Asian stock&nbsp;markets&nbsp;were mixed on Friday, with sentiment torn between investors worried that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-us-must-show-sincerity-for-trade-talks-to-continue-221010">US-China trade war</a> was becoming more protracted, and others hope that the world's two largest economies would reach a settlement soon.

European stock&nbsp;markets&nbsp;looked slightly more optimistic. In early trade, futures for the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 index and German DAX futures gained 0.4%, and London's FTSE futures were up 0.3%.

In Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan bounced back to trade flat after hitting a four-month low earlier. The index is still on track for a third straight weekly loss, down 0.8% so far on the week.

Chinese equities firmed as some investors took advantage of cheap share prices. The Shanghai Composite gained 0.1% and the blue-chip CSI 300 rose 0.4% in afternoon trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.3%.

Japan's Nikkei average was lower by 0.3%.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1%, the S&amp;P 500 lost 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.6%, as traders dumped cyclical names on fears that the escalating US-China trade war would stymie&nbsp;global&nbsp;economic growth.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington's complaints against Huawei Technologies might be resolved within the framework of a US-China trade deal while calling the Chinese telecom giant "very dangerous."

Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group, said,&nbsp;&nbsp;"the fact that Trump is still talking about a trade agreement is offering some optimism to the&nbsp;markets."

"Traders have been focused on the damage to the&nbsp;global&nbsp;economy that a prolonged trade war could cause, so a break from the bad news is cautiously lifting sentiment," he wrote in a note on Friday, commenting on the expected higher European open.

Washington last week effectively banned US firms from doing business with Huawei, the world's largest networking gear maker, citing national security concerns.

The US Commerce Department said on Thursday it was proposing a new rule to impose anti-subsidy duties on products from countries that undervalue their currencies, in another move that could penalise Chinese products.

China's Commerce Ministry hit back on Thursday, with its spokesman saying "if the United States wants to continue trade talks, they should show sincerity and correct their wrong actions."

Masanari Takada, the cross-assets strategist at Nomura Securities in Tokyo, said the US-China trade conflict "has not yet fully dented the&nbsp;global&nbsp;investor sentiment, so there is no panic-selling. But at the same time, the sentiment will likely remain weak."

As flight-to-safety plays dominated&nbsp;global&nbsp;markets, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note yield hit 2.292%, the lowest level since mid-October 2017, with the key parts of the yield curve inverted. The yield last stood at 2.3237%.

Chotaro Morita, the chief fixed-income strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities, said big falls shown in a fresh US manufacturing survey appear to reflect expectations of a breakdown in the US-China trade talks.

"In the last couple of years, the PMI has had a very small gap with hard data, such as industrial output. So if that holds true this time, we could see factory production plunging into negative levels (compared to a year ago)."

"Since the&nbsp;global&nbsp;financial crisis, US&nbsp;output has fallen only once: from 2015 to early 2016 when the shale industry was badly hit.&nbsp;Markets&nbsp;could start to fret over a&nbsp;global&nbsp;slowdown as they have done late last year."

The dollar index, which measures it against six major currencies, hit a high of 98.371 on Thursday US&nbsp;time. It was last quoted at 97.847, little changed on the day.

The euro on Thursday slumped to levels last seen in May 2017 as a recovery in eurozone business activity was weaker than expected. Early Friday, the currency was flat on the day at $1.1181.

Sterling weakened again on Thursday as pressure mounted on<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-expected-to-announce-her-departure-on-friday-report-220845"> British Prime Minister Theresa May</a> to name a date for her departure after a backlash over her last-ditch plans for Britain's exit from the European Union.

The pound was last traded at $1.2663, little changed on the day. Sterling suffered its 14th consecutive day of losses against the euro on Thursday, its longest losing streak on record. It stood at 0.8829 pounds to the euro.

Other major currencies were relatively calm. The dollar was holding at 109.59 yen, flat on the day.

In commodity&nbsp;markets, oil prices tumbled on Thursday as trade tensions dampened the demand outlook, with the crude benchmarks posting their biggest daily falls in six months.

Oil prices stabilised on Friday amid OPEC supply cuts and tensions in the Middle East.

US crude was last seen at $58.58 a barrel, up 1.16%, after Thursday's 5.7% fall that took it to the lowest in two months. Brent crude futures rebounded 1.18% to $68.56 per barrel, after falling 4.6% in the previous session.

Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday, with sentiment torn between investors worried that the US-China trade war was becoming more protracted, and others hope that the world's two largest economies would reach a settlement soon.

Asian stock markets were mixed on Friday, with sentiment torn between investors worried that the US-China trade war was becoming more protracted, and others hope that the world's two largest economies would reach a settlement soon. European stock markets looked slightly more optimistic. In early trade, futures for the pan-region Euro Stoxx 50 index and German DAX futures gained 0.4%, and London's FTSE futures were up 0.3%. In Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan bounced back to trade flat after hitting a four-month low earlier. The index is still on track for a third straight weekly loss, down 0.8% so far on the week. Chinese equities firmed as some investors took advantage of cheap share prices. The Shanghai Composite gained 0.1% and the blue-chip CSI 300 rose 0.4% in afternoon trade. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added 0.3%. Japan's Nikkei average was lower by 0.3%. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1.1%, the S&P 500 lost 1.2% and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.6%, as traders dumped cyclical names on fears that the escalating US-China trade war would stymie global economic growth. US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington's complaints against Huawei Technologies might be resolved within the framework of a US-China trade deal while calling the Chinese telecom giant "very dangerous." Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group, said, "the fact that Trump is still talking about a trade agreement is offering some optimism to the markets." "Traders have been focused on the damage to the global economy that a prolonged trade war could cause, so a break from the bad news is cautiously lifting sentiment," he wrote in a note on Friday, commenting on the expected higher European open. Washington last week effectively banned US firms from doing business with Huawei, the world's largest networking gear maker, citing national security concerns. The US Commerce Department said on Thursday it was proposing a new rule to impose anti-subsidy duties on products from countries that undervalue their currencies, in another move that could penalise Chinese products. China's Commerce Ministry hit back on Thursday, with its spokesman saying "if the United States wants to continue trade talks, they should show sincerity and correct their wrong actions." Masanari Takada, the cross-assets strategist at Nomura Securities in Tokyo, said the US-China trade conflict "has not yet fully dented the global investor sentiment, so there is no panic-selling. But at the same time, the sentiment will likely remain weak." As flight-to-safety plays dominated global markets, the benchmark 10-year US Treasury note yield hit 2.292%, the lowest level since mid-October 2017, with the key parts of the yield curve inverted. The yield last stood at 2.3237%. Chotaro Morita, the chief fixed-income strategist at SMBC Nikko Securities, said big falls shown in a fresh US manufacturing survey appear to reflect expectations of a breakdown in the US-China trade talks. "In the last couple of years, the PMI has had a very small gap with hard data, such as industrial output. So if that holds true this time, we could see factory production plunging into negative levels (compared to a year ago)." "Since the global financial crisis, US output has fallen only once: from 2015 to early 2016 when the shale industry was badly hit. Markets could start to fret over a global slowdown as they have done late last year." The dollar index, which measures it against six major currencies, hit a high of 98.371 on Thursday US time. It was last quoted at 97.847, little changed on the day. The euro on Thursday slumped to levels last seen in May 2017 as a recovery in eurozone business activity was weaker than expected. Early Friday, the currency was flat on the day at $1.1181. Sterling weakened again on Thursday as pressure mounted on British Prime Minister Theresa May to name a date for her departure after a backlash over her last-ditch plans for Britain's exit from the European Union. The pound was last traded at $1.2663, little changed on the day. Sterling suffered its 14th consecutive day of losses against the euro on Thursday, its longest losing streak on record. It stood at 0.8829 pounds to the euro. Other major currencies were relatively calm. The dollar was holding at 109.59 yen, flat on the day. In commodity markets, oil prices tumbled on Thursday as trade tensions dampened the demand outlook, with the crude benchmarks posting their biggest daily falls in six months. Oil prices stabilised on Friday amid OPEC supply cuts and tensions in the Middle East. US crude was last seen at $58.58 a barrel, up 1.16%, after Thursday's 5.7% fall that took it to the lowest in two months. Brent crude futures rebounded 1.18% to $68.56 per barrel, after falling 4.6% in the previous session.

Asia stocks flat as trade worries linger, Europe to open higher

US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/this-is-a-mandate-to-form-new-india-pm-modi-delivers-first-address-after-lok-sabha-polls-result-221070">securing another term with a thumping majority</a>.&nbsp;

Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return.

"Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!" his tweet read.&nbsp;

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Congratulations to Prime Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NarendraModi</a> and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1131609042227482625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, also congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/my-friend-you-dont-need-a-coalition-but-i-do-when-netanyahu-congratulated-pm-modi-in-phone-call-221104">Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government</a>, Netanyahu does.&nbsp;

Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/lok-sabha-election-2019-look-forward-to-working-for-peace-progress-and-prosperity-in-south-asia-imran-khan-congratulates-pm-modi-220992">tweeted out a congratulatory post on BJP's win</a>.&nbsp;

"I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. &nbsp;

More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019.

The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India.&nbsp;

"This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech.

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on securing another term with a thumping majority. Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Twitter and congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on securing another term with a thumping majority. Trump stated that "great things are in store for US-India partnership" with Modi's return. "Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together!" his tweet read. Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi and his BJP party on their BIG election victory! Great things are in store for the US-India partnership with the return of PM Modi at the helm. I look forward to continuing our important work together! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 23, 2019 × Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also retained another term recently, also congratulated Modi and said that the only difference between their respective wins is that while Modi doesn't need a coalition to form the government, Netanyahu does. Calling Modi his "friend", Netanyahu said he hopes to meet soon after the government formation in both the countries is over. A video clip of Netanyahu's telephonic conversation with PM Modi was released by news agency ANI. Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister also tweeted out a congratulatory post on BJP's win. "I congratulate Prime Minister Modi on the electoral victory of BJP and allies. Look forward to working with him for peace, progress and prosperity in South Asia," Khan's tweet read. More than 20 world leaders congratulated PM Modi and he received calls from 13 world leaders - Bangladesh, Bhutan (the king and the PM), Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Japan, Australia, Mauritius, UAE and Israel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday evening arrived at the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi and gave his first address after the party seemed poised to register a landslide win in Lok Sabha polls 2019. The prime minister promised to devote "every moment" of his life and "every fibre" of his being for the people of India. "This is a mandate to form new India," PM Modi said in his victory speech. ×

Great things in store for US-India partnership with PM Modi's return: US President Donald Trump 

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;Department of Defense is considering a&nbsp;US&nbsp;military&nbsp;request to&nbsp;send&nbsp;about&nbsp;5,000&nbsp;additional troops to the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East&nbsp;amid increasing tensions with Iran, two&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials&nbsp;told Reuters on Wednesday.

Tehran and Washington have this month been escalating rhetoric against each other, following&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's decision to try to cut Iran's oil exports to zero and beef up the&nbsp;US&nbsp;military&nbsp;presence in the Gulf in response to what he said were Iranian threats.

The&nbsp;officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the request had been made by&nbsp;US&nbsp;Central Command, but added that it was not clear whether the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;would approve the request.

The<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pentagon-seeks-to-use-funds-to-transport-lodge-taliban-members-in-search-of-ceasefires-219334">&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;</a>regularly receives - and declines - requests for additional resources from&nbsp;US&nbsp;combatant commands throughout the world.

One of the&nbsp;officials&nbsp;said the requested&nbsp;troops&nbsp;would be defensive in nature.

It is unclear if any specific request will ultimately be presented to the White House. The request for&nbsp;5,000&nbsp;additional&nbsp;troops&nbsp;was first reported by Reuters.

This appeared to be the latest request for additional resources in the face of what&nbsp;US officials&nbsp;have said are credible threats from Iran against&nbsp;US forces and American interests in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East.

The United States has not publicly shown any evidence of what the specific intelligence on the Iranian threat is.

The&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;declined to comment.

"As a matter of longstanding policy, we are not going to discuss&nbsp;or speculate on potential future plans and requests for forces," Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;spokeswoman, said on Wednesday.

Acting&nbsp;US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that while threats from Iran in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East&nbsp;remained high, deterrence measures taken by the&nbsp;Pentagon&nbsp;had "put on hold" the potential for attacks on Americans.

The&nbsp;US military&nbsp;accelerated the deployment of a carrier strike group to the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East and sent bombers and Patriot missiles to the region earlier this month in response to what Washington said were troubling indications of possible preparations for an attack by Iran.

The US&nbsp;government sources told Reuters last week they believe Iran encouraged Houthi militants or Iraq-based Shi'ite militias to carry out attacks on tanker ships off the United Arab Emirates.

Trump has warned that Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked&nbsp;US&nbsp;interests in the&nbsp;Middle&nbsp;East.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Iran's youth will witness the demise of Israel and American civilization.

The US Department of Defense is considering a US military request to send about 5,000 additional troops to the Middle East amid increasing tensions with Iran, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday.

The US Department of Defense is considering a US military request to send about 5,000 additional troops to the Middle East amid increasing tensions with Iran, two US officials told Reuters on Wednesday. Tehran and Washington have this month been escalating rhetoric against each other, following US President Donald Trump's decision to try to cut Iran's oil exports to zero and beef up the US military presence in the Gulf in response to what he said were Iranian threats. The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the request had been made by US Central Command, but added that it was not clear whether the Pentagon would approve the request. The Pentagon regularly receives - and declines - requests for additional resources from US combatant commands throughout the world. One of the officials said the requested troops would be defensive in nature. It is unclear if any specific request will ultimately be presented to the White House. The request for 5,000 additional troops was first reported by Reuters. This appeared to be the latest request for additional resources in the face of what US officials have said are credible threats from Iran against US forces and American interests in the Middle East. The United States has not publicly shown any evidence of what the specific intelligence on the Iranian threat is. The Pentagon declined to comment. "As a matter of longstanding policy, we are not going to discuss or speculate on potential future plans and requests for forces," Commander Rebecca Rebarich, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said on Wednesday. Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said on Tuesday that while threats from Iran in the Middle East remained high, deterrence measures taken by the Pentagon had "put on hold" the potential for attacks on Americans. The US military accelerated the deployment of a carrier strike group to the Middle East and sent bombers and Patriot missiles to the region earlier this month in response to what Washington said were troubling indications of possible preparations for an attack by Iran. The US government sources told Reuters last week they believe Iran encouraged Houthi militants or Iraq-based Shi'ite militias to carry out attacks on tanker ships off the United Arab Emirates. Trump has warned that Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Iran's youth will witness the demise of Israel and American civilization.

Pentagon mulling US military request to send 5,000 troops to Middle East: Officials

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns.

The announcement came a day after four major Japanese and British mobile carriers said they would delay releasing new 5G<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-founder-says-us-underestimates-company-cant-be-isolated-220252"> Huawei </a>handsets.

"We've stopped all business transactions with Huawei and its 68 group companies... that are subject to the US government ban," Panasonic spokesman Joe Flynn told AFP.

"Yesterday an internal instruction to fully enforce that rule was issued," he added.

Flynn said Panasonic's business with Huawei involves the supply of "electronic parts," but declined to provide further details.

Washington's restrictions affect products made in the United States, where Panasonic manufactures some of the components it supplies to Huawei, the Japanese firm said.

The decision raises the pressure on Huawei after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-names-woman-as-head-of-us-air-force-220520"> US President Donald Trump</a> last week declared a national emergency to bar US companies from using foreign telecoms equipment deemed a security risk.

The move appeared aimed at Huawei, though the White House said no particular company or country was targeted.

The decision has prompted a parade of firms to step back from dealings with Huawei, including US internet giant Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones.

And on Wednesday mobile carriers in Japan and Britain said they were delaying releases of Huawei handsets.

Temporary suspensions&nbsp;

Telecoms giant EE, owned by BT, was due to bring Huawei's first 5G phone, the Huawei Mate 20X, to Britain, but the Chinese giant's involvement in the country's telecoms sector has become politically controversial.

EE chief executive Marc Allera said the company had "paused" the launch of Huawei's 5G phones "until we get the information and confidence and the long-term security that our customers... are going to be supported".

The group also said it would phase out the use of Huawei equipment in the most sensitive "core" elements of its network infrastructure.

Vodafone soon followed suit, announcing a "temporary" suspension of pre-orders for Huawei 5G handsets, "while uncertainty exists".

The BBC also reported that British firm ARM, which designs processors used in most mobile devices, is set to cut ties with Huawei.

ARM's products contain "US-origin technology" that would be affected by Washington's ban, the BBC said.

ARM staff were told to suspend "all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engagements" with Huawei, according to internal documents seen by the BBC.&nbsp;

Huawei said Wednesday that it recognised "the pressure" placed on its suppliers and that it was "confident this regrettable situation can be resolved."&nbsp;

'A sense of safety'&nbsp;

In Japan, KDDI and SoftBank Corp, the country's number-two and number-three carriers respectively, said they too were delaying the release of Huawei handsets to assess the impact of the US ban.

"We are currently trying to confirm if our customers will be able to use the equipment with a sense of safety", SoftBank spokesman Hiroyuki Mizukami told AFP.

And the country's biggest carrier, NTT Docomo, said it was suspending pre-orders for a new Huawei handset, but stopped short of halting the release.

Trump's order effectively bans US companies from selling Huawei and affiliates the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker.

US officials this week, however, issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban, saying breathing space is needed to avoid huge disruption.

The US Commerce Department has also announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei.

Washington has long suspected deep links between Huawei and the Chinese military, and its moves against the company come amid the churning trade dispute between the world's top two economies.

The issue has also been the source of heated controversy in Britain ever since a leak from the country's National Security Council last month suggested the government was planning a limited role for Huawei in its 5G network.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Britain during a visit to London that it risked undermining the historic allies' intelligence sharing.

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns.

Japan's Panasonic on Thursday said it was halting business with Huawei, joining a growing list of firms distancing themselves from the Chinese telecoms giant after a US ban over security concerns. The announcement came a day after four major Japanese and British mobile carriers said they would delay releasing new 5G Huawei handsets. "We've stopped all business transactions with Huawei and its 68 group companies... that are subject to the US government ban," Panasonic spokesman Joe Flynn told AFP. "Yesterday an internal instruction to fully enforce that rule was issued," he added. Flynn said Panasonic's business with Huawei involves the supply of "electronic parts," but declined to provide further details. Washington's restrictions affect products made in the United States, where Panasonic manufactures some of the components it supplies to Huawei, the Japanese firm said. The decision raises the pressure on Huawei after US President Donald Trump last week declared a national emergency to bar US companies from using foreign telecoms equipment deemed a security risk. The move appeared aimed at Huawei, though the White House said no particular company or country was targeted. The decision has prompted a parade of firms to step back from dealings with Huawei, including US internet giant Google, whose Android operating system powers most of the world's smartphones. And on Wednesday mobile carriers in Japan and Britain said they were delaying releases of Huawei handsets. Temporary suspensions Telecoms giant EE, owned by BT, was due to bring Huawei's first 5G phone, the Huawei Mate 20X, to Britain, but the Chinese giant's involvement in the country's telecoms sector has become politically controversial. EE chief executive Marc Allera said the company had "paused" the launch of Huawei's 5G phones "until we get the information and confidence and the long-term security that our customers... are going to be supported". The group also said it would phase out the use of Huawei equipment in the most sensitive "core" elements of its network infrastructure. Vodafone soon followed suit, announcing a "temporary" suspension of pre-orders for Huawei 5G handsets, "while uncertainty exists". The BBC also reported that British firm ARM, which designs processors used in most mobile devices, is set to cut ties with Huawei. ARM's products contain "US-origin technology" that would be affected by Washington's ban, the BBC said. ARM staff were told to suspend "all active contracts, support entitlements, and any pending engagements" with Huawei, according to internal documents seen by the BBC. Huawei said Wednesday that it recognised "the pressure" placed on its suppliers and that it was "confident this regrettable situation can be resolved." 'A sense of safety' In Japan, KDDI and SoftBank Corp, the country's number-two and number-three carriers respectively, said they too were delaying the release of Huawei handsets to assess the impact of the US ban. "We are currently trying to confirm if our customers will be able to use the equipment with a sense of safety", SoftBank spokesman Hiroyuki Mizukami told AFP. And the country's biggest carrier, NTT Docomo, said it was suspending pre-orders for a new Huawei handset, but stopped short of halting the release. Trump's order effectively bans US companies from selling Huawei and affiliates the critical components that have helped it grow into the world's largest supplier of telecom networking equipment and second-biggest smartphone maker. US officials this week, however, issued a 90-day reprieve on the ban, saying breathing space is needed to avoid huge disruption. The US Commerce Department has also announced an effective ban on US companies selling or transferring US technology to Huawei. Washington has long suspected deep links between Huawei and the Chinese military, and its moves against the company come amid the churning trade dispute between the world's top two economies. The issue has also been the source of heated controversy in Britain ever since a leak from the country's National Security Council last month suggested the government was planning a limited role for Huawei in its 5G network. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Britain during a visit to London that it risked undermining the historic allies' intelligence sharing.

Panasonic joins firms stepping away from Huawei after US ban

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-says-trump-is-engaged-in-a-cover-up-220648">accused the president of a "cover-up"</a> that could be an impeachable offense.

A livid Trump abruptly shut down a White House meeting with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, announcing he could not deal with them on policy until "phony investigations" are brought to a close.

The clash marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's war of words with congressional opponents seeking to bring him to account for what they say is presidential wrongdoing.

Trump's ire was seemingly triggered by House Speaker Pelosi, his nemesis in Congress, who declared following an emergency meeting with lawmakers earlier Wednesday: "We believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up."

"I don't do cover-ups," Trump shot back at a hastily arranged Rose Garden press event moments after the aborted White House talks.

"So get these phony investigations over with," Trump said -- warning a failure to do so would spell gridlock on issues like fixing the country's infrastructure, on which the two sides had hoped for a breakthrough Wednesday.

"You can't investigate and legislate simultaneously," he added. "It just doesn't work that way."

A two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election concluded there was no hard evidence Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow.&nbsp;

But the prosecutor said he could not rule clearly on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving it to the Trump-appointed attorney general, Bill Barr, to declare there was no obstruction.

'Impeachable offense'

The Democrats' decision to pursue the grey areas of the investigation -- and their open discussion of whether to pursue the politically perilous process of impeachment -- has enraged Trump.

"PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he tweeted Wednesday, as he stepped up his attacks on the probes.

Any pretense of cooperation on policy evaporated as Trump and Pelosi locked horns, with the impeachment issue inching toward center stage in Washington.

Trump was visibly angry when he arrived at the meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, according to people familiar with what transpired.&nbsp;

The president did not shake hands or sit down, and accused Pelosi of saying something "terrible."

Republican leaders sought to pin the blame on Democrats.

"Their obsession with impeaching this president is paralyzing any progress we could be making," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter.

Speaking after she left the White House, Pelosi doubled down, charging that Trump could have committed an impeachable offense by publicly refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas connected to Mueller's probe.&nbsp;

She likened it to the "cover-up" that brought down former president Richard Nixon in the Watergate crisis.

"The fact is, in plain sight, in the public domain, this president is obstructing justice and he's engaged in a cover-up," she told a Washington conference. "And that could be an impeachable offense."

In a letter to the Democratic Caucus Pelosi wrote that Trump threw a "temper tantrum" -- something the president denied.

"This is not true," Trump tweeted late Wednesday. "I was purposely very polite and calm, much as I was minutes later with the press in the Rose Garden."

He then wrote that House Democrats only want "put the Mueller Report behind them and start all over again. No Do-Overs!"

Pelosi's remarks appeared to reflect the growing anger by Democrats at White House stonewalling, even as she has worked hard to tamp down talk of impeachment.&nbsp;

A day earlier, Democrats were left seething when Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn, a key figure in the Mueller report, refused to testify about obstruction allegations against the president.

Goading Congress?

Democrats also argue that Barr is subverting congressional oversight powers in order to protect the president.

But on Wednesday, the House Intelligence Committee's chairman said the Justice Department had agreed to begin honoring a subpoena for material related to Mueller's probe.

Despite her accusation of a cover-up, Pelosi has been mindful of the politically-charged nature of an impeachment move ahead of a 2020 presidential election, especially one that is likely to fail in the Republican-led Senate.

She has argued in favor of keeping the focus on educating the public through the court process and congressional probes, rather than leaping to impeachment.

The issue has divided Democrats for months. Even as some in Congress -- and several Democratic presidential contenders -- are eager to assert its historical oversight powers as a check against the executive, there are concerns the tactic could backfire, energizing Trump's base ahead of the election.

"He's really trying to goad Congress into impeaching him," congressman Peter Welch, a member of Democratic leadership, told CNN.&nbsp;

Pelosi and Schumer meanwhile offered their own scathing descriptions of Wednesday's heated scene.

Schumer called the meeting's dramatic cancellation "a pre-planned excuse" and said "what happened in the White House makes your jaw drop."

Likewise suggesting Trump manufactured the row to avoid committing to an enormously expensive infrastructure bill, Pelosi said: "I pray for the president of the United States."&nbsp;

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress accused the president of a "cover-up" that could be an impeachable offense.

Donald Trump erupted in fury Wednesday at unrelenting probes into his links to Russia, as the top Democrat in Congress accused the president of a "cover-up" that could be an impeachable offense. A livid Trump abruptly shut down a White House meeting with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, announcing he could not deal with them on policy until "phony investigations" are brought to a close. The clash marked a dramatic escalation in Trump's war of words with congressional opponents seeking to bring him to account for what they say is presidential wrongdoing. Trump's ire was seemingly triggered by House Speaker Pelosi, his nemesis in Congress, who declared following an emergency meeting with lawmakers earlier Wednesday: "We believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up." "I don't do cover-ups," Trump shot back at a hastily arranged Rose Garden press event moments after the aborted White House talks. "So get these phony investigations over with," Trump said -- warning a failure to do so would spell gridlock on issues like fixing the country's infrastructure, on which the two sides had hoped for a breakthrough Wednesday. "You can't investigate and legislate simultaneously," he added. "It just doesn't work that way." A two-year investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's interference in the 2016 US election concluded there was no hard evidence Trump's campaign colluded with Moscow. But the prosecutor said he could not rule clearly on whether Trump obstructed justice, leaving it to the Trump-appointed attorney general, Bill Barr, to declare there was no obstruction. 'Impeachable offense' The Democrats' decision to pursue the grey areas of the investigation -- and their open discussion of whether to pursue the politically perilous process of impeachment -- has enraged Trump. "PRESIDENTIAL HARASSMENT!" he tweeted Wednesday, as he stepped up his attacks on the probes. Any pretense of cooperation on policy evaporated as Trump and Pelosi locked horns, with the impeachment issue inching toward center stage in Washington. Trump was visibly angry when he arrived at the meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, according to people familiar with what transpired. The president did not shake hands or sit down, and accused Pelosi of saying something "terrible." Republican leaders sought to pin the blame on Democrats. "Their obsession with impeaching this president is paralyzing any progress we could be making," House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said on Twitter. Speaking after she left the White House, Pelosi doubled down, charging that Trump could have committed an impeachable offense by publicly refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas connected to Mueller's probe. She likened it to the "cover-up" that brought down former president Richard Nixon in the Watergate crisis. "The fact is, in plain sight, in the public domain, this president is obstructing justice and he's engaged in a cover-up," she told a Washington conference. "And that could be an impeachable offense." In a letter to the Democratic Caucus Pelosi wrote that Trump threw a "temper tantrum" -- something the president denied. "This is not true," Trump tweeted late Wednesday. "I was purposely very polite and calm, much as I was minutes later with the press in the Rose Garden." He then wrote that House Democrats only want "put the Mueller Report behind them and start all over again. No Do-Overs!" Pelosi's remarks appeared to reflect the growing anger by Democrats at White House stonewalling, even as she has worked hard to tamp down talk of impeachment. A day earlier, Democrats were left seething when Trump's former lawyer Don McGahn, a key figure in the Mueller report, refused to testify about obstruction allegations against the president. Goading Congress? Democrats also argue that Barr is subverting congressional oversight powers in order to protect the president. But on Wednesday, the House Intelligence Committee's chairman said the Justice Department had agreed to begin honoring a subpoena for material related to Mueller's probe. Despite her accusation of a cover-up, Pelosi has been mindful of the politically-charged nature of an impeachment move ahead of a 2020 presidential election, especially one that is likely to fail in the Republican-led Senate. She has argued in favor of keeping the focus on educating the public through the court process and congressional probes, rather than leaping to impeachment. The issue has divided Democrats for months. Even as some in Congress -- and several Democratic presidential contenders -- are eager to assert its historical oversight powers as a check against the executive, there are concerns the tactic could backfire, energizing Trump's base ahead of the election. "He's really trying to goad Congress into impeaching him," congressman Peter Welch, a member of Democratic leadership, told CNN. Pelosi and Schumer meanwhile offered their own scathing descriptions of Wednesday's heated scene. Schumer called the meeting's dramatic cancellation "a pre-planned excuse" and said "what happened in the White House makes your jaw drop." Likewise suggesting Trump manufactured the row to avoid committing to an enormously expensive infrastructure bill, Pelosi said: "I pray for the president of the United States."

Trump walks out on Democrats as impeachment talk heats up

Chinese tech giant Huawei's top executive in the European Union is lashing out at the Trump administration's recently announced trade ban on the company and says other firms should be worried, too.

Huawei says it's a 'victim of bullying by the US administration'

As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-pro-impeachment-republican-total-lightweight-219968/amp">impeaching Republican President Donald Trump</a>, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up."

Speaking to reporters after a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Pelosi said, "No one is above the law, including the president of the United States. And we believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up."

Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Trump are engaged in a high-stakes power struggle over their ability to investigate him, with the president stonewalling multiple investigations of him by congressional committees.

The probes range from whether Trump obstructed justice during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian election meddling to his personal finances and businesses.

Pelosi and other senior House leaders have been trying hard for months to contain demands from more junior Democratic lawmakers to kick off impeachment proceedings.

Those demands mounted on Wednesday after former White House Counsel Don McGahn ignored a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to appear before it and testify.

Pelosi made her remarks about an hour before she and other congressional leaders were scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss infrastructure development.

&nbsp;

As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly impeaching Republican President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up.

As Democrats in the US Congress debated possibly impeaching Republican President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Wednesday that he is engaged in a "cover-up." Speaking to reporters after a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill, Pelosi said, "No one is above the law, including the president of the United States. And we believe that the president of the United States is engaged in a cover-up." Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Trump are engaged in a high-stakes power struggle over their ability to investigate him, with the president stonewalling multiple investigations of him by congressional committees. The probes range from whether Trump obstructed justice during Special Counsel Robert Mueller's inquiry into Russian election meddling to his personal finances and businesses. Pelosi and other senior House leaders have been trying hard for months to contain demands from more junior Democratic lawmakers to kick off impeachment proceedings. Those demands mounted on Wednesday after former White House Counsel Don McGahn ignored a subpoena from the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday to appear before it and testify. Pelosi made her remarks about an hour before she and other congressional leaders were scheduled to meet with Trump at the White House to discuss infrastructure development.

US House speaker Nancy Pelosi says Trump is engaged in a 'cover up'

U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Joseph Dunford briefed Congress on Iran. U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said that while threats from Iran in the Middle East remained high, deterrence measures taken by the Pentagon had deterred attacks on Americans. Watch this video to know more.

Donald Trump officials brief a divided Congress

US stocks rose on Tuesday, lifted by a rebound in technology stocks, as Washington's move to temporarily ease curbs on China's Huawei Technologies calmed nerves over a further worsening of a trade war between the two countries.

Chipmakers, which bore the brunt of Monday's sell-off, rose after the United States granted the Chinese telecoms equipment maker a license to buy US goods until Aug. 19.

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained 2.27% and was on track to end a three-day slump. Shares of Huawei suppliers such as Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc rose between 2.4% and 4%.

The broader S&amp;P 500 technology sector rose 1.33%, the most among the 10 major S&amp;P sectors trading higher.

"The latest news on Huawei shows that there is still room for trade negotiations with China," said Aaron Clark, portfolio manager at GW&amp;K Investment Management.

"Technology stocks have been at the forefront of trade-related news and particularly semiconductors have faced some pain points, more so than others."

US President Donald Trump added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, leading several companies to suspend business with the world's largest telecom equipment maker and triggering fears of a rippling effect on the global technology sector.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Alphabet Inc's Google would stop providing Huawei access to its proprietary apps and services. But Huawei said on Tuesday it was working closely with the US company to resolve the restrictions.

The S&amp;P 500 index is now 3% away from its all-time high scaled earlier in May, hit by recent selling pressure on mounting concerns about a prolonged US-China trade war. Still, the benchmark index is set to post its worst monthly decline this year.

At 11:09 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 155.07 points, or 0.60%, at 25,834.97. The S&amp;P 500 was up 24.02 points, or 0.85%, at 2,864.25 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 83.46 points, or 1.08%, at 7,785.84.

The defensive consumer staples was the only major S&amp;P sector trading lower, down 0.16%.

Investors also largely shrugged off disappointing results from a handful of retailers.

Kohl's Corp plunged 11%, the most among S&amp;P 500 companies, after the department store operator cut its full-year profit forecast and reported quarterly same-store sales and profit that missed expectations.

Rival J.C. Penney Co Inc fell 9.1% after the company reported a bigger-than-expected fall in quarterly comparable-store sales.

Home Depot Inc shares dipped 0.1% after the home improvement chain reported its slowest growth in quarterly same-store sales in at least three years.

With over 460 of S&amp;P 500 companies having posted first-quarter results, 75.2% have topped analysts' profit expectations. Analysts now expect first-quarter earnings growth of 1.4%, a sharp turnaround from the 2% loss expected on April 1, according to Refinitiv data.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 4.31-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.91-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&amp;P index recorded 26 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 41 new highs and 46 new lows.

US stocks rose on Tuesday, lifted by a rebound in technology stocks, as Washington's move to temporarily ease curbs on China's Huawei Technologies calmed nerves over a further worsening of a trade war between the two countries.

US stocks rose on Tuesday, lifted by a rebound in technology stocks, as Washington's move to temporarily ease curbs on China's Huawei Technologies calmed nerves over a further worsening of a trade war between the two countries. Chipmakers, which bore the brunt of Monday's sell-off, rose after the United States granted the Chinese telecoms equipment maker a license to buy US goods until Aug. 19. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index gained 2.27% and was on track to end a three-day slump. Shares of Huawei suppliers such as Intel Corp, Qualcomm Inc, Xilinx Inc and Broadcom Inc rose between 2.4% and 4%. The broader S&P 500 technology sector rose 1.33%, the most among the 10 major S&P sectors trading higher. "The latest news on Huawei shows that there is still room for trade negotiations with China," said Aaron Clark, portfolio manager at GW&K Investment Management. "Technology stocks have been at the forefront of trade-related news and particularly semiconductors have faced some pain points, more so than others." US President Donald Trump added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, leading several companies to suspend business with the world's largest telecom equipment maker and triggering fears of a rippling effect on the global technology sector. Reuters reported on Sunday that Alphabet Inc's Google would stop providing Huawei access to its proprietary apps and services. But Huawei said on Tuesday it was working closely with the US company to resolve the restrictions. The S&P 500 index is now 3% away from its all-time high scaled earlier in May, hit by recent selling pressure on mounting concerns about a prolonged US-China trade war. Still, the benchmark index is set to post its worst monthly decline this year. At 11:09 a.m. ET, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 155.07 points, or 0.60%, at 25,834.97. The S&P 500 was up 24.02 points, or 0.85%, at 2,864.25 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 83.46 points, or 1.08%, at 7,785.84. The defensive consumer staples was the only major S&P sector trading lower, down 0.16%. Investors also largely shrugged off disappointing results from a handful of retailers. Kohl's Corp plunged 11%, the most among S&P 500 companies, after the department store operator cut its full-year profit forecast and reported quarterly same-store sales and profit that missed expectations. Rival J.C. Penney Co Inc fell 9.1% after the company reported a bigger-than-expected fall in quarterly comparable-store sales. Home Depot Inc shares dipped 0.1% after the home improvement chain reported its slowest growth in quarterly same-store sales in at least three years. With over 460 of S&P 500 companies having posted first-quarter results, 75.2% have topped analysts' profit expectations. Analysts now expect first-quarter earnings growth of 1.4%, a sharp turnaround from the 2% loss expected on April 1, according to Refinitiv data. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 4.31-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 2.91-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P index recorded 26 new 52-week highs and four new lows, while the Nasdaq recorded 41 new highs and 46 new lows.

Tech stocks lead rally on Wall Street after Huawei breather

The Iranian foreign minister, Javad Zarif, has hit back at Donald Trump’s “genocidal taunts” after a strongly worded warning from Trump that Tehran should not think of attacking the US.

Iran slams Donald Trump over his 'genocidal tauts'

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-trying-to-set-up-negotiation-with-iran-trump-220237">Donald Trump</a> warned yesterday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shia militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone.

“I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House yesterday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. “If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will.”

His comments came as two US government sources said the United States strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to, and possibly encouragement from, Iran fired a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone.

The sources, who are familiar with US national security assessments and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still trying to establish which militia fired the Katyusha rocket on Sunday and the extent, if any, of Iranian involvement.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-threatens-iran-in-tweet-as-tension-between-two-countries-escalate-220208/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The rocket fell in the Green Zone which houses government buildings and embassies and caused no casualties, the latest in a series of regional attacks the United States believes may have been inspired by Iran. Iran has rejected allegations of its possible involvement in attacks last week and Iran's Iraqi allies rushed to condemn Sunday's rocket blast.

The attacks include what Saudi Arabia described as armed drone attacks on two oil pumping stations within the kingdom on May 14 and the sabotage of four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on May 12.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking the pumping stations. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the attack. Tensions between Washington and its Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab allies on one side and Tehran and its Shi'ite Muslim proxies on the other have been flaring for weeks.

European and US government sources believe Shi'ite militias based in Yemen or Iraq carried out the attacks in Saudi Arabia and near the UAE, likely with Iran's encouragement.

The two US sources said they are still trying to establish whether the rocket attack if inspired or directed by Iran, was designed to send a specific signal to the United States.

The incidents all took place after Trump decided to try to cut off Iran's oil exports, roughly a year after he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers.

Trump's decision to abandon the deal that restricted Iran's potential pathway to developing a nuclear bomb in return for relief from economic sanctions angered Tehran, which accuses Washington of breaking its word. Iran denies ever having a nuclear weapons programme.

President Donald Trump warned yesterday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shia militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone.

President Donald Trump warned yesterday Iran would be met with "great force" if it attacked US interests in the Middle East, and government sources said Washington strongly suspects Shia militias with ties to Tehran were behind a rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone. “I think Iran would be making a very big mistake if they did anything,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House yesterday evening for an event in Pennsylvania. “If they do something, it will be met with great force but we have no indication that they will.” His comments came as two US government sources said the United States strongly suspects Shi'ite militias with ties to, and possibly encouragement from, Iran fired a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. The sources, who are familiar with US national security assessments and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the United States was still trying to establish which militia fired the Katyusha rocket on Sunday and the extent, if any, of Iranian involvement. The rocket fell in the Green Zone which houses government buildings and embassies and caused no casualties, the latest in a series of regional attacks the United States believes may have been inspired by Iran. Iran has rejected allegations of its possible involvement in attacks last week and Iran's Iraqi allies rushed to condemn Sunday's rocket blast. The attacks include what Saudi Arabia described as armed drone attacks on two oil pumping stations within the kingdom on May 14 and the sabotage of four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on May 12. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for attacking the pumping stations. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the attack. Tensions between Washington and its Sunni Muslim Gulf Arab allies on one side and Tehran and its Shi'ite Muslim proxies on the other have been flaring for weeks. European and US government sources believe Shi'ite militias based in Yemen or Iraq carried out the attacks in Saudi Arabia and near the UAE, likely with Iran's encouragement. The two US sources said they are still trying to establish whether the rocket attack if inspired or directed by Iran, was designed to send a specific signal to the United States. The incidents all took place after Trump decided to try to cut off Iran's oil exports, roughly a year after he withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers. Trump's decision to abandon the deal that restricted Iran's potential pathway to developing a nuclear bomb in return for relief from economic sanctions angered Tehran, which accuses Washington of breaking its word. Iran denies ever having a nuclear weapons programme.

US will respond with 'great force' if Iran attacks interests: Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that former Vice President Joe Biden "deserted" Pennsylvania. Trump and Biden have made Pennsylvania front and centre in the efforts to win the presidency in 2020.

Trump tells Penn. rally: 'Biden deserted you'

The new government at the Centre, after May 23, will soon be called to address the emerging challenges in the Gulf. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions against Iran, moved its military naval ship from Cairo to the Gulf and kept its military base in Qatar and navy in the Arabian Sea on the high alert to meet any threatening contingencies from Iran.&nbsp;

The USA has further withdrawn the sanction waiver to India, China and Turkey, which had allowed them to import the oil from Iran.&nbsp;

This has prompted Iranian Foreign Minister to visit the capital of India, Turkey, China and Japan to elicit assurance from these countries to continue to import the Iranian oil despite the US withdrawal of sanction waiver. These countries are the biggest buyers of Iranian oıl and the sudden drop in the export of oil to these countries would adversely affect the already fragile economy of Iran.&nbsp;

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz with a warning. If Iran is not allowed to sell its oil, ıt will not allow other countries in the region to sell their oils. This was followed by an attack on the UAE and Saudi oil tankers; both of them have accused Iran. As a result, a real war situation has emerged in the Gulf. &nbsp;

Traditionally, India has played the role of the bystander in Gulf Conflicts; mostly appealing them to resolve the issue peacefully and kept equip distance with party in conflict-whether Iran-Iraq War or the cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However this time India cannot remain a distant spectator to the emerging conflicts in the Gulf. In terms of investment, remittances, oil, gas, the flow of FDI, its diaspora, India has a greater stake in relations with Saudi-Arabia- UAE than Iran.&nbsp;

Also, India needs the USA and Israel to outset the influence of China-Pakistan axis. Given this precarious situation, India must try hard first to resolve the issues amicably and work for the stability of the Gulf. However, if the diplomacy failed, India needs to closely align with the Saudi- UAE Axis against Iran.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The new government at the Centre, after May 23, will soon be called to address the emerging challenges in the Gulf. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions against Iran, moved its military naval ship from Cairo to the Gulf and kept its military base in Qatar and navy in the Arabian Sea on the high alert to meet any threatening contingencies from Iran.

The new government at the Centre, after May 23, will soon be called to address the emerging challenges in the Gulf. The Trump administration has tightened sanctions against Iran, moved its military naval ship from Cairo to the Gulf and kept its military base in Qatar and navy in the Arabian Sea on the high alert to meet any threatening contingencies from Iran. The USA has further withdrawn the sanction waiver to India, China and Turkey, which had allowed them to import the oil from Iran. This has prompted Iranian Foreign Minister to visit the capital of India, Turkey, China and Japan to elicit assurance from these countries to continue to import the Iranian oil despite the US withdrawal of sanction waiver. These countries are the biggest buyers of Iranian oıl and the sudden drop in the export of oil to these countries would adversely affect the already fragile economy of Iran. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz with a warning. If Iran is not allowed to sell its oil, ıt will not allow other countries in the region to sell their oils. This was followed by an attack on the UAE and Saudi oil tankers; both of them have accused Iran. As a result, a real war situation has emerged in the Gulf. Traditionally, India has played the role of the bystander in Gulf Conflicts; mostly appealing them to resolve the issue peacefully and kept equip distance with party in conflict-whether Iran-Iraq War or the cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. However this time India cannot remain a distant spectator to the emerging conflicts in the Gulf. In terms of investment, remittances, oil, gas, the flow of FDI, its diaspora, India has a greater stake in relations with Saudi-Arabia- UAE than Iran. Also, India needs the USA and Israel to outset the influence of China-Pakistan axis. Given this precarious situation, India must try hard first to resolve the issues amicably and work for the stability of the Gulf. However, if the diplomacy failed, India needs to closely align with the Saudi- UAE Axis against Iran. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

How India should address emerging challenges in the Gulf

&nbsp;The US&nbsp;President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-consumers-businesses-to-pay-for-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-expert-219096"> Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said his tariffs on Chinese goods </a>are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal.

In an interview with Fox News Channel recorded last week and aired on Sunday night,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said that the United States and China "had a very strong deal, we had a good deal, and they changed it. And I said that's OK, we're going to tariff their products."

No further trade talks between top Chinese and US&nbsp;trade negotiators have been scheduled since the last round ended on May 10 - the same day&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;raised the tariff rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10 per cent.

Trump&nbsp;took the step after China soured the negotiations by seeking major changes to a deal that US&nbsp;officials said had been largely agreed.

Since then, China has struck a sterner tone in its rhetoric, suggesting that a resumption of talks aimed at ending the 10-month trade war between the world's two largest economies was unlikely to happen soon.

Trump, who said the interview with Fox News host Steve Hilton had taken place two days after he raised the tariffs, said he would be happy to simply keep tariffs on Chinese products because the United States would be taking in $100 billion or more in tariffs.

But he added that he believed that China would eventually make a deal with the United States "because they're getting killed with the tariffs, China' getting totally killed."

But he said that he had told<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-is-no-clash-between-different-civilisations-says-president-xi-amid-us-china-trade-war-218993"> Chinese President Xi Jinping</a> before the most recent rounds of talks that any deal could not be "50-50" between the two countries and had to be more in favour of the United States because of past trade practices by China.

Trump&nbsp;also said that Democratic presidential candidate and former US vice president Joe Biden should be investigated over a conservative author's allegation that Biden's son Hunter Biden took advantage of his father's position to sign a lucrative business deal with state-controlled Bank of China. The allegation was made in Peter Schweizer's 2018 book "Secret Empires."

Asked if this should be investigated,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said,&nbsp;"100 per cent. It’s a disgrace and then (Joe Biden) says China’s not a competitor of ours. China is a massive competitor of ours. They want to take over the world."

The US President Donald Trump said his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal.

The US President Donald Trump said his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal. In an interview with Fox News Channel recorded last week and aired on Sunday night, Trump said that the United States and China "had a very strong deal, we had a good deal, and they changed it. And I said that's OK, we're going to tariff their products." No further trade talks between top Chinese and US trade negotiators have been scheduled since the last round ended on May 10 - the same day Trump raised the tariff rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese products from 10 per cent. Trump took the step after China soured the negotiations by seeking major changes to a deal that US officials said had been largely agreed. Since then, China has struck a sterner tone in its rhetoric, suggesting that a resumption of talks aimed at ending the 10-month trade war between the world's two largest economies was unlikely to happen soon. Trump, who said the interview with Fox News host Steve Hilton had taken place two days after he raised the tariffs, said he would be happy to simply keep tariffs on Chinese products because the United States would be taking in $100 billion or more in tariffs. But he added that he believed that China would eventually make a deal with the United States "because they're getting killed with the tariffs, China' getting totally killed." But he said that he had told Chinese President Xi Jinping before the most recent rounds of talks that any deal could not be "50-50" between the two countries and had to be more in favour of the United States because of past trade practices by China. Trump also said that Democratic presidential candidate and former US vice president Joe Biden should be investigated over a conservative author's allegation that Biden's son Hunter Biden took advantage of his father's position to sign a lucrative business deal with state-controlled Bank of China. The allegation was made in Peter Schweizer's 2018 book "Secret Empires." Asked if this should be investigated, Trump said, "100 per cent. It’s a disgrace and then (Joe Biden) says China’s not a competitor of ours. China is a massive competitor of ours. They want to take over the world."

Trump says tariffs making companies leave China, a deal can't be '50-50'

American evangelicals have high hopes that the US Supreme Court, with its newfound conservative majority, will be tempted to chip away at its historic decision to legalize abortion.

Forty-six years after its landmark Roe v Wade decision, the high court is at the heart of a heated offensive led by states with conservative majorities who oppose the voluntary termination of pregnancy.

This week alone, Alabama passed a law banning women from having an abortion even in cases of incest or rape and the Missouri legislature made illegal abortions from eight weeks of pregnancy. Both states have vowed to prosecute doctors who perform the procedure.

Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota have enacted laws banning abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected, around six weeks of gestation, before most women know they are pregnant.

All of these laws flagrantly go against Roe v Wade, which guarantees women's rights to abortion as long as the fetus is not viable -- around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The new pieces of legislation are therefore widely expected to soon be blocked in court. But their backers seek to go beyond that step, planning to appeal such decisions until they reach the Supreme Court in hopes this will lead to the long-sought conservative goal of overturning the abortion ruling.

"All the conservative states across the US are testing the limits, they see it's a sympathetic court to the conservatives," Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown Law told AFP.

"(President Donald) Trump has changed the balance of the Supreme Court so that he now has a Supreme Court that is decisively conservative and unfriendly to women's reproductive rights, that's unquestionably true."

During the 2016 campaign, Trump secured the evangelical vote that had been initially hesitant to cast ballots for the bombastic, twice-divorced billionaire by promising to appoint anti-abortion justices at the highest court in the land.

Pivot

Since his election, the president has brought two appointees to the high court -- Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh -- and the progressives are now a minority of four on the nine-person bench.

"We know who put them in the court and why, we know that Trump and (president George W.) Bush are expecting them to vote to overturn Roe. But in the past, presidents have been wrong in their selection," said Mary Ziegler, a law professor at Florida State University.

"There are a lot of uncertainties, so we don't know where the conservative justices stand exactly."

She noted that during his confirmation hearings, Brett Kavanaugh insisted he supported upholding past rulings.

"Chief Justice John Roberts is very aware of how the public perceives the Supreme Court. He likes the idea that people have respect for the court," said Sherry Colb of Cornell Law School.

In February, Roberts joined liberal justices in freezing the Louisiana law that critics say imposed such drastic conditions on doctors who perform abortion procedures that only one of them was left able to provide the service in the entire state.

Two years earlier, however, Roberts had backed a similar law in Texas.

Observers say the shift shows the chief justice places more emphasis on his central role on the bench over his own personal convictions.

'Patchwork'

In another sign of a tempered stance from the court, it has yet to decide whether to take up an appeal from Indiana seeking to uphold a law that treats a fetus as an individual.

Since December, the justices have put the case on their agenda a dozen times without making a decision either way -- a highly unusual process, Ziegler noted.

"They are continuing to kick the can down the road. I don't know what the point of waiting is, sooner or later, if they do want to take it, it starts to push it to 2020," when the next US presidential vote will take place, Ziegler added.

"If the idea is not to have a lot of controversies, stalling a decision to an election year is not a smart move."

A.E. Dick Howard of the University of Virginia School of Law said such moves make it seem "unlikely" that the court will overturn its 1973 decision.

"But it is ready to chip away at it," he added.

"You will see a (conservative) majority that will increasingly relax the limits they place on the states."

Abortion rules vary greatly from state to state, in what Howard describes as a "patchwork" of legislation.

Some states discourage women from seeking the procedure by requiring two separate medical opinions and parental authorization for minors.&nbsp;

Others impose such strict conditions on clinics that most have closed.

Gostin pointed to the problem of unequal access for women in different states.

"A woman of means will always be able to get an abortion in the United States, she will be able to travel to California, New York, (Washington) DC," he said.

"The poor women in rural areas... they are the ones that are going to suffer."

American evangelicals have high hopes that the US Supreme Court, with its newfound conservative majority, will be tempted to chip away at its historic decision to legalize abortion.

American evangelicals have high hopes that the US Supreme Court, with its newfound conservative majority, will be tempted to chip away at its historic decision to legalize abortion. Forty-six years after its landmark Roe v Wade decision, the high court is at the heart of a heated offensive led by states with conservative majorities who oppose the voluntary termination of pregnancy. This week alone, Alabama passed a law banning women from having an abortion even in cases of incest or rape and the Missouri legislature made illegal abortions from eight weeks of pregnancy. Both states have vowed to prosecute doctors who perform the procedure. Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa and North Dakota have enacted laws banning abortion from the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected, around six weeks of gestation, before most women know they are pregnant. All of these laws flagrantly go against Roe v Wade, which guarantees women's rights to abortion as long as the fetus is not viable -- around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The new pieces of legislation are therefore widely expected to soon be blocked in court. But their backers seek to go beyond that step, planning to appeal such decisions until they reach the Supreme Court in hopes this will lead to the long-sought conservative goal of overturning the abortion ruling. "All the conservative states across the US are testing the limits, they see it's a sympathetic court to the conservatives," Lawrence Gostin of Georgetown Law told AFP. "(President Donald) Trump has changed the balance of the Supreme Court so that he now has a Supreme Court that is decisively conservative and unfriendly to women's reproductive rights, that's unquestionably true." During the 2016 campaign, Trump secured the evangelical vote that had been initially hesitant to cast ballots for the bombastic, twice-divorced billionaire by promising to appoint anti-abortion justices at the highest court in the land. Pivot Since his election, the president has brought two appointees to the high court -- Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh -- and the progressives are now a minority of four on the nine-person bench. "We know who put them in the court and why, we know that Trump and (president George W.) Bush are expecting them to vote to overturn Roe. But in the past, presidents have been wrong in their selection," said Mary Ziegler, a law professor at Florida State University. "There are a lot of uncertainties, so we don't know where the conservative justices stand exactly." She noted that during his confirmation hearings, Brett Kavanaugh insisted he supported upholding past rulings. "Chief Justice John Roberts is very aware of how the public perceives the Supreme Court. He likes the idea that people have respect for the court," said Sherry Colb of Cornell Law School. In February, Roberts joined liberal justices in freezing the Louisiana law that critics say imposed such drastic conditions on doctors who perform abortion procedures that only one of them was left able to provide the service in the entire state. Two years earlier, however, Roberts had backed a similar law in Texas. Observers say the shift shows the chief justice places more emphasis on his central role on the bench over his own personal convictions. 'Patchwork' In another sign of a tempered stance from the court, it has yet to decide whether to take up an appeal from Indiana seeking to uphold a law that treats a fetus as an individual. Since December, the justices have put the case on their agenda a dozen times without making a decision either way -- a highly unusual process, Ziegler noted. "They are continuing to kick the can down the road. I don't know what the point of waiting is, sooner or later, if they do want to take it, it starts to push it to 2020," when the next US presidential vote will take place, Ziegler added. "If the idea is not to have a lot of controversies, stalling a decision to an election year is not a smart move." A.E. Dick Howard of the University of Virginia School of Law said such moves make it seem "unlikely" that the court will overturn its 1973 decision. "But it is ready to chip away at it," he added. "You will see a (conservative) majority that will increasingly relax the limits they place on the states." Abortion rules vary greatly from state to state, in what Howard describes as a "patchwork" of legislation. Some states discourage women from seeking the procedure by requiring two separate medical opinions and parental authorization for minors. Others impose such strict conditions on clinics that most have closed. Gostin pointed to the problem of unequal access for women in different states. "A woman of means will always be able to get an abortion in the United States, she will be able to travel to California, New York, (Washington) DC," he said. "The poor women in rural areas... they are the ones that are going to suffer."

Will the US Supreme Court reconsider abortion rights?

Oil&nbsp;rose to multi-week highs on Monday after OPEC indicated it will likely maintain production cuts that have helped support prices this year, while tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East.

Brent crude was up by 96 cents, or 1.3%, at $73.17 a barrel by 0227 GMT, having earlier touched $73.40, the highest since April 26.

US West Texas Intermediate crude was 82 cents, 1.3%, higher at $63.58 a barrel. The US&nbsp;benchmark reached $63.81 earlier, the highest since May 1.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudis-falih-says-oil-stocks-still-building-but-opec-to-act-if-needed-219637">Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih </a>said on Sunday there was the consensus among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied&nbsp;oil&nbsp;producers to drive down crude inventories "gently" but he would remain responsive to the needs of a "fragile market."

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei earlier told reporters that producers were capable of filling any market gap and that relaxing supply cut was not "the right decision."

Meanwhile, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump threatened Tehran on Sunday, tweeting that a conflict would be the "official end" of Iran, while Saudi Arabia said it was ready to respond with "all strength" and that it was up to Iran to avoid war.

The rhetoric follows last week's attacks on Saudi&nbsp;oil&nbsp;assets and the firing of a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified "Green Zone" that exploded near the US&nbsp;embassy.

"Al-Falih and the UAE both put paid to suggestions of increasing production over the weekend and then President Trump essentially telling Iran to bring it on, was a perfect short-term storm for&nbsp;oil&nbsp;prices," Greg McKenna, strategist at McKenna Macro, told Reuters by email.

OPEC, Russia and other non-member producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from January&nbsp;1 for six months to prevent inventories from increasing and weakening prices.

"This second half, our preference is to maintain production management to keep inventories on their way declining gradually, softly but certainly declining towards normal levels," al-Falih told a news conference after OPEC and other producers met.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak earlier said an easing of cuts had been discussed and the supply situation would be clearer in a month, including from countries under sanctions.

Another bullish signal was the second week of declines in US&nbsp;drilling operations, with energy companies cutting&nbsp;oil&nbsp;rigs to the lowest since March 2018.

The rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by 3 to 802, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services unit said on Friday.

Oil rose to multi-week highs on Monday after OPEC indicated it will likely maintain production cuts that have helped support prices this year, while tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East.

Oil rose to multi-week highs on Monday after OPEC indicated it will likely maintain production cuts that have helped support prices this year, while tensions continued to escalate in the Middle East. Brent crude was up by 96 cents, or 1.3%, at $73.17 a barrel by 0227 GMT, having earlier touched $73.40, the highest since April 26. US West Texas Intermediate crude was 82 cents, 1.3%, higher at $63.58 a barrel. The US benchmark reached $63.81 earlier, the highest since May 1. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday there was the consensus among the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied oil producers to drive down crude inventories "gently" but he would remain responsive to the needs of a "fragile market." United Arab Emirates (UAE) Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei earlier told reporters that producers were capable of filling any market gap and that relaxing supply cut was not "the right decision." Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump threatened Tehran on Sunday, tweeting that a conflict would be the "official end" of Iran, while Saudi Arabia said it was ready to respond with "all strength" and that it was up to Iran to avoid war. The rhetoric follows last week's attacks on Saudi oil assets and the firing of a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified "Green Zone" that exploded near the US embassy. "Al-Falih and the UAE both put paid to suggestions of increasing production over the weekend and then President Trump essentially telling Iran to bring it on, was a perfect short-term storm for oil prices," Greg McKenna, strategist at McKenna Macro, told Reuters by email. OPEC, Russia and other non-member producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from January 1 for six months to prevent inventories from increasing and weakening prices. "This second half, our preference is to maintain production management to keep inventories on their way declining gradually, softly but certainly declining towards normal levels," al-Falih told a news conference after OPEC and other producers met. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak earlier said an easing of cuts had been discussed and the supply situation would be clearer in a month, including from countries under sanctions. Another bullish signal was the second week of declines in US drilling operations, with energy companies cutting oil rigs to the lowest since March 2018. The rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by 3 to 802, General Electric Co's Baker Hughes energy services unit said on Friday.

Oil surges after OPEC indicates it will maintain output cuts

US President Donald Trump said his tariffs on Chinese goods are causing companies to move production out of China to Vietnam and other countries in Asia and added that any agreement with China cannot be a "50-50" deal.

Trump Asks Tariffs Making Companies Leave China, A Deal Can't Be '50-50'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-iran-wants-to-fight-that-will-be-official-end-of-it-trump-warns-to-never-threaten-us-again-220000">If Iran wants to fight, that will be official end of it: Trump warns to never threaten US again</a>

President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed.

"If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-bar-shooting-11-killed-in-massacre-after-gunman-fires-in-belem-city-219999">Brazil bar shooting: 11 killed in ‘massacre’ after gunman fires in Belem City</a>

Brazilian authorities say there has been a “massacre” in the country’s northern Para state without releasing any details, while Brazilian news media say gunmen attacked a bar in Belem City and killed 11 people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-suspends-some-business-with-huawei-after-trump-blacklist-source-220001">Google suspends some business with Huawei after Trump blacklist: Source</a>

Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware and software products except those covered by open source licenses, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Sunday, in a blow to the Chinese technology company that the US government has sought to blacklist around the world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-general-elections-2019/time-and-again-exit-polls-have-failed-to-catch-the-peoples-pulse-chandrababu-naidu-220003">Time and again exit polls have failed to catch the people's pulse: Chandrababu Naidu</a>

With most of the exit polls predicting a rout for his party in Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu Sunday night said that time and again such polls failed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/aishwarya-rai-bachchans-first-look-at-cannes-2019-proves-that-shes-the-real-queen-of-red-carpet-220005">Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's first look at Cannes 2019 proves that she's the real queen of red carpet</a>

There is no one quite like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and the beauty queen-turned-actress proves yet again that no one brings glamour as she does at the Cannes Film Festival.&nbsp;

If Iran wants to fight, that will be official end of it: Trump warns to never threaten US again President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed.

If Iran wants to fight, that will be official end of it: Trump warns to never threaten US again President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet. Brazil bar shooting: 11 killed in ‘massacre’ after gunman fires in Belem City Brazilian authorities say there has been a “massacre” in the country’s northern Para state without releasing any details, while Brazilian news media say gunmen attacked a bar in Belem City and killed 11 people. Google suspends some business with Huawei after Trump blacklist: Source Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware and software products except those covered by open source licenses, a source close to the matter told Reuters on Sunday, in a blow to the Chinese technology company that the US government has sought to blacklist around the world. Time and again exit polls have failed to catch the people's pulse: Chandrababu Naidu With most of the exit polls predicting a rout for his party in Andhra Pradesh, Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu Sunday night said that time and again such polls failed. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's first look at Cannes 2019 proves that she's the real queen of red carpet There is no one quite like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and the beauty queen-turned-actress proves yet again that no one brings glamour as she does at the Cannes Film Festival.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US President Donald Trump threatened Iran in a tweet on Sunday, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen. Discusses this topic with Syed Mohd Marandi, Political Analyst from Tehran & also with Mr. Stephen Golub, International Affairs Expert from California.

US-Iran Tensions; Discusses with some experts

US President Donald Trump threatened Iran in a tweet on Sunday, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict at a time when tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen.

Trump threatens Iran in tweet as tension between two countries escalate

"If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran," he said in a tweet on Sunday. "Never threaten the United States again!" The US has deployed additional warships and planes to the Gulf in recent days.

'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran': Donald Trump

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Monday said the issue of whether India needs to take a stand on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-responds-to-android-ban-guarantees-security-support-for-smartphones-220101">Huawei</a> is a "larger question" and that it is up to the government to take a call on the matter.

Last week, the Trump administration had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially bans the Chinese firm from purchasing parts and components from American companies without the US government approval.

Replying to a query on whether India needs to take a position on Huawei also, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma told reporters, "This is a larger question and the government will have to take a call."

He did not comment further on the matter.

Meanwhile, Huawei has said it will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to its existing smartphones and tablets, even as the future road map of products remains uncertain after the cancellation of its Android licence.

Tech giant Google is said to be ending transfer of hardware, software and technical services to Huawei amid the ongoing trade war between the US and China.&nbsp;

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Monday said the issue of whether India needs to take a stand on Huawei is a "larger question" and that it is up to the government to take a call on the matter.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Monday said the issue of whether India needs to take a stand on Huawei is a "larger question" and that it is up to the government to take a call on the matter. Last week, the Trump administration had placed Huawei and its affiliates on a blacklist, a move that essentially bans the Chinese firm from purchasing parts and components from American companies without the US government approval. Replying to a query on whether India needs to take a position on Huawei also, TRAI Chairman R S Sharma told reporters, "This is a larger question and the government will have to take a call." He did not comment further on the matter. Meanwhile, Huawei has said it will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to its existing smartphones and tablets, even as the future road map of products remains uncertain after the cancellation of its Android licence. Tech giant Google is said to be ending transfer of hardware, software and technical services to Huawei amid the ongoing trade war between the US and China.

It's up to government to take a call on Huawei issue: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/2020-white-house-hopefuls-turn-to-foreign-policy-slam-trump-on-iran-219993">Islamic republic attacks American interests</a>, it will be destroyed.

"If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet.

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If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1130207891049332737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise as the United States has deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread scepticism outside the United States.

The White House has sent mixed signals in recent days, amid multiple US media reports of infighting in Trump's cabinet over how hard to push Washington's arch-foe Iran.

The Trump administration has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, citing threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups, and sent an aircraft carrier and heavy B-52 bombers to the region.

On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.

According to US media reports, Trump's long-hawkish national security advisor John Bolton is pushing a hard line on Iran, but others in the administration are resisting.

Trump himself said recently that he has to "temper" Bolton.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/there-will-be-no-war-as-we-dont-want-war-and-no-can-confront-iran-foreign-minister-javad-zarif-219604">Iran's foreign minister</a> downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region on Saturday, saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted.

"We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China.

Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program.

Saudi Arabia called Sunday for emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself.

It comes days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders.

King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences", the kingdom's official SPA news agency reported late Saturday.

Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself.

Saudi Arabia "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it," he said.

"But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests."

The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation. The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance.

Oil producing countries met Sunday in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid the rising US-Iran tensions, which threaten to disrupt global supply.

Oil supplies are sufficient and stockpiles still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said at the meeting in Jeddah.

'Childish regimes'

Qatar Sunday weighed in on the escalating tensions, saying it did not believe the US or Iran wanted a war in the region.&nbsp;

"US President Donald Trump has said he does not want war, and I do not think Iran wants war or instability in the region," minister of state for foreign affairs Sultan al-Muraikhi told AFP on the sidelines of a Qatar Fund for Development briefing.

"I think if we move away from the childish regimes in the region, all troubles will be settled."

Muraikhi said Doha -- which remains isolated by neighbouring former allies in a long-running diplomatic dispute -- has not yet received a formal invitation to either meeting.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are among the countries that cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 over accusations it supports terrorism and seeks closer ties with Tehran.&nbsp;

Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war.

That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed.

Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy".&nbsp;

President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran.

President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise as the United States has deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread scepticism outside the United States. The White House has sent mixed signals in recent days, amid multiple US media reports of infighting in Trump's cabinet over how hard to push Washington's arch-foe Iran. The Trump administration has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, citing threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups, and sent an aircraft carrier and heavy B-52 bombers to the region. On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. According to US media reports, Trump's long-hawkish national security advisor John Bolton is pushing a hard line on Iran, but others in the administration are resisting. Trump himself said recently that he has to "temper" Bolton. Iran's foreign minister downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region on Saturday, saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Saudi Arabia called Sunday for emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself. It comes days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders. King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences", the kingdom's official SPA news agency reported late Saturday. Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself. Saudi Arabia "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it," he said. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests." The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation. The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance. Oil producing countries met Sunday in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid the rising US-Iran tensions, which threaten to disrupt global supply. Oil supplies are sufficient and stockpiles still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said at the meeting in Jeddah. 'Childish regimes' Qatar Sunday weighed in on the escalating tensions, saying it did not believe the US or Iran wanted a war in the region. "US President Donald Trump has said he does not want war, and I do not think Iran wants war or instability in the region," minister of state for foreign affairs Sultan al-Muraikhi told AFP on the sidelines of a Qatar Fund for Development briefing. "I think if we move away from the childish regimes in the region, all troubles will be settled." Muraikhi said Doha -- which remains isolated by neighbouring former allies in a long-running diplomatic dispute -- has not yet received a formal invitation to either meeting. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are among the countries that cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 over accusations it supports terrorism and seeks closer ties with Tehran. Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy".

If Iran wants to fight, that will be official end of it: Trump warns to never threaten US again

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US&nbsp;crackdown on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-founder-says-growth-may-slow-but-only-slightly-after-us-restrictions-219759">China's Huawei Technologies</a> offset a slightly more positive tone on trade.

Asian shares managed to reverse some of last week's heavy losses on Monday after the United States said it would lift tariffs in North America, as investors cheered apparent wins by Conservative incumbent parties in elections in Australia and India.

But the mood did not carry over to European markets. The pan-European Euro STOXX 600 fell 0.1%, the German DAX slipped 0.17%, while France's CAC 40 weakened 0.21%.

US President Donald Trump's government added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, imposing restrictions that will make it difficult to do business with US&nbsp;companies.

The repercussions of that move became evident as Google suspended some business with Huawei.

In Europe, chipmakers Infineon Technologies, AMS and STMicroelectronics dropped sharply after Nikkei Asian Review reported that German chipmaker Infineon had halted shipments to Huawei. The company had no immediate comment.

"Market volatility continues to stem from announcements and interpretations of what is going on in trade disputes between the US&nbsp;and its trading partners, but principally China," said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group.

"Whilst the latest headlines over Canada are supportive of sentiment, a news bite which increases risk aversion could be just around the corner. Investors know this and are on edge right now. That won’t change overnight. China is unlikely to take Google's suspension of business with Huawei lying down."

On the positive side, a US&nbsp;decision on Friday to remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium prompted Canada's foreign minister to vow the quick ratification of a new North American trade agreement.

The MSCI index of world shares, which tracks shares in 47 countries, rose 0.08%. It remains some 3.6% below its 2019 highs as the sudden return of trade war jitters sent the stock market's strong rally into reverse.

The US&nbsp;S&amp;P 500 e-mini futures turned higher, rising 0.23% following losses on Wall Street on Friday.

Prominent investor Jim Rogers, who co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum that he believed Washington and Beijing would soon announce a trade deal, although the current spat would not be the last time Trump tried to exploit the prospect of a trade war.

"These are negotiating tactics from Mr Trump at the moment. What will happen is we will have some good news, the market will have a rally. It will probably be the last rally," he said.

Oil jumps

Oil prices jumped after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that there was the consensus among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain production cuts to "gently" reduce inventories.

Both US&nbsp;crude and Brent crude jumped more than 1.1% on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate fetching $63.5 a barrel and Brent crude at $73.04 per barrel.

Rising tensions in the Middle East, which have supported oil prices, ratcheted up another notch on the weekend as Trump issued new threats, tweeting that a conflict with Iran would be the "official end" of that country.

In currency markets, the Australian dollar jumped nearly 1% after the centre-right Liberal-National Coalition pulled off a shock win in a federal election, beating the centre-left Labor party.

The Indian rupee also rallied after exit polls pointed to a majority for Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/modi-checkmated-oppositions-attempt-to-turn-advanis-statement-against-current-bjp-leadership-208323"> Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party</a> and allies. The rupee was last up 1.1%.

China's offshore yuan rebounded after touching its weakest against the dollar since November on Friday. It last traded up 0.1% at 6.9441 per dollar.

Sources told Reuters China's central bank is expected to use foreign exchange intervention and monetary policy tools to stop it weakening past the 7-per-dollar level in the near term.

The dollar slipped slightly against the euro to $1.1161.

Sterling recovered 0.3% to $1.2751 after suffering its biggest weekly loss since 2017 after an apparent collapse in Brexit talks in London.

German government bond yields moved slightly higher. That followed a fall towards new 2-1/2 year lows last week after investors flocked to safe-haven debt.

Austrian yields held firm after a scandal prompted Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to pull the plug on his coalition with the far right at the weekend, raising the chances of a snap election.

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US crackdown on China's Huawei Technologies offset a slightly more positive tone on trade.

European stocks slipped on Monday as concerns about an escalating fallout from a US crackdown on China's Huawei Technologies offset a slightly more positive tone on trade. Asian shares managed to reverse some of last week's heavy losses on Monday after the United States said it would lift tariffs in North America, as investors cheered apparent wins by Conservative incumbent parties in elections in Australia and India. But the mood did not carry over to European markets. The pan-European Euro STOXX 600 fell 0.1%, the German DAX slipped 0.17%, while France's CAC 40 weakened 0.21%. US President Donald Trump's government added Huawei to a trade blacklist last week, imposing restrictions that will make it difficult to do business with US companies. The repercussions of that move became evident as Google suspended some business with Huawei. In Europe, chipmakers Infineon Technologies, AMS and STMicroelectronics dropped sharply after Nikkei Asian Review reported that German chipmaker Infineon had halted shipments to Huawei. The company had no immediate comment. "Market volatility continues to stem from announcements and interpretations of what is going on in trade disputes between the US and its trading partners, but principally China," said Jasper Lawler, head of research at London Capital Group. "Whilst the latest headlines over Canada are supportive of sentiment, a news bite which increases risk aversion could be just around the corner. Investors know this and are on edge right now. That won’t change overnight. China is unlikely to take Google's suspension of business with Huawei lying down." On the positive side, a US decision on Friday to remove tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium prompted Canada's foreign minister to vow the quick ratification of a new North American trade agreement. The MSCI index of world shares, which tracks shares in 47 countries, rose 0.08%. It remains some 3.6% below its 2019 highs as the sudden return of trade war jitters sent the stock market's strong rally into reverse. The US S&P 500 e-mini futures turned higher, rising 0.23% following losses on Wall Street on Friday. Prominent investor Jim Rogers, who co-founded the Quantum Fund with George Soros, told the Reuters Global Markets Forum that he believed Washington and Beijing would soon announce a trade deal, although the current spat would not be the last time Trump tried to exploit the prospect of a trade war. "These are negotiating tactics from Mr Trump at the moment. What will happen is we will have some good news, the market will have a rally. It will probably be the last rally," he said. Oil jumps Oil prices jumped after Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said that there was the consensus among the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to maintain production cuts to "gently" reduce inventories. Both US crude and Brent crude jumped more than 1.1% on Monday, with West Texas Intermediate fetching $63.5 a barrel and Brent crude at $73.04 per barrel. Rising tensions in the Middle East, which have supported oil prices, ratcheted up another notch on the weekend as Trump issued new threats, tweeting that a conflict with Iran would be the "official end" of that country. In currency markets, the Australian dollar jumped nearly 1% after the centre-right Liberal-National Coalition pulled off a shock win in a federal election, beating the centre-left Labor party. The Indian rupee also rallied after exit polls pointed to a majority for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and allies. The rupee was last up 1.1%. China's offshore yuan rebounded after touching its weakest against the dollar since November on Friday. It last traded up 0.1% at 6.9441 per dollar. Sources told Reuters China's central bank is expected to use foreign exchange intervention and monetary policy tools to stop it weakening past the 7-per-dollar level in the near term. The dollar slipped slightly against the euro to $1.1161. Sterling recovered 0.3% to $1.2751 after suffering its biggest weekly loss since 2017 after an apparent collapse in Brexit talks in London. German government bond yields moved slightly higher. That followed a fall towards new 2-1/2 year lows last week after investors flocked to safe-haven debt. Austrian yields held firm after a scandal prompted Chancellor Sebastian Kurz to pull the plug on his coalition with the far right at the weekend, raising the chances of a snap election.

Global Markets: European shares hobbled as worries about Huawei fallout mount

Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank failed to forward suspicions about transactions involving US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sues-banks-in-bid-to-block-congress-subpoenas-214838">Donald Trump</a> to American authorities, the New York Times reported, prompting the firm to issue a categorical denial Monday.

"At no time was an investigator prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious" to the Treasury Department, a spokesman for the bank told AFP.

"The suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns related to any client is categorically false," he added.

The New York Times reported Sunday that Deutsche did not follow recommendations from its own money-laundering specialists that some transactions by companies controlled by Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner should be flagged to authorities.

Certain dealings in 2016 and 2017, including some with entities and individuals outside the US, set off automated alerts in the bank's systems, prompting employees to prepare "suspicious activity reports" on some of them.

But executives "rejected their employees' advice" that they be sent to the Treasury, the NYT reported.

Analysis: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/analysis-trump-russia-and-deutsche-banklinks-that-raise-many-many-questions-11975">Trump, Russia and Deutsche Bank? Links that raise many, many questions</a>

Former employees interviewed by the paper, some speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged a culture of blocking suspicious activity reports to protect client relationships at Deutsche, with one saying she was fired after raising concerns.

Deutsche Bank was one of the few major banks to continue to lend to Trump following the bankruptcies of his casinos and other businesses in the 1990s, and has lent "billions" to him and Kushner according to the NYT.

"We have increased our anti-financial crime staff and enhanced our controls in recent years and take compliance with the anti-money-laundering laws very seriously," the Deutsche spokesman said.

While the lender has boosted its compliance staff to around 3,000 people spread around the world, its performance in pursuing financial crime has failed to satisfy some authorities.

Last year, German market watchdog Bafin took the unprecedented step of naming audit firm KPMG as an independent supervisor of Deutsche's progress on squeezing out money-laundering and other illicit activities.

That role has been extended to cover so-called "correspondent banking" after Deutsche was drawn into a massive money-laundering scandal around Denmark's Danske Bank.

Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank failed to forward suspicions about transactions involving US President Donald Trump to American authorities, the New York Times reported, prompting the firm to issue a categorical denial Monday.

Germany's largest lender Deutsche Bank failed to forward suspicions about transactions involving US President Donald Trump to American authorities, the New York Times reported, prompting the firm to issue a categorical denial Monday. "At no time was an investigator prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious" to the Treasury Department, a spokesman for the bank told AFP. "The suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns related to any client is categorically false," he added. The New York Times reported Sunday that Deutsche did not follow recommendations from its own money-laundering specialists that some transactions by companies controlled by Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner should be flagged to authorities. Certain dealings in 2016 and 2017, including some with entities and individuals outside the US, set off automated alerts in the bank's systems, prompting employees to prepare "suspicious activity reports" on some of them. But executives "rejected their employees' advice" that they be sent to the Treasury, the NYT reported. Analysis: Trump, Russia and Deutsche Bank? Links that raise many, many questions Former employees interviewed by the paper, some speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged a culture of blocking suspicious activity reports to protect client relationships at Deutsche, with one saying she was fired after raising concerns. Deutsche Bank was one of the few major banks to continue to lend to Trump following the bankruptcies of his casinos and other businesses in the 1990s, and has lent "billions" to him and Kushner according to the NYT. "We have increased our anti-financial crime staff and enhanced our controls in recent years and take compliance with the anti-money-laundering laws very seriously," the Deutsche spokesman said. While the lender has boosted its compliance staff to around 3,000 people spread around the world, its performance in pursuing financial crime has failed to satisfy some authorities. Last year, German market watchdog Bafin took the unprecedented step of naming audit firm KPMG as an independent supervisor of Deutsche's progress on squeezing out money-laundering and other illicit activities. That role has been extended to cover so-called "correspondent banking" after Deutsche was drawn into a massive money-laundering scandal around Denmark's Danske Bank.

Deutsche says money-laundering reports not waived for Trump

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said that the "genocidal taunts" of US President Donald Trump will not "end Iran".

"Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran'," Zarif wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Goaded by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/B_Team?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#B_Team</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realdonaldTrump</a> hopes to achieve what Alexander, Genghis &amp; other aggressors failed to do. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EconomicTerrorism?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EconomicTerrorism</a> &amp; genocidal taunts won't "end Iran". <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverThreatenAnIranian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NeverThreatenAnIranian</a>. Try respect—it works!
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) <a href="https://twitter.com/JZarif/status/1130419673756049410?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Try respect it works!" he added in the tweet.

Earlier in the day, Donald Trump on Twitter issued&nbsp;a warning to Iran suggesting that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-iran-wants-to-fight-that-will-be-official-end-of-it-trump-warns-to-never-threaten-us-again-220000">if the Islamic Republic attacks,&nbsp;it will be "end"&nbsp;of it</a>.

"If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said on Twitter.

Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program.

Since then, tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise. The tensions escalated&nbsp;further last week after the US deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread scepticism outside the United States.

On Saturday, <a href="escalated">Zarif downplayed the prospect of a new war </a>in the region&nbsp;saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted.

"We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China.

Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for an emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself.

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&nbsp;

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said that the "genocidal taunts" of US President Donald Trump will not "end Iran". "Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone.

Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday said that the "genocidal taunts" of US President Donald Trump will not "end Iran". "Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. Economic terrorism and genocidal taunts won't 'end Iran'," Zarif wrote on Twitter. Goaded by #B_Team, @realdonaldTrump hopes to achieve what Alexander, Genghis & other aggressors failed to do. Iranians have stood tall for millennia while aggressors all gone. #EconomicTerrorism & genocidal taunts won't "end Iran". #NeverThreatenAnIranian. Try respect—it works! — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) May 20, 2019 × "Try respect it works!" he added in the tweet. Earlier in the day, Donald Trump on Twitter issued a warning to Iran suggesting that if the Islamic Republic attacks, it will be "end" of it. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said on Twitter. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Since then, tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise. The tensions escalated further last week after the US deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread scepticism outside the United States. On Saturday, Zarif downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China. Saudi Arabia on Sunday called for an emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself. ×

Trump's genocidal taunts will not end Iran: Foreign minister Javad Zarif hits back

Huawei said on Monday it would continue to provide security updates and services for its smartphones and tablets after being <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-suspends-some-business-with-huawei-after-trump-blacklist-source-220001">barred from Google updates</a> to its Android operating system.

But it did not say what would happen with phones it would sell in the future, which are unlikely to have access to Google's popular services including Gmail, YouTube and Chrome unless a special licence is obtained.

"Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/huawei-will-not-bow-to-us-pressure-founder-and-ceo-ren-zhengfei-219916">Huawei</a> and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally," a Huawei spokesman said by email.

"We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," said Huawei, which is the world's second-biggest smartphone maker after Samsung and aspires to the top position.

Huawei's devices in its home market do not have Google apps, but the move will hugely damage the brand's appeal to consumers outside China.

Watch: Google suspends business with Huawei; big blow to Chinese tech firm

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Almost half of the 208 million phones <a href="huawei">Huawei shipped in 2018 went to outside mainland China</a>, and Europe is the most important overseas market where its devices currently have 29% market share, according to technology research firm IDC.

Google said it would enact restrictions on Android updates to Huawei after US President Donald Trump on Thursday added the Chinese company to a trade blacklist, making it extremely difficult for it to do business with US counterparts.

"We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications," a Google spokesman said.

A source told Reuters,&nbsp;"Huawei will only be able to use the public version of Android and will not be able to get access to proprietary apps and services from Google."

Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, said its Google Play app store and the security protections from Google Play Protect would continue to function on existing Huawei devices.

Huawei said on Monday it would continue to provide security updates and services for its smartphones and tablets after being barred from Google updates to its Android operating system.

Huawei said on Monday it would continue to provide security updates and services for its smartphones and tablets after being barred from Google updates to its Android operating system. But it did not say what would happen with phones it would sell in the future, which are unlikely to have access to Google's popular services including Gmail, YouTube and Chrome unless a special licence is obtained. "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally," a Huawei spokesman said by email. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally," said Huawei, which is the world's second-biggest smartphone maker after Samsung and aspires to the top position. Huawei's devices in its home market do not have Google apps, but the move will hugely damage the brand's appeal to consumers outside China. Watch: Google suspends business with Huawei; big blow to Chinese tech firm × Almost half of the 208 million phones Huawei shipped in 2018 went to outside mainland China, and Europe is the most important overseas market where its devices currently have 29% market share, according to technology research firm IDC. Google said it would enact restrictions on Android updates to Huawei after US President Donald Trump on Thursday added the Chinese company to a trade blacklist, making it extremely difficult for it to do business with US counterparts. "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications," a Google spokesman said. A source told Reuters, "Huawei will only be able to use the public version of Android and will not be able to get access to proprietary apps and services from Google." Google, owned by Alphabet Inc, said its Google Play app store and the security protections from Google Play Protect would continue to function on existing Huawei devices.

Huawei responds to Android ban; guarantees security support for smartphones

The White House will unveil the first part of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-iran-wants-to-fight-that-will-be-official-end-of-it-trump-warns-to-never-threaten-us-again-220000"> President Donald Trump</a>'s long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, senior US officials said on Sunday.

The "economic workshop" will bring together government officials and business leaders in an effort to jump-start the economic portion of the peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the officials said.

Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century," but Palestinian officials have rebuked the US&nbsp;effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favour of Israel.

Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on potential economic benefits, despite deep scepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of US-backed efforts have failed.

"We think this is an opportunity to take the economic plan that we've worked on for a long time now and present it in the region," a senior Trump administration official said.

The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama, the first phase of the peace plan's rollout, are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers, the administration official said.

A second US official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials were likely to take part.

"Our position is clear, we will neither participate in the economic segment nor in the political segment of this deal," said PLO senior official Wasel Abu Youssef.

The Palestinian Authority has boycotted the US&nbsp;peace effort since late 2017 when Trump decided to move the US&nbsp;embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US&nbsp;policy.

But the senior US&nbsp;official said several Palestinian business leaders "have shown a lot of interest" in the conference.

A spokesman for Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said: "We have not yet received an invitation."

Investment in Gaza

The US&nbsp;officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investor's workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals.

The senior US&nbsp;official said the conference would show the people of Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, that "there are donor countries around the world willing to come in and make investments."

The Trump administration has sought to enlist support from Arab governments. The plan is likely to call for billions of dollars in financial backing for the Palestinians, mostly from oil-rich Gulf states, according to people informed about the discussions.

Saudi Arabia has assured Arab allies it would not endorse any US&nbsp;plan that fails to meet key Palestinian concerns.

Though the plan's authors insist the exact contents are known only to a handful of insiders, Trump's aides have disclosed it will address the major political issues such as the status of Jerusalem.

They have said they expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some of the proposals.

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told a recent meeting at the United Nations attended by Greenblatt that the United States seemed to be crafting a plan for a Palestinian surrender to Israel and insisted "there's no amount of money that can make it acceptable."

Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Kushner has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that are widely endorsed internationally.

The White House will unveil the first part of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, senior US officials said on Sunday.

The White House will unveil the first part of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, senior US officials said on Sunday. The "economic workshop" will bring together government officials and business leaders in an effort to jump-start the economic portion of the peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the officials said. Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century," but Palestinian officials have rebuked the US effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favour of Israel. Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on potential economic benefits, despite deep scepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of US-backed efforts have failed. "We think this is an opportunity to take the economic plan that we've worked on for a long time now and present it in the region," a senior Trump administration official said. The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama, the first phase of the peace plan's rollout, are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers, the administration official said. A second US official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials were likely to take part. "Our position is clear, we will neither participate in the economic segment nor in the political segment of this deal," said PLO senior official Wasel Abu Youssef. The Palestinian Authority has boycotted the US peace effort since late 2017 when Trump decided to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of US policy. But the senior US official said several Palestinian business leaders "have shown a lot of interest" in the conference. A spokesman for Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said: "We have not yet received an invitation." Investment in Gaza The US officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investor's workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. The senior US official said the conference would show the people of Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, that "there are donor countries around the world willing to come in and make investments." The Trump administration has sought to enlist support from Arab governments. The plan is likely to call for billions of dollars in financial backing for the Palestinians, mostly from oil-rich Gulf states, according to people informed about the discussions. Saudi Arabia has assured Arab allies it would not endorse any US plan that fails to meet key Palestinian concerns. Though the plan's authors insist the exact contents are known only to a handful of insiders, Trump's aides have disclosed it will address the major political issues such as the status of Jerusalem. They have said they expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some of the proposals. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told a recent meeting at the United Nations attended by Greenblatt that the United States seemed to be crafting a plan for a Palestinian surrender to Israel and insisted "there's no amount of money that can make it acceptable." Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Kushner has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that are widely endorsed internationally.

US to encourage investment in Palestinians as first part of peace plan

Some Democrats vying for the party's 2020 presidential nomination shifted the focus of the race to foreign policy on Sunday, criticizing Republican President Donald Trump as a weak commander in chief who is escalating tensions with Iran.

The relationship between Washington and Tehran has become increasingly strained in recent weeks, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict.

Trump and hawkish foreign policy advisers like national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo want Tehran to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing its leaders into negotiations. Pompeo last year outlined a list of demands on Iran that critics said showed he was pushing for regime change.

Representative Tulsi Gabbard, one of 24 Democrats vying for the White House nomination, said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that Trump was "leading us down this dangerous path towards a war with Iran."

"He says he doesn't want it, but the actions of him and his administration, people like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, tell us a very different story. They are setting the stage for a war with Iran that would prove to be far more costly, far more devastating and dangerous than anything that we saw in the Iraq war," Gabbard said.

Trump has said he is not pushing for war with Iran. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he promised to stay out of overseas conflicts, saying the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were too costly.

In May 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a multinational deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration that reduced economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for scaling back its nuclear program. Trump criticized the deal as weak, saying he would negotiate a stronger one.

Gabbard, 38, enlisted in the US Army National Guard after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was twice deployed to the Middle East. Gabbard has said she is running for president to end regime-change wars, though she currently trails most of her 2020 opponents in opinion polls.

Another White House hopeful, Representative Seth Moulton, a 40-year-old former US Marine Corps officer who did four tours in Iraq, told "This Week" that if the Trump administration sends additional troops to the Gulf it could "drag us into war."

"Make no mistake, this is exactly what John Bolton wants to have happen," said Moulton, who also trails in 2020 opinion polls. "The world is so dangerous when you have a weak commander in chief in the president of the United States."&nbsp;

Moulton counts as a mentor former Vice President Joe Biden, who currently leads the 2020 Democratic field in support. When asked why Democratic primary voters should back him over his mentor, Moulton said: "I think it's time for the generation that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to take over for the generation that sent us there."

Gabbard resigned her post at the Democratic National Committee in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was the nominee because she said the former secretary of state's foreign policy positions were too hawkish. Gabbard was asked by ABC if that also applied to Biden, given both he and Clinton served in the Obama administration.

"We'll see what Vice President Biden's foreign policy vision is for this country. We may agree on some issues, disagree on others," Gabbard said.

Some Democrats vying for the party's 2020 presidential nomination shifted the focus of the race to foreign policy on Sunday, criticizing Republican President Donald Trump as a weak commander in chief who is escalating tensions with Iran.

Some Democrats vying for the party's 2020 presidential nomination shifted the focus of the race to foreign policy on Sunday, criticizing Republican President Donald Trump as a weak commander in chief who is escalating tensions with Iran. The relationship between Washington and Tehran has become increasingly strained in recent weeks, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict. Trump and hawkish foreign policy advisers like national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo want Tehran to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing its leaders into negotiations. Pompeo last year outlined a list of demands on Iran that critics said showed he was pushing for regime change. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, one of 24 Democrats vying for the White House nomination, said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that Trump was "leading us down this dangerous path towards a war with Iran." "He says he doesn't want it, but the actions of him and his administration, people like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, tell us a very different story. They are setting the stage for a war with Iran that would prove to be far more costly, far more devastating and dangerous than anything that we saw in the Iraq war," Gabbard said. Trump has said he is not pushing for war with Iran. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he promised to stay out of overseas conflicts, saying the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were too costly. In May 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a multinational deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration that reduced economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for scaling back its nuclear program. Trump criticized the deal as weak, saying he would negotiate a stronger one. Gabbard, 38, enlisted in the US Army National Guard after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was twice deployed to the Middle East. Gabbard has said she is running for president to end regime-change wars, though she currently trails most of her 2020 opponents in opinion polls. Another White House hopeful, Representative Seth Moulton, a 40-year-old former US Marine Corps officer who did four tours in Iraq, told "This Week" that if the Trump administration sends additional troops to the Gulf it could "drag us into war." "Make no mistake, this is exactly what John Bolton wants to have happen," said Moulton, who also trails in 2020 opinion polls. "The world is so dangerous when you have a weak commander in chief in the president of the United States." Moulton counts as a mentor former Vice President Joe Biden, who currently leads the 2020 Democratic field in support. When asked why Democratic primary voters should back him over his mentor, Moulton said: "I think it's time for the generation that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to take over for the generation that sent us there." Gabbard resigned her post at the Democratic National Committee in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was the nominee because she said the former secretary of state's foreign policy positions were too hawkish. Gabbard was asked by ABC if that also applied to Biden, given both he and Clinton served in the Obama administration. "We'll see what Vice President Biden's foreign policy vision is for this country. We may agree on some issues, disagree on others," Gabbard said.

2020 White House hopefuls turn to foreign policy, slam Trump on Iran

Republican lawmaker Justin Amash said Saturday that he believed Donald Trump has engaged in "impeachable conduct," becoming the first politician of his party to call for removing the president from his party.

The Michigan representative also accused<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-accuses-william-barr-of-contempt-as-trump-invokes-executive-privilege-217129"> Attorney General William Barr </a>of "deliberately" misleading the public over the actual content and tenor of Special Counsel<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-wont-testify-next-week-talks-ongoing-house-democrat-217694"> Robert Mueller</a>'s report on Russian interference aimed at tipping the election to Trump.

In a series of tweets, Amash -- a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus -- said "few members of Congress even read Mueller's report," which identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice."

"Undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence," he added.

"Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that meets the threshold for impeachment."

Amash's comments went even further than those by most Democratic leaders in Congress.

Fellow Michigan lawmaker Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat, urged Amash to co-sponsor her impeachment resolution.

"@justinamash come to find me in 1628 Longworth. I've got an impeachment investigation resolution you're going to want to cosponsor," she wrote in response to Amash's thread.

Trump has proclaimed he was fully exonerated by Mueller's report.

But some Democrats argue that the document lays out multiple occasions in which the president may have obstructed justice, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 presidential candidate who has called for impeachment proceedings.

Other senior Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have cautioned against such a move, stressing it could deeply divide the nation of about 325 million people.

They warn it could backfire politically in the run-up to the 2020 election, especially with the Republican-controlled Senate likely to acquit the president in the event of impeachment by the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

Republican lawmaker Justin Amash said Saturday that he believed Donald Trump has engaged in "impeachable conduct," becoming the first politician of his party to call for removing the president from his party.

Republican lawmaker Justin Amash said Saturday that he believed Donald Trump has engaged in "impeachable conduct," becoming the first politician of his party to call for removing the president from his party. The Michigan representative also accused Attorney General William Barr of "deliberately" misleading the public over the actual content and tenor of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference aimed at tipping the election to Trump. In a series of tweets, Amash -- a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus -- said "few members of Congress even read Mueller's report," which identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice." "Undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence," he added. "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that meets the threshold for impeachment." Amash's comments went even further than those by most Democratic leaders in Congress. Fellow Michigan lawmaker Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat, urged Amash to co-sponsor her impeachment resolution. "@justinamash come to find me in 1628 Longworth. I've got an impeachment investigation resolution you're going to want to cosponsor," she wrote in response to Amash's thread. Trump has proclaimed he was fully exonerated by Mueller's report. But some Democrats argue that the document lays out multiple occasions in which the president may have obstructed justice, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 presidential candidate who has called for impeachment proceedings. Other senior Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have cautioned against such a move, stressing it could deeply divide the nation of about 325 million people. They warn it could backfire politically in the run-up to the 2020 election, especially with the Republican-controlled Senate likely to acquit the president in the event of impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Amash becomes first Republican lawmaker to call for Trump impeachment

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment.

Michigan Representative Justin Amash -- a staunch libertarian on the right of the party -- declared that any other person would have been prosecuted over Trump's multiple attempts to thwart Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian election interference.

"Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there," Trump tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Never a fan of <a href="https://twitter.com/justinamash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@justinamash</a>, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, “composed” by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1130109632645652480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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He said that if the Michigan lawmaker had "actually read the biased Mueller Report... he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION..."

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....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1130109633673211906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump called Amash "a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!"

Amash, who has broken with his party before, had laid out his case in a series of tweets.&nbsp;

He said Mueller had identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice."

"Undoubtedly," Amash added, "any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence."

Since Mueller issued his voluminous report, Trump has repeatedly attacked its authors as partisans even while insisting it exonerates him of allegations of collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice.

But Democrats note that the report lists around 140 contacts between Trump's inner circle and various Russians and that it exhaustively details evidence of at least 10 cases where Trump appeared to be interfering with the probe.

Amash has often been a lone voice in his party, and so his stance carried less impact than if it had come from a party mainstay.

A much higher-profile Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, spoke out on Sunday against impeachment even while praising Amash.

"I respect him," the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee and occasional fierce Trump critic, told "Fox News Sunday" of Amash.&nbsp;

"I think it's a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just don't have the elements."

Democrats have been divided on impeachment but support appears to be growing with the Trump administration resisting numerous congressional requests for witnesses or information.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has cautioned against moving too quickly, noting that the Republican-controlled Senate would likely acquit the president should the House of Representatives impeach him.

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment.

Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment. Michigan Representative Justin Amash -- a staunch libertarian on the right of the party -- declared that any other person would have been prosecuted over Trump's multiple attempts to thwart Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian election interference. "Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there," Trump tweeted. Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, “composed” by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × He said that if the Michigan lawmaker had "actually read the biased Mueller Report... he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION..." ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 × Trump called Amash "a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" Amash, who has broken with his party before, had laid out his case in a series of tweets. He said Mueller had identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice." "Undoubtedly," Amash added, "any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." Since Mueller issued his voluminous report, Trump has repeatedly attacked its authors as partisans even while insisting it exonerates him of allegations of collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice. But Democrats note that the report lists around 140 contacts between Trump's inner circle and various Russians and that it exhaustively details evidence of at least 10 cases where Trump appeared to be interfering with the probe. Amash has often been a lone voice in his party, and so his stance carried less impact than if it had come from a party mainstay. A much higher-profile Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, spoke out on Sunday against impeachment even while praising Amash. "I respect him," the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee and occasional fierce Trump critic, told "Fox News Sunday" of Amash. "I think it's a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just don't have the elements." Democrats have been divided on impeachment but support appears to be growing with the Trump administration resisting numerous congressional requests for witnesses or information. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has cautioned against moving too quickly, noting that the Republican-controlled Senate would likely acquit the president should the House of Representatives impeach him.

Trump calls pro-impeachment Republican 'total lightweight'

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