China&nbsp;and the United States held a vice ministerial-level call on Friday, the second such contact in a week, achieving a "deep exchange of views" on trade imbalances and the protection of intellectual property, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.

A statement posted on the ministry's website on Sunday said the two countries "made new progress" on those issues, without specifying further.

It also said&nbsp;China&nbsp;and the United States discussed arrangements for the next call and mutual visits.

On Wednesday, the ministry said Beijing and Washington had held a vice ministerial-level telephone call about trade and economic issues, without providing other details.

The calls took place amid signs of a thaw in a trade dispute between the United States and&nbsp;China, the world's two largest economies.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-us-president-marks-another-year-of-controversies-185674">US President Donald Trump</a> and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sino-india-ties-actively-moving-forward-president-xi-18570">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> this month agreed to a truce that delayed the planned January 1 US&nbsp;increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods while they negotiate a trade deal.

Chinese Commerce Ministry officials indicated earlier the two countries were in close contact over trade, and any US&nbsp;trade delegation would be welcome to visit.

China and the United States held a vice ministerial-level call on Friday, the second such contact in a week, achieving a "deep exchange of views" on trade imbalances and the protection of intellectual property, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said.

China and the United States held a vice ministerial-level call on Friday, the second such contact in a week, achieving a "deep exchange of views" on trade imbalances and the protection of intellectual property, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said. A statement posted on the ministry's website on Sunday said the two countries "made new progress" on those issues, without specifying further. It also said China and the United States discussed arrangements for the next call and mutual visits. On Wednesday, the ministry said Beijing and Washington had held a vice ministerial-level telephone call about trade and economic issues, without providing other details. The calls took place amid signs of a thaw in a trade dispute between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies. US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping this month agreed to a truce that delayed the planned January 1 US increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods while they negotiate a trade deal. Chinese Commerce Ministry officials indicated earlier the two countries were in close contact over trade, and any US trade delegation would be welcome to visit.

China says it held second vice ministerial call with US on trade

President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down his personal charity, the Trump Foundation, the New York attorney general said Tuesday, accusing it of engaging in a "shocking pattern of illegality" to advance his political and business interests.

State Attorney General Barbara Underwood said the family foundation would be dissolved and its remaining assets distributed to other charities under her supervision.

Underwood accused the Foundation of a "shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation –- including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more."

"This amounted to the Trump Foundation functioning as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump's business and political interests," she said in a statement.

"This is an important victory for the rule of law, making clear that there is one set of rules for everyone," Underwood added.

The state attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation in June, accusing it of "persistently illegal conduct."

The suit, which will move ahead despite the agreement dissolving the charity, seeks millions of dollars in restitution and penalties.

It also seeks to bar Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr and daughter Ivanka from serving on the boards of other New York charities. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down his personal charity, the Trump Foundation, the New York attorney general said Tuesday, accusing it of engaging in a "shocking pattern of illegality" to advance his political and business interests.

President Donald Trump has agreed to shut down his personal charity, the Trump Foundation, the New York attorney general said Tuesday, accusing it of engaging in a "shocking pattern of illegality" to advance his political and business interests. State Attorney General Barbara Underwood said the family foundation would be dissolved and its remaining assets distributed to other charities under her supervision. Underwood accused the Foundation of a "shocking pattern of illegality involving the Trump Foundation –- including unlawful coordination with the Trump presidential campaign, repeated and willful self-dealing, and much more." "This amounted to the Trump Foundation functioning as little more than a checkbook to serve Mr. Trump's business and political interests," she said in a statement. "This is an important victory for the rule of law, making clear that there is one set of rules for everyone," Underwood added. The state attorney general filed a lawsuit against the Trump Foundation in June, accusing it of "persistently illegal conduct." The suit, which will move ahead despite the agreement dissolving the charity, seeks millions of dollars in restitution and penalties. It also seeks to bar Trump, his sons Eric and Don Jr and daughter Ivanka from serving on the boards of other New York charities.

Trump agrees to shut down charity accused of 'shocking pattern of illegality'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">Donald Trump</a>'s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday.

Kushner, an influential White House adviser and husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka, met with the Republican leader to discuss the job, according to the Huffington Post, which first reported the story.

"I am not aware that he is under consideration but, as I think all of us here would recognize, he would be great in any role that the president chooses to put him in," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the news, which was also reported by CBS.

The president has been searching in vain for a new chief of staff after announcing that John Kelly, a retired general he had reportedly fallen out with, was to leave by the end of the year.

Nick Ayres, the 36-year-old chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, had been touted as favourite to get the job, but announced he was taking himself out of the running, dealing a blow to the president.&nbsp;

Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who heads the hard-right Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, showed more interest -- but also ultimately withdrew his candidacy.

Kushner was a key player in negotiations with Canada and Mexico to preserve a free trade pact between the North American countries.

He has also led efforts to draft a Middle East peace plan that the Trump administration said it will unveil in early 2019.

The 37-year-old has also cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of playing a role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that has rattled the kingdom's ties with the West.

The news is sure to set off warnings of nepotism, however, especially considering that Kushner had no prior experience in government before Trump's election.

Like his father-in-law, he left New York real estate to become one of Washington's most powerful political players.

Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday.

Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner is on the short-list of potential candidates for the president's next chief of staff, US media said Thursday. Kushner, an influential White House adviser and husband of Trump's daughter Ivanka, met with the Republican leader to discuss the job, according to the Huffington Post, which first reported the story. "I am not aware that he is under consideration but, as I think all of us here would recognize, he would be great in any role that the president chooses to put him in," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the news, which was also reported by CBS. The president has been searching in vain for a new chief of staff after announcing that John Kelly, a retired general he had reportedly fallen out with, was to leave by the end of the year. Nick Ayres, the 36-year-old chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, had been touted as favourite to get the job, but announced he was taking himself out of the running, dealing a blow to the president. Mark Meadows, a North Carolina Republican who heads the hard-right Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives, showed more interest -- but also ultimately withdrew his candidacy. Kushner was a key player in negotiations with Canada and Mexico to preserve a free trade pact between the North American countries. He has also led efforts to draft a Middle East peace plan that the Trump administration said it will unveil in early 2019. The 37-year-old has also cultivated close ties with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is accused of playing a role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a case that has rattled the kingdom's ties with the West. The news is sure to set off warnings of nepotism, however, especially considering that Kushner had no prior experience in government before Trump's election. Like his father-in-law, he left New York real estate to become one of Washington's most powerful political players.

Trump's son-in-law, senior adviser Kushner possible next chief of staff: Report

The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-president-forms-team-to-negotiate-peace-with-taliban-179970">Afghan President Ashraf Ghani </a>said in Geneva on Wednesday.

Sputnik quoted Ghani saying in a statement during the Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, "We would like to specifically recognize the commitment and blood and treasure that the United States has shown since 2001 as our key ally. The South Asia strategy of President Trump has been a game changer allowing us to focus in earnest on self-reliance, reforms and peace because it is a condition-based strategy."

The two-day Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan began in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the key consultations as part of the event are being held.

Last August, Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. Among the changes provided in the document were the increase of the number of the US troops on the ground and the lifting of restrictions on the US forces attacking Taliban militants and other terrorist formations in Afghanistan which had been previously imposed by the administration of former US President Barack Obama.

Addressing the situation in the country, John Sopko, head of the Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that `after 17 years of US and coalition effort and financial largesse, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest, least educated and most corrupt countries in the world`, Sputnik reported.

According to SIGAR, earlier this year Afghan authorities controlled or influenced a mere 55.5 per cent of the country, which was the lowest figure since the government oversight authority began keeping tabs on it in November 2015.

The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in Geneva on Wednesday.

The new strategy of United States in Afghanistan, announced by President Donald Trump last summer, has been a game changer for the advancement of the country`s peace process, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in Geneva on Wednesday. Sputnik quoted Ghani saying in a statement during the Geneva Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan, "We would like to specifically recognize the commitment and blood and treasure that the United States has shown since 2001 as our key ally. The South Asia strategy of President Trump has been a game changer allowing us to focus in earnest on self-reliance, reforms and peace because it is a condition-based strategy." The two-day Ministerial Conference on Afghanistan began in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the key consultations as part of the event are being held. Last August, Trump unveiled his new strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia. Among the changes provided in the document were the increase of the number of the US troops on the ground and the lifting of restrictions on the US forces attacking Taliban militants and other terrorist formations in Afghanistan which had been previously imposed by the administration of former US President Barack Obama. Addressing the situation in the country, John Sopko, head of the Special Inspector General on Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), stated that `after 17 years of US and coalition effort and financial largesse, Afghanistan remains one of the poorest, least educated and most corrupt countries in the world`, Sputnik reported. According to SIGAR, earlier this year Afghan authorities controlled or influenced a mere 55.5 per cent of the country, which was the lowest figure since the government oversight authority began keeping tabs on it in November 2015.

Trump strategy a 'game changer' for peace process in Afghanistan: Ashraf Ghani

A draft indictment from <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/robert-muellers-team-asks-fbi-to-probe-false-claims-against-him-174530">the Russia collusion probe</a> has revealed it has evidence of possible coordination between Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and WikiLeaks, which published stolen emails damaging to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

The outline court filing against Republican activist Jerome Corsi, apparently leaked by Corsi's attorneys late Tuesday, details his communications with Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone in mid-2016 on the expected releases.

The exchanges cast doubt on repeated denials by the president that his campaign coordinated with WikiLeaks over the publication of the Democratic emails -- given to the anti-secrecy website after being stolen by Russian spies, according to the US government.

Three days after WikiLeaks' first release on July 22, 2016, Stone asked Corsi to contact the site's founder Julian Assange, according to the draft indictment.

Corsi reported back a week later that he had made contact through an intermediary, and that Assange was planning two more releases that could do Clinton significant harm.

"Impact planned to be very damaging," Corsi told Stone in an email, offering advice on how the campaign should prepare itself.

Stone has already admitted to indirect contacts with Assange during 2016, as has Trump's son Donald Jr.

But the Corsi-Stone communications suggest a level of coordination and planning that had not before appeared in evidence released by the investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

- Evidence of collusion? - 
Mueller is investigating whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians who US intelligence chiefs say illegally conspired to tilt the election in Trump's favor.

The draft indictment was prepared as a plea bargain between Mueller's team and Corsi, in which he would admit to having lied to investigators.

But on Tuesday Corsi backed off the deal, and now possibly faces revised charges. He announced on Twitter he plans to file a criminal complaint against Mueller for prosecutorial misconduct.

On Wednesday Trump accused Mueller of pressuring witnesses like Corsi and Stone into lying to achieve the goals of his investigation.

The investigators are "viciously telling witnesses to lie about facts &amp; they will get relief," he said.

Corsi, a longtime conservative activist who worked for the conspiracy theory website InfoWars, was not directly attached to the Trump campaign, although he has met the president.

He was close to Stone, a veteran Republican consultant and self-avowed dirty trickster who helped Trump start his run for the White House in 2015 and continued to consult for the campaign through 2016.

The draft indictment left unanswered whether Stone -- who is also expecting to soon face charges from Mueller -- communicated the information on WikiLeaks' plans to Trump or senior campaign officials.

Mueller has also sought to find out whether Trump was informed about discussions his campaign staff had on directly obtaining dirt on Clinton that they were told the Russians held.

In any case Mueller, whose staff have not divulged anything about the progress of their work, would still have to prove that a crime had been committed.&nbsp;

Getting advance notice from WikiLeaks of its plans would not in itself be an offense, legal experts say.

But if there was broader coordination, including contact with Russians, Mueller could possibly make a case for a criminal conspiracy to interfere with the election and defraud the United States -- the charge already filed against 13 Russians accused of meddling in the election.

"Knowing about a crime before it occurs or while it is occurring is part of what a prosecutor needs to prove to hold someone responsible for a crime," former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti tweeted.

"You can't join a conspiracy to commit a crime if you don't know about the crime being committed."

A draft indictment from the Russia collusion probe has revealed it has evidence of possible coordination between Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and WikiLeaks, which published stolen emails damaging to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

A draft indictment from the Russia collusion probe has revealed it has evidence of possible coordination between Donald Trump's 2016 campaign and WikiLeaks, which published stolen emails damaging to his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. The outline court filing against Republican activist Jerome Corsi, apparently leaked by Corsi's attorneys late Tuesday, details his communications with Trump campaign advisor Roger Stone in mid-2016 on the expected releases. The exchanges cast doubt on repeated denials by the president that his campaign coordinated with WikiLeaks over the publication of the Democratic emails -- given to the anti-secrecy website after being stolen by Russian spies, according to the US government. Three days after WikiLeaks' first release on July 22, 2016, Stone asked Corsi to contact the site's founder Julian Assange, according to the draft indictment. Corsi reported back a week later that he had made contact through an intermediary, and that Assange was planning two more releases that could do Clinton significant harm. "Impact planned to be very damaging," Corsi told Stone in an email, offering advice on how the campaign should prepare itself. Stone has already admitted to indirect contacts with Assange during 2016, as has Trump's son Donald Jr. But the Corsi-Stone communications suggest a level of coordination and planning that had not before appeared in evidence released by the investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. - Evidence of collusion? - Mueller is investigating whether there was collusion between the Trump campaign and Russians who US intelligence chiefs say illegally conspired to tilt the election in Trump's favor. The draft indictment was prepared as a plea bargain between Mueller's team and Corsi, in which he would admit to having lied to investigators. But on Tuesday Corsi backed off the deal, and now possibly faces revised charges. He announced on Twitter he plans to file a criminal complaint against Mueller for prosecutorial misconduct. On Wednesday Trump accused Mueller of pressuring witnesses like Corsi and Stone into lying to achieve the goals of his investigation. The investigators are "viciously telling witnesses to lie about facts & they will get relief," he said. Corsi, a longtime conservative activist who worked for the conspiracy theory website InfoWars, was not directly attached to the Trump campaign, although he has met the president. He was close to Stone, a veteran Republican consultant and self-avowed dirty trickster who helped Trump start his run for the White House in 2015 and continued to consult for the campaign through 2016. The draft indictment left unanswered whether Stone -- who is also expecting to soon face charges from Mueller -- communicated the information on WikiLeaks' plans to Trump or senior campaign officials. Mueller has also sought to find out whether Trump was informed about discussions his campaign staff had on directly obtaining dirt on Clinton that they were told the Russians held. In any case Mueller, whose staff have not divulged anything about the progress of their work, would still have to prove that a crime had been committed. Getting advance notice from WikiLeaks of its plans would not in itself be an offense, legal experts say. But if there was broader coordination, including contact with Russians, Mueller could possibly make a case for a criminal conspiracy to interfere with the election and defraud the United States -- the charge already filed against 13 Russians accused of meddling in the election. "Knowing about a crime before it occurs or while it is occurring is part of what a prosecutor needs to prove to hold someone responsible for a crime," former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti tweeted. "You can't join a conspiracy to commit a crime if you don't know about the crime being committed."

Trump campaign may also have colluded with WikiLeaks: Mueller probe 

President Donald Trump slammed American broadcast network&nbsp;CNN for portraying the US in an "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cnn-sues-us-president-donald-trump-top-white-house-aides-177129">unfair and false way</a>" to the rest of the world and suggested launching a "Worldwide Network" to counter CNN`s reporting by showing another view on the situation in the country.

Sputnik on Monday reported that the American broadcast network and President Trump have long been engaged in a war of words, with the latter accusing the news network of spreading "fake news", while CNN urges Trump to stop vilifying the media.

The president did not elaborate in his official Twitter account on November 26, what this new worldwide network will look like and how will it be different from the Voice of America, funded by the US government and broadcasting to the rest of the world.

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....and false way. Something has to be done, including the possibility of the United States starting our own Worldwide Network to show the World the way we really are, GREAT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1067142820388052993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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According to Sputnik, Trump`s suggestion has spurred a wide range of reactions across social media.

A lot of people supported the president`s initiative, confirming that CNN`s reporting of the events in the US can often shape the opinion of people abroad.

Some even alleged that CNN actually poses a real threat to the US with its news and urged Trump to take action.

Not all netizens were positive about Trump`s idea, noting it is strikingly similar to practices of dictatorships, Sputnik mentioned in its reports.

Others noted that watching CNN abroad was still better than watching Fox News.

One Twitterian reminded Trump that the US already has its `state propaganda` airing internationally in 40 languages.

The US president and CNN have been engaged in a long-running feud for a long time now. Trump has slammed the news network on multiple occasions over allegedly spreading `fake news`, claiming it has led to a sharp decline in CNN`s domestic ratings.

The White House recently revoked a press pass for CNN reporter Jim Acosta, after an incident, where he refused to give up the microphone during a Trump press conference, engaging in a verbal feud with the US president. The news network filed a suit against the Trump administration, demanding the restoration of Acosta`s pass.

CNN, in turn, has accused Trump of `continued attacks on the media` and of allegedly inciting violence against journalists by calling media outlets `the enemy of the people`.

President Donald Trump slammed American broadcast network CNN for portraying the US in an "unfair and false way" to the rest of the world and suggested launching a "Worldwide Network" to counter CNN`s reporting by showing another view on the situation in the country.

President Donald Trump slammed American broadcast network CNN for portraying the US in an "unfair and false way" to the rest of the world and suggested launching a "Worldwide Network" to counter CNN`s reporting by showing another view on the situation in the country. Sputnik on Monday reported that the American broadcast network and President Trump have long been engaged in a war of words, with the latter accusing the news network of spreading "fake news", while CNN urges Trump to stop vilifying the media. The president did not elaborate in his official Twitter account on November 26, what this new worldwide network will look like and how will it be different from the Voice of America, funded by the US government and broadcasting to the rest of the world. ....and false way. Something has to be done, including the possibility of the United States starting our own Worldwide Network to show the World the way we really are, GREAT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 26, 2018 × According to Sputnik, Trump`s suggestion has spurred a wide range of reactions across social media. A lot of people supported the president`s initiative, confirming that CNN`s reporting of the events in the US can often shape the opinion of people abroad. Some even alleged that CNN actually poses a real threat to the US with its news and urged Trump to take action. Not all netizens were positive about Trump`s idea, noting it is strikingly similar to practices of dictatorships, Sputnik mentioned in its reports. Others noted that watching CNN abroad was still better than watching Fox News. One Twitterian reminded Trump that the US already has its `state propaganda` airing internationally in 40 languages. The US president and CNN have been engaged in a long-running feud for a long time now. Trump has slammed the news network on multiple occasions over allegedly spreading `fake news`, claiming it has led to a sharp decline in CNN`s domestic ratings. The White House recently revoked a press pass for CNN reporter Jim Acosta, after an incident, where he refused to give up the microphone during a Trump press conference, engaging in a verbal feud with the US president. The news network filed a suit against the Trump administration, demanding the restoration of Acosta`s pass. CNN, in turn, has accused Trump of `continued attacks on the media` and of allegedly inciting violence against journalists by calling media outlets `the enemy of the people`.

To counter CNN's 'unfair' reporting, Trump suggests creating a 'Worldwide Network'

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday rebutted US President Donald Trump's warning about the future of Anglo-American trade, saying a trade deal was possible and that work toward it was making good progress.

Trump said on Monday the agreement by which the United Kingdom will leave the European Union may make trade between Washington and London more difficult - handing ammunition to May's critics at home who want to block the Brexit deal.

With May facing a difficult battle to get parliament to approve her deal, Trump's words struck at the heart of the government's key argument for the current Brexit accord: that it would allow Britain to strike new global trade deals without abruptly shutting off access to EU markets.

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, where she met with farmers and manufacturers, May said that the UK would have an independent trade policy and would be able to do trade deals with countries around the rest of the world, including the U.S.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday rebutted US President Donald Trump's warning about the future of Anglo-American trade, saying a trade deal was possible and that work toward it was making good progress.

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday rebutted US President Donald Trump's warning about the future of Anglo-American trade, saying a trade deal was possible and that work toward it was making good progress. Trump said on Monday the agreement by which the United Kingdom will leave the European Union may make trade between Washington and London more difficult - handing ammunition to May's critics at home who want to block the Brexit deal. With May facing a difficult battle to get parliament to approve her deal, Trump's words struck at the heart of the government's key argument for the current Brexit accord: that it would allow Britain to strike new global trade deals without abruptly shutting off access to EU markets. Speaking at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair, where she met with farmers and manufacturers, May said that the UK would have an independent trade policy and would be able to do trade deals with countries around the rest of the world, including the U.S.

British PM May rebuts Trump trade comments, says UK-US deal is on track

United States President Donald Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately consider the ban on transgenders serving in the US military, breaking the current judicial protocol that binds the top court to wait until regional appeal courts give rulings on an issue.

The lower courts have issued injunctions on the issue but not yet delivered any rulings, reported Sputnik.

Insisting that "they cannot afford to wait for lower courts to decide," Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco asked the top court to haste the process, ignoring the fact that no rulings have been issued yet, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

"The military has been forced to maintain its prior policy for nearly a year," Francisco complained, adding that "without Court`s prompt intervention; it is unlikely that the military will be able to implement its new policy any time soon."

According to Francisco, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and a panel of senior military leaders along with other experts had deducted that the prior policy posed the risk of ineffectiveness and lethality towards the military.

In 2017, Trump took to Twitter and announced that the country would no longer allow transgender Americans to serve in the military arguing that it induces enormous medical costs and disruption.

United States President Donald Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately consider the ban on transgenders serving in the US military, breaking the current judicial protocol that binds the top court to wait until regional appeal courts give rulings on an issue.

United States President Donald Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to immediately consider the ban on transgenders serving in the US military, breaking the current judicial protocol that binds the top court to wait until regional appeal courts give rulings on an issue. The lower courts have issued injunctions on the issue but not yet delivered any rulings, reported Sputnik. Insisting that "they cannot afford to wait for lower courts to decide," Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco asked the top court to haste the process, ignoring the fact that no rulings have been issued yet, the Washington Post reported on Friday. "The military has been forced to maintain its prior policy for nearly a year," Francisco complained, adding that "without Court`s prompt intervention; it is unlikely that the military will be able to implement its new policy any time soon." According to Francisco, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and a panel of senior military leaders along with other experts had deducted that the prior policy posed the risk of ineffectiveness and lethality towards the military. In 2017, Trump took to Twitter and announced that the country would no longer allow transgender Americans to serve in the military arguing that it induces enormous medical costs and disruption.

Trump asks Supreme Court to consider Trans military ban

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder </a>of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

Trump, on holiday at his Florida Mar-a-Lago Club, doubled down on an unusually worded statement from Tuesday that he was essentially ignoring the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of what he said were more important US strategic and commercial interests.

"Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82," he tweeted. "Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!"

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Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1065225779825598465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The fulsome praise for Saudi Arabia's help in maintaining cheap oil built on comments he made Tuesday at the White House, saying that "if we broke with them, I think your oil prices would go through the roof."

"They've helped me keep them down," he said.

Guns and money

The focus on oil prices is one strand of Trump's argument against punishing the US ally for Khashoggi's death, even though the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-concluded-saudi-crown-prince-ordered-journalists-killing-report-177782">CIA reportedly found strong evidence </a>that de facto Saudi leader, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/crown-prince-a-red-line-in-khashoggi-murder-probe-saudi-foreign-minister-178668">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a>, was involved.

Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at Prince Mohammed, who has especially close contacts with the Trump White House.

In a formal statement, Tuesday -- released just after nearly the entire White House press corps had left to cover the lighthearted annual ritual of the president sparing a turkey from the Thanksgiving table -- Trump said the prince "could very well be" in on the crime.

But he then went on to flatly reject any suggestion of punishing the Saudi leader, saying Washington "intends to remain a steadfast partner."

Trump's reasoning was that Saudi Arabia and the United States are partners in opposing Iran and the Saudis have committed to $450 billion in weapons contracts and other investments, as well as being a major oil producer.

"Very simply it is called America first!" Trump concluded.

This was in contrast to previously stated positions where Trump promised a tough response, warning in an October interview with The Wall Street Journal, for example, that the US-Saudi relationship "would take a while to rebuild."

'Crazy' prince&nbsp;

Trump's posture has provoked rare dissension among the ranks of senior Republicans.

Senator Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that Prince Mohammed is "crazy."

"It's not too much to ask an ally not to butcher a guy in a consulate," he said.&nbsp;

And Senator Bob Corker, the Republican leader of the foreign relations committee, tweeted scathingly: "I never thought I'd see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia."

Corker and the senior Democrat on the committee, Bob Menendez, demanded that the Trump administration issue a clear statement on whether Prince Mohammed was involved.

Another prominent Republican, Senator Rand Paul, added "Let's put America first, not Saudi Arabia," while Khashoggi's old employer the Post said in an editorial that Trump's position meant "a world where dictators know they can murder their critics and suffer no consequences."

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back in a radio interview Wednesday, saying: "We are going to make sure that America always stands for human rights. We've watched the Saudis actually move in that direction during our time in office as well.

"It's not an unblemished record, but there certainly have been steps forward."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday ignored criticism that he gave Saudi Arabia a free pass on the murder of a dissident journalist, instead praising the Islamic kingdom for keeping oil prices low. Trump, on holiday at his Florida Mar-a-Lago Club, doubled down on an unusually worded statement from Tuesday that he was essentially ignoring the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of what he said were more important US strategic and commercial interests. "Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82," he tweeted. "Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let's go lower!" Oil prices getting lower. Great! Like a big Tax Cut for America and the World. Enjoy! $54, was just $82. Thank you to Saudi Arabia, but let’s go lower! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2018 × The fulsome praise for Saudi Arabia's help in maintaining cheap oil built on comments he made Tuesday at the White House, saying that "if we broke with them, I think your oil prices would go through the roof." "They've helped me keep them down," he said. Guns and money The focus on oil prices is one strand of Trump's argument against punishing the US ally for Khashoggi's death, even though the CIA reportedly found strong evidence that de facto Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was involved. Khashoggi, a US resident who wrote for The Washington Post and had been critical of Prince Mohammed, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and reportedly dismembered. After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at Prince Mohammed, who has especially close contacts with the Trump White House. In a formal statement, Tuesday -- released just after nearly the entire White House press corps had left to cover the lighthearted annual ritual of the president sparing a turkey from the Thanksgiving table -- Trump said the prince "could very well be" in on the crime. But he then went on to flatly reject any suggestion of punishing the Saudi leader, saying Washington "intends to remain a steadfast partner." Trump's reasoning was that Saudi Arabia and the United States are partners in opposing Iran and the Saudis have committed to $450 billion in weapons contracts and other investments, as well as being a major oil producer. "Very simply it is called America first!" Trump concluded. This was in contrast to previously stated positions where Trump promised a tough response, warning in an October interview with The Wall Street Journal, for example, that the US-Saudi relationship "would take a while to rebuild." 'Crazy' prince Trump's posture has provoked rare dissension among the ranks of senior Republicans. Senator Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that Prince Mohammed is "crazy." "It's not too much to ask an ally not to butcher a guy in a consulate," he said. And Senator Bob Corker, the Republican leader of the foreign relations committee, tweeted scathingly: "I never thought I'd see the day a White House would moonlight as a public relations firm for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia." Corker and the senior Democrat on the committee, Bob Menendez, demanded that the Trump administration issue a clear statement on whether Prince Mohammed was involved. Another prominent Republican, Senator Rand Paul, added "Let's put America first, not Saudi Arabia," while Khashoggi's old employer the Post said in an editorial that Trump's position meant "a world where dictators know they can murder their critics and suffer no consequences." Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pushed back in a radio interview Wednesday, saying: "We are going to make sure that America always stands for human rights. We've watched the Saudis actually move in that direction during our time in office as well. "It's not an unblemished record, but there certainly have been steps forward."

President Donald Trump thanks Saudi Arabia for lower oil prices 

Authorities on Sunday sifted through the charred wreckage of California's deadliest ever wildfire, searching for any signs of the 993 people now listed as missing after the Camp Fire tore through the mountain town of Paradise.

The number of believed missing fell 283 late on Sunday, down from 1,276 people, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, but gave no other details.

The remains of 77 people have been recovered, officials said late on Sunday. The blaze ignited on Nov. 8 was 65 per cent contained, up from 60 per cent earlier in the day.

Rain is forecast for the area this week, potentially helping douse the flames, but raising the risk of floods and mudslides that will swell the misery of 46,000 people under evacuation orders.

Many refugees from the fire have taken up temporary residence with friends and relatives, while others have pitched tents or were camping out of their vehicles.

The death toll far surpasses the previous fatality record from a single California wildfire - 29 in the Griffith Park fire of 1933 in Los Angeles - and already ranks among the deadliest US&nbsp;wildfires since the turn of the last century.

Eighty-seven people perished in the Big Burn firestorm that swept the Northern Rockies in August 1910. Minnesota's Cloquet Fire in October 1918 killed 450 people.

In Paradise, the flames moved so fast that some victims died in their cars in a chaotic evacuation as gridlock formed on the two exit routes out of town.

The Butte County Sheriff's Office said the list of the missing is compiled using information received from a special hotline, as well as emails and emergency-911 calls that came in during the first chaotic hours of the blaze.

Authorities said some of those listed likely survived but have not yet notified family or officials, either because they lack phone service or were unaware anyone was looking for them.

In Paradise, home to nearly 27,000 people before the Camp Fire struck, two forensic anthropologists for the University of Nevada, Reno, were helping firefighters on Saturday sort through the wreckage at a mobile home park for senior citizens.

Firefighters peeled back the metal sheet of a collapsed roof as the anthropologists picked up charred bone fragments, sorting them into paper bags.

Roger Fielding, chief deputy coroner with the Martin County Sheriff's Office, said each site was treated as a crime scene, with every step of recovery documented with photographs.

"Our job is to pick up any items that might reflect who this person might be," he said.

Thousands of homes destroyed

Besides the toll on human life, property losses from the blaze make it the most destructive in California history, posing the additional challenge of providing long-term shelter for many thousands of displaced residents.

At last count, the Camp Fire had destroyed more than 13,600 homes and other structures, authorities said late on Sunday.

Up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain is expected to fall from late Tuesday through Friday in the Sierra foothills, said Patrick Burke, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland.

"It'll bring much-needed relief to the firefighters and to the air quality, but there's a potential for dangerous mudslides wherever vegetation is burned away on slopes and hills," Burke said.

Up to 2 inches of rain is also expected to fall on southern California this week, where the Woolsey Fire claimed at least three lives.

That blaze was 88 per cent contained on Sunday, authorities said, with full containment expected on Thanksgiving Thursday.

The precise causes of the both fires were under investigation, but electric utilities have reported equipment problems in the vicinity of both blazes around the time they erupted.

PG&amp;E Corp has said it could face liability that exceeds its insurance coverage if its equipment were found to have caused the Camp Fire.

On Friday, the company reported to regulators a second power-line outage that it experienced in Butte County on the morning of Nov. 8 when the Camp Fire started.

During a visit to both fire zones on Saturday, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump blamed the recent spate of wildfires on forest mismanagement, and he said he discussed the issue with California Governor Jerry Brown and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom.

Scientists have said the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires in California and elsewhere across the US&nbsp;West are largely attributable to prolonged drought symptomatic of climate change.

Authorities on Sunday sifted through the charred wreckage of California's deadliest ever wildfire, searching for any signs of the 993 people now listed as missing after the Camp Fire tore through the mountain town of Paradise.

Authorities on Sunday sifted through the charred wreckage of California's deadliest ever wildfire, searching for any signs of the 993 people now listed as missing after the Camp Fire tore through the mountain town of Paradise. The number of believed missing fell 283 late on Sunday, down from 1,276 people, the Butte County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, but gave no other details. The remains of 77 people have been recovered, officials said late on Sunday. The blaze ignited on Nov. 8 was 65 per cent contained, up from 60 per cent earlier in the day. Rain is forecast for the area this week, potentially helping douse the flames, but raising the risk of floods and mudslides that will swell the misery of 46,000 people under evacuation orders. Many refugees from the fire have taken up temporary residence with friends and relatives, while others have pitched tents or were camping out of their vehicles. The death toll far surpasses the previous fatality record from a single California wildfire - 29 in the Griffith Park fire of 1933 in Los Angeles - and already ranks among the deadliest US wildfires since the turn of the last century. Eighty-seven people perished in the Big Burn firestorm that swept the Northern Rockies in August 1910. Minnesota's Cloquet Fire in October 1918 killed 450 people. In Paradise, the flames moved so fast that some victims died in their cars in a chaotic evacuation as gridlock formed on the two exit routes out of town. The Butte County Sheriff's Office said the list of the missing is compiled using information received from a special hotline, as well as emails and emergency-911 calls that came in during the first chaotic hours of the blaze. Authorities said some of those listed likely survived but have not yet notified family or officials, either because they lack phone service or were unaware anyone was looking for them. In Paradise, home to nearly 27,000 people before the Camp Fire struck, two forensic anthropologists for the University of Nevada, Reno, were helping firefighters on Saturday sort through the wreckage at a mobile home park for senior citizens. Firefighters peeled back the metal sheet of a collapsed roof as the anthropologists picked up charred bone fragments, sorting them into paper bags. Roger Fielding, chief deputy coroner with the Martin County Sheriff's Office, said each site was treated as a crime scene, with every step of recovery documented with photographs. "Our job is to pick up any items that might reflect who this person might be," he said. Thousands of homes destroyed Besides the toll on human life, property losses from the blaze make it the most destructive in California history, posing the additional challenge of providing long-term shelter for many thousands of displaced residents. At last count, the Camp Fire had destroyed more than 13,600 homes and other structures, authorities said late on Sunday. Up to 4 inches (10 cm) of rain is expected to fall from late Tuesday through Friday in the Sierra foothills, said Patrick Burke, a forecaster with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland. "It'll bring much-needed relief to the firefighters and to the air quality, but there's a potential for dangerous mudslides wherever vegetation is burned away on slopes and hills," Burke said. Up to 2 inches of rain is also expected to fall on southern California this week, where the Woolsey Fire claimed at least three lives. That blaze was 88 per cent contained on Sunday, authorities said, with full containment expected on Thanksgiving Thursday. The precise causes of the both fires were under investigation, but electric utilities have reported equipment problems in the vicinity of both blazes around the time they erupted. PG&E Corp has said it could face liability that exceeds its insurance coverage if its equipment were found to have caused the Camp Fire. On Friday, the company reported to regulators a second power-line outage that it experienced in Butte County on the morning of Nov. 8 when the Camp Fire started. During a visit to both fire zones on Saturday, US President Donald Trump blamed the recent spate of wildfires on forest mismanagement, and he said he discussed the issue with California Governor Jerry Brown and Governor-elect Gavin Newsom. Scientists have said the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires in California and elsewhere across the US West are largely attributable to prolonged drought symptomatic of climate change.

California wildfires: Number of missing falls to 993 from 1,276; search continues

President Donald Trump on Friday said he had "very easily" completed his written answers for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 US election, but had not yet submitted them to Mueller's office.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he wrote the answers to the questions himself.

"My lawyers don't write answers. I write answers. I was asked a series of questions. I've answered them very easily," Trump said.

The Republican president did not specify when his legal team would give Mueller his written responses, but a person familiar with the matter told Reuters they likely would be submitted next week. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment.

"I'm sure they're tricked-up because, you know, they like to catch people," Trump said, referring to questions that he suggested could be designed to result in perjury charges. "You have to always be careful when you answer, with people that probably have bad intentions. Now, the questions were very routinely answered by me."

Mueller is investigating whether members of Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow in the 2016 election and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe, which has clouded his presidency.

Trump and his lawyers had been in negotiations with Mueller's team for months over how the president would be questioned as part of the investigation.

Trump's team agreed to have the president submit written answers to questions relating to Russia's role in the election, but it is still possible Mueller may press Trump to answer questions on potential obstruction at some point. Another open question is whether Trump will eventually sit for an interview.

Tensions have risen over the probe since Trump last week ousted Jeff Sessions as US&nbsp;attorney general and named Matthew Whitaker as his replacement on an acting basis. That move gave Whitaker, a Trump loyalist who Democrats have called a "political lackey," oversight of the Mueller probe.

Mueller already has brought charges against a series of former Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman and his former national security adviser, as well as a number of Russian individuals and entities.

A federal judge on Thursday refused to dismiss criminal charges against Concord Management and Consulting LLC, a Russia company accused by Mueller of funding a propaganda operation to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour.

Trump on Friday again called the probe a "witch hunt" and said there was no collusion. Russia has denied any interference.

"There should have never been a so-called investigation, which, in theory, it's not an investigation of me. But ... as far as I'm concerned, I like to take everything personally because you do better that way," Trump added.

Democrats and a number of Republicans have raised concerns about Whitaker's appointment, with a bipartisan group of US senators renewing a push for legislation to protect the special counsel. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has opposed any such legislation.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has said he would seek to lead the Senate panel overseeing the Justice Department next year, on Thursday met with Whitaker and expressed confidence the Russia probe would continue.

President Donald Trump on Friday said he had "very easily" completed his written answers for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 US election, but had not yet submitted them to Mueller's office.

President Donald Trump on Friday said he had "very easily" completed his written answers for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 US election, but had not yet submitted them to Mueller's office. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he wrote the answers to the questions himself. "My lawyers don't write answers. I write answers. I was asked a series of questions. I've answered them very easily," Trump said. The Republican president did not specify when his legal team would give Mueller his written responses, but a person familiar with the matter told Reuters they likely would be submitted next week. Peter Carr, a spokesman for Mueller, declined to comment. "I'm sure they're tricked-up because, you know, they like to catch people," Trump said, referring to questions that he suggested could be designed to result in perjury charges. "You have to always be careful when you answer, with people that probably have bad intentions. Now, the questions were very routinely answered by me." Mueller is investigating whether members of Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow in the 2016 election and whether Trump has unlawfully sought to obstruct the probe, which has clouded his presidency. Trump and his lawyers had been in negotiations with Mueller's team for months over how the president would be questioned as part of the investigation. Trump's team agreed to have the president submit written answers to questions relating to Russia's role in the election, but it is still possible Mueller may press Trump to answer questions on potential obstruction at some point. Another open question is whether Trump will eventually sit for an interview. Tensions have risen over the probe since Trump last week ousted Jeff Sessions as US attorney general and named Matthew Whitaker as his replacement on an acting basis. That move gave Whitaker, a Trump loyalist who Democrats have called a "political lackey," oversight of the Mueller probe. Mueller already has brought charges against a series of former Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman and his former national security adviser, as well as a number of Russian individuals and entities. A federal judge on Thursday refused to dismiss criminal charges against Concord Management and Consulting LLC, a Russia company accused by Mueller of funding a propaganda operation to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour. Trump on Friday again called the probe a "witch hunt" and said there was no collusion. Russia has denied any interference. "There should have never been a so-called investigation, which, in theory, it's not an investigation of me. But ... as far as I'm concerned, I like to take everything personally because you do better that way," Trump added. Democrats and a number of Republicans have raised concerns about Whitaker's appointment, with a bipartisan group of US senators renewing a push for legislation to protect the special counsel. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, has opposed any such legislation. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who has said he would seek to lead the Senate panel overseeing the Justice Department next year, on Thursday met with Whitaker and expressed confidence the Russia probe would continue.

'I've answered them very easily': Trump on Russia probe questions

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-legislation-to-urge-possible-china-sanctions-over-xinjiang-crackdown-177217">United States</a> is facing a national security and military crisis and could lose in a war against Russia or China, a bipartisan congressional panel warned in a report Wednesday.

Congress had tasked the National Defense Strategy Commission to look at President Donald Trump's sweeping National Defense Strategy (NDS), which highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Moscow and Beijing.

The panel, run by a dozen former top Democratic and Republican officials, found that just as the US military faced budget cuts and diminishing military advantages, authoritarian nations like China and Russia are pursuing buildups aimed "at neutralizing US strengths."

"America's military superiority -- the hard-power backbone of its global influence and national security -- has eroded to a dangerous degree," the commission said.

In their report, the panel found America's focus on counter-insurgency operations this century resulted in it slipping in other warfighting areas such as missile defence, cyber and space operations, and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.

"Many of the skills necessary to plan for and conduct military operations against capable adversaries -- especially China and Russia -- have atrophied," the report states.

It lambasts "political dysfunction and decisions made by both major political parties," especially budget control measures implemented in 2011.

"The convergence of these trends has created a crisis of national security for the United States," the report notes.

While the NDS points the Pentagon in the right direction, it "too often rests on questionable assumptions and weak analysis." "It leaves unanswered critical questions regarding how the United States will meet the challenges of a more dangerous world," the report found.

The commission also said that across Asia and Europe, American influence is being steadily eroded and military balances have shifted in "decidedly adverse" ways that have raised the risk of conflict.

"The US military could suffer unacceptably high casualties and loss of major capital assets in its next conflict," the commission found.

"It might struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia.&nbsp;

The United States is particularly at risk of being overwhelmed should its military be forced to fight on two or more fronts simultaneously."&nbsp;

Though the Pentagon this year has a budget of more than $700 billion, far more than Russia and China combined, the commission said the sum is still "clearly insufficient" to meet the goals laid out in the NDS.

Commissioners made a series of recommendations including a 3-5 per cent annual increase in the defence budget.&nbsp;

The United States is facing a national security and military crisis and could lose in a war against Russia or China, a bipartisan congressional panel warned in a report Wednesday.

The United States is facing a national security and military crisis and could lose in a war against Russia or China, a bipartisan congressional panel warned in a report Wednesday. Congress had tasked the National Defense Strategy Commission to look at President Donald Trump's sweeping National Defense Strategy (NDS), which highlights a new era of "Great Power competition" with Moscow and Beijing. The panel, run by a dozen former top Democratic and Republican officials, found that just as the US military faced budget cuts and diminishing military advantages, authoritarian nations like China and Russia are pursuing buildups aimed "at neutralizing US strengths." "America's military superiority -- the hard-power backbone of its global influence and national security -- has eroded to a dangerous degree," the commission said. In their report, the panel found America's focus on counter-insurgency operations this century resulted in it slipping in other warfighting areas such as missile defence, cyber and space operations, and anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. "Many of the skills necessary to plan for and conduct military operations against capable adversaries -- especially China and Russia -- have atrophied," the report states. It lambasts "political dysfunction and decisions made by both major political parties," especially budget control measures implemented in 2011. "The convergence of these trends has created a crisis of national security for the United States," the report notes. While the NDS points the Pentagon in the right direction, it "too often rests on questionable assumptions and weak analysis." "It leaves unanswered critical questions regarding how the United States will meet the challenges of a more dangerous world," the report found. The commission also said that across Asia and Europe, American influence is being steadily eroded and military balances have shifted in "decidedly adverse" ways that have raised the risk of conflict. "The US military could suffer unacceptably high casualties and loss of major capital assets in its next conflict," the commission found. "It might struggle to win, or perhaps lose, a war against China or Russia. The United States is particularly at risk of being overwhelmed should its military be forced to fight on two or more fronts simultaneously." Though the Pentagon this year has a budget of more than $700 billion, far more than Russia and China combined, the commission said the sum is still "clearly insufficient" to meet the goals laid out in the NDS. Commissioners made a series of recommendations including a 3-5 per cent annual increase in the defence budget.

US could lose in war with China or Russia, bipartisan congressional panel warns

Armed with subpoenas and a long list of grievances, a small group of lawmakers will lead the investigations poised to make President Donald Trump's life a lot tougher now that Democrats have won a majority in the US House of Representatives.

Using their control of House committees, Democrats can demand to see Trump's long-hidden tax returns, probe possible conflicts of interest from his business empire and dig into any evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign team in the 2016 election.

Trump said early on Wednesday that House investigations would be countered by investigations of Democrats by the Senate, which remains in Republican hands after Tuesday's congressional elections.

"If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!" the president said on Twitter.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's office was not immediately available for comment on Trump's tweet.

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If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1060155917059219461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Democrats said Republican lawmakers will no longer be able to protect Trump from a watchful Congress.

"The American people have demanded accountability from their government and sent a clear message of what they want from Congress," Representative Jerrold Nadler, the New York Democrat poised to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a tweet after Democrats claimed the majority.

Trump "may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people."

Nadler, once described by Trump as "one of the most egregious hacks in contemporary politics," is one of three prominent Democrats who have clashed with the president and who will take over key House committees when the new Congress convenes in January.

The others are Elijah Cummings, who will almost certainly head the House Oversight Committee, and Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, slammed by the president as "sleazy."

Control of the committees - where they are currently the highest-ranking Democrats - will give them the power to demand documents and testimony from White House officials and important figures in Trump's campaign team and businesses, and to issue subpoenas if needed.

They will also have more money and staff for investigations that could delay or derail Trump's agenda.

"I plan to shine a light on waste, fraud, and abuse in the Trump administration," Cummings said on Wednesday.

"I want to probe senior administration officials across the government who have abused their positions of power and wasted taxpayer money, as well as President Trump's decisions to act in his own financial self-interest," he said in a statement.

The White House could respond to committee demands by citing executive privilege, but that would likely result in court battles.

A first salvo in the battle is expected to come from Representative Richard Neal, who is the likely Democratic chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and who has said he will demand Trump's tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Such a move could set in motion a cascade of probes into any disclosures the documents might hold.

Even before the election, Schiff said his committee would look at allegations that Russian money may have been laundered though Trump's businesses and that Moscow might have financial leverage over the president.

Nadler's panel would handle any effort to impeach Trump, depending on the outcome of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's federal probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US&nbsp;elections and possible Trump campaign collusion with Moscow.

The panel is expected to look for ways to protect Mueller and his probe from any Trump effort to torpedo the investigation or suppress its findings.

Trump denies any collusion by his campaign and has long denounced Mueller's investigation as a witch hunt. Moscow has denied meddling in the 2016 election.

No rush to impeach

Nadler's committee is unlikely, however, to move quickly toward impeachment. He has said that any impeachment effort must be based on evidence of action to subvert the Constitution that is so overwhelming it would trouble even some Trump supporters.

Nadler, Cummings and Schiff are expected to coordinate their efforts and seek bipartisan cooperation to avoid the appearance of unbridled partisanship ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

Still, Republicans accuse Democrats of preparing to abuse their authority with political attacks on Trump and his allies. They predict a partisan drive that could backfire on Democrats, like the Republican effort to impeach former President Bill Clinton did in the 1990s.

"There will be irresistible pressure to overreach in their investigations and ultimately impeach the president," said Republican strategist Michael Steel.

Cummings' team says his Oversight Committee will also focus on public issues including skyrocketing prescription drug costs, the opioid epidemic, voting rights, the Census and the US Postal Service.

Armed with subpoenas and a long list of grievances, a small group of lawmakers will lead the investigations poised to make President Donald Trump's life a lot tougher now that Democrats have won a majority in the US House of Representatives.

Armed with subpoenas and a long list of grievances, a small group of lawmakers will lead the investigations poised to make President Donald Trump's life a lot tougher now that Democrats have won a majority in the US House of Representatives. Using their control of House committees, Democrats can demand to see Trump's long-hidden tax returns, probe possible conflicts of interest from his business empire and dig into any evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign team in the 2016 election. Trump said early on Wednesday that House investigations would be countered by investigations of Democrats by the Senate, which remains in Republican hands after Tuesday's congressional elections. "If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!" the president said on Twitter. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's office was not immediately available for comment on Trump's tweet. If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 7, 2018 × Democrats said Republican lawmakers will no longer be able to protect Trump from a watchful Congress. "The American people have demanded accountability from their government and sent a clear message of what they want from Congress," Representative Jerrold Nadler, the New York Democrat poised to become chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a tweet after Democrats claimed the majority. Trump "may not like it, but he and his administration will be held accountable to our laws and to the American people." Nadler, once described by Trump as "one of the most egregious hacks in contemporary politics," is one of three prominent Democrats who have clashed with the president and who will take over key House committees when the new Congress convenes in January. The others are Elijah Cummings, who will almost certainly head the House Oversight Committee, and Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, slammed by the president as "sleazy." Control of the committees - where they are currently the highest-ranking Democrats - will give them the power to demand documents and testimony from White House officials and important figures in Trump's campaign team and businesses, and to issue subpoenas if needed. They will also have more money and staff for investigations that could delay or derail Trump's agenda. "I plan to shine a light on waste, fraud, and abuse in the Trump administration," Cummings said on Wednesday. "I want to probe senior administration officials across the government who have abused their positions of power and wasted taxpayer money, as well as President Trump's decisions to act in his own financial self-interest," he said in a statement. The White House could respond to committee demands by citing executive privilege, but that would likely result in court battles. A first salvo in the battle is expected to come from Representative Richard Neal, who is the likely Democratic chairman of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and who has said he will demand Trump's tax returns from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. Such a move could set in motion a cascade of probes into any disclosures the documents might hold. Even before the election, Schiff said his committee would look at allegations that Russian money may have been laundered though Trump's businesses and that Moscow might have financial leverage over the president. Nadler's panel would handle any effort to impeach Trump, depending on the outcome of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's federal probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 US elections and possible Trump campaign collusion with Moscow. The panel is expected to look for ways to protect Mueller and his probe from any Trump effort to torpedo the investigation or suppress its findings. Trump denies any collusion by his campaign and has long denounced Mueller's investigation as a witch hunt. Moscow has denied meddling in the 2016 election. No rush to impeach Nadler's committee is unlikely, however, to move quickly toward impeachment. He has said that any impeachment effort must be based on evidence of action to subvert the Constitution that is so overwhelming it would trouble even some Trump supporters. Nadler, Cummings and Schiff are expected to coordinate their efforts and seek bipartisan cooperation to avoid the appearance of unbridled partisanship ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Still, Republicans accuse Democrats of preparing to abuse their authority with political attacks on Trump and his allies. They predict a partisan drive that could backfire on Democrats, like the Republican effort to impeach former President Bill Clinton did in the 1990s. "There will be irresistible pressure to overreach in their investigations and ultimately impeach the president," said Republican strategist Michael Steel. Cummings' team says his Oversight Committee will also focus on public issues including skyrocketing prescription drug costs, the opioid epidemic, voting rights, the Census and the US Postal Service.

Trump faces blitz of investigations from Democrats, threatens to 'consider' same in return

Donald Trump's unilateral proposal to end birthright citizenship has come under severe criticism. But it has got him, what he wants. He has managed to grab headlines days before Americans vote in the mid-terms. It's all part of Trump's strategy.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Trump is not contesting, but these elections will determine if his party keeps control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It will also be a referendum for Trump's Presidency. Any President's first mid-term is seen as a stamp of approval or disapproval for him. Floating such controversial ideas helps to keep the Republicans in the public eye.&nbsp; 
 
The headlines could boost chances for Republican candidates in key Senate races. It also boosts efforts to oust Democrat incumbents in traditional red states.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Trump's proposal also comes in the backdrop of the Immigration crisis. It has been Trump's long-term goal to seal borders and stop entry of what he calls 'aliens'. A proposal to end birthright citizenship is a step in that direction.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
A lot is at stake for Donald Trump this election and he realises that. He is on a whirlwind tour of the country and in one such rally, he said if Democrats gain control, the next two years in the White House will be terrible.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
If Republicans lose control of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, they will lose their ability to send new bills to President Donald Trump’s desk with their party’s votes alone. Democrats will stall bill that hinges on conservative agenda. Which means, the conservative legislative agenda would be dead. All of Trump's plans to repeal Obamacare will be thwarted if Democrats take over.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Secondly, if either the House or the Congress goes the other way, the Trump administration could be staring at more investigations. If Democrats gain control, they would gain subpoena power, which would let them investigate the Trump administration far more aggressively. Apart from the Russia collusion charge, Trump could be staring at an investigation into sexual assault allegations against him, his businesses and all kinds of controversial policy choices or potential scandals.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
In the last 100 years, an incumbent party has kept control of the House and the Senate only thrice. So if Trump, who is a political outsider manages to pull that off, it would certainly be an achievement. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
 
 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump's unilateral proposal to end birthright citizenship has come under severe criticism. But it has got him, what he wants. He has managed to grab headlines days before Americans vote in the mid-terms.

Donald Trump's unilateral proposal to end birthright citizenship has come under severe criticism. But it has got him, what he wants. He has managed to grab headlines days before Americans vote in the mid-terms. It's all part of Trump's strategy. Trump is not contesting, but these elections will determine if his party keeps control of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It will also be a referendum for Trump's Presidency. Any President's first mid-term is seen as a stamp of approval or disapproval for him. Floating such controversial ideas helps to keep the Republicans in the public eye. The headlines could boost chances for Republican candidates in key Senate races. It also boosts efforts to oust Democrat incumbents in traditional red states. Trump's proposal also comes in the backdrop of the Immigration crisis. It has been Trump's long-term goal to seal borders and stop entry of what he calls 'aliens'. A proposal to end birthright citizenship is a step in that direction. A lot is at stake for Donald Trump this election and he realises that. He is on a whirlwind tour of the country and in one such rally, he said if Democrats gain control, the next two years in the White House will be terrible. If Republicans lose control of either the House of Representatives or the Senate, they will lose their ability to send new bills to President Donald Trump’s desk with their party’s votes alone. Democrats will stall bill that hinges on conservative agenda. Which means, the conservative legislative agenda would be dead. All of Trump's plans to repeal Obamacare will be thwarted if Democrats take over. Secondly, if either the House or the Congress goes the other way, the Trump administration could be staring at more investigations. If Democrats gain control, they would gain subpoena power, which would let them investigate the Trump administration far more aggressively. Apart from the Russia collusion charge, Trump could be staring at an investigation into sexual assault allegations against him, his businesses and all kinds of controversial policy choices or potential scandals. In the last 100 years, an incumbent party has kept control of the House and the Senate only thrice. So if Trump, who is a political outsider manages to pull that off, it would certainly be an achievement. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Donald Trump makes the right noises before US midterms

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual.

Bolsonaro, 63, has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment -- no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician.

The seven-term congressman has few legislative initiatives to his record but, crucially, has not been caught up in the massive corruption scandals that have made Brazilians furious with the political class in recent years.

However, he has made enemies with his denigrating comments on women, gays and blacks, while fondly recalling Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985), in which he served as an army captain.

"The dictatorship's mistake," he said two years ago, "was to torture and not kill" leftist dissidents and suspected sympathizers.

But Bolsonaro has promised that if elected, he would govern "with authority, but not authoritarianism."

Running against leftist Fernando Haddad in Sunday's vote, Bolsonaro has promised to relax gun-control laws so that "good people" can take justice into their own hands, in a country fed up with violent crime.

In an ironic twist of fate, he was himself stabbed in the stomach at a campaign rally in September, by an attacker who said God had sent him to kill Bolsonaro.

The front-runner spent three weeks in the hospital. But he did not let his injuries keep him off his beloved social media accounts, where he kept up his virulent campaign.

He survived without long-term damage, but, citing doctors' orders, has since refrained from campaign rallies and -- to Haddad's chagrin -- debates.

Business, beef, bullets, Bibles

Bolsonaro calls himself an admirer of Donald Trump, and has similarly tapped a deep national malaise -- in Brazil's case, one caused by crime, an ailing economy and the never-ending "Car Wash" corruption scandal that has stoked fury at the political class.

"He talks about 'politicians' as if he weren't part of that world. He wants to come across as a strongman, a hardliner, who will fight corruption," said Michael Mohallem, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation.

Bolsonaro has sealed the support of the business sector, as well as Brazil's powerful "Beef, bullets and Bible" caucus -- comprising the agrobusiness lobby, security hardliners and Evangelical Christians.

He owes his business support mainly to his choice of top financial adviser: respected liberal economist Paulo Guedes, a graduate of the University of Chicago.

He earned the agro-lobby's backing with vows to put agriculture before the environment -- frightening environmentalists, who warn he would be disastrous for the Amazon rainforest.

Evangelicals meanwhile like his social conservatism -- although some frown on the fact that Bolsonaro, a Catholic, has five children by three women.

Attacking women, blacks, gays

Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor.

Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since.

He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks.

In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping."

In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay.

In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship.

With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days -- earning the nickname "Big Horse."

Today, his most fervent supporters have given him another nickname, the "Myth" -- an image only bolstered when he survived the stabbing attack last month.

Bolsonaro has four sons -- three of them politicians -- and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter.

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual.

Sometimes called a "Tropical Trump" for his politically incorrect vitriol, Brazilian far-right presidential candidate and heavy favourite Jair Bolsonaro has successfully played to an electorate disgusted with politics as usual. Bolsonaro, 63, has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment -- no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician. The seven-term congressman has few legislative initiatives to his record but, crucially, has not been caught up in the massive corruption scandals that have made Brazilians furious with the political class in recent years. However, he has made enemies with his denigrating comments on women, gays and blacks, while fondly recalling Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985), in which he served as an army captain. "The dictatorship's mistake," he said two years ago, "was to torture and not kill" leftist dissidents and suspected sympathizers. But Bolsonaro has promised that if elected, he would govern "with authority, but not authoritarianism." Running against leftist Fernando Haddad in Sunday's vote, Bolsonaro has promised to relax gun-control laws so that "good people" can take justice into their own hands, in a country fed up with violent crime. In an ironic twist of fate, he was himself stabbed in the stomach at a campaign rally in September, by an attacker who said God had sent him to kill Bolsonaro. The front-runner spent three weeks in the hospital. But he did not let his injuries keep him off his beloved social media accounts, where he kept up his virulent campaign. He survived without long-term damage, but, citing doctors' orders, has since refrained from campaign rallies and -- to Haddad's chagrin -- debates. Business, beef, bullets, Bibles Bolsonaro calls himself an admirer of Donald Trump, and has similarly tapped a deep national malaise -- in Brazil's case, one caused by crime, an ailing economy and the never-ending "Car Wash" corruption scandal that has stoked fury at the political class. "He talks about 'politicians' as if he weren't part of that world. He wants to come across as a strongman, a hardliner, who will fight corruption," said Michael Mohallem, a law professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation. Bolsonaro has sealed the support of the business sector, as well as Brazil's powerful "Beef, bullets and Bible" caucus -- comprising the agrobusiness lobby, security hardliners and Evangelical Christians. He owes his business support mainly to his choice of top financial adviser: respected liberal economist Paulo Guedes, a graduate of the University of Chicago. He earned the agro-lobby's backing with vows to put agriculture before the environment -- frightening environmentalists, who warn he would be disastrous for the Amazon rainforest. Evangelicals meanwhile like his social conservatism -- although some frown on the fact that Bolsonaro, a Catholic, has five children by three women. Attacking women, blacks, gays Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor. Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since. He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks. In 2003, he said a female lawmaker he opposed was "not worth raping." In 2011, he told Playboy magazine he would rather his sons be killed in an accident than come out as gay. In 2016, he dedicated his vote to impeach leftist former president Dilma Rousseff to the military officer who headed the torture unit where she was detained as a political prisoner during the dictatorship. With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days -- earning the nickname "Big Horse." Today, his most fervent supporters have given him another nickname, the "Myth" -- an image only bolstered when he survived the stabbing attack last month. Bolsonaro has four sons -- three of them politicians -- and, in what he called a moment of "weakness," a daughter.

Bolsonaro, Brazil's 'Tropical Trump' poised to win presidency

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday.

"I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow.

Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested."

Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend.

Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart.

Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin.

His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday.

Donald Trump wishes to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin when the two visit Paris on November 11 for World War I commemorations, the US president's National Security Advisor John Bolton said on Tuesday. "I think President Trump will look forward to seeing you in Paris on the sidelines of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Armistice," Bolton told Putin in televised remarks as the two met for talks in Moscow. Putin said: "It would be useful to continue a direct dialogue with the president of the United States... for example in Paris, if the American side is interested." Both leaders will be in Paris for the November 11 World War I commemorations, which 60 heads of state and government are expected to attend. Trump and Putin held their first bilateral summit in Helsinki in July, after which the US president came under strong criticism at home for adopting a very conciliatory tone with his Russian counterpart. Bolton met Monday with several senior Russian officials before his talks with Putin. His visit comes after Trump announced that the United States would pull out of the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by president Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader.

Trump wants to meet Putin in Paris on November 11: US's Bolton

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-marches-on-towards-us-172677">rolled on regardless toward the US border</a>.

Trump kept up his almost-daily Twitter attacks on the approaching caravan, calling it a national emergency and said he had alerted the US border patrol and military.

"We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid" that the United States provides to the three Central American countries, he said.

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Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1054356145798856704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Mexican authorities had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later crossed the river below in makeshift rafts before marching north.

The caravan of around 3,000 migrants was heading Monday to the town of Huixtla, around 40 kilometres further on from Tapachula in Chiapas State where they slept Sunday night.

"Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in," Trump said in one tweet.

"I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Energy (sic). Must change laws!"

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Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1054351078328885248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Activists say the journey through of at least 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) through Mexico to the US border could take a month.

"We are well aware that this country (Mexico) didn't receive us as we expected, and they can return us to Honduras, and we also know there are drug traffickers who kidnap and kill migrants," Juan Flores, one of those migrants, told AFP.

"But we live with more fear in our country, so we carry on forward," he added.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also warned that the migrants "may be victimized by human smugglers or others who would exploit them."

"We also are deeply concerned by the violence provoked by some members of the group, as well as the apparent political motivation of some organizers of the caravan," Pompeo said in a statement.&nbsp;

About a thousand migrants, including women and children, were still stranded on a border bridge hoping to enter Mexico legally via Guatemala.

Mexican authorities insisted those on the bridge would have to file asylum claims one at a time in order to enter the country.&nbsp;

And another separate group of about 1,000 Hondurans started their own march across Guatemala, headed for Mexico and then the United States. The group of men, women and children gathered in Esquipulas before setting out on foot.

'No stopping us'

"No one is going to stop us, after all we've gone through," said 21-year-old Aaron Juarez, who was accompanied by his wife and baby and was walking with difficulty because of an injury.

Honduran farmer Edwin Geovanni Enamorado said he was forced to leave his country because of intimidation by racketeering gangs.

"We are tired, but very happy, we are united and strong," he said.

Britany Hernandez added: "We have sunburn. We have blisters. But we got here. Our strength is greater than Trump's threats."

Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for fair treatment of the migrants.

"We don't want them to face what (Mexicans) face when they need to look for work in the United States," he said on Twitter.

The caravan left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras more than a week ago.

It has comprised between 3,000 and 5,000 people at various times as it moved through Guatemala, according to various sources.&nbsp;

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said more than 5,000 migrants had entered Guatemala from Honduras, but that some 2,000 had since returned home on a fleet of government-chartered buses

On Saturday, Mexican authorities opened the border for women and children on the overcrowded bridge, taking them to a shelter in Tapachula, about 40 kilometres from the border.

Plenty of migrants, however, are sleeping in the streets for fear that immigration officials could arrest them if they are in a shelter.

Rafting the river&nbsp;

Around 900 migrants -- tired of waiting on the bridge -- resorted to crossing the Suchiate River below on makeshift rafts and police did not intervene as they clambered up the muddy riverbank on the Mexican side on Saturday.

Morales and his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez said after meeting that the march was "violating the borders and the good faith of the states."

The Honduran president acknowledged that social problems were a contributory factor.

"Without a doubt, we have a lot to do so that our people can have opportunities in their communities," he said.

The migrants are generally fleeing poverty and insecurity in Honduras, where powerful street gangs rule their turf with brutal violence.

With a homicide rate of 43 per 100,000 citizens, Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world, according to a Honduran university study.

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants rolled on regardless toward the US border.

President Donald Trump said Monday the US will start cutting aid to Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador as a caravan of thousands of mostly Honduran migrants rolled on regardless toward the US border. Trump kept up his almost-daily Twitter attacks on the approaching caravan, calling it a national emergency and said he had alerted the US border patrol and military. "We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid" that the United States provides to the three Central American countries, he said. Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador were not able to do the job of stopping people from leaving their country and coming illegally to the U.S. We will now begin cutting off, or substantially reducing, the massive foreign aid routinely given to them. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 × Mexican authorities had managed to block the "caravan" of migrants on a border bridge between Mexico and Guatemala, but many later crossed the river below in makeshift rafts before marching north. The caravan of around 3,000 migrants was heading Monday to the town of Huixtla, around 40 kilometres further on from Tapachula in Chiapas State where they slept Sunday night. "Sadly, it looks like Mexico's Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in," Trump said in one tweet. "I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Energy (sic). Must change laws!" Sadly, it looks like Mexico’s Police and Military are unable to stop the Caravan heading to the Southern Border of the United States. Criminals and unknown Middle Easterners are mixed in. I have alerted Border Patrol and Military that this is a National Emergy. Must change laws! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 22, 2018 × Activists say the journey through of at least 3,000 kilometres (1,800 miles) through Mexico to the US border could take a month. "We are well aware that this country (Mexico) didn't receive us as we expected, and they can return us to Honduras, and we also know there are drug traffickers who kidnap and kill migrants," Juan Flores, one of those migrants, told AFP. "But we live with more fear in our country, so we carry on forward," he added. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also warned that the migrants "may be victimized by human smugglers or others who would exploit them." "We also are deeply concerned by the violence provoked by some members of the group, as well as the apparent political motivation of some organizers of the caravan," Pompeo said in a statement. About a thousand migrants, including women and children, were still stranded on a border bridge hoping to enter Mexico legally via Guatemala. Mexican authorities insisted those on the bridge would have to file asylum claims one at a time in order to enter the country. And another separate group of about 1,000 Hondurans started their own march across Guatemala, headed for Mexico and then the United States. The group of men, women and children gathered in Esquipulas before setting out on foot. 'No stopping us' "No one is going to stop us, after all we've gone through," said 21-year-old Aaron Juarez, who was accompanied by his wife and baby and was walking with difficulty because of an injury. Honduran farmer Edwin Geovanni Enamorado said he was forced to leave his country because of intimidation by racketeering gangs. "We are tired, but very happy, we are united and strong," he said. Britany Hernandez added: "We have sunburn. We have blisters. But we got here. Our strength is greater than Trump's threats." Mexico's President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador called for fair treatment of the migrants. "We don't want them to face what (Mexicans) face when they need to look for work in the United States," he said on Twitter. The caravan left San Pedro Sula in northern Honduras more than a week ago. It has comprised between 3,000 and 5,000 people at various times as it moved through Guatemala, according to various sources. Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales said more than 5,000 migrants had entered Guatemala from Honduras, but that some 2,000 had since returned home on a fleet of government-chartered buses On Saturday, Mexican authorities opened the border for women and children on the overcrowded bridge, taking them to a shelter in Tapachula, about 40 kilometres from the border. Plenty of migrants, however, are sleeping in the streets for fear that immigration officials could arrest them if they are in a shelter. Rafting the river Around 900 migrants -- tired of waiting on the bridge -- resorted to crossing the Suchiate River below on makeshift rafts and police did not intervene as they clambered up the muddy riverbank on the Mexican side on Saturday. Morales and his Honduran counterpart Juan Orlando Hernandez said after meeting that the march was "violating the borders and the good faith of the states." The Honduran president acknowledged that social problems were a contributory factor. "Without a doubt, we have a lot to do so that our people can have opportunities in their communities," he said. The migrants are generally fleeing poverty and insecurity in Honduras, where powerful street gangs rule their turf with brutal violence. With a homicide rate of 43 per 100,000 citizens, Honduras is one of the most violent countries in the world, according to a Honduran university study.

As migrant 'caravan' marches on towards US, Trump says he's cutting off aid to Central America

Saudi Arabia's admission -- after emphatic denials -- over the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi is aimed at shifting the responsibility away from the powerful crown prince, whose position so far appears unshaken, analysts say.

The kingdom sacked two top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well three intelligence officials and arrested 18 Saudi suspects, in what some analysts called a scapegoating to quell the global outrage over Khashoggi's killing.

After 17 days of vehement denials, the kingdom's assertion on Saturday that the journalist was killed in a "brawl and fist fight" inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul –- without revealing the whereabouts of his body -- fell on sceptical ears around the world.

Saudi Arabia had previously roundly rejected allegations by Turkish officials that Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents who dismembered his body, insisting he had walked out of the consulate alive.

"Here is Saudi Arabia's biggest problem," said Michael Stephens, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute.

The inconsistences in the Saudi statements "now totally undermines their position," he said.

Aside from the crisis of credibility, the international furore over Khashoggi's disappearance prompted fevered speculation that the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, was at risk of being unseated from power by other royal family members.

But that danger appears to have subsided, analysts say.

The prince has amassed power to a level unseen by previous rulers after sidelining potential rivals, with only 82-year-old King Salman -- the prince's father -- in a position to oust him.

But the monarch issued a royal decree on Saturday to form a ministerial committee -- headed by the prince -- to revamp the kingdom's intelligence services, indicating that he was keen for him to stay.

"Despite speculation that the crisis spells the end of Mohammad bin Salman, the recent announcements prove that the king still believes that the current line of succession is suitable," said Eurasia Group, a risk consultancy.

The unprecedented crisis apparently prompted the king -- who appears to have handed over day-to-day affairs to MBS -- to intervene, including handling a diplomatic outreach with Turkey and the United States.

'Aiming for accountability'

The king also ordered the sacking of deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and royal court media adviser Saud al-Qahtani, both part of Prince Mohammed's inner circle.

"The decision to remove members of Mohammad bin Salman's inner circle is designed to demonstrate real accountability in the process and distance the crown prince from the murder," Eurasia Group said.

But the dramatic moves early Saturday have yet to stem the tide of global condemnation of Prince Mohammed, whose image as a modernising Arab reformer has been tarnished with his crackdown on dissent.

It has also tainted his reform program known as Vision 2030 -- to prepare the kingdom for a post-oil era.

"Dismissing Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmad al-Assiri is as close to MBS as it is possible to go," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States.

"Interesting to see if these moves prove sufficient to end the crisis. If the drip-drip of additional details continue, there's no buffer to shield MBS any longer."

US President Donald Trump also appears to have thrown his weight behind the prince, swiftly endorsing Saudi Arabia's explanation about the death of Khashoggi and calling it an "important first step".

But casting doubt on the claim that Khashoggi was killed during a fist fight, the Washington Post reported on Saturday that the CIA had listened to audio recordings from Turkish officials that show he was brutally killed and dismembered by a team of Saudi agents.

US authorities have so far officially denied listening to any recordings.

'No cover-up'

Pro-government Turkish media have also repeatedly claimed that Khashoggi was tortured and decapitated by a Saudi hit squad.

One Saudi agent identified by Turkey was said to be a frequent companion of Prince Mohammed, three others were linked to his security detail and a fifth is a high-level forensic specialist, according to The New York Times.

The kingdom's sudden admission on Saturday appears aimed at taking the heat off its rulers.

But people close to the Saudi leadership insist there was no cover up.

"The removal of two top officials, a cabinet ranking, very powerful and close advisor of MBS and the deputy head of intelligence ... cannot be written off as a cover up," tweeted Ali Shihabi, head of pro-Saudi think tank Arabia Foundation which is said to be close to the government.

But Shihabi himself contradicted the Saudi narrative, saying "Khashoggi died from a chokehold during a physical altercation, not a fist fight", citing a senior Saudi source.

Meanwhile, global calls are growing for Turkey to call on the UN secretary general to authorise an independent, international investigation in the case.

Turkey, on its part, vowed Saturday to reveal all it knows about the death of Khashoggi, but has yet to divulge details about the investigation.

"The Saudi regime must not be allowed to hide behind lies in order to literally get away with murder," said Summer Lopez, senior director of free expression at PEN America.

Saudi Arabia's admission -- after emphatic denials -- over the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi is aimed at shifting the responsibility away from the powerful crown prince, whose position so far appears unshaken, analysts say.

Saudi Arabia's admission -- after emphatic denials -- over the killing of critic Jamal Khashoggi is aimed at shifting the responsibility away from the powerful crown prince, whose position so far appears unshaken, analysts say. The kingdom sacked two top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well three intelligence officials and arrested 18 Saudi suspects, in what some analysts called a scapegoating to quell the global outrage over Khashoggi's killing. After 17 days of vehement denials, the kingdom's assertion on Saturday that the journalist was killed in a "brawl and fist fight" inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul –- without revealing the whereabouts of his body -- fell on sceptical ears around the world. Saudi Arabia had previously roundly rejected allegations by Turkish officials that Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents who dismembered his body, insisting he had walked out of the consulate alive. "Here is Saudi Arabia's biggest problem," said Michael Stephens, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute. The inconsistences in the Saudi statements "now totally undermines their position," he said. Aside from the crisis of credibility, the international furore over Khashoggi's disappearance prompted fevered speculation that the 33-year-old prince, widely known as MBS, was at risk of being unseated from power by other royal family members. But that danger appears to have subsided, analysts say. The prince has amassed power to a level unseen by previous rulers after sidelining potential rivals, with only 82-year-old King Salman -- the prince's father -- in a position to oust him. But the monarch issued a royal decree on Saturday to form a ministerial committee -- headed by the prince -- to revamp the kingdom's intelligence services, indicating that he was keen for him to stay. "Despite speculation that the crisis spells the end of Mohammad bin Salman, the recent announcements prove that the king still believes that the current line of succession is suitable," said Eurasia Group, a risk consultancy. The unprecedented crisis apparently prompted the king -- who appears to have handed over day-to-day affairs to MBS -- to intervene, including handling a diplomatic outreach with Turkey and the United States. 'Aiming for accountability' The king also ordered the sacking of deputy intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and royal court media adviser Saud al-Qahtani, both part of Prince Mohammed's inner circle. "The decision to remove members of Mohammad bin Salman's inner circle is designed to demonstrate real accountability in the process and distance the crown prince from the murder," Eurasia Group said. But the dramatic moves early Saturday have yet to stem the tide of global condemnation of Prince Mohammed, whose image as a modernising Arab reformer has been tarnished with his crackdown on dissent. It has also tainted his reform program known as Vision 2030 -- to prepare the kingdom for a post-oil era. "Dismissing Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmad al-Assiri is as close to MBS as it is possible to go," said Kristian Ulrichsen, a fellow at Rice University's Baker Institute in the United States. "Interesting to see if these moves prove sufficient to end the crisis. If the drip-drip of additional details continue, there's no buffer to shield MBS any longer." US President Donald Trump also appears to have thrown his weight behind the prince, swiftly endorsing Saudi Arabia's explanation about the death of Khashoggi and calling it an "important first step". But casting doubt on the claim that Khashoggi was killed during a fist fight, the Washington Post reported on Saturday that the CIA had listened to audio recordings from Turkish officials that show he was brutally killed and dismembered by a team of Saudi agents. US authorities have so far officially denied listening to any recordings. 'No cover-up' Pro-government Turkish media have also repeatedly claimed that Khashoggi was tortured and decapitated by a Saudi hit squad. One Saudi agent identified by Turkey was said to be a frequent companion of Prince Mohammed, three others were linked to his security detail and a fifth is a high-level forensic specialist, according to The New York Times. The kingdom's sudden admission on Saturday appears aimed at taking the heat off its rulers. But people close to the Saudi leadership insist there was no cover up. "The removal of two top officials, a cabinet ranking, very powerful and close advisor of MBS and the deputy head of intelligence ... cannot be written off as a cover up," tweeted Ali Shihabi, head of pro-Saudi think tank Arabia Foundation which is said to be close to the government. But Shihabi himself contradicted the Saudi narrative, saying "Khashoggi died from a chokehold during a physical altercation, not a fist fight", citing a senior Saudi source. Meanwhile, global calls are growing for Turkey to call on the UN secretary general to authorise an independent, international investigation in the case. Turkey, on its part, vowed Saturday to reveal all it knows about the death of Khashoggi, but has yet to divulge details about the investigation. "The Saudi regime must not be allowed to hide behind lies in order to literally get away with murder," said Summer Lopez, senior director of free expression at PEN America.

Saudi admission over Khashoggi's killing shields crown prince

A one-time classmate of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee said Monday that Brett Kavanaugh was a habitual heavy drinker, challenging the judge's Senate testimony to the contrary. &nbsp;

The comments came days after the FBI opened a Senate-requested probe into allegations by three women that a drunken Kavanaugh sexually abused them or engaged in sexual misconduct while they were students in the 1980s.

"I can unequivocally say that in denying the possibility that he ever blacked out from drinking and in downplaying the degree and frequency of his drinking, Brett has not told the truth," Chad Ludington told reporters.

The North Carolina State University professor, who said he had contacted the FBI with his information, indicated in a statement Sunday that Kavanaugh was "belligerent and aggressive" when he drank.

Earlier, Trump had defended his pick but admitted that the appeals court judge has had a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-kavanaugh-had-bit-difficulty-alcohol-168862">"bit of difficulty" with alcohol</a>.

In a White House press conference, the US president sought to excuse excessive drinking by teenagers, while going beyond Kavanaugh's own testimony on his past use of alcohol to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week.

"I was surprised at how vocal he was about the fact that he likes beer," the president said.

"He's had a little bit of difficulty. He talked about things that happened when he drank. This is not a man that said... he was perfect with respect to alcohol."

He also questioned why investigators needed to examine the 53-year-old Kavanaugh's high school record.

"I think it's very unfair to bring up things like this," Trump said.

"I graduated from high school and while I did not drink, I saw a lot of people drinking," he said.

"They drink beer and go crazy and they were in high school... Does that mean that they can't do something they want to do in their life?" &nbsp;

He returned to the theme during a campaign rally in Tennessee, where he accused opposition Democrats of being motivated by politics.&nbsp;

"They have been blind in a blind rage ever since they lost the 2016. They have gone loco," he told supporters.

'I like beer'

In Thursday's extraordinary hearing, Kavanaugh vehemently denied the sexual abuse allegations, and also aggressively challenged suggestions he had a drinking problem at the time.

"I drank beer with my friends. Sometimes I had too many beers," he told the panel. &nbsp;

"Yes, we drank beer. I liked beer. I still like beer," he said.

"If every American who drinks beer or every American who drank beer in high school is suddenly presumed guilty of sexual assault, it will be an ugly, new place in this country."

The New York Times also reported that Kavanaugh was questioned but not charged by police after a 1985 bar fight in New Haven, Connecticut where he was accused of throwing ice on a fellow patron.&nbsp;

A witness said that a friend of Kavanaugh's then threw a glass that hit the same patron in the ear, causing bleeding.

US media meanwhile reported that the FBI had begun their interview of Mark Judge, Kavanaugh's former best friend and a key figure in the misconduct allegations leveled by Christine Blasey Ford.

Judge's interview started but "has not been completed," his attorney said in a statement quoted by Fox News.

In last week's hearing, Blasey Ford said Judge witnessed Kavanaugh's alleged assault and jumped on top of them as it happened, sending all three tumbling and allowing her to escape.

Clock ticking&nbsp;

Trump meanwhile said the White House would not restrict the new FBI probe, requested by senators before they take a final vote on Kavanaugh.

"I think the FBI should do what they have to do to get to the answer," Trump said.

"I want it to be comprehensive... With that being said, I would like to go quickly," he added.

"We don't want to go on a witch hunt, do we?"

Senators, including Republican Jeff Flake, struck a deal Friday that gives the FBI one week to conduct its investigation and deliver its report.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate, made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats, will be "voting this week" on advancing the Kavanaugh nomination, setting up a possible final confirmation vote this weekend or early next week.

"The time for endless delay and obstruction has come to a close," McConnell said.

Last week, Flake expressed eagerness to see Kavanaugh confirmed but said he wanted a "better process" for assessing the allegations. Flake said over the weekend that he would vote for Kavanaugh unless the FBI finds something in its investigation.

A one-time classmate of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee said Monday that Brett Kavanaugh was a habitual heavy drinker, challenging the judge's Senate testimony to the contrary.

A one-time classmate of President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee said Monday that Brett Kavanaugh was a habitual heavy drinker, challenging the judge's Senate testimony to the contrary. The comments came days after the FBI opened a Senate-requested probe into allegations by three women that a drunken Kavanaugh sexually abused them or engaged in sexual misconduct while they were students in the 1980s. "I can unequivocally say that in denying the possibility that he ever blacked out from drinking and in downplaying the degree and frequency of his drinking, Brett has not told the truth," Chad Ludington told reporters. The North Carolina State University professor, who said he had contacted the FBI with his information, indicated in a statement Sunday that Kavanaugh was "belligerent and aggressive" when he drank. Earlier, Trump had defended his pick but admitted that the appeals court judge has had a "bit of difficulty" with alcohol. In a White House press conference, the US president sought to excuse excessive drinking by teenagers, while going beyond Kavanaugh's own testimony on his past use of alcohol to the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. "I was surprised at how vocal he was about the fact that he likes beer," the president said. "He's had a little bit of difficulty. He talked about things that happened when he drank. This is not a man that said... he was perfect with respect to alcohol." He also questioned why investigators needed to examine the 53-year-old Kavanaugh's high school record. "I think it's very unfair to bring up things like this," Trump said. "I graduated from high school and while I did not drink, I saw a lot of people drinking," he said. "They drink beer and go crazy and they were in high school... Does that mean that they can't do something they want to do in their life?" He returned to the theme during a campaign rally in Tennessee, where he accused opposition Democrats of being motivated by politics. "They have been blind in a blind rage ever since they lost the 2016. They have gone loco," he told supporters. 'I like beer' In Thursday's extraordinary hearing, Kavanaugh vehemently denied the sexual abuse allegations, and also aggressively challenged suggestions he had a drinking problem at the time. "I drank beer with my friends. Sometimes I had too many beers," he told the panel. "Yes, we drank beer. I liked beer. I still like beer," he said. "If every American who drinks beer or every American who drank beer in high school is suddenly presumed guilty of sexual assault, it will be an ugly, new place in this country." The New York Times also reported that Kavanaugh was questioned but not charged by police after a 1985 bar fight in New Haven, Connecticut where he was accused of throwing ice on a fellow patron. A witness said that a friend of Kavanaugh's then threw a glass that hit the same patron in the ear, causing bleeding. US media meanwhile reported that the FBI had begun their interview of Mark Judge, Kavanaugh's former best friend and a key figure in the misconduct allegations leveled by Christine Blasey Ford. Judge's interview started but "has not been completed," his attorney said in a statement quoted by Fox News. In last week's hearing, Blasey Ford said Judge witnessed Kavanaugh's alleged assault and jumped on top of them as it happened, sending all three tumbling and allowing her to escape. Clock ticking Trump meanwhile said the White House would not restrict the new FBI probe, requested by senators before they take a final vote on Kavanaugh. "I think the FBI should do what they have to do to get to the answer," Trump said. "I want it to be comprehensive... With that being said, I would like to go quickly," he added. "We don't want to go on a witch hunt, do we?" Senators, including Republican Jeff Flake, struck a deal Friday that gives the FBI one week to conduct its investigation and deliver its report. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate, made up of 51 Republicans and 49 Democrats, will be "voting this week" on advancing the Kavanaugh nomination, setting up a possible final confirmation vote this weekend or early next week. "The time for endless delay and obstruction has come to a close," McConnell said. Last week, Flake expressed eagerness to see Kavanaugh confirmed but said he wanted a "better process" for assessing the allegations. Flake said over the weekend that he would vote for Kavanaugh unless the FBI finds something in its investigation.

Kavanaugh lied about his drinking habits, claims former classmate of Trump's court nominee

Canadian and US negotiators reached a deal late Sunday on reforming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian media reported.

CTV cited a high-level American source as saying the two sides had reached an agreement and that a joint statement was expected.

Another Canadian channel, CBC, said a "senior source" confirmed that a deal had been reached on significant sections of a new NAFTA.

Word of an agreement followed an emergency cabinet meeting called by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 10:00 pm (0200 GMT) -- two hours ahead of a midnight deadline for getting the text of a revised agreement to the United States Congress.

US President Donald Trump triggered a review of the 1994 trade pact and talks between the US, Canada and Mexico began last August, after Trump called it "one of the worst trade deals in history."

Canadian and US negotiators reached a deal late Sunday on reforming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian media reported. CTV cited a high-level American source as saying the two sides had reached an agreement and that a joint statement was expected.

Canadian and US negotiators reached a deal late Sunday on reforming the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian media reported. CTV cited a high-level American source as saying the two sides had reached an agreement and that a joint statement was expected. Another Canadian channel, CBC, said a "senior source" confirmed that a deal had been reached on significant sections of a new NAFTA. Word of an agreement followed an emergency cabinet meeting called by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at 10:00 pm (0200 GMT) -- two hours ahead of a midnight deadline for getting the text of a revised agreement to the United States Congress. US President Donald Trump triggered a review of the 1994 trade pact and talks between the US, Canada and Mexico began last August, after Trump called it "one of the worst trade deals in history."

Canada, US reach NAFTA deal: Report

"I love India, give my regards to my friend Prime Minister Modi," United States President Donald Trump told Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj as both exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday.

The moment came when Trump was leaving the podium at the conclusion of the event and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warmly hugged Swaraj and introduced her to the president.

During the conversation, EAM Swaraj told Trump that she has brought greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to the same, Trump, as per the Indian diplomatic sources, said, "I love India, give my regards to my friend Prime Minister Modi."

Swaraj was attending an event titled 'Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem' chaired by the US president as the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly began in New York.

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"I love India, give my regards to my friend PM Modi," US President Donald Trump told EAM Sushma Swaraj as the two exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics in New York on Monday: Diplomatic sources (Pic source: UN Web TV) <a href="https://t.co/ofBP35lLzc">pic.twitter.com/ofBP35lLzc</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1044424781096013824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In June last year, Trump had hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House during his visit to the US. Commenting on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US, the White House had said that it was the "first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under President Trump's administration".

"When President Trump came to India in 2014... He was full of very warm remarks and observations about me, I still remember them," Prime Minister Modi had told media warmly at the White House in the US.

President Trump had also described Prime Minister Modi as a "true friend" and both the leaders had maintained a good bond. The last meeting between the two leaders took place at the ASEAN summit in the Philippines in November last year.

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&nbsp;

"I love India, give my regards to my friend Prime Minister Modi," United States President Donald Trump told Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj as both exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday.

"I love India, give my regards to my friend Prime Minister Modi," United States President Donald Trump told Indian External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj as both exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Monday. The moment came when Trump was leaving the podium at the conclusion of the event and US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warmly hugged Swaraj and introduced her to the president. During the conversation, EAM Swaraj told Trump that she has brought greetings from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Responding to the same, Trump, as per the Indian diplomatic sources, said, "I love India, give my regards to my friend Prime Minister Modi." Swaraj was attending an event titled 'Global Call to Action on the World Drug Problem' chaired by the US president as the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly began in New York. "I love India, give my regards to my friend PM Modi," US President Donald Trump told EAM Sushma Swaraj as the two exchanged pleasantries during a high-level event on counter-narcotics in New York on Monday: Diplomatic sources (Pic source: UN Web TV) pic.twitter.com/ofBP35lLzc — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2018 × In June last year, Trump had hosted Prime Minister Modi at the White House during his visit to the US. Commenting on Prime Minister Modi's visit to the US, the White House had said that it was the "first dinner for a foreign dignitary at the White House under President Trump's administration". "When President Trump came to India in 2014... He was full of very warm remarks and observations about me, I still remember them," Prime Minister Modi had told media warmly at the White House in the US. President Trump had also described Prime Minister Modi as a "true friend" and both the leaders had maintained a good bond. The last meeting between the two leaders took place at the ASEAN summit in the Philippines in November last year. ×

Trump sends love to India, regards to 'friend' PM Modi

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