Date, location for Kim summit hasn't changed: Trump
Washington, May 27: US President Donald Trump has revived hopes for a planned summit with North korean leader Kim Jong-un by announcing that "we're looking at June 12th in Singapore. That hasn't changed", the media reported on Sunday.
Trump made the remarks late Saturday at the Oval Office here after his South Korean counterpart
Moon Jae-in delivered his first public comments following his surprise meeting with the North Korean leader earlier on Saturday, saying Kim was still committed to denuclearization and was still willing to meet the American leader. reports CNN.
Saturday's inter-Korean summit was held on the North Korean side of Panmunjom, a border village that sits directly on the Military Demarcation Line that divides the two Koreas.
The first Moon-Kim summit was held on the South Korean side of Panmunjom on April 27.
On Thursday, Trump abruptly cancelled the highly-anticipated US-North Korea summit, scheduled for June 12, citing hostile comments from top North Korean officials and concern about the country's commitment to giving up its nuclear weapons.
Trump said there was a "lot of goodwill" for the meeting.
"A lot of people are working on it. It's moving along very nicely," he told reporters on Saturday night.
In a tweet on Friday, Trump had said "very productive talks" were continuing on the North Korean summit.
"We are having very productive talks with North Korea about reinstating the Summit which, if it does happen, will likely remain in Singapore on the same date, June 12th., and, if necessary, will be extended beyond that date," Trump wrote.
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Shipping authority says 3 Indian seafarers killed in Middle East; issues advisory
New Delhi (PTI): At least three Indian seafarers on board foreign-flagged vessels were killed and one was injured in the Middle East region, the Directorate General of Shipping said on Tuesday as it issued an advisory for maritime operators to assess voyage-specific risks, amid escalated military actions involving the US, Israel and Iran that threaten disruptions of major trade routes.
"There have been four reported incidents involving Indian seafarers in the region, resulting in three casualties and one injured seafarer, all of whom were serving on board foreign-flagged vessels," the Directorate General of Shipping said.
On Tuesday, American and Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Iran since killing its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday. Tehran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighbouring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world's production of oil and natural gas.
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President Donald Trump on Monday said the US has "the capability to go far longer" than its projected four-to-five-week time frame for its military operations against Iran.
In an advisory, the Directorate General of Shipping said it is closely monitoring the evolving maritime security situation in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and adjoining sea areas.
It said the threats of the recent geopolitical developments included missile and drone activity, electronic interference, and other maritime security concerns.
Stakeholders have been advised to maintain heightened vigilance and undertake voyage-specific risk assessments, and vessels operating in the region have been advised to maintain an enhanced security posture and bridge watch, ensure continuous communication readiness, and report any suspicious activity immediately, with transit through high-risk areas to be reviewed by operators based on prevailing conditions, the shipping authority said.
About the incident involving Indian seafarers, the Directorate said the remaining crew members on board are safe and secure, and the Directorate, as well as other authorities, are maintaining close coordination with all stakeholders to ensure their continued safety, well-being and timely support.
All necessary support, assistance and facilitation are being extended to the affected seafarers and their families, it added.
The directorate further said that it has activated enhanced monitoring and security oversight, real-time tracking of Indian-flagged vessels with increased reporting frequency and 24X7 monitoring.
"Mandatory reporting protocols have been prescribed for vessels, owners and managers, and close coordination is being maintained with the Indian Navy, Ministry of External Affairs, IFC-IOR, MRCC and Indian Missions," it said.
Shipping companies have also been advised to exercise due caution in crew deployment and to maintain regular communication with seafarers and their families.
The Directorate said a dedicated 'quick response team' has also been formed to ensure timely coordination among all concerned authorities, enable immediate response to emerging situations, and facilitate prompt assistance and support to Indian seafarers and their families.
