Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is strongly considering entering the race for the 2020 US Democratic presidential nomination, a move that could greatly disrupt the field just three months before the first nominating contests.

Bloomberg, the billionaire media mogul and philanthropist who served three terms as mayor of America's largest city, is sceptical that any of the current crops of Democratic candidates can defeat Republican President Donald Trump in next year's general election, a spokesman said.

"Mike is increasingly concerned that the current field of candidates is not well-positioned to" beat Trump, Bloomberg spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement.

Bloomberg, 77, is expected to file paperwork this week to run in the Democratic presidential primary in Alabama, which has an early deadline for qualifying for the ballot. That would keep his options open for a possible White House bid, a source familiar with his thinking told Reuters.

The Democratic field, now numbering 17 candidates, has coalesced into four top contenders according to recent polls: US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who represents the party's progressive wing, and former Vice President Joe Biden and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of South Bend, Indiana, representing the more moderate wing.

Bloomberg, the chief executive officer and founder of Bloomberg LP, served as New York's mayor from 2002 to 2013 and has been a leading advocate and philanthropist on the issues of climate change and gun violence.

"If Mike runs, he would offer a new choice to Democrats built on a unique record running America’s biggest city, building a business from scratch and taking on some of America's toughest challenges as a high-impact philanthropist," Wolfson said.

"Mike would be able to take the fight to Trump and win," Wolfson said.

Asked about Bloomberg in a Fox News Channel interview, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Trump "has got the results to show that he's doing great things for the American people, so it doesn't matter who ends up running against him - the president will win."

Moderate alternative

Bloomberg has been critical of Warren and her plan to institute a tax on the super-rich if she is elected president to fund programs ranging from universal healthcare to free college tuition. If Bloomberg were to enter the race, he would likely compete with candidates such as Biden and Buttigieg as a moderate alternative to Warren's populist progressivism.

But he would likely face a difficult road with the liberal wing of the party concerned about corporate money in politics and income inequality in America.

Tom Steyer, a billionaire candidate from California who has made climate change a centerpiece of his campaign, has spent millions only to see his bid languish amid criticism from his rivals for trying to buy his way into the election.

"More billionaires seeking more political power surely isn't the change America needs," said Sanders' campaign manager, Faiz Shakir.

Warren responded to the news of Bloomberg's preparations by tweeting at him with a link that showed how much he would pay under her wealth tax.

Bloomberg, whom Forbes ranks as the eighth richest American with an estimated worth of $53.4 billion, would be able to largely fund his campaign himself, perhaps allowing him to ramp up his candidacy quickly. Still, he would have to build a multistate organization on the fly.

At age 77 he would be the second oldest candidate among the Democratic contenders, behind Sanders, who is 78. Biden is 76 and Warren is 70. On the Republican side, Trump is 73.

The Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest on the Democratic primary calendar, will be held on Feb. 3.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is strongly considering entering the race for the 2020 US Democratic presidential nomination, a move that could greatly disrupt the field just three months before the first nominating contests.

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is strongly considering entering the race for the 2020 US Democratic presidential nomination, a move that could greatly disrupt the field just three months before the first nominating contests. Bloomberg, the billionaire media mogul and philanthropist who served three terms as mayor of America's largest city, is sceptical that any of the current crops of Democratic candidates can defeat Republican President Donald Trump in next year's general election, a spokesman said. "Mike is increasingly concerned that the current field of candidates is not well-positioned to" beat Trump, Bloomberg spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement. Bloomberg, 77, is expected to file paperwork this week to run in the Democratic presidential primary in Alabama, which has an early deadline for qualifying for the ballot. That would keep his options open for a possible White House bid, a source familiar with his thinking told Reuters. The Democratic field, now numbering 17 candidates, has coalesced into four top contenders according to recent polls: US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who represents the party's progressive wing, and former Vice President Joe Biden and Mayor Pete Buttigieg, of South Bend, Indiana, representing the more moderate wing. Bloomberg, the chief executive officer and founder of Bloomberg LP, served as New York's mayor from 2002 to 2013 and has been a leading advocate and philanthropist on the issues of climate change and gun violence. "If Mike runs, he would offer a new choice to Democrats built on a unique record running America’s biggest city, building a business from scratch and taking on some of America's toughest challenges as a high-impact philanthropist," Wolfson said. "Mike would be able to take the fight to Trump and win," Wolfson said. Asked about Bloomberg in a Fox News Channel interview, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Trump "has got the results to show that he's doing great things for the American people, so it doesn't matter who ends up running against him - the president will win." Moderate alternative Bloomberg has been critical of Warren and her plan to institute a tax on the super-rich if she is elected president to fund programs ranging from universal healthcare to free college tuition. If Bloomberg were to enter the race, he would likely compete with candidates such as Biden and Buttigieg as a moderate alternative to Warren's populist progressivism. But he would likely face a difficult road with the liberal wing of the party concerned about corporate money in politics and income inequality in America. Tom Steyer, a billionaire candidate from California who has made climate change a centerpiece of his campaign, has spent millions only to see his bid languish amid criticism from his rivals for trying to buy his way into the election. "More billionaires seeking more political power surely isn't the change America needs," said Sanders' campaign manager, Faiz Shakir. Warren responded to the news of Bloomberg's preparations by tweeting at him with a link that showed how much he would pay under her wealth tax. Bloomberg, whom Forbes ranks as the eighth richest American with an estimated worth of $53.4 billion, would be able to largely fund his campaign himself, perhaps allowing him to ramp up his candidacy quickly. Still, he would have to build a multistate organization on the fly. At age 77 he would be the second oldest candidate among the Democratic contenders, behind Sanders, who is 78. Biden is 76 and Warren is 70. On the Republican side, Trump is 73. The Iowa caucuses, the first nominating contest on the Democratic primary calendar, will be held on Feb. 3.

Bloomberg considering jump into 2020 Democratic presidential race

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-donald-trumps-gross-interference-in-hong-kong-232352">President Donald Trump's government</a> on Tuesday gave up a controversial attempt to put a question about citizenship on next year's census, handing a victory to those who argued the new item would lead to discrimination against minority residents.

The decision followed a Supreme Court ruling that the case for adding the citizenship question was not convincing.

Trump's initial reaction to the ruling had been to call for a delay in the imminent printing of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-blocks-trumps-census-citizenship-question-for-now-230965">2020 census</a> forms, holding up the census in order to allow time for a new appeal.

That bid has now been dropped, ending any chance of changing the format of the massive, once-every-decade survey.

"We're glad the #2020Census will begin printing without a citizenship question," said New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who led a group of states challenging the administration on the issue.

Just this Monday, Trump had been defiant, telling reporters he wanted the census to find out who was a citizen "as opposed to an illegal."

"It is a big difference to me between being a citizen of the United States and being illegal," he said.

Opponents argued that the question which has not been included since 1950 would drive many immigrants to avoid answering out of fear of being caught up in Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration.

This would render them invisible, skewing the population count and resulting in fewer government resources for the areas they live in while distorting the lines of congressional districts, which are based on numbers of residents.

This was the intention all along, said Joe Biden, the frontrunner in the contest to become the Democratic opponent to Trump in 2020 presidential elections.

"Make no mistake, the Trump Administration added a citizenship question to the Census to deliberately cut out the voices of immigrants and communities of colour. It's wrong and goes against our core values as a nation," Biden tweeted.

The Census Bureau's experts said that 1.6 to 6.5 million immigrants, notably Hispanics, would avoid the census or lie to census takers if faced with the citizenship question. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump's government on Tuesday gave up a controversial attempt to put a question about citizenship on next year's census, handing a victory to those who argued the new item would lead to discrimination against minority residents.

President Donald Trump's government on Tuesday gave up a controversial attempt to put a question about citizenship on next year's census, handing a victory to those who argued the new item would lead to discrimination against minority residents. The decision followed a Supreme Court ruling that the case for adding the citizenship question was not convincing. Trump's initial reaction to the ruling had been to call for a delay in the imminent printing of the 2020 census forms, holding up the census in order to allow time for a new appeal. That bid has now been dropped, ending any chance of changing the format of the massive, once-every-decade survey. "We're glad the #2020Census will begin printing without a citizenship question," said New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who led a group of states challenging the administration on the issue. Just this Monday, Trump had been defiant, telling reporters he wanted the census to find out who was a citizen "as opposed to an illegal." "It is a big difference to me between being a citizen of the United States and being illegal," he said. Opponents argued that the question which has not been included since 1950 would drive many immigrants to avoid answering out of fear of being caught up in Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration. This would render them invisible, skewing the population count and resulting in fewer government resources for the areas they live in while distorting the lines of congressional districts, which are based on numbers of residents. This was the intention all along, said Joe Biden, the frontrunner in the contest to become the Democratic opponent to Trump in 2020 presidential elections. "Make no mistake, the Trump Administration added a citizenship question to the Census to deliberately cut out the voices of immigrants and communities of colour. It's wrong and goes against our core values as a nation," Biden tweeted. The Census Bureau's experts said that 1.6 to 6.5 million immigrants, notably Hispanics, would avoid the census or lie to census takers if faced with the citizenship question.

Donald Trump abandons controversial census change

Joe Biden's 2020 campaign-in-waiting pushed back Monday on "smears" it said he faces <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-woman-says-former-us-vice-president-biden-touched-her-inappropriately-207340">regarding his physical contact with women</a>, as a new accuser emerged to say the former vice president crossed the line into indecency.

Biden's spokesman pointed to doctored or misleading photographs that have circulated on the internet for years spotlighting what the 76-year-old Democrat himself describes as a "tactile" campaign style.

With two women in the past week going public to recount how Biden inappropriately touched them years ago, scrutiny on his history of unwanted contact has surged as he considers a presidential campaign.

"These smears and forgeries have existed in the dark recesses of the internet for a while," the spokesman, Bill Russo, said in a statement, referring to images that show Biden being overly familiar with women and children.

"And to this day, right-wing trolls and others continue to exploit them," he added.

The push-back comes as a Connecticut woman said Biden inappropriately touched her at a 2009 political fundraiser when he was vice president.

"It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Amy Lappos told Connecticut's Hartford Courant newspaper.&nbsp;

"He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth."

Lappos, 43, said she never filed a complaint because she believed it would go nowhere, but she was aware of the line of decency and respect that should have been honoured.

"Crossing that line is not grandfatherly," she said. "It's not cultural. It's not affection. It's sexism or misogyny."

Biden has yet to declare his candidacy, but he is already the early favourite to win the Democratic nomination and challenge Donald Trump in next year's election.

Biden was hit last week with an accusation by former Nevada state lawmaker Lucy Flores, who recalled being "mortified" when he planted a "big, slow kiss" on the back of her head as she waited to take the stage at a campaign rally five years ago.&nbsp;

He issued a statement Sunday saying he would respectfully listen to women who accused him of misconduct, but that in his decades of public life, "not once -- never -- did I believe I acted inappropriately."

Biden has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies.&nbsp;

He came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of Ash Carter's wife in 2015 as her husband was sworn in as secretary of defence.

Photographs of that incident have circulated online so frequently that Stephanie Carter posted a column Sunday saying Biden was mere "a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful."

Joe Biden's 2020 campaign-in-waiting pushed back Monday on "smears" it said he faces regarding his physical contact with women, as a new accuser emerged to say the former vice president crossed the line into indecency.

Joe Biden's 2020 campaign-in-waiting pushed back Monday on "smears" it said he faces regarding his physical contact with women, as a new accuser emerged to say the former vice president crossed the line into indecency. Biden's spokesman pointed to doctored or misleading photographs that have circulated on the internet for years spotlighting what the 76-year-old Democrat himself describes as a "tactile" campaign style. With two women in the past week going public to recount how Biden inappropriately touched them years ago, scrutiny on his history of unwanted contact has surged as he considers a presidential campaign. "These smears and forgeries have existed in the dark recesses of the internet for a while," the spokesman, Bill Russo, said in a statement, referring to images that show Biden being overly familiar with women and children. "And to this day, right-wing trolls and others continue to exploit them," he added. The push-back comes as a Connecticut woman said Biden inappropriately touched her at a 2009 political fundraiser when he was vice president. "It wasn't sexual, but he did grab me by the head," Amy Lappos told Connecticut's Hartford Courant newspaper. "He put his hand around my neck and pulled me in to rub noses with me. When he was pulling me in, I thought he was going to kiss me on the mouth." Lappos, 43, said she never filed a complaint because she believed it would go nowhere, but she was aware of the line of decency and respect that should have been honoured. "Crossing that line is not grandfatherly," she said. "It's not cultural. It's not affection. It's sexism or misogyny." Biden has yet to declare his candidacy, but he is already the early favourite to win the Democratic nomination and challenge Donald Trump in next year's election. Biden was hit last week with an accusation by former Nevada state lawmaker Lucy Flores, who recalled being "mortified" when he planted a "big, slow kiss" on the back of her head as she waited to take the stage at a campaign rally five years ago. He issued a statement Sunday saying he would respectfully listen to women who accused him of misconduct, but that in his decades of public life, "not once -- never -- did I believe I acted inappropriately." Biden has had a reputation for awkwardly touching the wives, mothers or daughters of senators during swearing-in ceremonies. He came under criticism for massaging the shoulders of Ash Carter's wife in 2015 as her husband was sworn in as secretary of defence. Photographs of that incident have circulated online so frequently that Stephanie Carter posted a column Sunday saying Biden was mere "a close friend helping someone get through a big day, for which I will always be grateful."

Former US vice president Biden's camp rejects 'smears' about his physicality with women

US Senator Elizabeth Warren formally launches 2020 Presidential campaign

US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar is expected to enter the 2020 presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first moderate in an increasingly crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump.

Klobuchar, 58, now in her third six-year term as a senator for Minnesota, will seek to position herself as a contrast to Trump, who is expected to be the Republican candidate in the November 2020 election, focusing on both policy differences but also style and tact.

A former prosecutor and corporate attorney, Klobuchar joins a list of Democratic hopefuls that includes fellow Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-warren-formally-launches-2020-campaign-sounds-note-of-economic-equality-196404">Warren heads to Iowa to campaign on Sunday</a> after formally launching her bid on Saturday. Booker is also spending the weekend in the Midwestern farm state.

Klobuchar’s campaign announcement comes amid several news reports that staff in her Senate office were asked to do menial tasks, including some personal in nature like laundry, making it difficult for her to hire high-level campaign strategists.

Klobuchar gained national attention in 2018 when she sparred with Brett Kavanaugh during Senate hearings on his Supreme Court nomination. Her questions earned her recognition in Democratic circles for working to advance the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault.

But the senator will have work to do to build a national profile. She barely registers in early opinion polls of potential Democratic candidates.

Klobuchar hopes her moderate policies and strong electoral record in Minnesota will help her win back states Trump took from Democrats in the 2016 White House contest, including nearby Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania.

Klobuchar has focused her legislative efforts on issues like antitrust oversight, agriculture and voter security. Recently, she pushed for Senate investigations into whether Facebook Inc broke the law when it resisted oversight on how Russians used its platform to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.&nbsp;

She has been measured in her criticism of Trump, attacking the effects of his trade tariffs on farmers but avoiding more explosive issues like immigration and gun control.

Klobuchar won her most recent Senate race in November with more than 60 per cent of the vote. But she raised only about $7.4 million, a relatively small amount compared with Senate candidates in more competitive races. She will need to raise millions more to be a competitive presidential candidate.&nbsp;

Klobuchar is expected to focus her early presidential campaign efforts on Iowa, which borders Minnesota and holds the nation’s first nominating contest.

An aggressive focus on Iowa and a win there in 2008 helped catapult Barack Obama from underdog status to the Democratic Party's nomination and eventual victory in that year's presidential election.

Klobuchar began her foray into Minnesota politics by advocating for better access to healthcare for babies and new mothers after her own daughter was born with health complications, a personal narrative she is likely to use in the debate about the future of the nation’s healthcare system.

Klobuchar has not endorsed universal healthcare, an issue that will be heavily debated during the Democratic nominating race and could distinguish her from more liberal candidates who favour it.

&nbsp;

US Senator Amy Klobuchar is expected to enter the 2020 presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first moderate in an increasingly crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump.

US Senator Amy Klobuchar is expected to enter the 2020 presidential race on Sunday, becoming the first moderate in an increasingly crowded field of Democrats vying to challenge Republican President Donald Trump. Klobuchar, 58, now in her third six-year term as a senator for Minnesota, will seek to position herself as a contrast to Trump, who is expected to be the Republican candidate in the November 2020 election, focusing on both policy differences but also style and tact. A former prosecutor and corporate attorney, Klobuchar joins a list of Democratic hopefuls that includes fellow Senators Cory Booker of New Jersey, Kamala Harris of California and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Warren heads to Iowa to campaign on Sunday after formally launching her bid on Saturday. Booker is also spending the weekend in the Midwestern farm state. Klobuchar’s campaign announcement comes amid several news reports that staff in her Senate office were asked to do menial tasks, including some personal in nature like laundry, making it difficult for her to hire high-level campaign strategists. Klobuchar gained national attention in 2018 when she sparred with Brett Kavanaugh during Senate hearings on his Supreme Court nomination. Her questions earned her recognition in Democratic circles for working to advance the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and assault. But the senator will have work to do to build a national profile. She barely registers in early opinion polls of potential Democratic candidates. Klobuchar hopes her moderate policies and strong electoral record in Minnesota will help her win back states Trump took from Democrats in the 2016 White House contest, including nearby Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan, Wisconsin, as well as Pennsylvania. Klobuchar has focused her legislative efforts on issues like antitrust oversight, agriculture and voter security. Recently, she pushed for Senate investigations into whether Facebook Inc broke the law when it resisted oversight on how Russians used its platform to meddle in the 2016 presidential election. She has been measured in her criticism of Trump, attacking the effects of his trade tariffs on farmers but avoiding more explosive issues like immigration and gun control. Klobuchar won her most recent Senate race in November with more than 60 per cent of the vote. But she raised only about $7.4 million, a relatively small amount compared with Senate candidates in more competitive races. She will need to raise millions more to be a competitive presidential candidate. Klobuchar is expected to focus her early presidential campaign efforts on Iowa, which borders Minnesota and holds the nation’s first nominating contest. An aggressive focus on Iowa and a win there in 2008 helped catapult Barack Obama from underdog status to the Democratic Party's nomination and eventual victory in that year's presidential election. Klobuchar began her foray into Minnesota politics by advocating for better access to healthcare for babies and new mothers after her own daughter was born with health complications, a personal narrative she is likely to use in the debate about the future of the nation’s healthcare system. Klobuchar has not endorsed universal healthcare, an issue that will be heavily debated during the Democratic nominating race and could distinguish her from more liberal candidates who favour it.

US Senator Amy Klobuchar expected to join widening presidential field

US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans.

The Massachusetts Democrat, a leader of the party's progressive wing, made her announcement from a historic site in Lawrence, northwest of Boston, that launched the US&nbsp;organized labour movement. Warren, 69, has made worker rights, fair wages and access to health care central to her campaign.

"This is the fight of our lives. The fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone," Warren said. "And that is why I stand here today: to declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States of America."

Warren is part of an increasingly crowded and diverse field of Democrats vying for the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee. A year before any ballots are cast in a Democratic primary, many of those candidates are spending this weekend talking to voters in the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Warren's announcement will be followed on Sunday by US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has said she will reveal her presidential plans in her home state of Minnesota.

Warren's heritage claims have dogged her since her first campaign for the Senate in 2012, and Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas." Her ancestry drew fresh scrutiny earlier this week with the discovery that she described her race as American Indian on a form to join the Texas legal bar in the 1980s.

Warren has repeatedly apologized, saying the claim was based on "family lore" and she now understands tribal sovereignty dictates membership.

In addition to being a fierce Trump critic, Warren is an outspoken critic of Wall Street who gained national notoriety for her efforts to create the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate large banks.

Warren is one of four women so far seeking the Democratic nomination, an unprecedented number of female candidates vying to lead a country that has never had a woman chief executive.

Warren and the other women running so far, among whom are Senators Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, are hoping to build on the success of women candidates who played a significant role in Democrats regaining control of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives in November's congressional elections.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, struggling to move past criticism over her claims of Native American heritage, aimed for a fresh start on Saturday with the formal launch of her 2020 presidential campaign, saying that she is fighting for all Americans. The Massachusetts Democrat, a leader of the party's progressive wing, made her announcement from a historic site in Lawrence, northwest of Boston, that launched the US organized labour movement. Warren, 69, has made worker rights, fair wages and access to health care central to her campaign. "This is the fight of our lives. The fight to build an America where dreams are possible, an America that works for everyone," Warren said. "And that is why I stand here today: to declare that I am a candidate for President of the United States of America." Warren is part of an increasingly crowded and diverse field of Democrats vying for the chance to challenge President Donald Trump, the likely Republican nominee. A year before any ballots are cast in a Democratic primary, many of those candidates are spending this weekend talking to voters in the early nominating states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. Warren's announcement will be followed on Sunday by US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has said she will reveal her presidential plans in her home state of Minnesota. Warren's heritage claims have dogged her since her first campaign for the Senate in 2012, and Trump mockingly refers to her as "Pocahontas." Her ancestry drew fresh scrutiny earlier this week with the discovery that she described her race as American Indian on a form to join the Texas legal bar in the 1980s. Warren has repeatedly apologized, saying the claim was based on "family lore" and she now understands tribal sovereignty dictates membership. In addition to being a fierce Trump critic, Warren is an outspoken critic of Wall Street who gained national notoriety for her efforts to create the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to regulate large banks. Warren is one of four women so far seeking the Democratic nomination, an unprecedented number of female candidates vying to lead a country that has never had a woman chief executive. Warren and the other women running so far, among whom are Senators Kamala Harris and Kirsten Gillibrand, are hoping to build on the success of women candidates who played a significant role in Democrats regaining control of the US House of Representatives in November's congressional elections.

US Senator Warren formally launches 2020 campaign, sounds note of economic equality

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-democratic-representative-tulsi-gabbard-says-she-will-run-for-president-in-2020-189711">US&nbsp;Representative Tulsi&nbsp;Gabbard</a>, an Iraq War veteran who at times has had a spiky relationship with the Democratic Party, on Saturday will add another liberal voice to a burgeoning field of candidates seeking the party's&nbsp;2020&nbsp;presidential nomination.

Gabbard, 37, will&nbsp;officially&nbsp;launch her&nbsp;candidacy&nbsp;in Hawaii, where she has served as a&nbsp;congresswoman&nbsp;since 2013. A Samoan-American, she was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/proud-to-be-first-hindu-american-to-run-for-president-tulsi-gabbard-193304">the first Hindu elected to Congress.</a>

She made headlines in 2016 by quitting a leadership post at the Democratic National Committee over the party’s decision to limit the number of debates between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, a move analysts said helped Clinton.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/tulsi-gabbard-may-run-for-us-presidency-in-2020-sources-176797">Gabbard&nbsp;</a>then endorsed Sanders for president, becoming one of the few members of Congress to do so. She remains popular with some progressives but will have serious competition on that front with candidates such as Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren in the presidential field.

Gabbard&nbsp;has not been a factor in early&nbsp;2020&nbsp;opinion polls, and her nascent campaign already has shown signs of trouble.

Politico reported this week that her campaign manager was set to depart in the coming days after weeks of disarray.

Gabbard’s campaign on Friday confirmed the departure but said Rania Batrice would remain an adviser to&nbsp;Gabbard.&nbsp;

Gabbard&nbsp;also was forced to apologize for her past opposition to same-sex marriage, which she now supports, and has been engaged in a public feud with Hawaii's popular Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono over a federal judicial nominee.

Democratic nominating contests begin in February&nbsp;2020. The candidate who amasses the majority of delegates will be nominated at the party’s convention in the summer and will likely face Republican President Donald Trump in November's general election.

Gabbard&nbsp;served in Iraq and Kuwait in a Hawaii National Guard field medical unit, experiences she said helped inform her noninterventionist foreign policy views. She has made veterans issues&nbsp;a priority while in Congress.

Gabbard&nbsp;has consistently opposed&nbsp;US&nbsp;intervention in Syria, going as far as to secretly meet with Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, in January 2017, sparking fierce criticism from some in her own party. She opposes removing Assad from power.

Later that year, she expressed scepticism over the Trump administration's conclusion that Assad's regime was behind a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens in Syria. Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean called&nbsp;Gabbard's views "a disgrace" and said she was unfit to be in Congress.

Last November, she blasted Trump for not taking a harder stance toward Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

She also slammed the administration for supporting Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Yemen.

In 2015, she parted with many Democrats by criticizing then-President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term "Islamic extremism" to describe members of Islamic State and other militant groups.

The US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran who at times has had a spiky relationship with the Democratic Party, on Saturday will add another liberal voice to a burgeoning field of candidates seeking the party's 2020 presidential nomination.

The US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran who at times has had a spiky relationship with the Democratic Party, on Saturday will add another liberal voice to a burgeoning field of candidates seeking the party's 2020 presidential nomination. Gabbard, 37, will officially launch her candidacy in Hawaii, where she has served as a congresswoman since 2013. A Samoan-American, she was the first Hindu elected to Congress. She made headlines in 2016 by quitting a leadership post at the Democratic National Committee over the party’s decision to limit the number of debates between presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, a move analysts said helped Clinton. Gabbard then endorsed Sanders for president, becoming one of the few members of Congress to do so. She remains popular with some progressives but will have serious competition on that front with candidates such as Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren in the presidential field. Gabbard has not been a factor in early 2020 opinion polls, and her nascent campaign already has shown signs of trouble. Politico reported this week that her campaign manager was set to depart in the coming days after weeks of disarray. Gabbard’s campaign on Friday confirmed the departure but said Rania Batrice would remain an adviser to Gabbard. Gabbard also was forced to apologize for her past opposition to same-sex marriage, which she now supports, and has been engaged in a public feud with Hawaii's popular Democratic Senator Mazie Hirono over a federal judicial nominee. Democratic nominating contests begin in February 2020. The candidate who amasses the majority of delegates will be nominated at the party’s convention in the summer and will likely face Republican President Donald Trump in November's general election. Gabbard served in Iraq and Kuwait in a Hawaii National Guard field medical unit, experiences she said helped inform her noninterventionist foreign policy views. She has made veterans issues a priority while in Congress. Gabbard has consistently opposed US intervention in Syria, going as far as to secretly meet with Syria’s president, Bashar al-Assad, in January 2017, sparking fierce criticism from some in her own party. She opposes removing Assad from power. Later that year, she expressed scepticism over the Trump administration's conclusion that Assad's regime was behind a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens in Syria. Former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean called Gabbard's views "a disgrace" and said she was unfit to be in Congress. Last November, she blasted Trump for not taking a harder stance toward Saudi Arabia following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. She also slammed the administration for supporting Saudi Arabia in its conflict with Yemen. In 2015, she parted with many Democrats by criticizing then-President Barack Obama for refusing to use the term "Islamic extremism" to describe members of Islamic State and other militant groups.

US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard to officially declare 2020 presidential nomination

The Indian women's team will start their T20 World Cup 2020 campaign against hosts and defending champions Australia, while the men's team will face South Africa in their T20 World Cup opener.&nbsp;

The ICC announced that both the tournaments will be held as standalone events in the same year and the same country.

The women's T20 World Cup will run from February 21 to March 8 in 2020, followed by the men's T20 World Cup from October 18 to November 15.

The finals of both the tournaments will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A total of 10 women teams will contest 23 matches and 16 men teams will contest 45 matches across Australia in eight host cities and 13 venues.&nbsp;

The Indian women's team will start their T20 World Cup 2020 campaign against hosts and defending champions Australia, while the men's team will face South Africa in their T20 World Cup opener.

The Indian women's team will start their T20 World Cup 2020 campaign against hosts and defending champions Australia, while the men's team will face South Africa in their T20 World Cup opener. The ICC announced that both the tournaments will be held as standalone events in the same year and the same country. The women's T20 World Cup will run from February 21 to March 8 in 2020, followed by the men's T20 World Cup from October 18 to November 15. The finals of both the tournaments will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. A total of 10 women teams will contest 23 matches and 16 men teams will contest 45 matches across Australia in eight host cities and 13 venues.

ICC announces fixtures of men & women's T20 World Cup 2020

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