Debate on impeachment articles underway on Donald Trump.

Debate on impeachment articles underway on Trump

"Phase one" trade deal with the United States has been reached, China announced on Friday as reported by news agency AFP.

Beijing added that Washington will be removing tariffs 'phase by phase,' AFP reported.&nbsp;

China's vice commerce minister Wang Shouwen said that part of the "phase one" trade deal with the US includes a progressive rollback of tariffs that have threatened to roil the global economy.

"The two countries have agreed on the text of a phase one trade and economic deal," Shouwen said at a news conference, adding that the two sides now have to sign the agreement.

On Wednesday, the Bloomberg had reported the US and China are moving closer to "agreeing on the amount of tariffs to be rolled back in a phase-one trade deal," news agency Reuters reported.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

"Phase one" trade deal with the United States has been reached, China announced on Friday as reported by news agency AFP. Beijing added that Washington will be removing tariffs 'phase by phase,' AFP reported.

"Phase one" trade deal with the United States has been reached, China announced on Friday as reported by news agency AFP. Beijing added that Washington will be removing tariffs 'phase by phase,' AFP reported. China's vice commerce minister Wang Shouwen said that part of the "phase one" trade deal with the US includes a progressive rollback of tariffs that have threatened to roil the global economy. "The two countries have agreed on the text of a phase one trade and economic deal," Shouwen said at a news conference, adding that the two sides now have to sign the agreement. On Wednesday, the Bloomberg had reported the US and China are moving closer to "agreeing on the amount of tariffs to be rolled back in a phase-one trade deal," news agency Reuters reported. (With inputs from agencies)

'Phase one' trade deal reached with US: China 

US lawmakers took the grave step on Friday of approving two charges against Donald Trump, setting up a full House of Representatives vote to impeach the president over his alleged misconduct.

Democrats and Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee voted along strict party lines, 23 to 17, appearing sombre as they put Trump on track to become only the third president to be impeached in US history.

White House meanwhile, called the impeachment vote a 'desperate charade'.

Much of the impeachment focus has been on a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. That is the basis for a charge by Democrats that Trump abused power.

Trump has also instructed current and former members of his administration not to testify or produce documents, leading senior officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to defy House subpoenas. Democrats say that behaviour constitutes obstruction of Congress, forming the basis of the other impeachment charge.

Trump denies any wrongdoing and has condemned the impeachment inquiry as unfair. His Republican allies in Congress argue that there is no direct evidence of misconduct and that Democrats have conducted an improper process that did not give the president an opportunity to mount his own defence.

US lawmakers took the grave step on Friday of approving two charges against Donald Trump, setting up a full House of Representatives vote to impeach the president over his alleged misconduct.

US lawmakers took the grave step on Friday of approving two charges against Donald Trump, setting up a full House of Representatives vote to impeach the president over his alleged misconduct. Democrats and Republicans in the House Judiciary Committee voted along strict party lines, 23 to 17, appearing sombre as they put Trump on track to become only the third president to be impeached in US history. White House meanwhile, called the impeachment vote a 'desperate charade'. Much of the impeachment focus has been on a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. That is the basis for a charge by Democrats that Trump abused power. Trump has also instructed current and former members of his administration not to testify or produce documents, leading senior officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to defy House subpoenas. Democrats say that behaviour constitutes obstruction of Congress, forming the basis of the other impeachment charge. Trump denies any wrongdoing and has condemned the impeachment inquiry as unfair. His Republican allies in Congress argue that there is no direct evidence of misconduct and that Democrats have conducted an improper process that did not give the president an opportunity to mount his own defence.

US house panel approves Trump charges, sets up impeachment vote

The United States was poised Thursday to announce a historic trade deal with China, days before new tariffs are due to kick in between the world's two largest economies, easing a commercial dispute that has roiled markets for almost two years.

The United States was poised Thursday to announce a historic trade deal with China, days before new tariffs are due to kick in between the world's two largest economies, easing a commercial dispute that has roiled markets for almost two years. Reports that Washington and Beijing had struck a bargain at last -- subject to approval by US President Donald Trump -- sent US stocks sailing to their first record closes of December. "Getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL with China. They want it, and so do we!" Trump tweeted in a markedly optimistic tone, although it was unclear if he would officially confirm the agreement on Thursday. Trump's flagging of an imminent breakthrough comes ahead of new tariffs planned to take effect Sunday and also just as he is almost sure to become only the third US president to be impeached. With his 2020 re-election battle heating up Trump is keen to seize the political initiative and show voters his punishing struggle with China has brought results. The US ultimately wants China to open its vast economy to more goods and to conduct sweeping reforms of what Washington has long called systemic abuse against foreign investors. Recently, though, White House officials have indicated they would settle for less in a so-called "phase one" deal. The Washington Post reported that Trump had signed off on a swap of tariff reductions in return for China spending $50 billion on US farm goods, tightening its intellectual property protections and opening its financial services markets. The paper cited Michael Pillsbury, a China expert at the Washington-based Hudson Institute it said had been briefed by Trump, and an unnamed senior administration official. The paper reported that plans for an official announcement had not been nailed down, adding that the administration does not intend to seek congressional approval. China's commerce ministry said Thursday the two sides were in "close" contact ahead of Sunday's deadline. Dodging new tariffs bullet In addition to existing tariffs, Trump had threatened to impose a 15 per cent levy Sunday on around $160 billion of Chinese exports, including popular US consumer goods like electronics and clothing. China had previously said it would respond with a 25 per cent tariff on US autos and a five per cent tariff on auto parts -- levies that were suspended earlier this year as a goodwill gesture. According to The Wall Street Journal, the US side is offering to scrap the threatened Sunday tariffs and also cut existing duties imposed on about $360 billion in Chinese goods. Trump's overall goal with China, a keystone of his presidency, is to uproot what Washington says are Beijing's predatory trade practices, including forced technology transfers and massive intellectual property theft. Trump himself has blown hot and cold, repeatedly insisting that China needs a deal more than the United States does. At the end of November, he said he was in the "final throes" of negotiations, but days later he spooked world financial markets when he said "I have no deadline" for a resolution. The intense talks, involving multiple trips by teams from both sides to and from Washington and Beijing, were further complicated by tensions over the pro-democracy uprising in Hong Kong. Trump, somewhat reluctantly, signed a law passed with overwhelming congressional support in November that backs the Hong Kong demonstrators. Beijing responded that the law was "abominable" and "sinister," but ultimately appeared to have little in the way of counter-measures.

US on verge of landmark China trade deal: Trump

President Donald Trump has signed off on an initial trade agreement with China that would avoid imminent US tariffs and reduce the rates of existing duties in exchange for a Chinese promise to purchase American farm goods.

WION Dispatch: US-China reach 'phase one' trade deal

China's foreign minister on Friday accused the United States of "seriously" damaging trust between the two countries amid tensions over human rights in Xinjiang and protests in Hong Kong.

The two countries have been locked in a trade dispute for almost two years, while rights issues in China's northwest region of Xinjiang and Hong Kong have further strained diplomatic relations.

The United States has "seriously damaged the foundation of hard-earned trust between China and the US," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Speaking at a symposium on international affairs in Beijing, Wang said that Washington was "suppressing" China across a number of fields, including the economy, trade and technology.

The US has "deliberately attacked and discredited China on issues of national sovereignty and dignity," he added.

Last month, Washington drew the ire of the Chinese government by enacting a law supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, where six months of increasingly violent demonstrations have rocked the semi-autonomous financial hub.

It is the starkest challenge the city has presented to Beijing since its 1997 handover from Britain, which guaranteed freedoms unseen on the mainland -- rights that activists say are being eroded.&nbsp;

In retaliation, China last week imposed sanctions on US-based NGOs in the financial centre and suspended future visits by US warships to the semi-autonomous territory.

Beijing has also threatened even more punitive action pending the enactment of a Uighur rights bill in the US, which could sanction officials behind the mass detention of mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

On the trade war front, President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday that the two countries were "very close" to finalising a deal to de-escalate their dispute.

But Beijing declined to confirm a deal was imminent.

China's foreign minister on Friday accused the United States of "seriously" damaging trust between the two countries amid tensions over human rights in Xinjiang and protests in Hong Kong.

China's foreign minister on Friday accused the United States of "seriously" damaging trust between the two countries amid tensions over human rights in Xinjiang and protests in Hong Kong. The two countries have been locked in a trade dispute for almost two years, while rights issues in China's northwest region of Xinjiang and Hong Kong have further strained diplomatic relations. The United States has "seriously damaged the foundation of hard-earned trust between China and the US," said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Speaking at a symposium on international affairs in Beijing, Wang said that Washington was "suppressing" China across a number of fields, including the economy, trade and technology. The US has "deliberately attacked and discredited China on issues of national sovereignty and dignity," he added. Last month, Washington drew the ire of the Chinese government by enacting a law supporting pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, where six months of increasingly violent demonstrations have rocked the semi-autonomous financial hub. It is the starkest challenge the city has presented to Beijing since its 1997 handover from Britain, which guaranteed freedoms unseen on the mainland -- rights that activists say are being eroded. In retaliation, China last week imposed sanctions on US-based NGOs in the financial centre and suspended future visits by US warships to the semi-autonomous territory. Beijing has also threatened even more punitive action pending the enactment of a Uighur rights bill in the US, which could sanction officials behind the mass detention of mostly Muslim ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. On the trade war front, President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday that the two countries were "very close" to finalising a deal to de-escalate their dispute. But Beijing declined to confirm a deal was imminent.

China accuses US of 'seriously' damaging bilateral trust

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump".

The singer started off by saying "So, Philadelphia, very important historical city. So many important things have happened here. Right? The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Declaration of Independence."

She went on to say, "right now our head of state is not supporting the Constitution, and all the things that we stand for, and believe in, and that America was founded on."

US&nbsp;lawmakers moved closer on Thursday to impeach Republican President Donald Trump, as members of a House of Representatives committee debated formal charges that are likely to be sent to the full House for a final vote next week.

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump".

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump". The singer started off by saying "So, Philadelphia, very important historical city. So many important things have happened here. Right? The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Declaration of Independence." She went on to say, "right now our head of state is not supporting the Constitution, and all the things that we stand for, and believe in, and that America was founded on." US lawmakers moved closer on Thursday to impeach Republican President Donald Trump, as members of a House of Representatives committee debated formal charges that are likely to be sent to the full House for a final vote next week.

Madonna at concert: I say, impeach Donald Trump

Democrats warned that US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-criticism-trump-signs-order-targeting-anti-semitism-at-universities-267765">President Donald Trump</a> was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday.

The parties held tightly to diametrically opposed views of Trump as they weighed articles of impeachment at the beginning of a two-day debate.

Trump is alleged to have wielded the power of the presidency for personal and political gain by pressuring Ukraine to interfere in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-warns-russia-not-to-meddle-in-us-election-2020-267555">2020 US election</a>.

There is little question about the outcome in the House Judiciary Committee: by the end of the week the majority-Democrat panel is expected to approve the charges and send them to the entire House of Representatives for passage next week.

But lawmakers in the televised hearing appeared focused on speaking to voters, whose sentiment will be crucial if, as expected, Trump goes on trial in the US Senate in January.

In a grave voice, Democratic committee chairman Jerry Nadler opened the hearing.

"Today we begin consideration of two articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-first-priority-in-january-us-senate-leader-267756">impeachment against President</a> Donald J. Trump," he said.

"Taken together, the two articles charge President Trump with placing his private political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable," he said.

"If the president can first abuse his power and then stonewall all congressional requests for information, Congress cannot fulfill its duty to act as a check and balance against the Executive,&nbsp;and the president becomes a dictator."

Charges 'generic, vague'

Doug Collins, the senior Republican on the committee, argued that Democrats have been seeking to impeach Trump ever since he came into office in January 2017, and have no clear case beyond "abuse of power."

"It's just generic vague statements," Collins said.&nbsp;

"You go home and pick something you don't like about the president, and there's your abuse of power."

"This is as much about political expediency as it is anything else, and that should never be an article of impeachment."

Trump faces becoming only the third president in US history to be impeached and placed on trial in the Senate.

He is accused of pressuring Ukraine for help against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of next year's national elections, and holding up military aid to the country which it needed to face Russian aggression, unless it did his bidding.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Trump's Impeachment Saga: Democrats unveil formal charges

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&nbsp;

Republicans stick behind Trump

With the committee's 40 members speaking one by one, alternating by party, Republicans were united in claiming there was no evidence to support the charges.

Jim Jordan said Democrats were simply refighting their 2016 election loss and hated Trump.

"This is about one basic fact: the Democrats have never accepted the will of the American people," he said. "They don't like the 63 million people who voted for this president."

But Democrats clung to statements of principles, warning not to let Trump get away with inviting foreign interference in a US election.

"Will we hold the president accountable, or will we serve as his accomplices?" asked Hank Johnson.&nbsp;

Most indications are that the Republican majority in the Senate will ultimately protect Trump from conviction and removal.

But impeachment could mar his record as president and affect his reelection chances in November 2020.

At a political rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, he ridiculed the charges.

"Everybody said, 'This is impeachment light,'" Trump said, adding "there are no crimes" and Democrats are just trying to win the next election.&nbsp;

After nearly four hours, the debate was adjourned late Wednesday until Thursday morning at 9:00 am (1400 GMT), when they will discuss possible amendments to the charges.&nbsp;

Nadler's opening statement earlier in the evening said three questions should frame the members' debate: "First, does the evidence show clearly that the President committed these acts? &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Second, do they rise to the level of impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors? &nbsp;

"Third, what are the consequences for our national security, for the integrity of our elections, and for our country if we fail to act?"

Democrats warned that US President Donald Trump was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday.

Democrats warned that US President Donald Trump was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday. The parties held tightly to diametrically opposed views of Trump as they weighed articles of impeachment at the beginning of a two-day debate. Trump is alleged to have wielded the power of the presidency for personal and political gain by pressuring Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 US election. There is little question about the outcome in the House Judiciary Committee: by the end of the week the majority-Democrat panel is expected to approve the charges and send them to the entire House of Representatives for passage next week. But lawmakers in the televised hearing appeared focused on speaking to voters, whose sentiment will be crucial if, as expected, Trump goes on trial in the US Senate in January. In a grave voice, Democratic committee chairman Jerry Nadler opened the hearing. "Today we begin consideration of two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump," he said. "Taken together, the two articles charge President Trump with placing his private political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable," he said. "If the president can first abuse his power and then stonewall all congressional requests for information, Congress cannot fulfill its duty to act as a check and balance against the Executive, and the president becomes a dictator." Charges 'generic, vague' Doug Collins, the senior Republican on the committee, argued that Democrats have been seeking to impeach Trump ever since he came into office in January 2017, and have no clear case beyond "abuse of power." "It's just generic vague statements," Collins said. "You go home and pick something you don't like about the president, and there's your abuse of power." "This is as much about political expediency as it is anything else, and that should never be an article of impeachment." Trump faces becoming only the third president in US history to be impeached and placed on trial in the Senate. He is accused of pressuring Ukraine for help against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of next year's national elections, and holding up military aid to the country which it needed to face Russian aggression, unless it did his bidding. Also Watch: Trump's Impeachment Saga: Democrats unveil formal charges × Republicans stick behind Trump With the committee's 40 members speaking one by one, alternating by party, Republicans were united in claiming there was no evidence to support the charges. Jim Jordan said Democrats were simply refighting their 2016 election loss and hated Trump. "This is about one basic fact: the Democrats have never accepted the will of the American people," he said. "They don't like the 63 million people who voted for this president." But Democrats clung to statements of principles, warning not to let Trump get away with inviting foreign interference in a US election. "Will we hold the president accountable, or will we serve as his accomplices?" asked Hank Johnson. Most indications are that the Republican majority in the Senate will ultimately protect Trump from conviction and removal. But impeachment could mar his record as president and affect his reelection chances in November 2020. At a political rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, he ridiculed the charges. "Everybody said, 'This is impeachment light,'" Trump said, adding "there are no crimes" and Democrats are just trying to win the next election. After nearly four hours, the debate was adjourned late Wednesday until Thursday morning at 9:00 am (1400 GMT), when they will discuss possible amendments to the charges. Nadler's opening statement earlier in the evening said three questions should frame the members' debate: "First, does the evidence show clearly that the President committed these acts? "Second, do they rise to the level of impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors? "Third, what are the consequences for our national security, for the integrity of our elections, and for our country if we fail to act?"

US President Donald Trump impeachment debate opens with fiery partisan battle

World stocks hit a record high on Thursday, passing an all-time peak set in early 2018, on investor enthusiasm the United States and China were close to an initial deal to defuse a prolonged trade war.

Shares moved sharply higher after US President Donald Trump said in a tweet that the two countries were "getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL."

The MSCI all-country world index, which tracks shares in 49 countries, climbed to 551.84 points to surpass the previous record of 550.63 points set on Jan. 29, 2018.

The index has risen more than 20% this year, helped as well by a lowering of interest rates and injections of government stimulus around the world.

Oil prices also jumped as&nbsp;Brent crude rose $1.06 cents to $64.78 a barrel by 1502 GMT.

Oil prices had fallen IEA pointed to pressure on oil prices, predicting a sharp rise in global inventories despite an agreement by OPEC and its allies to deepen output cuts but Trump's tweet gave fresh impetus to the prices.

The US president's comments come as his administration gets ready to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as video game consoles, computer monitors and toys on Sunday which could hit stock markets around the world.

Trump tweeted "Getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL with China. They want it, and so do we."

US and China have been locked in a trade war for the past one year with the Trump administration maintaining its tariff grip over Chinese products entering the US, China, in turn, has hit back with retaliatory tariffs.

In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent and 10 per cent in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US goods in two batches.

World stocks hit a record high on Thursday, passing an all-time peak set in early 2018, on investor enthusiasm the United States and China were close to an initial deal to defuse a prolonged trade war.

World stocks hit a record high on Thursday, passing an all-time peak set in early 2018, on investor enthusiasm the United States and China were close to an initial deal to defuse a prolonged trade war. Shares moved sharply higher after US President Donald Trump said in a tweet that the two countries were "getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL." The MSCI all-country world index, which tracks shares in 49 countries, climbed to 551.84 points to surpass the previous record of 550.63 points set on Jan. 29, 2018. The index has risen more than 20% this year, helped as well by a lowering of interest rates and injections of government stimulus around the world. Oil prices also jumped as Brent crude rose $1.06 cents to $64.78 a barrel by 1502 GMT. Oil prices had fallen IEA pointed to pressure on oil prices, predicting a sharp rise in global inventories despite an agreement by OPEC and its allies to deepen output cuts but Trump's tweet gave fresh impetus to the prices. The US president's comments come as his administration gets ready to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as video game consoles, computer monitors and toys on Sunday which could hit stock markets around the world. Trump tweeted "Getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL with China. They want it, and so do we." US and China have been locked in a trade war for the past one year with the Trump administration maintaining its tariff grip over Chinese products entering the US, China, in turn, has hit back with retaliatory tariffs. In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent and 10 per cent in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US goods in two batches.

World stocks hit all time high after Trump tweets 'close to China deal'

The US President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked teenage climate activist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-power-of-youth-greta-thunberg-named-time-magazines-person-of-the-year-267728">Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the year for 2019</a>.

Reprising his ridicule of 16-year-old Thunberg, Trump said, "Greta must work on her Anger Management problem" and advised her to go to a "good old-fashioned movie".

&nbsp;"So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!"

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So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill! <a href="https://t.co/M8ZtS8okzE">https://t.co/M8ZtS8okzE</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1205100602025545730?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, soon after Trump's Tweet, Greta also swiftly responded to the tweet by changing her Twitter bio to "A teenager working on her anger management problem."

"Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend," her bio also read.

<img alt="Greta Thunberg Twitter bio" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="05c77c79-bb93-49bb-9aac-5988973063ee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Greta%20Thunberg.JPG" />

The latest exchange came a day after Time magazine named teenage climate activist from Sweden Greta Thunberg as Times person of the year 2019.

The magazine ran the story with the subtitle ''The Power of Youth'' on the cover page.

Thunberg has remained at the helm of climate change advocacy and has constantly urged prominent world leaders to find viable long-term solutions.

Seen as a spokesperson for the new generation, the 16-year-old gained traction after a solo strike outside the Swedish parliament last year.

Thunberg also made headlines after her fiery speech at the United Nations climate summit where she thundered over world leaders for failing to take measure to stop global warming.

She accused them of betraying her generation by failing to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and asking "How dare you?"

The US President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the year for 2019. Reprising his ridicule of 16-year-old Thunberg, Trump said, "Greta must work on her Anger Management problem" and advised her to go to a "good old-fashioned movie".

The US President Donald Trump on Thursday mocked teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg after she was named Time's Person of the year for 2019. Reprising his ridicule of 16-year-old Thunberg, Trump said, "Greta must work on her Anger Management problem" and advised her to go to a "good old-fashioned movie". "So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill!" So ridiculous. Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old fashioned movie with a friend! Chill Greta, Chill! https://t.co/M8ZtS8okzE — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 12, 2019 × Meanwhile, soon after Trump's Tweet, Greta also swiftly responded to the tweet by changing her Twitter bio to "A teenager working on her anger management problem." "Currently chilling and watching a good old fashioned movie with a friend," her bio also read. The latest exchange came a day after Time magazine named teenage climate activist from Sweden Greta Thunberg as Times person of the year 2019. The magazine ran the story with the subtitle ''The Power of Youth'' on the cover page. Thunberg has remained at the helm of climate change advocacy and has constantly urged prominent world leaders to find viable long-term solutions. Seen as a spokesperson for the new generation, the 16-year-old gained traction after a solo strike outside the Swedish parliament last year. Thunberg also made headlines after her fiery speech at the United Nations climate summit where she thundered over world leaders for failing to take measure to stop global warming. She accused them of betraying her generation by failing to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and asking "How dare you?"

Teenager working on anger management: Greta Thunberg's Twitter bio after Trump mocks her

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to prohibit federal funding for colleges and universities that allow <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-jews-confront-rising-tide-of-anti-semitism-174320">anti-Semitism</a>, but the move drew some criticism for potentially limiting free speech.

The order would extend protections against discrimination under the 1964 Civil Rights Act to people subjected to anti-Semitism on college campuses.

"This is our message to universities: If you want to accept the tremendous amount of federal dollars that you get every year, you must reject anti-Semitism. It's very simple," Trump said during a Hanukkah reception at the White House.

Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

"This action makes clear that Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits the federal funding of universities and other institutions that engage in discrimination, applies to institutions that traffic in anti-Semitic hate," Trump said.

J Street, a liberal Jewish-American lobbying group, criticized the order.

"This executive order, like the stalled congressional legislation it is based on, appears designed less to combat anti-Semitism than to have a chilling effect on free speech and to crack down on campus critics of Israel," it said in a statement.

The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks acts of racism, welcomed the order.

"In a climate of rising anti-Semitism, this executive order provides valuable guidance on anti-Semitism, giving law enforcement and campus officials an important additional tool to help identify and fight this pernicious hate," Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt said.

"It also reaffirms protection of Jews under Title VI without infringing on First Amendment rights," he said in a statement.

The pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement over Israel’s policies towards Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has gained support among some university students in recent years.

The movement, however, has received a bipartisan rebuke in the US&nbsp;Congress and many states have passed anti-BDS measures.Amid criticism, Trump signs order targeting anti-Semitism at universities

Some critics argue that participating in boycotts is protected by Americans' constitutional right to free speech and that legitimate criticism of Israeli policies could be stifled under the name of combating anti-Semitism.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to prohibit federal funding for colleges and universities that allow anti-Semitism, but the move drew some criticism for potentially limiting free speech.

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday to prohibit federal funding for colleges and universities that allow anti-Semitism, but the move drew some criticism for potentially limiting free speech. The order would extend protections against discrimination under the 1964 Civil Rights Act to people subjected to anti-Semitism on college campuses. "This is our message to universities: If you want to accept the tremendous amount of federal dollars that you get every year, you must reject anti-Semitism. It's very simple," Trump said during a Hanukkah reception at the White House. Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, colour, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. "This action makes clear that Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits the federal funding of universities and other institutions that engage in discrimination, applies to institutions that traffic in anti-Semitic hate," Trump said. J Street, a liberal Jewish-American lobbying group, criticized the order. "This executive order, like the stalled congressional legislation it is based on, appears designed less to combat anti-Semitism than to have a chilling effect on free speech and to crack down on campus critics of Israel," it said in a statement. The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks acts of racism, welcomed the order. "In a climate of rising anti-Semitism, this executive order provides valuable guidance on anti-Semitism, giving law enforcement and campus officials an important additional tool to help identify and fight this pernicious hate," Chief Executive Jonathan Greenblatt said. "It also reaffirms protection of Jews under Title VI without infringing on First Amendment rights," he said in a statement. The pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement over Israel’s policies towards Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has gained support among some university students in recent years. The movement, however, has received a bipartisan rebuke in the US Congress and many states have passed anti-BDS measures.Amid criticism, Trump signs order targeting anti-Semitism at universities Some critics argue that participating in boycotts is protected by Americans' constitutional right to free speech and that legitimate criticism of Israeli policies could be stifled under the name of combating anti-Semitism.

Amid criticism, Trump signs order targeting anti-Semitism at universities

A day after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-security-council-to-meet-over-north-korea-on-wednesday-at-us-request-267389">United States </a>warned North Korea of consequences of a spectacular weapons test, Pyongyang said it is ready to respond to Washington's any "corresponding measure". &nbsp;

"The United States said about corresponding measure at the meeting, as we have said we have nothing to lose and we are ready to respond to any corresponding measure that the US choooses," North Korea's state news agency KCNA said citing a foreign ministry spokesperson.&nbsp;

Earlier, North Korea vowed for an ominous "Christmas gift" if the US does not come up with concessions by the end of 2019.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the US ambassador, Kelly Craft, said that North Korea was indicating of carrying out intercontinental ballistic missiles test which is designed to attack the US with nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

"Missile and nuclear testing will not bring the DPRK greater security," Craft said, referring to North Korea by its official name.&nbsp;

"We trust that the DPRK will turn away from further hostility and threats, and instead make a bold decision to engage with us," Craft said.

Craft added that if Pyongyang acted otherwise "we, this Security Council, must all be prepared to act accordingly."

(with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

A day after the United States warned North Korea of consequences of a spectacular weapons test, Pyongyang said it is ready to respond to Washington's any "corresponding measure".

A day after the United States warned North Korea of consequences of a spectacular weapons test, Pyongyang said it is ready to respond to Washington's any "corresponding measure". "The United States said about corresponding measure at the meeting, as we have said we have nothing to lose and we are ready to respond to any corresponding measure that the US choooses," North Korea's state news agency KCNA said citing a foreign ministry spokesperson. Earlier, North Korea vowed for an ominous "Christmas gift" if the US does not come up with concessions by the end of 2019. On Wednesday, the US ambassador, Kelly Craft, said that North Korea was indicating of carrying out intercontinental ballistic missiles test which is designed to attack the US with nuclear weapons. "Missile and nuclear testing will not bring the DPRK greater security," Craft said, referring to North Korea by its official name. "We trust that the DPRK will turn away from further hostility and threats, and instead make a bold decision to engage with us," Craft said. Craft added that if Pyongyang acted otherwise "we, this Security Council, must all be prepared to act accordingly." (with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

We are ready to respond to any corresponding measure that US chooses: North Korea

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend.

The United States is due to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nintendo-to-officially-launch-its-switch-gaming-console-in-china-266103">video game consoles</a>, computer monitors and toys on Sunday.

US&nbsp;President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-criticism-trump-signs-order-targeting-anti-semitism-at-universities-267765"> Donald Trump</a> is expected to meet top trade advisers on Thursday to discuss the move, sources told Reuters previously.

A decision to proceed with the levies could roil financial markets and scuttle <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-talks-free-trade-must-not-be-derailed-198923">US-China talks</a> to end the 17-month-long trade war between the world's two largest economies.

"The two sides' economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication," Gao Feng, a spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing.

The countries agreed in October to conclude a preliminary trade agreement, but talks have failed to produce deals on agricultural purchases by China and rollbacks of existing tariffs imposed by the United States. Many analysts had expected a deal ahead of December&nbsp;15.

Beijing has said it would retaliate if the United States escalates the trade dispute.

In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent&nbsp;and 10&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US&nbsp;goods in two batches. Tariffs on the first batch kicked in on September&nbsp;1, hitting US&nbsp;goods including soybeans, pork, beef, chemicals, and crude oil.

The tariffs on the second batch of products are due to be activated on December&nbsp;15, affecting goods ranging from corn and wheat to small aircraft and rare earth magnets.

China also said at the time that it will reinstitute on December&nbsp;15 an additional 25&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;tariff on US-made vehicles and 5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;tariffs on auto parts that had been suspended at the beginning of 2019.

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend.

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend. The United States is due to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as video game consoles, computer monitors and toys on Sunday. US President Donald Trump is expected to meet top trade advisers on Thursday to discuss the move, sources told Reuters previously. A decision to proceed with the levies could roil financial markets and scuttle US-China talks to end the 17-month-long trade war between the world's two largest economies. "The two sides' economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication," Gao Feng, a spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing. The countries agreed in October to conclude a preliminary trade agreement, but talks have failed to produce deals on agricultural purchases by China and rollbacks of existing tariffs imposed by the United States. Many analysts had expected a deal ahead of December 15. Beijing has said it would retaliate if the United States escalates the trade dispute. In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent and 10 per cent in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US goods in two batches. Tariffs on the first batch kicked in on September 1, hitting US goods including soybeans, pork, beef, chemicals, and crude oil. The tariffs on the second batch of products are due to be activated on December 15, affecting goods ranging from corn and wheat to small aircraft and rare earth magnets. China also said at the time that it will reinstitute on December 15 an additional 25 per cent tariff on US-made vehicles and 5 per cent tariffs on auto parts that had been suspended at the beginning of 2019.

China says in close communication with US on trade as fresh tariffs loom

Donald Trump's Impeachment Saga continues and the Democratic-controlled US House Judiciary Committee has unveiled charges against President Donald Trump, a key move in impeaching him. Watch video to know more:

Trump's Impeachment Saga: Democrats unveil formal charges

The former British spy who authored several reports alleging links between Russia and President Trump’s 2016 campaign had been a personal friend of Trump’s daughter Ivanka, a relationship that he said made him “favorably disposed” to the Trump family.

Ivanka Trump was friends with President's foe Christopher Steele

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refers-to-charges-of-impeachment-as-ridiculous-267524">president is impeached</a> as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday.

That would send the articles to a full vote by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">Democratic-led House of Representatives</a> as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history.

The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office.

Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-impeachment-saga-democrats-unveil-formal-charges-267581/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor.

Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members.

McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history."

"If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fineprint-us-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267533">articles of impeachment</a>, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial."

In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office.

Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election.

McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday. That would send the articles to a full vote by the Democratic-led House of Representatives as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history. The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office. Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges "A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor. Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members. McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history." "If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us articles of impeachment, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial." In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office. Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election. McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

Trump's impeachment trial 'first' priority in January: US Senate leader

After today, the World Trade Organisation, as the arbiter of global trade disputes, will no longer be able to fulfill its role. The strong appeal body of the WTO— which upholds, modifies or reverses the decision in trade disputes— is set to lose two judges who finish their terms on December 10, leaving only one member to the board. The administration of Trump has blocked the new appointments to the appellate body, claiming it has overstepped its mandate

WTO on the verge of collapse as Trump administration block new appointments

The US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-president-trump-267510">Donald Trump </a>warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington.&nbsp;

"President Trump warned against any Russian attempts to interfere in United States elections," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement after the US president's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.&nbsp;

Immediately after the meeting, Lavrov told reporters that he is not aware of the communication by the White House, and said: "We haven't even actually discussed elections."

US intelligence discovered that Russia, among other means, manipulated social media to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour.&nbsp;

Trump has denounced such claims in the past and is stressing on an alternative theory of Ukraine meddling in the 2016 election, an accusation outrightly rejected by US Intelligence.&nbsp;

Lavrov also said that Russia wanted to publish US-Russian communications that he said cleared Russia of allegations it meddles 2016 election, but the US had blocked the release.&nbsp;

In the bilateral meeting, the Russian foreign minister also stressed on Moscow's offer of extending US-Russia START treaty, however, Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, emphasized on a strategic dialogue involving China.

The meeting came on the day when the Democrats declared two impeachment charges against the US president, accusing him of abuse of power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his democratic rival and obstructing the subsequent Congress investigation. &nbsp;

Pompeo said that the Trump administration will always work for maintaining the integrity of the US elections.&nbsp;

"Should Russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our democratic processes, we will take action in response," Pompeo added.&nbsp;

(with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

The US President Donald Trump warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington.

The US President Donald Trump warned Russia against any attempts to meddle next year's presidential election, the White House said on Tuesday, but Russia's foreign minister denied any such issue arriving at the meet in Washington. "President Trump warned against any Russian attempts to interfere in United States elections," White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement after the US president's meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Immediately after the meeting, Lavrov told reporters that he is not aware of the communication by the White House, and said: "We haven't even actually discussed elections." US intelligence discovered that Russia, among other means, manipulated social media to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favour. Trump has denounced such claims in the past and is stressing on an alternative theory of Ukraine meddling in the 2016 election, an accusation outrightly rejected by US Intelligence. Lavrov also said that Russia wanted to publish US-Russian communications that he said cleared Russia of allegations it meddles 2016 election, but the US had blocked the release. In the bilateral meeting, the Russian foreign minister also stressed on Moscow's offer of extending US-Russia START treaty, however, Trump and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, emphasized on a strategic dialogue involving China. The meeting came on the day when the Democrats declared two impeachment charges against the US president, accusing him of abuse of power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate his democratic rival and obstructing the subsequent Congress investigation. Pompeo said that the Trump administration will always work for maintaining the integrity of the US elections. "Should Russia or any foreign actor take steps to undermine our democratic processes, we will take action in response," Pompeo added. (with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Donald Trump warns Russia not to meddle in US election 2020

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/foiled-very-big-foreign-cyber-attack-iran-267687">Iran's</a> President Hassan Rouhani today said that they will either bypass United States sanctions or find a solution through deliberations.&nbsp;

He added that his country intends not to ring any alarm bells with the US.

"The government is determined to defeat (the enemy) by bypassing America's sanctions...or through various means including talks, but we will not cross our red lines," Iranian news agency ISNA quoted Rouhani as saying.

Ever since US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 Nuclear Deal, tensions have soared between the two countries. The sanctions put forward by the US have slowed down Iran's oil-based economy.

Watch: Iran unveils a 'resistance' budget

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-unveils-a-resistance-budget-267298/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Saturday, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-for-more-united-states-prisoner-swaps-iran-267212">a gesture of cooperation</a>, both the US and Iran recently freed a prisoner each.

After the release, US officials claimed that this could set a precedent for more prisoner swaps between the two countries in the future. Additionally, the US statement added that it was a positive sign and signified that Tehran was willing to discuss more issues.

Xiyue Wang, a US citizen who was held in Iran for three years on charges of spying was released. The US, similarly, released Massoud Soleimani, who was facing charges of trespassing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-unveils-budget-of-resistance-against-us-sanctions-266922">US sanctions</a> against Iran.

Iran on Monday claimed that there are 20 Iranians in American prisons, with cases linked to sanction violations.&nbsp;

According to Iran, talks between the two countries are possible only if Trump administration reverses its stance on the nuclear pact followed by dismissal of sanctions.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani today said that they will either bypass United States sanctions or find a solution through deliberations. He added that his country intends not to ring any alarm bells with the US.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani today said that they will either bypass United States sanctions or find a solution through deliberations. He added that his country intends not to ring any alarm bells with the US. "The government is determined to defeat (the enemy) by bypassing America's sanctions...or through various means including talks, but we will not cross our red lines," Iranian news agency ISNA quoted Rouhani as saying. Ever since US President Donald Trump pulled out of the 2015 Nuclear Deal, tensions have soared between the two countries. The sanctions put forward by the US have slowed down Iran's oil-based economy. Watch: Iran unveils a 'resistance' budget On Saturday, as a gesture of cooperation, both the US and Iran recently freed a prisoner each. After the release, US officials claimed that this could set a precedent for more prisoner swaps between the two countries in the future. Additionally, the US statement added that it was a positive sign and signified that Tehran was willing to discuss more issues. Xiyue Wang, a US citizen who was held in Iran for three years on charges of spying was released. The US, similarly, released Massoud Soleimani, who was facing charges of trespassing US sanctions against Iran. Iran on Monday claimed that there are 20 Iranians in American prisons, with cases linked to sanction violations. According to Iran, talks between the two countries are possible only if Trump administration reverses its stance on the nuclear pact followed by dismissal of sanctions. (With inputs from Reuters)

Will bypass US sanctions or overcome them through negotiations: Iran's Rouhani

Democrats in the US House of Representatives were expected to unveil two articles of impeachment against Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday, a senior Democratic aide said, setting the stage for a possible vote this week on impeachment.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives were expected to unveil two articles of impeachment against Republican President Donald Trump on Tuesday, a senior Democratic aide said, setting the stage for a possible vote this week on impeachment. The House aide spoke on condition of anonymity on Monday night and declined to give any details. Democrats were expected to draft articles of impeachment on abuse of power and on obstruction of Congress, the aide told. The Washington Post first reported the expected articles, citing three unidentified officials. Democratic committee leaders met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi after the last scheduled impeachment hearing concluded on Monday evening. Pelosi's office announced later that the House Committee officials will hold a press conference on Tuesday morning to announce the next steps in the impeachment inquiry. Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to initiate a probe of a Democratic political rival and then of obstructing Congress' efforts to investigate his actions. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel said Democratic lawmakers planned to make an announcement on articles of impeachment on Tuesday morning. He would not elaborate as he left Pelosi's office. Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, closed the nine-hour hearing on Monday with a condemnation of Trump's actions soliciting help from Ukraine against Democratic 2020 US presidential rival Joe Biden. Democrats described Trump's actions as a "clear and present danger" to national security and the upcoming US election. "The facts are clear. The danger to our democracy is clear and our duty is clear," Nadler said in his closing statement. The Judiciary panel could vote this week on whether to send formal charges, known as articles of impeachment, to the full Democratic-led House. If the House approves the articles, as expected, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial to decide whether to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely. Trump denies wrongdoing and has called the impeachment probe a hoax. 'Desperate' Monday's hearing was punctuated by shouting and recriminations from Trump's fellow Republicans, unhappy with the process they said was unfair. Republicans accused Democrats of embarking on a politically driven mission to oust Trump from office without direct evidence he had abused his power, obstructed Congress or committed other impeachable offences. "They're desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president," said Representative Doug Collins, the top Republican on the panel. Republicans said there was no proof Trump improperly pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden. They also argued there was no first-hand evidence Trump withheld $391 million in military aid or a White House meeting to get his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, as well as a debunked theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. Republicans repeatedly called for testimony by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, whose panel led the investigation and held five days of hearings last month. Nadler rejected Republicans' request to call Schiff as a witness, so Republicans put up a poster with his picture on a milk carton under the word, "Missing." The White House has refused to participate in the hearings in the House because it says the process is unfair. Nadler denied Republicans' request for eight witnesses to appear before the inquiry, saying they were either not necessary for Monday's hearing or beyond the scope of the inquiry. 'Help our country' Democrats accuse Trump of abusing his power by withholding aid to Ukraine, vulnerable as it faced Russian aggression, as well as dangling a possible White House meeting to get Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to launch the probes. They appeared to back away from basing one of the articles of impeachment on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report identified multiple contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia but did not establish there was collusion to sway the election. Daniel Goldman, the majority counsel for the House Intelligence Committee, picked up on Democrats' argument that leaving Trump in office would hurt the country. "Trump's persistent and continuing effort to coerce a foreign country to help him cheat to win an election is a clear and present danger to our free and fair elections and to our national security," Goldman said during Monday's hearing. Stephen Castor, a Republican lawyer, said facts that Democrats have presented as damning could be explained in other ways. He told the panel that Trump asked Zelenskiy for the investigations in a July 25 call not to serve his own political interests but to "help our country move forward from the divisiveness of the Russia collusion investigation." Separately, the US Justice Department's internal watchdog said on Monday it found numerous errors but no evidence of political bias by the FBI in opening a probe into contacts between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia in 2016.

US Democrats expected to unveil two articles of impeachment against Trump

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-president-trump-267510">charges of impeachment</a> against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''.

Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges.&nbsp;

He referred to this as a ''WITCH HUNT!".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204414691910410242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, senior Democratic lawmaker Jerry Nadler announced the charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to open a corruption probe purely for the aim of embarrassing one of his 2020 reelection rivals.

"Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true," Trump tweeted.

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Nadler just said that I “pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.” Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true. Both the President &amp; Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there “WAS NO PRESSURE.” Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204414588650807302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Separately, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called the impeachment articles a "partisan, gratuitous, and pathetic attempt to overthrow the Trump Administration and the results of the 2016 election."

Democrats in the US House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress.

Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.''

The committee is expected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">take up the articles</a> later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump.

(With inputs from AFP)

After charges of impeachment against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''. Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges.

After charges of impeachment against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''. Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges. He referred to this as a ''WITCH HUNT!". WITCH HUNT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019 × Earlier, senior Democratic lawmaker Jerry Nadler announced the charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to open a corruption probe purely for the aim of embarrassing one of his 2020 reelection rivals. "Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true," Trump tweeted. Nadler just said that I “pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.” Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true. Both the President & Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there “WAS NO PRESSURE.” Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019 × Separately, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called the impeachment articles a "partisan, gratuitous, and pathetic attempt to overthrow the Trump Administration and the results of the 2016 election." Democrats in the US House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.'' The committee is expected to take up the articles later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump refers to charges of impeachment as 'ridiculous'

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives today introduced <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">two articles of impeachment</a> against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress.

Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.''

The committee is expected to take up the articles later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump.

Nadler was flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow chairs of the committees.

Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to initiate a probe of a Democratic political rival and then of obstructing Congress' efforts to investigate his actions.

Watch: Second impeachment hearing convenes against US president

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-2nd-impeachment-hearing-convenes-against-the-us-president-267373/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Nadler closed the nine-hour hearing on Monday with a condemnation of Trump's actions soliciting help from Ukraine against Democratic 2020 US presidential rival Joe Biden.

Democrats described Trump's actions as a "clear and present danger" to national security and the upcoming US election.

"The facts are clear. The danger to our democracy is clear and our duty is clear," Nadler said in his closing statement.

The Judiciary panel could vote this week on whether to send <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-democrat-says-president-violated-oath-republicans-attack-probe-267302">formal charges</a>, known as articles of impeachment, to the full Democratic-led House.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress.

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.'' The committee is expected to take up the articles later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump. Nadler was flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow chairs of the committees. Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to initiate a probe of a Democratic political rival and then of obstructing Congress' efforts to investigate his actions. Watch: Second impeachment hearing convenes against US president Nadler closed the nine-hour hearing on Monday with a condemnation of Trump's actions soliciting help from Ukraine against Democratic 2020 US presidential rival Joe Biden. Democrats described Trump's actions as a "clear and present danger" to national security and the upcoming US election. "The facts are clear. The danger to our democracy is clear and our duty is clear," Nadler said in his closing statement. The Judiciary panel could vote this week on whether to send formal charges, known as articles of impeachment, to the full Democratic-led House. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Democrats introduce two articles of impeachment against President Trump

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Donald Trump</a> renewed his war against his own security establishment Tuesday with a broadside against the "attitude" of FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Trump accused Wray of downplaying the findings of a report issued Monday into the FBI's opening of an investigation into Russian interference during Trump's victorious 2016 election campaign.

"With that kind of attitude, he will never be able to fix the FBI, which is badly broken," Trump tweeted.

The report by the Justice Department inspector general found there had been numerous procedural errors but said there was no political bias against Trump by law enforcement. Wray said the investigation had been underpinned by "adequate factual predication."

This starkly contradicts Trump's claims that the investigation,&nbsp;which grew into a sprawling probe of multi-pronged Kremlin interference operations and Trump's business links with Russia,&nbsp;was an "attempted coup."

Ignoring the report's finding that there was no political motivation, Trump is instead focusing on the many procedural mistakes highlighted by the inspector general.

"I don’t know what report current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray was reading, but it sure wasn't the one given to me," Trump tweeted.

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I don’t know what report current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray was reading, but it sure wasn’t the one given to me. With that kind of attitude, he will never be able to fix the FBI, which is badly broken despite having some of the greatest men &amp; women working there!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204374382715506690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-tells-jewish-americans-he-is-israels-best-friend-266897">Trump has been at odds</a> with much of the national security establishment since he took office and claims, without providing evidence, that a "deep state" is working against him.

His attack on Wray and attempt to use the inspector general report as fuel for continued accusations of a "coup" come as the lower house of Congress is poised to impeach him on accusations that he tried to force Ukraine into embarrassing a political opponent back home.

Wray took over at the FBI in 2017, replacing an acting director who had held the position since Trump's firing of director James Comey in May that year, just as the Russia probe gathered steam.

President Donald Trump renewed his war against his own security establishment Tuesday with a broadside against the "attitude" of FBI Director Christopher Wray. Trump accused Wray of downplaying the findings of a report issued Monday into the FBI's opening of an investigation into Russian interference during Trump's victorious 2016 election campaign.

President Donald Trump renewed his war against his own security establishment Tuesday with a broadside against the "attitude" of FBI Director Christopher Wray. Trump accused Wray of downplaying the findings of a report issued Monday into the FBI's opening of an investigation into Russian interference during Trump's victorious 2016 election campaign. "With that kind of attitude, he will never be able to fix the FBI, which is badly broken," Trump tweeted. The report by the Justice Department inspector general found there had been numerous procedural errors but said there was no political bias against Trump by law enforcement. Wray said the investigation had been underpinned by "adequate factual predication." This starkly contradicts Trump's claims that the investigation, which grew into a sprawling probe of multi-pronged Kremlin interference operations and Trump's business links with Russia, was an "attempted coup." Ignoring the report's finding that there was no political motivation, Trump is instead focusing on the many procedural mistakes highlighted by the inspector general. "I don’t know what report current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray was reading, but it sure wasn't the one given to me," Trump tweeted. I don’t know what report current Director of the FBI Christopher Wray was reading, but it sure wasn’t the one given to me. With that kind of attitude, he will never be able to fix the FBI, which is badly broken despite having some of the greatest men & women working there! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019 × Trump has been at odds with much of the national security establishment since he took office and claims, without providing evidence, that a "deep state" is working against him. His attack on Wray and attempt to use the inspector general report as fuel for continued accusations of a "coup" come as the lower house of Congress is poised to impeach him on accusations that he tried to force Ukraine into embarrassing a political opponent back home. Wray took over at the FBI in 2017, replacing an acting director who had held the position since Trump's firing of director James Comey in May that year, just as the Russia probe gathered steam.

Donald Trump launches broadside against his FBI director

The U.N. Security Council will meet on Wednesday, at the request of the United States, over missile launches by North Korea and the possibility of an "escalatory" provocation after Pyongyang conducted what it said was a key test at satellite launch site.

The U.N. Security Council will meet on Wednesday, at the request of the United States, over missile launches by North Korea and the possibility of an "escalatory" provocation after Pyongyang conducted what it said was a key test at satellite launch site. The move comes amid growing tensions and stalled talks between the United States and North Korea that Washington hopes will lead to Pyongyang giving up its nuclear and missile programs. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has given President Donald Trump until the end of the year to offer concessions. Some diplomats and analysts are concerned that North Korea could next year resume nuclear and long-range missile testing that it suspended in 2017. Trump and Kim have met three times during that time, but no progress toward a deal has been made. At least eight countries on the 15-member U.N. Security Council had been pushing for a Tuesday meeting on human rights abuses in North Korea, sparking Pyongyang to warn it would consider such a move a "serious provocation" and that it would "respond strongly." But the United States, which is president of the Security Council for December, decided to convene a meeting on Wednesday that will focus instead on the threat of escalation by North Korea, diplomats said. A US official said earlier on Monday there would be "a comprehensive update on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula, including recent missile launches and the possibility of an escalatory DPRK provocation." North Korea's official name is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The country has been subject to U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missiles and nuclear programs. North Korea's U.N. ambassador, Kim Song, said on Saturday that denuclearization was off the negotiating table and lengthy talks with Washington were not needed. Pyongyang then announced it had carried out a "successful test of great significance" at its Sohae satellite launch site. Trump warned on Sunday that Kim risks losing "everything" if he resumes hostility and that North Korea must denuclearize. The U.N. Security Council has met behind closed doors several times over the past couple of months, at the request of European members, over missile launches conducted by North Korea. Following a meeting last week, the European states condemned Pyongyang's "provocative actions." "The DPRK has conducted 13 sets of ballistic missile launches since May and continued to operate its nuclear program," Britain, France, Poland, Belgium and Germany said in a statement, urging Pyongyang to engage in meaningful talks with Washington on denuclearization. U.N. Security Council ambassadors had lunch with Trump in Washington last week. Speaking to reporters on Friday, US Ambassador to the U.N. Kelly Craft said of the council's discussion about North Korea during the lunch with Trump: "What we all agree upon is that we are very concerned about any more ballistic missile launches."

U.N. Security Council to meet over North Korea on Wednesday at US request

A plane skids in America, passengers and pilots escape serious injury.

American tourist survive after plane skids

In the impeachment, democrats and republicans present their arguments.

US: 2nd impeachment hearing convenes against the US President

Hassan Rouhani calls it the budget of resistance, he defiant in the face of U.S Sanctions.

IRAN: Iran President Hassan Unveils a 'RESISTANCE' budget

Investigators believe a&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Air Force lieutenant&nbsp;acted&nbsp;alone&nbsp;when he killed three people and wounded eight at a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/active-shooter-reported-at-us-naval-base-in-florida-shot-dead-officials-266699">US&nbsp;Navy base</a> in Pensacola,&nbsp;Florida, before being fatally shot by a deputy sheriff, the&nbsp;FBI&nbsp;said on Sunday.

But they have yet to determine a motive for the rampage, even though fellow&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;students at the base who were close to the&nbsp;shooter&nbsp;are cooperating with investigators, said Rachel Rojas, special agent in charge of the&nbsp;FBI's Jacksonville office and lead investigator on the case.

Rojas said the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-faceapp-is-potential-counterintelligence-threat-fbi-265833">FBI</a>&nbsp;was working, as it does in most mass shootings, on the presumption that it was an act of terrorism, but she stressed that was largely to allow investigators to use special tools afforded to them in terrorism cases.

"We are looking very hard at uncovering his motive and I would ask for patience so we can get this right," she said, adding that 80&nbsp;FBI&nbsp;special agents, 100 support staff and scores of other investigators from the Navy and multiple federal agencies were working the case.

The&nbsp;FBI&nbsp;identified the&nbsp;shooter&nbsp;as Second Lieutenant <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-airman-in-us-for-training-suspected-in-deadly-shooting-at-florida-naval-base-266755">Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani</a>, 21, and said he opened fire inside a classroom at the base early on Friday morning.

Rojas said the pistol he used a Glock 9mm handgun that can be paired with a magazine holding 33 rounds - was legally purchased by the&nbsp;shooter&nbsp;somewhere in&nbsp;Florida. According to US&nbsp;regulations, it is legal for a foreigner in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to buy a gun if certain conditions are met - including if they simply have a hunting license.

Alshamrani was on the base as part of a US&nbsp;Navy training program designed to foster links with foreign allies. He had started training in the United States in 2017 and had been in the Pensacola area for the past 18 months, authorities said.

His fellow&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;students were speaking directly with American investigators and were restricted to the base on order of the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;military, Rojas said.

"I thank the kingdom for their pledge of full and complete cooperation," she added.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Saturday that King Salman and Crown Prince <a href="wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-doing-spectacular-job-donald-trump-231336">Mohammed bin Salman</a> were "devastated" by what took place and pledged to help families of the victims.

The&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;crown prince called Trump on Sunday to assure him&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;authorities would offer their absolute cooperation with the United States and provide all information that would help the investigations, the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;state news agency reported.

But members of Congress representing&nbsp;Florida&nbsp;have blasted the US&nbsp;government for not already labeling the shooting as a terrorist attack and have demanded more details about what the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;government is doing to help the investigation and prevent future violence by members of its military.

The attack comes as the Trump administration has maintained warm ties with Riyadh amid&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;involvement in the war in Yemen, high tensions with Middle East rival Iran, and continued political fallout from the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year at a&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;consulate in Turkey.

A group that tracks online extremism has said Alshamrani appeared to have posted criticism of US&nbsp;wars in predominantly Muslim countries and quoted slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Twitter hours before the shooting spree.

In English, he also wrote that he hated the American people for "committing crimes not only against Muslims but also humanity," and he criticized Washington's support for Israel, according to analysis by the SITE Intelligence Group.

Reuters has not verified the authenticity of the account, @M&amp;MD_SHAMRANI, which was suspended by Twitter on Friday.

Florida&nbsp;Governor&nbsp;Ron DeSantis, speaking at a Sunday afternoon press conference, answered "yes, yes" when asked if he considered the shooting an act of terrorism.

"There is a lot of frustration in our state over this," DeSantis said. "You have foreign military personnel coming to our base. They should not be doing that if they hate our country."

DeSantis said Alshamrani took advantage of a "federal loophole" to buy the gun he used, and he confirmed that the suspect, since arriving in the United States in 2017, made a return trip to&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia and also recently visited New York. The&nbsp;governor&nbsp;declined to give further details.

"He had a deep-seated&nbsp;hatred&nbsp;for the United States," DeSantis said. "For us to be bringing in these foreign nationals, you have to take precautions. Bringing in people from&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia - we need to be on guard against that."

Alshamrani was one of about 200 foreigners at the Pensacola base and thousands around the United States who participate in military training, a program that US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Mark Esper said was "very important to our national security."

Esper told "Fox News Sunday" that he had asked top defence officials to make sure all necessary precautions were taken to ensure safety at military installations, and that he asked the Pentagon to review screening procedures for military personnel from other countries coming to the United States for training.

That personnel was already screened by the departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, Esper said.

Investigators believe a Saudi Air Force lieutenant acted alone when he killed three people and wounded eight at a US Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, before being fatally shot by a deputy sheriff, the FBI said on Sunday.

Investigators believe a Saudi Air Force lieutenant acted alone when he killed three people and wounded eight at a US Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, before being fatally shot by a deputy sheriff, the FBI said on Sunday. But they have yet to determine a motive for the rampage, even though fellow Saudi students at the base who were close to the shooter are cooperating with investigators, said Rachel Rojas, special agent in charge of the FBI's Jacksonville office and lead investigator on the case. Rojas said the FBI was working, as it does in most mass shootings, on the presumption that it was an act of terrorism, but she stressed that was largely to allow investigators to use special tools afforded to them in terrorism cases. "We are looking very hard at uncovering his motive and I would ask for patience so we can get this right," she said, adding that 80 FBI special agents, 100 support staff and scores of other investigators from the Navy and multiple federal agencies were working the case. The FBI identified the shooter as Second Lieutenant Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, 21, and said he opened fire inside a classroom at the base early on Friday morning. Rojas said the pistol he used a Glock 9mm handgun that can be paired with a magazine holding 33 rounds - was legally purchased by the shooter somewhere in Florida. According to US regulations, it is legal for a foreigner in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to buy a gun if certain conditions are met - including if they simply have a hunting license. Alshamrani was on the base as part of a US Navy training program designed to foster links with foreign allies. He had started training in the United States in 2017 and had been in the Pensacola area for the past 18 months, authorities said. His fellow Saudi students were speaking directly with American investigators and were restricted to the base on order of the Saudi military, Rojas said. "I thank the kingdom for their pledge of full and complete cooperation," she added. US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were "devastated" by what took place and pledged to help families of the victims. The Saudi crown prince called Trump on Sunday to assure him Saudi authorities would offer their absolute cooperation with the United States and provide all information that would help the investigations, the Saudi state news agency reported. But members of Congress representing Florida have blasted the US government for not already labeling the shooting as a terrorist attack and have demanded more details about what the Saudi government is doing to help the investigation and prevent future violence by members of its military. The attack comes as the Trump administration has maintained warm ties with Riyadh amid Saudi involvement in the war in Yemen, high tensions with Middle East rival Iran, and continued political fallout from the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. A group that tracks online extremism has said Alshamrani appeared to have posted criticism of US wars in predominantly Muslim countries and quoted slain al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on Twitter hours before the shooting spree. In English, he also wrote that he hated the American people for "committing crimes not only against Muslims but also humanity," and he criticized Washington's support for Israel, according to analysis by the SITE Intelligence Group. Reuters has not verified the authenticity of the account, @M&MD_SHAMRANI, which was suspended by Twitter on Friday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, speaking at a Sunday afternoon press conference, answered "yes, yes" when asked if he considered the shooting an act of terrorism. "There is a lot of frustration in our state over this," DeSantis said. "You have foreign military personnel coming to our base. They should not be doing that if they hate our country." DeSantis said Alshamrani took advantage of a "federal loophole" to buy the gun he used, and he confirmed that the suspect, since arriving in the United States in 2017, made a return trip to Saudi Arabia and also recently visited New York. The governor declined to give further details. "He had a deep-seated hatred for the United States," DeSantis said. "For us to be bringing in these foreign nationals, you have to take precautions. Bringing in people from Saudi Arabia - we need to be on guard against that." Alshamrani was one of about 200 foreigners at the Pensacola base and thousands around the United States who participate in military training, a program that US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said was "very important to our national security." Esper told "Fox News Sunday" that he had asked top defence officials to make sure all necessary precautions were taken to ensure safety at military installations, and that he asked the Pentagon to review screening procedures for military personnel from other countries coming to the United States for training. That personnel was already screened by the departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, Esper said.

FBI thinks Saudi shooter acted alone, Florida governor decries 'deep-seated' hatred

The head of a US&nbsp;congressional panel leading the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-zoom-in-on-trump-impeachment-charges-this-week-267046">impeachment inquiry</a> against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office.

In a statement kicking off a hearing in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives to weigh the evidence against Trump, Judiciary Committee Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there was extensive proof of wrongdoing.

"The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, has put himself before his country. He has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He has broken his oath," Nadler said. "I will honour mine."

The hearing on Monday is a key step before determining charges, known as articles of impeachment, that the full Democratic-controlled House is likely to vote on before Christmas.

The heart of the issue is whether Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election.

Trump denies having done anything wrong and has called the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-win-impeachment-fight-us-president-donald-trump-266504">impeachment probe</a> a hoax.

The House Judiciary panel is expected to vote by the end of the week on whether to send formal charges to the full House, setting up an inevitable clash with the White House and its Republican allies. No current House Republican has come out in favour of impeaching Trump.

Ahead of the hearing, Republicans placed black-and-white signs in the committee room to underscore their argument that Democrats were on a partisan mission to unseat a president who did nothing to merit impeachment.

One sign quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, "We cannot accept a second term for Donald Trump."

"They’re desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president," Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the panel, said during the hearing.

A vote in the House in favour of impeachment would trigger a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate where a two-thirds vote of those present would be needed to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said the White House was not participating in the Judiciary panel's proceedings because cooperating would be "colluding with an illegitimate process."

"We're not going to do their dirty work," Conway told reporters at the White House shortly before the hearing began. "Maybe in the Senate if it's a fair trial," the White House may participate, she added.

It has been 20 years since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceedings, when Republicans brought charges against Democratic President Bill Clinton arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. He was acquitted in the Senate.

Watch: What's next for Donald Trump?

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'Clear and present danger'

After weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden, the committee is focused on two articles charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Democrats have also accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vote-possible-on-trump-articles-of-impeachment-this-week-chairman-nadler-267015">security aid to Ukraine</a> - a vulnerable US&nbsp;ally facing Russian aggression - and holding back a coveted White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens.

But they appeared to back away from basing one of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-to-spend-weekend-drafting-impeachment-charges-against-donald-trump-266845">articles of impeachment</a> on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference in 2016.

Instead, Democrats suggested they could use Mueller's findings to demonstrate what they describe as a pattern of behaviour by which Trump has sought repeatedly to encourage foreign involvement in US&nbsp;elections and then move to stymie investigators.

Nadler said a visit by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine last week added to a "pattern of conduct" that represented a continuing risk to the United States. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, is central to the impeachment probe. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Democrats intend to decide which articles to bring forward after Monday's hearing, which will feature testimony from Democratic and Republican lawyers from the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees.

The proceedings will showcase a 300-page report by Intelligence Committee Democrats that levels allegations of sweeping abuse of power against Trump.

"What we're hoping is today we will be able to quickly lay out the facts, bring out the most compelling part of the story and ... make clear the clear and present danger to the country," US&nbsp;Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat on the Judiciary panel, told CNN on Monday.

In a letter to the White House released late on Sunday, Nadler said he was formally providing the report and other materials related to the proceedings except for "a limited number" of items containing sensitive information that would be available for White House review at a secure location in the House.

Republicans have their own, 110-page report, which argues that the inquiry has relied on "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions" but presented no evidence amounting to an impeachable offence.

The head of a US congressional panel leading the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office.

The head of a US congressional panel leading the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office. In a statement kicking off a hearing in the US House of Representatives to weigh the evidence against Trump, Judiciary Committee Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there was extensive proof of wrongdoing. "The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, has put himself before his country. He has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He has broken his oath," Nadler said. "I will honour mine." The hearing on Monday is a key step before determining charges, known as articles of impeachment, that the full Democratic-controlled House is likely to vote on before Christmas. The heart of the issue is whether Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election. Trump denies having done anything wrong and has called the impeachment probe a hoax. The House Judiciary panel is expected to vote by the end of the week on whether to send formal charges to the full House, setting up an inevitable clash with the White House and its Republican allies. No current House Republican has come out in favour of impeaching Trump. Ahead of the hearing, Republicans placed black-and-white signs in the committee room to underscore their argument that Democrats were on a partisan mission to unseat a president who did nothing to merit impeachment. One sign quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, "We cannot accept a second term for Donald Trump." "They’re desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president," Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the panel, said during the hearing. A vote in the House in favour of impeachment would trigger a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate where a two-thirds vote of those present would be needed to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said the White House was not participating in the Judiciary panel's proceedings because cooperating would be "colluding with an illegitimate process." "We're not going to do their dirty work," Conway told reporters at the White House shortly before the hearing began. "Maybe in the Senate if it's a fair trial," the White House may participate, she added. It has been 20 years since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceedings, when Republicans brought charges against Democratic President Bill Clinton arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. He was acquitted in the Senate. Watch: What's next for Donald Trump? 'Clear and present danger' After weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden, the committee is focused on two articles charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Democrats have also accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a vulnerable US ally facing Russian aggression - and holding back a coveted White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens. But they appeared to back away from basing one of the articles of impeachment on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference in 2016. Instead, Democrats suggested they could use Mueller's findings to demonstrate what they describe as a pattern of behaviour by which Trump has sought repeatedly to encourage foreign involvement in US elections and then move to stymie investigators. Nadler said a visit by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine last week added to a "pattern of conduct" that represented a continuing risk to the United States. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, is central to the impeachment probe. He has denied any wrongdoing. Democrats intend to decide which articles to bring forward after Monday's hearing, which will feature testimony from Democratic and Republican lawyers from the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. The proceedings will showcase a 300-page report by Intelligence Committee Democrats that levels allegations of sweeping abuse of power against Trump. "What we're hoping is today we will be able to quickly lay out the facts, bring out the most compelling part of the story and ... make clear the clear and present danger to the country," US Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat on the Judiciary panel, told CNN on Monday. In a letter to the White House released late on Sunday, Nadler said he was formally providing the report and other materials related to the proceedings except for "a limited number" of items containing sensitive information that would be available for White House review at a secure location in the House. Republicans have their own, 110-page report, which argues that the inquiry has relied on "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions" but presented no evidence amounting to an impeachable offence.

Trump impeachment row: Democrat says president violated oath, Republicans attack probe

North Korea on Monday accused US President Trump of "bluffing" and called him "an old man bereft of patience" as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-un-has-everything-to-lose-donald-trump-after-north-koreas-significant-test-267034">Trump and North Korean leader</a> Kim Jong Un engaged in mutual insults and threats of devastation in 2017, sending tensions soaring before a diplomatic rapprochement the following year.

Pyongyang has now set Washington an end-of-year deadline to offer it new concessions in deadlocked nuclear negotiations and has said it will adopt an unspecified "new way" if nothing acceptable is forthcoming.

Denuclearisation negotiations have been at a standstill since a summit in Hanoi broke up in February.

Trump has indicated that the option of military action was still on the table while downplaying Pyongyang's actions, saying the North's leader would not want to "interfere" with the upcoming US presidential elections.

"I'd be surprised if North Korea acted hostilely," Trump said Saturday.

But Kim Yong Chol, who served as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-conducts-very-significant-test-as-nuclear-talks-with-the-us-remain-deadlocked-266878">North's counterpart to US</a> Secretary of State Mike Pompeo until the collapse of the Hanoi meeting, condemned Trump's "odd words and expression", referring to him as a "heedless and erratic old man".

If Trump is not "astonished" by North Korea's response, "we will be irritated," Kim, now the chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

"This naturally indicates that Trump is an old man bereft of patience," he said, adding: "From those words and expressions we can read how irritated he is now."

The official noted that the North Korean leader had not used "any irritating expression towards the US president as yet", but warned his "understanding" of Trump could change.

"He must understand that his own style bluffing and hypocrisy sound rather abnormal and unrealistic to us," Kim said. "We have nothing more to lose."

Late Monday another North Korean official, Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, warned Trump against using abusive language.

In another statement carried by KCNA, he said the US president should "think twice if he does not want to see bigger catastrophic consequences."&nbsp;

The North has raised tensions in recent months with a series of assertive statements and multiple weapons tests -- including a "very important test" at its key satellite launch site at the weekend -- as its negotiating deadline approaches.&nbsp;

Kim's New Year speech, a key political set-piece in the isolated country, is due on January 1.

North Korea has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/denuclearisation-off-negotiating-table-with-us-north-koreas-un-envoy-266892">threatened to resume referring to Trump</a> as a "dotard", Pyongyang's favoured nickname for the US president at the height of tensions in 2017.

North Korea on Monday accused US President Trump of "bluffing" and called him "an old man bereft of patience" as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks.

North Korea on Monday accused US President Trump of "bluffing" and called him "an old man bereft of patience" as Pyongyang ramps up pressure on Washington over stalled nuclear talks. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un engaged in mutual insults and threats of devastation in 2017, sending tensions soaring before a diplomatic rapprochement the following year. Pyongyang has now set Washington an end-of-year deadline to offer it new concessions in deadlocked nuclear negotiations and has said it will adopt an unspecified "new way" if nothing acceptable is forthcoming. Denuclearisation negotiations have been at a standstill since a summit in Hanoi broke up in February. Trump has indicated that the option of military action was still on the table while downplaying Pyongyang's actions, saying the North's leader would not want to "interfere" with the upcoming US presidential elections. "I'd be surprised if North Korea acted hostilely," Trump said Saturday. But Kim Yong Chol, who served as the North's counterpart to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo until the collapse of the Hanoi meeting, condemned Trump's "odd words and expression", referring to him as a "heedless and erratic old man". If Trump is not "astonished" by North Korea's response, "we will be irritated," Kim, now the chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency. "This naturally indicates that Trump is an old man bereft of patience," he said, adding: "From those words and expressions we can read how irritated he is now." The official noted that the North Korean leader had not used "any irritating expression towards the US president as yet", but warned his "understanding" of Trump could change. "He must understand that his own style bluffing and hypocrisy sound rather abnormal and unrealistic to us," Kim said. "We have nothing more to lose." Late Monday another North Korean official, Ri Su Yong, vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, warned Trump against using abusive language. In another statement carried by KCNA, he said the US president should "think twice if he does not want to see bigger catastrophic consequences." The North has raised tensions in recent months with a series of assertive statements and multiple weapons tests -- including a "very important test" at its key satellite launch site at the weekend -- as its negotiating deadline approaches. Kim's New Year speech, a key political set-piece in the isolated country, is due on January 1. North Korea has threatened to resume referring to Trump as a "dotard", Pyongyang's favoured nickname for the US president at the height of tensions in 2017.

'Old man' Trump is 'bluffing': North Korea

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