<p>US Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajnath-singh-meets-mark-esper-on-the-sidelines-of-admm-plus-meeting-in-bangkok-262660">Mark Esper</a> on Tuesday (local times) said that Afghan President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-president-ashraf-ghani-vows-to-eliminate-islamic-state-says-will-take-revenge-for-our-people-244235">Ashraf Ghani</a> and Pakistani Army Chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-qamar-javed-bajwas-term-as-army-chief-extended-for-another-3-years-244163">Qamar Javed Bajwa</a> offered him sound advice during a phone call on the escalation of tensions in the middle eastern region.</p>

<p>"The United States does not seek conflict but will respond forcefully if necessary. Afghan President and Pakistani General Bajwa both offered sound counsel and advice in calls today," Esper tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The United States does not seek conflict, but will respond forcefully if necessary. Afghan President <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ashrafghani</a> and Pakistani General Bajwa both offered sound counsel and advice in calls today.</p>
— Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper (@EsperDoD) <a href="https://twitter.com/EsperDoD/status/1214643648475881480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump administration has dialled up various leaders in the world to defend United States` fatal strike that claimed the life of Iranian Quds Force chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/the-killing-of-iranians-general-qasem-soleimani-and-its-consequences-271884">Qasem Soleimani</a>. The attack has further downgraded US relations with Tehran.</p>

<p>Iran has vowed to take revenge for the killing of the most revered military personnel in Iran. The strike has been deployed by several countries including Iraq, Russia, and China."I always appreciate speaking with our partners and allies in the region. We all seek the de-escalation of tensions with Iran," he added.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Ghani took to Twitter to inform about the phone call between Esper and him, adding that he and Esper agreed that its time for an urgent de-escalation between Washington and Tehran.</p>

<p>"I spoke with Secretary Esper this evening about the latest security developments in the region. We both agreed that it`s time for urgent #de-escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran," Ghani tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I spoke with Secretary <a href="https://twitter.com/EsperDoD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EsperDoD</a> this evening about the latest security developments in the region. We both agreed that it's time for urgent <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/de?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#de</a>-escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran.</p>
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) <a href="https://twitter.com/ashrafghani/status/1214574027769024513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tensions between the two nations have persisted since 2018 when <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-is-well-so-far-so-good-says-trump-after-irans-missile-strikes-at-us-bases-in-iraq-272818">Trump</a> unilaterally announced that the US is not a part of the 2015 nuclear deal which was brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama.</p>

<p>Following the withdrawal from the deal, the United States has imposed a number of sanctions against Iran to force the country to renegotiate the deal. The sanctions have crippled the Iranian economy, however, the country refused to bog down to US pressure and started to do away with the terms of the deal.</p>


US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday (local times) said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa offered him sound advice during a phone call on the escalation of tensions in the middle eastern region.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Tuesday (local times) said that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Pakistani Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa offered him sound advice during a phone call on the escalation of tensions in the middle eastern region. "The United States does not seek conflict but will respond forcefully if necessary. Afghan President and Pakistani General Bajwa both offered sound counsel and advice in calls today," Esper tweeted. The United States does not seek conflict, but will respond forcefully if necessary. Afghan President @ashrafghani and Pakistani General Bajwa both offered sound counsel and advice in calls today. — Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper (@EsperDoD) January 7, 2020 × Trump administration has dialled up various leaders in the world to defend United States` fatal strike that claimed the life of Iranian Quds Force chief Qasem Soleimani. The attack has further downgraded US relations with Tehran. Iran has vowed to take revenge for the killing of the most revered military personnel in Iran. The strike has been deployed by several countries including Iraq, Russia, and China."I always appreciate speaking with our partners and allies in the region. We all seek the de-escalation of tensions with Iran," he added. Meanwhile, Ghani took to Twitter to inform about the phone call between Esper and him, adding that he and Esper agreed that its time for an urgent de-escalation between Washington and Tehran. "I spoke with Secretary Esper this evening about the latest security developments in the region. We both agreed that it`s time for urgent #de-escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran," Ghani tweeted. I spoke with Secretary @EsperDoD this evening about the latest security developments in the region. We both agreed that it's time for urgent #de-escalation between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. — Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) January 7, 2020 × The tensions between the two nations have persisted since 2018 when Trump unilaterally announced that the US is not a part of the 2015 nuclear deal which was brokered by his predecessor Barack Obama. Following the withdrawal from the deal, the United States has imposed a number of sanctions against Iran to force the country to renegotiate the deal. The sanctions have crippled the Iranian economy, however, the country refused to bog down to US pressure and started to do away with the terms of the deal.

Afghan President, Pakistan Army Chief offer sound advice over Iran conflict: US defence secretary

<p>After the escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran and at a time when World War 3 is trending on Twitter, an old video of US President Donald Trump has resurfaced where he accused his predecessor Barack Obama of starting a war with Iran.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the video which came out in 2011, Trump said that then-president Obama will start a war with Iran because of his inability to negotiate and in order to get reelected.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He's weak and he's ineffective. So the only way he figures that he's going to get reelected and is sure as you're sitting there is to start a war with Iran." <a href="https://t.co/Ad6IPLhOWg">pic.twitter.com/Ad6IPLhOWg</a></p>
— Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoAngelo/status/1212938627279466503?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-target-52-iranian-sites-if-americans-are-attacked-donald-trump-272166">US to target 52 Iranian sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump</a></p>

<p>"President will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He is weak and ineffective. So the only way that he figured he is going to get reelected is to start a war with Iran," Trump had said in the video.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ironically, concerns were raised of war after the strained ties between Washington and Tehran became even worsened after the killing of former Qasem Soleimani by a US drone strike.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soleimani was a much-revered figure in Iran and its adjoining region and the pro-Iranian factions are threatening of attacking US missiles across Iraq after his killing.</p>

<p>Trump has been extremely critical of Obama's policies and in 2018 pulled out of former US President's nuclear deal with Iran and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. China, Russia, Europeans were the other parties of the nuclear pact that limited Iran to extract uranium and in return avoided sanctions.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


After the escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran and at a time when World War 3 is trending on Twitter, an old video of US President Donald Trump has resurfaced where he accused his predecessor Barack Obama of starting a war with Iran.

After the escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran and at a time when World War 3 is trending on Twitter, an old video of US President Donald Trump has resurfaced where he accused his predecessor Barack Obama of starting a war with Iran. In the video which came out in 2011, Trump said that then-president Obama will start a war with Iran because of his inability to negotiate and in order to get reelected. "Our president will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He's weak and he's ineffective. So the only way he figures that he's going to get reelected and is sure as you're sitting there is to start a war with Iran." pic.twitter.com/Ad6IPLhOWg — Angelo Carusone (@GoAngelo) January 3, 2020 × Also read: US to target 52 Iranian sites if Americans are attacked: Donald Trump "President will start a war with Iran because he has absolutely no ability to negotiate. He is weak and ineffective. So the only way that he figured he is going to get reelected is to start a war with Iran," Trump had said in the video. Ironically, concerns were raised of war after the strained ties between Washington and Tehran became even worsened after the killing of former Qasem Soleimani by a US drone strike. Soleimani was a much-revered figure in Iran and its adjoining region and the pro-Iranian factions are threatening of attacking US missiles across Iraq after his killing. Trump has been extremely critical of Obama's policies and in 2018 pulled out of former US President's nuclear deal with Iran and imposed sanctions on the Islamic Republic. China, Russia, Europeans were the other parties of the nuclear pact that limited Iran to extract uranium and in return avoided sanctions.

Barack Obama will start a war with Iran: Donald Trump's 2011 video resurfaces

In 2011, Donald Trump claimed through a video that President Barack Obama (Ex-US President) will start a war with Iran as he doesn't have another option because he is weak now." That video of 2011 resurfacing on the internet as it has been claimed by some that present U.S. President Donald Trump is trying out the same method. Is it his hypocrisy that has been revealed? #USElection #US #DonaldTrump #Iran #Iraq #QasemSoleimani #WION

Trump's 2011 video resurfaces on internet claiming, "Obama will attack Iran to win polls"

<p>We all know that Barack Obama shares his annual list of favourite books, music and movies in December every year. A practice that the former president of the US has been keeping since the time he held office.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
This year has been no different as Obama has shared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/heres-barack-obamas-list-of-best-movies-and-tv-shows-of-2019-how-many-have-you-watched-271053">his pick of movies, TV shows and books of 2019.</a> On Monday, as Obama shared his final list of the music on social media, what took us Indians by surprise was the mention of Indian singer-musician Prateek Kuhad's song 'Cold/Mess'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Sharing the list, the former President wrote, "From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick."<br />
<br />
Apart from Kuhad, the list features songs from artists like Beyonce, Alicia Keys and &nbsp;Bruce Springsteen.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick. <a href="https://t.co/mQ2VssyDwt">pic.twitter.com/mQ2VssyDwt</a></p>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1211694118767738886?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The mention of Kuhad in the list obviously had Indians celebrating. Kuhad himself retweeted Obama's list and thanked him for appreciating the song. The elated singer tweeted, "This just happened and I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. Totally flipping out. I have no idea how cold/mess even reached him but thank you @barackobama , thank you universe I didn’t think 2019 could’ve gotten better, but damn was I wrong. What an honour."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This just happened and I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. Totally flipping out. I have no idea how cold/mess even reached him but thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@barackobama</a>, thank you universe 🙂 I didn’t think 2019 could’ve gotten better, but damn was I wrong. What an honour. <a href="https://t.co/zwaJFIQLmC">https://t.co/zwaJFIQLmC</a></p>
— Prateek Kuhad (@prateekkuhad) <a href="https://twitter.com/prateekkuhad/status/1211723657044578306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Actor Rajkummar Rao was one of the first to congratulate the singer as he wrote, "This is so cool. Congratulations buddy."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is so cool. Congratulations buddy. 👍🤗</p>
— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajkummarRao/status/1211738104052277249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Actor Jim Sarbh, who featured in the music video along with actress Zoya Hassan congratulated Kuhad as well.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Credit where credit is due: <a href="https://twitter.com/prateekkuhad?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@prateekkuhad</a><br />
<br />
and also... perhaps.... <a href="https://twitter.com/gai_dar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@gai_dar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/zyhssn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@zyhssn</a> <a href="https://t.co/ElqbvGVhWm">https://t.co/ElqbvGVhWm</a></p>
— Jim Sarbh (@jimSarbh) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimSarbh/status/1211749821666791432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 30, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Il7Nv270zNk" width="560"></iframe><br />
The song released in December 2018 and was an instant hit across the country.&nbsp;</p>


We all know that Barack Obama shares his annual list of favourite books, music and movies in December every year. A practice that the former president of the US has been keeping since the time he held office.

We all know that Barack Obama shares his annual list of favourite books, music and movies in December every year. A practice that the former president of the US has been keeping since the time he held office. This year has been no different as Obama has shared his pick of movies, TV shows and books of 2019. On Monday, as Obama shared his final list of the music on social media, what took us Indians by surprise was the mention of Indian singer-musician Prateek Kuhad's song 'Cold/Mess'. Sharing the list, the former President wrote, "From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick." Apart from Kuhad, the list features songs from artists like Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen. From hip-hop to country to The Boss, here are my songs of the year. If you’re looking for something to keep you company on a long drive or help you turn up a workout, I hope there’s a track or two in here that does the trick. pic.twitter.com/mQ2VssyDwt — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 30, 2019 × The mention of Kuhad in the list obviously had Indians celebrating. Kuhad himself retweeted Obama's list and thanked him for appreciating the song. The elated singer tweeted, "This just happened and I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. Totally flipping out. I have no idea how cold/mess even reached him but thank you @barackobama , thank you universe I didn’t think 2019 could’ve gotten better, but damn was I wrong. What an honour." This just happened and I don’t think I’ll sleep tonight. Totally flipping out. I have no idea how cold/mess even reached him but thank you @barackobama, thank you universe 🙂 I didn’t think 2019 could’ve gotten better, but damn was I wrong. What an honour. https://t.co/zwaJFIQLmC — Prateek Kuhad (@prateekkuhad) December 30, 2019 × Actor Rajkummar Rao was one of the first to congratulate the singer as he wrote, "This is so cool. Congratulations buddy." This is so cool. Congratulations buddy. 👍🤗 — Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) December 30, 2019 × Actor Jim Sarbh, who featured in the music video along with actress Zoya Hassan congratulated Kuhad as well. Credit where credit is due: @prateekkuhad and also... perhaps.... @gai_dar @zyhssn https://t.co/ElqbvGVhWm — Jim Sarbh (@jimSarbh) December 30, 2019 × The song released in December 2018 and was an instant hit across the country.

Barack Obama just named Prateek Kuhad's 'Cold/Mess' in his list of favourite music of 2019 and we can't keep calm

<p>Barack Obama just shared his most loved films and TV shows of 2019 and it includes 'The Irishman', 'Ford vs Ferrari' and 'Marriage Story'.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The former president of US shared his list of favourite films and TV shows on social media. "This year's list includes everything from explorations of class dynamics and relationships, to an inspired reboot of a classic graphic novel, to a portal back to one of the most special places in history — an Aretha Franklin concert," Obama wrote as he shared the list.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Next up are my favorite movies and TV shows of 2019. Of course, there’s also American Factory, a film from our own production company, Higher Ground, that was recently shortlisted for an Oscar. Here’s the full list: <a href="https://t.co/PEcgwotcxm">pic.twitter.com/PEcgwotcxm</a></p>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1211331851358494720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The list also included Korean film 'Parasite', 'Little Women' and 'Higher Ground' which was produced by the Obamas.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Obama has been sharing his list of favourite music, movies and books since the time he was the President of the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days earlier, the former president had shared his favourite books of the year.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Here, have a look at his favourite picks of 2019. How many have you watched/ read?<br />
<br />
<strong>Favourite films<br />
<br />
'</strong>American Factory'<br />
'Amazing Grace'<br />
'Apollo 11'<br />
'Ash is Purest White'<br />
'Atlantics'<br />
'Birds of Passage'<br />
'Booksmart'<br />
'Diane'<br />
'The Farewell'<br />
'Ford v Ferrari'<br />
'The Irishman'<br />
'Just Mercy'<br />
'The Last Black Man in San Francisco'<br />
'Little Women'<br />
'Marriage Story'<br />
'Parasite'<br />
'The Souvenir'<br />
'Transit'</p>

<p><strong>Favourite TV Shows</strong><br />
<br />
'Fleabag: Season 2'<br />
'Unbelievable'<br />
'Watchmen'</p>

<p><strong>Favourite books</strong><br />
<br />
'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power' by Shoshana Zuboff<br />
'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company' by William Dalrymple<br />
'Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee', by Casey Cep<br />
'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo<br />
'The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present' by David Treuer<br />
'How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy' by Jenny Odell<br />
'Lost Children Archive' by Valeria Luiselli<br />
'Lot: Stories' by Bryan Washington<br />
'Normal People' by Sally Rooney<br />
'The Orphan Master's Son' by Adam Johnson<br />
'The Yellow House' by Sarah M. Broom<br />
'Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland' by Patrick Radden Keefe<br />
'Solitary' by Albert Woodfox<br />
'The Topeka School' by Ben Lerner<br />
'Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion' by Jia Tolentino<br />
'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi<br />
'We Live in Water: Stories' by Jess Walter</p>


Barack Obama just shared his most loved films and TV shows of 2019 and it includes 'The Irishman', 'Ford vs Ferrari' and 'Marriage Story'. The former president of US shared his list of favourite films and TV shows on social media.

Barack Obama just shared his most loved films and TV shows of 2019 and it includes 'The Irishman', 'Ford vs Ferrari' and 'Marriage Story'. The former president of US shared his list of favourite films and TV shows on social media. "This year's list includes everything from explorations of class dynamics and relationships, to an inspired reboot of a classic graphic novel, to a portal back to one of the most special places in history — an Aretha Franklin concert," Obama wrote as he shared the list. Next up are my favorite movies and TV shows of 2019. Of course, there’s also American Factory, a film from our own production company, Higher Ground, that was recently shortlisted for an Oscar. Here’s the full list: pic.twitter.com/PEcgwotcxm — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2019 × The list also included Korean film 'Parasite', 'Little Women' and 'Higher Ground' which was produced by the Obamas. Obama has been sharing his list of favourite music, movies and books since the time he was the President of the United States. A few days earlier, the former president had shared his favourite books of the year. Here, have a look at his favourite picks of 2019. How many have you watched/ read? Favourite films 'American Factory' 'Amazing Grace' 'Apollo 11' 'Ash is Purest White' 'Atlantics' 'Birds of Passage' 'Booksmart' 'Diane' 'The Farewell' 'Ford v Ferrari' 'The Irishman' 'Just Mercy' 'The Last Black Man in San Francisco' 'Little Women' 'Marriage Story' 'Parasite' 'The Souvenir' 'Transit' Favourite TV Shows 'Fleabag: Season 2' 'Unbelievable' 'Watchmen' Favourite books 'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism: The Fight for a Human Future at the New Frontier of Power' by Shoshana Zuboff 'The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company' by William Dalrymple 'Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee', by Casey Cep 'Girl, Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo 'The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present' by David Treuer 'How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy' by Jenny Odell 'Lost Children Archive' by Valeria Luiselli 'Lot: Stories' by Bryan Washington 'Normal People' by Sally Rooney 'The Orphan Master's Son' by Adam Johnson 'The Yellow House' by Sarah M. Broom 'Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland' by Patrick Radden Keefe 'Solitary' by Albert Woodfox 'The Topeka School' by Ben Lerner 'Trick Mirror: Reflections on Self-Delusion' by Jia Tolentino 'Trust Exercise' by Susan Choi 'We Live in Water: Stories' by Jess Walter

Here's Barack Obama's list of best movies and TV shows of 2019; how many have you watched?

<p>Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.</p>

<p>The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s.</p>

<p>He also led several marches to demonstrate for equal voting rights for his community.</p>

<p>He has represented the 5th District of Georgia at the US House of Representatives since 1986 when he was first elected.</p>

<p>In 2011, Lewis was awarded the highest civilian award in the US - the Presidential medal of Freedom - by then-President Barrack Obama.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the coming days, Lewis is expected to return to Washington for treatment.</p>


Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s.

Longtime civil rights activist and House Representative from Georgia - John Lewis, 79, on Sunday said that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The member of the Democratic Party had led several sit-ins and 'bus-rides' in a bid to integrate the African-American community with the rest of American society in the 1960s and 1970s. He also led several marches to demonstrate for equal voting rights for his community. He has represented the 5th District of Georgia at the US House of Representatives since 1986 when he was first elected. In 2011, Lewis was awarded the highest civilian award in the US - the Presidential medal of Freedom - by then-President Barrack Obama. In the coming days, Lewis is expected to return to Washington for treatment.

Civil rights activist John Lewis diagnosed with cancer

Iran has largest missile force in Middle East, capable of hitting Israel, Saudi Arabia: Pentagon report

<p>Some vying for the Democratic presidential nomination are loud and proud about their friendship with him. Others claim ideological kinship. And still others are taking distance from his record to stand out.</p>

<p>But one thing is for sure: Barack Obama is not saying anything -- well, much of anything.</p>

<p>The 58-year-old former president, who left power nearly three years ago with his popularity soaring, is quietly watching to see who in his party will duke it out with Donald Trump on November 3, 2020.</p>

<p>Beyond his positions on health care or immigration or education, numerous White House hopefuls have made reference to Obama's style -- a certain class in the way he exercised his power that is in stark contrast to the attitude of the billionaire Republican who succeeded him.</p>

<p>With less than three months to go before the first Democrats make their choice in the Iowa caucuses, the race is still entirely up in the air.</p>

<p>The next Democratic primary debate is set for Wednesday in Atlanta with 10 candidates on the stage and eager to score points -- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-to-kick-off-us-presidential-bid-with-speech-to-union-workers-214499">Joe Biden</a>, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer.</p>

<p>At this point, it's impossible to predict who will ultimately claim the party's nomination.</p>

<p>And the list of those who dream of wresting the Oval Office from Trump just keeps getting longer.</p>

<p>Billionaire former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is once again flirting with a run, and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick threw his hat in the ring this week.</p>

<p>The late entrance by Patrick, one of the first black governors in US history who is close to Obama, fueled speculation about the doubts that the ex-president may have about the ability of the candidates already in the race, including his vice president Biden, to take out Trump.</p>

<p><strong>'My friend Barack'</strong></p>

<p>Many of the questions indeed focus on Biden, who has been saddled with the moniker "Sleepy Joe" by Trump. While he remains one of the favourites, observers fear the 76-year-old from Delaware cannot go the distance.</p>

<p>On the campaign trail, Biden never misses a chance to highlight his close relationship with his "friend Barack," and their eight years in power.</p>

<p>Biden is no stranger to campaign politics, and when he launched his latest White House bid, he underscored the fact that he had specifically asked Obama not to back him from the outset... even though the former president had never indicated he would do so.</p>

<p>"President Obama has no plans to weigh in on the primary at this point -- preferring instead to let the candidates make their cases directly to voters," a source close to the former president told AFP.</p>

<p>But the 44th president of the United States has, unsurprisingly, ideas about how his party should approach the election to ensure that Trump is limited to just one term in office.</p>

<p>Little by little, he is positioning himself. In remarks Friday night to donors at the Democracy Alliance in Washington, he offered a few hints about how he sees the upcoming battle for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.</p>

<p><strong>'Tested' candidate&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>While he insisted on the need for new ideas from the party about reducing income inequality and other key issues, he issued a very clear warning about the temptation to take a sharp turn to the political left.</p>

<p>"Even as we push the envelope and we are bold in our vision, we also have to be rooted in reality," he said.</p>

<p>"The average American doesn't think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it," he added, noting that the United States was "a country that is less revolutionary than it is interested in improvement."</p>

<p>He called on the party faithful -- and by extension, its presidential candidates -- to be mindful that Democrats, independents and even moderate Republicans "are not driven by the same views that are reflected on certain, you know, left-leaning Twitter feeds, or the activist wing of our party."</p>

<p>He did not name names, but Warren and Sanders -- who have called for nothing short of a "political revolution -- certainly come to mind.</p>

<p>Obama appeared to want to reassure the many Democrats who fear that the crowded primary will end up being counterproductive, given that the incumbent Trump is all ready to run with a massive campaign war chest.</p>

<p>"For those who get stressed about robust primaries, I just have to remind you that I had a very robust primary," he said, recalling his at times acrimonious 2008 battle with Hillary Clinton.</p>

<p>"I'm confident that at the end of the process, we will have a candidate that has been tested."&nbsp;</p>


Some vying for the Democratic presidential nomination are loud and proud about their friendship with him. Others claim ideological kinship. And still others are taking distance from his record to stand out.

Some vying for the Democratic presidential nomination are loud and proud about their friendship with him. Others claim ideological kinship. And still others are taking distance from his record to stand out. But one thing is for sure: Barack Obama is not saying anything -- well, much of anything. The 58-year-old former president, who left power nearly three years ago with his popularity soaring, is quietly watching to see who in his party will duke it out with Donald Trump on November 3, 2020. Beyond his positions on health care or immigration or education, numerous White House hopefuls have made reference to Obama's style -- a certain class in the way he exercised his power that is in stark contrast to the attitude of the billionaire Republican who succeeded him. With less than three months to go before the first Democrats make their choice in the Iowa caucuses, the race is still entirely up in the air. The next Democratic primary debate is set for Wednesday in Atlanta with 10 candidates on the stage and eager to score points -- Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Amy Klobuchar, Tulsi Gabbard, Andrew Yang and Tom Steyer. At this point, it's impossible to predict who will ultimately claim the party's nomination. And the list of those who dream of wresting the Oval Office from Trump just keeps getting longer. Billionaire former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is once again flirting with a run, and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick threw his hat in the ring this week. The late entrance by Patrick, one of the first black governors in US history who is close to Obama, fueled speculation about the doubts that the ex-president may have about the ability of the candidates already in the race, including his vice president Biden, to take out Trump. 'My friend Barack' Many of the questions indeed focus on Biden, who has been saddled with the moniker "Sleepy Joe" by Trump. While he remains one of the favourites, observers fear the 76-year-old from Delaware cannot go the distance. On the campaign trail, Biden never misses a chance to highlight his close relationship with his "friend Barack," and their eight years in power. Biden is no stranger to campaign politics, and when he launched his latest White House bid, he underscored the fact that he had specifically asked Obama not to back him from the outset... even though the former president had never indicated he would do so. "President Obama has no plans to weigh in on the primary at this point -- preferring instead to let the candidates make their cases directly to voters," a source close to the former president told AFP. But the 44th president of the United States has, unsurprisingly, ideas about how his party should approach the election to ensure that Trump is limited to just one term in office. Little by little, he is positioning himself. In remarks Friday night to donors at the Democracy Alliance in Washington, he offered a few hints about how he sees the upcoming battle for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 'Tested' candidate While he insisted on the need for new ideas from the party about reducing income inequality and other key issues, he issued a very clear warning about the temptation to take a sharp turn to the political left. "Even as we push the envelope and we are bold in our vision, we also have to be rooted in reality," he said. "The average American doesn't think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it," he added, noting that the United States was "a country that is less revolutionary than it is interested in improvement." He called on the party faithful -- and by extension, its presidential candidates -- to be mindful that Democrats, independents and even moderate Republicans "are not driven by the same views that are reflected on certain, you know, left-leaning Twitter feeds, or the activist wing of our party." He did not name names, but Warren and Sanders -- who have called for nothing short of a "political revolution -- certainly come to mind. Obama appeared to want to reassure the many Democrats who fear that the crowded primary will end up being counterproductive, given that the incumbent Trump is all ready to run with a massive campaign war chest. "For those who get stressed about robust primaries, I just have to remind you that I had a very robust primary," he said, recalling his at times acrimonious 2008 battle with Hillary Clinton. "I'm confident that at the end of the process, we will have a candidate that has been tested."

In White House race, who is Obama's political heir?

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidkiIgvQl2ZTiP" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>Canadians began voting on Monday to determine whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who swept into office four years ago as a charismatic figure promising "sunny ways," will remain in power after two major scandals.</p>

<p>Polls opened in the Atlantic province of Newfoundland, with voting set to end in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia at 7pm&nbsp;(0200 GMT on Tuesday).</p>

<p>Trudeau, 47, the Liberal Party leader, was endorsed by former Democratic US&nbsp;President Barack Obama in the final stretch of the campaign and is viewed as one of the last remaining progressive leaders among the world's major democracies.</p>

<p>But he was shaken during the campaign by a blackface scandal and has been dogged by criticism of his handling of a corruption case involving a major Canadian construction company. Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has also had to overcome a sense of fatigue with his government.</p>

<p>Trudeau, accompanied by his wife and three children, voted in Montreal on Monday after a marathon sprint campaigning across the country in the past four days.</p>

<p>His Liberals and the main opposition Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer are in a neck-and-neck race, according to opinion polls.</p>

<p>"The truth is it's a coin toss right now," said Ipsos pollster Darrell Bricker.</p>

<p>A year ago, no one would have predicted that Trudeau risked being the first prime minister since the 1930s to secure a parliamentary majority and then fail to win a second term.</p>

<p>The latest opinion polls suggest he may narrowly avert that result and could return to office with a minority in the 338-seat House of Commons. That would still leave Trudeau in a weakened position and needing the support of left-leaning opposition parties to push through key pieces of legislation.</p>

<p>The Canadian dollar was trading at a new three-month high on Monday, where "domestic attention is squarely on the 43rd federal election today," said Shaun Osborne, chief market strategist at Scotiabank in Toronto.</p>

<p>"After some noise around the vote, we think FX players will refocus attention on the Bank of Canada policy outlook, the Fed and international backdrop pretty quickly," he said.</p>

<p>Despite Scheer's dimpled smile, Trudeau's main rival has proven to be a determined opponent.</p>

<p>"He can't even remember how many times he put blackface on, because the fact of the matter is he's always wearing a mask," Scheer said during a debate. "Mr. Trudeau, you are a phony and you are a fraud and you do not deserve to govern this country."</p>

<p>In his bid to unseat Trudeau, Scheer is also promising to balance the federal budget and eliminate a "carbon tax" on fossil fuels. Scheer, 40, is running his first campaign as party leader after winning a bitter Conservative leadership fight in 2017.</p>

<p><strong>Bumpy campaign ride</strong></p>

<p>The six-week official campaign period has been a rough and meandering ride with dirty tactics on both sides.</p>

<p>The liberal image of Trudeau, who has championed diversity as prime minister and whose father opened up the country to mass immigration, took a severe blow when pictures emerged early in the campaign of him wearing blackface in the early 1990s and in 2001.</p>

<p>Trudeau had already been wrestling with the fallout from accusations he pressured his justice minister to help shield engineering firm SNC-Lavalin Group Inc &lt;SNC.TO&gt; from corruption charges. In August, a top watchdog said Trudeau breached ethics rules.</p>

<p>Given the fact that neither of the front-runners could come away with a parliamentary majority, it is the smaller left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) or the separatist Bloc Quebecois that could end up holding the balance of power.</p>

<p>"I am a lifelong Liberal voter and I am stumped on this one, mostly because I am really concerned about a Conservative win and just trying to figure out how to vote strategically," said Kristin Street, 33, a strategy manager at a computer games company, in Port Moody, British Columbia.</p>

<p>EKOS Research pollster Frank Graves said Liberals needed turnout to be similar to four years ago or otherwise the Conservatives may have an edge.</p>

<p>"We may well be waiting until the final vote tallies in British Columbia to see who will win on Monday," Graves said.</p>


Canadians began voting on Monday to determine whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who swept into office four years ago as a charismatic figure promising "sunny ways," will remain in power after two major scandals.

Canadians began voting on Monday to determine whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who swept into office four years ago as a charismatic figure promising "sunny ways," will remain in power after two major scandals. Polls opened in the Atlantic province of Newfoundland, with voting set to end in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia at 7pm (0200 GMT on Tuesday). Trudeau, 47, the Liberal Party leader, was endorsed by former Democratic US President Barack Obama in the final stretch of the campaign and is viewed as one of the last remaining progressive leaders among the world's major democracies. But he was shaken during the campaign by a blackface scandal and has been dogged by criticism of his handling of a corruption case involving a major Canadian construction company. Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, has also had to overcome a sense of fatigue with his government. Trudeau, accompanied by his wife and three children, voted in Montreal on Monday after a marathon sprint campaigning across the country in the past four days. His Liberals and the main opposition Conservatives led by Andrew Scheer are in a neck-and-neck race, according to opinion polls. "The truth is it's a coin toss right now," said Ipsos pollster Darrell Bricker. A year ago, no one would have predicted that Trudeau risked being the first prime minister since the 1930s to secure a parliamentary majority and then fail to win a second term. The latest opinion polls suggest he may narrowly avert that result and could return to office with a minority in the 338-seat House of Commons. That would still leave Trudeau in a weakened position and needing the support of left-leaning opposition parties to push through key pieces of legislation. The Canadian dollar was trading at a new three-month high on Monday, where "domestic attention is squarely on the 43rd federal election today," said Shaun Osborne, chief market strategist at Scotiabank in Toronto. "After some noise around the vote, we think FX players will refocus attention on the Bank of Canada policy outlook, the Fed and international backdrop pretty quickly," he said. Despite Scheer's dimpled smile, Trudeau's main rival has proven to be a determined opponent. "He can't even remember how many times he put blackface on, because the fact of the matter is he's always wearing a mask," Scheer said during a debate. "Mr. Trudeau, you are a phony and you are a fraud and you do not deserve to govern this country." In his bid to unseat Trudeau, Scheer is also promising to balance the federal budget and eliminate a "carbon tax" on fossil fuels. Scheer, 40, is running his first campaign as party leader after winning a bitter Conservative leadership fight in 2017. Bumpy campaign ride The six-week official campaign period has been a rough and meandering ride with dirty tactics on both sides. The liberal image of Trudeau, who has championed diversity as prime minister and whose father opened up the country to mass immigration, took a severe blow when pictures emerged early in the campaign of him wearing blackface in the early 1990s and in 2001. Trudeau had already been wrestling with the fallout from accusations he pressured his justice minister to help shield engineering firm SNC-Lavalin Group Inc <SNC.TO> from corruption charges. In August, a top watchdog said Trudeau breached ethics rules. Given the fact that neither of the front-runners could come away with a parliamentary majority, it is the smaller left-leaning New Democratic Party (NDP) or the separatist Bloc Quebecois that could end up holding the balance of power. "I am a lifelong Liberal voter and I am stumped on this one, mostly because I am really concerned about a Conservative win and just trying to figure out how to vote strategically," said Kristin Street, 33, a strategy manager at a computer games company, in Port Moody, British Columbia. EKOS Research pollster Frank Graves said Liberals needed turnout to be similar to four years ago or otherwise the Conservatives may have an edge. "We may well be waiting until the final vote tallies in British Columbia to see who will win on Monday," Graves said.

Canada votes as Trudeau, his 'sunny ways' dimmed by scandals, seeks to retain power

<p>China is seeking $2.4 billion in retaliatory sanctions against the United States for non-compliance with a WTO ruling in a tariffs' case dating to the Obama era, a document published on Monday showed.</p>

<p>WTO appeals judges said in July that the United States did not fully comply with a WTO ruling and could face Chinese sanctions if it does not remove certain tariffs that break the watchdog's rules.</p>

<p>China, in its request posted by WTO, said: "In response to the United States' continued non-compliance with the (WTO Dispute Settlement Body's) recommendations and rulings, China requests authorization from the DSB to suspend concessions and related obligations at an annual amount of $2.4 billion."</p>

<p>The United States had failed to comply with the DSB recommendations and rulings within the specified period, and no agreement on compensation had been reached, it said.</p>

<p>China went to the WTO in 2012 to challenge US&nbsp;anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese exports including solar panels, wind towers, steel cylinders, and aluminum extrusions, exports that China valued at $7.3 billion at the time.</p>

<p>The duties were imposed as the result of 17 investigations begun by the US&nbsp;Department of Commerce between 2007 and 2012.</p>

<p>China's request appears on the agenda of the DSB set for October 28. The United States could challenge the amount of retaliatory sanctions sought, which could send the long-running dispute to arbitration.</p>

<p>The office of US&nbsp;Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer has said the WTO ruling recognized that the United States had proved that China used state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to subsidize and distort its economy.</p>

<p>But the ruling also said the United States must accept Chinese prices to measure subsidies, even though USTR viewed those prices as "distorted".</p>

<p>China and the Trump administration are locked in a tit-for-tat trade war. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Thursday that China's "serious commitment" to buy up to $50 billion worth of US&nbsp;agricultural goods as part of a phase 1 trade deal would depend in part on private companies and market conditions.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Friday he thinks a trade deal between the world's two largest economies will be signed by the time the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings take place in Chile on November 16 and 17.</p>


China is seeking $2.4 billion in retaliatory sanctions against the United States for non-compliance with a WTO ruling in a tariffs' case dating to the Obama era, a document published on Monday showed.

China is seeking $2.4 billion in retaliatory sanctions against the United States for non-compliance with a WTO ruling in a tariffs' case dating to the Obama era, a document published on Monday showed. WTO appeals judges said in July that the United States did not fully comply with a WTO ruling and could face Chinese sanctions if it does not remove certain tariffs that break the watchdog's rules. China, in its request posted by WTO, said: "In response to the United States' continued non-compliance with the (WTO Dispute Settlement Body's) recommendations and rulings, China requests authorization from the DSB to suspend concessions and related obligations at an annual amount of $2.4 billion." The United States had failed to comply with the DSB recommendations and rulings within the specified period, and no agreement on compensation had been reached, it said. China went to the WTO in 2012 to challenge US anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese exports including solar panels, wind towers, steel cylinders, and aluminum extrusions, exports that China valued at $7.3 billion at the time. The duties were imposed as the result of 17 investigations begun by the US Department of Commerce between 2007 and 2012. China's request appears on the agenda of the DSB set for October 28. The United States could challenge the amount of retaliatory sanctions sought, which could send the long-running dispute to arbitration. The office of US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer has said the WTO ruling recognized that the United States had proved that China used state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to subsidize and distort its economy. But the ruling also said the United States must accept Chinese prices to measure subsidies, even though USTR viewed those prices as "distorted". China and the Trump administration are locked in a tit-for-tat trade war. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said on Thursday that China's "serious commitment" to buy up to $50 billion worth of US agricultural goods as part of a phase 1 trade deal would depend in part on private companies and market conditions. US President Donald Trump said on Friday he thinks a trade deal between the world's two largest economies will be signed by the time the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings take place in Chile on November 16 and 17.

China seeks $2.4 billion in sanctions against US in Obama-era case - WTO

<p>US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies.</p>

<p>"Withdrawing US forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake," McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post.</p>

<p>"It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances."</p>

<p>His comments come after Trump Wednesday defended his decision to pull US troops out of Syria as "strategically brilliant."</p>

<p>McConnell, usually a staunch supporter of the president, had earlier in the month condemned Trump's withdrawal of troops from northeast Syria, which sparked a week-long Turkish offensive against the Kurds who were allied with the US in the fight against Islamic State.</p>

<p>Fighting has continued despite a temporary ceasefire Vice President Mike Pence brokered with Ankara.</p>

<p>"The combination of a US pullback and the escalating Turkish-Kurdish hostilities is creating a strategic nightmare for our country," McConnell wrote in his opinion piece.</p>

<p>"Even if the five-day ceasefire announced Thursday holds, events of the past week have set back the United States' campaign against the Islamic State and other terrorists," he said.</p>

<p>McConnell did not mention Trump by name, though he did liken the Syria withdrawal to the foreign policy of Trump's Democratic predecessor Barack Obama.</p>

<p>"We saw the Islamic State flourish in Iraq after President Barack Obama's retreat. We will see these things anew in Syria and Afghanistan if we abandon our partners and retreat from these conflicts before they are won," McConnell wrote.</p>

<p>"America's wars will be 'endless' only if America refuses to win them," he added in an apparent jab at Trump's insistence that the withdrawal was necessary "to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars."</p>

<p>The offensive has killed more than 500 people, including dozens of civilians, while some 300,000 civilians have been displaced within Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.</p>

<p>Turkey agreed to suspend its offensive for five days in northern Syria while Kurdish fighters withdraw from the area, following high-stakes talks with Pence in Ankara.</p>


US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies.

US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell Friday attacked President Donald Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria as "a strategic nightmare" that will help Washington's foes and hurt its allies. "Withdrawing US forces from Syria is a grave strategic mistake," McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, wrote in an op-ed published in The Washington Post. "It will leave the American people and homeland less safe, embolden our enemies, and weaken important alliances." His comments come after Trump Wednesday defended his decision to pull US troops out of Syria as "strategically brilliant." McConnell, usually a staunch supporter of the president, had earlier in the month condemned Trump's withdrawal of troops from northeast Syria, which sparked a week-long Turkish offensive against the Kurds who were allied with the US in the fight against Islamic State. Fighting has continued despite a temporary ceasefire Vice President Mike Pence brokered with Ankara. "The combination of a US pullback and the escalating Turkish-Kurdish hostilities is creating a strategic nightmare for our country," McConnell wrote in his opinion piece. "Even if the five-day ceasefire announced Thursday holds, events of the past week have set back the United States' campaign against the Islamic State and other terrorists," he said. McConnell did not mention Trump by name, though he did liken the Syria withdrawal to the foreign policy of Trump's Democratic predecessor Barack Obama. "We saw the Islamic State flourish in Iraq after President Barack Obama's retreat. We will see these things anew in Syria and Afghanistan if we abandon our partners and retreat from these conflicts before they are won," McConnell wrote. "America's wars will be 'endless' only if America refuses to win them," he added in an apparent jab at Trump's insistence that the withdrawal was necessary "to get out of these ridiculous Endless Wars." The offensive has killed more than 500 people, including dozens of civilians, while some 300,000 civilians have been displaced within Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. Turkey agreed to suspend its offensive for five days in northern Syria while Kurdish fighters withdraw from the area, following high-stakes talks with Pence in Ankara.

Mitch McConnell slams Trump's Syria withdrawal as 'strategic nightmare'

<p>Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a tough election next week, accused his rivals on Wednesday of fighting a dirty campaign and picked up an endorsement from former U.S. President Barack Obama.</p>

<p>Opinion polls show that Trudeau's party, in power since 2015, is locked in a tie with the opposition Conservatives and will lose its majority in the House of Commons.</p>

<p>Obama called Trudeau a hard-working, effective leader who tackled big issues like climate change.</p>

<p>"The world needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope our neighbours to the north support him for another term," he said in a tweet.</p>

<p>The two men formed a close friendship when Obama, a Democrat, was still in office. Trudeau was the first Canadian prime minister the United States honoured with a state dinner in almost two decades when Obama invited him and his wife to Washington in March 2016 after Trudeau won power the previous October.</p>

<p>Obama's endorsement came just hours after Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Montreal, accused the Conservatives of running "one of the dirtiest, nastiest campaigns based on disinformation that we've ever seen in this country."</p>

<p>A Nanos Research overnight poll for CTV and the Globe and Mail newspaper put the Conservatives at 32.5%, the Liberals at 31.9% and the left-leaning New Democrats (NDP) at 18.8%. Canadians vote on Monday.</p>

<p>On Wednesday, Trudeau, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and NDP chief Jagmeet Singh were all stumping for votes in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province that is a key political battleground, home to 78 of the 338 seats up for grabs.</p>

<p>Scheer said last week that Trudeau was "a phoney and a fraud" who did not deserve to govern. Scheer has repeatedly said Trudeau will raise taxes immediately after the election - which Trudeau has denied.</p>

<p>The Conservatives were the source of a video of Trudeau in blackface in the early 1990s. They gave it to Global News to authenticate and it emerged a day after the first blackface picture was published by Time magazine.</p>

<p>Trudeau targeted his Conservative counterpart near the end of the nearly six-week official campaign period, which has been characterized by mudslinging on both sides.</p>

<p>"We may wake up Tuesday morning and have a government led by Andrew Scheer. And the only way to avoid that is to vote for the Liberal Party," Trudeau said.</p>

<p>For his part, Scheer has had to deal with repeated references by Trudeau to his personal anti-abortion stance, even though the Conservative leader has said he will not limit a woman's right to choose.</p>

<p>"Justin Trudeau has been dividing Canadians - pitting regions of our great country against each other," Simon Jefferies, a spokesman for Scheer's campaign, said in a statement, adding Trudeau "should take a look in the mirror."</p>


Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a tough election next week, accused his rivals on Wednesday of fighting a dirty campaign and picked up an endorsement from former U.

Canadian Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, facing a tough election next week, accused his rivals on Wednesday of fighting a dirty campaign and picked up an endorsement from former U.S. President Barack Obama. Opinion polls show that Trudeau's party, in power since 2015, is locked in a tie with the opposition Conservatives and will lose its majority in the House of Commons. Obama called Trudeau a hard-working, effective leader who tackled big issues like climate change. "The world needs his progressive leadership now, and I hope our neighbours to the north support him for another term," he said in a tweet. The two men formed a close friendship when Obama, a Democrat, was still in office. Trudeau was the first Canadian prime minister the United States honoured with a state dinner in almost two decades when Obama invited him and his wife to Washington in March 2016 after Trudeau won power the previous October. Obama's endorsement came just hours after Trudeau, speaking to reporters in Montreal, accused the Conservatives of running "one of the dirtiest, nastiest campaigns based on disinformation that we've ever seen in this country." A Nanos Research overnight poll for CTV and the Globe and Mail newspaper put the Conservatives at 32.5%, the Liberals at 31.9% and the left-leaning New Democrats (NDP) at 18.8%. Canadians vote on Monday. On Wednesday, Trudeau, Conservative leader Andrew Scheer and NDP chief Jagmeet Singh were all stumping for votes in Quebec, a predominantly French-speaking province that is a key political battleground, home to 78 of the 338 seats up for grabs. Scheer said last week that Trudeau was "a phoney and a fraud" who did not deserve to govern. Scheer has repeatedly said Trudeau will raise taxes immediately after the election - which Trudeau has denied. The Conservatives were the source of a video of Trudeau in blackface in the early 1990s. They gave it to Global News to authenticate and it emerged a day after the first blackface picture was published by Time magazine. Trudeau targeted his Conservative counterpart near the end of the nearly six-week official campaign period, which has been characterized by mudslinging on both sides. "We may wake up Tuesday morning and have a government led by Andrew Scheer. And the only way to avoid that is to vote for the Liberal Party," Trudeau said. For his part, Scheer has had to deal with repeated references by Trudeau to his personal anti-abortion stance, even though the Conservative leader has said he will not limit a woman's right to choose. "Justin Trudeau has been dividing Canadians - pitting regions of our great country against each other," Simon Jefferies, a spokesman for Scheer's campaign, said in a statement, adding Trudeau "should take a look in the mirror."

Canada's Trudeau slams rivals for dirty campaign, gets Obama endorsement

<p>An internet meme that depicts <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-partial-trade-deal-with-china-255358">US President Donald Trump</a> shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday.</p>

<p>In the clip, the US president's head is superimposed on a man opening fire in the "Church of Fake News" at people whose faces have been replaced with the logos of outlets including CNN, the Washington Post and NBC TV.</p>

<p>As the rampage continues, the Trump character fends off worshippers, strikes late senator John McCain in the back of the neck and torches the head of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential rival.</p>

<p>He throws Republican senator Mitt Romney to the ground and strikes former president Barack Obama in the back and slams him against a wall.</p>

<p>The organizer of last week's "American Priority" event, which was held at Trump's resort in Miami, said the clip was part of a "meme exhibit."</p>

<p>"American Priority rejects all political violence and aims to promote a healthy dialogue about the preservation of free speech," Alex Phillips told the Times.</p>

<p>Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 election campaign, told the Times that the "video was not produced by the campaign, and we do not condone violence."</p>

<p>Media organizations have come under regular verbal attack from Trump and his supporters.</p>


An internet meme that depicts US President Donald Trump shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday.

An internet meme that depicts US President Donald Trump shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday. In the clip, the US president's head is superimposed on a man opening fire in the "Church of Fake News" at people whose faces have been replaced with the logos of outlets including CNN, the Washington Post and NBC TV. As the rampage continues, the Trump character fends off worshippers, strikes late senator John McCain in the back of the neck and torches the head of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential rival. He throws Republican senator Mitt Romney to the ground and strikes former president Barack Obama in the back and slams him against a wall. The organizer of last week's "American Priority" event, which was held at Trump's resort in Miami, said the clip was part of a "meme exhibit." "American Priority rejects all political violence and aims to promote a healthy dialogue about the preservation of free speech," Alex Phillips told the Times. Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 election campaign, told the Times that the "video was not produced by the campaign, and we do not condone violence." Media organizations have come under regular verbal attack from Trump and his supporters.

US President Donald Trump violently attacks media figures in supporter's event meme: Report

<p>US President Donald Trump on Saturday opened a new front in the impeachment battle that threatens his administration, blasting a prominent member of his party for criticizing his push to get foreign nations to probe a leading Democratic rival.</p>

<p>The Republican president, who launched a stream of invective at Democrats and the media this week as an impeachment probe in Congress widened, tweeted that US Senator Mitt Romney was a "pompous 'ass' who has been fighting me from the beginning."</p>

<p>Romney, who lost the 2012 election to Democratic incumbent President Barack Obama, criticized Trump on Friday for asking China to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.</p>

<p>The Utah Republican said Trump's appeal to China was "wrong and appalling."</p>

<p>In a later tweet, Trump said he was hearing that people in Utah regretted electing Romney to the Senate in 2018. "I agree! He is a fool who is playing right into the hands of the Do-Nothing Democrats! #IMPEACHMITTROMNEY," Trump wrote.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m hearing that the Great People of Utah are considering their vote for their Pompous Senator, Mitt Romney, to be a big mistake. I agree! He is a fool who is playing right into the hands of the Do Nothing Democrats! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IMPEACHMITTROMNEY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IMPEACHMITTROMNEY</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1180559858699030529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump also defended again as "appropriate" the July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that triggered the impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and said his call for China to investigate Biden and his son Hunter was linked to corruption, not politics.</p>

<p>Another Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, on Saturday also criticized Trump for exhorting China to investigate the Bidens, calling it "completely inappropriate" in remarks to reporters at an event in her home state, according to the Bangor Daily News.</p>

<p>"I thought the president made a big mistake by asking China to get involved in investigating a political opponent," Collins said, according to the local report.</p>

<p>House Democrats are examining whether there are grounds to impeach Trump based on a whistleblower's complaint that said he asked Zelenskiy to help probe the Bidens. Hunter Biden was on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company for several years.</p>

<p>There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either the former vice president or his son.</p>

<p>Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a Trump ally, said on Saturday the State Department had issued an initial response to a request by the House Foreign Affairs Committee for documents tied to US contacts with the Ukrainian government. The panel issued Pompeo a subpoena on September 27.</p>

<p>"The State Department sent a letter last night to Congress, which is our initial response to the document request. We will obviously do all the things we are required to by law," Pompeo said in a news conference in Greece. He did not elaborate on the contents of the letter.</p>

<p>An official from the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement to Reuters that Pompeo had "failed to meet the deadline to produce documents required by the subpoena," but confirmed the State Department had contacted the three House committees involved in the probes.</p>

<p>"We hope the department will cooperate in full promptly," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.</p>

<p><strong>'Gotcha game'</strong></p>

<p>Pompeo, who has acknowledged he listened to the July 25 call between Trump and Zelenskiy, objected last week to efforts by Democrats to obtain depositions from current and former department officials.</p>

<p>Asked at another event on Saturday if there were any red flags in the Ukraine saga that required further investigation, Pompeo said he did not think the audience was interested in hearing about the issue."This is what's wrong, when the world doesn't focus on the things that are right, the things that matter, the things that impact real people's lives and instead you get caught up in silly gotcha game?" he said.He also addressed a notion Trump has long held that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US presidential election, a theory that runs counter to the US intelligence community's findings that it was Russia that meddled in the campaign.</p>

<p>Pompeo said, "governments have an obligation and indeed a duty to make sure that elections happen with integrity, without interference from any government, whether that's the Ukrainian government or any other."</p>

<p>Lawmakers are looking at whether Trump jeopardized national security and the integrity of US elections for personal political gain. Trump has called the impeachment investigation a "hoax" and accused the media and Democrats of corruption.</p>

<p>Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, told Reuters in a phone interview on Saturday that the president in the July 25 call had not offered his Ukrainian counterpart any "quid pro quo" for his cooperation in probing Biden and his son.</p>

<p>"One thing clear about the conversation is, there's no quid pro quo," said the former New York mayor, who has emerged as a central figure in the scandal. The House Intelligence Committee has issued a subpoena to Giuliani, setting an Oct. 15 deadline for him to turn over documents related to his work with Ukrainians on Trump's behalf.</p>

<p>House Democrats subpoenaed the White House for documents on Friday. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the subpoena "changes nothing" and that it would be ultimately shown that Trump did nothing wrong.</p>

<p>The probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate.</p>

<p>A two-thirds majority of the senators present would be needed to oust Trump, which means 20 Republicans would have to jump ship if all the Democrats and the two independents who caucus with Democrats form a united front.</p>

<p>Although Trump's Senate firewall has no visible cracks so far, Romney's willingness to step out of formation and criticise Trump over his calls for foreign investigations of a political opponent could act as a catalyst for others.</p>

<p>Romney savaged Trump during the 2016 campaign, calling him a "con man" who was unfit for the presidency, but the two men later set aside their differences. Trump endorsed Romney's political comeback last year.</p>


US President Donald Trump on Saturday opened a new front in the impeachment battle that threatens his administration, blasting a prominent member of his party for criticizing his push to get foreign nations to probe a leading Democratic rival.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday opened a new front in the impeachment battle that threatens his administration, blasting a prominent member of his party for criticizing his push to get foreign nations to probe a leading Democratic rival. The Republican president, who launched a stream of invective at Democrats and the media this week as an impeachment probe in Congress widened, tweeted that US Senator Mitt Romney was a "pompous 'ass' who has been fighting me from the beginning." Romney, who lost the 2012 election to Democratic incumbent President Barack Obama, criticized Trump on Friday for asking China to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. The Utah Republican said Trump's appeal to China was "wrong and appalling." In a later tweet, Trump said he was hearing that people in Utah regretted electing Romney to the Senate in 2018. "I agree! He is a fool who is playing right into the hands of the Do-Nothing Democrats! #IMPEACHMITTROMNEY," Trump wrote. I’m hearing that the Great People of Utah are considering their vote for their Pompous Senator, Mitt Romney, to be a big mistake. I agree! He is a fool who is playing right into the hands of the Do Nothing Democrats! #IMPEACHMITTROMNEY — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2019 × Trump also defended again as "appropriate" the July 25 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that triggered the impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and said his call for China to investigate Biden and his son Hunter was linked to corruption, not politics. Another Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, on Saturday also criticized Trump for exhorting China to investigate the Bidens, calling it "completely inappropriate" in remarks to reporters at an event in her home state, according to the Bangor Daily News. "I thought the president made a big mistake by asking China to get involved in investigating a political opponent," Collins said, according to the local report. House Democrats are examining whether there are grounds to impeach Trump based on a whistleblower's complaint that said he asked Zelenskiy to help probe the Bidens. Hunter Biden was on the board of a Ukrainian natural gas company for several years. There is no evidence of wrongdoing by either the former vice president or his son. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a Trump ally, said on Saturday the State Department had issued an initial response to a request by the House Foreign Affairs Committee for documents tied to US contacts with the Ukrainian government. The panel issued Pompeo a subpoena on September 27. "The State Department sent a letter last night to Congress, which is our initial response to the document request. We will obviously do all the things we are required to by law," Pompeo said in a news conference in Greece. He did not elaborate on the contents of the letter. An official from the House Foreign Affairs Committee said in a statement to Reuters that Pompeo had "failed to meet the deadline to produce documents required by the subpoena," but confirmed the State Department had contacted the three House committees involved in the probes. "We hope the department will cooperate in full promptly," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. 'Gotcha game' Pompeo, who has acknowledged he listened to the July 25 call between Trump and Zelenskiy, objected last week to efforts by Democrats to obtain depositions from current and former department officials. Asked at another event on Saturday if there were any red flags in the Ukraine saga that required further investigation, Pompeo said he did not think the audience was interested in hearing about the issue."This is what's wrong, when the world doesn't focus on the things that are right, the things that matter, the things that impact real people's lives and instead you get caught up in silly gotcha game?" he said.He also addressed a notion Trump has long held that Ukraine interfered in the 2016 US presidential election, a theory that runs counter to the US intelligence community's findings that it was Russia that meddled in the campaign. Pompeo said, "governments have an obligation and indeed a duty to make sure that elections happen with integrity, without interference from any government, whether that's the Ukrainian government or any other." Lawmakers are looking at whether Trump jeopardized national security and the integrity of US elections for personal political gain. Trump has called the impeachment investigation a "hoax" and accused the media and Democrats of corruption. Rudy Giuliani, Trump's personal lawyer, told Reuters in a phone interview on Saturday that the president in the July 25 call had not offered his Ukrainian counterpart any "quid pro quo" for his cooperation in probing Biden and his son. "One thing clear about the conversation is, there's no quid pro quo," said the former New York mayor, who has emerged as a central figure in the scandal. The House Intelligence Committee has issued a subpoena to Giuliani, setting an Oct. 15 deadline for him to turn over documents related to his work with Ukrainians on Trump's behalf. House Democrats subpoenaed the White House for documents on Friday. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the subpoena "changes nothing" and that it would be ultimately shown that Trump did nothing wrong. The probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. A two-thirds majority of the senators present would be needed to oust Trump, which means 20 Republicans would have to jump ship if all the Democrats and the two independents who caucus with Democrats form a united front. Although Trump's Senate firewall has no visible cracks so far, Romney's willingness to step out of formation and criticise Trump over his calls for foreign investigations of a political opponent could act as a catalyst for others. Romney savaged Trump during the 2016 campaign, calling him a "con man" who was unfit for the presidency, but the two men later set aside their differences. Trump endorsed Romney's political comeback last year.

Et tu, Mitt? Trump blasts Republican senator as impeachment battle heats up

<p>One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
The former US president and first lady, who completed 27 years together on Thursday, are still `feeling the magic` that brought them together. Barack beat his wife to the punch by posting a photo featuring the couple, who can be seen embracing each other and looking at a sunset together.<br />
<br />
In the still, the two are photographed from behind and are seen looking at the sunset while Michelle has her arms wrapped around her husband and her head resting on his shoulder.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The former president quoted a line from The Beatles song `Getting Better`, writing, "Like the Beatles said: It`s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!"</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KK3xNgy7G/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Like the Beatles said: It’s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/barackobama/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Barack Obama</a> (@barackobama) on <time datetime="2019-10-03T14:10:19+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 3, 2019 at 7:10am PDT</time></p>
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<p>The former first lady too posted a heartwarming message and shared a photo of the two smiling and overlooking a beach.&nbsp;"27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I`d say he`s delivered. Here`s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what`s next--while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack," she captioned the still.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3KPC49gbqM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I’d say he’s delivered. Here’s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what’s next—while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack. 💕</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michelleobama/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Michelle Obama</a> (@michelleobama) on <time datetime="2019-10-03T14:46:48+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Oct 3, 2019 at 7:46am PDT</time></p>
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<p>The couple got engaged in 1991 and soon got hitched on October 3, 1992, in Chicago. They are proud parents to two daughters- Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama.<br />
<br />
The two have been vocal about their ups and downs, and are known to share romantic messages on special occasions.<br />
<br />
On Valentine`s Day in 2018, Michelle published a Spotify playlist dedicated to her beloved husband.`Happy #ValentinesDay to my one and only, @BarackObama. To celebrate the occasion, I`m dedicating a little Valentine`s Day playlist to you`," the former first lady wrote.The list of songs included classics like Ben E. King`s `Stand By Me`, Barry White`s `Can`t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe`, and Diana Ross` `Endless Love`. There were also more modern tracks, like Beyonce`s `Halo`, Janelle Monae`s `Primetime`, and Adele`s cover of `Make You Feel My Love`.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
President Obama also shared a message on Twitter back then. "Happy Valentine`s Day, @MichelleObama. You make every day and every place better," he wrote, adding a photo of the two.&nbsp;</p>


One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other.

One of the most loved couples in the world, Barack and Michelle Obama completed 27 years of blissful married life recently and marked the occasion by sharing heartwarming messages for each other. The former US president and first lady, who completed 27 years together on Thursday, are still `feeling the magic` that brought them together. Barack beat his wife to the punch by posting a photo featuring the couple, who can be seen embracing each other and looking at a sunset together. In the still, the two are photographed from behind and are seen looking at the sunset while Michelle has her arms wrapped around her husband and her head resting on his shoulder. The former president quoted a line from The Beatles song `Getting Better`, writing, "Like the Beatles said: It`s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years!" View this post on Instagram Like the Beatles said: It’s getting better all the time. Thanks, babe, for 27 amazing years! A post shared by Barack Obama (@barackobama) on Oct 3, 2019 at 7:10am PDT × The former first lady too posted a heartwarming message and shared a photo of the two smiling and overlooking a beach. "27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I`d say he`s delivered. Here`s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what`s next--while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack," she captioned the still. View this post on Instagram 27 years ago, this guy promised me a life full of adventure. I’d say he’s delivered. Here’s to our next chapter of becoming empty nesters and discovering what’s next—while still feeling the magic that brought us together all those years ago. Happy anniversary, Barack. 💕 A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Oct 3, 2019 at 7:46am PDT × The couple got engaged in 1991 and soon got hitched on October 3, 1992, in Chicago. They are proud parents to two daughters- Malia Ann Obama and Sasha Obama. The two have been vocal about their ups and downs, and are known to share romantic messages on special occasions. On Valentine`s Day in 2018, Michelle published a Spotify playlist dedicated to her beloved husband.`Happy #ValentinesDay to my one and only, @BarackObama. To celebrate the occasion, I`m dedicating a little Valentine`s Day playlist to you`," the former first lady wrote.The list of songs included classics like Ben E. King`s `Stand By Me`, Barry White`s `Can`t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe`, and Diana Ross` `Endless Love`. There were also more modern tracks, like Beyonce`s `Halo`, Janelle Monae`s `Primetime`, and Adele`s cover of `Make You Feel My Love`. President Obama also shared a message on Twitter back then. "Happy Valentine`s Day, @MichelleObama. You make every day and every place better," he wrote, adding a photo of the two.

Barack and Michelle Obama's anniversary posts will make you smile

<p>The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program.</p>

<p>In a move immediately decried by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-crossings-plunge-but-immigration-raids-draw-fire-241783">immigrant</a> advocates as an affront to the nation's humanitarian commitments, the administration said it had to shift focus to processing a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum claims, most of which are filed by migrants from Central America crossing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasurys-mnuchin-says-mexico-immigration-deal-fixes-problems-225469">US-Mexico border</a>.</p>

<p>"The current burdens on the US&nbsp;immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle a large number of refugees," the State Department said in a statement.</p>

<p>At the same time, President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying his administration would seek the approval of state and local governments to resettle refugees in their communities, in a shift for a federally directed program.</p>

<p>Trump has made cutting immigration a centerpiece of his presidency.</p>

<p>One of his first acts after assuming office in January 2017 was to issue an order capping the maximum number of refugees that year at 50,000, less than half the number former President Barack Obama had set a few months earlier.</p>

<p>The proposed new number includes specific carve-outs for US&nbsp;national security and foreign policy interests, a senior administration official told reporters.</p>

<p>Of the proposed 18,000 spots, 4,000 would be reserved for Iraqis, 5,000 for those fleeing religious persecution and 1,500 for people from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.</p>

<p>That leaves 7,500, or roughly 40 per cent, for all others.</p>

<p>When reports began circulating about plans to dramatically cut resettlement, the administration faced public criticism from evangelical leaders who said an agenda supporting religious freedom around the world should go hand in hand with protection for persecuted refugees.</p>

<p>A senior administration official discussing the move on Thursday said that the specific allocation for religious minorities would be an improvement over previous years where broad allocations were made per region.</p>

<p><strong>Dwindling program</strong></p>

<p>The refugee cap was whittled down to 45,000 for 2018 and 30,000 for 2019, over the objections of senior officials in the Department of Defense, who view the program as crucial to rewarding and building allies in US&nbsp;military campaigns oversees.</p>

<p>Under US&nbsp;law, the president must consult Congress before finalizing the annual number of refugees it plans to accept but the determination is ultimately set by the White House.</p>

<p>The reduction comes at a time when there are nearly 71 million displaced people around the world, many of them refugees who have been waiting years in limbo for a chance at resettlement.</p>

<p>Beneficiaries of the US&nbsp;program are meant to include people whose lives are in danger for assisting the US&nbsp;military, orphaned children, and victims of female genital mutilation as well as many other fleeing civil strife and war.</p>

<p>Tens of thousands of refugees are in the pipeline for arrival to the United States, many with applications far along in the approval and vetting process.</p>

<p>But a drastic reduction in the overall numbers, as well as the allotments for particular groups, could mean many of them will likely miss the chance to come to the country in the 2020 fiscal year.</p>

<p>The senior administration official said refugee arrivals, which had been temporarily suspended pending the release of the new resettlement numbers, should resume on October 22.</p>

<p>While a short suspension is typical, the weeks-long halt has left many refugees who had already booked their flights stranded.</p>

<p>With the focus on the influx of migrants at the southern border, the administration has signed a series of bilateral deals in recent weeks that seek to push asylum seekers from Central America back to the region to apply for refuge in neighboring countries instead of in the United States.</p>

<p>Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement the current refugee proposal, with nearly 10 per cent of slots reserved for the northern triangle countries,&nbsp;offers people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras "the opportunity to seek refugee status close to home, rather than embark on a dangerous and often futile journey."</p>

<p><strong>Local say</strong></p>

<p>The President's companion executive order also potentially limits the places where those that are accepted can be resettled.</p>

<p>In the order, he said refugees should only be placed where state and local governments agree to receive them.</p>

<p>"State and local governments are best positioned to know the resources and capacities they may or may not have available," the order said, "which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance."</p>

<p>The administration said refugee resettlement was a drain on government resources but immigration experts said new arrivals, who come with a legal status, often quickly fill jobs and contribute to local tax revenues.</p>

<p>Mark Hetfield, chief executive of Jewish non-profit refugee assistance organization HIAS said the executive order was an attempt by Trump to "allow governors and mayors to imitate his own refugee ban, state by state and town by town."</p>


The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program.

The Trump administration said on Thursday it plans to allow only 18,000 refugees to resettle in the United States in the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest number in the history of the modern refugee program. In a move immediately decried by immigrant advocates as an affront to the nation's humanitarian commitments, the administration said it had to shift focus to processing a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum claims, most of which are filed by migrants from Central America crossing the US-Mexico border. "The current burdens on the US immigration system must be alleviated before it is again possible to resettle a large number of refugees," the State Department said in a statement. At the same time, President Donald Trump issued an executive order saying his administration would seek the approval of state and local governments to resettle refugees in their communities, in a shift for a federally directed program. Trump has made cutting immigration a centerpiece of his presidency. One of his first acts after assuming office in January 2017 was to issue an order capping the maximum number of refugees that year at 50,000, less than half the number former President Barack Obama had set a few months earlier. The proposed new number includes specific carve-outs for US national security and foreign policy interests, a senior administration official told reporters. Of the proposed 18,000 spots, 4,000 would be reserved for Iraqis, 5,000 for those fleeing religious persecution and 1,500 for people from the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. That leaves 7,500, or roughly 40 per cent, for all others. When reports began circulating about plans to dramatically cut resettlement, the administration faced public criticism from evangelical leaders who said an agenda supporting religious freedom around the world should go hand in hand with protection for persecuted refugees. A senior administration official discussing the move on Thursday said that the specific allocation for religious minorities would be an improvement over previous years where broad allocations were made per region. Dwindling program The refugee cap was whittled down to 45,000 for 2018 and 30,000 for 2019, over the objections of senior officials in the Department of Defense, who view the program as crucial to rewarding and building allies in US military campaigns oversees. Under US law, the president must consult Congress before finalizing the annual number of refugees it plans to accept but the determination is ultimately set by the White House. The reduction comes at a time when there are nearly 71 million displaced people around the world, many of them refugees who have been waiting years in limbo for a chance at resettlement. Beneficiaries of the US program are meant to include people whose lives are in danger for assisting the US military, orphaned children, and victims of female genital mutilation as well as many other fleeing civil strife and war. Tens of thousands of refugees are in the pipeline for arrival to the United States, many with applications far along in the approval and vetting process. But a drastic reduction in the overall numbers, as well as the allotments for particular groups, could mean many of them will likely miss the chance to come to the country in the 2020 fiscal year. The senior administration official said refugee arrivals, which had been temporarily suspended pending the release of the new resettlement numbers, should resume on October 22. While a short suspension is typical, the weeks-long halt has left many refugees who had already booked their flights stranded. With the focus on the influx of migrants at the southern border, the administration has signed a series of bilateral deals in recent weeks that seek to push asylum seekers from Central America back to the region to apply for refuge in neighboring countries instead of in the United States. Kevin McAleenan, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement the current refugee proposal, with nearly 10 per cent of slots reserved for the northern triangle countries, offers people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras "the opportunity to seek refugee status close to home, rather than embark on a dangerous and often futile journey." Local say The President's companion executive order also potentially limits the places where those that are accepted can be resettled. In the order, he said refugees should only be placed where state and local governments agree to receive them. "State and local governments are best positioned to know the resources and capacities they may or may not have available," the order said, "which maximizes the likelihood refugees placed in the area will become self-sufficient and free from long-term dependence on public assistance." The administration said refugee resettlement was a drain on government resources but immigration experts said new arrivals, who come with a legal status, often quickly fill jobs and contribute to local tax revenues. Mark Hetfield, chief executive of Jewish non-profit refugee assistance organization HIAS said the executive order was an attempt by Trump to "allow governors and mayors to imitate his own refugee ban, state by state and town by town."

Trump administration plans to slash number of refugees for US resettlement

<p>US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he discussed Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son in a call with Ukraine's president.</p>

<p>Trump's statement to reporters about his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as the Democratic leader of a key congressional panel said the pursuit of Trump's impeachment may be the "only remedy" to the situation.</p>

<p>Trump's call with Zelensky has been at the center of an escalating battle in Washington since Friday when news outlets reported that Trump repeatedly asked the Ukrainian leader to investigate whether Biden, the Democratic front-runner to take on Trump in next year's election, misused his position when he was vice president.</p>

<p>Trump told reporters at the White House that their phone conversation was mostly congratulatory but also touched on corruption and the Bidens.</p>

<p>"The conversation I had was largely congratulatory, with large corruption, all of the corruption taking place and largely the fact that we don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son creating to the corruption already in Ukraine," Trump said.</p>

<p>Democrats have said that if Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Biden, it is tantamount to promoting foreign interference in the 2020 election.</p>

<p>Trump has denied doing anything improper. His allies, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, have defended the president's phone call, which, according to news reports, was the subject of a complaint made by an as-yet-unnamed whistleblower.</p>

<p>If an investigation shows that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden, the US Congress may have no choice but to pursue impeachment, Democratic House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday.</p>

<p>Schiff had previously shied away from calling for impeachment, but his comments on CNN's "State of the Union" showed his stance had shifted.</p>

<p>"If the president is essentially withholding military aid at the same time that he is trying to browbeat a foreign leader to do something illicit, to provide dirt on his opponent during a presidential campaign, then that may be the only remedy that is co-equal to the evil that conduct represents," Schiff said.</p>

<p>Other legislators have called for the Democratic leadership to pursue impeachment immediately, but Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has so far resisted calls to formally begin the process.</p>

<p>In a letter to colleagues later on Sunday, Pelosi warned the administration against keeping the details of the whistleblower complaint secret. The administration has so far resisted sharing the details of the complaint with lawmakers.</p>

<p>"If the administration persists in blocking this whistleblower from disclosing to Congress a serious possible breach of constitutional duties by the president, they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of the investigation," Pelosi wrote.</p>

<p><strong>Romney voices concerns</strong></p>

<p>Senator Mitt Romney, who has clashed with Trump in the past, sounded a rare note of concern among Trump's fellow Republicans, many of whom have remained silent, defended Trump or escalated their attacks on Biden in the days after the reports about the Trump-Zelensky call.</p>

<p>"If the President asked or pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rival, either directly or through his personal attorney, it would be troubling in the extreme," Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, said in a Twitter post.</p>

<p>Impeachment proceedings in Congress, which begin in the House, can lead to a president being removed from office, but Democrats would need the support of Republicans, who control the Senate.</p>

<p>Multiple news organizations reported on Friday that Trump repeatedly asked Zelensky to investigate whether Biden misused his position as vice president under Democratic President Barack Obama to threaten to withhold US aid unless a prosecutor who was looking into a gas company in which Biden's son was involved was fired.</p>

<p>Biden has confirmed he wanted the prosecutor fired but denies it was to help his son. Biden said the wider US government, the European Union and other international institutions also wanted the prosecutor fired for his alleged failure to pursue major corruption cases.</p>

<p>Biden said on Saturday there should be an investigation into Trump's call, saying it "appears to be an overwhelming abuse of power." He said he never spoke to his son about Ukraine.</p>


US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he discussed Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son in a call with Ukraine's president. Trump's statement to reporters about his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as the Democratic leader of a key congressional panel said the pursuit of Trump's impeachment may be the "only remedy" to the situation.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he discussed Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden and his son in a call with Ukraine's president. Trump's statement to reporters about his July 25 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky came as the Democratic leader of a key congressional panel said the pursuit of Trump's impeachment may be the "only remedy" to the situation. Trump's call with Zelensky has been at the center of an escalating battle in Washington since Friday when news outlets reported that Trump repeatedly asked the Ukrainian leader to investigate whether Biden, the Democratic front-runner to take on Trump in next year's election, misused his position when he was vice president. Trump told reporters at the White House that their phone conversation was mostly congratulatory but also touched on corruption and the Bidens. "The conversation I had was largely congratulatory, with large corruption, all of the corruption taking place and largely the fact that we don't want our people like Vice President Biden and his son creating to the corruption already in Ukraine," Trump said. Democrats have said that if Trump asked Zelensky to investigate Biden, it is tantamount to promoting foreign interference in the 2020 election. Trump has denied doing anything improper. His allies, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, have defended the president's phone call, which, according to news reports, was the subject of a complaint made by an as-yet-unnamed whistleblower. If an investigation shows that Trump pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden, the US Congress may have no choice but to pursue impeachment, Democratic House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday. Schiff had previously shied away from calling for impeachment, but his comments on CNN's "State of the Union" showed his stance had shifted. "If the president is essentially withholding military aid at the same time that he is trying to browbeat a foreign leader to do something illicit, to provide dirt on his opponent during a presidential campaign, then that may be the only remedy that is co-equal to the evil that conduct represents," Schiff said. Other legislators have called for the Democratic leadership to pursue impeachment immediately, but Democratic House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has so far resisted calls to formally begin the process. In a letter to colleagues later on Sunday, Pelosi warned the administration against keeping the details of the whistleblower complaint secret. The administration has so far resisted sharing the details of the complaint with lawmakers. "If the administration persists in blocking this whistleblower from disclosing to Congress a serious possible breach of constitutional duties by the president, they will be entering a grave new chapter of lawlessness which will take us into a whole new stage of the investigation," Pelosi wrote. Romney voices concerns Senator Mitt Romney, who has clashed with Trump in the past, sounded a rare note of concern among Trump's fellow Republicans, many of whom have remained silent, defended Trump or escalated their attacks on Biden in the days after the reports about the Trump-Zelensky call. "If the President asked or pressured Ukraine’s president to investigate his political rival, either directly or through his personal attorney, it would be troubling in the extreme," Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, said in a Twitter post. Impeachment proceedings in Congress, which begin in the House, can lead to a president being removed from office, but Democrats would need the support of Republicans, who control the Senate. Multiple news organizations reported on Friday that Trump repeatedly asked Zelensky to investigate whether Biden misused his position as vice president under Democratic President Barack Obama to threaten to withhold US aid unless a prosecutor who was looking into a gas company in which Biden's son was involved was fired. Biden has confirmed he wanted the prosecutor fired but denies it was to help his son. Biden said the wider US government, the European Union and other international institutions also wanted the prosecutor fired for his alleged failure to pursue major corruption cases. Biden said on Saturday there should be an investigation into Trump's call, saying it "appears to be an overwhelming abuse of power." He said he never spoke to his son about Ukraine.

Trump says he discussed Biden in call with Ukrainian president Zelensky

9/11 attacks in US: Afghan civilians suffer as 'war on terror' drags on

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for reaching out to masses through social media, continues to be the most followed Indian on Twitter with his followers crossing 50 million mark on the microblogging site.</p>

<p>The Prime Minister now stands tall among the world leaders on Twitter, with his handle @narendramodi a little behind that of US President Donald Trump, who has 64 million followers. Former US President Barack Obama remains on the first spot with over 108 million accounts following him.</p>

<p>No Indian politician is even close to Prime Minister Modi.</p>

<p>Even the number of followers on the official Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has crossed 30 million.</p>

<p>Modi, who is quite famous for his oratory skills, is also very active on Twitter and regularly puts out texts on everything- from his speeches at various platforms to the places he went and the people he met.</p>

<p>He started using the platform in 2009 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and his popularity grew overwhelmingly as he assumed the office of Prime Minister in 2014.</p>

<p>Last year, an international survey ranked Modi among the top three leaders of the world.</p>

<p>An annual survey by Gallup International put Prime Minister Modi at number three among the global leaders.</p>

<p>The respondents in the survey, which was conducted among the people across 50 countries, rated Modi ahead of China's Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, then British Prime Minister Theresa May, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu amongst others.</p>

<p>The top ranking in the survey went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for reaching out to masses through social media, continues to be the most followed Indian on Twitter with his followers crossing 50 million mark on the microblogging site.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, known for reaching out to masses through social media, continues to be the most followed Indian on Twitter with his followers crossing 50 million mark on the microblogging site. The Prime Minister now stands tall among the world leaders on Twitter, with his handle @narendramodi a little behind that of US President Donald Trump, who has 64 million followers. Former US President Barack Obama remains on the first spot with over 108 million accounts following him. No Indian politician is even close to Prime Minister Modi. Even the number of followers on the official Twitter handle of Prime Minister's Office has crossed 30 million. Modi, who is quite famous for his oratory skills, is also very active on Twitter and regularly puts out texts on everything- from his speeches at various platforms to the places he went and the people he met. He started using the platform in 2009 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and his popularity grew overwhelmingly as he assumed the office of Prime Minister in 2014. Last year, an international survey ranked Modi among the top three leaders of the world. An annual survey by Gallup International put Prime Minister Modi at number three among the global leaders. The respondents in the survey, which was conducted among the people across 50 countries, rated Modi ahead of China's Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, then British Prime Minister Theresa May, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu amongst others. The top ranking in the survey went to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM Narendra Modi crosses 50 million followers on Twitter

<p>Iran will never hold bilateral talks with the United States but if it lifts all the sanctions it reimposed on Iran it can join multilateral talks between Iran and other parties to a 2015 nuclear deal, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-official-says-us-showing-some-flexibility-on-oil-sales-246833">Hassan Rouhani </a>said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>"No decision has ever been taken to hold talks with the US and there has been a lot of offers for talks but our answer will always be negative," Rouhani told an open session of parliament broadcast live on state radio.</p>

<p>"If America lifts all the sanctions then like before it can join multilateral talks between Tehran and parties to the 2015 deal," he added.</p>

<p>US President Donald Trump, although applying "maximum pressure" on Iran, has offered to meet its leaders and hold bilateral talks with no pre-conditions to end the confrontation between their countries.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: Iranian Regime unveils new Drone</strong></p>

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<p>Last month, Rouhani said Iran would not talk to its longtime foe until the United States lifted all of the sanctions it reimposed after it exited the 2015 nuclear deal last year.</p>

<p>European parties to the deal have struggled to calm the deepening confrontation between Iran and the United States and save the deal by shielding Iran's economy from the sanctions.</p>

<p>But the European powers have warned that their support for the deal is dependent on Iran's full commitment to it.</p>

<p>Iran has called on the Europeans to accelerate their efforts and Rouhani stressed on Tuesday that Iran would take a third step in scaling back its nuclear commitments by Thursday unless the Europeans kept their promises to salvage the deal.</p>

<p>"If Europeans can purchase our oil or pre-purchase it and we can have access to our money, that will ease the situation and we can fully implement the deal... otherwise we will take our third step," he said.</p>

<p>The 2015 deal between Iran and six other countries, reached under former US President Barack Obama, curbed Iran's nuclear work in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions in 2016.</p>

<p>Iran has started to scale back its nuclear commitments since May and it will take further steps on September 5, aimed at ratcheting up pressure on the European parties of the pact to protect its economic interests despite the US sanctions.</p>

<p>Iranian authorities have said the next step would be "stronger" and might include enriching uranium to 20% or restarting mothballed centrifuges, machines that purify uranium for use as fuel in power plants or, if very highly enriched, in weapons.</p>

<p>Iran has increased its stockpile of heavy water and has increased the level of its enrichment of uranium beyond the limits allowed under the agreement</p>

<p>Enriching uranium up to 20% purity is considered an important intermediate stage on the path to obtaining the 90% pure fissile uranium needed for a bomb.</p>


Iran will never hold bilateral talks with the United States but if it lifts all the sanctions it reimposed on Iran it can join multilateral talks between Iran and other parties to a 2015 nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday.

Iran will never hold bilateral talks with the United States but if it lifts all the sanctions it reimposed on Iran it can join multilateral talks between Iran and other parties to a 2015 nuclear deal, President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday. "No decision has ever been taken to hold talks with the US and there has been a lot of offers for talks but our answer will always be negative," Rouhani told an open session of parliament broadcast live on state radio. "If America lifts all the sanctions then like before it can join multilateral talks between Tehran and parties to the 2015 deal," he added. US President Donald Trump, although applying "maximum pressure" on Iran, has offered to meet its leaders and hold bilateral talks with no pre-conditions to end the confrontation between their countries. Watch: Iranian Regime unveils new Drone × Last month, Rouhani said Iran would not talk to its longtime foe until the United States lifted all of the sanctions it reimposed after it exited the 2015 nuclear deal last year. European parties to the deal have struggled to calm the deepening confrontation between Iran and the United States and save the deal by shielding Iran's economy from the sanctions. But the European powers have warned that their support for the deal is dependent on Iran's full commitment to it. Iran has called on the Europeans to accelerate their efforts and Rouhani stressed on Tuesday that Iran would take a third step in scaling back its nuclear commitments by Thursday unless the Europeans kept their promises to salvage the deal. "If Europeans can purchase our oil or pre-purchase it and we can have access to our money, that will ease the situation and we can fully implement the deal... otherwise we will take our third step," he said. The 2015 deal between Iran and six other countries, reached under former US President Barack Obama, curbed Iran's nuclear work in exchange for the lifting of most international sanctions in 2016. Iran has started to scale back its nuclear commitments since May and it will take further steps on September 5, aimed at ratcheting up pressure on the European parties of the pact to protect its economic interests despite the US sanctions. Iranian authorities have said the next step would be "stronger" and might include enriching uranium to 20% or restarting mothballed centrifuges, machines that purify uranium for use as fuel in power plants or, if very highly enriched, in weapons. Iran has increased its stockpile of heavy water and has increased the level of its enrichment of uranium beyond the limits allowed under the agreement Enriching uranium up to 20% purity is considered an important intermediate stage on the path to obtaining the 90% pure fissile uranium needed for a bomb.

Iran's Hassan Rouhani rules out bilateral talks with US

<p>The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday plans to roll back regulations that limit leaks of potent greenhouse gas methane from pipelines and wells, even as some industry players opposed the move.</p>

<p>It is the latest in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-slams-report-that-he-wanted-to-use-nuclear-weapons-to-break-up-hurricanes-245753"> President Donald Trump</a>'s long battle against environmental protection rules, coming weeks after his administration made fundamental changes to a widely popular wildlife protection law and re-authorized the use of "cyanide bombs" to kill animals that prey on livestock.</p>

<p>"EPA's proposal delivers on President Trump's executive order and removes unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry," said the agency's head, Andrew Wheeler, a former fossil fuel lobbyist.</p>

<p>"The Trump Administration recognizes that methane is valuable, and the industry has an incentive to minimize leaks and maximize its use," he added.</p>

<p>The rules would likely go into effect next year after a non-binding public comment period.</p>

<p>The EPA said the proposed amendments would save the oil and natural gas industry $17-$19 million a year, for a total of $97-$123 million from 2019 through 2025.</p>

<p>But oil giants, including BP, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell, called for the current rules, introduced by Trump's predecessor, former president Barack Obama, to be maintained.</p>

<p>Shell has pledged to reduce its methane leaks to less than 0.2 per cent by 2025, its US president, Gretchen Watkins, said in a statement shared with media on Thursday.</p>

<p>"Despite the administration's proposal to no longer regulate methane, Shell's US assets will continue to contribute to that global target," she said.</p>

<p>Asked about this opposition from the very sector the regulation was supposed to be benefiting, EPA official Anne Idsal said: "They're not the only ones within that particular space. You've got small and midsize companies as well.</p>

<p>"We don't preclude anybody from going above and beyond," she said.</p>

<p>Like carbon dioxide, methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change.</p>

<p>But its potency in trapping heat is about 84–87 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year-period, falling to 28–36 times greater over 100 years, according to United Nations figures.</p>


The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday plans to roll back regulations that limit leaks of potent greenhouse gas methane from pipelines and wells, even as some industry players opposed the move.

The US Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday plans to roll back regulations that limit leaks of potent greenhouse gas methane from pipelines and wells, even as some industry players opposed the move. It is the latest in President Donald Trump's long battle against environmental protection rules, coming weeks after his administration made fundamental changes to a widely popular wildlife protection law and re-authorized the use of "cyanide bombs" to kill animals that prey on livestock. "EPA's proposal delivers on President Trump's executive order and removes unnecessary and duplicative regulatory burdens from the oil and gas industry," said the agency's head, Andrew Wheeler, a former fossil fuel lobbyist. "The Trump Administration recognizes that methane is valuable, and the industry has an incentive to minimize leaks and maximize its use," he added. The rules would likely go into effect next year after a non-binding public comment period. The EPA said the proposed amendments would save the oil and natural gas industry $17-$19 million a year, for a total of $97-$123 million from 2019 through 2025. But oil giants, including BP, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell, called for the current rules, introduced by Trump's predecessor, former president Barack Obama, to be maintained. Shell has pledged to reduce its methane leaks to less than 0.2 per cent by 2025, its US president, Gretchen Watkins, said in a statement shared with media on Thursday. "Despite the administration's proposal to no longer regulate methane, Shell's US assets will continue to contribute to that global target," she said. Asked about this opposition from the very sector the regulation was supposed to be benefiting, EPA official Anne Idsal said: "They're not the only ones within that particular space. You've got small and midsize companies as well. "We don't preclude anybody from going above and beyond," she said. Like carbon dioxide, methane is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global climate change. But its potency in trapping heat is about 84–87 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 20-year-period, falling to 28–36 times greater over 100 years, according to United Nations figures.

The US rolls back regulations on industrial methane leaks

<p>Barack and Michelle Obama made their Hollywood debut on Wednesday with a documentary set in industrial Ohio that film reviewers are calling compelling and timely.<br />
<br />
'American Factory,'&nbsp;the story of what happened when a Chinese company took over an abandoned General Motors plant, is the first product of a multi-year collaboration between Netflix and Higher Ground, the production company formed last year by the former US&nbsp;president and first lady.<br />
<br />
"A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life. It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to Higher Ground’s first film," Obama said in a Twitter posting on Wednesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life. It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to Higher Ground’s first film, American Factory. Take a look at our conversation with the directors, and check it out on Netflix. <a href="https://t.co/KzkYFqjrFV">pic.twitter.com/KzkYFqjrFV</a></p>
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1164192919047299072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The documentary traces the lives of thousands of workers laid off from their auto jobs in Moraine, Ohio, in the 2008 recession, some of whom were hired six years later by Chinese company Fuyao Glass America to make automotive glass in the same plant.<br />
<br />
The Washington Post called 'American Factory,'&nbsp;which arrived on Netflix on Wednesday, "a perfect vehicle for (Higher Ground`s) mission to lift up stories from underrepresented groups."<br />
<br />
"We want people to be able to get outside of themselves and experience and understand the lives of somebody else," Obama told filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar in a promotional video released by Netflix.<br />
<br />
Michelle Obama told the filmmakers she was particularly struck by the opening scenes of workers on the factory floor.<br />
"That was my background, that was my father," she said.<br />
<br />
"One of the many things I love about this film... is that you let people tell their own story. "American Factory` doesn’t come in with a perspective; it’s not an editorial."<br />
<br />
The Los Angeles Times called the documentary "compelling," and pop culture website Vox.com said it was "a fascinating peek into the challenges of globalization." It received a 97% approval rate on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Under the Netflix deal, Higher Ground will produce, curate and acquire content for distribution on the streaming service. The value of the deal is not known.<br />
<br />
Upcoming programming will include an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom" by David W. Blight about the slavery abolitionist, a period drama set in the fashion world and a series for pre-schoolers focusing on healthy eating.</p>


Barack and Michelle Obama made their Hollywood debut on Wednesday with a documentary set in industrial Ohio that film reviewers are calling compelling and timely.

Barack and Michelle Obama made their Hollywood debut on Wednesday with a documentary set in industrial Ohio that film reviewers are calling compelling and timely. 'American Factory,' the story of what happened when a Chinese company took over an abandoned General Motors plant, is the first product of a multi-year collaboration between Netflix and Higher Ground, the production company formed last year by the former US president and first lady. "A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life. It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to Higher Ground’s first film," Obama said in a Twitter posting on Wednesday. A good story gives you the chance to better understand someone else’s life. It can help you find common ground. And it’s why Michelle and I were drawn to Higher Ground’s first film, American Factory. Take a look at our conversation with the directors, and check it out on Netflix. pic.twitter.com/KzkYFqjrFV — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 21, 2019 × The documentary traces the lives of thousands of workers laid off from their auto jobs in Moraine, Ohio, in the 2008 recession, some of whom were hired six years later by Chinese company Fuyao Glass America to make automotive glass in the same plant. The Washington Post called 'American Factory,' which arrived on Netflix on Wednesday, "a perfect vehicle for (Higher Ground`s) mission to lift up stories from underrepresented groups." "We want people to be able to get outside of themselves and experience and understand the lives of somebody else," Obama told filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar in a promotional video released by Netflix. Michelle Obama told the filmmakers she was particularly struck by the opening scenes of workers on the factory floor. "That was my background, that was my father," she said. "One of the many things I love about this film... is that you let people tell their own story. "American Factory` doesn’t come in with a perspective; it’s not an editorial." The Los Angeles Times called the documentary "compelling," and pop culture website Vox.com said it was "a fascinating peek into the challenges of globalization." It received a 97% approval rate on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Under the Netflix deal, Higher Ground will produce, curate and acquire content for distribution on the streaming service. The value of the deal is not known. Upcoming programming will include an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom" by David W. Blight about the slavery abolitionist, a period drama set in the fashion world and a series for pre-schoolers focusing on healthy eating.

Obamas make their Hollywood movie debut with 'American Factory'

<p>A basketball jersey once owned by former US president Barack Obama sold Monday for $120,000, according to the Dallas auction house that sold it.</p>

<p>The number 23 jersey belonged to 18-year-old Obama while he was a senior at Punahou high school in Hawaii, where he lived at the time, according to Heritage Auctions.</p>

<p>The jersey was valued at $100,000 before it was sold.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/STILLMYPRESIDENT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#STILLMYPRESIDENT</a><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarackObama</a>❣️🙌<br />
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From Discover on Google <a href="https://t.co/SQCebG8HfX">https://t.co/SQCebG8HfX</a></p>
— 🗽SABRINA DONALD-CORKER🗽#RESIST✊👊🦁🐅🏳️‍🌈 (@MARRIEDRESISTER) <a href="https://twitter.com/MARRIEDRESISTER/status/1163208323832918021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Obama is a known basketball fan and was often seen playing during his tenure at the White House, with presidential staffers, celebrities or other guests.</p>


A basketball jersey once owned by former US president Barack Obama sold Monday for $120,000, according to the Dallas auction house that sold it. The number 23 jersey belonged to 18-year-old Obama while he was a senior at Punahou high school in Hawaii, where he lived at the time, according to Heritage Auctions.

A basketball jersey once owned by former US president Barack Obama sold Monday for $120,000, according to the Dallas auction house that sold it. The number 23 jersey belonged to 18-year-old Obama while he was a senior at Punahou high school in Hawaii, where he lived at the time, according to Heritage Auctions. The jersey was valued at $100,000 before it was sold. #STILLMYPRESIDENT@BarackObama❣️🙌 From Discover on Google https://t.co/SQCebG8HfX — 🗽SABRINA DONALD-CORKER🗽#RESIST✊👊🦁🐅🏳️‍🌈 (@MARRIEDRESISTER) August 18, 2019 × Obama is a known basketball fan and was often seen playing during his tenure at the White House, with presidential staffers, celebrities or other guests.

Former US president Barack Obama's basketball jersey sells for $120,000

<p>Adventure junkie and host of 'Man vs Wild'&nbsp;Bear Grylls on Saturday reflected on his experience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former United States President Barack Obama and said it was really heartening to see such powerful men standing up for protecting the environment.</p>

<p>In an exclusive interview just two days ahead of the premiere of the special episode with the Prime Minister, Grylls shared his experience of interacting with both 'iconic leaders'.</p>

<p>"I have had a huge privilege of taking President Obama on a trip to Alaska a few years ago to show him the effects of climate change close up. They were similar, in the sense of being iconic global world leaders, but (trips were in) different terrains. Alaska was very cold, but where we went with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-feature-in-man-vs-wild-episode-with-bear-grylls-239186">Prime Minister Modi was a rainforest</a>, hot and humid. What was similar was that they were there for the same purpose- for driving this message of we have to protect the environment. We have got to back big conservation projects and look after our world," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was in the year 2016 when Grylls had filmed an episode of his show with Obama in Alaska.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: PM Modi in Man vs Wild - Has Modi joined the cool club?</strong></p>

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<p>"For me it was really heartening to see such powerful men like Obama and Modi stand up and say together we've got to do this, we have the power to do this. Especially India, it is now almost the largest country in the world, the biggest democracy on the planet and such a strong spirit always in India, where people want to do the right thing," he said.</p>

<p>The show will be a frank and freewheeling journey that will throw light on wildlife conservation, highlighting issues related to environmental change.</p>

<p>Modi stepped into the wild to raise awareness about the environment and animal conservation.</p>

<p>Believing that protecting the environment and conservation is a key role which every human being has to play, Grylls said it is just not about one country but an initiative we must take up collectively.</p>

<p>"It's not one country, it's all of us. I think protecting our environment and conservation is such a key thing that all of us have to do. I was there for that purpose, to try and say listen, together we can do something good here," he added.</p>

<p>Last month, Grylls had shared a 45-second promo of the special episode on Twitter in which Modi is seen interacting with him, riding a dingy and putting together a spear.</p>

<p>"You are the most important man in India. My job is to protect you," Grylls said in the video, covering the Prime Minister's shoulder with a jacket.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shot in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Man Vs Wild With Bear Grylls and Prime Minister Modi will be broadcast on August 12 at 9 pm and will be showcased in 180 countries around the world.</p>


Adventure junkie and host of 'Man vs Wild' Bear Grylls on Saturday reflected on his experience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former United States President Barack Obama and said it was really heartening to see such powerful men standing up for protecting the environment.

Adventure junkie and host of 'Man vs Wild' Bear Grylls on Saturday reflected on his experience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former United States President Barack Obama and said it was really heartening to see such powerful men standing up for protecting the environment. In an exclusive interview just two days ahead of the premiere of the special episode with the Prime Minister, Grylls shared his experience of interacting with both 'iconic leaders'. "I have had a huge privilege of taking President Obama on a trip to Alaska a few years ago to show him the effects of climate change close up. They were similar, in the sense of being iconic global world leaders, but (trips were in) different terrains. Alaska was very cold, but where we went with Prime Minister Modi was a rainforest, hot and humid. What was similar was that they were there for the same purpose- for driving this message of we have to protect the environment. We have got to back big conservation projects and look after our world," he said. It was in the year 2016 when Grylls had filmed an episode of his show with Obama in Alaska. Watch: PM Modi in Man vs Wild - Has Modi joined the cool club? × "For me it was really heartening to see such powerful men like Obama and Modi stand up and say together we've got to do this, we have the power to do this. Especially India, it is now almost the largest country in the world, the biggest democracy on the planet and such a strong spirit always in India, where people want to do the right thing," he said. The show will be a frank and freewheeling journey that will throw light on wildlife conservation, highlighting issues related to environmental change. Modi stepped into the wild to raise awareness about the environment and animal conservation. Believing that protecting the environment and conservation is a key role which every human being has to play, Grylls said it is just not about one country but an initiative we must take up collectively. "It's not one country, it's all of us. I think protecting our environment and conservation is such a key thing that all of us have to do. I was there for that purpose, to try and say listen, together we can do something good here," he added. Last month, Grylls had shared a 45-second promo of the special episode on Twitter in which Modi is seen interacting with him, riding a dingy and putting together a spear. "You are the most important man in India. My job is to protect you," Grylls said in the video, covering the Prime Minister's shoulder with a jacket. Shot in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Man Vs Wild With Bear Grylls and Prime Minister Modi will be broadcast on August 12 at 9 pm and will be showcased in 180 countries around the world.

Ahead of 'Man vs Wild' episode with PM, Bear Grylls reflects on his experiences with Narendra Modi, Barack Obama

<p>Former President Barack Obama responded to the weekend mass shootings in Ohio and Texas on Monday with a plea to Americans to reject the language of hatred, fear and intolerance from any of their leaders.</p>

<p>"We should soundly reject language coming out of the mouths of any of our leaders that feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalises racist sentiments," Obama said in a statement posted on Twitter that did not refer to President Donald Trump by name.</p>

<p>The shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, killed 31 people.</p>

<p>A 21-year-old white man has been charged with capital murder in Saturday`s shooting spree in Texas. Police in El Paso cited a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto posted online shortly before the shooting, which they attributed to the suspect.</p>

<p>Democrats said Trump was indirectly to blame for the attack in Texas, with some drawing connections between his rhetoric to a resurgence in nationalism and xenophobic sentiment.</p>

<p>Trump on Monday proposed tighter monitoring of the internet, mental health reform and wider use of the death penalty in response to mass shootings.</p>

<p>Trump did not address accusations that his own anti-immigrant and racially charged comments have contributed to a rise in race tensions, nor did he call for broad gun control measures.</p>


Former President Barack Obama responded to the weekend mass shootings in Ohio and Texas on Monday with a plea to Americans to reject the language of hatred, fear and intolerance from any of their leaders.

Former President Barack Obama responded to the weekend mass shootings in Ohio and Texas on Monday with a plea to Americans to reject the language of hatred, fear and intolerance from any of their leaders. "We should soundly reject language coming out of the mouths of any of our leaders that feeds a climate of fear and hatred or normalises racist sentiments," Obama said in a statement posted on Twitter that did not refer to President Donald Trump by name. The shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, killed 31 people. A 21-year-old white man has been charged with capital murder in Saturday`s shooting spree in Texas. Police in El Paso cited a racist, anti-immigrant manifesto posted online shortly before the shooting, which they attributed to the suspect. Democrats said Trump was indirectly to blame for the attack in Texas, with some drawing connections between his rhetoric to a resurgence in nationalism and xenophobic sentiment. Trump on Monday proposed tighter monitoring of the internet, mental health reform and wider use of the death penalty in response to mass shootings. Trump did not address accusations that his own anti-immigrant and racially charged comments have contributed to a rise in race tensions, nor did he call for broad gun control measures.

Reject language from leaders that 'normalises racist sentiments': Barack Obama

<p>A Florida man who mailed pipes filled with explosives to prominent Democrats and critics of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-nominee-sparks-worries-of-intelligence-politicization-239554"> US President Donald Trump </a>was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.</p>

<p>Cesar Sayoc, 57, who pleaded guilty in March to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-indicts-chinese-nationals-for-dealings-with-north-korean-companies-in-producing-weapons-of-mass-destruction-238031">using weapons of mass destruction</a> and other crimes, began crying when US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan read the sentence.</p>

<p>Prosecutors had asked Rakoff to sentence Sayoc to life in prison, while Sayoc's lawyers had sought a sentence of 10 years plus one month.</p>

<p>Ian Marcus Amelkin, one of Sayoc's lawyers, argued that Sayoc's crimes were caused by paranoid, delusional thinking brought on by heavy use of steroids.</p>

<p>He said Sayoc, who was living in a van at the time of his arrest last year, had struggled all his life with severe learning disabilities, the effects of childhood abuse and social isolation.</p>

<p>Sayoc, Amelkin said, saw Trump as a "father figure" and became obsessed with conspiracy theories about people he perceived as being enemies of the president.</p>

<p>"We believe that the president's rhetoric contributed to Mr Sayoc's behaviour," he said.</p>

<p>Assistant US Attorney Jane Kim, one of the prosecutors, argued that Sayoc was a danger to the public and that his crimes warranted severe punishment.</p>

<p>"The defendant here set out to terrorise people," she said.</p>

<p>Sayoc expressed remorse shortly before the sentencing. "I am so very sorry for what I did," he said.</p>

<p>Sayoc sent packages containing pipes stuffed with explosives, wires and alarm clocks to 16 intended targets, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, billionaire investor and Democratic donor George Soros, former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan, actor Robert De Niro and CNN.</p>

<p>All of the devices were intercepted and none exploded.</p>

<p>A report by federal investigators concluded they had no mechanism to trigger an explosion and "would not have functioned as designed."</p>

<p>Prosecutors argued that Sayoc nonetheless meant to injure his targets, while his lawyers said he meant only to inspire fear.</p>

<p>Sayoc himself said in a handwritten letter to Rakoff after his guilty plea that the bombs were a "hoax."</p>

<p>Rakoff said he believed Sayoc.</p>

<p>"He hated his victims. He wished them no good, but he was not so lost as to wish them dead, at least not by his hand," the judge said.</p>

<p>Still, the judge said, Sayoc's crimes were "far too horrible" for a "relatively lenient" 10-year sentence.</p>


A Florida man who mailed pipes filled with explosives to prominent Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday.

A Florida man who mailed pipes filled with explosives to prominent Democrats and critics of US President Donald Trump was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Monday. Cesar Sayoc, 57, who pleaded guilty in March to using weapons of mass destruction and other crimes, began crying when US District Judge Jed Rakoff in Manhattan read the sentence. Prosecutors had asked Rakoff to sentence Sayoc to life in prison, while Sayoc's lawyers had sought a sentence of 10 years plus one month. Ian Marcus Amelkin, one of Sayoc's lawyers, argued that Sayoc's crimes were caused by paranoid, delusional thinking brought on by heavy use of steroids. He said Sayoc, who was living in a van at the time of his arrest last year, had struggled all his life with severe learning disabilities, the effects of childhood abuse and social isolation. Sayoc, Amelkin said, saw Trump as a "father figure" and became obsessed with conspiracy theories about people he perceived as being enemies of the president. "We believe that the president's rhetoric contributed to Mr Sayoc's behaviour," he said. Assistant US Attorney Jane Kim, one of the prosecutors, argued that Sayoc was a danger to the public and that his crimes warranted severe punishment. "The defendant here set out to terrorise people," she said. Sayoc expressed remorse shortly before the sentencing. "I am so very sorry for what I did," he said. Sayoc sent packages containing pipes stuffed with explosives, wires and alarm clocks to 16 intended targets, including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, US Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, billionaire investor and Democratic donor George Soros, former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan, actor Robert De Niro and CNN. All of the devices were intercepted and none exploded. A report by federal investigators concluded they had no mechanism to trigger an explosion and "would not have functioned as designed." Prosecutors argued that Sayoc nonetheless meant to injure his targets, while his lawyers said he meant only to inspire fear. Sayoc himself said in a handwritten letter to Rakoff after his guilty plea that the bombs were a "hoax." Rakoff said he believed Sayoc. "He hated his victims. He wished them no good, but he was not so lost as to wish them dead, at least not by his hand," the judge said. Still, the judge said, Sayoc's crimes were "far too horrible" for a "relatively lenient" 10-year sentence.

Twenty year sentence for Florida man who sent explosives to Trump critics

<p><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>US President Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;administration&nbsp;is considering&nbsp;unveiling, as early as&nbsp;September, his&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;plan&nbsp;as part of his presidential re election campaign strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.</p>

<p>The&nbsp;plan&nbsp;would lay out an alternative to former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which has been challenged by Republicans in court, and could include coverage for people with pre existing conditions and a variety of insurance options, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources.</p>

<p>Trump&nbsp;has not signed off on the tentative&nbsp;plan, the newspaper said, describing ongoing debate about the&nbsp;plan&nbsp;and the timing for the roll out. Polling shows that&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;is a top concern for voters leading up to the election.</p>

<p>The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing.</p>

<p>Democrats vying to be their party's candidate for the November 2020 presidential election have focused on&nbsp;healthcare, debating how far to go to transform the U.S.&nbsp;healthcare system.</p>

<p>Some candidates have suggested abolishing private insurance in favour of a single government run&nbsp;plan, sometimes referred to as “Medicare for All,” while others favour more modest reforms.</p>

<p>On Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranians-never-won-a-war-but-never-lost-a-negotiation-trump-239331">Trump</a>&nbsp;is slated to give a speech at The Villages in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moving-fast-elon-musks-spacex-eyes-florida-for-launch-site-for-mars-rocket-240489">Florida</a> a large retirement community where he will address his&nbsp;administration's efforts to secure and improve Medicare.</p>

<p>While he is there,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;is expected to sign an executive order related to Medicare, a White House official said separately, declining to comment on specific details.</p>

<p>Reuters has previously reported that Trump was considering an executive order to cut prices on branded prescription drugs sold to Medicare and other government programs.</p>


US President Donald Trump's administration is considering unveiling, as early as September, his healthcare plan as part of his presidential re election campaign strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump's administration is considering unveiling, as early as September, his healthcare plan as part of his presidential re election campaign strategy, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The plan would lay out an alternative to former President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, which has been challenged by Republicans in court, and could include coverage for people with pre existing conditions and a variety of insurance options, the Wall Street Journal said, citing unnamed sources. Trump has not signed off on the tentative plan, the newspaper said, describing ongoing debate about the plan and the timing for the roll out. Polling shows that healthcare is a top concern for voters leading up to the election. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the timing. Democrats vying to be their party's candidate for the November 2020 presidential election have focused on healthcare, debating how far to go to transform the U.S. healthcare system. Some candidates have suggested abolishing private insurance in favour of a single government run plan, sometimes referred to as “Medicare for All,” while others favour more modest reforms. On Tuesday, Trump is slated to give a speech at The Villages in Florida a large retirement community where he will address his administration's efforts to secure and improve Medicare. While he is there, Trump is expected to sign an executive order related to Medicare, a White House official said separately, declining to comment on specific details. Reuters has previously reported that Trump was considering an executive order to cut prices on branded prescription drugs sold to Medicare and other government programs.

Trump administration considers September unveiling of healthcare plan: Report

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-health-is-a-private-matter-germans-say-after-shaking-bouts-235572">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> on Friday condemned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-destroyed-iranian-drone-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-donald-trump-236999">President Donald Trump</a>'s xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great."</p>

<p>"I firmly distance myself from (the attacks) and I feel solidarity towards" the women, she told journalists.</p>

<p>"In my view, the strength of America lies in that people from different (origins) contributed to what makes the country great."</p>

<p>Trump on Sunday urged a group of four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- all American citizens and three of them US-born -- to "go back" to their countries of origin.</p>

<p>Despite a domestic uproar over the comments which were deemed "racist" by the House of Representatives, Trump repeatedly renewed his attack.</p>

<p>"If you're not happy here, you can leave ... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted on Tuesday, while repeating the same message to a rally on Wednesday.</p>

<p>International condemnation has rained down over the comments, with British Prime Minister Theresa May calling them "completely unacceptable" and New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern saying she "completely and utterly" disagrees with him.</p>

<p>While usually refraining from commenting on other countries' domestic politics, Merkel on Friday also had markedly sharp words about Trump's latest attacks.</p>

<p>Questions over racism are particularly sensitive in Germany given its Nazi past, and the government routinely speaks out forcefully in favour of tolerance and diversity.</p>

<p>While Merkel had shared a visibly warm relationship with former US president Barack Obama, her contact with Trump has been formal and firm.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Setting the tone from the start, Merkel in her first phone call with Trump after he took office offered cooperation, but also reminded him of democratic values.</p>

<p>That phone call led some commentators to suggest she had taken on the mantle of the "leader of the free world", a title usually reserved for US presidents.</p>


German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday condemned President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday condemned President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great." "I firmly distance myself from (the attacks) and I feel solidarity towards" the women, she told journalists. "In my view, the strength of America lies in that people from different (origins) contributed to what makes the country great." Trump on Sunday urged a group of four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- all American citizens and three of them US-born -- to "go back" to their countries of origin. Despite a domestic uproar over the comments which were deemed "racist" by the House of Representatives, Trump repeatedly renewed his attack. "If you're not happy here, you can leave ... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted on Tuesday, while repeating the same message to a rally on Wednesday. International condemnation has rained down over the comments, with British Prime Minister Theresa May calling them "completely unacceptable" and New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern saying she "completely and utterly" disagrees with him. While usually refraining from commenting on other countries' domestic politics, Merkel on Friday also had markedly sharp words about Trump's latest attacks. Questions over racism are particularly sensitive in Germany given its Nazi past, and the government routinely speaks out forcefully in favour of tolerance and diversity. While Merkel had shared a visibly warm relationship with former US president Barack Obama, her contact with Trump has been formal and firm. Setting the tone from the start, Merkel in her first phone call with Trump after he took office offered cooperation, but also reminded him of democratic values. That phone call led some commentators to suggest she had taken on the mantle of the "leader of the free world", a title usually reserved for US presidents.

Trump tweets go against what makes America great: Angela Merkel

<p>Nineteen per cent of US Twitter users follow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-companies-leaving-china-that-is-why-they-want-make-a-deal-trump-236190">President Donald Trump</a> on the social platform, and a majority of those people approve of his job performance, a survey showed Monday.</p>

<p>The Pew Research Center report suggests Trump's @realDonaldTrump account -- with more than 60 million followers worldwide -- has succeeded in developing an audience largely favourable to his comments, which often generate controversy.</p>

<p>The report is based on a survey of 2,388 US adults who use Twitter and gave Pew permission to review their personal public-facing accounts, between December 2018 and July 2019.</p>

<p>Roughly three in 10 Republican adult Twitter users follow Trump, compared with 13 per cent of Democrats, Pew said.</p>

<p>Among users who follow Trump, 54 per cent approved of his job performance as of late 2018, compared with 24 per cent of users who don't follow the president.</p>

<p>Despite the large following, Trump's direct reach on Twitter is still limited, according to Pew: only 22 per cent of all US adults use the service, its surveys found.</p>

<p>And Trump's reach on Twitter remains below that of former president Barack Obama, who connects with 26 per cent of the platform's users, Pew researchers found.</p>

<p>The news comes with Trump drawing fire for a series of tweets interpreted as attacking four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- calling on them to "go back" to their own countries, even though all are US citizens.</p>

<p>Trump's comments were branded "racist" and "xenophobic" by Democratic presidential candidates and senior lawmakers.</p>


Nineteen per cent of US Twitter users follow President Donald Trump on the social platform, and a majority of those people approve of his job performance, a survey showed Monday.

Nineteen per cent of US Twitter users follow President Donald Trump on the social platform, and a majority of those people approve of his job performance, a survey showed Monday. The Pew Research Center report suggests Trump's @realDonaldTrump account -- with more than 60 million followers worldwide -- has succeeded in developing an audience largely favourable to his comments, which often generate controversy. The report is based on a survey of 2,388 US adults who use Twitter and gave Pew permission to review their personal public-facing accounts, between December 2018 and July 2019. Roughly three in 10 Republican adult Twitter users follow Trump, compared with 13 per cent of Democrats, Pew said. Among users who follow Trump, 54 per cent approved of his job performance as of late 2018, compared with 24 per cent of users who don't follow the president. Despite the large following, Trump's direct reach on Twitter is still limited, according to Pew: only 22 per cent of all US adults use the service, its surveys found. And Trump's reach on Twitter remains below that of former president Barack Obama, who connects with 26 per cent of the platform's users, Pew researchers found. The news comes with Trump drawing fire for a series of tweets interpreted as attacking four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- calling on them to "go back" to their own countries, even though all are US citizens. Trump's comments were branded "racist" and "xenophobic" by Democratic presidential candidates and senior lawmakers.

One in five US Twitter users follows Donald Trump: Survey

<p>Britain's ambassador to Washington believed US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal because it was associated with his predecessor Barack Obama, according to leaked documents published Saturday.</p>

<p>"The administration is set upon an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons -- it was Obama's deal," ambassador <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-darroch-british-ambassador-to-us-who-called-trump-inept-resigns-234649">Kim Darroch wrote in a diplomatic cable</a> in May 2018.</p>

<p>The cable was included in the second batch of leaked reports published by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, the first of which caused Darroch to resign earlier this week.</p>

<p>Separately, the Sunday Times reported that a government investigation into the leak had identified a civil servant as the person responsible.</p>

<p>Working with officials from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-launch-criminal-probe-into-ambassadors-memo-leaks-on-donald-trump-235404">National Cyber Security Centre</a>, part of spy agency GCHQ, and MI6, the probe has homed in on a suspect who had access to historical Foreign Office files, the paper said.</p>

<p>The first leaked reports authored by Darroch were published last weekend, causing major turmoil between Britain and its closest ally.</p>

<p>The ambassador was reported to have described the White House as "inept", prompting Trump to claim the ambassador was a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-stupid-guy-donald-trump-renews-attack-on-uk-ambassador-theresa-may-234370">pompous fool</a>" whom he would no longer deal with.</p>

<p>Darroch resigned on Wednesday, saying it was now "impossible" to do his job.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;UK ambassador to US resigns in Trump leaks row</strong></p>

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<p><strong>'Day-after' strategy</strong></p>

<p>In May 2018, Britain's then-foreign minister Boris Johnson went to Washington to try to persuade Trump not to abandon the Iran deal.</p>

<p>In a cable sent afterwards, Darroch reportedly indicated there were divisions in Trump's team over the decision, and criticised the White House for a lack of long-term strategy.</p>

<p>"They can't articulate any 'day-after' strategy; and contacts with State Department this morning suggest no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies, whether in Europe or the region," he wrote.</p>

<p>He reported back that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during his talks with Johnson, "did some subtle distancing by talking throughout about 'the President's decision'".</p>

<p>The newspaper reported that, according to Darroch, Pompeo also hinted that he had tried but failed to "sell" a revised text to Trump.</p>

<p>In 2015, the United States, China, Britain, France, Russia and Germany signed a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for a partial lifting of international economic sanctions.</p>

<p>Trump had long been critical of the deal and withdrew the United States on May 8, 2018.</p>

<p>As well as a government investigation into the leaks, police are also looking into a potential breach of the Official Secrets Act.</p>

<p>London's Metropolitan Police sparked widespread condemnation on Saturday after a warning to journalists that publishing leaked documents could be a criminal matter.</p>

<p>Johnson, who is now in the race to succeed May as prime minister, said that prosecuting media outlets would have a "chilling effect on public debate".</p>


Britain's ambassador to Washington believed US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal because it was associated with his predecessor Barack Obama, according to leaked documents published Saturday.

Britain's ambassador to Washington believed US President Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal because it was associated with his predecessor Barack Obama, according to leaked documents published Saturday. "The administration is set upon an act of diplomatic vandalism, seemingly for ideological and personality reasons -- it was Obama's deal," ambassador Kim Darroch wrote in a diplomatic cable in May 2018. The cable was included in the second batch of leaked reports published by the Mail on Sunday newspaper, the first of which caused Darroch to resign earlier this week. Separately, the Sunday Times reported that a government investigation into the leak had identified a civil servant as the person responsible. Working with officials from the National Cyber Security Centre, part of spy agency GCHQ, and MI6, the probe has homed in on a suspect who had access to historical Foreign Office files, the paper said. The first leaked reports authored by Darroch were published last weekend, causing major turmoil between Britain and its closest ally. The ambassador was reported to have described the White House as "inept", prompting Trump to claim the ambassador was a "pompous fool" whom he would no longer deal with. Darroch resigned on Wednesday, saying it was now "impossible" to do his job. Watch: UK ambassador to US resigns in Trump leaks row × 'Day-after' strategy In May 2018, Britain's then-foreign minister Boris Johnson went to Washington to try to persuade Trump not to abandon the Iran deal. In a cable sent afterwards, Darroch reportedly indicated there were divisions in Trump's team over the decision, and criticised the White House for a lack of long-term strategy. "They can't articulate any 'day-after' strategy; and contacts with State Department this morning suggest no sort of plan for reaching out to partners and allies, whether in Europe or the region," he wrote. He reported back that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during his talks with Johnson, "did some subtle distancing by talking throughout about 'the President's decision'". The newspaper reported that, according to Darroch, Pompeo also hinted that he had tried but failed to "sell" a revised text to Trump. In 2015, the United States, China, Britain, France, Russia and Germany signed a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for a partial lifting of international economic sanctions. Trump had long been critical of the deal and withdrew the United States on May 8, 2018. As well as a government investigation into the leaks, police are also looking into a potential breach of the Official Secrets Act. London's Metropolitan Police sparked widespread condemnation on Saturday after a warning to journalists that publishing leaked documents could be a criminal matter. Johnson, who is now in the race to succeed May as prime minister, said that prosecuting media outlets would have a "chilling effect on public debate".

Donald Trump ditched Iran deal to spite Obama, new memo leak claims

<p>Belgian liberal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/under-one-flag-two-belgiums-seek-one-government-after-vote-222028">Charles Michel</a>, who was elected by EU leaders on Tuesday as the next chair of EU summits, does not believe in hanging around.</p>

<p>He will replace Poland's Donald Tusk in the role of European Council president for the next five years.</p>

<p>Michel became his country's youngest prime minister in 2014 when he took office aged 38 as only Belgium's second premier from the French-speaking liberals.</p>

<p>He was also the first Belgian leader to become a father while in office, his partner's first pregnancy effectively divulged by Barack Obama during a visit to the White House in 2015. He has an older son from a previous relationship.</p>

<p>A lawyer by training, studying in Brussels and Amsterdam, he entered politics as a provincial counsellor aged 18 and then entered the national parliament at 23.</p>

<p>Michel is currently heading a caretaker administration in Belgium after an inconclusive election in May, with talks on forming a new government continuing.</p>

<p>He is the oldest son of Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid from 2004-2009.</p>

<p>Aides say Michel enjoys reading and cooking on a barbecue but his chief passion outside the office is biking, initially doing moto-cross with a friend and is now still hooked on bike road trips, saying a more direct connection with nature gives them a "sensual dimension".</p>


Belgian liberal Charles Michel, who was elected by EU leaders on Tuesday as the next chair of EU summits, does not believe in hanging around. He will replace Poland's Donald Tusk in the role of European Council president for the next five years.

Belgian liberal Charles Michel, who was elected by EU leaders on Tuesday as the next chair of EU summits, does not believe in hanging around. He will replace Poland's Donald Tusk in the role of European Council president for the next five years. Michel became his country's youngest prime minister in 2014 when he took office aged 38 as only Belgium's second premier from the French-speaking liberals. He was also the first Belgian leader to become a father while in office, his partner's first pregnancy effectively divulged by Barack Obama during a visit to the White House in 2015. He has an older son from a previous relationship. A lawyer by training, studying in Brussels and Amsterdam, he entered politics as a provincial counsellor aged 18 and then entered the national parliament at 23. Michel is currently heading a caretaker administration in Belgium after an inconclusive election in May, with talks on forming a new government continuing. He is the oldest son of Louis Michel, EU commissioner for development and humanitarian aid from 2004-2009. Aides say Michel enjoys reading and cooking on a barbecue but his chief passion outside the office is biking, initially doing moto-cross with a friend and is now still hooked on bike road trips, saying a more direct connection with nature gives them a "sensual dimension".

Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel named European Union Council chief

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