-modi-says-hours-after-iaf-airstrikes-on-jem-terror-camps-199812">'Country is in safe hands,' Modi says hours after IAF airstrikes on JeM terror camps &nbsp;</a>

Hours after India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan early Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is in safe hands.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/sanath-jayasuriya-guilty-of-breaching-anti-corruption-code-banned-for-2-years-by-icc-199876">Sanath Jayasuriya guilty of breaching anti-corruption code, banned for 2 years by ICC</a>

Sanath Jayasuriya Tuesday was banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said. Uncalled for aggression, will respond at time & place of our choosing, says Pak after NSC meeting Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) held a meeting in which it said India has committed "uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing". China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after air strike China urged India and Pakistan on Tuesday to "exercise restraint" after New Delhi said its warplanes attacked a militant camp, in a move that sent tensions soaring between the two neighbours. 'Country is in safe hands,' Modi says hours after IAF airstrikes on JeM terror camps Hours after India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan early Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is in safe hands. Sanath Jayasuriya guilty of breaching anti-corruption code, banned for 2 years by ICC Sanath Jayasuriya Tuesday was banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

The train station on the Vietnam-China border where <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-sets-off-by-train-to-vietnam-for-summit-with-trump-report-199156">Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive</a> by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, days ahead of the North Korean leader's summit with Donald Trump.

Kim boarded his trademark olive-green train in Pyongyang on Saturday and its armoured carriages were later spotted crossing a bridge into China.

The train apparently bypassed Beijing and is now thought to be chugging south en route to Vietnam, which is hastily preparing for the second meeting between Kim and US President Trump after their historic first summit in Singapore last June.

Sources in Vietnam said Kim could arrive at the Dong Dang border station in the early hours of Tuesday following his epic 4,000 kilometres, two-and-a-half-day journey.

His motorcade is likely to drive from Dong Dang to Hanoi and in an unprecedented move, the entire 170-kilometre stretch of road will be completely closed from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday.

An AFP reporter at the scene saw armed guards stationed at Dong Dang station on Monday morning, while workers tended to the rail tracks.

"(The station) is closed, no public access. We don't know when it's closed until but around tomorrow," a guard told AFP, requesting anonymity.

Kim's route through China remained a tightly guarded secret.

Ifeng, the online Chinese-language news website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television, posted a video on its Twitter-like Weibo account showing what it described as Kim's special train passing through Wuhan in the central province of Hubei at 7:15 am local time on Monday.

Vietnam said on Saturday that Kim would make an official visit to the country "in the coming days", but did not say whether that would be before or after the Trump-Kim summit on February 27-28.

Two sources told AFP on Monday that Kim would stay at a modern hotel in downtown Hanoi, about one kilometre (mile) from the colonial-era Government Guesthouse where the summit could take place.

The Melia hotel boasts of its "elegant interiors with gorgeous views of the city" and is connected to Hanoi's only Rolls-Royce dealership catering to the city's growing class of super-rich.

A staff member told AFP this week the hotel was fully booked until early March, but would not be drawn on any VIP guests.

The White House press centre will be set up at the same hotel, and North Korean security personnel were seen entering the building on Sunday.

During his trip, Kim is also expected to visit industrial zones in Vietnam's provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh, which is home to a Samsung factory.

Trump and Kim's first meeting ended with a vaguely worded statement to work towards the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, and both sides are under pressure to walk away from this week's summit with concrete deliverables.

The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, days ahead of the North Korean leader's summit with Donald Trump.

The train station on the Vietnam-China border where Kim Jong Un is expected to arrive by rail was closed to the public and surrounded by armed guards on Monday, days ahead of the North Korean leader's summit with Donald Trump. Kim boarded his trademark olive-green train in Pyongyang on Saturday and its armoured carriages were later spotted crossing a bridge into China. The train apparently bypassed Beijing and is now thought to be chugging south en route to Vietnam, which is hastily preparing for the second meeting between Kim and US President Trump after their historic first summit in Singapore last June. Sources in Vietnam said Kim could arrive at the Dong Dang border station in the early hours of Tuesday following his epic 4,000 kilometres, two-and-a-half-day journey. His motorcade is likely to drive from Dong Dang to Hanoi and in an unprecedented move, the entire 170-kilometre stretch of road will be completely closed from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday. An AFP reporter at the scene saw armed guards stationed at Dong Dang station on Monday morning, while workers tended to the rail tracks. "(The station) is closed, no public access. We don't know when it's closed until but around tomorrow," a guard told AFP, requesting anonymity. Kim's route through China remained a tightly guarded secret. Ifeng, the online Chinese-language news website of Hong Kong-based Phoenix Television, posted a video on its Twitter-like Weibo account showing what it described as Kim's special train passing through Wuhan in the central province of Hubei at 7:15 am local time on Monday. Vietnam said on Saturday that Kim would make an official visit to the country "in the coming days", but did not say whether that would be before or after the Trump-Kim summit on February 27-28. Two sources told AFP on Monday that Kim would stay at a modern hotel in downtown Hanoi, about one kilometre (mile) from the colonial-era Government Guesthouse where the summit could take place. The Melia hotel boasts of its "elegant interiors with gorgeous views of the city" and is connected to Hanoi's only Rolls-Royce dealership catering to the city's growing class of super-rich. A staff member told AFP this week the hotel was fully booked until early March, but would not be drawn on any VIP guests. The White House press centre will be set up at the same hotel, and North Korean security personnel were seen entering the building on Sunday. During his trip, Kim is also expected to visit industrial zones in Vietnam's provinces of Quang Ninh and Bac Ninh, which is home to a Samsung factory. Trump and Kim's first meeting ended with a vaguely worded statement to work towards the "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula, and both sides are under pressure to walk away from this week's summit with concrete deliverables.

Hanoi summit: Vietnam train station on lockdown ahead of Kim's arrival

Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city centre days before a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-warns-us-sceptics-as-kim-heads-for-vietnam-for-summit-with-trump-199370">North Korea-US summit</a>.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, hoping to build on a commitment they made at their first meeting, in Singapore in June, to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear bombs.

They are expected to meet for their second summit in Hanoi's Government Guesthouse, an elegant, colonial-era building in the city centre, or at the nearby Metropole Hotel, sources have told Reuters.

Vietnam has confirmed that Kim will arrive for an official goodwill visit as well as the summit with Trump, but has released no further details regarding the location of meetings.

A Reuters witness saw Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged fatigues sweeping the area around the Metropole with a metal detector. Its potted plants were thoroughly checked.

Teams of soldiers were also seen busy on nearby rooftops, installing radio devices and equipment under camouflaged webbing.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered that security should be a top priority for the summit, the government said in a post on its website.

The Southeast Asian country is relishing its role as peace maker, seeing it as an opportunity to burnish its international standing and balance it foreign ties.

Vietnam has pushed US and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters.

Media published photographs taken at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport showing a North Korean cargo plane with its loading door open and the security men filing off onto the tarmac.

Some banners proclaiming the summit have gone up along Hanoi's tree-lined streets and some lamp posts are decked with North Korean, Vietnamese and US flags fluttering above a handshake design, but apart from that, for now at least, life goes on as normal.

Motorists have been warned to expect road closures when the leaders are in town.

Security at the train station in the town of Dang Dong, on the Chinese border where Kim is expected arrive by train, has also been stepped up.

Vietnamese soldiers were seen patrolling its streets on Sunday.

Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city centre days before a North Korea-US summit.

Dozens of North Korean security men with identical haircuts and suits marched off an aircraft at Hanoi airport on Sunday, as Vietnamese soldiers searched through shrubbery outside a posh hotel in the city centre days before a North Korea-US summit. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump will meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday, hoping to build on a commitment they made at their first meeting, in Singapore in June, to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear bombs. They are expected to meet for their second summit in Hanoi's Government Guesthouse, an elegant, colonial-era building in the city centre, or at the nearby Metropole Hotel, sources have told Reuters. Vietnam has confirmed that Kim will arrive for an official goodwill visit as well as the summit with Trump, but has released no further details regarding the location of meetings. A Reuters witness saw Vietnamese soldiers in camouflaged fatigues sweeping the area around the Metropole with a metal detector. Its potted plants were thoroughly checked. Teams of soldiers were also seen busy on nearby rooftops, installing radio devices and equipment under camouflaged webbing. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has ordered that security should be a top priority for the summit, the government said in a post on its website. The Southeast Asian country is relishing its role as peace maker, seeing it as an opportunity to burnish its international standing and balance it foreign ties. Vietnam has pushed US and North Korean security services to work closely to prepare for the summit, a senior Vietnamese security official told Reuters. Media published photographs taken at Hanoi's Noi Bai International Airport showing a North Korean cargo plane with its loading door open and the security men filing off onto the tarmac. Some banners proclaiming the summit have gone up along Hanoi's tree-lined streets and some lamp posts are decked with North Korean, Vietnamese and US flags fluttering above a handshake design, but apart from that, for now at least, life goes on as normal. Motorists have been warned to expect road closures when the leaders are in town. Security at the train station in the town of Dang Dong, on the Chinese border where Kim is expected arrive by train, has also been stepped up. Vietnamese soldiers were seen patrolling its streets on Sunday.

Security men and metal detectors: Vietnam prepares for Trump-Kim summit

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