Donald Trump isn't letting Stephen Colbert ride off into the sunset quietly. Just hours after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on CBS, the US President took to Truth Social to ‘celebrate’ the show’s end and issue a sharp warning to the rest of late-night television.<h2>‘Beginning of the End’</h2>In a Friday morning post, Trump didn't hold back, framing Colbert’s departure not as a routine television finale, but as a forced exit. He called it the “Beginning of the End” for what he described as "untalented, nasty, highly overpaid, not funny, and very poorly rated Late Night Television Hosts." He even predicted that Colbert's peers would soon suffer the same fate. "Others, of even less talent, to soon follow," Trump wrote, capping the message off with a biting, "May they all Rest in Peace!"

Trump's post on Truth Social

&nbsp;It was the second time in 24 hours that the President used his platform to celebrate the end of Colbert's show. In an earlier post, Trump called the popular host a "jerk" and compared his onscreen presence to a "dead person." Claiming that poor ratings drove CBS to cancel the program, Trump added, "You could take any person off of the street and they would be better than this total jerk. Thank goodness he's finally gone!"

<h2>What was the actual reason behind ending Colbert’s show?</h2>Trump may have been celebrating the end of the show and citing arbitrary reasons behind the move, the entertainment world, however, points to a different narrative behind the curtain. While CBS officially cited rising costs and shifting ratings for pulling the plug, industry insiders have long tied the cancellation to the massive Skydance-Paramount merger. The network announced the end of The Late Show in July of last year, right before the merger secured necessary government approval in August.<h2>Trump’s long feud with comedy show hosts</h2>Trump’s public feud with late-night comedy is nothing new. Comedians like Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Jon Stewart, and John Oliver have spent years making him a focal point of their monologues, and Trump has frequently hit back. Lately, his rants have been aimed at Jimmy Kimmel. Last September, Trump publicly demanded ABC fire Kimmel over jokes made in the wake of the Charlie Kirk shooting. The tension escalated last month following a security incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, when First Lady Melania Trump urged the network to discipline Kimmel for a previous joke. The President quickly backed her up, echoing the call for Kimmel to be taken off the air. Meanwhile, Colbert has already moved on to a new career path. Rather than retirement, the comedian is pivoting to a major new passion project: he is set to write the screenplay for an upcoming Lord of the Rings film, collaborating directly with director Peter Jackson.

As Stephen Colbert's popular show The Late Show came to an end, US President Donald Trump took to TruthSocial to ‘celebrate’ the moment and even warned other late-night show hosts of a similar fate.  

Donald Trump isn't letting Stephen Colbert ride off into the sunset quietly. Just hours after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert aired its final episode on CBS, the US President took to Truth Social to ‘celebrate’ the show’s end and issue a sharp warning to the rest of late-night television. ‘Beginning of the End’ In a Friday morning post, Trump didn't hold back, framing Colbert’s departure not as a routine television finale, but as a forced exit. He called it the “Beginning of the End” for what he described as "untalented, nasty, highly overpaid, not funny, and very poorly rated Late Night Television Hosts." He even predicted that Colbert's peers would soon suffer the same fate. "Others, of even less talent, to soon follow," Trump wrote, capping the message off with a biting, "May they all Rest in Peace!"

As Stephen Colbert's popular show The Late Show came to an end, US President Donald Trump took to TruthSocial to ‘celebrate’ the moment and even warned other late-night show hosts of a similar fate. &nbsp;

Donald Trump predicts the 'Beginning of the End' for late-night TV as Stephen Colbert’s show ends

The US President is facing a key War Powers Resolution vote as lawmakers move to assert congressional authority over military actions. The resolution aims to limit or review the President’s ability to engage in armed conflict without explicit approval from Congress. The vote comes amid rising political tensions in Washington and ongoing debates over US military involvement abroad.

US President Faces The War Powers Resolution Voting

Iran is reportedly rapidly rebuilding its missile and drone capabilities despite ongoing tensions with the United States, according to recent intelligence assessments. The reconstruction efforts include restoring production lines, replacing damaged launch systems, and accelerating drone manufacturing.


US-Iran War: Iran Rapidly Rebuilding Missiles & Drones as Trump Threatens War 

US President Donald Trump said that he will speak directly with Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, about a possible arms sale, which would be a sharp departure from historical precedent. Formal talks between US and Taiwanese leaders have been almost nonexistent since 1979, when Washington severed ties with Taiwan to recognise the government in Beijing. This comes as US President Donald Trump concluded a high-stakes presidential summit in Beijing, where Trump discussed the arms package in great detail with Chinese President Xi Jinping.“l’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand,” said Trump on Wednesday. China has made the Taiwan issue a central part of its narrative at the summit. “Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations”, said Chinese officials in a statement following the meeting.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/marco-rubio-cuba-national-security-threat-us-tensions-1779448781695">Marco Rubio calls Cuba a national security threat, Havana calls him liar</a>Earlier today, acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao testified before a Senate committee that the $14 billion arms deal to Taiwan has been put on a temporary pause to maintain the depleting ammunition stockpile of the military amid the war in Iran. President Trump has publicly acknowledged that the massive defence package is a powerful "negotiating chip". This will alert Taiwan supporters on Capitol Hill, as withholding weapon sales to Taiwan would also violate the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which “provides Taiwan with arms of a defensive character”."We're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary," said acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao.US President Donald Trump has previously spoken to Taiwan’s then-President Tsai Ing-wen when he took a congratulatory call after winning the 2016 presidential election, which irked Beijing. According to a report by Financial Times, Beijing is currently holding a proposed visit from the Pentagon's top policy official, Elbridge Colby, until Trump finalises his decision on the arms sale.&nbsp;During the Trump-Xi meeting, Trump issued statements saying that the island is a "sovereign, independent democratic country" and peace in the Taiwan Strait will not be "sacrificed or traded away". On the other hand, China urged the US to "stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces in Taiwan." The US finds itself in a tough balancing situation between its legally mandated support for Taiwan and its critical need for Beijing’s cooperation, while American military resources are heavily consumed by the war with Iran

US President Donald Trump said he will speak directly with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te as Washington weighs a major arms sale amid rising tensions with China.

US President Donald Trump said that he will speak directly with Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, about a possible arms sale, which would be a sharp departure from historical precedent. Formal talks between US and Taiwanese leaders have been almost nonexistent since 1979, when Washington severed ties with Taiwan to recognise the government in Beijing. This comes as US President Donald Trump concluded a high-stakes presidential summit in Beijing, where Trump discussed the arms package in great detail with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “l’ll speak to him. I speak to everybody. We have that situation very well in hand,” said Trump on Wednesday. China has made the Taiwan issue a central part of its narrative at the summit. “Taiwan question is the most important issue in China-US relations”, said Chinese officials in a statement following the meeting. Also Read: Marco Rubio calls Cuba a national security threat, Havana calls him liar Earlier today, acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao testified before a Senate committee that the $14 billion arms deal to Taiwan has been put on a temporary pause to maintain the depleting ammunition stockpile of the military amid the war in Iran. President Trump has publicly acknowledged that the massive defence package is a powerful "negotiating chip". This will alert Taiwan supporters on Capitol Hill, as withholding weapon sales to Taiwan would also violate the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which “provides Taiwan with arms of a defensive character”. "We're just making sure we have everything, but then the foreign military sales will continue when the administration deems necessary," said acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao. US President Donald Trump has previously spoken to Taiwan’s then-President Tsai Ing-wen when he took a congratulatory call after winning the 2016 presidential election, which irked Beijing. According to a report by Financial Times, Beijing is currently holding a proposed visit from the Pentagon's top policy official, Elbridge Colby, until Trump finalises his decision on the arms sale. During the Trump-Xi meeting, Trump issued statements saying that the island is a "sovereign, independent democratic country" and peace in the Taiwan Strait will not be "sacrificed or traded away". On the other hand, China urged the US to "stop sending wrong signals to the separatist forces in Taiwan." The US finds itself in a tough balancing situation between its legally mandated support for Taiwan and its critical need for Beijing’s cooperation, while American military resources are heavily consumed by the war with Iran

US President Donald Trump said he will speak directly with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te as Washington weighs a major arms sale amid rising tensions with China.

Trump says he will speak to Taiwan President amid arms sale tensions with China

Trump-branded auto-rickshaws have made a buzzworthy debut on the streets of New Delhi, attracting attention from commuters, tourists, and social media users alike. Featuring images and slogans associated with U.S. President Donald Trump, the uniquely decorated three-wheelers have sparked curiosity and debate about branding, politics, and public visibility. 


Trump-Branded Rickshaws Make Buzzworthy Debut in Delhi 

Iran has reportedly hardened its nuclear stance, insisting that enriched uranium must remain inside the country despite pressure from the United States and Israel. According to Reuters, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei believes sending uranium abroad would leave Iran vulnerable to future attacks. Meanwhile, Donald Trump said Washington is waiting for the “right answers” from Tehran as fragile negotiations continue amid growing regional tensions.


Mojtaba Khamenei 'Rejects' Key US Demand

The albino 'Donald Trump' buffalo, who became an instant social media celebrity for the apparent resemblance to the US President, is losing weight. Ever since it became famous, people have been flocking to the Bangladesh farm where it lives. The owner says that the crowd has been stressing the animal, which has led to it losing weight. The buffalo weighs 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and has a rather unusual head of hair, which has led to it being given the nickname “Donald Trump”. The buffalo was raised on a local farm in Narayanganj, southeast of Dhaka, and is four years old. It will reportedly be sacrificed on Eid al-Adha. Social media exploded ever since the photos of the buffalo from Bangladesh went viral. An albino buffalo suffers from a lack of melanin production, giving its skin and hair a blonde or pink colour.&nbsp;While netizens are amused to see the buffalo alongside a photo on Trump, on X, Grok also saw the humour in the moment and wrote. "Haha, that's a legendary buffalo with the ultimate Trump hairdo! No, I don't "believe" that's the real Donald Trump in Bangladesh—but if he ever visits, he'd better watch out for the competition. What a perfect troll video!" The owner's younger brother gave the animal its presidential nickname after noticing that its blonde hair looked exactly like Donald Trump's signature comb-over. The owner of the farm, Ziauddin Mridha, said he purchased the buffalo from a cattle market in Rajshahi. The buffalo will be sacrificed on Eid al-Adha on May 27, and the owner says that it has already been sold at 550 taka (US$4.50) per kilogramme.&nbsp;The buffalo has become extremely popular, and people have been taking one-hour boat trips to catch a glimpse. People who have seen it say the resemblance is uncanny. “It really does look like Trump. Its face and hair resemble him closely,” one resident said, according to Bangkok Post. However, its temperament is "calm, gentle, and peaceful". To keep the buffalo looking well-groomed, it is bathed four times a day and fed corn, oil cake, bran, rice husks and grass.&nbsp;<h2>Bull named after Netanyahu</h2>Meanwhile, there is another bull named after a political leader on the same farm. Weighing more than 750 kilograms, the animal nicknamed Benjamin Netanyahu is also grabbing attention, and has been named so because of its energetic and aggressive behaviour, the farm workers said.

The buffalo in Bangladesh, named after Donald Trump for its flowing tresses, is losing weight because of all the attention it has been getting. People are travelling kilometres to see it in person, and the stress from the crowd has triggered a physical reaction in the buffalo.

The albino 'Donald Trump' buffalo, who became an instant social media celebrity for the apparent resemblance to the US President, is losing weight. Ever since it became famous, people have been flocking to the Bangladesh farm where it lives. The owner says that the crowd has been stressing the animal, which has led to it losing weight. The buffalo weighs 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and has a rather unusual head of hair, which has led to it being given the nickname “Donald Trump”. The buffalo was raised on a local farm in Narayanganj, southeast of Dhaka, and is four years old. It will reportedly be sacrificed on Eid al-Adha. Social media exploded ever since the photos of the buffalo from Bangladesh went viral. An albino buffalo suffers from a lack of melanin production, giving its skin and hair a blonde or pink colour. While netizens are amused to see the buffalo alongside a photo on Trump, on X, Grok also saw the humour in the moment and wrote. "Haha, that's a legendary buffalo with the ultimate Trump hairdo! No, I don't "believe" that's the real Donald Trump in Bangladesh—but if he ever visits, he'd better watch out for the competition. What a perfect troll video!" The owner's younger brother gave the animal its presidential nickname after noticing that its blonde hair looked exactly like Donald Trump's signature comb-over. The owner of the farm, Ziauddin Mridha, said he purchased the buffalo from a cattle market in Rajshahi. The buffalo will be sacrificed on Eid al-Adha on May 27, and the owner says that it has already been sold at 550 taka (US$4.50) per kilogramme. The buffalo has become extremely popular, and people have been taking one-hour boat trips to catch a glimpse. People who have seen it say the resemblance is uncanny. “It really does look like Trump. Its face and hair resemble him closely,” one resident said, according to Bangkok Post. However, its temperament is "calm, gentle, and peaceful". To keep the buffalo looking well-groomed, it is bathed four times a day and fed corn, oil cake, bran, rice husks and grass. Bull named after Netanyahu Meanwhile, there is another bull named after a political leader on the same farm. Weighing more than 750 kilograms, the animal nicknamed Benjamin Netanyahu is also grabbing attention, and has been named so because of its energetic and aggressive behaviour, the farm workers said.

The buffalo in Bangladesh, named after Donald Trump for its flowing tresses, is losing weight because of all the attention it has been getting. People are travelling kilometres to see it in person, and the stress from the crowd has triggered a physical reaction in the buffalo.

Viral 'Trump' buffalo is experiencing stress-induced weight loss ahead of sacrifice

Senate Republicans broke ranks with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 21) over the administration’s proposal to establish a $1.8 billion settlement fund for individuals claiming political persecution, forcing lawmakers to delay a key immigration-enforcement funding vote. The proposed ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund has become a major priority for Trump, who has repeatedly argued that his supporters, including people prosecuted over the January 6 Capitol attack, were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration.&nbsp;However, the plan triggered growing backlash among Senate Republicans, who used the immigration-enforcement package as leverage to oppose or limit the proposal.“I don’t like the fund at all,” said John Curtis, adding that he did not believe additional safeguards could improve it. Senator Thom Tillis, who has frequently clashed with Trump and is retiring, described the proposal as a “payout pot for punks.” With internal divisions unresolved, Senate Majority Leader John Thune sent senators home for the Memorial Day recess, making it unlikely Congress will meet Trump’s June 1 deadline to approve funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations. “Passing the measure obviously became a more complicated and bumpy path than we had hoped for", Thune said, acknowledging that senators had ‘very legitimate questions’ about the fund.&nbsp;According to people familiar with the discussions, opposition extended well beyond a small group of vocal Republicans and included a majority of GOP senators. The controversy comes as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the upcoming midterm elections and their ability to pass major legislation before November. Trump’s recent political attacks on Republican lawmakers, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, have also unsettled many within the party. When asked whether he was losing control of Senate Republicans, Trump replied: “I really don’t know. I can tell you I only do what’s right.”&nbsp;Republicans had hoped to pass a $70 billion multiyear package for ICE and Border Patrol this week before sending it to the House. Some GOP senators attempted to add restrictions on the anti-weaponization fund to the bill, directly challenging Trump’s position. Lawmakers also worried that Democrats could force politically difficult votes on the issue through amendments. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Trump’s personal lawyer, traveled to Capitol Hill Thursday to brief senators on the fund and address concerns during a closed-door meeting. The session reportedly failed to ease tensions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/honduras-shooting-at-least-19-killed-in-two-separate-attacks-as-gunmen-open-fire-on-workers-police-1779410101238">Honduras shooting: At least 19 killed in two separate attacks as gunmen open fire on workers, police</a>&nbsp;Senator Lisa Murkowski described the atmosphere as ‘challenging’ and said Blanche’s announcement earlier in the week had ‘dropped a bomb in the middle of a pretty well planned out’ immigration-funding process. The fund emerged from a lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service seeking $10 billion in damages over the illegal disclosure of his tax returns by a contractor. Trump later dropped the lawsuit in exchange for the creation of the fund and an agreement that pending tax audits involving Trump and his businesses would end.&nbsp;A Justice Department memo shared with Senate Republicans stated there is ‘no partisan restriction: Democrats can submit claims, too’, and clarified that Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization would receive ‘a formal apology but no monetary payment or damages of any kind’. However, critics noted that Blanche would appoint the commissioners overseeing the fund while Trump would retain the authority to remove them.&nbsp;Democrats strongly criticised the proposal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed opposition, saying: “We’ll do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it’s in the courts, whether it’s legislative.” Schumer added: “Republicans are in complete disarray.” They “are divided over things that Americans don’t want.” Tensions within the Republican Party intensified further after Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Cornyn ahead of the state’s Senate GOP runoff.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cji-referred-to-youngsters-as-cockroaches-during-a-hearing-1779415244493/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/cji-referred-to-youngsters-as-cockroaches-during-a-hearing-1779415244493/embed</a>&nbsp;Meanwhile, some Republicans also backed away from a separate proposal to allocate $1 billion for White House security upgrades and Trump’s planned ballroom project. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick criticized the proposal, saying: “I know my constituents, and I’m sure many other representatives’ constituents do not want taxpayer money going to a ballroom.” Trump insisted the ballroom project would continue using private donor funds and warned, “Then the White House won’t be a very secure place” if Congress refuses security funding.

Senate Republicans revolt against Trump’s $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, delaying immigration funding and exposing GOP tensions

Senate Republicans broke ranks with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 21) over the administration’s proposal to establish a $1.8 billion settlement fund for individuals claiming political persecution, forcing lawmakers to delay a key immigration-enforcement funding vote. The proposed ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund has become a major priority for Trump, who has repeatedly argued that his supporters, including people prosecuted over the January 6 Capitol attack, were unfairly targeted by the Biden administration. However, the plan triggered growing backlash among Senate Republicans, who used the immigration-enforcement package as leverage to oppose or limit the proposal. “I don’t like the fund at all,” said John Curtis, adding that he did not believe additional safeguards could improve it. Senator Thom Tillis, who has frequently clashed with Trump and is retiring, described the proposal as a “payout pot for punks.” With internal divisions unresolved, Senate Majority Leader John Thune sent senators home for the Memorial Day recess, making it unlikely Congress will meet Trump’s June 1 deadline to approve funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol operations. “Passing the measure obviously became a more complicated and bumpy path than we had hoped for", Thune said, acknowledging that senators had ‘very legitimate questions’ about the fund. According to people familiar with the discussions, opposition extended well beyond a small group of vocal Republicans and included a majority of GOP senators. The controversy comes as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the upcoming midterm elections and their ability to pass major legislation before November. Trump’s recent political attacks on Republican lawmakers, including Texas Senator John Cornyn, have also unsettled many within the party. When asked whether he was losing control of Senate Republicans, Trump replied: “I really don’t know. I can tell you I only do what’s right.” Republicans had hoped to pass a $70 billion multiyear package for ICE and Border Patrol this week before sending it to the House. Some GOP senators attempted to add restrictions on the anti-weaponization fund to the bill, directly challenging Trump’s position. Lawmakers also worried that Democrats could force politically difficult votes on the issue through amendments. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Trump’s personal lawyer, traveled to Capitol Hill Thursday to brief senators on the fund and address concerns during a closed-door meeting. The session reportedly failed to ease tensions. Also Read: Honduras shooting: At least 19 killed in two separate attacks as gunmen open fire on workers, police Senator Lisa Murkowski described the atmosphere as ‘challenging’ and said Blanche’s announcement earlier in the week had ‘dropped a bomb in the middle of a pretty well planned out’ immigration-funding process. The fund emerged from a lawsuit Trump filed against the Internal Revenue Service seeking $10 billion in damages over the illegal disclosure of his tax returns by a contractor. Trump later dropped the lawsuit in exchange for the creation of the fund and an agreement that pending tax audits involving Trump and his businesses would end. A Justice Department memo shared with Senate Republicans stated there is ‘no partisan restriction: Democrats can submit claims, too’, and clarified that Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization would receive ‘a formal apology but no monetary payment or damages of any kind’. However, critics noted that Blanche would appoint the commissioners overseeing the fund while Trump would retain the authority to remove them. Democrats strongly criticised the proposal. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed opposition, saying: “We’ll do everything we can to stop this slush fund, whether it’s in the courts, whether it’s legislative.” Schumer added: “Republicans are in complete disarray.” They “are divided over things that Americans don’t want.” Tensions within the Republican Party intensified further after Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over Cornyn ahead of the state’s Senate GOP runoff. https://www.wionews.com/videos/cji-referred-to-youngsters-as-cockroaches-during-a-hearing-1779415244493/embed Meanwhile, some Republicans also backed away from a separate proposal to allocate $1 billion for White House security upgrades and Trump’s planned ballroom project. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick criticized the proposal, saying: “I know my constituents, and I’m sure many other representatives’ constituents do not want taxpayer money going to a ballroom.” Trump insisted the ballroom project would continue using private donor funds and warned, “Then the White House won’t be a very secure place” if Congress refuses security funding.

Senate Republicans blocked Donald Trump’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponisation’ fund, delaying immigration funding amid GOP divisions

Senate Republicans revolt against Trump's $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponisation' fund

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 21) intensified pressure on the Supreme Court, warning it would be a ‘disgrace’ if the justices rule against him on the issue of birthright citizenship. Trump has repeatedly broken political norms by openly criticizing Supreme Court justices and urging loyalty from judges he appointed during his presidency. Speaking at a White House event, Trump pushed the court to support his effort to limit automatic citizenship rights for children born in the United States. “It would be a disgrace if the Supreme Court of the United States allows that to happen,” Trump said while discussing the case.&nbsp;“This decision by the Supreme Court is a very big one. They'll probably rule against me because they seem to like doing that,” Trump added. The Supreme Court has not yet announced when it will deliver its ruling on the matter, which is central to Trump’s broader immigration agenda aimed at tightening border controls and deporting undocumented migrants. Critics argue that the US Constitution clearly guarantees birthright citizenship and say Trump is overstepping presidential authority.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-democrats-lost-2024-elections-dnc-draft-reveals-kamala-harris-failed-to-define-herself-against-joe-biden-and-donald-trump-1779387037195">How Democrats lost 2024 elections: DNC draft reveals Kamala Harris failed to define herself against Joe Biden and Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;Although conservatives dominate the nine-member Supreme Court, the justices have not consistently sided with Trump on key legal challenges. “It's all up to a couple of people, and I hope they do what's right,” Trump said, referring to possible swing votes on the bench. On April 1, Trump attended a Supreme Court hearing related to the birthright citizenship case, becoming the first sitting US president to observe proceedings in person.&nbsp;The legal battle began after Trump signed an executive order following his return to the White House, declaring that children born to parents living in the US illegally or on temporary visas would no longer automatically receive citizenship. Lower courts blocked the order, calling it unconstitutional and citing the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to nearly everyone born on American soil.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-rubio-speaks-on-cuba-aid-hormuz-tensions-before-key-nato-meeting-1779382848933/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-rubio-speaks-on-cuba-aid-hormuz-tensions-before-key-nato-meeting-1779382848933/embed</a>&nbsp;Earlier this month, Trump also criticized the Supreme Court after it ruled that his global tariff policy was illegal. He argued that justices should remain ‘loyal to the person that appointed them’. During his first term, Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices, creating a strong conservative majority on the bench.

Donald Trump pressures the Supreme Court over birthright citizenship, warning it would be a 'disgrace' if justices reject his immigration policy

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 21) intensified pressure on the Supreme Court, warning it would be a ‘disgrace’ if the justices rule against him on the issue of birthright citizenship. Trump has repeatedly broken political norms by openly criticizing Supreme Court justices and urging loyalty from judges he appointed during his presidency. Speaking at a White House event, Trump pushed the court to support his effort to limit automatic citizenship rights for children born in the United States. “It would be a disgrace if the Supreme Court of the United States allows that to happen,” Trump said while discussing the case. “This decision by the Supreme Court is a very big one. They'll probably rule against me because they seem to like doing that,” Trump added. The Supreme Court has not yet announced when it will deliver its ruling on the matter, which is central to Trump’s broader immigration agenda aimed at tightening border controls and deporting undocumented migrants. Critics argue that the US Constitution clearly guarantees birthright citizenship and say Trump is overstepping presidential authority. Also Read: How Democrats lost 2024 elections: DNC draft reveals Kamala Harris failed to define herself against Joe Biden and Donald Trump Although conservatives dominate the nine-member Supreme Court, the justices have not consistently sided with Trump on key legal challenges. “It's all up to a couple of people, and I hope they do what's right,” Trump said, referring to possible swing votes on the bench. On April 1, Trump attended a Supreme Court hearing related to the birthright citizenship case, becoming the first sitting US president to observe proceedings in person. The legal battle began after Trump signed an executive order following his return to the White House, declaring that children born to parents living in the US illegally or on temporary visas would no longer automatically receive citizenship. Lower courts blocked the order, calling it unconstitutional and citing the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to nearly everyone born on American soil. https://www.wionews.com/videos/breaking-rubio-speaks-on-cuba-aid-hormuz-tensions-before-key-nato-meeting-1779382848933/embed Earlier this month, Trump also criticized the Supreme Court after it ruled that his global tariff policy was illegal. He argued that justices should remain ‘loyal to the person that appointed them’. During his first term, Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices, creating a strong conservative majority on the bench.

Donald Trump pressures the US Supreme Court on birthright citizenship, calling a ruling against him a ‘disgrace’ amid constitutional debate

'It would be a disgrace if SCOTUS allows that to happen': Trump pressures Supreme Court over birthright citizenship debate

The Democratic Party’s long-awaited internal review of the 2024 presidential election defeat offers a strikingly blunt assessment of what went wrong for former Vice President Kamala Harris and the broader Democratic campaign against Donald Trump. The draft report, released on Thursday (May 21) by the Democratic National Committee, argues that Harris failed to make a compelling independent case to voters, remained too politically tied to former President Joe Biden, and struggled to effectively counter Republican attacks that shaped public perception during the race.&nbsp;The report, still incomplete and filled with annotations questioning parts of its methodology, nevertheless paints a picture of a Democratic campaign that relied too heavily on anti-Trump sentiment while failing to give voters a strong enough reason to support Harris herself. “Base voters needed reasons to vote FOR Harris as well as against Trump,” the report said. “Without an effective contrast with a difficult (and unaffordable) status quo, the obvious contrast with Trump was not a sufficient motivator.” That conclusion lies at the center of the DNC’s post-election reckoning.&nbsp;According to the report, Harris entered the race carrying the political burdens of the Biden administration without sufficiently separating herself from unpopular aspects of the White House agenda. While trying to demonstrate loyalty to Biden after becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris missed critical opportunities to signal policy differences that could have reassured skeptical voters. The report says it was ‘necessary to find ways to demonstrate how a Harris-Walz administration would be more effective in addressing American needs’. Instead, Democrats struggled to define Harris outside the framework of the Biden presidency, especially during a compressed 107-day campaign after Biden withdrew from the race.&nbsp;The report also argues that the Harris campaign fundamentally miscalculated how voters viewed Trump. Democratic strategists assumed many Americans had already formed fixed opinions about the former president and believed his legal controversies and political baggage would naturally damage him with voters. But the report says that assumption proved deeply flawed. The Harris campaign’s inability to shape public perception of Trump was described as a ‘major failure’. “Given the ability of right-wing entities to slash and smear the vice president, it was essential to prosecute a more effective case as to why Trump should have been disqualified from ever again taking office,” the report said. “The grounds were there, but the messaging did not make the case.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-to-buy-oil-from-venezuela-rubio-announces-rodriguez-s-visit-next-week-1779384955521">India to buy oil from Venezuela? Rubio announces Rodriguez’s visit next week</a>&nbsp;The document criticises Democrats for failing to consistently remind voters about what it described as Trump’s ‘incompetence’, arguing that the campaign never developed a ‘defined or consistent’ strategy to weaken his standing with the public. The report further says Democrats wrongly believed negative views of Trump were already 'baked in', calling that assumption a ‘major failure of analysis and reality’.&nbsp;Ironically, the report notes that Trump’s favourability ratings have declined since returning to the office for a second term, something Democrats failed to capitalise on during the campaign. Even while criticizing the Harris campaign, the report argues that Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the race ultimately benefited Democrats running in congressional and state-level contests. Although Harris lost the presidency, the report says Democrats in down-ballot races performed better than they likely would have if Biden had remained the nominee.&nbsp;“Having Kamala Harris on the ballot actually helped down-ballot Democrats maintain part of their base support,” the report said. That finding reflects a growing belief inside Democratic circles that Biden’s declining political standing had become a serious electoral liability before he exited the race. Still, the report suggests the transition came too late to rebuild the party’s national campaign infrastructure around Harris fully. One of the report’s most politically sensitive sections focuses on a Trump campaign advertisement that attacked Harris for supporting taxpayer-funded surgeries for transgender inmates.&nbsp;The ad featured Harris discussing the issue and ended with the line: “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.” According to the report, Democratic pollsters widely agreed that the attack resonated strongly with voters. Pollsters analysing the race all recognized the attack as very effective, and felt the campaign was boxed, the ad was a video of her saying what she said, and it was framed as an attack on her economic priorities.”&nbsp;The report says Harris had little room to effectively counter the attack because changing her position would have created additional political complications during the closing stages of the race. “If the vice president would not change her position, and she did not, then there was nothing that would have worked as a response,” the report said. “The pollsters generally concurred with the opinions shared by campaign leadership, given the stakes and timing, the focus needed to be on attacking Trump.” The report also revisits long-running frustrations inside Democratic circles over how the Biden White House handled Harris during the administration.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-bengal-repolling-in-falta-ordered-by-ec-citing-irregularities-1779373856905/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-bengal-repolling-in-falta-ordered-by-ec-citing-irregularities-1779373856905/embed</a>&nbsp;According to the document, the administration displayed a ‘significant failure of imagination’ in how it positioned the vice president politically. The report points to internal polling conducted before the 2022 midterm elections that examined how first lady Jill Biden could best help the president politically. But it says no comparable effort was undertaken to strengthen Harris’ standing with voters. “The White House did not position or prepare the vice president,” the document said. “Had the White House explored and evaluated ways to leverage Kamala Harris earlier in the administration, perhaps it would have improved the president’s standing, and it certainly could have helped prepare her to lead the ticket.”&nbsp;The report particularly criticizes the decision to make Harris a leading face of the administration’s immigration strategy at a time when border security had become one of Democrats’ biggest political vulnerabilities. The decision to give Harris a ‘controversial issue brief’ was described as a ‘massive missed opportunity’. At the same time, the report argues that Harris demonstrated political resilience and capability during the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her candidacy. It says any ‘fair critic’ would need to ‘acknowledge the strength and ability she demonstrated as the nominee’.&nbsp;The release of the report has already triggered debate within the Democratic Party, not only because of its conclusions but also because of its unfinished nature. Large sections remain incomplete, and annotations throughout the draft openly challenge aspects of the report’s assumptions and methodology. Even so, the document represents one of the clearest acknowledgments yet from within Democratic leadership that the party’s defeat in 2024 was not caused by a single mistake, but by a series of interconnected strategic failures.&nbsp;The report suggests Democrats struggled to define Harris independently, failed to aggressively reshape voter perceptions of Trump, underestimated the effectiveness of Republican messaging, and entered the campaign transition from Biden too late to fully recover politically. More broadly, the draft autopsy reflects a party still trying to understand how it lost an election it once believed it was structurally positioned to win. For Democrats, the report is more than a review of the past. It is an early warning about the political and strategic questions that could shape the party’s future heading into 2028.

The DNC’s draft 2024 election autopsy says Kamala Harris failed to define herself independently, counter Donald Trump, and separate from Joe Biden during the presidential race

The Democratic Party’s long-awaited internal review of the 2024 presidential election defeat offers a strikingly blunt assessment of what went wrong for former Vice President Kamala Harris and the broader Democratic campaign against Donald Trump. The draft report, released on Thursday (May 21) by the Democratic National Committee, argues that Harris failed to make a compelling independent case to voters, remained too politically tied to former President Joe Biden, and struggled to effectively counter Republican attacks that shaped public perception during the race. The report, still incomplete and filled with annotations questioning parts of its methodology, nevertheless paints a picture of a Democratic campaign that relied too heavily on anti-Trump sentiment while failing to give voters a strong enough reason to support Harris herself. “Base voters needed reasons to vote FOR Harris as well as against Trump,” the report said. “Without an effective contrast with a difficult (and unaffordable) status quo, the obvious contrast with Trump was not a sufficient motivator.” That conclusion lies at the center of the DNC’s post-election reckoning. According to the report, Harris entered the race carrying the political burdens of the Biden administration without sufficiently separating herself from unpopular aspects of the White House agenda. While trying to demonstrate loyalty to Biden after becoming the Democratic nominee, Harris missed critical opportunities to signal policy differences that could have reassured skeptical voters. The report says it was ‘necessary to find ways to demonstrate how a Harris-Walz administration would be more effective in addressing American needs’. Instead, Democrats struggled to define Harris outside the framework of the Biden presidency, especially during a compressed 107-day campaign after Biden withdrew from the race. The report also argues that the Harris campaign fundamentally miscalculated how voters viewed Trump. Democratic strategists assumed many Americans had already formed fixed opinions about the former president and believed his legal controversies and political baggage would naturally damage him with voters. But the report says that assumption proved deeply flawed. The Harris campaign’s inability to shape public perception of Trump was described as a ‘major failure’. “Given the ability of right-wing entities to slash and smear the vice president, it was essential to prosecute a more effective case as to why Trump should have been disqualified from ever again taking office,” the report said. “The grounds were there, but the messaging did not make the case.” Also Read: India to buy oil from Venezuela? Rubio announces Rodriguez’s visit next week The document criticises Democrats for failing to consistently remind voters about what it described as Trump’s ‘incompetence’, arguing that the campaign never developed a ‘defined or consistent’ strategy to weaken his standing with the public. The report further says Democrats wrongly believed negative views of Trump were already 'baked in', calling that assumption a ‘major failure of analysis and reality’. Ironically, the report notes that Trump’s favourability ratings have declined since returning to the office for a second term, something Democrats failed to capitalise on during the campaign. Even while criticizing the Harris campaign, the report argues that Biden’s eventual withdrawal from the race ultimately benefited Democrats running in congressional and state-level contests. Although Harris lost the presidency, the report says Democrats in down-ballot races performed better than they likely would have if Biden had remained the nominee. “Having Kamala Harris on the ballot actually helped down-ballot Democrats maintain part of their base support,” the report said. That finding reflects a growing belief inside Democratic circles that Biden’s declining political standing had become a serious electoral liability before he exited the race. Still, the report suggests the transition came too late to rebuild the party’s national campaign infrastructure around Harris fully. One of the report’s most politically sensitive sections focuses on a Trump campaign advertisement that attacked Harris for supporting taxpayer-funded surgeries for transgender inmates. The ad featured Harris discussing the issue and ended with the line: “Kamala is for they/them. President Trump is for you.” According to the report, Democratic pollsters widely agreed that the attack resonated strongly with voters. Pollsters analysing the race all recognized the attack as very effective, and felt the campaign was boxed, the ad was a video of her saying what she said, and it was framed as an attack on her economic priorities.” The report says Harris had little room to effectively counter the attack because changing her position would have created additional political complications during the closing stages of the race. “If the vice president would not change her position, and she did not, then there was nothing that would have worked as a response,” the report said. “The pollsters generally concurred with the opinions shared by campaign leadership, given the stakes and timing, the focus needed to be on attacking Trump.” The report also revisits long-running frustrations inside Democratic circles over how the Biden White House handled Harris during the administration. https://www.wionews.com/videos/west-bengal-repolling-in-falta-ordered-by-ec-citing-irregularities-1779373856905/embed According to the document, the administration displayed a ‘significant failure of imagination’ in how it positioned the vice president politically. The report points to internal polling conducted before the 2022 midterm elections that examined how first lady Jill Biden could best help the president politically. But it says no comparable effort was undertaken to strengthen Harris’ standing with voters. “The White House did not position or prepare the vice president,” the document said. “Had the White House explored and evaluated ways to leverage Kamala Harris earlier in the administration, perhaps it would have improved the president’s standing, and it certainly could have helped prepare her to lead the ticket.” The report particularly criticizes the decision to make Harris a leading face of the administration’s immigration strategy at a time when border security had become one of Democrats’ biggest political vulnerabilities. The decision to give Harris a ‘controversial issue brief’ was described as a ‘massive missed opportunity’. At the same time, the report argues that Harris demonstrated political resilience and capability during the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her candidacy. It says any ‘fair critic’ would need to ‘acknowledge the strength and ability she demonstrated as the nominee’. The release of the report has already triggered debate within the Democratic Party, not only because of its conclusions but also because of its unfinished nature. Large sections remain incomplete, and annotations throughout the draft openly challenge aspects of the report’s assumptions and methodology. Even so, the document represents one of the clearest acknowledgments yet from within Democratic leadership that the party’s defeat in 2024 was not caused by a single mistake, but by a series of interconnected strategic failures. The report suggests Democrats struggled to define Harris independently, failed to aggressively reshape voter perceptions of Trump, underestimated the effectiveness of Republican messaging, and entered the campaign transition from Biden too late to fully recover politically. More broadly, the draft autopsy reflects a party still trying to understand how it lost an election it once believed it was structurally positioned to win. For Democrats, the report is more than a review of the past. It is an early warning about the political and strategic questions that could shape the party’s future heading into 2028.

Democratic National Committee's draft autopsy says Kamala Harris failed to define herself, counter Donald Trump, and separate from Joe Biden in the 2024 elections

How Democrats lost 2024 elections: DNC draft reveals Kamala Harris failed to define herself against Joe Biden and Donald Trump

The Trump administration has been ordered to comply with the Presidential Records Act by a federal judge. The emergency ruling means that Trump's top advisers are required to preserve certain presidential records. The DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel claimed in April that the act was unconstitutional, arguing that it unfairly restricted “the constitutional independence and autonomy of the Executive.” Responding to the body, the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight and the American Historical Association filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent the potential loss or destruction of historical presidential records. On Wednesday, US District Judge John Bates ruled that the act is likely constitutional, and his order will go into effect on May 26. “The original public meaning of the text of the Constitution, canons of interpretation, Supreme Court precedent, general principles of property law, and almost 50 years of practice confirm that Congress has the enumerated power to regulate presidential records under the [Constitution’s] Property Clause,” the ruling read.&nbsp;"To adopt the government's position that the Act is unconstitutional would disable Congress and future Presidents from reflecting on experience, in defiance of the very words engraved on the National Archives Building in Washington: 'What is past is prologue,'" Bates wrote.<h2>What is the Presidential Records Act?</h2>The White House is expected to appeal the ruling in a higher court. The 1978 law was enacted in the wake of the Watergate scandal and established that presidential records are public property. Judge Bates also pointed out that Trump had no problems with the law during his first term and complied with it. The order blocks the administration's staff from discarding records, but the President and Vice President themselves are not directly covered by the directive. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisers and employees working within the Executive Office of the President are required to comply with it.&nbsp;The judge further noted that there has not been another Watergate-level scandal, which "suggests that the sunshine disinfectant of the Records Act is working as intended." "Today's ruling is an important victory for presidential accountability and for affirming what decades of law and practice already established — the constitutionality of the Presidential Records Act," Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, said in a statement. The Presidential Records Act states that the records belong to the US government, and not the president personally, and hence they must be preserved.&nbsp;In their lawsuit, the two bodies warned that they had "strong reason" to believe that Trump could try to keep presidential records when his term ends in January 2029. They said that at the end of his first term in early 2021, he tried to hold onto 15 boxes of records. They carried thousands of documents, including those marked classified, and the Archives fought for months to get them back.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight and the American Historical Association had filed a lawsuit to prevent loss or destruction of historical presidential records. A federal court judge ruled that the Presidential Records Act is likely constitutional.

The Trump administration has been ordered to comply with the Presidential Records Act by a federal judge. The emergency ruling means that Trump's top advisers are required to preserve certain presidential records. The DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel claimed in April that the act was unconstitutional, arguing that it unfairly restricted “the constitutional independence and autonomy of the Executive.” Responding to the body, the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight and the American Historical Association filed a lawsuit in federal court to prevent the potential loss or destruction of historical presidential records. On Wednesday, US District Judge John Bates ruled that the act is likely constitutional, and his order will go into effect on May 26. “The original public meaning of the text of the Constitution, canons of interpretation, Supreme Court precedent, general principles of property law, and almost 50 years of practice confirm that Congress has the enumerated power to regulate presidential records under the [Constitution’s] Property Clause,” the ruling read. "To adopt the government's position that the Act is unconstitutional would disable Congress and future Presidents from reflecting on experience, in defiance of the very words engraved on the National Archives Building in Washington: 'What is past is prologue,'" Bates wrote. What is the Presidential Records Act? The White House is expected to appeal the ruling in a higher court. The 1978 law was enacted in the wake of the Watergate scandal and established that presidential records are public property. Judge Bates also pointed out that Trump had no problems with the law during his first term and complied with it. The order blocks the administration's staff from discarding records, but the President and Vice President themselves are not directly covered by the directive. White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the National Security Council, Council of Economic Advisers and employees working within the Executive Office of the President are required to comply with it. The judge further noted that there has not been another Watergate-level scandal, which "suggests that the sunshine disinfectant of the Records Act is working as intended." "Today's ruling is an important victory for presidential accountability and for affirming what decades of law and practice already established — the constitutionality of the Presidential Records Act," Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, said in a statement. The Presidential Records Act states that the records belong to the US government, and not the president personally, and hence they must be preserved. In their lawsuit, the two bodies warned that they had "strong reason" to believe that Trump could try to keep presidential records when his term ends in January 2029. They said that at the end of his first term in early 2021, he tried to hold onto 15 boxes of records. They carried thousands of documents, including those marked classified, and the Archives fought for months to get them back.

Nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight and the American Historical Association had filed a lawsuit to prevent loss or destruction of historical presidential records. A federal court judge ruled that the Presidential Records Act is likely constitutional.

Judge blocks Trump from destroying records, orders White House staff to comply with Presidential Records Act

According to the US Justice Department, the fund would provide a formal process for people alleging political targeting to seek financial compensation, formal apologies and other forms of redress. 

WION Decodes| What is Trump’s $1.7B ‘weaponization’ fund? Proposal outlines compensation for alleged 'political targeting'

A former senior federal prosecutor has found herself at the centre of a striking new Justice Department scandal after prosecutors accused her of secretly emailing herself confidential records tied to the Jack Smith investigation into Donald Trump, allegedly disguising the files as cake recipes. Carmen Lineberger, once a top official in the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, was indicted this week on multiple criminal charges, including theft of government property, concealing public records and altering official documents.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jealous-trump-tries-to-downplay-xi-putin-private-tea-meeting-insists-his-beijing-welcome-was-more-brilliant-1779340945856">Jealous? Trump tries to downplay Xi-Putin private tea meeting, insists his Beijing welcome was ‘more brilliant’</a><h2>Charges against Lineberger</h2>At the heart of the case is a highly sensitive section of former US Special Counsel Jack Smith's final Trump investigation report. Specifically, a portion that a federal judge had blocked from public release.According to the newly unsealed indictment, Lineberger allegedly downloaded the classified-documents section of Smith’s report, known internally as "Volume II," in December 2025 and saved it under the filename "Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf" before emailing it from her government account to her personal email.Prosecutors say she used a similar tactic months later with portions of another internal Justice Department memo, allegedly storing those files as "Chocolate_cake_recipe.pdf."The indictment does not explain what prosecutors believe her ultimate motive was, nor whether the documents were ever shared further. Lineberger pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Wednesday.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-m-for-melody-not-mehengai-congress-mocks-modi-obver-meloni-video-claims-viral-reel-insult-to-indians-suffering-1779332013625">‘M for Melody, not Mehengai’: Congress mocks Modi over Meloni video, claims viral reel ‘insult to Indians suffering’</a><h2>Why the report matters: Hint - these might be the most politically sensitive unreleased documents</h2>The document at the centre of the controversy comes from Jack Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents after leaving office back in 2020.Trump had been accused of retaining sensitive government records at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing efforts to recover them, charges he repeatedly dismissed as politically motivated. The case collapsed later after Judge Aileen Cannon ruled Smith's appointment was unlawful.Since then, Trump’s return to the White House has further complicated matters, as longstanding Justice Department policy bars prosecution of a sitting president.Notably, even after the criminal case was dismissed, Cannon blocked the release of Volume II, arguing that public disclosure could prejudice ongoing cases involving Trump associates. This makes the report one of the most politically sensitive unreleased documents in Washington.

A former federal prosecutor is now accused of smuggling some of Washington’s most politically explosive Donald Trump investigation files by Jack Smith out of the Justice Department by disguising them as cake recipes. All you need to know.

A former senior federal prosecutor has found herself at the centre of a striking new Justice Department scandal after prosecutors accused her of secretly emailing herself confidential records tied to the Jack Smith investigation into Donald Trump, allegedly disguising the files as cake recipes. Carmen Lineberger, once a top official in the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, was indicted this week on multiple criminal charges, including theft of government property, concealing public records and altering official documents. Also read | Jealous? Trump tries to downplay Xi-Putin private tea meeting, insists his Beijing welcome was ‘more brilliant’ Charges against Lineberger At the heart of the case is a highly sensitive section of former US Special Counsel Jack Smith's final Trump investigation report. Specifically, a portion that a federal judge had blocked from public release. According to the newly unsealed indictment, Lineberger allegedly downloaded the classified-documents section of Smith’s report, known internally as "Volume II," in December 2025 and saved it under the filename "Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf" before emailing it from her government account to her personal email. Prosecutors say she used a similar tactic months later with portions of another internal Justice Department memo, allegedly storing those files as "Chocolate_cake_recipe.pdf." The indictment does not explain what prosecutors believe her ultimate motive was, nor whether the documents were ever shared further. Lineberger pleaded not guilty during her arraignment on Wednesday. Also read | ‘M for Melody, not Mehengai’: Congress mocks Modi over Meloni video, claims viral reel ‘insult to Indians suffering’ Why the report matters: Hint - these might be the most politically sensitive unreleased documents The document at the centre of the controversy comes from Jack Smith’s investigation into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents after leaving office back in 2020. Trump had been accused of retaining sensitive government records at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing efforts to recover them, charges he repeatedly dismissed as politically motivated. The case collapsed later after Judge Aileen Cannon ruled Smith's appointment was unlawful. Since then, Trump’s return to the White House has further complicated matters, as longstanding Justice Department policy bars prosecution of a sitting president. Notably, even after the criminal case was dismissed, Cannon blocked the release of Volume II, arguing that public disclosure could prejudice ongoing cases involving Trump associates. This makes the report one of the most politically sensitive unreleased documents in Washington.

A former federal prosecutor is now accused of smuggling some of Washington’s most politically explosive Donald Trump investigation files by Jack Smith out of the Justice Department by disguising them as cake recipes. All you need to know.

'Bundt_Cake_Recipe.pdf': Prosecutor charged with smuggling SECRET Jack Smith report on Trump

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 20) tried to save face as Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his China visit, got what the POTUS didn't: tea time with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US President, during his recent trip to Beijing, was met with special military honour, marching bands and more. He even touted the meeting with Xi as something his predecessor could never get: "I don't think Biden would even get a meeting with President Xi". Xi "told me he was going to; I think it's good," Trump told reporters Wednesday, as he was forced to wave off any jealousy amid reports of Xi-Putin's private tea meeting. "I get along with both of them, but I think it’s good."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-corruption-in-plain-sight-trump-and-family-get-forever-shield-from-irs-audits-after-hush-hush-settlement-all-you-need-to-know-1779253991583">'Corruption in plain sight': Trump and family get ‘FOREVER’ shield from IRS audits after hush-hush settlement. All you need to know</a><h2>Trump claims his reception was superior to Putin's</h2>The US President also claimed that his reception in Beijing was far superior to that of the Russian president. "I don’t know if the ceremony was quite as brilliant as mine," he told reporters, adding, "I watched; we topped them".Notably, both Trump and Putin received similar welcomes that consisted of military honour guard marching bands, cheering children, and more.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/fact-check-trump-caught-on-video-taking-a-sneak-a-peek-at-xi-jinping-s-private-notebook-clip-goes-viral-watch-1778922228125">Fact check: Trump caught on video taking a sneak peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook? Clip goes viral | WATCH</a><h2>Xi, Putin hit out at Trump</h2>According to reports, Xi and Putin, during their recent meet issued quite a few veiled references to Trump, and even condemned the "assassination" and "abduction" of world leaders, an apparent reference to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Venezuela's former president Nicolas Maduro.Xi also referred to China and Russia as forces of "calm amid chaos" on the world stage. This is being seen as a veiled jab at the turbulence Trump's presidency has caused so far.In their joint statement, the two nations warned of the dangers of "fragmentation" of the international community and a return to the "law of the jungle.""Attempts by a number of states to unilaterally manage global affairs, impose their interests on the entire world, and limit the sovereign development of other countries, in the spirit of the colonial era, have failed," read the statement.&nbsp;

Days after Donald Trump boasted about his grand Beijing welcome, Vladimir Putin arrived in China and got something arguably more telling: private tea diplomacy with Xi Jinping. Trump insists he is not jealous and even claimed his own ceremony was “more brilliant."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 20) tried to save face as Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his China visit, got what the POTUS didn't: tea time with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US President, during his recent trip to Beijing, was met with special military honour, marching bands and more. He even touted the meeting with Xi as something his predecessor could never get: "I don't think Biden would even get a meeting with President Xi". Xi "told me he was going to; I think it's good," Trump told reporters Wednesday, as he was forced to wave off any jealousy amid reports of Xi-Putin's private tea meeting. "I get along with both of them, but I think it’s good." Also read | 'Corruption in plain sight': Trump and family get ‘FOREVER’ shield from IRS audits after hush-hush settlement. All you need to know Trump claims his reception was superior to Putin's The US President also claimed that his reception in Beijing was far superior to that of the Russian president. "I don’t know if the ceremony was quite as brilliant as mine," he told reporters, adding, "I watched; we topped them". Notably, both Trump and Putin received similar welcomes that consisted of military honour guard marching bands, cheering children, and more. Also read | Fact check: Trump caught on video taking a sneak peek at Xi Jinping’s private notebook? Clip goes viral | WATCH Xi, Putin hit out at Trump According to reports, Xi and Putin, during their recent meet issued quite a few veiled references to Trump, and even condemned the "assassination" and "abduction" of world leaders, an apparent reference to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Venezuela's former president Nicolas Maduro. Xi also referred to China and Russia as forces of "calm amid chaos" on the world stage. This is being seen as a veiled jab at the turbulence Trump's presidency has caused so far. In their joint statement, the two nations warned of the dangers of "fragmentation" of the international community and a return to the "law of the jungle." "Attempts by a number of states to unilaterally manage global affairs, impose their interests on the entire world, and limit the sovereign development of other countries, in the spirit of the colonial era, have failed," read the statement.

Days after Donald Trump boasted about his grand Beijing welcome, Vladimir Putin arrived in China and got something arguably more telling: private tea diplomacy with Xi Jinping. Trump insists he is not jealous and even claimed his own ceremony was “more brilliant."

Jealous? Trump tries to downplay Xi-Putin private tea meeting, insists his Beijing welcome was ‘more brilliant’

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mocked the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, after experiencing his own teleprompter issue during his speech. Carney was at an event for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Wednesday. Instead of letting the malfunction disrupt his speech, he took it sportingly and made a thinly veiled reference to the US President. Carney recalled Trump's teleprompter issue at the New York Headquarters of the United Nations."Happens, it happens," Carney said while laughing. “I'm not going to go into the - I'm not going to say who I - you know what, there's a teleprompter joke I could tell about a conspiracy theory, but I think I, it's probably not”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-confirms-200-boeing-aircraft-trump-xi-trade-deal-1779279846759">China confirms purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft after Trump-Xi trade summit</a><h2>What is Carney's conspiracy theory joke?</h2>Carney's remarks referred to Trump's mishaps last September at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. During his visit, Trump faced troubles with the escalator, audio problems, and the teleprompter. Trump complained, saying that “bad” features are all he got from the international organisation.“I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working,” Trump said previously. “I feel very happy to be up here with you, nevertheless, and that way you speak more from the heart.” He added, “I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.”He later lashed out on Truth Social. He claimed the malfunctioning equipment was a "REAL DISGRACE" and "three very sinister events," ultimately calling on the UN to investigate the incidents as a case of "triple sabotage"“A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” wrote Trump in Truth Social. Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum, Carney directly confronted "bullies and hegemons", after which Trump warned Canada should be grateful to the US, after which Carney left the forum without meeting him.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mocked Donald Trump after facing a teleprompter malfunction during a speech in Vancouver, referencing Trump’s earlier UN teleprompter controversy and “triple sabotage” claim.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mocked the US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, after experiencing his own teleprompter issue during his speech. Carney was at an event for the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade on Wednesday. Instead of letting the malfunction disrupt his speech, he took it sportingly and made a thinly veiled reference to the US President. Carney recalled Trump's teleprompter issue at the New York Headquarters of the United Nations. "Happens, it happens," Carney said while laughing. “I'm not going to go into the - I'm not going to say who I - you know what, there's a teleprompter joke I could tell about a conspiracy theory, but I think I, it's probably not” Also Read: China confirms purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft after Trump-Xi trade summit What is Carney's conspiracy theory joke? Carney's remarks referred to Trump's mishaps last September at the United Nations (UN) headquarters. During his visit, Trump faced troubles with the escalator, audio problems, and the teleprompter. Trump complained, saying that “bad” features are all he got from the international organisation. “I don’t mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working,” Trump said previously. “I feel very happy to be up here with you, nevertheless, and that way you speak more from the heart.” He added, “I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble.” He later lashed out on Truth Social. He claimed the malfunctioning equipment was a "REAL DISGRACE" and "three very sinister events," ultimately calling on the UN to investigate the incidents as a case of "triple sabotage" “A REAL DISGRACE took place at the United Nations yesterday — Not one, not two, but three very sinister events!” wrote Trump in Truth Social. Earlier this year at the World Economic Forum, Carney directly confronted "bullies and hegemons", after which Trump warned Canada should be grateful to the US, after which Carney left the forum without meeting him.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney mocked Donald Trump after facing a teleprompter malfunction during a speech in Vancouver, referencing Trump’s earlier UN teleprompter controversy and “triple sabotage” claim.

Canada PM Mark Carney mocks Donald Trump over teleprompter glitch, jokes about ‘conspiracy theory’

The European Union has officially finalised the implementation phase of the “Turnberry Agreement,” marking a key step in advancing its latest policy framework. The agreement is expected to shape future cooperation, regulatory alignment, and strategic coordination among member states.


EU Finalises Implementation of the 'Turnberry Agreement' 

Donald Trump suffered a political setback on Wednesday (May 20) after Senate Republicans moved to remove a $1 billion Secret Service funding request linked to his White House ballroom project from a broader immigration enforcement bill. “We were told that the ballroom money is out,” said Sen. John Kennedy, adding he’d “like to read the text.” The decision followed a ruling by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who determined that the provision did not comply with budget reconciliation rules because it extended beyond the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee.&nbsp;The funding removal was also influenced by growing Republican resistance in the Senate, where several lawmakers raised concerns about including financing tied to the White House ballroom project in an immigration-focused bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Republicans during a closed-door lunch that both procedural issues and a lack of sufficient votes were barriers to keeping the funding provision, according to sources familiar with the meeting.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-s-spacex-files-for-biggest-ever-ipo-in-history-under-ticker-spcx-here-s-all-you-need-to-know-about-it-1779313005490">Elon Musk's SpaceX files for biggest-ever IPO in history under ticker SPCX. Here's all you need to know about it</a>&nbsp;Kennedy and other GOP senators indicated the entire Secret Service funding section would likely be dropped. Thune later said discussions were ongoing and no final legislative text had been agreed upon. The draft bill had specifically referenced the East Wing Modernization Project, allowing part of the $1 billion in Secret Service funding to be used for “above-ground and below-ground security features” connected to the ballroom initiative. The White House had pushed for the inclusion, viewing it as implicit congressional backing for the broader project, which is currently facing legal challenges after a federal judge ruled it had not been properly authorized.Earlier drafts of legislative text were reportedly provided to senators by the administration, according to Thune.&nbsp;Behind the scenes, Republicans are reportedly bracing for a strong reaction from Trump, who had already called for MacDonough’s removal in a post on Truth Social.Officials said only about $220 million of the proposed funding was expected to directly support ballroom-related security upgrades and White House “hardening,” but questions remained among senators. With deadlines approaching, Republicans are now rushing to finalise immigration legislation for Trump’s approval this week.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-us-troop-deployment-delayed-not-cancelled-1779298287303/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-us-troop-deployment-delayed-not-cancelled-1779298287303/embed</a>&nbsp;However, the political tensions extend beyond the funding dispute. Democrats are preparing amendments targeting a Justice Department “anti-weaponization” fund created through a settlement involving Trump, which could be used for political ally compensation. Some Republicans believe those amendments could gain bipartisan support, further complicating the bill’s passage.

Senate Republicans removed a $1 billion Secret Service funding request linked to Donald Trump’s White House ballroom project from an immigration bill, citing procedural rules and GOP opposition. The move adds fresh political tension in Washington as lawmakers race to finalize legislation

Donald Trump suffered a political setback on Wednesday (May 20) after Senate Republicans moved to remove a $1 billion Secret Service funding request linked to his White House ballroom project from a broader immigration enforcement bill. “We were told that the ballroom money is out,” said Sen. John Kennedy, adding he’d “like to read the text.” The decision followed a ruling by Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who determined that the provision did not comply with budget reconciliation rules because it extended beyond the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee. The funding removal was also influenced by growing Republican resistance in the Senate, where several lawmakers raised concerns about including financing tied to the White House ballroom project in an immigration-focused bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Republicans during a closed-door lunch that both procedural issues and a lack of sufficient votes were barriers to keeping the funding provision, according to sources familiar with the meeting. Also Read: Elon Musk's SpaceX files for biggest-ever IPO in history under ticker SPCX. Here's all you need to know about it Kennedy and other GOP senators indicated the entire Secret Service funding section would likely be dropped. Thune later said discussions were ongoing and no final legislative text had been agreed upon. The draft bill had specifically referenced the East Wing Modernization Project, allowing part of the $1 billion in Secret Service funding to be used for “above-ground and below-ground security features” connected to the ballroom initiative. The White House had pushed for the inclusion, viewing it as implicit congressional backing for the broader project, which is currently facing legal challenges after a federal judge ruled it had not been properly authorized. Earlier drafts of legislative text were reportedly provided to senators by the administration, according to Thune. Behind the scenes, Republicans are reportedly bracing for a strong reaction from Trump, who had already called for MacDonough’s removal in a post on Truth Social. Officials said only about $220 million of the proposed funding was expected to directly support ballroom-related security upgrades and White House “hardening,” but questions remained among senators. With deadlines approaching, Republicans are now rushing to finalise immigration legislation for Trump’s approval this week. https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-us-troop-deployment-delayed-not-cancelled-1779298287303/embed However, the political tensions extend beyond the funding dispute. Democrats are preparing amendments targeting a Justice Department “anti-weaponization” fund created through a settlement involving Trump, which could be used for political ally compensation. Some Republicans believe those amendments could gain bipartisan support, further complicating the bill’s passage.

Senate Republicans drop $1 billion Secret Service funding tied to Donald Trump’s ballroom project amid legal, procedural, and political backlash

Senate Republicans pull $1 billion Secret Service funding for Trump's White House Ballroom project

Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 20) praised the US indictment of former Cuban leader Raul Castro, but said he does not believe further escalation against Cuba is necessary amid growing speculation over Washington’s intentions toward the communist island. "I think it was a very big moment," Trump told reporters when asked about the charges against the 94-year-old Castro. "There won't be escalation. I don't think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart. It's a mess, and they sort of lost control."&nbsp;Trump also indicated that his administration would soon announce the long-standing US embargo on Cuba. “We’ll see. We’ll be announcing it pretty soon,” Trump said when asked how long the embargo would remain in place. The United States has maintained a decades-old economic embargo and oil restrictions on Cuba, measures that have intensified the island’s ongoing economic and energy crisis.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-bibi-s-hair-was-on-fire-trump-netanyahu-call-turns-tense-over-new-iran-peace-proposal-claims-report-1779305503990">'Bibi's hair was on fire': Trump, Netanyahu call turns tense over new Iran peace proposal, claims report</a><h2>Families of victims react</h2>The indictment stems from the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. The planes were destroyed near the Cuban coast after being targeted with heat-seeking missiles. Prosecutors allege that Castro, who was serving as Cuba’s defence minister at the time, authorised the attack. Miriam de la Pena, whose son Mario was among the four men killed in the incident, welcomed the charges against Castro. “His age doesn’t matter; he can be brought in on a stretcher,” she told CNN regarding the former Cuban leader. Another relative reportedly added: “That’s what wheelchairs are for.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-secy-of-state-marco-rubio-to-begin-4-day-india-visit-on-may-23-1779297353533/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-secy-of-state-marco-rubio-to-begin-4-day-india-visit-on-may-23-1779297353533/embed</a><h2>Cuban reaction</h2>Residents in Havana pushed back against the indictment, describing it as a politically motivated move that could worsen tensions during an already fragile period in US-Cuba relations. In areas surrounding Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior and the headquarters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, several residents criticised the US action as a deliberate provocation. The Cuban government also strongly condemned the indictment, calling it a ‘despicable accusation’ against Castro.&nbsp;“It is a despicable and infamous act of political provocation,” the government said in a statement published online and broadcast on state television. Cuban authorities accused the United States of distorting facts surrounding the 1996 incident involving the downing of the two aircraft. Cuba has long defended the shootdown, arguing that the planes repeatedly violated Cuban airspace despite multiple warnings issued to Washington.&nbsp;“It is highly cynical that this accusation is made by the same government that has murdered nearly 200 people and destroyed 57 vessels in international waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific, far from the territory of the United States, with the disproportionate use of military force,” the statement read, referring to US operations against alleged drug-trafficking boats. The Cuban government further claimed the indictment was intended to justify “collective punishment” against the Cuban people.

Donald Trump praised the US indictment of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro over the 1996 plane shootdown, while Cuba condemned the charges as a political provocation. Families of the victims welcomed the indictment amid renewed debate over US-Cuba relations and the embargo

Donald Trump on Wednesday (May 20) praised the US indictment of former Cuban leader Raul Castro, but said he does not believe further escalation against Cuba is necessary amid growing speculation over Washington’s intentions toward the communist island. "I think it was a very big moment," Trump told reporters when asked about the charges against the 94-year-old Castro. "There won't be escalation. I don't think there needs to be. Look, the place is falling apart. It's a mess, and they sort of lost control." Trump also indicated that his administration would soon announce the long-standing US embargo on Cuba. “We’ll see. We’ll be announcing it pretty soon,” Trump said when asked how long the embargo would remain in place. The United States has maintained a decades-old economic embargo and oil restrictions on Cuba, measures that have intensified the island’s ongoing economic and energy crisis. Also Read: 'Bibi's hair was on fire': Trump, Netanyahu call turns tense over new Iran peace proposal, claims report Families of victims react The indictment stems from the 1996 shootdown of two civilian aircraft operated by the Miami-based humanitarian group Brothers to the Rescue. The planes were destroyed near the Cuban coast after being targeted with heat-seeking missiles. Prosecutors allege that Castro, who was serving as Cuba’s defence minister at the time, authorised the attack. Miriam de la Pena, whose son Mario was among the four men killed in the incident, welcomed the charges against Castro. “His age doesn’t matter; he can be brought in on a stretcher,” she told CNN regarding the former Cuban leader. Another relative reportedly added: “That’s what wheelchairs are for.” https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-secy-of-state-marco-rubio-to-begin-4-day-india-visit-on-may-23-1779297353533/embed Cuban reaction Residents in Havana pushed back against the indictment, describing it as a politically motivated move that could worsen tensions during an already fragile period in US-Cuba relations. In areas surrounding Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior and the headquarters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, several residents criticised the US action as a deliberate provocation. The Cuban government also strongly condemned the indictment, calling it a ‘despicable accusation’ against Castro. “It is a despicable and infamous act of political provocation,” the government said in a statement published online and broadcast on state television. Cuban authorities accused the United States of distorting facts surrounding the 1996 incident involving the downing of the two aircraft. Cuba has long defended the shootdown, arguing that the planes repeatedly violated Cuban airspace despite multiple warnings issued to Washington. “It is highly cynical that this accusation is made by the same government that has murdered nearly 200 people and destroyed 57 vessels in international waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific, far from the territory of the United States, with the disproportionate use of military force,” the statement read, referring to US operations against alleged drug-trafficking boats. The Cuban government further claimed the indictment was intended to justify “collective punishment” against the Cuban people.

Donald Trump praised Raul Castro’s indictment while Cuba condemned the charges as a political provocation tied to the 1996 plane shootdown

'There won't be escalation', says Trump as he calls indictment against Raul Castro 'very big moment'

Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a tense phone call on Tuesday (May 19) while discussing renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a deal with Iran, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversation. The discussions come as regional mediators attempt to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing uncertainty over possible military action and diplomatic compromise. Sources said a revised peace proposal was drafted by Qatar and Pakistan, with support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, in an effort to bridge major disagreements between the United States and Iran.&nbsp;Netanyahu is said to remain deeply skeptical about negotiations and reportedly favours resuming military operations to further weaken Iran’s military infrastructure and capabilities. Trump, however, has continued to publicly express optimism about the possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement while also warning that military action remains an option if negotiations fail. "The only question is, do we go and finish it up, or are they gonna be signing a document. Let's see what happens," Trump said on Wednesday (May 20) during remarks at the Coast Guard Academy.&nbsp;The US president also said Netanyahu ‘will do whatever I want him to do’ regarding Iran, while emphasising that the two leaders continue to maintain a strong relationship despite occasional disagreements over strategy. Iran has acknowledged it is reviewing an updated proposal, though officials have not indicated any major shift in Tehran’s position.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-welcome-to-israel-faces-backlash-after-minister-posts-videos-of-taunting-detained-flotilla-activists-global-leaders-condemn-tel-aviv-watch-1779302966537">'Welcome to...': Israel faces backlash after minister posts videos of taunting detained flotilla activists; global leaders condemn Tel Aviv | WATCH</a><h2>Regional mediation efforts intensify</h2>According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Qatar and Pakistan have spent recent days refining the proposal in coordination with other regional mediators. Two Arab officials and an Israeli source said Qatar recently presented both the United States and Iran with a revised draft. Another source disputed the existence of a separate Qatari proposal, saying Doha was instead attempting to bridge gaps based on an earlier Pakistani framework. One Arab official said Qatari representatives travelled to Tehran earlier this week for discussions with Iranian officials regarding the latest version of the proposal.&nbsp;Iran’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that talks were continuing 'based on Iran's 14-point proposal', adding that Pakistan’s interior minister had travelled to Tehran to support mediation efforts. It marked the second such visit in less than a week. An Arab official said the latest diplomatic push aims to secure clearer Iranian commitments regarding its nuclear programme, while also seeking more detailed assurances from Washington on the gradual release of frozen Iranian funds. Despite ongoing mediation, all three sources cautioned that it remains uncertain whether Iran will significantly soften its position or agree to the revised terms. "As said previously, Qatar has been and continues to support the Pakistan-led mediation efforts; we have been consistently advocating for de-escalation for the sake of the region and its people," a Qatari diplomat said.<h2>Tensions during Trump-Netanyahu call</h2>Behind the scenes, Trump and Netanyahu reportedly held a lengthy and difficult discussion on Tuesday evening. According to a US source briefed on the call, Trump informed Netanyahu that mediators were working on a ‘letter of intent’ that would be signed by both the United States and Iran to formally end hostilities and launch a 30-day negotiation process covering issues such as Iran’s nuclear activities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Two Israeli sources said the two leaders disagreed sharply over the best path forward, while a US source claimed that 'Bibi's hair was on fire after the call'.&nbsp;The source also alleged that Israel’s ambassador to Washington privately informed US lawmakers that Netanyahu was deeply concerned following the conversation. However, an embassy spokesperson rejected that characterisation, saying that the ambassador does not comment on private conversations. Other sources noted that Netanyahu has consistently expressed concerns during previous negotiation attempts, even when agreements ultimately failed to materialise. "Bibi is always concerned," one source said.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-battles-resurgent-diphtheria-outbreak-across-multiple-regions-1779297346661/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-battles-resurgent-diphtheria-outbreak-across-multiple-regions-1779297346661/embed</a><h2>Iran’s conditions for talks</h2>Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said successful negotiations would require the United States to end what Tehran described as ‘piracy’ against Iranian vessels and release frozen Iranian assets. The spokesperson also insisted that Israel must end its military operations in Lebanon. Both the White House and Netanyahu’s office declined to comment publicly on the reported discussions. Sources also hinted that Netanyahu is considering a visit to Washington in the coming weeks for further talks with Trump.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a tense call over renewed Iran negotiations as Qatar and Pakistan push a new mediation proposal. The talks focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, frozen assets, and avoiding renewed military conflict in the Middle East

Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held a tense phone call on Tuesday (May 19) while discussing renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a deal with Iran, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversation. The discussions come as regional mediators attempt to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran amid ongoing uncertainty over possible military action and diplomatic compromise. Sources said a revised peace proposal was drafted by Qatar and Pakistan, with support from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt, in an effort to bridge major disagreements between the United States and Iran. Netanyahu is said to remain deeply skeptical about negotiations and reportedly favours resuming military operations to further weaken Iran’s military infrastructure and capabilities. Trump, however, has continued to publicly express optimism about the possibility of reaching a diplomatic agreement while also warning that military action remains an option if negotiations fail. "The only question is, do we go and finish it up, or are they gonna be signing a document. Let's see what happens," Trump said on Wednesday (May 20) during remarks at the Coast Guard Academy. The US president also said Netanyahu ‘will do whatever I want him to do’ regarding Iran, while emphasising that the two leaders continue to maintain a strong relationship despite occasional disagreements over strategy. Iran has acknowledged it is reviewing an updated proposal, though officials have not indicated any major shift in Tehran’s position. Also Read: 'Welcome to...': Israel faces backlash after minister posts videos of taunting detained flotilla activists; global leaders condemn Tel Aviv | WATCH Regional mediation efforts intensify According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Qatar and Pakistan have spent recent days refining the proposal in coordination with other regional mediators. Two Arab officials and an Israeli source said Qatar recently presented both the United States and Iran with a revised draft. Another source disputed the existence of a separate Qatari proposal, saying Doha was instead attempting to bridge gaps based on an earlier Pakistani framework. One Arab official said Qatari representatives travelled to Tehran earlier this week for discussions with Iranian officials regarding the latest version of the proposal. Iran’s foreign ministry said on Wednesday that talks were continuing 'based on Iran's 14-point proposal', adding that Pakistan’s interior minister had travelled to Tehran to support mediation efforts. It marked the second such visit in less than a week. An Arab official said the latest diplomatic push aims to secure clearer Iranian commitments regarding its nuclear programme, while also seeking more detailed assurances from Washington on the gradual release of frozen Iranian funds. Despite ongoing mediation, all three sources cautioned that it remains uncertain whether Iran will significantly soften its position or agree to the revised terms. "As said previously, Qatar has been and continues to support the Pakistan-led mediation efforts; we have been consistently advocating for de-escalation for the sake of the region and its people," a Qatari diplomat said. Tensions during Trump-Netanyahu call Behind the scenes, Trump and Netanyahu reportedly held a lengthy and difficult discussion on Tuesday evening. According to a US source briefed on the call, Trump informed Netanyahu that mediators were working on a ‘letter of intent’ that would be signed by both the United States and Iran to formally end hostilities and launch a 30-day negotiation process covering issues such as Iran’s nuclear activities and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Two Israeli sources said the two leaders disagreed sharply over the best path forward, while a US source claimed that 'Bibi's hair was on fire after the call'. The source also alleged that Israel’s ambassador to Washington privately informed US lawmakers that Netanyahu was deeply concerned following the conversation. However, an embassy spokesperson rejected that characterisation, saying that the ambassador does not comment on private conversations. Other sources noted that Netanyahu has consistently expressed concerns during previous negotiation attempts, even when agreements ultimately failed to materialise. "Bibi is always concerned," one source said. https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-battles-resurgent-diphtheria-outbreak-across-multiple-regions-1779297346661/embed Iran’s conditions for talks Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said successful negotiations would require the United States to end what Tehran described as ‘piracy’ against Iranian vessels and release frozen Iranian assets. The spokesperson also insisted that Israel must end its military operations in Lebanon. Both the White House and Netanyahu’s office declined to comment publicly on the reported discussions. Sources also hinted that Netanyahu is considering a visit to Washington in the coming weeks for further talks with Trump. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly clashed over Iran talks as regional mediators push a new proposal to avoid renewed conflict

'Bibi's hair was on fire': Trump, Netanyahu call turns tense over new Iran peace proposal, claims report

#Gravitas During a heated U.S. House Armed Services Committee hearing, Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton clashed with Central Command Commander Admiral Brad Cooper over the human cost of the Iran war.


US Admiral Defends Missile Strike on Iran Girls' School 

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) was reportedly prevented from aggressively pursuing aspects of an investigation involving former US President Donald Trump, according to new revelations that have reignited debate over political influence and accountability within federal institutions. The report has sparked criticism from both political allies and opponents as questions grow over the handling of high-profile tax probes in the United States.


IRS Barred From Chasing Trump in Tax Probe

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any resumption in the war now will have repercussions that extend beyond the region. This comes as a response to US President Donald Trump's threat that strikes could resume within days. In an official statement released on Wednesday, IRGC warned that despite recent attacks carried out by the “two of the most expensive armies in the world” Iran has yet to use its complete strategic capacity.&nbsp;"Although they attacked us with the full capabilities of two of the most expensive armies in the world, we did not deploy all the capacities of the Islamic Revolution against them," the IRGC said in a statement as reported by the Tasnim News Agency.IRGC said that if the US and Israel do not contemplate their strategic mistakes, then the regional war will spill into extra-regional conflict. The IRGC threatened to deliver crushing blows in a completely unexpected location. Iran still holds much of the strategic advantage; it is yet to unleash its next strategic weapon, the Bab-el-Mandeb (Gate of Tears), which could further cripple the global energy supply. Further, both the strategic chokepoints host some of the most important clusters of subsea cable networks vital to the functioning of the digital ecosystem.&nbsp;"We are men of war. You will witness our strength on the battlefield, not in hollow statements or virtual pages," added the IRGC.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russia-tests-two-seat-su-57d-stealth-fighter-for-drone-warfare-missions-1779273044922">Su-57 Felon goes dual-seat: Russia tests stealth jet designed for drone warfare</a><h2>Araghchi warns of 'more surprises' if war resumes</h2>Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran has gained military knowledge from previous conflicts, and a return to war will have more surprises.&nbsp;"Months after the initiation of the war on Iran, the US Congress acknowledged the loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions. Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as 1st to strike down a touted F-35. With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises," wrote Araghchi in X.These warnings came as US President Donald Trump left the door open for further attack, suggesting that he called off an attack as negotiations were going on. “I hope we don’t have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” said Trump, suggesting that a decision could come with “two or three days – maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or early next week”.&nbsp;

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any renewed war with the US and Israel could expand beyond the Middle East, as Donald Trump threatened fresh strikes within days.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that any resumption in the war now will have repercussions that extend beyond the region. This comes as a response to US President Donald Trump's threat that strikes could resume within days. In an official statement released on Wednesday, IRGC warned that despite recent attacks carried out by the “two of the most expensive armies in the world” Iran has yet to use its complete strategic capacity. "Although they attacked us with the full capabilities of two of the most expensive armies in the world, we did not deploy all the capacities of the Islamic Revolution against them," the IRGC said in a statement as reported by the Tasnim News Agency. IRGC said that if the US and Israel do not contemplate their strategic mistakes, then the regional war will spill into extra-regional conflict. The IRGC threatened to deliver crushing blows in a completely unexpected location. Iran still holds much of the strategic advantage; it is yet to unleash its next strategic weapon, the Bab-el-Mandeb (Gate of Tears), which could further cripple the global energy supply. Further, both the strategic chokepoints host some of the most important clusters of subsea cable networks vital to the functioning of the digital ecosystem. "We are men of war. You will witness our strength on the battlefield, not in hollow statements or virtual pages," added the IRGC. Also Read: Su-57 Felon goes dual-seat: Russia tests stealth jet designed for drone warfare Araghchi warns of 'more surprises' if war resumes Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that Tehran has gained military knowledge from previous conflicts, and a return to war will have more surprises. "Months after the initiation of the war on Iran, the US Congress acknowledged the loss of dozens of aircraft worth billions. Our powerful Armed Forces are confirmed as 1st to strike down a touted F-35. With lessons learned and knowledge we gained, return to war will feature many more surprises," wrote Araghchi in X. These warnings came as US President Donald Trump left the door open for further attack, suggesting that he called off an attack as negotiations were going on. “I hope we don’t have to do the war, but we may have to give them another big hit,” said Trump, suggesting that a decision could come with “two or three days – maybe Friday, Saturday, Sunday, or early next week”.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that any renewed war with the US and Israel could expand beyond the Middle East, as Donald Trump threatened fresh strikes within days.

IRGC warns renewed war could spill beyond West Asia after Trump threats

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 19, said that the war with Iran will end 'very quickly' causing the global oil prices to decrease drastically. While speaking to the press in Washington, he again said that Tehran wanted to make a deal badly and that there was an abundant supply of oil. His comments came soon after the US Senate voted 50-47 to limit US President Donald Trump's war powers in Iran.&nbsp;“There's so much oil out there, they're going to come plummeting down..We're going to end that war very quickly. They want to make a deal so badly...You are going to see oil prices plummet. They're going to come down. There's so much oil out there, they're going to come plummeting down,” said US President Donald Trump. Oil prices fell after Trump's announcement. Brent futures eased 45 cents to $110.83 per barrel while WTI futures eased 27 cents to $103.88 per barrel.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-xi-trump-putin-ukraine-report-1779197191548">'Completely false': China rejects report claiming Xi told Trump Putin may regret invading Ukraine</a>US Senate passed the War Powers Resolution on its eighth attempt with support from four Republican senators. "After seven failed attempts, I am thankful that my Republican colleagues have joined in bringing our War Powers Resolution to the Floor and exercising our constitutional responsibility to declare war,” said Democrat Senator Tim Caine. Senator Bernie Sanders also welcomed the resolution. However, the step marks the first step in the resolution, even if both chambers approved the resolution, Trump is expected to veto it.&nbsp;The development follows after he was "an hour away" from making a decision to order new strikes on Iran, but refrained from doing so as the Gulf allies advised against it. Before Trump called off the strike on Monday, Iran said it had sent another set of amended terms for a potential peace deal, and reminded that the US, rather than Iran, was desperate for a ceasefire.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war would end “very quickly” and predicted oil prices would plummet amid abundant supply, shortly after the US Senate voted to limit his war powers in Iran.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, May 19, said that the war with Iran will end 'very quickly' causing the global oil prices to decrease drastically. While speaking to the press in Washington, he again said that Tehran wanted to make a deal badly and that there was an abundant supply of oil. His comments came soon after the US Senate voted 50-47 to limit US President Donald Trump's war powers in Iran. “There's so much oil out there, they're going to come plummeting down..We're going to end that war very quickly. They want to make a deal so badly...You are going to see oil prices plummet. They're going to come down. There's so much oil out there, they're going to come plummeting down,” said US President Donald Trump. Oil prices fell after Trump's announcement. Brent futures eased 45 cents to $110.83 per barrel while WTI futures eased 27 cents to $103.88 per barrel. Also Read: 'Completely false': China rejects report claiming Xi told Trump Putin may regret invading Ukraine US Senate passed the War Powers Resolution on its eighth attempt with support from four Republican senators. "After seven failed attempts, I am thankful that my Republican colleagues have joined in bringing our War Powers Resolution to the Floor and exercising our constitutional responsibility to declare war,” said Democrat Senator Tim Caine. Senator Bernie Sanders also welcomed the resolution. However, the step marks the first step in the resolution, even if both chambers approved the resolution, Trump is expected to veto it. The development follows after he was "an hour away" from making a decision to order new strikes on Iran, but refrained from doing so as the Gulf allies advised against it. Before Trump called off the strike on Monday, Iran said it had sent another set of amended terms for a potential peace deal, and reminded that the US, rather than Iran, was desperate for a ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump said the Iran war would end “very quickly” and predicted oil prices would plummet amid abundant supply, shortly after the US Senate voted to limit his war powers in Iran.

Trump says Iran war will end ‘very quickly’, predicts oil prices will ‘plummet’ after Senate's War Powers Resolution

US President Donald Trump and his family on Tuesday (May 19) received a hush-hush blanket escape from any tax audits or penalties for unpaid taxes. The Trump family received this tax break as part of the settlement after Trump withdrew his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The one-page document bearing the signature of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was posted one day after the US Justice Department revealed the creation of a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund, which critics warned could be used to pay out Trump allies using taxpayer dollars.<h2>Trump "FOREVER" exempt from IRS prosecution</h2>The vaguely worded document posted on the DOJ website states that the IRS is "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED" from pursuing claims, examinations, or enforcement actions tied to Trump and related entities for tax filings submitted before the agreement’s effective date.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-day-after-reaffirming-unwavering-commitment-to-punishing-moscow-uk-quietly-eases-russian-oil-sanctions-as-fuel-prices-climb-india-import-1779245613212">UK quietly eases Russian oil sanctions despite vowing 'unwavering' commitment to punishing Moscow</a><h2>Controversy explodes</h2>The settlement itself stems from Trump’s earlier $10 billion lawsuit against the federal government after confidential tax documents were leaked by a contractor in 2019 and 2020.But what makes the situation politically explosive is that Trump, while serving as president, was effectively suing the very government his administration controls. That unusual dynamic has fuelled accusations of conflict of interest.Democrats call it ‘corruption in plain sight’Democratic lawmakers reacted furiously to the Trump tax break, with Senator Ron Wyden calling the agreement "another heinously corrupt act by the most corrupt administration in history," arguing that it was a violation of "law that prohibits interference by executive branch officials in IRS audits".Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-and-xi-meet-in-beijing-days-after-trump-s-china-visit-1779248512733">Putin and Xi meet in Beijing days after Trump's China visit</a>Congressman Richard Neal accused Trump of turning government into a "personal protection racket," claiming taxpayers were now funding legal settlements "while steering $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars toward his friends, cronies, and Trump-affiliated companies," and calling the act "self-dealing at its most grotesque". &nbsp;

According to a one-page agreement signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the IRS is allegedly “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing claims, examinations or enforcement actions connected to Trump and family. All you need to know.

US President Donald Trump and his family on Tuesday (May 19) received a hush-hush blanket escape from any tax audits or penalties for unpaid taxes. The Trump family received this tax break as part of the settlement after Trump withdrew his $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS. The one-page document bearing the signature of Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was posted one day after the US Justice Department revealed the creation of a $1.776 billion "anti-weaponisation" fund, which critics warned could be used to pay out Trump allies using taxpayer dollars. Trump "FOREVER" exempt from IRS prosecution The vaguely worded document posted on the DOJ website states that the IRS is "FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED" from pursuing claims, examinations, or enforcement actions tied to Trump and related entities for tax filings submitted before the agreement’s effective date. Also read | UK quietly eases Russian oil sanctions despite vowing 'unwavering' commitment to punishing Moscow Controversy explodes The settlement itself stems from Trump’s earlier $10 billion lawsuit against the federal government after confidential tax documents were leaked by a contractor in 2019 and 2020. But what makes the situation politically explosive is that Trump, while serving as president, was effectively suing the very government his administration controls. That unusual dynamic has fuelled accusations of conflict of interest. Democrats call it ‘corruption in plain sight’ Democratic lawmakers reacted furiously to the Trump tax break, with Senator Ron Wyden calling the agreement "another heinously corrupt act by the most corrupt administration in history," arguing that it was a violation of "law that prohibits interference by executive branch officials in IRS audits". Also read | Putin and Xi meet in Beijing days after Trump's China visit Congressman Richard Neal accused Trump of turning government into a "personal protection racket," claiming taxpayers were now funding legal settlements "while steering $1.8 billion in taxpayer dollars toward his friends, cronies, and Trump-affiliated companies," and calling the act "self-dealing at its most grotesque".

According to a one-page agreement signed by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the IRS is allegedly “FOREVER BARRED and PRECLUDED” from pursuing claims, examinations or enforcement actions connected to Trump and family. All you need to know.

'Corruption in plain sight': Trump and family get ‘FOREVER’ shield from IRS audits after hush-hush settlement. All you need to know

Iran has once again trolled Donald Trump by mocking his revelation that the United States was an hour away from launching new attacks on the country. It used Melania Trump this time to hit back with a scathing response.

'Gotta drop off Melania for nail appointment': Iran trolls Donald Trump for his 'one hour away' from bombing comment

The Senate on Tuesday (May 19) voted to advance a war powers resolution seeking to compel President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran unless he secures congressional authorization to continue military operations. The measure passed 50-47, marking the first time the Senate has successfully moved the bill forward after seven previous failed attempts since the conflict started in February. Four Republicans joined nearly all Senate Democrats in backing the resolution.&nbsp;Among them was Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his primary race after Trump endorsed his challenger. Cassidy said concerns over the administration’s handling of the war influenced his vote. “While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” Cassidy wrote on social media after the vote. “In Louisiana, I’ve heard from people, including President Trump’s supporters, who are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/primary-elections-thomas-massie-loses-kentucky-gop-primary-to-trump-backed-ed-gallrein-in-high-stakes-race-1779235747103">Primary elections: Thomas Massie loses Kentucky GOP primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein in high-stakes race</a>&nbsp;Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins also supported advancing the resolution, repeating their stance from earlier votes. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose the measure, while three Republicans did not cast votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the outcome as a sign that Republican resistance to Trump’s war strategy was weakening.&nbsp;“Vote by vote, Democrats are breaking through Republicans’ wall of silence on Trump’s illegal war,” Schumer said in a statement. “For more than 80 days, Trump has dragged America into a costly, chaotic conflict with no plan, no objective, and no legal authority. Today proved our pressure is working: Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check him. We are not letting up.” Tuesday’s procedural victory is only the first step toward full passage of the resolution. Even if it clears both the Senate and House, Trump is widely expected to veto the measure.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kentucky-trump-vows-to-defeat-thomas-massie-1779219930888/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/kentucky-trump-vows-to-defeat-thomas-massie-1779219930888/embed</a>&nbsp;Democrats, however, view the vote as an opportunity to force Republicans to publicly define their position on the increasingly unpopular conflict. Ahead of the vote, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who sponsored the bill, urged lawmakers to debate the long-term implications of the war. “The Senate should use this moment to do what we should have done before the war started, discuss the rationale, strategy, end state, and costs to American taxpayers and our economy,” Kaine said.

The Senate advanced a war powers resolution aimed at ending Donald Trump’s Iran war without congressional approval, with four Republicans joining Democrats in a crucial vote

The Senate on Tuesday (May 19) voted to advance a war powers resolution seeking to compel President Donald Trump to end the war in Iran unless he secures congressional authorization to continue military operations. The measure passed 50-47, marking the first time the Senate has successfully moved the bill forward after seven previous failed attempts since the conflict started in February. Four Republicans joined nearly all Senate Democrats in backing the resolution. Among them was Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his primary race after Trump endorsed his challenger. Cassidy said concerns over the administration’s handling of the war influenced his vote. “While I support the administration’s efforts to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, the White House and Pentagon have left Congress in the dark on Operation Epic Fury,” Cassidy wrote on social media after the vote. “In Louisiana, I’ve heard from people, including President Trump’s supporters, who are concerned about this war. Until the administration provides clarity, no congressional authorization or extension can be justified.” Also Read: Primary elections: Thomas Massie loses Kentucky GOP primary to Trump-backed Ed Gallrein in high-stakes race Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Susan Collins also supported advancing the resolution, repeating their stance from earlier votes. Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman was the only Democrat to oppose the measure, while three Republicans did not cast votes. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer hailed the outcome as a sign that Republican resistance to Trump’s war strategy was weakening. “Vote by vote, Democrats are breaking through Republicans’ wall of silence on Trump’s illegal war,” Schumer said in a statement. “For more than 80 days, Trump has dragged America into a costly, chaotic conflict with no plan, no objective, and no legal authority. Today proved our pressure is working: Republicans are starting to crack, and momentum is building to check him. We are not letting up.” Tuesday’s procedural victory is only the first step toward full passage of the resolution. Even if it clears both the Senate and House, Trump is widely expected to veto the measure. https://www.wionews.com/videos/kentucky-trump-vows-to-defeat-thomas-massie-1779219930888/embed Democrats, however, view the vote as an opportunity to force Republicans to publicly define their position on the increasingly unpopular conflict. Ahead of the vote, Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, who sponsored the bill, urged lawmakers to debate the long-term implications of the war. “The Senate should use this moment to do what we should have done before the war started, discuss the rationale, strategy, end state, and costs to American taxpayers and our economy,” Kaine said.

US Senate advances resolution seeking to limit Donald Trump’s Iran war powers as four Republicans join Democrats in key vote

US Senate votes 50-47 to advance resolution to curb Trump's Iran war powers

A day after US President Donald Trump declared that he had postponed fresh strikes against Iran at the request of Gulf countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Trump on Tuesday (May 19) claimed that the United States had come extremely close to launching a military strike against Iran, saying he was just one hour away from ordering the attack and that ships and boats had already been loaded in preparation.&nbsp;Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President accused Iran of being “the bully of the Middle East for 47 years” and stressed that Washington must ensure that the country “doesn’t get a nuclear weapon”.&nbsp;“We are negotiating with Iran. They are begging to make a deal,” Trump said, while also warning that further military action could still be possible. “We may have to give them another big hit, I’m not sure,” he added.&nbsp;Trump also reiterated his claim that Iran’s missile capabilities had been significantly weakened, even as Tehran remained defiant and threatened consequences if the US launched fresh strikes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-under-yellow-alert-as-india-dominates-world-s-hottest-cities-list-1779196599869">Delhi sizzles at 45.1°C amid yellow alert; intense heatwave grips north and central India</a>&nbsp;“Iran’s missiles are 82 per cent gone. They still have a little capacity,” he told reporters.<h2>Trump says China assures no weapons for Iran</h2>The US President revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing would not provide military support to Iran.&nbsp;“President Xi has promised me he won’t send any weapons to Iran,” Trump said, adding that the two leaders shared a strong personal rapport.&nbsp;Trump further claimed that China wanted the Strait of Hormuz to remain operational amid rising regional tensions.&nbsp;“China wants Hormuz open, we will get it open,” he said.&nbsp;Referring to the ongoing conflict, Trump thanked Americans for their patience and suggested that the war would continue for some more time.&nbsp;“I appreciate everybody putting up with the war. It will just be a little while longer,” he said.Trump also pointed to the performance of the US economy and stock markets despite the conflict.&nbsp;“Even during the war, we had the highest stock market we’ve ever had,” he claimed.“Most people agree with me over Iran. Everybody says Iran shouldn’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said.&nbsp;These remarks came after Trump on Monday announced that he was postponing a planned military attack on Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday following requests from Gulf leaders and amid renewed negotiations with Tehran. He made the announcement on Truth Social shortly after Iran confirmed it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict.&nbsp;The president said he would “hold off on our planned military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow”.&nbsp;The Gulf nations believe “a Deal will be made” that includes “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump added. Trump also said he had informed the US military “that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow.” However, he warned that military action could resume if talks fail. “I have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, if an acceptable Deal is not reached,” he said.,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the United States was negotiating with Iran, claiming that Tehran was “begging” for an agreement while warning of fresh strikes if peace talks fail.

A day after US President Donald Trump declared that he had postponed fresh strikes against Iran at the request of Gulf countries including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, Trump on Tuesday (May 19) claimed that the United States had come extremely close to launching a military strike against Iran, saying he was just one hour away from ordering the attack and that ships and boats had already been loaded in preparation. Speaking to reporters at the White House, the US President accused Iran of being “the bully of the Middle East for 47 years” and stressed that Washington must ensure that the country “doesn’t get a nuclear weapon”. “We are negotiating with Iran. They are begging to make a deal,” Trump said, while also warning that further military action could still be possible. “We may have to give them another big hit, I’m not sure,” he added. Trump also reiterated his claim that Iran’s missile capabilities had been significantly weakened, even as Tehran remained defiant and threatened consequences if the US launched fresh strikes. Also Read: Delhi sizzles at 45.1°C amid yellow alert; intense heatwave grips north and central India “Iran’s missiles are 82 per cent gone. They still have a little capacity,” he told reporters. Trump says China assures no weapons for Iran The US President revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him that Beijing would not provide military support to Iran. “President Xi has promised me he won’t send any weapons to Iran,” Trump said, adding that the two leaders shared a strong personal rapport. Trump further claimed that China wanted the Strait of Hormuz to remain operational amid rising regional tensions. “China wants Hormuz open, we will get it open,” he said. Referring to the ongoing conflict, Trump thanked Americans for their patience and suggested that the war would continue for some more time. “I appreciate everybody putting up with the war. It will just be a little while longer,” he said. Trump also pointed to the performance of the US economy and stock markets despite the conflict. “Even during the war, we had the highest stock market we’ve ever had,” he claimed. “Most people agree with me over Iran. Everybody says Iran shouldn’t have a nuclear weapon,” he said. These remarks came after Trump on Monday announced that he was postponing a planned military attack on Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday following requests from Gulf leaders and amid renewed negotiations with Tehran. He made the announcement on Truth Social shortly after Iran confirmed it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The president said he would “hold off on our planned military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow”. The Gulf nations believe “a Deal will be made” that includes “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump added. Trump also said he had informed the US military “that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow.” However, he warned that military action could resume if talks fail. “I have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, if an acceptable Deal is not reached,” he said.,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump said the United States was negotiating with Iran, claiming that Tehran was “begging” for an agreement while warning of fresh strikes if peace talks fail.

'I was an hour away from striking Iran': Trump warns attack possible at ‘moment’s notice’ if negotiation fails

US President Donald Trump announced that he is postponing a planned military attack on Iran that was scheduled for Tuesday after requests from Gulf leaders and amid renewed negotiations with Tehran. Trump made the announcement Monday on his Truth Social platform shortly after Iran confirmed it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The president said he would “hold off on our planned Military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow.”&nbsp;According to Trump, leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates urged him to delay the strike because “serious negotiations are now taking place.”The Gulf nations believe “a Deal will be made” that includes “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump added. Trump also said he had informed the US military “that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow.” However, he warned that military action could resume if talks fail. “I have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, if an acceptable Deal is not reached,” he said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-100-die-in-dr-congo-due-to-ebola-outbreak-six-americans-exposed-cdc-takes-steps-to-prevent-spread-1779130402880">At least 100 die in DR Congo due to Ebola outbreak, six Americans exposed; CDC takes steps to prevent spread</a>

In recent days, Trump has intensified pressure on Iran following his return from China, where he met President Xi Jinping. Late Sunday, Trump warned that the ‘clock is ticking’ and threatened that “there won’t be anything left” of Iran if no agreement is reached. The United States and Israel have been engaged in conflict with Iran since joint military strikes were launched in late February, escalating tensions across the Middle East and driving global energy prices higher.&nbsp;Efforts to end the war have made little progress, with the two sides holding only one round of talks in Pakistan despite a temporary ceasefire reached in April. Iran’s Fars news agency reported Sunday that Washington submitted a five-point proposal demanding that Iran operate only one nuclear site and transfer its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to the US. According to the report, Tehran’s response emphasized that Iran would continue managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-magnetic-mystery-inside-bees-scientists-unlock-bee-navigation-secret-1779123644611/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-magnetic-mystery-inside-bees-scientists-unlock-bee-navigation-secret-1779123644611/embed</a>&nbsp;This critical global energy route has remained largely closed since the war started. On Monday, the newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority announced it would provide real-time updates on X regarding developments and operations in the waterway. Trump has insisted that Iran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz as part of any future agreement.&nbsp;Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, the US, Gulf nations, and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

Donald Trump postpones planned US attack on Iran after Gulf leaders request delay amid renewed nuclear negotiations and rising Middle East tensions

US President Donald Trump announced that he is postponing a planned military attack on Iran that was scheduled for Tuesday after requests from Gulf leaders and amid renewed negotiations with Tehran. Trump made the announcement Monday on his Truth Social platform shortly after Iran confirmed it had responded to a new US proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict. The president said he would “hold off on our planned Military attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, which was scheduled for tomorrow.” According to Trump, leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates urged him to delay the strike because “serious negotiations are now taking place.” The Gulf nations believe “a Deal will be made” that includes “NO NUCLEAR WEAPONS FOR IRAN!” Trump added. Trump also said he had informed the US military “that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow.” However, he warned that military action could resume if talks fail. “I have further instructed them to be prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment’s notice, if an acceptable Deal is not reached,” he said. Also Read: At least 100 die in DR Congo due to Ebola outbreak, six Americans exposed; CDC takes steps to prevent spread

Trump delays planned Iran strike after Gulf leaders push for talks as nuclear negotiations continue and Middle East tensions remain high

Trump says holding off planned military attack on Iran at request of Gulf leaders; issues fresh warning

A new poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that most voters believe President Donald Trump made the wrong decision by going to war with Iran, creating political challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The survey showed that nearly two-thirds of voters opposed the war, with many saying the conflict was not worth the cost. Independent voters were especially critical, with almost three-quarters saying the decision was wrong. Trump’s approval rating dropped to 37 per cent, the lowest level recorded in his second term by the Times/Siena polls. Economic concerns also increased, with majorities of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy, inflation, immigration, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.&nbsp;Independent voters have become increasingly dissatisfied with the president. Sixty-nine percent said they disapproved of his performance, compared to 62 per cent in January. Nearly half of independents said Trump’s policies had negatively affected them personally. Overall, 44 per cent of voters said Trump’s policies had hurt them, an increase from 36 per cent last fall. “He’s not doing what he said he was going to do,” said Brent Klein Jr., a Republican who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020 and 2024. “That’s my biggest frustration with him.” Klein, a 43-year-old cleaning company owner from Branson, Missouri, said he was ‘very pissed off’ about Trump’s decision to strike Iran without congressional approval. “I just want my family to live a good, healthy life,” he added, and to not have to “constantly pay more and more and more for food products and stuff.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-extends-sanctions-waiver-for-russian-oil-purchases-by-30-days-amid-hormuz-tensions-1779126312212">US extends sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases by 30 days amid Hormuz tensions</a>&nbsp;Republicans still maintain some advantages ahead of the elections, particularly through congressional map redistricting in Republican-led states, which could create several favorable House districts. However, Democrats are also struggling to improve their image with voters. Only 26 per cent of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic Party. Many Democratic voters expressed frustration with their own party. Forty-four percent of Democrats said they were dissatisfied, criticizing party leaders for not taking stronger action against Trump. Despite dissatisfaction with both parties, Democrats currently hold a 10-point advantage over Republicans in a hypothetical midterm election matchup among registered voters. Democrats also showed stronger enthusiasm among likely voters.&nbsp;The poll revealed growing opposition to further military action against Iran. 52 per cent of voters said Trump should not resume military operations if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program fail. In addition, 63 per cent of voters, including more than a quarter of Republicans, said presidents should not use military force without congressional approval. Still, most Republican voters continue to support the conflict. Seventy percent said military operations should continue if talks fail, and many believe the war will stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-s-controversial-law-legalises-child-marriage-in-afghanistan-1779123678525/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-s-controversial-law-legalises-child-marriage-in-afghanistan-1779123678525/embed</a>&nbsp;Economic concerns have worsened since the conflict began. Rising gas prices and inflation have increased financial pressure on households and businesses. The survey showed that nearly half of voters now rate the economy as poor, an increase of 11 percentage points since January. Even Republican voters were divided in their assessment of economic conditions. Only 28 percent of voters approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, marking another decline from earlier in the year. Trump recently dismissed concerns about the economic impact of the conflict, saying Americans’ financial struggles were not influencing his decisions regarding Iran. Immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue politically, with his approval rating on the topic holding at 41 per cent.

A New York Times/Siena poll shows most voters oppose Donald Trump’s Iran war decision as approval ratings decline, inflation rises, and Democrats gain momentum ahead of the midterm elections

A new poll by The New York Times and Siena College found that most voters believe President Donald Trump made the wrong decision by going to war with Iran, creating political challenges for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. The survey showed that nearly two-thirds of voters opposed the war, with many saying the conflict was not worth the cost. Independent voters were especially critical, with almost three-quarters saying the decision was wrong. Trump’s approval rating dropped to 37 per cent, the lowest level recorded in his second term by the Times/Siena polls. Economic concerns also increased, with majorities of voters disapproving of his handling of the economy, inflation, immigration, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Independent voters have become increasingly dissatisfied with the president. Sixty-nine percent said they disapproved of his performance, compared to 62 per cent in January. Nearly half of independents said Trump’s policies had negatively affected them personally. Overall, 44 per cent of voters said Trump’s policies had hurt them, an increase from 36 per cent last fall. “He’s not doing what he said he was going to do,” said Brent Klein Jr., a Republican who voted for Mr. Trump in 2020 and 2024. “That’s my biggest frustration with him.” Klein, a 43-year-old cleaning company owner from Branson, Missouri, said he was ‘very pissed off’ about Trump’s decision to strike Iran without congressional approval. “I just want my family to live a good, healthy life,” he added, and to not have to “constantly pay more and more and more for food products and stuff.” Also Read: US extends sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases by 30 days amid Hormuz tensions Republicans still maintain some advantages ahead of the elections, particularly through congressional map redistricting in Republican-led states, which could create several favorable House districts. However, Democrats are also struggling to improve their image with voters. Only 26 per cent of voters said they were satisfied with the Democratic Party. Many Democratic voters expressed frustration with their own party. Forty-four percent of Democrats said they were dissatisfied, criticizing party leaders for not taking stronger action against Trump. Despite dissatisfaction with both parties, Democrats currently hold a 10-point advantage over Republicans in a hypothetical midterm election matchup among registered voters. Democrats also showed stronger enthusiasm among likely voters. The poll revealed growing opposition to further military action against Iran. 52 per cent of voters said Trump should not resume military operations if negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program fail. In addition, 63 per cent of voters, including more than a quarter of Republicans, said presidents should not use military force without congressional approval. Still, most Republican voters continue to support the conflict. Seventy percent said military operations should continue if talks fail, and many believe the war will stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-s-controversial-law-legalises-child-marriage-in-afghanistan-1779123678525/embed Economic concerns have worsened since the conflict began. Rising gas prices and inflation have increased financial pressure on households and businesses. The survey showed that nearly half of voters now rate the economy as poor, an increase of 11 percentage points since January. Even Republican voters were divided in their assessment of economic conditions. Only 28 percent of voters approved of Trump’s handling of the cost of living, marking another decline from earlier in the year. Trump recently dismissed concerns about the economic impact of the conflict, saying Americans’ financial struggles were not influencing his decisions regarding Iran. Immigration remains Trump’s strongest issue politically, with his approval rating on the topic holding at 41 per cent.

Most voters oppose Donald Trump’s Iran war decision as approval ratings fall, economic worries grow, and Democrats gain midterm momentum

Trump's approval drops sharply as economic concerns and Iran war cloud GOP midterm elections outlook

US President Donald Trump on Monday (May 18) moved to dismiss his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax return information by an agency contractor to news outlets. The notice of voluntary dismissal was filed in a federal court in Miami.&nbsp;Trump, along with his eldest sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, as well as the Trump Organisation, had sued the IRS and the Treasury Department. The lawsuit sought an 11-figure payout under a federal law that allows Americans to seek damages from the government if confidential taxpayer information is unlawfully disclosed.&nbsp;The development came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of a $1.7 billion “Anti-Weaponisation Fund” aimed at processing claims from individuals who allege they faced politically motivated action or “lawfare” from the IRS.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-s-fresh-offer-insufficient-for-a-deal-risks-resumption-of-war-senior-us-official-1779121624177">Iran’s fresh offer ‘insufficient’ for a deal, risks resumption of war: Senior US official</a>&nbsp;According to the DOJ, Trump agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for the creation of the fund. However, neither Trump nor his sons will receive any payment from it. Instead, they will receive a formal apology.&nbsp;Reports suggested that Trump was willing to drop the IRS case as part of a wider settlement arrangement. However, the federal court filing submitted on Monday made no mention of any such agreement.&nbsp;Earlier this year, Trump’s legal team had indicated that settlement talks could be underway after seeking a 90-day pause in the proceedings.&nbsp;The announcement immediately drew criticism from Democrats as Rep Jamie Raskin questioned whether such a fund could legally be created without approval from Congress.&nbsp;“Creating this one point: seven billion dollar political slush fund at the Department of Justice in Congress would never pass that there’s no way he could get that through Congress,” Raskin said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”&nbsp;“So this is just an invention on his part, but even if Congress wanted to do it, I think it’s clearly unconstitutional on a number of grounds to begin with,” he added.

The move followed the Justice Department’s announcement of a proposed $1.7 billion compensation programme for people who claim they were unfairly targeted by the IRS for political reasons during previous administrations.

US President Donald Trump on Monday (May 18) moved to dismiss his $10 billion lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over the leak of his tax return information by an agency contractor to news outlets. The notice of voluntary dismissal was filed in a federal court in Miami. Trump, along with his eldest sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, as well as the Trump Organisation, had sued the IRS and the Treasury Department. The lawsuit sought an 11-figure payout under a federal law that allows Americans to seek damages from the government if confidential taxpayer information is unlawfully disclosed. The development came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of a $1.7 billion “Anti-Weaponisation Fund” aimed at processing claims from individuals who allege they faced politically motivated action or “lawfare” from the IRS. Also Read: Iran’s fresh offer ‘insufficient’ for a deal, risks resumption of war: Senior US official According to the DOJ, Trump agreed to drop the lawsuit in exchange for the creation of the fund. However, neither Trump nor his sons will receive any payment from it. Instead, they will receive a formal apology. Reports suggested that Trump was willing to drop the IRS case as part of a wider settlement arrangement. However, the federal court filing submitted on Monday made no mention of any such agreement. Earlier this year, Trump’s legal team had indicated that settlement talks could be underway after seeking a 90-day pause in the proceedings. The announcement immediately drew criticism from Democrats as Rep Jamie Raskin questioned whether such a fund could legally be created without approval from Congress. “Creating this one point: seven billion dollar political slush fund at the Department of Justice in Congress would never pass that there’s no way he could get that through Congress,” Raskin said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” “So this is just an invention on his part, but even if Congress wanted to do it, I think it’s clearly unconstitutional on a number of grounds to begin with,” he added.

The move followed the Justice Department’s announcement of a proposed $1.7 billion compensation programme for people who claim they were unfairly targeted by the IRS for political reasons during previous administrations.

Trump moves to dismiss $10 billion lawsuit against IRS over leaked tax returns

Iran’s fresh proposal for a deal to end the war is not a meaningful improvement and is insufficient for a deal, reported Axios on Monday, citing a senior US official briefed on the issue. The US will have to continue the negotiations “through bombs” if Iran won’t shift its position, the US official was quoted as saying in the report.&nbsp;Tehran’s fresh proposal includes more words on Iran’s commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but no detailed commitments about suspending uranium enrichment or handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the Axios report cited the official as saying.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-deploys-8-000-troops-fighter-jets-and-air-defense-system-to-saudi-arabia-under-defence-pact-while-playing-mediator-1779114709036">Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defense system to Saudi Arabia under defence pact, also plays mediator</a><h2>‘No sanctions relief will happen for free’</h2>&nbsp;Reacting to Iranian state media’s claims that the US had agreed to waive Iran’s oil sanctions during negotiations, the US official said no sanctions relief will happen “for free” without any reciprocal action by Iran.&nbsp;Iran reportedly sent a fresh, updated proposal through Pakistan, but the White House did not find any meaningful improvement and said it is insufficient for a deal.&nbsp;US officials say President Trump wants a deal to end the war but is considering resuming it due to Iran’s rejection of many of his demands and refusal to make meaningful concessions on its nuclear programme.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-s-ties-with-norway-trusted-futuristic-and-long-term-says-pm-modi-conferred-nation-s-highest-honour-1779109524256">India’s ties with Norway ‘trusted, futuristic, and long-term,’ says PM Modi; conferred nation’s highest honour</a><h2>Trump to convene top national security team to discuss military options</h2>&nbsp;Trump is scheduled to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two US officials said.Trump told Axios in a phone call on Sunday, before the US had received Iran’s later offer, that “the clock is ticking” and if Iran doesn’t show flexibility, “they are going to get hit much harder.”&nbsp;The senior US official said the Iranian counter-proposal shared on Sunday night via Pakistani mediators, has only token improvements on the last version.“We are really not making a lot of progress. We are at a very serious place today. The pressure is on them to be responsive in the right way,” the US official said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2-us-fighter-jets-collide-mid-air-crash-during-air-show-at-idaho-s-mountain-home-air-force-base-video-1779049925431">2 US fighter jets collide mid-air, crash during air show at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base | Video</a><h2>‘It’s time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out’</h2>&nbsp;“It’s time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out. We need some real, sturdy, and granular conversation [regarding the nuclear programme]. If that’s not gonna happen, we will have a conversation through bombs, which will be a shame.”&nbsp;The official said the US and Iran aren’t having direct negotiations on the substance of the agreement, but are engaged in indirect talks to try and develop consensus around what these negotiations will look like.The official further said that the fact that Iran made a new counter-offer, despite making very modest changes, shows that the Iranians are concerned about further US military action.&nbsp;The Iranians claim that it is Trump who is desperate for a deal, and that time is on their side.

Reacting to the claims of the Iranian state media on Monday that the US had agreed to waive Iran’s oil sanctions during negotiations, the US official said no sanctions relief will happen “for free” without any reciprocal action by Tehran.

Iran’s fresh proposal for a deal to end the war is not a meaningful improvement and is insufficient for a deal, reported Axios on Monday, citing a senior US official briefed on the issue. The US will have to continue the negotiations “through bombs” if Iran won’t shift its position, the US official was quoted as saying in the report. Tehran’s fresh proposal includes more words on Iran’s commitment not to pursue a nuclear weapon, but no detailed commitments about suspending uranium enrichment or handing over its existing stockpile of highly enriched uranium, the Axios report cited the official as saying. Also Read: Pakistan deploys 8,000 troops, fighter jets and air defense system to Saudi Arabia under defence pact, also plays mediator ‘No sanctions relief will happen for free’ Reacting to Iranian state media’s claims that the US had agreed to waive Iran’s oil sanctions during negotiations, the US official said no sanctions relief will happen “for free” without any reciprocal action by Iran. Iran reportedly sent a fresh, updated proposal through Pakistan, but the White House did not find any meaningful improvement and said it is insufficient for a deal. US officials say President Trump wants a deal to end the war but is considering resuming it due to Iran’s rejection of many of his demands and refusal to make meaningful concessions on its nuclear programme. Also Read: India’s ties with Norway ‘trusted, futuristic, and long-term,’ says PM Modi; conferred nation’s highest honour Trump to convene top national security team to discuss military options Trump is scheduled to convene his top national security team in the Situation Room on Tuesday to discuss military options, two US officials said. Trump told Axios in a phone call on Sunday, before the US had received Iran’s later offer, that “the clock is ticking” and if Iran doesn’t show flexibility, “they are going to get hit much harder.” The senior US official said the Iranian counter-proposal shared on Sunday night via Pakistani mediators, has only token improvements on the last version. “We are really not making a lot of progress. We are at a very serious place today. The pressure is on them to be responsive in the right way,” the US official said. Also Read: 2 US fighter jets collide mid-air, crash during air show at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base | Video ‘It’s time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out’ “It’s time for the Iranians to throw bit of candy out. We need some real, sturdy, and granular conversation [regarding the nuclear programme]. If that’s not gonna happen, we will have a conversation through bombs, which will be a shame.” The official said the US and Iran aren’t having direct negotiations on the substance of the agreement, but are engaged in indirect talks to try and develop consensus around what these negotiations will look like. The official further said that the fact that Iran made a new counter-offer, despite making very modest changes, shows that the Iranians are concerned about further US military action. The Iranians claim that it is Trump who is desperate for a deal, and that time is on their side.

Reacting to the claims of the Iranian state media on Monday that the US had agreed to waive Iran’s oil sanctions during negotiations, the US official said no sanctions relief will happen “for free” without any reciprocal action by Tehran.

Iran’s fresh offer ‘insufficient’ for a deal, risks resumption of war: Senior US official

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