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

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, May 17th 2019

Donald Trump hosted an Iftaar dinner for Muslim members from his administration and top diplomats from various countries at the White House on Monday night. During the gathering, Donald Trump resolved to defeat the evils of terrorism and religious persecution so that all people can worship without fear, pray without danger and live by the faith that flows from their heart.

Donald Trump hosts iftar at White House to mark Ramadan

President Donald Trump said on Monday he was optimistic about resolving the US trade dispute with China. Speaking at a White House dinner, Trump noted that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was attending the event, returned from trade talks in China two weeks ago.

Trump says he feels US-China trade talks 'going to be very successful'

US House Democrats issued subpoenas Friday against top government officials demanding President Donald Trump's tax returns, the latest twist in the sharpening battle between the White House and opponents in Congress.

Standoff intensifies as Democrats subpoena Trump tax returns

The White House on Wednesday took the aggressive step of invoking "executive privilege" to block the release of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's full Russia report as a Democratic-led US congressional panel moved toward holding Attorney General William Barr in contempt for refusing to hand over the document.

White House invokes 'executive privilege' to stop release of Mueller report

The designation of Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN demonstrates the international commitment to rooting out terrorism in Pakistan and bringing security and stability to South Asia, the White House has said.

Long awaited action victory for US diplomacy: Mike Pompeo on UNSC listing Azhar as terrorist

The UN declaring Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist demonstrates an international commitment to rooting out terrorism in Pakistan and bringing security and stability to South Asia, the Trump administration said Wednesday, expressing hope that Islamabad will take sustained and irreversible action against terror groups operating from its soil.

After 10 years, China has done the right thing: White House official on UN listing Masood Azhar as global terrorist

The White House said Friday that it welcomes new talks between Britain and Ireland over reviving Northern Ireland's troubled power-sharing arrangement. "The United States welcomes the initiative today of the British and Irish governments to convene political talks in Northern Ireland," the White House said in a statement.

US welcomes British-Irish talks on Northern Ireland tensions

Former Vice President Joe Biden, a moderate Democrat who has made his appeal to the disaffected working-class voters who deserted the party in 2016 a key part of his political identity, is set to launch his third run for the White House on Thursday.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden to make third run for the White House

The White House has refused to meet a Tuesday deadline to deliver six years of President Donald Trump's tax returns to Congress, escalating a battle that is expected to head to court.

Trump misses tax return deadline, legal battle likely

US President Donald Trump met with Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey on Tuesday and spent a significant time questioning him about why he had lost some Twitter followers, a person briefed on the matter said.

Trump complained to Twitter CEO about lost followers: Source

China warned Tuesday that the US decision to impose sanctions on buyers of Iranian oil will "intensify turmoil" in the Middle East and in the international energy market.

US sanctions over Iran oil will intensify Mideast turmoil: China

There are several aspects of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 US election campaign that was not previously known until the release of his report on Thursday.

Factbox: New revelations from the Mueller report

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone on Thursday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates, the White House said in a statement.

Trump spoke with Abu Dhabi crown prince on Thursday: White House

The White House said Sunday it is looking at ways to transfer undocumented migrants to US sanctuary cities as Democrats accused President Donald Trump of creating "manufactured chaos" at the US-Mexico border.

After Trump floats idea, White House studying plan to send migrants to sanctuary cities

The US Secret Service said Friday that agents intervened after a man in a wheelchair set fire to his jacket near one of the entrances to the White House. The incident occurred at 2.

Man sets fire to jacket in front of White House

The head of the US Secret Service, which guards President Donald Trump and visiting heads of state, is stepping down, the White House said Monday in the administration's latest sign of turbulence.

US Secret Service director Randolph Alles to step down: White House

Hundreds of people took to streets outside the White House here on Sunday to protest against decades of atrocities inflicted by Pakistan on various religious minority groups.

Mohajirs, Balochs, Pashtuns stage anti-Pakistan protests outside White House

Anti-Pakistan protests outside White House

The Democratic head of a powerful US House committee asked the Internal Revenue Service for six years of President Donald Trump's personal and business tax returns on Wednesday, in a long-awaited move widely expected to lead to a long court battle with the White House.

US House committee seeks Trump tax returns from IRS

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He on Thursday, officials said, signalling that a deal to end a tariff battle between the two countries may be close.

Trump to meet China's top trade negotiator in White House

Some 25 White House officials including top advisors of President Donald Trump were given security clearances despite staff recommendations against it, a whistleblower has told Congress.

'Grave breaches' in Trump White House security clearances: Whistleblower to Congress

President Donald Trump's administration on Tuesday took a step back from its threat to close the southern US border, saying Mexico had been taking a greater responsibility for dealing with the immigration problem.

White House backs down after threatening to close border with Mexico

The White House on Sunday defended President Donald Trump's decision to cut off aid to three small Central American countries, insisting they weren't doing enough to stop the flow of migrants to the United States.

White House defends aid cuts to Central America

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