US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-says-frances-macron-comments-on-nato-dangerous-261350">international community</a> were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US&nbsp;senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that NATO was experiencing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-says-nato-experiencing-brain-death-260582">"brain death,"</a> citing a lack of coordination and US&nbsp;unpredictability under Trump. He also expressed doubt about the US-led alliance's security maxim that an attack on one ally would be treated as an attack on all.

"I think (Erdogan), I think I can say this, because other people know it, and many other people feel the same way, they were very disappointed and he was very disappointed in the statement made by France having to do with commitment and NATO," Trump said.

"I think that bothered the president very much and I don't think he was very happy about it, and a lot of other people feel that way too."

Trump did not clarify who else he was referring to felt the same way.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the international community were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the international community were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that NATO was experiencing "brain death," citing a lack of coordination and US unpredictability under Trump. He also expressed doubt about the US-led alliance's security maxim that an attack on one ally would be treated as an attack on all. "I think (Erdogan), I think I can say this, because other people know it, and many other people feel the same way, they were very disappointed and he was very disappointed in the statement made by France having to do with commitment and NATO," Trump said. "I think that bothered the president very much and I don't think he was very happy about it, and a lot of other people feel that way too." Trump did not clarify who else he was referring to felt the same way.

Trump describes Turkish disappointment in French NATO statement

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - August 29th, 2019

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-army-is-ready-to-go-dont-mistake-our-discretion-for-weakness-us-national-security-advisor-john-bolton-tells-iran-229716">US Army</a> soldier killed in Afghanistan was identified on Sunday as decorated special forces company Sergeant Major James G. "Ryan" Sartor of Teague, Texas, the Department of Defense (DOD) said in a release.

Sartor, 40, died Saturday from wounds from enemy small arms fire in a combat operation in the province of Faryab, in northern Afghanistan, the DOD said.

Additional details about his death were not immediately available.

Sartor was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado, the DOD said.

Sartor joined the Army in 2001 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as an Infantryman, the Army Times reported.

He later completed special forces training and was deployed numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in 2002, the publication said. He also became a Green Beret, media reported.

Sartor's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Valorous Unit Award, among others, media reported.

He will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal.

A US Army soldier killed in Afghanistan was identified on Sunday as decorated special forces company Sergeant Major James G. "Ryan" Sartor of Teague, Texas, the Department of Defense (DOD) said in a release.

A US Army soldier killed in Afghanistan was identified on Sunday as decorated special forces company Sergeant Major James G. "Ryan" Sartor of Teague, Texas, the Department of Defense (DOD) said in a release. Sartor, 40, died Saturday from wounds from enemy small arms fire in a combat operation in the province of Faryab, in northern Afghanistan, the DOD said. Additional details about his death were not immediately available. Sartor was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Carson, Colorado, the DOD said. Sartor joined the Army in 2001 and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division as an Infantryman, the Army Times reported. He later completed special forces training and was deployed numerous times to Iraq and Afghanistan, starting in 2002, the publication said. He also became a Green Beret, media reported. Sartor's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Valorous Unit Award, among others, media reported. He will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart medal.

United States military identifies soldier killed in Afghanistan

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-never-agreed-to-testify-on-mueller-report-says-trump-211835">I never agreed to testify on Mueller report, says Trump</a>

President Doanld Trump today slammed the Mueller report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters".

"I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “report” about me," the US president tweeted, adding,"this was an illegally started hoax that never should have happened."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-trade-in-california-almonds-through-loc-route-funded-terror-in-jk-211806">How trade in California almonds through LoC route funded terror in J&amp;K</a>

India on Thursday had suspended trade with Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC), among several reasons was infiltration of third-party goods such as California almonds, when in fact, LoC trade was opened for only intra-Kashmir trade.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-iconic-leader-mulayam-singh-to-contest-his-last-election-at-mainpuri-211794">India’s iconic leader Mulayam Singh to contest his last election at Mainpuri</a>

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh will be contesting his last election this year. The 79-year-old leader announced his intention at a rally with his arch-rival Mayawati, who has allied with the SP as part of the Mahagathbandhan in the general elections.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/postmortem-report-reveals-nd-tiwaris-son-died-of-unnatural-death-police-211818">Postmortem report reveals ND Tiwari's son died 'unnatural' death: Police</a>

Three days after Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, son of former Uttarakhand chief minister ND Tiwari, was "brought dead" to a Delhi hospital, postmortem report revealed that he died of "unnatural" death, police said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russias-vladivostok-could-be-possible-host-city-for-putin-kim-summit-211814">Russia's Vladivostok could be possible host city for Putin-Kim summit</a>

Due to security reasons, Russian authorities could not reveal the name of the venue where President Vladimir Putin will hold the upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

I never agreed to testify on Mueller report, says Trump President Doanld Trump today slammed the Mueller report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters".

I never agreed to testify on Mueller report, says Trump President Doanld Trump today slammed the Mueller report calling it "fabricated" and asserting that it was written by "18 angry democrat Trump haters". "I never agreed to testify, it was not necessary for me to respond to statements made in the “report” about me," the US president tweeted, adding,"this was an illegally started hoax that never should have happened." How trade in California almonds through LoC route funded terror in J&K India on Thursday had suspended trade with Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC), among several reasons was infiltration of third-party goods such as California almonds, when in fact, LoC trade was opened for only intra-Kashmir trade. India’s iconic leader Mulayam Singh to contest his last election at Mainpuri Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh will be contesting his last election this year. The 79-year-old leader announced his intention at a rally with his arch-rival Mayawati, who has allied with the SP as part of the Mahagathbandhan in the general elections. Postmortem report reveals ND Tiwari's son died 'unnatural' death: Police Three days after Rohit Shekhar Tiwari, son of former Uttarakhand chief minister ND Tiwari, was "brought dead" to a Delhi hospital, postmortem report revealed that he died of "unnatural" death, police said. Russia's Vladivostok could be possible host city for Putin-Kim summit Due to security reasons, Russian authorities could not reveal the name of the venue where President Vladimir Putin will hold the upcoming summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

News brief: Big stories of the day

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is calling on President Donald Trump to sign into law a resolution ending American involvement in the war in Yemen.

Historic resolution to end US role in Yemen war

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-sending-military-to-venezuela-an-option-cbs-194884">US President Donald Trump</a> has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea.

Trump rebuked his intelligence chiefs last week after his director of national intelligence and leaders of the CIA and FBI testified before Congress on global threats and contradicted the president on Iran, North Korea and ISIS.&nbsp;

During a Congressional hearing last week, top American spymasters Dan Coats, National Intelligence Director, and Gina Haspel, CIA Director, told lawmakers that Iran was abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal.&nbsp;

Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

He also said the national security advisers' false assessment on Iraq led the US to engage in a war that it should never have been.&nbsp;

The US' intelligence services had said that the then Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that became the basis of the American invasion in the Middle East nation. However, the assessment was later proven wrong, he said.&nbsp;

"I have intel people, but that does not mean I have to agree (with their assessments)...People that said, Saddam Hussein...In Iraq had nuclear weapons...Those intel people didn't know what the hell they were doing, and they got us tied up in a war that we should have never been in," Trump told CBS News in an interview.&nbsp;

As a result of that intelligence assessment under the Bush administration, Trump said the US spent $7 trillion in the Middle East and lost hundreds of lives.

Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

"When I look at Iran, I look at it as a nation that has caused tremendous problems," he said.

In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the P5+1 group of world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany.

It came after years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but the international community did not believe that.

Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.

Trump in May last year withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "defective at its core".

Trump also indicated that he is not in sync with the assessment of his intelligence chief on the nuclear weapons programme of North Korea.&nbsp;

North Korea is unlikely to fully give up its nuclear weapons, the US intelligence report said.

Asserting that there has been tremendous progress in the ties between the US and North Korea, Trump said both he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are looking forward to the scheduled meeting between them, the exact date and venue of which will be announced in the next few days.&nbsp;

"He (Kim) is looking forward to it. I am looking forward to it. We have made tremendous progress...(Kim) has a chance to have North Korea becoming an economic behemoth. (North Korea) has a chance to be one of the great economic countries in the world. (Kim) He can't do that with nuclear weapons," he said.&nbsp;

Trump and Kim met in Singapore last June to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

At the time, Mr Trump claimed this meeting had ended the North Korean nuclear threat.

The two leaders signed an agreement pledging to "work toward complete denuclearisation" but there was no agreed pathway and little progress has been made since then on the issue.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea.

US President Donald Trump has said he does not always agree with the conclusions of his intelligence chiefs and pointed out past intelligence failures as a reason to reject their assessments of the threats posed by Iran and North Korea. Trump rebuked his intelligence chiefs last week after his director of national intelligence and leaders of the CIA and FBI testified before Congress on global threats and contradicted the president on Iran, North Korea and ISIS. During a Congressional hearing last week, top American spymasters Dan Coats, National Intelligence Director, and Gina Haspel, CIA Director, told lawmakers that Iran was abiding by the 2015 nuclear deal. Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. He also said the national security advisers' false assessment on Iraq led the US to engage in a war that it should never have been. The US' intelligence services had said that the then Iraqi ruler Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction that became the basis of the American invasion in the Middle East nation. However, the assessment was later proven wrong, he said. "I have intel people, but that does not mean I have to agree (with their assessments)...People that said, Saddam Hussein...In Iraq had nuclear weapons...Those intel people didn't know what the hell they were doing, and they got us tied up in a war that we should have never been in," Trump told CBS News in an interview. As a result of that intelligence assessment under the Bush administration, Trump said the US spent $7 trillion in the Middle East and lost hundreds of lives. Trump said he disagrees with the assessment of his intelligence leaders that Iran is abiding by the nuclear deal. He claimed that Iran is going ahead with its nuclear weapons programme. "When I look at Iran, I look at it as a nation that has caused tremendous problems," he said. In 2015, Iran agreed to a long-term deal on its nuclear programme with the P5+1 group of world powers - the US, UK, France, China, Russia and Germany. It came after years of tension over Iran's alleged efforts to develop a nuclear weapon. Iran insisted that its nuclear programme was entirely peaceful, but the international community did not believe that. Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions. Trump in May last year withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it "defective at its core". Trump also indicated that he is not in sync with the assessment of his intelligence chief on the nuclear weapons programme of North Korea. North Korea is unlikely to fully give up its nuclear weapons, the US intelligence report said. Asserting that there has been tremendous progress in the ties between the US and North Korea, Trump said both he and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are looking forward to the scheduled meeting between them, the exact date and venue of which will be announced in the next few days. "He (Kim) is looking forward to it. I am looking forward to it. We have made tremendous progress...(Kim) has a chance to have North Korea becoming an economic behemoth. (North Korea) has a chance to be one of the great economic countries in the world. (Kim) He can't do that with nuclear weapons," he said. Trump and Kim met in Singapore last June to discuss denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. At the time, Mr Trump claimed this meeting had ended the North Korean nuclear threat. The two leaders signed an agreement pledging to "work toward complete denuclearisation" but there was no agreed pathway and little progress has been made since then on the issue.

Trump says he 'does not necessarily agree' with intelligence agencies

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country.

Talks "are proceeding well," Trump wrote on Twitter. He did not address any possible peace accord with the Taliban or the presence of US troops in Afghanistan.

On Monday, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times that the United States and the insurgent group had sketched the outlines of an eventual peace deal. Analysts, however, said there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to US demands.

A US State Department spokesman said this week the talks had been "positive" but that no agreement had been reached.

The Trump administration has moved toward withdrawals of US forces after years of overseas deployments. A US official said last month that Trump planned to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan.

But Trump's fellow Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday offered legislation urging the United States to keep troops in Afghanistan as well as Syria, although it was uncertain whether it would become law

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country.

Negotiations in Afghanistan are going well, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday after US officials earlier this week said there had been significant progress in talks to end 17 years of war in the country. Talks "are proceeding well," Trump wrote on Twitter. He did not address any possible peace accord with the Taliban or the presence of US troops in Afghanistan. On Monday, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad told the New York Times that the United States and the insurgent group had sketched the outlines of an eventual peace deal. Analysts, however, said there was no sign that the Taliban had agreed to US demands. A US State Department spokesman said this week the talks had been "positive" but that no agreement had been reached. The Trump administration has moved toward withdrawals of US forces after years of overseas deployments. A US official said last month that Trump planned to withdraw more than 5,000 of the 14,000 US troops in Afghanistan. But Trump's fellow Republican US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday offered legislation urging the United States to keep troops in Afghanistan as well as Syria, although it was uncertain whether it would become law

Trump says Afghanistan talks 'proceeding well'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-bound-honduran-migrant-caravan-grows-as-trump-argues-for-wall-190630">Hundreds of Hondurans</a> have set out on a trek to the United States, forming another caravan that US President Donald Trump cited Tuesday to justify building a wall on the border with Mexico.

"A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!"

As the procession left the town of San Pedro Sula under a steady rain Monday night, one of the migrants summed up their plight: "We are leaving because there is crime and no work," said Juan Garcia, 52.

Many said they had answered an anonymous social media posting referring to a January 15 <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/need-to-solve-a-border-dispute-look-to-ethiopia-and-uzbekistan-188937">migrant </a>caravan leaving Honduras' second city. Most are young men, but the caravan also includes older people, including women carrying children. Some had wrapped themselves in the blue-and-white Honduran flag.

"In this country, there is nothing. Only unemployment, corruption, violence, extortion, which is why we fled the country," said Darwin Omar Reyes, 19, from the capital Tegucigalpa.

More than 500 people set out from the center of San Pedro Sula, which is 180 kilometers (110 miles) north of the capital Tegucigalpa.

It was from the same transport hub that some 2,000 Hondurans left on October 13 in the first of a series of US-bound caravans. That and other migrant flows from El Salvador and Guatemala came to total some 13,000 people.

Tougher border policies

More than half turned around and went home, eventually. Hundreds -- down from much larger numbers late last year -- remain at the Mexican border with the United States, held back by tougher border policies under Trump and support among his base for his proposed border wall.

Marlin Alcantara, 31, said from among a group of people in the back of a pick-up truck that she was fleeing domestic violence and had documentation that would support her entry to the US. She was travelling with two daughters aged nine and 13.

"My particular case is delicate. We were victims of my mother's husband. The miserable man is in prison now but it's not enough. The worst thing is that she is on his side," said Alcantara. "That's why I made the decision to go," she said.

Kevin Ramos, 18, worked at a coffee plantation in western Honduras before he was made unemployed two months ago.&nbsp;

"With God's help, we can get a job in the United States," he said. He said his father had urged him to join the caravan.

Many said they had lost hope under President Juan Orlando Hernandez. "We don't want that president, who is destroying our lives," said Javier Moran.

Hernandez's rise to power in 2014 elections provided a surge of hope for Hondurans, but Moran said that a year into his second term, that hope had dissipated.&nbsp;

Living in shelters

According to Honduras' embassy in Mexico, around 2,500 Hondurans from earlier caravans are currently living in shelters in Mexico, and that only about 3 per cent of them are likely to achieve their goal of asylum in the United States.

The Honduran foreign ministry estimates that, in all, around 13,000 Hondurans arrived in Mexico in recent months, of which around 7,200 voluntarily returned to their country after being blocked at the Mexico-US border. A total of 11 migrants had died.

The first caravan, on October 13, sparked a Twitter-borne stream of anti-migrant invective from the US president.

Trump has refused to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments in a showdown with Democrats over funding for his border wall project, leading to the longest government shutdown in US history.

The president has made the migrant caravans one of his main targets as part of his broader anti-immigration drive in mid-term elections last November.

Hundreds of Hondurans have set out on a trek to the United States, forming another caravan that US President Donald Trump cited Tuesday to justify building a wall on the border with Mexico.

Hundreds of Hondurans have set out on a trek to the United States, forming another caravan that US President Donald Trump cited Tuesday to justify building a wall on the border with Mexico. "A big new Caravan is heading up to our Southern Border from Honduras," Trump tweeted Tuesday. "Only a Wall, or Steel Barrier, will keep our Country safe! Stop playing political games and end the Shutdown!" As the procession left the town of San Pedro Sula under a steady rain Monday night, one of the migrants summed up their plight: "We are leaving because there is crime and no work," said Juan Garcia, 52. Many said they had answered an anonymous social media posting referring to a January 15 migrant caravan leaving Honduras' second city. Most are young men, but the caravan also includes older people, including women carrying children. Some had wrapped themselves in the blue-and-white Honduran flag. "In this country, there is nothing. Only unemployment, corruption, violence, extortion, which is why we fled the country," said Darwin Omar Reyes, 19, from the capital Tegucigalpa. More than 500 people set out from the center of San Pedro Sula, which is 180 kilometers (110 miles) north of the capital Tegucigalpa. It was from the same transport hub that some 2,000 Hondurans left on October 13 in the first of a series of US-bound caravans. That and other migrant flows from El Salvador and Guatemala came to total some 13,000 people. Tougher border policies More than half turned around and went home, eventually. Hundreds -- down from much larger numbers late last year -- remain at the Mexican border with the United States, held back by tougher border policies under Trump and support among his base for his proposed border wall. Marlin Alcantara, 31, said from among a group of people in the back of a pick-up truck that she was fleeing domestic violence and had documentation that would support her entry to the US. She was travelling with two daughters aged nine and 13. "My particular case is delicate. We were victims of my mother's husband. The miserable man is in prison now but it's not enough. The worst thing is that she is on his side," said Alcantara. "That's why I made the decision to go," she said. Kevin Ramos, 18, worked at a coffee plantation in western Honduras before he was made unemployed two months ago. "With God's help, we can get a job in the United States," he said. He said his father had urged him to join the caravan. Many said they had lost hope under President Juan Orlando Hernandez. "We don't want that president, who is destroying our lives," said Javier Moran. Hernandez's rise to power in 2014 elections provided a surge of hope for Hondurans, but Moran said that a year into his second term, that hope had dissipated. Living in shelters According to Honduras' embassy in Mexico, around 2,500 Hondurans from earlier caravans are currently living in shelters in Mexico, and that only about 3 per cent of them are likely to achieve their goal of asylum in the United States. The Honduran foreign ministry estimates that, in all, around 13,000 Hondurans arrived in Mexico in recent months, of which around 7,200 voluntarily returned to their country after being blocked at the Mexico-US border. A total of 11 migrants had died. The first caravan, on October 13, sparked a Twitter-borne stream of anti-migrant invective from the US president. Trump has refused to sign off on budgets for swaths of government departments in a showdown with Democrats over funding for his border wall project, leading to the longest government shutdown in US history. The president has made the migrant caravans one of his main targets as part of his broader anti-immigration drive in mid-term elections last November.

Hondurans form a new US-bound caravan, drawing fire from Trump

President Donald Trump's 2017 inaugural committee is being investigated by federal prosecutors in New York over allegations that it misspent funds or accepted donations in exchange for access to his administration, according to a media report.

The inauguration committee had raised a record US $107 million for expenses for Trump's inauguration and events associated with it.

The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported that the US Attorney's office in Manhattan is also investigating whether the committee accepted donations from individuals looking to gain influence in or access to the new administration.

"The criminal probe by the Manhattan US attorney's office, which is in its early stages, also is examining whether some of the committee's top donors gave money in exchange for access to the incoming Trump administration, policy concessions or to influence official administration positions, some of the people said,"&nbsp;the financial daily reported.

The daily said that "giving money in exchange of political favours could run afoul of federal corruption laws."

The White House distanced the president from his inauguration committee, saying it had nothing to do with Trump or his wife Melania.

"That doesn't have anything to do with the president or the first lady," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters.

"The biggest thing the president did, his engagement in the inauguration, was to come here and raise his hand and take the oath of office. The president was focused on the transition at that time and not on any of the planning for the inauguration," Sanders said.

According to the daily, federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating the matter from the documents it recovered during raid at the office and residences of Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen.

As of now, the inaugural committee has not been asked for records, the daily said.&nbsp;

During a raid of Cohen's properties in April, a recorded conversation between him and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to first lady Melania, was seized, according to the newspaper.&nbsp;

Wolkoff expressed concern in the conversation about how the inaugural committee was spending money, a person familiar with the Cohen investigation told the Journal.

President Donald Trump's 2017 inaugural committee is being investigated by federal prosecutors in New York over allegations that it misspent funds or accepted donations in exchange for access to his administration, according to a media report.

President Donald Trump's 2017 inaugural committee is being investigated by federal prosecutors in New York over allegations that it misspent funds or accepted donations in exchange for access to his administration, according to a media report. The inauguration committee had raised a record US $107 million for expenses for Trump's inauguration and events associated with it. The Wall Street Journal on Thursday reported that the US Attorney's office in Manhattan is also investigating whether the committee accepted donations from individuals looking to gain influence in or access to the new administration. "The criminal probe by the Manhattan US attorney's office, which is in its early stages, also is examining whether some of the committee's top donors gave money in exchange for access to the incoming Trump administration, policy concessions or to influence official administration positions, some of the people said," the financial daily reported. The daily said that "giving money in exchange of political favours could run afoul of federal corruption laws." The White House distanced the president from his inauguration committee, saying it had nothing to do with Trump or his wife Melania. "That doesn't have anything to do with the president or the first lady," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters. "The biggest thing the president did, his engagement in the inauguration, was to come here and raise his hand and take the oath of office. The president was focused on the transition at that time and not on any of the planning for the inauguration," Sanders said. According to the daily, federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating the matter from the documents it recovered during raid at the office and residences of Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen. As of now, the inaugural committee has not been asked for records, the daily said. During a raid of Cohen's properties in April, a recorded conversation between him and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, a former adviser to first lady Melania, was seized, according to the newspaper. Wolkoff expressed concern in the conversation about how the inaugural committee was spending money, a person familiar with the Cohen investigation told the Journal.

Trump's inaugural committee under investigation over fund wrongdoing: Report

US President Donald Trump told the special counsel investigating possible collusion between his campaign and Russia that he was not aware ahead of time of a meeting in June 2016 between campaign officials and Russians, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Wednesday.

Trump`s response, in written answers to questions posed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, was first reported by CNN.

"Almost all the answers he gave are consistent with what he said publicly, and publicly he said he did not know about it," Giuliani said.&nbsp;

Trump`s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has said he agreed to the meeting after being promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton, Trump`s Democratic opponent in the 2016 election. Trump`s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and senior campaign aide Paul Manafort also took part in the June 9, 2016, meeting.

A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.&nbsp;

Trump, who has repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow, has said publicly he had no prior knowledge of the June 2016 meeting.

US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the election with the aim of tipping it towards Trump and away from Clinton. Russia has denied any interference.

US President Donald Trump told the special counsel investigating possible collusion between his campaign and Russia that he was not aware ahead of time of a meeting in June 2016 between campaign officials and Russians, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump told the special counsel investigating possible collusion between his campaign and Russia that he was not aware ahead of time of a meeting in June 2016 between campaign officials and Russians, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani said on Wednesday. Trump`s response, in written answers to questions posed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, was first reported by CNN. "Almost all the answers he gave are consistent with what he said publicly, and publicly he said he did not know about it," Giuliani said. Trump`s oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., has said he agreed to the meeting after being promised damaging information on Hillary Clinton, Trump`s Democratic opponent in the 2016 election. Trump`s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and senior campaign aide Paul Manafort also took part in the June 9, 2016, meeting. A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment. Trump, who has repeatedly denied any collusion between his campaign and Moscow, has said publicly he had no prior knowledge of the June 2016 meeting. US intelligence agencies have said Russia interfered in the election with the aim of tipping it towards Trump and away from Clinton. Russia has denied any interference.

Trump told Mueller he had no prior knowledge of meeting between campaign, Russians: Guiliani

US President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed a threat to close the US-Mexico border if the situation there gets out of control and warned it would hurt Mexico's trade with the United States.

"If we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control or where people are going to start getting hurt, we will close entry into the country for a period of time until we can get it under control," he told reporters.

"The whole border. I mean the whole border. Mexico will not be able to sell their cars into the United States where they make so many cars," he said.

President Donald Trump had issued the proclamation earlier this month as a matter of what he called national security as a US-bound caravan of Central American migrants made its way through Mexico toward the US border.

A federal judge on Monday (November 19) put a temporary halt to a Trump administration order denying the possibility of asylum to people who enter the US illegally.

(With inputs from AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed a threat to close the US-Mexico border if the situation there gets out of control and warned it would hurt Mexico's trade with the United States.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed a threat to close the US-Mexico border if the situation there gets out of control and warned it would hurt Mexico's trade with the United States. "If we find that it gets to a level where we are going to lose control or where people are going to start getting hurt, we will close entry into the country for a period of time until we can get it under control," he told reporters. "The whole border. I mean the whole border. Mexico will not be able to sell their cars into the United States where they make so many cars," he said. President Donald Trump had issued the proclamation earlier this month as a matter of what he called national security as a US-bound caravan of Central American migrants made its way through Mexico toward the US border. A federal judge on Monday (November 19) put a temporary halt to a Trump administration order denying the possibility of asylum to people who enter the US illegally. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump renews threat to close down entire border with Mexico

US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a fresh attack on the Russia investigation, branding it a "disgrace to our Nation" a week after he fired his attorney general, raising questions about the probe's future.

"They have found no collusion and have gone absolutely nuts. They are screaming and shouting at people, horribly threatening them to come up with the answers they want," Trump wrote on Twitter.

"They are a disgrace to our Nation and don't care how many lives (they) ruin."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The inner workings of the Mueller investigation are a total mess. They have found no collusion and have gone absolutely nuts. They are screaming and shouting at people, horribly threatening them to come up with the answers they want. They are a disgrace to our Nation and don’t...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1063042585802039296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
....care how many lives the ruin. These are Angry People, including the highly conflicted Bob Mueller, who worked for Obama for 8 years. They won’t even look at all of the bad acts and crimes on the other side. A TOTAL WITCH HUNT LIKE NO OTHER IN AMERICAN HISTORY!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1063046973857718272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The president has frequently lashed out at the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller into Moscow's interference in the 2016 US elections and whether there was collusion by the Trump campaign.

But his latest missive takes on new significance in the wake of his appointment of Matthew Whitaker, a past public critic of the probe, as acting attorney general replacing the sacked Jeff Sessions.

The move puts Whitaker, Sessions' former chief of staff, in charge of overseeing the Mueller probe.

On Wednesday, Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a critic of the president, and Democratic Senator Chris Coons attempted to introduced a measure to protect Mueller, but it was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer has said that if Whitaker refuses to recuse himself from the probe, as Sessions had done, Democrats will seek to attach legislation protecting Mueller to a must-pass spending bill that will be up for consideration in the coming weeks.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a fresh attack on the Russia investigation, branding it a "disgrace to our Nation" a week after he fired his attorney general, raising questions about the probe's future.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday launched a fresh attack on the Russia investigation, branding it a "disgrace to our Nation" a week after he fired his attorney general, raising questions about the probe's future. "They have found no collusion and have gone absolutely nuts. They are screaming and shouting at people, horribly threatening them to come up with the answers they want," Trump wrote on Twitter. "They are a disgrace to our Nation and don't care how many lives (they) ruin." The inner workings of the Mueller investigation are a total mess. They have found no collusion and have gone absolutely nuts. They are screaming and shouting at people, horribly threatening them to come up with the answers they want. They are a disgrace to our Nation and don’t... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2018 × ....care how many lives the ruin. These are Angry People, including the highly conflicted Bob Mueller, who worked for Obama for 8 years. They won’t even look at all of the bad acts and crimes on the other side. A TOTAL WITCH HUNT LIKE NO OTHER IN AMERICAN HISTORY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2018 × The president has frequently lashed out at the probe led by special counsel Robert Mueller into Moscow's interference in the 2016 US elections and whether there was collusion by the Trump campaign. But his latest missive takes on new significance in the wake of his appointment of Matthew Whitaker, a past public critic of the probe, as acting attorney general replacing the sacked Jeff Sessions. The move puts Whitaker, Sessions' former chief of staff, in charge of overseeing the Mueller probe. On Wednesday, Republican Senator Jeff Flake, a critic of the president, and Democratic Senator Chris Coons attempted to introduced a measure to protect Mueller, but it was blocked by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer has said that if Whitaker refuses to recuse himself from the probe, as Sessions had done, Democrats will seek to attach legislation protecting Mueller to a must-pass spending bill that will be up for consideration in the coming weeks.

Russia investigation 'disgrace to our nation,' says Trump

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall.

Taking a confrontational position on the issue, Trump said at a news conference on Wednesday he could not commit to avoiding a partial government shutdown if Congress refuses to provide him all the funding he wants for his wall.

"We need the money to build the wall, the whole wall, not pieces of it," Trump told reporters, days before Congress reconvenes for its mid-November to mid-December "lame duck" session.

Trump has issued ultimatums about wall funding before, with little impact, even with his own Republican Party in majority control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Even though Tuesday's congressional elections gave the Democrats majority control of the House, the Republicans will still control both chambers until January.

That means that they will need Democratic support for any funding bills in the Senate, where Republicans have 51 of 100 seats. They will need 60 votes to advance legislation.

Having won control of the House in the elections, Democrats said they will be even less motivated than before to meet Trump's wall demands.

If the two parties cannot reach a funding deal, there would be a partial government shutdown, with so-called "essential services," including some at the Department of Homeland Security, likely remaining in operation.

"We need to work this out," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. "Seventy-five per cent of the government was funded before the end of September."

Lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement in September to fund much of the federal government. The fight over money for the wall was delayed until after the elections by including only temporary funding until December 8 for some government services, including Homeland Security.

"We're going to do the best we can to try to achieve the president's priorities and hopefully we will not be headed down that path," McConnell said of a partial shutdown.

He said Congress would also try to finalize a five-year reauthorization of the farm bill during the "lame duck" session. The legislation expired at the end of September but most of its programs remain in place through the end of the year.

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall.

When the US Congress reconvenes on November 13, it will face a deadline less than a month later to fund parts of the federal government and a possible showdown over money for President Donald Trump's proposed US-Mexico border wall. Taking a confrontational position on the issue, Trump said at a news conference on Wednesday he could not commit to avoiding a partial government shutdown if Congress refuses to provide him all the funding he wants for his wall. "We need the money to build the wall, the whole wall, not pieces of it," Trump told reporters, days before Congress reconvenes for its mid-November to mid-December "lame duck" session. Trump has issued ultimatums about wall funding before, with little impact, even with his own Republican Party in majority control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Even though Tuesday's congressional elections gave the Democrats majority control of the House, the Republicans will still control both chambers until January. That means that they will need Democratic support for any funding bills in the Senate, where Republicans have 51 of 100 seats. They will need 60 votes to advance legislation. Having won control of the House in the elections, Democrats said they will be even less motivated than before to meet Trump's wall demands. If the two parties cannot reach a funding deal, there would be a partial government shutdown, with so-called "essential services," including some at the Department of Homeland Security, likely remaining in operation. "We need to work this out," Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said on Wednesday. "Seventy-five per cent of the government was funded before the end of September." Lawmakers reached a bipartisan agreement in September to fund much of the federal government. The fight over money for the wall was delayed until after the elections by including only temporary funding until December 8 for some government services, including Homeland Security. "We're going to do the best we can to try to achieve the president's priorities and hopefully we will not be headed down that path," McConnell said of a partial shutdown. He said Congress would also try to finalize a five-year reauthorization of the farm bill during the "lame duck" session. The legislation expired at the end of September but most of its programs remain in place through the end of the year.

Battle looms in US Congress over money for Trump's border wall

President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that soldiers deployed to the Mexican border could shoot Central American migrants who throw stones at them while attempting to cross illegally.

Trump told journalists at the White House that a group of several thousand migrants walking through Mexico towards the US border had thrown rocks "viciously and violently" at Mexican police.

"We're not going to put up with that. They want to throw rocks at our military, our military fights back," he said.&nbsp;

"I told them (troops) consider it (a rock) a rifle. When they throw rocks like they did at the Mexican military and police, I say consider it a rifle."

Trump spoke during a presentation of his controversial policy on cracking down against what he says is uncontrolled illegal immigration.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/btDLrfGR4BI" width="560"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Contacted for comment, Pentagon spokesman Army Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis said the military would not discuss hypothetical situations on the use of force "but our forces are trained professionals who always have the inherent right of self-defense."

"I would also emphasize that our forces are in support of DHS/CBP, who are performing law enforcement activities," he added, referring to the frontline Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection.

Trump has ramped up the rhetoric daily ahead of next Tuesday's midterm congressional elections, accusing the opposition Democrats of wanting to throw open the borders to floods of "tough people," "rapists" and other types of threats.

The current focus of the president's repeated claim to be acting against "an invasion" is the dwindling group of a few thousand impoverished migrants trying to get north, but still far from the US border.

Trump said that from now on, the United States will stop its policy of allowing people to claim political asylum at the border unless they have first gone through an official border post.

Those caught at the border will be held in tent camps or other facilities until they can be deported or have their requests approved, he said.

Critics say that such a radical rethink to asylum policies could violate current laws.

But Trump rejected this.

"This is totally legal. No, we're stopping people at the border. This is an invasion, and nobody is even questioning that," he said.

"We'll be doing an executive order sometime next week," he said, giving little further detail.

Despite Trump's increasingly severe warnings of immigration chaos, the government on Wednesday issued figures saying that only about 400,000 people have been apprehended at the border in 2018, down from around 1.6 million in 2000.

Trump said he was not anti-immigrant but wanted immigration to be completely brought under control.

"Mass uncontrolled immigration is especially unfair to the many wonderful law-abiding immigrants already living here who followed the rules and waited their turn," he said.&nbsp;

"Some have been waiting for many years. Some have been waiting a long time. They have done everything perfectly, and they are going to come in."

President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that soldiers deployed to the Mexican border could shoot Central American migrants who throw stones at them while attempting to cross illegally.

President Donald Trump on Thursday warned that soldiers deployed to the Mexican border could shoot Central American migrants who throw stones at them while attempting to cross illegally. Trump told journalists at the White House that a group of several thousand migrants walking through Mexico towards the US border had thrown rocks "viciously and violently" at Mexican police. "We're not going to put up with that. They want to throw rocks at our military, our military fights back," he said. "I told them (troops) consider it (a rock) a rifle. When they throw rocks like they did at the Mexican military and police, I say consider it a rifle." Trump spoke during a presentation of his controversial policy on cracking down against what he says is uncontrolled illegal immigration. × Contacted for comment, Pentagon spokesman Army Lieutenant Colonel Jamie Davis said the military would not discuss hypothetical situations on the use of force "but our forces are trained professionals who always have the inherent right of self-defense." "I would also emphasize that our forces are in support of DHS/CBP, who are performing law enforcement activities," he added, referring to the frontline Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection. Trump has ramped up the rhetoric daily ahead of next Tuesday's midterm congressional elections, accusing the opposition Democrats of wanting to throw open the borders to floods of "tough people," "rapists" and other types of threats. The current focus of the president's repeated claim to be acting against "an invasion" is the dwindling group of a few thousand impoverished migrants trying to get north, but still far from the US border. Trump said that from now on, the United States will stop its policy of allowing people to claim political asylum at the border unless they have first gone through an official border post. Those caught at the border will be held in tent camps or other facilities until they can be deported or have their requests approved, he said. Critics say that such a radical rethink to asylum policies could violate current laws. But Trump rejected this. "This is totally legal. No, we're stopping people at the border. This is an invasion, and nobody is even questioning that," he said. "We'll be doing an executive order sometime next week," he said, giving little further detail. Despite Trump's increasingly severe warnings of immigration chaos, the government on Wednesday issued figures saying that only about 400,000 people have been apprehended at the border in 2018, down from around 1.6 million in 2000. Trump said he was not anti-immigrant but wanted immigration to be completely brought under control. "Mass uncontrolled immigration is especially unfair to the many wonderful law-abiding immigrants already living here who followed the rules and waited their turn," he said. "Some have been waiting for many years. Some have been waiting a long time. They have done everything perfectly, and they are going to come in."

Trump threatens to shoot migrants who throw stones at US military

US pastor Andrew Brunson was flown out of Turkey on Friday after a court freed him from two years of detention, in a step that could improve US-Turkish ties strained by disputes over Syria, Iran and Ankara's planned purchase of Russian military equipment.

Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife were greeted by US Ambassador Richard Grenell during a refuelling stop in Germany, the envoy said on social network Twitter. US media said the meeting took place at Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany.

"He's almost home thanks to @realDonaldTrump," Grenell wrote. "When I presented him with the US flag, he immediately kissed it."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I welcomed Pastor Brunson &amp; his wife to Germany on their refueling stop. He’s almost home thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. 
When I presented him with the US flag, he immediately kissed it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/agratefulnation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#agratefulnation</a> <a href="https://t.co/b82gA7PXVr">pic.twitter.com/b82gA7PXVr</a>
— Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) <a href="https://twitter.com/RichardGrenell/status/1050904034310275073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Brunson was expected to land at Joint Base Andrews near Washington at around noon EDT (1600 GMT) on Saturday after a stop in Germany for a medical check-up. President Donald Trump said Brunson would probably visit the White House Oval Office on Saturday.

Brunson was jailed two year ago and had been under house arrest since July. He was accused of links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey's government for a coup attempt in 2016.&nbsp;

The Turkish court sentenced Brunson to three years and 1-1/2 months in prison on terrorism charges, but said he would not serve any further jail time and freed him.

US pastor Andrew Brunson was flown out of Turkey on Friday after a court freed him from two years of detention, in a step that could improve US-Turkish ties strained by disputes over Syria, Iran and Ankara's planned purchase of Russian military equipment.

US pastor Andrew Brunson was flown out of Turkey on Friday after a court freed him from two years of detention, in a step that could improve US-Turkish ties strained by disputes over Syria, Iran and Ankara's planned purchase of Russian military equipment. Evangelical pastor Andrew Brunson and his wife were greeted by US Ambassador Richard Grenell during a refuelling stop in Germany, the envoy said on social network Twitter. US media said the meeting took place at Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany. "He's almost home thanks to @realDonaldTrump," Grenell wrote. "When I presented him with the US flag, he immediately kissed it." I welcomed Pastor Brunson & his wife to Germany on their refueling stop. He’s almost home thanks to @realDonaldTrump. When I presented him with the US flag, he immediately kissed it. #agratefulnation pic.twitter.com/b82gA7PXVr — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) October 13, 2018 × Brunson was expected to land at Joint Base Andrews near Washington at around noon EDT (1600 GMT) on Saturday after a stop in Germany for a medical check-up. President Donald Trump said Brunson would probably visit the White House Oval Office on Saturday. Brunson was jailed two year ago and had been under house arrest since July. He was accused of links to Kurdish militants and supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the cleric blamed by Turkey's government for a coup attempt in 2016. The Turkish court sentenced Brunson to three years and 1-1/2 months in prison on terrorism charges, but said he would not serve any further jail time and freed him.

Freed pastor Brunson greeted by US Ambassador at stopover in Germany

doanld-trump

Doanld Trump, News on Doanld Trump, stories on Doanld Trump, articles on Doanld Trump, Doanld Trump stories at Wion, Doanld Trump news, Doanld Trump latest news

doanld trump