Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said he was ready to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump as soon as Washington was ready, adding <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vienna-being-considered-as-venue-for-possible-putin-trump-summit-kremlin-143280">Vienna could be a possible venue for such a summit</a>.

"As soon as the American side is ready this meeting would take place depending on my working schedule of course," Putin told reporters in the Chinese city of Qingdao.

"The US president himself repeatedly said that he would consider such a meeting helpful. I can confirm this. It's true," Putin said.

He said he did not discuss a possible meeting venue with Trump but "many" countries including Austria were keen to help in organising such a summit.&nbsp

"But I believe it's a technical issue," he said.

"It's important for such meetings -- if they take place -- to have concrete contents."

The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior European official, reported that Putin asked Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on a visit to Vienna earlier this week to help organise such a meeting and that Washington was considering it.

Under the conservative Kurz, Austria has strived to act as a mediator between Russia and the West.

While the EU-state imposed sanctions on Russia over Crimea along with the rest of the bloc, Austria did not expel Russian diplomats like other Western nations following the March poisoning of a Russian former double agent and his daughter in Britain, an attack London has accused Moscow of being behind.

'As soon as the American side is ready this meeting would take place depending on my working schedule of course,' Putin said

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said he was ready to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump as soon as Washington was ready, adding Vienna could be a possible venue for such a summit. "As soon as the American side is ready this meeting would take place depending on my working schedule of course," Putin told reporters in the Chinese city of Qingdao. "The US president himself repeatedly said that he would consider such a meeting helpful. I can confirm this. It's true," Putin said. He said he did not discuss a possible meeting venue with Trump but "many" countries including Austria were keen to help in organising such a summit. "But I believe it's a technical issue," he said. "It's important for such meetings -- if they take place -- to have concrete contents." The Wall Street Journal, citing a senior European official, reported that Putin asked Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on a visit to Vienna earlier this week to help organise such a meeting and that Washington was considering it. Under the conservative Kurz, Austria has strived to act as a mediator between Russia and the West. While the EU-state imposed sanctions on Russia over Crimea along with the rest of the bloc, Austria did not expel Russian diplomats like other Western nations following the March poisoning of a Russian former double agent and his daughter in Britain, an attack London has accused Moscow of being behind.

Putin says ready to meet Trump 'as soon as' Washington is ready

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out a lower court ruling that let a pregnant illegal immigrant minor held in federal immigration custody obtain an abortion last year at age 17 over the objections of President Donald Trump’s administration. 
The action by the justices provided a legal victory to Trump’s administration even though the teenager already has had the abortion because it eliminated a precedent at the federal appeals court level that could have applied in similar circumstances in which detained minors sought abortions.

In the unsigned opinion with no dissents, the justices threw out the appeals court decision on the grounds that the dispute became moot once the unnamed teenager had the abortion.

The justices, however, declined to take up the administration’s request for disciplinary action against the American Civil Liberties Union lawyers who represented the girl, who underwent an abortion in Texas last October.

The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion. The high court said that it takes misconduct allegations against lawyers seriously but said “not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct.”

The justices also allowed litigation to continue in lower courts concerning other detained immigrants in detention in a similar situations.

The Trump administration had argued that while the girl was in federal custody, she was subject to its policy of refusing to facilitate abortions. The girl, whose name and nationality were not disclosed, went by the name of “Jane Doe” in legal papers.

While the case was pending at the Supreme Court, litigation continued in lower courts.

On March 30, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction preventing the administration from impeding access to abortion by detained immigrant minors. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan also certified a class action of similar minors to challenge the administration’s policy.

“Today’s decision doesn’t affect our ongoing efforts to ensure that all ‘Janes’ can get an abortion if they need one,” said ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri. “The district court has blocked the Trump administration’s cruel policy of obstructing unaccompanied immigrant minors’ access to abortion while the case continues, and we won’t stop until we strike it down once and for all.”

The ACLU, which has filed a range of lawsuits against the administration, sued in Washington in October, seeking a decision on obtaining abortions that would be binding in any future cases that arise.

A 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion nationwide. One of the issues raised by the current case is whether illegal immigrant women have the same right to an abortion as American citizens and legal residents.

The case involves the intersection of two divisive social issues on which Trump has taken a hard line: abortion and immigration.

The girl at the center of the legal fight had an abortion on Oct. 25, the day after a U.S. appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s objections.

The Justice Department has said it was preparing to appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court when it learned she had already had the abortion early that morning.

She entered the United States without any family in September 2017 and was immediately detained by U.S. authorities and placed in a shelter in Texas for unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors.

She had sought and received a Texas court order to approve the abortion because she a minor, and had scheduled a sonogram and consultation with a physician, as required by Texas law. But the Trump administration refused to let her leave the detention center to carry out those steps.

At the time of the abortion, she was around 15 weeks pregnant. Under Texas law, abortions after 20 weeks are illegal.

The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday threw out a lower court ruling that let a pregnant illegal immigrant minor held in federal immigration custody obtain an abortion last year at age 17 over the objections of President Donald Trump’s administration. The action by the justices provided a legal victory to Trump’s administration even though the teenager already has had the abortion because it eliminated a precedent at the federal appeals court level that could have applied in similar circumstances in which detained minors sought abortions. In the unsigned opinion with no dissents, the justices threw out the appeals court decision on the grounds that the dispute became moot once the unnamed teenager had the abortion. The justices, however, declined to take up the administration’s request for disciplinary action against the American Civil Liberties Union lawyers who represented the girl, who underwent an abortion in Texas last October. The administration had accused the ACLU lawyers of misleading the Justice Department over when she would have the abortion. The high court said that it takes misconduct allegations against lawyers seriously but said “not all communication breakdowns constitute misconduct.” The justices also allowed litigation to continue in lower courts concerning other detained immigrants in detention in a similar situations. The Trump administration had argued that while the girl was in federal custody, she was subject to its policy of refusing to facilitate abortions. The girl, whose name and nationality were not disclosed, went by the name of “Jane Doe” in legal papers. While the case was pending at the Supreme Court, litigation continued in lower courts. On March 30, a federal judge in Washington issued an injunction preventing the administration from impeding access to abortion by detained immigrant minors. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan also certified a class action of similar minors to challenge the administration’s policy. “Today’s decision doesn’t affect our ongoing efforts to ensure that all ‘Janes’ can get an abortion if they need one,” said ACLU attorney Brigitte Amiri. “The district court has blocked the Trump administration’s cruel policy of obstructing unaccompanied immigrant minors’ access to abortion while the case continues, and we won’t stop until we strike it down once and for all.” The ACLU, which has filed a range of lawsuits against the administration, sued in Washington in October, seeking a decision on obtaining abortions that would be binding in any future cases that arise. A 1973 Supreme Court ruling legalized abortion nationwide. One of the issues raised by the current case is whether illegal immigrant women have the same right to an abortion as American citizens and legal residents. The case involves the intersection of two divisive social issues on which Trump has taken a hard line: abortion and immigration. The girl at the center of the legal fight had an abortion on Oct. 25, the day after a U.S. appeals court ruled against the Trump administration’s objections. The Justice Department has said it was preparing to appeal that ruling to the Supreme Court when it learned she had already had the abortion early that morning. She entered the United States without any family in September 2017 and was immediately detained by U.S. authorities and placed in a shelter in Texas for unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors. She had sought and received a Texas court order to approve the abortion because she a minor, and had scheduled a sonogram and consultation with a physician, as required by Texas law. But the Trump administration refused to let her leave the detention center to carry out those steps. At the time of the abortion, she was around 15 weeks pregnant. Under Texas law, abortions after 20 weeks are illegal.

Supreme Court throws out immigrant teen abortion ruling

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said&nbsp;Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable".

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language.

"It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga.

Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect&nbsp;on Friday.

"The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters.

"On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules."

The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties.

Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products.

According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable". Washington found itself isolated at a weekend meeting of G7 finance ministers over its stinging steel and aluminium tariffs and Tokyo kept up the barrage in unusually strong language. "It is extremely deplorable that the situation has not improved even after Japan has explained to the US its concerns at various levels," said government spokesman Yoshihide Suga. Close allies Tokyo and Washington have been at loggerheads over trade policy after the US refused to give Japan an exemption from the tariffs, which came into effect on Friday. "The US government's trade measures, citing its security, makes us concerned that they could disrupt the global market," Suga told reporters. "On top of that, we think that it may have a grave impact on the economic cooperation between the allies Japan and the United States and on the whole multilateral trading system under the WTO (World Trade Organization) rules." The trade row has cast a shadow over the relationship between Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US President Donald Trump, who have forged otherwise close ties. Last month, Tokyo informed the WTO it had the right to impose tariffs worth 50 billion yen ($456 million) on American goods -- equivalent to the impact of the US tariffs newly imposed on Japanese steel and aluminium products. According to the most recent data, Japan's trade surplus with the US was 615.7 billion yen in April ($5.6 billion), a gain of 4.7 per cent on higher demand for cars and construction machinery.

US trade policy 'deplorable', rages Japan

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said&nbsp;Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war.

Ross's&nbsp;June 2-4&nbsp;visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He,&nbsp;on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods.

Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing&nbsp;on Tuesday&nbsp;that it will cut auto import tariffs from&nbsp;July 1.

For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business.

At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks.

The Chinese commerce ministry denied&nbsp;on Thursday&nbsp;that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports.

Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States.

That was followed&nbsp;on Monday&nbsp;by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

Wilbur Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He

US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross will visit Beijing next week to resume talks with Chinese officials, state media said Friday, as the two sides seek to avoid a trade war. Ross's June 2-4 visit was confirmed in a phone call with China's point man on economic matters, Vice Premier Liu He, on Friday, the official Xinhua news agency reported. Liu visited Washington last week for high-level talks that ended with the world's two biggest economies agreeing to back off slapping tit-for-tat tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods. Both sides have extended olive branches since the weekend, with China announcing on Tuesday that it will cut auto import tariffs from July 1. For his part, President Donald Trump said his administration could impose a new fine of as much as $1.3 billion on embattled Chinese telecom company ZTE to replace crippling sanctions imposed last month that threatened to put the firm out of business. At the same time, Trump said he was "not satisfied" with the recent talks. The Chinese commerce ministry denied on Thursday that it had set a target to cut its trade surplus with the United States, though it said Beijing would seek to increase US imports. Chinese officials were reported to have offered to slash the country's huge surplus by $200 billion -- meeting a key Washington demand -- by ramping up imports from the United States. That was followed on Monday by President Donald Trump tweeting that China will buy "massive amounts" of additional American agriculture products.

US commerce chief to hold trade talks in China next week

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders.&nbsp;

Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12.&nbsp;

Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12

UK's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson will visit Washington today. Johnson will meet US Vice President Mike Pence, National Security Advisor John Bolton among other Congress leaders. Johnson will discuss a range of issues at Washinton with the Iran nuclear deal, Syria and North Korea on top of the agenda. US President Donald Trump described the Iran nuke deal as "insane" and has threatened to pull out of it on its renewal which is due on May 12. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to keep Trump from abandoning the deal.

UK Foreign Secretary heads to Washington to discuss North Korea, Syria and Iran nuke deal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to the United States will have many agendas, some of which will certainly include achieving smoothened ties with her American counterpart and saving the JCPOA. The German foreign ministry once noted that "the biggest priority is maintaining the nuclear accord".

Merkel's US visit closely follows Macron's three-day-long engagement with Donald Trump.&nbsp;

While Merkel identifies Iran's ballistic missile program a "cause for concern" and the deal as something extremely significant, Trump rubbishes the same as "insane" and the "worst deal ever".

Speaking at a joint press conference with Trump on Tuesday in Washington, Macron said that the current Iran nuclear deal was not "sufficient" and a new pact should be worked out. Macron came away from his meetings speculating that Trump would kill the deal, but debate continues to rage.

Trump said Macron's suggestion was "a pretty good idea," yet remained unsure "whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations."

"Because this (the current Iran nuclear deal) (is) a deal with decayed foundations. It`s a bad deal. It`s a bad structure. It`s falling down. Should have never, ever been made," Trump noted.<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wNkXrRf2VKM" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

In her previous interactions with Donald Trump, Merkel had raised issues related to trade policy, migration and defence spending.

This time around, the German agenda is likely to push Trump to reconsider metal tariffs besides, his 'protectionist'&nbsp;trade policy and the impulse to scrap the Iran nuclear deal.

US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Thursday said Washington was yet to make "any decision" on tearing up the deal but stressed that some aspects needed to be improved.&nbsp;

Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday communicated that the country would consider withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if Washington tries to scraps the nuke deal.

Merkel is known to have enjoyed better relationships with Trump's predecessors Barack Obama and George Bush. Despite this, she has been vocal about strengthening the strategic alliance between Germany and America.

The Merkel-Trump engagement is certain to spark off disagreements, especially when Germany is definite to bring up trade war and the Iran nuke deal.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In her previous interactions with Donald Trump, Merkel had raised issues related to trade policy, migration and defence spending.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to the United States will have many agendas, some of which will certainly include achieving smoothened ties with her American counterpart and saving the JCPOA. The German foreign ministry once noted that "the biggest priority is maintaining the nuclear accord". Merkel's US visit closely follows Macron's three-day-long engagement with Donald Trump. While Merkel identifies Iran's ballistic missile program a "cause for concern" and the deal as something extremely significant, Trump rubbishes the same as "insane" and the "worst deal ever". Speaking at a joint press conference with Trump on Tuesday in Washington, Macron said that the current Iran nuclear deal was not "sufficient" and a new pact should be worked out. Macron came away from his meetings speculating that Trump would kill the deal, but debate continues to rage. Trump said Macron's suggestion was "a pretty good idea," yet remained unsure "whether or not it will be possible to do a new deal with solid foundations." "Because this (the current Iran nuclear deal) (is) a deal with decayed foundations. It`s a bad deal. It`s a bad structure. It`s falling down. Should have never, ever been made," Trump noted. In her previous interactions with Donald Trump, Merkel had raised issues related to trade policy, migration and defence spending. This time around, the German agenda is likely to push Trump to reconsider metal tariffs besides, his 'protectionist' trade policy and the impulse to scrap the Iran nuclear deal. US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis on Thursday said Washington was yet to make "any decision" on tearing up the deal but stressed that some aspects needed to be improved. Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Tuesday communicated that the country would consider withdrawing from the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if Washington tries to scraps the nuke deal. Merkel is known to have enjoyed better relationships with Trump's predecessors Barack Obama and George Bush. Despite this, she has been vocal about strengthening the strategic alliance between Germany and America. The Merkel-Trump engagement is certain to spark off disagreements, especially when Germany is definite to bring up trade war and the Iran nuke deal.

Merkel's agenda in Washington, 'saving' Iran nuke deal and stalling trade wars

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported.

"Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York.&nbsp

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016.

US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran.

Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016

Iran warned the United States on Thursday of "unpleasant" consequences if Washington pulls out of a multinational nuclear deal, Iranian state TV reported. "Iran has several options if the United States leaves the nuclear deal. Tehran`s reaction to America's withdrawal of the deal will be unpleasant," TV quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif as saying on his arrival in New York. Under Iran's settlement with the United States, France, Germany, Britain, Russia and China, Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear program to satisfy the powers that it could not be used to develop atomic bombs. In exchange, Iran received relief from sanctions, most of which were lifted in January 2016. US&nbspPresident Donald Trump has given the European signatories a May 12 deadline to “fix the terrible flaws” of the 2015 nuclear deal, or he will refuse to extend U.S. sanctions relief on Iran. Iran has said it will stick to the accord as long as the other parties respect it, but will “shred” the deal if Washington pulls out.

Iran warns of 'unpleasant' response if US drops nuclear deal: Report

Latin American leaders arrived in Lima on Friday for a summit that U.S. President Donald Trump decided not to attend, even though Washington hopes to use the gathering to counter China's rising influence in the region.

The official theme of this year's Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital, where heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere will meet through Saturday, is corruption. Several countries attending also plan to condemn Venezuela's planned presidential election next month.

But a heated trade dispute between the United States and China looms over the event.

Late on Thursday, US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross took aim at Beijing's growing trade ties with the region, saying Latin America benefited more from value-added exports to the United States than rising sales of raw materials to China.

Ross told a regional gathering of business leaders in Lima that Washington had no intention of ceding leadership in Latin America to "authoritarian states."

But leaders from Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and other countries will meet in Peru without Trump, after the White House said he decided to skip his first visit as president to Latin America to focus instead on the crisis in Syria.

In the opening speech at a joint business summit in Lima, Bolivia's left-leaning President Evo Morales said the days when foreign powers could dictate terms to Latin America were over.

"Many developing countries and transnational companies think the only thing that matters is making money," Morales said, calling instead for action on climate change. "The structural crisis of capitalism is threatening the survival of humanity itself."

Morales was the sole leftist Latin American president at the summit. Cuban President Raul Castro did not show up and host Peru uninvited Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro last month to pressure him to enact democratic reforms.

But even in the largely US-friendly and pro-business crowd in Lima, many criticized Trump's approach to foreign policy and trade.

"Trump's plan seems to be to ensure the U.S. is no longer the world's leader," Gustavo Grobocopatel, chief executive of Argentine agricultural group Grupo Los Grobo S.A., told Reuters.

Ross said on Thursday it was too early to write off Trump. "This is an administration you should judge by its end results, not by theories about what may be the results," he told reporters.

In his speech, Ross urged Latin American countries to do more to reduce tariffs and red tape, saying regional economies would benefit by exporting more manufactured goods to the United States.

In the past week, Trump has threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods, said he was in no hurry to reach a deal on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and ordered his advisors to study rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Trump withdrew the United States from the TPP in one of his first acts as president. Former President Barack Obama had pitched the agreement as a way to give the United States an edge over China in a fast-growing region that includes large swaths of Latin America.

So far, it has been unclear what might replace it.

On Thursday, Trump's top trade official Robert Lighthizer also cancelled his trip to Peru. US&nbspVice President Mike Pence, who will stand in for Trump at the summit, scheduled meetings that did not include a one-on-one with Mexico's president, dimming hopes progress might be made on NAFTA.

"No one wants to do bilateral trade deals with the United States, and Trump had no Plan B," said Robert Manning, an Asia expert and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council.

Vizcarra will meet one-on-one with Pence on Friday.

In a diplomatic blunder for the Trump administration, the White House initially said Pence would be dining with Peru's disgraced former leader, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, instead of current President Martin Vizcarra.

The White House corrected the error on Friday.

The official theme of this year's Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital is corruption.

Latin American leaders arrived in Lima on Friday for a summit that U.S. President Donald Trump decided not to attend, even though Washington hopes to use the gathering to counter China's rising influence in the region. The official theme of this year's Summit of the Americas in the Peruvian capital, where heads of state from across the Western Hemisphere will meet through Saturday, is corruption. Several countries attending also plan to condemn Venezuela's planned presidential election next month. But a heated trade dispute between the United States and China looms over the event. Late on Thursday, US&nbspCommerce Secretary Wilbur Ross took aim at Beijing's growing trade ties with the region, saying Latin America benefited more from value-added exports to the United States than rising sales of raw materials to China. Ross told a regional gathering of business leaders in Lima that Washington had no intention of ceding leadership in Latin America to "authoritarian states." But leaders from Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and other countries will meet in Peru without Trump, after the White House said he decided to skip his first visit as president to Latin America to focus instead on the crisis in Syria. In the opening speech at a joint business summit in Lima, Bolivia's left-leaning President Evo Morales said the days when foreign powers could dictate terms to Latin America were over. "Many developing countries and transnational companies think the only thing that matters is making money," Morales said, calling instead for action on climate change. "The structural crisis of capitalism is threatening the survival of humanity itself." Morales was the sole leftist Latin American president at the summit. Cuban President Raul Castro did not show up and host Peru uninvited Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro last month to pressure him to enact democratic reforms. But even in the largely US-friendly and pro-business crowd in Lima, many criticized Trump's approach to foreign policy and trade. "Trump's plan seems to be to ensure the U.S. is no longer the world's leader," Gustavo Grobocopatel, chief executive of Argentine agricultural group Grupo Los Grobo S.A., told Reuters. Ross said on Thursday it was too early to write off Trump. "This is an administration you should judge by its end results, not by theories about what may be the results," he told reporters. In his speech, Ross urged Latin American countries to do more to reduce tariffs and red tape, saying regional economies would benefit by exporting more manufactured goods to the United States. In the past week, Trump has threatened to slap more tariffs on Chinese goods, said he was in no hurry to reach a deal on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and ordered his advisors to study rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Trump withdrew the United States from the TPP in one of his first acts as president. Former President Barack Obama had pitched the agreement as a way to give the United States an edge over China in a fast-growing region that includes large swaths of Latin America. So far, it has been unclear what might replace it. On Thursday, Trump's top trade official Robert Lighthizer also cancelled his trip to Peru. US&nbspVice President Mike Pence, who will stand in for Trump at the summit, scheduled meetings that did not include a one-on-one with Mexico's president, dimming hopes progress might be made on NAFTA. "No one wants to do bilateral trade deals with the United States, and Trump had no Plan B," said Robert Manning, an Asia expert and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council. Vizcarra will meet one-on-one with Pence on Friday. In a diplomatic blunder for the Trump administration, the White House initially said Pence would be dining with Peru's disgraced former leader, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, instead of current President Martin Vizcarra. The White House corrected the error on Friday.

US seeks to outshine China at Latam summit, without Trump

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg fielded 10 hours of questions over two days from nearly 100 US lawmakers and emerged largely unscathed and considerably richer.

He parried questions of how much control people have over their data on the world's largest social media network without a major gaffe, while avoiding being cornered into supporting new government regulation.

The hearings that ended on Wednesday revealed no consensus among US lawmakers about what kind of privacy legislation they might want to pursue, if any, and no timeline for action. As he did on Tuesday before a Senate hearing, Zuckerberg refused during a House of Representatives committee hearing to make any promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business.

"It is inevitable that there will need to be some regulation" of internet firms, Zuckerberg said, but he avoided any specifics.

Although Zuckerberg, 33, had never testified at a Congressional hearing before, he succeeded in deflecting questions like a Washington veteran. Forty times the internet mogul told lawmakers he had no answers at hand and would get back to them later. About one in three lawmakers got that response over the two days.

Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell expressed frustration with Zuckerberg's frequent promises to get back to lawmakers later in writing. "Some things are striking during this conversation," she said. "As CEO, you didn't know some key facts."

On one point, Zuckerberg undercut his consistent message that Facebook users have control of their data. He said he was among the nearly 87 million people whose personal information was improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. He gave no further details.

His admission that even the company's tech-savvy founder was unable to protect his own data underscored the problem Facebook has in persuading sceptical lawmakers that users can easily safeguard their own information and that further legislation governing Facebook is unnecessary.

The Cambridge Analytica issue was the reason Zuckerberg was on Capitol Hill, answering questions about how that company - which has counted U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign among its clients - got hold of data about Facebook users.

"How can consumers have control over their data when Facebook does not have control over the data?" asked Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, at the beginning of Wednesday's hearing.

Zuckerberg said it would take "many months" to complete an audit of other apps that might also have improperly gathered or shared users' data.

"I do imagine that we will find some apps that were either doing something suspicious or misusing people's data," he said.

INEVITABLE REGULATION?

<img alt="facebook-testimony-reuters_0.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/facebook-testimony-reuters_0.jpg" width="770" />

A senator holds up his phone displaying a fake Facebook profile during the Congressional hearing. (Reuters)

Zuckerberg was unable to answer Dingell, the Michigan Congresswoman, when she asked how frequently Facebook used computer code embedded in websites to gather dossiers on virtually everyone online.

In a series of questions on how people can remove data from Facebook, Zuckerberg said the company does "collect data on people who are not signed up for Facebook, for security purposes." He had no response when asked how a non-Facebook member could remove information without signing up for the service.

He also said he was not familiar with what various media reports call "shadow profiles," collections of data assembled on Facebook users that they have no knowledge of or control over.

Wearing a dark suit and tie and politely prefacing almost every remark with "Congressman" or "Congresswoman," Zuckerberg appeared even more controlled than he did on Tuesday when he testified before senators. He refrained from cracking jokes and flashed few smiles.

The performance had favourable results. Facebook shares closed up 0.78 percent on Wednesday after rising 4.5 percent Tuesday. Over the two days, the value of Zuckerberg's stake in the company grew about $3 billion.

Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Greg Walden, told reporters he would talk with committee members about holding similar hearings with other technology chief executives. He did not name specific companies.

"This is a wake-up call to Silicon Valley and the tech community that if you let these things get out of hand, having grown up in a very lightly regulated environment, you could end up with a lot more regulation than you seek," he said after the hearing.

Many Democrats disagreed, saying their Republican colleagues held no genuine interest in having a meaningful debate that could lead to a regulatory overhaul of how technology firms handle data.

What remained as the dust settled on Wednesday was an inability to translate bipartisan concern into regulation due to the complexity of regulating technology issues and the powerful lobbying forces assembled against any effort to do so.

"If you think it is hard to pass a bill that affects a lobbyist's favourite client," said Alvaro Bedoya, a former Congressional aide who worked on privacy issues for former Senator Al Franken, "try passing a bill that affects all of them."

Although Zuckerberg, 33, had never testified at a congressional hearing before, he succeeded in deflecting questions like a Washington veteran.

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg fielded 10 hours of questions over two days from nearly 100 US lawmakers and emerged largely unscathed and considerably richer. He parried questions of how much control people have over their data on the world's largest social media network without a major gaffe, while avoiding being cornered into supporting new government regulation. The hearings that ended on Wednesday revealed no consensus among US lawmakers about what kind of privacy legislation they might want to pursue, if any, and no timeline for action. As he did on Tuesday before a Senate hearing, Zuckerberg refused during a House of Representatives committee hearing to make any promises to support new legislation or change how the social network does business. "It is inevitable that there will need to be some regulation" of internet firms, Zuckerberg said, but he avoided any specifics. Although Zuckerberg, 33, had never testified at a Congressional hearing before, he succeeded in deflecting questions like a Washington veteran. Forty times the internet mogul told lawmakers he had no answers at hand and would get back to them later. About one in three lawmakers got that response over the two days. Democratic Representative Debbie Dingell expressed frustration with Zuckerberg's frequent promises to get back to lawmakers later in writing. "Some things are striking during this conversation," she said. "As CEO, you didn't know some key facts." On one point, Zuckerberg undercut his consistent message that Facebook users have control of their data. He said he was among the nearly 87 million people whose personal information was improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. He gave no further details. His admission that even the company's tech-savvy founder was unable to protect his own data underscored the problem Facebook has in persuading sceptical lawmakers that users can easily safeguard their own information and that further legislation governing Facebook is unnecessary. The Cambridge Analytica issue was the reason Zuckerberg was on Capitol Hill, answering questions about how that company - which has counted U.S. President Donald Trump's election campaign among its clients - got hold of data about Facebook users. "How can consumers have control over their data when Facebook does not have control over the data?" asked Representative Frank Pallone of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, at the beginning of Wednesday's hearing. Zuckerberg said it would take "many months" to complete an audit of other apps that might also have improperly gathered or shared users' data. "I do imagine that we will find some apps that were either doing something suspicious or misusing people's data," he said. INEVITABLE REGULATION? A senator holds up his phone displaying a fake Facebook profile during the Congressional hearing. (Reuters) Zuckerberg was unable to answer Dingell, the Michigan Congresswoman, when she asked how frequently Facebook used computer code embedded in websites to gather dossiers on virtually everyone online. In a series of questions on how people can remove data from Facebook, Zuckerberg said the company does "collect data on people who are not signed up for Facebook, for security purposes." He had no response when asked how a non-Facebook member could remove information without signing up for the service. He also said he was not familiar with what various media reports call "shadow profiles," collections of data assembled on Facebook users that they have no knowledge of or control over. Wearing a dark suit and tie and politely prefacing almost every remark with "Congressman" or "Congresswoman," Zuckerberg appeared even more controlled than he did on Tuesday when he testified before senators. He refrained from cracking jokes and flashed few smiles. The performance had favourable results. Facebook shares closed up 0.78 percent on Wednesday after rising 4.5 percent Tuesday. Over the two days, the value of Zuckerberg's stake in the company grew about $3 billion. Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Greg Walden, told reporters he would talk with committee members about holding similar hearings with other technology chief executives. He did not name specific companies. "This is a wake-up call to Silicon Valley and the tech community that if you let these things get out of hand, having grown up in a very lightly regulated environment, you could end up with a lot more regulation than you seek," he said after the hearing. Many Democrats disagreed, saying their Republican colleagues held no genuine interest in having a meaningful debate that could lead to a regulatory overhaul of how technology firms handle data. What remained as the dust settled on Wednesday was an inability to translate bipartisan concern into regulation due to the complexity of regulating technology issues and the powerful lobbying forces assembled against any effort to do so. "If you think it is hard to pass a bill that affects a lobbyist's favourite client," said Alvaro Bedoya, a former Congressional aide who worked on privacy issues for former Senator Al Franken, "try passing a bill that affects all of them."

Facebook's Zuckerberg unscathed by Congressional grilling, stock rises

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China.

Taiwan last year launched a plan to manufacture its own submarines amid deteriorating relations with China after its hopes of buying them from the US came to nothing.

The US State Department has approved granting the licence necessary to sell Taiwan the technology needed for its submarine project.

The approval was a "breakthrough," Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said Sunday.

"It is part of a process. We'll take it step by step," he told AFP, declining to provide further details.

The agreement is likely to anger Beijing, which regards the island as part of its territory even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949.

Washington's approval comes after President Donald Trump last month signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan.

China has protested at the move, saying the US should stop official exchanges with Taiwan to avoid "damaging Sino-US relations".

Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but maintains trade relations with the island and is its main arms supplier.

Since coming to power in May 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen has pushed for Taiwan to develop and build more of its weapons domestically.

Her office expressed thanks to Washington for the licence approval.

"The US government's decision will not only help Taiwan in raising its defence capabilities, it will also greatly benefit security and stability in the region," it said in a statement Saturday.

Taipei has long struggled to procure submarines from the US.

In April 2001 then-president George W&nbsp;Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines but there had been no progress on the deal, prompting Taipei's decision to build its own.

The United States has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years and Germany and Spain reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending China.

Taiwan's navy currently operates a fleet of four submarines, bought from abroad but only two of them can be deployed in the event of war.

The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s and are only used in training as they are too old for combat.

The first domestically-built submarine is expected to be deployed within 10 years.

&nbsp;

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China

Washington has agreed to allow US defence contractors help Taiwan construct its own submarines, Taipei said, welcoming the breakthrough in long-standing ambitions to build up its fleet to counter the threat from China. Taiwan last year launched a plan to manufacture its own submarines amid deteriorating relations with China after its hopes of buying them from the US came to nothing. The US State Department has approved granting the licence necessary to sell Taiwan the technology needed for its submarine project. The approval was a "breakthrough," Taiwan defence ministry spokesman Chen Chung-chi said Sunday. "It is part of a process. We'll take it step by step," he told AFP, declining to provide further details. The agreement is likely to anger Beijing, which regards the island as part of its territory even though the two sides have been ruled separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. Washington's approval comes after President Donald Trump last month signed new rules allowing top-level US officials to travel to Taiwan. China has protested at the move, saying the US should stop official exchanges with Taiwan to avoid "damaging Sino-US relations". Washington switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979 but maintains trade relations with the island and is its main arms supplier. Since coming to power in May 2016, President Tsai Ing-wen has pushed for Taiwan to develop and build more of its weapons domestically. Her office expressed thanks to Washington for the licence approval. "The US government's decision will not only help Taiwan in raising its defence capabilities, it will also greatly benefit security and stability in the region," it said in a statement Saturday. Taipei has long struggled to procure submarines from the US. In April 2001 then-president George W Bush approved the sale of eight conventional submarines but there had been no progress on the deal, prompting Taipei's decision to build its own. The United States has not built conventional submarines for more than 40 years and Germany and Spain reportedly declined to offer their designs for fear of offending China. Taiwan's navy currently operates a fleet of four submarines, bought from abroad but only two of them can be deployed in the event of war. The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s and are only used in training as they are too old for combat. The first domestically-built submarine is expected to be deployed within 10 years.

US approves licence for Taiwan submarine plan

US diplomats expelled by Russia over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning to make their way to the airport, the TASS news agency reported.

Russia expelled 60 US diplomats one week ago and ordered the closure of the US consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Washington's expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats and closure of Russia's consulate in Seattle.

The US move was part of a much wider Western response to the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English city, a crime Britain blamed on Russia, which denies wrongdoing.

TASS reported that three coaches believed to be carrying departing diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in central Moscow on Thursday morning to head for the airport.

Russia expelled 58 diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow and two from the US consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg.

US diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning

US diplomats expelled by Russia over the poisoning of a former spy in Britain were seen leaving the US embassy in Moscow on Thursday morning to make their way to the airport, the TASS news agency reported. Russia expelled 60 US diplomats one week ago and ordered the closure of the US consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Washington's expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats and closure of Russia's consulate in Seattle. The US move was part of a much wider Western response to the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in an English city, a crime Britain blamed on Russia, which denies wrongdoing. TASS reported that three coaches believed to be carrying departing diplomats were seen leaving the US embassy in central Moscow on Thursday morning to head for the airport. Russia expelled 58 diplomats from the US embassy in Moscow and two from the US consulate in the city of Yekaterinburg.

Expelled US diplomats leave Russia: Reports

More than a million Americans flooded the streets of cities nationwide for emotional protests demanding tighter gun control on Saturday, protests spearheaded by teenagers from a Florida high school where 17 people were shot dead last month.

&quot;Politicians, either represent the people or get out,&quot; Cameron Kasky, a 17-year-old from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, told the crowd at a huge rally in Washington.

&quot;Stand for us or beware -- the voters are coming,&quot; said Kasky, one of the leaders of a dynamic and passionate student movement which has emerged following the February 14 shooting at his school. 
Large crowds also turned out for demonstrations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Seattle and other cities -- more than 800 in all according to the organizers of the &quot;March For Our Lives.&quot;

Mayor Bill de Blasio said 175,000 people took part at the New York rally, tweeting: &quot;These students WILL change America.&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Amazing! Final NYC tally: 175,000 joined <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchForOurLives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchForOurLives</a>. And this is a movement that has JUST BEGUN. These students WILL change America!
&mdash; Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/977641564171272192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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This movement is going to make a huge change in our country. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchForOurLives?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchForOurLives</a> <a href="https://t.co/hknTXcVfTK">pic.twitter.com/hknTXcVfTK</a>
&mdash; Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/977605992350285824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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You have to know when a revolution is starting... Today in NYC already 150,000 have taken to the streets for PEACE <a href="https://t.co/j5y0y0L3IT">pic.twitter.com/j5y0y0L3IT</a>
&mdash; Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/977598947412926465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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But the largest protest was in Washington, where organizers told NBC News the crowd was estimated at more than 800,000 people, the largest gun control rally in the United States since the Million Mom March in 2000.

The main stage for the event in Washington was set up near the US Capitol and lawmakers were the target audience as speakers delivered blistering warnings that the time has come for stricter gun laws.

&quot;The people demand a law banning the sale of assault weapons,&quot; Kasky said. &quot;The people demand we prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines. The people demand universal background checks.&quot;

March organizers included a link for people to register to vote on their MarchForOurLives.com website as they seek to transform their nascent movement into a potent political force.Signs carried by protestors lambasted lawmakers who oppose tougher laws and the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful US gun lobby.

&quot;These kids are right,&quot; said Jeff Turchin, a 68-year-old retired garment manufacturer who came to Washington from New York to attend the rally.

&quot;They`re basically saying the NRA is paying off these Republicans,&quot; Turchin said of the party of President Donald Trump, which also controls Congress.

The Washington rally kicked off with Andra Day singing &quot;Rise Up&quot; and also featured performances by Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were shot dead in 2008. 
But the most riveting appearances were by the Stoneman Douglas students.

Emma Gonzalez, 17, took the stage wearing a green military-style jacket and ripped jeans and delivered a eulogy for the 14 students and three adults slain by 19-year-old gunman Nikolas Cruz. 
Tears rolling down her face, she then stood in silence at the podium for a full four and half minutes as the crowd fidgeted and some cried out &quot;We`re with you Emma.&quot;

&quot;Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds,&quot; Gonzalez finally said -- the exact amount of time Cruz spent spraying bullets inside her school before fleeing.

&quot;Fight for your lives before it`s someone else`s job,&quot; Gonzalez said. &quot;Get out there and vote.&quot;

Yolanda Renee King, the nine-year-old granddaughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. brought many to tears with a surprise appearance.

&quot;My grandfather had a dream that his four little children will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character,&quot; she told a rapt crowd.

&quot;I have a dream that enough is enough,&quot; she said, referencing her grandfather`s famous 1963 &quot;I Have a Dream&quot; speech on ending racism.

&quot;And that this should be a gun-free world -- period.&quot;In New York, former Beatle Paul McCartney showed up at a march and spoke of the December 1980 murder of his bandmate John Lennon. 
&quot;Every week you hear about a new shooting and nothing is done about it,&quot; McCartney told AFP. &quot;But I think maybe after this something will be done about it.&quot;

On the other side of the country in Los Angeles, comedian Amy Schumer delivered a passionate plea in front of hundreds of thousands.

&quot;You are killing children,&quot; she said, of the gun lobby. &quot;And they call people like me `Hollywood liberals` like there`s something in it for us.

&quot;Well, what`s in it for us is knowing we`re doing our part to keep our children alive.&quot;

Demonstrations of solidarity also took place around the world, including across cities in Canada, which unveiled stricter gun laws earlier this week including enhanced background checks.

In Scotland, some relatives of those killed in a school shooting in the town of Dunblane in 1996 attended a protest in Edinburgh.

Thousands meanwhile gathered in Parkland to pay tribute to those slain in the city on Valentine`s Day.

&quot;I March Because I Was Almost Silenced,&quot; read a sign carried by Samantha Mayor, 17, who was shot in the knee and wears a heavy brace.

Samantha`s mother, Ellyn, held a sign reading &quot;I`m Marching So No Other Parent Has to Hear `Mom, I`ve Been Shot.`&quot;

Trump was in Florida as marchers gathered in Washington but the White House issued a statement.

&quot;We applaud the many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today,&quot; it said. &quot;Keeping our children safe is a top priority of the President`s.&quot;

The protests were spearheaded by teenagers from the Florida high school where 17 people were shot dead last month

More than a million Americans flooded the streets of cities nationwide for emotional protests demanding tighter gun control on Saturday, protests spearheaded by teenagers from a Florida high school where 17 people were shot dead last month. "Politicians, either represent the people or get out," Cameron Kasky, a 17-year-old from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, told the crowd at a huge rally in Washington. "Stand for us or beware -- the voters are coming," said Kasky, one of the leaders of a dynamic and passionate student movement which has emerged following the February 14 shooting at his school. Large crowds also turned out for demonstrations in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Seattle and other cities -- more than 800 in all according to the organizers of the "March For Our Lives." Mayor Bill de Blasio said 175,000 people took part at the New York rally, tweeting: "These students WILL change America." Amazing! Final NYC tally: 175,000 joined #MarchForOurLives. And this is a movement that has JUST BEGUN. These students WILL change America! — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 24, 2018 × This movement is going to make a huge change in our country. #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/hknTXcVfTK — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 24, 2018 × You have to know when a revolution is starting... Today in NYC already 150,000 have taken to the streets for PEACE pic.twitter.com/j5y0y0L3IT — Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) March 24, 2018 × But the largest protest was in Washington, where organizers told NBC News the crowd was estimated at more than 800,000 people, the largest gun control rally in the United States since the Million Mom March in 2000. The main stage for the event in Washington was set up near the US Capitol and lawmakers were the target audience as speakers delivered blistering warnings that the time has come for stricter gun laws. "The people demand a law banning the sale of assault weapons," Kasky said. "The people demand we prohibit the sale of high-capacity magazines. The people demand universal background checks." March organizers included a link for people to register to vote on their MarchForOurLives.com website as they seek to transform their nascent movement into a potent political force.Signs carried by protestors lambasted lawmakers who oppose tougher laws and the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful US gun lobby. "These kids are right," said Jeff Turchin, a 68-year-old retired garment manufacturer who came to Washington from New York to attend the rally. "They`re basically saying the NRA is paying off these Republicans," Turchin said of the party of President Donald Trump, which also controls Congress. The Washington rally kicked off with Andra Day singing "Rise Up" and also featured performances by Jennifer Hudson, whose mother, brother and seven-year-old nephew were shot dead in 2008. But the most riveting appearances were by the Stoneman Douglas students. Emma Gonzalez, 17, took the stage wearing a green military-style jacket and ripped jeans and delivered a eulogy for the 14 students and three adults slain by 19-year-old gunman Nikolas Cruz. Tears rolling down her face, she then stood in silence at the podium for a full four and half minutes as the crowd fidgeted and some cried out "We`re with you Emma." "Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds," Gonzalez finally said -- the exact amount of time Cruz spent spraying bullets inside her school before fleeing. "Fight for your lives before it`s someone else`s job," Gonzalez said. "Get out there and vote." Yolanda Renee King, the nine-year-old granddaughter of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. brought many to tears with a surprise appearance. "My grandfather had a dream that his four little children will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character," she told a rapt crowd. "I have a dream that enough is enough," she said, referencing her grandfather`s famous 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech on ending racism. "And that this should be a gun-free world -- period."In New York, former Beatle Paul McCartney showed up at a march and spoke of the December 1980 murder of his bandmate John Lennon. "Every week you hear about a new shooting and nothing is done about it," McCartney told AFP. "But I think maybe after this something will be done about it." On the other side of the country in Los Angeles, comedian Amy Schumer delivered a passionate plea in front of hundreds of thousands. "You are killing children," she said, of the gun lobby. "And they call people like me `Hollywood liberals` like there`s something in it for us. "Well, what`s in it for us is knowing we`re doing our part to keep our children alive." Demonstrations of solidarity also took place around the world, including across cities in Canada, which unveiled stricter gun laws earlier this week including enhanced background checks. In Scotland, some relatives of those killed in a school shooting in the town of Dunblane in 1996 attended a protest in Edinburgh. Thousands meanwhile gathered in Parkland to pay tribute to those slain in the city on Valentine`s Day. "I March Because I Was Almost Silenced," read a sign carried by Samantha Mayor, 17, who was shot in the knee and wears a heavy brace. Samantha`s mother, Ellyn, held a sign reading "I`m Marching So No Other Parent Has to Hear `Mom, I`ve Been Shot.`" Trump was in Florida as marchers gathered in Washington but the White House issued a statement. "We applaud the many courageous young Americans exercising their First Amendment rights today," it said. "Keeping our children safe is a top priority of the President`s."

Over 1 million Americans pour onto streets, demand tighter gun control

The granddaughter of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. energised the crowd in Washington on Saturday (March 24) during the March For Our Lives Rally demanding tighter gun laws, led by survivors of last month&#39;s Florida school massacre which reignited public anger over mass shootings.

Martin Luther King practised non-violent demonstrations during the 1960&#39;s to fight for equal rights for people of colour. His granddaughter Yolanda Renee King lead the large crowd in a chant calling for common sense gun reform, nearly 50 years after her grandfather was killed in Memphis in April of 1968.

Students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 people were killed on February, 14, spoke to the massive crowd in Washington, where organisers said as many as 500,000 people were expected to demonstrate near the Capitol and call on Congress to fight gun violence.

The protests aim to break a legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to increase restrictions on firearms sales in a nation where several mass shootings in schools have taken place.

Martin Luther King practised non-violent demonstrations during the 1960's to fight for equal rights for people of colour

The granddaughter of the late civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. energised the crowd in Washington on Saturday (March 24) during the March For Our Lives Rally demanding tighter gun laws, led by survivors of last month's Florida school massacre which reignited public anger over mass shootings. Martin Luther King practised non-violent demonstrations during the 1960's to fight for equal rights for people of colour. His granddaughter Yolanda Renee King lead the large crowd in a chant calling for common sense gun reform, nearly 50 years after her grandfather was killed in Memphis in April of 1968. Students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 people were killed on February, 14, spoke to the massive crowd in Washington, where organisers said as many as 500,000 people were expected to demonstrate near the Capitol and call on Congress to fight gun violence. The protests aim to break a legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to increase restrictions on firearms sales in a nation where several mass shootings in schools have taken place.

US protests: Martin Luther King's granddaughter leads crowd calling for gun reform

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to rally nationwide on Saturday for tighter gun laws in &quot;March For Our Lives&quot; protests led by survivors of the Florida school massacre, which reiginited public anger over mass shootings.

Students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 students and staff were killed on Feb. 14 will be among the 500,000 people organizers say could rally on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Capitol in Washington.

The protests orchestrated by survivors of the rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are aimed at breaking through a legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to tighten firearms controls. Mass shootings at American schools and colleges have become a regular occurrence.

&quot;This issue is going to turn into the No. 1 issue in this country. I know that&#39;s not only what I want, but I know it&#39;s what you guys want,&quot; Alfonso Calderon, a junior at the Florida school, told Washington students at a pre-march event on Thursday.

The Washington rally is among more than 800 events scheduled worldwide, with U.S. demonstrations set from San Clemente, California, to New York and Parkland, according to gun-control group Everytown For Gun Safety.

The teenage organizers have won kudos and cash from dozens of celebrities, with singer Ariana Grande and &quot;Hamilton&quot; creator Lin-Manuel Miranda among those performing in Washington.

&quot;Trainwreck&quot; star Amy Schumer is set to appear at the Los Angeles rally. Actor George Clooney and his human rights attorney wife have donated $500,000 and said they would be at the Washington rally.

Organizers want Congress, many of whose members are up for re-election this year, to ban the sale of assault weapons like the one used in the Florida rampage and to tighten background checks for gun buyers. On the other side of the debate, gun rights advocates cite constitutional guarantees of the right to bear arms.

On Friday, Republican President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes modest improvements to background checks for gun sales and grants to help schools prevent gun violence.

David Hogg, a senior at Stoneman Douglas, said the protests were a way for young Americans to show their opposition to the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun lobby.

&quot;We&#39;re asking people (to) put the USA over the NRA,&quot; he said at the Thursday event in Washington.

An NRA spokeswoman said it had not taken a position on the protests.

Democrats and nonpartisan groups hope to register at least 25,000 first-time voters at the rallies, potentially a boost for Democrats, who generally favor stricter gun controls.

Students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 students and staff were killed on Feb. 14 will be among the 500,000 people organizers say could rally on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Capitol in Washington

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are expected to rally nationwide on Saturday for tighter gun laws in "March For Our Lives" protests led by survivors of the Florida school massacre, which reiginited public anger over mass shootings. Students from the Parkland, Florida, high school where 17 students and staff were killed on Feb. 14 will be among the 500,000 people organizers say could rally on Pennsylvania Avenue near the Capitol in Washington. The protests orchestrated by survivors of the rampage at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are aimed at breaking through a legislative gridlock that has long stymied efforts to tighten firearms controls. Mass shootings at American schools and colleges have become a regular occurrence. "This issue is going to turn into the No. 1 issue in this country. I know that's not only what I want, but I know it's what you guys want," Alfonso Calderon, a junior at the Florida school, told Washington students at a pre-march event on Thursday. The Washington rally is among more than 800 events scheduled worldwide, with U.S. demonstrations set from San Clemente, California, to New York and Parkland, according to gun-control group Everytown For Gun Safety. The teenage organizers have won kudos and cash from dozens of celebrities, with singer Ariana Grande and "Hamilton" creator Lin-Manuel Miranda among those performing in Washington. "Trainwreck" star Amy Schumer is set to appear at the Los Angeles rally. Actor George Clooney and his human rights attorney wife have donated $500,000 and said they would be at the Washington rally. Organizers want Congress, many of whose members are up for re-election this year, to ban the sale of assault weapons like the one used in the Florida rampage and to tighten background checks for gun buyers. On the other side of the debate, gun rights advocates cite constitutional guarantees of the right to bear arms. On Friday, Republican President Donald Trump signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill that includes modest improvements to background checks for gun sales and grants to help schools prevent gun violence. David Hogg, a senior at Stoneman Douglas, said the protests were a way for young Americans to show their opposition to the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun lobby. "We're asking people (to) put the USA over the NRA," he said at the Thursday event in Washington. An NRA spokeswoman said it had not taken a position on the protests. Democrats and nonpartisan groups hope to register at least 25,000 first-time voters at the rallies, potentially a boost for Democrats, who generally favor stricter gun controls.

Hundreds of thousands set to march for tighter US gun controls

Outgoing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson left the State Department on Thursday, calling Washington a &quot;mean-spirited town&quot; but saying nothing about President Donald Trump in his farewell remarks to department employees.

Although it was Tillerson&#39;s last day at the State Department, he retains the title of secretary of state until March 31, just over a year since he began the job.

Trump fired Tillerson last week via a tweet, capping months of friction over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran. Trump named CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Tillerson&#39;s successor.

&quot;This can be a very mean-spirited town but you don&#39;t have to choose to participate in that,&quot; Tillerson told staff gathered in the lobby of the State Department, his comments interrupted by loud applause.

&quot;Each of us get to choose the person we want to be and the way we want to be treated and the way we will treat others,&quot; he said.

Since his firing, Tillerson has pointedly declined to thank Trump for giving him the opportunity to run the State Department. He made no mention of the president in his remarks.

Tillerson, who has delegated his responsibilities to his deputy, John Sullivan, met Pompeo on Monday.

Pompeo&#39;s nomination hearing is expected to take place as soon as April 12.

Trump fired Tillerson last week via a tweet, capping months of friction over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran. Trump named CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Tillerson's successor.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson left the State Department on Thursday, calling Washington a "mean-spirited town" but saying nothing about President Donald Trump in his farewell remarks to department employees. Although it was Tillerson's last day at the State Department, he retains the title of secretary of state until March 31, just over a year since he began the job. Trump fired Tillerson last week via a tweet, capping months of friction over policy on North Korea, Russia and Iran. Trump named CIA Director Mike Pompeo as Tillerson's successor. "This can be a very mean-spirited town but you don't have to choose to participate in that," Tillerson told staff gathered in the lobby of the State Department, his comments interrupted by loud applause. "Each of us get to choose the person we want to be and the way we want to be treated and the way we will treat others," he said. Since his firing, Tillerson has pointedly declined to thank Trump for giving him the opportunity to run the State Department. He made no mention of the president in his remarks. Tillerson, who has delegated his responsibilities to his deputy, John Sullivan, met Pompeo on Monday. Pompeo's nomination hearing is expected to take place as soon as April 12.

Tillerson bids farewell to 'mean-spirited' Washington in speech to staff

The United States will deploy a record number of Marines to train in Australia, the Australian defence minister said on Friday, as Washington seeks to counter what it describes as Chinese aggression in the region.

Payne said 1,587 US&nbsp;Marines will spend six months training in Australia&#39;s remote north, an increase of nearly 27 per cent on its 2017 rotation for the programme known as the Force Posture Initiatives.

&quot;The US military plays a vital role in underwriting security and stability across the Indo-Pacific, and the Force Posture Initiatives will be an essential component in preserving stability and security over the coming decades,&quot; Defence Minister Marise Payne said in a statement.

The deployment, first introduced in 2011 as part of a US &quot;pivot&quot; to Asia, has emerged as a key indicator of Washington&#39;s commitment to the region under US President Donald Trump and his willingness to counter Chinese influence in a region where tensions have spiked amid disputes over the South China Sea.

China claims most of the South China Sea, an important trade route that is also believed to contain large quantities of oil and natural gas, and has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and airstrips.

In a move likely to irk Beijing, the US Marines will train with personnel from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, some of which also have claims in the South China Sea.

&quot;China will monitor whatever the US does and it would prefer that the United States not work with the Asian countries included in these exercises,&quot; said Euan Graham, director of the international security programme at Australian think tank the Lowy Institute.

&quot;Beijing would like to deal one-on-one with Southeast Asia nations that have counter claims,&quot; he said.

The US Marines will also bring additional military equipment, including helicopters and F-18 jets, Payne said.

The military deployment also threatens to further weaken Australia-Chinese relations.

Australia, a staunch US ally with no claim to the South China Sea, has long maintained its neutrality in the dispute to protect its economic relationship with China.

But bilateral relations have soured in recent months after Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said China was improperly interfering in Canberra&#39;s affairs, an accusation that triggered a rare protest from Beijing.

The deployment, first introduced in 2011 as part of a US "pivot" to Asia, has emerged as a key indicator of Washington's commitment to the region under US President Donald Trump and his willingness to counter Chinese influence in a region where tensions have spiked amid disputes over South China Sea

The United States will deploy a record number of Marines to train in Australia, the Australian defence minister said on Friday, as Washington seeks to counter what it describes as Chinese aggression in the region. Payne said 1,587 US Marines will spend six months training in Australia's remote north, an increase of nearly 27 per cent on its 2017 rotation for the programme known as the Force Posture Initiatives. "The US military plays a vital role in underwriting security and stability across the Indo-Pacific, and the Force Posture Initiatives will be an essential component in preserving stability and security over the coming decades," Defence Minister Marise Payne said in a statement. The deployment, first introduced in 2011 as part of a US "pivot" to Asia, has emerged as a key indicator of Washington's commitment to the region under US President Donald Trump and his willingness to counter Chinese influence in a region where tensions have spiked amid disputes over the South China Sea. China claims most of the South China Sea, an important trade route that is also believed to contain large quantities of oil and natural gas, and has been building artificial islands on reefs, some with ports and airstrips. In a move likely to irk Beijing, the US Marines will train with personnel from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, some of which also have claims in the South China Sea. "China will monitor whatever the US does and it would prefer that the United States not work with the Asian countries included in these exercises," said Euan Graham, director of the international security programme at Australian think tank the Lowy Institute. "Beijing would like to deal one-on-one with Southeast Asia nations that have counter claims," he said. The US Marines will also bring additional military equipment, including helicopters and F-18 jets, Payne said. The military deployment also threatens to further weaken Australia-Chinese relations. Australia, a staunch US ally with no claim to the South China Sea, has long maintained its neutrality in the dispute to protect its economic relationship with China. But bilateral relations have soured in recent months after Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said China was improperly interfering in Canberra's affairs, an accusation that triggered a rare protest from Beijing.

Record number of US Marines to train in Australia in symbolic challenge to China

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump faced growing pressure on Monday from political and diplomatic allies as well as US&nbsp;companies urging him to pull back from proposed steel and aluminium tariffs, although he said he would stick to his guns.

Inside the White House, there still appeared to be confusion about the timing and extent of the planned tariffs, which would hit allies like Canada and Mexico hard. 
Efforts by Trump and US&nbsp;trade negotiators to link the NAFTA trade pact talks to the duties received short shrift from Ottawa and Mexico City.

Leading Republicans turned up the pressure on Trump, with House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan leading the charge. Ryan&#39;s home state of Wisconsin would be hit by proposed European counter-measures on Harley-Davidson Inc motorbikes.&nbsp;

Representative Kevin Brady, another top House Republican, called on Trump not to hit America&#39;s closest allies.

Business leaders are pressing for a meeting with Trump to brief him on the negative repercussions of the tariffs on companies that use steel and aluminium, a source familiar with the matter said.

A meeting had not yet been set up, the source said. The White House had no comment.

The planned tariffs have roiled world stock markets as investors worried about the prospect of an escalating trade war that would derail global economic growth.

Stocks across the globe rose on Monday, however, after four days in decline as investors saw the tariff threats as a US&nbsp;negotiating tactic and not a done deal and as pressure grew on Trump to back off.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;re not backing down,&quot; Trump said during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. &quot;I don`t think you&#39;re going to have a trade war,&quot; he added, without elaborating.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump on Monday to tell him the tariffs would be an impediment to talks on updating NAFTA, a Canadian government official said.

Canada is the single largest supplier of steel and aluminium to the United States. In the call, Trudeau &quot;forcefully defended&quot; Canadian workers and industries, said the official, describing the conversation as constructive.

Earlier comments from Trump had stoked talk of a global trade war as he described them as easy to win and issued a threat to German carmakers. One of those, BMW, runs a plant in the United States that is the largest single autos exporter in the country and has created thousands of jobs.

Most responses to Trump&#39;s proposed tariffs have been targeted. The European Union said it would hit Harleys, bourbon and jeans, iconic American products. It did not threaten to ramp up the issue.

China has been largely mum, urging caution, and both Canada and Mexico have stressed the targeted nature of any response.

Stresses inside the White House

Trump was expected to finalize the planned tariffs later in the week, although some observers familiar with the process said it could occur next week. The initial announcement by Trump last week came as a surprise.

The United States, Mexico and Canada have been holding talks over changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, a pact that Trump has threatened to abandon.

Six months of tense talks have produced little in the way of progress and a move by Washington to link the steel and aluminium tariffs to progress on NAFTA was rebuffed by Canada and Mexico.&nbsp;

US&nbsp;Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer also attempted to drive a wedge between Canada and Mexico when he suggested the United States would be willing to hold bilateral, rather than trilateral talks. The two countries again stood firm.&nbsp;

In Washington, aides scrambled to meet Trump&rsquo;s demand for the paperwork to be completed for a formal announcement. The exact timing was unclear as the tariff documentation had to be drafted and go through a variety of reviews, a process that takes days, an administration official said.

There was always a chance that Trump &rdquo;could amend his initial announcement&rdquo; to take account of the concerns expressed about it, said a source familiar with the internal debate at the White House.

Trump&#39;s trade trail&nbsp;

Trump has frequently talked tough on trade, although his actions have not always matched his words. On his first day in office in January 2017, he withdrew from the 14-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a deal that was dead on arrival in the U.S. Congress in any case.

He has frequently tweeted and said that he would pull out of NAFTA, which he has called a jobs killer. But a year after taking office, the 1994 deal remains intact.

Trump has approved a series of small-scale trade actions, of which the steel and aluminium duties would be a part. Taken together with actions on washing machines and solar panels, the proposed move accounts for just 4.1 percent of US&nbsp;imports. In terms of global trade, they are just 0.6 percent, investment bank Morgan Stanley said in a report.

The head of the World Trade Organization warned of a real risk of triggering an escalation of global trade barriers and a deep recession, even as financial markets and many economists started to discount the risk of a global crisis.

&quot;We must make every effort to avoid the fall of the first dominoes. There is still time,&quot; WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo told the heads of WTO delegations at a closed-door meeting in Geneva.&nbsp;

Inside the White House, there still appeared to be confusion about the timing and extent of the planned tariffs

US President Donald Trump faced growing pressure on Monday from political and diplomatic allies as well as US companies urging him to pull back from proposed steel and aluminium tariffs, although he said he would stick to his guns. Inside the White House, there still appeared to be confusion about the timing and extent of the planned tariffs, which would hit allies like Canada and Mexico hard. Efforts by Trump and US trade negotiators to link the NAFTA trade pact talks to the duties received short shrift from Ottawa and Mexico City. Leading Republicans turned up the pressure on Trump, with House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan leading the charge. Ryan's home state of Wisconsin would be hit by proposed European counter-measures on Harley-Davidson Inc motorbikes. Representative Kevin Brady, another top House Republican, called on Trump not to hit America's closest allies. Business leaders are pressing for a meeting with Trump to brief him on the negative repercussions of the tariffs on companies that use steel and aluminium, a source familiar with the matter said. A meeting had not yet been set up, the source said. The White House had no comment. The planned tariffs have roiled world stock markets as investors worried about the prospect of an escalating trade war that would derail global economic growth. Stocks across the globe rose on Monday, however, after four days in decline as investors saw the tariff threats as a US negotiating tactic and not a done deal and as pressure grew on Trump to back off. "We're not backing down," Trump said during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "I don`t think you're going to have a trade war," he added, without elaborating. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called Trump on Monday to tell him the tariffs would be an impediment to talks on updating NAFTA, a Canadian government official said. Canada is the single largest supplier of steel and aluminium to the United States. In the call, Trudeau "forcefully defended" Canadian workers and industries, said the official, describing the conversation as constructive. Earlier comments from Trump had stoked talk of a global trade war as he described them as easy to win and issued a threat to German carmakers. One of those, BMW, runs a plant in the United States that is the largest single autos exporter in the country and has created thousands of jobs. Most responses to Trump's proposed tariffs have been targeted. The European Union said it would hit Harleys, bourbon and jeans, iconic American products. It did not threaten to ramp up the issue. China has been largely mum, urging caution, and both Canada and Mexico have stressed the targeted nature of any response. Stresses inside the White House Trump was expected to finalize the planned tariffs later in the week, although some observers familiar with the process said it could occur next week. The initial announcement by Trump last week came as a surprise. The United States, Mexico and Canada have been holding talks over changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement, a pact that Trump has threatened to abandon. Six months of tense talks have produced little in the way of progress and a move by Washington to link the steel and aluminium tariffs to progress on NAFTA was rebuffed by Canada and Mexico. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer also attempted to drive a wedge between Canada and Mexico when he suggested the United States would be willing to hold bilateral, rather than trilateral talks. The two countries again stood firm. In Washington, aides scrambled to meet Trump’s demand for the paperwork to be completed for a formal announcement. The exact timing was unclear as the tariff documentation had to be drafted and go through a variety of reviews, a process that takes days, an administration official said. There was always a chance that Trump ”could amend his initial announcement” to take account of the concerns expressed about it, said a source familiar with the internal debate at the White House. Trump's trade trail Trump has frequently talked tough on trade, although his actions have not always matched his words. On his first day in office in January 2017, he withdrew from the 14-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, a deal that was dead on arrival in the U.S. Congress in any case. He has frequently tweeted and said that he would pull out of NAFTA, which he has called a jobs killer. But a year after taking office, the 1994 deal remains intact. Trump has approved a series of small-scale trade actions, of which the steel and aluminium duties would be a part. Taken together with actions on washing machines and solar panels, the proposed move accounts for just 4.1 percent of US imports. In terms of global trade, they are just 0.6 percent, investment bank Morgan Stanley said in a report. The head of the World Trade Organization warned of a real risk of triggering an escalation of global trade barriers and a deep recession, even as financial markets and many economists started to discount the risk of a global crisis. "We must make every effort to avoid the fall of the first dominoes. There is still time," WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo told the heads of WTO delegations at a closed-door meeting in Geneva.

Trump faces pushback on tariffs but says he will not back down

The United States on Sunday made its strongest accusation to date of Moscow&#39;s complicity in civilian deaths in Syria, saying Russian aircraft flew bombing missions over the besieged eastern Ghouta region in defiance of a United Nations ceasefire.

The White House said Russian military aircraft took off from Humaymim Airfield in Syria and carried out at least 20 daily bombing missions in Damascus and eastern Ghouta between February 24 and February 28.

It did not say whether the jets dropped ordinance, which could be harder to determine than tracking the flight paths of Russian aircraft on US&nbsp;radar. But the United States directly accused Russia of killing civilians.&nbsp;

&quot;Russia has gone on to ignore (a UN&nbsp;ceasefire&#39;s) terms and to kill innocent civilians under the false auspices of counter-terrorism operations,&quot; the White House said in a statement.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed on Sunday to continue the offensive in eastern Ghouta, one of the deadliest in the war. A local insurgent group called it a &quot;scorched earth&quot; campaign.

With the war entering its eighth year, capturing eastern Ghouta would be a major victory for Assad, who has steadily regained control of rebel areas with Russian and Iranian support.

Government shelling and air strikes have killed 659 people in eastern Ghouta since February 18, while rebel shelling of Damascus has killed 27, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that Syrian government air-strikes on eastern Ghouta and shelling from the rebel-held zone into Damascus probably constitute war crimes.

The White House called on pro-Assad forces to &quot;immediately cease targeting medical infrastructure and civilians.&quot;

In a separate statement later on Sunday, the White House said President Donald Trump and Egypt&#39;s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi &quot;discussed Russia and Iran&#39;s irresponsible support of the Assad regime&#39;s brutal attacks against innocent civilians.&quot;

&quot;President Trump and President al-Sisi agreed to work together on ending the humanitarian crisis in Syria and achieving Arab unity and security in the region,&quot; the White House statement said.

Russia and Damascus have accused rebels of preventing civilians from leaving eastern Ghouta during daily ceasefires. Rebels have consistently denied the accusation and say people will not leave because they fear the government.

The multi-sided war has killed hundreds of thousands of people since 2011. 
&nbsp;

The White House said Russian military aircraft took off from Humaymim Airfield in Syria and carried out at least 20 daily bombing missions in Damascus

The United States on Sunday made its strongest accusation to date of Moscow's complicity in civilian deaths in Syria, saying Russian aircraft flew bombing missions over the besieged eastern Ghouta region in defiance of a United Nations ceasefire. The White House said Russian military aircraft took off from Humaymim Airfield in Syria and carried out at least 20 daily bombing missions in Damascus and eastern Ghouta between February 24 and February 28. It did not say whether the jets dropped ordinance, which could be harder to determine than tracking the flight paths of Russian aircraft on US radar. But the United States directly accused Russia of killing civilians. "Russia has gone on to ignore (a UN ceasefire's) terms and to kill innocent civilians under the false auspices of counter-terrorism operations," the White House said in a statement. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed on Sunday to continue the offensive in eastern Ghouta, one of the deadliest in the war. A local insurgent group called it a "scorched earth" campaign. With the war entering its eighth year, capturing eastern Ghouta would be a major victory for Assad, who has steadily regained control of rebel areas with Russian and Iranian support. Government shelling and air strikes have killed 659 people in eastern Ghouta since February 18, while rebel shelling of Damascus has killed 27, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Friday that Syrian government air-strikes on eastern Ghouta and shelling from the rebel-held zone into Damascus probably constitute war crimes. The White House called on pro-Assad forces to "immediately cease targeting medical infrastructure and civilians." In a separate statement later on Sunday, the White House said President Donald Trump and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi "discussed Russia and Iran's irresponsible support of the Assad regime's brutal attacks against innocent civilians." "President Trump and President al-Sisi agreed to work together on ending the humanitarian crisis in Syria and achieving Arab unity and security in the region," the White House statement said. Russia and Damascus have accused rebels of preventing civilians from leaving eastern Ghouta during daily ceasefires. Rebels have consistently denied the accusation and say people will not leave because they fear the government. The multi-sided war has killed hundreds of thousands of people since 2011.

White House accuses Russia of killing civilians in Syria

Donald Trump recently expressed his support for the ongoing terror-war in Egypt. According to reports, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from his US counterpart Donald on Sunday.

The two leaders discussed regional issues and relevant developments, especially in connection to the deteriorating regional situation in the country.

In addition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Middle Eastern countries like Yemen, Syria, Libya and Iraq also grapple with ongoing crises.&nbsp;

The Egypt-US ties witnessed improvements after President Donald Trump assumed office. However, the country rejects Trump&#39;s move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate Washington&#39;s embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv.

Egypt identifies as a US ally; the country receives an annual military aid of $1.3 billion from Washington. The two countries signed the 1979 US-sponsored peace treaty.&nbsp;

Egypt identifies as a US ally; the country receives an annual military aid of $1.3 billion from Washington

Donald Trump recently expressed his support for the ongoing terror-war in Egypt. According to reports, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi received a phone call from his US counterpart Donald on Sunday. The two leaders discussed regional issues and relevant developments, especially in connection to the deteriorating regional situation in the country. In addition to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Middle Eastern countries like Yemen, Syria, Libya and Iraq also grapple with ongoing crises. The Egypt-US ties witnessed improvements after President Donald Trump assumed office. However, the country rejects Trump's move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to relocate Washington's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv. Egypt identifies as a US ally; the country receives an annual military aid of $1.3 billion from Washington. The two countries signed the 1979 US-sponsored peace treaty.

Trump reiterates US support for Egypt in a telephone call to President Sisi

The Kremlin insisted US sanctions against Russia were &quot;illegal&quot; today, a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend measures put in place during the Ukraine crisis.

&quot;We have never been the initiator of these sanctions, we consider them illegal and harmful not just to the people of our two countries but the whole world,&quot; Russian presidential press spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, Interfax news agency reported.

Washington imposed sanctions on Moscow following Russia&#39;s 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and Moscow&#39;s backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin this week set the course for a new arms race with Washington as he boasted of a new generation of &quot;invincible&quot; Russian weapons developed in response to the threat posed by the US.

The moves come as relations between the global powers plummeted to levels not seen since the Cold War, despite candidate Trump&#39;s promises to mend fences.

As well as the Ukraine crisis, Russia and the US have clashed over the conflict in Syria and accusations that Moscow interfered in the US election in 2016.

Washington imposed sanctions on Moscow following Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and Moscow's backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine

The Kremlin insisted US sanctions against Russia were "illegal" today, a day after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend measures put in place during the Ukraine crisis. "We have never been the initiator of these sanctions, we consider them illegal and harmful not just to the people of our two countries but the whole world," Russian presidential press spokesman Dmitry Peskov said today, Interfax news agency reported. Washington imposed sanctions on Moscow following Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula and Moscow's backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin this week set the course for a new arms race with Washington as he boasted of a new generation of "invincible" Russian weapons developed in response to the threat posed by the US. The moves come as relations between the global powers plummeted to levels not seen since the Cold War, despite candidate Trump's promises to mend fences. As well as the Ukraine crisis, Russia and the US have clashed over the conflict in Syria and accusations that Moscow interfered in the US election in 2016.

Russia slams 'illegal and harmful' extended US sanctions

The Trump administration and key Asian allies are preparing to expand interceptions of ships suspected of violating sanctions on North Korea, a plan that could include deploying U.S. Coast Guard forces to stop and search vessels in Asia-Pacific waters, senior U.S. officials said.

Washington has been talking to regional partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore, about coordinating a stepped-up crackdown that would go further than ever before in an attempt to squeeze Pyongyang&#39;s use of seagoing trade to feed its nuclear missile program, several officials told Reuters.

While suspect ships have been intercepted before, the emerging strategy would expand the scope of such operations but stop short of imposing a naval blockade on North Korea. Pyongyang has warned it would consider a blockade an act of war.

The strategy calls for closer tracking and possible seizure of ships suspected of carrying banned weapons components and other prohibited cargo to or from North Korea, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Depending on the scale of the campaign, the United States could consider beefing up the naval and air power of its Pacific Command, they said.

The U.S.-led initiative, which has not been previously reported, shows Washington&#39;s increasing urgency to force North Korea into negotiations over the abandonment of its weapons programs, the officials said.

North Korea may be only a few months away from completing development of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, despite existing international sanctions that, at times, have been sidestepped by smuggling and ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, according to officials.

&quot;There is no doubt we all have to do more, short of direct military action, to show (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un we mean business,&quot; said a senior administration official.

The White House declined official comment.

The effort could target vessels on the high seas or in the territorial waters of countries that choose to cooperate. It was unclear, however, to what extent the campaign might extend beyond Asia.

Washington on Friday slapped sanctions on dozens more companies and vessels linked to North Korean shipping trade and urged the United Nations to blacklist a list of entities, a move it said was aimed at shutting down North Korea&#39;s illicit maritime smuggling activities to obtain oil and sell coal.

Tighter sanctions plus a more assertive approach at sea could dial up tensions at a time when fragile diplomacy between North and South Korea has gained momentum. It would also stretch U.S. military resources needed elsewhere, possibly incur massive new costs and fuel misgivings among some countries in the region.

BOARDING SHIPS

The initiative, which is still being developed, would be fraught with challenges that could risk triggering North Korean retaliation and dividing the international community.

China and Russia, which have blocked U.S. efforts at the United Nations to win approval for use of force in North Korea interdiction operations, are likely to oppose new actions if they see the United States as overstepping. A Chinese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such steps should only be taken under United Nations auspices.

But Washington is expected to start gradually ratcheting up such operations soon even if discussions with allies have not been completed, according to the senior U.S. official.

U.S. experts are developing legal arguments for doing more to stop sanctions-busting vessels, citing the last U.N. Security Council resolution which they say opened the door by calling on states to inspect suspect ships on the high seas or in their waters.

Washington is also drawing up rules of engagement aimed at avoiding armed confrontation at sea, the officials said.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters in Washington on Friday the United States does not rule out boarding ships for inspections.

But U.S. officials said privately that such actions, especially the use of boarding crews, would be decided on a case-by-case and with utmost caution.

Some U.S. officials believe the risk could be minimized if Coast Guard cutters, which carry less firepower and technically engage in law-enforcement missions, are used in certain cases rather than warships.

The Coast Guard declined to address whether it might deploy ships to the Asia-Pacific region but acknowledged its ties to countries there. &quot;Future ship deployments would depend on U.S. foreign policy objectives and the operational availability of our assets,&quot; said spokesman Lieutenant Commander Dave French.

&#39;THE MORE PARTNERS WE HAVE&#39;

A senior South Korean government official said there had been discussions over &quot;intensified maritime interdictions,&quot; including at a foreign ministers&#39; meeting in Vancouver last month where U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed counterparts on the issue.

&quot;We are discussing with various countries including the U.S. and South Korea how to fully implement the sanctions but I have not heard talk of creating a framework or a coalition,&quot; said a Japanese defense ministry official involved in policy planning.

The Trump administration has also sought greater cooperation from Southeast Asian countries, which may have little military capability to assist but are seen as sources of intelligence on ship movements, U.S. officials said.

&quot;The more partners we have, the more resources we have to dedicate to the effort,&quot; said Chris Ford, assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation. He declined to talk about discussions with specific countries.

Washington is especially interested in detecting of ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, something North Korea has increasingly resorted to as vessels have faced greater scrutiny of their cargo in Asian ports, the officials said.

Reuters reported in December that Russian tankers had supplied fuel to North Korea at sea in a violation of sanctions. Washington also said at the time it had evidence that vessels from several countries, including China, had engaged in shipping oil products and coal. China denied the allegation.

U.S. interception of ships close to Chinese waters is something likely to be avoided, in favor of informing Chinese authorities of banned cargo onboard and asking them do the inspection, one official said.

&quot;It&#39;s probably impossible to stop everything, but you can raise the cost to North Korea,&quot; said David Shear, former deputy secretary of defense for Asia under President Barack Obama.

Washington has been talking to regional partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore, about coordinating a stepped-up crackdown

The Trump administration and key Asian allies are preparing to expand interceptions of ships suspected of violating sanctions on North Korea, a plan that could include deploying U.S. Coast Guard forces to stop and search vessels in Asia-Pacific waters, senior U.S. officials said. Washington has been talking to regional partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and Singapore, about coordinating a stepped-up crackdown that would go further than ever before in an attempt to squeeze Pyongyang's use of seagoing trade to feed its nuclear missile program, several officials told Reuters. While suspect ships have been intercepted before, the emerging strategy would expand the scope of such operations but stop short of imposing a naval blockade on North Korea. Pyongyang has warned it would consider a blockade an act of war. The strategy calls for closer tracking and possible seizure of ships suspected of carrying banned weapons components and other prohibited cargo to or from North Korea, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Depending on the scale of the campaign, the United States could consider beefing up the naval and air power of its Pacific Command, they said. The U.S.-led initiative, which has not been previously reported, shows Washington's increasing urgency to force North Korea into negotiations over the abandonment of its weapons programs, the officials said. North Korea may be only a few months away from completing development of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland, despite existing international sanctions that, at times, have been sidestepped by smuggling and ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, according to officials. "There is no doubt we all have to do more, short of direct military action, to show (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Un we mean business," said a senior administration official. The White House declined official comment. The effort could target vessels on the high seas or in the territorial waters of countries that choose to cooperate. It was unclear, however, to what extent the campaign might extend beyond Asia. Washington on Friday slapped sanctions on dozens more companies and vessels linked to North Korean shipping trade and urged the United Nations to blacklist a list of entities, a move it said was aimed at shutting down North Korea's illicit maritime smuggling activities to obtain oil and sell coal. Tighter sanctions plus a more assertive approach at sea could dial up tensions at a time when fragile diplomacy between North and South Korea has gained momentum. It would also stretch U.S. military resources needed elsewhere, possibly incur massive new costs and fuel misgivings among some countries in the region. BOARDING SHIPS The initiative, which is still being developed, would be fraught with challenges that could risk triggering North Korean retaliation and dividing the international community. China and Russia, which have blocked U.S. efforts at the United Nations to win approval for use of force in North Korea interdiction operations, are likely to oppose new actions if they see the United States as overstepping. A Chinese official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said such steps should only be taken under United Nations auspices. But Washington is expected to start gradually ratcheting up such operations soon even if discussions with allies have not been completed, according to the senior U.S. official. U.S. experts are developing legal arguments for doing more to stop sanctions-busting vessels, citing the last U.N. Security Council resolution which they say opened the door by calling on states to inspect suspect ships on the high seas or in their waters. Washington is also drawing up rules of engagement aimed at avoiding armed confrontation at sea, the officials said. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told reporters in Washington on Friday the United States does not rule out boarding ships for inspections. But U.S. officials said privately that such actions, especially the use of boarding crews, would be decided on a case-by-case and with utmost caution. Some U.S. officials believe the risk could be minimized if Coast Guard cutters, which carry less firepower and technically engage in law-enforcement missions, are used in certain cases rather than warships. The Coast Guard declined to address whether it might deploy ships to the Asia-Pacific region but acknowledged its ties to countries there. "Future ship deployments would depend on U.S. foreign policy objectives and the operational availability of our assets," said spokesman Lieutenant Commander Dave French. 'THE MORE PARTNERS WE HAVE' A senior South Korean government official said there had been discussions over "intensified maritime interdictions," including at a foreign ministers' meeting in Vancouver last month where U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson pressed counterparts on the issue. "We are discussing with various countries including the U.S. and South Korea how to fully implement the sanctions but I have not heard talk of creating a framework or a coalition," said a Japanese defense ministry official involved in policy planning. The Trump administration has also sought greater cooperation from Southeast Asian countries, which may have little military capability to assist but are seen as sources of intelligence on ship movements, U.S. officials said. "The more partners we have, the more resources we have to dedicate to the effort," said Chris Ford, assistant secretary of state for international security and nonproliferation. He declined to talk about discussions with specific countries. Washington is especially interested in detecting of ship-to-ship transfers at sea of banned goods, something North Korea has increasingly resorted to as vessels have faced greater scrutiny of their cargo in Asian ports, the officials said. Reuters reported in December that Russian tankers had supplied fuel to North Korea at sea in a violation of sanctions. Washington also said at the time it had evidence that vessels from several countries, including China, had engaged in shipping oil products and coal. China denied the allegation. U.S. interception of ships close to Chinese waters is something likely to be avoided, in favor of informing Chinese authorities of banned cargo onboard and asking them do the inspection, one official said. "It's probably impossible to stop everything, but you can raise the cost to North Korea," said David Shear, former deputy secretary of defense for Asia under President Barack Obama.

US and its allies prepare high-seas crackdown on North Korea sanctions evaders: Sources

Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg said on Tuesday they would each donate $500,000 to the &quot;March for Our Lives&quot; rally in Washington in support of gun control following last week`s shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 dead. 
 
Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, were the first to make the financial pledge and also said they will march alongside the students behind the rally on March 24. 
 
Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, where a 19-year-old former student is accused of going on a rampage with a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle on Feb. 14, are assisting in planning the march. 
 
&quot;Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we&rsquo;re donating 500,000 dollars to help pay for this groundbreaking event. Our children&rsquo;s lives depend on it,&rdquo; Clooney said in a statement. 
 
Later on Tuesday, Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw and Winfrey each said that they would match the Clooneys` donation.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;George and Amal, I couldn`t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to `March For Our Lives.` These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we`ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard,&quot; Winfrey tweeted. 
 
Spielberg and Capshaw, in an emailed statement, said &quot;The young students in Florida and now across the country are already demonstrating their leadership with a confidence and maturity that belies their ages.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
It was not immediately clear whether they and Winfrey would attend the march. 
 
Film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and his wife Marilyn also said they would match the $500,000 donation and march in Washington.&nbsp; 
 
The March for Our Lives event is one of several rallies being organized by students across the country in support of stronger gun laws, challenging politicians they say have failed to protect them. Busloads of Florida students headed to the state capital Tallahassee on Tuesday to call for a ban on assault rifles. 
 
Other celebrities have voiced their support for the students` efforts on social media, including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Cher. 
 
Gun ownership is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and remains one of the nation`s more divisive issues. 
&nbsp;

Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg said on Tuesday they would each donate $500,000 to the "March for Our Lives" rally in Washington.

Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Steven Spielberg said on Tuesday they would each donate $500,000 to the "March for Our Lives" rally in Washington in support of gun control following last week`s shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 dead. Clooney and his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, were the first to make the financial pledge and also said they will march alongside the students behind the rally on March 24. Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, where a 19-year-old former student is accused of going on a rampage with a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle on Feb. 14, are assisting in planning the march. "Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country, and in the name of our children Ella and Alexander, we’re donating 500,000 dollars to help pay for this groundbreaking event. Our children’s lives depend on it,” Clooney said in a statement. Later on Tuesday, Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw and Winfrey each said that they would match the Clooneys` donation. "George and Amal, I couldn`t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to `March For Our Lives.` These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we`ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard," Winfrey tweeted. Spielberg and Capshaw, in an emailed statement, said "The young students in Florida and now across the country are already demonstrating their leadership with a confidence and maturity that belies their ages." It was not immediately clear whether they and Winfrey would attend the march. Film producer Jeffrey Katzenberg and his wife Marilyn also said they would match the $500,000 donation and march in Washington. The March for Our Lives event is one of several rallies being organized by students across the country in support of stronger gun laws, challenging politicians they say have failed to protect them. Busloads of Florida students headed to the state capital Tallahassee on Tuesday to call for a ban on assault rifles. Other celebrities have voiced their support for the students` efforts on social media, including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga and Cher. Gun ownership is protected by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and remains one of the nation`s more divisive issues.

George Clooney, Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg offer $500,000 each for gun control march

The US Senate&#39;s top Democrat said on Monday his party has reached a deal with majority Republicans on a funding bill to end a partial shutdown of federal government, now in its third day.

&quot;After several discussions, offers, counteroffers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement,&quot; Senator Chuck Schumer told the Senate ahead of a key vote.

&quot;We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement&quot; on the fate of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the country as children who are soon to lose their protection from deportation, Schumer said.

"We will vote today to reopen the government", Schumer said

The US Senate's top Democrat said on Monday his party has reached a deal with majority Republicans on a funding bill to end a partial shutdown of federal government, now in its third day. "After several discussions, offers, counteroffers, the Republican leader and I have come to an arrangement," Senator Chuck Schumer told the Senate ahead of a key vote. "We will vote today to reopen the government to continue negotiating a global agreement" on the fate of hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the country as children who are soon to lose their protection from deportation, Schumer said.

Democrats to vote to reopen US government: Schumer

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on Russian officials who supplied turbines to a power plant in annexed Crimea, as well as several &quot;ministers&quot; from the breakaway region in eastern Ukraine.

The turbines were built by German engineering giant Siemens for delivery to Russia but were later sent to Crimea -- which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014 -- by its Russian partner.

No US action has been taken against the Munich-based firm, which says it was not aware the equipment would be diverted and attempted to sue the Russian state energy firm for breach of contract.

Only a handful of Russian allies have recognized Moscow&#39;s claim on Crimea, which has not been recognized by the United Nations and which Ukraine, the United States and most of the world reject.

Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and regularly updates its blacklist.

On Friday, it was the turn of senior Russian officials involved in the transfer of the turbines, and also several &quot;ministers&quot; from two pro-Russia breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine.

The so-called Donetsk People&#39;s Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People&#39;s Republic (LPR) rule chunks of eastern Ukraine controlled by the pro-Moscow separatists since a revolt in early 2014.

The West says the separatists are directly backed by Russian forces, who send personnel and weapons, funding and supplies and have allegedly conducted cross-border operations and shelling.

Moscow denies this and has reacted with fury to increased sanctions.

Russia&#39;s foreign ministry said the &quot;absurd sanctions campaign has not succeeded and will not lead to any results.&quot;

&quot;If the American authorities prefer to break economic ties... with Russia, it is their right, as it is ours to reserve the right to a response.&quot;

- Fighting continues -

&quot;The US government is committed to maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to targeting those who attempt to undermine the Minsk agreements,&quot; Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

Under the Minsk agreements, the first of which was signed in 2014, Russia and Ukraine are supposed to support a ceasefire, withdraw heavy weapons and foreign forces, and support electoral reform.&nbsp;

But fighting has continued to greater and lesser degrees, and US officials accuse Vladimir Putin&#39;s Kremlin of pulling the strings.&nbsp;

&quot;Those who provide goods, services, or material support to individuals and entities sanctioned by the United States for their activities in Ukraine are engaging in behavior that could expose them to US sanctions,&quot; Mnuchin warned.

The Donetsk ministers of information, industry, finance, foreign affairs, state security and tax and Lugansk&#39;s economic development, labor and energy ministers were added to the US blacklist.

Among the Russians added were Andrei Cherezov, deputy minister of energy, along with senior public and company officials involved in the transfer of the turbines to occupied territory.

Several Russian companies were also designated for operating in Crimea, including Technopromexport -- the subsidiary of state conglomerate Rostec that was unsuccessfully sued by Siemens.

A spokesman for Rostec told the Interfax news agency: &quot;We&#39;re used to living under sanctions. It&#39;s just a shame that pressure, and not dialogue, has become the main instrument of foreign relations.&quot;

The persons and entities listed cannot do business with Americans -- effectively excluding them from the US financial system -- and any assets they hold under US jurisdiction can be frozen.

COMMENTSSeparately, the United States also condemned Russia&#39;s ratification of an agreement to set up a joint military force with the Georgian region of South Ossetia, which is also under occupation.

&quot;We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called &#39;treaty,&#39; which does not constitute a valid international agreement,&quot; State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine

The United States imposed sanctions on Friday on Russian officials who supplied turbines to a power plant in annexed Crimea, as well as several "ministers" from the breakaway region in eastern Ukraine. The turbines were built by German engineering giant Siemens for delivery to Russia but were later sent to Crimea -- which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed in 2014 -- by its Russian partner. No US action has been taken against the Munich-based firm, which says it was not aware the equipment would be diverted and attempted to sue the Russian state energy firm for breach of contract. Only a handful of Russian allies have recognized Moscow's claim on Crimea, which has not been recognized by the United Nations and which Ukraine, the United States and most of the world reject. Washington has an existing sanctions law to punish officials and public and private entities who assist in the Russian intervention in Crimea and eastern Ukraine, and regularly updates its blacklist. On Friday, it was the turn of senior Russian officials involved in the transfer of the turbines, and also several "ministers" from two pro-Russia breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine. The so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) rule chunks of eastern Ukraine controlled by the pro-Moscow separatists since a revolt in early 2014. The West says the separatists are directly backed by Russian forces, who send personnel and weapons, funding and supplies and have allegedly conducted cross-border operations and shelling. Moscow denies this and has reacted with fury to increased sanctions. Russia's foreign ministry said the "absurd sanctions campaign has not succeeded and will not lead to any results." "If the American authorities prefer to break economic ties... with Russia, it is their right, as it is ours to reserve the right to a response." - Fighting continues - "The US government is committed to maintaining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and to targeting those who attempt to undermine the Minsk agreements," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Under the Minsk agreements, the first of which was signed in 2014, Russia and Ukraine are supposed to support a ceasefire, withdraw heavy weapons and foreign forces, and support electoral reform. But fighting has continued to greater and lesser degrees, and US officials accuse Vladimir Putin's Kremlin of pulling the strings. "Those who provide goods, services, or material support to individuals and entities sanctioned by the United States for their activities in Ukraine are engaging in behavior that could expose them to US sanctions," Mnuchin warned. The Donetsk ministers of information, industry, finance, foreign affairs, state security and tax and Lugansk's economic development, labor and energy ministers were added to the US blacklist. Among the Russians added were Andrei Cherezov, deputy minister of energy, along with senior public and company officials involved in the transfer of the turbines to occupied territory. Several Russian companies were also designated for operating in Crimea, including Technopromexport -- the subsidiary of state conglomerate Rostec that was unsuccessfully sued by Siemens. A spokesman for Rostec told the Interfax news agency: "We're used to living under sanctions. It's just a shame that pressure, and not dialogue, has become the main instrument of foreign relations." The persons and entities listed cannot do business with Americans -- effectively excluding them from the US financial system -- and any assets they hold under US jurisdiction can be frozen. COMMENTSSeparately, the United States also condemned Russia's ratification of an agreement to set up a joint military force with the Georgian region of South Ossetia, which is also under occupation. "We do not recognize the legitimacy of this so-called 'treaty,' which does not constitute a valid international agreement," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

US slaps new sanctions on Russian officials over Crimea

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday the United States supports Egypt&#39;s fight against Islamic State but reiterated that it advocated free and fair elections in the Arab country.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Tillerson arrived in Egypt at the start of a regional tour amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria after an Israeli F-16 aircraft was shot down. It also follows a major security operation by the Egyptian military to crush Islamist militants who have killed hundreds of people since 2013.

&quot;We agreed we would continue our close cooperation on counterterrorism measures,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;The Egyptian people should be confident that the US commitment to continue to support Egypt in fight against terrorism and bringing security to Egyptian people is steadfast.&quot;

The Egyptian military campaign comes ahead of presidential election in March, in which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a second term in office.

Asked about the Tillerson said the United States supports a credible, transparent election in Egypt and Libya.

&quot;We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections not just in Egypt but in any country,&quot; Tillerson said.

&quot;The US is always going to advocate for electoral process that respects rights of citizens,&quot; he told journalists, adding that the United States was also keen to continue supporting Egypt in its economic recovery. 
&nbsp;

Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Monday the United States supports Egypt's fight against Islamic State but reiterated that it advocated free and fair elections in the Arab country. Speaking at a joint news conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Tillerson also said that Washington remained committed to achieving a lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians, despite President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Tillerson arrived in Egypt at the start of a regional tour amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria after an Israeli F-16 aircraft was shot down. It also follows a major security operation by the Egyptian military to crush Islamist militants who have killed hundreds of people since 2013. "We agreed we would continue our close cooperation on counterterrorism measures," Tillerson said. "The Egyptian people should be confident that the US commitment to continue to support Egypt in fight against terrorism and bringing security to Egyptian people is steadfast." The Egyptian military campaign comes ahead of presidential election in March, in which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is seeking a second term in office. Asked about the Tillerson said the United States supports a credible, transparent election in Egypt and Libya. "We have always advocated for free and fair elections, transparent elections not just in Egypt but in any country," Tillerson said. "The US is always going to advocate for electoral process that respects rights of citizens," he told journalists, adding that the United States was also keen to continue supporting Egypt in its economic recovery.

US Secretary of State says Washington backs Egypt in fight against terrorism

The Free Karachi campaign has launched its second phase in Washington with around 100 taxis supporting the &quot;Free Karachi&quot; banners.&nbsp;

As part of the campaign, &ldquo;#FreeKarachi and Urban Sindh from State Atrocities in Pakistan&rdquo; advertisements have appeared on several highway billboards in the US. West Coast city of Los Angeles, reports said.&nbsp;

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and came into existence after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Hasan Zafar Arif was found dead in a car in Karachi&#39;s Ilyas Goth area last month.&nbsp;

The campaign was started on January 15 when a number of taxis and cars with #FreeKarachi banners participated in the city&rsquo;s annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade.

Digital Ads of &#39;Free Karachi&#39; ran on the Washington Times website, urging the US administration and world community to save Mohajirs in Pakistan.

Pakistani-American politician, who is also the incumbent Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement had tweeted during its first phase, &quot;This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind [King] Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi.&quot;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKarachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeKarachi</a> banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind Day parade in the capital. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeKarachi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeKarachi</a> <a href="https://t.co/OfqCLT3hik">pic.twitter.com/OfqCLT3hik</a>
&mdash; Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) <a href="https://twitter.com/nadeem_nusrat/status/952930822570610689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

&nbsp;

However, Pakistan&#39;s Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary has said that Washington has assured that it will not support to any campaign against Pakistan.

The Dawn quoted Chaudhary, as saying, &quot;We took it up with the State Department, and they assured us that they continue to support Pakistan&#39;s sovereignty and territorial integrity as strongly as they always have.&quot;

The Ambassador Chaudhary further said anti-Pakistan posters and billboards have been removed from New York and Washington.

He also mentioned that US Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells had given a similar assurance during her recent visit to Islamabad.

The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and came into existence after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Hasan Zafar Arif was found dead in a car in Karachi's Ilyas Goth area last month

The Free Karachi campaign has launched its second phase in Washington with around 100 taxis supporting the "Free Karachi" banners. As part of the campaign, “#FreeKarachi and Urban Sindh from State Atrocities in Pakistan” advertisements have appeared on several highway billboards in the US. West Coast city of Los Angeles, reports said. The aim of this campaign is to raise awareness on state atrocities of Pakistan against Mohajirs and came into existence after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Hasan Zafar Arif was found dead in a car in Karachi's Ilyas Goth area last month. The campaign was started on January 15 when a number of taxis and cars with #FreeKarachi banners participated in the city’s annual Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade. Digital Ads of 'Free Karachi' ran on the Washington Times website, urging the US administration and world community to save Mohajirs in Pakistan. Pakistani-American politician, who is also the incumbent Convener of Muttahida Qaumi Movement had tweeted during its first phase, "This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind [King] Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi." This is Washington D.C., the capital of the USA. Taxis are lining up with #FreeKarachi banners to participate in Dr Martin Luther Kind Day parade in the capital. #FreeKarachi pic.twitter.com/OfqCLT3hik — Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) January 15, 2018 × However, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary has said that Washington has assured that it will not support to any campaign against Pakistan. The Dawn quoted Chaudhary, as saying, "We took it up with the State Department, and they assured us that they continue to support Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity as strongly as they always have." The Ambassador Chaudhary further said anti-Pakistan posters and billboards have been removed from New York and Washington. He also mentioned that US Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells had given a similar assurance during her recent visit to Islamabad.

'Free Karachi' campaign launches its second phase in Washington

As influential voices within the US&nbsp;business community warn China that US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is serious about tough action over Beijing&#39;s trade practices, there is little sense of a crisis in the Chinese capital, where officials think he is bluffing.

In Beijing, many experts think Washington is unwilling to pay the heavy economic price needed to upset prevailing trade dynamics between the world&#39;s two largest economies.

Hanging over trade relations are several inquiries into whether steel and aluminium imports - including those from China - are harming US&nbsp;national security, possible tariffs on imported solar panels, as well as an investigation into potential Chinese abuse of intellectual property.

&quot;I think this might be a threat to ask for deals from China,&quot; said He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a government-affiliated research organisation in Beijing.

Results in most, if not all, of the investigations are seen as imminent. Trump warned in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday of potentially &quot;big damages&quot; against China as a result of the intellectual property inquiry under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

&nbsp;People in the US&nbsp;business community say this growing gulf in expectations between Washington and Beijing is fuelled in part by the dwindling frequency of talks on commercial issues. The resulting vacuum could set the two governments on a collision course over trade.

&quot;Dialogue is a shadow, a shell, a trickle of what it was, particularly on the economic and commercial issues,&quot; said one US&nbsp;industry source who accompanied a business delegation to Beijing last week to warn senior Chinese officials that time was running out.

The bipartisan group of mostly former senior US&nbsp;officials, including George W. Bush administration veterans Stephen Hadley and Carlos Gutierrez, met with Wang Yang, a member of China&#39;s ruling seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, and Liu He, an economist and ally of President Xi Jinping, among other senior Chinese leaders, the person said.

They delivered a message that trade frictions &quot;are not under control&quot; and that there was a high likelihood of &quot;significant actions&quot; coming soon, according the person who was present at the meetings.

&quot;We hear everything from: both sides will lose, to you&#39;ll lose more,&quot; the person said, characterizing the reception the delegation received from Chinese leaders.

&nbsp;Resilent to a trade war

US&nbsp;businesses operating in China have long chafed at government policies they see as intended to assimilate and supplant foreign technology.

At stake is who controls intellectual property, and how you protect it, said Tim Adams, former US&nbsp;Treasury undersecretary for international affairs in the Bush administration.

&quot;The question is, how do you use a scalpel to respond to it, and does the scalpel actually change behaviour because it&#39;s a scalpel and not a sledgehammer,&quot; said Adams, who now leads the Washington-based Institute of International Finance.

He said China would probably retaliate by weighing whether the actions were in line with World Trade Organization rules before slowly ratcheting up pressure on US&nbsp;businesses, for example by buying from a European company such as Airbus instead of Boeing.

Meanwhile, China&#39;s 2017 trade surplus with the United States reached an all-time high of $275.81 billion, Chinese Customs data showed last week.

The growing likelihood of US&nbsp;trade remedies against China comes amid a bipartisan push in Washington to tighten national security reviews of Chinese companies&#39; efforts to scoop up US&nbsp;technology firms, often in industries closed to US&nbsp;companies in China.

But many in China see such efforts as sure to backfire.

&quot;Politically, the administration of President Donald Trump can&#39;t afford to see China-US&nbsp;economic and trade ties become strained. China is more resilient to a trade war,&quot; China&#39;s state-run Global Times said on Sunday.

China&#39;s Ministry of Commerce did not comment on the US&nbsp;business delegation or the risk of major trade friction. But it said last week that China would take all necessary measures to defend itself.

Kibbles and bits

Beijing suspects that even if Trump implements &quot;targeted tariffs,&quot; as some in the US&nbsp;tech sector expect, they would likely amount to just a few percentage points of the more than $600 billion annual goods and services trade, Chinese experts have said.

For local governments in export-dependent areas, the threat is more worrying. One official in the export powerhouse of Zhejiang province expressed concern to Reuters about Trump&#39;s possible actions, but declined to speak on the record.

&nbsp;The government in Beijing, however, remains stoic.

&quot;Are Chinese officials getting nervous now amid a coming US-China trade war? I don&#39;t think so,&quot; said Wang Jiangyu, a trade expert at the National University of Singapore.

The country has negotiated its way out of previous Section 301 investigations, including in 1992 and 1995.

And a person close to China&#39;s Commerce Ministry, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said tariffs from the Section 301 case would be self-defeating, and urged negotiation instead.

&quot;We should sit down and discuss this. If their demands are reasonable, we don&#39;t want to go to the WTO,&quot; the person said.

That inclination to fall back on talks and the WTO to resolve frictions may be China&#39;s miscalculation this time, people in the US&nbsp;business community say.

What the Chinese government doesn&#39;t understand is that the Trump administration is &quot;deadly serious,&quot; the member of the US&nbsp;business delegation said. &quot;They aren&#39;t going to settle for kibbles and bits.&quot;

In Beijing, many experts think Washington is unwilling to pay the heavy economic price needed to upset prevailing trade dynamics between the world's two largest economies

As influential voices within the US business community warn China that US President Donald Trump is serious about tough action over Beijing's trade practices, there is little sense of a crisis in the Chinese capital, where officials think he is bluffing. In Beijing, many experts think Washington is unwilling to pay the heavy economic price needed to upset prevailing trade dynamics between the world's two largest economies. Hanging over trade relations are several inquiries into whether steel and aluminium imports - including those from China - are harming US national security, possible tariffs on imported solar panels, as well as an investigation into potential Chinese abuse of intellectual property. "I think this might be a threat to ask for deals from China," said He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, a government-affiliated research organisation in Beijing. Results in most, if not all, of the investigations are seen as imminent. Trump warned in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday of potentially "big damages" against China as a result of the intellectual property inquiry under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. People in the US business community say this growing gulf in expectations between Washington and Beijing is fuelled in part by the dwindling frequency of talks on commercial issues. The resulting vacuum could set the two governments on a collision course over trade. "Dialogue is a shadow, a shell, a trickle of what it was, particularly on the economic and commercial issues," said one US industry source who accompanied a business delegation to Beijing last week to warn senior Chinese officials that time was running out. The bipartisan group of mostly former senior US officials, including George W. Bush administration veterans Stephen Hadley and Carlos Gutierrez, met with Wang Yang, a member of China's ruling seven-man Politburo Standing Committee, and Liu He, an economist and ally of President Xi Jinping, among other senior Chinese leaders, the person said. They delivered a message that trade frictions "are not under control" and that there was a high likelihood of "significant actions" coming soon, according the person who was present at the meetings. "We hear everything from: both sides will lose, to you'll lose more," the person said, characterizing the reception the delegation received from Chinese leaders. Resilent to a trade war US businesses operating in China have long chafed at government policies they see as intended to assimilate and supplant foreign technology. At stake is who controls intellectual property, and how you protect it, said Tim Adams, former US Treasury undersecretary for international affairs in the Bush administration. "The question is, how do you use a scalpel to respond to it, and does the scalpel actually change behaviour because it's a scalpel and not a sledgehammer," said Adams, who now leads the Washington-based Institute of International Finance. He said China would probably retaliate by weighing whether the actions were in line with World Trade Organization rules before slowly ratcheting up pressure on US businesses, for example by buying from a European company such as Airbus instead of Boeing. Meanwhile, China's 2017 trade surplus with the United States reached an all-time high of $275.81 billion, Chinese Customs data showed last week. The growing likelihood of US trade remedies against China comes amid a bipartisan push in Washington to tighten national security reviews of Chinese companies' efforts to scoop up US technology firms, often in industries closed to US companies in China. But many in China see such efforts as sure to backfire. "Politically, the administration of President Donald Trump can't afford to see China-US economic and trade ties become strained. China is more resilient to a trade war," China's state-run Global Times said on Sunday. China's Ministry of Commerce did not comment on the US business delegation or the risk of major trade friction. But it said last week that China would take all necessary measures to defend itself. Kibbles and bits Beijing suspects that even if Trump implements "targeted tariffs," as some in the US tech sector expect, they would likely amount to just a few percentage points of the more than $600 billion annual goods and services trade, Chinese experts have said. For local governments in export-dependent areas, the threat is more worrying. One official in the export powerhouse of Zhejiang province expressed concern to Reuters about Trump's possible actions, but declined to speak on the record. The government in Beijing, however, remains stoic. "Are Chinese officials getting nervous now amid a coming US-China trade war? I don't think so," said Wang Jiangyu, a trade expert at the National University of Singapore. The country has negotiated its way out of previous Section 301 investigations, including in 1992 and 1995. And a person close to China's Commerce Ministry, who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter, said tariffs from the Section 301 case would be self-defeating, and urged negotiation instead. "We should sit down and discuss this. If their demands are reasonable, we don't want to go to the WTO," the person said. That inclination to fall back on talks and the WTO to resolve frictions may be China's miscalculation this time, people in the US business community say. What the Chinese government doesn't understand is that the Trump administration is "deadly serious," the member of the US business delegation said. "They aren't going to settle for kibbles and bits."

China looks to call bluff on Trump trade action

The porn site Pornhub saw a sharp spike in traffic from Hawaii after the state sent out a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/hawaii-rattled-after-alert-of-incoming-missile-is-mistakenly-sent-29440" target="_blank">false missile alert</a> last week.

The site said Wednesday that it saw a massive 77%&nbsp; drop in traffic right after the alert was sent out.

However, after it was clarified that the warning was a false alarm, traffic to the site surged right up by 48%.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Hawaii on alert! <a href="https://t.co/JzqpXe5ejz">https://t.co/JzqpXe5ejz</a> <a href="https://t.co/4AeOpDDaZ6">pic.twitter.com/4AeOpDDaZ6</a>
&mdash; Pornhub ARIA (@Pornhub) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pornhub/status/953668567714680833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The false alert was sent out last Saturday, causing panic and confusion across the state.

Emergency management officials eventually determined the notification was sent just after 8&nbsp;am during a shift change after &quot;the wrong button was pushed.&quot;&nbsp;

The US is already on edge with tensions soaring between it and North Korea.&nbsp;

Pornhub is the world&#39;s largest porn site. The site received some 28.5 billion visits in 2017, or an average of 81 million people a day.

Traffic dropped by 77% right after the alert. Then, after it was clarified that it was a false alert, traffic surged up again by 48%

The porn site Pornhub saw a sharp spike in traffic from Hawaii after the state sent out a false missile alert last week. The site said Wednesday that it saw a massive 77% drop in traffic right after the alert was sent out. However, after it was clarified that the warning was a false alarm, traffic to the site surged right up by 48%. Hawaii on alert! https://t.co/JzqpXe5ejz pic.twitter.com/4AeOpDDaZ6 — Pornhub ARIA (@Pornhub) January 17, 2018 × The false alert was sent out last Saturday, causing panic and confusion across the state. Emergency management officials eventually determined the notification was sent just after 8 am during a shift change after "the wrong button was pushed." The US is already on edge with tensions soaring between it and North Korea. Pornhub is the world's largest porn site. The site received some 28.5 billion visits in 2017, or an average of 81 million people a day.

After false missile alert, Pornhub sees spike in traffic from Hawaii

North and South Korea held their first talks in over two years on Tuesday, which Washington welcomed as a first step to solving the North Korean nuclear weapons crisis, even though Pyongyang said those were aimed only at the United States and not up for discussion.

The US&nbsp;State Department said Washington would be interested in joining future talks, but stuck to its insistence that they must be aimed at denuclearisation, showing that a diplomatic breakthrough remains far off.

In a joint statement after 11 hours of talks, North and South Korea said they had agreed to hold the military to military talks and that North Korea would send a large delegation to next month&#39;s Winter Olympics in South Korea.

However, North Korea made a &quot;strong complaint&quot; after Seoul proposed talks to denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

&quot;Clearly this is a positive development,&quot; a spokesman for the US&nbsp;State Department, Steve Goldstein, said of the joint statement while adding: &quot;We would like nuclear talks to occur; we want denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. This is a good first step in that process.&quot;

North and South Korea said they agreed to meet again to resolve problems and avert accidental conflict, amid high tension over North Korea&#39;s program to develop nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States.

&quot;All our weapons, including atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs and ballistic missiles, are only aimed at the United States, not our brethren, nor China and Russia,&quot; Pyongyang&#39;s chief negotiator, Ri Son Gwon, said.

&quot;This is not a matter between North and South Korea, and to bring up this issue would cause negative consequences and risks turning all of today&#39;s good achievement into nothing,&quot; Ri said in closing remarks.

The White House and State Department did not respond to requests for comment on the United States being the only potential target of North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged threats and insults in the past year, raising fears of a new war on the peninsula.

The United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War, initially responded coolly to the idea of inter-Korean meetings, but Trump later called them &quot;a good thing&quot; and said he would be willing to speak to Kim.

&quot;At the appropriate time, we&#39;ll get involved,&quot; Trump said on Saturday, although US-North Korean talks appear unlikely anytime soon, given entrenched positions on both sides.

The United States has warned that all options, including military ones, are on the table in dealing with North Korea.

Washington agreed with Seoul last week to postpone joint military exercises that Pyongyang denounces as rehearsals for invasion until after the Olympics, but the North-South thaw has not altered the US&nbsp;intelligence assessment of North Korea&rsquo;s weapons programs.&nbsp;

The consensus, according to US&nbsp;officials familiar with the classified analysis, is that Kim remains convinced the United States is determined to overthrow him and that only a nuclear arsenal that threatens America can deter that.

One official said the North-South talks were likely to follow the pattern of past diplomatic efforts, in which the North has benefited from additional food and other aid without making any concessions on the weapons front.

The additional danger now, said a second official, was that Kim would seek to use the talks to take advantage of Trump&#39;s sometimes bellicose rhetoric to try to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul.

On Tuesday, UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the talks, particularly the agreement to hold military-to-military talks, calling this &quot;critical to lowering the risk of miscalculation&quot;.

He also welcomed North Korea&#39;s decision to send a delegation to the Olympics and said he hoped for the resumption of dialogue leading to denuclearisation.

In spite of the North Korean negotiator`s remarks, South Korea&#39;s Unification Ministry said it believed Tuesday&#39;s talks could lead to the discussion of a &quot;fundamental resolution&quot; of the nuclear issue.

&quot;We will closely coordinate with the United States, China, Japan and other neighbours in this process,&quot; it said, adding that Seoul had asked Pyongyang to halt acts that stoke tension.

Tuesday&#39;s meeting followed a year of ramped-up North Korean missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which prompted a US-led campaign to toughen UN&nbsp;sanctions.

High hopes

Earlier on Tuesday, Seoul said it was prepared to lift some unilateral sanctions temporarily so North Koreans could visit for the Olympics. North Korea said its delegation would include athletes, high-ranking officials, a cheering squad, art performers, reporters and spectators.

Talks to work out details would be held soon, the South&#39;s Unification Ministry said.

Tuesday&#39;s talks were the first between the two Koreas since 2015 and were held at the Peace House on the South Korean side of Panmunjom truce village.

Seoul said it proposed reunions of divided families in time for February&#39;s Lunar New Year holiday, but the joint statement made no mention of any agreement on this.

Seoul said North Korea had finished technical work to restore a military hotline, with normal communications set to resume on Wednesday.

North Korea cut communications in February 2016, following South Korea&#39;s decision to shut down a jointly run industrial park.

Seoul also said North Korea responded &quot;positively&quot; to the South&#39;s proposal for athletes from both sides to march together in the Olympic opening ceremony.

Such a joint parade has not happened since the 2007 Asian Winter Games in China.

China&#39;s Foreign Ministry said it was happy to see talks between North and South Korea and welcomed all positive steps. Russia echoed the sentiment. &quot;This is exactly the kind of dialogue that we said was necessary,&quot; a Kremlin spokesman said.

Some US-based analysts have hailed the talks as an opening for diplomacy, but others see an attempt by North Korea to weaken US&nbsp;pressure so that it is eventually accepted as a nuclear-armed state.

Evans Revere, a former senior US&nbsp;diplomat for East Asia, said that by engaging Seoul, North Korea was clearly seeking to weaken the US-South Korean alliance and it was important that Seoul had raised the nuclear issue to show it was not just a US-North Korea matter.

The US State Department said Washington would be interested in joining future talks, but stuck to its insistence that they must be aimed at denuclearisation

North and South Korea held their first talks in over two years on Tuesday, which Washington welcomed as a first step to solving the North Korean nuclear weapons crisis, even though Pyongyang said those were aimed only at the United States and not up for discussion. The US State Department said Washington would be interested in joining future talks, but stuck to its insistence that they must be aimed at denuclearisation, showing that a diplomatic breakthrough remains far off. In a joint statement after 11 hours of talks, North and South Korea said they had agreed to hold the military to military talks and that North Korea would send a large delegation to next month's Winter Olympics in South Korea. However, North Korea made a "strong complaint" after Seoul proposed talks to denuclearise the Korean peninsula. "Clearly this is a positive development," a spokesman for the US State Department, Steve Goldstein, said of the joint statement while adding: "We would like nuclear talks to occur; we want denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. This is a good first step in that process." North and South Korea said they agreed to meet again to resolve problems and avert accidental conflict, amid high tension over North Korea's program to develop nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States. "All our weapons, including atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs and ballistic missiles, are only aimed at the United States, not our brethren, nor China and Russia," Pyongyang's chief negotiator, Ri Son Gwon, said. "This is not a matter between North and South Korea, and to bring up this issue would cause negative consequences and risks turning all of today's good achievement into nothing," Ri said in closing remarks. The White House and State Department did not respond to requests for comment on the United States being the only potential target of North Korea's nuclear weapons. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged threats and insults in the past year, raising fears of a new war on the peninsula. The United States, which has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War, initially responded coolly to the idea of inter-Korean meetings, but Trump later called them "a good thing" and said he would be willing to speak to Kim. "At the appropriate time, we'll get involved," Trump said on Saturday, although US-North Korean talks appear unlikely anytime soon, given entrenched positions on both sides. The United States has warned that all options, including military ones, are on the table in dealing with North Korea. Washington agreed with Seoul last week to postpone joint military exercises that Pyongyang denounces as rehearsals for invasion until after the Olympics, but the North-South thaw has not altered the US intelligence assessment of North Korea’s weapons programs. The consensus, according to US officials familiar with the classified analysis, is that Kim remains convinced the United States is determined to overthrow him and that only a nuclear arsenal that threatens America can deter that. One official said the North-South talks were likely to follow the pattern of past diplomatic efforts, in which the North has benefited from additional food and other aid without making any concessions on the weapons front. The additional danger now, said a second official, was that Kim would seek to use the talks to take advantage of Trump's sometimes bellicose rhetoric to try to drive a wedge between Washington and Seoul. On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the talks, particularly the agreement to hold military-to-military talks, calling this "critical to lowering the risk of miscalculation". He also welcomed North Korea's decision to send a delegation to the Olympics and said he hoped for the resumption of dialogue leading to denuclearisation. In spite of the North Korean negotiator`s remarks, South Korea's Unification Ministry said it believed Tuesday's talks could lead to the discussion of a "fundamental resolution" of the nuclear issue. "We will closely coordinate with the United States, China, Japan and other neighbours in this process," it said, adding that Seoul had asked Pyongyang to halt acts that stoke tension. Tuesday's meeting followed a year of ramped-up North Korean missile launches and its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which prompted a US-led campaign to toughen UN sanctions. High hopes Earlier on Tuesday, Seoul said it was prepared to lift some unilateral sanctions temporarily so North Koreans could visit for the Olympics. North Korea said its delegation would include athletes, high-ranking officials, a cheering squad, art performers, reporters and spectators. Talks to work out details would be held soon, the South's Unification Ministry said. Tuesday's talks were the first between the two Koreas since 2015 and were held at the Peace House on the South Korean side of Panmunjom truce village. Seoul said it proposed reunions of divided families in time for February's Lunar New Year holiday, but the joint statement made no mention of any agreement on this. Seoul said North Korea had finished technical work to restore a military hotline, with normal communications set to resume on Wednesday. North Korea cut communications in February 2016, following South Korea's decision to shut down a jointly run industrial park. Seoul also said North Korea responded "positively" to the South's proposal for athletes from both sides to march together in the Olympic opening ceremony. Such a joint parade has not happened since the 2007 Asian Winter Games in China. China's Foreign Ministry said it was happy to see talks between North and South Korea and welcomed all positive steps. Russia echoed the sentiment. "This is exactly the kind of dialogue that we said was necessary," a Kremlin spokesman said. Some US-based analysts have hailed the talks as an opening for diplomacy, but others see an attempt by North Korea to weaken US pressure so that it is eventually accepted as a nuclear-armed state. Evans Revere, a former senior US diplomat for East Asia, said that by engaging Seoul, North Korea was clearly seeking to weaken the US-South Korean alliance and it was important that Seoul had raised the nuclear issue to show it was not just a US-North Korea matter.

US hails Korea talks, despite North's rejection of denuclearisation

According to the White House, Donald Trump&#39;s scheduled medical examination will not include a psychiatric evaluation.&nbsp;

US president&#39;s mental fitness was questioned soon after excerpts from Michael Wolff&#39;s book &#39;Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House&#39;&nbsp;were released.

&quot;He&#39;s sharp as a tack,&quot; spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters.

US President Donald Trump will be examined for fitness at the Walter Reed military hospital in Washington this Friday.

Results of his medical examination shall be made public.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s long-term health advisor, Harold Bornstein, spoke about his health previously calling him &quot;the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.&quot;

Trump recently took to Twitter and called himself &quot;a very stable genius&quot; in response to doubts raised over his mental faculties.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

US president's mental fitness was questioned soon after excerpts from Michael Wolff's 'Fire and Fury' were made public

According to the White House, Donald Trump's scheduled medical examination will not include a psychiatric evaluation. US president's mental fitness was questioned soon after excerpts from Michael Wolff's book 'Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House' were released. "He's sharp as a tack," spokesman Hogan Gidley told reporters. US President Donald Trump will be examined for fitness at the Walter Reed military hospital in Washington this Friday. Results of his medical examination shall be made public. Trump's long-term health advisor, Harold Bornstein, spoke about his health previously calling him "the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency." Trump recently took to Twitter and called himself "a very stable genius" in response to doubts raised over his mental faculties. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump's medical exam due this week, won't test him for mental fitness

Pakistan&#39;s government plans to seize control of charities and financial assets linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, who Washington has designated a terrorist, according to officials and documents.

Pakistan&#39;s civilian government detailed its plans in a secret order to various provincial and federal government departments on December&nbsp;19, three officials who attended one of several high-level meeting discussing the crackdown told.

Marked &quot;secret&quot;, a December 19 document from the finance ministry directed law enforcement and governments in Pakistan&#39;s five provinces to submit an action plan by December 28 for a &quot;takeover&quot; of Saeed&#39;s two charities, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation.&nbsp;

The United States has labelled JuD and FIF &quot;terrorist fronts&quot; for Lashkar-e-Taiba (&quot;Army of the Pure&quot; or LeT), a group Saeed founded in 1987 and which Washington and India blame for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the Mumbai attacks and a Pakistani court saw insufficient evidence to convict him. The LeT could not be reached for comment.&nbsp;

The December 19th document, which refers to &quot;Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issues&quot;, names only Saeed&#39;s two charities and &quot;actions to be taken&quot; against them

The FATF, which is an international body that combats money laundering and terrorist financing, has warned Pakistan it faces inclusion on a watch list for failing to crack down on financing terrorism.

Asked about a crackdown on JuD and FIF, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who co-chaired one of the meetings on the plan, responded only generally, saying he has ordered authorities &quot;to choke the fundraising of all proscribed outfits in Pakistan&quot;.

In a written reply, he also said Pakistan wasn&#39;t taking action under US&nbsp;pressure. &quot;We&#39;re not pleasing anyone. We&#39;re working as a responsible nation to fulfil our obligations to our people and the international community.&quot; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Spokesmen for the JuD and FIF both said they could not comment until they receive official notifications of the government&#39;s plans. &quot;We don&rsquo;t have any intimation about any crackdown so far,&quot; FIF spokesman Salman Shahid told Reuters. &quot;No one has asked us about our work or assets.&quot; &nbsp;

&nbsp;Saeed could not be reached for comment. He has frequently denied having ties to militants and says the charitable organisations he founded and controls have no terrorist ties. He says he promotes an Islamic-oriented government through doing good works.

&nbsp; 
First major move&nbsp;

If the government follows through with the plan, it would mark the first time Pakistan has made a major move against Saeed&#39;s network, which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services. The JuD and FIF alone have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers, according to two counter-terrorism officials.

Participants at the meeting raised the possibility that the government&#39;s failure to act against the charities could lead to U.N. sanctions, one of the three officials said. A U.N. Security Council team is due to visit Pakistan in late January to review progress against UN-designated &quot;terrorist&quot; groups.

&quot;Any adverse comments or action suggested by the team can have far-reaching implications for Pakistan,&quot; the official said.

The December&nbsp;19th document gave few details about how the state would take over Saeed&#39;s charities, pending the plans submitted by the provincial governments. It did say it would involve government entities taking over ambulance services and accounting for other vehicles used by the charities.

It says law enforcement agencies will coordinate with Pakistan&#39;s intelligence agencies to identify the assets of the two charities and examine how they raise money.

The document also directs that the name of JuD&#39;s 200-acre headquarters, Markaz-e-Taiba, near the eastern city of Lahore be changed to something else &quot;to make it known that the Government of &quot;Punjab (province) solely manages and operates the Markaz(headquarters)&quot;.

&nbsp;The move to seize the charities could spark some concern from the powerful military, which has proposed plans to steer Saeed and the JuD into mainstream politics. The military did not respond to a request for comment.

In August, JuD officials formed a new political party, the Milli Muslim League, and backed candidates who fared relatively strongly in two key parliamentary by-elections.

The JuD publicly disavows armed militancy inside Pakistan, but offers vocal support for the cause of rebel fighters in Indian-administered Kashmir and has called for Pakistan to retake Kashmir. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the disputed region.

Washington, which has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Saeed&#39;s conviction over the Mumbai attacks, warned Islamabad of repercussions after a Pakistani court in late November released him from house arrest.

Punjab&#39;s provincial government had put Saeed under house arrest for 10 months this year for violating anti-terrorism laws.

Asked about a crackdown on JuD and FIF, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who co-chaired one of the meetings on the plan, responded only generally, saying he has ordered authorities "to choke the fundraising of all proscribed outfits in Pakistan"

Pakistan's government plans to seize control of charities and financial assets linked to Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, who Washington has designated a terrorist, according to officials and documents. Pakistan's civilian government detailed its plans in a secret order to various provincial and federal government departments on December 19, three officials who attended one of several high-level meeting discussing the crackdown told. Marked "secret", a December 19 document from the finance ministry directed law enforcement and governments in Pakistan's five provinces to submit an action plan by December 28 for a "takeover" of Saeed's two charities, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation. The United States has labelled JuD and FIF "terrorist fronts" for Lashkar-e-Taiba ("Army of the Pure" or LeT), a group Saeed founded in 1987 and which Washington and India blame for the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people. Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the Mumbai attacks and a Pakistani court saw insufficient evidence to convict him. The LeT could not be reached for comment. The December 19th document, which refers to "Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issues", names only Saeed's two charities and "actions to be taken" against them The FATF, which is an international body that combats money laundering and terrorist financing, has warned Pakistan it faces inclusion on a watch list for failing to crack down on financing terrorism. Asked about a crackdown on JuD and FIF, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who co-chaired one of the meetings on the plan, responded only generally, saying he has ordered authorities "to choke the fundraising of all proscribed outfits in Pakistan". In a written reply, he also said Pakistan wasn't taking action under US pressure. "We're not pleasing anyone. We're working as a responsible nation to fulfil our obligations to our people and the international community." Spokesmen for the JuD and FIF both said they could not comment until they receive official notifications of the government's plans. "We don’t have any intimation about any crackdown so far," FIF spokesman Salman Shahid told Reuters. "No one has asked us about our work or assets." Saeed could not be reached for comment. He has frequently denied having ties to militants and says the charitable organisations he founded and controls have no terrorist ties. He says he promotes an Islamic-oriented government through doing good works. First major move If the government follows through with the plan, it would mark the first time Pakistan has made a major move against Saeed's network, which includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance services. The JuD and FIF alone have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers, according to two counter-terrorism officials. Participants at the meeting raised the possibility that the government's failure to act against the charities could lead to U.N. sanctions, one of the three officials said. A U.N. Security Council team is due to visit Pakistan in late January to review progress against UN-designated "terrorist" groups. "Any adverse comments or action suggested by the team can have far-reaching implications for Pakistan," the official said. The December 19th document gave few details about how the state would take over Saeed's charities, pending the plans submitted by the provincial governments. It did say it would involve government entities taking over ambulance services and accounting for other vehicles used by the charities. It says law enforcement agencies will coordinate with Pakistan's intelligence agencies to identify the assets of the two charities and examine how they raise money. The document also directs that the name of JuD's 200-acre headquarters, Markaz-e-Taiba, near the eastern city of Lahore be changed to something else "to make it known that the Government of "Punjab (province) solely manages and operates the Markaz(headquarters)". The move to seize the charities could spark some concern from the powerful military, which has proposed plans to steer Saeed and the JuD into mainstream politics. The military did not respond to a request for comment. In August, JuD officials formed a new political party, the Milli Muslim League, and backed candidates who fared relatively strongly in two key parliamentary by-elections. The JuD publicly disavows armed militancy inside Pakistan, but offers vocal support for the cause of rebel fighters in Indian-administered Kashmir and has called for Pakistan to retake Kashmir. Nuclear-armed India and Pakistan have fought two wars over the disputed region. Washington, which has offered a $10 million reward for information leading to Saeed's conviction over the Mumbai attacks, warned Islamabad of repercussions after a Pakistani court in late November released him from house arrest. Punjab's provincial government had put Saeed under house arrest for 10 months this year for violating anti-terrorism laws.

Pakistan plans takeover of charities linked to Hafiz Saeed

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