The countdown of the US Presidential election is under way, but experts have warned that result of poll could be delayed. This year record number of mail-in ballots are expected.

US Election: Experts warn result of presidential poll could be delayed

Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington.

Reviving some of the most polarizing speech lines from his 2016 campaign and mocking his potential Democratic opponents, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">Trump regaled the crowd</a> with a series of campaign promises, including revamping the US healthcare system and continuing to build a wall along the country's southern border with Mexico.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">Democratic contenders</a> for their party's nomination to challenge Trump in the November election face their first electoral test in the Iowa caucuses on Monday. Trump, who is seeking a second term, is expected to easily win the Republican caucus.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c628d394-3e03-449a-b53b-89fba6cfa78e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2818%29_5.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;U.S. President Donald Trump mocks House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff&nbsp;as he rallies with supporters (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

His campaign, regardless, is making a show of force in the state and several of his supporters, including both of his adult sons, will be in the state on Monday. Trump's speech on Thursday was squarely focused on the general election. He won Iowa in 2016 and Democrats are not expected to invest many resources trying to flip it back to their column this year.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-swing-district-democrats-back-joe-bidens-presidential-bid-272511">Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid</a>

But Democrats have dominated the airwaves in Iowa for the past year, making Trump the focus of their appeals to the state's Democratic voters. 
Trump repeated his criticism of his potential Democratic opponents, denigrating former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for his height and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his last name, and repeating his reference to US Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.”

"Democrats stand for crime, corruption and chaos, Republicans stand for law, order and justice," Trump said. Trump renewed a 2016 campaign promise to make Mexico pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a vow he made daily while campaigning the first time but has rarely mentioned since taking office.

"Illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall ... through remittance, 100 per cent," Trump said. He also revisited a line from his 2016 campaign, maligning some migrants trying to enter the United States as criminals.

Fresh from signing a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada on Wednesday and a separate pact with China earlier this month, the president said the Democrats would be bad for Iowa’s farmers - warning they would "kill your cows." "If we don't win, your farms are going to hell," he said. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington.

US President Donald Trump campaigned on Thursday in Iowa - the state that kicks off the presidential nominating race next week - basking in the support of his base while the US Senate trial considering his impeachment continued in Washington. Reviving some of the most polarizing speech lines from his 2016 campaign and mocking his potential Democratic opponents, Trump regaled the crowd with a series of campaign promises, including revamping the US healthcare system and continuing to build a wall along the country's southern border with Mexico. Democratic contenders for their party's nomination to challenge Trump in the November election face their first electoral test in the Iowa caucuses on Monday. Trump, who is seeking a second term, is expected to easily win the Republican caucus. [ U.S. President Donald Trump mocks House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff as he rallies with supporters (Courtesy: Reuters) ] His campaign, regardless, is making a show of force in the state and several of his supporters, including both of his adult sons, will be in the state on Monday. Trump's speech on Thursday was squarely focused on the general election. He won Iowa in 2016 and Democrats are not expected to invest many resources trying to flip it back to their column this year. Also Read: Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid But Democrats have dominated the airwaves in Iowa for the past year, making Trump the focus of their appeals to the state's Democratic voters. Trump repeated his criticism of his potential Democratic opponents, denigrating former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg for his height and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg for his last name, and repeating his reference to US Senator Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas.” "Democrats stand for crime, corruption and chaos, Republicans stand for law, order and justice," Trump said. Trump renewed a 2016 campaign promise to make Mexico pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border, a vow he made daily while campaigning the first time but has rarely mentioned since taking office. "Illegal aliens from Mexico are going to pay for the wall ... through remittance, 100 per cent," Trump said. He also revisited a line from his 2016 campaign, maligning some migrants trying to enter the United States as criminals. Fresh from signing a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada on Wednesday and a separate pact with China earlier this month, the president said the Democrats would be bad for Iowa’s farmers - warning they would "kill your cows." "If we don't win, your farms are going to hell," he said.

Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats

In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-us-vice-president-pence-denounce-iran-at-holocaust-memorial-ceremony-276200">World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem</a>, US Vice President Mike Pence was caught on mic using the term "unstoppable"&nbsp;to describe Donald Trump.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-israel-hosts-world-holocaust-forum-276196">WION Dispatch: Israel hosts World Holocaust Forum</a>

"We're contending. He's unstoppable, like somebody else I know," the US vice president said in a chat with PM Netanyahu which was picked up by a camera team nearby.

His comments precede hours of damning remarks from the US President's impeachment trial, where the prosecution is deliberating the evidence against the US president&nbsp;of abusing the power of his office.

Pence and&nbsp;Netanyahu had&nbsp;gathered with other world leaders in Jerusalem to attend a memorial to commemorate&nbsp;the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps in Nazi-occupied Poland.

The US vice president said that the meeting with&nbsp;Netanyahu will "continue discussions about a broad range of issues of mutual concern between the United States and Israel, but also about the prospect of peace." Netanyahu intends to discuss his plans with Trump "on how to advance peace and to work closely with him to advance that goal".

Netanyahu's political rival, Benjamin Gantz has stated that he will consider making territorial concessions to Palestinians but is yet to commit recognising statehood.

Netanyahu stated that Gantz's inclusive approach is an effort to achieve "broad consensus in the efforts to achieve security and peace ... for the state of Israel."

In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, US Vice President Mike Pence was caught on mic using the term "unstoppable" to describe Donald Trump.

In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, US Vice President Mike Pence was caught on mic using the term "unstoppable" to describe Donald Trump. Also Read: WION Dispatch: Israel hosts World Holocaust Forum "We're contending. He's unstoppable, like somebody else I know," the US vice president said in a chat with PM Netanyahu which was picked up by a camera team nearby. His comments precede hours of damning remarks from the US President's impeachment trial, where the prosecution is deliberating the evidence against the US president of abusing the power of his office. Pence and Netanyahu had gathered with other world leaders in Jerusalem to attend a memorial to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps in Nazi-occupied Poland. The US vice president said that the meeting with Netanyahu will "continue discussions about a broad range of issues of mutual concern between the United States and Israel, but also about the prospect of peace." Netanyahu intends to discuss his plans with Trump "on how to advance peace and to work closely with him to advance that goal". Netanyahu's political rival, Benjamin Gantz has stated that he will consider making territorial concessions to Palestinians but is yet to commit recognising statehood. Netanyahu stated that Gantz's inclusive approach is an effort to achieve "broad consensus in the efforts to achieve security and peace ... for the state of Israel."

He's unstoppable, like somebody else I know: Pence caught on hot mic with Israel PM Netanyahu

A <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/about-200-us-companies-seeking-to-move-manufacturing-base-from-china-to-india-usispf-213845&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0sYOSkvfhAhVz6XMBHfnxD4YQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3r0_1uAhbyPzb0s4HFlgmy">US</a>&nbsp;combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan who prosecutors say plotted to detonate multiple nail bombs at a Los Angeles-area white nationalist rally, seeking to cause mass casualties, was arrested in an FBI sting operation, federal prosecutors said on Monday.

Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-places-india-china-among-others-on-priority-watch-list-for-ip-rights-violations-213493&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj0sYOSkvfhAhVz6XMBHfnxD4YQFjAHegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2UlTtNJHwiMwIGDO_4mIuC">US&nbsp;</a>Army infantryman who recently converted to Islam, was taken into custody on Friday after undercover FBI operatives furnished him with what he thought were live bombs to be used in the attack, law enforcement officials said.

Authorities said Domingo, who had no prior criminal record, came to their attention because of a series of violent extremist messages he posted in online chat rooms, one of which called for "retribution" for the massacre of 50 people at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, by a gunman in March.

"Often we are asked what keeps us up at night. This is a case that keeps us up at night," Ryan Young, special agent in charge of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, told a news conference in Los Angeles.

Domingo, who had purchased several hundred long nails to serve as shrapnel in the homemade pressure-cooker bombs, had also suggested attacks on Jews, police officers, churches, a military facility, Southern California freeways and the Santa Monica Pier during internet conversations with the FBI operatives, Young said.

He was charged in a federal criminal complaint with providing material support to terrorists and was ordered held without bond during a brief initial appearance in US&nbsp;District Court in Los Angeles on Monday.

“This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,” US Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement.

According to the criminal complaint, an FBI operative established contact with Domingo in a private online chat room in March, leading to discussions in which Domingo expressed support for Islamic militants and the desire to seek revenge for attacks on Muslims.

'VIOLENT JIHAD'

In one of his earliest posts, he suggested that "America needs another Vegas event," an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas where a lone gunman perched in a nearby hotel killed 58 people and wounded hundreds, the complaint alleged.

Domingo, who said he wanted to become a martyr, also made reference to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, according to the complaint.

During one meeting in person with an FBI operative, he arrived carrying an AK 47-style assault rifle, telling the informant: "I just wanted to show you that I'm serious."

According to a law enforcement database, Domingo is the registered owner of three semi-automatic rifles.

An FBI spokeswoman said received a less-than-honourable discharge from the Army.

Prosecutors say Domingo contemplated drive-by shootings and detonating a bomb at the Santa Monica pier before deciding to bomb a rally scheduled for Sunday, April 28, in the Los Angeles suburb of Long Beach that he believed was organized by white nationalists.

Domingo and two FBI informants visited the planned site of the rally to scout the best location to place explosives to cause the greatest casualties, authorities said, agreeing that they would leave the scene separately to throw off suspicion.

He was arrested shortly after placing one of the mock bombs into the vehicle of an informant.

The white nationalist rally ended up not happening, although a number of counterdemonstrators assembled at the site, the Los Angeles City News Service said.

The announcement of Domingo's arrest came two days after a gunman opened fire in a San Diego-area synagogue, killing one woman and wounding three others, including the rabbi. John Earnest, 19, was arrested.

There was no indication the two incidents were connected.

A US combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan who prosecutors say plotted to detonate multiple nail bombs at a Los Angeles-area white nationalist rally, seeking to cause mass casualties, was arrested in an FBI sting operation, federal prosecutors said on Monday.

A US combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan who prosecutors say plotted to detonate multiple nail bombs at a Los Angeles-area white nationalist rally, seeking to cause mass casualties, was arrested in an FBI sting operation, federal prosecutors said on Monday. Mark Steven Domingo, 26, a US Army infantryman who recently converted to Islam, was taken into custody on Friday after undercover FBI operatives furnished him with what he thought were live bombs to be used in the attack, law enforcement officials said. Authorities said Domingo, who had no prior criminal record, came to their attention because of a series of violent extremist messages he posted in online chat rooms, one of which called for "retribution" for the massacre of 50 people at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, by a gunman in March. "Often we are asked what keeps us up at night. This is a case that keeps us up at night," Ryan Young, special agent in charge of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, told a news conference in Los Angeles. Domingo, who had purchased several hundred long nails to serve as shrapnel in the homemade pressure-cooker bombs, had also suggested attacks on Jews, police officers, churches, a military facility, Southern California freeways and the Santa Monica Pier during internet conversations with the FBI operatives, Young said. He was charged in a federal criminal complaint with providing material support to terrorists and was ordered held without bond during a brief initial appearance in US District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. “This investigation successfully disrupted a very real threat posed by a trained combat soldier who repeatedly stated he wanted to cause the maximum number of casualties,” US Attorney Nick Hanna said in a statement. According to the criminal complaint, an FBI operative established contact with Domingo in a private online chat room in March, leading to discussions in which Domingo expressed support for Islamic militants and the desire to seek revenge for attacks on Muslims. 'VIOLENT JIHAD' In one of his earliest posts, he suggested that "America needs another Vegas event," an apparent reference to the 2017 mass shooting at a country music concert in Las Vegas where a lone gunman perched in a nearby hotel killed 58 people and wounded hundreds, the complaint alleged. Domingo, who said he wanted to become a martyr, also made reference to the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, according to the complaint. During one meeting in person with an FBI operative, he arrived carrying an AK 47-style assault rifle, telling the informant: "I just wanted to show you that I'm serious." According to a law enforcement database, Domingo is the registered owner of three semi-automatic rifles. An FBI spokeswoman said received a less-than-honourable discharge from the Army. Prosecutors say Domingo contemplated drive-by shootings and detonating a bomb at the Santa Monica pier before deciding to bomb a rally scheduled for Sunday, April 28, in the Los Angeles suburb of Long Beach that he believed was organized by white nationalists. Domingo and two FBI informants visited the planned site of the rally to scout the best location to place explosives to cause the greatest casualties, authorities said, agreeing that they would leave the scene separately to throw off suspicion. He was arrested shortly after placing one of the mock bombs into the vehicle of an informant. The white nationalist rally ended up not happening, although a number of counterdemonstrators assembled at the site, the Los Angeles City News Service said. The announcement of Domingo's arrest came two days after a gunman opened fire in a San Diego-area synagogue, killing one woman and wounding three others, including the rabbi. John Earnest, 19, was arrested. There was no indication the two incidents were connected.

US Army veteran charged with plotting to bomb white nationalist rally

The Mexican Football Federation said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into whether Diego Maradona violated its ethics code when he praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after a recent match.

Maradona, the coach of Mexican second-division side Dorados, triggered the controversy -- the latest in a long line for the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-goes-to-bathroom-20-times-before-a-game-says-maradona-171360"> Argentine legend</a> -- with his comments during a post-match press conference Sunday, following his club's 3-2 win over Tampico Madero.

"I want to dedicate this victory to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blames-us-weapons-for-massive-blackout-202264">Nicolas Maduro</a> and all Venezuelans, who are suffering," he said.

"These Yankees (the United States), the sheriffs of the world, think just because they have the world's biggest bomb they can push us around. But no, not us."

Maradona is close to Maduro, the embattled leftist leader who has presided over a spiralling political and economic crisis in Venezuela.

The United States has led more than 50 countries in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting president, calling Maduro's May re-election illegitimate.

Maradona, who has been close with a string of Latin American leftist leaders -- once calling Cuba's Fidel Castro a "second father" -- went on to criticize US President Donald Trump, comparing him to a blond-haired puppet named Chirolita who was popular on Argentine TV in the 1970s.

"This Chirolita they have for president can't buy us," he said.

The Mexican Football Federation said in a statement its disciplinary committee had opened an investigation over the comments "for an alleged infraction of articles 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the FMF ethics code."

Article 7 of that code calls on those affiliated with the federation to "maintain a neutral stance on political and religious matters."

Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.&nbsp;

But he is also known for leading a life as colourful off the pitch as on it, publicly battling drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity and countless scandals. 
&nbsp;

The Mexican Football Federation said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into whether Diego Maradona violated its ethics code when he praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after a recent match.

The Mexican Football Federation said Wednesday it has opened an investigation into whether Diego Maradona violated its ethics code when he praised Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro after a recent match. Maradona, the coach of Mexican second-division side Dorados, triggered the controversy -- the latest in a long line for the Argentine legend -- with his comments during a post-match press conference Sunday, following his club's 3-2 win over Tampico Madero. "I want to dedicate this victory to Nicolas Maduro and all Venezuelans, who are suffering," he said. "These Yankees (the United States), the sheriffs of the world, think just because they have the world's biggest bomb they can push us around. But no, not us." Maradona is close to Maduro, the embattled leftist leader who has presided over a spiralling political and economic crisis in Venezuela. The United States has led more than 50 countries in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's acting president, calling Maduro's May re-election illegitimate. Maradona, who has been close with a string of Latin American leftist leaders -- once calling Cuba's Fidel Castro a "second father" -- went on to criticize US President Donald Trump, comparing him to a blond-haired puppet named Chirolita who was popular on Argentine TV in the 1970s. "This Chirolita they have for president can't buy us," he said. The Mexican Football Federation said in a statement its disciplinary committee had opened an investigation over the comments "for an alleged infraction of articles 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 of the FMF ethics code." Article 7 of that code calls on those affiliated with the federation to "maintain a neutral stance on political and religious matters." Maradona, who won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986, is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time. But he is also known for leading a life as colourful off the pitch as on it, publicly battling drug addiction, alcoholism, obesity and countless scandals.

Maradona under investigation after he praises President Maduro

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-plans-to-relax-visa-policy-in-bid-to-revive-tourism-185822">Pakistan</a>, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

The four countries <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-issues-export-control-list-of-goods-technologies-related-to-nuclear-biological-weapons-185560">Pakistan</a>, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan along with Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Sudan were last month named as "countries of particular concern" (CPC) by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their gross violation of religious freedom.&nbsp;

Such a designation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, would have automatically attracted sanctions and other punitive measures from the United States.

Prominent among these include designations or sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for the suppression of freedom in these countries.

However, these sanctions and designations can be done away with a waiver as required in the "important national interest of the United States" as per section 407 of International Religious Freedom Act.

In a federal notification, Pompeo gave national interest waiver to the four countries.

For other countries, including Burma and China, the existing restrictions like export control would continue, a federal notification said.

The Secretary of State also designated Comoros, Russia and Uzbekistan as "special watch list" countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom, it said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including Pakistan, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.

The Trump administration on Friday gave "national interest waiver" to four countries, including Pakistan, which was designated as "countries of particular concern" for having engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom. The four countries Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan along with Burma, China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea and Sudan were last month named as "countries of particular concern" (CPC) by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for their gross violation of religious freedom. Such a designation under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, would have automatically attracted sanctions and other punitive measures from the United States. Prominent among these include designations or sanctions against individuals and organisations responsible for the suppression of freedom in these countries. However, these sanctions and designations can be done away with a waiver as required in the "important national interest of the United States" as per section 407 of International Religious Freedom Act. In a federal notification, Pompeo gave national interest waiver to the four countries. For other countries, including Burma and China, the existing restrictions like export control would continue, a federal notification said. The Secretary of State also designated Comoros, Russia and Uzbekistan as "special watch list" countries for engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom, it said.

US gives national interest waiver to Pakistan on CPC designation

The US central bank sent a strong signal on Friday that it would be willing to reconsider expected <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-federal-reserve-hikes-interest-rates-wall-street-stocks-tumble-185385">interest rate hikes </a>amid new data showing President Donald Trump's multi-front trade wars are dragging on the economy and shaking up investors.

The message, from the senior Federal Reserve official with the closest links to US financial markets, sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging 300 points. But the index later turned negative once again, and closed with yet another steep decline, its worst week in 10 years.

"I think we are hearing something important for markets and that is a concern around risks to the economy and potential slowdown," New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said Friday on CNBC.

He stressed that the Fed is listening to the fears about the risks and will "be ready to reassess and re-evaluate our views and our policy stance."

It was a remarkable comment coming just two days after the Fed raised the key borrowing rate on Wednesday and signalled it will continue to hike next year, albeit at a slower pace, with only two increases projected.

Economist Chris Low lambasted the Fed's "epic post-meeting communications bungle," and cited the "glaring omission" of the Fed failing to recognize a global manufacturing slowdown, and continuing to believe the labour market is the main factor behind inflation.

The Fed has continued to forecast strong growth, which would support their case for tightening monetary policy, but the expected inflation spurt and rise in wages have not materialized.&nbsp;

New data Friday showed the Fed's preferred inflation index slowed to 1.8 per cent in November, below the central bank's target.

"It's hard to imagine anyone would think it's acceptable to signal three rate hikes when inflation is below target," Low said, noting the Fed forecast see two hikes in 2019 and one in 2020.

Trump effect?&nbsp;

Williams tried to correct the market impression that two interest rate increases are set in stone for next year, highlighting a slight change of language in the policy statement issued Wednesday.&nbsp;

The Fed's November statement said rate increases were expected, while now it "judges that some further gradual" hikes are in store, which Williams said, "is not a commitment or promise in any way."

"Clearly the Fed is changing its tone and it's getting a little more dovish following the market reaction this week," said Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments.

"The Fed is blinking"

Of course, there were many who criticized the Fed for not raising interest rates fast enough in the past two years.

While the Fed continues to forecast solid growth, new government data released Friday revealed that falling exports and slower consumer spending and business investment are putting the brakes on economic growth in the second half of the year, while inflation is again falling.

US growth in the July-September quarter was slightly slower than previously reported, at 3.4 per cent, dragged down by the large drop in exports, the Commerce Department reported.

With hundreds of billions of dollars in goods hit by retaliatory tariffs, US exports fell by the largest amount since early 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis, according to the report, the third and final reading on third-quarter GDP.

Trump's aggressive trade policies, and especially the tariff retaliation from China, has impeded exports, with soybean sales nearly grinding to a halt.&nbsp;

The strong US dollar also has made American goods more expensive.

The dispute with China, even with a ceasefire declared until March 1 for negotiations, has created fears of slowing US and global growth, and caused stock markets to retreat, with Wall Street wiping out all of the 2018 gains.

Sluggish Q4&nbsp;

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro helped fuel the Wall Street downturn Friday with more hardline comments about China in an interview with Nikkei, saying Beijing is "trying to steal the future."

He also said two rate hikes by the Fed would be "two too many." &nbsp;

"We don't understand why the Fed is acting so contractionary, at a time when there's no inflation to worry about."

Gregory Daco of Oxford Economics said the data added to "evidence that business investment momentum continues to gradually cool."

Other data show fourth-quarter growth is shaping up to be even more sluggish.

Purchases of durable goods — big-ticket items like appliances, vehicles and machinery — rose in November compared to October, but much less than expected. That follows a big drop in October and will drag on GDP in the final quarter of 2018.

The US central bank sent a strong signal on Friday that it would be willing to reconsider expected interest rate hikes amid new data showing President Donald Trump's multi-front trade wars are dragging on the economy and shaking up investors.

The US central bank sent a strong signal on Friday that it would be willing to reconsider expected interest rate hikes amid new data showing President Donald Trump's multi-front trade wars are dragging on the economy and shaking up investors. The message, from the senior Federal Reserve official with the closest links to US financial markets, sent the Dow Jones Industrial Average surging 300 points. But the index later turned negative once again, and closed with yet another steep decline, its worst week in 10 years. "I think we are hearing something important for markets and that is a concern around risks to the economy and potential slowdown," New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said Friday on CNBC. He stressed that the Fed is listening to the fears about the risks and will "be ready to reassess and re-evaluate our views and our policy stance." It was a remarkable comment coming just two days after the Fed raised the key borrowing rate on Wednesday and signalled it will continue to hike next year, albeit at a slower pace, with only two increases projected. Economist Chris Low lambasted the Fed's "epic post-meeting communications bungle," and cited the "glaring omission" of the Fed failing to recognize a global manufacturing slowdown, and continuing to believe the labour market is the main factor behind inflation. The Fed has continued to forecast strong growth, which would support their case for tightening monetary policy, but the expected inflation spurt and rise in wages have not materialized. New data Friday showed the Fed's preferred inflation index slowed to 1.8 per cent in November, below the central bank's target. "It's hard to imagine anyone would think it's acceptable to signal three rate hikes when inflation is below target," Low said, noting the Fed forecast see two hikes in 2019 and one in 2020. Trump effect? Williams tried to correct the market impression that two interest rate increases are set in stone for next year, highlighting a slight change of language in the policy statement issued Wednesday. The Fed's November statement said rate increases were expected, while now it "judges that some further gradual" hikes are in store, which Williams said, "is not a commitment or promise in any way." "Clearly the Fed is changing its tone and it's getting a little more dovish following the market reaction this week," said Adam Sarhan of 50 Park Investments. "The Fed is blinking" Of course, there were many who criticized the Fed for not raising interest rates fast enough in the past two years. While the Fed continues to forecast solid growth, new government data released Friday revealed that falling exports and slower consumer spending and business investment are putting the brakes on economic growth in the second half of the year, while inflation is again falling. US growth in the July-September quarter was slightly slower than previously reported, at 3.4 per cent, dragged down by the large drop in exports, the Commerce Department reported. With hundreds of billions of dollars in goods hit by retaliatory tariffs, US exports fell by the largest amount since early 2009 at the height of the global financial crisis, according to the report, the third and final reading on third-quarter GDP. Trump's aggressive trade policies, and especially the tariff retaliation from China, has impeded exports, with soybean sales nearly grinding to a halt. The strong US dollar also has made American goods more expensive. The dispute with China, even with a ceasefire declared until March 1 for negotiations, has created fears of slowing US and global growth, and caused stock markets to retreat, with Wall Street wiping out all of the 2018 gains. Sluggish Q4 White House trade advisor Peter Navarro helped fuel the Wall Street downturn Friday with more hardline comments about China in an interview with Nikkei, saying Beijing is "trying to steal the future." He also said two rate hikes by the Fed would be "two too many." "We don't understand why the Fed is acting so contractionary, at a time when there's no inflation to worry about." Gregory Daco of Oxford Economics said the data added to "evidence that business investment momentum continues to gradually cool." Other data show fourth-quarter growth is shaping up to be even more sluggish. Purchases of durable goods — big-ticket items like appliances, vehicles and machinery — rose in November compared to October, but much less than expected. That follows a big drop in October and will drag on GDP in the final quarter of 2018.

US Federal could rethink rate hikes as Trump trade wars drag on economy

Federal prosecutors on Friday asked "substantial" prison term for Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump for paying an adult film star hush money on Trump's behalf and evading taxes.&nbsp;

The prosecutors also revealed alleged lies by another former Trump aide Paul Manafort.

Cohen, who has been cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign, pleaded guilty to financial crimes in August in New York, and to a separate charge of lying to Congress in a case disclosed by Mueller last week.

Prosecutors in both those cases were required to submit separate memos on Cohen's cooperation to US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan, who will decide Cohen's sentence on December 12, reported Reuters.

Asking the judge to reject Cohen's request he be spared prison term, the New York prosecutors described Cohen in their filing as being motivated by "personal greed" and said he "repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends," the report added.

Prosecutors said his sentence should reflect a "modest" reduction from the four to five years they said federal guidelines would suggest.

Mueller said Cohen had voluntarily provided information about his own and others' conduct on "core topics under investigation" and described the information "credible and consistent with other evidence" they had obtained.

Citing Cohen's cooperation, Mueller suggested the sentence for lying to Congress run concurrently with the sentence in the New York case.

Mueller also revealed the details of alleged lies told by Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, during interviews with prosecutors, reported Reuters.

Among other things, prosecutors said Manafort lied about his interactions with a political consultant who had ties to Russian intelligence, and about interactions with Trump administration officials even after Manafort was indicted in late 2017.

"In his interviews with the Special Counsel's Office and the FBI, Manafort told multiple discernible lies - these were not instances of mere memory lapses," Mueller said in the filing, which was requested by a federal judge in Washington after Mueller accused Manafort of breaching his plea deal last month.

Federal prosecutors on Friday asked "substantial" prison term for Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump for paying an adult film star hush money on Trump's behalf and evading taxes.

Federal prosecutors on Friday asked "substantial" prison term for Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer of US President Donald Trump for paying an adult film star hush money on Trump's behalf and evading taxes. The prosecutors also revealed alleged lies by another former Trump aide Paul Manafort. Cohen, who has been cooperating with Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into possible collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 election campaign, pleaded guilty to financial crimes in August in New York, and to a separate charge of lying to Congress in a case disclosed by Mueller last week. Prosecutors in both those cases were required to submit separate memos on Cohen's cooperation to US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan, who will decide Cohen's sentence on December 12, reported Reuters. Asking the judge to reject Cohen's request he be spared prison term, the New York prosecutors described Cohen in their filing as being motivated by "personal greed" and said he "repeatedly used his power and influence for deceptive ends," the report added. Prosecutors said his sentence should reflect a "modest" reduction from the four to five years they said federal guidelines would suggest. Mueller said Cohen had voluntarily provided information about his own and others' conduct on "core topics under investigation" and described the information "credible and consistent with other evidence" they had obtained. Citing Cohen's cooperation, Mueller suggested the sentence for lying to Congress run concurrently with the sentence in the New York case. Mueller also revealed the details of alleged lies told by Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump's former campaign manager, during interviews with prosecutors, reported Reuters. Among other things, prosecutors said Manafort lied about his interactions with a political consultant who had ties to Russian intelligence, and about interactions with Trump administration officials even after Manafort was indicted in late 2017. "In his interviews with the Special Counsel's Office and the FBI, Manafort told multiple discernible lies - these were not instances of mere memory lapses," Mueller said in the filing, which was requested by a federal judge in Washington after Mueller accused Manafort of breaching his plea deal last month.

US prosecutors call for substantial prison term for Cohen, detail Manafort's lies in Russia probe

President Donald Trump will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as US ambassador to the United Nations, a source familiar with his decision said on Thursday, tapping someone with no prior policy or political experience to deal with some of the world's thorniest issues.

The decision could be announced as early as Friday, the source said, requesting anonymity.

Nauert, whose nomination would require Senate confirmation, is a former Fox News Channel correspondent and anchor. She became the State Department's spokeswoman in April 2017 and was named earlier this year as the acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs.

If confirmed, Nauert, 48, would succeed Nikki Haley, who said in October she would be leaving the UN post at the end of the year.

Nauert and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Nauert, who earlier this year had been considered a possible successor to White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, gained experience on diplomacy by working at the State Department, but she lacks the political and policy credentials of Haley, a former South Carolina governor.

Having the direct support of the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could buttress her image, however, among global diplomats at the United Nations, who have bristled at Trump's "America First" foreign policy.

She will face a variety of challenges if confirmed for the job, including championing US efforts to contain Iran's influence in the Middle East and ensuring the global body maintains tough sanctions on North Korea as Washington tries to negotiate an end to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

President Donald Trump will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as US ambassador to the United Nations, a source familiar with his decision said on Thursday, tapping someone with no prior policy or political experience to deal with some of the world's thorniest issues.

President Donald Trump will nominate State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert as US ambassador to the United Nations, a source familiar with his decision said on Thursday, tapping someone with no prior policy or political experience to deal with some of the world's thorniest issues. The decision could be announced as early as Friday, the source said, requesting anonymity. Nauert, whose nomination would require Senate confirmation, is a former Fox News Channel correspondent and anchor. She became the State Department's spokeswoman in April 2017 and was named earlier this year as the acting undersecretary for public diplomacy and public affairs. If confirmed, Nauert, 48, would succeed Nikki Haley, who said in October she would be leaving the UN post at the end of the year. Nauert and the State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nauert, who earlier this year had been considered a possible successor to White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, gained experience on diplomacy by working at the State Department, but she lacks the political and policy credentials of Haley, a former South Carolina governor. Having the direct support of the president and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo could buttress her image, however, among global diplomats at the United Nations, who have bristled at Trump's "America First" foreign policy. She will face a variety of challenges if confirmed for the job, including championing US efforts to contain Iran's influence in the Middle East and ensuring the global body maintains tough sanctions on North Korea as Washington tries to negotiate an end to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs.

Trump to pick State Department spokeswoman for UN ambassador: Source

The United States and China resume top-level talks Friday after months of spiraling tension, looking to see if they can find a way forward on disputes from trade to military friction.

Friday's delayed meeting in Washington comes weeks before US leader Donald Trump is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, with both sides hoping they can announce some progress.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will spend Friday morning with two high-ranking Chinese policymakers, days after a congressional election in which Trump painted China as a bogeyman.

A planned trip by Mattis to Beijing last month was cancelled amid rising military tensions between the Pacific powers. But on Friday, China's defence minister, General Wei Fenghe, will visit the Pentagon to a ceremonial honour cordon.

The defence chiefs will beforehand hold talks at the State Department jointly with Pompeo and senior Communist Party official Yang Jiechi, a longtime architect of Chinese foreign policy who formerly served as ambassador to Washington.

The talks will focus on security, but trade is at the heart of tensions. Trump has slapped $250 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of nefarious trading practices, prompting retaliatory measures.

While some of the Trump administration's comments on China have prompted commentators to draw parallels to the Cold War, Terry Branstad, the US ambassador to Beijing, said that Washington was not seeking confrontation for its own sake.

"We want this to be a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China. The US is not trying to contain China, but we want fairness and reciprocity," Branstad told reporters on the eve of the talks.

FLURRY OF DISPUTES

Branstad said that the talks would consist of "frank, open exchanges" on issues from human rights to the myriad maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

"We want to achieve progress on our priorities including North Korea, and China has been a very key player in helping to get North Korea to the bargaining table," Branstad said.

Trump is seeking a follow-up to his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who counts on China as his main supporter.

But a meeting due this week in New York between Pompeo and a senior North Korean official was abruptly called off, the latest twist in turbulent diplomacy.

With the occasional exception of North Korea policy, the United States has increasingly seen China as a meddlesome player on the international scene and has been especially incensed at what it believes is widespread theft of US technology.

China has denied stealing US know-how and has sought to appear as a cooler head on the world stage.

The United States and China resume top-level talks Friday after months of spiraling tension, looking to see if they can find a way forward on disputes from trade to military friction.

The United States and China resume top-level talks Friday after months of spiraling tension, looking to see if they can find a way forward on disputes from trade to military friction. Friday's delayed meeting in Washington comes weeks before US leader Donald Trump is expected to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Argentina, with both sides hoping they can announce some progress. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will spend Friday morning with two high-ranking Chinese policymakers, days after a congressional election in which Trump painted China as a bogeyman. A planned trip by Mattis to Beijing last month was cancelled amid rising military tensions between the Pacific powers. But on Friday, China's defence minister, General Wei Fenghe, will visit the Pentagon to a ceremonial honour cordon. The defence chiefs will beforehand hold talks at the State Department jointly with Pompeo and senior Communist Party official Yang Jiechi, a longtime architect of Chinese foreign policy who formerly served as ambassador to Washington. The talks will focus on security, but trade is at the heart of tensions. Trump has slapped $250 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of nefarious trading practices, prompting retaliatory measures. While some of the Trump administration's comments on China have prompted commentators to draw parallels to the Cold War, Terry Branstad, the US ambassador to Beijing, said that Washington was not seeking confrontation for its own sake. "We want this to be a constructive, results-oriented relationship with China. The US is not trying to contain China, but we want fairness and reciprocity," Branstad told reporters on the eve of the talks. FLURRY OF DISPUTES Branstad said that the talks would consist of "frank, open exchanges" on issues from human rights to the myriad maritime disputes in the South China Sea. "We want to achieve progress on our priorities including North Korea, and China has been a very key player in helping to get North Korea to the bargaining table," Branstad said. Trump is seeking a follow-up to his landmark summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who counts on China as his main supporter. But a meeting due this week in New York between Pompeo and a senior North Korean official was abruptly called off, the latest twist in turbulent diplomacy. With the occasional exception of North Korea policy, the United States has increasingly seen China as a meddlesome player on the international scene and has been especially incensed at what it believes is widespread theft of US technology. China has denied stealing US know-how and has sought to appear as a cooler head on the world stage.

US, China meet to explore path forward from tensions

'You're fired!': how Trump has dismissed White House staff

Before he became US president, Donald Trump was famous for dismissing contestants on his television show "The Apprentice" with a resounding "You're fired!"

But at the White House, he has often outsourced the job of booting employees to his chief of staff - and then announced the departures via Twitter.

On Wednesday, he tweeted that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was out. Sessions is the latest in a series of people to leave Trump's administration.

Trump soured on Sessions after the former senator recused himself from overseeing the FBI's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In one of his first orders of business after the Nov. 6 congressional elections, Trump tweeted that Sessions had been replaced, and thanked him for his service. Kelly had phoned Sessions earlier with the news. Sessions said in a letter to Trump that he had resigned at the president's request.

When Trump decided to fire FBI chief James Comey, the White House released a letter from the president to Comey on May 9, 2017 explaining that he was being dismissed on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Comey learned of the letter from TV news reports that aired while he was speaking to his staff in Los Angeles. Trump later said Comey's firing was because of "this Russia thing." The firing led to Rosenstein's naming of Robert Mueller as special counsel.

From Air Force One at the end of a day trip to Long Island, New York, on July 28, 2017, Trump tweeted that he had replaced his chief of staff Reince Priebus with John Kelly. Priebus had been on the flight too. "Reince is a good man," Trump told reporters waiting on the tarmac in pouring rain.

On Kelly's first day on the job as chief of staff on July 31, 2017, Trump directed him to fire Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, who had been in the job for a mere 10 days, because of obscene comments he made in an interview with the New Yorker. The White House said Kelly wanted a "clean slate."

Omarosa Manigault Newman rose to fame on Trump's reality television show and joined him at the White House in the Office of Public Liaison. She recorded Kelly firing her in the Situation Room on December 13, 2017 and later played it on television as she promoted a tell-all book about chaos in the White House. Trump reacted to the book by calling her a "dog" on Twitter.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was traveling in Africa when he heard by phone from Kelly that the ax was coming, and so cut his trip short. Trump made the firing official via an early morning Twitter post a few days later on March 13, 2018 and then followed up with a phone call to Tillerson that afternoon. The decision came after months of tension between the two men and reports Tillerson had privately called Trump a "moron."

Trump frequently clashed with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, and the two "mutually agreed" it was the right time to go, the White House said on March 22, 2018. Trump announced his replacement, John Bolton, in a tweet.

White House officials said Trump got tired of negative headlines about Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin's travel expenses and infighting within the VA. Shulkin said in an interview with MSNBC that Kelly told him he was fired just before Trump tweeted the news on March 28, 2018 - and that Trump had failed to mention it during a phone conversation only hours earlier.

'You're fired!': how Trump has dismissed White House staff Before he became US president, Donald Trump was famous for dismissing contestants on his television show "The Apprentice" with a resounding "You're fired!

'You're fired!': how Trump has dismissed White House staff Before he became US president, Donald Trump was famous for dismissing contestants on his television show "The Apprentice" with a resounding "You're fired!" But at the White House, he has often outsourced the job of booting employees to his chief of staff - and then announced the departures via Twitter. On Wednesday, he tweeted that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was out. Sessions is the latest in a series of people to leave Trump's administration. Trump soured on Sessions after the former senator recused himself from overseeing the FBI's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In one of his first orders of business after the Nov. 6 congressional elections, Trump tweeted that Sessions had been replaced, and thanked him for his service. Kelly had phoned Sessions earlier with the news. Sessions said in a letter to Trump that he had resigned at the president's request. When Trump decided to fire FBI chief James Comey, the White House released a letter from the president to Comey on May 9, 2017 explaining that he was being dismissed on the recommendation of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. Comey learned of the letter from TV news reports that aired while he was speaking to his staff in Los Angeles. Trump later said Comey's firing was because of "this Russia thing." The firing led to Rosenstein's naming of Robert Mueller as special counsel. From Air Force One at the end of a day trip to Long Island, New York, on July 28, 2017, Trump tweeted that he had replaced his chief of staff Reince Priebus with John Kelly. Priebus had been on the flight too. "Reince is a good man," Trump told reporters waiting on the tarmac in pouring rain. On Kelly's first day on the job as chief of staff on July 31, 2017, Trump directed him to fire Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci, who had been in the job for a mere 10 days, because of obscene comments he made in an interview with the New Yorker. The White House said Kelly wanted a "clean slate." Omarosa Manigault Newman rose to fame on Trump's reality television show and joined him at the White House in the Office of Public Liaison. She recorded Kelly firing her in the Situation Room on December 13, 2017 and later played it on television as she promoted a tell-all book about chaos in the White House. Trump reacted to the book by calling her a "dog" on Twitter. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was traveling in Africa when he heard by phone from Kelly that the ax was coming, and so cut his trip short. Trump made the firing official via an early morning Twitter post a few days later on March 13, 2018 and then followed up with a phone call to Tillerson that afternoon. The decision came after months of tension between the two men and reports Tillerson had privately called Trump a "moron." Trump frequently clashed with National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, and the two "mutually agreed" it was the right time to go, the White House said on March 22, 2018. Trump announced his replacement, John Bolton, in a tweet. White House officials said Trump got tired of negative headlines about Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin's travel expenses and infighting within the VA. Shulkin said in an interview with MSNBC that Kelly told him he was fired just before Trump tweeted the news on March 28, 2018 - and that Trump had failed to mention it during a phone conversation only hours earlier.

'You're fired!': How Trump has dismissed White House staff

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he is open to a new comprehensive deal with Iran, saying that till then the toughest-ever sanctions on the Middle-East country that kicks off on Monday would continue.

"The United States remains open to reaching a new, more comprehensive deal with Iran that forever blocks its path to a nuclear weapon, addresses the entire range of its malign actions, and is worthy of the Iranian people," Trump said in a presidential statement late Friday night.

"Until then, our historic sanctions will remain in full force," he said, hours after his two Cabinet members, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, announced that the US would reimpose a series of crippling sanctions on Iran beginning Monday.

In his presidential statement, Trump called on the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions, change its "destructive behaviour", respect the rights of its people, and return in good faith to the negotiating table.

It was in May, Trump had announced that the US had withdrawn from what he described as "the horrible, one-sided" Iran nuclear deal.

"On Monday, November 5, the termination of United States participation in the Iran nuclear deal will be complete. The last set of sanctions lifted under the terrible nuclear deal will come back into force, including powerful sanctions on Iran's energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, and sanctions targeting transactions with the Central Bank of Iran and sanctioned Iranian banks," the president said.

"Our objective is to force the regime into a clear choice: either abandon its destructive behaviour or continue down the path toward economic disaster," he added.

Later a senior State Department official told reporters that the US was ready for talks with Iran.

"Secretary Pompeo has been very clear that we have an ear open to what is possible. We very much want to begin work on a new and better deal to replace the insufficient Iran nuclear deal that the president left in May, and our campaign of maximum economic pressure is a critical tactic to achieve that goal," Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he is open to a new comprehensive deal with Iran, saying that till then the toughest-ever sanctions on the Middle-East country that kicks off on Monday would continue.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he is open to a new comprehensive deal with Iran, saying that till then the toughest-ever sanctions on the Middle-East country that kicks off on Monday would continue. "The United States remains open to reaching a new, more comprehensive deal with Iran that forever blocks its path to a nuclear weapon, addresses the entire range of its malign actions, and is worthy of the Iranian people," Trump said in a presidential statement late Friday night. "Until then, our historic sanctions will remain in full force," he said, hours after his two Cabinet members, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, announced that the US would reimpose a series of crippling sanctions on Iran beginning Monday. In his presidential statement, Trump called on the regime to abandon its nuclear ambitions, change its "destructive behaviour", respect the rights of its people, and return in good faith to the negotiating table. It was in May, Trump had announced that the US had withdrawn from what he described as "the horrible, one-sided" Iran nuclear deal. "On Monday, November 5, the termination of United States participation in the Iran nuclear deal will be complete. The last set of sanctions lifted under the terrible nuclear deal will come back into force, including powerful sanctions on Iran's energy, shipping, and shipbuilding sectors, and sanctions targeting transactions with the Central Bank of Iran and sanctioned Iranian banks," the president said. "Our objective is to force the regime into a clear choice: either abandon its destructive behaviour or continue down the path toward economic disaster," he added. Later a senior State Department official told reporters that the US was ready for talks with Iran. "Secretary Pompeo has been very clear that we have an ear open to what is possible. We very much want to begin work on a new and better deal to replace the insufficient Iran nuclear deal that the president left in May, and our campaign of maximum economic pressure is a critical tactic to achieve that goal," Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook said.

Donald Trump says he is open to new deal with Iran

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Thursday chose Andrew F. Puzder as the head of the U.S. Department of Labor.

&ldquo;Andy Puzder has created and boosted the careers of thousands of Americans, and his extensive record fighting for workers makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Labor,&rdquo; Mr. Trump said in a statement to New York Times.

Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants Inc, which operates the Carl`s Jr. and Hardee`s fast-food chains, has been a vehement critic of government regulation of the workplace.

He has criticized paid sick leave policies of the sort recently enacted for federal contractors and strongly supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which he says has created a &ldquo;government-mandated restaurant recession&rdquo; because rising premiums have left people with less money to spend on dining out.

Speaking to Business Insider this year, Mr. Puzder said that increased automation could be a welcome development because machines were &ldquo;always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there&rsquo;s never a slip-and-fall or an age, sex or race discrimination case.&rdquo;

On the political incorrectness front, Mr. Puzder&rsquo;s company, CKE Restaurants, runs advertisements that frequently feature women wearing next to nothing while gesturing suggestively. &ldquo;I like our ads,&rdquo; he told the publication Entrepreneur. &ldquo;I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis. I think it&rsquo;s very American.&rdquo;

Matthew Haller, senior vice president for public affairs and communications at the International Franchise Association, of which Mr. Puzder is a board member, said Mr. Puzder saw &ldquo;a role for government to provide advice to employers, rather than simply deterrence by &lsquo;gotcha&rsquo; enforcement,&rdquo; an allusion to the Obama Labor Department&rsquo;s enforcement of laws and regulations in the fast-food industry.

In an appearance on Fox Business in May Puzder, he said that he was &ldquo;not opposed to raising the minimum wage rationally; I&rsquo;m opposed to raising it to the point where lower-skilled workers, working-class Americans, young people, minorities, are losing the jobs they need to get on the ladder of success.&rdquo;

CRITICISM

Trump&#39;s this decision of chosing Puzder is drawing criticism from labour advocates worried about his opposition to a higher minimum wage and government regulation of the workplace.

Fast-food workers, who are largely not unionized, are engaged in a multi-year campaign known as the &quot;Fight for $15,&quot; which is supported by labour unions, to raise minimum wages to $15 per hour. They have had state-wide successes in New York and California and in cities and municipalities such as Seattle.

Republican Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in last month&#39;s election by carrying swing states - and some traditionally Democratic states - in the U.S. Rust Belt after promising to create jobs and to review or cancel trade deals that he said were bad for workers.

Labor leaders have been girding for Trump to appoint pro-business regulators at the Labor Department and National Labor Relations Board, and to roll back key regulatory initiatives of the Obama administration such as a Labor Department rule granting overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers, both unionized and not unionized.

Economic research suggests that an increase to the vicinity of $10.10 per hour would have little or no effect on employment in much of the country, though the impact could be larger in low-wage, low-cost areas. Mr. Puzder has raised concerns about the effects in those regions.

On other issues, Mr. Puzder has taken hard-line positions that leave less room for negotiation. Perhaps most prominent is the so-called joint employer doctrine that the Obama administration and its agency appointees have put forth in recent years.

Under that doctrine, large companies that have franchises or hire other companies as contractors are more likely to be held liable for violations of employment laws by those contractors or franchisees. Parent companies typically argue that they have no legal responsibility in these cases.

Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Mr. Puzder is how he would be perceived as a wealthy chief executive charged with looking out for workers&rsquo; interests.

According to a 2012 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Puzder&rsquo;s base salary that year was more than $1 million and his total compensation over $4 million, down from more than $10 million the year before. &ldquo;Annual base salaries should be competitive and create a measure of financial security for our executive officers,&rdquo; the filing said.

&nbsp; 
(WION, with inputs from New York Times and Reuters)

Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants Inc, has been a vehement critic of govt regulation of the workplace

President-elect Donald J. Trump on Thursday chose Andrew F. Puzder as the head of the U.S. Department of Labor. “Andy Puzder has created and boosted the careers of thousands of Americans, and his extensive record fighting for workers makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Labor,” Mr. Trump said in a statement to New York Times. Puzder, chief executive of CKE Restaurants Inc, which operates the Carl`s Jr. and Hardee`s fast-food chains, has been a vehement critic of government regulation of the workplace. He has criticized paid sick leave policies of the sort recently enacted for federal contractors and strongly supports repealing the Affordable Care Act, which he says has created a “government-mandated restaurant recession” because rising premiums have left people with less money to spend on dining out. Speaking to Business Insider this year, Mr. Puzder said that increased automation could be a welcome development because machines were “always polite, they always upsell, they never take a vacation, they never show up late, there’s never a slip-and-fall or an age, sex or race discrimination case.” On the political incorrectness front, Mr. Puzder’s company, CKE Restaurants, runs advertisements that frequently feature women wearing next to nothing while gesturing suggestively. “I like our ads,” he told the publication Entrepreneur. “I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis. I think it’s very American.” Matthew Haller, senior vice president for public affairs and communications at the International Franchise Association, of which Mr. Puzder is a board member, said Mr. Puzder saw “a role for government to provide advice to employers, rather than simply deterrence by ‘gotcha’ enforcement,” an allusion to the Obama Labor Department’s enforcement of laws and regulations in the fast-food industry. In an appearance on Fox Business in May Puzder, he said that he was “not opposed to raising the minimum wage rationally; I’m opposed to raising it to the point where lower-skilled workers, working-class Americans, young people, minorities, are losing the jobs they need to get on the ladder of success.” CRITICISM Trump's this decision of chosing Puzder is drawing criticism from labour advocates worried about his opposition to a higher minimum wage and government regulation of the workplace. Fast-food workers, who are largely not unionized, are engaged in a multi-year campaign known as the "Fight for $15," which is supported by labour unions, to raise minimum wages to $15 per hour. They have had state-wide successes in New York and California and in cities and municipalities such as Seattle. Republican Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in last month's election by carrying swing states - and some traditionally Democratic states - in the U.S. Rust Belt after promising to create jobs and to review or cancel trade deals that he said were bad for workers. Labor leaders have been girding for Trump to appoint pro-business regulators at the Labor Department and National Labor Relations Board, and to roll back key regulatory initiatives of the Obama administration such as a Labor Department rule granting overtime pay to more than 4 million salaried workers, both unionized and not unionized. Economic research suggests that an increase to the vicinity of $10.10 per hour would have little or no effect on employment in much of the country, though the impact could be larger in low-wage, low-cost areas. Mr. Puzder has raised concerns about the effects in those regions. On other issues, Mr. Puzder has taken hard-line positions that leave less room for negotiation. Perhaps most prominent is the so-called joint employer doctrine that the Obama administration and its agency appointees have put forth in recent years. Under that doctrine, large companies that have franchises or hire other companies as contractors are more likely to be held liable for violations of employment laws by those contractors or franchisees. Parent companies typically argue that they have no legal responsibility in these cases. Perhaps the biggest question surrounding Mr. Puzder is how he would be perceived as a wealthy chief executive charged with looking out for workers’ interests. According to a 2012 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Puzder’s base salary that year was more than $1 million and his total compensation over $4 million, down from more than $10 million the year before. “Annual base salaries should be competitive and create a measure of financial security for our executive officers,” the filing said. (WION, with inputs from New York Times and Reuters)

Andrew F. Puzder is Trump's Labor pick

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