Globalization, roughly defined as ‘the freer movement and flows of capital, good(trade), people and perhaps even culture’ is in retreat. It is suggested by some that the world is in the midst of ‘deglobalization’ where countries are retrenching and retreating from the processes of globalization, imposing the proverbial walls on these.

Globalization, roughly defined as ‘the freer movement and flows of capital, good(trade), people and perhaps even culture’ is in retreat. It is suggested by some that the world is in the midst of ‘deglobalization’ where countries are retrenching and retreating from the processes of globalization, imposing the proverbial walls on these. In this schema, the cooling off relations between the United States and China, presaging Cold War 2.0, is held to be emblematic of the new trend, hastened by the Covid-19 pandemic. While it amounts to stating the obvious that historically, globalization has moved in waves, with the latest wave emanating in the culminating decades of the 20th century, its seeds were sown soon after the end of the Second Great War. The multilateral institutional firmament, of the twin sisters-the World Bank and the IMF, the United Nations and its allied bodies, the rebuilding of Europe through and by the Marshall Plan and the formation of the European Union, among other factors and thematic issues, laid the foundations of the third wave of globalization. In this initial period of the ‘golden years’, much trade and capital flows happened and took place between what was called the ‘triad’- Western Europe, Japan and North America. Globalization was, in essence, a ‘triad’ phenomenon till the opening up of China in 1978, which not only led to stupendous economic growth and development in the country but made, along with the entry of India, in the early 1990s’, and its zig zagged denouement in parts of Africa, globalization global, so to speak. The trad became one aspect of the processes and form of globalization. But, with the benefit of hindsight, the 2008 financial crisis, became the catalyst for issues brewing under the surface patina of globalization. The declining flows of trade and capital, plus cultural changes in much of the Western world, largely through immigration, created a brew whose outcome was populist politics led by the bellwether of globalization, the United States. In this sense, if a sensationalist twist is accorded to the phenomenon, 2016 was the year that changed everything. In this year, Donald Trump, with a message that resonated with many Americans, assumed the highest office of the United States and became its president. With his pithy mantra and slogan, ‘Make America Great Again(MAGA), Trump set out to dismantle globalization. While Trump’s success in the attempt to roll back globalization has been mixed but because globalization or a retreat from it has become a valence issue in the United States and other parts of the Western world and a power-political one with security issues latched on to it, with China, globalization is in retreat. But this retreat appears to be partial with the potential of trade and capital flows re-emerging in the triad of North America, Western Europe and Japan. The thrust, intensity and nature of these trade flow, given a whole host of factors, are unlikely to be the same as it was in the post-war period. At the same time, in and within the virtual networks created by globalization, the phenomenon remains as intense as ever, perhaps even exacerbated by the trends induced by COVID 19- online shopping, working from home and so on. If then deglobalization has gained momentum, globalization has not died. Its form and shape have changed. In the world of technology networks of a virtual nature, it appears to be as intense as ever but in the trade, capital, people and technology flow it appears to be assuming a different form and shape. From the perspective of economic development and poverty alleviation, this change might not be too sanguine for developing countries and the poor ones, especially ones that stood to gain from globalization. But, this is how it is, at the moment. Will globalization become prominent again? The answer to this question cannot be definitely answered but if history is any guide, it will, at some point in time. But for globalization to work, it has to be made to work for all and not a narrow section or upper crust of societies. Admittedly, this assertion is a cliché but there is no other alternative if the phenomenon is to be workable. All in all, in the coming decades, the world will both globalize and deglobalize and the directive impetus for either will lie in politics and not the other way round. That is, if politics followed globalization in the concluding decades of the 20th century, this time around globalization will follow politics. Whether this will be sanguine of not, time will tell. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Is globalization assuming a ‘new old’ form?

The American flag was lowered at the United States consulate in Chengdu on Monday, days after Beijing ordered it to close in retaliation for the shuttering of the Chinese consulate in Houston.

China accuses United States of cold war rhetoric

The city of Portland in U.S. has been rocked by unrest for 56 consecutive nights. The U.S. President has ordered a 'federal crackdown' on what he calls an 'anti-police crusade'.

Gravitas: Trump's federal crackdown in Portland

US President Donald Trump has cancelled the pre-election Republican party convention in Florida. Trump's campaign manager says the President is putting the health & safety of Americans first. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you why that may not be the case.

Gravitas: US Election: Why Trump cancelled the Republican convention

US President Donald Trump has referred to Wisconsin demonstrators as "terrorists" and has promised "retribution" against protesters countrywide who tore down statues.&nbsp;

Donald Trump at the Fox News town hall in Wisconsin on Thursday night said that “Every night, we’re going to get tougher and tougher,” after the audience questioned about his plan to clamp down the protests.&nbsp;

“And at some point, there’s going to be retribution because there has to be. These people are vandals, but they’re agitators, but they're really — they’re terrorists, in a sense,” he added.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, Trump tweeted regarding the prison time for protesters who vandalised the monuments. He promised 10 years in jail for “anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such federal property,” citing the 2003 Veterans’ Memorial Preservation Act.

Many statues of Confederate generals, slaveholders and colonial figures were toppled in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests. There was an attempt to tear down a statue of former President Andrew Jackson on Monday, however, the law enforcement managed to clear the crowd.&nbsp;

“I can understand certain things being taken down, but they ought to go through a process legally,” Trump said Thursday.

US President Donald Trump has referred to Wisconsin demonstrators as "terrorists" and has promised "retribution" against protesters countrywide who tore down statues.

US President Donald Trump has referred to Wisconsin demonstrators as "terrorists" and has promised "retribution" against protesters countrywide who tore down statues. Donald Trump at the Fox News town hall in Wisconsin on Thursday night said that “Every night, we’re going to get tougher and tougher,” after the audience questioned about his plan to clamp down the protests. “And at some point, there’s going to be retribution because there has to be. These people are vandals, but they’re agitators, but they're really — they’re terrorists, in a sense,” he added. On Tuesday, Trump tweeted regarding the prison time for protesters who vandalised the monuments. He promised 10 years in jail for “anyone who vandalizes or destroys any monument, statue or other such federal property,” citing the 2003 Veterans’ Memorial Preservation Act. Many statues of Confederate generals, slaveholders and colonial figures were toppled in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests. There was an attempt to tear down a statue of former President Andrew Jackson on Monday, however, the law enforcement managed to clear the crowd. “I can understand certain things being taken down, but they ought to go through a process legally,” Trump said Thursday.

Trump calls demonstrators 'terrorists' and promises 'retribution' against them

President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in the Senate are set to unveil a $1 trillion US coronavirus relief bill on Monday that includes reduced federal unemployment benefits, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin saying he believes they can work with Democrats to move quickly on the legislation.

President Donald Trump's fellow Republicans in the Senate are set to unveil a $1 trillion US coronavirus relief bill on Monday that includes reduced federal unemployment benefits, with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin saying he believes they can work with Democrats to move quickly on the legislation. Senate Republicans and White House officials are scrambling to hammer out an agreement on the proposal, which hit snags after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had announced plans to introduce the measure last week. With enhanced federal unemployment benefits due to expire on Friday, Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows made weekend visits to Capitol Hill to meet with Republican Senate leaders on the legislation. "The bill will be introduced Monday and we're prepared to act quickly. This is all about kids and jobs. This is our focus, and we want to make sure something gets passed quickly so that we deal with the unemployment and all the other issues," Mnuchin told the "Fox News Sunday" program. The most pressing issues are the soon-to-expire enhanced unemployment benefits - currently $600 a week - and liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits, Mnuchin said. Republicans say they are looking at an extension of unemployment benefits that replace 70% of a person's wages before they lost their job. Mnuchin said on Saturday the Trump administration supports extending enhanced unemployment benefits until the end of the year, but at a reduced level. Meadows, a former Republican member of the House of Representatives, said he and Mnuchin would be back at the Capitol on Sunday "putting the final touches" on the bill. "Honestly I see us being able to provide unemployment insurance, maybe a retention credit to keep people from being displaced," Meadows told ABC's "This Week." Democrats control the House and the Republicans control the Senate. The coronavirus pandemic has hammered the U.S. economy and triggered large increases in unemployment. Congress is working toward passing the latest in a series of bills in response to the pandemic. The House approved Democratic-backed legislation in May but the Senate has not yet acted. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has rejected any short-term extension on the federal enhanced jobless benefits, putting pressure on Republicans to offer their proposal. "We can move very quickly with the Democrats on these issues. We've moved quickly before, and I see no reason why we can't move quickly again," Mnuchin said. "And if there are issues that take longer, we'll deal with those as well."

Republicans, Democrats can move quickly on US coronavirus relief bill, Mnuchin says

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston.&nbsp;

The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/people-in-us-consulate-in-chengdu-interfered-in-our-internal-affairs-china-315732">People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China</a>

Chengdu, which lies in Sichuan province, is a hub for China's commercial expansion into Central Asia.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">&nbsp;</a>

The region has been a valuable outpost for the US too as reports suggest it is from this consulate that Washington used to gather information about Xinjiang and Tibet.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-china-consulate-war-why-china-shut-down-the-chengdu-consulate-315816/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Xinjiang and Tibet have been in international focus after China began crackdowns in these regions.&nbsp;

Chinese celebrated the decision to shut down Chengdu consulate and it was the&nbsp;top trending topic on Weibo, Chinese version of a social-media website similar to Twitter.&nbsp;

Chinese state media CCTV posted an image with the text: "retaliation".

Hot pots are a popular food in Chengdu and now some users on social media are suggesting that the American consulate could be turned into a hotspot restaurant.&nbsp;

Several people were seen outside the consulate, who apparently wanted to see if the US will burn any documents.&nbsp;

Earlier, Chinese diplomats had burnt some documents in Houston following the announcment by the US.&nbsp;

The Americans didn't burn any documents, but some crackers were set off.&nbsp;

The US has been given 72 hours to shut down the consulate and the country is not looking to buckle, in fact, it seems, US is willing to take on China. &nbsp;

In recent weeks, the US has sanctioned Chinese officials, cut off access to the American technology and challenged Beijing on the South China Sea.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State, who has constantly ramped up pressure on China, today described the Asian giant a "frankenstein" and declared that Washington will lead the fight against the Communist Party.&nbsp;

Washington and Beijing are battling on several fronts, be it defence, trade, technology and human rights and the closure of the American consulate suggests that the tussle is all set to intensify.&nbsp;

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston. The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds.

In a tit-for-tat diplomacy, China has asked the United States to close its consulate in Chengdu after Washington shut down Beijing's consulate in Houston. The US has accused China of snooping through the Houston consulate and now China is retaliating on similar grounds. Also read | People in US consulate in Chengdu interfered in our internal affairs: China Chengdu, which lies in Sichuan province, is a hub for China's commercial expansion into Central Asia. Also read | 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo The region has been a valuable outpost for the US too as reports suggest it is from this consulate that Washington used to gather information about Xinjiang and Tibet. Watch | Xinjiang and Tibet have been in international focus after China began crackdowns in these regions. Chinese celebrated the decision to shut down Chengdu consulate and it was the top trending topic on Weibo, Chinese version of a social-media website similar to Twitter. Chinese state media CCTV posted an image with the text: "retaliation". Hot pots are a popular food in Chengdu and now some users on social media are suggesting that the American consulate could be turned into a hotspot restaurant. Several people were seen outside the consulate, who apparently wanted to see if the US will burn any documents. Earlier, Chinese diplomats had burnt some documents in Houston following the announcment by the US. The Americans didn't burn any documents, but some crackers were set off. The US has been given 72 hours to shut down the consulate and the country is not looking to buckle, in fact, it seems, US is willing to take on China. In recent weeks, the US has sanctioned Chinese officials, cut off access to the American technology and challenged Beijing on the South China Sea. US Secretary of State, who has constantly ramped up pressure on China, today described the Asian giant a "frankenstein" and declared that Washington will lead the fight against the Communist Party. Washington and Beijing are battling on several fronts, be it defence, trade, technology and human rights and the closure of the American consulate suggests that the tussle is all set to intensify.

With announcement on Chengdu consulate closure, US, China battle set to intensify

Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon in space on July 15. The&nbsp;weapon launch sent warning beeps through space control desks in the US and the UK.

One of its satellites fired a missile-like projectile&nbsp;which is capable of striking an enemy satellite. It is&nbsp;the first time such a test has been conducted by any country.

For America, it&nbsp;is a reminder of the space race during the Cold War. The US says that Russia's actions are consistent with its doctrine to attack US space assets.

In November, Russia had launched a satellite that carried another satellite in its womb. The satellite formed in the space but did not pose a threat at that time. However, six months later, both these satellites came incredibly close to an American military satellite known as KH-11 — one of America's most powerful spies in space.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-and-uk-accuse-russia-of-launching-new-space-weapon-315568">Also read:&nbsp;US and UK accuse Russia of launching new space weapon</a>

It&nbsp;was considered to be a border incursion in space to which America complained, and later Russia pulled away.&nbsp;The US now claims it is the same satellite that has test-fired.

America's suspicions date back to 2018 when Russian satellites first began to display mysterious behaviour. In the same year, France claimed that a Russian satellite had cosied up to a French satellite. France said that Russia is playing dangerous games in space.

Now, the United Kingdom has woken up to the danger and has&nbsp;slammed Russia for test-firing a weapon in space. It comes days after an internal report declared that the UK is badly underestimating the Russian threat.

Russia is among the only four countries in the world that have demonstrated anti-satellite capability — the others are America, India and China.

The US President Donald Trump has even created a separate space command to counter Russia and China. The US has released a document that shows how the space war may evolve.

Satellites armed with laser, radio frequency jammers, chemical sprays and even robot arms to rip apart satellites. Despite all these concerns, there is no treaty banning or limiting such weapons. However,&nbsp;there are agreements. The US, Russia, UK and China are among the 100 signatories to the outer space treaty.

Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon in space on July 15. The weapon launch sent warning beeps through space control desks in the US and the UK. One of its satellites fired a missile-like projectile which is capable of striking an enemy satellite.

Russia tested an anti-satellite weapon in space on July 15. The weapon launch sent warning beeps through space control desks in the US and the UK. One of its satellites fired a missile-like projectile which is capable of striking an enemy satellite. It is the first time such a test has been conducted by any country. For America, it is a reminder of the space race during the Cold War. The US says that Russia's actions are consistent with its doctrine to attack US space assets. In November, Russia had launched a satellite that carried another satellite in its womb. The satellite formed in the space but did not pose a threat at that time. However, six months later, both these satellites came incredibly close to an American military satellite known as KH-11 — one of America's most powerful spies in space. Also read: US and UK accuse Russia of launching new space weapon It was considered to be a border incursion in space to which America complained, and later Russia pulled away. The US now claims it is the same satellite that has test-fired. America's suspicions date back to 2018 when Russian satellites first began to display mysterious behaviour. In the same year, France claimed that a Russian satellite had cosied up to a French satellite. France said that Russia is playing dangerous games in space. Now, the United Kingdom has woken up to the danger and has slammed Russia for test-firing a weapon in space. It comes days after an internal report declared that the UK is badly underestimating the Russian threat. Russia is among the only four countries in the world that have demonstrated anti-satellite capability — the others are America, India and China. The US President Donald Trump has even created a separate space command to counter Russia and China. The US has released a document that shows how the space war may evolve. Satellites armed with laser, radio frequency jammers, chemical sprays and even robot arms to rip apart satellites. Despite all these concerns, there is no treaty banning or limiting such weapons. However, there are agreements. The US, Russia, UK and China are among the 100 signatories to the outer space treaty.

Russia tests anti-satellite weapon as space war takes new turn

US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, "Students can return to classes". Mike Pence calls for school reopening at all levels.

US' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, "Students can return to classes"

The Trump administration moved to ease controls on exports of armed drones, saying that allies need US technology and that other countries outside of a non-proliferation pact were taking over the market.

Donald Trump looks to expand defence exports in election year

The US President Donald Trump has cancelled&nbsp;the Republican convention that was&nbsp;supposed to be held in Florida next month.

Trump says the time is not right, which one would believe is due to the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases in the US. Due to the surge in cases, large gatherings are not allowed.&nbsp;However, the President did not cancel the event due to the virus.

The Republican convention was supposed to be a gathering of all Republican delegates. It was scheduled to be held between August 24-27 in Jacksonville, Florida. The party would have announced its presidential and vice presidential nominee.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-election-why-trump-cancelled-the-republican-convention-315821/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In other words, Trump would have formally announced his re-election bid during the Florida convention.&nbsp;He would have also released the party manifesto.

"So I told my team it's time to cancel. The Jacksonville, Florida, component of the GOP convention will be starting in North Carolina for the Monday, as always has been planned. We were never taking that off. That's remaining as it is. The delegates are going to get together. That's where they do their nomination," said the US President Donald Trump.

Trump's campaign manager said that by cancelling the event the President has put the health and safety of the American people first.

His&nbsp;approach towards the pandemic has always been very casual from quoting random death estimates to politicising the mask, if health and safety had been a concern, Trump would have never planned a rally in Florida in the first place.

Reports claim that Trump originally&nbsp;wanted to hold the Republican Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina but the state's governor was skeptical of hosting a large gathering amid the pandemic. He insisted on limiting the crowd size, but Trump did not want social distancing, he wanted a full house. So, the location was switched.

Trump says the rally was cancelled because of the spike in coronavirus cases in Florida. However, the&nbsp;truth is that the Sheriff in Jacksonville said his city is not ready for the event.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/k-pop-fans-and-tiktok-users-played-trump-hundreds-of-seats-remain-empty-in-tulsa-rally-307532">Also read:&nbsp;K-Pop fans and TikTok users played Trump; hundreds of seats remain empty in Tulsa rally</a>

Florida is currently No-3&nbsp;in terms of COVID-19 cases, after California and New York. So, if the reasons are carefully studied, it would be safe to say that Trump did not choose to cancel the convention, he was forced to.

"I want to thank the Jacksonville community and its great mayor, great guy, really great guy. They wanted it so badly. And all of the other political representatives in Jacksonville and in Florida," Trump said.

According to a Quinnipiac poll, 80 per cent of Florida voters disapprove of Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump.

Another reason why Trump was forced to cancel the event was due to the&nbsp;Tulsa factor. Republicans apparently had shelled out 2.2 million dollars for the&nbsp;June event and Trump was expecting a sold-out venue.

<img alt="Trump's rally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74511977-3290-4e47-b9a7-7e0da1919a8e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump%27s%20rally.jpg" />

Much to his dismay, people barely showed up while some were scared of the coronavirus, others&nbsp;were not really excited about cheering Trump.

Things got worse when health officials said that the indoor rally fuelled coronavirus cases in Oklahoma, meaning that those who showed up either caught the virus or transmitted it.

Considering the previous event was a disaster, probably Trump took a hint and decided to play it safe instead of taking a risk, especially when all estimates point at his White House exit.

The US President Donald Trump has cancelled the Republican convention that was supposed to be held in Florida next month. Trump says the time is not right, which one would believe is due to the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases in the US.

The US President Donald Trump has cancelled the Republican convention that was supposed to be held in Florida next month. Trump says the time is not right, which one would believe is due to the rapidly rising number of coronavirus cases in the US. Due to the surge in cases, large gatherings are not allowed. However, the President did not cancel the event due to the virus. The Republican convention was supposed to be a gathering of all Republican delegates. It was scheduled to be held between August 24-27 in Jacksonville, Florida. The party would have announced its presidential and vice presidential nominee. In other words, Trump would have formally announced his re-election bid during the Florida convention. He would have also released the party manifesto. "So I told my team it's time to cancel. The Jacksonville, Florida, component of the GOP convention will be starting in North Carolina for the Monday, as always has been planned. We were never taking that off. That's remaining as it is. The delegates are going to get together. That's where they do their nomination," said the US President Donald Trump. Trump's campaign manager said that by cancelling the event the President has put the health and safety of the American people first. His approach towards the pandemic has always been very casual from quoting random death estimates to politicising the mask, if health and safety had been a concern, Trump would have never planned a rally in Florida in the first place. Reports claim that Trump originally wanted to hold the Republican Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina but the state's governor was skeptical of hosting a large gathering amid the pandemic. He insisted on limiting the crowd size, but Trump did not want social distancing, he wanted a full house. So, the location was switched. Trump says the rally was cancelled because of the spike in coronavirus cases in Florida. However, the truth is that the Sheriff in Jacksonville said his city is not ready for the event. Also read: K-Pop fans and TikTok users played Trump; hundreds of seats remain empty in Tulsa rally Florida is currently No-3 in terms of COVID-19 cases, after California and New York. So, if the reasons are carefully studied, it would be safe to say that Trump did not choose to cancel the convention, he was forced to. "I want to thank the Jacksonville community and its great mayor, great guy, really great guy. They wanted it so badly. And all of the other political representatives in Jacksonville and in Florida," Trump said. According to a Quinnipiac poll, 80 per cent of Florida voters disapprove of Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump. Another reason why Trump was forced to cancel the event was due to the Tulsa factor. Republicans apparently had shelled out 2.2 million dollars for the June event and Trump was expecting a sold-out venue. Much to his dismay, people barely showed up while some were scared of the coronavirus, others were not really excited about cheering Trump. Things got worse when health officials said that the indoor rally fuelled coronavirus cases in Oklahoma, meaning that those who showed up either caught the virus or transmitted it. Considering the previous event was a disaster, probably Trump took a hint and decided to play it safe instead of taking a risk, especially when all estimates point at his White House exit.

Caught in a lie: Here's why Donald Trump was forced to cancel Florida convention

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders aiming at lowering prices that Americans pay for prescription drugs as he faces an uphill re-election battle and criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

One order would allow for the legal importation of cheaper prescription drugs from countries like Canada, while another would require discounts from drug companies now captured by middlemen to be passed on to patients, Trump said.

Another measure seeks to lower insulin costs while a fourth, which might not need to be implemented if talks with drug companies are successful, would require Medicare to purchase drugs at the same price that other countries pay, Trump said.

Executives of top drug companies have requested a meeting to discuss how they can lower drug prices, the president added.

“We are putting patients over lobbyists, senior citizens before special interests, and we’re putting America first,” Trump said before signing the documents.

Trump, under fire for surging coronavirus cases in the United States and beset by decreasing poll numbers ahead of Nov. 3 elections, had previously asked Congress to rein in drug costs.

On Friday, he also said that the White House would propose a healthcare bill soon but offered few details.

Drugmakers often negotiate rebates or discounts on their list prices in exchange for favorable treatment from insurers and other healthcare payers. As a result, insurers and covered patients rarely pay the full list price of a drug.

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders aiming at lowering prices that Americans pay for prescription drugs as he faces an uphill re-election battle and criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders aiming at lowering prices that Americans pay for prescription drugs as he faces an uphill re-election battle and criticism over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. One order would allow for the legal importation of cheaper prescription drugs from countries like Canada, while another would require discounts from drug companies now captured by middlemen to be passed on to patients, Trump said. Another measure seeks to lower insulin costs while a fourth, which might not need to be implemented if talks with drug companies are successful, would require Medicare to purchase drugs at the same price that other countries pay, Trump said. Executives of top drug companies have requested a meeting to discuss how they can lower drug prices, the president added. “We are putting patients over lobbyists, senior citizens before special interests, and we’re putting America first,” Trump said before signing the documents. Trump, under fire for surging coronavirus cases in the United States and beset by decreasing poll numbers ahead of Nov. 3 elections, had previously asked Congress to rein in drug costs. On Friday, he also said that the White House would propose a healthcare bill soon but offered few details. Drugmakers often negotiate rebates or discounts on their list prices in exchange for favorable treatment from insurers and other healthcare payers. As a result, insurers and covered patients rarely pay the full list price of a drug.

Donald Trump signs orders to lower prescription drug prices

Another Senate has passed a mammoth defence policy bill which includes a plan to rename US bases with confederate names. This comes after potential threat from US President Donald Trump to veto any legislation that would allow this change.

US: Senate approves defense bill with provision to rename military bases

US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled the Jacksonville portion of the Republican National Convention scheduled to be held in Florida next month in view of a spiralling COVID-19 crisis.

The move is a striking turnaround for Trump, who moved the convention to Jacksonville after North Carolina's governor raised public health concerns about having massive gatherings in Charlotte, as the Republicans had long planned.

Trump, at a White House news conference on Thursday, told reporters that he took the decision owing to a spike in coronavirus cases in Florida.

"The timing for this event is not right, it just not right with what has happened recently the flare up in Florida to have a big convention it's not the right time," he said.

Trump said he took the decision to protect the people of his country.

"I have to protect the American people; that is what I have always done. That is what I always will do, that is what I am about," he said after a meeting with his political team at the White House.

The US president said the team told him they can "make this (convention) work very easily" and there was "great enthusiasm" for it, but he made the decision considering the safety of the people.

The once in four-year convention of the Republican Party is held during the election year to nominate its presidential candidate. The convention was originally scheduled to be held in Charlottesville in North Carolina.

Trump is seeking his re-election for his second consecutive four-year term.

The Democratic Convention in Wisconsin has already gone into an almost virtual mode.&nbsp;

Former Vice President Joe Biden is the nominee of the opposition Democratic party.

US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled the Jacksonville portion of the Republican National Convention scheduled to be held in Florida next month in view of a spiralling COVID-19 crisis.

US President Donald Trump announced he has cancelled the Jacksonville portion of the Republican National Convention scheduled to be held in Florida next month in view of a spiralling COVID-19 crisis. The move is a striking turnaround for Trump, who moved the convention to Jacksonville after North Carolina's governor raised public health concerns about having massive gatherings in Charlotte, as the Republicans had long planned. Trump, at a White House news conference on Thursday, told reporters that he took the decision owing to a spike in coronavirus cases in Florida. "The timing for this event is not right, it just not right with what has happened recently the flare up in Florida to have a big convention it's not the right time," he said. Trump said he took the decision to protect the people of his country. "I have to protect the American people; that is what I have always done. That is what I always will do, that is what I am about," he said after a meeting with his political team at the White House. The US president said the team told him they can "make this (convention) work very easily" and there was "great enthusiasm" for it, but he made the decision considering the safety of the people. The once in four-year convention of the Republican Party is held during the election year to nominate its presidential candidate. The convention was originally scheduled to be held in Charlottesville in North Carolina. Trump is seeking his re-election for his second consecutive four-year term. The Democratic Convention in Wisconsin has already gone into an almost virtual mode. Former Vice President Joe Biden is the nominee of the opposition Democratic party.

Trump calls off Florida portion of GOP convention over coronavirus outbreak

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hope-to-avoid-expensive-arms-race-between-us-russia-and-china-trump-tells-putin-315584">Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2018/09/12/33482-trump%25252520and%25252520putin-20171122011433.jpg?itok=vGXNtnNK" />President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-was-hub-of-spying-us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-315582">'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/24/151258-pompeo.JPG?itok=XMqP718-" />

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the China’s consulate in Houston was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-firm-developing-front-line-30-second-covid-19-breath-test-315587">Israeli firm developing 'front line' 30-second COVID-19 breath test</a> 
 
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/05/26/141990-israelcoronavirus110320.jpg?itok=owKAsAEp" />An Israeli company is developing a "front line" COVID-19 breathalyser test that gives results in 30 seconds, amid protests in the country regarding the governments handling of the pandemic. 
&nbsp;

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Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said.

Hope to avoid 'expensive' arms race between US, Russia and China, Trump tells Putin President Donald Trump told Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday he wanted to avoid a costly arms race with Russia and China and hoped for progress in arms control negotiations, the White House said. 'China's Houston consulate was hub of spying': US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the China’s consulate in Houston was a hub of spying and Intellectual Property theft. Israeli firm developing 'front line' 30-second COVID-19 breath test An Israeli company is developing a "front line" COVID-19 breathalyser test that gives results in 30 seconds, amid protests in the country regarding the governments handling of the pandemic.

Morning news brief: Trump calls Putin, Covid rapid testing kit and more

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that states that are currently coronavirus hot spots may need to delay reopening schools by a few weeks, but otherwise pushed for students to be able to return to classrooms en masse in the fall.

"They have to open," Trump said of schools nationwide.

The president said it would be up to governors in the badly affected states to decide about school reopenings, and said decisions needed to be based on data.

Schools were shut down across the country after the novel coronavirus emerged and began spreading, and Trump has been determined to find a way to get them open again.

With schools set to resume in a few weeks, local officials across the country have announced a variety of plans, including some that involve continuing remote instruction through the rest of 2020.

While the risk of severe COVID-19 is seen as relatively low for children, there is fear they could infect more vulnerable teachers and other adult school administrators.

Despite Trump's pressure, only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as U.S. coronavirus cases climb, and four in 10 parents said they would likely keep their children home if classes resume, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week.

More than 142,000 people have died in the United States during the past five months and deaths are still rising in 23 states, according to a Reuters tally.

Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, has accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons and threatened to cut off federal funding to schools that do not reopen.

He said the administration was pushing Congress to provide $105 billion to schools as part of the next coronavirus relief bill currently under negotiation.

"If schools do not reopen, the funding should go to parents to send their child to public, private, charter, religious or home school of their choice," Trump said. "If the school is closed, the money should follow the student."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued additional guidelines on how schools can safely reopen that included a call for students to stay 6 feet (1.8 m) apart from each other when feasible and to bring meals from home and eat them in classrooms instead of lunchroom.

Earlier this month, Trump criticised the initial CDC guidelines on schools as too tough, impractical and expensive. The agency charged with protecting Americans` health then said it would issue additional guidelines.&nbsp;

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that states that are currently coronavirus hot spots may need to delay reopening schools by a few weeks, but otherwise pushed for students to be able to return to classrooms en masse in the fall.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that states that are currently coronavirus hot spots may need to delay reopening schools by a few weeks, but otherwise pushed for students to be able to return to classrooms en masse in the fall. "They have to open," Trump said of schools nationwide. The president said it would be up to governors in the badly affected states to decide about school reopenings, and said decisions needed to be based on data. Schools were shut down across the country after the novel coronavirus emerged and began spreading, and Trump has been determined to find a way to get them open again. With schools set to resume in a few weeks, local officials across the country have announced a variety of plans, including some that involve continuing remote instruction through the rest of 2020. While the risk of severe COVID-19 is seen as relatively low for children, there is fear they could infect more vulnerable teachers and other adult school administrators. Despite Trump's pressure, only one in four Americans thinks it is safe for public schools to reopen this autumn as U.S. coronavirus cases climb, and four in 10 parents said they would likely keep their children home if classes resume, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll last week. More than 142,000 people have died in the United States during the past five months and deaths are still rising in 23 states, according to a Reuters tally. Trump, a Republican who is seeking re-election in November, has accused Democrats of wanting to keep schools shut for political reasons and threatened to cut off federal funding to schools that do not reopen. He said the administration was pushing Congress to provide $105 billion to schools as part of the next coronavirus relief bill currently under negotiation. "If schools do not reopen, the funding should go to parents to send their child to public, private, charter, religious or home school of their choice," Trump said. "If the school is closed, the money should follow the student." The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued additional guidelines on how schools can safely reopen that included a call for students to stay 6 feet (1.8 m) apart from each other when feasible and to bring meals from home and eat them in classrooms instead of lunchroom. Earlier this month, Trump criticised the initial CDC guidelines on schools as too tough, impractical and expensive. The agency charged with protecting Americans` health then said it would issue additional guidelines.

Trump again pushes for schools to reopen, says hot-spot states may need short delay

Once again, the United States, the land of the free is in turmoil.&nbsp;

Protests have resurfaced in many parts of the country, but the flashpoint is the city of Portland.&nbsp;

In Portland, the protests against police brutality never really died down and the demonstrations are continuing for 56 consecutive nights.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-announces-surge-of-federal-forces-to-crime-plagued-us-cities-315259">Donald Trump announces ‘surge’ of federal forces to crime-plagued US cities</a>

And now the demonstrations are turning violent.&nbsp;Security forces are tear-gassing and clubbing demonstrators.&nbsp;

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The Mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler is standing alongside the protesters.

The mayor, who is also a Democrat and is conducting regular "listening sessions" for the protesters, was tear-gassed too along with the demonstrators.&nbsp;

Wheeler was seen coughing, but still, he couldn't win the support of protesters as they believe he was only there for cameras.&nbsp;

This signals how protesters want to stay away from political support.&nbsp;

The American media is describing the pushback by the security forces, a federal crackdown.&nbsp;

The security officials are housed at the Justice Center in Portland and are showing no signs of retreating.&nbsp;

They are stepping out of the building at regular intervals and tossing smoke bombs and tear gas shells at the protesters.&nbsp;

Their deployment has triggered a national debate over civil liberties, but President Donald Trump is in no mood to concede.

Trump is calling the protests and anti-police crusade, and is justifying his decision by accusing "extreme politicians" of fanning the flames.&nbsp;

The US president has launched a plan, known as "Operation Legend", in which federal agents are sent to tackle violence in any city that sees the slightest of protest in the coming days.&nbsp;

Under this operation, federal law enforcement agents, which includes the FBI and US Marshals Service, will help local police in combat what Trump calls as a surge in violent crime.&nbsp;

Over the recent weeks, the White House is only focussing on incidents of crime and not on the cause of protests.&nbsp;

For Trump, every protester is either a criminal, a political tool, a left-radical or a terrorist. But when it comes to racial discrimination and police brutality, he deflects all questions.&nbsp;

A similar strategy is followed by the US president every time he was asked about his response to the pandemic.&nbsp;

However, now he has had a change of heart, at least as far as the coronavirus outbreak is concerned.&nbsp;

He no longer considers coronavirus as just a flu. He wears a mask wherever he goes,&nbsp;

"Wear it in the hospital. Weat it when you're in a group. Wear it in the elevator. Wear it when there are people around." Trump said.

Trump took six months to say this, however, better late than never.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Once again, the United States, the land of the free is in turmoil. Protests have resurfaced in many parts of the country, but the flashpoint is the city of Portland.

Once again, the United States, the land of the free is in turmoil. Protests have resurfaced in many parts of the country, but the flashpoint is the city of Portland. In Portland, the protests against police brutality never really died down and the demonstrations are continuing for 56 consecutive nights. Also read | Donald Trump announces ‘surge’ of federal forces to crime-plagued US cities And now the demonstrations are turning violent. Security forces are tear-gassing and clubbing demonstrators. The Mayor of Portland, Ted Wheeler is standing alongside the protesters. The mayor, who is also a Democrat and is conducting regular "listening sessions" for the protesters, was tear-gassed too along with the demonstrators. Wheeler was seen coughing, but still, he couldn't win the support of protesters as they believe he was only there for cameras. This signals how protesters want to stay away from political support. The American media is describing the pushback by the security forces, a federal crackdown. The security officials are housed at the Justice Center in Portland and are showing no signs of retreating. They are stepping out of the building at regular intervals and tossing smoke bombs and tear gas shells at the protesters. Their deployment has triggered a national debate over civil liberties, but President Donald Trump is in no mood to concede. Trump is calling the protests and anti-police crusade, and is justifying his decision by accusing "extreme politicians" of fanning the flames. The US president has launched a plan, known as "Operation Legend", in which federal agents are sent to tackle violence in any city that sees the slightest of protest in the coming days. Under this operation, federal law enforcement agents, which includes the FBI and US Marshals Service, will help local police in combat what Trump calls as a surge in violent crime. Over the recent weeks, the White House is only focussing on incidents of crime and not on the cause of protests. For Trump, every protester is either a criminal, a political tool, a left-radical or a terrorist. But when it comes to racial discrimination and police brutality, he deflects all questions. A similar strategy is followed by the US president every time he was asked about his response to the pandemic. However, now he has had a change of heart, at least as far as the coronavirus outbreak is concerned. He no longer considers coronavirus as just a flu. He wears a mask wherever he goes, "Wear it in the hospital. Weat it when you're in a group. Wear it in the elevator. Wear it when there are people around." Trump said. Trump took six months to say this, however, better late than never.

Mask-clad Donald Trump continues clampdown on protesters

Michael Cohen, the US President Donald Trump's former lawyer, will be returning back to his apartment in Manhattan on Friday to finish his criminal sentence.

The order came two weeks after Cohen was imprisoned in Otisville prison as a retaliation for planning to publish a book about Trump.

US&nbsp;District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered Cohen to be released by 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT) from the prison in Otisville, New York.&nbsp;

"I make the finding that the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory and it`s retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book," Hellerstein said at Thursday`s hearing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-former-lawyer-michael-cohen-back-in-jail-after-home-confinement-fails-312112">Also read:&nbsp;Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, back in jail after home confinement fails</a>

Cohen was sentenced in 2018 for directing hush payments to pornographic film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed they had affairs with the current US President Donald Trump. All these claims were denied by Trump.

In the starting of July 2020, Cohen had requested to convert his furlough to a home confinement&nbsp;to finish out the final two years of his three-year sentence. However, he was brought back to the prison after he tweeted that his book, which will provide&nbsp;"unflattering details" of Trump`s behavior, was almost finished.

The officials claimed that his tweet was a breach of the agreement under which Cohen was not allowed to reach out to the media in any form, for any reason.

Cohen, who has once claimed that he would "take a bullet" for Trump, has not received any support from his old friend and colleague. Instead, he has labelled as a "rat" by Trump.

Michael Cohen, the US President Donald Trump's former lawyer, will be returning back to his apartment in Manhattan on Friday to finish his criminal sentence. The order came two weeks after Cohen was imprisoned in Otisville prison as a retaliation for planning to publish a book about Trump.

Michael Cohen, the US President Donald Trump's former lawyer, will be returning back to his apartment in Manhattan on Friday to finish his criminal sentence. The order came two weeks after Cohen was imprisoned in Otisville prison as a retaliation for planning to publish a book about Trump. US District Judge Alvin Hellerstein ordered Cohen to be released by 2 pm EDT (1800 GMT) from the prison in Otisville, New York. "I make the finding that the purpose of transferring Mr. Cohen from furlough and home confinement to jail is retaliatory and it`s retaliatory because of his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to publish a book," Hellerstein said at Thursday`s hearing. Also read: Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, back in jail after home confinement fails Cohen was sentenced in 2018 for directing hush payments to pornographic film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed they had affairs with the current US President Donald Trump. All these claims were denied by Trump. In the starting of July 2020, Cohen had requested to convert his furlough to a home confinement to finish out the final two years of his three-year sentence. However, he was brought back to the prison after he tweeted that his book, which will provide "unflattering details" of Trump`s behavior, was almost finished. The officials claimed that his tweet was a breach of the agreement under which Cohen was not allowed to reach out to the media in any form, for any reason. Cohen, who has once claimed that he would "take a bullet" for Trump, has not received any support from his old friend and colleague. Instead, he has labelled as a "rat" by Trump.

Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen soon to return home from prison

Former US president Barack Obama and his administration's vice president Joe Biden have come out together in a video, which defended their time in the White House and slammed&nbsp;US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

The video is their in-person encounter amid the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the United States the most with over 142,000 fatalities and infections nearing 4 million.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-calls-trump-first-racist-president-of-the-united-states-315267">Joe Biden calls Trump 'first' racist president of the United States</a>

The full video will be put out on social media on Thursday, but teasers shared by Biden's campaign showed the duo wearing masks and sitting well away from each other to maintain social distancing.&nbsp;

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Every day I hear from folks who tell me how important health care is to their families — well, it's deeply personal for President <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BarackObama</a> and me, too. I'll fight to protect and build on Obamacare and make sure everyone gets the care they need. 
 
Watch our conversation: <a href="https://t.co/ZyrBmLrjCJ">pic.twitter.com/ZyrBmLrjCJ</a>
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1286254983961165826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-president-barack-obama-helps-raise-11-million-for-joe-biden-in-online-fundraiser-308128">Former US President Barack Obama helps raise $11 million for Joe Biden in online fundraiser</a>

In the snippets, Obama and Biden, Democratic nominee for presidential election, discussed the much-talked about health care law and and blamed Trump for creating rifts in the American society and his response to the pandemic.&nbsp;

"Can you imagine standing up when you were president and saying, 'It's not my responsibility, I take no responsibility'", Biden said. &nbsp;

In another excerpt, Biden hit out at Trump launching his 2016 campaign at Trump Tower, saying, "He ran by deliberately dividing people from the moment he came down that escalator, and I think people are now going, 'I don't want my kid growing up that way.'"

The former president responded that he had confidence in Biden's "heart and your character, and the fact that you are going to be able to reassemble the kind of government that cares about people and brings people together."

In another snippet, Biden referred to health insurance issues in the country where he talked about his son Beau's death, adding he was" thinking to myself, what would happen if his insurance company was able to come in, which they could have done before we passed Obamacare and said, 'You have outrun your insurance.'"

"I couldn't be prouder of what we got done... Twenty million people have health insurance that didn't have it because of what we did," Obama responded.&nbsp;

Former US president Barack Obama and his administration's vice president Joe Biden have come out together in a video, which defended their time in the White House and slammed US President Donald Trump.

Former US president Barack Obama and his administration's vice president Joe Biden have come out together in a video, which defended their time in the White House and slammed US President Donald Trump. The video is their in-person encounter amid the coronavirus pandemic that has affected the United States the most with over 142,000 fatalities and infections nearing 4 million. Also read | Joe Biden calls Trump 'first' racist president of the United States The full video will be put out on social media on Thursday, but teasers shared by Biden's campaign showed the duo wearing masks and sitting well away from each other to maintain social distancing. Every day I hear from folks who tell me how important health care is to their families — well, it's deeply personal for President @BarackObama and me, too. I'll fight to protect and build on Obamacare and make sure everyone gets the care they need. Watch our conversation: pic.twitter.com/ZyrBmLrjCJ — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) July 23, 2020 × Also read | Former US President Barack Obama helps raise $11 million for Joe Biden in online fundraiser In the snippets, Obama and Biden, Democratic nominee for presidential election, discussed the much-talked about health care law and and blamed Trump for creating rifts in the American society and his response to the pandemic. "Can you imagine standing up when you were president and saying, 'It's not my responsibility, I take no responsibility'", Biden said. In another excerpt, Biden hit out at Trump launching his 2016 campaign at Trump Tower, saying, "He ran by deliberately dividing people from the moment he came down that escalator, and I think people are now going, 'I don't want my kid growing up that way.'" The former president responded that he had confidence in Biden's "heart and your character, and the fact that you are going to be able to reassemble the kind of government that cares about people and brings people together." In another snippet, Biden referred to health insurance issues in the country where he talked about his son Beau's death, adding he was" thinking to myself, what would happen if his insurance company was able to come in, which they could have done before we passed Obamacare and said, 'You have outrun your insurance.'" "I couldn't be prouder of what we got done... Twenty million people have health insurance that didn't have it because of what we did," Obama responded.

Barack Obama, Joe Biden team up for new video to slam Trump, defend their administration

Donald Trump has divulged details of a cognitive test he "aced" -- including a five-word memory challenge he said proved he had the "mental stamina" to lead the US.

"Person. Woman. Man Camera. TV," the US president recited as he revealed details of the much-discussed test to Fox TV on Wednesday.

"The last questions are much more difficult," he said in an interview on "Tucker Carlson Tonight", in which he repeatedly questioned the mental capacity of his Democratic rival Joe Biden.&nbsp;

"Like a memory question. It's like, you'll go: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV," the president said. "So they say, 'Could you repeat that?' So I said, 'Yeah. It's: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.'"

"Then, ten minutes, 15, 20 minutes later they say, 'Remember that first question... Give us that again."

"And you go: 'Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.'"

"And they say 'that's amazing. How did you do that?'"

"I do it because I have, like, a good memory," Trump continued. "Because I'm cognitively there."&nbsp;

In the interview Trump also called for his Democratic rival Joe Biden -- currently leading Trump in polls ahead of the November presidential election -- to take a similar test, because "something's going on."

"You need physical stamina," he said. "You need mental stamina... we have to be sharp... President Xi is sharp. President Putin is sharp. Erdogan is sharp."

The interview quickly drew ridicule on social media.

"i seriously cannot keep up," tweeted Sarah Cooper, a Trump impersonator who shot to fame with parodies of some of the US leader's greatest hits, including "How to Obamagate" and "How to strong death totals".&nbsp;

Cooper targeted Trump in a previous video "How to cognitive", in which she lampooned a previous interview he gave to Fox, where he professed to have "aced" an unspecified cognitive test.

Donald Trump has divulged details of a cognitive test he "aced" -- including a five-word memory challenge he said proved he had the "mental stamina" to lead the US.

Donald Trump has divulged details of a cognitive test he "aced" -- including a five-word memory challenge he said proved he had the "mental stamina" to lead the US. "Person. Woman. Man Camera. TV," the US president recited as he revealed details of the much-discussed test to Fox TV on Wednesday. "The last questions are much more difficult," he said in an interview on "Tucker Carlson Tonight", in which he repeatedly questioned the mental capacity of his Democratic rival Joe Biden. "Like a memory question. It's like, you'll go: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV," the president said. "So they say, 'Could you repeat that?' So I said, 'Yeah. It's: Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.'" "Then, ten minutes, 15, 20 minutes later they say, 'Remember that first question... Give us that again." "And you go: 'Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV.'" "And they say 'that's amazing. How did you do that?'" "I do it because I have, like, a good memory," Trump continued. "Because I'm cognitively there." In the interview Trump also called for his Democratic rival Joe Biden -- currently leading Trump in polls ahead of the November presidential election -- to take a similar test, because "something's going on." "You need physical stamina," he said. "You need mental stamina... we have to be sharp... President Xi is sharp. President Putin is sharp. Erdogan is sharp." The interview quickly drew ridicule on social media. "i seriously cannot keep up," tweeted Sarah Cooper, a Trump impersonator who shot to fame with parodies of some of the US leader's greatest hits, including "How to Obamagate" and "How to strong death totals". Cooper targeted Trump in a previous video "How to cognitive", in which she lampooned a previous interview he gave to Fox, where he professed to have "aced" an unspecified cognitive test.

Trump touts five-word memory test as showing he is 'cognitively there'

The United States continues to reel under the coronavirus pandemic. The country is witnessing the second wave of infections where the state of California overtook New York to become the most affected state in the country.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Crematoriums in Texas overburdened, Highest single-day surge in California

US President Donald Trump has now announced that he will be sending federal troops to more cities amid the black lives matter protest. Watch report.

Trump to send federal troops to Chicago amid BLM protests

China is considering ordering the closure of the US consulate in the central city of Wuhan after Washington told China to shut its consulate in the city of Houston. Watch report.

US orders its Houston mission closure: China may shut US Wuhan consulate

Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November.

The United States said on Wednesday it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information".

The decision marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations amid fresh accusations of Chinese espionage in the United States and calls by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a new global coalition against Beijing.

China's embassy to the United States described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision.&nbsp;

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying wrote on Twitter that China would "surely react with firm countermeasures".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-houston-consulate-closed-to-protect-american-intellectual-property-us-315168">Also read |&nbsp;China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US</a>

The official English-language newspaper China Daily described the move as "a new gambit in the US administration's bid to paint China as a malevolent actor on the world stage, and thus make it an outlaw to the international community."

"The move shows that lagging behind his presidential election opponent in the polls... the US leader is going all out in his attempts to portray China as an agent of evil," it added.

The Global Times, an English-language tabloid run by the Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper, also accused US President Donald Trump of resorting to dirty politics.

"The November presidential election is driving Washington mad," it said.

In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the United States of "groundless fabrications" about the actions of China's diplomatic missions and urged it to "immediately revoke this erroneous decision".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houston-consulate-closure-china-warns-students-in-us-over-arbitrary-interrogations-and-detentions-315184">Also read |&nbsp;Houston consulate closure: China warns students in US over 'arbitrary interrogations and detentions'</a>

"It's time to step on the brakes and return to the right direction!" the embassy posted separately on its official Twitter account.

According to US court filings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also alleging that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud and concealing ties to the military is now holed up in China's consulate in San Francisco.

Other Chinese researchers at US universities have also been arrested for visa fraud, the filings showed.

Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November.

Chinese state media has, in its editorials, lambasted the move by the United States government to shut down China's consulate in Houston as an attempt to blame Beijing for American failures ahead of presidential elections in November. The United States said on Wednesday it had given China 72 hours to close the consulate "to protect American intellectual property and Americans' private information". The decision marked a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two nations amid fresh accusations of Chinese espionage in the United States and calls by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for a new global coalition against Beijing. China's embassy to the United States described the move to close the Houston consulate as a "political provocation" and called on Washington to "immediately revoke" the decision. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying wrote on Twitter that China would "surely react with firm countermeasures". Also read | China's Houston consulate closed to 'protect American intellectual property': US The official English-language newspaper China Daily described the move as "a new gambit in the US administration's bid to paint China as a malevolent actor on the world stage, and thus make it an outlaw to the international community." "The move shows that lagging behind his presidential election opponent in the polls... the US leader is going all out in his attempts to portray China as an agent of evil," it added. The Global Times, an English-language tabloid run by the Communist Party's People's Daily newspaper, also accused US President Donald Trump of resorting to dirty politics. "The November presidential election is driving Washington mad," it said. In a statement released on Thursday morning, the Chinese embassy in Washington accused the United States of "groundless fabrications" about the actions of China's diplomatic missions and urged it to "immediately revoke this erroneous decision". Also read | Houston consulate closure: China warns students in US over 'arbitrary interrogations and detentions' "It's time to step on the brakes and return to the right direction!" the embassy posted separately on its official Twitter account. According to US court filings, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is also alleging that a Chinese researcher accused of visa fraud and concealing ties to the military is now holed up in China's consulate in San Francisco. Other Chinese researchers at US universities have also been arrested for visa fraud, the filings showed.

Chinese state media blasts Houston consulate shutdown as Trump election gambit

Indian American and Republican leader Nikki Haley has said that US President Donald Trump sees China as a threat and said that she would work very hard to get him re-elected in the November elections.

Addressing the concluding session of the two-day India Ideas Summit Haley said that “I think that (security threat from China) will be one factor (in the elections). I think that you have president Trump who very much sees China as a threat,.” 
 
Former US&nbsp;Ambassador to the UN &amp; Former Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley said, "The relationship between PM Modi and President Trump has strengthened, and it's important that we continue to take that relationship forward.

The India Ideas Summit was also addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

“I think that you have (Democratic nominee) Joe Biden, who has said that China is not the problem and who was against the travel ban to China and who has not shown, in any of his time that he was in the Obama administration, as realizing the threat that China had. So, I think it will be one of the factors that's going to be very important in this next election,” she said.

“I can tell you right now, I'm going to be campaigning and working very hard for president Trump. I think where we have come on foreign policy, where we saw the economy prior to COVID is very strong. I believe in the policies that he's put forward and I'll be campaigning hard for him and look forward to a win by president Trump in November,” she said.

“That was warranted. They are natural allies. India and the United States are a lot of the same values, the same work ethic, the same family values. It's important that we just continue to take that relationship forward,” she said.

“Everyone is going to start to look at India as they're looking at Vietnam and other places to see how they can get less dependent on China," she said.

“If India can make some concessions in order to bring all of this trade in, I think that there will be massive amounts, not just from the United States, but from other countries that really lean into India to try and do those things,” Haley said. 
 
(With inputs from PTI)

Indian American and Republican leader Nikki Haley has said that US President Donald Trump sees China as a threat and said that she would work very hard to get him re-elected in the November elections.

Indian American and Republican leader Nikki Haley has said that US President Donald Trump sees China as a threat and said that she would work very hard to get him re-elected in the November elections. Addressing the concluding session of the two-day India Ideas Summit Haley said that “I think that (security threat from China) will be one factor (in the elections). I think that you have president Trump who very much sees China as a threat,.” Former US Ambassador to the UN & Former Governor of South Carolina, Nikki Haley said, "The relationship between PM Modi and President Trump has strengthened, and it's important that we continue to take that relationship forward. The India Ideas Summit was also addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “I think that you have (Democratic nominee) Joe Biden, who has said that China is not the problem and who was against the travel ban to China and who has not shown, in any of his time that he was in the Obama administration, as realizing the threat that China had. So, I think it will be one of the factors that's going to be very important in this next election,” she said. “I can tell you right now, I'm going to be campaigning and working very hard for president Trump. I think where we have come on foreign policy, where we saw the economy prior to COVID is very strong. I believe in the policies that he's put forward and I'll be campaigning hard for him and look forward to a win by president Trump in November,” she said. “That was warranted. They are natural allies. India and the United States are a lot of the same values, the same work ethic, the same family values. It's important that we just continue to take that relationship forward,” she said. “Everyone is going to start to look at India as they're looking at Vietnam and other places to see how they can get less dependent on China," she said. “If India can make some concessions in order to bring all of this trade in, I think that there will be massive amounts, not just from the United States, but from other countries that really lean into India to try and do those things,” Haley said. (With inputs from PTI)

Trump sees China as a threat and ties between US-India strengthened, says Nikki Haley

Joe Biden has referred to US President Donald Trump as the country's "first" racist president.

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's comments came during a virtual town hall organised by the Service Employees International Union.

At the event, Biden blasted Trump and "his spread of racism" when a questioner complained of racism surrounding the coronavirus outbreak and mentioned the president referring to it as the "China virus."

"The way he deals with people based on the colour of their skin, their national origin, where they're from, is absolutely sickening," the former vice president said.&nbsp;

"No sitting president has ever done this. Never, never, never. No Republican president has done this. No Democratic president. We've had racists, and they've existed. They've tried to get elected president. He's the first one that has."&nbsp;

Biden also suggested that Trump is using race "as a wedge" to distract from his mishandling of the pandemic.

At a White House briefing later Wednesday, Trump responded to a question about Biden's comments by pointing to his administration's efforts passing criminal justice reform legislation and expanding opportunity zones, as well as the low unemployment numbers for minority groups before the coronavirus outbreak.

"I've done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible of exception of Abraham Lincoln," the president said.

"Nobody has even been close."&nbsp;

Biden has vowed that, if elected, he will begin addressing institutional racism within his first 100 days of taking office.

This was not the first time he's suggested Trump's actions were racist. When Trump said last year that four Democratic congresswomen of color should "go back" to their countries, Biden called it a "flat, racist attack."

Biden has built his campaign around the election being a "battle for the soul of the nation" and says he felt compelled to run for president after he saw Trump respond to a deadly 2017 white supremacist attack on counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, by saying there were "some very fine people" on both sides.

Joe Biden has referred to US President Donald Trump as the country's "first" racist president. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's comments came during a virtual town hall organised by the Service Employees International Union.

Joe Biden has referred to US President Donald Trump as the country's "first" racist president. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's comments came during a virtual town hall organised by the Service Employees International Union. At the event, Biden blasted Trump and "his spread of racism" when a questioner complained of racism surrounding the coronavirus outbreak and mentioned the president referring to it as the "China virus." "The way he deals with people based on the colour of their skin, their national origin, where they're from, is absolutely sickening," the former vice president said. "No sitting president has ever done this. Never, never, never. No Republican president has done this. No Democratic president. We've had racists, and they've existed. They've tried to get elected president. He's the first one that has." Biden also suggested that Trump is using race "as a wedge" to distract from his mishandling of the pandemic. At a White House briefing later Wednesday, Trump responded to a question about Biden's comments by pointing to his administration's efforts passing criminal justice reform legislation and expanding opportunity zones, as well as the low unemployment numbers for minority groups before the coronavirus outbreak. "I've done more for Black Americans than anybody with the possible of exception of Abraham Lincoln," the president said. "Nobody has even been close." Biden has vowed that, if elected, he will begin addressing institutional racism within his first 100 days of taking office. This was not the first time he's suggested Trump's actions were racist. When Trump said last year that four Democratic congresswomen of color should "go back" to their countries, Biden called it a "flat, racist attack." Biden has built his campaign around the election being a "battle for the soul of the nation" and says he felt compelled to run for president after he saw Trump respond to a deadly 2017 white supremacist attack on counterprotesters in Charlottesville, Virginia, by saying there were "some very fine people" on both sides.

Joe Biden calls Trump 'first' racist president of the United States

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler joined large crowds of protesters near the Justice Center in Portland Wednesday night.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler Joins BLM protests

Accuse, evict, repeat: How it has become a commonly used tactic by US

US President Donald Trump announced a "surge" of federal agents to crime hotspots including Chicago on Wednesday, following an increase in violence in the nation's third-largest city. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-committee-approves-bill-banning-tiktok-for-federal-employees-315221">Also read: US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees</a> 
 
"I'm announcing a surge of federal law enforcement into communities plagued by violent crime," Trump said at the White House, with Attorney General William Barr and the FBI and Department of Homeland Security directors in the audience.

The Department of Justice will "immediately surge federal law enforcement to the city of Chicago," added the president, who has increasingly sought to make law-and-order a theme for his flagging re-election campaign.

Barr said "Operation Legend" would see some 200 agents sent to the Windy City and another 30 to Albuquerque, New Mexico after it kicked off earlier this month in Kansas City, Missouri where there are already 200 officers.

Shootings have spiked in a number of US cities this summer, with more than 60 people shot in Chicago, including 14 fatalities, over the past weekend alone, according to the department.

Trump warned Monday he could send federal officers to New York and other Democratic-led cities to protect federal buildings and sort out what he says is a collapse of law and order.

The warning came after an unusual deployment of military-garbed federal agents amid protests in Portland, Oregon, which many said smacked of authoritarianism.

The deployment announced Wednesday, however, involved federal agents who will partner with local law enforcement, not riot control forces as seen in Portland.

The mayors of six major cities -- Atlanta, Washington, Seattle, Chicago, Portland and Kansas City -- said in a letter to Barr and Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf on Monday that uninvited deployments of federal troops violate the Constitution.

On Wednesday Trump said he wanted to "make law enforcement stronger not weaker," adding that more officers should be hired rather than cutting police department budgets.

In mentioning police budgets, Trump was responding to calls to "defund police," a common refrain from anti-racism protests that have sprung up across the country following the death of George Floyd, an African American, at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis.

US President Donald Trump announced a "surge" of federal agents to crime hotspots including Chicago on Wednesday, following an increase in violence in the nation's third-largest city.

US President Donald Trump announced a "surge" of federal agents to crime hotspots including Chicago on Wednesday, following an increase in violence in the nation's third-largest city. Also read: US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees "I'm announcing a surge of federal law enforcement into communities plagued by violent crime," Trump said at the White House, with Attorney General William Barr and the FBI and Department of Homeland Security directors in the audience. The Department of Justice will "immediately surge federal law enforcement to the city of Chicago," added the president, who has increasingly sought to make law-and-order a theme for his flagging re-election campaign. Barr said "Operation Legend" would see some 200 agents sent to the Windy City and another 30 to Albuquerque, New Mexico after it kicked off earlier this month in Kansas City, Missouri where there are already 200 officers. Shootings have spiked in a number of US cities this summer, with more than 60 people shot in Chicago, including 14 fatalities, over the past weekend alone, according to the department. Trump warned Monday he could send federal officers to New York and other Democratic-led cities to protect federal buildings and sort out what he says is a collapse of law and order. The warning came after an unusual deployment of military-garbed federal agents amid protests in Portland, Oregon, which many said smacked of authoritarianism. The deployment announced Wednesday, however, involved federal agents who will partner with local law enforcement, not riot control forces as seen in Portland. The mayors of six major cities -- Atlanta, Washington, Seattle, Chicago, Portland and Kansas City -- said in a letter to Barr and Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf on Monday that uninvited deployments of federal troops violate the Constitution. On Wednesday Trump said he wanted to "make law enforcement stronger not weaker," adding that more officers should be hired rather than cutting police department budgets. In mentioning police budgets, Trump was responding to calls to "defund police," a common refrain from anti-racism protests that have sprung up across the country following the death of George Floyd, an African American, at the hands of a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Donald Trump announces ‘surge’ of federal forces to crime-plagued US cities

US President Donald Trump has now announced that he will be sending federal troops to more cities amid the black lives matter protest

Trump to deploy hundreds of federal troops to Chicago to quell BLM protests

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases.

Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus.

Trump said cases among young Americans first started to rise "shortly after demonstrations."

"The protests following the death of George Floyd presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide. A substantial increase in travel around Memorial Day and summer vacations was also a driver of new cases," he said.

Young people closely congregating at bars and probably other places, maybe beaches, likely also led to new cases, he added.

Trump also blamed travellers crossing the US-Mexico border for spikes, as cases in his neighbouring country were increasing.

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus.

US President Donald Trump has blamed anti-racism protests, travellers from Mexico and young bar-goers for a nationwide surge in coronavirus cases. Trump sought on Wednesday to explain the rise in confirmed cases across the nation's South, Southwest and West as he held his second briefing ahead of the presidential election in as many days after a three-month hiatus. Trump said cases among young Americans first started to rise "shortly after demonstrations." "The protests following the death of George Floyd presumably triggered a broader relaxation of mitigation efforts nationwide. A substantial increase in travel around Memorial Day and summer vacations was also a driver of new cases," he said. Young people closely congregating at bars and probably other places, maybe beaches, likely also led to new cases, he added. Trump also blamed travellers crossing the US-Mexico border for spikes, as cases in his neighbouring country were increasing.

Trump blames anti-racism protests, Mexico travellers for surge in COVID cases

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