Edward Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor who revealed in 2013 that the US government was spying on its citizens, has said he would like to return to his home country, but only on the condition of a fair trial.

However, the US President Donald Trump has said he will "take a look" at pardoning Snowden.

The former intelligence contractor leaked information and acted as a whistleblower revealing that agents from the National Security Agency (NSA) were conducting a widespread surveillance on the US citizens. However, the United States, in retaliation,&nbsp;accused Snowden of putting national security at risk and declined his claims. Following this,&nbsp;he faces the danger of a conviction on espionage charges that could send him to prison for decades.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/most-infamous-and-shocking-presidential-pardons-in-the-history-of-us-312513">In pics:&nbsp;Most infamous and shocking presidential pardons in the history of US</a>

Snowden has taken exile in Russia since then. Earlier, then-President Barack Obama had tried to set a motion for pardoning Snowden, but had failed to do so.&nbsp;

Now, when the local reporters asked the current President if he would be willing to, or planning to, pardon Snowden, Trump claimed to not know a lot about his case. He also added that the controversy&nbsp;is a "split decision."

"Many people think that he should be somehow treated differently and other people think he did very bad things," he said, and added, "I'm going to take a look at that very strongly."

This statement, given by the President from his media briefing from the Beminster, New Jersey&nbsp;golf field, was a surprise after he made strong remarks against Snowden during his 2016 Presidential campaing, saying,"I think he's a total traitor and I would deal with him harshly."

Edward Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor who revealed in 2013 that the US government was spying on its citizens, has said he would like to return to his home country, but only on the condition of a fair trial.

Edward Snowden, a former US intelligence contractor who revealed in 2013 that the US government was spying on its citizens, has said he would like to return to his home country, but only on the condition of a fair trial. However, the US President Donald Trump has said he will "take a look" at pardoning Snowden. The former intelligence contractor leaked information and acted as a whistleblower revealing that agents from the National Security Agency (NSA) were conducting a widespread surveillance on the US citizens. However, the United States, in retaliation, accused Snowden of putting national security at risk and declined his claims. Following this, he faces the danger of a conviction on espionage charges that could send him to prison for decades. In pics: Most infamous and shocking presidential pardons in the history of US Snowden has taken exile in Russia since then. Earlier, then-President Barack Obama had tried to set a motion for pardoning Snowden, but had failed to do so. Now, when the local reporters asked the current President if he would be willing to, or planning to, pardon Snowden, Trump claimed to not know a lot about his case. He also added that the controversy is a "split decision." "Many people think that he should be somehow treated differently and other people think he did very bad things," he said, and added, "I'm going to take a look at that very strongly." This statement, given by the President from his media briefing from the Beminster, New Jersey golf field, was a surprise after he made strong remarks against Snowden during his 2016 Presidential campaing, saying,"I think he's a total traitor and I would deal with him harshly."

Edward Snowden asks to return to US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning

Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic.

"We'll be doing a snapback," the president said, referring to the contested argument that the US remains a "participant" in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — despite Trump's withdrawal from it — and therefore can force a return to sanctions if it sees Iran as being in violation of its terms.

The president added that the US will make its move next week.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-may-probably-not-attend-putins-urgent-iran-summit-320868">Also read:&nbsp;Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit</a>

Washington's defeat at the Security Council on Friday highlighted its isolation on Iran since Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018.

Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favor of the US resolution.&nbsp;

Washington's European allies all abstained, Russia and China voted against it, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for winning the support of just one other country, the Dominican Republic.

Trump argued Saturday that Iran was a "different ballgame" now, and that the country no longer has the funds to sponsor terror.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowden-asks-to-return-to-the-us-trump-to-take-a-look-at-pardoning-320867">Also read:&nbsp;Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning</a>

"Iran wants me to lose so badly" in November's presidential election, he added.

If Trump follows through, the snapback could plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises, experts warn.&nbsp;

European allies have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and say the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council.

The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18.

Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic.

Donald Trump said Saturday he will try a controversial "snapback" to force a return of UN sanctions against Iran, after the Security Council rejected Washington's bid to extend the arms embargo against the Islamic republic. "We'll be doing a snapback," the president said, referring to the contested argument that the US remains a "participant" in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal — despite Trump's withdrawal from it — and therefore can force a return to sanctions if it sees Iran as being in violation of its terms. The president added that the US will make its move next week. Also read: Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit Washington's defeat at the Security Council on Friday highlighted its isolation on Iran since Trump withdrew from the accord in 2018. Only two of the Council's 15 members voted in favor of the US resolution. Washington's European allies all abstained, Russia and China voted against it, and Iran mocked the Trump administration for winning the support of just one other country, the Dominican Republic. Trump argued Saturday that Iran was a "different ballgame" now, and that the country no longer has the funds to sponsor terror. Also read: Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning "Iran wants me to lose so badly" in November's presidential election, he added. If Trump follows through, the snapback could plunge the Council into one of its worst-ever diplomatic crises, experts warn. European allies have been skeptical on whether Washington can force sanctions and say the attempt may delegitimize the Security Council. The embargo on conventional arms is due to expire on October 18.

Trump says will try 'snapback' to force return of UN Iran sanctions

The US President Donald Trump is planning to sit out the emergency Iran summit that was proposed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday.

On Friday, Putin called on the&nbsp;permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to convene on Iran to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

However, Trump, in his golf field news conference said,&nbsp;"I think we'll wait till after the election."

Labelling it is an "urgent issue", Putin called on to leaders of China, France,&nbsp;Britain, the United States, Germany and Iran to attend the summit to resolve the increasingly tense situations in Iran.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/edward-snowden-asks-to-return-to-the-us-trump-to-take-a-look-at-pardoning-320867">Also read:&nbsp;Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning</a>

"Discussions at the UN Security Council over the Iranian issue are becoming increasingly tense," Putin said, adding that Moscow's ally Iran was a target of "groundless accusations."

Trump's "probably" status of the invitation came after the Security Council&nbsp;rejected a US resolution to extend an Iranian arms embargo, in a move with huge repercussions for the Iran nuclear deal. Out of 15 members of the Security Council, only two voted in favour of this.

Since Trump pulled out and slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran under a campaign of "maximum pressure," Tehran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief.

European allies of the United States -- who, along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran -- have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East.&nbsp;

However, the Iranian President&nbsp;Hassan Rouhani feels the US has "failed in this conspiracy with humiliation."

(With inputs from agencies)

The US President Donald Trump is planning to sit out the emergency Iran summit that was proposed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. On Friday, Putin called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to convene on Iran to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf.

The US President Donald Trump is planning to sit out the emergency Iran summit that was proposed by the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. On Friday, Putin called on the permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany to convene on Iran to avoid an escalation of tensions in the Gulf. However, Trump, in his golf field news conference said, "I think we'll wait till after the election." Labelling it is an "urgent issue", Putin called on to leaders of China, France, Britain, the United States, Germany and Iran to attend the summit to resolve the increasingly tense situations in Iran. Also read: Edward Snowden asks to return to the US; Trump to 'take a look' at pardoning "Discussions at the UN Security Council over the Iranian issue are becoming increasingly tense," Putin said, adding that Moscow's ally Iran was a target of "groundless accusations." Trump's "probably" status of the invitation came after the Security Council rejected a US resolution to extend an Iranian arms embargo, in a move with huge repercussions for the Iran nuclear deal. Out of 15 members of the Security Council, only two voted in favour of this. Since Trump pulled out and slapped unilateral sanctions on Iran under a campaign of "maximum pressure," Tehran has since taken small but escalating steps away from compliance with the nuclear accord as it presses for sanctions relief. European allies of the United States -- who, along with Russia and China, signed the deal with Iran -- have voiced support for extending the 13-year-long conventional arms embargo, saying an expiry threatens stability in the Middle East. However, the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani feels the US has "failed in this conspiracy with humiliation." (With inputs from agencies)

Trump may 'probably not' attend Putin's 'urgent' Iran summit

"After 49 years," Trump added, "Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security."

3 Presidents before Trump have attempted a peace deal in West Asia but failed

US President Donald Trump has announced that he intends to move next week to trigger a "snapback" of international sanctions against Iran at the UNSC.

Trump threatens 'Snapback' of UN sanctions against Iran

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday during a press conference that he was "looking into" whether Chinese technology giant Alibaba should be banned in the United States.

Donald Trump says considering ban on Chinese firm Alibaba after TikTok

United Parcel Service and FedEx on Friday shot down social media calls that they step in to deliver mail-in ballots from the US Postal Service, which is warning states of potentially "significant" delays.

"State ballots must be postmarked to be considered valid and only the USPS has lawful postmarking status. Therefore UPS, FedEx and other private parties cannot technically be involved in shipping ballots," UPS told Reuters in a statement.

"FedEx does accept individual ballots, and we advise that customers planning to return their ballots via FedEx should closely review their state's guidelines on absentee voting and deadlines for ballots or related election documents," FedEx said.

Republican President Donald Trump on Thursday said he opposed providing funds for the struggling Postal Service for mail voting, which is expected to surge to 50% as the coronavirus pandemic rages ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election.

The Postal Service said on Friday it has written to 46 states and the District of Columbia warning there is a significant risk voters will not have enough time to complete and return their ballots.

In a viral Twitter post on Thursday, author and radio host David Rothkopf said there was a "big opportunity" for UPS and FedEx to deliver ballots for free. "You'll overnight become the most beloved and respected organization in America," he wrote.

Various laws and regulations for the most part prohibit private delivery companies from handling mail-in and absentee ballots, the companies and experts told Reuters. Exceptions include deliveries deemed "extremely urgent" by statute and deliveries on the day of and afternoon prior to election day.

In some states, collection would be prohibited because it would be considered "ballot harvesting," said Tammy Patrick, a former Arizona election official and senior advisor to the Democracy Fund foundation.

There are other hurdles that those companies, already coping with a pandemic-related surge in e-commerce shipments, would have to overcome.

For example, the Postal Service touches every US mailbox six days a week. Private companies visit only when they have a delivery or an pre-arranged pickup - and they do not have blanket coverage in rural areas.

Amazon.com's upstart delivery service has also been floated as an alternative. That service does not do residential pickups.

Representatives from Amazon and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 
"Establishing a protocol of how they would collect the ballots would be a challenge," Patrick said.

Domestic costs would skyrocket since delivery firms charge significantly more for deliveries than the price of a 55-cent stamp, which is the cost to return many ballots.

And, international costs would be "astronomical," Patrick said.&nbsp;

United Parcel Service and FedEx on Friday shot down social media calls that they step in to deliver mail-in ballots from the US Postal Service, which is warning states of potentially "significant" delays.

United Parcel Service and FedEx on Friday shot down social media calls that they step in to deliver mail-in ballots from the US Postal Service, which is warning states of potentially "significant" delays. "State ballots must be postmarked to be considered valid and only the USPS has lawful postmarking status. Therefore UPS, FedEx and other private parties cannot technically be involved in shipping ballots," UPS told Reuters in a statement. "FedEx does accept individual ballots, and we advise that customers planning to return their ballots via FedEx should closely review their state's guidelines on absentee voting and deadlines for ballots or related election documents," FedEx said. Republican President Donald Trump on Thursday said he opposed providing funds for the struggling Postal Service for mail voting, which is expected to surge to 50% as the coronavirus pandemic rages ahead of the Nov. 3 presidential election. The Postal Service said on Friday it has written to 46 states and the District of Columbia warning there is a significant risk voters will not have enough time to complete and return their ballots. In a viral Twitter post on Thursday, author and radio host David Rothkopf said there was a "big opportunity" for UPS and FedEx to deliver ballots for free. "You'll overnight become the most beloved and respected organization in America," he wrote. Various laws and regulations for the most part prohibit private delivery companies from handling mail-in and absentee ballots, the companies and experts told Reuters. Exceptions include deliveries deemed "extremely urgent" by statute and deliveries on the day of and afternoon prior to election day. In some states, collection would be prohibited because it would be considered "ballot harvesting," said Tammy Patrick, a former Arizona election official and senior advisor to the Democracy Fund foundation. There are other hurdles that those companies, already coping with a pandemic-related surge in e-commerce shipments, would have to overcome. For example, the Postal Service touches every US mailbox six days a week. Private companies visit only when they have a delivery or an pre-arranged pickup - and they do not have blanket coverage in rural areas. Amazon.com's upstart delivery service has also been floated as an alternative. That service does not do residential pickups. Representatives from Amazon and the Postal Service did not immediately respond to requests for comment. "Establishing a protocol of how they would collect the ballots would be a challenge," Patrick said. Domestic costs would skyrocket since delivery firms charge significantly more for deliveries than the price of a 55-cent stamp, which is the cost to return many ballots. And, international costs would be "astronomical," Patrick said.

UPS, FedEx warn they cannot carry ballots like US Postal Service

A former FBI attorney&nbsp;Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for&nbsp;altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty. in the courts.

Clinesmith will be pleading guilty&nbsp;to falsifying a document as part of a federal probe into the origins of an investigation into possible contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

He has taken responsibility for altering the email, however his lawyers have emphasised that this was not his intent.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/book-trouble-trumps-ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-accuses-him-of-colluding-with-russia-to-win-elections-320361">Also read|&nbsp;Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses him of colluding with Russia to win elections</a>

“Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email,” Justin Shur, a lawyer for Clinesmith said.

“It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility,” he added.

<img alt="Kevin Clinesmith, former FBI lawyer, to plead guilty for falsifying email against Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3291ecb-81b9-4c51-92cd-77f18d053c85" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kevin%20Clinesmith_0.jpg" />

After the news of Clinesmith pleading guilty broke out, US President Donald Trump suggested towards similar cases being in work.

“That’s just the beginning, I would imagine, because what happened should never happen again,” Trump said on Friday, describing Clinesmith as a “corrupt FBI attorney”.

“The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught. And you’ll be hearing more,” Trump said.

He has also been retweeting several articles and tweets about Clinesmith's guilty plead.

According to the charges, former FBI employee wrote text messages opposing Trump's win in the US elections. It is believed that Clinesmith altered an email from an unnamed source (believed to be CIA) to prove that the unnamed individual was not a source, which was not the original content of the email.

Further developments are awaited on this matter.

A former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty.

A former FBI attorney Kevin Clinesmith, who was being investigated for altering an email used to obtain a surveillance warrant on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, will be pleading guilty. in the courts. Clinesmith will be pleading guilty to falsifying a document as part of a federal probe into the origins of an investigation into possible contacts between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia. He has taken responsibility for altering the email, however his lawyers have emphasised that this was not his intent. Also read| Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses him of colluding with Russia to win elections “Kevin deeply regrets having altered the email,” Justin Shur, a lawyer for Clinesmith said. “It was never his intent to mislead the court or his colleagues as he believed the information he relayed was accurate. But Kevin understands what he did was wrong and accepts responsibility,” he added. After the news of Clinesmith pleading guilty broke out, US President Donald Trump suggested towards similar cases being in work. “That’s just the beginning, I would imagine, because what happened should never happen again,” Trump said on Friday, describing Clinesmith as a “corrupt FBI attorney”. “The fact is they spied on my campaign and they got caught. And you’ll be hearing more,” Trump said. He has also been retweeting several articles and tweets about Clinesmith's guilty plead. According to the charges, former FBI employee wrote text messages opposing Trump's win in the US elections. It is believed that Clinesmith altered an email from an unnamed source (believed to be CIA) to prove that the unnamed individual was not a source, which was not the original content of the email. Further developments are awaited on this matter.

Kevin Clinesmith, former FBI lawyer, to plead guilty for falsifying email against Trump

US President Donald Trump's competitor Joe Biden has lashed out at Trump for spreading&nbsp;"abhorrent" lies about Biden's choice of Vice President Kamala Harris and her eligibility to become a Vice President.

Hours after Biden names Harris to be his running mate for the US Presidential elections, scheduled for November 2020, Harris faced criticism from Donald Trump — some of which can be termed as racist.

"I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements," Trump said, after an article was published by a law professor questioning Harris' parents immigration at the time of her birth — Harris' mother is Indian and father is Jamaican.&nbsp;

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"I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements. And, by the way, the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said.

"I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president," he said.

"But that's a very serious, you're saying that, they're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hope-kamala-harris-gets-less-sexist-media-coverage-hillary-clinton-320352">Also read|&nbsp;Hope Kamala Harris gets ‘less sexist’ media coverage: Hillary Clinton</a>

The comments were not left unanswered by the Biden campaign.&nbsp;Biden spokesman Andrew Bates issued a statement on behalf of Joe Biden that said Trump&nbsp;"has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart." The statement called this move and Trump's statements to be a part of the&nbsp;"grotesque, racist birther movement" led by Trump.

"So it's unsurprising, but no less abhorrent, that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation."

Polls show Trump trailing Biden in the November election.

US President Donald Trump's competitor Joe Biden has lashed out at Trump for spreading "abhorrent" lies about Biden's choice of Vice President Kamala Harris and her eligibility to become a Vice President.

US President Donald Trump's competitor Joe Biden has lashed out at Trump for spreading "abhorrent" lies about Biden's choice of Vice President Kamala Harris and her eligibility to become a Vice President. Hours after Biden names Harris to be his running mate for the US Presidential elections, scheduled for November 2020, Harris faced criticism from Donald Trump — some of which can be termed as racist. "I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements," Trump said, after an article was published by a law professor questioning Harris' parents immigration at the time of her birth — Harris' mother is Indian and father is Jamaican. × "I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements. And, by the way, the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified, very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said. "I would have assumed the Democrats would have checked that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president," he said. "But that's a very serious, you're saying that, they're saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country." Also read| Hope Kamala Harris gets ‘less sexist’ media coverage: Hillary Clinton The comments were not left unanswered by the Biden campaign. Biden spokesman Andrew Bates issued a statement on behalf of Joe Biden that said Trump "has sought to fuel racism and tear our nation apart." The statement called this move and Trump's statements to be a part of the "grotesque, racist birther movement" led by Trump. "So it's unsurprising, but no less abhorrent, that as Trump makes a fool of himself straining to distract the American people from the horrific toll of his failed coronavirus response that his campaign and their allies would resort to wretched, demonstrably false lies in their pathetic desperation." Polls show Trump trailing Biden in the November election.

Biden camp slams Trumps for 'abhorrent' birther lies about Kamala Harris

The US President Donald Trump, in another series of orders against the Chinese company ByteDance, has ordered ByteDance to divest its interest in TikTok's operations in the US within 90 days.

Donald Trump has been trying to shut down ByteDance's popular short-video sharing app TikTok in the US for some time now. Trump believes the Chinese parents company is acting as an insider source for the Chinese intelligence.

“There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance ... might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,” Trump said in the order.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-in-talks-with-tiktok-to-discuss-possible-merging-reports-319139">Also read|&nbsp;Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports</a>

Trump, earlier, had announced a ban on the very popular video sharing app, TikTok. However,&nbsp;Microsoft came to the rescue of the Chinese app, announcing a possibility of taking over TikTok's US operations. Twitter, too, followed the suit.&nbsp;

Later, Trump announced a 45-days notice to TikTok&nbsp;to either sell or face the ban, demanding significant portion of the sale go to the US Treasury. Trump, at that time, said he would support the sale of TikTok's US operations to Microsoft Corp if the US government got a “substantial portion” of the sales price but warned he will ban the service in the United States on September 15.

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"The following actions shall be prohibited beginning 45 days after the date of this order... any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, with ByteDance Ltd," Trump had earlier warned ByteDance.

Since then, there has been no confirmation on whether or not Microsoft or Twitter would buy the US operations of TikTok from ByteDance.

More details on the 90-days order are awaited.

The US President Donald Trump, in another series of orders against the Chinese company ByteDance, has ordered ByteDance to divest its interest in TikTok's operations in the US within 90 days.

The US President Donald Trump, in another series of orders against the Chinese company ByteDance, has ordered ByteDance to divest its interest in TikTok's operations in the US within 90 days. Donald Trump has been trying to shut down ByteDance's popular short-video sharing app TikTok in the US for some time now. Trump believes the Chinese parents company is acting as an insider source for the Chinese intelligence. “There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance ... might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,” Trump said in the order. Also read| Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports Trump, earlier, had announced a ban on the very popular video sharing app, TikTok. However, Microsoft came to the rescue of the Chinese app, announcing a possibility of taking over TikTok's US operations. Twitter, too, followed the suit. Later, Trump announced a 45-days notice to TikTok to either sell or face the ban, demanding significant portion of the sale go to the US Treasury. Trump, at that time, said he would support the sale of TikTok's US operations to Microsoft Corp if the US government got a “substantial portion” of the sales price but warned he will ban the service in the United States on September 15. × "The following actions shall be prohibited beginning 45 days after the date of this order... any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, with ByteDance Ltd," Trump had earlier warned ByteDance. Since then, there has been no confirmation on whether or not Microsoft or Twitter would buy the US operations of TikTok from ByteDance. More details on the 90-days order are awaited.

Trump claims to possess evidence against ByteDance; orders to divest interest in TikTok within 90 days

After thorough investigation, the US&nbsp;Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that the appointments of two of the top homeland security officials in the Trump administration were improper.

The appointments of&nbsp;Chad Wolf, acting secretary of homeland security, and Ken Cuccinelli, his deputy, were not done by following the proper protocol, a US watchdog has revealed.&nbsp;

As the GAO can only forward the unbiased information to the Congress&nbsp;and cannot force the executive branch to take action, it referred the issue to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general, another watchdog.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-us-brokered-west-asia-peace-deal-is-significant-for-donald-trump-320583">Also read:&nbsp;Why US-brokered West Asia peace deal is significant for Donald Trump</a>

After the&nbsp;Senate-confirmed Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in left the post 2019, GAO believes that proper protocols and chain of succession was not followed by the Trump administration, which makes the appointments of Wold and Cuccinelli improper.

The GAO issued a 12-page long decision explaining its accusation on the Trump administration.

However,&nbsp;White House spokesman Judd Deere said the GAO decision was "not only wrong, but laughable" as she believes the DHA has the authority to employ acting secretaries under federal law.

This decision could affect Trump's immigration policy, which are being challenged in a federal court in Maryland on Friday. The hearing is about the new Trump rules that make it harder for asylum seekers to obtain work permits. The US District Judge Paula Xinis said that if the GAO findings were correct, the rules should be invalidated.

After thorough investigation, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that the appointments of two of the top homeland security officials in the Trump administration were improper.

After thorough investigation, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has concluded that the appointments of two of the top homeland security officials in the Trump administration were improper. The appointments of Chad Wolf, acting secretary of homeland security, and Ken Cuccinelli, his deputy, were not done by following the proper protocol, a US watchdog has revealed. As the GAO can only forward the unbiased information to the Congress and cannot force the executive branch to take action, it referred the issue to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) inspector general, another watchdog. Also read: Why US-brokered West Asia peace deal is significant for Donald Trump After the Senate-confirmed Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in left the post 2019, GAO believes that proper protocols and chain of succession was not followed by the Trump administration, which makes the appointments of Wold and Cuccinelli improper. The GAO issued a 12-page long decision explaining its accusation on the Trump administration. However, White House spokesman Judd Deere said the GAO decision was "not only wrong, but laughable" as she believes the DHA has the authority to employ acting secretaries under federal law. This decision could affect Trump's immigration policy, which are being challenged in a federal court in Maryland on Friday. The hearing is about the new Trump rules that make it harder for asylum seekers to obtain work permits. The US District Judge Paula Xinis said that if the GAO findings were correct, the rules should be invalidated.

Two homeland security appointments by Trump improper: US government watchdog

The U.S. Postal Service’s internal watchdog is investigating cost cutting that has slowed delivery and alarmed lawmakers ahead of a presidential election when up to half of U.S. voters could cast ballots by mail, a congressional aide said on Friday.

The Postal Service’s inspector general also will examine possible conflicts of interest involving new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has donated $2.7 million to President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans, according to Saloni Sharma, a spokeswoman for Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who requested the investigation.

DeJoy owns millions of dollars in stock in Postal Service rivals and customers, according to a financial disclosure form filed by his wife.

The Inspector General’s Office is “conducting a body of work to address concerns raised,” spokeswoman Agapi Doulaveris said.

The investigation comes as the Postal Service is warning states there is “significant risk” voters will not have enough time to complete and return their ballots. The Postal Service late on Friday released letters it had sent to 46 states and the District of Columbia, after the Washington Post reported earlier on the extent of the warnings.

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The warning highlighted the possibility that a meaningful number of mail votes in the Nov. 3 presidential election might go uncounted if they are returned too late.

“State and local election officials must understand and take into account our operational standards and recommended timelines,” Postal Service spokeswoman Martha Johnson said.

Election officials are bracing for a deluge of mail ballots as many states have made it easier to vote by mail to address concerns about public gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic.

Republican President Donald Trump said Thursday that he opposes additional funding to make mail voting easier.

Trump, who is trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden in opinion polls, has said without evidence that widespread mail voting could lead to fraud. However, public records show he has requested mail ballots for himself and his wife Melania before Florida’s Tuesday primary election.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-presidential-election-trump-holds-up-coronavirus-aid-to-block-funding-for-mail-in-voting-320339">Also read:&nbsp;Ahead of presidential election, Trump holds up coronavirus aid to block funding for mail-in voting</a>

Evidence has shown that mail voting is as secure as any other method. Biden and other Democrats say Trump is trying to interfere with the election. Former Democratic President Barack Obama said he was worried that Trump was trying to “kneecap” the Postal Service.

The issue has taken on added urgency in recent weeks, as cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy have led to widespread mail delays.

Democratic congressional leaders and committee leaders sent a letter to Dejoy on Friday demanding an explanation for changes he is making at postal facilities.

Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said on Friday that the changes could violate state laws against election tampering. She called for a criminal investigation.

Too little time?

The Postal Service has warned some states that allowing voters to request ballots less than a week before the election does not leave enough time to print the ballot, mail it to the voter and have it returned.

Half of the states allow voters to request an absentee ballot within seven days of an election. The Postal Service recommends that mail ballots should be completed and sent in by that point.

Ohio, Michigan and several other states with tight deadlines have so far not pushed them back.

Pennsylvania’s secretary of state asked the state Supreme Court to allow ballots to be counted if they are received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election, rather than on Election Day.

The Postal Service’s top lawyer, Thomas Marshall, also encouraged election officials to use its first-class mail service to ensure prompt delivery, rather than the cheaper and slower bulk-mail rate.

Marshall told Congress in a letter released Friday “we have ample capacity to handle the increased volume of Election Mail that will occur because of the pandemic.”

In past elections the Postal Service has given priority to all political and election mail, no matter the postage rate, according to workers and the service’s internal watchdog.

“If this letter aims to backtrack on that collaboration or the promise of prioritization of election mail, that would be very concerning,” said Tracy Wimmer, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of State, which oversees elections.

Roughly 0.25% of mail ballots were rejected in 2016 because they arrived too late, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The U.S. Postal Service’s internal watchdog is investigating cost cutting that has slowed delivery and alarmed lawmakers ahead of a presidential election when up to half of U.

The U.S. Postal Service’s internal watchdog is investigating cost cutting that has slowed delivery and alarmed lawmakers ahead of a presidential election when up to half of U.S. voters could cast ballots by mail, a congressional aide said on Friday. The Postal Service’s inspector general also will examine possible conflicts of interest involving new Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, who has donated $2.7 million to President Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans, according to Saloni Sharma, a spokeswoman for Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who requested the investigation. DeJoy owns millions of dollars in stock in Postal Service rivals and customers, according to a financial disclosure form filed by his wife. The Inspector General’s Office is “conducting a body of work to address concerns raised,” spokeswoman Agapi Doulaveris said. The investigation comes as the Postal Service is warning states there is “significant risk” voters will not have enough time to complete and return their ballots. The Postal Service late on Friday released letters it had sent to 46 states and the District of Columbia, after the Washington Post reported earlier on the extent of the warnings. × The warning highlighted the possibility that a meaningful number of mail votes in the Nov. 3 presidential election might go uncounted if they are returned too late. “State and local election officials must understand and take into account our operational standards and recommended timelines,” Postal Service spokeswoman Martha Johnson said. Election officials are bracing for a deluge of mail ballots as many states have made it easier to vote by mail to address concerns about public gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic. Republican President Donald Trump said Thursday that he opposes additional funding to make mail voting easier. Trump, who is trailing Democratic rival Joe Biden in opinion polls, has said without evidence that widespread mail voting could lead to fraud. However, public records show he has requested mail ballots for himself and his wife Melania before Florida’s Tuesday primary election. Also read: Ahead of presidential election, Trump holds up coronavirus aid to block funding for mail-in voting Evidence has shown that mail voting is as secure as any other method. Biden and other Democrats say Trump is trying to interfere with the election. Former Democratic President Barack Obama said he was worried that Trump was trying to “kneecap” the Postal Service. The issue has taken on added urgency in recent weeks, as cost-cutting measures put in place by DeJoy have led to widespread mail delays. Democratic congressional leaders and committee leaders sent a letter to Dejoy on Friday demanding an explanation for changes he is making at postal facilities. Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, said on Friday that the changes could violate state laws against election tampering. She called for a criminal investigation. Too little time? The Postal Service has warned some states that allowing voters to request ballots less than a week before the election does not leave enough time to print the ballot, mail it to the voter and have it returned. Half of the states allow voters to request an absentee ballot within seven days of an election. The Postal Service recommends that mail ballots should be completed and sent in by that point. Ohio, Michigan and several other states with tight deadlines have so far not pushed them back. Pennsylvania’s secretary of state asked the state Supreme Court to allow ballots to be counted if they are received up to three days after the Nov. 3 election, rather than on Election Day. The Postal Service’s top lawyer, Thomas Marshall, also encouraged election officials to use its first-class mail service to ensure prompt delivery, rather than the cheaper and slower bulk-mail rate. Marshall told Congress in a letter released Friday “we have ample capacity to handle the increased volume of Election Mail that will occur because of the pandemic.” In past elections the Postal Service has given priority to all political and election mail, no matter the postage rate, according to workers and the service’s internal watchdog. “If this letter aims to backtrack on that collaboration or the promise of prioritization of election mail, that would be very concerning,” said Tracy Wimmer, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of State, which oversees elections. Roughly 0.25% of mail ballots were rejected in 2016 because they arrived too late, according to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

US Postal Service watchdog to probe service woes as worries rise about mail ballots

US President Donald Trump feels he is not getting enough water to keep his hair “perfect.” He is now easing showerhead rules.

Gravitas: Trump eases showerhead rules

America's mom Marge Simpson clapped back at the Donald Trump campaign on Friday for remarks from a senior advisor the animated character deemed disrespectful.

The US president's aide Jenna Ellis recently took aim at Kamala Harris, the presumptive vice presidential nominee, by saying she sounds like the beloved matriarch of the series&nbsp;The Simpsons.

"I usually don't get into politics, but the president's senior advisor, Jenna Ellis, just said Kamala Harris sounds like me," said the kind-hearted character known for her majestic blue beehive, long green tube dress and red pearls.

"Lisa says she doesn't mean it as a compliment," Marge continued, referencing her eldest spiky-haired daughter, in a video posted on the official&nbsp;Simpsons&nbsp;Twitter account.

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Marge Simpson has something to say. <a href="https://t.co/viux96bAPf">pic.twitter.com/viux96bAPf</a>
— TheSimpsons (@TheSimpsons) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheSimpsons/status/1294287342144872449?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"If that's so, as an ordinary suburban housewife, I'm starting to feel a little disrespected," she continued.

"I teach my children not to name-call, Jenna. I was going to say I'm pissed off, but I'm afraid they'd bleep it."

Julie Kavner has voiced Marge — who speaks with a honeyed rasp — for the irreverent but often prescient show's 31 seasons.

The Emmy-winning Simpsons regularly jabs the president along with other politicians, and many credit it with predicting the Trump presidency.

Marge's description of herself as an "ordinary suburban housewife" is also a swing at the Republican leader.

Trump said recently he would win the "suburban housewife" vote in this fall's election, after he repealed a fair housing regulation implemented under Barack Obama that was intended to prevent housing segregation.

America's mom Marge Simpson clapped back at the Donald Trump campaign on Friday for remarks from a senior advisor the animated character deemed disrespectful. The US president's aide Jenna Ellis recently took aim at Kamala Harris, the presumptive vice presidential nominee, by saying she sounds like the beloved matriarch of the series The Simpsons.

America's mom Marge Simpson clapped back at the Donald Trump campaign on Friday for remarks from a senior advisor the animated character deemed disrespectful. The US president's aide Jenna Ellis recently took aim at Kamala Harris, the presumptive vice presidential nominee, by saying she sounds like the beloved matriarch of the series The Simpsons. "I usually don't get into politics, but the president's senior advisor, Jenna Ellis, just said Kamala Harris sounds like me," said the kind-hearted character known for her majestic blue beehive, long green tube dress and red pearls. "Lisa says she doesn't mean it as a compliment," Marge continued, referencing her eldest spiky-haired daughter, in a video posted on the official Simpsons Twitter account. Marge Simpson has something to say. pic.twitter.com/viux96bAPf — TheSimpsons (@TheSimpsons) August 14, 2020 × "If that's so, as an ordinary suburban housewife, I'm starting to feel a little disrespected," she continued. "I teach my children not to name-call, Jenna. I was going to say I'm pissed off, but I'm afraid they'd bleep it." Julie Kavner has voiced Marge — who speaks with a honeyed rasp — for the irreverent but often prescient show's 31 seasons. The Emmy-winning Simpsons regularly jabs the president along with other politicians, and many credit it with predicting the Trump presidency. Marge's description of herself as an "ordinary suburban housewife" is also a swing at the Republican leader. Trump said recently he would win the "suburban housewife" vote in this fall's election, after he repealed a fair housing regulation implemented under Barack Obama that was intended to prevent housing segregation.

The Simpsons character Marge takes a hit at Trump's aide after her jibe at Kamala Harris

United States President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalised in New York.

The president&nbsp;visited his younger brother Robert in a New York City hospital for about 45 minutes on Friday, before heading for his New Jersey country club where he planned to spend the night.

Trump told a news conference prior to the visit that his brother was in the hospital but did not elaborate on the reason.

“I have a wonderful brother. We’ve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one,” Trump said. “Hopefully he’ll be all right, but he’s having a hard time.”

Robert Trump, one of four siblings to the president, recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family seeking to stop publication of a tell-all book by the president's niece Mary titled 'Too Much and Never Enough.'

The president has said that Mary Trump's book was a violation of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the Trump family.

Mary is the daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr., who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43.

Robert Trump had previously worked for his older brother as a top executive at the Trump Organisation. Once a regular bold face name in Manhattan's social pages, he has kept a lower profile in recent years.

United States President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalised in New York. The president visited his younger brother Robert in a New York City hospital for about 45 minutes on Friday, before heading for his New Jersey country club where he planned to spend the night.

United States President Donald Trump's younger brother, Robert Trump, has been hospitalised in New York. The president visited his younger brother Robert in a New York City hospital for about 45 minutes on Friday, before heading for his New Jersey country club where he planned to spend the night. Trump told a news conference prior to the visit that his brother was in the hospital but did not elaborate on the reason. “I have a wonderful brother. We’ve had a great relationship for a long time, from day one,” Trump said. “Hopefully he’ll be all right, but he’s having a hard time.” Robert Trump, one of four siblings to the president, recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Trump family seeking to stop publication of a tell-all book by the president's niece Mary titled 'Too Much and Never Enough.' The president has said that Mary Trump's book was a violation of a nondisclosure agreement she signed in connection to a financial settlement she received from the Trump family. Mary is the daughter of the brothers' eldest sibling, Fred Trump Jr., who struggled with alcoholism and died in 1981 at the age of 43. Robert Trump had previously worked for his older brother as a top executive at the Trump Organisation. Once a regular bold face name in Manhattan's social pages, he has kept a lower profile in recent years.

Trump visits hospitalised younger brother in New York

President Donald Trump on Thursday managed to pull off a rare victory for US&nbsp;diplomacy in the Middle East ahead of his November&nbsp;3 re-election bid by helping to broker a deal between American allies&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and the United Arab Emirates.

The Gulf monarchy and&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;agreed to a normalization of diplomatic relations.&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;also said it would suspend annexing areas of the occupied West Bank as it had been planning to do.

Soon after he sealed the agreement by phone with&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of his strongest supporters, and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Trump called it a "HUGE breakthrough" on Twitter and told reporters other similar Middle East deals are in the works.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-hails-peace-deal-with-uae-320298">Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails peace deal with UAE</a>

"After 49 years," Trump added, "Israel&nbsp;and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security."

The chance to play global statesman was compelling for Trump, who trails in public opinion polls ahead of what is shaping up as a tough election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden and has struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic that has battered the US&nbsp;economy.

Two of the Republican president's primary Middle East endeavors have sputtered in the past year. The new agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, has the potential to impact both.

Also read-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-meet-the-man-behind-middle-east-peace-plan-277295">Jared Kushner: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan</a>

Trump has been unable to negotiate what has been billed as the "deal of the century" between&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and the Palestinians, and a peace plan he proposed in January that heavily favored the&nbsp;Israelis has not advanced in any significant way.

Trump, who walked away from the international nuclear deal with Iran, also has been unable to get concessions from Tehran in spite of a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating the Iranians.

Israel&nbsp;and the UAE, along with the another strong regional US&nbsp;ally in Saudi Arabia, count Iran as an important enemy, bolstering their joint opposition to Tehran.

Brian Hook, the US&nbsp;State Department's lead official on Iran who will be leaving his post soon, said the new agreement amounted to a "nightmare" for Iran in its efforts against&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;in the region.

The Netanyahu government's West Bank annexation plans had been an uncomfortable development for Washington, seen by many as a possible death knell to the US&nbsp;peace plan.

US&nbsp;Ambassador to&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;David Friedman, asked how long&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;might suspend its annexation plan, said it was unclear but that the administration wanted to give other countries in the region a chance to seal similar agreements with&nbsp;Israel.

"We've prioritized peace over the sovereignty movement but it’s not off the table. It's just something that will be deferred until we give peace every single chance," he told reporters at the White House.

The UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said that the agreement with&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;was done to address the threat that further annexation of Palestinian territories posed to the two-state solution.

A UAE representative was on hand in the White House ceremony when Trump unveiled the accord.

The agreement also deepens Washington's alliance with the Emiratis, to whom the Trump administration has pushed to sell weapons over the objections of members of Congress angry over civilian casualties in the war in Yemen.

More&nbsp;deals&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;works?

White House officials said Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien.

Echoing comments by Trump, Kushner told reporters in a conference call that other countries in the region may now come forward to strike a similar deal with&nbsp;Israel.

"We've had numerous conversations with other Arab and Muslim countries in the region," Kushner said.

Kushner said discussions between US,&nbsp;Israeli and UAE officials had been taking place for the past year and a half but accelerated in the past six weeks and an agreement in principle for a deal was reached a week ago, with details completed on Wednesday.

Israel&nbsp;has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries, but common concerns with the UAE about Iran's regional influence and activities had led to a limited thaw in relations in recent years. The UAE previously had warned that&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;could not expect to normalize relations with the Arab world if it annexed land in the occupied West Bank.

Biden said he was "gratified" by the announcement of the agreement. He said he had personally spent time with leaders of both&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;and the UAE as vice president under Barack Obama building the case for cooperation and broader engagement.

"It is a timely reminder that enmities and differences - even long standing ones - are not set in stone, and of the role American diplomacy can play," Biden added.

President Donald Trump on Thursday managed to pull off a rare victory for US diplomacy in the Middle East ahead of his November 3 re-election bid by helping to broker a deal between American allies Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

President Donald Trump on Thursday managed to pull off a rare victory for US diplomacy in the Middle East ahead of his November 3 re-election bid by helping to broker a deal between American allies Israel and the United Arab Emirates. The Gulf monarchy and Israel agreed to a normalization of diplomatic relations. Israel also said it would suspend annexing areas of the occupied West Bank as it had been planning to do. Soon after he sealed the agreement by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, one of his strongest supporters, and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Trump called it a "HUGE breakthrough" on Twitter and told reporters other similar Middle East deals are in the works. Also read-Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hails peace deal with UAE "After 49 years," Trump added, "Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade and security." The chance to play global statesman was compelling for Trump, who trails in public opinion polls ahead of what is shaping up as a tough election battle against Democratic challenger Joe Biden and has struggled to contain the coronavirus pandemic that has battered the US economy. Two of the Republican president's primary Middle East endeavors have sputtered in the past year. The new agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, has the potential to impact both. Also read-Jared Kushner: Meet the man behind Middle-East peace plan Trump has been unable to negotiate what has been billed as the "deal of the century" between Israel and the Palestinians, and a peace plan he proposed in January that heavily favored the Israelis has not advanced in any significant way. Trump, who walked away from the international nuclear deal with Iran, also has been unable to get concessions from Tehran in spite of a "maximum pressure" campaign aimed at isolating the Iranians. Israel and the UAE, along with the another strong regional US ally in Saudi Arabia, count Iran as an important enemy, bolstering their joint opposition to Tehran. Brian Hook, the US State Department's lead official on Iran who will be leaving his post soon, said the new agreement amounted to a "nightmare" for Iran in its efforts against Israel in the region. The Netanyahu government's West Bank annexation plans had been an uncomfortable development for Washington, seen by many as a possible death knell to the US peace plan. US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, asked how long Israel might suspend its annexation plan, said it was unclear but that the administration wanted to give other countries in the region a chance to seal similar agreements with Israel. "We've prioritized peace over the sovereignty movement but it’s not off the table. It's just something that will be deferred until we give peace every single chance," he told reporters at the White House. The UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said that the agreement with Israel was done to address the threat that further annexation of Palestinian territories posed to the two-state solution. A UAE representative was on hand in the White House ceremony when Trump unveiled the accord. The agreement also deepens Washington's alliance with the Emiratis, to whom the Trump administration has pushed to sell weapons over the objections of members of Congress angry over civilian casualties in the war in Yemen. More deals in the works? White House officials said Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien. Echoing comments by Trump, Kushner told reporters in a conference call that other countries in the region may now come forward to strike a similar deal with Israel. "We've had numerous conversations with other Arab and Muslim countries in the region," Kushner said. Kushner said discussions between US, Israeli and UAE officials had been taking place for the past year and a half but accelerated in the past six weeks and an agreement in principle for a deal was reached a week ago, with details completed on Wednesday. Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries, but common concerns with the UAE about Iran's regional influence and activities had led to a limited thaw in relations in recent years. The UAE previously had warned that Israel could not expect to normalize relations with the Arab world if it annexed land in the occupied West Bank. Biden said he was "gratified" by the announcement of the agreement. He said he had personally spent time with leaders of both Israel and the UAE as vice president under Barack Obama building the case for cooperation and broader engagement. "It is a timely reminder that enmities and differences - even long standing ones - are not set in stone, and of the role American diplomacy can play," Biden added.

Why US-brokered West Asia peace deal is significant for Donald Trump

A US journalist has finally asked President Donald Trump a question he wanted an answer of for five years.

In a White House briefing held on Thursday, &nbsp;SV Dáte asked Trump: "after three and a half years (of Trump’s presidency), do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?"

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/book-trouble-trumps-ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-accuses-trump-of-colluding-with-russia-to-win-elections-320361">Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses Trump of colluding with Russia to win elections</a>

Apparently, the question startled the US president and he responded, "all the what?".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wechat-signal-users-in-us-increase-after-trump-threatens-ban-320356#:~:text=More%20users%20in%20the%20United,shared%20with%20Reuters%20on%20Thursday.&amp;text=Signal%20did%20not%20immediately%20respond%20to%20request%20for%20comment.">WeChat, Signal users in US increase after Trump threatens ban</a>

However, Dáte, a White House correspondent, once again, daringly repeated his point: "All the lying, all the dishonesties".&nbsp;

"That who has done," Trump said.

"You have done," the reported replied, after which Trump cut him off and pointed his finger towards the next journalist to ask him any question during the briefing.&nbsp;

Later, Dáte took to Twitter, where he expressed delight for able to ask the question to Trump.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
For five years I've been wanting to ask him that.
— S.V. Dáte (@svdate) <a href="https://twitter.com/svdate/status/1294037622390697984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

"For five years I've been wanting to ask him that," he wrote on Twitter.

Dáte later said that he tried to ask him the same question in March, but was sidelined, in an interview to The Guardian.

"Maybe he didn’t recognise me this time," he said.&nbsp;

"You know, he has this group of folks that he normally asks questions of."

He further said Trump's false claims are "singular piece of his presidency that will be remembered in 10 years".

Dáte was not surprised with Trump's reaction, however, when asked whether he would again intend to ask the same question, he said, "Yes, absolutely". 
&nbsp;

A US journalist has finally asked President Donald Trump a question he wanted an answer of for five years. In a White House briefing held on Thursday, SV Dáte asked Trump: "after three and a half years (of Trump’s presidency), do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?

A US journalist has finally asked President Donald Trump a question he wanted an answer of for five years. In a White House briefing held on Thursday, SV Dáte asked Trump: "after three and a half years (of Trump’s presidency), do you regret at all, all the lying you've done to the American people?" Also read | Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses Trump of colluding with Russia to win elections Apparently, the question startled the US president and he responded, "all the what?". Also read | WeChat, Signal users in US increase after Trump threatens ban However, Dáte, a White House correspondent, once again, daringly repeated his point: "All the lying, all the dishonesties". "That who has done," Trump said. "You have done," the reported replied, after which Trump cut him off and pointed his finger towards the next journalist to ask him any question during the briefing. Later, Dáte took to Twitter, where he expressed delight for able to ask the question to Trump. For five years I've been wanting to ask him that. — S.V. Dáte (@svdate) August 13, 2020 × "For five years I've been wanting to ask him that," he wrote on Twitter. Dáte later said that he tried to ask him the same question in March, but was sidelined, in an interview to The Guardian. "Maybe he didn’t recognise me this time," he said. "You know, he has this group of folks that he normally asks questions of." He further said Trump's false claims are "singular piece of his presidency that will be remembered in 10 years". Dáte was not surprised with Trump's reaction, however, when asked whether he would again intend to ask the same question, he said, "Yes, absolutely".

'Do you regret lying?' Journalist's question unsettles Donald Trump

More users in the United States downloaded chat app WeChat and its encrypted alternative Signal, after President Donald Trump threatened to ban WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, according to Sensor Tower data shared with Reuters on Thursday.&nbsp;

WeChat users in the United States rushed to install the app before it could disappear from the app stores. Others, especially in China, sought alternatives like the encrypted Signal, owned by non-profit Signal Foundation.&nbsp;

WeChat app downloads in the United States rose 41% in a six-day average from the week prior to the US ban announced last Thursday, according to Sensor Tower. Signal app downloads in US and China app stores separately jumped by 30% and 90%.

“Not only are alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram officially blocked in China, but Signal has an inherent advantage in that it`s well known for being strongly encrypted,” Stephanie Chan, Mobile Insights Strategist at Sensor Tower told Reuters. Signal did not immediately respond to request for comment.

WeChat users have also turned to another Tencent-owned chat app, QQ, as the ban did not specifically cover this product. Its downloads in the United States have tripled in the past week, Sensor Tower data showed.&nbsp;

Some Chinese immigrants and expats worry losing access to the popular WeChat could cut off contact with family and friends in China, where most popular US instant messaging apps including Facebook, Whatsapp and Telegram have been blocked by the Chinese government’s Great Firewall.

It was unclear how the administration could implement the ban on WeChat in mid-September. It could order Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google to remove WeChat from their app store, or order the apps to stop offering access or updates to US users.

Some users said they planned to access WeChat in the United States using a virtual private network (VPN), a common tool people in China use to hide IP address to evade government restrictions.

More users in the United States downloaded chat app WeChat and its encrypted alternative Signal, after President Donald Trump threatened to ban WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, according to Sensor Tower data shared with Reuters on Thursday.

More users in the United States downloaded chat app WeChat and its encrypted alternative Signal, after President Donald Trump threatened to ban WeChat, owned by Chinese company Tencent, according to Sensor Tower data shared with Reuters on Thursday. WeChat users in the United States rushed to install the app before it could disappear from the app stores. Others, especially in China, sought alternatives like the encrypted Signal, owned by non-profit Signal Foundation. WeChat app downloads in the United States rose 41% in a six-day average from the week prior to the US ban announced last Thursday, according to Sensor Tower. Signal app downloads in US and China app stores separately jumped by 30% and 90%. “Not only are alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram officially blocked in China, but Signal has an inherent advantage in that it`s well known for being strongly encrypted,” Stephanie Chan, Mobile Insights Strategist at Sensor Tower told Reuters. Signal did not immediately respond to request for comment. WeChat users have also turned to another Tencent-owned chat app, QQ, as the ban did not specifically cover this product. Its downloads in the United States have tripled in the past week, Sensor Tower data showed. Some Chinese immigrants and expats worry losing access to the popular WeChat could cut off contact with family and friends in China, where most popular US instant messaging apps including Facebook, Whatsapp and Telegram have been blocked by the Chinese government’s Great Firewall. It was unclear how the administration could implement the ban on WeChat in mid-September. It could order Apple Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google to remove WeChat from their app store, or order the apps to stop offering access or updates to US users. Some users said they planned to access WeChat in the United States using a virtual private network (VPN), a common tool people in China use to hide IP address to evade government restrictions.

WeChat, Signal users in US increase after Trump threatens ban

In his campaign tirade against presumptive opponent Joe Biden, the incumbent US president, Donald Trump, has amplified a fringe legal theory critics decry as racist.

Trump said he had heard that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris does not meet the requirements to serve the White House.

Former US President Barack Obama was also hit by a birther movement, where his opponents questioned about the origin of his birth.

Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, 55-year-old California senator, Harris, was named by Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday.

The conspiracy theory about Harris started following a Newsweek Op-Ed by Dr John Eastman, who ran in the Republican primary to be California's attorney general in 2010. Eastman, who lost the race to Harris, a Democrat, said that there are some questions about the eligibility for the position. The theory was also circulated on social media.

The Biden campaign called opinion piece racist.

"I just heard that. I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said in response to a question during a press conference at the White House.

Trump did not give his opinion on it but acknowledged that he has heard about such claims circulating on social media that Harris is not eligible to be the president of the United States.

Harris was born on October 20, 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica.

If elected in the November presidential elections, Harris would be second in line of succession after Biden, who is the Democratic party's presidential nominee.

As per the Constitution, the president needs to be born in the United States.

Harris is the first black, and first Indian-American and African-American to be selected for this second highest elected office in the country.

Trump said, "I would have assumed the Democrats would have check that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president but that's a very serious -- you are saying that they are saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country."

"I just heard about it. I will take a look," Trump said responding to another question.

In his campaign tirade against presumptive opponent Joe Biden, the incumbent US president, Donald Trump, has amplified a fringe legal theory critics decry as racist.

In his campaign tirade against presumptive opponent Joe Biden, the incumbent US president, Donald Trump, has amplified a fringe legal theory critics decry as racist. Trump said he had heard that Democratic vice-presidential candidate Senator Kamala Harris does not meet the requirements to serve the White House. Former US President Barack Obama was also hit by a birther movement, where his opponents questioned about the origin of his birth. Born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, 55-year-old California senator, Harris, was named by Joe Biden as his vice-presidential running mate on Tuesday. The conspiracy theory about Harris started following a Newsweek Op-Ed by Dr John Eastman, who ran in the Republican primary to be California's attorney general in 2010. Eastman, who lost the race to Harris, a Democrat, said that there are some questions about the eligibility for the position. The theory was also circulated on social media. The Biden campaign called opinion piece racist. "I just heard that. I heard it today that she doesn't meet the requirements and by the way the lawyer that wrote that piece is a very highly qualified very talented lawyer. I have no idea if that's right," Trump said in response to a question during a press conference at the White House. Trump did not give his opinion on it but acknowledged that he has heard about such claims circulating on social media that Harris is not eligible to be the president of the United States. Harris was born on October 20, 1964, at Oakland in California. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan migrated to the US from Tamil Nadu in India, while her father, Donald J Harris, moved to the US from Jamaica. If elected in the November presidential elections, Harris would be second in line of succession after Biden, who is the Democratic party's presidential nominee. As per the Constitution, the president needs to be born in the United States. Harris is the first black, and first Indian-American and African-American to be selected for this second highest elected office in the country. Trump said, "I would have assumed the Democrats would have check that out before she gets chosen to run for vice president but that's a very serious -- you are saying that they are saying that she doesn't qualify because she wasn't born in this country." "I just heard about it. I will take a look," Trump said responding to another question.

Trump stokes birtherism conspiracy theory about Kamala Harris

With less than 90 days to go for the US elections - Trump has struck a major deal in West Asia. Israel & the UAE have agreed to normalise ties. What does this mean for Trump's prospects?

Gravitas: Trump strikes a deal: Israel, UAE to normalise relations

United States President Donald Trump has blocked Democrats' effort to include funds for the US Postal Service and election infrastructure in a new coronavirus relief bill. This is being considered as a move to block more Americans from voting by mail during the pandemic.

Congressional Democrats accused Republican Trump of trying to damage the struggling Postal Service to improve his chances of being re-elected as opinion polls show him trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden.

Trump has been railing against mail-in ballots for months as a possible source of fraud, although millions of Americans - including much of the military - have cast absentee ballots by mail for years without such problems. He said his negotiators have resisted Democrats' calls for additional money to help prepare for presidential, congressional and local voting during a pandemic that has killed more than 165,000 Americans and presented logistical challenges to organising as large an event as the November 3 elections.

"The items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting," Trump told Fox Business Network, saying Democrats want to give the post office $25 billion. "If we don't make the deal, that means they can't have the money, that means they can't have universal mail-in voting."

Trump later said at a news briefing that if a deal was reached that included postal funding, he would not veto it.

The amount of money in question is less than 1% of either party's current proposed aid package for Americans struggling because of the pandemic. Senate Republicans have floated a $1 trillion response while the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion bill in May.

The White House negotiating team of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has not met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in six days.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said the Republican-controlled Senate was leaving Washington until September, unless there was a coronavirus relief agreement that required a vote. 
"I’m still hoping that we’ll have some kind of bipartisan agreement here sometime in the coming weeks," he told reporters.

Democrats have cried foul, accusing Trump and his party of trying to make it harder for Americans to vote, as experts said concern about catching COVID-19 could keep up to half of the electorate from voting in person. 
"Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election," Biden said, when asked about Trump's comments before a campaign appearance.

Roughly one in four US voters cast ballots by mail in 2016, and Trump has voted by mail. Trump has also criticized state efforts to make voting by mail more widely available, saying without evidence it could lead to widespread fraud. Evidence shows mail voting is as secure as any other method.

United States President Donald Trump has blocked Democrats' effort to include funds for the US Postal Service and election infrastructure in a new coronavirus relief bill.

United States President Donald Trump has blocked Democrats' effort to include funds for the US Postal Service and election infrastructure in a new coronavirus relief bill. This is being considered as a move to block more Americans from voting by mail during the pandemic. Congressional Democrats accused Republican Trump of trying to damage the struggling Postal Service to improve his chances of being re-elected as opinion polls show him trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Trump has been railing against mail-in ballots for months as a possible source of fraud, although millions of Americans - including much of the military - have cast absentee ballots by mail for years without such problems. He said his negotiators have resisted Democrats' calls for additional money to help prepare for presidential, congressional and local voting during a pandemic that has killed more than 165,000 Americans and presented logistical challenges to organising as large an event as the November 3 elections. "The items are the post office and the $3.5 billion for mail-in voting," Trump told Fox Business Network, saying Democrats want to give the post office $25 billion. "If we don't make the deal, that means they can't have the money, that means they can't have universal mail-in voting." Trump later said at a news briefing that if a deal was reached that included postal funding, he would not veto it. The amount of money in question is less than 1% of either party's current proposed aid package for Americans struggling because of the pandemic. Senate Republicans have floated a $1 trillion response while the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed a $3 trillion bill in May. The White House negotiating team of Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has not met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in six days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Thursday said the Republican-controlled Senate was leaving Washington until September, unless there was a coronavirus relief agreement that required a vote. "I’m still hoping that we’ll have some kind of bipartisan agreement here sometime in the coming weeks," he told reporters. Democrats have cried foul, accusing Trump and his party of trying to make it harder for Americans to vote, as experts said concern about catching COVID-19 could keep up to half of the electorate from voting in person. "Pure Trump. He doesn't want an election," Biden said, when asked about Trump's comments before a campaign appearance. Roughly one in four US voters cast ballots by mail in 2016, and Trump has voted by mail. Trump has also criticized state efforts to make voting by mail more widely available, saying without evidence it could lead to widespread fraud. Evidence shows mail voting is as secure as any other method.

Ahead of presidential election, Trump holds up coronavirus aid to block funding for mail-in voting

Amid the heightened tensions, the United States and China on Sunday will discuss the "phase one" of the trade deal signed earlier this year.&nbsp;

In January, Beijing and Washington halted a months-long trade war with a partial truce, but the arrival of coronavirus crisis and a number of issues that followed the pandemic, including China's new security law worsened the relations between both the countries.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-says-trumps-china-trade-deal-is-failing-badly-318457">Biden says Trump's China trade deal is 'failing' badly</a>

The purchases by China according to the deal have been lagging and US President Donald Trump has sharpened his attack towards China at a time when the US is less than 100 days away from the presidential elections.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-china-to-discuss-trade-deal-and-other-grievances-on-august-15-amid-spat-318255">United States, China to discuss trade deal and other grievances on August 15 amid spat</a>

"The outcome of the trade talk will signal if both sides are willing to continue to keep the deal, which will signal whether the relationship will deteriorate further," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at ING, reported news agency AFP.&nbsp;

The world's two largest economies have so far not confirmed the talks, but the deal calls for a meeting after every six months, which would begin from Saturday.&nbsp;

In June, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said China would continue its commitments made in the deal and the US would be looking for a second deal, but in the same month, a Chinese State Council counsellor said the pandemic has had an "impact" on the agreement and that ties between the countries are "very unsatisfactory." 
&nbsp;

Amid the heightened tensions, the United States and China on Sunday will discuss the "phase one" of the trade deal signed earlier this year. In January, Beijing and Washington halted a months-long trade war with a partial truce, but the arrival of coronavirus crisis and a number of issues that followed the pandemic, including China's new security law worsened the relations between both the countries.

Amid the heightened tensions, the United States and China on Sunday will discuss the "phase one" of the trade deal signed earlier this year. In January, Beijing and Washington halted a months-long trade war with a partial truce, but the arrival of coronavirus crisis and a number of issues that followed the pandemic, including China's new security law worsened the relations between both the countries. Also read | Biden says Trump's China trade deal is 'failing' badly The purchases by China according to the deal have been lagging and US President Donald Trump has sharpened his attack towards China at a time when the US is less than 100 days away from the presidential elections. Also read | United States, China to discuss trade deal and other grievances on August 15 amid spat "The outcome of the trade talk will signal if both sides are willing to continue to keep the deal, which will signal whether the relationship will deteriorate further," said Iris Pang, chief economist for greater China at ING, reported news agency AFP. The world's two largest economies have so far not confirmed the talks, but the deal calls for a meeting after every six months, which would begin from Saturday. In June, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said China would continue its commitments made in the deal and the US would be looking for a second deal, but in the same month, a Chinese State Council counsellor said the pandemic has had an "impact" on the agreement and that ties between the countries are "very unsatisfactory."

Amid troubled ties, US, China to resume talks on trade deal

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Thursday called on all U.S. governors to mandate mask wearing to slow the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 165,000 people in the United States.

In his second day on the campaign trail with former rival and now running mate Kamala Harris by his side, Biden made the call for a nationwide mandate on masks after a virtual meeting with public health advisers in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware.

"Every single American should be wearing a mask when they`re outside for the next three months," Biden said. "Every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing."

He said that early delays in calling for masks led to unnecessary deaths.

President Donald Trump, the man he is trying to unseat in November, long refused to wear one in public. That turned masks into a political symbol and sparked squabbles across the country in which other Republican elected officials and some Trump supporters have angrily refused to wear them.

On Thursday, Trump said states have unique differences, that governors need to have the freedom to make their own policies and also called on Biden to "stop playing politics with the virus."

Public health officials agree that wearing masks in public slows the spread of the respiratory disease that has infected more than 5.2 million Americans.

"I hope we`ve learned our lesson. I hope the president has learned his lesson," said Biden, the former vice president. 
Harris, a U.S. senator from California and former prosecutor, added: "I think it`s important that the American people looking at the election coming up ask the current occupant of the White House, `When am I going to get vaccinated? When am I actually going to get vaccinated?`

"Because there may be some grand gestures offered by the current president about a vaccine but it really doesn`t matter until you can answer the question."

The first Black woman and Asian American on a major-party U.S. presidential ticket, Harris will have three roles to play in the campaign: energizing people to vote and volunteer, outlining Biden`s policy vision, and prosecuting the case against Trump, according to a person familiar with the strategy.

Trump long played down the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more people in the United States than in any other country and thrown tens of millions of Americans out of work.

Harris is expected to focus on Trump`s response to the crisis, which has been an effective argument for Biden so far.

Trump on Thursday tweeted that the media were giving Harris "a free pass despite her Radical Left failures and very poor run in the Democrat Primary."

A Trump ally conceded privately that the Democratic pair had a "good day" on the campaign trail. Biden`s campaign said they collected $34.2 million on Tuesday and Wednesday after announcing Harris as the running mate, a record pace of fundraising.

In the coming weeks, Harris will do events in person and virtually, including several jointly with Biden, similar to some of the socially distanced campaign stops and speeches Biden has given in recent weeks in Delaware and Pennsylvania.

The campaign is still unsure of how they will conduct future appearances, saying they intend to follow local public health guidance that continues to discourage large gatherings.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Thursday called on all U.S. governors to mandate mask wearing to slow the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 165,000 people in the United States.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Thursday called on all U.S. governors to mandate mask wearing to slow the spread of the coronavirus that has killed more than 165,000 people in the United States. In his second day on the campaign trail with former rival and now running mate Kamala Harris by his side, Biden made the call for a nationwide mandate on masks after a virtual meeting with public health advisers in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. "Every single American should be wearing a mask when they`re outside for the next three months," Biden said. "Every governor should mandate mandatory mask wearing." He said that early delays in calling for masks led to unnecessary deaths. President Donald Trump, the man he is trying to unseat in November, long refused to wear one in public. That turned masks into a political symbol and sparked squabbles across the country in which other Republican elected officials and some Trump supporters have angrily refused to wear them. On Thursday, Trump said states have unique differences, that governors need to have the freedom to make their own policies and also called on Biden to "stop playing politics with the virus." Public health officials agree that wearing masks in public slows the spread of the respiratory disease that has infected more than 5.2 million Americans. "I hope we`ve learned our lesson. I hope the president has learned his lesson," said Biden, the former vice president. Harris, a U.S. senator from California and former prosecutor, added: "I think it`s important that the American people looking at the election coming up ask the current occupant of the White House, `When am I going to get vaccinated? When am I actually going to get vaccinated?` "Because there may be some grand gestures offered by the current president about a vaccine but it really doesn`t matter until you can answer the question." The first Black woman and Asian American on a major-party U.S. presidential ticket, Harris will have three roles to play in the campaign: energizing people to vote and volunteer, outlining Biden`s policy vision, and prosecuting the case against Trump, according to a person familiar with the strategy. Trump long played down the risks of the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed more people in the United States than in any other country and thrown tens of millions of Americans out of work. Harris is expected to focus on Trump`s response to the crisis, which has been an effective argument for Biden so far. Trump on Thursday tweeted that the media were giving Harris "a free pass despite her Radical Left failures and very poor run in the Democrat Primary." A Trump ally conceded privately that the Democratic pair had a "good day" on the campaign trail. Biden`s campaign said they collected $34.2 million on Tuesday and Wednesday after announcing Harris as the running mate, a record pace of fundraising. In the coming weeks, Harris will do events in person and virtually, including several jointly with Biden, similar to some of the socially distanced campaign stops and speeches Biden has given in recent weeks in Delaware and Pennsylvania. The campaign is still unsure of how they will conduct future appearances, saying they intend to follow local public health guidance that continues to discourage large gatherings.

Biden says all US governors should mandate masks to slow pandemic

US President Donald Trump has said he intends to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House.

Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month.

Both the Democratic convention, where his challenger Joe Biden, 77, would be formally nominated on August 20, and the Republican convention will be held online. Biden is scheduled to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from Delaware.

"I'll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. It's a place that makes me feel good, it makes the country feel good," Trump told The New York Post, on Thursday, and added it would also be easy for law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service.

"We'd do it possibly outside on one of the lawns, we have various lawns, so we could have it outside in terms of the China virus."

When asked if he had formally accepted the Republican nomination for president with a crowd of supporters, he said that "we could have quite a group of people. It's very big, a very big lawn. We could have a big group of people".

The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Charlotte in North Carolina but was later moved to Jacksonville in Florida, only to be cancelled again because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus.

According to The Hill, Trump originally suggested the idea of making the speech at the White House earlier this month, saying that was "probably" where he would give it.

But the announcement sparked a backlash from critics and some Republicans.

US President Donald Trump has said he intends to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House. Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month.

US President Donald Trump has said he intends to deliver his Republican nomination acceptance speech from the White House. Having won the GOP primaries with historic margins, he will formally be nominated by the party through its virtual convention later this month. Both the Democratic convention, where his challenger Joe Biden, 77, would be formally nominated on August 20, and the Republican convention will be held online. Biden is scheduled to deliver his nomination acceptance speech from Delaware. "I'll probably be giving my speech at the White House because it is a great place. It's a place that makes me feel good, it makes the country feel good," Trump told The New York Post, on Thursday, and added it would also be easy for law enforcement agencies and the Secret Service. "We'd do it possibly outside on one of the lawns, we have various lawns, so we could have it outside in terms of the China virus." When asked if he had formally accepted the Republican nomination for president with a crowd of supporters, he said that "we could have quite a group of people. It's very big, a very big lawn. We could have a big group of people". The convention was initially scheduled to be held in Charlotte in North Carolina but was later moved to Jacksonville in Florida, only to be cancelled again because of rising cases of the novel coronavirus. According to The Hill, Trump originally suggested the idea of making the speech at the White House earlier this month, saying that was "probably" where he would give it. But the announcement sparked a backlash from critics and some Republicans.

Trump plans to give Republican nomination acceptance speech from White House

US President Donald Trump has announced that Israel and the United Arab Emirates will be signing a historic peace deal to normalize relations between the two nations. Watch report.

UAE, Israel announce historic peace deal | Trump brokers historic Abraham accords | World News

The world leaders have adopted a wait and watch approach to the new peace deal between Israel and UAE. While most countries have welcomed the effort. Watch report.

World reactions to Israel-UAE peace deal

President Donald Trump is back in the news. He wants his hair to be more precise. The halo of orange, that has been as much a subject of debate as his tweets - fake or real, people have been asking. The president hasn't turned a hair in response - he loves it. So much so, that he's changing America's shower rules, just to have the perfect hair wash.

Now, Donald Trump wants rule change to ensure perfect hair wash

The US government has for the first time seized vessels allegedly loaded with Iranian fuel in violation of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. Watch report.

1st Iranian fuel cargo confiscated by US: Fuel supply line defies US sanctions

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer&nbsp;Michael Cohen has alleged him of colluding with Russia to win elections, and promises proof of it in his new book.

Cohen is publishing a book titled&nbsp;"Disloyal, A Memoir.", in which he alleges Trump of colluding with Russia and much more.

A 3,700 word long foreword of the book was published recently.&nbsp;"Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything — and I mean anything — to `win` has always been his business model and way of life," Cohen writes in the book`s foreword, which was published online on Thursday.

While the foreword does not reveal anything new about the accusations, it is still unclear if the book will be able to reveal any additional detail or proof regarding these allegations, which have been circling Trump for few years now from different sources.

Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller last year concluded that Russia waged a major campaign to help Trump to victory in 2016. However, Mueller was unable to establish a criminal relationship between the two.

Cohen, on the other hand, has worked closely with Trump over the years and therefore more proof on these allegations is being expected from Cohen's book.

His book has been the center of controversy for months now. The ex-aide was given the permission to publish the book in July end after he was dragged to&nbsp;Otisville prison as a retaliation for planning to publish a book about Trump.

Trump's administration has been trying to halt the production of this book for months now.&nbsp;White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern has now replied with question marks on Chen's credibility calling him to be a 'liar' and accusing him of oublishing the book only to make money from sales.

"He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales. It’s unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump,” Morgenstern said.

Michael Cohen's lawyers have not yet responded back to the accusation made from the White House.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has alleged him of colluding with Russia to win elections, and promises proof of it in his new book. Cohen is publishing a book titled "Disloyal, A Memoir.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen has alleged him of colluding with Russia to win elections, and promises proof of it in his new book. Cohen is publishing a book titled "Disloyal, A Memoir.", in which he alleges Trump of colluding with Russia and much more. A 3,700 word long foreword of the book was published recently. "Trump had cheated in the election, with Russian connivance, as you will discover in these pages, because doing anything — and I mean anything — to `win` has always been his business model and way of life," Cohen writes in the book`s foreword, which was published online on Thursday. While the foreword does not reveal anything new about the accusations, it is still unclear if the book will be able to reveal any additional detail or proof regarding these allegations, which have been circling Trump for few years now from different sources. Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller last year concluded that Russia waged a major campaign to help Trump to victory in 2016. However, Mueller was unable to establish a criminal relationship between the two. Cohen, on the other hand, has worked closely with Trump over the years and therefore more proof on these allegations is being expected from Cohen's book. His book has been the center of controversy for months now. The ex-aide was given the permission to publish the book in July end after he was dragged to Otisville prison as a retaliation for planning to publish a book about Trump. Trump's administration has been trying to halt the production of this book for months now. White House spokesman Brian Morgenstern has now replied with question marks on Chen's credibility calling him to be a 'liar' and accusing him of oublishing the book only to make money from sales. "He readily admits to lying routinely but expects people to believe him now so that he can make money from book sales. It’s unfortunate that the media is exploiting this sad and desperate man to attack President Trump,” Morgenstern said. Michael Cohen's lawyers have not yet responded back to the accusation made from the White House.

Book trouble: Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, accuses him of colluding with Russia to win elections

A new book on US President Donald Trump has some interesting bits about his life, including his relationship with North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un. The latter says his relationship with Trump has been like a "fantasy film", according to the publishers.

The book, titled "Rage" and a follow-up to 2018's "Fear", is due out on September 15. The new book is also set to unveil 25 private letters exchanged between the two leaders.

The relationship between the pair has been a key driver of recent diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, veering from mutual insults and threats of war to a declaration of love from Trump.

Investigative journalist Bob Woodward obtained messages between the two leaders "that have not been public before" for his upcoming book, according to Simon &amp; Schuster.

In the letters, "Kim describes the bond between the two leaders as out of a 'fantasy film', as the two leaders engage in an extraordinary diplomatic minuet", the publisher revealed on the book's Amazon page.

Trump and Kim have met three times, beginning with their landmark summit in Singapore in June 2018, but little progress has been made on efforts to denuclearise the North.

A few months after Singapore, Trump told a rally of his supporters that the two men had fallen in love.

"No, really, he wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters. We fell in love," he said.

Negotiations have been deadlocked since the collapse of a second summit in Hanoi in February last year.

But even with diplomacy at a standstill, Trump has frequently boasted of receiving "very beautiful" and "excellent" letters from Kim.

Woodward, a Washington Post reporter, made his name with his coverage of the Watergate scandal and the role it played in the Richard Nixon's resignation from the presidency in 1974.

Trump has sought to discredit several of the claims made in "Fear", which offered an inside glimpse into his chaotic White House and sold 1.1 million copies in its first week.

Trump, however, has called that book a "joke" and "a scam". He was not interviewed by Woodward for "Fear".

But in January this year, Trump said he had sat down with Woodward for the upcoming work.

A new book on US President Donald Trump has some interesting bits about his life, including his relationship with North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un. The latter says his relationship with Trump has been like a "fantasy film", according to the publishers.

A new book on US President Donald Trump has some interesting bits about his life, including his relationship with North Korea dictator Kim Jong Un. The latter says his relationship with Trump has been like a "fantasy film", according to the publishers. The book, titled "Rage" and a follow-up to 2018's "Fear", is due out on September 15. The new book is also set to unveil 25 private letters exchanged between the two leaders. The relationship between the pair has been a key driver of recent diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang, veering from mutual insults and threats of war to a declaration of love from Trump. Investigative journalist Bob Woodward obtained messages between the two leaders "that have not been public before" for his upcoming book, according to Simon & Schuster. In the letters, "Kim describes the bond between the two leaders as out of a 'fantasy film', as the two leaders engage in an extraordinary diplomatic minuet", the publisher revealed on the book's Amazon page. Trump and Kim have met three times, beginning with their landmark summit in Singapore in June 2018, but little progress has been made on efforts to denuclearise the North. A few months after Singapore, Trump told a rally of his supporters that the two men had fallen in love. "No, really, he wrote me beautiful letters, and they're great letters. We fell in love," he said. Negotiations have been deadlocked since the collapse of a second summit in Hanoi in February last year. But even with diplomacy at a standstill, Trump has frequently boasted of receiving "very beautiful" and "excellent" letters from Kim. Woodward, a Washington Post reporter, made his name with his coverage of the Watergate scandal and the role it played in the Richard Nixon's resignation from the presidency in 1974. Trump has sought to discredit several of the claims made in "Fear", which offered an inside glimpse into his chaotic White House and sold 1.1 million copies in its first week. Trump, however, has called that book a "joke" and "a scam". He was not interviewed by Woodward for "Fear". But in January this year, Trump said he had sat down with Woodward for the upcoming work.

New book on Trump to reveal letters exchanged with Kim Jong Un

Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a historic peace deal on Thursday that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern nations.

West Asia Peace Deal: Israel, UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations

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