President Donald Trump heaped praise Tuesday on right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro —&nbsp;and received plenty back —&nbsp;in announcing a special relationship that he said could even see the Latin American country join NATO.

At a joint news conference on the sun-soaked Rose Garden lawn, Trump and the man dubbed "Trump of the Tropics" let the mutual compliments flow.

"I have always admired the United States of America. And this sense of admiration has just increased after you took office and the presidency," Bolsonaro said.

Trump, stressing Brazil's partnership in the US-led campaign to force hard-left Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, said Bolsonaro was "doing a fantastic job" and had "brought the country together."

For years Bolsonaro was little more than a marginal congressman, but his Trump-like campaign in 2018, promising to combat corruption and crime, and to end politics as usual, propelled him to surprise victory.

His hard-right views, including frequent expressions of support for Brazil's past period of military rule, horrified the left and drove deep divisions in Latin America's biggest nation.

But at the press conference, his condemnation of what he called "fake news" -- opponents say he is referring merely to critical reports -- and references to deeply conservative social values pleased Trump.

"We have many views that are similar," Trump said.

Brazil in NATO? 
Trump spent much of the news conference discussing efforts to squeeze Venezuela's authorities, which he warned could face many more sanctions than those already imposed in an attempt to cripple the government's finances.

Brazil, which shares a long border with Venezuela, is important in the strategy. In Bolsonaro, an ex-soldier who idolizes the former leaders of Brazil's anti-communist military dictatorship, Trump has a ready ally against Maduro.

In return, Bolsonaro got one of the main items on his wish list: agreement for Brazil to be given NATO privileges. This "major non-NATO ally" status would ease Brazil's access to US weaponry and other military links.

But in the sunny spirit of the occasion, Trump then went much further, stretching the diplomatic and geographical possibilities to a degree that surprised many.

"I also intend to designate Brazil as a major non-NATO ally or even possibly, if you start thinking about it, maybe a NATO ally," Trump announced.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization already has 29 countries. None are from Latin America and none, like Brazil, are located in the South Atlantic.

"I have to talk to a lot of people," Trump said of his idea.

Longterm relationship 
Washington has had strained relations with Brazil's long string of leftist governments but the rise of Bolsonaro, who talks enthusiastically of combating socialists and communists, has opened a new door for the Trump administration.

A Trump-Bolsonaro bonding matters for Venezuela and for Washington's push back against growing Chinese economic influence in South America.

It could also have large-scale implications for the future of efforts to slow or reverse global warming: Brazil is home to much of the threatened Amazon rainforest and Bolsonaro, like Trump, is a climate change skeptic.

Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international deal on cutting carbon emissions. Bolsonaro is toying with following suit.

On Monday, Bolsonaro signed an agreement with US companies on technical safeguards to allow commercial satellite launches from Brazil's Alcantara base. But there are still major sticking points between the two countries, especially on trade, with Trump wanting Brazil to open up to more US products.

Whether what a White House official called a new north-south "axis" prospers may depend mostly on the personal relationship between its leaders.

For sure, the White House reception left Bolsonaro -- until last year a virtual unknown on the international stage -- expecting a long friendship.

Asked if he would manage to have equally close ties if a Democrat prevented Republican Trump's reelection in 2020, Bolsonaro said: "I do believe Donald Trump will be reelected fully."

Trump interrupted him -- just to show yet again that they were on the same wavelength.

"Thank you. I agree," he said.

President Donald Trump heaped praise Tuesday on right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — and received plenty back — in announcing a special relationship that he said could even see the Latin American country join NATO.

President Donald Trump heaped praise Tuesday on right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro — and received plenty back — in announcing a special relationship that he said could even see the Latin American country join NATO. At a joint news conference on the sun-soaked Rose Garden lawn, Trump and the man dubbed "Trump of the Tropics" let the mutual compliments flow. "I have always admired the United States of America. And this sense of admiration has just increased after you took office and the presidency," Bolsonaro said. Trump, stressing Brazil's partnership in the US-led campaign to force hard-left Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from power, said Bolsonaro was "doing a fantastic job" and had "brought the country together." For years Bolsonaro was little more than a marginal congressman, but his Trump-like campaign in 2018, promising to combat corruption and crime, and to end politics as usual, propelled him to surprise victory. His hard-right views, including frequent expressions of support for Brazil's past period of military rule, horrified the left and drove deep divisions in Latin America's biggest nation. But at the press conference, his condemnation of what he called "fake news" -- opponents say he is referring merely to critical reports -- and references to deeply conservative social values pleased Trump. "We have many views that are similar," Trump said. Brazil in NATO? Trump spent much of the news conference discussing efforts to squeeze Venezuela's authorities, which he warned could face many more sanctions than those already imposed in an attempt to cripple the government's finances. Brazil, which shares a long border with Venezuela, is important in the strategy. In Bolsonaro, an ex-soldier who idolizes the former leaders of Brazil's anti-communist military dictatorship, Trump has a ready ally against Maduro. In return, Bolsonaro got one of the main items on his wish list: agreement for Brazil to be given NATO privileges. This "major non-NATO ally" status would ease Brazil's access to US weaponry and other military links. But in the sunny spirit of the occasion, Trump then went much further, stretching the diplomatic and geographical possibilities to a degree that surprised many. "I also intend to designate Brazil as a major non-NATO ally or even possibly, if you start thinking about it, maybe a NATO ally," Trump announced. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization already has 29 countries. None are from Latin America and none, like Brazil, are located in the South Atlantic. "I have to talk to a lot of people," Trump said of his idea. Longterm relationship Washington has had strained relations with Brazil's long string of leftist governments but the rise of Bolsonaro, who talks enthusiastically of combating socialists and communists, has opened a new door for the Trump administration. A Trump-Bolsonaro bonding matters for Venezuela and for Washington's push back against growing Chinese economic influence in South America. It could also have large-scale implications for the future of efforts to slow or reverse global warming: Brazil is home to much of the threatened Amazon rainforest and Bolsonaro, like Trump, is a climate change skeptic. Trump has withdrawn the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, an international deal on cutting carbon emissions. Bolsonaro is toying with following suit. On Monday, Bolsonaro signed an agreement with US companies on technical safeguards to allow commercial satellite launches from Brazil's Alcantara base. But there are still major sticking points between the two countries, especially on trade, with Trump wanting Brazil to open up to more US products. Whether what a White House official called a new north-south "axis" prospers may depend mostly on the personal relationship between its leaders. For sure, the White House reception left Bolsonaro -- until last year a virtual unknown on the international stage -- expecting a long friendship. Asked if he would manage to have equally close ties if a Democrat prevented Republican Trump's reelection in 2020, Bolsonaro said: "I do believe Donald Trump will be reelected fully." Trump interrupted him -- just to show yet again that they were on the same wavelength. "Thank you. I agree," he said.

Bolsonaro compliments Trump who replies Brazil could join NATO

The United States slapped sanctions Tuesday on a Venezuelan state mining company, charging that its illicit gold operations were being used to prop up President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-guaido-starts-domestic-tour-to-stir-support-203784">Nicolas Maduro </a>and his inner circle.

The action was taken against CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA, or Minerven, and its president Adrian Antonio Perdomo Mata, the US Treasury Department said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Minerven and its president were targeted "for propping up the inner circle of the corrupt Maduro regime."

"The illegitimate Maduro regime is pillaging the wealth of Venezuela while imperiling indigenous people by encroaching on protected areas and causing deforestation and habitat loss," he said.&nbsp;

The sanctions were the latest in a series of US actions aimed at cutting off financing to Maduro in support of an opposition drive to force the leftist president from power.

They were announced as US President Donald Trump was meeting at the White House with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to discuss strategy toward Venezuela.

The United States and more than 50 other countries recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly, as the country's rightful president.

The US sanctions freeze Minerven's assets and those of its president in the United States and bars Americans or US entities from doing business with them.

With Venezuela's state oil company also under US sanctions and its economy in shambles from years of mismanagement, Treasury said Maduro has turned to gold mining as a crucial source of hard cash.

Minerven buys gold from miners working dangerous, makeshift mines in southern Venezuela that are controlled by the military. According to the Treasury, these operations have reaped hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold since 2016. 
&nbsp;

The United States slapped sanctions Tuesday on a Venezuelan state mining company, charging that its illicit gold operations were being used to prop up President Nicolas Maduro and his inner circle.

The United States slapped sanctions Tuesday on a Venezuelan state mining company, charging that its illicit gold operations were being used to prop up President Nicolas Maduro and his inner circle. The action was taken against CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA, or Minerven, and its president Adrian Antonio Perdomo Mata, the US Treasury Department said. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Minerven and its president were targeted "for propping up the inner circle of the corrupt Maduro regime." "The illegitimate Maduro regime is pillaging the wealth of Venezuela while imperiling indigenous people by encroaching on protected areas and causing deforestation and habitat loss," he said. The sanctions were the latest in a series of US actions aimed at cutting off financing to Maduro in support of an opposition drive to force the leftist president from power. They were announced as US President Donald Trump was meeting at the White House with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to discuss strategy toward Venezuela. The United States and more than 50 other countries recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido, the head of the National Assembly, as the country's rightful president. The US sanctions freeze Minerven's assets and those of its president in the United States and bars Americans or US entities from doing business with them. With Venezuela's state oil company also under US sanctions and its economy in shambles from years of mismanagement, Treasury said Maduro has turned to gold mining as a crucial source of hard cash. Minerven buys gold from miners working dangerous, makeshift mines in southern Venezuela that are controlled by the military. According to the Treasury, these operations have reaped hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold since 2016.

US sanctions Venezuela state gold mining company: Treasury

Facebook Inc confirmed Tuesday it had briefly blocked White House social media director Dan Scavino from replying to comments from a reader, saying it was aimed at stopping "automated bots" and had apologized to him.

The social media company said in an emailed statement that it caps "the amount of identical, repetitive activity coming from one account in a short period of time, such as @mentioning people. These limits can have the unintended consequence of temporarily preventing real people like Dan Scavino from engaging in such activity but lift in an hour or two, which is what happened in this case. We’ve been in touch with him and have apologized for the inconvenience."

Earlier Tuesday US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said&nbsp;he will look into Facebook's decision to block public comments by White House social media director Dan Scavino.

Scavino posted a screenshot late on Monday of a message from Facebook saying he was temporarily blocked from making public comments because some of his comments had been reported as spam.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-restores-services-after-global-outage-203386">Facebook </a>said the issue was an "unintended consequence" of the platform's policy on scam, adding, it has been in touch with Scavino and has apologized to him.

Explaining the error, Facebook said it caps the amount of identical, repetitive activity coming from one account in a short period of time as to stop automated bots.

"These limits can have the unintended consequence of temporarily preventing real people like Dan Scavino from engaging in such activity, but lift in an hour or two, which is what happened in this case," a Facebook spokesperson said.

"Dear Facebook—AMAZING. WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME from replying to comments followers have left me - on my own Facebook Page!!?? People have the right to know. Why are you silencing me??? Please LMK!" Scavino said in his post earlier.

Trump pounced on the issue. "I will be looking into this!" Trump said in a Twitter post.

Facebook said the issue is "content-agnostic and is solely about addressing potentially scammy repetitive behaviour."

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump accused social media platforms Facebook, YouTube and Twitter of favouring his Democratic opponents over him and his fellow Republicans. Alphabet Inc's Google owns YouTube.

Twitter declined to comment while Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Facebook Inc confirmed Tuesday it had briefly blocked White House social media director Dan Scavino from replying to comments from a reader, saying it was aimed at stopping "automated bots" and had apologized to him.

Facebook Inc confirmed Tuesday it had briefly blocked White House social media director Dan Scavino from replying to comments from a reader, saying it was aimed at stopping "automated bots" and had apologized to him. The social media company said in an emailed statement that it caps "the amount of identical, repetitive activity coming from one account in a short period of time, such as @mentioning people. These limits can have the unintended consequence of temporarily preventing real people like Dan Scavino from engaging in such activity but lift in an hour or two, which is what happened in this case. We’ve been in touch with him and have apologized for the inconvenience." Earlier Tuesday US President Donald Trump said he will look into Facebook's decision to block public comments by White House social media director Dan Scavino. Scavino posted a screenshot late on Monday of a message from Facebook saying he was temporarily blocked from making public comments because some of his comments had been reported as spam. Facebook said the issue was an "unintended consequence" of the platform's policy on scam, adding, it has been in touch with Scavino and has apologized to him. Explaining the error, Facebook said it caps the amount of identical, repetitive activity coming from one account in a short period of time as to stop automated bots. "These limits can have the unintended consequence of temporarily preventing real people like Dan Scavino from engaging in such activity, but lift in an hour or two, which is what happened in this case," a Facebook spokesperson said. "Dear Facebook—AMAZING. WHY ARE YOU STOPPING ME from replying to comments followers have left me - on my own Facebook Page!!?? People have the right to know. Why are you silencing me??? Please LMK!" Scavino said in his post earlier. Trump pounced on the issue. "I will be looking into this!" Trump said in a Twitter post. Facebook said the issue is "content-agnostic and is solely about addressing potentially scammy repetitive behaviour." Earlier on Tuesday, Trump accused social media platforms Facebook, YouTube and Twitter of favouring his Democratic opponents over him and his fellow Republicans. Alphabet Inc's Google owns YouTube. Twitter declined to comment while Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Facebook confirms it briefly limited White House official Dan Scavino's account

US investigators sought warrants to read<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ex-lawyer-cohen-says-testimony-could-have-been-clearer-lawyer-203200"> Michael Cohen's emails </a>in July 2017, nine months before the FBI raided the home and office of President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, according to documents made public on Tuesday.

The requests were made six months into Trump's presidency. Emails were sought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office as well as by the FBI, dating back as far as June 2015, according to the documents.

Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 US election and possible coordination with Trump campaign members.

The nearly 900 pages of documents released by a federal judge in New York provide more detailed accounts of Cohen's financial relationships than previously known.

Cohen had been Trump's personal lawyer and self-described fixer for more than a decade, but began cooperating with federal investigators soon after the April 2018 raids on his home, office and hotel room.

He later pleaded guilty in separate prosecutions to lying to Congress, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. The latter included paying hush money to silence two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump.

Cohen is scheduled to begin a three-year prison term on May 6.

Trump has denied having had sexual relationships with the two women: Stormy Daniels, the porn actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Much of the discussion about campaign finance issues in the released documents was redacted.

They were released after US District Judge William Pauley on Monday ordered prosecutors to make redacted versions public, in response to requests by news media organizations.

Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, said in a statement on Monday night that the document release "only furthers his interest in continuing to cooperate and providing information and the truth about Donald Trump and the Trump organization to law enforcement and Congress."

Since pleading guilty, Cohen has publicly turned on Trump, telling the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Feb. 27 that his former boss was a "racist," "con man" and "cheat."

In his congressional testimony, Cohen said he was "ashamed of my weakness and misplaced loyalty, of the things I did for Mr. Trump in an effort to protect and promote him."

Cohen began working for Trump in 2007. The Republican president in December called his former lawyer "a rat" and in January said Cohen was "lying to reduce his jail time."

Moscow has denied meddling in the 2016 election, though US intelligence agencies have concluded that it interfered to help Trump win.

Trump has denied that his campaign colluded with Russia, and described the Mueller probe as a political witch hunt.

The newly released documents showed how the FBI made extensive use of its access to Cohen's Apple iCloud account, which allowed him to coordinate his work across such devices as an iPhone, iPad Mini and laptop.

FBI agents said they located a hotel room in New York's Loews Regency Hotel where Cohen was staying by using a device known as a Triggerfish that mimics cell phone towers to find a specific device.

The bank fraud case stemmed from Cohen dealings unrelated to Trump, and suggest that his financial situation was dire.

According to the documents, Cohen was in default by December 2017 on more than $20 million in loans backed by New York taxicab medallions he owned.

The FBI believed Cohen misrepresented his finances to banks he owed money to.

According to the documents, Cohen concealed fees being paid to Essential Consultants, a firm he controlled, for political consulting, including from international clients with issues pending before the Trump administration.

Among the payments Cohen was believed to have received was $600,000 from AT&amp;T Inc for consulting about "political issues, including net neutrality, the merger between AT&amp;T and Time Warner and tax reform."

Another $583,333 came from an investment firm controlled by Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, the documents showed.

Republicans in Congress have criticized Cohen's consulting work, arguing he should have made his contracts public through disclosures. The warrant does not appear to detail any violations to lobbying disclosure laws.

Cohen also used Essential Consultants to pay hush money to Daniels.

US investigators sought warrants to read Michael Cohen's emails in July 2017, nine months before the FBI raided the home and office of President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, according to documents made public on Tuesday.

US investigators sought warrants to read Michael Cohen's emails in July 2017, nine months before the FBI raided the home and office of President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, according to documents made public on Tuesday. The requests were made six months into Trump's presidency. Emails were sought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office as well as by the FBI, dating back as far as June 2015, according to the documents. Mueller is investigating Russia's role in the 2016 US election and possible coordination with Trump campaign members. The nearly 900 pages of documents released by a federal judge in New York provide more detailed accounts of Cohen's financial relationships than previously known. Cohen had been Trump's personal lawyer and self-described fixer for more than a decade, but began cooperating with federal investigators soon after the April 2018 raids on his home, office and hotel room. He later pleaded guilty in separate prosecutions to lying to Congress, bank fraud and campaign finance violations. The latter included paying hush money to silence two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump. Cohen is scheduled to begin a three-year prison term on May 6. Trump has denied having had sexual relationships with the two women: Stormy Daniels, the porn actress whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, and former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Much of the discussion about campaign finance issues in the released documents was redacted. They were released after US District Judge William Pauley on Monday ordered prosecutors to make redacted versions public, in response to requests by news media organizations. Lanny Davis, a lawyer for Cohen, said in a statement on Monday night that the document release "only furthers his interest in continuing to cooperate and providing information and the truth about Donald Trump and the Trump organization to law enforcement and Congress." Since pleading guilty, Cohen has publicly turned on Trump, telling the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Feb. 27 that his former boss was a "racist," "con man" and "cheat." In his congressional testimony, Cohen said he was "ashamed of my weakness and misplaced loyalty, of the things I did for Mr. Trump in an effort to protect and promote him." Cohen began working for Trump in 2007. The Republican president in December called his former lawyer "a rat" and in January said Cohen was "lying to reduce his jail time." Moscow has denied meddling in the 2016 election, though US intelligence agencies have concluded that it interfered to help Trump win. Trump has denied that his campaign colluded with Russia, and described the Mueller probe as a political witch hunt. The newly released documents showed how the FBI made extensive use of its access to Cohen's Apple iCloud account, which allowed him to coordinate his work across such devices as an iPhone, iPad Mini and laptop. FBI agents said they located a hotel room in New York's Loews Regency Hotel where Cohen was staying by using a device known as a Triggerfish that mimics cell phone towers to find a specific device. The bank fraud case stemmed from Cohen dealings unrelated to Trump, and suggest that his financial situation was dire. According to the documents, Cohen was in default by December 2017 on more than $20 million in loans backed by New York taxicab medallions he owned. The FBI believed Cohen misrepresented his finances to banks he owed money to. According to the documents, Cohen concealed fees being paid to Essential Consultants, a firm he controlled, for political consulting, including from international clients with issues pending before the Trump administration. Among the payments Cohen was believed to have received was $600,000 from AT&T Inc for consulting about "political issues, including net neutrality, the merger between AT&T and Time Warner and tax reform." Another $583,333 came from an investment firm controlled by Russian businessman Viktor Vekselberg, the documents showed. Republicans in Congress have criticized Cohen's consulting work, arguing he should have made his contracts public through disclosures. The warrant does not appear to detail any violations to lobbying disclosure laws. Cohen also used Essential Consultants to pay hush money to Daniels.

US investigators sought ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's emails months before raids

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjps-pramod-sawant-takes-oath-as-goa-chief-minister-says-will-never-be-able-to-do-as-much-as-parrikar-204182">BJP's Pramod Sawant sworn in as new Goa chief minister, says 'will never be able to do as much as Parrikar'</a>

The BJP's Pramod Sawant was sworn in as chief minister of Goa at 1.50 am on Tuesday. Eleven ministers were sworn in along with him.&nbsp;

"I will not be able to work as much as Manohar Parrikar ji but I will definitely try to work as much as possible," Sawant said shortly after taking office. He added that it was Parrikar who had brought him into politics.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/media-working-overtime-to-blame-me-for-new-zealand-mosque-attacks-204207">Media 'working overtime to blame me' for New Zealand mosque attacks: Trump</a>

US President Donald Trump has said the media is "working overtime to blame me" for the New Zealand mosque attacks.&nbsp;

The attacks on the two mosques last Friday in Christchurch have left 50 people dead. Trump has condemned the attacks but he has refused to come down as strongly on white nationalism.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-1000-feared-dead-in-mozambique-storm-204202">Over 1,000 feared dead in Mozambique storm</a>

More than a thousand people are feared to have died in a cyclone that smashed into Mozambique last week, while scores were killed and more than 200 are missing in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-pm-ardern-vows-mosque-gunman-will-face-full-force-of-law-204206">New Zealand PM Ardern vows mosque gunman will face 'full force of law'</a>

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised on Tuesday that the man responsible for last week's deadly mosque massacres would face "the full force of the law", as she vowed never to utter his name.

"He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety —&nbsp;that is why you will never hear me mention his name," Ardern said in an emotional address to a special meeting of parliament, which she opened with the Arabic greeting "as salaam aleikum" —&nbsp;'peace be upon you'.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/akshay-kumar-is-not-planning-to-contest-2019-lok-sabha-elections-204188">Akshay Kumar not planning to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections</a>

If there is an actor who has been making films with the theme of nation-building, it's Akshay Kumar. The actor's past few blockbuster hits have all had nationalism as their theme which made many speculate if the actor was planning to join politics.&nbsp;

There were also rumours that the BJP was planning on making Akshay contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar.&nbsp;

Quashing rumours about his debut in politics, Akshay said, "Politics is not on my agenda. I feel what I am doing through my films, I will never be able to do that through politics." The actor was speaking to the press while promoting his upcoming film 'Kesari'.&nbsp;

BJP's Pramod Sawant sworn in as new Goa chief minister, says 'will never be able to do as much as Parrikar' The BJP's Pramod Sawant was sworn in as chief minister of Goa at 1.

BJP's Pramod Sawant sworn in as new Goa chief minister, says 'will never be able to do as much as Parrikar' The BJP's Pramod Sawant was sworn in as chief minister of Goa at 1.50 am on Tuesday. Eleven ministers were sworn in along with him. "I will not be able to work as much as Manohar Parrikar ji but I will definitely try to work as much as possible," Sawant said shortly after taking office. He added that it was Parrikar who had brought him into politics. Media 'working overtime to blame me' for New Zealand mosque attacks: Trump US President Donald Trump has said the media is "working overtime to blame me" for the New Zealand mosque attacks. The attacks on the two mosques last Friday in Christchurch have left 50 people dead. Trump has condemned the attacks but he has refused to come down as strongly on white nationalism. Over 1,000 feared dead in Mozambique storm More than a thousand people are feared to have died in a cyclone that smashed into Mozambique last week, while scores were killed and more than 200 are missing in neighbouring Zimbabwe. New Zealand PM Ardern vows mosque gunman will face 'full force of law' New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promised on Tuesday that the man responsible for last week's deadly mosque massacres would face "the full force of the law", as she vowed never to utter his name. "He sought many things from his act of terror, but one was notoriety — that is why you will never hear me mention his name," Ardern said in an emotional address to a special meeting of parliament, which she opened with the Arabic greeting "as salaam aleikum" — 'peace be upon you'. Akshay Kumar not planning to contest 2019 Lok Sabha elections If there is an actor who has been making films with the theme of nation-building, it's Akshay Kumar. The actor's past few blockbuster hits have all had nationalism as their theme which made many speculate if the actor was planning to join politics. There were also rumours that the BJP was planning on making Akshay contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar. Quashing rumours about his debut in politics, Akshay said, "Politics is not on my agenda. I feel what I am doing through my films, I will never be able to do that through politics." The actor was speaking to the press while promoting his upcoming film 'Kesari'.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US President Donald Trump has said the media is "working overtime to blame me" for the New Zealand mosque attacks.&nbsp;

The attacks on the two mosques last Friday in Christchurch have left 50 people dead.&nbsp;

Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, had walked up to the first mosque and started shooting with automatic rifles. He then drove away, walked up to a second mosque and started shooting again.&nbsp;

The youngest of his victims was three years old.&nbsp;

In his 73-page manifesto released just before he live-streamed his attack, Tarrant wrote that he supported <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kellyanne-conways-husband-says-trump-suffers-from-narcissistic-personality-disorder-204200">Trump</a> "as a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose" but not as a "policymaker and leader."&nbsp;

His manifesto meanwhile expressed extreme anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views.&nbsp;

While Trump has condemned the attacks on the mosques, he has not condemned white nationalism.&nbsp;

"I don`t really think so. I think it`s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems," Trump said when he was asked whether he thought there had been a rise of white nationalism.&nbsp;

"The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand. They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous!" Trump tweeted on Monday.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand. They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1107637405010530305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The White House has since rejected claims that Trump backs&nbsp;white nationalist views.&nbsp;

"The president is not a white supremacist. I`m not sure how many times we have to say that," acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday".&nbsp;

(With inputs from ANI)

US President Donald Trump has said the media is "working overtime to blame me" for the New Zealand mosque attacks. The attacks on the two mosques last Friday in Christchurch have left 50 people dead.

US President Donald Trump has said the media is "working overtime to blame me" for the New Zealand mosque attacks. The attacks on the two mosques last Friday in Christchurch have left 50 people dead. Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian, had walked up to the first mosque and started shooting with automatic rifles. He then drove away, walked up to a second mosque and started shooting again. The youngest of his victims was three years old. In his 73-page manifesto released just before he live-streamed his attack, Tarrant wrote that he supported Trump "as a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose" but not as a "policymaker and leader." His manifesto meanwhile expressed extreme anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim views. While Trump has condemned the attacks on the mosques, he has not condemned white nationalism. "I don`t really think so. I think it`s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems," Trump said when he was asked whether he thought there had been a rise of white nationalism. "The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand. They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous!" Trump tweeted on Monday. The Fake News Media is working overtime to blame me for the horrible attack in New Zealand. They will have to work very hard to prove that one. So Ridiculous! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2019 × The White House has since rejected claims that Trump backs white nationalist views. "The president is not a white supremacist. I`m not sure how many times we have to say that," acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday". (With inputs from ANI)

Media 'working overtime to blame me' for New Zealand mosque attacks: Trump

The Supreme Court on Tuesday endorsed US&nbsp;government authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation anytime - potentially even years - after they have completed prison terms for criminal convictions, handing President Donald Trump a victory as he pursues <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-immigration-agency-violates-human-rights-doesnt-deserve-a-dime-democrat-lawmakers-195965">hardline immigration policies</a>.

The court ruled 5-4, with its conservative justices in the majority and its liberal justices dissenting, that federal authorities could pick up such immigrants and place them into indefinite detention at any time, not just immediately after they finish their prison sentences.

The ruling, authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, leaves open the possibility of individual immigrants challenging the federal law involved in the case on constitutional grounds if they are detained long after they have completed their sentences.

In dissent, liberal Justice Stephen Breyer questioned whether the US&nbsp;Congress when it wrote the law "meant to allow the government to apprehend persons years after their release from prison and hold them indefinitely without a bail hearing."

The Trump administration had appealed a lower court ruling in the case that favoured immigrants, a decision it said would undermine the government's ability to deport immigrants who have committed crimes. Trump has backed limits on legal and illegal immigrants since taking office in January 2017.

The plaintiffs included two legal US&nbsp;residents involved in separate lawsuits filed in 2013, a Cambodian immigrant named Mony Preap convicted of marijuana possession and a Palestinian immigrant named Bassam Yusuf Khoury convicted of attempting to manufacture a controlled substance.

Under federal immigration law, immigrants convicted of certain offences are subject to mandatory detention during their deportation process. They can be held indefinitely without a bond hearing after completing their sentences.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday endorsed US government authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation anytime - potentially even years - after they have completed prison terms for criminal convictions, handing President Donald Trump a victory as he pursues hardline immigration policies.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday endorsed US government authority to detain immigrants awaiting deportation anytime - potentially even years - after they have completed prison terms for criminal convictions, handing President Donald Trump a victory as he pursues hardline immigration policies. The court ruled 5-4, with its conservative justices in the majority and its liberal justices dissenting, that federal authorities could pick up such immigrants and place them into indefinite detention at any time, not just immediately after they finish their prison sentences. The ruling, authored by conservative Justice Samuel Alito, leaves open the possibility of individual immigrants challenging the federal law involved in the case on constitutional grounds if they are detained long after they have completed their sentences. In dissent, liberal Justice Stephen Breyer questioned whether the US Congress when it wrote the law "meant to allow the government to apprehend persons years after their release from prison and hold them indefinitely without a bail hearing." The Trump administration had appealed a lower court ruling in the case that favoured immigrants, a decision it said would undermine the government's ability to deport immigrants who have committed crimes. Trump has backed limits on legal and illegal immigrants since taking office in January 2017. The plaintiffs included two legal US residents involved in separate lawsuits filed in 2013, a Cambodian immigrant named Mony Preap convicted of marijuana possession and a Palestinian immigrant named Bassam Yusuf Khoury convicted of attempting to manufacture a controlled substance. Under federal immigration law, immigrants convicted of certain offences are subject to mandatory detention during their deportation process. They can be held indefinitely without a bond hearing after completing their sentences.

Immigrants can be detained indefinitely after prison term: US Supreme Court

There are marital spats and then there's the row —&nbsp;unfolding before millions of people —&nbsp;between a top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-secretary-of-state-mike-pompeo-will-serve-until-trump-tweets-me-out-204196">Trump</a> adviser and her husband over the president's mental health.

Kellyanne Conway has made a name for herself as one of Donald Trump's toughest, sharpest defenders.

But she's never faced a challenge quite like having to rebut her own husband, prominent lawyer George Conway, who has taken to Twitter and The Washington Post to claim that her boss is unwell.

His latest tweet posted the symptoms —&nbsp;which he says Trump matches —&nbsp;for "Anti-social and Narcissistic Personality Disorder."

"*All* Americans should be thinking seriously *now* about Trump's mental condition and psychological state, including and especially the media, Congress—and the Vice President and Cabinet," he wrote earlier.

So Kellyanne Conway, a regular on the television news shows, found herself in front of the cameras again Monday.

"No, I don't share those concerns," she said.

"I have four kids and I was getting them out of the house this morning before I got here so I can talk to the president about substance, so I may not be up to speed on all of them," she said. 
&nbsp;

There are marital spats and then there's the row — unfolding before millions of people — between a top Trump adviser and her husband over the president's mental health.

There are marital spats and then there's the row — unfolding before millions of people — between a top Trump adviser and her husband over the president's mental health. Kellyanne Conway has made a name for herself as one of Donald Trump's toughest, sharpest defenders. But she's never faced a challenge quite like having to rebut her own husband, prominent lawyer George Conway, who has taken to Twitter and The Washington Post to claim that her boss is unwell. His latest tweet posted the symptoms — which he says Trump matches — for "Anti-social and Narcissistic Personality Disorder." "*All* Americans should be thinking seriously *now* about Trump's mental condition and psychological state, including and especially the media, Congress—and the Vice President and Cabinet," he wrote earlier. So Kellyanne Conway, a regular on the television news shows, found herself in front of the cameras again Monday. "No, I don't share those concerns," she said. "I have four kids and I was getting them out of the house this morning before I got here so I can talk to the president about substance, so I may not be up to speed on all of them," she said.

Kellyanne Conway's husband says Trump suffers from 'narcissistic personality disorder'

Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-direct-evidence-between-saudi-crown-prince-and-khashoggis-killing-pompeo-180866">Mike Pompeo</a>, who has managed where others have failed to stay in President Donald Trump's good graces, joked Monday that he knows how he'll leave —&nbsp;when he learns on Twitter.

In a rare light-hearted comment about his notoriously mercurial boss, Trump's loyal top diplomat alluded to the inglorious fate of his predecessor, Rex Tillerson.

Asked at a forum in his home state of Kansas how long he will remain secretary of state, Pompeo said to the audience's laughter: "I'm going to be there until he tweets me out of office.

"Which I'm not counting on, at least today," Pompeo said, before praising Trump.

Pompeo, who served at the start of Trump's term as CIA director, is careful not to show any daylight with the president and has succeeded in becoming one of the rare original cabinet members who has not clashed with him.

Tillerson, a courtly former oil executive who pressed unsuccessfully for Trump to stay in international agreements, was sacked by tweet after he returned from a trip to Africa, with the White House letting it be known that he learned the news while on the toilet.

Pompeo, a former congressman popular with conservatives, has been recruited by top Republicans to run for an open Senate seat in Kansas next year when Trump is up for re-election.

He has been coy about his intentions. In an interview with his hometown newspaper The Wichita Eagle, Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, said of his political future: "The Lord will get me to the right place."

Pompeo returned to Kansas ahead of a trip to the Middle East for a conference on promoting opportunities for businesses from the American heartland.

The meeting will lead up to the June 4-5 "Global Entrepreneurship Summit" in The Hague that Pompeo will co-host with The Netherlands.

Echoing a Trump theme of anti-elitism, Pompeo said he wanted to recruit more diplomats away from the US coasts.

"The State Department prides itself on having a diverse workforce. There's many dimensions to that. I want to make sure everyone we hire is not from New York or Boston or Washington," he told the forum.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has managed where others have failed to stay in President Donald Trump's good graces, joked Monday that he knows how he'll leave — when he learns on Twitter.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who has managed where others have failed to stay in President Donald Trump's good graces, joked Monday that he knows how he'll leave — when he learns on Twitter. In a rare light-hearted comment about his notoriously mercurial boss, Trump's loyal top diplomat alluded to the inglorious fate of his predecessor, Rex Tillerson. Asked at a forum in his home state of Kansas how long he will remain secretary of state, Pompeo said to the audience's laughter: "I'm going to be there until he tweets me out of office. "Which I'm not counting on, at least today," Pompeo said, before praising Trump. Pompeo, who served at the start of Trump's term as CIA director, is careful not to show any daylight with the president and has succeeded in becoming one of the rare original cabinet members who has not clashed with him. Tillerson, a courtly former oil executive who pressed unsuccessfully for Trump to stay in international agreements, was sacked by tweet after he returned from a trip to Africa, with the White House letting it be known that he learned the news while on the toilet. Pompeo, a former congressman popular with conservatives, has been recruited by top Republicans to run for an open Senate seat in Kansas next year when Trump is up for re-election. He has been coy about his intentions. In an interview with his hometown newspaper The Wichita Eagle, Pompeo, an evangelical Christian, said of his political future: "The Lord will get me to the right place." Pompeo returned to Kansas ahead of a trip to the Middle East for a conference on promoting opportunities for businesses from the American heartland. The meeting will lead up to the June 4-5 "Global Entrepreneurship Summit" in The Hague that Pompeo will co-host with The Netherlands. Echoing a Trump theme of anti-elitism, Pompeo said he wanted to recruit more diplomats away from the US coasts. "The State Department prides itself on having a diverse workforce. There's many dimensions to that. I want to make sure everyone we hire is not from New York or Boston or Washington," he told the forum.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Will serve until Trump 'tweets me out'

Gravitas: The Return Of Melania Body-Double Theory

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-boxes-show-clear-similarities-with-indonesia-crash-ethiopia-says-203937">Black boxes show 'clear similarities' with Indonesia crash, says Ethiopia</a>

Black box data recovered from an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last week show "clear similarities" with a recent crash in Indonesia of the same type of aircraft, Ethiopia's transport minister said on Sunday.

While declining to give details, Dagmawit Moges told journalists the parallels would be the "subject of further study during the investigation," with a preliminary report issued in "30 days".

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/manohar-parrikars-last-rites-to-take-place-in-panaji-on-monday-203924">Manohar Parrikar's last rites to take place in Panaji on Monday</a>

The last rites of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar will be performed at Miramar here on Monday evening, a BJP spokesperson said.

Parrikar, 63, died at his private residence at Dona Paula near the state capital on Sunday evening after a long illness.

A four-term chief minister and former defence minister, Parrikar had been battling pancreatic cancer since February last year. The BJP stalwart's health, which has been fluctuating for over a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-attacker-to-represent-himself-in-court-reports-203964">New Zealand mosque attacker to represent himself in court: Reports</a>

The accused New Zealand guman, Brenton Tarrant, has sacked his lawyer and will represent himself in court, news reports said Monday.&nbsp;

Tarrant, who is Australian and 28, had walked up to two Christchurch mosques on Friday and started shooting with automatic rifles.&nbsp;

By the time he finished — he was finally arrested by police — he had killed 50 worshippers. The youngest of his victims was three years old.&nbsp;

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slammed-for-silence-on-white-supremacist-threat-203942">Trump slammed for 'silence' on white supremacist threat</a>

Democrats led by an Arab-American lawmaker attacked President Donald Trump's "silence" on the rise of white supremacy Sunday as a reaction to the New Zealand mosque massacre spilled into a heated US debate over religious and racial bigotry.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjp-led-alliance-hasnt-reached-a-consensus-on-goa-chief-minister-post-203949">'No consensus yet on next Goa chief minister'</a>

The BJP-led alliance in Goa did not reach a consensus over the next chief minister on Monday, a move necessitated by the death of Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar (63) died on Sunday evening at his residence near here after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year.

Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, who arrived here in the early hours of the day, could not secure a consensus between the saffron party and its alliance partners in the state, party MLA Michael Lobo said.

Black boxes show 'clear similarities' with Indonesia crash, says Ethiopia Black box data recovered from an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last week show "clear similarities" with a recent crash in Indonesia of the same type of aircraft, Ethiopia's transport minister said on Sunday.

Black boxes show 'clear similarities' with Indonesia crash, says Ethiopia Black box data recovered from an Ethiopian Airlines plane that crashed last week show "clear similarities" with a recent crash in Indonesia of the same type of aircraft, Ethiopia's transport minister said on Sunday. While declining to give details, Dagmawit Moges told journalists the parallels would be the "subject of further study during the investigation," with a preliminary report issued in "30 days". Manohar Parrikar's last rites to take place in Panaji on Monday The last rites of Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar will be performed at Miramar here on Monday evening, a BJP spokesperson said. Parrikar, 63, died at his private residence at Dona Paula near the state capital on Sunday evening after a long illness. A four-term chief minister and former defence minister, Parrikar had been battling pancreatic cancer since February last year. The BJP stalwart's health, which has been fluctuating for over a year, took a turn for the worse in the past two days. New Zealand mosque attacker to represent himself in court: Reports The accused New Zealand guman, Brenton Tarrant, has sacked his lawyer and will represent himself in court, news reports said Monday. Tarrant, who is Australian and 28, had walked up to two Christchurch mosques on Friday and started shooting with automatic rifles. By the time he finished — he was finally arrested by police — he had killed 50 worshippers. The youngest of his victims was three years old. Trump slammed for 'silence' on white supremacist threat Democrats led by an Arab-American lawmaker attacked President Donald Trump's "silence" on the rise of white supremacy Sunday as a reaction to the New Zealand mosque massacre spilled into a heated US debate over religious and racial bigotry. 'No consensus yet on next Goa chief minister' The BJP-led alliance in Goa did not reach a consensus over the next chief minister on Monday, a move necessitated by the death of Manohar Parrikar. Parrikar (63) died on Sunday evening at his residence near here after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year. Union minister and senior BJP leader Nitin Gadkari, who arrived here in the early hours of the day, could not secure a consensus between the saffron party and its alliance partners in the state, party MLA Michael Lobo said.

Democrats led by an Arab-American lawmaker attacked President Donald Trump's "silence" on the rise of white supremacy Sunday as a reaction to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-mosque-attacker-to-represent-himself-in-court-reports-203964">New Zealand mosque massacre</a> spilled into a heated US debate over religious and racial bigotry.

With controversy swirling over Trump's tepid response to the massacre, White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was forced to deny any affinity between the president's anti-immigration rhetoric and the accused Christchurch shooter's extremist views.

"The president is not a white supremacist," Mulvaney said in an interview with Fox News Sunday.

But on a separate Sunday talk show, Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit and one of the first two Muslim women ever elected to the US Congress, charged that the president's failure to speak out forcefully against white supremacy was making the country less safe.

"Trump is the most powerful man in the world right now," she said on CNN's "State of the Union." "He, from the Oval Office, from that power position, can be able to send a signal very loud and clear."

"We've done this in the past against foreign terrorism. We need to do it on domestic terrorism, against white supremacy that's growing every single day that we stay silent."&nbsp;

After the attack on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, which left 50 dead, Trump expressed sympathy and solidarity with the victims and people of New Zealand.

But in comments to reporters in the Oval Office, he dismissed concerns that white nationalism represented a growing danger around the world.

"I don't really. I think it's a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess," Trump said.

Trump 'a symbol'

The alleged gunman -- identified as an Australian white nationalist -- live-streamed the assault on social media and published a manifesto filled with racist conspiracy theories.

He also referred to Trump as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose."

At the grassroots level, the New Zealand attacks triggered a surge of solidarity from America's Jewish and Christian communities, with hundreds of people taking part in interfaith vigils from Cincinnati to Philadelphia, Pasadena to New York.

But it also resounded in a US political scene already supercharged by controversy over remarks by Ilhan Omar -- the only other Muslim woman in Congress along with Tlaib -- that supporters of Israel and many fellow Democrats perceived as anti-Semitic.

The debate over bigotry quickly shifted to Trump after the atrocity in New Zealand.

"Time and time again, this president has embraced and emboldened white supremacists -- and instead of condemning racist terrorists, he covers for them. This isn't normal or acceptable," tweeted Kirsten Gillibrand, who formally entered the Democratic race for the White House Sunday.

Mulvaney scoffed at the idea that Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies had anything to do with the New Zealand attack.

"Let's take what happened in New Zealand yesterday for what it is -- a terrible evil, tragic act and figure out why those things are becoming more prevalent in the world. Is it Donald Trump? Absolutely not.

Charlottesville

At key moments of his presidency, however, Trump has soft-pedalled the danger of white nationalism, most famously when he found blame "on both sides" after a "Unite the Right" rally turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017.

In that case, a Neo-Nazi sympathizer drove into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a young woman and injuring 19.

Former vice president Joe Biden, a possible Trump challenger in 2020, evoked Trump's response to Charlottesville in a campaign-style speech in Delaware Saturday.

"Our children were listening. Our silence is complicity. With these words, the president of the United States assigned a moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it," he said.

"And in that moment, I knew the threat to this nation was unlike any I had seen in my lifetime."

Trump has avoided the subject of white nationalism on Twitter, where he instead fired off a string of messages in support of Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News host reprimanded by the network for remarks widely criticized as Islamophobic.

A former federal judge, Pirro had questioned whether the Muslim faith of Ilhan Omar, the Democrat accused of anti-Semitism, prevented her from supporting the US Constitution.

Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine" has been off the air since then.

"Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro. The Radical Left Democrats, working closely with their beloved partner, the Fake News Media, is using every trick in the book to SILENCE a majority of our Country," Trump tweeted.

Democrats led by an Arab-American lawmaker attacked President Donald Trump's "silence" on the rise of white supremacy Sunday as a reaction to the New Zealand mosque massacre spilled into a heated US debate over religious and racial bigotry.

Democrats led by an Arab-American lawmaker attacked President Donald Trump's "silence" on the rise of white supremacy Sunday as a reaction to the New Zealand mosque massacre spilled into a heated US debate over religious and racial bigotry. With controversy swirling over Trump's tepid response to the massacre, White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was forced to deny any affinity between the president's anti-immigration rhetoric and the accused Christchurch shooter's extremist views. "The president is not a white supremacist," Mulvaney said in an interview with Fox News Sunday. But on a separate Sunday talk show, Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat from Detroit and one of the first two Muslim women ever elected to the US Congress, charged that the president's failure to speak out forcefully against white supremacy was making the country less safe. "Trump is the most powerful man in the world right now," she said on CNN's "State of the Union." "He, from the Oval Office, from that power position, can be able to send a signal very loud and clear." "We've done this in the past against foreign terrorism. We need to do it on domestic terrorism, against white supremacy that's growing every single day that we stay silent." After the attack on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday, which left 50 dead, Trump expressed sympathy and solidarity with the victims and people of New Zealand. But in comments to reporters in the Oval Office, he dismissed concerns that white nationalism represented a growing danger around the world. "I don't really. I think it's a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess," Trump said. Trump 'a symbol' The alleged gunman -- identified as an Australian white nationalist -- live-streamed the assault on social media and published a manifesto filled with racist conspiracy theories. He also referred to Trump as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose." At the grassroots level, the New Zealand attacks triggered a surge of solidarity from America's Jewish and Christian communities, with hundreds of people taking part in interfaith vigils from Cincinnati to Philadelphia, Pasadena to New York. But it also resounded in a US political scene already supercharged by controversy over remarks by Ilhan Omar -- the only other Muslim woman in Congress along with Tlaib -- that supporters of Israel and many fellow Democrats perceived as anti-Semitic. The debate over bigotry quickly shifted to Trump after the atrocity in New Zealand. "Time and time again, this president has embraced and emboldened white supremacists -- and instead of condemning racist terrorists, he covers for them. This isn't normal or acceptable," tweeted Kirsten Gillibrand, who formally entered the Democratic race for the White House Sunday. Mulvaney scoffed at the idea that Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies had anything to do with the New Zealand attack. "Let's take what happened in New Zealand yesterday for what it is -- a terrible evil, tragic act and figure out why those things are becoming more prevalent in the world. Is it Donald Trump? Absolutely not. Charlottesville At key moments of his presidency, however, Trump has soft-pedalled the danger of white nationalism, most famously when he found blame "on both sides" after a "Unite the Right" rally turned violent in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. In that case, a Neo-Nazi sympathizer drove into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing a young woman and injuring 19. Former vice president Joe Biden, a possible Trump challenger in 2020, evoked Trump's response to Charlottesville in a campaign-style speech in Delaware Saturday. "Our children were listening. Our silence is complicity. With these words, the president of the United States assigned a moral equivalence between those spreading hate and those with the courage to stand against it," he said. "And in that moment, I knew the threat to this nation was unlike any I had seen in my lifetime." Trump has avoided the subject of white nationalism on Twitter, where he instead fired off a string of messages in support of Jeanine Pirro, a Fox News host reprimanded by the network for remarks widely criticized as Islamophobic. A former federal judge, Pirro had questioned whether the Muslim faith of Ilhan Omar, the Democrat accused of anti-Semitism, prevented her from supporting the US Constitution. Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine" has been off the air since then. "Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro. The Radical Left Democrats, working closely with their beloved partner, the Fake News Media, is using every trick in the book to SILENCE a majority of our Country," Trump tweeted.

Trump slammed for 'silence' on white supremacist threat

Brazilian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-jair-bolsonaro-shocks-brazil-with-golden-shower-tweet-201630">Jair Bolsonaro</a> left for Washington on Sunday to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump and cement a budding conservative-populist alliance that, in part, aims to ramp up pressure on Venezuela.

The far-right leader flew out of Brasilia early Sunday with six ministers, among them Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes and Justice Minister Sergio Moro, Brazilian media reported.

It was Bolsonaro's first trip abroad for a bilateral meeting since taking office on January 1. He attended the Davos summit in Switzerland in January.

Bolsonaro, who will also meet in Washington with the head of the Organization of American States (OAS), is scheduled to return to Brazil on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Admirer of Trump

A Trump-Bolsonaro bond could see the leaders of the Americas' two largest democracies working in concert on a range of regional issues.

Most pressing is the crisis in Venezuela, where the US and Brazil — and dozens of other countries — have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president with the goal of forcing President Nicolas Maduro from power.

The tough-talking Bolsonaro has long expressed his admiration for Trump. He echoes the US leader in spurning multilateral organizations and leftist politics, while promoting businesses over environmental concerns at home.

Their shared nationalist sentiment can be seen in another relationship: that of Bolsonaro's son Eduardo, who is a federal lawmaker, with Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon.

Eduardo Bolsonaro announced in early February that he was part of the Brussels-based group known as The Movement, which Bannon set up to promote far-right nationalistic values and tactics.

The older Bolsonaro announced on Saturday that one key result of his current trip would be the signing of an agreement under which the US might gain access to a satellite-launching base in Brazil near the Equator.

Eyes on Venezuela

But most eyes will be on developments surrounding Venezuela, which shares a border with Brazil.

Previous Brazilian administrations took a friends-to-all approach to neighbouring countries. But not Bolsonaro.&nbsp;

The 63-year-old former paratrooper is vehemently opposed to leftist currents, at home and abroad, and he shares Trump's hostility to the "dictator" Maduro, who took over after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chavez in 2013.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that "all options are on the table" with regards to Venezuela, a phrase understood to include military action.

But Bolsonaro, like other members of the mostly Latin American Lima Group, has ruled out military action in favour of a policy of tightening the economic and diplomatic noose around Maduro.

As well as a "private meeting" with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Bolsonaro will sit down with OAS &nbsp;Secretary-General Luis Almagro, and participate in various forums to promote economic opportunities in Brazil.

The US is Brazil's second biggest trade partner after China.

After his arrival Sunday, Bolsonaro will dine at the residence of Brazilian ambassador Sergio Amaral with "opinion makers" including, according to press reports, Bannon and US-based Brazilian writer Olavo de Carvalho, considered Bolsonaro's ideological guru.

Bolsonaro will be staying in Blair House, the official US state residence opposite the White House used for visiting dignitaries.

After his return to Brazil, Bolsonaro is planning a trip to Chile and then, in late March, to Israel. He forged close ties with Israel's conservative leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the latter attended Bolsonaro's inauguration.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro left for Washington on Sunday to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump and cement a budding conservative-populist alliance that, in part, aims to ramp up pressure on Venezuela.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro left for Washington on Sunday to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump and cement a budding conservative-populist alliance that, in part, aims to ramp up pressure on Venezuela. The far-right leader flew out of Brasilia early Sunday with six ministers, among them Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, Economy Minister Paulo Guedes and Justice Minister Sergio Moro, Brazilian media reported. It was Bolsonaro's first trip abroad for a bilateral meeting since taking office on January 1. He attended the Davos summit in Switzerland in January. Bolsonaro, who will also meet in Washington with the head of the Organization of American States (OAS), is scheduled to return to Brazil on Tuesday. Admirer of Trump A Trump-Bolsonaro bond could see the leaders of the Americas' two largest democracies working in concert on a range of regional issues. Most pressing is the crisis in Venezuela, where the US and Brazil — and dozens of other countries — have recognized opposition leader Juan Guaido as interim president with the goal of forcing President Nicolas Maduro from power. The tough-talking Bolsonaro has long expressed his admiration for Trump. He echoes the US leader in spurning multilateral organizations and leftist politics, while promoting businesses over environmental concerns at home. Their shared nationalist sentiment can be seen in another relationship: that of Bolsonaro's son Eduardo, who is a federal lawmaker, with Trump's former strategist Steve Bannon. Eduardo Bolsonaro announced in early February that he was part of the Brussels-based group known as The Movement, which Bannon set up to promote far-right nationalistic values and tactics. The older Bolsonaro announced on Saturday that one key result of his current trip would be the signing of an agreement under which the US might gain access to a satellite-launching base in Brazil near the Equator. Eyes on Venezuela But most eyes will be on developments surrounding Venezuela, which shares a border with Brazil. Previous Brazilian administrations took a friends-to-all approach to neighbouring countries. But not Bolsonaro. The 63-year-old former paratrooper is vehemently opposed to leftist currents, at home and abroad, and he shares Trump's hostility to the "dictator" Maduro, who took over after the death of socialist leader Hugo Chavez in 2013. Trump has repeatedly insisted that "all options are on the table" with regards to Venezuela, a phrase understood to include military action. But Bolsonaro, like other members of the mostly Latin American Lima Group, has ruled out military action in favour of a policy of tightening the economic and diplomatic noose around Maduro. As well as a "private meeting" with Trump in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Bolsonaro will sit down with OAS Secretary-General Luis Almagro, and participate in various forums to promote economic opportunities in Brazil. The US is Brazil's second biggest trade partner after China. After his arrival Sunday, Bolsonaro will dine at the residence of Brazilian ambassador Sergio Amaral with "opinion makers" including, according to press reports, Bannon and US-based Brazilian writer Olavo de Carvalho, considered Bolsonaro's ideological guru. Bolsonaro will be staying in Blair House, the official US state residence opposite the White House used for visiting dignitaries. After his return to Brazil, Bolsonaro is planning a trip to Chile and then, in late March, to Israel. He forged close ties with Israel's conservative leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when the latter attended Bolsonaro's inauguration.

Brazil's Bolsonaro heads to US to cement alliance with Trump

After hooded rioters torched and looted shops in Paris' fabled tourist areas, President Donald Trump took aim at France suggesting its climate policy was to blame.

'How is the Paris Environmental Accord working out for France?'Trump, who is unconvinced of climate change despite years of scientific consensus, asked on Twitter.

'After 18 weeks of rioting by the Yellow Vest Protesters, I guess not so well! In the meantime, the United States has gone to the top of all lists on the Environment,' Trump said.

It was the second time Trump has used the example of the movement, which began in November over fuel tax hikes and grew into a rebellion against Macron's policies, in support of his environmental policies.

In December, the US president also stated, without citing evidence, that some of the protesters were found chanting 'We Want Trump !'

'We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated,'&nbsp;Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told LCI television at the time.

'I say this to Donald Trump and the French president says it too: leave our nation be.'&nbsp;

Saturday's participation level in Paris was seen as a test of the ongoing strength of the movement.

In recent weeks, the protests have shrunk. But the interior ministry estimated the turnout in Paris Saturday at 10,000, out of around 32,300 nationwide.

French President Emmanuel Macron cut short a skiing trip in the Pyrenees to return to Paris for a crisis meeting, vowing to take strong action.

After hooded rioters torched and looted shops in Paris' fabled tourist areas, President Donald Trump took aim at France suggesting its climate policy was to blame.

After hooded rioters torched and looted shops in Paris' fabled tourist areas, President Donald Trump took aim at France suggesting its climate policy was to blame. 'How is the Paris Environmental Accord working out for France?'Trump, who is unconvinced of climate change despite years of scientific consensus, asked on Twitter. 'After 18 weeks of rioting by the Yellow Vest Protesters, I guess not so well! In the meantime, the United States has gone to the top of all lists on the Environment,' Trump said. It was the second time Trump has used the example of the movement, which began in November over fuel tax hikes and grew into a rebellion against Macron's policies, in support of his environmental policies. In December, the US president also stated, without citing evidence, that some of the protesters were found chanting 'We Want Trump !' 'We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated,' Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told LCI television at the time. 'I say this to Donald Trump and the French president says it too: leave our nation be.' Saturday's participation level in Paris was seen as a test of the ongoing strength of the movement. In recent weeks, the protests have shrunk. But the interior ministry estimated the turnout in Paris Saturday at 10,000, out of around 32,300 nationwide. French President Emmanuel Macron cut short a skiing trip in the Pyrenees to return to Paris for a crisis meeting, vowing to take strong action.

As Paris demos burn, Trump tries a told-you-so

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques.

The violence against Muslims in New Zealand on Friday put a spotlight on Trump's rhetoric about Islam and revived criticism of his handling of white supremacist violence.

"Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro," Trump wrote in Twitter posts in which he blamed Democrats for trying to "silence a majority of our Country" and advocated supporters to "stop working soooo hard on being politically correct."

At the same time, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney appeared on Sunday television news shows to tamp down criticism that Trump has not been strong enough in condemning hate speech and has fomented anti-Muslim sentiment.

"The president is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that," Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday".

On Friday, Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at the mosques and the White House called the shooting a "vicious act of hate." Asked by a reporter if he saw white nationalism as a rising threat around the world, Trump said: "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people."

The accused gunman praised Trump in a manifesto as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose."

Mulvaney said the mosque massacres were the work of a disturbed individual and it would not be fair to align the shooter with Trump or any other politician. "I disagree that there's a causal link between Donald Trump being president and something like this happening in New Zealand," he told CBS' "Face the Nation."

Trump drew strong criticism in the days after a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 when he equated white supremacists with counter-protesters and said "both sides" were to blame.

Pirro, a supporter of the president, was rebuked by Fox News last Sunday over comments she made questioning whether a Muslim congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, was more loyal to Islamic sharia law than the U.S. Constitution.

Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine," was removed from its usual time slot on Saturday night. Fox News has not confirmed Pirro was suspended and said it would not comment further on the matter on Sunday.

"Nice message for the president to send three days after a deadly terrorist attack on Muslims - standing up for a host who was suspended for anti-Muslim bigotry," Matthew Miller, a Justice Department spokesman under Democratic President Barack Obama, said on Twitter.

Democratic lawmakers on Sunday called on Trump to defend Muslims publicly after the massacres and recognize the threat posed by white supremacists.

"His rhetoric doesn't help," Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "At the very least, he is dividing people. They are using him as an excuse."

On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump followed such statements as "I think Islam hates us," with an effort a week into his presidency to ban citizens of several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. After court challenges, the administration revised the policy.

U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim, noted that government data shows a spike in hate crimes in the last decade, citing mass shootings at a synagogue and a black church.

"He cannot just say it's a small group of people," she said on CNN. "We need to be speaking up against this and it has to start with him. He needs to do better by us and the country. He needs to speak up and condemn this very loud and very clearly."

Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2017, according to FBI data.

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques.

President Donald Trump on Sunday championed a Fox News personality who made anti-Muslim remarks as his White House rejected any attempt to link the U.S. leader to a shooter who killed 50 people in two New Zealand mosques. The violence against Muslims in New Zealand on Friday put a spotlight on Trump's rhetoric about Islam and revived criticism of his handling of white supremacist violence. "Bring back @JudgeJeanine Pirro," Trump wrote in Twitter posts in which he blamed Democrats for trying to "silence a majority of our Country" and advocated supporters to "stop working soooo hard on being politically correct." At the same time, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney appeared on Sunday television news shows to tamp down criticism that Trump has not been strong enough in condemning hate speech and has fomented anti-Muslim sentiment. "The president is not a white supremacist. I'm not sure how many times we have to say that," Mulvaney said on "Fox News Sunday". On Friday, Trump condemned the "horrible massacre" at the mosques and the White House called the shooting a "vicious act of hate." Asked by a reporter if he saw white nationalism as a rising threat around the world, Trump said: "I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people." The accused gunman praised Trump in a manifesto as "a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose." Mulvaney said the mosque massacres were the work of a disturbed individual and it would not be fair to align the shooter with Trump or any other politician. "I disagree that there's a causal link between Donald Trump being president and something like this happening in New Zealand," he told CBS' "Face the Nation." Trump drew strong criticism in the days after a deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017 when he equated white supremacists with counter-protesters and said "both sides" were to blame. Pirro, a supporter of the president, was rebuked by Fox News last Sunday over comments she made questioning whether a Muslim congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, was more loyal to Islamic sharia law than the U.S. Constitution. Pirro's show, "Justice with Judge Jeanine," was removed from its usual time slot on Saturday night. Fox News has not confirmed Pirro was suspended and said it would not comment further on the matter on Sunday. "Nice message for the president to send three days after a deadly terrorist attack on Muslims - standing up for a host who was suspended for anti-Muslim bigotry," Matthew Miller, a Justice Department spokesman under Democratic President Barack Obama, said on Twitter. Democratic lawmakers on Sunday called on Trump to defend Muslims publicly after the massacres and recognize the threat posed by white supremacists. "His rhetoric doesn't help," Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democratic presidential candidate, said on CNN's "State of the Union" program. "At the very least, he is dividing people. They are using him as an excuse." On the campaign trail in 2016, Trump followed such statements as "I think Islam hates us," with an effort a week into his presidency to ban citizens of several Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States. After court challenges, the administration revised the policy. U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Muslim, noted that government data shows a spike in hate crimes in the last decade, citing mass shootings at a synagogue and a black church. "He cannot just say it's a small group of people," she said on CNN. "We need to be speaking up against this and it has to start with him. He needs to do better by us and the country. He needs to speak up and condemn this very loud and very clearly." Hate crimes in the United States jumped 17 percent in 2017, according to FBI data.

Trump stance on Muslims, Fox host in spotlight after mosque shootings

Trump vetoes lawmakers' measure against border wall

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions.

With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process.

All signs point to an avalanche of personal contributions in the 2020 election cycle as individuals invest more of their own cash in candidates, as polls show voters are overwhelmingly fed up with dark money and corporate influence in politics.

Candidates are required to report their first-quarter donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within the coming weeks, and the results are likely to show that while big money will still be at play in the election process, it just might be coming more from everyday voters.

'Eager to give'

'There was a lot of energy on the Democratic side (in the 2018 midterm elections) and I see no reason why Democratic giving would slow down in a cycle when President Trump is actually on the ballot,'&nbsp;Patrick Burgwinkle, communications director for campaign finance reform group End Citizens United, told AFP.

Individual Democratic donors are 'eager to give,'&nbsp;he added, 'provided that these candidates are walking the walk on reforming our broken campaign finance system.'

Many of them seek to claim the moral high ground and prove they will be accountable to the American people and not to corporate donors or special interests.

'The money in politics is corrupting. It controls everything,'&nbsp;Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told voters in Des Moines, Iowa, last month after announcing her presidential bid.

'You have to get money out of politics. And that's why, as a very small first step, I'm not taking corporate PAC money."

Instead, she and others, armed with massive voter databases culled from social media and other contacts thanks to improving technology, are sending out millions of fundraising emails seeking contributions to fund their exhausting ground operations -- "even just a dollar," pleaded one such message from Democrat Cory Booker.

Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator who made campaign finance reform a central pillar of his rebellious 2016 presidential campaign, entered the 2020 race in February with a bang, raising $5.9 million in the first 24 hours from more than 220,000 individuals across all 50 states. The average donation was $27.

'Powerful special interests may have the money," he tweeted, "but we have the people.'

Donald Trump, of course, is not sitting idle. The president filed his candidacy for 2020 the day after his inauguration, and his campaign has been fundraising ever since, reportedly raising some $106 million by last October.

Unlimited political spending

Many Democrats have raised the reform alarm since 2010 when the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs FEC lifted restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions.

It also paved the way for unlimited political spending by independent groups known as super PACs, political entities that can accept unlimited contributions -- sometimes millions of dollars by a single entity or individual -- and then spend that money advocating for a candidate.

Burgwinkle, of End Citizens United, said some Democrats have benefited from super PACS, but that the lion's share of post-Citizens United PAC money went towards helping elect Republicans.

But today, Trump's challenges are receiving major financial boosts from energized grassroots supporters.

'The race for money in the Democratic Party is really going to be a race for small dollars," said Colby College's Anthony Corrado, a government professor and leading expert on political finance.

'What Bernie Sanders proved in 2016 was that you can finance a campaign largely depending on small-dollar contributions - if you can generate the excitement amongst the grassroots faithful.'

But just because candidates swear off corporate or PAC money and focus on grassroots voters, nothing is preventing a mega-donor like a billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer from contributing millions of dollars to PACs and outside money groups that will independently help candidates.

Meanwhile, the online donation process is becoming increasingly efficient for small-dollar donors.&nbsp;

When Beto O'Rourke announced his presidential campaign Thursday, he went up with a website that led supporters to a user-friendly donation page powered by ActBlue, a non-profit group whose platform has become a small-dollar juggernaut.

ActBlue says millions of Americans contributed a staggering $1.6 billion through the platform, at an average $39 per donation, during the 2018 election cycle.

'They're not looking for political access, they're supporting a cause or a political platform,'&nbsp;Corrado said of the donors.

'And if you've got 100,000 people giving you $10 a month, you've suddenly got real money.'

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions. With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process.

The 2020 presidential election is still 20 months away, but one campaign battle is already raging: the fight for America's small-dollar contributions. With all 12 major Democratic White House candidates shunning donations from corporations and political action committees, or PACs, they have turned their collective eye toward individual voters, who are showing increasing willingness to open their pocketbooks and play a larger role in the political process. All signs point to an avalanche of personal contributions in the 2020 election cycle as individuals invest more of their own cash in candidates, as polls show voters are overwhelmingly fed up with dark money and corporate influence in politics. Candidates are required to report their first-quarter donations to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) within the coming weeks, and the results are likely to show that while big money will still be at play in the election process, it just might be coming more from everyday voters. 'Eager to give' 'There was a lot of energy on the Democratic side (in the 2018 midterm elections) and I see no reason why Democratic giving would slow down in a cycle when President Trump is actually on the ballot,' Patrick Burgwinkle, communications director for campaign finance reform group End Citizens United, told AFP. Individual Democratic donors are 'eager to give,' he added, 'provided that these candidates are walking the walk on reforming our broken campaign finance system.' Many of them seek to claim the moral high ground and prove they will be accountable to the American people and not to corporate donors or special interests. 'The money in politics is corrupting. It controls everything,' Senator Kirsten Gillibrand told voters in Des Moines, Iowa, last month after announcing her presidential bid. 'You have to get money out of politics. And that's why, as a very small first step, I'm not taking corporate PAC money." Instead, she and others, armed with massive voter databases culled from social media and other contacts thanks to improving technology, are sending out millions of fundraising emails seeking contributions to fund their exhausting ground operations -- "even just a dollar," pleaded one such message from Democrat Cory Booker. Bernie Sanders, the liberal senator who made campaign finance reform a central pillar of his rebellious 2016 presidential campaign, entered the 2020 race in February with a bang, raising $5.9 million in the first 24 hours from more than 220,000 individuals across all 50 states. The average donation was $27. 'Powerful special interests may have the money," he tweeted, "but we have the people.' Donald Trump, of course, is not sitting idle. The president filed his candidacy for 2020 the day after his inauguration, and his campaign has been fundraising ever since, reportedly raising some $106 million by last October. Unlimited political spending Many Democrats have raised the reform alarm since 2010 when the controversial Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs FEC lifted restrictions on campaign spending by corporations and unions. It also paved the way for unlimited political spending by independent groups known as super PACs, political entities that can accept unlimited contributions -- sometimes millions of dollars by a single entity or individual -- and then spend that money advocating for a candidate. Burgwinkle, of End Citizens United, said some Democrats have benefited from super PACS, but that the lion's share of post-Citizens United PAC money went towards helping elect Republicans. But today, Trump's challenges are receiving major financial boosts from energized grassroots supporters. 'The race for money in the Democratic Party is really going to be a race for small dollars," said Colby College's Anthony Corrado, a government professor and leading expert on political finance. 'What Bernie Sanders proved in 2016 was that you can finance a campaign largely depending on small-dollar contributions - if you can generate the excitement amongst the grassroots faithful.' But just because candidates swear off corporate or PAC money and focus on grassroots voters, nothing is preventing a mega-donor like a billionaire Democratic activist Tom Steyer from contributing millions of dollars to PACs and outside money groups that will independently help candidates. Meanwhile, the online donation process is becoming increasingly efficient for small-dollar donors. When Beto O'Rourke announced his presidential campaign Thursday, he went up with a website that led supporters to a user-friendly donation page powered by ActBlue, a non-profit group whose platform has become a small-dollar juggernaut. ActBlue says millions of Americans contributed a staggering $1.6 billion through the platform, at an average $39 per donation, during the 2018 election cycle. 'They're not looking for political access, they're supporting a cause or a political platform,' Corrado said of the donors. 'And if you've got 100,000 people giving you $10 a month, you've suddenly got real money.'

2020 Democrats build campaign war chests, $1 at a time

The United States is not in a rush to enter into a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explaining-the-us-china-trade-war-which-grabbed-spotlight-in-2018-185043">trade deal </a>with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December last year, US President Donald Trump said.

At the same time, talks with the Chinese on a bilateral trade deal has been going on quite well, Trump said, amid reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has postponed his trip to the US president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month.

"I think things are going along very well. We'll just see what the date is. I'm in no rush. I want the deal to be right, much more importantly. Somebody said I'm in a rush. I'm not in a rush at all," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Right now, we're getting billions and billions of dollars of tariffs paid into our coffers. I am not in a rush whatsoever. It's got to be the right deal, and it's got to be a good deal for us. And if it's not, we're not going to make that deal. But I will say that deal is going along very nicely," Trump said.

Responding to a question, Trump said his Chinese counterpart does not end up in what he did in Hanoi last month when he walked out of his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un because the deal on the table was not in the best interest of the US.

"I think President Xi saw that I'm somebody that believes in walking when a deal is not done. And, you know, there's always a chance it could happen, and he probably wouldn't want that. That could be a reason," Trump said when asked about the cancellation of his proposed summit with Xi in Mar-a-Lago.

"But we can do it either way. We can have the deal completed and come and sign, or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that, but it doesn't matter that much,"&nbsp;he said.

Trump said the US economy is doing very good, but that is not the case with China.

"Our country is doing great. China would like to make a deal and we'd like to make a deal. We'll see. We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. We're going to see what happens,"&nbsp;he said.

"But it's an exciting time in terms of trade. We just made a deal with Mexico, Canada. We just made a deal with South Korea. We have other deals that we have cooking,"he said.

Trump reiterated the US was being taken advantage of by everybody.

"What was happening to our country on trade was a horrible thing; that this wasn't done years ago. And I'm not talking about the Obama administration. I'm talking about that and plenty of other administrations before it. That they could have allowed this to happen -- we lost, over the last number of years, almost USD 800 billion a year on trade. Who's making these deals"&nbsp;he said.

"So we're making great deals or we're not going to make them at all. We're going to go tariffs,"said the US President.&nbsp;

The United States is not in a rush to enter into a trade deal with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December last year, US President Donald Trump said.

The United States is not in a rush to enter into a trade deal with China, the negotiations for which has been undergoing since December last year, US President Donald Trump said. At the same time, talks with the Chinese on a bilateral trade deal has been going on quite well, Trump said, amid reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has postponed his trip to the US president's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida later this month. "I think things are going along very well. We'll just see what the date is. I'm in no rush. I want the deal to be right, much more importantly. Somebody said I'm in a rush. I'm not in a rush at all," Trump told reporters at the White House. "Right now, we're getting billions and billions of dollars of tariffs paid into our coffers. I am not in a rush whatsoever. It's got to be the right deal, and it's got to be a good deal for us. And if it's not, we're not going to make that deal. But I will say that deal is going along very nicely," Trump said. Responding to a question, Trump said his Chinese counterpart does not end up in what he did in Hanoi last month when he walked out of his summit meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un because the deal on the table was not in the best interest of the US. "I think President Xi saw that I'm somebody that believes in walking when a deal is not done. And, you know, there's always a chance it could happen, and he probably wouldn't want that. That could be a reason," Trump said when asked about the cancellation of his proposed summit with Xi in Mar-a-Lago. "But we can do it either way. We can have the deal completed and come and sign, or we can get the deal almost completed and negotiate some of the final points. I would prefer that, but it doesn't matter that much," he said. Trump said the US economy is doing very good, but that is not the case with China. "Our country is doing great. China would like to make a deal and we'd like to make a deal. We'll see. We have a very good relationship. I have a very good relationship with President Xi. We're going to see what happens," he said. "But it's an exciting time in terms of trade. We just made a deal with Mexico, Canada. We just made a deal with South Korea. We have other deals that we have cooking,"he said. Trump reiterated the US was being taken advantage of by everybody. "What was happening to our country on trade was a horrible thing; that this wasn't done years ago. And I'm not talking about the Obama administration. I'm talking about that and plenty of other administrations before it. That they could have allowed this to happen -- we lost, over the last number of years, almost USD 800 billion a year on trade. Who's making these deals" he said. "So we're making great deals or we're not going to make them at all. We're going to go tariffs,"said the US President.

Not rushing to have trade deal with China: Trump

The US Senate on Wednesday dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/un-warns-a-generation-could-become-lost-to-hunger-in-yemen-197341">war effort in Yemen</a>.

Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/in-yemen-a-child-dies-every-10-minutes-from-easily-preventable-diseases-175690">Republic of Yemen</a>" within 30 days.

The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats.

The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort.

The White House has threatened a veto, calling the measure "flawed" and saying it would harm bilateral relationships in the region and hurt Washington's ability to fight extremism.

But its full passage would set a historic marker. It would be the first measure passed by Congress to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to directly curtail a president's use of military powers.

"Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending US involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president in 2020 and is a sponsor of the measure, said on the Senate floor.

Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia "is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention."

The Saudis, he said, "are likely using our own weapons... to commit these atrocities of war. That's not OK."

The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 14 million people at risk of famine.&nbsp;

The World Health Organization says about 10,000 people have been killed in the war between forces loyal to the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Rights groups say the death toll is far higher.

The United States provides weapons and refueling to the Saudi coalition.

Two days, two rebukes?

The resolution is a reminder that Congress has the legal ability to compel the removal of US military forces, absent a formal declaration of war.

Should it pass Congress, it could force Trump to issue the first veto of his tenure.

The vote may well be the first of two congressional rebukes of Trump in as many days.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution -- already passed by the House -- to reverse Trump's emergency declaration on border security, after the president went around Congress in a bid to secure more funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico.

In that case too, he has promised to use his veto.

Wednesday's Yemen vote, and the rare bipartisanship at the heart of it, came as US lawmakers have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.&nbsp;

Republicans and Democrats alike have bristled over the White House's apparent embrace of the kingdom and its leadership.

Some members of Congress have publicly stated that they suspect that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly responsible for the killing, based on the CIA's conclusions.

Sanders, using unusually blunt language about an American ally, said the United States should not "simply follow the despotic lead of a government in Saudi Arabia."&nbsp;

"We will determine our military and foreign pol and not be led around by a murderous regime," he said.

The US Senate on Wednesday dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen.

The US Senate on Wednesday dealt a stinging bipartisan rebuke to Donald Trump's foreign policy and his alliance with Riyadh, voting to end support for the bloody Saudi-led war effort in Yemen. Lawmakers in the Republican-controlled chamber approved a historic curtailment of presidential war powers that directs Trump "to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of Yemen" within 30 days. The Senate vote was 54 to 46, with seven Republicans defying the president and aligning with Democrats. The text now heads to the Democrat-led House of Representatives, which approved a similar measure that stalled earlier this year, and which is likely to pass the latest effort. The White House has threatened a veto, calling the measure "flawed" and saying it would harm bilateral relationships in the region and hurt Washington's ability to fight extremism. But its full passage would set a historic marker. It would be the first measure passed by Congress to invoke the 1973 War Powers Resolution to directly curtail a president's use of military powers. "Today, we begin the process of reclaiming our constitutional power by ending US involvement in a war that has not been authorized by Congress and is clearly unconstitutional," Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running for president in 2020 and is a sponsor of the measure, said on the Senate floor. Republican Senator Mike Lee concurred, saying Saudi Arabia "is not an ally that deserves our support or our military intervention." The Saudis, he said, "are likely using our own weapons... to commit these atrocities of war. That's not OK." The war in Yemen is the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 14 million people at risk of famine. The World Health Organization says about 10,000 people have been killed in the war between forces loyal to the Yemeni government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Rights groups say the death toll is far higher. The United States provides weapons and refueling to the Saudi coalition. Two days, two rebukes? The resolution is a reminder that Congress has the legal ability to compel the removal of US military forces, absent a formal declaration of war. Should it pass Congress, it could force Trump to issue the first veto of his tenure. The vote may well be the first of two congressional rebukes of Trump in as many days. On Thursday, the Senate is expected to vote on a resolution -- already passed by the House -- to reverse Trump's emergency declaration on border security, after the president went around Congress in a bid to secure more funding for his wall between the United States and Mexico. In that case too, he has promised to use his veto. Wednesday's Yemen vote, and the rare bipartisanship at the heart of it, came as US lawmakers have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. Republicans and Democrats alike have bristled over the White House's apparent embrace of the kingdom and its leadership. Some members of Congress have publicly stated that they suspect that powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was directly responsible for the killing, based on the CIA's conclusions. Sanders, using unusually blunt language about an American ally, said the United States should not "simply follow the despotic lead of a government in Saudi Arabia." "We will determine our military and foreign pol and not be led around by a murderous regime," he said.

Defying Trump, Senate votes to end US support for Yemen war

A spokesman for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestinian-president-mahmud-abbas-plans-anti-hamas-measures-as-split-widens-189990">Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas</a> has criticized the US move to no longer refer to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights as occupied territories in its annual human rights report.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh called it "a continuation of the hostile approach of the American administration toward our Palestinian people and... contrary to all UN resolutions."

In a statement carried by official Palestinian news agency WAFA late Wednesday, he said the change was part of US President Donald Trump's plan to 'liquidate'&nbsp;the Palestinian cause.

Trump is expected to unveil his long-awaited plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace in the coming months, even though the Palestinian leadership has frozen contact with Washington over Trump's 2017 declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinians believe the upcoming plan will be blatantly biased in favour of Israel.

In its latest human rights report published Wednesday, the United States referred to the Golan Heights as "Israeli-controlled" as opposed to "Israeli-occupied".

Another semantic change that appeared in last year's report showed up again this year, with a section titled "Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza," instead of its previous "Israel and the Occupied Territories" heading.

The US State Department insisted the different wording did not mean a change in policy.

Israel occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War.

It later annexed the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem in moves never recognized by the international community.

It has withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, but has fought three wars with Palestinian militants there and maintains a blockade of the territory.

Israel's occupation of the West Bank continues.

A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has criticized the US move to no longer refer to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights as occupied territories in its annual human rights report.

A spokesman for Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has criticized the US move to no longer refer to the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights as occupied territories in its annual human rights report. Nabil Abu Rudeineh called it "a continuation of the hostile approach of the American administration toward our Palestinian people and... contrary to all UN resolutions." In a statement carried by official Palestinian news agency WAFA late Wednesday, he said the change was part of US President Donald Trump's plan to 'liquidate' the Palestinian cause. Trump is expected to unveil his long-awaited plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace in the coming months, even though the Palestinian leadership has frozen contact with Washington over Trump's 2017 declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestinians believe the upcoming plan will be blatantly biased in favour of Israel. In its latest human rights report published Wednesday, the United States referred to the Golan Heights as "Israeli-controlled" as opposed to "Israeli-occupied". Another semantic change that appeared in last year's report showed up again this year, with a section titled "Israel, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza," instead of its previous "Israel and the Occupied Territories" heading. The US State Department insisted the different wording did not mean a change in policy. Israel occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Six-Day War. It later annexed the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem in moves never recognized by the international community. It has withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, but has fought three wars with Palestinian militants there and maintains a blockade of the territory. Israel's occupation of the West Bank continues.

Palestinian president slams US dropping 'occupied' in report

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ex-campaign-chief-paul-manafort-sentenced-to-47-months-in-prison-for-tax-crimes-bank-fraud-201865">Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud</a>, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges.

"The defendant is not public enemy number one," US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in delivering the sentence in a hushed Washington courtroom.

"But he is not a victim either," Jackson added, stressing that the veteran Republican lobbyist and political consultant had shown little remorse and had lied repeatedly.

Manafort's case is the highest-profile yet stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Jackson stressed to the court that the case had nothing to do with the 2016 vote but was connected to political consulting and lobbying activities he performed for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians.

She said the question of whether any members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia was "not presented in the case. Period."

"Therefore it was not resolved in this case either," Jackson said.

She ridiculed defense arguments that Manafort's prosecution only came about because of the Mueller probe.

"That argument falls flat," Jackson said. "The Department of Justice was already looking into this matter."

Before his sentencing, Manafort, who was brought into court in a wheelchair, pleaded to the judge not to sentence him to more time other than the 47 months he was given last week in a separate case.

"I am sorry for what I have done and all the activities that have got me here today," Manafort told the court.

"Let me be very clear I accept responsibility for the acts that have got me here today," he went on. "For those mistakes, I am remorseful."

But Jackson dismissed his plea for no more prison time on the charges of conspiring to launder money and tamper with witnesses.

She added 43 months to the 47 months he already received, making the total 90 months. She gave him credit for the nine months he has already spent in prison, reducing the term facing him to 81 months -- a little under seven years.

Manafort is one of a half-dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, although none of them have been accused so far of direct collusion with Moscow to get Trump elected to the White House.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges.

President Donald Trump's former campaign chief Paul Manafort, already facing 47 months in prison for tax and bank fraud, was sentenced to an additional 43 months in prison Wednesday on conspiracy charges. "The defendant is not public enemy number one," US District Court Judge Amy Berman Jackson said in delivering the sentence in a hushed Washington courtroom. "But he is not a victim either," Jackson added, stressing that the veteran Republican lobbyist and political consultant had shown little remorse and had lied repeatedly. Manafort's case is the highest-profile yet stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Jackson stressed to the court that the case had nothing to do with the 2016 vote but was connected to political consulting and lobbying activities he performed for pro-Russian Ukrainian politicians. She said the question of whether any members of the Trump campaign colluded with Russia was "not presented in the case. Period." "Therefore it was not resolved in this case either," Jackson said. She ridiculed defense arguments that Manafort's prosecution only came about because of the Mueller probe. "That argument falls flat," Jackson said. "The Department of Justice was already looking into this matter." Before his sentencing, Manafort, who was brought into court in a wheelchair, pleaded to the judge not to sentence him to more time other than the 47 months he was given last week in a separate case. "I am sorry for what I have done and all the activities that have got me here today," Manafort told the court. "Let me be very clear I accept responsibility for the acts that have got me here today," he went on. "For those mistakes, I am remorseful." But Jackson dismissed his plea for no more prison time on the charges of conspiring to launder money and tamper with witnesses. She added 43 months to the 47 months he already received, making the total 90 months. She gave him credit for the nine months he has already spent in prison, reducing the term facing him to 81 months -- a little under seven years. Manafort is one of a half-dozen former Trump associates and senior aides charged by Mueller, although none of them have been accused so far of direct collusion with Moscow to get Trump elected to the White House.

Trump's ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort jailed for 43 more months

The relation between India and the US has been on a positive trajectory especially in the last five years. When the US President Donald Trump announced to remove India from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) beneficiary list, India was quick to shrug off the US's decision. However, the buzz around the move in India says otherwise.

The GSP scheme allows imported goods tariff-free access to the US market. While India's trade with the US under the GSP is around $5.6 billion, India claims to have received benefits worth $190 million only per annum. It also asserted that while 3500 goods are protected under the scheme, only 1,784 goods from India received the concession.

President Donald Trump has used the trade incentives as a weapon in India's case alleging that the Asian country has so far refused to lower the trade barriers and have been taking steps that are hurting American firms. From new e-commerce policies to local storage of data to cap on stent prices, the Modinomics have upset America big time. Also, India wants to continue its oil purchase from Iran despite the US sanctions on the West Asian country. As per a Reuters report, India is in talks with the US on extending a sanction waiver which will allow it to buy Iranian oil at the current levels of around 1.25 million tonnes per month.&nbsp;

Amid the rising trade tension, Washington may not be willing to give New Delhi any liberty - be it for oil purchase or under GSP. The snapping of the GSP will affect various items including leather goods, processed food and engineering equipment and tools as they will lose competitiveness in the US market.

As per a PTI report, India is considering various options including fiscal support to the affected sector and moving to the WTO against the US move to scrap the GSP benefits.

However, the GSP move is already set to cost $190 million to India and will be affecting the trade significantly. And even if PM Narendra Modi decides to come up with the fiscal support, it cannot be a long-term solution. It will only put more burden on the government's finances. Moving to the WTO is neither an explorable option as it could have an adverse impact on the relations between the two countries.

With $21 billion trade surplus with the US, India already has an upper hand and it needs to resolve the issue through a sensible approach. Bilateral dialogues should be prioritised instead of considering retaliatory tariffs on the US import items.

The world has seen how the Sino-US trade issue is now being resolved through talks and negotiations after initial retaliatory measures. Trump has hinted, time and again, of this kind of action against India.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, Trump had threatened to impose 'a reciprocal tax' on India terming it a 'very high tariff nation'. India may not accept this argument but it cannot let the economy be a scapegoat of Modinomics vs Trumponomics anymore. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The relation between India and the US has been on a positive trajectory especially in the last five years. When the US President Donald Trump announced to remove India from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) beneficiary list, India was quick to shrug off the US's decision.

The relation between India and the US has been on a positive trajectory especially in the last five years. When the US President Donald Trump announced to remove India from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) beneficiary list, India was quick to shrug off the US's decision. However, the buzz around the move in India says otherwise. The GSP scheme allows imported goods tariff-free access to the US market. While India's trade with the US under the GSP is around $5.6 billion, India claims to have received benefits worth $190 million only per annum. It also asserted that while 3500 goods are protected under the scheme, only 1,784 goods from India received the concession. President Donald Trump has used the trade incentives as a weapon in India's case alleging that the Asian country has so far refused to lower the trade barriers and have been taking steps that are hurting American firms. From new e-commerce policies to local storage of data to cap on stent prices, the Modinomics have upset America big time. Also, India wants to continue its oil purchase from Iran despite the US sanctions on the West Asian country. As per a Reuters report, India is in talks with the US on extending a sanction waiver which will allow it to buy Iranian oil at the current levels of around 1.25 million tonnes per month. Amid the rising trade tension, Washington may not be willing to give New Delhi any liberty - be it for oil purchase or under GSP. The snapping of the GSP will affect various items including leather goods, processed food and engineering equipment and tools as they will lose competitiveness in the US market. As per a PTI report, India is considering various options including fiscal support to the affected sector and moving to the WTO against the US move to scrap the GSP benefits. However, the GSP move is already set to cost $190 million to India and will be affecting the trade significantly. And even if PM Narendra Modi decides to come up with the fiscal support, it cannot be a long-term solution. It will only put more burden on the government's finances. Moving to the WTO is neither an explorable option as it could have an adverse impact on the relations between the two countries. With $21 billion trade surplus with the US, India already has an upper hand and it needs to resolve the issue through a sensible approach. Bilateral dialogues should be prioritised instead of considering retaliatory tariffs on the US import items. The world has seen how the Sino-US trade issue is now being resolved through talks and negotiations after initial retaliatory measures. Trump has hinted, time and again, of this kind of action against India. Earlier this month, Trump had threatened to impose 'a reciprocal tax' on India terming it a 'very high tariff nation'. India may not accept this argument but it cannot let the economy be a scapegoat of Modinomics vs Trumponomics anymore. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

India-US trade conflict: Fiscal support, WTO or retaliatory tariffs - what suits India's narrative?

Trump's vision for North Korea: US aims for complete denuclearisation by 2021

Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro accused US counterpart Donald Trump of cyber "sabotage" that plunged the OPEC nation into its worst blackout on record.

Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said US diplomats on Venezuelan soil must leave within three days, after talks broke down over maintaining diplomatic "interest sections" in the two countries.

"The presence on Venezuelan soil of these officials represents a risk for the peace, unity and stability of the country," the government said in a statement.

The US State Department had announced on Monday it will withdraw its staff from Venezuela this week, saying their presence had become "a constraint on U.S. policy."

Washington has taken the lead in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful president after the 35-year-old Congress chief announced an interim presidency in January after declaring Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud. Most countries in Europe and Latin America have followed suit.

Maduro, who retains control of the military and other state institutions as well as the backing of Russia and China, has denounced Guaido as a puppet of the United States.

Julio Castro, of nongovernmental organization Doctors for Health, said on Twitter on Monday night that 24 people have died in public hospitals since the start of the blackout.

With the blackout in its sixth day, hospitals struggled to keep equipment running, food rotted in the tropical heat and exports from the country's main oil terminal were shut down.

Venezuela's opposition-controlled Congress on Monday declared a symbolic "state of alarm" on Monday.

Power returned to many parts of the country on Tuesday, including some areas that had not had electricity since last Thursday, according to witnesses and social media.

But power was still out in parts of the capital of Caracas and the western region near the border with Colombia.

'Trump most responsible'

Maduro blamed Washington for organising what he said was a sophisticated cyber attack on Venezuela's hydroelectric power operations.

"Donald Trump is most responsible for the cyber attack on the Venezuelan electricity system," Maduro said in a broadcast from the Miraflores presidential palace on Monday night.

"This is a technology that only the government of the United States possesses."

Maduro, elected in 2013 following the death of his political mentor Hugo Chavez, officially broke diplomatic relations with the United States on Jan. 23 when it recognized Guaido. Washington evacuated most of its diplomatic staff two days later.

The blackout was likely caused by a technical problem with transmission lines linking the Guri hydroelectric plant in southeastern Venezuela to the national power grid, experts told Reuters.

Venezuela's electricity network has suffered from years of underinvestment and lack of maintenance. With the economy in a tailspin, spare parts are scarce while many skilled technical staff have fled the country amid an exodus of more than three million Venezuelans in three years.

The government suspended schools and business activities on Tuesday for two more days, after doing so on Friday and Monday.

Guaido planned to lead national protests over the blackout in Caracas on Tuesday afternoon.

"With ourneighbourss and relatives, we will protest in the streets and avenues closest to each other's home to claim our rights," Guaido said on Twitter on Tuesday.

Amid signs of a crackdown on media, the National Press Workers' Union said that prominent radio journalist Luis Carlos Diaz was arrested on Monday by intelligence agents at his home in Caracas.

The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Venezuelan authorities briefly detained American journalist Cody Weddle last week before ordering him to leave the country. 
&nbsp;

Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro accused US counterpart Donald Trump of cyber "sabotage" that plunged the OPEC nation into its worst blackout on record.

Venezuela ordered American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours on Tuesday after President Nicolas Maduro accused US counterpart Donald Trump of cyber "sabotage" that plunged the OPEC nation into its worst blackout on record. Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said US diplomats on Venezuelan soil must leave within three days, after talks broke down over maintaining diplomatic "interest sections" in the two countries. "The presence on Venezuelan soil of these officials represents a risk for the peace, unity and stability of the country," the government said in a statement. The US State Department had announced on Monday it will withdraw its staff from Venezuela this week, saying their presence had become "a constraint on U.S. policy." Washington has taken the lead in recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful president after the 35-year-old Congress chief announced an interim presidency in January after declaring Maduro's 2018 re-election a fraud. Most countries in Europe and Latin America have followed suit. Maduro, who retains control of the military and other state institutions as well as the backing of Russia and China, has denounced Guaido as a puppet of the United States. Julio Castro, of nongovernmental organization Doctors for Health, said on Twitter on Monday night that 24 people have died in public hospitals since the start of the blackout. With the blackout in its sixth day, hospitals struggled to keep equipment running, food rotted in the tropical heat and exports from the country's main oil terminal were shut down. Venezuela's opposition-controlled Congress on Monday declared a symbolic "state of alarm" on Monday. Power returned to many parts of the country on Tuesday, including some areas that had not had electricity since last Thursday, according to witnesses and social media. But power was still out in parts of the capital of Caracas and the western region near the border with Colombia. 'Trump most responsible' Maduro blamed Washington for organising what he said was a sophisticated cyber attack on Venezuela's hydroelectric power operations. "Donald Trump is most responsible for the cyber attack on the Venezuelan electricity system," Maduro said in a broadcast from the Miraflores presidential palace on Monday night. "This is a technology that only the government of the United States possesses." Maduro, elected in 2013 following the death of his political mentor Hugo Chavez, officially broke diplomatic relations with the United States on Jan. 23 when it recognized Guaido. Washington evacuated most of its diplomatic staff two days later. The blackout was likely caused by a technical problem with transmission lines linking the Guri hydroelectric plant in southeastern Venezuela to the national power grid, experts told Reuters. Venezuela's electricity network has suffered from years of underinvestment and lack of maintenance. With the economy in a tailspin, spare parts are scarce while many skilled technical staff have fled the country amid an exodus of more than three million Venezuelans in three years. The government suspended schools and business activities on Tuesday for two more days, after doing so on Friday and Monday. Guaido planned to lead national protests over the blackout in Caracas on Tuesday afternoon. "With ourneighbourss and relatives, we will protest in the streets and avenues closest to each other's home to claim our rights," Guaido said on Twitter on Tuesday. Amid signs of a crackdown on media, the National Press Workers' Union said that prominent radio journalist Luis Carlos Diaz was arrested on Monday by intelligence agents at his home in Caracas. The Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Venezuelan authorities briefly detained American journalist Cody Weddle last week before ordering him to leave the country.

Venezuela give US diplomats 72 hours to leave; Nicolas Maduro blames Trump for blackout

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday.

"I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week.

"Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. "He's just not worth it."

It was Pelosi's most direct comment yet on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-disgraceful-democrats-profane-impeachment-vow-188333">Trump's possible impeachment</a>, a topic she has dealt with cautiously as it carries the potential to sharply split Democrats and the public ahead of next year's White House and congressional elections.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government and whether Trump has attempted to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the investigation a witch hunt.

Mueller is expected to send a report soon to Attorney General William Barr outlining his findings, and any evidence of wrongdoing could prompt Congress to take action against the president. Several panels in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives are also investigating the president.

Although Pelosi said she believed it would be too divisive to impeach Trump, she characterized the president as unfit to hold office.

"No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States," Pelosi told the Post, adding he was "ethically unfit, intellectually unfit, curiosity-wise unfit."

Democrats face growing pressure from the left for impeachment, including a multimillion-dollar ad campaign from liberal billionaire Tom Steyer to build support for action against Trump.

The House Judiciary Committee, which would lead an impeachment inquiry, recently launched a broad probe of corruption, abuse of power and obstruction of justice allegations against Trump that could amount to impeachable offences.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler has said he believes Trump has committed obstruction of justice, but that it is too soon to decide on impeachment.

"We do not now have the evidence all sorted out," Nadler told ABC's "This Week" programme on March 3. "Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen," Nadler added.

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday.

US President Donald Trump should not be impeached unless the reasons are overwhelming and bipartisan, given how divisive it would be for the country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a Washington Post interview published on Monday. "I’m not for impeachment," Pelosi, the top US Democrat, said in the interview, which was conducted last week. "Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there's something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country," she said. "He's just not worth it." It was Pelosi's most direct comment yet on Trump's possible impeachment, a topic she has dealt with cautiously as it carries the potential to sharply split Democrats and the public ahead of next year's White House and congressional elections. Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign, possible collusion between Trump's campaign and the Russian government and whether Trump has attempted to obstruct the probe. Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the investigation a witch hunt. Mueller is expected to send a report soon to Attorney General William Barr outlining his findings, and any evidence of wrongdoing could prompt Congress to take action against the president. Several panels in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives are also investigating the president. Although Pelosi said she believed it would be too divisive to impeach Trump, she characterized the president as unfit to hold office. "No, I don’t think he’s fit to be president of the United States," Pelosi told the Post, adding he was "ethically unfit, intellectually unfit, curiosity-wise unfit." Democrats face growing pressure from the left for impeachment, including a multimillion-dollar ad campaign from liberal billionaire Tom Steyer to build support for action against Trump. The House Judiciary Committee, which would lead an impeachment inquiry, recently launched a broad probe of corruption, abuse of power and obstruction of justice allegations against Trump that could amount to impeachable offences. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler has said he believes Trump has committed obstruction of justice, but that it is too soon to decide on impeachment. "We do not now have the evidence all sorted out," Nadler told ABC's "This Week" programme on March 3. "Before you impeach somebody, you have to persuade the American public that it ought to happen," Nadler added.

Trump should not be impeached unless reasons are 'overwhelming': Nancy Pelosi

As investigators probe the latest deadly crash of Boeing's bestselling airliner, US President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday with his own explanation: modern planes are too complicated for pilots.

"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-call-you-when-i-land-texted-indian-passenger-who-lost-life-in-ethiopia-crash-202892">Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly</a>," he tweeted, adding that instead of pilots, the planes require "computer scientists from MIT."

"I don't know about you, but I don't want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. I want great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane!" Trump added in a second tweet.

"I see it all the time in many products," the president continued. "Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly. Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT. I see it all the time in many products. Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better. Split second decisions are....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1105468569800839169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
....needed, and the complexity creates danger. All of this for great cost yet very little gain. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. I want great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1105471621672960000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Trump's technical analysis came two days after a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 belonging to Ethiopian Airlines went down minutes into a flight to Nairobi, killing all 157 aboard.&nbsp;

In October, a Lion Air jet of the same model crashed in Indonesia, killing 189.

As investigators probe the latest deadly crash of Boeing's bestselling airliner, US President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday with his own explanation: modern planes are too complicated for pilots.

As investigators probe the latest deadly crash of Boeing's bestselling airliner, US President Donald Trump weighed in Tuesday with his own explanation: modern planes are too complicated for pilots. "Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly," he tweeted, adding that instead of pilots, the planes require "computer scientists from MIT." "I don't know about you, but I don't want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. I want great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane!" Trump added in a second tweet. "I see it all the time in many products," the president continued. "Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better." Airplanes are becoming far too complex to fly. Pilots are no longer needed, but rather computer scientists from MIT. I see it all the time in many products. Always seeking to go one unnecessary step further, when often old and simpler is far better. Split second decisions are.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2019 × ....needed, and the complexity creates danger. All of this for great cost yet very little gain. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want Albert Einstein to be my pilot. I want great flying professionals that are allowed to easily and quickly take control of a plane! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2019 × Trump's technical analysis came two days after a new Boeing 737 MAX 8 belonging to Ethiopian Airlines went down minutes into a flight to Nairobi, killing all 157 aboard. In October, a Lion Air jet of the same model crashed in Indonesia, killing 189.

Trump says today's airplanes are 'too complex to fly'

Donald Trump's vision for North Korea

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/our-stance-will-never-change-even-if-us-seeks-further-talks-north-korea-on-us-sanctions-relief-200370">Trump is ready to meet</a> North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again for denuclearisation talks, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-agreement-was-reached-at-trump-kim-summit-white-house-200203">White House said</a>, underlining that his decision to walk out of the Hanoi summit sent a signal to other countries as well that he is not desperate for a deal unless it is in America's interest.

US National Security Advisor John Bolton told ABC News that Trump's walk out from his meeting with Kim was "friendly" and it is not a reflection that the talks broke down. &nbsp;I don't really think it broke down. I think the president did exactly the right thing, he said, referring to the failed summit between the two leaders in Hanoi in Vietnam on February 26 and 27.

Trump and Kim's Vietnam meeting ended abruptly without a deal on North Korean denuclearisation in return for sanctions relief. On Friday, Trump told reporters his relationship with Kim was a very good one and said he would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding.

Trump and Kim first met in Singapore in June 2018, producing only a North Korean commitment to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"Trump and Kim Jong-un had had a number of conversations about what might be done to denuclearise North Korea. Kim offered a partial deal. The president has been very clear that he doesn't want to make the same mistakes as past administrations, Bolton said.

"Trump proposed to Kim what he talked about really going back to Singapore, is what he called the big deal, that North Korea completely denuclearize. And, in exchange for that, there was a very bright economic future for the North Korean people," Bolton said.

The two leaders went around on this several times. They had a full exchange of views, as the saying goes. It was clear they weren't going to reach an agreement, Bolton said.

So, what the president did was, as he put it, to walk away in a friendly way from the discussion. He said he's prepared to meet Kim Jong-un again. It's no date set or anything like that, but it's possible that North Korea will go back and rethink the position they came in with and come back to talk to the president about the big deal, he told the news channel in a talk show.

According to Bolton what the president did in Hanoi, was important not just in the negotiations with North Korea on their nuclear programme, but also with China on trade, and also with Russia on arms control and other countries.

Despite all the media speculation, the president turned out not to be desperate for a deal. He didn't have to come away with success. In the pursuit of American national interest, he was prepared to risk people characterising the Hanoi summit as a failure because he wasn't going to accept terms that weren't in our national interest, he said.

I do think that's a message for others that we're involved in significant negotiations with. Now, in terms of China specifically, you know, we just concluded another round of negotiations here in Washington, Bob Lighthizer, the U.S. trade representative, Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, and others leading that, he said.

Talks with China are making progress, but there's work to be done. So it's true, as you say, there's no date set for the next summit, but it could be just a short time thereafter. We're going to have to have some more conversations and do the additional work, Bolton said.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again for denuclearisation talks, the White House said, underlining that his decision to walk out of the Hanoi summit sent a signal to other countries as well that he is not desperate for a deal unless it is in America's interest.

US President Donald Trump is ready to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un again for denuclearisation talks, the White House said, underlining that his decision to walk out of the Hanoi summit sent a signal to other countries as well that he is not desperate for a deal unless it is in America's interest. US National Security Advisor John Bolton told ABC News that Trump's walk out from his meeting with Kim was "friendly" and it is not a reflection that the talks broke down. I don't really think it broke down. I think the president did exactly the right thing, he said, referring to the failed summit between the two leaders in Hanoi in Vietnam on February 26 and 27. Trump and Kim's Vietnam meeting ended abruptly without a deal on North Korean denuclearisation in return for sanctions relief. On Friday, Trump told reporters his relationship with Kim was a very good one and said he would be surprised in a negative way if he did anything that was not per our understanding. Trump and Kim first met in Singapore in June 2018, producing only a North Korean commitment to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "Trump and Kim Jong-un had had a number of conversations about what might be done to denuclearise North Korea. Kim offered a partial deal. The president has been very clear that he doesn't want to make the same mistakes as past administrations, Bolton said. "Trump proposed to Kim what he talked about really going back to Singapore, is what he called the big deal, that North Korea completely denuclearize. And, in exchange for that, there was a very bright economic future for the North Korean people," Bolton said. The two leaders went around on this several times. They had a full exchange of views, as the saying goes. It was clear they weren't going to reach an agreement, Bolton said. So, what the president did was, as he put it, to walk away in a friendly way from the discussion. He said he's prepared to meet Kim Jong-un again. It's no date set or anything like that, but it's possible that North Korea will go back and rethink the position they came in with and come back to talk to the president about the big deal, he told the news channel in a talk show. According to Bolton what the president did in Hanoi, was important not just in the negotiations with North Korea on their nuclear programme, but also with China on trade, and also with Russia on arms control and other countries. Despite all the media speculation, the president turned out not to be desperate for a deal. He didn't have to come away with success. In the pursuit of American national interest, he was prepared to risk people characterising the Hanoi summit as a failure because he wasn't going to accept terms that weren't in our national interest, he said. I do think that's a message for others that we're involved in significant negotiations with. Now, in terms of China specifically, you know, we just concluded another round of negotiations here in Washington, Bob Lighthizer, the U.S. trade representative, Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, and others leading that, he said. Talks with China are making progress, but there's work to be done. So it's true, as you say, there's no date set for the next summit, but it could be just a short time thereafter. We're going to have to have some more conversations and do the additional work, Bolton said.

US President Donald Trump ready to meet Kim Jong Un again for denuclearisation talks: White House

A top US envoy said Monday Washington's goal is the complete denuclearisation of North Korea by the end of Donald Trump's first term, insisting it will not settle for incremental disarmament.

"We are not going to do denuclearisation incrementally," said Stephen Biegun, the special US envoy for North Korea.

While stressing he was not bound by an artificial calendar, Biegun said the administration wanted to accomplish the complete and verified denuclearisation of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in January 2021.

The US side has included North Korea's chemical and biological weapons in the negotiations with Pyongyang.

The envoy said there could be no comprehensive agreement with the North without agreement on each point, adding that there was "complete unity" in the administration on that approach.

Speaking at a conference organised by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Biegun said progress had been made despite the failure of Trump's second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, held in Hanoi last month.

"The door remains open" for further negotiations, he said, adding, however, that "the North Koreans have to be fully invested."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

A top US envoy said Monday Washington's goal is the complete denuclearisation of North Korea by the end of Donald Trump's first term, insisting it will not settle for incremental disarmament.

A top US envoy said Monday Washington's goal is the complete denuclearisation of North Korea by the end of Donald Trump's first term, insisting it will not settle for incremental disarmament. "We are not going to do denuclearisation incrementally," said Stephen Biegun, the special US envoy for North Korea. While stressing he was not bound by an artificial calendar, Biegun said the administration wanted to accomplish the complete and verified denuclearisation of North Korea by the end of Trump's term in January 2021. The US side has included North Korea's chemical and biological weapons in the negotiations with Pyongyang. The envoy said there could be no comprehensive agreement with the North without agreement on each point, adding that there was "complete unity" in the administration on that approach. Speaking at a conference organised by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Biegun said progress had been made despite the failure of Trump's second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, held in Hanoi last month. "The door remains open" for further negotiations, he said, adding, however, that "the North Koreans have to be fully invested."

US opposes incremental denuclearisation of North Korea: Envoy

When President Donald Trump proposes his 2020 federal budget on Monday, official Washington will likely have a quick look, shrug and move on, marking another stage in the quiet decay of the US government's traditional policy-making processes.

There was a time when the release of the president's budget was a red-letter day on the calendar of Washington wonkery, with policy experts and fiscal hawks delving into spreadsheets and expounding upon new spending plans and the national debt.

But the hoopla of the budget day is gone, a relic of a time when politics were less polarised, the federal deficit drove political decisions and the White House and Congress still took the budget process seriously.

"It has seemed to me that budget day ain't what it used to be," said Robert Bixby, who has pored over the budget for more than 25 years at the Concord Coalition, a fiscal responsibility advocacy group.

Last year's budget weighed in at a whopping $4.4 trillion. It was not balanced and was panned for relying on rosy economic projections and for not doing enough to cut the federal deficit.

The 2020 Trump budget will land a month after a deadline established in law, a lag blamed on the recent five-week partial shutdown of the federal government over a funding dispute.

Congress, which controls federal spending, is likely to dismiss Trump's proposal if recent history is any guide.

The Democratic-ruled House of Representatives and Republican-majority Senate also are unlikely to agree on a joint budget resolution of their own. Instead, they probably will stumble forward until fiscal 2019 ends and a spending deadline arrives on October 1, forcing them to produce a last-minute deal or face another government shutdown.

"The entire process has become one of the missed deadlines, make-believe budgets filled with gimmicks and magic asterisks," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

MacGuineas remembers in years gone by "scurrying around" to read through the budget as fast as possible so that she could answer a flurry of calls from reporters. These days, the budget is a blip on the news cycle, a process that is neither serious nor effective.

"I think it feels like a bit of kabuki theatre at this point, for everybody," MacGuineas said.

The White House disagreed. The budget process helps the administration set priorities for agencies for the year ahead and lays down a marker on issues, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"Of course, Congress has the power of the purse but the president’s budget plants a flag to define terms of the tax and spending debate in Washington," the official said.

Budget on a stranger

The traditional budget and appropriations process was limping along well before Trump took office.

One of former President Ronald Reagan's budgets in the 1980s was brought out on a stretcher as a stunt to show the document was alive and well, ahead of it being declared dead-on-arrival in Congress, recalled Stephen Moore, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

"What we have right now is essentially government by automatic pilot and that's not healthy," Moore said, describing the cycle of last-minute massive omnibus spending bills agreed on only when deadlines loom.

The budget and spending process has been further hobbled by lawmakers' unwillingness to compromise and tendency to put off hard decisions while hoping for a shift in the next election cycle, said Kenneth Baer, an associate director in the Office of Management and Budget under former President Barack Obama.

Trump's budget office has accelerated the downward slide of the process by using more gimmicks to make up for shortfalls, Baer said. "All the normal ways of operating the government have just been thrown out of the window," he said.

Trump's acting budget director, Russell Vought, has said the budget aims to cut non-defence spending and cap spending under levels set in the 2011 Budget Control Act - a feat made possible only with an increase in an emergency account called the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund to cover Trump's plan to increase defense spending.

The tactic makes a mockery of the budget process, said Bixby of the Concord Coalition.

"It's nothing but an astronomical gimmick! It's over the top! It's so over the top, it's clownish!" Bixby said.

With the national debt now topping $22 trillion and the deficit at $900 billion in 2019, it is unlikely that Washington will find its way to fiscal discipline without an overhaul of the process, Bixby said.

He said he is frustrated and worried that it could take a crisis to jolt change, like a recession or a failure to raise the government's debt limit - something that needs to happen in coming months to avoid stumbling into a first-ever default.

"If they act as dysfunctionally this fall as they did last fall and throw the debt limit into the mix, it's very, very toxic," Bixby said.

When President Donald Trump proposes his 2020 federal budget on Monday, official Washington will likely have a quick look, shrug and move on, marking another stage in the quiet decay of the US government's traditional policy-making processes.

When President Donald Trump proposes his 2020 federal budget on Monday, official Washington will likely have a quick look, shrug and move on, marking another stage in the quiet decay of the US government's traditional policy-making processes. There was a time when the release of the president's budget was a red-letter day on the calendar of Washington wonkery, with policy experts and fiscal hawks delving into spreadsheets and expounding upon new spending plans and the national debt. But the hoopla of the budget day is gone, a relic of a time when politics were less polarised, the federal deficit drove political decisions and the White House and Congress still took the budget process seriously. "It has seemed to me that budget day ain't what it used to be," said Robert Bixby, who has pored over the budget for more than 25 years at the Concord Coalition, a fiscal responsibility advocacy group. Last year's budget weighed in at a whopping $4.4 trillion. It was not balanced and was panned for relying on rosy economic projections and for not doing enough to cut the federal deficit. The 2020 Trump budget will land a month after a deadline established in law, a lag blamed on the recent five-week partial shutdown of the federal government over a funding dispute. Congress, which controls federal spending, is likely to dismiss Trump's proposal if recent history is any guide. The Democratic-ruled House of Representatives and Republican-majority Senate also are unlikely to agree on a joint budget resolution of their own. Instead, they probably will stumble forward until fiscal 2019 ends and a spending deadline arrives on October 1, forcing them to produce a last-minute deal or face another government shutdown. "The entire process has become one of the missed deadlines, make-believe budgets filled with gimmicks and magic asterisks," said Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. MacGuineas remembers in years gone by "scurrying around" to read through the budget as fast as possible so that she could answer a flurry of calls from reporters. These days, the budget is a blip on the news cycle, a process that is neither serious nor effective. "I think it feels like a bit of kabuki theatre at this point, for everybody," MacGuineas said. The White House disagreed. The budget process helps the administration set priorities for agencies for the year ahead and lays down a marker on issues, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Of course, Congress has the power of the purse but the president’s budget plants a flag to define terms of the tax and spending debate in Washington," the official said. Budget on a stranger The traditional budget and appropriations process was limping along well before Trump took office. One of former President Ronald Reagan's budgets in the 1980s was brought out on a stretcher as a stunt to show the document was alive and well, ahead of it being declared dead-on-arrival in Congress, recalled Stephen Moore, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. "What we have right now is essentially government by automatic pilot and that's not healthy," Moore said, describing the cycle of last-minute massive omnibus spending bills agreed on only when deadlines loom. The budget and spending process has been further hobbled by lawmakers' unwillingness to compromise and tendency to put off hard decisions while hoping for a shift in the next election cycle, said Kenneth Baer, an associate director in the Office of Management and Budget under former President Barack Obama. Trump's budget office has accelerated the downward slide of the process by using more gimmicks to make up for shortfalls, Baer said. "All the normal ways of operating the government have just been thrown out of the window," he said. Trump's acting budget director, Russell Vought, has said the budget aims to cut non-defence spending and cap spending under levels set in the 2011 Budget Control Act - a feat made possible only with an increase in an emergency account called the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) fund to cover Trump's plan to increase defense spending. The tactic makes a mockery of the budget process, said Bixby of the Concord Coalition. "It's nothing but an astronomical gimmick! It's over the top! It's so over the top, it's clownish!" Bixby said. With the national debt now topping $22 trillion and the deficit at $900 billion in 2019, it is unlikely that Washington will find its way to fiscal discipline without an overhaul of the process, Bixby said. He said he is frustrated and worried that it could take a crisis to jolt change, like a recession or a failure to raise the government's debt limit - something that needs to happen in coming months to avoid stumbling into a first-ever default. "If they act as dysfunctionally this fall as they did last fall and throw the debt limit into the mix, it's very, very toxic," Bixby said.

Trump's budget to land with a thud on Monday

Hundreds of people turned out in Washington Friday demanding regime change in Iran and denouncing "atrocity toward the people" under Tehran's regime.

Protesters waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" -- with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin, an Iranian opposition group banned in the country.

"The regime inside Iran is doing so much atrocity toward the people. Iran in whole has been destroyed by this regime," said Michael Passi, an Iranian-American engineer.

"There are a lot of executions, a lot of tortures and a lot of export of terrorism by this regime," he alleged.

"We want separation of religion and the state," added Mina Entezari, an Arizona-based designer who was a political prisoner in Iran for seven years. "We want freedom for people."

The administration of US President Donald Trump consistently blasts a lack of freedoms in Iran and its 'destabilising'&nbsp;influence on the Middle East.

A firm adversary of the Islamic republic, he has reimplemented harsh economic sanctions -- but Washington insists it is not pushing for regime change, only a change to Iran's policy in areas including missile development and support for militant groups.

"I'm 100 per cent behind President Trump's policy," Passi said. "The only language that this Iranian regime understands is a language of force."

Hundreds of people turned out in Washington Friday demanding regime change in Iran and denouncing "atrocity toward the people" under Tehran's regime. Protesters waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" -- with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin, an Iranian opposition group banned in the country.

Hundreds of people turned out in Washington Friday demanding regime change in Iran and denouncing "atrocity toward the people" under Tehran's regime. Protesters waved Iranian flags as they chanted for "regime change now" -- with some holding portraits of Maryam Rajavi, leader of the People's Mujahedin, an Iranian opposition group banned in the country. "The regime inside Iran is doing so much atrocity toward the people. Iran in whole has been destroyed by this regime," said Michael Passi, an Iranian-American engineer. "There are a lot of executions, a lot of tortures and a lot of export of terrorism by this regime," he alleged. "We want separation of religion and the state," added Mina Entezari, an Arizona-based designer who was a political prisoner in Iran for seven years. "We want freedom for people." The administration of US President Donald Trump consistently blasts a lack of freedoms in Iran and its 'destabilising' influence on the Middle East. A firm adversary of the Islamic republic, he has reimplemented harsh economic sanctions -- but Washington insists it is not pushing for regime change, only a change to Iran's policy in areas including missile development and support for militant groups. "I'm 100 per cent behind President Trump's policy," Passi said. "The only language that this Iranian regime understands is a language of force."

Washington: Protestors waving Iranian flag demand regime change in Iran

donald-trump

Donald Trump, News on Donald Trump, stories on Donald Trump, articles on Donald Trump, Donald Trump stories at Wion, Donald Trump news, Donald Trump latest news

donald trump

Bolsonaro compliments Trump who replies Brazil could join NATO

US sanctions Venezuela state gold mining company: Treasury

Facebook confirms it briefly limited White House official Dan Scavino's account

US investigators sought ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen's emails months before raids

News brief: Big stories of the day

Media 'working overtime to blame me' for New Zealand mosque attacks: Trump

Immigrants can be detained indefinitely after prison term: US Supreme Court

Kellyanne Conway's husband says Trump suffers from 'narcissistic personality disorder'

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo: Will serve until Trump 'tweets me out'

Gravitas: The Return Of Melania Body-Double Theory

News brief: Big stories of the day

Trump slammed for 'silence' on white supremacist threat

Brazil's Bolsonaro heads to US to cement alliance with Trump

As Paris demos burn, Trump tries a told-you-so

Trump stance on Muslims, Fox host in spotlight after mosque shootings

Trump vetoes lawmakers' measure against border wall

2020 Democrats build campaign war chests, $1 at a time

Not rushing to have trade deal with China: Trump

Defying Trump, Senate votes to end US support for Yemen war

Palestinian president slams US dropping 'occupied' in report

Trump's ex-campaign chief Paul Manafort jailed for 43 more months

India-US trade conflict: Fiscal support, WTO or retaliatory tariffs - what suits India's narrative?

Trump's vision for North Korea: US aims for complete denuclearisation by 2021

Venezuela give US diplomats 72 hours to leave; Nicolas Maduro blames Trump for blackout

Trump should not be impeached unless reasons are 'overwhelming': Nancy Pelosi

Trump says today's airplanes are 'too complex to fly'