“After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon). While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!,” Trump tweeted from Japan’s Osaka, where he is attending the G20 summit.

The surprise offer came amid a recent flurry of diplomacy over North Korea’s nuclear programme after a Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi collapsed without an agreement.

After several months of public silence, an exchange of letters between the leaders appeared to have thawed the deep-freeze and raised hopes for a third summit meeting after a historic first tete-a-tete in Singapore on June 12, 2018 and the second in Hanoi in February.

Trump will be heading to Seoul immediately after the G20 summit in Osaka, where on Saturday he will hold a highly anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a bid to ease trade tensions between the world’s top twop economies.

    Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece will be carried less than “100 paces” to the adjoining Medici gallery during the night of July 16, the museum’s director Jean-Luc Martinez told AFP.

The fragile 500-year-old painting is very rarely handled, and will remain protected by bulletproof glass in its temporary home.

The portrait of a Florentine noble will be returned to her spot in the States Room just before a blockbuster Leonardo exhibition opens at the world’s biggest museum in October.

    The Louvre holds the largest collection of the Italian artist’s work.

Martinez said the move was part of an immense rolling renovation of the museum, which is struggling to cope with more than 10 million visitors a year.

Tens of thousands of people each day pass through the room in which the painting is shown opposite Paolo Veronese’s giant canvass, “The Wedding Feast at Cana”.

It has been sealed inside protective wooden shuttering while the work goes on.

– Blockbuster Leonardo show –

“The population of a town” passes every day through the room, said Martinez, which hasn’t been redecorated since the early 2000s.

He said the “Mona Lisa” will stay in its original place for the Leonardo show — which begins on October 24 — as hanging it with the polymath’s other works would have caused such bottlenecks that visitor numbers would have to be limited.

“We could not deprive 15,000 people a day from seeing the ‘Mona Lisa’,” the director insisted.

The painting, thought to have been begun in the first years of the 16th century, has been moved very rarely since it was first housed in the Louvre in 1804.

Indeed it hasn’t left its walls in 45 years, and curators are strongly opposed to it doing so again, citing its fragility.

The painting was done on a thin panel of poplar, which has buckled over time, revealing a thin slit.

It last travelled in 1974 to Russia and Japan, having crossed the Atlantic in 1964 to be shown in the United States despite the fierce protests of the Louvre’s curators.

– The lady’s not for touring –

France’s last culture minister, Francoise Nyssen, had hinted that it might tour during the refurbishment work.

Locals in Lens, a former mining town in the north of France which houses an outpost of the Louvre, campaigned for the “Mona Lisa” to be exhibited there.

Football fans even unveiled a huge banner of her in the local team’s colours as part of their charm offensive.

Her hometown Florence has also pleaded for the painting to be shown there.

But the request was rejected. France may not have entirely forgotten that in 1911 an Italian carpenter stole the canvass while working at the Louvre, smuggling it out under his overalls.

Vincenzo Perugia wanted to bring her back to her homeland, thinking mistakenly that she had been looted by Napoleon, like so many other Italian masterworks in the Louvre’s vast collection.

The painting resurfaced in Florence two years later.

In fact, Leonardo had taken the painting with him to France and finished it there in 1516, three years before his death.

Seven of the city’s 21 beaches have raised a purple flag — which means no bathing — since the start of the month, on days when hygiene inspections revealed high levels of faecal matter.

Marseille is a tourist hotspot, attracting five million visitors per year thanks to its Mediterranean coastline and sun-kissed climate.

But the city, France’s largest port, struggles with pollution from industry and shipping.

“It’s mostly caused by sanitation problems, but there are also increasing numbers of boats spewing out their grey and black waste before they enter the port,” said Sarah Hatimi, head of the water quality programme at Surfrider Foundation Europe environmental group.

Read also: Thai bay made famous in ‘The Beach’ to be shut until 2021

Swimming bans are nothing new in Marseille. Last year, authorities enforced 153 bans amid fears of a pollution spike after heavy rainfall.

“This year, we can’t say it’s because of the rain,” Monique Daubet, local councillor responsible for public health, said, adding that spillages from swimming pools and “lots of animal faeces” are part of the problem.

But the city is “proactive”, she said, going “even further” than weekly water inspections imposed by a European law to “pay for our own analysis to protect swimmers”.

Every morning, inspectors take water samples from each of the city’s beaches to test for E. coli and enterococci bacteria, which indicate human or animal defecation.

A laboratory can reveal test results the same morning, whereas the previous weekly tests “arrived far too late, two or three days later,” Daubet said.

Despite efforts, Marseille authorities aren’t hopeful they can secure a “blue flag” stamp of approval for beach hygiene.

“Our water quality doesn’t meet the criteria, which includes, for example, keeping bins at least 100 metres away from the beach”.

“Nobody is forcing us to do this,” she said. “Rather than complaining, people should be grateful we’re closing the beaches!”

Dumai Customs and Excise Office head Fuad Fauzi said he had received a report from residents regarding the illegal selling of protected animals in the area.

“We suspect that the animals were heading to Malaysia and were to be delivered by speedboat from a harbor belonging to one of the locals,” he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

The suspects, identified as SP, 40, and JD, 27, were arrested at a port in Dumai. They had been caught with seven rare primates without a license, namely three orangutans, two crab-eating macaques, one siamang and one binturong. The animals were being kept in cardboard boxes.

“The price for all of the primates can be up to Rp 1.42 billion (US$100,321),” Fuad said.

Riau Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA Riau) head Suharyono said the agency would take care of the protected animals for the time being.

According to Suharyono, a team of vets reported that the primates required extra medical attention.

“Thankfully, they still want to drink milk, even though they are afraid of humans,” he said.

Suharyono said the case would be handled by the law enforcement unit of the Sumatra Environment and Forestry Agency.

“The perpetrators will be charged under Law No. 5/1990 on natural resources and ecosystem as well as Law No. 17/2006 on customs,” Suharyono said, adding that they can face up to five years in prison and a Rp 100 million fine.

HERE ARE NINE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE TWO SONGS:

1. Song Joong-ki, 33, shot to fame after playing a mischievous student in the popular historical drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010). He was also part of the original cast of Running Man when the variety show debuted in 2010. He left Running Man in 2011 to concentrate on his acting career.

2. Song Hye-kyo, 37, catapulted to fame after playing one half of a star-crossed couple in the tearjerker, Autumn In My Heart (2000), which starred South Korean hunks Song Seung-heon and Won Bin. She has also starred in hit TV shows like Hotelier (2001), All In (2003) and Full House (2004).

3. Song Hye-kyo famously fell for South Korean heartthrob Lee Byung-hun on the set of All In, where they played a romantic couple in the gambling drama. When they split up in 2004, it was the hottest story in South Korean showbiz.

4. Song Hye-kyo dated another South Korean heartthrob Hyun Bin after they played a couple in TV series The World They Live In (2008). They broke up after Hyun was enlisted for mandatory military service.

5. Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-kyo met while playing lovebirds in the hit military romance Descendants Of The Sun (2016). He played special forces captain Yoo Si-jin, while she played doctor Kang Mo-yeon. The show was shot in South Korea and Greece in 2015.

6. The on-screen couple announced in July 2017 that they would tie the knot on Oct 31 that year after previously denying that they were dating in real life.

7. They wed in a private outdoor ceremony in the garden of Yeong Bin Gwan at The Shilla hotel in Seoul. Celebrities who attended the wedding included Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, Running Man stars Kim Jong-kook, Yoo Jae-suk and Haha, as well as actress Kim Ji-won and other colleagues from Descendants Of The Sun.

Zhang Ziyi with Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo at The Shilla hotel in Seoul. PHOTO: ZHANG ZIYI/WEIBO.

Korean actor Song Joong Ki has officially filed for divorce from Song Hye Kyo. The celebrity couple tied the knot in real life in 2017.

8. Earlier this year, South Korean media had speculated that the Song-Song couple, as they are popularly known, were going through a possible divorce as Song Hye-kyo had appeared in public without her wedding ring on several occasions. She had also deleted some photos of Song Joong-ki on her Instagram account.

9. However, Song Joong-ki was recently spotted wearing his wedding ring at a script reading session for the TV series, Arthdal Chronicles, The Korea Herald reported. He said at a press conference for the drama that being married has given him peace of mind and that his wife has been very supportive.

Rath Rott Mony was hired by TV news station RT, formerly Russia Today, for the making of “My Mother Sold Me”, a film about underage girls sold as sex workers in Cambodia where the ilicit underground trade is rife.

Rights groups have taken up the case as a rallying cry for press freedom, despite the ethical criticism of the project.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan on Thursday defended the sentence, saying Rath Rott Mony had been sentenced for “creating news to destroy the nation’s reputation”.

“He was punished for this fake news,” Phay Siphan told AFP, adding that he had been convicted for incitement.

“This is not a punishment for speaking about sex trafficking… this is a message to the public to end fake news,” Phay Siphan added.

The 30-minute documentary, broadcast in October, interviewed and followed underage girls who were sold into prostitution by their families, asking them about their lives and how they were treated in school.

The finished piece had also exposed the children’s identities, though RT has now digitally blurred their faces since the story went viral.

Phil Robertson said authorities are playing a “shoot the messenger” game of a person “who told the international community about an inconvenient reality” which the government prefers to keep under wraps.

“The sex industry in Cambodia includes girls under 18 and the government officials are failing to adequately act to address it,” Robertson said, adding that the conviction should be “quashed”.

After a 2008 human trafficking law was enacted, Cambodia authorities have conducted brothel raids and street sweeps to stamp out the country’s sex industry, especially of underage victims.

But Robertson said the reality remains much of the same, as families mired in poverty are compelled to push their children to engage in sex work to survive.

RT has not responded to AFP’s request for comment.

In recent years, strongman premier Hun Sen has stepped up a crackdown on government critics and human rights activists, using the term “fake news” to dismiss opposition voices.

Cambodia is ranked 143rd out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders’s World Press Freedom Index.

On Thursday, Joong-ki’s attorney announced that the law firm Lee & Ko has filed for divorce on behalf of the actor.

The 34-year-old actor revealed his position through his agency Blossom Entertainment.

(Blossom Entertainment)

“Rather than criticizing one another and arguing over who is to blame, both of us hope that the divorce process can be wrapped up smoothly,” a statement from the agency noted on his behalf.

“I will try to recover from the wounds and do my best to repay you through good productions as an actor.”

Few hours later, Hye-kyo, 38, said through her agency that the divorce was decided after “careful thinking.”

“The divorce proceedings between Joong-ki and Hye-kyo comes after careful thinking,” UAA Korea, the agency representing her said, adding that the marriage has come to an end due to irreconcilable differences.

While the two have agreed on a divorce, differences remain over the details and Joong-ki has applied for conciliation by the Seoul Family Court conciliation committee.

The two top stars of Asia met on the KBS’ “Descendants of the Sun” drama series which ran from February to April 2016. They announced their engagement in July and tied the knot in October the following year.

Their wedding, which took place at The Shilla Seoul, grabbed attention across Asia. On the day, international media and fans who wanted to get a glimpse of what was billed the wedding of the century packed the venue.

Rumors regarding the couple’s troubles were reported by Chinese media when Hye-kyo was spotted without her wedding ring on multiple occasions. She had also deleted some photos of Joong-ki on her social media account.

Joong-ki, however, put a stop to the rumors, when he was spotted wearing his wedding ring at a script reading session for tvN drama “Arthdal Chronicles.” He also mentioned his wife at a press conference for the drama in late May, saying that being married has given him peace of mind.

Meanwhile, Joong-ki is currently starring in tvN’s fantasy drama “Arthdal Chronicles.” He stars in the fantasy drama as the main character, playing two characters named Eunseom and Saya.

As the Saturday-Sunday drama is a preproduced show, it will not be affected by the latest development concerning the star. The production team said it is currently working on editing the latter half of the serie

Presented in the form of Afternoon Tea Party under the theme of Smile in Wonderland, S&P has created a variety of bakeries, served with the finest tea to build up a festive atmosphere filled with fun and classic in the Wonderland theme in various designed packaging.

It is ready to serve such exclusive menu for all passengers through 7 days during July 7 – 13 this year. This is to highlight its full service that the airline is committed to offering and developing a service superior to its rivals.

THAI Smile also announces its solid step into the 8th year of operation by continuing the development of its services. Recently, THAI Smile has won the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2019 Best Airline in Thailand and Travellers’ Choice Regional Airline – Asia, for the third consecutive year,

Charita Leelayudth, acting CEO, THAI Smile Airways revealed that during over the past seven years, THAI Smile had changed its service strategies in various dimensions as to meet the needs of travellers, with the goal of being a leading full-service airline in the region.

The service is excellent, coupled with the value for money, to meet the needs of short-haul commuters, but at the same time, it also provides maximum comfort for passengers who require excellent services.

On the occasion of stepping into the 8th year of services, passengers will see changes in our way to create customers’ satisfaction and boost up the existing services to be even better. With all adjustments and additional developments, THAI Smile will take into account the demand of passengers and deliver an experience beyond their expectations.

Moreover, THAI Smile prompts to collaborate with the Thai Airways International, a parent company, to develop strategies, sales and marketing plan together in order to deliver seamless services to all passengers of both Thai Airways and THAI Smile.

Nednapang Teeravas, Chief Customer Service Officer, THAI Smile Airways added that on the occasion of the 7th anniversary on the 7th of July and entering the 8th year of service, like every year, THAI Smile will impress and surprise passengers with excellence services.

This time, we work together with partner like S&P, the leading Thai food and bakeries, to tailor the exclusive menus. In addition, it is the first time to present the Afternoon Tea Party in the theme of Smile in Wonderland. The menu includes a variety of bakeries such as Berry Fairy Cake, Banoffee Fairy Cake, Strawberry Cocoa Mousse and Yuzu Mango Mousse. Each of them is paired up with a selection of the finest hot tea from Boon Rawd Farm. Moreover, the exclusive ingredients of bakeries have been selected from the royal project and also the classic packaging designs was created from the wonderland theme. The special services will deliver happiness to passengers with the festive atmosphere that is full of fun, blended with the classic in a wonderland vibe where THAI Smile is ready to serve these menus to all passenger and all flights throughout 7 days during 7 – 13 July 2019.

Passengers in the premium economy class (Smile Plus) and economy class (Smile Class) for India routes only will enjoy as following menu (Vegan) Strawberry Cocoa Mousse, a strong mousse flavor of dark chocolate combined with the sweet and sour taste of strawberries. The bottom layer is filled with crumbles to add a crispy texture to the dessert served with Earl Gray tea. Yuzu Mango Mousse, a refreshing Yuzu orange mousse, contains the sweet and sour taste of passion fruit and mango, a bottom layer of crumbles adding a crispy texture to the dessert served with English breakfast tea.

The pair of tea and bakery will be served to all passengers in all flights, both domestic and international routes during 7-13 July 2019, except for the following flights: WE011, WE051, WE177, WE419 / 420, WE426, WE609 or until the product runs out of stock.

The UFC-Que Choisir group said in a statement that the goal of its class action is to “end the insidious exploitation of users’ personal data, particularly those using Android devices with a Google account, and compensate them for up to 1,000 euros ($1,135)”.

“This compensation claim is a first in France as well as Europe,” UFC-Que Choisir president Alain Bazot told AFP.

“If the judge rules in favour, there are potentially 28 million Android users in France that could be entitled to compensation,” he added.

    So far 200 people have joined the class action, said Bazot.

Google said it had not yet received details concerning the case and declined to comment for time being.

The class action comes after the internet behemoth suffered two recent blows in France.

In January, France’s CNIL data watchdog slapped Google with a record 50-million-euro fine for failing to meet the EU’s tough General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which came into force in May last year.

Then in February, the Paris district level court ordered Google to remove “abusive” clauses from the service conditions it requires consumers to accept.

– ‘Invasion of privacy’ –

UFC-Que Choisir on Wednesday accused Google of “drowning consumers in endless confidentiality rules” and “maintaining a veritable obstacle course” when it comes to users’ geolocation.

“It’s a real invasion of privacy,” said Bazot, adding that “even when you do not use Google’s services, your phone geolocates you 340 times a day!”

The consumer group said it had tried to reach an amicable agreement but had been unsuccessful, so launched the class action suit in Paris against Google Ireland, the internet giant’s European hub, and Google LLC.

Bazot did not expect a quick outcome, saying the procedure could take seven to eight years, or more.

Another non-governmental organisation that defends the rights of internet users has also signalled it plans to file a lawsuit against Facebook.

The choice of going through the courts, as opposed to making a complaint to the CNIL watchdog, means that the case remains in France.

CNIL refers certain cases to the regulator in the EU country where the company is registered in the bloc.

Bazot said pursuing class action lawsuits also means potentially larger fines that would be dissuasive for massive internet firms, calling the 50-million-euro CNIL fine no more than a “mosquito bite” for Google.

Google’s parent company Alphabet earned a first-quarter net profit of $6.7 billion (5.9 billion euro) on revenue of $36.3 billion.

The premier discussed cooperation with Hiroki Mitsumata, the current president of JETRO Bangkok and his successor Atsushi Taketani during a meeting at Government House.

Taketani emphasised that JETRO would continue to cooperate with Thailand and was willing to encourage the Japan private sector to invest in the kingdom.

Japan and Thailand have set a goal for 2019 to cooperate on the development of airports, medical instruments, robots and in the digital economy, he said. Prayut also urged the organisation to encourage Japanese educational and research and development institutes to further invest in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

“ECC development will drive the overall regional economy. We already have the cooperation of China and Japan in investing and developing a high-speed rail network linking the three airports in Thailand. That cooperation can be expanded to include other counties and strengthen the region. We hope to receive more JETRO support in the future,” Prayut said.

Mitsumata thanked the Prime Minister, saying that throughout his tenure as president of JETRO, he had always been warmly welcomed and supported by the Thai government. Thailand, he added, is an important friend to Japan and the countries have enjoyed a good relationship for a long time.

“The Thailand 4.0 National strategy and EEC development project will help to construct a strong Thai economy for the future. The public sector has played a significant role in helping JETRO to work effectively,” he said.

Prayut said he would attend the G20 summit at this weekend in Osaka, Japan, as chairman of Asean summit. He would also hold bilateral discussions with Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the cooperation issue.

JETRO is a government-related organisation that was established to stimulate mutual trade and investment between Japan and other countries around the world.