US Congress has now passed a bill calling for sanctions on Chinese officials over the oppression of Muslims. The bill is now pending for the approval of President Donald Trump.

US Congress passes Uighur bill: Bill over the persecution of Uighurs

At a time when the US President is being criticised for his response to the Coronavirus outbreak - Donald Trump has offered to mediate, again. President Trump says the US is ready to 'mediate or arbitrate' in the India- China border dispute. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why Trump keeps making mediation offers.

Gravitas: Donald Trump offers to mediate, again

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday.

No other details were provided by the White House officials. It is still unclear as to how will the President follow on the threat of shutting down private social media giants.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/comedian-kathy-griffin-picks-up-a-beef-with-donald-trump-yet-again-301393">Also read: Comedian Kathy Griffin picks up a beef with Donald Trump, yet again!</a>

Trump was upset as Twitter, for the first time, tagged his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud in mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact check the posts. This warning upset Trump to a limit that he threatened the private companies.

On a similar issue, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a conservative group and right-wing YouTube personality against Google, Facebook, Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, feels that censoring social media platforms is not the right reflex for a government which is constantly worried about censorship.&nbsp;

Following this threat by Trump, shares of Facebook and Twitter saw a steep decline on Wednesday.

General Counsel Sean Edgett on Wednesday said, "We have a group and committee of folks who take a look at these things and make decisions on what`s getting a lot of visibility and traction."

The issue of censorship has been a topic of debate in the White House for few years now, as the President feels "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen."

Republican and Democratic lawmakers, along with the U.S. Justice Department, have been considering changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law largely exempting online platforms from legal liability for the material their users post.

(With inputs from Reuters)

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday.

After US President Donald Trump ordered to shut down websites that he feels stifle conservative voices, White House has said Donald Trump will sign an executive order on social media companies on Thursday. No other details were provided by the White House officials. It is still unclear as to how will the President follow on the threat of shutting down private social media giants. Also read: Comedian Kathy Griffin picks up a beef with Donald Trump, yet again! Trump was upset as Twitter, for the first time, tagged his tweets about unsubstantiated claims of fraud in mail-in voting with a warning prompting readers to fact check the posts. This warning upset Trump to a limit that he threatened the private companies. On a similar issue, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington on Wednesday upheld the dismissal of a lawsuit by a conservative group and right-wing YouTube personality against Google, Facebook, Twitter and Apple accusing them of conspiring to suppress conservative political views. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on the other hand, feels that censoring social media platforms is not the right reflex for a government which is constantly worried about censorship. Following this threat by Trump, shares of Facebook and Twitter saw a steep decline on Wednesday. General Counsel Sean Edgett on Wednesday said, "We have a group and committee of folks who take a look at these things and make decisions on what`s getting a lot of visibility and traction." The issue of censorship has been a topic of debate in the White House for few years now, as the President feels "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen." Republican and Democratic lawmakers, along with the U.S. Justice Department, have been considering changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a federal law largely exempting online platforms from legal liability for the material their users post. (With inputs from Reuters)

Donald Trump  to sign executive order on social media on Thursday

India on Wednesday said it was engaged with China to resolve the border row while reacting to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between the two countries to settle the festering dispute.

"We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, replying to a question at an online media briefing.

Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions.

Trump said this in an early morning tweet that came amid the continuing standoff between the militaries of the two neighbours.

"We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump posted.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-offers-to-mediate-or-arbitrate-between-india-and-china-301344">Also read | Trump offers to 'mediate or arbitrate' between India and China</a>

The nearly 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de-facto border between India and China.

Several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently.

But on Wednesday, China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable," and both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through a dialogue and consultation.

The Ministry of External Affairs then said all Indian activities were carried out on its side of the border, asserting that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.

India on Wednesday said it was engaged with China to resolve the border row while reacting to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between the two countries to settle the festering dispute.

India on Wednesday said it was engaged with China to resolve the border row while reacting to US President Donald Trump's offer to mediate between the two countries to settle the festering dispute. "We are engaged with the Chinese side to peacefully resolve it," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, replying to a question at an online media briefing. Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions. Trump said this in an early morning tweet that came amid the continuing standoff between the militaries of the two neighbours. "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump posted. Also read | Trump offers to 'mediate or arbitrate' between India and China The nearly 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de-facto border between India and China. Several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently. But on Wednesday, China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable," and both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through a dialogue and consultation. The Ministry of External Affairs then said all Indian activities were carried out on its side of the border, asserting that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management.

Engaged with China to resolve border issue peacefully: India on Trump's offer to mediate

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally.

This comes in reply to Trump threatening Twitter with a big action that can come in the form of an executive order soon.

"Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that's me. Please leave our employees out of this. We'll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make," tweeted Dorsey.

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Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make.
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1265837138114830336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump had warned social media giants that his government could "strongly regulate" or "close them down" after Twitter fact-checked one of his tweets for the first time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-to-shut-social-media-companies-after-twitter-adds-warning-to-his-tweets-301375">Also read |&nbsp;Trump threatens to shut social media companies after Twitter adds warning to his tweets</a>

Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway had earlier targetted Twitter's head of site integrity, Yoel Roth, on Fox News after finding some older tweets from him that were critical of the president and the US administration.

"Somebody in San Francisco go wake him up and tell him he's about to get a lot more followers," Conway was quoted as saying.

Trump supporters shared screenshots of old Roth tweets on social media, slamming him all over.

The Twitter CEO said the action on Trump's tweets does not make them an "arbiter of truth", referring to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who jumped into the fray, criticising Twitter for flagging tweets by Trump.

"Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions," Dorsey stressed.

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Per our Civic Integrity policy (<a href="https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm">https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm</a>), the tweets yesterday may mislead people into thinking they don’t need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots). We’re updating the link on <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>’s tweet to make this more clear.
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1265837143827468289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Twitter Safety said that action against Trump's tweets about California`s vote-by-mail plans is part of efforts to enforce the civic integrity policy.

"We believe those Tweets could confuse voters about what they need to do to receive a ballot and participate in the election process," said Twitter Safety.

Dorsey said that as per the civic integrity policy, Trump tweets "may mislead people into thinking they don't need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots)".

"We're updating the link on @realDonaldTrump's tweet to make this more clear", he said.

Trump, meanwhile, has announced retaliation is coming in the form of an executive order against the social media companies.

"Stay Tuned!!!" Trump tweeted to his more than 80 million followers on the platform.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey on Thursday defended the fact checking action against US President Donald Trump tweets, saying the micro-blogging platform would continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. This comes in reply to Trump threatening Twitter with a big action that can come in the form of an executive order soon. "Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that's me. Please leave our employees out of this. We'll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make," tweeted Dorsey. Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me. Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally. And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020 × Trump had warned social media giants that his government could "strongly regulate" or "close them down" after Twitter fact-checked one of his tweets for the first time. Also read | Trump threatens to shut social media companies after Twitter adds warning to his tweets Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway had earlier targetted Twitter's head of site integrity, Yoel Roth, on Fox News after finding some older tweets from him that were critical of the president and the US administration. "Somebody in San Francisco go wake him up and tell him he's about to get a lot more followers," Conway was quoted as saying. Trump supporters shared screenshots of old Roth tweets on social media, slamming him all over. The Twitter CEO said the action on Trump's tweets does not make them an "arbiter of truth", referring to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg who jumped into the fray, criticising Twitter for flagging tweets by Trump. "Our intention is to connect the dots of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves. More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions," Dorsey stressed. Per our Civic Integrity policy (https://t.co/uQ0AoPtoCm), the tweets yesterday may mislead people into thinking they don’t need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots). We’re updating the link on @realDonaldTrump’s tweet to make this more clear. — jack (@jack) May 28, 2020 × Twitter Safety said that action against Trump's tweets about California`s vote-by-mail plans is part of efforts to enforce the civic integrity policy. "We believe those Tweets could confuse voters about what they need to do to receive a ballot and participate in the election process," said Twitter Safety. Dorsey said that as per the civic integrity policy, Trump tweets "may mislead people into thinking they don't need to register to get a ballot (only registered voters receive ballots)". "We're updating the link on @realDonaldTrump's tweet to make this more clear", he said. Trump, meanwhile, has announced retaliation is coming in the form of an executive order against the social media companies. "Stay Tuned!!!" Trump tweeted to his more than 80 million followers on the platform.

Fact-checking doesn't make Twitter 'arbiter of truth': Jack Dorsey's retort to Donald Trump

Gravitas: Trump's golf outing triggers controversy As the United States commemorated Memorial Day, U.S. President Donald Trump headed out to play golf. Were his actions justified? WION's Palki gets you a report.

Gravitas: Trump's golf outing triggers controversy

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday called his Republican rival Donald Trump an "absolute fool" for not wearing a mask at a series of recent public events.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Tuesday called his Republican rival Donald Trump an "absolute fool" for not wearing a mask at a series of recent public events. Biden said Trump's lack of leadership on the issue is "costing peoples' lives." Biden's decision to wear a mask outdoors on Memorial Day at his first public event since March caught the attention of Trump, who retweeted an image of Biden at the event accompanied by a comment: "This might help explain why Trump doesn't like to wear a mask in public." The president has resisted wearing masks in front of cameras at series of public events, including on Memorial Day. "He’s a fool, an absolute fool to talk that way. Every leading doc in the world says you should be wearing a mask in a crowd," Biden said in a taped interview with CNN. Biden called Trump's behaviour "macho stuff" and falsely masculine actions that were costing people's lives. The president said on Tuesday he thought it was "very unusual" that Biden wore the mask on Memorial Day since he was outside in good weather. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where social distancing measures are hard to maintain. The guidelines do not suggest wearing masks at home. McEnany said Biden's choice to wear a mask did not strike Trump as "a very data-driven decision." (With inputs from Reuters)

Joe Biden calls Trump 'absolute fool' for not wearing face mask in public events

Undoubtedly, a handshake with the US president is a big deal as many consider the man most powerful on Earth. However, due to coronavirus fears, US President Donald Trump is advised not to handshake.&nbsp;

The advice came after a delegation of Brazilian president recently met Trump in the US and some of the officials after the trip were tested positive with COVID-19.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-takes-coronavirus-test-as-us-extends-travel-ban-to-uk-ireland-286444">Donald Trump takes coronavirus test as US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland</a>

But, handshakes were all around the White House on Friday when Trump met business leaders at a press conference on tackling the novel virus's outbreak.

After Trump himself declared a national emergency and asked people to take "common-sense measures" to avoid infection, &nbsp;he shook hands with other speakers in the podium.&nbsp;

However, Bruce Greenstein, CEO of the home healthcare provider LHC, does manage to avoid the handshake.&nbsp;

Greenstein, instead gave the US president an elbow bump, to which Trump said, "I like that. That's good."

Trump, 73, was grilled on whether he would be tested after meeting a Brazilian official who is now infected with the novel coronavirus.

He initially said that on advice of White House doctors, "I don't have any of the symptoms."&nbsp;

But, he later said, "I didn't say I wasn't going to be tested" and that he "most likely" would be, "fairly soon."

Many critics have lashed out at Trump for his late response and downplaying the pandemic. &nbsp;

In the US, 51 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to a tally by John Hopkins University.&nbsp;

Undoubtedly, a handshake with the US president is a big deal as many consider the man most powerful on Earth. However, due to coronavirus fears, US President Donald Trump is advised not to handshake.

Undoubtedly, a handshake with the US president is a big deal as many consider the man most powerful on Earth. However, due to coronavirus fears, US President Donald Trump is advised not to handshake. The advice came after a delegation of Brazilian president recently met Trump in the US and some of the officials after the trip were tested positive with COVID-19. Also read: Donald Trump takes coronavirus test as US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland But, handshakes were all around the White House on Friday when Trump met business leaders at a press conference on tackling the novel virus's outbreak. After Trump himself declared a national emergency and asked people to take "common-sense measures" to avoid infection, he shook hands with other speakers in the podium. However, Bruce Greenstein, CEO of the home healthcare provider LHC, does manage to avoid the handshake. Greenstein, instead gave the US president an elbow bump, to which Trump said, "I like that. That's good." Trump, 73, was grilled on whether he would be tested after meeting a Brazilian official who is now infected with the novel coronavirus. He initially said that on advice of White House doctors, "I don't have any of the symptoms." But, he later said, "I didn't say I wasn't going to be tested" and that he "most likely" would be, "fairly soon." Many critics have lashed out at Trump for his late response and downplaying the pandemic. In the US, 51 Americans have died from COVID-19, according to a tally by John Hopkins University.

Donald Trump continues to handshake despite White House medical advice

Twitter on Tuesday for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in tweets sent by US President Donald Trump and accused him of making false claims. The social network has long resisted calls to censure the US president over truth-defying posts.

Twitter on Tuesday for the first time prompted readers to check the facts in tweets sent by US President Donald Trump and accused him of making false claims. The social network has long resisted calls to censure the US president over truth-defying posts. The move drew a furious response from Trump, who used the platform to accuse Twitter of "interfering in the 2020 Presidential Election." "Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH, and I, as President, will not allow it to happen!" he tweeted. ....Twitter is completely stifling FREE SPEECH, and I, as President, will not allow it to happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020 × The social media giant targeted two tweets the president posted on Tuesday in which he contended without evidence that mail-in voting would lead to fraud and a "Rigged Election." Under the tweets, Twitter posted a link which read "Get the facts about mail-in ballots" and which took users to a notice calling the claims "unsubstantiated", citing reporting by CNN, the Washington Post and other media. "Trump falsely claimed that mail-in ballots would lead to 'Rigged Election'," the notice contended. "However, fact-checkers say there is no evidence that mail-in ballots are linked to voter fraud." Trump aimed the misleading tweets at California, contending falsely that anyone living in the state would be sent ballots when in fact they will only go to registered voters, according to the notice. The president has long used Twitter as a platform to spread abuse, conspiracy theories, false information and insults to his 80 million followers. (With inputs from AFP)

Twitter fact-checks Trump tweet for the first time, calls it 'unsubstantiated' 

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to regulate or shut down social media companies, one day after Twitter Inc added a warning to a few of his tweets prompting readers to fact check his claims.

It is for the first time Twitter has undertaken such action.

Trump, without offering any evidence, reiterated his accusations of political bias by such technology platforms, tweeting: "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen."

He added: "Clean up your act, NOW!!!!"

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Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen. We saw what they attempted to do, and failed, in 2016. We can’t let a more sophisticated version of that....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1265601611310739456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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....happen again. Just like we can’t let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our Country. It would be a free for all on cheating, forgery and the theft of Ballots. Whoever cheated the most would win. Likewise, Social Media. Clean up your act, NOW!!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1265601615261827072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In the pair of early morning posts, the president again blasted mail-in ballots. Trump posted similar tweets about the ballot topic on Tuesday, which had moved Twitter to add a blue exclamation mark alert underneath those tweets to warn his claims were false and had been debunked by factcheckers.

The dramatic shift by the tech company, which has tightened its policies in recent years amid criticism that its hands-off approach has allowed misinformation to thrive, had prompted Trump to accuse it of interfering in the upcoming US presidential election.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to regulate or shut down social media companies, one day after Twitter Inc added a warning to a few of his tweets prompting readers to fact check his claims.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to regulate or shut down social media companies, one day after Twitter Inc added a warning to a few of his tweets prompting readers to fact check his claims. It is for the first time Twitter has undertaken such action. Trump, without offering any evidence, reiterated his accusations of political bias by such technology platforms, tweeting: "Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen." He added: "Clean up your act, NOW!!!!" Republicans feel that Social Media Platforms totally silence conservatives voices. We will strongly regulate, or close them down, before we can ever allow this to happen. We saw what they attempted to do, and failed, in 2016. We can’t let a more sophisticated version of that.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020 × ....happen again. Just like we can’t let large scale Mail-In Ballots take root in our Country. It would be a free for all on cheating, forgery and the theft of Ballots. Whoever cheated the most would win. Likewise, Social Media. Clean up your act, NOW!!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020 × In the pair of early morning posts, the president again blasted mail-in ballots. Trump posted similar tweets about the ballot topic on Tuesday, which had moved Twitter to add a blue exclamation mark alert underneath those tweets to warn his claims were false and had been debunked by factcheckers. The dramatic shift by the tech company, which has tightened its policies in recent years amid criticism that its hands-off approach has allowed misinformation to thrive, had prompted Trump to accuse it of interfering in the upcoming US presidential election.

Trump threatens to shut social media companies after Twitter adds warning to his tweets

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions.

Trump said this in an early morning tweet that came amid the continuing standoff between the militaries of the two neighbours.

"We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump posted.

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We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1265604027678670848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump previously offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, a proposal rejected by New Delhi which maintains that there is no role for any third party in bilateral issues.

The nearly 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de-facto border between India and China.

Several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently, in a clear signal of escalating tension and hardening of respective positions by the two sides even two weeks after they were engaged in two separate face-offs.

But on Wednesday, China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable," and both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through a dialogue and consultation.

India has said the Chinese military was hindering normal patrolling by its troops along the LAC in Ladakh and Sikkim and strongly refuted Beijing's contention that the escalating tension between the two armies was triggered by trespassing of Indian forces across the Chinese side.

The Ministry of External Affairs said all Indian activities were carried out on its side of the border, asserting that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management. India was deeply committed to protect its sovereignty and security, it added.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions.

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday offered to arbitrate the raging border dispute between India and China, adding he was willing to ease the tensions. Trump said this in an early morning tweet that came amid the continuing standoff between the militaries of the two neighbours. "We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you!" Trump posted. We have informed both India and China that the United States is ready, willing and able to mediate or arbitrate their now raging border dispute. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 27, 2020 × Trump previously offered to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, a proposal rejected by New Delhi which maintains that there is no role for any third party in bilateral issues. The nearly 3,500-km-long Line of Actual Control (LAC) is the de-facto border between India and China. Several areas along the LAC in Ladakh and North Sikkim have witnessed major military build-up by both the Indian and Chinese armies recently, in a clear signal of escalating tension and hardening of respective positions by the two sides even two weeks after they were engaged in two separate face-offs. But on Wednesday, China took an apparently conciliatory tone by saying that the situation at the border with India is "overall stable and controllable," and both the countries have proper mechanisms and communication channels to resolve the issues through a dialogue and consultation. India has said the Chinese military was hindering normal patrolling by its troops along the LAC in Ladakh and Sikkim and strongly refuted Beijing's contention that the escalating tension between the two armies was triggered by trespassing of Indian forces across the Chinese side. The Ministry of External Affairs said all Indian activities were carried out on its side of the border, asserting that India has always taken a very responsible approach towards border management. India was deeply committed to protect its sovereignty and security, it added.

Trump offers to 'mediate or arbitrate' between India and China

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday he takes hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that US&nbsp;President Donald trump has promoted as a way to ward off the novel coronavirus, though experts have warned about its safety.

Bukele told reporters that El Salvador was not promoting it anymore as a treatment, following the recommendation of the World Health Organization, though patients would still be able to take it as a preventative measure if they wished.

"I&nbsp;use it as a prophylaxis, President Trump uses it as a prophylaxis, most of the world's leaders use it as a prophylaxis," Bukele said.

Bukele's forceful response to the coronavirus, including moving to extend a national state of emergency without congressional approval, has prompted criticism that the 38-year-old has shown authoritarian tendencies and exceeded his powers.

Speaking at an event with Bukele, the US&nbsp;ambassador to El Salvador, Ronald Johnson, suggested that he approved of the leader's handling of the pandemic.

"I believe that in crisis situations, oftentimes people must give up a little bit of their freedoms in order to favor the rights and freedoms of the majority and of the whole," he said.

The World Health Organization(WHO) had said on Monday that its "Executive Group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the solidarity trial while the data is reviewed by the data safety monitoring board."

In a tweet, WHO chief Tedros said that, ''the Lancet had published an observational study on hydroxycholoroquine &amp; chloraquine &amp; its effects on&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;patients that have been hospitalised."

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday he takes hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that US President Donald trump has promoted as a way to ward off the novel coronavirus, though experts have warned about its safety.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said on Tuesday he takes hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug that US President Donald trump has promoted as a way to ward off the novel coronavirus, though experts have warned about its safety. Bukele told reporters that El Salvador was not promoting it anymore as a treatment, following the recommendation of the World Health Organization, though patients would still be able to take it as a preventative measure if they wished. "I use it as a prophylaxis, President Trump uses it as a prophylaxis, most of the world's leaders use it as a prophylaxis," Bukele said. Bukele's forceful response to the coronavirus, including moving to extend a national state of emergency without congressional approval, has prompted criticism that the 38-year-old has shown authoritarian tendencies and exceeded his powers. Speaking at an event with Bukele, the US ambassador to El Salvador, Ronald Johnson, suggested that he approved of the leader's handling of the pandemic. "I believe that in crisis situations, oftentimes people must give up a little bit of their freedoms in order to favor the rights and freedoms of the majority and of the whole," he said. The World Health Organization(WHO) had said on Monday that its "Executive Group has implemented a temporary pause of the hydroxychloroquine arm within the solidarity trial while the data is reviewed by the data safety monitoring board." In a tweet, WHO chief Tedros said that, ''the Lancet had published an observational study on hydroxycholoroquine & chloraquine & its effects on COVID-19 patients that have been hospitalised."

After Trump, El Salvador's President says he is taking hydroxychloroquine

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address.

Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control.

Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice.

That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too.

Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing.

The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities.

It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic.

In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing.

The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar.

The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags.

Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus.

Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination.

Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned.

Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes.

Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling.

The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities.

Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution.

A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet.

Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights.

Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown.

Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church.

“We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push.

“They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added.

DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren.

"American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.

To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths.

Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end.

Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies.

(The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns.

US President Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani religious scholars may have more in common than either would want to admit: a belief that the congregation is an essential pillar of prayer irrespective of public health concerns. Trump, however, may wish that he had the kind of less polarised and/or more compliant audience that Pakistani clerics address. Scores of religious leaders and groups in the United States have sought to protect their communities by advocating virtual rather than physical congregation at the time of a pandemic in which the coronavirus has yet to be brought under control. Religious authorities in much of the Muslim world, Pakistan being the exception that proves the rule, have heeded government instructions and medical and public health advice. That advice ranged from the closure of mosques to bans on social gatherings that precluded traditional iftar meals breaking the Ramadan fast and celebrations of this week’s end of the holy month to Saudi Arabia’s suspension of the umrah, the lesser pilgrimage to Mecca and possibly the haj too. Leaving aside the question, whether he has the legal power to do so, Trump vowed to overrule governors who refused to open houses of worship, noting that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) had issued guidelines that included physical distancing. The move designed to play to Trump’s Evangelist voter base received a mixed reception among American faith communities. It appealed to those segments of the community with an unqualified belief in God’s ability and will to protect and that often are steeped in notions of Christian manhood that have deep roots in American Evangelism and were boosted by the 9/11 attacks on New York’s World Trade Towers and the Pentagon in Washington. Trump’s recognition of prayer as an “essential” societal activity further drew a line intended to give houses of worship autonomy in an environment in which state intrusion into people’s lives has expanded greatly in a bid to fight the pandemic. In that sense, the president was fighting a battle similar to that of Pakistani Sunni and Shia Muslim leaders who rejected a total closure of mosques but were willing to accept guidance on issues such as physical distancing. The leaders see mosques “as spaces where you cultivate and express a communal religious identity that is very central to…their vision of the Pakistani state,” said a Pakistani Islamic scholar. The clerics’ determination to retain control of religious spaces was reinforced by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s flip flops that resembled Trump’s zig-zags. Khan initially sought to appeal to religious circles by meeting in the early days of the pandemic with Maulana Tariq Jameel, a leader of Tablighi Jamaat, who initially denied the contagious aspect of the virus. Jameel reversed course and embraced physical distancing after his movement’s mass gatherings in Pakistan, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia turned into super-spreaders of the coronavirus. Khan’s government further complicated issues by initially agreeing with religious leaders on a division of labour that would have empowered the clerics to advise their followers to stay at home, avoid congregational prayer and maintain physical distancing and then jumping the gun to announce the measures without coordination. Mosques in major Pakistani cities were packed in recent days, despite religious leaders paying lip service to physical distancing, in a reflection of the degree to which ultra-conservatism has woven itself into the fabric of Pakistani society and in stark contrast to Saudi Arabia’s pre-emptive response to the health crisis. Pakistan’s Supreme Court ruled against government lockdowns, suggesting that the coronavirus was not a pandemic. Religious leaders have since backed away from their acceptance of physical distancing, demanding that the advice be abandoned. Trump’s recognition of prayer as essential aligned itself with notions of concepts of religious freedom promoted by his administration, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the lead, that in effect serves to legitimize discrimination against minorities of various stripes. Few doubt that Trump made his move with an eye on the US presidential election in November. Trump was embarking on a road on which mainstream ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics were also travelling. The clerics remained silent when Ahmadis, a sect viewed as a heretic by mainstream Muslims, were excluded from a national commission created by the government earlier this month to promote religious tolerance and counter persecution of minorities. Pakistan’s religious affairs ministry barred the inclusion of Ahmadis, who are among Pakistan’s most discriminated minorities, on grounds that they did not qualify as a minority and refuse to recognize the country’s constitution. A 1974 amendment of the constitution bars Ahmadis from identifying themselves as Muslims because they do not recognize Mohammed as the last prophet. Compared to the polarising environment that Trump operates in and likes to entrench, Pakistani clerics have it a lot easier. Except for liberals and human rights activists, few in Pakistan are willing to stand up for Ahmadi rights. Moreover, the government shied away from imposing its will on the religious establishment during the pandemic as did the military, which built quarantine centres in various cities and helped local authorities implement a lockdown. Pakistan lacks truly influential, more liberal religious voices in the mould of for example Reverend Curtiss DeYoung, CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches that groups African-American denominations, the mainline church and the Greek Orthodox Church. “We listen to communities of colour, and many of our congregations’ people are engaged in representing refugees and immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, even seniors, they're saying, why the urgency?” DeYoung said in response to Trump’s push. “They're…directly affected. They're actually afraid in many cases to go into group gatherings...We feel that we need to make our decisions based on good science and the recommendations of our health department,” the reverend added. DeYoung was joined by his Muslim counterparts in contrast to their Pakistani brethren. "American Muslim scholars and community leaders have already determined that mosques will not be open in the near future because of the health concerns brought on by the pandemic. That's a determination for them to make not for the president to make,” said Ibrahim Hooper, communications director of the Council on American–Islamic Relations, the largest US Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. To be sure, the United States and Pakistan are vastly different countries. Pakistan has been hard hit by the pandemic with 55,657 cases of infection to date and 1,155 deaths. Yet, that is a far cry from the United States’ 1,613,324 cases and 96,659 deaths. Pakistan, nonetheless, saw its number of cases quadruple during the month of Ramadan and the rate of new infections jump by 30 per cent in the last week as the holy month neared its end. Yet, when it comes to employing religion to entrench power at the cost of striking a balance between faith and science, Trump and Pakistani religious scholars share the kind of opportunism and worldview that serve their short-term interests irrespective of the cost to human life and potentially to already battered economies. (The article is co-authored by Tehmina Qureshi. Tehmina is a multi-platform journalist and editorial writer at Dawn, Pakistan’s leading English-language newspaper) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What do Donald Trump and ultra-conservative Pakistani clerics have in common?

The Chinese government has not left anybody in doubt about its ambitious target of dominating the world at any cost. Chinese government has been suppressing freedom of speech, taking away the rights of citizens of Hong Kong in an authoritarian manner and aggressively occupying the territory of neighbours.

China is now aggressively claiming a territorial right in the South China Sea and Senkaku island. The Chinese government says that Taiwan is part of its territory and objects to any recognition given to Taiwan by any other country.

Further, China is trying to enforce its dominance over small and weak countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and others, by extending loans, which these countries cannot afford to repay in the foreseeable future.

Viewing China’s methods and targets, one does not find much of difference between today’s Chinese government and Hitler’s Germany. Several countries in the world are gradually realizing that checking China’s ambition is as necessary, as checking Hitler’s ambition that caused World War II.

However, the supporters of China claim that US government too should be accused of trying to dominate the world and it has sent troops to several countries such as Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and others to enforce its domination. There is an element of truth in this as the American government seem to think that it has the duty to police the world.

In any case, on careful analysis of the scenario and judiciously comparing the domination desire of China and the US, one cannot but see a subtle difference between both these countries.

While China believes in ruthless elimination of opponents both inside and outside and wants to occupy territories of other countries by coercion or force, the US does not indulge in such acts of suppression of human rights or occupying territory of other countries.

The US has not concealed its desire that freedom of speech and democratic procedures should prevail in all regions in the world. On many occasions, the US has fought against totalitarian regimes, religious extremists, and terrorist groups and has paid a high price by losing American lives.

The US may have the ambition to dominate the world and ensure its authority as a superpower, but it has no ambition of territorial expansions that China has.

All said and done, if the world were to choose between US&nbsp;and China, it would inevitably come to the conclusion that world domination by the US&nbsp;is a lesser evil than the world domination by China.

Unlike China, the citizens of US&nbsp;have the right to criticise the decisions of the government, launch protests against human rights violation, if any and exercise their franchise once in four years to change the party in power, if it would act against the wishes of the people. By such a process, the conscience of the US&nbsp;largely remains intact and the US government is vulnerable to the pressure of public opinion.

On the other hand, China has a totalitarian regime and no citizen can survive in China if he would criticise the Chinese President or question the decision of the Chinese government. To this extent, it is a dictatorial regime in China which can be termed as an uncivilized form of governance.

The fact is that the USA holds the superpower status for several decades now.&nbsp;Of course, there has been criticism against the US government by some section of world opinion, but most of such critics belong to religious extremist groups and motivated communist&nbsp;forces, whose economic and administrative policies have totally failed to deliver the goods.

China achieving superpower status and establishing its authority across the world with the least consideration for value systems and sentiments of people, is the worst thing that can happen to the civilisation.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The Chinese government has not left anybody in doubt about its ambitious target of dominating the world at any cost. Chinese government has been suppressing freedom of speech, taking away the rights of citizens of Hong Kong in an authoritarian manner and aggressively occupying the territory of neighbours.

The Chinese government has not left anybody in doubt about its ambitious target of dominating the world at any cost. Chinese government has been suppressing freedom of speech, taking away the rights of citizens of Hong Kong in an authoritarian manner and aggressively occupying the territory of neighbours. China is now aggressively claiming a territorial right in the South China Sea and Senkaku island. The Chinese government says that Taiwan is part of its territory and objects to any recognition given to Taiwan by any other country. Further, China is trying to enforce its dominance over small and weak countries such as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and others, by extending loans, which these countries cannot afford to repay in the foreseeable future. Viewing China’s methods and targets, one does not find much of difference between today’s Chinese government and Hitler’s Germany. Several countries in the world are gradually realizing that checking China’s ambition is as necessary, as checking Hitler’s ambition that caused World War II. However, the supporters of China claim that US government too should be accused of trying to dominate the world and it has sent troops to several countries such as Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and others to enforce its domination. There is an element of truth in this as the American government seem to think that it has the duty to police the world. In any case, on careful analysis of the scenario and judiciously comparing the domination desire of China and the US, one cannot but see a subtle difference between both these countries. While China believes in ruthless elimination of opponents both inside and outside and wants to occupy territories of other countries by coercion or force, the US does not indulge in such acts of suppression of human rights or occupying territory of other countries. The US has not concealed its desire that freedom of speech and democratic procedures should prevail in all regions in the world. On many occasions, the US has fought against totalitarian regimes, religious extremists, and terrorist groups and has paid a high price by losing American lives. The US may have the ambition to dominate the world and ensure its authority as a superpower, but it has no ambition of territorial expansions that China has. All said and done, if the world were to choose between US and China, it would inevitably come to the conclusion that world domination by the US is a lesser evil than the world domination by China. Unlike China, the citizens of US have the right to criticise the decisions of the government, launch protests against human rights violation, if any and exercise their franchise once in four years to change the party in power, if it would act against the wishes of the people. By such a process, the conscience of the US largely remains intact and the US government is vulnerable to the pressure of public opinion. On the other hand, China has a totalitarian regime and no citizen can survive in China if he would criticise the Chinese President or question the decision of the Chinese government. To this extent, it is a dictatorial regime in China which can be termed as an uncivilized form of governance. The fact is that the USA holds the superpower status for several decades now. Of course, there has been criticism against the US government by some section of world opinion, but most of such critics belong to religious extremist groups and motivated communist forces, whose economic and administrative policies have totally failed to deliver the goods. China achieving superpower status and establishing its authority across the world with the least consideration for value systems and sentiments of people, is the worst thing that can happen to the civilisation. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Superpower marathon: Here's how China's strategy is different from the US

A new study claims that Hydroxychloroquine could increase the risk of death in Coronavirus patients. Then why are two world leaders still endorsing the drug? Should you be taking Hydroxychloroquine?

Gravitas: Should you take Hydroxychloroquine?

The United States President Donald Trump has warned China of a strong reaction and as Beijing prepares to pass a new security bill in Hong Kong. Watch report.

Trump warns China of strong response | Hong Kong security bill

President Donald Trump paid tribute to fallen members of the American military on Monday (May 25) to mark Memorial Day while defending his decision to spend most of the holiday weekend playing golf as the U.S. death toll from the coronavirus outbreak neared 100,000.

Trump honors fallen war heroes on Memorial Day

Donald Trump's administration in the United States has discussed either to conduct a nuclear test explosion. if conducted this would be the country's first nuclear test explosion since the year 1990. Watch report.

Possible fallouts of nuclear tests by US: Experts warn against nuclear test

A US TV host has furiously rebuked President Donald Trump for falsely suggesting her husband and co-presenter may have got away with murder.

Trump touts conspiracy theories ahead of 2020 US polls

Coronavirus cases in the US are growing. More than 93,000 Americans have died. But, President Donald Trump says US topping the world in Coronavirus cases is a 'badge of honour'. WION's Executive Editor Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how protests against the Trump administration are growing.

Gravitas: Trump is 'proud' of the high number of Covid cases in US

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxfords-covid-19-vaccine-trial-has-50-chance-of-success-says-project-leader-300677" hreflang="en">Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader</a>

A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-records-1127-coronavirus-deaths-in-24-hours-johns-hopkins-300667">US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins</a>

The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per&nbsp;tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added.

Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!"

Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country.

US President Donald Trump has stirred up fresh controversy on Saturday after he left the White House for his golf course in Virginia amid the coronavirus situation in the country. Also read: Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine trial has 50% chance of success, says project leader A photo resurfaced of Donald Trump wearing typical golf wear of white polo shirt and white baseball cap and was seen departing the White House. Also read: US records 1,127 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours: Johns Hopkins The United States recorded a further 1,127 deaths from COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing its total to 97,048 since the global pandemic began, as per tally kept by Johns Hopkins University. The country has also officially logged 1,621,658 cases of the virus, far more than any other nation, the tracker kept by the Baltimore-based university showed at 8:30 pm, the report added. Trump's coronavirus task force coordinator, Deborah Birx, told a White House briefing on Friday that Americans over this Memorial Day weekend should "be outside, play golf, play tennis with marked balls, go to the beach - but stay six feet apart!" Meanwhile, the global number of novel coronavirus cases has passed 5.25 million with more than 339,000 deaths, according to a tally from official sources compiled by an agency.

Donald Trump goes to play golf as US nears 100,000 deaths due to COVID-19

Donald Trump has declared churches, mosques and synagogues “essential services” and threatened to override governors who refuse to reopen them this weekend

Donald Trump calls for governors to reopen churches

President Donald Trump played golf Saturday for the first time since he declared the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency more than two months ago

Trump plays golf for 1st time since the coronavirus pandemic

President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week.

This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold.

It will be the first time since the space shuttle programme ended in 2011 that US astronauts will launch into space aboard an American rocket from American soil.

The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station.

Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch.&nbsp;

The NASA/SpaceX Commercial Crew flight test launch will carry NASA's newest test pilots, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

They're scheduled to blast off from launch pad 39A, the same one the Apollo astronauts used to get to the moon.

(with inputs from agencies)

President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week. This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold.

President Donald Trump will watch American astronauts blast into orbit from the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in more than a decade, next week. This means he would be on the Florida coast on Wednesday to watch the event unfold. It will be the first time since the space shuttle programme ended in 2011 that US astronauts will launch into space aboard an American rocket from American soil. The USP of this event, however, is that Elon Musk's SpaceX is the conductor and NASA the customer as businesses begin chauffeuring astronauts to the International Space Station. Vice President Mike Pence, who is chairman of the National Space Council, also plans to attend Wednesday's launch. The NASA/SpaceX Commercial Crew flight test launch will carry NASA's newest test pilots, Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. They're scheduled to blast off from launch pad 39A, the same one the Apollo astronauts used to get to the moon. (with inputs from agencies)

Trump to attend NASA astronaut launch in Florida on Wednesday

President Donald Trump on Friday demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country moves gradually towards a lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures.

"Today I am identifying houses of worship including churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services," Trump told a news conference at the White House.

"The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend," he said.

"If they don't do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-who-to-start-review-of-coronavirus-pandemic-response-seeks-reforms-300442" hreflang="en">US urges WHO to start review of pandemic response, seeks reforms</a>

Establishing what constitutes essential services has been a prerogative of state and local officials, rather than the federal government, and many have restricted houses of worship from holding group services to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In some areas, churches have opened under strict social distancing rules, while in others, pastors and priests have held services outdoors, with worshippers staying in their cars.&nbsp;

But Trump said houses of worship should be allowed to open just like other places that were designated essential services -- including drug stores, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals and health clinics, as well as stores that sell alcohol.&nbsp;

"Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It's not right," Trump said.

There has been debate in some states over allowing facilities providing abortion services, like those operated by Planned Parenthood, to stay open during the COVID-19 shutdown.

President Donald Trump on Friday demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country moves gradually towards a lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures.

President Donald Trump on Friday demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country moves gradually towards a lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures. "Today I am identifying houses of worship including churches, synagogues and mosques as essential places that provide essential services," Trump told a news conference at the White House. "The governors need to do the right thing and allow these very important essential places of faith to open right now, for this weekend," he said. "If they don't do it, I will override the governors. In America, we need more prayer, not less." Also read: US urges WHO to start review of pandemic response, seeks reforms Establishing what constitutes essential services has been a prerogative of state and local officials, rather than the federal government, and many have restricted houses of worship from holding group services to slow the spread of the coronavirus. In some areas, churches have opened under strict social distancing rules, while in others, pastors and priests have held services outdoors, with worshippers staying in their cars. But Trump said houses of worship should be allowed to open just like other places that were designated essential services -- including drug stores, restaurants, supermarkets, hospitals and health clinics, as well as stores that sell alcohol. "Some governors have deemed liquor stores and abortion clinics as essential but have left out churches and other houses of worship. It's not right," Trump said. There has been debate in some states over allowing facilities providing abortion services, like those operated by Planned Parenthood, to stay open during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Trump warns governors to reopen places of worship immediately

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-jumps-to-no-2-in-worldwide-coronavirus-cases-behind-the-us-300497" hreflang="en">Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US</a>

<img alt="Brazil" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d699bd64-a3b0-4cc7-a3ad-ac673461d9cf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/138005-untitled-design-2_0.jpg" />

Brazil overtook Russia Friday as the country with the second-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States, as the Americas emerged as a new epicenter of the pandemic. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-jumps-to-no-2-in-worldwide-coronavirus-cases-behind-the-us-300497">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-no-new-coronavirus-cases-on-may-22-first-time-since-pandemic-began-300498" hreflang="en">China reports no new coronavirus cases on May 22, first time since pandemic began</a>

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f7e8708e-89a0-45c7-803e-3ca7457024e8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/139929-china-reuters.jpg" />

China recorded no new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland for May 22, down from four the previous day, news agency Reuters report said quoting a statement from National Health Commission (NHC) on Saturday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-no-new-coronavirus-cases-on-may-22-first-time-since-pandemic-began-300498">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-governors-to-reopen-places-of-worship-immediately-300499" hreflang="en">Trump orders governors to reopen places of worship immediately</a>

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President Donald Trump on Friday demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country moves gradually towards a lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-orders-governors-to-reopen-places-of-worship-immediately-300499">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-announces-date-of-second-round-of-virus-delayed-elections-300500" hreflang="en">France announces date of second round of virus-delayed elections</a>

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France will be called on to vote on June 28 in a postponed second round of local elections, unless a new coronavirus flare-up makes it too risky, the government said Friday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-announces-date-of-second-round-of-virus-delayed-elections-300500">Read more</a>

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Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US Brazil overtook Russia Friday as the country with the second-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States, as the Americas emerged as a new epicenter of the pandemic.

Brazil jumps to No. 2 in worldwide coronavirus cases, behind the US Brazil overtook Russia Friday as the country with the second-highest number of coronavirus infections worldwide behind the United States, as the Americas emerged as a new epicenter of the pandemic. Read more China reports no new coronavirus cases on May 22, first time since pandemic began China recorded no new confirmed COVID-19 cases on the mainland for May 22, down from four the previous day, news agency Reuters report said quoting a statement from National Health Commission (NHC) on Saturday. Read more Trump orders governors to reopen places of worship immediately President Donald Trump on Friday demanded that US state governors allow places of worship to reopen immediately, as the country moves gradually towards a lifting of COVID-19 lockdown measures. Read more France announces date of second round of virus-delayed elections France will be called on to vote on June 28 in a postponed second round of local elections, unless a new coronavirus flare-up makes it too risky, the government said Friday. Read more

Morning news brief: Brazil jumps to number two, no new cases in China, and more

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information.

It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services.

As McEnany held the cheque to show it to the reporters on Friday, it not only had the USD 100,000 amount to be given to the HHS but also displayed the president's private bank account and routing numbers, The New York Times reported.

The donation was as per the quarterly tradition of Trump to forgo his USD 400,000 salary and donate it.

"Here is the cheque," McEnany said as she held the cheque, which appeared to be a real Capital One bearing not just the president's name and signature, but also his bank information.

The address of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and other personal details, like accounting and routing numbers, were also visible on the cheque, the nbcnews.Com report said.

In the past, Trump has donated to the Small Business Administration initiative to help veteran entrepreneurs, to the Office of the Surgeon General to fight the opioid epidemic, and to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, among other places.

According to the nbcnews.Com, the donation to HHS is being made to develop new therapies for treating and preventing coronavirus.

However, there were concerns over the revelation of the president's bank details in the media.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information. It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services.

White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany revealed a little too much on Friday, when she disclosed President Donald Trump's bank information. It so happened that she had to display a cheque donating his quarterly salary to the Department of Health and Human Services. As McEnany held the cheque to show it to the reporters on Friday, it not only had the USD 100,000 amount to be given to the HHS but also displayed the president's private bank account and routing numbers, The New York Times reported. The donation was as per the quarterly tradition of Trump to forgo his USD 400,000 salary and donate it. "Here is the cheque," McEnany said as she held the cheque, which appeared to be a real Capital One bearing not just the president's name and signature, but also his bank information. The address of Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida and other personal details, like accounting and routing numbers, were also visible on the cheque, the nbcnews.Com report said. In the past, Trump has donated to the Small Business Administration initiative to help veteran entrepreneurs, to the Office of the Surgeon General to fight the opioid epidemic, and to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, among other places. According to the nbcnews.Com, the donation to HHS is being made to develop new therapies for treating and preventing coronavirus. However, there were concerns over the revelation of the president's bank details in the media.

White House press secretary reveals a little too much -- Trump's bank details

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-will-react-strongly-if-china-imposes-new-hong-kong-security-law-300276" hreflang="en">Trump says US will 'react strongly' if China imposes new Hong Kong security law</a>

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US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would react strongly if China follows through on plans to impose new national security legislation on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;after last year's often violent pro-democracy unrest. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-will-react-strongly-if-china-imposes-new-hong-kong-security-law-300276">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-pushes-forward-controversial-security-law-in-hong-kong-after-unrest-300278" hreflang="en">China pushes forward controversial security law in Hong Kong after unrest</a>

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A proposal to enact the highly controversial&nbsp;Hong Kong security legislation was submitted to China's rubber-stamp on Friday, according to the state media. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-pushes-forward-controversial-security-law-in-hong-kong-after-unrest-300278">Read more</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forgive-those-who-killed-our-father-sons-of-killed-saudi-journalist-jamal-khashoggi-300279" hreflang="en">'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a>

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The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday that they "forgive" the killers of their father. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forgive-those-who-killed-our-father-sons-of-killed-saudi-journalist-jamal-khashoggi-300279">Read more</a>

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Trump says US will 'react strongly' if China imposes new Hong Kong security law US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would react strongly if China follows through on plans to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong after last year's often violent pro-democracy unrest.

Trump says US will 'react strongly' if China imposes new Hong Kong security law US President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would react strongly if China follows through on plans to impose new national security legislation on Hong Kong after last year's often violent pro-democracy unrest. Read more China pushes forward controversial security law in Hong Kong after unrest A proposal to enact the highly controversial Hong Kong security legislation was submitted to China's rubber-stamp on Friday, according to the state media. Read more 'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday that they "forgive" the killers of their father. Read more

Morning news brief: Trump warns China, Hong Kong security law and more

The deadly coronavirus came from China and the US is not going to take it lightly, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-quarter-of-americans-are-hesitant-about-a-coronavirus-vaccine-says-reuters-poll-300254">Also read: A quarter of Americans are hesitant about a coronavirus vaccine, says Reuters poll</a> 
 
"It came from China. We are not happy about it. We just signed a trade deal, the ink wasn't dry, and all of a sudden this floated in. We are not going to take it lightly," Trump said participating in a Listening Session with African-American Leaders in Michigan.

Trump in the last several weeks has been very critical of China's inability to control the spread of the novel coronavirus within its territory. By Thursday more than 94,000 Americans have died due to the coronavirus and over 1.6 million have tested positive.

He has so far not given any indication of the steps that he is contemplating taking against China.

Meanwhile, the pressure is building on his administration, mainly from the Republican lawmakers on this.

On Thursday, Senators Ted Cruz and Rick Scott, along with Mike Braun, Marsha Blackburn, Joni Ernst, Martha McSally and Tom Cotton, introduced the COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from stealing or sabotaging American COVID-19 vaccine research.

The bill requires a thorough national security evaluation and clearance by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of all Chinese student visa holders taking part in activities related to COVID-19 vaccine research.

"The same Chinese Communist Party that covered up the coronavirus outbreak also routinely engages in state-sponsored theft of intellectual property," Cruz said. "We cannot allow China to steal or interfere with American research and development of a vaccine," he added.

"Communist China is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic, and their lies and misinformation cost American lives," Scott said.

"We cannot let Communist China off the hook for this, and we absolutely cannot allow Communist China to steal or sabotage any American research efforts related to the Coronavirus vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act protects American efforts to create a vaccine as we work to end this pandemic," he added.

The COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act, among others, requires an enhanced vetting of nationals of the Chinese nationals in the US as nonimmigrants under F, J, or M student visas to determine if any student visa holders are a national security threat.

Once the review is complete, authorizes Department of Homeland Secretary, in consultation with other agencies, to continuously monitor all nonimmigrant student visa holders (F, M, J) who are Chinese nationals while in the US and are engaged in, or have access to, the research of any potential COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 related material.

Republican Whip and Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Steve Scalise alleged that China lied to the world on coronavirus.

"During a critical period in December and January, China withheld evidence of the virus: evidence that confirmed human to human transmission of the virus, evidence of the extent of the spread. China refused entry of American and other medical experts from around the world for weeks," he said.

"And during this time, China hoarded medical supplies like masks, gowns, and other life-saving PPE. Chinese exports of surgical masks, gowns, and gloves were stifled by the Chinese Communist Party during this period. China knew the danger posed by the virus and while they hid the truth, they used the time to stock up on vital medical supplies," Scalise said.

"While Chinese authorities limited domestic flights from Wuhan to other Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, China''s government urged international carriers to maintain their flight schedules - seeding the virus throughout the rest of the world," he alleged.&nbsp;

The deadly coronavirus came from China and the US is not going to take it lightly, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Also read: A quarter of Americans are hesitant about a coronavirus vaccine, says Reuters poll "It came from China.

The deadly coronavirus came from China and the US is not going to take it lightly, President Donald Trump said on Thursday. Also read: A quarter of Americans are hesitant about a coronavirus vaccine, says Reuters poll "It came from China. We are not happy about it. We just signed a trade deal, the ink wasn't dry, and all of a sudden this floated in. We are not going to take it lightly," Trump said participating in a Listening Session with African-American Leaders in Michigan. Trump in the last several weeks has been very critical of China's inability to control the spread of the novel coronavirus within its territory. By Thursday more than 94,000 Americans have died due to the coronavirus and over 1.6 million have tested positive. He has so far not given any indication of the steps that he is contemplating taking against China. Meanwhile, the pressure is building on his administration, mainly from the Republican lawmakers on this. On Thursday, Senators Ted Cruz and Rick Scott, along with Mike Braun, Marsha Blackburn, Joni Ernst, Martha McSally and Tom Cotton, introduced the COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from stealing or sabotaging American COVID-19 vaccine research. The bill requires a thorough national security evaluation and clearance by the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of all Chinese student visa holders taking part in activities related to COVID-19 vaccine research. "The same Chinese Communist Party that covered up the coronavirus outbreak also routinely engages in state-sponsored theft of intellectual property," Cruz said. "We cannot allow China to steal or interfere with American research and development of a vaccine," he added. "Communist China is responsible for the coronavirus pandemic, and their lies and misinformation cost American lives," Scott said. "We cannot let Communist China off the hook for this, and we absolutely cannot allow Communist China to steal or sabotage any American research efforts related to the Coronavirus vaccine. The COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act protects American efforts to create a vaccine as we work to end this pandemic," he added. The COVID-19 Vaccine Protection Act, among others, requires an enhanced vetting of nationals of the Chinese nationals in the US as nonimmigrants under F, J, or M student visas to determine if any student visa holders are a national security threat. Once the review is complete, authorizes Department of Homeland Secretary, in consultation with other agencies, to continuously monitor all nonimmigrant student visa holders (F, M, J) who are Chinese nationals while in the US and are engaged in, or have access to, the research of any potential COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 related material. Republican Whip and Ranking Member of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis Steve Scalise alleged that China lied to the world on coronavirus. "During a critical period in December and January, China withheld evidence of the virus: evidence that confirmed human to human transmission of the virus, evidence of the extent of the spread. China refused entry of American and other medical experts from around the world for weeks," he said. "And during this time, China hoarded medical supplies like masks, gowns, and other life-saving PPE. Chinese exports of surgical masks, gowns, and gloves were stifled by the Chinese Communist Party during this period. China knew the danger posed by the virus and while they hid the truth, they used the time to stock up on vital medical supplies," Scalise said. "While Chinese authorities limited domestic flights from Wuhan to other Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai, China''s government urged international carriers to maintain their flight schedules - seeding the virus throughout the rest of the world," he alleged.

Coronavirus came from China, the US not going to take it lightly, says Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump became tongue tied as he tried to convey the negative results of his latest test for COVID-19 on Thursday (May 21).

Donald Trump says he tested 'positively toward negative' on latest coronavirus test

The flags on all the Federal Buildings and National Monuments in the United States were lowered on Thursday in honour of the coronavirus victims of the country.

"I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus," Trump tweeted.

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I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1263600794290417670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The announcement came as the US COVID-19 death toll approaches the 100,000 mark, and follows calls by Democrats to lower the flag when it reaches that grim milestone.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-will-react-strongly-if-china-imposes-new-hong-kong-security-law-300276">Trump says US will 'react strongly' if China imposes new Hong Kong security law</a>

The Republican president added that flags would remain at half-staff on Monday for the country's Memorial Day, honoring those who have died while serving in the US military.

While US daily death tolls are no longer on a steady incline, the losses are still mounting, with the total count in the US above 94,500,&nbsp;by far the nation with the most deaths in the&nbsp;in the world.

&nbsp;

The flags on all the Federal Buildings and National Monuments in the United States were lowered on Thursday in honour of the coronavirus victims of the country. "I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus," Trump tweeted.

The flags on all the Federal Buildings and National Monuments in the United States were lowered on Thursday in honour of the coronavirus victims of the country. "I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus," Trump tweeted. I will be lowering the flags on all Federal Buildings and National Monuments to half-staff over the next three days in memory of the Americans we have lost to the CoronaVirus.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 21, 2020 × The announcement came as the US COVID-19 death toll approaches the 100,000 mark, and follows calls by Democrats to lower the flag when it reaches that grim milestone. Also read: Trump says US will 'react strongly' if China imposes new Hong Kong security law The Republican president added that flags would remain at half-staff on Monday for the country's Memorial Day, honoring those who have died while serving in the US military. While US daily death tolls are no longer on a steady incline, the losses are still mounting, with the total count in the US above 94,500, by far the nation with the most deaths in the in the world.

US: Flags lowered to half-staff as tribute to coronavirus victims

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