Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-acquitted-of-impeachment-charges-in-republican-majority-senate-278933">US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate</a>

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After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-560-in-china-10-more-infected-on-japan-ship-278931">Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to over 560 in China; 10 more infected on Japan ship</a>

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The death toll in the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;rose to at least 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-team-india-fined-for-slow-over-rate-for-third-successive-time-278930" hreflang="en">India fined for slow over-rate for third successive time</a>

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The&nbsp;Indian team&nbsp;have been fined 80 per cent of match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the first One Day International on Wednesday in Hamilton.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-christian-bale-to-play-villain-in-next-mcu-film-thor-love-and-thunder-278897" hreflang="en">Christian Bale to play villain in next MCU film 'Thor: Love and Thunder'?</a>

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We are excited to see Christian Bale in an MCU film and have been thinking of all possible roles that the brilliant actor can take up.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-sri-lanka-drops-tamil-version-of-national-anthem-278924">Gravitas: Sri Lanka drops Tamil version of national anthem</a>

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Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him. Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to over 560 in China; 10 more infected on Japan ship The death toll in the coronavirus rose to at least 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients. India fined for slow over-rate for third successive time The Indian team have been fined 80 per cent of match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against New Zealand in the first One Day International on Wednesday in Hamilton. Christian Bale to play villain in next MCU film 'Thor: Love and Thunder'? We are excited to see Christian Bale in an MCU film and have been thinking of all possible roles that the brilliant actor can take up. WATCH | Gravitas: Sri Lanka drops Tamil version of national anthem ×

Morning News Brief: Trump impeachment, coronavirus death toll rises and lots more

After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him. All this happened in the backdrop of the US going to elections in nine months.

Trump, a former businessman, became the third president in US history to survive an impeachment trial.

<h6><img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="440b4a8d-884b-4fe9-9bd3-7159f1145ec0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_19.jpg" /> 
The presidential limo waits for US&nbsp;President Donald Trump in front of the White House before the State of the Union address in Washington, US, February 4, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

On December 18, Donald Trump was charged with two articles of impeachment including abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. The voting in the Senate happened mostly along party lines, as it earlier did in the Democratic majority House of Representatives.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-blasts-new-york-city-for-protecting-alien-who-killed-a-92-year-old-woman-278791" hreflang="en">Donald Trump blasts New York City for protecting 'alien' who killed a 92-year-old woman</a> 
 
"President Trump has been totally vindicated and it's now time to get back to the business of the American people," Trump's campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said.

To be impeached in the Senate, Donald Trump required two-thirds majority in the 100-seat Senate, as per the US Constitution.

In the Senate, the call was close, as 52 people chose to acquit him, while 48 people voted in favour of the impeachment charge of abusing power.&nbsp;

The Democrats had accused Trump of abusing power by requesting Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic rival. Mitt Romney was the only Republican Senator who voted to convict Trump on this charge, alongside the Democrats, none of whom voted to acquit.

<h6><img alt="hhhh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="761d46d9-cdb9-466b-96a2-a76ac5140c79" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_19.jpg" /> 
This still image taken from a US Senate webcast shows House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) during the impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the US Capitol on February 3, 2020 in Washington, DC | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

On the other charge of obstruction of Congress, the Senate voted 53-47 to acquit him. He was suspected of blocking witnesses and documents that were sought by the House. All Republicans voted to acquit him, while no Democrats did.

The voting process was overseen by the United States Chief Justice John Roberts, as senators voted one by one.

The president was not physically present there, and Reuters reported that he watched the whole process from his White House dining room along with his aides.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/State-of-the-Union-address-us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-tears-up-text-as-trump-ends-state-of-the-union-address-278666">US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up text as Trump ends State of the Union address</a> 
 
At 10.30 PM IST (5 PM GMT) today, Donald Trump is expected to address the country, Trump said he would "to discuss our Country's VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!"

As always, the notorious president took to Twitter quickly and posted a video showing campaign signs 2024 onward upto eternity, dissolving into ''Trump 4EVA''. However, the US Constitution can easily prevent this, as no president is allowed to hold office for more than two elected four-year terms. 
 
According to the Democrats, the trial is a sham, for Republicans allowed no witnesses or new evidence.&nbsp;

Over the course of impeachment, Trump has repeatedly referred to it as an attempted coup and an attempt to reverse his 2016 victory.

<h6><img alt="ppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="83d01788-a99c-45f9-8ffb-51a3c6f78635" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_21.jpg" /> 
Protesters carry signs outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2020, after the US Senate acquited the US president in his impeachment trial. The US Senate acquitted President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress following a historic two-week trial | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Even though Trump was acquitted, Democrats intend to go forward with the investigations still. According to Reuters, the Democrats want access to Trump's financial records.

Many Democrats hope that as more facts are unearthed, people would vote to not bring him back to power.

"No doubt, the president will boast he received total exoneration. But we know better. We know this wasn't a trial by any stretch of the definition," said Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-donald-trump-update-news-our-borders-are-secure-our-values-are-renewed-%20Trump-in-State-of-the-Union-address" hreflang="en">Maduro an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people: Trump in State of the Union address</a>

Approval ratings, which are considered the holy grail of US presidential politics, have kept Trump safe, with consistent numbers throughout his term. That's mostly owing to his core conservative supporters: caucasian men, rural Americans, evangelical Christians, and conservative Catholics.

Based on the data of Reuters/Ipsos poll, which happened on Monday, claims that 42 per cent American adults are happy with his performance, which 54 per cent expressed dismay.

As it turns out, his approval ratings remain unaffected by the impeachment trial, which yielded similar figures in September, when the inquiry was launched. He received 43 per cent approval and 53 per cent disapproval back then.

As the race to presidential elections gets stronger, Trump is expected to claim the Republican Party's nomination at the party convention in August.&nbsp;

A glimpse of his presidential vision was on display during the State of the Union address yesterday, whereby the theme was renewal of Americanism, economic independence and growth, alongside immigration policies that are hardline.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-the-state-of-the-union-address-278582" hreflang="en">EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address</a>

After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him.

After months of back-and-forth, United States President Donald Trump was recently acquitted of all charges. Earlier, Trump was impeached in the House, but this trajectory failed to hold its ground in the Senate, where the majority is Republicans, who voted to protect him. All this happened in the backdrop of the US going to elections in nine months. Trump, a former businessman, became the third president in US history to survive an impeachment trial. The presidential limo waits for US President Donald Trump in front of the White House before the State of the Union address in Washington, US, February 4, 2020 | Reuters On December 18, Donald Trump was charged with two articles of impeachment including abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. The voting in the Senate happened mostly along party lines, as it earlier did in the Democratic majority House of Representatives. Also read: Donald Trump blasts New York City for protecting 'alien' who killed a 92-year-old woman "President Trump has been totally vindicated and it's now time to get back to the business of the American people," Trump's campaign manager, Brad Parscale, said. To be impeached in the Senate, Donald Trump required two-thirds majority in the 100-seat Senate, as per the US Constitution. In the Senate, the call was close, as 52 people chose to acquit him, while 48 people voted in favour of the impeachment charge of abusing power. The Democrats had accused Trump of abusing power by requesting Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden, Trump's Democratic rival. Mitt Romney was the only Republican Senator who voted to convict Trump on this charge, alongside the Democrats, none of whom voted to acquit. This still image taken from a US Senate webcast shows House impeachment manager Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) during the impeachment trial in the Senate Chamber at the US Capitol on February 3, 2020 in Washington, DC | AFP On the other charge of obstruction of Congress, the Senate voted 53-47 to acquit him. He was suspected of blocking witnesses and documents that were sought by the House. All Republicans voted to acquit him, while no Democrats did. The voting process was overseen by the United States Chief Justice John Roberts, as senators voted one by one. The president was not physically present there, and Reuters reported that he watched the whole process from his White House dining room along with his aides. Also read: US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up text as Trump ends State of the Union address At 10.30 PM IST (5 PM GMT) today, Donald Trump is expected to address the country, Trump said he would "to discuss our Country's VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!" As always, the notorious president took to Twitter quickly and posted a video showing campaign signs 2024 onward upto eternity, dissolving into ''Trump 4EVA''. However, the US Constitution can easily prevent this, as no president is allowed to hold office for more than two elected four-year terms. According to the Democrats, the trial is a sham, for Republicans allowed no witnesses or new evidence. Over the course of impeachment, Trump has repeatedly referred to it as an attempted coup and an attempt to reverse his 2016 victory. Protesters carry signs outside the Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 5, 2020, after the US Senate acquited the US president in his impeachment trial. The US Senate acquitted President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress following a historic two-week trial | AFP Even though Trump was acquitted, Democrats intend to go forward with the investigations still. According to Reuters, the Democrats want access to Trump's financial records. Many Democrats hope that as more facts are unearthed, people would vote to not bring him back to power. "No doubt, the president will boast he received total exoneration. But we know better. We know this wasn't a trial by any stretch of the definition," said Chuck Schumer, the top Senate Democrat. Also read: Maduro an illegitimate ruler, a tyrant who brutalizes his people: Trump in State of the Union address Approval ratings, which are considered the holy grail of US presidential politics, have kept Trump safe, with consistent numbers throughout his term. That's mostly owing to his core conservative supporters: caucasian men, rural Americans, evangelical Christians, and conservative Catholics. Based on the data of Reuters/Ipsos poll, which happened on Monday, claims that 42 per cent American adults are happy with his performance, which 54 per cent expressed dismay. As it turns out, his approval ratings remain unaffected by the impeachment trial, which yielded similar figures in September, when the inquiry was launched. He received 43 per cent approval and 53 per cent disapproval back then. As the race to presidential elections gets stronger, Trump is expected to claim the Republican Party's nomination at the party convention in August. A glimpse of his presidential vision was on display during the State of the Union address yesterday, whereby the theme was renewal of Americanism, economic independence and growth, alongside immigration policies that are hardline. EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address

US President Donald Trump acquitted of impeachment charges in Republican-majority Senate

Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump

State of the Union: Things Trump didn't address but should have!

Immediately after United States President Donald Trump concluded his ''State of the Union'' address, the House speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped apart the paper copy of his speech.

Trump appeared to have rejected a handshake from the speaker, which was followed by the Speaker tearing up the speech.

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a> tears up of State of the Union speech.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SOTU2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SOTU2020</a> <a href="https://t.co/sIpi4G7KsL">pic.twitter.com/sIpi4G7KsL</a>
— CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1224897851303628801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Interestingly, there was no mention of the impeachment saga in his speech. Pelosi and Trump have exchanged jibes at multiple occasions, especially since Trump was impeached in the House, with Pelosi at the helm of the process. Since then, both have openly criticised each other.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

The White House criticised Pelosi's actions on Twitter.

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Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: 
 
One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. 
 
The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. 
 
The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. 
 
A service member's reunion with his family. 
 
That's her legacy.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1224902083209502721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The impeachment case is set to be put forth to the Senate tomorrow. An acquittal is expected, considering the Senate has a majority of the Republicans who are expected to vote in his favour.

<h6><img alt="uuuu" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="915ba8e1-5855-4923-96e3-b70abc62b876" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_72.jpg" /> 
Pelosi tears up Trump's speech | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Trump had earlier claimed that he was not ''bitter'' from the impeachment hearings and wanted the speech to be ''low-key''.

The speech witnessed many Democrats walking out.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-the-state-of-the-union-address-278582">EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address</a>

The US president spoke for an hour and 18 minutes, and was seen walking out while receiving compliments from Republican lawmakers.

As the address continues, Democrats Gretchen Whitmer and Veronica Escobar are expected to deliver a response to the speech.

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Watch the moment a military husband surprises his wife and two kids at the State of the Union. 
 
"I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back," Pres. Trump says, "he is here with us tonight, and we couldn't keep him waiting any longer." <a href="https://t.co/z21h5Ddt05">https://t.co/z21h5Ddt05</a> <a href="https://t.co/YX5f7P8fNw">pic.twitter.com/YX5f7P8fNw</a>
— ABC News (@ABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1224896783190458368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In a key moment, Trump reunited a military family and said ''I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back''. They were separated for over seven months due to the father's deployment.

Cheers of ''Four more years!'' echoed the halls of the House, setting the tone for the rest of the address.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-update-news-our-borders-are-secure-our-values-are-renewed-%20Trump-in-State-of-the-Union-address">Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address</a>

"Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored," Trump said.

"Since my election, we have created seven million new jobs," he told the US house.

"Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback. Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results," he said.

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Traditionally, the Speaker says: "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States." 
 
Speaker Pelosi said "Members of Congress, the President of the United States."
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) <a href="https://twitter.com/jaketapper/status/1224879754802802688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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As is customary, the Speaker is expected to introduce the president with references to honorary titles. Pelosi broke away from the practice and simply introduced Trump as the President. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Immediately after United States President Donald Trump concluded his ''State of the Union'' address, the House speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped apart the paper copy of his speech.

Immediately after United States President Donald Trump concluded his ''State of the Union'' address, the House speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped apart the paper copy of his speech. Trump appeared to have rejected a handshake from the speaker, which was followed by the Speaker tearing up the speech. .@SpeakerPelosi tears up of State of the Union speech.#SOTU #SOTU2020 pic.twitter.com/sIpi4G7KsL — CSPAN (@cspan) February 5, 2020 × Interestingly, there was no mention of the impeachment saga in his speech. Pelosi and Trump have exchanged jibes at multiple occasions, especially since Trump was impeached in the House, with Pelosi at the helm of the process. Since then, both have openly criticised each other. Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory The White House criticised Pelosi's actions on Twitter. Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member's reunion with his family. That's her legacy. — The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 5, 2020 × The impeachment case is set to be put forth to the Senate tomorrow. An acquittal is expected, considering the Senate has a majority of the Republicans who are expected to vote in his favour. Pelosi tears up Trump's speech | Reuters Trump had earlier claimed that he was not ''bitter'' from the impeachment hearings and wanted the speech to be ''low-key''. The speech witnessed many Democrats walking out. Also read: EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address The US president spoke for an hour and 18 minutes, and was seen walking out while receiving compliments from Republican lawmakers. As the address continues, Democrats Gretchen Whitmer and Veronica Escobar are expected to deliver a response to the speech. Watch the moment a military husband surprises his wife and two kids at the State of the Union. "I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back," Pres. Trump says, "he is here with us tonight, and we couldn't keep him waiting any longer." https://t.co/z21h5Ddt05 pic.twitter.com/YX5f7P8fNw — ABC News (@ABC) February 5, 2020 × In a key moment, Trump reunited a military family and said ''I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back''. They were separated for over seven months due to the father's deployment. Cheers of ''Four more years!'' echoed the halls of the House, setting the tone for the rest of the address. Also read: Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address "Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored," Trump said. "Since my election, we have created seven million new jobs," he told the US house. "Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback. Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results," he said. Traditionally, the Speaker says: "Members of Congress, I have the high privilege and distinct honor of presenting to you the President of the United States." Speaker Pelosi said "Members of Congress, the President of the United States." — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) February 5, 2020 × As is customary, the Speaker is expected to introduce the president with references to honorary titles. Pelosi broke away from the practice and simply introduced Trump as the President.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up text as Trump ends State of the Union address

The United States was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">accused by the Taliban</a> on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. 
 
The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US Government</a> is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. 
 
Insurgents have saddled the blame for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trump-wants-significant-drop-in-taliban-violence-for-afghan-talks-275983">pitiful state</a> of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog</a>

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he tweeted.

This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan.

The United States was accused by the Taliban on Twitter for obstructing negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would result in the Americans ending their 18-year-old war in Afghanistan. The US Government is still wrangling with the Taliban over a possible agreement that would allow US troops to begin leaving Afghanistan in exchange for security guarantees. Insurgents have saddled the blame for the pitiful state of progress on the White House, and have called out the Administration on the growing list of demands being made to pave the way for a deal. Also Read: Afghanistan violence rises amid US-Taliban talks: Watchdog #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × In a tweet made be Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban it was asserted that the extremist outfit has the intention & capacity for a resolution. "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. @SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he tweeted. This preceded statements made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan that the insurgents must present demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence if they wished to enter any agreement.

Taliban takes to Twitter; accuses US Government of halting peace talks

The US President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. US President Donald Trump rejected a handshake from the House speaker Nancy Pelosi, which was followed by her tearing up the speech immediately after Trump concluded his ''State of the Union'' address.

Donald Trump snubs Nancy Pelosi, refuses to shake hand

The US President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. On coronavirus, President Trump said, "We are coordinating with the Chinese government to take on the coronavirus in China." #WION #Trump #DonaldTrump #Coronavirus

Highlights of Donald Trump's State of the Union address

Pete Buttigieg an Afghanistan war veteran has become the surprise frontrunner in the Iowa caucus which is the first step towards Democratic race to challenge President Donald Trump.

Buttigieg claims win before IOWA results

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief.

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-update-news-our-borders-are-secure-our-values-are-renewed-%20Trump-in-State-of-the-Union-address">Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address</a>

<img alt="trummpp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8833d4cc-b379-4737-b9b8-57bc24756953" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%284%29_28.jpg" />

US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644">Coronavirus death toll continues to increase</a>

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The coronavirus death toll increased to 490 in China, authorities in Hubei province said after reporting 65 new fatalities on Wednesday. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flooding-in-new-zealand-thousands-flee-their-homes-278621">Flooding in New Zealand, thousands flee their homes</a>

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Severe flooding forced thousands of residents in New Zealand's South Island to flee their homes on Wednesday and left hundreds of tourists stranded at the remote Milford Sound beauty spot

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prince-charles-names-katy-perry-as-asian-charity-ambassador-278626">Prince Charles names Katy Perry as Asian charity ambassador</a>

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Britain's Prince Charles will announce on Tuesday that US&nbsp;pop singer Katy Perry will become an ambassador for the British Asian Trust to help its fight against child-trafficking, the charity said

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/measles-vaccine-drive-aims-to-protect-45-million-children-in-africa-asia-278628">Measles vaccine drive aims to protect 45 million children in Africa, Asia</a>

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Up to 45 million children in seven developing countries will be immunised against measles in a series of major vaccination campaigns to try to halt a global surge in the viral disease, the GAVI vaccine alliance said on Wednesday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/chinas-services-sector-growth-hits-three-month-low-in-january-278624">China's services sector growth hits three-month low in January</a>

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Growth in China's services sector slowed for a second straight month in January, a traditionally busy sales season, hitting a three-month low as companies cut prices and new orders dipped, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-exclusive-who-chief-scientist-soumya-swaminathan-on-wion-278604">Gravitas Exclusive: WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on WION</a>

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Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over.

Good morning! Here’s what you need to know to start your day with WION’s daily news brief. Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address US President Donald Trump in the State of the Union address said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over. Coronavirus death toll continues to increase The coronavirus death toll increased to 490 in China, authorities in Hubei province said after reporting 65 new fatalities on Wednesday. The number of infected cases rose to 24,324 as the virus continued to spread in China. Flooding in New Zealand, thousands flee their homes Severe flooding forced thousands of residents in New Zealand's South Island to flee their homes on Wednesday and left hundreds of tourists stranded at the remote Milford Sound beauty spot Prince Charles names Katy Perry as Asian charity ambassador Britain's Prince Charles will announce on Tuesday that US pop singer Katy Perry will become an ambassador for the British Asian Trust to help its fight against child-trafficking, the charity said Measles vaccine drive aims to protect 45 million children in Africa, Asia Up to 45 million children in seven developing countries will be immunised against measles in a series of major vaccination campaigns to try to halt a global surge in the viral disease, the GAVI vaccine alliance said on Wednesday China's services sector growth hits three-month low in January Growth in China's services sector slowed for a second straight month in January, a traditionally busy sales season, hitting a three-month low as companies cut prices and new orders dipped, a private sector survey showed on Wednesday WATCH | Gravitas Exclusive: WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on WION

Morning News Brief: Trump's State of the Union address, Coronavirus death toll shoots up, and more

India and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/State-of-the-Union-address-us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-tears-up-text-as-trump-ends-state-of-the-union-address-278666">US</a> are set to seal a trade deal during President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/State-of-the-Union-address-us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-tears-up-text-as-trump-ends-state-of-the-union-address-278666">Donald Trump</a>'s planned visit to India in the last week of this month, multiple sources said.

Trade officials of India and the US are giving final touches to the deal expected to cover specific sectors, they said.

Trump is set to visit India on a two-day trip between February 23 and 26 and both sides are in the process of fine-tuning his schedule, sources said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kem-chho-trump-us-president-to-visit-ahmedabad-delhi-in-february-275056">'Howdy Trump'? US President to visit Ahmedabad, Delhi in February</a>

The main segment of the visit will take place in the national capital.

Although&nbsp;Trump might visit&nbsp;Agra and Ahmedabad for a short period as well.

A high-level logistics team from Washington handling Trump's foreign trips visited India last week as part of preparations for his maiden tour of India as the US president.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-trumps-trade-target-169316">India is Trump’s trade target</a>

"The trade deal and a pact on further enhancing defence cooperation are likely to be sealed during the visit by the US president," said a source.

India is seeking exemption from high duties imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products as well as the resumption of benefits on tariff on certain products under their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delay-generalised-system-of-preferences-eligibility-decision-till-indian-elections-us-209980">Generalised System of Preferences</a> (GSP).

India is also pressing the US to facilitate greater market access for its products in the US in sectors such as agriculture, automobile, auto components and engineering.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/decoding-the-gsp-puzzle-226269">Decoding the Generalised System of Preferences&nbsp;puzzle</a>

On the other hand the US wants greater market access for its farm and manufacturing products, dairy items and medical devices in India.

In 2018-19, India's exports to the US stood at $52.4 billion, while imports were $35.5 billion.

Trade deficit dipped from $21.3 billion in 2017-18 to $16.9 billion in 2018-19.

India received FDI worth&nbsp;$3.13 billion from the US in 2018-19, higher than $2 billion in 2017-18.

India had invited Trump to grace the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-unlikely-to-honour-indias-invite-for-republic-day-celebrations-174076">Republic Day</a> parade as the chief guest last year but the US President could not come due to scheduling issues.

During his visit to the US in September last year, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/trump-unlikely-to-honour-indias-invite-for-republic-day-celebrations-174076">Narendra Modi</a> had reminded Trump of his invitation to him to visit India along with his family

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their visit to Washington last month conveyed to the US side that India was waiting to host Trump.

Trump will seek re-election in presidential polls scheduled to take place in November.

India and the US are set to seal a trade deal during President Donald Trump's planned visit to India in the last week of this month, multiple sources said. Trade officials of India and the US are giving final touches to the deal expected to cover specific sectors, they said.

India and the US are set to seal a trade deal during President Donald Trump's planned visit to India in the last week of this month, multiple sources said. Trade officials of India and the US are giving final touches to the deal expected to cover specific sectors, they said. Trump is set to visit India on a two-day trip between February 23 and 26 and both sides are in the process of fine-tuning his schedule, sources said. Also read: 'Howdy Trump'? US President to visit Ahmedabad, Delhi in February The main segment of the visit will take place in the national capital. Although Trump might visit Agra and Ahmedabad for a short period as well. A high-level logistics team from Washington handling Trump's foreign trips visited India last week as part of preparations for his maiden tour of India as the US president. Also read: India is Trump’s trade target "The trade deal and a pact on further enhancing defence cooperation are likely to be sealed during the visit by the US president," said a source. India is seeking exemption from high duties imposed by the US on certain steel and aluminium products as well as the resumption of benefits on tariff on certain products under their Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). India is also pressing the US to facilitate greater market access for its products in the US in sectors such as agriculture, automobile, auto components and engineering. Also read: Decoding the Generalised System of Preferences puzzle On the other hand the US wants greater market access for its farm and manufacturing products, dairy items and medical devices in India. In 2018-19, India's exports to the US stood at $52.4 billion, while imports were $35.5 billion. Trade deficit dipped from $21.3 billion in 2017-18 to $16.9 billion in 2018-19. India received FDI worth $3.13 billion from the US in 2018-19, higher than $2 billion in 2017-18. India had invited Trump to grace the Republic Day parade as the chief guest last year but the US President could not come due to scheduling issues. During his visit to the US in September last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reminded Trump of his invitation to him to visit India along with his family External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during their visit to Washington last month conveyed to the US side that India was waiting to host Trump. Trump will seek re-election in presidential polls scheduled to take place in November.

Indo-US trade deal likely during Donald Trump's India visit: Sources

US President Donald Trump made his third state of union speech today at the same house chamber where he was impeached last December. His speech focused on what he called 'The Great American Comeback' from snubbing Pelosi to taking a dig at the Democrats.

Soleimani was the World's Biggest Terrorist : Trump

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-calls-juan-guaido-as-true-president-of-venezuela-278669">Donald Trump</a> reiterated&nbsp;his vow to negotiate troop withdrawal from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-taliban-takes-to-twitter-accuses-us-government-of-halting-peace-talks-278705">Afghanistan </a>in his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-calls-juan-guaido-as-true-president-of-venezuela-278669">State of the Union address</a> on Wednesday.

He said that he will put an end to ''America's longest war'' as he had no desire to kill "hundreds of thousands" in an endless fight.

Trump said that his administration is working on bringing the US troops back home.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-taliban-takes-to-twitter-accuses-us-government-of-halting-peace-talks-278705">Taliban takes to Twitter; accuses US Government of halting peace talks</a>

"I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-taliban-takes-to-twitter-accuses-us-government-of-halting-peace-talks-278705">Afghanistan</a>, many of them totally innocent," Trump said during his address at Capitol Hill.

Trump has questioned the wisdom of keeping troops overseas for a long time and has described the war in Afghanistan as a ''drain on blood and treasure''.

The US had launched attacks on the country in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York and Washington.

The US president was planning to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US forces in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-taliban-takes-to-twitter-accuses-us-government-of-halting-peace-talks-278705">Afghanistan </a>last year even as he tried to secure a&nbsp;peace agreement with the Taliban which finally fell through in the end.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump and US demands: Taliban</a>

Trump&nbsp;abruptly called off the talks to end the 18-year-long war in September last year after an attack killed a US soldier.&nbsp;

The talks resumed but were interrupted again in December after a suicide attack on a US base outside <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">Kabul </a>in which two civilians were killed.

He later allowed US negotiator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-slams-us-for-stalling-peace-talks-278581">Zalmay Khalilzad </a>to resume talks, which had taken place for months in Qatar.

Under a draft deal, the United States will withdraw troops&nbsp;and the Taliban will promise not to allow extremists to use Afghanistan as a base as well as to open talks with the internationally recognized government in Kabul.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his vow to negotiate troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in his State of the Union address on Wednesday. He said that he will put an end to ''America's longest war'' as he had no desire to kill "hundreds of thousands" in an endless fight.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his vow to negotiate troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in his State of the Union address on Wednesday. He said that he will put an end to ''America's longest war'' as he had no desire to kill "hundreds of thousands" in an endless fight. Trump said that his administration is working on bringing the US troops back home. Also read: Taliban takes to Twitter; accuses US Government of halting peace talks "I am not looking to kill hundreds of thousands of people in Afghanistan, many of them totally innocent," Trump said during his address at Capitol Hill. Trump has questioned the wisdom of keeping troops overseas for a long time and has described the war in Afghanistan as a ''drain on blood and treasure''. The US had launched attacks on the country in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in New York and Washington. The US president was planning to withdraw about half of the 14,000 US forces in Afghanistan last year even as he tried to secure a peace agreement with the Taliban which finally fell through in the end. Also read: Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump and US demands: Taliban Trump abruptly called off the talks to end the 18-year-long war in September last year after an attack killed a US soldier. The talks resumed but were interrupted again in December after a suicide attack on a US base outside Kabul in which two civilians were killed. He later allowed US negotiator Zalmay Khalilzad to resume talks, which had taken place for months in Qatar. Under a draft deal, the United States will withdraw troops and the Taliban will promise not to allow extremists to use Afghanistan as a base as well as to open talks with the internationally recognized government in Kabul.

Trump reiterates pledge to withdraw US troops from Afghanistan in State of the Union addresss

The US President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. President Trump said the country is thriving with the years of economic stagnation being over.

Watch: Donald Trump's State of the Union address

The US President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. President Trump said, "Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback. Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results."

Donald Trump: We launched the Great American comeback

Donald Trump calls Juan Guaido as true President of Venezuela

Watch: US President Trump addresses US House

The US President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington. On coronavirus, President Trump said, "We are coordinating with the Chinese government to take on the coronavirus in China."

Donald Trump promises protection from coronavirus

During his ''State of the Union'' address, United States President Donald Trump blasted the ''Sanctuary city of New York''. Trump was alluding to the rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman by an ''alien'', the US colloquial for illegal immigrants.&nbsp;

“New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation”, Trump said.

Trump claimed that the city had failed the woman by not turning over the immigrant to agencies to pursue deportation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-is-the-state-of-the-union-address-278582">EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address</a> 
 
“Tragically, there are many cities in America where radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens. In sanctuary cities, local officials order police to release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public, instead of handing them over to ICE to be safely removed,” Trump said in his speech.

“Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the sanctuary city of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman. The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York’s sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honoured ICE’s detainer request, his victim would be alive today,” the president said.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e942e16c-f88d-435f-ace6-ba104e7dc1ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_74.jpg" />

The alien in question is Reeaz Khan, an immigrant from Guyana. The Post reported that they had put forward a detainer request with the New York Police Department against Khan, who was busted for attacking his dad with a ceramic mug, which gave his father injuries in the chest and the arm. 
 
The perpetrator was then charged with assault, harassment, criminal possession of a weapon, but was later released without bail.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-update-news-our-borders-are-secure-our-values-are-renewed-%20Trump-in-State-of-the-Union-address">Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address</a>

Almost a month and a half after this incident, Khan was found responsible for the murder of Maria Fuertes, 92, who was found in a near-death condition on a Richmond Hill pavement on January 6 at about 2 am. 
 
According to court papers, the victim remained deserted on the pavement for about two hours after being assaulted and strangled. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Her injuries included a broken spine, rib fractures, etc.

Khan was identified as the attacker by his brother, who had informed the cops.&nbsp;

Trump blasted New York's law enforcement and said, “It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges, and he now faces new charges, including murder,” Decker said.

In pictures:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/all-the-highlights-from-trumps-reality-tv-style-state-of-the-union-address-278726">Highlights from Trump's reality-TV style State of the Union address</a>

During his ''State of the Union'' address, United States President Donald Trump blasted the ''Sanctuary city of New York''. Trump was alluding to the rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman by an ''alien'', the US colloquial for illegal immigrants.

During his ''State of the Union'' address, United States President Donald Trump blasted the ''Sanctuary city of New York''. Trump was alluding to the rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman by an ''alien'', the US colloquial for illegal immigrants. “New York City’s sanctuary policies continue to threaten the safety of all residents of the five boroughs as they repeatedly protect criminal aliens who show little regard for the laws of this nation”, Trump said. Trump claimed that the city had failed the woman by not turning over the immigrant to agencies to pursue deportation. Also read: EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address “Tragically, there are many cities in America where radical politicians have chosen to provide sanctuary for these criminal illegal aliens. In sanctuary cities, local officials order police to release dangerous criminal aliens to prey upon the public, instead of handing them over to ICE to be safely removed,” Trump said in his speech. “Just 29 days ago, a criminal alien freed by the sanctuary city of New York was charged with the brutal rape and murder of a 92-year-old woman. The killer had been previously arrested for assault, but under New York’s sanctuary policies, he was set free. If the city had honoured ICE’s detainer request, his victim would be alive today,” the president said. The alien in question is Reeaz Khan, an immigrant from Guyana. The Post reported that they had put forward a detainer request with the New York Police Department against Khan, who was busted for attacking his dad with a ceramic mug, which gave his father injuries in the chest and the arm. The perpetrator was then charged with assault, harassment, criminal possession of a weapon, but was later released without bail. Also read: Our borders are secure, our values are renewed and pride restored: Trump in State of the Union address Almost a month and a half after this incident, Khan was found responsible for the murder of Maria Fuertes, 92, who was found in a near-death condition on a Richmond Hill pavement on January 6 at about 2 am. According to court papers, the victim remained deserted on the pavement for about two hours after being assaulted and strangled. She succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. Her injuries included a broken spine, rib fractures, etc. Khan was identified as the attacker by his brother, who had informed the cops. Trump blasted New York's law enforcement and said, “It was a deadly choice to release a man on an active ICE detainer back onto the streets after his first arrest included assault and weapon charges, and he now faces new charges, including murder,” Decker said. In pictures: Highlights from Trump's reality-TV style State of the Union address

Donald Trump blasts New York City for protecting 'alien' who killed a 92-year-old woman

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas positions in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;early Wednesday, the military said,&nbsp;after&nbsp;Palestinians in the enclave launched&nbsp;projectiles&nbsp;and&nbsp;explosive&nbsp;balloons&nbsp;at the Jewish state.

The "fighter jets targeted Hamas terror targets in the southern&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;Strip" including "a weapons manufacturing site", the army said in a statement.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-warplanes-hit-hamas-in-gaza-after-border-fire-278047">&nbsp;Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza after border fire</a>

There were no immediate reports from&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;of casualties.

Prior to the Israeli attack, militants in&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;launched three&nbsp;projectiles&nbsp;and a number of "explosive&nbsp;balloons" at southern&nbsp;Israel, the army said, with neither medics nor police reporting casualties or damage.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/has-donald-trump-proposed-a-middle-east-peace-plan-or-terms-of-surrender-for-the-palestinians-277760">Has Donald Trump proposed a Middle East peace plan or terms of surrender for the Palestinians?</a>

Since US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/state-of-the-union-things-trump-didnt-address-but-should-have-278752">Donald Trump</a>'s announcement last week of his plan to resolve the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/has-donald-trump-proposed-a-middle-east-peace-plan-or-terms-of-surrender-for-the-palestinians-277760">Israeli-Palestinian conflict</a>, rockets, mortar shells and&nbsp;explosive&nbsp;balloons&nbsp;have been launched almost daily from&nbsp;Gaza&nbsp;into southern&nbsp;Israel, provoking Israeli retaliation.&nbsp;

Palestinians strongly reject the US plan, seen as heavily favouring&nbsp;Israel.

Hamas and&nbsp;Israel&nbsp;have fought three wars since 2008 but over the past year the Islamists have gradually shaped an informal truce with&nbsp;Israel, under which the Jewish state has eased its crippling blockade of&nbsp;Gaza.

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas positions in Gaza early Wednesday, the military said, after Palestinians in the enclave launched projectiles and explosive balloons at the Jewish state.

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas positions in Gaza early Wednesday, the military said, after Palestinians in the enclave launched projectiles and explosive balloons at the Jewish state. The "fighter jets targeted Hamas terror targets in the southern Gaza Strip" including "a weapons manufacturing site", the army said in a statement. Also read: Israeli warplanes hit Hamas in Gaza after border fire There were no immediate reports from Gaza of casualties. Prior to the Israeli attack, militants in Gaza launched three projectiles and a number of "explosive balloons" at southern Israel, the army said, with neither medics nor police reporting casualties or damage. Also read: Has Donald Trump proposed a Middle East peace plan or terms of surrender for the Palestinians? Since US President Donald Trump's announcement last week of his plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rockets, mortar shells and explosive balloons have been launched almost daily from Gaza into southern Israel, provoking Israeli retaliation. Palestinians strongly reject the US plan, seen as heavily favouring Israel. Hamas and Israel have fought three wars since 2008 but over the past year the Islamists have gradually shaped an informal truce with Israel, under which the Jewish state has eased its crippling blockade of Gaza.

Israel strikes in Gaza after Palestinians fire projectiles

Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-presidential-elections-2020-hillary-clinton-slams-bernie-sanders-tulsi-gabbard-claps-back-on-twitter-275871">caucus</a>&nbsp;results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world-latest-breaking-news-Iowa-caucus-kicks-off-as-Democrats-seek-Trump%27s-2020-election-challenger">Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger</a>

There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting.

Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-2020-us-presidential-election-trump-accused-google-of-very-illegal-acts-241344">Democratic Party</a> said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iowa-first-cadidate-to-choose-candidate-278433/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mocks-communist-bernie-and-sleepy-joe-before-iowa-278225">Donald Trump Jr</a> slammed the reported delay.

"If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet.

Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results.

"The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added.

There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden.

Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres.

With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa".

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3.

Iowa caucus results have been delayed due to "inconsistencies" as the US Democratic party began its hunt to find a candidate to take on President Trump in the 2020 elections to be held on November 3. Also Read: Iowa caucus kicks off as Democrats seek Trump's 2020 election challenger There was confusion on the ground with organizers not publishing the initial results after several hours of voting. Mandy McClure, communications director at the Iowa Democratic Party said that further checks were ordered after "inconsistencies" were found in the reporting of three sets of results. Watch Video: This is simply a reporting issue," she added even as President Trump's son Donald Trump Jr slammed the reported delay. "If the Democrats can’t run a caucus that they had four years to prepare for, how the hell can anyone think they could actually run the country?" Donald Trump junior said in a tweet. Mandy McClure said that in addition to using the tech systems, photos of results and a paper trail were being used to validate the results. "The app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion," she added. There are 11 Democratic candidates in the fray with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders the front-runner followed by former vice-president Joe Biden. Elections are taking place at least 1,700 sites around Iowa in schools and community centres. With the results being delayed, Sanders said he had "good feeling" that he was doing "very, very well here in Iowa". "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," Sanders told his supporters ahead of the results.

Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation."

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9c5b1b8-542c-457b-ba0e-be3edcf448a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN_0.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data.

"While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement.

"We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added.

'Winning organization'&nbsp;

Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign."

"We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC.

"This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added.

Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa."

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist.

Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience.

"I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard."

'Unmitigated disaster'&nbsp;

With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11.

According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent.&nbsp;

Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November.

"The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country."

Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'"

"When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said.

Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday.

According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses.

Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses.

Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump. 
&nbsp;

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well." Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates." Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation." (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data. "While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement. "We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added. 'Winning organization' Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign." "We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC. "This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added. Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa." "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist. Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience. "I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard." 'Unmitigated disaster' With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11. According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent. Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November. "The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country." Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'" "When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said. Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday. According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses. Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump.

Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f64a6563-8bb2-491e-b7f0-eacf978b1759" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/MdIo1ZN5.jpg" />

(Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters)

It was unclear when any results would be released.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10757c8f-edfc-496a-bc24-ad5a016b0294" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes.

Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country."

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The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1224657196392370177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee.

Dismay in the ranks

Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome.

"Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau.

A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results.

Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president.

Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren.

Declaring victory

With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place.

"I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters.

Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire.

"By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said.

Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning.

"Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport.

At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion.

Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February.

Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.

Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden.

Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues.

Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely. Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest. Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans. (Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters) It was unclear when any results would be released. (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes. Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country." The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020 × But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee. Dismay in the ranks Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome. "Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau. A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results. Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president. Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren. Declaring victory With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place. "I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters. Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire. "By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said. Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning. "Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport. At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion. Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February. Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July. Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden. Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues. Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets.

Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory

President Donald Trump will deliver the State of the Union address Tuesday night before a joint session of Congress. The State of the Union is an annual address the president gives before Congress

US President Donald Trump to address US House

Michael Bloomberg on Sunday attacked Donald Trump, calling the president &nbsp;“a pathological liar who lies about everything: his fake hair, his obesity and his spray-on tan”.

The remarks, made through the Democratic presidential candidate’s press secretary, came in response to Trump's remarks to FOX News Channel's Sean Hannity, coupled with a series of Twitter posts late on Saturday.

Trump told Hannity in an interview that Bloomberg, who stands at about 5 feet 8 inches compared to the president's 6 feet 3 inches, had requested a box to stand on during the Democratic debates, reported news agency Reuters.

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Mini Mike is part of the Fake News. They are all working together. In fact, Bloomberg isn’t covering himself (too boring to do), or other Dems. Only Trump. That sounds fair! It’s all the Fake News Media, and that’s why nobody believes in them any more.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1223836174294441984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Last week, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) scrapped a rule requiring that candidates meet a threshold of grassroots donations, opening the door for Bloomberg to participate in a February 19 debate in Nevada. Bloomberg, a late entry to the race, has pledged not to take any donations and to finance his campaign.&nbsp;

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Mini Mike is now negotiating both to get on the Democrat Primary debate stage, and to have the right to stand on boxes, or a lift, during the debates. This is sometimes done, but really not fair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1223839756234215424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"He wants a box for the debates. Why should he be entitled to that? Really. Does that mean everyone else gets a box?" Trump asked Hannity during the interview which was taped on Saturday at the Republican president's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

The president also said he would “love to run against Bloomberg. I would love it”.

Bloomberg told reporters in Los Angeles he would “stand twice as tall as he does on the stage that matters” and said Trump “knows that I can beat him”.&nbsp;

Bloomberg has previously goaded Trump about their respective fortunes. According to Forbes, Bloomberg is worth around $60bn, 17 times as much as Trump.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Michael Bloomberg on Sunday attacked Donald Trump, calling the president “a pathological liar who lies about everything: his fake hair, his obesity and his spray-on tan”.

Michael Bloomberg on Sunday attacked Donald Trump, calling the president “a pathological liar who lies about everything: his fake hair, his obesity and his spray-on tan”. The remarks, made through the Democratic presidential candidate’s press secretary, came in response to Trump's remarks to FOX News Channel's Sean Hannity, coupled with a series of Twitter posts late on Saturday. Trump told Hannity in an interview that Bloomberg, who stands at about 5 feet 8 inches compared to the president's 6 feet 3 inches, had requested a box to stand on during the Democratic debates, reported news agency Reuters. Mini Mike is part of the Fake News. They are all working together. In fact, Bloomberg isn’t covering himself (too boring to do), or other Dems. Only Trump. That sounds fair! It’s all the Fake News Media, and that’s why nobody believes in them any more. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2020 × Last week, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) scrapped a rule requiring that candidates meet a threshold of grassroots donations, opening the door for Bloomberg to participate in a February 19 debate in Nevada. Bloomberg, a late entry to the race, has pledged not to take any donations and to finance his campaign. Mini Mike is now negotiating both to get on the Democrat Primary debate stage, and to have the right to stand on boxes, or a lift, during the debates. This is sometimes done, but really not fair! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2020 × "He wants a box for the debates. Why should he be entitled to that? Really. Does that mean everyone else gets a box?" Trump asked Hannity during the interview which was taped on Saturday at the Republican president's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida. The president also said he would “love to run against Bloomberg. I would love it”. Bloomberg told reporters in Los Angeles he would “stand twice as tall as he does on the stage that matters” and said Trump “knows that I can beat him”. Bloomberg has previously goaded Trump about their respective fortunes. According to Forbes, Bloomberg is worth around $60bn, 17 times as much as Trump. (With inputs from Reuters)

Michael Bloomberg attacks Trump's 'fake hair, obesity and spray-on tan' after 'Mini Mike' jibe 

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan.

The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah. Palestinian foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki called the deal "an assault on international order".

The meeting was requested by the Palestinian leadership. The meeting of the body came two days after the Arab league rejected Trump's so-called "deal of the century", saying: "It does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people."

With member states from four continents, the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the united nations, with a collective population reaching more than 1.8 billion.

The European Union plans to assess the middle east peace plan and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations.

The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said that the bloc remains “firm and united” behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

Borrel also talked about the importance of Jordan in resolving the conflict, especially regarding Jerusalem.

"What is happening now is beyond the border of Palestine it is an assault on the international order as we know it. The countries in our cooperation have large benefits in protecting the laws that rule the international relations after the end of world war two. We are all keen on maintaining the agreed principles to be the benchmark and trump's deal goes against all of that," Riyadh al-Malki, Foreign Minister, Palestine.

The US President Donald Trump has enraged Palestinians with a controversial peace plan which would allow Israel to keep all of its settlements in the west bank region.

The middle east plan also proposed a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and gave Israel an "undivided capital" in Jerusalem.

The 181-paged plan, dubbed by Trump as the "deal of the century", was presented in the white house on Tuesday after negotiations with Israel but with no input from the Palestinians.

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan. The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah.

After the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic cooperation has rejected US President's Middle East Peace plan. The 57-member body held a summit to discuss the plan in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah. Palestinian foreign minister Riyadh al-Malki called the deal "an assault on international order". The meeting was requested by the Palestinian leadership. The meeting of the body came two days after the Arab league rejected Trump's so-called "deal of the century", saying: "It does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people." With member states from four continents, the OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organisation in the world after the united nations, with a collective population reaching more than 1.8 billion. The European Union plans to assess the middle east peace plan and reaffirms its readiness to work towards the resumption of meaningful negotiations. The EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said that the bloc remains “firm and united” behind the quest for a negotiated two-state peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Borrel also talked about the importance of Jordan in resolving the conflict, especially regarding Jerusalem. "What is happening now is beyond the border of Palestine it is an assault on the international order as we know it. The countries in our cooperation have large benefits in protecting the laws that rule the international relations after the end of world war two. We are all keen on maintaining the agreed principles to be the benchmark and trump's deal goes against all of that," Riyadh al-Malki, Foreign Minister, Palestine. The US President Donald Trump has enraged Palestinians with a controversial peace plan which would allow Israel to keep all of its settlements in the west bank region. The middle east plan also proposed a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and gave Israel an "undivided capital" in Jerusalem. The 181-paged plan, dubbed by Trump as the "deal of the century", was presented in the white house on Tuesday after negotiations with Israel but with no input from the Palestinians.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation rejects US President Trump's Middle East Peace plan

US President Donald Trump on Friday released an expanded version of his travel ban that targets potential migrants from Nigeria and five other countries.

Trump's extended travel ban targets Nigeria, five other countries

Author <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-stephen-king-issues-a-detailed-statement-on-oscars-diversity-issue-post-backlash-277262">Stephen King</a> has quit Facebook after citing misleading information in political advertisements and questioning the privacy rights of social media platform.

The novelist, 72, took to Twitter to express his concern regarding the media giant's privacy policies and its refusal to prohibit political advertisements.&nbsp;Stephen King has 5.6 million followers on Twitter.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I'm quitting Facebook. Not comfortable with the flood of false information that's allowed in its political advertising, nor am I confident in its ability to protect its users' privacy. Follow me (and Molly, aka The Thing of Evil) on Twitter, if you like.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) <a href="https://twitter.com/StephenKing/status/1223425267831574534?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Facebook is yet to respond to the accusation.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-stephen-king-issues-a-detailed-statement-on-oscars-diversity-issue-post-backlash-277262">Stephen King issues a detailed statement on Oscars diversity issue post backlash</a>

It is noteworthy that Facebook has been increasingly scrutinised for allowing politicians to run false advertisements. It was also recently condemned by Congresswoman <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-sworn-in-as-youngest-us-congresswoman-188202">Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez</a> in Capitol Hill.&nbsp;

Interestingly, on January 9, Facebook CEO <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trending-latest-facebook-mark-zuckerberg-net-worth-falls-4-million-dollars-in-one-day-277781">Mark Zuckerberg</a> had reaffirmed that the social media platform would prohibit or fact-check political advertisements and it will limit how specific groups were targetted by the application.

Twitter had announced in October that it would ban political advertisements.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-tightens-bans-on-political-ads-and-causes-ahead-of-2020-us-election-262497">Twitter tightens bans on political ads and causes ahead of 2020 US election</a>

Highly- targeted political advertisements can influence the political opinions of the users and undermine political discourse by decreasing the chances of opponents and press to view certain ads.

King is politically active and is an outspoken critic of US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-news-michael-bloomberg-attacks-trumps-fake-hair-obesity-and-spray-on-tan-after-mini-mike-jibe-278254">Donald Trump</a>.

He has written more than 50 books and is famous for his works in the horror and the fantasy genres. His books have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide

Author Stephen King has quit Facebook after citing misleading information in political advertisements and questioning the privacy rights of social media platform.

Author Stephen King has quit Facebook after citing misleading information in political advertisements and questioning the privacy rights of social media platform. The novelist, 72, took to Twitter to express his concern regarding the media giant's privacy policies and its refusal to prohibit political advertisements. Stephen King has 5.6 million followers on Twitter. I'm quitting Facebook. Not comfortable with the flood of false information that's allowed in its political advertising, nor am I confident in its ability to protect its users' privacy. Follow me (and Molly, aka The Thing of Evil) on Twitter, if you like. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 1, 2020 × Facebook is yet to respond to the accusation. Also read: Stephen King issues a detailed statement on Oscars diversity issue post backlash It is noteworthy that Facebook has been increasingly scrutinised for allowing politicians to run false advertisements. It was also recently condemned by Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in Capitol Hill. Interestingly, on January 9, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had reaffirmed that the social media platform would prohibit or fact-check political advertisements and it will limit how specific groups were targetted by the application. Twitter had announced in October that it would ban political advertisements. Also read: Twitter tightens bans on political ads and causes ahead of 2020 US election Highly- targeted political advertisements can influence the political opinions of the users and undermine political discourse by decreasing the chances of opponents and press to view certain ads. King is politically active and is an outspoken critic of US President Donald Trump. He has written more than 50 books and is famous for his works in the horror and the fantasy genres. His books have sold more than 350 million copies worldwide

Stephen King leaves Facebook citing misleading information and lack of privacy

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Saturday announced a cut in all ties with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-unveils-middle-east-peace-plan-draws-flak-from-palestinians-277189">Israel and the United States</a>, including security cooperation.

Abbas said the peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday was in "violation of the (autonomy) accords" launched in Oslo in 1993 by Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel will have to "bear responsibility as an occupying power" for the Palestinian territories, he told an emergency Arab League meeting in Cairo.

Trump's plan angered Palestinians by proposing Israel retain control over Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and giving the green light to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Under the deal, there will be a 4-year freeze on Israeli settlements which means a halt in the expansion of Israel's construction activities in the West Bank. 
&nbsp; 
The deal promises to double the area under the control of the Palestinian authorities. But a major portion of the West Bank settlements will be recognised under Israeli sovereignty. 
&nbsp; 
Trump has vowed to grant statehood to Palestine if it demilitarises and stops funding terror groups. As expected the deal does advocate the 2-state solution.

According to the President, an undivided Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. 
&nbsp; 
In the same breath, Trump also said he would proudly open a US embassy in a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem. It's still unclear as to how such an arrangement could work.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Saturday announced a cut in all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation. Abbas said the peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday was in "violation of the (autonomy) accords" launched in Oslo in 1993 by Israel and the Palestinians.

Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Saturday announced a cut in all ties with Israel and the United States, including security cooperation. Abbas said the peace plan unveiled by US President Donald Trump on Tuesday was in "violation of the (autonomy) accords" launched in Oslo in 1993 by Israel and the Palestinians. Israel will have to "bear responsibility as an occupying power" for the Palestinian territories, he told an emergency Arab League meeting in Cairo. Trump's plan angered Palestinians by proposing Israel retain control over Jerusalem as its "undivided capital" and giving the green light to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Under the deal, there will be a 4-year freeze on Israeli settlements which means a halt in the expansion of Israel's construction activities in the West Bank. The deal promises to double the area under the control of the Palestinian authorities. But a major portion of the West Bank settlements will be recognised under Israeli sovereignty. Trump has vowed to grant statehood to Palestine if it demilitarises and stops funding terror groups. As expected the deal does advocate the 2-state solution. According to the President, an undivided Jerusalem will be the capital of Israel. In the same breath, Trump also said he would proudly open a US embassy in a Palestinian capital in eastern Jerusalem. It's still unclear as to how such an arrangement could work.

We will 'cut all ties' with Israel, US: Palestinian President Abbas

US President Donald Trump issued an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-set-to-add-couple-of-countries-on-travel-ban-list-275988">expanded version of his travel ban</a> on Friday that targets prospective immigrants from Nigeria and five other countries, a move that could affect thousands of people and reignite the debate on whether the policy is discriminatory.

Of the six countries added to the ban, four are African nations and three have Muslim-majority populations. Democrats and immigration advocates accuse the Trump administration of seeking to expand its original 2017 ban that targeted Muslim-majority countries and of disproportionately focusing on African countries.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said during a call with reporters that the six countries failed to meet US security and information-sharing standards, which necessitated the new restrictions. The problems Wolf cited ranged from sub-par passport technology to a failure to sufficiently exchange information on terrorism suspects and criminals.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-donald-trumps-travel-ban-really-looks-like-almost-two-years-in-258671">Also read: What Donald Trump’s travel ban really looks like, almost two years in</a>

Belarus, which had been under consideration for inclusion, took steps to remedy deficiencies in recent months and will not face visa restrictions, Wolf said.

The United States will suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria, a presidential proclamation said. Temporary visas for tourists, business people, students and workers from those nations will not be affected, it said.

The US government also will stop issuing "diversity visas" to nationals of Sudan and Tanzania, the proclamation said. The visas, which Trump has criticized, are available by lottery for applicants from countries with low rates of immigration.

"These countries, for the most part, want to be helpful," Wolf said, "but for a variety of different reasons simply failed to meet those minimum requirements that we laid out."

The original travel ban barred nearly all immigrants and travellers from seven countries with majority Muslim populations. The policy was revised amid court challenges, but the US Supreme Court ultimately upheld it in June 2018.

Trump has made cracking down on immigration a focus of his 2020 re-election campaign. His travel ban policy is popular with Republican supporters.

The existing version of the ban includes Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. North Korea and Venezuela also face visa bars, but those measures affect relatively few travellers. Those restrictions will remain in place.

The new travel ban will take effect on February 21, according to the proclamation.

Most visas from Nigeria

US Representative Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Colorado and son of Eritrean refugees, said the updated ban unfairly singled out allied African nations.

"It is un-American to discriminate against immigrants solely because of where they come from or how they pray," Neguse told reporters.

In 2015, when he was running for president, Trump called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

Three nations included in the updated ban - Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and Sudan - have majority Muslim populations. Eritrea and Tanzania have sizable Muslim minorities.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the ban, calling it "discrimination disguised as policy." She said the Democrats would introduce legislation barring religious discrimination in the US immigration system within a few weeks.

Nigeria sends the most immigrants to the United States. The US State Department issued approximately 7,900 immigrant visas to Nigerians in fiscal year 2018, which began October 1, 2017.

Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria's foreign affairs minister, said he was "disappointed" by the decision. The US State Department will host meetings in Washington on Monday and Tuesday with Onyeama, other officials and business leaders.

The administration said the new ban was narrowly tailored.

Investor visas, which lead to permanent residence, will also be barred. But the restrictions will not apply to skilled foreign workers entering the United States on H-1B visas, according to a DHS official who briefed reporters. Such visas are temporary but can lead to permanent residence.

Immigrants already in the United States, or who have approved visas will be exempt from the ban, the official said. People with pending visa requests, some of whom have waited years, will be barred.

All applicants will be able to apply for a waiver, a process already in place under Trump's existing ban. But a federal lawsuit challenging the administration says the waiver process is opaque and difficult to navigate.

The visa restrictions will not apply to refugees, according to the official. Trump's administration has separately capped the number of refugees allowed into the United States at 18,000 for the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest level in decades.

US President Donald Trump issued an expanded version of his travel ban on Friday that targets prospective immigrants from Nigeria and five other countries, a move that could affect thousands of people and reignite the debate on whether the policy is discriminatory.

US President Donald Trump issued an expanded version of his travel ban on Friday that targets prospective immigrants from Nigeria and five other countries, a move that could affect thousands of people and reignite the debate on whether the policy is discriminatory. Of the six countries added to the ban, four are African nations and three have Muslim-majority populations. Democrats and immigration advocates accuse the Trump administration of seeking to expand its original 2017 ban that targeted Muslim-majority countries and of disproportionately focusing on African countries. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said during a call with reporters that the six countries failed to meet US security and information-sharing standards, which necessitated the new restrictions. The problems Wolf cited ranged from sub-par passport technology to a failure to sufficiently exchange information on terrorism suspects and criminals. Also read: What Donald Trump’s travel ban really looks like, almost two years in Belarus, which had been under consideration for inclusion, took steps to remedy deficiencies in recent months and will not face visa restrictions, Wolf said. The United States will suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria, a presidential proclamation said. Temporary visas for tourists, business people, students and workers from those nations will not be affected, it said. The US government also will stop issuing "diversity visas" to nationals of Sudan and Tanzania, the proclamation said. The visas, which Trump has criticized, are available by lottery for applicants from countries with low rates of immigration. "These countries, for the most part, want to be helpful," Wolf said, "but for a variety of different reasons simply failed to meet those minimum requirements that we laid out." The original travel ban barred nearly all immigrants and travellers from seven countries with majority Muslim populations. The policy was revised amid court challenges, but the US Supreme Court ultimately upheld it in June 2018. Trump has made cracking down on immigration a focus of his 2020 re-election campaign. His travel ban policy is popular with Republican supporters. The existing version of the ban includes Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. North Korea and Venezuela also face visa bars, but those measures affect relatively few travellers. Those restrictions will remain in place. The new travel ban will take effect on February 21, according to the proclamation. Most visas from Nigeria US Representative Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Colorado and son of Eritrean refugees, said the updated ban unfairly singled out allied African nations. "It is un-American to discriminate against immigrants solely because of where they come from or how they pray," Neguse told reporters. In 2015, when he was running for president, Trump called for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States." Three nations included in the updated ban - Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria and Sudan - have majority Muslim populations. Eritrea and Tanzania have sizable Muslim minorities. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the ban, calling it "discrimination disguised as policy." She said the Democrats would introduce legislation barring religious discrimination in the US immigration system within a few weeks. Nigeria sends the most immigrants to the United States. The US State Department issued approximately 7,900 immigrant visas to Nigerians in fiscal year 2018, which began October 1, 2017. Geoffrey Onyeama, Nigeria's foreign affairs minister, said he was "disappointed" by the decision. The US State Department will host meetings in Washington on Monday and Tuesday with Onyeama, other officials and business leaders. The administration said the new ban was narrowly tailored. Investor visas, which lead to permanent residence, will also be barred. But the restrictions will not apply to skilled foreign workers entering the United States on H-1B visas, according to a DHS official who briefed reporters. Such visas are temporary but can lead to permanent residence. Immigrants already in the United States, or who have approved visas will be exempt from the ban, the official said. People with pending visa requests, some of whom have waited years, will be barred. All applicants will be able to apply for a waiver, a process already in place under Trump's existing ban. But a federal lawsuit challenging the administration says the waiver process is opaque and difficult to navigate. The visa restrictions will not apply to refugees, according to the official. Trump's administration has separately capped the number of refugees allowed into the United States at 18,000 for the 2020 fiscal year, the lowest level in decades.

Trump's expanded travel ban targets Nigeria, five other countries

President Donald Trump's hopes for a speedy acquittal by the Senate received a boost on Thursday as Democrats suffered a setback in their efforts to introduce new witnesses at his impeachment trial.

President Donald Trump's hopes for a speedy acquittal by the Senate received a boost on Thursday as Democrats suffered a setback in their efforts to introduce new witnesses at his impeachment trial. Democrats had sought to have Trump's former national security advisor John Bolton testify but a key Republican senator said he would vote "no" when the question of calling further witnesses is put to the Senate on Friday. If the witness motion is rejected, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a key Trump ally, could conceivably call for a vote to acquit the president of the impeachment charges as soon as Friday. A two-thirds majority - or 67 senators - is needed to remove a president from office, and the 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate means Trump is virtually certain to be acquitted. Democrats were particularly eager to hear from Bolton following reports that he claims in an upcoming book to have been personally told by Trump that military aid to Ukraine was tied to Kyiv investigating his Democratic rival Joe Biden. The charge is at the heart of the December 18 impeachment of the 45th US president for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives. Also Read: Trump Impeachment Poll: 47% Want Trump Out Of White House Four Republican votes are needed to allow new witnesses but Republican Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who had been considered a possible swing vote, issued a statement late Thursday saying there was no need for more evidence. "It was inappropriate for the president to ask a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent and to withhold United States aid to encourage that investigation," Alexander said. "But the Constitution does not give the Senate the power to remove the president from office and ban him from this year's ballot simply for actions that are inappropriate," he said. Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she would support the call for witnesses, and Utah Senator Mitt Romney has said he was "very likely" to do so. Another wavering Republican - Lisa Murkowski of Alaska - has said she will announce her decision Friday morning. In the event of a 50-50 tie, US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, could be called upon to end the deadlock. If he declines to vote, the motion calling for witnesses would fail. 'Purely partisan impeachment' Chief Democratic prosecutor Adam Schiff, in a last-ditch bid on Thursday to win over Republican senators wary of a drawn-out process, proposed a one-week time frame to secure new witness testimony. "Let's have a reasonable accommodation here," the California lawmaker told the 100 senators sitting as jurors at the historic trial. "We'll take one week, and you'll continue with the business of the Senate." Trump's defence team rejected the Democratic calls for more witnesses. "They said for weeks it was an overwhelming case," said White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin. "If that's their position, why do they need more witnesses?" White House counsel Pat Cipollone argued for an early acquittal, saying it "would be the best thing for our country. We're dealing with a purely partisan impeachment," Cipollone said, accusing Democrats of using impeachment "as a political weapon." Voters - not the Senate - should decide Trump's fate in the November presidential election, he said. Cipollone and Schiff made their remarks during an occasionally testy Senate session during which Democratic and Republican senators directed questions to the House prosecutors and White House defence team. House impeachment managers expressed outrage over an assertion by one of Trump's lawyers, Harvard professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, that a president can do almost anything he wants if he believes his re-election was "in the public interest." Schiff said the claim echoed the Watergate case of disgraced president Richard Nixon 45 years ago. "What we have seen in the last couple of days is a descent into constitutional madness," Schiff said. "Almost half a century ago, we had a president who said, 'Well, when the president does it that means it is not illegal.'" "Have we learned nothing in the last half-century?" Schiff asked. "That is the normalization of lawlessness," he said. "I would hope that every American would recognize that it's wrong to seek foreign help in an American election." 'Disgrace' Trump's defence team has argued alternatively that the impeachment is politically driven, that Trump did not tie Ukraine aid to the investigations he sought, that he had reason to seek a probe into his political rival and that he had the legal right to do so as president. The president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, calling the entire process a politically driven "witch hunt" and a "disgrace." Speaking at a campaign rally on Thursday in Des Moines, Iowa, Trump said, "We're having the best years in the history of our country and I just got impeached." Democrats are to hold their first vote in Iowa on Monday in the process of selecting a candidate to face Trump in November's presidential election.

Senate poised to acquit Donald Trump as witness motion appears doomed

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