<p>President Donald Trump said he never questioned Russian leader Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;about U.S. intelligence reports that Moscow paid the Taliban to kill American troops in Afghanistan, casting doubt on the reports in an interview.</p>

<p>Trump, who has sought to cultivate warmer relations with Moscow, has said he was not briefed on the matter before it emerged in news media in late June. He has called the reports a hoax and casts doubt on them.&nbsp;Russia has denied the reports.</p>

<p>"I have never discussed it with him," he told Axios in an interview. Trump talked by phone with&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;as recently as last Thursday.</p>

<p>In all, he has spoken with the Kremlin leader at least eight times since late February, when intelligence flagging alleged Russian bounties was included in the secret daily presidential briefing.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/inaccurate-white-house-rubbishes-reports-of-trumps-failed-actions-on-russian-bounties-case-309084">Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case</a></strong></p>

<p>Asked why he did not confront&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;on the issue in their call last Thursday, Trump said, "That was a phone call to discuss other things, and frankly that's an issue that many people said was fake news."</p>

<p>He said he and the Russian president discussed nuclear nonproliferation in that phone call. As he left the White House later on Wednesday, Trump made clear he did not believe the report.</p>

<p>"If it were true, I'd be very angry about it. But if you tell me they're doing it, I would certainly take that under consideration," he said. "I would respond appropriately."</p>

<p>Trump is also dismissing reports that Russia is arming the Taliban, which has fought US-led forces in Afghanistan to a standstill and is now negotiating for their withdrawal.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-not-briefed-because-russia-bounty-reports-uncorroborated-white-house-309949">Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House</a></strong></p>

<p>The top US commander in the country in 2018, General John Nicholson, openly accused Moscow of supplying the Taliban, saying "we know that the Russians are involved."</p>

<p>After Trump's latest comments, White House director of strategic communications Alyssa Farah said the bounty reports "were based on unverified intel. But we still take it extremely seriously."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The safety of U.S. forces is the President’s top priority in Afghanistan.<br />
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The same intelligence, which was an unverified asssesment, was shared with Capitol Hill.</p>
— Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Alyssafarah/status/1288513860803211264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Democrats in Congress have accused Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, of not taking intelligence information concerning soldiers' deaths seriously enough. They have pressed for more information from the intelligence community and the White House.</p>

<p>Trump has been dogged by criticism that he was too friendly toward Moscow since taking office. The US&nbsp;intelligence community found that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to boost his chances of winning the White House. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report last year determined his campaign had numerous contacts with Russian officials but that there was not enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy.</p>

<p>National security adviser Robert O'Brien has said Trump was not verbally briefed on the Russian bounty intelligence because his CIA briefer concluded the reports were uncorroborated.</p>

<p>White House officials have not denied the information was included in the President's Daily Brief, a daily summary of classified information and analysis on national security. Some news outlets reported the issue was included in the brief in February but that Trump may not have read it.</p>

<p>Trump has said many intelligence officials doubted the report's veracity, a stance contradicted by four U.S. and European sources and by its inclusion in a widely read CIA report in May.</p>

<p>The New York Times first reported in June that US&nbsp;intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit had offered the Taliban payments of up to $100,000 for each US&nbsp;or allied soldier killed.</p>


President Donald Trump said he never questioned Russian leader Vladimir Putin about U.S. intelligence reports that Moscow paid the Taliban to kill American troops in Afghanistan, casting doubt on the reports in an interview.

President Donald Trump said he never questioned Russian leader Vladimir Putin about U.S. intelligence reports that Moscow paid the Taliban to kill American troops in Afghanistan, casting doubt on the reports in an interview. Trump, who has sought to cultivate warmer relations with Moscow, has said he was not briefed on the matter before it emerged in news media in late June. He has called the reports a hoax and casts doubt on them. Russia has denied the reports. "I have never discussed it with him," he told Axios in an interview. Trump talked by phone with Putin as recently as last Thursday. In all, he has spoken with the Kremlin leader at least eight times since late February, when intelligence flagging alleged Russian bounties was included in the secret daily presidential briefing. Also read-Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case Asked why he did not confront Putin on the issue in their call last Thursday, Trump said, "That was a phone call to discuss other things, and frankly that's an issue that many people said was fake news." He said he and the Russian president discussed nuclear nonproliferation in that phone call. As he left the White House later on Wednesday, Trump made clear he did not believe the report. "If it were true, I'd be very angry about it. But if you tell me they're doing it, I would certainly take that under consideration," he said. "I would respond appropriately." Trump is also dismissing reports that Russia is arming the Taliban, which has fought US-led forces in Afghanistan to a standstill and is now negotiating for their withdrawal. Also read-Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House The top US commander in the country in 2018, General John Nicholson, openly accused Moscow of supplying the Taliban, saying "we know that the Russians are involved." After Trump's latest comments, White House director of strategic communications Alyssa Farah said the bounty reports "were based on unverified intel. But we still take it extremely seriously." The safety of U.S. forces is the President’s top priority in Afghanistan. The same intelligence, which was an unverified asssesment, was shared with Capitol Hill. — Alyssa Farah (@Alyssafarah) July 29, 2020 × Democrats in Congress have accused Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, of not taking intelligence information concerning soldiers' deaths seriously enough. They have pressed for more information from the intelligence community and the White House. Trump has been dogged by criticism that he was too friendly toward Moscow since taking office. The US intelligence community found that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to boost his chances of winning the White House. Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report last year determined his campaign had numerous contacts with Russian officials but that there was not enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy. National security adviser Robert O'Brien has said Trump was not verbally briefed on the Russian bounty intelligence because his CIA briefer concluded the reports were uncorroborated. White House officials have not denied the information was included in the President's Daily Brief, a daily summary of classified information and analysis on national security. Some news outlets reported the issue was included in the brief in February but that Trump may not have read it. Trump has said many intelligence officials doubted the report's veracity, a stance contradicted by four U.S. and European sources and by its inclusion in a widely read CIA report in May. The New York Times first reported in June that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit had offered the Taliban payments of up to $100,000 for each US or allied soldier killed.

Trump says he never confronted Putin about Russia bounty reports

<p>The United States will slash its military presence in Germany by 11,900 troops, relocating some to Italy and Belgium in a major shift of Washington's NATO assets, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Wednesday.</p>

<p>Of the 34,500 US military personnel in Germany, some 6,400 will be sent home while nearly 5,600 others will be moved to other NATO countries. The&nbsp;key aim of the rotation is to reinforce NATO's southeastern flank near the Black Sea, Esper said.</p>

<p>According to Esper some troops could also go to Poland and the Baltic states if Warsaw follows through on an agreement already sketched out by the two sides.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-orders-9500-us-troops-to-depart-from-germany-303873">Donald Trump orders 9,500 US troops to depart from Germany</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier, US President Donald Trump had&nbsp;ordered the US military to remove nearly 9,500 troops from Germany which raised concerns in Europe about the US commitment to the region.</p>

<p>The move is the latest twist in relations between Berlin and Washington, which have often been strained during Trump’s presidency. Trump has pressed Germany to raise defence spending and accused Berlin of being a captive of Russia due to its energy reliance.</p>

<p>In May, the then US ambassador to Germany,&nbsp;Richard Grenell, accused Berlin of undermining Nato’s nuclear deterrent, taking aim at Merkel’s junior coalition partners after some of their leaders called for nuclear disarmament.</p>


The United States will slash its military presence in Germany by 11,900 troops, relocating some to Italy and Belgium in a major shift of Washington's NATO assets, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Wednesday.

The United States will slash its military presence in Germany by 11,900 troops, relocating some to Italy and Belgium in a major shift of Washington's NATO assets, Defense Secretary Mark Esper announced Wednesday. Of the 34,500 US military personnel in Germany, some 6,400 will be sent home while nearly 5,600 others will be moved to other NATO countries. The key aim of the rotation is to reinforce NATO's southeastern flank near the Black Sea, Esper said. According to Esper some troops could also go to Poland and the Baltic states if Warsaw follows through on an agreement already sketched out by the two sides. Also read: Donald Trump orders 9,500 US troops to depart from Germany Earlier, US President Donald Trump had ordered the US military to remove nearly 9,500 troops from Germany which raised concerns in Europe about the US commitment to the region. The move is the latest twist in relations between Berlin and Washington, which have often been strained during Trump’s presidency. Trump has pressed Germany to raise defence spending and accused Berlin of being a captive of Russia due to its energy reliance. In May, the then US ambassador to Germany, Richard Grenell, accused Berlin of undermining Nato’s nuclear deterrent, taking aim at Merkel’s junior coalition partners after some of their leaders called for nuclear disarmament.

US to move 11,900 troops out from Germany says Pentagon

<p>President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said.</p>

<p>Washington and Moscow are preparing negotiations on a successor to the New START treaty capping their countries' nuclear arsenals. However, China has so far rejected pressure from the Trump administration to join the talks, saying that its arsenal is far smaller than that of the two former Cold War foes.</p>

<h5><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/accuse-evict-repeat-how-it-has-become-a-commonly-used-tactic-by-us-315431" hreflang="en">Accuse, evict, repeat: How it has become a commonly used tactic by US</a></h5>

<p>"President Trump reiterated his hope of avoiding an expensive three-way arms race between China, Russia and the United States and looked forward to progress on upcoming arms control negotiations in Vienna," White House spokesman Judd Deere said.</p>

<p>The two leaders also discussed Iran's nuclear arms program, the Kremlin said in its statement on the call.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pompeo-calls-for-free-world-to-triumph-over-chinas-new-tyranny-315562" hreflang="en">Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’</a></strong></p>

<p>"The need for collective efforts to maintain regional stability and the global nuclear non-proliferation regime has been emphasized on both sides," the Kremlin said.</p>

<p>The White House did not mention Iran but said Trump and Putin discussed ways to defeat the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to reopen global economies.</p>

<p>The United States says that, as a growing nuclear weapons power, China should join it and Russia in a new treaty. But China’s estimated 300 warheads are dwarfed by the arsenals of Russia and the United States.</p>

<p>China has balked. A top Chinese diplomat said earlier this month that China would be happy to hold arms control talks with the United States and Russia, but only if Washington was willing to cut its nuclear arsenal to China's level, which is about 20 times smaller.</p>


President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said.

President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said. Washington and Moscow are preparing negotiations on a successor to the New START treaty capping their countries' nuclear arsenals. However, China has so far rejected pressure from the Trump administration to join the talks, saying that its arsenal is far smaller than that of the two former Cold War foes. Accuse, evict, repeat: How it has become a commonly used tactic by US "President Trump reiterated his hope of avoiding an expensive three-way arms race between China, Russia and the United States and looked forward to progress on upcoming arms control negotiations in Vienna," White House spokesman Judd Deere said. The two leaders also discussed Iran's nuclear arms program, the Kremlin said in its statement on the call. Also read: Mike Pompeo calls for ‘free world’ to triumph over China's ‘new tyranny’ "The need for collective efforts to maintain regional stability and the global nuclear non-proliferation regime has been emphasized on both sides," the Kremlin said. The White House did not mention Iran but said Trump and Putin discussed ways to defeat the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to reopen global economies. The United States says that, as a growing nuclear weapons power, China should join it and Russia in a new treaty. But China’s estimated 300 warheads are dwarfed by the arsenals of Russia and the United States. China has balked. A top Chinese diplomat said earlier this month that China would be happy to hold arms control talks with the United States and Russia, but only if Washington was willing to cut its nuclear arsenal to China's level, which is about 20 times smaller.

Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin

<p>&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said on Tuesday that he wished alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell well, noting that he had met her multiple times in the past, but he had little else to say on the case involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.</p>

<p>Trump, speaking at his first coronavirus briefing in weeks, was asked if he thinks Maxwell will "turn in powerful men" following her arrest, given that she was the longtime associate of Epstein and was his alleged co-conspirator.</p>

<p>"I don't know, I haven't really been following it too much,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said of the case.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-ghislaine-maxwell-deserves-no-special-treatment-urges-detention-313081">US says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves no 'special treatment,' urges detention</a></strong></p>

<p>Maxwell was arrested early this month in New Hampshire, where authorities said she had been hiding at a sprawling property she bought while shielding her identity.</p>

<p>"I just wish her well, frankly,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said. "I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well, whatever it is."</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ghislaine-maxwell-denied-bail-in-epstein-sex-abuse-case-313478/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Maxwell, 58, has denied charges she lured underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse and has pleaded not guilty. A US&nbsp;District Court judge in Manhattan denied bail at her hearing last week, saying the wealthy socialite posed a flight risk.</p>

<p>Prosecutors have accused Maxwell, 58, of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016. Her trial is set to start on July 12, 2021.</p>


President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wished alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell well, noting that he had met her multiple times in the past, but he had little else to say on the case involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he wished alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell well, noting that he had met her multiple times in the past, but he had little else to say on the case involving the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Trump, speaking at his first coronavirus briefing in weeks, was asked if he thinks Maxwell will "turn in powerful men" following her arrest, given that she was the longtime associate of Epstein and was his alleged co-conspirator. "I don't know, I haven't really been following it too much," Trump said of the case. Also read: US says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves no 'special treatment,' urges detention Maxwell was arrested early this month in New Hampshire, where authorities said she had been hiding at a sprawling property she bought while shielding her identity. "I just wish her well, frankly," Trump said. "I've met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach, but I wish her well, whatever it is." Maxwell, 58, has denied charges she lured underage girls for Epstein to sexually abuse and has pleaded not guilty. A US District Court judge in Manhattan denied bail at her hearing last week, saying the wealthy socialite posed a flight risk. Prosecutors have accused Maxwell, 58, of helping Epstein recruit and eventually abuse girls as young as 14 from 1994 to 1997 and lying about her role in depositions in 2016. Her trial is set to start on July 12, 2021.

'I wish her well': Trump comments on arrest of Epstein aide, alleged sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-world-records-1-million-coronavirus-cases-in-100-hours-314170">For the first time, world records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours</a></p>

<p><img alt="coronavirus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="657aa2c7-36a3-48c1-b303-5bf3edee59f2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/031120_jl_coronavirus-pandemic_feat_1500.jpg" /></p>

<p>Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-world-records-1-million-coronavirus-cases-in-100-hours-314170">Read more</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-hack-was-work-of-young-hacker-pals-says-new-york-times-report-314174" hreflang="en">Twitter hack was work of young hacker pals, says New York Times report</a></p>

<p><img alt="Twitter " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="994803fb-8c42-443b-938e-2b79498a0797" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/twitter-gty-er-190423_hpMain_16x9_992.jpg" /></p>

<p>Hackers involved in the high-profile hijacking of Twitter accounts earlier this week were a few youngsters with no links to state or organised crime, The New York Times has said. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-hack-was-work-of-young-hacker-pals-says-new-york-times-report-314174">Read more</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-expected-to-exclude-undocumented-migrants-from-us-census-314154">Trump expected to exclude undocumented migrants from US census</a></p>

<p><img alt="Donald Trump " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="55164f44-20e8-4574-b17b-07388e320309" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/24b975db053e48b6a93d1c98735c5811_18.jpg" /></p>

<p>United States President Donald Trump is expected to soon issue an executive order that would ban undocumented immigrants from being included in the 2020 census of the country. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-expected-to-exclude-undocumented-migrants-from-us-census-314154">Read more</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-officer-suspended-after-video-showed-him-kneeling-on-black-mans-neck-314163">UK officer suspended after video showed him kneeling on Black man's neck</a></p>

<p><img alt="UK police" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a6a00254-6a11-4b04-826b-8729012e08f8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/image.jpg" /></p>

<p>One London police officer was suspended on Friday after a video of an arrest appeared to show an officer kneeling on a Black suspect's neck. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-police-officer-suspended-after-video-showed-him-kneeling-on-black-mans-neck-314163">Read more</a></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-india-the-worlds-vaccine-producer-314138/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


For the first time, world records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours.

For the first time, world records 1 million coronavirus cases in 100 hours Global coronavirus infections passed 14 million on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, marking the first time there has been a surge of 1 million cases in under 100 hours. Read more Twitter hack was work of young hacker pals, says New York Times report Hackers involved in the high-profile hijacking of Twitter accounts earlier this week were a few youngsters with no links to state or organised crime, The New York Times has said. Read more Trump expected to exclude undocumented migrants from US census United States President Donald Trump is expected to soon issue an executive order that would ban undocumented immigrants from being included in the 2020 census of the country. Read more UK officer suspended after video showed him kneeling on Black man's neck One London police officer was suspended on Friday after a video of an arrest appeared to show an officer kneeling on a Black suspect's neck. Read more

Morning news brief: World records 1 million COVID-19 cases in 100 hours, Twitter hack work of young hacker pals and more

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-wants-to-do-everything-possible-to-keep-peace-for-people-of-india-china-313878"><strong>Trump 'wants to do everything possible to keep peace for people of India, China'</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/24/146430-untitled-design-4.jpg?itok=Ftcralmd" />United States President Donald Trump has said he wants to do everything possible to keep peace for the people of India and China, according to the White House spokesperson.</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-britain-canada-accuse-russia-of-hacking-covid-19-vaccine-research-313873"><strong>US, Britain, Canada accuse Russia of hacking Covid-19 vaccine research</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/22345-2017-05-12t145426z_1_lynxmped4b1e4_rtroptp_3_hacking-tool-20170512113833.JPG?itok=xqVN78oS" /></p>

<p>UK, United States and Canada accused Russia on Thursday of trying to steal research-based information from experts and scientist seeking a COVID-19 vaccine.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hope-us-president-trump-is-re-elected-says-brazil-president-bolsonaro-313881"><strong>Hope US President Trump is re-elected, says Brazil President Bolsonaro</strong></a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/17/150164-untitled-design-15.jpg?itok=KSKCDXFs" /></p>

<p>Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said he hopes Republican US President Donald Trump will be re-elected in November. However, he said the commercial relationship between the two countries is promising even if a Democrat wins.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-talibans-group-leader-noor-wali-mehsud-designated-as-global-terrorist-by-united-nations-313877"><strong>Pakistan Taliban’s group leader Noor Wali Mehsud designated as global terrorist by United Nations</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/21/145896-untitled-design-36.jpg?itok=DRMM8Kr_" />The United Nations has designated Pakistan Taliban's leader Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorist for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaida and ISIS.</p>
</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

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Trump 'wants to do everything possible to keep peace for people of India, China' United States President Donald Trump has said he wants to do everything possible to keep peace for the people of India and China, according to the White House spokesperson.

Trump 'wants to do everything possible to keep peace for people of India, China' United States President Donald Trump has said he wants to do everything possible to keep peace for the people of India and China, according to the White House spokesperson. US, Britain, Canada accuse Russia of hacking Covid-19 vaccine research UK, United States and Canada accused Russia on Thursday of trying to steal research-based information from experts and scientist seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. Hope US President Trump is re-elected, says Brazil President Bolsonaro Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro on Thursday said he hopes Republican US President Donald Trump will be re-elected in November. However, he said the commercial relationship between the two countries is promising even if a Democrat wins. Pakistan Taliban’s group leader Noor Wali Mehsud designated as global terrorist by United Nations The United Nations has designated Pakistan Taliban's leader Noor Wali Mehsud as a global terrorist for participating in the financing, planning and perpetrating acts on behalf of and in support of entities associated with al-Qaida and ISIS.

Morning News Brief: Russia targets Covid-19 research, Trump's love for India-China and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-accounts-of-apple-elon-musk-bill-gates-and-others-hit-in-major-hack-313558"><strong>Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and others hit in major hack</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/22/146064-untitled-design-13.jpg?itok=JWjhrH39" /></p>

<p>The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-judiciary-halts-execution-of-three-protesters-amid-social-media-protests-313591"><strong>Iran: Judiciary halts execution of three protesters amid social media protests</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/16/149979-untitled-design-10.jpg?itok=LT9n_z3M" /></p>

<p>The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/family-sues-minneapolis-for-george-floyds-death-in-police-hands-313555"><strong>Family sues Minneapolis for George Floyd's death in police hands</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/04/143199-blacklivesmatterprotestreuters660040620095428.jpg?itok=0YMkzTaY" /></p>

<p>The family of George Floyd whose murder by a Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests across the United States has sued the city for his death.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and others hit in major hack The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin.

Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and others hit in major hack The official Twitter accounts of Apple, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and others were hijacked on Wednesday by scammers in a massive hack -- who according to cyber police were trying to dupe people into sending cryptocurrency bitcoin. Iran: Judiciary halts execution of three protesters amid social media protests The internet access in Iran was disrupted on Wednesday after a social media campaign using Persian hashtag #do_not_execute was used 7.5 million times against the country's death penalty. Family sues Minneapolis for George Floyd's death in police hands The family of George Floyd whose murder by a Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests across the United States has sued the city for his death.

Morning News Brief: Biggest twitter hack of all time, Iran’s executions and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-more-white-people-than-blacks-are-killed-by-us-police-313331"><strong>US revokes controversial order that would have seen foreign students deported</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/15/149826-harvard.jpg?itok=PYJrgfqN" />The Trump administration has abandoned an order to force out foreign students in the aftermath of widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-more-white-people-than-blacks-are-killed-by-us-police-313331"><strong>Trump says 'more white people' than Blacks are killed by US police</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/22/146078-untitled-design.jpg?itok=FfVKeP6j" /></p>

<p>United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-ignores-india-starts-work-on-chabahar-zahedan-railway-project-313294"><strong>Iran ignores India, starts work on Chabahar-Zahedan railway project</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/11/34588-chabahar%25252520port-20171203020607.gif?itok=ponut3Wz" /></p>

<p>Iran's Chabahar port is the only deep seaport and India's gateway to central Asia. The port was inaugurated in 2017, it not only side-stepped Pakistan but also counter-balanced the Chinese-controlled Gwadar port.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-population-in-2100-could-be-2-billion-below-un-projections-study-313353"><strong>World population in 2100 could be 2 billion below UN projections: Study</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/51909-Untitled%2520design%2520%252823%2529_15.jpg?itok=wkeF9hLy" /></p>

<p>Earth will be home to 8.8 billion souls in 2100, two billion fewer than current UN projections, according to a major study published Wednesday that foresees new global power alignments shaped by declining fertility rates and greying populations.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/handsfree-amenities-plasma-air-purification-indian-railways-develops-the-post-covid-coach-313348"><strong>Handsfree amenities, plasma air purification: Indian Railways develops the post-Covid coach</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/15/149830-untitled-design-2.jpg?itok=AD6gkeHs" /></p>

<p>Indian Railways has developed post-Covid train coaches to fight coronavirus with several special features in new coaches, which including foot-operated soap dispensers and toilet flushes, new door handles and handrails coated with anti-microbial copper.<br />
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US revokes controversial order that would have seen foreign students deported The Trump administration has abandoned an order to force out foreign students in the aftermath of widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses.

US revokes controversial order that would have seen foreign students deported The Trump administration has abandoned an order to force out foreign students in the aftermath of widespread condemnation of the move and pressure from colleges and major businesses. Trump says 'more white people' than Blacks are killed by US police United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. Iran ignores India, starts work on Chabahar-Zahedan railway project Iran's Chabahar port is the only deep seaport and India's gateway to central Asia. The port was inaugurated in 2017, it not only side-stepped Pakistan but also counter-balanced the Chinese-controlled Gwadar port. World population in 2100 could be 2 billion below UN projections: Study Earth will be home to 8.8 billion souls in 2100, two billion fewer than current UN projections, according to a major study published Wednesday that foresees new global power alignments shaped by declining fertility rates and greying populations. Handsfree amenities, plasma air purification: Indian Railways develops the post-Covid coach Indian Railways has developed post-Covid train coaches to fight coronavirus with several special features in new coaches, which including foot-operated soap dispensers and toilet flushes, new door handles and handrails coated with anti-microbial copper.

Morning News Brief: US revokes student visa rule, world population and more

<p>United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers.</p>

<p>“And so are white people, so are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people, by the way. More white people,” Trump said in response to a question during an interview with CBS News. The question was apparently about the number of Black people killed at the hands of US police.</p>

<p>Police violence against African Americans has been at the centre of attention in the United States since May 25 when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyd's, a Black man, neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the United States and the world.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-black-lives-matter-is-a-symbol-of-hate-310187"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Trump says Black Lives Matter is a 'symbol of hate'</strong></a></p>

<p>According to a Washington Post analysis updated on Monday, half of the people shot and killed by US police are white, but Black Americans are shot at a disproportionate rate. They account for less than 13 per cent of the US population but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, the newspaper analysis found.</p>

<p>The recent social unrest also raised new questions about the continued flying of the Confederate battle flag in some areas of the country and whether statues honouring Confederate leaders during the US Civil War should be removed from high-profile public places.</p>

<p>To this end, Trump responded: “I know people that like the Confederate flag and they’re not thinking about slavery.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-lashes-out-at-new-york-mayor-black-lives-matter-leader-308850"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader</strong></a></p>


United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. “And so are white people, so are white people.

United States President Donald Trump has downplayed police violence against Black people, citing “more white people” are killed by police officers. “And so are white people, so are white people. What a terrible question to ask. So are white people. More white people, by the way. More white people,” Trump said in response to a question during an interview with CBS News. The question was apparently about the number of Black people killed at the hands of US police. Police violence against African Americans has been at the centre of attention in the United States since May 25 when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on George Floyd's, a Black man, neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the United States and the world. Also read | Trump says Black Lives Matter is a 'symbol of hate' According to a Washington Post analysis updated on Monday, half of the people shot and killed by US police are white, but Black Americans are shot at a disproportionate rate. They account for less than 13 per cent of the US population but are killed by police at more than twice the rate of white Americans, the newspaper analysis found. The recent social unrest also raised new questions about the continued flying of the Confederate battle flag in some areas of the country and whether statues honouring Confederate leaders during the US Civil War should be removed from high-profile public places. To this end, Trump responded: “I know people that like the Confederate flag and they’re not thinking about slavery.” Also read | Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader

Trump says 'more white people' than Blacks are killed by US police

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-bounties-pompeo-speaks-with-russias-lavrov-about-afghanistan-313112"><strong>Russian bounties: Pompeo speaks with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/14/149684-untitled-design-2020-07-14t054209243.jpg?itok=AV-CTF6S" /></p>

<p>Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-pompeos-south-china-sea-illegal-claim-unjustified-313115"><strong>China says Pompeo's South China Sea illegal claim 'unjustified'</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/06/139411-south-china-sea-reuters.jpg?itok=EcgVyXm1" /></p>

<p>Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-trudeau-admits-mistake-apologises-over-controversial-charity-contract-313114"><strong>Canada's Trudeau admits 'mistake'; apologises over controversial charity contract</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/14/149685-untitled-design-2020-07-14t060535538.jpg?itok=hzeS29l7" /></p>

<p>Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from discussions about a government contract to a charity that had paid his family large sums of money for speaking appearances.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-pakistanis-sing-jan-gan-man-and-vande-mataram-with-indians-in-uk-during-anti-china-protest-313126"><strong>Watch: Pakistanis sing 'Jan Gan Man' and 'Vande Mataram' with Indians in the UK during the anti-China protest</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/14/149693-london-protest.JPG?itok=GvK3kAC4" />People of Indian and Pakistani origin were seen holding ‘anti-China’ placards during the protest that happened after India and China face-off in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.<br />
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Russian bounties: Pompeo speaks with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan.

Russian bounties: Pompeo speaks with Russia's Lavrov about Afghanistan Washington has been in an uproar over reports that Russian intelligence paid bounties for Taliban-linked fighters to kill US forces in Afghanistan. China says Pompeo's South China Sea illegal claim 'unjustified' Beijing hit back Tuesday at the US branding of Chinese pursuits in the South China Sea as illegal, saying the accusation was "unjustified' and a bid to sabotage regional peace. Canada's Trudeau admits 'mistake'; apologises over controversial charity contract Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau apologized Monday for not recusing himself from discussions about a government contract to a charity that had paid his family large sums of money for speaking appearances. Watch: Pakistanis sing 'Jan Gan Man' and 'Vande Mataram' with Indians in the UK during the anti-China protest People of Indian and Pakistani origin were seen holding ‘anti-China’ placards during the protest that happened after India and China face-off in Ladakh’s Galwan Valley.

Morning news brief: South China Sea dispute, Trudeau admits 'mistake' and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/severe-floods-in-china-leave-over-38-million-affected-141-dead-or-missing-312838">Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149431-china-floods.jpg?itok=SUQneVKa" /></p>

<p>Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-assault-ship-catches-fire-17-sailors-4-civilians-injured-312828">US Navy assault ship catches fire; 17 sailors, 4 civilians injured</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/13/149501-naval-surface-forces.jpg?itok=QcCYzXcQ" /></p>

<p>A fire was called aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at approximately 8:30 on July 12 (PDT). Nearly 160 sailors were aboard the time the fire broke out.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-records-highest-single-daily-spike-with-230370-global-coronavirus-cases-312834">WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/13/149504-coronavirus-in-syria.jpg?itok=ZQQ42G-r" /></p>

<p>The WHO reported more than 565,000 deaths from COVID-19 till date.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-donald-trump-melania-trump-now-spotted-wearing-a-face-mask-312826">After Donald Trump, Melania Trump now spotted wearing a face mask</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/13/149500-melania-trump.jpg?itok=o8YUoKus" /></p>

<p>Melania Trump posted a video from her visit to The Mary Elizabeth House, in which she was spotted wearing a white mask.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-mining-giant-norilsk-nickel-reports-another-oil-spill-312824">Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel reports another oil spill</a></p>

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Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level.

Severe floods in China leave over 38 million affected, 141 dead or missing Authorities raised the country's flood response level from level III to level II, the second-highest level. US Navy assault ship catches fire; 17 sailors, 4 civilians injured A fire was called aboard USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) at approximately 8:30 on July 12 (PDT). Nearly 160 sailors were aboard the time the fire broke out. WHO records highest single-daily spike with 230,370 global coronavirus cases The WHO reported more than 565,000 deaths from COVID-19 till date. After Donald Trump, Melania Trump now spotted wearing a face mask Melania Trump posted a video from her visit to The Mary Elizabeth House, in which she was spotted wearing a white mask. Russian mining giant Norilsk Nickel reports another oil spill ×

Morning news brief: China floods, tragic fire at US naval ship and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-spotted-wearing-a-mask-for-the-first-time-in-public-312624">Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149367-donald-trump.jpg?itok=eesQqONz" /></p>

<p>Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington. The purpose of the visit was to meet with wounded soldiers and frontline health-care workers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-may-sue-researcher-over-report-on-forced-sterilisation-of-uighurs-312636">China may sue researcher over report on forced sterilisation of Uighurs</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/11/140112-untitled-design-13.jpg?itok=aD-vo14p" /></p>

<p>The Global Times has reported that German researcher Adrian Zenz and a think tank -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute -- will be sued for spreading 'disinformation about China'.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roger-stones-still-a-convicted-felon-robert-mueller-defends-the-prosecutors-decision-312627">Roger Stone's still a convicted felon: Robert Mueller defends the prosecutors' decision</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149368-roger-stone.jpg?itok=uioR_H-5" /></p>

<p>The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a 'witch hunt'.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/global-cases-of-covid-19-jumps-to-123-million-death-toll-crosses-556000-312625">Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 12.3 million; death toll crosses 556,000</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/03/31/135052-us-doctors.jpeg?itok=zI5wZpDD" /></p>

<p>The death toll increased by 5,286 in the past 24 hours, taking the global tally of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus to 556,335, the WHO said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bollywood-megastar-amitabh-bachchan-son-abhishek-both-tests-positive-for-covid-19-312643">Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test&nbsp;positive for COVID-19</a></p>

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Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington.

Donald Trump spotted wearing a mask for the first time in public Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a military medical facility outside Washington. The purpose of the visit was to meet with wounded soldiers and frontline health-care workers. China may sue researcher over report on forced sterilisation of Uighurs The Global Times has reported that German researcher Adrian Zenz and a think tank -- Australian Strategic Policy Institute -- will be sued for spreading 'disinformation about China'. Roger Stone's still a convicted felon: Robert Mueller defends the prosecutors' decision The write-up was published on the same day when Donald Trump took to twitter to call Stone's sentence a result of a 'witch hunt'. Global cases of COVID-19 jumps to 12.3 million; death toll crosses 556,000 The death toll increased by 5,286 in the past 24 hours, taking the global tally of deaths caused by the novel coronavirus to 556,335, the WHO said. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test positive for COVID-19 ×

Morning news brief: Trump finally wears mask, COVID-19 cases reach 12.3 million and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-confirms-us-conducted-cyberattack-against-russia-in-2018-312436">Trump confirms US conducted cyberattack against Russia in 2018</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/11/149232-us-russia-reu.jpg?itok=vsmWzeWS" /></p>

<p>The Washington Post reports that during his interview Trump was asked if he had launched a cyberattack. Trump replied, 'Correct'.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-commutes-longtime-adviser-roger-stones-prison-sentence-312432">Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/11/149230-roger-stone.jpg?itok=ceauJAIE" /></p>

<p>Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapores-ruling-pap-wins-general-election-312448">Singapore's ruling PAP wins general election</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/10/149059-singapore-elections-6.jpg?itok=MGAK9a3F" /></p>

<p>In a bid to enhance the safety of voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of polling stations was increased from 880 to 1,100.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-mulls-ban-on-political-ads-ahead-of-us-elections-312440">Facebook mulls ban on political ads ahead of US elections</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/05/143386-untitled-design-2.jpg?itok=wKvx688s" /></p>

<p>Bloomberg News on Friday said the potential ban was only being discussed and had not been finalised.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-covid-19-origin-city-wuhan-faces-another-disaster-flood-battered-cities-along-yangtze-river-312447">China: COVID-19 origin city Wuhan faces another disaster, flood battered cities along Yangtze river</a></p>

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Trump confirms US conducted cyberattack against Russia in 2018 The Washington Post reports that during his interview Trump was asked if he had launched a cyberattack.

Trump confirms US conducted cyberattack against Russia in 2018 The Washington Post reports that during his interview Trump was asked if he had launched a cyberattack. Trump replied, 'Correct'. Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy. Singapore's ruling PAP wins general election In a bid to enhance the safety of voting amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of polling stations was increased from 880 to 1,100. Facebook mulls ban on political ads ahead of US elections Bloomberg News on Friday said the potential ban was only being discussed and had not been finalised. China: COVID-19 origin city Wuhan faces another disaster, flood battered cities along Yangtze river ×

Morning news brief: Trump confirms 2018 cyberattack against Russia, Roger Stone now a free man and more

<p>President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.</p>

<p>"Roger Stone has already suffered greatly," the White House said in a statement. "He was treated very unfairly, as were many others in this case. Roger Stone is now a free man!"</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-takes-down-accounts-and-pages-of-trump-ally-roger-stone-311886"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone</strong></a></p>

<p>Stone, 67, was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months for lying under oath to US lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.</p>

<p>A commutation does not erase a criminal conviction as a pardon does.</p>

<p>The veteran Republican political operative`s friendship with Trump dates back decades.</p>

<p>Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy.</p>

<p>In announcing its clemency decision for Stone, the White House took aim at Mueller`s investigation and the prosecutors who brought the case against Stone. The White House said Stone "is victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency."</p>

<p>"There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign, or the Trump Administration, with Russia. Such collusion was never anything other than a fantasy of partisans unable to accept the result of the 2016 election," the White House said.</p>

<p>Trump`s decision to commute Stone`s sentence marks his most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally.</p>

<p>Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone, former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort.</p>

<p>House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff condemned Trump`s action, saying: "With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else."</p>

<p>A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness.</p>

<p>Stone was convicted for lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump`s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers.</p>

<p>The U.S. Constitution gives a president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." Trump`s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures.</p>

<p>He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Republican White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, conservative commentator Dinesh D`Souza and convicted "junk bond king" Michael Milken. He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who had been a contestant on Trump`s former reality TV show.</p>

<p>Stone has been a fixture in American partisan battles dating to the 1970s. Stone, a colourful figure known for his natty attire, has labelled himself an "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back.</p>

<p>Trump repeatedly lashed out on Twitter about Stone`s case, accusing prosecutors of being corrupt, the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly.</p>

<p>Late on Friday, the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia denied Stone`s request for a delay in reporting to prison.</p>


President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.

President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the sentence of his longtime friend and adviser Roger Stone, sparing him from prison after he was convicted of lying under oath to lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. "Roger Stone has already suffered greatly," the White House said in a statement. "He was treated very unfairly, as were many others in this case. Roger Stone is now a free man!" Also read: Facebook takes down accounts and pages of Trump ally Roger Stone Stone, 67, was scheduled to report by Tuesday to a federal prison in Jesup, Georgia, to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months for lying under oath to US lawmakers investigating Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. A commutation does not erase a criminal conviction as a pardon does. The veteran Republican political operative`s friendship with Trump dates back decades. Stone was among several Trump associates charged with crimes in former Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s investigation that documented Russian interference in the 2016 race to boost Trump`s candidacy. In announcing its clemency decision for Stone, the White House took aim at Mueller`s investigation and the prosecutors who brought the case against Stone. The White House said Stone "is victim of the Russia Hoax that the Left and its allies in the media perpetuated for years in an attempt to undermine the Trump Presidency." "There was never any collusion between the Trump Campaign, or the Trump Administration, with Russia. Such collusion was never anything other than a fantasy of partisans unable to accept the result of the 2016 election," the White House said. Trump`s decision to commute Stone`s sentence marks his most assertive intervention to protect an associate in a criminal case and his latest use of executive clemency to benefit an ally. Congressional Democrats and other critics have accused Trump of undermining the rule of law by publicly complaining about criminal cases against associates including Stone, former White House national security adviser Michael Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff condemned Trump`s action, saying: "With this commutation, Trump makes clear that there are two systems of justice in America: one for his criminal friends, and one for everyone else." A Washington jury in November 2019 convicted Stone on all seven criminal counts of obstruction of a congressional investigation, five counts of making false statements to Congress and tampering with a witness. Stone was convicted for lying to the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee about his attempts to contact WikiLeaks, the website that released damaging emails about Trump`s 2016 Democratic election rival Hillary Clinton that U.S. intelligence officials have concluded were stolen by Russian hackers. The U.S. Constitution gives a president the "power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment." Trump`s use of this executive clemency often has benefited allies and well-connected political figures. He pardoned hardline former Arizona county sheriff Joe Arpaio, former Republican White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby, conservative commentator Dinesh D`Souza and convicted "junk bond king" Michael Milken. He also commuted the prison sentence of Democratic former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who had been a contestant on Trump`s former reality TV show. Stone has been a fixture in American partisan battles dating to the 1970s. Stone, a colourful figure known for his natty attire, has labelled himself an "agent provocateur" and famously has the face of former President Richard Nixon tattooed on his back. Trump repeatedly lashed out on Twitter about Stone`s case, accusing prosecutors of being corrupt, the juror forewoman of political bias and the judge of treating his friend unfairly. Late on Friday, the U.S. Appeals Court for the District of Columbia denied Stone`s request for a delay in reporting to prison.

Trump commutes longtime adviser Roger Stone's prison sentence

<p>New York City prosecutors are very likely to obtain President Donald Trump`s tax returns after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but it may not happen before the Nov. 3 election if he argues in lower courts as expected that their request was too broad and made in bad faith, legal experts said.</p>

<p>Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is seeking eight years of Trump`s business and personal tax returns and other financial documents as part of a criminal investigation involving a grand jury into the Republican president and the Trump Organization, his family`s real estate business.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-supreme-court-rules-on-donald-trumps-tax-records-312115"><strong>Also watch:&nbsp;US Supreme Court rules on Donald Trump's tax records</strong></a></p>

<p>"I believe the district attorney and the grand jury will get the requested documents, but not right away," said Jessica Roth, a professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York and a former federal prosecutor. "We have many weeks and months of further litigation ahead."</p>

<p>The Republican president, a wealthy real estate developer who refused to give up his holdings in the family business after taking office, has fought hard to keep details of his finances secret.The Republican president, a wealthy real estate developer who refused to give up his holdings in the family business after taking office, has fought hard to keep details of his finances secret. Trump has refused to release his tax returns as other presidents have done and sued to try to block enforcement of subpoenas by Democratic lawmakers and prosecutors for his financial records.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against Trump`s bid to block Vance`s subpoena to Trump`s accounting firm Mazars USA for the financial records, rejecting the president`s claim of absolute presidential immunity from criminal proceedings.</p>

<p>But the justices sent the matter back to lower courts for further litigation, giving Trump the opportunity to object to the subpoena on other grounds.</p>

<p>The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said Trump "can challenge the subpoena as an attempt to influence the performance of his official duties. And he can argue that compliance with a particular subpoena would impede his constitutional duties."</p>

<p>"We`re evaluating the appropriate next course of action," Jay Sekulow, Trump`s personal lawyer, said on Friday.</p>

<p>Trump could argue that the subpoena is too burdensome or was issued in bad faith because of political motivations, said George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, who testified last year as a Republican witness in House of Representatives Trump impeachment hearings.</p>

<p><strong>'Really hard argument'</strong></p>

<p>Trump is unlikely to convince a court that the subpoena is too burdensome because it seeks information from Mazars, a third party, and not the president himself, said Harry Sandick, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan.<br />
"Burden is a really hard argument to make," Sandick said.</p>

<p>U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, who is presiding over the case, said last October he had seen little evidence of political bias in Vance`s pursuit of the financial records.</p>

<p>Roth said evidence that has been public, including congressional testimony by Trump`s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, provides a "reasonable basis" for Vance`s investigation. Cohen told lawmakers that Trump had inflated and deflated certain assets on financial statements between 2011 and 2013 in part to reduce his real estate taxes.</p>

<p>A loss for Trump before Marrero could still be appealed to the Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, likely delaying production of the documents until after the presidential election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office against Democratic candidate Joe Biden.</p>

<p>Sandick said he expects that prosecutors will obtain the tax returns from Mazars in late 2020 or early 2021.<br />
Roth said prosecutors could get hold of the documents by November if Marrero rules quickly, which he has shown a tendency to do so far, and his ruling is quickly upheld on appeal.</p>

<p>Even if the financial records are turned over before the election, they likely would not be made public quickly barring an illegal leak to media, Sandick said. Under U.S. law, grand jury materials must be kept secret, though they could eventually end up in publicly available court filings if a criminal case is brought in the investigation against Trump or someone else.</p>

<p>"This process is going to be frustrating for many members of the public," Sandick said. "But it is just the price we pay for having a legal system that lets people make arguments."</p>

<p>Vance`s investigation was launched after disclosures of hush payments to two women who said they had past sexual relationships with Trump, pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal - relationships he has denied.</p>


New York City prosecutors are very likely to obtain President Donald Trump`s tax returns after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but it may not happen before the Nov.

New York City prosecutors are very likely to obtain President Donald Trump`s tax returns after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling, but it may not happen before the Nov. 3 election if he argues in lower courts as expected that their request was too broad and made in bad faith, legal experts said. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is seeking eight years of Trump`s business and personal tax returns and other financial documents as part of a criminal investigation involving a grand jury into the Republican president and the Trump Organization, his family`s real estate business. Also watch: US Supreme Court rules on Donald Trump's tax records "I believe the district attorney and the grand jury will get the requested documents, but not right away," said Jessica Roth, a professor at Cardozo School of Law in New York and a former federal prosecutor. "We have many weeks and months of further litigation ahead." The Republican president, a wealthy real estate developer who refused to give up his holdings in the family business after taking office, has fought hard to keep details of his finances secret.The Republican president, a wealthy real estate developer who refused to give up his holdings in the family business after taking office, has fought hard to keep details of his finances secret. Trump has refused to release his tax returns as other presidents have done and sued to try to block enforcement of subpoenas by Democratic lawmakers and prosecutors for his financial records. The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled against Trump`s bid to block Vance`s subpoena to Trump`s accounting firm Mazars USA for the financial records, rejecting the president`s claim of absolute presidential immunity from criminal proceedings. But the justices sent the matter back to lower courts for further litigation, giving Trump the opportunity to object to the subpoena on other grounds. The ruling, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, said Trump "can challenge the subpoena as an attempt to influence the performance of his official duties. And he can argue that compliance with a particular subpoena would impede his constitutional duties." "We`re evaluating the appropriate next course of action," Jay Sekulow, Trump`s personal lawyer, said on Friday. Trump could argue that the subpoena is too burdensome or was issued in bad faith because of political motivations, said George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley, who testified last year as a Republican witness in House of Representatives Trump impeachment hearings. 'Really hard argument' Trump is unlikely to convince a court that the subpoena is too burdensome because it seeks information from Mazars, a third party, and not the president himself, said Harry Sandick, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan. "Burden is a really hard argument to make," Sandick said. U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero, who is presiding over the case, said last October he had seen little evidence of political bias in Vance`s pursuit of the financial records. Roth said evidence that has been public, including congressional testimony by Trump`s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, provides a "reasonable basis" for Vance`s investigation. Cohen told lawmakers that Trump had inflated and deflated certain assets on financial statements between 2011 and 2013 in part to reduce his real estate taxes. A loss for Trump before Marrero could still be appealed to the Manhattan-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, likely delaying production of the documents until after the presidential election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office against Democratic candidate Joe Biden. Sandick said he expects that prosecutors will obtain the tax returns from Mazars in late 2020 or early 2021. Roth said prosecutors could get hold of the documents by November if Marrero rules quickly, which he has shown a tendency to do so far, and his ruling is quickly upheld on appeal. Even if the financial records are turned over before the election, they likely would not be made public quickly barring an illegal leak to media, Sandick said. Under U.S. law, grand jury materials must be kept secret, though they could eventually end up in publicly available court filings if a criminal case is brought in the investigation against Trump or someone else. "This process is going to be frustrating for many members of the public," Sandick said. "But it is just the price we pay for having a legal system that lets people make arguments." Vance`s investigation was launched after disclosures of hush payments to two women who said they had past sexual relationships with Trump, pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal - relationships he has denied.

Prosecutors may not get Trump tax records until after election, experts say

<p>New York Mayor had earlier announced that the city will be painting a 'Black Lives Matter' mural on the street directly outside the Trump Tower.</p>

<p>City employees began painting the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' on a stretch of Fifth Avenue, right outside the entrance of Trump Tower on Thursday.</p>

<p>Mayor Bill de Blasio, who had authorised the painting of the mural, came to lend a helping hand in painting the yellow mural.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our city isn’t just painting the words on Fifth Avenue. We’re committed to the meaning of the message. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlackLivesMatter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlackLivesMatter</a> <a href="https://t.co/VE6MT80qDI">pic.twitter.com/VE6MT80qDI</a></p>
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1281260917880164354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"President Trump said we would be denigrating the luxury of Fifth Avenue. Let me tell you: we're not denigrating anything, we are liberating Fifth Avenue, we are uplifting Fifth Avenue," de Blasio said on Thursday in response to Trump's tweet last week criticizing de Blasio for "denigrating" the area.</p>

<p>He added, "Who built this city, who built this nation, and never got the acknowledgement, the recognition..."</p>

<p>"When we say 'Black Lives Matter' there is no more American statement, there's no more patriotic statement, because there is no America without Black America. We are acknowledging the truth in ourselves and in America. By saying 'Black lives matter' we are righting a wrong," de Blasio said.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Told that <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYCMayor</a> Bill de Blasio wants to paint the fabled &amp; beautiful Fifth Avenue, right in front of Trump Tower/Tiffany, with a big yellow Black Lives Matter sign. “Pigs in a Blanket, Fry ‘Em Like Bacon”, referring to killing Police, is their chant. NYC Police are furious!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1276206200393064449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump had earlier criticised the idea of painting the mural and had said that the mural will be destroying the luxury of the Fifth Avenue. He had also called this phrase to be a 'symbol of hate' and said, "Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates &amp; disrespects them, won't let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York's greatest street. Spend this money fighting crime instead!"</p>


New York Mayor had earlier announced that the city will be painting a 'Black Lives Matter' mural on the street directly outside the Trump Tower. City employees began painting the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' on a stretch of Fifth Avenue, right outside the entrance of Trump Tower on Thursday.

New York Mayor had earlier announced that the city will be painting a 'Black Lives Matter' mural on the street directly outside the Trump Tower. City employees began painting the phrase 'Black Lives Matter' on a stretch of Fifth Avenue, right outside the entrance of Trump Tower on Thursday. Mayor Bill de Blasio, who had authorised the painting of the mural, came to lend a helping hand in painting the yellow mural. Our city isn’t just painting the words on Fifth Avenue. We’re committed to the meaning of the message. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/VE6MT80qDI — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) July 9, 2020 × "President Trump said we would be denigrating the luxury of Fifth Avenue. Let me tell you: we're not denigrating anything, we are liberating Fifth Avenue, we are uplifting Fifth Avenue," de Blasio said on Thursday in response to Trump's tweet last week criticizing de Blasio for "denigrating" the area. He added, "Who built this city, who built this nation, and never got the acknowledgement, the recognition..." "When we say 'Black Lives Matter' there is no more American statement, there's no more patriotic statement, because there is no America without Black America. We are acknowledging the truth in ourselves and in America. By saying 'Black lives matter' we are righting a wrong," de Blasio said. Told that @NYCMayor Bill de Blasio wants to paint the fabled & beautiful Fifth Avenue, right in front of Trump Tower/Tiffany, with a big yellow Black Lives Matter sign. “Pigs in a Blanket, Fry ‘Em Like Bacon”, referring to killing Police, is their chant. NYC Police are furious! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 25, 2020 × Trump had earlier criticised the idea of painting the mural and had said that the mural will be destroying the luxury of the Fifth Avenue. He had also called this phrase to be a 'symbol of hate' and said, "Maybe our GREAT Police, who have been neutralized and scorned by a mayor who hates & disrespects them, won't let this symbol of hate be affixed to New York's greatest street. Spend this money fighting crime instead!"

Painting it yellow: New York city starts painting 'Black Lives Matter' outside Trump Tower

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unknown-pneumonia-deadlier-than-coronavirus-sweeping-across-kazakhstan-warns-chinese-embassy-312099"><strong>'Unknown Pneumonia' deadlier than coronavirus sweeping across Kazakhstan, warns Chinese Embassy</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/10/149015-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=FgPI_Fkb" /></p>

<p>Officials of the Chinese embassy in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan has warned its citizens living in the country of an “unknown pneumonia” that is reportedly even deadlier than the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the South China Morning Post reports.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-sanctions-on-chinese-officials-over-abuse-of-muslim-minorities-in-xinjiang-312101"><strong>US imposes sanctions on Chinese officials over 'abuse' of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang</strong></a><br />
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<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/04/30/91988-untitled-design-5.jpg?itok=WEYr6vah" /></p>

<p>The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four senior officials of the ruling political party of the People's Republic of China for alleged human rights abuses targeting minority Muslim ethnic group Uighur of Xinjiang.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesian-found-in-freezer-on-chinese-fishing-vessel-in-malacca-strait-suspected-to-be-tortured-312097"><strong>Indonesian found in a freezer on Chinese fishing vessel in Malacca Strait, suspected to be 'tortured'</strong></a><br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/10/149014-afp.jpg?itok=I3fQfors" /></p>

<p>The frozen body of an Indonesian man has been found aboard a detained Chinese fishing vessel, authorities said Thursday, adding that they suspected foul play in the crew member's death.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>


'Unknown Pneumonia' deadlier than coronavirus sweeping across Kazakhstan, warns Chinese Embassy Officials of the Chinese embassy in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan has warned its citizens living in the country of an “unknown pneumonia” that is reportedly even deadlier than the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the South China Morning Post reports.

'Unknown Pneumonia' deadlier than coronavirus sweeping across Kazakhstan, warns Chinese Embassy Officials of the Chinese embassy in the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan has warned its citizens living in the country of an “unknown pneumonia” that is reportedly even deadlier than the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the South China Morning Post reports. US imposes sanctions on Chinese officials over 'abuse' of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang The Trump administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on four senior officials of the ruling political party of the People's Republic of China for alleged human rights abuses targeting minority Muslim ethnic group Uighur of Xinjiang. Indonesian found in a freezer on Chinese fishing vessel in Malacca Strait, suspected to be 'tortured' The frozen body of an Indonesian man has been found aboard a detained Chinese fishing vessel, authorities said Thursday, adding that they suspected foul play in the crew member's death.

Morning news brief: Pneumonia deadlier than COVID-19, US sanctions China officials and more

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-cut-off-funding-to-us-schools-if-they-dont-reopen-by-november-311787">Trump threatens to cut off funding to US schools if they don't reopen by November</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/06/24/146430-untitled-design-4.jpg?itok=Ftcralmd" /></p>

<p>Donald Trump accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/statue-of-us-first-lady-melania-trump-set-on-fire-near-her-hometown-in-slovenia-311786">Statue of US first Lady Melania Trump set on fire near her hometown in Slovenia</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/09/148828-untitled-design.jpg?itok=O-6TU9vR" /></p>

<p>Brad Downey, the American artist who commissioned the sculpture of Melania Trump had it removed over the weekend after it was burned.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-impeachment-witness-quits-army-is-trumps-bullying-the-reason-311795">Key impeachment witness quits army. Is Trump's bullying the reason?</a></p>

<p><img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/08/148669-trummp.jpg?itok=JhClY_jg" /></p>

<p>Vindman was up for promotion to full colonel. He was fired from his position on the National Security Council at the White House in February, two days after Trump was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-bolsonaro-drove-brazil-to-a-disaster-311777">Gravitas: How Bolsonaro drove Brazil to a disaster</a></p>

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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-natural-disasters-rage-amid-the-pandemic-311783">Gravitas: Natural disasters rage amid the pandemic</a></p>

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Trump threatens to cut off funding to US schools if they don't reopen by November Donald Trump accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country.

Trump threatens to cut off funding to US schools if they don't reopen by November Donald Trump accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons, despite a surge in coronavirus cases across the country. Statue of US first Lady Melania Trump set on fire near her hometown in Slovenia Brad Downey, the American artist who commissioned the sculpture of Melania Trump had it removed over the weekend after it was burned. Key impeachment witness quits army. Is Trump's bullying the reason? Vindman was up for promotion to full colonel. He was fired from his position on the National Security Council at the White House in February, two days after Trump was acquitted by the Republican-majority Senate. Gravitas: How Bolsonaro drove Brazil to a disaster × Gravitas: Natural disasters rage amid the pandemic ×

Morning news brief: Trump's threat, Brazil's road to disaster and more

<p>US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that rapper Kanye West's declaration that he is running for president was "very interesting."</p>

<p>Responding to West's claim that he would run against Trump -- for whom the musician has expressed support in the past, Trump told reporters at the White House, "He may."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/what-would-kanye-west-have-to-do-to-launch-a-late-white-house-bid-310957"><strong>Also read: What would Kanye West have to do to launch a late White House bid?</strong></a><br />
<br />
The declaration by West, 43, on Twitter, that he was gunning for the highest office in the land was retweeted half a million times and "liked" a million.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/imagine-kim-kardashian-as-the-first-lady-twitterati-has-a-field-day-as-kanye-west-announces-he-contest-for-presidents-post-310836" hreflang="en">'Imagine Kim Kardashian as the first lady': Twitterati has a field day as Kanye West announces he contest for President's post</a></strong></p>

<p>"If he did it, he would have to view this as a trial run for what's going to happen in four years," said Trump, noting that it may be too late for West to register in some states and that he lacks the infrastructure for a presidential bid.</p>

<p>West, who visited Trump in the Oval Office in 2018 and donned a trademark "Make America Great Again" red baseball cap, announced his proposed run on Saturday, as the country celebrated Independence Day.</p>

<p>"We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future," the music and fashion mogul said.</p>

<p>"I am running for president of the United States," he said, with an icon of a US flag and the hashtag "2020Vision."</p>

<p>He has not provided any details about his alleged campaign.</p>


US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that rapper Kanye West's declaration that he is running for president was "very interesting." Responding to West's claim that he would run against Trump -- for whom the musician has expressed support in the past, Trump told reporters at the White House, "He may.

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that rapper Kanye West's declaration that he is running for president was "very interesting." Responding to West's claim that he would run against Trump -- for whom the musician has expressed support in the past, Trump told reporters at the White House, "He may." Also read: What would Kanye West have to do to launch a late White House bid? The declaration by West, 43, on Twitter, that he was gunning for the highest office in the land was retweeted half a million times and "liked" a million. 'Imagine Kim Kardashian as the first lady': Twitterati has a field day as Kanye West announces he contest for President's post "If he did it, he would have to view this as a trial run for what's going to happen in four years," said Trump, noting that it may be too late for West to register in some states and that he lacks the infrastructure for a presidential bid. West, who visited Trump in the Oval Office in 2018 and donned a trademark "Make America Great Again" red baseball cap, announced his proposed run on Saturday, as the country celebrated Independence Day. "We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future," the music and fashion mogul said. "I am running for president of the United States," he said, with an icon of a US flag and the hashtag "2020Vision." He has not provided any details about his alleged campaign.

'He would have to view this as a trial run' for 2024: Trump on Kanye West Presidential bid

<p>If Kanye West is serious about running for president, the American rapper and fashion designer will face major obstacles to mount a serious campaign less than four months before the November 3 US presidential election.<br />
<br />
West, who said in a July 4 Twitter post that he was running, would have to work fast to get his name on the ballot alongside President Donald Trump, a Republican, and the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia.<br />
<br />
One of Trump`s celebrity supporters, West would have two routes to doing so. He could try secure the backing of a smaller political party, said James McCann, a political scientist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/imagine-kim-kardashian-as-the-first-lady-twitterati-has-a-field-day-as-kanye-west-announces-he-contest-for-presidents-post-310836" hreflang="en">'Imagine Kim Kardashian as the first lady': Twitterati has a field day as Kanye West announces he contest for President's post</a></strong></p>

<p>Without a party helping him get on the ballot, another option would be to try to appear as an independent candidate.<br />
But deadlines for registering that way have already passed in a handful of states, including New Mexico and key battleground North Carolina.<br />
<br />
Getting on the ballot as an independent would also require hiring staff or recruiting volunteers to quickly gather many tens of thousands of signatures across the nation before other registration periods close in August and September, a task currently made more difficult by the coronavirus pandemic.<br />
<br />
"It`s hard to see Kanye West having a field operation," said McCann, adding that another option would be for West to ask supporters to write his name on the ballot.<br />
<br />
It is unclear if West, who is also known for his marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, has filed any official paperwork to appear on state election ballots. Reuters was unable to reach West`s publicist for comment.<br />
<br />
West, a celebrity highly skilled in grabbing the spotlight, has previously announced plans to run for president without doing so. Last week he entered a 10-year deal with Gap Inc to create a line of clothing carrying the "Yeezy" brand name.<br />
<br />
He made headlines during a visit to the White House in October 2018 when he delivered a rambling, profanity-laden speech in which he discussed alternative universes and his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Three weeks later, he said he was distancing himself from politics and that he believed he had been used to spread messages he did not believe in.<br />
Even with a serious campaign, West would be unlikely to draw more than a few percentage points of the vote, peeling away similar numbers of votes from Trump and Biden, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia`s Center for Politics.<br />
<br />
"He`s got a long way to go even to convince us that he`s serious," said Sabato.<br />
<br />
The most recent candidate to put significant effort into launching a presidential campaign a few months before the election was Evan McMullin, a former CIA operative who announced his bid in August 2016. McMullin only appeared on the ballot in 11 states, receiving 0.53% of the popular vote.<br />
<br />
"There`s a way to run as an outsider but it`s hard and expensive, and I think West, or anyone else, has missed their window of opportunity to have a meaningful impact," said Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of campaigns.</p>


If Kanye West is serious about running for president, the American rapper and fashion designer will face major obstacles to mount a serious campaign less than four months before the November 3 US presidential election.

If Kanye West is serious about running for president, the American rapper and fashion designer will face major obstacles to mount a serious campaign less than four months before the November 3 US presidential election. West, who said in a July 4 Twitter post that he was running, would have to work fast to get his name on the ballot alongside President Donald Trump, a Republican, and the presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. One of Trump`s celebrity supporters, West would have two routes to doing so. He could try secure the backing of a smaller political party, said James McCann, a political scientist at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. 'Imagine Kim Kardashian as the first lady': Twitterati has a field day as Kanye West announces he contest for President's post Without a party helping him get on the ballot, another option would be to try to appear as an independent candidate. But deadlines for registering that way have already passed in a handful of states, including New Mexico and key battleground North Carolina. Getting on the ballot as an independent would also require hiring staff or recruiting volunteers to quickly gather many tens of thousands of signatures across the nation before other registration periods close in August and September, a task currently made more difficult by the coronavirus pandemic. "It`s hard to see Kanye West having a field operation," said McCann, adding that another option would be for West to ask supporters to write his name on the ballot. It is unclear if West, who is also known for his marriage to reality TV star Kim Kardashian West, has filed any official paperwork to appear on state election ballots. Reuters was unable to reach West`s publicist for comment. West, a celebrity highly skilled in grabbing the spotlight, has previously announced plans to run for president without doing so. Last week he entered a 10-year deal with Gap Inc to create a line of clothing carrying the "Yeezy" brand name. He made headlines during a visit to the White House in October 2018 when he delivered a rambling, profanity-laden speech in which he discussed alternative universes and his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Three weeks later, he said he was distancing himself from politics and that he believed he had been used to spread messages he did not believe in. Even with a serious campaign, West would be unlikely to draw more than a few percentage points of the vote, peeling away similar numbers of votes from Trump and Biden, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia`s Center for Politics. "He`s got a long way to go even to convince us that he`s serious," said Sabato. The most recent candidate to put significant effort into launching a presidential campaign a few months before the election was Evan McMullin, a former CIA operative who announced his bid in August 2016. McMullin only appeared on the ballot in 11 states, receiving 0.53% of the popular vote. "There`s a way to run as an outsider but it`s hard and expensive, and I think West, or anyone else, has missed their window of opportunity to have a meaningful impact," said Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections, which provides nonpartisan analysis of campaigns.

What would Kanye West have to do to launch a late White House bid?

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<p>US President Donald Trump on Saturday once again accused China of spreading coronavirus across the world, calling for it to be held ‘fully accountable’.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Addressing the media from the White House lawns on the occasion of 244th Independence Day, Trump said, “We’re producing gowns, masks and surgical equipment…It was almost exclusively made in foreign lands, in particular, China, where ironically this virus and others came from”.</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-us-reports-over-43000-cases-252-deaths-in-last-24-hours-310769">Coronavirus: US reports over 43,000 cases, 252 deaths in last 24 hours</a></p>

<p>“China’s secrecy, deception and cover-up allowed it to spread all over the world and China must be held fully accountable”, he added.</p>

<p>Trump's remarks came even as World Health Organisation (WHO) is preparing to send a team to China next week to investigate if SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, actually originated from the country.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're producing gowns,masks&amp;surgical equipment...It was almost exclusively made in foreign lands,in particular,China where ironically this virus&amp;others came from. China's secrecy, deception&amp;cover-up allowed it to spread all over world&amp;China must be held fully accountable: US Pres <a href="https://t.co/Q3Fei4USbW">pic.twitter.com/Q3Fei4USbW</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1279552942689796096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Trump has been among those who have time and again alleged that the virus originated from a laboratory in China and called for it to be acted against. China has rejected all the allegations to this effect.</p>

<p>The United States is the worst-hit country in the world due to coronavirus. It has thus far recorded 2,789,678 coronavirus cases, 129,305 deaths.</p>


US President Donald Trump on Saturday once again accused China of spreading coronavirus across the world, calling for it to be held ‘fully accountable’. Addressing the media from the White House lawns on the occasion of 244th Independence Day, Trump said, “We’re producing gowns, masks and surgical equipment…It was almost exclusively made in foreign lands, in particular, China, where ironically this virus and others came from”.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday once again accused China of spreading coronavirus across the world, calling for it to be held ‘fully accountable’. Addressing the media from the White House lawns on the occasion of 244th Independence Day, Trump said, “We’re producing gowns, masks and surgical equipment…It was almost exclusively made in foreign lands, in particular, China, where ironically this virus and others came from”. Also read: Coronavirus: US reports over 43,000 cases, 252 deaths in last 24 hours “China’s secrecy, deception and cover-up allowed it to spread all over the world and China must be held fully accountable”, he added. Trump's remarks came even as World Health Organisation (WHO) is preparing to send a team to China next week to investigate if SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, actually originated from the country. We're producing gowns,masks&surgical equipment...It was almost exclusively made in foreign lands,in particular,China where ironically this virus&others came from. China's secrecy, deception&cover-up allowed it to spread all over world&China must be held fully accountable: US Pres pic.twitter.com/Q3Fei4USbW — ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2020 × Trump has been among those who have time and again alleged that the virus originated from a laboratory in China and called for it to be acted against. China has rejected all the allegations to this effect. The United States is the worst-hit country in the world due to coronavirus. It has thus far recorded 2,789,678 coronavirus cases, 129,305 deaths.

China’s secrecy, deception and cover-up allowed coronavirus to spread all over world: Trump

<p>Veteran singer Neil Young has slammed US President Donald Trump for using his songs at a 4th of July rally at Mount Rushmore.<br />
<br />
By re-tweeting the clip of his 'Rockin in the Free World', that was used at the July 4 weekend celebration he wrote, ''This is NOT ok with me…''.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is NOT ok with me... <a href="https://t.co/Q9j9NRPMhi">https://t.co/Q9j9NRPMhi</a></p>
— Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NeilYoungNYA/status/1279213965990678528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Young also tweeted, ''I stand in solidarity with the Lakota Sioux &amp; this is NOT ok with me'', &nbsp;by re-tweeting another clip of 'Like a Hurricane'.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I stand in solidarity with the Lakota Sioux &amp; this is NOT ok with me <a href="https://t.co/iPVcFplOHa">https://t.co/iPVcFplOHa</a></p>
— Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NeilYoungNYA/status/1279214219632746497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>In February, Neil penned down an open letter to Trump and wrote, ''You are a disgrace to my country. Your mindless destruction of our shared natural resources, our environment, and our relationships with friends around the world is unforgivable. Our first black president was a better man than you are''.</p>

<p>"' 'Rockin in the Free World' is not a song you can trot out at one of your rallies… Every time ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice. Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me,"he had added.<br />
<br />
Young, who became a US citizen this year, said he began his path to US citizenship because he wanted to vote against Trump in the 2020 election.</p>


Veteran singer Neil Young has slammed US President Donald Trump for using his songs at a 4th of July rally at Mount Rushmore. By re-tweeting the clip of his 'Rockin in the Free World', that was used at the July 4 weekend celebration he wrote, ''This is NOT ok with me…''.

Veteran singer Neil Young has slammed US President Donald Trump for using his songs at a 4th of July rally at Mount Rushmore. By re-tweeting the clip of his 'Rockin in the Free World', that was used at the July 4 weekend celebration he wrote, ''This is NOT ok with me…''. This is NOT ok with me... https://t.co/Q9j9NRPMhi — Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) July 4, 2020 × Young also tweeted, ''I stand in solidarity with the Lakota Sioux & this is NOT ok with me'', by re-tweeting another clip of 'Like a Hurricane'. I stand in solidarity with the Lakota Sioux & this is NOT ok with me https://t.co/iPVcFplOHa — Neil Young Archives (@NeilYoungNYA) July 4, 2020 × In February, Neil penned down an open letter to Trump and wrote, ''You are a disgrace to my country. Your mindless destruction of our shared natural resources, our environment, and our relationships with friends around the world is unforgivable. Our first black president was a better man than you are''. "' 'Rockin in the Free World' is not a song you can trot out at one of your rallies… Every time ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ or one of my songs is played at your rallies, I hope you hear my voice. Remember it is the voice of a tax-paying U.S. citizen who does not support you. Me,"he had added. Young, who became a US citizen this year, said he began his path to US citizenship because he wanted to vote against Trump in the 2020 election.

Neil Young slams Donald Trump for playing his music at 4th July event: 'This is not ok with me'

<p>Donald Trump does not like toppling of the statues of racists and he has made it clear in the past too, in his speeches and tweets.</p>

<p>This time, the President of the United States has gone to the limit of creating a 'wanted' poster for the people who even attempted to topple the statues.</p>

<p>On Friday, Donald Trump tweeted calling for arrest of protestors involved in this week's attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson from a park directly in front of the White House.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">MANY people in custody, with many others being sought for Vandalization of Federal Property in Lafayette Park. 10 year prison sentences! <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIWFO?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FBIWFO</a> <a href="https://t.co/mrLyxbWNvq">pic.twitter.com/mrLyxbWNvq</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1276564734465249280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The President also announced that he has cancelled his plans of spending the weekend at his New Jersey home to make sure that law and order is maintained.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was going to go to Bedminster, New Jersey, this weekend, but wanted to stay in Washington, D.C. to make sure LAW &amp; ORDER is enforced. The arsonists, anarchists, looters, and agitators have been largely stopped...</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1276625240341307398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to Justice!," he further tweeted.</p>

<p>The tweet came out after last week a group of people tried to remove the statue from&nbsp;Lafayette Park, a park which lies opposite to the White House, and was opened to the public after a series of Black Lives Matter protests.</p>

<p>This incident happened after the crowd pulled down Albert Pike's statue on June 19, aka Juneteenth, which greatly upset the President, who called it a "disgrace to the country".</p>

<p>"I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. With up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran's Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent.....," he had tweeted on Tuesday.</p>


Donald Trump does not like toppling of the statues of racists and he has made it clear in the past too, in his speeches and tweets. This time, the President of the United States has gone to the limit of creating a 'wanted' poster for the people who even attempted to topple the statues.

Donald Trump does not like toppling of the statues of racists and he has made it clear in the past too, in his speeches and tweets. This time, the President of the United States has gone to the limit of creating a 'wanted' poster for the people who even attempted to topple the statues. On Friday, Donald Trump tweeted calling for arrest of protestors involved in this week's attempt to pull down the statue of Andrew Jackson from a park directly in front of the White House. MANY people in custody, with many others being sought for Vandalization of Federal Property in Lafayette Park. 10 year prison sentences! @FBIWFO pic.twitter.com/mrLyxbWNvq — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020 × The President also announced that he has cancelled his plans of spending the weekend at his New Jersey home to make sure that law and order is maintained. I was going to go to Bedminster, New Jersey, this weekend, but wanted to stay in Washington, D.C. to make sure LAW & ORDER is enforced. The arsonists, anarchists, looters, and agitators have been largely stopped... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020 × "I am doing what is necessary to keep our communities safe — and these people will be brought to Justice!," he further tweeted. The tweet came out after last week a group of people tried to remove the statue from Lafayette Park, a park which lies opposite to the White House, and was opened to the public after a series of Black Lives Matter protests. This incident happened after the crowd pulled down Albert Pike's statue on June 19, aka Juneteenth, which greatly upset the President, who called it a "disgrace to the country". "I have authorized the Federal Government to arrest anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such Federal property in the U.S. With up to 10 years in prison, per the Veteran's Memorial Preservation Act, or such other laws that may be pertinent.....," he had tweeted on Tuesday.

Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues

<p>United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan.</p>

<p>In a pair of early morning tweets, Trump angrily slammed the report by The New York Times as "Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax."</p>

<p>"Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an 'anonymous source' by the Fake News @nytimes," he wrote.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The Fake News @ nytimes must reveal its “anonymous” source. Bet they can’t do it, this “person” probably does not even exist! <a href="https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG">https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1277215720418484224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Everybody is denying it &amp; there have not been many attacks on us...."</p>

<p>"Nobody's been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration."</p>

<p>NYT on Friday reported that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-offered-taliban-linked-militants-bounties-to-kill-us-troops-in-afghanistan-report-308914"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan: Report</strong></a></p>

<p>The rewards were purportedly incentives to target US forces as Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country -- one of the militants' key demands -- and end America's longest war.</p>

<p>The newspaper even cited anonymous officials, and said Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond.</p>

<p>White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday issued a denial similar to Trump's but left open the possibility that such intelligence existed.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-criticizes-trump-for-not-acting-against-reported-russian-bounties-309093"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Joe Biden criticises Trump for not acting against reported Russian bounties</strong></a></p>

<p>The Taliban have also denied the report, reiterating that they were committed to an accord signed with Washington in February that paves the way for withdrawing all foreign forces from Afghanistan by next year.</p>

<p>The militants also said homemade explosives account for most fatalities among US forces.</p>

<p>The group, widely believed to have received years of support from Pakistani intelligence, also denied previous US accusations it was given arms by Russia.</p>

<p>Russia has also denounced the report, with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the "baseless and anonymous accusations" in the Times story had "already led to direct threats to the life of employees" at its embassies in Washington and London.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baseless-russia-denies-accusation-of-giving-bounties-to-taliban-to-attack-us-forces-308996"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces</strong></a></p>

<p>"Stop producing #fakenews that provoke life threats, @nytimes," the embassy added in a later tweet.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by&nbsp;Unit 29155, an arm of Russia's military intelligence agency GRU, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal.</p>

<p><em><strong>(with inputs from AFP)</strong></em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan.

United States President Donald Trump has said he was not briefed on intelligence that reportedly showed Russia had offered bounties to Taliban-linked militants for killing US soldiers in Afghanistan. In a pair of early morning tweets, Trump angrily slammed the report by The New York Times as "Probably just another phony Times hit job, just like their failed Russia Hoax." "Nobody briefed or told me, @VP Pence, or Chief of Staff @MarkMeadows about the so-called attacks on our troops in Afghanistan by Russians, as reported through an 'anonymous source' by the Fake News @nytimes," he wrote. The Fake News @ nytimes must reveal its “anonymous” source. Bet they can’t do it, this “person” probably does not even exist! https://t.co/pdg4AjybOG — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2020 × "Everybody is denying it & there have not been many attacks on us...." "Nobody's been tougher on Russia than the Trump Administration." NYT on Friday reported that US intelligence had concluded that a Russian military intelligence unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan. Also read | Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan: Report The rewards were purportedly incentives to target US forces as Trump tries to withdraw troops from the conflict-torn country -- one of the militants' key demands -- and end America's longest war. The newspaper even cited anonymous officials, and said Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany on Saturday issued a denial similar to Trump's but left open the possibility that such intelligence existed. Also read | Joe Biden criticises Trump for not acting against reported Russian bounties The Taliban have also denied the report, reiterating that they were committed to an accord signed with Washington in February that paves the way for withdrawing all foreign forces from Afghanistan by next year. The militants also said homemade explosives account for most fatalities among US forces. The group, widely believed to have received years of support from Pakistani intelligence, also denied previous US accusations it was given arms by Russia. Russia has also denounced the report, with its embassy in Washington tweeting that the "baseless and anonymous accusations" in the Times story had "already led to direct threats to the life of employees" at its embassies in Washington and London. Also read | Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces "Stop producing #fakenews that provoke life threats, @nytimes," the embassy added in a later tweet. According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by Unit 29155, an arm of Russia's military intelligence agency GRU, which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal. (with inputs from AFP)

Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence

<p>After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter.</p>

<p>"The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day and they are subject to strict scrutiny," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baseless-russia-denies-accusation-of-giving-bounties-to-taliban-to-attack-us-forces-308996"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;'Baseless': Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces</strong></a></p>

<p>The statement had to be issued after one of the leading national newspapers published an article claiming that an unnamed source from the White House had revealed that the President was informed about the intelligence report in a closed-doors meeting, but the President had failed to act on it.</p>

<p>However, the McEnany, on Saturday, clarified against this claim and said that&nbsp;"the CIA Director, National Security Advisor, and the Chief of Staff can all confirm that neither the President nor the Vice President was briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence."</p>

<p>She also added that she issued the statement to highlight the inaccuracy of the newspaper that published that article with the claims made by the unnamed source.</p>

<p>There has been no comment from Donald Trump and Mike Pence on this matter yet.</p>

<p>Russia, meanwhile, has denied the accusation of offering bounties to attack the US forces.</p>


After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter.

After reports of a possible Russian military intelligence unit secretly offering bounties to kill the American troops in Afghanistan broke out, White House clarified that the US President Donald Trump and the Vicep President Mike Pence had not been briefed on the matter. "The United States receives thousands of intelligence reports a day and they are subject to strict scrutiny," White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in a statement. Also read| 'Baseless': Russia denies accusation of giving bounties to Taliban to attack US forces The statement had to be issued after one of the leading national newspapers published an article claiming that an unnamed source from the White House had revealed that the President was informed about the intelligence report in a closed-doors meeting, but the President had failed to act on it. However, the McEnany, on Saturday, clarified against this claim and said that "the CIA Director, National Security Advisor, and the Chief of Staff can all confirm that neither the President nor the Vice President was briefed on the alleged Russian bounty intelligence." She also added that she issued the statement to highlight the inaccuracy of the newspaper that published that article with the claims made by the unnamed source. There has been no comment from Donald Trump and Mike Pence on this matter yet. Russia, meanwhile, has denied the accusation of offering bounties to attack the US forces.

Inaccurate: White House rubbishes reports of Trump's failed actions on Russian bounties' case

<p>After a series of controversies regarding hate speech and delivering misinformation, Facebook has announced that the social media giant will&nbsp;flag all "newsworthy" posts from politicians that break its rules, including those from the President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>Until Friday, all Facebook posts of Trump remained untouched. However, the same posts, with the exact same wordings, were labelled with a warning on twitter.</p>

<p>This had brought a lot of criticism towards Facebook, whether it was from the outside world or the Facebook employees.</p>

<p>After a three-week long review, Facebook has now decided to flag all "newsworthy" posts from politicians.</p>

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<p>An update from our company town hall.</p>
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<p>"The policies we're implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they're showing up across our community," Mark Zuckerberg,&nbsp;wrote on his Facebook page announcing the changes.</p>

<p>He also announced that the social network is taking additional steps to counter election-related misinformation.</p>

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<p>Three weeks ago, I committed to reviewing our policies ahead of the 2020 elections. That work is ongoing, but today I...</p>
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<p>Facebook will also be banning any future posts that spread any false information about election process or the local polling conditions. He aims to complete the process of removing all such posts within 72 hours.</p>

<p>The company also aims to identify and remove all hate posts against minority communities and/or individuals, even before people report such posts.</p>

<p>Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Civic Media, said the changes are a "reminder of how powerful Facebook may be in terms of spreading disinformation during the upcoming election".</p>

<p>"If every post that mentions voting links, people will start ignoring those links. If they're targeted to posts that say things like 'Police will be checking warrants and unpaid traffic tickets at polls' - a classic voter suppression disinfo tactic - and clearly mark posts as disinfo, they might be useful," he said.</p>

<p>However, Zuckerberg has also made it clear that Facebook "has a history of trying hard not to alienate right-leaning users, and given how tightly President Trump has aligned himself with voter-suppressing misinfo, it seems likely that Facebook will err on the side of non-intrusive and ignorable labels, which would minimize impact of the campaign."</p>

<p>This announcement has come after several companies, such as Unilever, Ben &amp; Jerry's and Coca-Cola,&nbsp;decided to&nbsp;&nbsp;boycott Facebook ads through the end of the year due to the amount of hate speech and divisive rhetoric on its platform.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from Reuters)</em></p>


After a series of controversies regarding hate speech and delivering misinformation, Facebook has announced that the social media giant will flag all "newsworthy" posts from politicians that break its rules, including those from the President Donald Trump.

After a series of controversies regarding hate speech and delivering misinformation, Facebook has announced that the social media giant will flag all "newsworthy" posts from politicians that break its rules, including those from the President Donald Trump. Until Friday, all Facebook posts of Trump remained untouched. However, the same posts, with the exact same wordings, were labelled with a warning on twitter. This had brought a lot of criticism towards Facebook, whether it was from the outside world or the Facebook employees. After a three-week long review, Facebook has now decided to flag all "newsworthy" posts from politicians. An update from our company town hall. Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, June 26, 2020 × "The policies we're implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they're showing up across our community," Mark Zuckerberg, wrote on his Facebook page announcing the changes. He also announced that the social network is taking additional steps to counter election-related misinformation. Three weeks ago, I committed to reviewing our policies ahead of the 2020 elections. That work is ongoing, but today I... Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Friday, June 26, 2020 × Facebook will also be banning any future posts that spread any false information about election process or the local polling conditions. He aims to complete the process of removing all such posts within 72 hours. The company also aims to identify and remove all hate posts against minority communities and/or individuals, even before people report such posts. Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Civic Media, said the changes are a "reminder of how powerful Facebook may be in terms of spreading disinformation during the upcoming election". "If every post that mentions voting links, people will start ignoring those links. If they're targeted to posts that say things like 'Police will be checking warrants and unpaid traffic tickets at polls' - a classic voter suppression disinfo tactic - and clearly mark posts as disinfo, they might be useful," he said. However, Zuckerberg has also made it clear that Facebook "has a history of trying hard not to alienate right-leaning users, and given how tightly President Trump has aligned himself with voter-suppressing misinfo, it seems likely that Facebook will err on the side of non-intrusive and ignorable labels, which would minimize impact of the campaign." This announcement has come after several companies, such as Unilever, Ben & Jerry's and Coca-Cola, decided to boycott Facebook ads through the end of the year due to the amount of hate speech and divisive rhetoric on its platform. (With inputs from Reuters)

Facebook to flag all 'newsworthy' posts from politicians that break rules

<p>The US President Donald Trump claims to have signed a "very strong" executive order to protect the statues and monuments from vandalism.</p>

<p>"I just had the privilege of signing a very strong executive order protecting American monuments, memorials and statues -- and combatting recent criminal violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our great country!" Trump tweeted.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1276633518433538049?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The tweet came after Trump tweeted a 'wanted' poster claiming he will be punishing the protestors who tried to vandalise the statue of former US President Andrew Jackson, which is housed in the park opposite the White House.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-issues-wanted-poster-for-people-who-vandalized-statues-308903"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues</strong></a></p>

<p>The Veterans' Memorial Preservation Act passed in 2003 already empowers authorities to impose fines and a jail term of up to 10 years for "attempts to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the US."</p>

<p>The President has, even in the past, expressed his displeasure over toppling of statues of the 'racist' leaders.</p>

<p>While the President has made it Twitter-official that he has signed an executive order, the White House has not yet announced any details about the order.</p>

<p>Trump has expressed his opposing thoughts regarding the 'Black Lives Matter' protest several times in the recent past, after protests broke out in the US due to the killing of an unarmed African-American man, George Floyd, by a White policeman.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The US President Donald Trump claims to have signed a "very strong" executive order to protect the statues and monuments from vandalism. "I just had the privilege of signing a very strong executive order protecting American monuments, memorials and statues -- and combatting recent criminal violence.

The US President Donald Trump claims to have signed a "very strong" executive order to protect the statues and monuments from vandalism. "I just had the privilege of signing a very strong executive order protecting American monuments, memorials and statues -- and combatting recent criminal violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our great country!" Trump tweeted. I just had the privilege of signing a very strong Executive Order protecting American Monuments, Memorials, and Statues - and combatting recent Criminal Violence. Long prison terms for these lawless acts against our Great Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 26, 2020 × The tweet came after Trump tweeted a 'wanted' poster claiming he will be punishing the protestors who tried to vandalise the statue of former US President Andrew Jackson, which is housed in the park opposite the White House. Also read| Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues The Veterans' Memorial Preservation Act passed in 2003 already empowers authorities to impose fines and a jail term of up to 10 years for "attempts to injure or destroy, any structure, plaque, statue or other monument on public property commemorating the service of any person or persons in the armed forces of the US." The President has, even in the past, expressed his displeasure over toppling of statues of the 'racist' leaders. While the President has made it Twitter-official that he has signed an executive order, the White House has not yet announced any details about the order. Trump has expressed his opposing thoughts regarding the 'Black Lives Matter' protest several times in the recent past, after protests broke out in the US due to the killing of an unarmed African-American man, George Floyd, by a White policeman. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump signs executive order to protect statues; makes it Twitter-official

<p>US President Donald Trump&nbsp;has on Wednesday personally requested the authorities to put back a statue of a Confederate general that was toppled by the 'Black Lives Matter' protestors in Washington.</p>

<p>The news was announced by the local media reports, and not through Trump's office.</p>

<p>According to the local US media reports, President Donald Trump called&nbsp;interior secretary David Bernhardt to request him to ask the Park Service to reestablish the toppled statue of&nbsp;Albert Pike.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-reacts-to-blm-mural-in-front-of-trump-tower-by-quoting-wrong-slogan-308663"><strong>Also read|&nbsp;Trump reacts to BLM mural in front of Trump Tower by quoting wrong slogan</strong></a></p>

<p>Albert Pike was a senior figure in the slave-holding south’s military forces. His statue in Washington has been a subject of debate for the past few years now due to the the tainted history of Albert Pike.</p>

<p>“The secretary has made his position quite clear when it comes to lawlessness, violence against police, and destruction of public property," an interior department spokesman told a local news channel.</p>

<p>Trump has also announced his plans of signing an executive order in the next few weeks to protect the federal monuments and punishing those who deface these statues.</p>

<p>Since the start of the protests, almost a month back, Trump has been against the idea of removing these statues or renaming the military bases to show solidarity with the African-American community.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It has been suggested that we should rename as many as 10 of our Legendary Military Bases, such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia, etc. These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage, and a...</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1270787974880526337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Recently, Trump ordered a fencing to be put around a statue of Andrew Jackson, outside the White House, after some protestors tried to topple the statue and also sprayed "killer" at the base of the statue.</p>

<p>There has not been any official word from the White House yet.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


US President Donald Trump has on Wednesday personally requested the authorities to put back a statue of a Confederate general that was toppled by the 'Black Lives Matter' protestors in Washington.

US President Donald Trump has on Wednesday personally requested the authorities to put back a statue of a Confederate general that was toppled by the 'Black Lives Matter' protestors in Washington. The news was announced by the local media reports, and not through Trump's office. According to the local US media reports, President Donald Trump called interior secretary David Bernhardt to request him to ask the Park Service to reestablish the toppled statue of Albert Pike. Also read| Trump reacts to BLM mural in front of Trump Tower by quoting wrong slogan Albert Pike was a senior figure in the slave-holding south’s military forces. His statue in Washington has been a subject of debate for the past few years now due to the the tainted history of Albert Pike. “The secretary has made his position quite clear when it comes to lawlessness, violence against police, and destruction of public property," an interior department spokesman told a local news channel. Trump has also announced his plans of signing an executive order in the next few weeks to protect the federal monuments and punishing those who deface these statues. Since the start of the protests, almost a month back, Trump has been against the idea of removing these statues or renaming the military bases to show solidarity with the African-American community. It has been suggested that we should rename as many as 10 of our Legendary Military Bases, such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia, etc. These Monumental and very Powerful Bases have become part of a Great American Heritage, and a... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 10, 2020 × Recently, Trump ordered a fencing to be put around a statue of Andrew Jackson, outside the White House, after some protestors tried to topple the statue and also sprayed "killer" at the base of the statue. There has not been any official word from the White House yet.

Trump to order restoration of Albert Pike's toppled statue : sources

<p>Poland's President&nbsp;Andrzej Duda held a press conference with his US counterpart in Washington. The visit comes few weeks before Polish elections.</p>

<p>While the tour is being critiqued as a failure and an unwanted push to Duda's political campaign, what blindsided the US and its allies was a comment by US President Donald Trump.</p>

<p>When asked about a statement made by his office last week about reducing the number of troops from Germany, Trump quickly told the reporters at the White House “We'll probably be moving them (troops) from Germany to Poland.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasa-renames-washington-headquarters-after-its-first-black-female-engineer-308383"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;NASA renames Washington headquarters after its first black female engineer</strong></a></p>

<p>“They (Poland) asked us if we would send some additional troops. They're going to pay for that. They'll be paying for the sending of additional troops. We will probably be moving them from Germany to Poland,” Trump said.</p>

<p>“We're going to be reducing in Germany very substantially down to about 25,000 troops. We actually had 52,000 but we'll be moving it down to about 25,000,” he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Germany's paying a very small fraction of what they're supposed to be paying. They should be paying two per cent and they're paying a little bit more than one per cent depending on how you calculate. They are paying less than one per cent,” he added.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-three-men-involved-in-killing-of-black-jogger-ahmaud-arbery-charged-with-murder-308382"><strong>Also read:&nbsp;All three men involved in killing of black jogger Ahmaud Arbery charged with murder</strong></a></p>

<p>Although he has not confirmed if all the troops, who are being redeployed, will be sent to Poland. Trump has sated that some of the troops might come back to their home country, some might go to Europe, but Poland will definitely be a priority.</p>

<p>The resident has also noted that the shift in troops will send a strong signal to Trump.</p>

<p>“A stronger signal sent to Russia is the fact that Germany is paying billions of dollars to purchase energy from Russia through the pipeline... You're giving billions of dollars to Russia, then we're supposed to defend you from Russia? So, I think it's very bad… I think the people of Germany are very unhappy about it,” he said.</p>

<p>However, after sending a "strong signal" to Russia, Trump expects to get along with Russia -- or as Trump said, "We expect to get along with everybody."</p>

<p>The move is being highly appreciated by the Polish President, who quickly flashed a smile and said, "It shows that if anyone wanted to attack Poland, it won't be a soft landing," Duda said. "Because the strongest army in the world is present and they would help us defend our borders."</p>


Poland's President Andrzej Duda held a press conference with his US counterpart in Washington. The visit comes few weeks before Polish elections. While the tour is being critiqued as a failure and an unwanted push to Duda's political campaign, what blindsided the US and its allies was a comment by US President Donald Trump.

Poland's President Andrzej Duda held a press conference with his US counterpart in Washington. The visit comes few weeks before Polish elections. While the tour is being critiqued as a failure and an unwanted push to Duda's political campaign, what blindsided the US and its allies was a comment by US President Donald Trump. When asked about a statement made by his office last week about reducing the number of troops from Germany, Trump quickly told the reporters at the White House “We'll probably be moving them (troops) from Germany to Poland.” Also read: NASA renames Washington headquarters after its first black female engineer “They (Poland) asked us if we would send some additional troops. They're going to pay for that. They'll be paying for the sending of additional troops. We will probably be moving them from Germany to Poland,” Trump said. “We're going to be reducing in Germany very substantially down to about 25,000 troops. We actually had 52,000 but we'll be moving it down to about 25,000,” he said. “Germany's paying a very small fraction of what they're supposed to be paying. They should be paying two per cent and they're paying a little bit more than one per cent depending on how you calculate. They are paying less than one per cent,” he added. Also read: All three men involved in killing of black jogger Ahmaud Arbery charged with murder Although he has not confirmed if all the troops, who are being redeployed, will be sent to Poland. Trump has sated that some of the troops might come back to their home country, some might go to Europe, but Poland will definitely be a priority. The resident has also noted that the shift in troops will send a strong signal to Trump. “A stronger signal sent to Russia is the fact that Germany is paying billions of dollars to purchase energy from Russia through the pipeline... You're giving billions of dollars to Russia, then we're supposed to defend you from Russia? So, I think it's very bad… I think the people of Germany are very unhappy about it,” he said. However, after sending a "strong signal" to Russia, Trump expects to get along with Russia -- or as Trump said, "We expect to get along with everybody." The move is being highly appreciated by the Polish President, who quickly flashed a smile and said, "It shows that if anyone wanted to attack Poland, it won't be a soft landing," Duda said. "Because the strongest army in the world is present and they would help us defend our borders."

Trump to send troops from Germany to Poland to send signal to Russia

<p>The approval rating of United States President Donald Trump over his handling of coronavirus recently dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, given the resurgence of virus across major American cities.</p>

<p>A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed the newly record low numbers, especially in the backdrop of Trump recently suggesting to “slow down testing” to control the number of cases.</p>

<p><strong>A new pattern emerges</strong></p>

<p>The poll, conducted on June 22-23 also shed light on a new pattern. Majority of the Americans now want John Bolton, his former security adviser who recently released a memoir looking back at his time in office, to testify in US Congress against Trump under oath.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-hides-trumps-tweet-targeting-protestors-in-washington-dc-labels-it-as-abusive-content-308136" hreflang="en">Twitter hides Trump's tweet targeting protestors in Washington DC; labels it as 'abusive content'</a></p>

<p>According to Bolton, Trump sought the assistance of Chinese President Xi Jinping in winning the upcoming presidential elections.&nbsp;Allegedly, he also claimed to “be okay” with Uighur Muslims being put in concentration camps.</p>

<p>The poll data reveals that 37 per cent Americans approved Trump’s response to the pandemic, which is the lowest number recorded by Reuters/Ipsos since they began tracking the data in March.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/us-election-campaign-no-masks-and-social-distancing-at-trumps-tulsa-rally-307418/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><strong>58 per cent</strong></div>

<p>Exactly 58 per cent Americans believe that Trump’s coronavirus response was inadequate.</p>

<p>The election is due on November 3. Joe Biden, his Democratic rival has recently taken the lead in polls, suggesting that the recent revelations by Bolton clubbed with the country’s high coronavirus fatalities may have harmed Trump’s reelection campaign.</p>

<p>Biden and former president Obama on Tuesday raised $11 million for campaigning. Joe Biden currently leads over Trump with 10 percentage points.</p>

<p>The pandemic has taken the lives of 120,000 Americans, with Trump asking states to reopen even before experts gave it their go!</p>

<p><strong>Also read:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-suspending-green-card-applications-till-december-31-308277" hreflang="en">Trump defends suspending green card applications till December 31</a></p>

<p>During his first rally which was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump called COVID-19 testing a “double-edged sword”, while suggesting that he had asked health officials to slow down testing so that lesser number of cases are counted. However, Dr Fauci recently announced that they had no plans to slow down testing.</p>

<p>Trump has been in the centre of another controversy owing to the book released by his ex-aide. In “The Room Where It Happened”, Bolton says Trump had sought political favours from Chinese President Xi Jinping and had allegedly not raised any red flags with China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims, who are reportedly kept in concentration camps.</p>

<p>Recently, Trump held his first post-coronavirus rally in Tulsa, which saw lesser turnout than expected.&nbsp;Reportedly, thousands of tickets were reserved by TikTok and K-pop fans who had no plans of going to the rally.</p>


The approval rating of United States President Donald Trump over his handling of coronavirus recently dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, given the resurgence of virus across major American cities.

The approval rating of United States President Donald Trump over his handling of coronavirus recently dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, given the resurgence of virus across major American cities. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed the newly record low numbers, especially in the backdrop of Trump recently suggesting to “slow down testing” to control the number of cases. A new pattern emerges The poll, conducted on June 22-23 also shed light on a new pattern. Majority of the Americans now want John Bolton, his former security adviser who recently released a memoir looking back at his time in office, to testify in US Congress against Trump under oath. Also read: Twitter hides Trump's tweet targeting protestors in Washington DC; labels it as 'abusive content' According to Bolton, Trump sought the assistance of Chinese President Xi Jinping in winning the upcoming presidential elections. Allegedly, he also claimed to “be okay” with Uighur Muslims being put in concentration camps. The poll data reveals that 37 per cent Americans approved Trump’s response to the pandemic, which is the lowest number recorded by Reuters/Ipsos since they began tracking the data in March. 58 per cent Exactly 58 per cent Americans believe that Trump’s coronavirus response was inadequate. The election is due on November 3. Joe Biden, his Democratic rival has recently taken the lead in polls, suggesting that the recent revelations by Bolton clubbed with the country’s high coronavirus fatalities may have harmed Trump’s reelection campaign. Biden and former president Obama on Tuesday raised $11 million for campaigning. Joe Biden currently leads over Trump with 10 percentage points. The pandemic has taken the lives of 120,000 Americans, with Trump asking states to reopen even before experts gave it their go! Also read: Trump defends suspending green card applications till December 31 During his first rally which was held in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trump called COVID-19 testing a “double-edged sword”, while suggesting that he had asked health officials to slow down testing so that lesser number of cases are counted. However, Dr Fauci recently announced that they had no plans to slow down testing. Trump has been in the centre of another controversy owing to the book released by his ex-aide. In “The Room Where It Happened”, Bolton says Trump had sought political favours from Chinese President Xi Jinping and had allegedly not raised any red flags with China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims, who are reportedly kept in concentration camps. Recently, Trump held his first post-coronavirus rally in Tulsa, which saw lesser turnout than expected. Reportedly, thousands of tickets were reserved by TikTok and K-pop fans who had no plans of going to the rally.

Poll shows record-lowest ratings for Trump's coronavirus response, Americans want Bolton to testify

<p>US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year.</p>

<p>This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now.</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff.</p>

<p>L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/how-will-h1-b-visa-suspension-impact-indian-companies-307963">Also Read:&nbsp;How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies</a></p>

<p>After visa curbs, the Trump administration slapped restrictions on India's Vande Bharat Mission as well. Air India flights sent to America to bring back Indians have been restricted by the US, accusing India of "unfair and discriminatory practices" by barring American airlines from operating similar flights.</p>

<p>The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India."&nbsp;</p>

<p>The US President recently kicked off his re-election campaign. Last week, he held a rally amid the coronavirus fear and called his voter base 'warriors', for stepping out of their homes.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-signs-executive-order-to-suspend-h-1b-visas-307833">Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas</a></p>

<p>"We begin our campaign and you just want to thank all of you, you are warriors. I've been watching, I've been watching the fake news for weeks now and everything is negative: 'Don't go. don't come. don't do anything.' Today it was like I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anything like it. You are warriors. Thank You."</p>

<p>Trump's immigration bans have been a hallmark of his presidency and now, his curbs on skilled Indian professionals has brought the immigration debate on the election agenda.</p>

<p>Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, major US businesses have slammed the new orders. Trump's critics say he is using the pandemic to push his long-delayed immigration overhaul. To add to that, President Trump, with his erratic policies and the latest proclamations, has also damaged America's relationship with India.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year. This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year. This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now. × H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Also Read: How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies After visa curbs, the Trump administration slapped restrictions on India's Vande Bharat Mission as well. Air India flights sent to America to bring back Indians have been restricted by the US, accusing India of "unfair and discriminatory practices" by barring American airlines from operating similar flights. The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India." The US President recently kicked off his re-election campaign. Last week, he held a rally amid the coronavirus fear and called his voter base 'warriors', for stepping out of their homes. Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas "We begin our campaign and you just want to thank all of you, you are warriors. I've been watching, I've been watching the fake news for weeks now and everything is negative: 'Don't go. don't come. don't do anything.' Today it was like I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anything like it. You are warriors. Thank You." Trump's immigration bans have been a hallmark of his presidency and now, his curbs on skilled Indian professionals has brought the immigration debate on the election agenda. Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, major US businesses have slammed the new orders. Trump's critics say he is using the pandemic to push his long-delayed immigration overhaul. To add to that, President Trump, with his erratic policies and the latest proclamations, has also damaged America's relationship with India.

Trump administration targets foreign workers, places restrictions on Vande Bharat Mission

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