THE NEWS: France, Italy push for migrant processing centres in Africa

France, Italy push for migrant processing centres in Africa
source: AFP

 AFP / LUDOVIC MARIN French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes new Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to the Elysee Palace in Paris ahead of talks on Friday

France and Italy on Friday called on the European Union to set up asylum processing centres in Africa to prevent "voyages of death" by migrants across the Mediterranean, in a crisis that has divided Europe.

At a meeting in Paris President Emmanuel Macron and Italy's new premier Giuseppe Conte also demanded "profound" changes to the EU's asylum rules, which put the migrant burden on their port of entry to Europe -- mainly Italy and Greece.

The two leaders were at pains to put on a united front after a bitter row this week between Macron and the new populist government in Rome over Italy's rejection of a rescue boat with hundreds of migrants on board.

The clash underscores deep splits in Europe over how to handle the massive influx of migrants from across the Mediterranean in recent years.

There have been few signs that leaders are ready to coordinate their policies despite a looming end-of-June deadline to change the EU's current asylum rules.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel is embroiled in a showdown with the right wing of her governing coalition, which is demanding that she ditch her liberal migration policy and tighten border controls.

An opinion poll suggested 62 percent of Germans back a tougher stance, including turning back undocumented migrants at the border and deporting failed asylum seekers faster.

Conte called for "European protection centres" to process asylum claims in migrants' countries of origin -- currently mainly Africa -- "before their arrival in Europe".

"We must prevent these voyages of death," he said of the perilous crossings in flimsy boats.

His comments were echoed by Macron, who said EU members should send immigration officials "to the other side" of the Mediterranean.

The French leader, who sparked fury in Rome this week by accusing Italy of "cynicism and irresponsibility" for leaving 629 migrants drifting at sea, also called for tighter controls of the EU's external borders.

"We cannot take in everybody," he said, repeating his view that those not fleeing war should be sent home.

He said France and Italy should team up with Spain and Germany to come up with "new initiatives" to resolve the crisis.

The comments came as four migrants died and around 700 others were rescued off Spain's southern coast on Friday. Nearly 800 people have been killed this year while trying to cross the Mediterranean, according to the International Organization for Migration.

- Italy 'pushed around' -

The Aquarius rescue ship at the centre of this week's row and its accompanying vessels is nearing Spain, which agreed to take in the migrants after Italy and Malta refused it permission to dock.


SOS MEDITERRANEE/AFP / Kenny Karpov A migrant onboard the Aquarius rescue ship as it heads towards Spain


Italy's new hardline interior minister Matteo Salvini said he hoped the boat would get "a rousing welcome" in Spain and called for more "men and money" to defend the EU's frontiers.

"We have had enough of being pushed around by others," said Salvini, who has joined forces with the German and Austrian foreign ministers in an "axis of the willing" against illegal immigration.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez of Spain, where the Aquarius is expected to arrive on Sunday, called on Twitter for "a new Europe where national egoism does not prevail".

Under the EU's Dublin Agreement, which is currently up for review, migrants must apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter.

- 'Hypocritical lessons' -

The surge in arrivals in the past three years has fuelled the rise of anti-immigration parties -- like Salvini's League party -- and split Merkel's ruling conservatives.


 AFP / Paz PIZARRO The path taken so far by the refugee ship Aquarius

Italy this week hit out at Macron for giving "hypocritical lessons" on migrants and summoned the French ambassador.

Macron later said "none of his comments were intended to offend Italy".

His critics said he was hardly in a position to lecture, noting that France had taken in far fewer migrants than Germany and Sweden, and virtually shut its border to migrants arriving from Italy.

In a gesture of reconciliation, the French foreign ministry said it was ready to welcome migrants aboard Aquarius who "meet the criteria for asylum" after they arrive in Spain.

Italy itself has appeared eager to avoid too harsh a response. After turning the Aquarius away, it allowed a coast guard ship carrying over 900 migrants to land on Sicily on Wednesday.

And on Thursday, the Italian coast guard brought fresh supplies to the Aquarius as it made its way past Sardinia.

THE NEWS: Trump says Russia probe 'discredited' as former aide heads to jail

Trump says Russia probe 'discredited' as former aide heads to jail
source: AFP

AFP / MANDEL NGAN Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort arrives for a hearing in federal court in Washington -- his bail was revoked and he was ordered jailed before trial

Donald Trump's former campaign chief was sent to jail Friday pending trial on a series of federal charges, as the US president ramped up efforts to discredit the wider probe into possible collusion between his campaign team and Moscow.

Paul Manafort, who is facing money laundering and tax evasion charges among others, was the first former Trump campaign aide to be jailed in the sprawling probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller since May 2017.

The revocation of Manafort's bail was a fresh sign of the looming collision course between Mueller and Trump, with the White House increasingly worried that the president could face obstruction of justice charges and an impeachment effort in Congress.

Manafort, 69, had been under house arrest while awaiting trial in both the US capital and Virginia. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, which also include obstruction of justice.

Trump condemned the treatment of Manafort, a veteran Washington political consultant, as he sought to paint Mueller's team as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation -- which Mueller once ran -- as deeply biased and illegitimate.

"Wow, what a tough sentence for Paul Manafort, who has represented Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole and many other top political people and campaigns," Trump wrote on Twitter.

"Didn't know Manafort was the head of the Mob," he said. "Very unfair!"

Earlier, Trump lashed out at the entire investigation, labelling it a "ridiculous witch hunt" after a Justice Department watchdog report revealed that several FBI investigators had sent anti-Trump text messages during the 2016 campaign.

"There was no collusion, there was no obstruction, and if you read the report... what you'll really see is bias against me," Trump said.

- Witness tampering -

Manafort, who is facing trial later this year on money laundering charges involving his work for Ukraine that predated the 2016 presidential election, saw his bail revoked by Judge Amy Berman Jackson over claims he was trying to influence witnesses in his case.

He is one of 20 people and three companies already indicted by Mueller, who is investigating whether members of the campaign colluded with Russia during and after the election.


 AFP/File / NICHOLAS KAMM US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the entire investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller, calling it a "ridiculous witch hunt"


Mueller's team has been seeking to interview Trump as well, and questions they have submitted to the White House indicate that they are also investigating whether Trump has illegally interfered with the probe.

On Friday, Trump sought to make use of the Justice Department inspector general's report on the 2016 investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server during her time as secretary of state to erode confidence in Mueller's operation.

While the IG report made almost no mention of Mueller or any alleged wrongdoing by Trump, the president claimed it "exonerates" him, while his lawyer Rudy Giuliani said Mueller and his team themselves should be investigated.

"The report yesterday may be more important than anything. It totally exonerates me," Trump told journalists in front of the White House.

- Undermining Mueller -

The report faulted the FBI and its former director James Comey, whom Trump fired in May 2017, over the handling of the Clinton email probe.

It said Comey, who cleared Clinton of allegations of mishandling classified materials, was insubordinate and guilty of bad judgment.

It also showed several agents involved in both that investigation and the subsequent Russia meddling probe repeatedly expressing anti-Trump bias in private text messages.


GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / ALEX WONG President Donald Trump says the Russia collusion probe of Special Counsel Robert Mueller has been "totally discredited" by allegations of bias

"That is probably the tip of the iceberg," Trump said. "There was total bias, I mean total bias."

He referred to Comey and other senior FBI officials as "the scum at the top" of the bureau and as "total thieves."

The investigation led by Mueller "has massive conflicts," Trump said.

"I think that the Mueller investigation has been totally discredited," Trump said.

Trump's lawyers see that convincing the public ahead of November's congressional elections that the Mueller probe is illegitimate could be crucial to his political fate.

If Mueller finds evidence of obstruction of justice, the president could face impeachment in the House of Representatives.

Currently the House is in Republican hands, and would be unlikely to support an impeachment motion. But if Democrats capture control of the chamber in November, that vote could shift.

THE NEWS: Messi to put heat on Iceland as France target Australia

Messi to put heat on Iceland as France target Australia
source: AFP

AFP / JUAN MABROMATA Lionel Messi is under immense pressure to secure his first major international trophy and make amends for Argentina's loss to Germany in the 2014 final

Lionel Messi's bid for World Cup redemption begins Saturday when he leads Argentina against an unfancied Iceland side intent on springing a surprise in their first appearance on football's biggest stage.

Messi's eternal rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, made history on Friday, when he became only the fourth player to score at four World Cups on his way to a hat-trick against Spain to earn a dramatic 3-3 draw.

His fellow superstar Messi is under immense pressure to secure his first major international trophy and make amends for Argentina's loss to Germany in the 2014 final.

The Barcelona maestro was not born when the 'Albiceleste' last tasted success in 1986 and, at almost 31, knows that time is running out.


AFP / Laurence SAUBADU World Cup Group D : Argentina-Iceland


If Messi's Argentina are to overcome poor form and injury woes, the five-time world player of the year needs high-profile teammates such as Sergio Aguero, Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain to fire.

"I am convinced Argentina will show we are one of the best teams in the world," coach Jorge Sampaoli said ahead of the Group D game.

They face a gritty Iceland outfit at Moscow's Spartak stadium who say they respect their illustrious opponents but do not fear them.


AFP / Jonathan NACKSTRAND Spurred on by their fans' thunderous "Viking clap", Iceland famously dumped England out of Euro 2016 and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said he wanted more of the same

Spurred on by their fans' thunderous "Viking clap", Iceland famously dumped England out of Euro 2016 and coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said he wanted more of the same.

"We've shown that if we work together as one unit, like we've been doing, then anything is achievable and it won't come as a shock," he said.

The day's action also pits another scrappy underdog against one of the favourites in Group C when Australia play France in Kazan, with Peru facing Denmark in the group's other game.

- Seizing the day -

While international honours have so far eluded Messi, France coach Didier Deschamps is using his experience winning the 1998 tournament to prime a talented but youthful side.

"We can't afford to get stage fright," he said ahead of the Group C tie against the Socceroos.

"I want the lads to be relaxed and concentrated. Their objective is drawing near. They have to seize the day."

Australia lost 6-0 the last time they met France in 2013 but the Socceroos' Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said self-belief was the key to securing an upset.

"We have a lot of discipline in the way we play," he said.

"We also have to have guts to believe in something. What is very important is for us to be ourselves."


AFP / FRANCK FIFE Australia lost 6-0 the last time they met France in 2013 but Socceroos' Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk said self-belief was the key to securing an upset


Peru's Paolo Guerrero will look to prove his drug-ban controversy is behind him in the other Group C game against the Danes.

Flamengo forward Guerrero had a 14-month ban for testing positive for cocaine overturned just weeks before the tournament began and celebrated by scoring twice in a friendly against Saudi Arabia.

Croatia then take on African powerhouse Nigeria in Saturday's final match in Kaliningrad in Group D, providing a possible test of FIFA's determination to keep racism out of its showpiece tournament in Russia.

Croatia will field Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic against Nigeria but the focus is likely to be on the reception local fans give the Africans.

Racism has dogged the Russian game for decades and FIFA last month fined the national football association over chants directed at black players during a friendly against France.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said there had been no issues so far and he did not expect that to change.

"We all are sure that there will not be any problems for the Nigerian players because the atmosphere we felt already arriving in Russia was very good," he said.

THE NEWS: Johnson leads Hoffman at US Open, Woods misses cut

Johnson leads Hoffman at US Open, Woods misses cut
source: AFP

GETTY/AFP / Mike Ehrmann Dustin Johnson celebrates making a birdie on the seventh hole as Tiger Woods looks on during the second round of the US Open

Dustin Johnson took command of the US Open on Friday, firing a three-under-par 67 at Shinnecock Hills for a four-shot lead as the only player under par after 36 punishing holes.

Shinnecock presented a different face as Thursday's gusting wind gave way to morning mist with stretches of wind-driven rain, followed by afternoon sunshine.

Johnson was more than equal to all of it, his two-round total of four-under 136 putting him four ahead of Americans Charley Hoffman and Scott Piercy.

"Dustin was in complete control of what he was doing," said his playing partner Tiger Woods, who missed the cut in his first US Open since 2015 as he added a two-over 72 to his opening 78 for a 10-over total of 150.

"He's hitting the ball so flush and so solid," Woods said. "I know it's windy. It's blustery. It was raining early. But he's hitting right through it."

After two birdies in his first nine holes, Johnson made his only bogey of the day at the first, unable to get up and down for par from a greenside bunker.


 GETTY/AFP / ROSS KINNAIRD Charley Hoffman put himself under par for the tournament when he rolled in a long bomb at the par-five 16th for the last of his three birdies


But he would add two more birdies, including a 45-foot putt at the par-three seventh that took its time getting to the hole then teetered in to a massive roar from the crowd.

"That was a good one," said Johnson, the 2016 US Open winner who watched it all the way. "I knew about halfway there it was on a really good line if it would just get to the hole -- it dropped right in the front door."

Hoffman put himself under par for the tournament when he rolled in a long bomb at the par-five 16th for the last of his three birdies. He kept the momentum with a par save at 17, but dropped a shot at 18 to cap a one-under par 69 that left him on even par 140 alongside Piercy.

Piercy, who shared the overnight lead with Johnson, England's Ian Poulter and Russell Henley, carded a one-over 71 for his share of second.

Poulter trimmed Johnson's lead to one with three birdies in the space of four holes on his inward run, keeping the momentum going with a par save from a tough lie below his feet in a bunker.

But Poulter made a triple-bogey seven at the par-four eighth -- his penultimate hole -- and bogeyed nine in a two-over 72 that dropped him into a tie for fourth with defending champion Brooks Koepka, England's Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, Sweden's Henrik Stenson.

- 'Disaster on every hole' -

Four-under 66s by Koepka and Fleetwood were the best rounds of the tournament on a Shinnecock course where, Poulter noted, "There's a disaster on every single hole" for someone.


GETTY/AFP / Mike Ehrmann Looking for a round in the 60s to keep him alive for the weekend at the US Open Tiger Woods settled for a two-over-par 72

Woods was among a stream of marquee names who wouldn't make it to the weekend.

Looking for a round in the 60s to keep him alive for the weekend, Woods settled for a two-over-par 72.

The 14-time major champion finished strong, with birdies at his last two holes, but at 10-over-par 150 he was two strokes outside the cut line at eight-over.

"I don't think you can be too happy and too excited about 10 over par," said Woods, who made a double bogey at the par-four first a day after opening the tournament with a triple bogey there.

In the fairway off the tee, Woods found deep, rain-soaked rough with his second shot. His third shot rolled through the green and his pitch left him 14 feet, from where he two-putted.

Let down by his putter all week, Woods sounded a touch envious in discussing Johnson's efforts on the difficult, sloping greens.

"Every putt looked like it was going to go in," Woods said.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy also missed the cut. The Northern Ireland star, 10-over after the first round, was 14-over after a double-bogey at the ninth and a run of four birdies in six holes starting at the 11th was too little, too late as he finished on 10-over 150.

Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, his bid to make the cut after an opening 78 also slowed by a double-bogey, reeled off four birdies in a row starting at the 13th but closed with back-to-back bogeys in a 71 for 149 -- missing the cut by a stroke.

Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott, Spain's Sergio Garcia and Jon Rahm and Germany's Martin Kaymer also fell prey to Shinnecock.

But Phil Mickelson, seeking a first US Open title that would give him the career Grand Slam, is set to play the third round on his 48th birthday after firing a one-under par 69 for a six-over total of 146.

THE NEWS: Greek govt faces censure vote, demos over Macedonia deal

Greek govt faces censure vote, demos over Macedonia deal
source: AFP

AFP/File / Sakis MITROLIDIS Greece has its own northern province called Macedonia, which in ancient times was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire

Greece's leftist-led government was to face a censure vote and protests on Saturday as it prepares to sign a provisional deal to end a 27-year name row with Macedonia.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is expected to weather the vote which takes place a day before the foreign ministers of Greece and Macedonia are to meet on the border for a historic signing ceremony.

The agreement, which will eventually see Greece's northern neighbour renamed the Republic of North Macedonia, has been welcomed by the United Nations, the European Union and NATO.

Athens had long objected to it being called Macedonia because it has its own northern province of the same name, which in ancient times was the cradle of Alexander the Great's empire -- a source of intense pride to modern-day Greeks.

But earlier this week, Tsipras and his Macedonian counterpart Zoran Zaev reached a deal to end the festering dispute.

Senior EU officials are to attend Sunday's ceremony, according to Greek reports.

Officials in Athens says it will help stabilise the historically volatile Balkan region, permitting Greece to focus on other regional challenges, Turkey among them.

"This is the most forward-looking deal the country has ever had in its hands," said Interior Minister Panos Skourletis.

"We are nationally proud to put our name on a deal that takes a step for peace and cooperation," he told parliament.

- United in dissatisfaction -


AFP/File / Robert ATANASOVSKI The name deal reached between Athens and Skopje has sparked angry protests in both Macedonia and Greece


But from the moment the details emerged, a political storm erupted in both countries.

Greece's main opposition conservatives tabled a censure motion while Macedonia's pro-nationalist President Gjorge Ivanov has pledged to exercise a one-time veto to delay the deal.

Skopje hopes to secure a date to begin European Union accession talks at an EU summit in late June and an invitation to join NATO in mid-July.

In Athens, there is anger over the government's acceptance that its neighbour will be able to refer to its language and ethnicity as "Macedonian".

"Nobody can be called Macedonians except the Greeks," protest organiser Michalis Patsikas told state agency ANA.

But to Macedonians, who have espoused this identity since the days of Yugoslavia's Marshal Tito, the notion of revising their name and constitution is anathema.

"This is an absolute defeat of the Macedonian diplomacy in every possible way," Hristijan Mickovski, who heads the main opposition VMRO-DPMNE party, said this week.

- Divisions and discontent -

Tempers flared in Greece's parliament on Friday, with a lawmaker from neo-Nazi Golden Dawn calling on the Greek army to topple the government.

Outside the chamber, a few hundred people, including priests and Golden Dawn lawmakers, gathered to protest.

"History is written in blood," said one banner held up by a monk, while another read: "Skopje = Monkey-donia."

The protesters plan to remain outside parliament until the censure vote, while another demonstration will be held on the border on Sunday.

Tsipras' domestic critics say he has bargained away Greece's diplomatic advantages -- the power of veto over EU and NATO accession -- for a deal that could backfire.

"There is no chance that those speaking a 'Macedonian' language will be called 'North Macedonians'," said New Democracy leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

"We will not divide the Greeks in order to unite the (Macedonians)," he said.

Opposition is even stronger is Greece's north, where Greek and Bulgarian guerrillas fought a bloody war in the early 20th century for control of then Ottoman-held Macedonia.

In a paradox, Tsipras' nationalist coalition partner, the Independent Greeks party, are expected to support the government on Saturday but reject the Macedonia deal whenever it goes to a vote.

The agreement still needs to be approved by Macedonia's parliament and pass a referendum there as well as being ratified by the Greek parliament, a process likely to take months.

THE NEWS: Trump ignites trade war with China, triggering swift retaliation

Trump ignites trade war with China, triggering swift retaliation
source: AFP

 AFP/File / Mandel Ngan President Donald Trump's announcement of China tariffs brings the world's two largest economies to the brink of an all-out trade war

US President Donald Trump on Friday ignited his trade war with China, slapping tariffs on tens of billions in Chinese imports and sparking immediate retaliation from Beijing.

The moves brought the world's two largest economies to the verge of an all-out confrontation long feared by markets and industry.

And the China trade offensive is only one side of Trump's multi-front battle with all major US economic partners.

The announcement caps months of sometimes fraught shuttle diplomacy in which Chinese offers to purchase more American goods failed to assuage Trump's grievances over the soaring trade imbalance and Beijing's aggressive industrial development policies.

And as Trump warned of "additional tariffs" should Beijing hit back with tit-for-tat duties on American goods, China unveiled 25 percent duties on $50 billion in US imports.

"The United States can no longer tolerate losing our technology and intellectual property through unfair economic practices," Trump said.

"These tariffs are essential to preventing further unfair transfers of American technology and intellectual property to China, which will protect American jobs."

But at least initially, Trump's new China tariffs will not cover the full $50 billion that Trump announced Friday.


 AFP / Gal ROMA China-US economic ties


US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the punitive duties will apply on 818 Chinese products valued at $34 billion starting July 6, with a second list of $16 billion to be considered under a new review process -- bringing the total possible affected import volume to $50 billion.

But it is likely companies will seek more exemptions so the final total could fall short of that amount.

Beijing's countermeasures closely mirrored Washington's, with 545 American exports, also valued at $34 billion, facing punitive duties as of July 6, including agricultural products and vehicles, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

The State Council said another 114 items will be subject to tariffs at a later date, according to Xinhua.

US farmers are especially concerned about the impact of a trade war, since they are sure to feel the hit.

- Stinging reprisals as vote looms -

China's Ministry of Commerce said the decision to impose tariffs meant "all previously agreed trade negotiation results are no longer valid."


GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / SCOTT OLSON American farmers are especially worried about a trade war, as they are sure to feel the hit

"It is deeply regrettable that in disregard of the consensus between the two sides, the US has demonstrated flip-flops and ignited a trade war," the ministry said.

It also called on other countries to "take collective action" against this "outdated and backwards behavior."

But the White House maintains that any Chinese countermeasures would be unjust and could be met with further US sanctions.

"We have taken essentially a defensive action," a senior US official told reporters, adding that "further threats that are going to hurt other industries... would be a mistake."

The official, who asked not to be identified, declined to say whether Trump would make good on a March threat to hit another $100 billion in Chinese goods with tariffs in response to Beijing's retaliation.

China in April already put punitive duties on 128 US goods, including pork, wine and certain pipes in response to global US tariffs on steel and aluminum imposed by Trump the month before.

The US president outraged Canadian, Mexican and European leaders last month by imposing the steel and aluminum tariffs to protect American producers from allegedly unfair competition.

Brussels, Ottawa, Beijing and Mexico City already have shown they intend to inflict damage on export industries in politically-sensitive voting districts -- something which could prove damaging to Republicans already facing a loss of power in November's mid-term elections.

In a conversation on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron, Trump "called on the European Union to enter into negotiations to reduce trade barriers," the White House said in a statement.

On Capitol Hill, influential Texas Republican lawmaker Kevin Brady, chairman of a House tax legislation committee, said he was "alarmed" by the tariffs which he said exposed US industries to "devastating retaliation."

"I am concerned that these new tariffs will hurt American manufacturers, farmers, workers and consumers," he said.

And the powerful US Chamber of Commerce warned that hundreds of thousands of Americans could lose their jobs if the trade war escalated and included the auto import tariffs that Trump has threatened.

"If these actions continue, our businesses will lose customers, workers will lose jobs, and American consumers will lose family income through higher taxes and higher prices," Chamber President Thomas Donahue said.

He also noted that the metals tariffs have pushed steel prices 40 percent higher since January.

THE NEWS: Japan urges N. Korea to jointly break mutual distrust

Japan urges N. Korea to jointly break mutual distrust
source: AFP

AFP/File / Toru YAMANAKA Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his government has contacted the North Korean side "through various channels" in a bid to arrange his meeting with Kim

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday called on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to jointly overcome their mutual distrust, as he confirmed ongoing efforts to arrange a Japan-North Korea summit.

In a television interview, Abe said his government has contacted the North Korean side "through various channels" in a bid to arrange a meeting with Kim.

During historic talks with US President Donald Trump in Singapore on Tuesday, Kim reportedly said he was open to a meeting with Abe.

Japan wants the talks to push the emotive issue of citizens abducted by the North decades ago, which has seen little movement despite a whirlwind of international diplomacy in recent months.

"I want to take a step forward and resolve the (abduction) issue after each of us breaks our mutual distrust," Abe said.

"I have a strong sense of mission to resolve the issue under my own responsibility," he added.

Abe has already said publicly that he would be willing to meet Kim in order to resolve the abduction issue.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono is considering talks with his North Korean counterpart on the sidelines of a meeting of ASEAN envoys in Singapore starting in late July, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

During the interview, Abe expressed a readiness to finance denuclearisation costs in North Korea.

In the joint statement following Tuesday's talks with Trump, Kim agreed to the "complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula."

"It is natural for Japan and other countries which would benefit from easing fears of nuclear weapons to bear the costs," Abe said.

But Abe warned that Tokyo has no plan to give financial aid to Pyongyang without a resolution of the abduction issue.

The issue of Japanese citizens who were abducted in the 1970s and 1980s to help Pyongyang train its spies has long soured already strained relations between Tokyo and Pyongyang.

The Japanese government has officially listed 17 people as abductees, but suspects dozens more were snatched.

Japan has maintained a hardline position on North Korea despite the stepped-up diplomacy with Pyongyang in recent months, and has been left largely on the sidelines as South Korea, China and the United States have held talks with Kim.

US farmers stressed, angry at trade wars

News
US farmers stressed, angry at trade wars
source: AFP

GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File / SCOTT OLSON Farmer John Duffy loads soybeans onto a truck before taking them to a grain elevator on June 13, 2018 in Dwight, Illinois

US farmers find themselves in the crosshairs of a trade war with China and others launched by President Donald Trump, who was elected with the support of many in rural America.

On Friday, Trump announced long-threatened trade tariffs on tens of billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, sparking an immediate retaliation from Beijing on an equivalent of US products including agricultural goods, notably soy.

"For American farmers, this isn't theoretical anymore, it's downright scary," the Farmers for Free Trade lobbying group said of the prospects for escalating tariffs.

"It's no longer a negotiating tactic, it's a tax on their livelihoods."

China is the largest buyer of soy beans, buying $12 billion in 2017, about 30 percent of the US harvest.

"We were already in a depressed market. These trade uncertainties add a lot of stress to this situation," said Jamie Beyer, a farmer in Wheaton, Minnesota who grows soybean, corn, sugar beets, wheat and alfalfa.

"We feel these tariffs are very damaging to our agricultural economy."

Farmers are the most at risk in this trade battle, as their incomes already were falling, declining by around 50 percent since 2013, and this year expected to reach the lowest level since 2006.

- Easy target -

The sector already was shaken up by the difficult negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, two major importers of agricultural products.

On her family farm in Oklahoma, Hope Pjesky raises cattle and grows winter wheat, and says she is "very nervous" about recent developments.

"Unfortunately, agriculture seems to be the industry that they hit back on when there is retaliation. I just wish there were a better way to go about addressing that issue," she said.

That is according to plan, since US trading partners have singled out American products from states strongly supportive of Trump, in hopes of increasing the pressure on him to reconsider.

But Pjesky noted that "there are a lot of people who voted for him that still have faith that it is just going to end up well."

It is difficult to quantify the precise cost of Chinese sanctions, but Missouri corn and soybean farmer Blake Hurst said he already is seeing an impact on prices.

The weather remains the main factor influencing the price of corn, wheat, soybeans and cotton, but the threat of renewed tensions between Beijing and Washington hit the market hard this week and the soybean price fell by more than six percent.

"It will affect our profitability" and cut the number of acres cultivated, he said.

- Trump support -

Roger Johnson, who leads the country's second largest agricultural union, the National Farmers Union, said the group supports the White House goal of reducing the US trade deficit.

"But our organization grows increasingly concerned that this administration does not have a plan to ensure family farmers and ranchers aren't thrown under the bus for the sake of these goals," he said.

Even so, few blame Trump directly.

Hurst said many in Missouri are still willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

But, he cautioned, "if we don't see any success, then patience will wear thin."

Trump threatened to send 25 million Mexicans to Japan: report

Trump threatened to send 25 million Mexicans to Japan: report
source: AFP

AFP/File / Nicholas Kamm At one point Trump described migration as a big problem for Europe then said to Abe: "Shinzo, you don't have this problem, but I can send you 25 million Mexicans and you'll be out of office very soon," according to an official quoted by the Journal

Donald Trump threatened Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe he would ship 25 million Mexicans to his country, one of a series of bizarre missives that jarred fellow leaders at last week's acrimonious G7 meet, according to a report on Friday.

The Group of Seven summit gathering of top industrialized democracies finished in disarray after the US president abruptly rejected its consensus statement and bitterly attacked Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Behind the scenes, Trump's counterparts were dismayed by verbal jabs on topics ranging from trade to terrorism and migration, The Wall Street Journal said, quoting European officials who were present.

At one point he described migration as a big problem for Europe then said to Abe: "Shinzo, you don't have this problem, but I can send you 25 million Mexicans and you'll be out of office very soon," creating a sense of irritation in the room, according to an EU official.

The source added that when the topic turned to Iran and terrorism, Trump took aim at French President Emmanuel Macron, saying: "You must know about this, Emmanuel, because all the terrorists are in Paris."

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker also came under fire and was repeatedly described by Trump as a "brutal killer" in reference to the bloc's antitrust and tax fines against US tech companies that have run into billions of dollars.

Bitter differences over trade dominated the summit hosted by Canada, with leaders of the world's largest economies lining up against Trump's threats to impose stiff tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

After rejecting the joint statement, Trump and his top aides assailed Trudeau, accusing him of dishonesty and betrayal.

Trump on Friday rejected reports of discord, blaming the "Fake News Media" on Twitter for portraying a false picture while posting several photos of himself appearing to get along well with fellow G7 leaders.