US Attorney General William Barr has said he will not meet with the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee to testify on his handling of special counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.Watch full video to know more.

US Attorney General William Barr cancels second day of testimony

A democrat senator mocked William Barr after attorney general refuses to appear at hearing on the Mueller report. Watch full video to know more.

Democrats mock William Barr after attorney general refuses to appear at Mueller report hearing

Democrats intensified their pressure on President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/as-trump-team-prepares-mideast-plan-palestinians-face-financial-crisis-215666&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjZkvbGsf_hAhVBgI8KHaFiBI8QFjACegQICBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ptpfPY9cPe6NnKfeXDjT9">Donald Trump's</a> administration on Thursday as US&nbsp;House Speaker <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-accuses-barr-of-crime-as-democrats-step-up-pressure-on-trump-215496&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi8_YqEsv_hAhW0mOYKHWNWCj84ChAWMAB6BAgEEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw1thrh_2rdgcDkNuZqPRQxf">Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr</a> of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

Even as Democratic lawmakers accused the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-crisis-us-president-donald-trump-offers-prayers-to-venezuelans-215596&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjZkvbGsf_hAhVBgI8KHaFiBI8QFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Q1OUOSgF7sZMWRYtUgXzL">Trump </a>administration of a growing attack on US&nbsp;democracy and the authority of Congress, the White House showed no sign of backing down.

White House legal counsel Emmet Flood said in a defiant letter that Trump had the right to tell advisers not to testify to congressional panels on the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s Russia inquiry.

The duelling statements marked a sharp escalation in the conflict between the White House and Democrats who control the House of Representatives.

With Trump seeking re-election next year, Democrats are weighing whether to try to remove the Republican president from office using the impeachment process while pressing forward with demands for information on his taxes, businesses and other topics.

Shortly after Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee, Pelosi accused him of lying to lawmakers about interactions with Mueller after the special counsel ended a 22-month investigation into Russia`s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US&nbsp;election to boost Trump`s candidacy.

"That`s a crime," Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told reporters, referring to Barr`s congressional testimony.

Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec called Pelosi`s allegation "reckless, irresponsible and false."

Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April he was unaware of any concern by the special counsel`s team about Barr`s initial March 24 characterization of the report, an account that led Trump to claim full exoneration.

Barr failed to mention a March 27 letter he got from Mueller complaining that Barr`s March 24 account did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office`s work."

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress if he does not provide a full, unredacted copy of Mueller`s report and the underlying evidence, as the panel has requested by a subpoena that had a Wednesday deadline.

That could potentially lead to legal steps against the top US&nbsp;law enforcement official.

Barr released Mueller`s report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information.

Several Democrats have called on Barr, whom Trump appointed after firing Jeff Sessions as attorney general, to resign.

Pelosi and other House Democrats previously had cautioned against launching the impeachment process, which would begin in the House but would face long odds of success in the Republican-controlled Senate and could alienate voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election.&nbsp;

But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon after he resisted similar demands.

Nixon resigned in 1974 over the Watergate scandal.

'OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE'

Pelosi said, "Trump`s blanket statement that he`s not going to honour any subpoenas is obstruction of justice."

The White House signalled little appetite to cooperate.&nbsp;

Trump told Fox News in an interview on Thursday he was not inclined to let former White House counsel Don McGahn testify before congressional committees.

Nadler has issued a subpoena for McGahn to testify in its investigation of possible obstruction of justice by the president.

Trump told Fox News that McGahn had already spoken to Mueller`s team for 30 hours and allowing him to testify to Congress would open the door to others being called.&nbsp;

"I would say it`s done," Trump said.

Flood reiterated that point in a letter seen by Reuters, saying Trump`s decision to let advisers cooperate when Mueller was conducting his investigation did not extend to congressional oversight investigations now that the inquiry had been completed.

Flood also said Mueller`s 448-page report suffered from "an extraordinary legal defect" by failing to determine whether Trump had committed the crime of obstruction of justice.

''Mueller instead produced a prosecutorial curiosity - part `truth commission` report and part law school exam paper," Flood wrote to Barr in a letter dated a day after the report was released.

Democrats have argued Trump waived the right to assert executive privilege - which allows a president to withhold information about internal executive branch deliberations from other branches of government - by allowing advisers to cooperate extensively with Mueller.

Barr cancelled his House testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing`s format, particularly having staff lawyers question him in addition to committee members. Nadler said he would move forward with a contempt citation as soon as Monday.

"The very system of government of the United States - the system of limited power, the system of not having a president as a dictator - is very much at stake," Nadler told reporters after a 15-minute committee session held in place of Barr`s appearance.&nbsp;

Democrats have said they may issue a subpoena to try to force Barr to testify.&nbsp;

Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller`s report and justifying Trump`s actions.

The report detailed extensive contacts between Trump`s 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow and the campaign`s expectation that it would benefit from Russia`s actions, which included hacking and propaganda to boost Trump and harm Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.

The report also detailed a series of actions Trump took to try to impede the investigation.

Mueller, a former FBI director, concluded there was insufficient evidence to show a criminal conspiracy and opted not to make a conclusion on whether Trump committed obstruction of justice, but pointedly did not exonerate him.

Barr has said he and Rod Rosenstein, the Justice Department`s No. 2 official, then determined there was not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction.

Democrats intensified their pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress.

Democrats intensified their pressure on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi accused Attorney General William Barr of committing a crime by lying to lawmakers and a key committee chairman threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress. Even as Democratic lawmakers accused the Trump administration of a growing attack on US democracy and the authority of Congress, the White House showed no sign of backing down. White House legal counsel Emmet Flood said in a defiant letter that Trump had the right to tell advisers not to testify to congressional panels on the findings of Special Counsel Robert Mueller`s Russia inquiry. The duelling statements marked a sharp escalation in the conflict between the White House and Democrats who control the House of Representatives. With Trump seeking re-election next year, Democrats are weighing whether to try to remove the Republican president from office using the impeachment process while pressing forward with demands for information on his taxes, businesses and other topics. Shortly after Barr refused to appear before the House Judiciary Committee, Pelosi accused him of lying to lawmakers about interactions with Mueller after the special counsel ended a 22-month investigation into Russia`s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election to boost Trump`s candidacy. "That`s a crime," Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told reporters, referring to Barr`s congressional testimony. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec called Pelosi`s allegation "reckless, irresponsible and false." Democrats have accused Barr of misleading Congress by testifying in April he was unaware of any concern by the special counsel`s team about Barr`s initial March 24 characterization of the report, an account that led Trump to claim full exoneration. Barr failed to mention a March 27 letter he got from Mueller complaining that Barr`s March 24 account did not "fully capture the context, nature and substance of this Office`s work." Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler threatened to hold Barr in contempt of Congress if he does not provide a full, unredacted copy of Mueller`s report and the underlying evidence, as the panel has requested by a subpoena that had a Wednesday deadline. That could potentially lead to legal steps against the top US law enforcement official. Barr released Mueller`s report on April 18, with some parts blacked out to protect sensitive information. Several Democrats have called on Barr, whom Trump appointed after firing Jeff Sessions as attorney general, to resign. Pelosi and other House Democrats previously had cautioned against launching the impeachment process, which would begin in the House but would face long odds of success in the Republican-controlled Senate and could alienate voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election. But Pelosi said the Trump administration was continuing to ignore congressional subpoenas and noted that Congress launched impeachment proceedings against President Richard Nixon after he resisted similar demands. Nixon resigned in 1974 over the Watergate scandal. 'OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE' Pelosi said, "Trump`s blanket statement that he`s not going to honour any subpoenas is obstruction of justice." The White House signalled little appetite to cooperate. Trump told Fox News in an interview on Thursday he was not inclined to let former White House counsel Don McGahn testify before congressional committees. Nadler has issued a subpoena for McGahn to testify in its investigation of possible obstruction of justice by the president. Trump told Fox News that McGahn had already spoken to Mueller`s team for 30 hours and allowing him to testify to Congress would open the door to others being called. "I would say it`s done," Trump said. Flood reiterated that point in a letter seen by Reuters, saying Trump`s decision to let advisers cooperate when Mueller was conducting his investigation did not extend to congressional oversight investigations now that the inquiry had been completed. Flood also said Mueller`s 448-page report suffered from "an extraordinary legal defect" by failing to determine whether Trump had committed the crime of obstruction of justice. ''Mueller instead produced a prosecutorial curiosity - part `truth commission` report and part law school exam paper," Flood wrote to Barr in a letter dated a day after the report was released. Democrats have argued Trump waived the right to assert executive privilege - which allows a president to withhold information about internal executive branch deliberations from other branches of government - by allowing advisers to cooperate extensively with Mueller. Barr cancelled his House testimony after clashing with Nadler over the hearing`s format, particularly having staff lawyers question him in addition to committee members. Nadler said he would move forward with a contempt citation as soon as Monday. "The very system of government of the United States - the system of limited power, the system of not having a president as a dictator - is very much at stake," Nadler told reporters after a 15-minute committee session held in place of Barr`s appearance. Democrats have said they may issue a subpoena to try to force Barr to testify. Barr spent four hours before a Republican-led Senate committee on Wednesday defending his handling of Mueller`s report and justifying Trump`s actions. The report detailed extensive contacts between Trump`s 2016 presidential campaign and Moscow and the campaign`s expectation that it would benefit from Russia`s actions, which included hacking and propaganda to boost Trump and harm Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. The report also detailed a series of actions Trump took to try to impede the investigation. Mueller, a former FBI director, concluded there was insufficient evidence to show a criminal conspiracy and opted not to make a conclusion on whether Trump committed obstruction of justice, but pointedly did not exonerate him. Barr has said he and Rod Rosenstein, the Justice Department`s No. 2 official, then determined there was not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction.

Democrats ramp up pressure on Donald Trump as Nancy Pelosi accuses William Barr of 'crime'

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority (PA), where opposition to a long-awaited U.S. peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

As Trump team prepares Mideast plan, Palestinians face financial crisis

The FBI sent an undercover investigator to meet with an advisor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign to try to determine if it was working with Russia, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The investigator who met with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/timeline-big-moments-in-mueller-investigation-of-russian-meddling-in-2016-us-election-211303&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwizyfrs3P7hAhWJqI8KHdgcAz8QFjAGegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1jJziI0gY-Oif39SAggvG2">George Papadopoulos</a> at a London bar in September 2016 -- two months before the election that brought Trump to office -- was posing as a research assistant, the Times said, citing unnamed people familiar with the operation.

The effort ultimately "yielded no fruitful information," the newspaper reported, but the revelation may provide further ammunition to Trump, who has denounced what he has termed "spying" on his presidential campaign.

Attorney General William Barr echoed that characterisation in testimony to Congress, saying that he will open an inquiry into "spying" against Trump by the FBI at the origins of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

The 22-month investigation -- which Trump repeatedly dismissed as a "witch hunt" -- led to charges against 34 individuals, including Papadopoulos, and three companies.

Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and pledged to cooperate, eventually serving 12 days in prison.

The FBI sent an undercover investigator to meet with an advisor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign to try to determine if it was working with Russia, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The FBI sent an undercover investigator to meet with an advisor to Donald Trump's presidential campaign to try to determine if it was working with Russia, The New York Times reported Thursday. The investigator who met with George Papadopoulos at a London bar in September 2016 -- two months before the election that brought Trump to office -- was posing as a research assistant, the Times said, citing unnamed people familiar with the operation. The effort ultimately "yielded no fruitful information," the newspaper reported, but the revelation may provide further ammunition to Trump, who has denounced what he has termed "spying" on his presidential campaign. Attorney General William Barr echoed that characterisation in testimony to Congress, saying that he will open an inquiry into "spying" against Trump by the FBI at the origins of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The 22-month investigation -- which Trump repeatedly dismissed as a "witch hunt" -- led to charges against 34 individuals, including Papadopoulos, and three companies. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and pledged to cooperate, eventually serving 12 days in prison.

FBI sent undercover investigator to meet Trump aide: Report

President Donald Trump appealed for a swift end to the "brutal repression" of the Venezuelan people, following an abortive military uprising by forces backing the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-venezuelas-us-backed-opposition-leader-juan-guaido-of-fuelling-conflict-215063">US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido</a>.

"The brutal repression of the Venezuelan people must end, and it must end soon," Trump said as he hosted a national day of prayer service at the White House.

"People are starving. They have no food they have no water, and this was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world," said the president. 
"So we wish them well, we'll be there to help and we are there to help."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/will-opposition-leader-juan-guaido-topple-venezuelas-president-nicolas-maduro-215414">Will opposition leader Juan Guaido topple Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro?</a>

Meanwhile, a US official said&nbsp;US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will discuss disagreements on the Venezuela crisis with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov when they meet next week in Finland.

The official said the top diplomats would take up a range of tensions between the rival powers when they see each other on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting starting Monday in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi.

"I would expect that the secretary and he (Lavrov) will have an opportunity, obviously, to talk," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

"When they have a chance to get together they can review a whole range of issues including our concerns about Russia's behaviour that includes Ukraine and, certainly, Venezuela," he said.

Lavrov and Pompeo had a tense call on Wednesday over Venezuela, where the United States is trying to oust <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nicolas-maduro-open-to-adopt-a-plan-to-improve-venezuelas-condition-215356">President Nicolas Maduro</a>, an ally of Moscow.

Pompeo told Lavrov that Russia's assistance to the leftist leader, whose re-election last year was widely criticized internationally as fraudulent, was "destabilizing" Venezuela.

Lavrov, in turn, denounced the "destructive influence" of the United States in what he called a "flagrant violation of international law."

The United States and its European allies have been imposing sanctions on Russia since its 2014 takeover of Crimea, with Moscow's ongoing support of separatists in Ukraine becoming a major source of tension.

The encounter with Lavrov also comes after the long-awaited release of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller who said that Russia worked extensively to try to sway the 2016 US election in Donald Trump's favour. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump appealed for a swift end to the "brutal repression" of the Venezuelan people, following an abortive military uprising by forces backing the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido.

President Donald Trump appealed for a swift end to the "brutal repression" of the Venezuelan people, following an abortive military uprising by forces backing the US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido. "The brutal repression of the Venezuelan people must end, and it must end soon," Trump said as he hosted a national day of prayer service at the White House. "People are starving. They have no food they have no water, and this was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world," said the president. "So we wish them well, we'll be there to help and we are there to help." Also read: Will opposition leader Juan Guaido topple Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro? Meanwhile, a US official said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will discuss disagreements on the Venezuela crisis with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov when they meet next week in Finland. The official said the top diplomats would take up a range of tensions between the rival powers when they see each other on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting starting Monday in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi. "I would expect that the secretary and he (Lavrov) will have an opportunity, obviously, to talk," the official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "When they have a chance to get together they can review a whole range of issues including our concerns about Russia's behaviour that includes Ukraine and, certainly, Venezuela," he said. Lavrov and Pompeo had a tense call on Wednesday over Venezuela, where the United States is trying to oust President Nicolas Maduro, an ally of Moscow. Pompeo told Lavrov that Russia's assistance to the leftist leader, whose re-election last year was widely criticized internationally as fraudulent, was "destabilizing" Venezuela. Lavrov, in turn, denounced the "destructive influence" of the United States in what he called a "flagrant violation of international law." The United States and its European allies have been imposing sanctions on Russia since its 2014 takeover of Crimea, with Moscow's ongoing support of separatists in Ukraine becoming a major source of tension. The encounter with Lavrov also comes after the long-awaited release of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller who said that Russia worked extensively to try to sway the 2016 US election in Donald Trump's favour.

Trump says 'brutal repression' of Venezuelan people 'must end'

The House Judiciary Committee has been informed that Attorney General Bill Barr will not testify at a planned hearing. Watch full video to know more.

Mueller Report: William Barr skips house testimony

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-venezuelas-us-backed-opposition-leader-juan-guaido-of-fuelling-conflict-215063">Sergei Lavrov</a> traded accusations in a phone call Wednesday that the other power was destabilising Venezuela after an aborted military uprising.

With the United States pushing to topple President Nicolas Maduro, Pompeo charged that Russia and Cuba were instrumental in keeping the leftist firebrand in power.

Pompeo "stressed that the intervention by Russia and Cuba is destabilizing for Venezuela and for the US-Russia bilateral relationship," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said.

Pompeo "urged Russia to cease support for Nicolas Maduro and join other nations, including the overwhelming majority of countries in the Western Hemisphere, who seek a better future for the Venezuelan people," she said in a statement.

But Lavrov denounced Washington's "destructive influence" in its support for opposition leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-will-opposition-leader-guaido-topple-venezuelas-president-maduro-215049">Juan Guaido</a>, who on Tuesday claimed the backing of members of the armed forces in a short-lived attempt to wrest control from Maduro.

"Washington's interference in Venezuelan affairs is a flagrant violation of international law," the Russian foreign ministry quoted Lavrov as saying in the call.

Lavrov took aim at President Donald Trump's assertions, made again Wednesday by Pompeo, that the United States is prepared to use force if necessary.

"The pursuit of these aggressive steps is fraught with consequences," Lavrov said, adding that "only the Venezuelan people have the right to decide their destiny."

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The United States is among more than 50 countries, including most Latin American and European powers, that recognize Guaido as interim president.

Maduro was elected last year in an election widely criticized as fraudulent and has presided over a crumbling economy, with millions fleeing Venezuela faced with a shortage of basic goods.

Russia and China provide crucial diplomatic support, with Moscow also offering military technical assistance and Beijing providing vital credit as it buys Venezuela's oil.

The Trump administration has also warned Cuba, a longtime foe of the United States, to stop backing Maduro by allegedly deploying thousands of troops to back up Venezuelan security forces.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traded accusations in a phone call Wednesday that the other power was destabilising Venezuela after an aborted military uprising.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov traded accusations in a phone call Wednesday that the other power was destabilising Venezuela after an aborted military uprising. With the United States pushing to topple President Nicolas Maduro, Pompeo charged that Russia and Cuba were instrumental in keeping the leftist firebrand in power. Pompeo "stressed that the intervention by Russia and Cuba is destabilizing for Venezuela and for the US-Russia bilateral relationship," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said. Pompeo "urged Russia to cease support for Nicolas Maduro and join other nations, including the overwhelming majority of countries in the Western Hemisphere, who seek a better future for the Venezuelan people," she said in a statement. But Lavrov denounced Washington's "destructive influence" in its support for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who on Tuesday claimed the backing of members of the armed forces in a short-lived attempt to wrest control from Maduro. "Washington's interference in Venezuelan affairs is a flagrant violation of international law," the Russian foreign ministry quoted Lavrov as saying in the call. Lavrov took aim at President Donald Trump's assertions, made again Wednesday by Pompeo, that the United States is prepared to use force if necessary. "The pursuit of these aggressive steps is fraught with consequences," Lavrov said, adding that "only the Venezuelan people have the right to decide their destiny." × The United States is among more than 50 countries, including most Latin American and European powers, that recognize Guaido as interim president. Maduro was elected last year in an election widely criticized as fraudulent and has presided over a crumbling economy, with millions fleeing Venezuela faced with a shortage of basic goods. Russia and China provide crucial diplomatic support, with Moscow also offering military technical assistance and Beijing providing vital credit as it buys Venezuela's oil. The Trump administration has also warned Cuba, a longtime foe of the United States, to stop backing Maduro by allegedly deploying thousands of troops to back up Venezuelan security forces.

US state secretary Pompeo, Russian foreign minister Lavrov trade accusations on Venezuela in phone call

US Attorney General Bill Barr rejected allegations in a Senate hearing Wednesday that he had whitewashed the Mueller Russian interference report to protect President Donald Trump, but then refused to appear before the House to answer similar questions.

Barr underwent tough questioning in the Senate Judiciary Committee over his decision last month to declare that Trump had been fully cleared by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation -- a move which Mueller himself objected to days later in a letter.

Democratic members of the committee accused Barr of skewing the truth and deliberately downplaying disturbing behavior by the president, even if it did not add up to a crime.

But Barr rejected the criticisms, saying that after Mueller submitted his final report, it was his "baby" and his prerogative as head of the Department of Justice to sum up its conclusions.

Barr refuses to testify to House

After more than four hours before the Senate panel, Barr was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, where he likely faced more rigorous questioning, including by a committee lawyer.

But late Wednesday the Justice Department announced he wouldn't appear, and would also not turn over to Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler a complete, unredacted version of the Mueller report.

"Unfortunately, even after the Attorney General volunteered to testify, Chairman Nadler placed conditions on the House Judiciary Committee hearing that are unprecedented and unnecessary," said department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec.

"Chairman Nadler's insistence on having staff question the Attorney General, a Senate-confirmed Cabinet member, is inappropriate."

Impeachment debate

Democrats are debating whether Trump should be impeached for obstruction of justice based on the evidence set out in Mueller's 448-page report into Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Ahead of its release, on March 24 Barr announced that the report found no evidence of crimes of conspiracy with the Russians and inadequate evidence to support obstruction charges.

Barr's summary allowed Trump to declare "complete and total exoneration" over accusations of conspiracy with Russia and obstruction of justice, and to claim that it proved the Mueller probe was a politicized "witch hunt."

But the full report released on April 18 painted an altogether more damaging picture of the president's conduct.

Mueller said his team did not find evidence that Trump's campaign criminally conspired with Russians, but the report detailed repeated efforts by the Trump team to engage with Russians and to benefit from the sabotage.

Mueller also laid out a damning pattern of obstructive behavior by the president and suggested Congress itself should investigate. But he declined to give his own opinion on whether Trump had committed a crime.

Explaining his summary, Barr said it would have been "irresponsible and unfair" to release the report without reaching a conclusion, and he had attempted to "notify the people of the bottom-line conclusion."

'It was my decision'

But Barr's stance drew more criticism after the release Wednesday of a previously unknown March 27 letter in which Mueller criticized Barr's four-page summary of the report.

Mueller complained that Barr "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance" of his conclusions, and had generated "public confusion."

The letter also made clear that at least twice in March Mueller proposed that Barr release the investigation's own summaries first, and that Barr had ignored that idea to put out his own version.

In testy exchanges with Democrats, Barr branded Mueller's letter as "a bit snitty" and "probably written by one of his staff people."

"It was my decision how and when to make it public, not Bob Mueller's," he said of the report.

Two Democratic senators seeking the party's 2020 presidential nomination lashed into Barr.

Corey Booker assailed Barr for not criticizing the behavior of Trump and his campaign documented by Mueller even if it did not rise up to a crime.

"You seem to be excusing a campaign that had hundreds of contacts with a foreign adversary," Booker said.

"Your conduct seems to be trying to normalize that behavior."

Kamala Harris alleged that Barr had conflicts of interest that should have prevented his involvement in the investigation.

Another Democratic senator, Maizie Hirono, accused Barr of a "public relations effort" to protect Trump.

"You used every advantage of your office to create the impression that the president was cleared of misconduct," she said.

US Attorney General Bill Barr rejected allegations in a Senate hearing Wednesday that he had whitewashed the Mueller Russian interference report to protect President Donald Trump, but then refused to appear before the House to answer similar questions.

US Attorney General Bill Barr rejected allegations in a Senate hearing Wednesday that he had whitewashed the Mueller Russian interference report to protect President Donald Trump, but then refused to appear before the House to answer similar questions. Barr underwent tough questioning in the Senate Judiciary Committee over his decision last month to declare that Trump had been fully cleared by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation -- a move which Mueller himself objected to days later in a letter. Democratic members of the committee accused Barr of skewing the truth and deliberately downplaying disturbing behavior by the president, even if it did not add up to a crime. But Barr rejected the criticisms, saying that after Mueller submitted his final report, it was his "baby" and his prerogative as head of the Department of Justice to sum up its conclusions. Barr refuses to testify to House After more than four hours before the Senate panel, Barr was scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, where he likely faced more rigorous questioning, including by a committee lawyer. But late Wednesday the Justice Department announced he wouldn't appear, and would also not turn over to Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler a complete, unredacted version of the Mueller report. "Unfortunately, even after the Attorney General volunteered to testify, Chairman Nadler placed conditions on the House Judiciary Committee hearing that are unprecedented and unnecessary," said department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec. "Chairman Nadler's insistence on having staff question the Attorney General, a Senate-confirmed Cabinet member, is inappropriate." Impeachment debate Democrats are debating whether Trump should be impeached for obstruction of justice based on the evidence set out in Mueller's 448-page report into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Ahead of its release, on March 24 Barr announced that the report found no evidence of crimes of conspiracy with the Russians and inadequate evidence to support obstruction charges. Barr's summary allowed Trump to declare "complete and total exoneration" over accusations of conspiracy with Russia and obstruction of justice, and to claim that it proved the Mueller probe was a politicized "witch hunt." But the full report released on April 18 painted an altogether more damaging picture of the president's conduct. Mueller said his team did not find evidence that Trump's campaign criminally conspired with Russians, but the report detailed repeated efforts by the Trump team to engage with Russians and to benefit from the sabotage. Mueller also laid out a damning pattern of obstructive behavior by the president and suggested Congress itself should investigate. But he declined to give his own opinion on whether Trump had committed a crime. Explaining his summary, Barr said it would have been "irresponsible and unfair" to release the report without reaching a conclusion, and he had attempted to "notify the people of the bottom-line conclusion." 'It was my decision' But Barr's stance drew more criticism after the release Wednesday of a previously unknown March 27 letter in which Mueller criticized Barr's four-page summary of the report. Mueller complained that Barr "did not fully capture the context, nature, and substance" of his conclusions, and had generated "public confusion." The letter also made clear that at least twice in March Mueller proposed that Barr release the investigation's own summaries first, and that Barr had ignored that idea to put out his own version. In testy exchanges with Democrats, Barr branded Mueller's letter as "a bit snitty" and "probably written by one of his staff people." "It was my decision how and when to make it public, not Bob Mueller's," he said of the report. Two Democratic senators seeking the party's 2020 presidential nomination lashed into Barr. Corey Booker assailed Barr for not criticizing the behavior of Trump and his campaign documented by Mueller even if it did not rise up to a crime. "You seem to be excusing a campaign that had hundreds of contacts with a foreign adversary," Booker said. "Your conduct seems to be trying to normalize that behavior." Kamala Harris alleged that Barr had conflicts of interest that should have prevented his involvement in the investigation. Another Democratic senator, Maizie Hirono, accused Barr of a "public relations effort" to protect Trump. "You used every advantage of your office to create the impression that the president was cleared of misconduct," she said.

US Attorney General William Barr refuses to testify before House Judiciary Committee on Mueller report

Will opposition leader Juan Guaido topple Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro?

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-military-stops-tracking-key-metric-on-afghan-war-as-situation-deteriorates-214936">war in Afghanistan</a> on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal.

Afghan representatives were not allowed to attend the sixth round of US-Taliban talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group.

"There will be no other side except the US&nbsp;and Taliban representatives in the meeting, but some Qatari officials will remain present as hosts," he told Reuters.

The talks are part of President Donald Trump`s efforts to end America`s longest war, which began when US-backed forces ousted the Taliban weeks after the September&nbsp;11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Since October,<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-taliban-talks-peace-remains-a-distant-dream-for-afghanistan-213647&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqxryYmfrhAhUc8XMBHUSGCbgQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1INTrcmp2Rx3qTOPgE-vxr"> US&nbsp;and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks</a> aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US&nbsp;forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world.

In this round, US&nbsp;special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and his delegation are expected to focus on a declaration of a ceasefire as a first step to end the fighting, said a western diplomat in Kabul.

An official working closely with Khalilzad said he is expected to encourage the insurgent group to engage in Afghan-to-Afghan talks to find a political settlement to end the war.

This week, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani convened a rare grand assembly known as the Loya Jirga to set out Kabul`s conditions for peace talks with the Taliban.

The Jirga has a purely consultative function, but it carries significance in Afghan politics and society.&nbsp;

The Taliban has so far refused to talk to Kabul and have labelled the Afghan government as a "US&nbsp;puppet."

Ghani believes that backing from members of the Loya Jirga will strengthen his bid to be recognised as Afghanistan`s legitimate representative in the peace talks.

The assembly includes 3,200 tribal elders, politicians and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces.

But opposition politicians and government critics, including former president Hamid Karzai, are boycotting the meeting.

They accuse Ghani of using it as a platform to boost his status as a leader in an election year.

Omar Daudzai, Ghani`s special envoy for peace, said at the assembly he welcomed the US-Taliban talks in Qatar but Afghan voices should be heard at the negotiating table.&nbsp;

"The Loya Jirga is the rational and logical start of the peace talks," he told reporters, adding that the assembly would also examine the role of foreign powers in Afghanistan.

The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission, known as Resolute Support, that is training and assisting the Afghan government`s security forces in their battle against Taliban fighters and extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. 
&nbsp;

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year war in Afghanistan on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal.

American and Taliban officials resumed talks in Qatar to end a 17-year war in Afghanistan on Wednesday while the Afghan government hosted a rare assembly in Kabul to ensure its interests are upheld in any peace deal. Afghan representatives were not allowed to attend the sixth round of US-Taliban talks in the Qatari capital, Doha, said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the insurgent group. "There will be no other side except the US and Taliban representatives in the meeting, but some Qatari officials will remain present as hosts," he told Reuters. The talks are part of President Donald Trump`s efforts to end America`s longest war, which began when US-backed forces ousted the Taliban weeks after the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Since October, US and Taliban officials have held several rounds of talks aimed at ensuring a safe exit for US forces in return for a Taliban guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used by militants to threaten the rest of the world. In this round, US special envoy for peace in Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and his delegation are expected to focus on a declaration of a ceasefire as a first step to end the fighting, said a western diplomat in Kabul. An official working closely with Khalilzad said he is expected to encourage the insurgent group to engage in Afghan-to-Afghan talks to find a political settlement to end the war. This week, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani convened a rare grand assembly known as the Loya Jirga to set out Kabul`s conditions for peace talks with the Taliban. The Jirga has a purely consultative function, but it carries significance in Afghan politics and society. The Taliban has so far refused to talk to Kabul and have labelled the Afghan government as a "US puppet." Ghani believes that backing from members of the Loya Jirga will strengthen his bid to be recognised as Afghanistan`s legitimate representative in the peace talks. The assembly includes 3,200 tribal elders, politicians and community and religious leaders from all 34 provinces. But opposition politicians and government critics, including former president Hamid Karzai, are boycotting the meeting. They accuse Ghani of using it as a platform to boost his status as a leader in an election year. Omar Daudzai, Ghani`s special envoy for peace, said at the assembly he welcomed the US-Taliban talks in Qatar but Afghan voices should be heard at the negotiating table. "The Loya Jirga is the rational and logical start of the peace talks," he told reporters, adding that the assembly would also examine the role of foreign powers in Afghanistan. The United States has about 14,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission, known as Resolute Support, that is training and assisting the Afghan government`s security forces in their battle against Taliban fighters and extremist groups such as Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

US-Taliban resume talks as Afghan government seeks role in peace process

Russia on Tuesday accused Venezuela's <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-fully-supports-venezuelan-people-as-juan-guaido-calls-for-uprising-against-nicolas-maduro-214849&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwis1Ju7p_rhAhUBKo8KHdooCVwQFjABegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw22HMuleBrrHA4uSKE6FHoG">US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> of fomenting violence and urged talks after the self-proclaimed leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

The Russian's foreign ministry said it was important to avoid bloodletting as President Vladimir Putin discussed the unfolding crisis with members of his security council at the Kremlin.

"The radical opposition in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-crisis-violence-rocks-nation-venezuelans-take-to-the-streets-for-maduro-uprising-214976&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjD_dbhp_rhAhUIrY8KHXhwBYwQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3yomi3fetOrqSh3u0Ay8z7"> Venezuela</a> has once again turned to heavy-handed methods of confrontation," the foreign ministry said in a statement, accusing <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/nicolas-maduro-addresses-venezuela-214926&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj28I7Tp_rhAhWLsY8KHdOvABoQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0VV8Gv7lctm3EAs5kg6uMh">Maduro's </a>opponents of "fuelling" conflict.

"It is important to avoid unrest and bloodletting," said the foreign ministry, urging talks between the conflicting sides.

"The problems Venezuela faces should be solved through responsible negotiations without pre-conditions," said the foreign ministry, warning that third countries should not interfere in the crisis.

Last month, Moscow sent troops and equipment to Venezuela, saying they would remain in the country "for as long as needed."

Tensions in crisis-stricken Venezuela have been ratcheted up to a critical level this year, after Guaido, who is head of the opposition-ruled National Assembly, announced in January that he was the acting president under the constitution.&nbsp;

He said Maduro had been fraudulently re-elected last year.

Maduro has presided over economic chaos, with the oil-rich country unable to provide basic medical and food supplies to much of the population.

Earlier Tuesday Guaido said troops had joined his campaign to oust Maduro while the government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup.

Guaido is recognised by the United States and about 50 other governments but Moscow, along with China, backs Maduro.

Russia has accused Washington of seeking regime change in Venezuela.

Russia on Tuesday accused Venezuela's US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido of fomenting violence and urged talks after the self-proclaimed leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro.

Russia on Tuesday accused Venezuela's US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido of fomenting violence and urged talks after the self-proclaimed leader said troops had joined his campaign to oust President Nicolas Maduro. The Russian's foreign ministry said it was important to avoid bloodletting as President Vladimir Putin discussed the unfolding crisis with members of his security council at the Kremlin. "The radical opposition in Venezuela has once again turned to heavy-handed methods of confrontation," the foreign ministry said in a statement, accusing Maduro's opponents of "fuelling" conflict. "It is important to avoid unrest and bloodletting," said the foreign ministry, urging talks between the conflicting sides. "The problems Venezuela faces should be solved through responsible negotiations without pre-conditions," said the foreign ministry, warning that third countries should not interfere in the crisis. Last month, Moscow sent troops and equipment to Venezuela, saying they would remain in the country "for as long as needed." Tensions in crisis-stricken Venezuela have been ratcheted up to a critical level this year, after Guaido, who is head of the opposition-ruled National Assembly, announced in January that he was the acting president under the constitution. He said Maduro had been fraudulently re-elected last year. Maduro has presided over economic chaos, with the oil-rich country unable to provide basic medical and food supplies to much of the population. Earlier Tuesday Guaido said troops had joined his campaign to oust Maduro while the government vowed to put down what it called an attempted coup. Guaido is recognised by the United States and about 50 other governments but Moscow, along with China, backs Maduro. Russia has accused Washington of seeking regime change in Venezuela.

Russia accuses Venezuela's US-backed opposition leader Juan Guaido of 'fuelling' conflict

Russia should encourage its Venezuelan ally President<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/nicolas-maduro-addresses-venezuela-214926&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi97M38pPrhAhUMq48KHWEWAeMQFjABegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3P3cf_5kSplCYEuDk7HsE5"> Nicolas Maduro</a> to avoid violence amid a street revolt aimed at ousting him, the US representative on the crisis said Tuesday.

"The Russians have been playing a very unhelpful role," envoy Elliott Abrams told reporters.

"It would be helpful if they would make a call for no violence because one of the things we have seen in a few cases today is violence on the part of the Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, innocent civilians," he said.

Russia earlier accused <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-will-opposition-leader-guaido-topple-venezuelas-president-maduro-215049&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjy5-rfpPrhAhXT7HMBHZZXADQQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3GKUTFhtxtPhRF7Pi9FyAh">Juan Guaido</a>, recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as interim president, of fueling conflict and urged negotiations, an option Washington has rejected.

Abrams said he had exchanged messages with Guaido at around 1800 GMT on Tuesday and that the opposition leader appeared to be "buoyant and determined."

The US envoy also questioned why Maduro had not been seen in public throughout the tumultuous day.

"Normally one would view that as a sign that he is unsure of the support that he has, as he ought to be," Abrams said, while adding that the situation across Venezuela was "confused."

Russia should encourage its Venezuelan ally President Nicolas Maduro to avoid violence amid a street revolt aimed at ousting him, the US representative on the crisis said Tuesday.

Russia should encourage its Venezuelan ally President Nicolas Maduro to avoid violence amid a street revolt aimed at ousting him, the US representative on the crisis said Tuesday. "The Russians have been playing a very unhelpful role," envoy Elliott Abrams told reporters. "It would be helpful if they would make a call for no violence because one of the things we have seen in a few cases today is violence on the part of the Venezuelan security forces against unarmed, innocent civilians," he said. Russia earlier accused Juan Guaido, recognized by the United States and more than 50 other countries as interim president, of fueling conflict and urged negotiations, an option Washington has rejected. Abrams said he had exchanged messages with Guaido at around 1800 GMT on Tuesday and that the opposition leader appeared to be "buoyant and determined." The US envoy also questioned why Maduro had not been seen in public throughout the tumultuous day. "Normally one would view that as a sign that he is unsure of the support that he has, as he ought to be," Abrams said, while adding that the situation across Venezuela was "confused."

Russia should press Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro to avoid violence: US envoy

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-falls-after-trump-urges-greater-opec-output-to-replace-iranian-oil-214283&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjuhuTLoPrhAhXEvo8KHWrMAykQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ypVMPMRIln_fUjV6oNYIW">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s unexpected decision to ban all Iranian oil purchases after May 1 - ending exemptions for eight nations - came after hawkish economic and security advisors allayed the president's fears of an oil price hike, according to three sources familiar with the internal debate.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/will-no-longer-grant-sanctions-exemptions-to-irans-oil-customers-us-212617&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjuhuTLoPrhAhXEvo8KHWrMAykQFjAEegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Z11JT-IhrVOS_P3ToDDem">The unprecedented move to fully sever</a> Tehran’s financial lifeline - finalized just days before the April 22 announcement - underscores the strong influence of hard-liners within Trump’s inner circle.

They had for months argued for tightening the sanctions over the objections of some State Department officials who favoured allowing some partners and allies to keep buying Iranian oil.

"No one's actually tried to take this all the way to zero," a senior administration official told Reuters, adding that forging a consensus among government agencies required "a lot of work."

President Donald Trump has been eager to halt Iran’s oil exports since slapping sanctions on the Islamic Republic last November for the first time since 2015, a move intended as punishment for Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support of armed militant groups in the Middle East.

Trump initially backed a go-slow approach, providing waivers to allies and trading partners such as China, India and Turkey.

The United States currently removes about 2 million barrels of oil per day from the world's supply through sanctions on the Iran and Venezuela industries.

But Washington hopes that soaring<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-crackdown-on-irans-oil-exports-could-backfire-badly-with-serious-risks-to-global-economy-213229&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjuhuTLoPrhAhXEvo8KHWrMAykQFjADegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XVon65KYvD7oeeJsH1XsY"> US&nbsp;oil production</a> - now at an all-time high of more than 12 million barrel per day - will keep global markets well-supplied and hold prices down.

By the weekend of April 20, with the initial 180-day waivers given to countries due to expire May 1, top economic and security advisors convinced Trump that the time had come to cut off Iranian oil exports completely, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The State Department had been engaged in talks with at least five of the eight economies holding waivers, according to sources - China, India, South Korea, Japan and Turkey.&nbsp;

Trump discussed the matter with National Security Adviser John Bolton, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Energy Secretary Rick Perry as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

While Bolton and Perry backed ending the waivers, some in Pompeo's State Department reiterated worries about the potential for rising oil prices, the sources said, but they ultimately dropped their objections and supported the more aggressive policy on Iran.

SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT

The decision caught several US&nbsp;allies and Iranian oil buyers off-guard.

China's Foreign Ministry issued a formal complaint to the United States.

Separately, diplomats interviewed by Reuters from at least two large importers of Iranian oil said discussions about renewing their waivers continued until a few days before the announcement, suggesting the State Department had little time to brief partners on the decision.

Oil prices struck six-month highs after the announcement, but have since eased back.

Trump has long been anxious about rising oil prices impacting the economy and raising retail gasoline prices, and in his last tweet before the waiver decision, he said global oil markets were "fragile".

He has asked members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase the flow of oil to compensate for losses from Iran and Venezuela.

"This was clearly what he was balancing in his own mind," the administration official said.

One senior administration official said Trump held conversations recently with the Saudi and Emirati leaders on oil prices and received assurances that the two oil producers will ensure the market is well-supplied.

Saudi Arabia's energy minister responded by saying he saw no need to raise oil output immediately.

OPEC production declined by 1.6 million barrels per day between December and March, according to the organization's figures.

'THE RIGHT TIME'

The Obama administration, which had imposed sanctions on Iran in 2012 to thwart its nuclear ambitions, kept its waivers in place through the duration of its pressure campaign.

Obama’s sanctions program ended with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international accord with Tehran reached in 2015 that was meant to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb.

Trump ridiculed the deal and unilaterally abandoned it last year over the objections of the other signatories.

International nuclear inspectors said at the time that Iran was abiding by the deal's terms.

State Department officials said it was the Trump administration's intention from the start to bring Iran's exports to zero.

But the timing had not been right until now.

The National Security Council, according to two sources, played a key role in driving the argument to end the waiver program - especially Richard Goldberg, a new member of the Trump administration and a longtime advocate for confronting Iran.

Goldberg was "instrumental," one of the sources said.

Bolton added Goldberg to the NSC earlier this year.

In 2018, while an adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, Goldberg told Congress that rolling back Iran's activities required a "no-holds-barred, pedal-to-the-metal approach" involving political, economic and ideological warfare, along with overt and covert operations to remove Iranian forces from Syria and Yemen.

White House economic advisors Kevin Hassett and Larry Kudlow had also called for ending the waivers, according to a second senior administration official.

"We are doing this ... in a favourable market condition with full commitment from producing countries," said Frank Fannon, US&nbsp;Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources.

"We think this is the right time", added Fannon.

US President Donald Trump's unexpected decision to ban all Iranian oil purchases after May 1 - ending exemptions for eight nations - came after hawkish economic and security advisors allayed the president's fears of an oil price hike, according to three sources familiar with the internal debate.

US President Donald Trump's unexpected decision to ban all Iranian oil purchases after May 1 - ending exemptions for eight nations - came after hawkish economic and security advisors allayed the president's fears of an oil price hike, according to three sources familiar with the internal debate. The unprecedented move to fully sever Tehran’s financial lifeline - finalized just days before the April 22 announcement - underscores the strong influence of hard-liners within Trump’s inner circle. They had for months argued for tightening the sanctions over the objections of some State Department officials who favoured allowing some partners and allies to keep buying Iranian oil. "No one's actually tried to take this all the way to zero," a senior administration official told Reuters, adding that forging a consensus among government agencies required "a lot of work." President Donald Trump has been eager to halt Iran’s oil exports since slapping sanctions on the Islamic Republic last November for the first time since 2015, a move intended as punishment for Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support of armed militant groups in the Middle East. Trump initially backed a go-slow approach, providing waivers to allies and trading partners such as China, India and Turkey. The United States currently removes about 2 million barrels of oil per day from the world's supply through sanctions on the Iran and Venezuela industries. But Washington hopes that soaring US oil production - now at an all-time high of more than 12 million barrel per day - will keep global markets well-supplied and hold prices down. By the weekend of April 20, with the initial 180-day waivers given to countries due to expire May 1, top economic and security advisors convinced Trump that the time had come to cut off Iranian oil exports completely, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The State Department had been engaged in talks with at least five of the eight economies holding waivers, according to sources - China, India, South Korea, Japan and Turkey. Trump discussed the matter with National Security Adviser John Bolton, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, Energy Secretary Rick Perry as well as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. While Bolton and Perry backed ending the waivers, some in Pompeo's State Department reiterated worries about the potential for rising oil prices, the sources said, but they ultimately dropped their objections and supported the more aggressive policy on Iran. SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT The decision caught several US allies and Iranian oil buyers off-guard. China's Foreign Ministry issued a formal complaint to the United States. Separately, diplomats interviewed by Reuters from at least two large importers of Iranian oil said discussions about renewing their waivers continued until a few days before the announcement, suggesting the State Department had little time to brief partners on the decision. Oil prices struck six-month highs after the announcement, but have since eased back. Trump has long been anxious about rising oil prices impacting the economy and raising retail gasoline prices, and in his last tweet before the waiver decision, he said global oil markets were "fragile". He has asked members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to increase the flow of oil to compensate for losses from Iran and Venezuela. "This was clearly what he was balancing in his own mind," the administration official said. One senior administration official said Trump held conversations recently with the Saudi and Emirati leaders on oil prices and received assurances that the two oil producers will ensure the market is well-supplied. Saudi Arabia's energy minister responded by saying he saw no need to raise oil output immediately. OPEC production declined by 1.6 million barrels per day between December and March, according to the organization's figures. 'THE RIGHT TIME' The Obama administration, which had imposed sanctions on Iran in 2012 to thwart its nuclear ambitions, kept its waivers in place through the duration of its pressure campaign. Obama’s sanctions program ended with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, an international accord with Tehran reached in 2015 that was meant to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear bomb. Trump ridiculed the deal and unilaterally abandoned it last year over the objections of the other signatories. International nuclear inspectors said at the time that Iran was abiding by the deal's terms. State Department officials said it was the Trump administration's intention from the start to bring Iran's exports to zero. But the timing had not been right until now. The National Security Council, according to two sources, played a key role in driving the argument to end the waiver program - especially Richard Goldberg, a new member of the Trump administration and a longtime advocate for confronting Iran. Goldberg was "instrumental," one of the sources said. Bolton added Goldberg to the NSC earlier this year. In 2018, while an adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, Goldberg told Congress that rolling back Iran's activities required a "no-holds-barred, pedal-to-the-metal approach" involving political, economic and ideological warfare, along with overt and covert operations to remove Iranian forces from Syria and Yemen. White House economic advisors Kevin Hassett and Larry Kudlow had also called for ending the waivers, according to a second senior administration official. "We are doing this ... in a favourable market condition with full commitment from producing countries," said Frank Fannon, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources. "We think this is the right time", added Fannon.

The debate behind Trump's move to tighten Iran oil sanctions

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US&nbsp;peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

Analysts see steep cuts in US&nbsp;aid to the Palestinians over the past year as an attempt to draw them towards a blueprint that Washington promises will have economic benefits but which the PA predicts will fall short of endorsing Palestinian statehood.

And during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s successful re-election campaign, his right-wing government imposed sanctions that have pushed the Authority towards financial crisis.

In February, Israel announced it would cut by 5 percent the approximately $190 million in tax revenues it transfers to the Palestinian Authority each month from imports that reach the occupied West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza Strip via Israeli ports.

The deducted sum represents the amount of money paid by the Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, to families of Palestinians convicted and jailed by Israel for security offences, including lethal attacks on Israelis.

Israel calls the stipends a "pay for slay" policy.

Palestinians hail their jailed brethren as heroes in a struggle for an independent state and their families as deserving of support.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to accept the partial tax remittances from Israel, saying the PA is entitled to all the money under interim peace deals.

Unless the issue is resolved, the World Bank says, the Palestinians` financing gap could exceed $1 billion in 2019, putting further strain on an economy grappling with a 52 percent unemployment rate.

Already facing international donor fatigue, the Palestinians were dealt a heavy blow by the Trump administration`s cut last year of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid.

In February, the US&nbsp;Agency for International Development announced it had ceased all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza.

While the United States and Israel are applying financial pressure to the Palestinian Authority for different reasons, it is happening just as the PA is being leant on to accept the US&nbsp;peace plan.&nbsp;

Palestinian suspicions over the still-secret US&nbsp;proposals, due to be announced in June, and defiance of Israeli sanctions continue to run deep despite the arm-twisting.

SALARY CUTS

Khalid al-Asili, the Authority`s economy minister, told Reuters in an interview last week that it has been struggling to manage on just 36 percent of budgeted revenues.

The Authority slashed the salaries of government employees in February, March and April to whether the budget crisis, with some Palestinian public servants` wages cut in half.

"Unless they find a solution ... it will be a disaster for the Palestinian economy," Asili said.

With Trump`s "deal of the century" about to be unveiled, Tareq Baconi&nbsp;an analyst with the International Crisis Group questioned the wisdom of Washington`s financial pressure on the Palestinians.

Such a strategy, he said, stemmed from the "misguided belief that economic benefits could be sufficiently compelling for Palestinians to relinquish their political demands".

One of the architects of the Trump plan, the president`s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, declined to say in public remarks in Washington last week whether it called for a two-state solution, a goal of past efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

Abbas and his officials have refused to deal at a political level with the Trump administration since the US President`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel`s capital in 2017 and his move of the US&nbsp;embassy to the holy city last May.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has rejected out of hand "any political initiative that does not call for ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital".

The Palestinians have long sought to set up a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War.

Netanyahu further clouded the statehood issue when he said during the election race that he would annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank if he wins, a move that Palestinian leaders said would kill any prospects of peace.

RISKS FOR BOTH SIDES

While both sides await the US&nbsp;proposals, the financial sanctions on the Palestinian Authority could be a double-edged sword, posing risks to its stability and for Israel as well.

"Given that the PA`s main source of legitimacy is its capacity to employ a considerable proportion of the Palestinian workforce, internal discontent could challenge its ability to govern effectively," Baconi said.

For Israel, weakening the Palestinian Authority could have an impact on Palestinian security forces that cooperate with the Israeli military in the West Bank.

"Israel takes it for granted that it&nbsp;has not experienced any major terrorist attack for years now," said Avraham Sela, professor emeritus of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

"Coordination with the PA is invaluable for Israel`s security," he said.

Economy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Netanyahu`s security cabinet, said on Monday that Israel has "no interest" in the Authority`s collapse.

But, he said on Israel`s Reshet TV, withholding tax revenues equivalent to the sums of "stipends and pensions being paid to terrorists" is justifiable.

"CATASTROPHIC CUTS"

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Kadhim Harb, 50, who works in the economy ministry, said the salary reductions have forced him to delay loan payments.

"We are cutting back on everything. We only buy basic things,” Harb, said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

A police officer in Gaza, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Ahmed, said his wages were slashed by 65 percent in March.

"Salary cuts? Please say: catastrophic cuts. I haven`t been able to pay my son`s university tuition this semester," said Ahmed, 39.

Donor countries and institutions have stepped in to try to plug the growing budget deficit.&nbsp;

At Abbas`s urging, the Arab League at a meeting in Cairo last week promised $100 million per month to the PA.

Those pledges would add to an increase in funds from Gulf Arab states following the US&nbsp;cuts.

Saudi Arabia in 2018 gave $222 million to the Authority, up from $92 million in 2017, the World Bank said. Kuwait contributed $53 million last year.&nbsp;

Still, the PA faced a significant financing gap in 2018 - some $400 million, or roughly 10 percent of its budget - forcing it to accrue arrears on loans from local banks and other private sector financiers.

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong.

Israel and the United States are putting the financial squeeze on the Palestinian Authority, where opposition to a long-awaited US peace plan and anger over Israeli sanctions remain strong. Analysts see steep cuts in US aid to the Palestinians over the past year as an attempt to draw them towards a blueprint that Washington promises will have economic benefits but which the PA predicts will fall short of endorsing Palestinian statehood. And during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s successful re-election campaign, his right-wing government imposed sanctions that have pushed the Authority towards financial crisis. In February, Israel announced it would cut by 5 percent the approximately $190 million in tax revenues it transfers to the Palestinian Authority each month from imports that reach the occupied West Bank and Hamas-run Gaza Strip via Israeli ports. The deducted sum represents the amount of money paid by the Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, to families of Palestinians convicted and jailed by Israel for security offences, including lethal attacks on Israelis. Israel calls the stipends a "pay for slay" policy. Palestinians hail their jailed brethren as heroes in a struggle for an independent state and their families as deserving of support. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has refused to accept the partial tax remittances from Israel, saying the PA is entitled to all the money under interim peace deals. Unless the issue is resolved, the World Bank says, the Palestinians` financing gap could exceed $1 billion in 2019, putting further strain on an economy grappling with a 52 percent unemployment rate. Already facing international donor fatigue, the Palestinians were dealt a heavy blow by the Trump administration`s cut last year of hundreds of millions of dollars of aid. In February, the US Agency for International Development announced it had ceased all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza. While the United States and Israel are applying financial pressure to the Palestinian Authority for different reasons, it is happening just as the PA is being leant on to accept the US peace plan. Palestinian suspicions over the still-secret US proposals, due to be announced in June, and defiance of Israeli sanctions continue to run deep despite the arm-twisting. SALARY CUTS Khalid al-Asili, the Authority`s economy minister, told Reuters in an interview last week that it has been struggling to manage on just 36 percent of budgeted revenues. The Authority slashed the salaries of government employees in February, March and April to whether the budget crisis, with some Palestinian public servants` wages cut in half. "Unless they find a solution ... it will be a disaster for the Palestinian economy," Asili said. With Trump`s "deal of the century" about to be unveiled, Tareq Baconi an analyst with the International Crisis Group questioned the wisdom of Washington`s financial pressure on the Palestinians. Such a strategy, he said, stemmed from the "misguided belief that economic benefits could be sufficiently compelling for Palestinians to relinquish their political demands". One of the architects of the Trump plan, the president`s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, declined to say in public remarks in Washington last week whether it called for a two-state solution, a goal of past efforts to end the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Abbas and his officials have refused to deal at a political level with the Trump administration since the US President`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel`s capital in 2017 and his move of the US embassy to the holy city last May. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has rejected out of hand "any political initiative that does not call for ending Israeli occupation and establishing an independent and sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital". The Palestinians have long sought to set up a state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, territory Israel captured in the 1967 Middle East War. Netanyahu further clouded the statehood issue when he said during the election race that he would annex Israeli settlements in the West Bank if he wins, a move that Palestinian leaders said would kill any prospects of peace. RISKS FOR BOTH SIDES While both sides await the US proposals, the financial sanctions on the Palestinian Authority could be a double-edged sword, posing risks to its stability and for Israel as well. "Given that the PA`s main source of legitimacy is its capacity to employ a considerable proportion of the Palestinian workforce, internal discontent could challenge its ability to govern effectively," Baconi said. For Israel, weakening the Palestinian Authority could have an impact on Palestinian security forces that cooperate with the Israeli military in the West Bank. "Israel takes it for granted that it has not experienced any major terrorist attack for years now," said Avraham Sela, professor emeritus of international relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "Coordination with the PA is invaluable for Israel`s security," he said. Economy Minister Eli Cohen, a member of Netanyahu`s security cabinet, said on Monday that Israel has "no interest" in the Authority`s collapse. But, he said on Israel`s Reshet TV, withholding tax revenues equivalent to the sums of "stipends and pensions being paid to terrorists" is justifiable. "CATASTROPHIC CUTS" In the West Bank city of Ramallah, Kadhim Harb, 50, who works in the economy ministry, said the salary reductions have forced him to delay loan payments. "We are cutting back on everything. We only buy basic things,” Harb, said. A police officer in Gaza, who asked to be identified only by his first name, Ahmed, said his wages were slashed by 65 percent in March. "Salary cuts? Please say: catastrophic cuts. I haven`t been able to pay my son`s university tuition this semester," said Ahmed, 39. Donor countries and institutions have stepped in to try to plug the growing budget deficit. At Abbas`s urging, the Arab League at a meeting in Cairo last week promised $100 million per month to the PA. Those pledges would add to an increase in funds from Gulf Arab states following the US cuts. Saudi Arabia in 2018 gave $222 million to the Authority, up from $92 million in 2017, the World Bank said. Kuwait contributed $53 million last year. Still, the PA faced a significant financing gap in 2018 - some $400 million, or roughly 10 percent of its budget - forcing it to accrue arrears on loans from local banks and other private sector financiers.

President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to impose a "full and complete embargo" and further sanctions on Cuba if its Communist leadership does not immediately end its military support for Venezuela`s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.

Trump issued his ultimatum to Havana in a message on Twitter as his administration threw its support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido`s strongest call yet for the military to help him oust Maduro during a day of upheaval in the South American country.

Also on Tuesday, US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro had been prepared to leave the country on Tuesday morning, headed for Havana in the face of anti-government protests, but reversed his plan after Russia intervened.

"They had an airplane on the tarmac. He was ready to leave this morning, as we understand it. Russians indicated he should stay," Pompeo said in an interview with CNN.

Several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally outside the La Carlota air base in Caracas early on Tuesday, but the incident fizzled out and did not appear to be part of an immediate attempt by the opposition to take power through military force.

Trump`s threat against Cuba marked an intensification of a US&nbsp;campaign in recent weeks to pressure Cuba over its role in Venezuela, although some experts and former US&nbsp;officials say Trump and his aides have overstated Cuban involvement in the Venezuelan crisis.

"If Cuban Troops and Militia do not immediately CEASE military and other operations for the purpose of causing death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela, a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions, will be placed on the island of Cuba," Trump said on Twitter.

"Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!", Trump&nbsp;wrote.

Cuba has stood by its ally Maduro and has denied US&nbsp;accusations that it has military and intelligence operatives, which Washington estimates at 20,000 to 25,000 personnel in Venezuela propping him up.

Trump has rolled back parts of predecessor Barack Obama`s historic rapprochement with Cuba and returned to Cold War-style rhetoric.

But he has not broken off diplomatic relations, which Obama restored in 2015 after decades of enmity.

A six-decade US&nbsp;economic embargo on Cuba has also remained officially intact, even though Obama chipped away at many of the US&nbsp;trade and travel restrictions.

President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to impose a "full and complete embargo" and further sanctions on Cuba if its Communist leadership does not immediately end its military support for Venezuela`s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro.

President Donald Trump threatened on Tuesday to impose a "full and complete embargo" and further sanctions on Cuba if its Communist leadership does not immediately end its military support for Venezuela`s socialist president, Nicolas Maduro. Trump issued his ultimatum to Havana in a message on Twitter as his administration threw its support behind opposition leader Juan Guaido`s strongest call yet for the military to help him oust Maduro during a day of upheaval in the South American country. Also on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro had been prepared to leave the country on Tuesday morning, headed for Havana in the face of anti-government protests, but reversed his plan after Russia intervened. "They had an airplane on the tarmac. He was ready to leave this morning, as we understand it. Russians indicated he should stay," Pompeo said in an interview with CNN. Several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally outside the La Carlota air base in Caracas early on Tuesday, but the incident fizzled out and did not appear to be part of an immediate attempt by the opposition to take power through military force. Trump`s threat against Cuba marked an intensification of a US campaign in recent weeks to pressure Cuba over its role in Venezuela, although some experts and former US officials say Trump and his aides have overstated Cuban involvement in the Venezuelan crisis. "If Cuban Troops and Militia do not immediately CEASE military and other operations for the purpose of causing death and destruction to the Constitution of Venezuela, a full and complete embargo, together with highest-level sanctions, will be placed on the island of Cuba," Trump said on Twitter. "Hopefully, all Cuban soldiers will promptly and peacefully return to their island!", Trump wrote. Cuba has stood by its ally Maduro and has denied US accusations that it has military and intelligence operatives, which Washington estimates at 20,000 to 25,000 personnel in Venezuela propping him up. Trump has rolled back parts of predecessor Barack Obama`s historic rapprochement with Cuba and returned to Cold War-style rhetoric. But he has not broken off diplomatic relations, which Obama restored in 2015 after decades of enmity. A six-decade US economic embargo on Cuba has also remained officially intact, even though Obama chipped away at many of the US trade and travel restrictions.

Trump threatens 'full' embargo on Cuba over Venezuela security support

Over 600 "illegal" migrants were apprehended from Sunland Park and Antelope Wells here in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Around 424 migrants were detained after midnight in Sunland Park, while 230 refugees were arrested from Antelope Wells here at around 2 am, as per Sputnik.

"This is an ongoing situation that<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/will-be-sending-armed-soldiers-to-mexico-border-trump-213252&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiBmJvtjPrhAhXFto8KHWwRDiUQFjAGegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2oJfEDkqcE_WN4vVUBZT8q"> US Border Patrol </a>agents are facing in southern New Mexico: hundreds of parents and children being encountered by agents after having faced a dangerous journey in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers", CBP said in a statement.

The agency further accused criminal organisations of continuing "to exploit innocent human lives in order to enhance their illicit activities without due regard to the risks of human life".

"In most cases, these smugglers never cross the border themselves in order to avoid apprehension," CBP said.

US President Donald Trump has often voiced his disdain regarding the influx of migrants from the US-Mexico border, calling for the construction of a wall on the border.

The Democrats have repeatedly objected to this proposal, slamming Trump`s demand for funds towards the barrier`s construction.

In fact, an impasse between the US lawmakers and Trump regarding funding for the wall led to the country experiencing its longest-ever shutdown recently.

Over 600 "illegal" migrants were apprehended from Sunland Park and Antelope Wells here in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Over 600 "illegal" migrants were apprehended from Sunland Park and Antelope Wells here in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Around 424 migrants were detained after midnight in Sunland Park, while 230 refugees were arrested from Antelope Wells here at around 2 am, as per Sputnik. "This is an ongoing situation that US Border Patrol agents are facing in southern New Mexico: hundreds of parents and children being encountered by agents after having faced a dangerous journey in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers", CBP said in a statement. The agency further accused criminal organisations of continuing "to exploit innocent human lives in order to enhance their illicit activities without due regard to the risks of human life". "In most cases, these smugglers never cross the border themselves in order to avoid apprehension," CBP said. US President Donald Trump has often voiced his disdain regarding the influx of migrants from the US-Mexico border, calling for the construction of a wall on the border. The Democrats have repeatedly objected to this proposal, slamming Trump`s demand for funds towards the barrier`s construction. In fact, an impasse between the US lawmakers and Trump regarding funding for the wall led to the country experiencing its longest-ever shutdown recently.

US authorities detain over 600 migrants near the US border

President Donald Trump is working to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the White House said on Tuesday, which would bring sanctions against Egypt's oldest Islamist movement.

Trump weighs labeling Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist group

US President Donald Trump, along with his family and businesses, on Monday sued Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to stop them from complying with Congressional subpoenas issued as part of a probe into foreign political influence.

The subpoenas -- which the Trumps described in their suit as "intrusive and overbroad" -- were issued to several banks by the Democratic-majority House's intelligence and financial services committees, which are looking into the president's finances as part of a larger probe into election meddling by Russia.

The lawsuit is the latest step in Trump's fightback against the Democrats, and alleges that the subpoenas have "no legitimate or lawful purpose."

"The subpoenas were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the President and his family, and to ferret about for any material that might be used to cause him political damage," said the suit, filed with the US federal court in the Southern District of New York.

"No grounds exist to establish any purpose other than a political one."

The suit accuses Congress of stepping beyond its law-making mandate into law enforcement, and says the subpoenas violate the financial privacy rights of Trump and his family.

Deutsche Bank was one of the few major Western financial institutions to continue to lend to Trump's real estate empire after several of its casinos went bankrupt in the 1990s, resulting in claims by creditors valued at $330 million in present-day dollars.

"We remain committed to providing appropriate information to all authorized investigations and will abide by a court order regarding such investigations," the German bank said in a statement.

But the Trumps want to block any such disclosures, and have requested in their latest lawsuit "a permanent injunction prohibiting Deutsche Bank and Capital One from disclosing, revealing, delivering, or producing the requested information, or otherwise complying with the subpoenas."

Their filing also argues that Congress is seeking information about "events that occurred while President Trump was a private citizen, years before he was even a candidate for public office."

Following the money

The suit comes weeks after the release of a heavily redacted version of the Mueller report, which concluded an almost two-year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.&nbsp;

The president described it as a "complete exoneration."

But Democrats believe the investigation has revealed serious wrongdoing by Trump and have not yet decided on whether they want to push for impeachment.

The Congressional subpoenas to the banks were announced days ahead of the release of the Mueller report, and House member Adam Schiff described the one sent to Deutsche Bank as "friendly."

Explaining why the banks were subpoenaed, Maxine Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, said the body was investigating "the potential use of the US financial system for illicit purposes."

The committee, she added, "is exploring these matters, including as they may involve the president and his associates." 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump, along with his family and businesses, on Monday sued Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to stop them from complying with Congressional subpoenas issued as part of a probe into foreign political influence.

US President Donald Trump, along with his family and businesses, on Monday sued Deutsche Bank and Capital One in an attempt to stop them from complying with Congressional subpoenas issued as part of a probe into foreign political influence. The subpoenas -- which the Trumps described in their suit as "intrusive and overbroad" -- were issued to several banks by the Democratic-majority House's intelligence and financial services committees, which are looking into the president's finances as part of a larger probe into election meddling by Russia. The lawsuit is the latest step in Trump's fightback against the Democrats, and alleges that the subpoenas have "no legitimate or lawful purpose." "The subpoenas were issued to harass President Donald J. Trump, to rummage through every aspect of his personal finances, his businesses, and the private information of the President and his family, and to ferret about for any material that might be used to cause him political damage," said the suit, filed with the US federal court in the Southern District of New York. "No grounds exist to establish any purpose other than a political one." The suit accuses Congress of stepping beyond its law-making mandate into law enforcement, and says the subpoenas violate the financial privacy rights of Trump and his family. Deutsche Bank was one of the few major Western financial institutions to continue to lend to Trump's real estate empire after several of its casinos went bankrupt in the 1990s, resulting in claims by creditors valued at $330 million in present-day dollars. "We remain committed to providing appropriate information to all authorized investigations and will abide by a court order regarding such investigations," the German bank said in a statement. But the Trumps want to block any such disclosures, and have requested in their latest lawsuit "a permanent injunction prohibiting Deutsche Bank and Capital One from disclosing, revealing, delivering, or producing the requested information, or otherwise complying with the subpoenas." Their filing also argues that Congress is seeking information about "events that occurred while President Trump was a private citizen, years before he was even a candidate for public office." Following the money The suit comes weeks after the release of a heavily redacted version of the Mueller report, which concluded an almost two-year investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. The president described it as a "complete exoneration." But Democrats believe the investigation has revealed serious wrongdoing by Trump and have not yet decided on whether they want to push for impeachment. The Congressional subpoenas to the banks were announced days ahead of the release of the Mueller report, and House member Adam Schiff described the one sent to Deutsche Bank as "friendly." Explaining why the banks were subpoenaed, Maxine Waters, chair of the House Financial Services Committee, said the body was investigating "the potential use of the US financial system for illicit purposes." The committee, she added, "is exploring these matters, including as they may involve the president and his associates."

Trump sues banks in bid to block Congress subpoenas

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-raises-63-million-in-first-24-hours-of-campaign-213809">Former US Vice President Joe Biden</a> made clear on Monday at his first event as a presidential candidate that he stands ready to battle President Donald Trump for the support of the blue-collar workers who were key to Trump's election in 2016.

Speaking before a welcoming crowd of union workers in Pittsburgh, Biden seemed at times to look past a Democratic nominating contest that promises to be arduous and towards a direct confrontation with Trump in the November 2020 general election.

"I make no apologies. I am a union man," Biden told a crowd that included members of the Teamsters, steelworkers, firefighters and teachers unions. "The country wasn't built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers, it was built by you."

Biden, 76, who served two terms as vice president to former President Barack Obama, echoed other Democrats in the field who have criticized the US economy for benefiting the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and working poor.

"Everybody knows it. The middle class is hurting," Biden said. "The stock market is roaring, but you don't feel it."

Earlier in the day, Biden, who is counting on support from organised labour as a key component of his presidential bid, received an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters, which boasts a membership of 300,000.

That prompted a Twitter burst from Trump, who in 2016 demonstrated strong appeal to union workers dissatisfied with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.

In a series of tweets, Trump said that while leaders of the firefighters and other unions would endorse Democrats in the 2020 race, "the members love Trump."

Biden soon fired back on Twitter: "I'm sick of this president badmouthing unions."

Pennsylvania was a critical battleground for both parties in 2016, and Trump's narrow win in the state edged him towards his surprise victory. Western Pennsylvania, a union stronghold, is filled with the kind of white, blue-collar voters who once voted Democratic but supported Trump in 2016.

Biden said that was the reason he was kicking off his campaign in Pittsburgh, the one-time US&nbsp;steel capital. "Quite frankly folks, if I am going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020, it's going to happen here," he told the crowd at the union hall.

Before Biden can face off with the Republican president, he must outlast a Democratic field that features 19 other candidates, no sure thing in a party that has moved away from Biden's centrism and towards a more liberal, progressive tilt.

Biden left Pittsburgh after the speech to begin a campaign swing through Iowa and South Carolina, key early states in the presidential nomination contest.

Labour-friendly field

Union support is crucial to Biden's chances, but it is by no means automatic.

"I'm keeping my mind open. It's very early, and there are a lot of players in the game," said Colleen Wooten, 54, of Wall, Pennsylvania, who works for the United Steelworkers.

"Everybody in the union is tired of hearing promises about bringing work back," she said. "We need to start seeing action."

While organised labour has lost political clout with the decline of industrial jobs in the United States, it remains a key Democratic constituency, valued for its capacity to mobilise voters.

Labour unions have indicated that given the sprawling Democratic field, they have the luxury to choose candidates who tailor policies to their specific goals.

“This may be the most pro-union group of candidates we’ve seen in decades, making it tougher for any one candidate to line up significant union support,” said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director for the AFL-CIO labour federation, who is advising unions on their 2020 strategies.

At this juncture, Biden may have to worry most about US Senator Bernie Sanders, who, along with Biden, sits atop the 2020 Democratic field in opinion polls.

Sanders, a progressive who consistently has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions.

Biden's record as a US senator and vice president could complicate his efforts to draw union voters.

As a senator from Delaware, Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has become a sore point with unions that blame it for jobs leaving the country.

As Obama's No 2, he was part of an administration that promulgated labour-friendly regulatory policies but also pushed through trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea over the objections of several unions and many other Democrats.

A 12-nation trade deal backed by Obama and Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, was opposed by labour and became an issue in the 2016 presidential race, when Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, used it to criticise Democratic policies. As president, Trump pulled the United States out of the pact.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden made clear on Monday at his first event as a presidential candidate that he stands ready to battle President Donald Trump for the support of the blue-collar workers who were key to Trump's election in 2016.

Former US Vice President Joe Biden made clear on Monday at his first event as a presidential candidate that he stands ready to battle President Donald Trump for the support of the blue-collar workers who were key to Trump's election in 2016. Speaking before a welcoming crowd of union workers in Pittsburgh, Biden seemed at times to look past a Democratic nominating contest that promises to be arduous and towards a direct confrontation with Trump in the November 2020 general election. "I make no apologies. I am a union man," Biden told a crowd that included members of the Teamsters, steelworkers, firefighters and teachers unions. "The country wasn't built by Wall Street bankers, CEOs and hedge fund managers, it was built by you." Biden, 76, who served two terms as vice president to former President Barack Obama, echoed other Democrats in the field who have criticized the US economy for benefiting the wealthy at the expense of the middle class and working poor. "Everybody knows it. The middle class is hurting," Biden said. "The stock market is roaring, but you don't feel it." Earlier in the day, Biden, who is counting on support from organised labour as a key component of his presidential bid, received an endorsement from the International Association of Firefighters, which boasts a membership of 300,000. That prompted a Twitter burst from Trump, who in 2016 demonstrated strong appeal to union workers dissatisfied with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. In a series of tweets, Trump said that while leaders of the firefighters and other unions would endorse Democrats in the 2020 race, "the members love Trump." Biden soon fired back on Twitter: "I'm sick of this president badmouthing unions." Pennsylvania was a critical battleground for both parties in 2016, and Trump's narrow win in the state edged him towards his surprise victory. Western Pennsylvania, a union stronghold, is filled with the kind of white, blue-collar voters who once voted Democratic but supported Trump in 2016. Biden said that was the reason he was kicking off his campaign in Pittsburgh, the one-time US steel capital. "Quite frankly folks, if I am going to be able to beat Donald Trump in 2020, it's going to happen here," he told the crowd at the union hall. Before Biden can face off with the Republican president, he must outlast a Democratic field that features 19 other candidates, no sure thing in a party that has moved away from Biden's centrism and towards a more liberal, progressive tilt. Biden left Pittsburgh after the speech to begin a campaign swing through Iowa and South Carolina, key early states in the presidential nomination contest. Labour-friendly field Union support is crucial to Biden's chances, but it is by no means automatic. "I'm keeping my mind open. It's very early, and there are a lot of players in the game," said Colleen Wooten, 54, of Wall, Pennsylvania, who works for the United Steelworkers. "Everybody in the union is tired of hearing promises about bringing work back," she said. "We need to start seeing action." While organised labour has lost political clout with the decline of industrial jobs in the United States, it remains a key Democratic constituency, valued for its capacity to mobilise voters. Labour unions have indicated that given the sprawling Democratic field, they have the luxury to choose candidates who tailor policies to their specific goals. “This may be the most pro-union group of candidates we’ve seen in decades, making it tougher for any one candidate to line up significant union support,” said Steve Rosenthal, a former political director for the AFL-CIO labour federation, who is advising unions on their 2020 strategies. At this juncture, Biden may have to worry most about US Senator Bernie Sanders, who, along with Biden, sits atop the 2020 Democratic field in opinion polls. Sanders, a progressive who consistently has railed against free-trade agreements, showed surprising strength among rank-and-file union members during his 2016 presidential primary challenge to Clinton even though she received the formal endorsement of most national unions. Biden's record as a US senator and vice president could complicate his efforts to draw union voters. As a senator from Delaware, Biden supported the North American Free Trade Agreement, which has become a sore point with unions that blame it for jobs leaving the country. As Obama's No 2, he was part of an administration that promulgated labour-friendly regulatory policies but also pushed through trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea over the objections of several unions and many other Democrats. A 12-nation trade deal backed by Obama and Biden, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, was opposed by labour and became an issue in the 2016 presidential race, when Trump, then the Republican presidential nominee, used it to criticise Democratic policies. As president, Trump pulled the United States out of the pact.

At first 2020 event, Biden sets up battle with Trump over union vote

US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, said on Monday he was resigning from his post.

Rosenstein's departure, effective May 11, was not a surprise. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-deputy-attorney-general-rosenstein-to-step-down-in-march-official-198272">He had been expected to step down in March</a>. The White House had no immediate comment, but noted that Trump had already nominated Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen to replace him.

Rosenstein ended up staying on the job longer to help Attorney General William Barr <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/what-is-mueller-report-everything-you-need-to-know-about-it-211667">manage the public release of Mueller's findings</a> from his 22-month investigation, which was completed on March 22.

In a letter to Trump, Rosenstein echoed two of Trump’s signature phrases, writing that he helped staff the department with officials “devoted to the values that make America great” and adding that “we always put America first.”

Mueller's investigation did not establish evidence that Trump's campaign illegally conspired with Moscow.

Mueller, in his final report, did not make a determination on whether Trump obstructed justice, but instead presented evidence on both sides.

After receiving the final report, Rosenstein and Barr made their own determination, finding there was insufficient evidence to charge the president.

"We enforce the law without fear or favour because credible evidence is not partisan," Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter.

Rosenstein, a Republican, was often criticized by Trump and his allies for appointing Mueller. He has also been involved in decision-making at the Justice Department that has been criticized by Democrats.

Democrats have directed most of their anger at Barr for how he chose to selectively release certain details of the Mueller report before making it public and for his decision to declare Trump had not obstructed justice.

But Rosenstein played a prominent role in weighing the evidence Mueller had gathered on obstruction and deciding that Trump should not be charged.

Last autumn, questions swirled about whether Trump might fire him, after the New York Times reported that Rosenstein had suggested in 2017 secretly recording Trump with a wire and recruiting Cabinet members to remove the president from office under the U.S. Constitution's 25th Amendment.

Rosenstein has said the story was "inaccurate." Despite stoking Trump's ire, he remained on the job.

In a speech last week, he blasted “mercenary critics” and defended how the Mueller investigation was handled.

“If lawyers cannot prove our case in court, then what we believe is irrelevant," he said.

US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, said on Monday he was resigning from his post.

US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Special Counsel Robert Mueller in May 2017 to investigate links between the Russian government and President Donald Trump's campaign, said on Monday he was resigning from his post. Rosenstein's departure, effective May 11, was not a surprise. He had been expected to step down in March. The White House had no immediate comment, but noted that Trump had already nominated Deputy Transportation Secretary Jeffrey Rosen to replace him. Rosenstein ended up staying on the job longer to help Attorney General William Barr manage the public release of Mueller's findings from his 22-month investigation, which was completed on March 22. In a letter to Trump, Rosenstein echoed two of Trump’s signature phrases, writing that he helped staff the department with officials “devoted to the values that make America great” and adding that “we always put America first.” Mueller's investigation did not establish evidence that Trump's campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. Mueller, in his final report, did not make a determination on whether Trump obstructed justice, but instead presented evidence on both sides. After receiving the final report, Rosenstein and Barr made their own determination, finding there was insufficient evidence to charge the president. "We enforce the law without fear or favour because credible evidence is not partisan," Rosenstein wrote in his resignation letter. Rosenstein, a Republican, was often criticized by Trump and his allies for appointing Mueller. He has also been involved in decision-making at the Justice Department that has been criticized by Democrats. Democrats have directed most of their anger at Barr for how he chose to selectively release certain details of the Mueller report before making it public and for his decision to declare Trump had not obstructed justice. But Rosenstein played a prominent role in weighing the evidence Mueller had gathered on obstruction and deciding that Trump should not be charged. Last autumn, questions swirled about whether Trump might fire him, after the New York Times reported that Rosenstein had suggested in 2017 secretly recording Trump with a wire and recruiting Cabinet members to remove the president from office under the U.S. Constitution's 25th Amendment. Rosenstein has said the story was "inaccurate." Despite stoking Trump's ire, he remained on the job. In a speech last week, he blasted “mercenary critics” and defended how the Mueller investigation was handled. “If lawyers cannot prove our case in court, then what we believe is irrelevant," he said.

US Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein resigns

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news- April 30th, 2019

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-falls-after-trump-urges-greater-opec-output-to-replace-iranian-oil-214283&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwidivf1sPXhAhXClOYKHZPQAM0QFjAAegQIABAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0MFsOJ36W32ucm5SURLUI0">Oil prices fell </a>on Monday, extending the Friday decline that halted a weeks-long rally after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of US&nbsp;sanctions against Iran.

Brent crude futures were down 48 cents, or 0.7 per cent, at $71.67 a barrel by 1100 GMT. US&nbsp;West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures lost 24 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $63.06.

Both benchmarks fell by about 3 per cent in the previous session.

Trump on Friday said that he told the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower oil prices.

"Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters.

"Spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow. All are in agreement," the president later tweeted.

Trump's remarks triggered a sell-off, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 per cent price rally since the start of the year.

The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions previously granted to that major buyers.

US&nbsp;sanctions on Venezuela are also working to tighten global supply as fighting in Libya threatens to curb output there as well.

"We are dealing with a market that's not actually short of supply but is short due to politically-motivated action, and we know how quickly that can be turned around if necessary," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen told Reuters.

"Being a bear in the market is a very lonely place now."

Traders said the market was shifting focus to the voluntary supply cuts led by OPEC, the de facto head of which is the world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia.

"We are of the view that Saudi Arabia will increase output as soon as May, something they were likely to do anyway in the lead up to summer," ING bank said.

"The Kingdom could increase output by 500 million barrels per day (bpd) and still be in compliance with the OPEC+ deal for the month of May."

The cuts have been supported by some non-OPEC producers, notably Russia, but analysts said this cooperation may not last beyond a meeting between OPEC and other allies, a group known as OPEC+, scheduled for June.

"Russia appears to have every reason to resume ramping up production levels and the base case should start to become (that) we will not see OPEC+ agree upon extending production cuts, with tweaks to cover the shortfall from Iran," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at futures brokerage OANDA.

Oil prices fell on Monday, extending the Friday decline that halted a weeks-long rally after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of US sanctions against Iran.

Oil prices fell on Monday, extending the Friday decline that halted a weeks-long rally after President Donald Trump demanded that producer club OPEC raise output to soften the impact of US sanctions against Iran. Brent crude futures were down 48 cents, or 0.7 per cent, at $71.67 a barrel by 1100 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures lost 24 cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $63.06. Both benchmarks fell by about 3 per cent in the previous session. Trump on Friday said that he told the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to lower oil prices. "Gasoline prices are coming down. I called up OPEC, I said you've got to bring them down. You've got to bring them down," Trump told reporters. "Spoke to Saudi Arabia and others about increasing oil flow. All are in agreement," the president later tweeted. Trump's remarks triggered a sell-off, putting at least a temporary ceiling on a 40 per cent price rally since the start of the year. The rally had gained momentum in April after Trump tightened sanctions against Iran by ending all exemptions previously granted to that major buyers. US sanctions on Venezuela are also working to tighten global supply as fighting in Libya threatens to curb output there as well. "We are dealing with a market that's not actually short of supply but is short due to politically-motivated action, and we know how quickly that can be turned around if necessary," Saxo Bank analyst Ole Hansen told Reuters. "Being a bear in the market is a very lonely place now." Traders said the market was shifting focus to the voluntary supply cuts led by OPEC, the de facto head of which is the world's top oil exporter, Saudi Arabia. "We are of the view that Saudi Arabia will increase output as soon as May, something they were likely to do anyway in the lead up to summer," ING bank said. "The Kingdom could increase output by 500 million barrels per day (bpd) and still be in compliance with the OPEC+ deal for the month of May." The cuts have been supported by some non-OPEC producers, notably Russia, but analysts said this cooperation may not last beyond a meeting between OPEC and other allies, a group known as OPEC+, scheduled for June. "Russia appears to have every reason to resume ramping up production levels and the base case should start to become (that) we will not see OPEC+ agree upon extending production cuts, with tweaks to cover the shortfall from Iran," said Edward Moya, senior analyst at futures brokerage OANDA.

Oil falls after Trump presses OPEC to offset Iran sanctions

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed confidence that trade talks between the United States and China will not be affected by the end of Iran oil waivers this week.

Pompeo warned countries and companies that it would be a costly mistake to violate US&nbsp;sanctions by importing Iranian oil after Wednesday when the waivers for eight importers end.

China, India and Turkey are among Iran's largest oil importers that were granted waivers from US&nbsp;sanctions to allow them time to find alternative supplies.

"We have had lots of talks with China about this issue," Pompeo said at a newsmaker event by The Hill news outlet. "I'm confident that the trade talks will continue and run their natural course."

His comments come as US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin heads to Beijing and said he hopes the two economic powerhouses can finalize a trade deal with two more rounds of talks left..

Pompeo said the United States had worked to find alternative oil supplies to ensure the global oil market is well stocked as oil purchases from Iran are cut.

"We are convinced we can make sure the markets are adequately supplied. We are continuing to work on that," he said.

"Companies that choose to violate the sanctions ... we will pursue and we will ensure they are held accountable for the violations they engage in," he said.

Trump administration official said on Friday that neither a wind-down period nor a short-term waiver on China's oil purchases are being considered.

Under US sanctions law, importers of Iranian oil including China, India and Turkey, could be allowed a wind-down period before getting to zero oil purchases, including a short-term waiver. Any wind-down measures would be different than the 180-day exceptions the Trump administration granted in November to China and seven other importers for significantly reducing oil purchases from Iran, measures set to end in May.

The United States reimposed sanctions in November on exports of Iranian oil after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump last spring unilaterally pulled out of a 2015 accord between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed confidence that trade talks between the United States and China will not be affected by the end of Iran oil waivers this week.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed confidence that trade talks between the United States and China will not be affected by the end of Iran oil waivers this week. Pompeo warned countries and companies that it would be a costly mistake to violate US sanctions by importing Iranian oil after Wednesday when the waivers for eight importers end. China, India and Turkey are among Iran's largest oil importers that were granted waivers from US sanctions to allow them time to find alternative supplies. "We have had lots of talks with China about this issue," Pompeo said at a newsmaker event by The Hill news outlet. "I'm confident that the trade talks will continue and run their natural course." His comments come as US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin heads to Beijing and said he hopes the two economic powerhouses can finalize a trade deal with two more rounds of talks left.. Pompeo said the United States had worked to find alternative oil supplies to ensure the global oil market is well stocked as oil purchases from Iran are cut. "We are convinced we can make sure the markets are adequately supplied. We are continuing to work on that," he said. "Companies that choose to violate the sanctions ... we will pursue and we will ensure they are held accountable for the violations they engage in," he said. Trump administration official said on Friday that neither a wind-down period nor a short-term waiver on China's oil purchases are being considered. Under US sanctions law, importers of Iranian oil including China, India and Turkey, could be allowed a wind-down period before getting to zero oil purchases, including a short-term waiver. Any wind-down measures would be different than the 180-day exceptions the Trump administration granted in November to China and seven other importers for significantly reducing oil purchases from Iran, measures set to end in May. The United States reimposed sanctions in November on exports of Iranian oil after US President Donald Trump last spring unilaterally pulled out of a 2015 accord between Iran and six world powers to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.

Mike Pompeo 'confident' China trade talks will not be hurt over Iran oil sanctions

Washington does not see any distinction between core and non-core parts of 5G networks and will reassess sharing information with any allies which use equipment made by China's Huawei, a US&nbsp;cybersecurity official said on Monday.

"It is the United States' position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk," said Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the State Department.

"If other countries insert and allow untrusted vendors to build out and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today," he said.

Sources told Reuters last week that Britain's National Security Council had decided to bar China's Huawei Technologies from all core parts of the 5G network but still allow it in non-core parts with some increased restrictions.

Washington does not see any distinction between core and non-core parts of 5G networks and will reassess sharing information with any allies which use equipment made by China's Huawei, a US cybersecurity official said on Monday.

Washington does not see any distinction between core and non-core parts of 5G networks and will reassess sharing information with any allies which use equipment made by China's Huawei, a US cybersecurity official said on Monday. "It is the United States' position that putting Huawei or any other untrustworthy vendor in any part of the 5G telecommunications network is a risk," said Robert Strayer, deputy assistant secretary for cyber, international communications and information policy at the State Department. "If other countries insert and allow untrusted vendors to build out and become the vendors for their 5G networks we will have to reassess the ability for us to share information and be connected with them in the ways that we are today," he said. Sources told Reuters last week that Britain's National Security Council had decided to bar China's Huawei Technologies from all core parts of the 5G network but still allow it in non-core parts with some increased restrictions.

US will rethink cooperation with allies who use Huawei: Official

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 28th 2019

The US decision to end sanctions waivers for purchases of Iranian oil later this week will backfire by angering Washington's allies, Tehran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday.

Zarif said US policy is designed to make life hard for the Iranian people so they will "take action" against the Tehran government.

"They are wrong in their analysis. They are wrong in their hope," Zarif told Fox News, insisting instead that the people of Iran will get fired up to resist such pressure.

In May last year, President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers, which had given the Islamic republic sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme.

Washington reimposed oil sanctions on Iran in November, but initially gave eight countries, including several US allies, six-month reprieves.

Five of the countries -- Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran.

The others benefiting from waivers so far were China, India, and Turkey.

But the US announced last week that the waivers would end on May 2.

"This is coercion, pure and simple," Zarif said.

"People are not happy. China is not happy, Turkey is not happy, Russia is not happy. France is not happy. US allies are not happy that this is happening and they say that they will find ways of resisting it.

"How they will do it, it's up to them, and it's up to them looking at their own future, if they want to have their lives ruled by the United States."

Zarif said Washington's allies in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia are pushing the US to bring about regime change in Iran.

"They want -- they have all shown an interest in and dragging the United States into a conflict," said Zarif.

In an interview aired minutes later, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said it was "completely ridiculous" to say that US allies in the region are pressing Trump into a conflict with Iran.

Bolton also downplayed any splits with US allies in Europe, saying that the "glimmer of disagreement that he said is mostly in his own eye".

"There have been statements by Chinese companies that have been importing iranian oil, that they are going to stop. I met ... with the Turkish foreign minister some weeks back I was already talking about the steps they were going to take to avoid buying Iranian oil. We will see how it plays out. We made our position clear," he added.

The US decision to end sanctions waivers for purchases of Iranian oil later this week will backfire by angering Washington's allies, Tehran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday.

The US decision to end sanctions waivers for purchases of Iranian oil later this week will backfire by angering Washington's allies, Tehran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Sunday. Zarif said US policy is designed to make life hard for the Iranian people so they will "take action" against the Tehran government. "They are wrong in their analysis. They are wrong in their hope," Zarif told Fox News, insisting instead that the people of Iran will get fired up to resist such pressure. In May last year, President Donald Trump withdrew Washington from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers, which had given the Islamic republic sanctions relief in exchange for curbs on its nuclear programme. Washington reimposed oil sanctions on Iran in November, but initially gave eight countries, including several US allies, six-month reprieves. Five of the countries -- Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan -- have already heavily reduced their purchases from Iran. The others benefiting from waivers so far were China, India, and Turkey. But the US announced last week that the waivers would end on May 2. "This is coercion, pure and simple," Zarif said. "People are not happy. China is not happy, Turkey is not happy, Russia is not happy. France is not happy. US allies are not happy that this is happening and they say that they will find ways of resisting it. "How they will do it, it's up to them, and it's up to them looking at their own future, if they want to have their lives ruled by the United States." Zarif said Washington's allies in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia are pushing the US to bring about regime change in Iran. "They want -- they have all shown an interest in and dragging the United States into a conflict," said Zarif. In an interview aired minutes later, US National Security Advisor John Bolton said it was "completely ridiculous" to say that US allies in the region are pressing Trump into a conflict with Iran. Bolton also downplayed any splits with US allies in Europe, saying that the "glimmer of disagreement that he said is mostly in his own eye". "There have been statements by Chinese companies that have been importing iranian oil, that they are going to stop. I met ... with the Turkish foreign minister some weeks back I was already talking about the steps they were going to take to avoid buying Iranian oil. We will see how it plays out. We made our position clear," he added.

Ending sanctions waiver will anger US allies: Iran FM Javad Zarif

Britain's main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday declined an invitation to a banquet with Donald Trump when the US president visits in June, accusing him of using "racist and misogynist rhetoric".

Prime Minister "Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit," Corbyn, a veteran left-winger and pacifist, said in a statement.

Trump "rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist rhetoric," Corbyn said, although he added that he would welcome a meeting with Trump during the June 3-5 visit.

Corbyn said it was "disappointing that the prime minister has again opted to kowtow to this US administration".

House of Commons speaker John Bercow, who has ruled out allowing Trump to address parliament, and Vince Cable, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, have already declined the invitation to the dinner.

State dinners for visiting heads of state are usually held at Buckingham Palace and are lavish affairs.

May invited Trump for a state visit when she visited him in January 2017 -- just days after he took office.

The invitation proved controversial and an online petition to cancel it reached 1.9 million signatures.

The president, a strong supporter of Brexit, travelled to Britain last year but only on a working visit without the pomp and ceremony associated with state visits.

Britain's main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday declined an invitation to a banquet with Donald Trump when the US president visits in June, accusing him of using "racist and misogynist rhetoric".

Britain's main opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Friday declined an invitation to a banquet with Donald Trump when the US president visits in June, accusing him of using "racist and misogynist rhetoric". Prime Minister "Theresa May should not be rolling out the red carpet for a state visit," Corbyn, a veteran left-winger and pacifist, said in a statement. Trump "rips up vital international treaties, backs climate change denial and uses racist and misogynist rhetoric," Corbyn said, although he added that he would welcome a meeting with Trump during the June 3-5 visit. Corbyn said it was "disappointing that the prime minister has again opted to kowtow to this US administration". House of Commons speaker John Bercow, who has ruled out allowing Trump to address parliament, and Vince Cable, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, have already declined the invitation to the dinner. State dinners for visiting heads of state are usually held at Buckingham Palace and are lavish affairs. May invited Trump for a state visit when she visited him in January 2017 -- just days after he took office. The invitation proved controversial and an online petition to cancel it reached 1.9 million signatures. The president, a strong supporter of Brexit, travelled to Britain last year but only on a working visit without the pomp and ceremony associated with state visits.

British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn to boycott Donald Trump dinner

Two Israelis were among the wounded in a weekend attack on a synagogue in California that killed one person and injured three others, an official said Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the "atrocious" synagogue shooting, which he called "an attack at the heart of the Jewish people".

An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said an eight-year-old girl and her 31-year-old uncle wounded in the shooting attack in Poway, north of San Diego, on Saturday were from a southern town bordering the Gaza Strip.

"The two moved from Sderot to San Diego a few years ago," spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said in a statement, noting their condition was "good".

Sderot has come under repeated rocket and mortar attack from Palestinian militants in Gaza.

The father of the wounded girl, Israel Dahan, said Sunday that his home and those of his mother and mother-in law had been hit by Palestinian fire and he had been wounded several times.

"We left Sderot because of the rocket fire," he told Israeli public radio in Hebrew. "We left fire for fire."

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said both Israelis were wounded by shrapnel in the attack on the final day of the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover.

Dahan said he was at prayer inside the synagogue when the gunman entered.

"I was the first to see him because I was sitting in front of the main door. I started shouting at people to run away," he told the radio.

"My five-year-old daughter heard the shots and shut herself in the toilets," he said. "Luckily his weapon jammed."

A 60-year-old woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, was killed in the attack, with the community's rabbi wounded as well.

Netanyahu denounced the shooting and sent condolences to Kaye's family.

"The international community must step up the struggle against anti-Semitism," the prime minister said in a statement.

He said he would convene a meeting of Israeli officials on the subject in light of the "increasing anti-Semitic attacks throughout the world".

Gore identified the suspect, who was arrested after fleeing the scene, as 19-year-old John Earnest and said he had no prior arrest record.

US President Donald Trump denounced the shooting as a "hate crime".

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin called the attack "yet another painful reminder that anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews is still with us, everywhere."

"No country and no society are immune," he said in a Sunday statement. "Only through education for Holocaust remembrance and tolerance can we deal with this plague."

The shooting in Poway's Chabad synagogue came exactly six months after a white supremacist killed 11 people at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue -- the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in US history.

Two Israelis were among the wounded in a weekend attack on a synagogue in California that killed one person and injured three others, an official said Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the "atrocious" synagogue shooting, which he called "an attack at the heart of the Jewish people".

Two Israelis were among the wounded in a weekend attack on a synagogue in California that killed one person and injured three others, an official said Sunday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the "atrocious" synagogue shooting, which he called "an attack at the heart of the Jewish people". An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said an eight-year-old girl and her 31-year-old uncle wounded in the shooting attack in Poway, north of San Diego, on Saturday were from a southern town bordering the Gaza Strip. "The two moved from Sderot to San Diego a few years ago," spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon said in a statement, noting their condition was "good". Sderot has come under repeated rocket and mortar attack from Palestinian militants in Gaza. The father of the wounded girl, Israel Dahan, said Sunday that his home and those of his mother and mother-in law had been hit by Palestinian fire and he had been wounded several times. "We left Sderot because of the rocket fire," he told Israeli public radio in Hebrew. "We left fire for fire." San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said both Israelis were wounded by shrapnel in the attack on the final day of the week-long Jewish holiday of Passover. Dahan said he was at prayer inside the synagogue when the gunman entered. "I was the first to see him because I was sitting in front of the main door. I started shouting at people to run away," he told the radio. "My five-year-old daughter heard the shots and shut herself in the toilets," he said. "Luckily his weapon jammed." A 60-year-old woman, Lori Gilbert Kaye, was killed in the attack, with the community's rabbi wounded as well. Netanyahu denounced the shooting and sent condolences to Kaye's family. "The international community must step up the struggle against anti-Semitism," the prime minister said in a statement. He said he would convene a meeting of Israeli officials on the subject in light of the "increasing anti-Semitic attacks throughout the world". Gore identified the suspect, who was arrested after fleeing the scene, as 19-year-old John Earnest and said he had no prior arrest record. US President Donald Trump denounced the shooting as a "hate crime". Israeli President Reuven Rivlin called the attack "yet another painful reminder that anti-Semitism and hatred of Jews is still with us, everywhere." "No country and no society are immune," he said in a Sunday statement. "Only through education for Holocaust remembrance and tolerance can we deal with this plague." The shooting in Poway's Chabad synagogue came exactly six months after a white supremacist killed 11 people at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue -- the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in US history.

Israelis among wounded in US synagogue attack

US President Donald Trump on Saturday sent his sympathies to the families of the victims of a San <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-three-injured-in-us-synagogue-shooting-214031">Diego-area synagogue shooting</a>, saying it appeared to be a hate crime and that authorities will "get to the bottom of it."

Trump was speaking with reporters outside the White House before leaving Washington for a rally in Wisconsin.

A gunman opened fire in the synagogue with an assault-style weapon on Saturday, killing one woman inside and wounding three other worshippers in a hate crime carried out on the last day of Passover, authorities said.

First Lady Melania Trump tweeted her condolence following the incident, citing the Passover holiday.

The suspect, a 19-year-old white male whose identity was not immediately made public, fled the scene by car and was arrested a short time later when he pulled over and surrendered to police, authorities said at a news conference.

The gun violence at the Congregation Chabad synagogue in the town of Poway, California, about 23 miles (37 km) north of downtown San Diego, unfolded six months to the day after 11 worshippers were killed and six others were wounded by a gunman who stormed a synagogue in Pittsburgh yelling, "All Jews must die." The assailant in that incident was arrested.

Gunmen identified&nbsp;

The suspect, identified by police as John Earnest, 19, of San Diego, fled the scene by car and was arrested a short time later when he pulled over and surrendered to police, authorities said.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said investigators were examining a "manifesto" the gunman apparently left behind on social media along with other "digital evidence." Gore also said police and FBI were investigating Earnest's "possible involvement" in an unsolved arson fire at a nearby mosque about a month ago.

A rambling, violently anti-Semitic screed written by an individual calling himself John Earnest was found posted to the online text-storage site Pastebin.com and the file-storage site Mediafire.com. Links to the content on both sources were posted on the Internet message board 8chan.

In that letter, the author claimed credit for setting fire to a mosque in Escondido, a town about 15 miles (24 km) north of the synagogue attacked on Saturday.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday sent his sympathies to the families of the victims of a San Diego-area synagogue shooting, saying it appeared to be a hate crime and that authorities will "get to the bottom of it.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday sent his sympathies to the families of the victims of a San Diego-area synagogue shooting, saying it appeared to be a hate crime and that authorities will "get to the bottom of it." Trump was speaking with reporters outside the White House before leaving Washington for a rally in Wisconsin. A gunman opened fire in the synagogue with an assault-style weapon on Saturday, killing one woman inside and wounding three other worshippers in a hate crime carried out on the last day of Passover, authorities said. First Lady Melania Trump tweeted her condolence following the incident, citing the Passover holiday. The suspect, a 19-year-old white male whose identity was not immediately made public, fled the scene by car and was arrested a short time later when he pulled over and surrendered to police, authorities said at a news conference. The gun violence at the Congregation Chabad synagogue in the town of Poway, California, about 23 miles (37 km) north of downtown San Diego, unfolded six months to the day after 11 worshippers were killed and six others were wounded by a gunman who stormed a synagogue in Pittsburgh yelling, "All Jews must die." The assailant in that incident was arrested. Gunmen identified The suspect, identified by police as John Earnest, 19, of San Diego, fled the scene by car and was arrested a short time later when he pulled over and surrendered to police, authorities said. San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said investigators were examining a "manifesto" the gunman apparently left behind on social media along with other "digital evidence." Gore also said police and FBI were investigating Earnest's "possible involvement" in an unsolved arson fire at a nearby mosque about a month ago. A rambling, violently anti-Semitic screed written by an individual calling himself John Earnest was found posted to the online text-storage site Pastebin.com and the file-storage site Mediafire.com. Links to the content on both sources were posted on the Internet message board 8chan. In that letter, the author claimed credit for setting fire to a mosque in Escondido, a town about 15 miles (24 km) north of the synagogue attacked on Saturday.

San Diego-area synagogue shooting appears to be hate crime, says Trump as gunman identified

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions.&nbsp;

"We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told semi-official ISNA.

"Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries' oil will certainly not cross the strait, too," he added.&nbsp;

The statement came after Washington said on Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil.&nbsp;

Eight countries were initially given six-month reprieves after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November, following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear accord.&nbsp;

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the Islamic republic could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened.

"We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil ... (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday.

"It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future," he added.

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions.

Iran's top general warned Sunday Tehran could close the strategic Strait of Hormuz shipping route if it faces more "hostility", news agency ISNA said, as the US tightens up sanctions. "We are not after closing the Strait of Hormuz but if the hostility of enemies increase, we will be able to do so," armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri told semi-official ISNA. "Also if our oil does not go through the strait, other countries' oil will certainly not cross the strait, too," he added. The statement came after Washington said on Monday it would start imposing sanctions on countries such as India, China and Turkey that buy Iranian oil. Eight countries were initially given six-month reprieves after the United States reimposed sanctions on Iran in November, following President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw from a 2015 nuclear accord. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the Islamic republic could shut down the strait, a vital shipping lane for international oil supplies, should it find its national interests or security threatened. "We believe Iran will continue to sell its oil ... (and) use the Strait of Hormuz. But if the United States takes the crazy measure of trying to prevent us from doing that, then it should be prepared for the consequences," foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday. "It is in our vital national security interest to keep the Persian Gulf open, to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. We have done that in the past and we will continue to do that in the future," he added.

Iran warns could shut Hormuz Strait if tensions grow

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news- April 30th, 2019

Oil falls after Trump presses OPEC to offset Iran sanctions

Mike Pompeo 'confident' China trade talks will not be hurt over Iran oil sanctions

US will rethink cooperation with allies who use Huawei: Official

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning, April 28th 2019