WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he told the top US diplomat not to waste his time trying to negotiate with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

“I told Rex Tillerson, our wonderful Secretary of State, that he is wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” Trump wrote on Twitter, using his sarcastic nickname for Kim.

Trump’s comment came the day after Tillerson disclosed that the United States was directly communicating with North Korea on its nuclear and missile programs but that Pyongyang had shown no interest in dialogue.

“Save your energy Rex, we’ll do what has to be done!” Trump said.

Tillerson in China to pile pressure on North Korea

Tillerson said during a trip to China on Saturday that the United States had multiple direct channels of communication with Pyongyang, the first such disclosure from the Trump administration, and that it was probing North Korea to see whether it is interested in dialogue.

Tillerson expressed hope for reducing tensions with North Korea, which is fast advancing toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the U.S. mainland.

“We are probing, so stay tuned,” Tillerson told a small group of reporters during a trip to China. “We ask: ‘Would you like to talk?’” He said the United States had “a couple of, three channels open to Pyongyang.”

A senior US official, asked for clarification about Trump’s Sunday morning tweets about North Korea, played down the significance of the communication channels.

North Korea says Trump has ‘declared war’

“At a time when North Korea is continuing its provocations, the president does not think now is the time to negotiate with them,” the official said.

The official also said that to the extent that diplomatic channels exist between Washington and Pyongyang, they are aimed at securing the return of Americans detained by North Korea.

Trump has vacillated between direct personal attacks on the North Korean leader and a willingness to negotiate.

South Korea expects more North Korea provocations mid-October

After announcing new US sanctions last month on North Korea, he also acknowledged diplomacy was still possible, asking: “Why not?”

The post Trump to top US diplomat: Don’t bother talking to North Korea appeared first on The Express Tribune.

Source: Tribune News
Original Post: Trump to top US diplomat: Don’t bother talking to North Korea

Processions and majalis across the country for the 10th of Muharram to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (RA) and his family concluded peacefully across the country.

Cellular services, which remained suspended in different cities during the last three days, were restored.

A ban on pillion riding was also imposed in Karachi, Peshawar and Quetta.

In Karachi, the key procession began from Nishter Park and culminated at Irania Hussainia Imambargah.

Leaders call for end to differences

In Rawalpindi, main procession originated from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain. In Lahore, the procession emerged from Nisar Havel and concluded at Imambargah Karbala Gamay Shah.

In Quetta and Peshawar, the processions were taken out from Rehmantullah Chowk on Alamdar Road and Imambargah Agha Syed Ali Shah Rizvi, respectively.

Stringent security measures were adopted to safeguard all processions with the help of personnel of the law enforcement agencies.

The post Processions, majalis for 10th of Muharram conclude peacefully across country appeared first on The Express Tribune.

Source: Tribune News
Original Post: Processions, majalis for 10th of Muharram conclude peacefully across country