The US midterm elections are just a week away as a deeply divided nation anxiously watches whether the Republicans will maintain their majority in the Congress, or if the Democrats will pull off a surprise retake of the House or the Senate. Any pretence of bipartisanship and decency in politics today has completely evaporated, as evidenced in the recently concluded hearings on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Just last week, Americans have resorted to expressing differences of opinions not with words but with bombs.

The person singularly responsible for the demise of decency in American politics, President Donald Trump, paid lip service to condemn the attempted attacks against his critics like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and George Soros, among others, stating that “acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.” He quickly resorted to blaming the media and everyone who is critical of him, continuing to spew the divisive rhetoric that would define his presidency.

On October 25, Trump tweeted: “A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” The president’s words have only deepened the partisan divide in a nation that is already split asunder by ideology-based politics rather than issue-driven discourse. Republican Senators and House Representatives have dispensed with any sense of self-respect and propriety to line up meekly behind Trump just to advance their party agenda.

Underdog Urgency

Over the last century, Republicans have been the underdogs of American politics. Democrats have had control of the Senate for 66 of the last 100 years. They have also enjoyed a majority in the House for 65 years, including 40 straight from 1954 until 1994. With control of both arms of Congress and the presidency, it is no surprise that underdogs are behaving with a great deal of urgency, rushing through their agenda.

Now, a GOP-controlled Congress successfully passed a tax bill that is projected to increase the national debt by $1.9 trillion between 2018 and 2028. The tax breaks will primarily benefit corporations and America’s superrich, while the fast-dwindling middle class and the poor end up getting crumbs.

In complete defiance of science, the Trump administration has precipitated the problem of climate change by rolling back environmental regulations. The world has just 12 years to apply the brakes on greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in Earth’s temperature before humanity faces the irreversible effects of global warming in the form of droughts, flooding, extreme heat and poverty.

In his eight years as president, Barack Obama appointed 329 Article III federal judges, two to US Supreme Court, 55 to the US Court of Appeals, 268 to the US District Courts and four to US Court of International Trade. Thanks to the Republican-controlled Senate that had stalled several Obama nominations since 2015, Trump inherited several vacancies, including the one that allowed him to appoint Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. As of this writing, Trump has appointed 84 Article III judges, including two to the Supreme Court, 29 to the Court of Appeals and 53 to the District Courts, reshaping the complexion of the most important courts in the country.

What are the odds?

The battle to retake the Senate may prove near impossible for the Democrats, with more of them contesting for re-election than their Republican counterparts. To regain the majority, vulnerable Democratic candidates Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Donnelly, Jon Tester and Joe Manchin have to hold on to their seats in the battleground states of North Dakota, Indiana, Montana and West Virginia respectively. In addition, they have to flip two of the three possible seats in Nevada, Arizona and Texas.

While the Democratic incumbents in Indiana, West Virginia and Montana are likely to hold their ground, Heidi Heitkamp is trailing in North Dakota by three points, a deficit that may prove very difficult to overcome following her vote against Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Incumbent Republican Ted Cruz holds a comfortable five-point edge over his Democratic rival, Beto O’Rourke, in Texas, but the contest is surprisingly close for a Senate race in the Lone Star State. The Senate race is a toss-up in Nevada. Democrats stand the best chance of an upset in Arizona, where Democrat Kristen Sinema holds a thin lead over Republican Martha McSally. When the dust settles, the final tally may remain exactly what it is today, 51-49 in favour of Republicans, giving them two more years to comfortably fill court vacancies at various levels in the country with conservative judges and altering the complexion of the judiciary for decades to come.

The prospect for Democrats to retake the House majority looks more promising. In order to change the current 194-241 breakdown to a majority, Democrats have to flip at least 24 Republican seats in addition to holding on to their current constituencies. While the number 24 may seem daunting, the House has flipped a majority in the recent past with much larger margins. In 1994 and 2010, Republicans gained a House majority with a swing of 54 and 62 seats respectively. Democrats did that in 2006 with a swing of 32 seats. Regaining the majority in this election season is achievable if the anti-Trump sentiment, especially in key blue states, translates into more voters at the polls.

Decency and Decorum

Despite having the highest number of electoral votes, California typically plays an insignificant role in presidential elections. That is likely to change in these midterm elections as California can singlehandedly give more than a third of the seats needed for the Democrats to retake the House majority. Political pundits and polls show that California does have the ability to transfer as many as eight Republican-held seats to Democrats in their quest for 24. They are also aided by the millions that former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is pumping into California to help the cause of winning the House back.

The Garden State, New Jersey, has five Republican incumbents who are vulnerable and is very likely to unseat four of them in preference to their Democratic challengers. New York, Illinois, Virginia Iowa and Pennsylvania are all states with competitive elections that can provide the remaining seats needed by the Democrats. A statistical analysis website FiveThirtyEight projects that the Democrats will retake the House with a 6-in-7 chance.

If the Democrats do gain House majority, Trump, one of America’s most scandal-prone presidents, will come under closer scrutiny and may even face impeachment. He and his administration will likely face a slew of investigations that will apply brakes on the Republican legislative agenda for rest of his term, slowing down Trump’s destructive policies in the areas of immigration, environment and the rights of marginalized minorities. His threat to end birthright citizenship with an executive order, potentially defying the 14th Amendment of the Constitution will undoubtedly face stiff legal battle, driving another wedge in a nation already struggling with many unresolved immigration issues.

Decency and decorum in American politics will still be a distant dream even if Democrats flip the House next week. America’s vindictive and hate-mongering president will only redouble his efforts maligning every effort that exposes the vacuous and corrupt person that he is. That would still be a small price to pay for providing the much-needed checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of the US government that has been completely absent the past two years. 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/can-democrats-win-us-midterm-elections-american-politics-news-analysis-17716/">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The US midterm elections are just a week away as a deeply divided nation anxiously watches whether the Republicans will maintain their majority in the Congress, or if the Democrats will pull off a surprise retake of the House or the Senate.

The US midterm elections are just a week away as a deeply divided nation anxiously watches whether the Republicans will maintain their majority in the Congress, or if the Democrats will pull off a surprise retake of the House or the Senate. Any pretence of bipartisanship and decency in politics today has completely evaporated, as evidenced in the recently concluded hearings on the allegations of sexual misconduct against Judge Brett Kavanaugh at the Senate Judiciary Committee. Just last week, Americans have resorted to expressing differences of opinions not with words but with bombs. The person singularly responsible for the demise of decency in American politics, President Donald Trump, paid lip service to condemn the attempted attacks against his critics like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and George Soros, among others, stating that “acts or threats of political violence of any kind have no place in the United States of America.” He quickly resorted to blaming the media and everyone who is critical of him, continuing to spew the divisive rhetoric that would define his presidency. On October 25, Trump tweeted: “A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News. It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” The president’s words have only deepened the partisan divide in a nation that is already split asunder by ideology-based politics rather than issue-driven discourse. Republican Senators and House Representatives have dispensed with any sense of self-respect and propriety to line up meekly behind Trump just to advance their party agenda. Underdog Urgency Over the last century, Republicans have been the underdogs of American politics. Democrats have had control of the Senate for 66 of the last 100 years. They have also enjoyed a majority in the House for 65 years, including 40 straight from 1954 until 1994. With control of both arms of Congress and the presidency, it is no surprise that underdogs are behaving with a great deal of urgency, rushing through their agenda. Now, a GOP-controlled Congress successfully passed a tax bill that is projected to increase the national debt by $1.9 trillion between 2018 and 2028. The tax breaks will primarily benefit corporations and America’s superrich, while the fast-dwindling middle class and the poor end up getting crumbs. In complete defiance of science, the Trump administration has precipitated the problem of climate change by rolling back environmental regulations. The world has just 12 years to apply the brakes on greenhouse gas emissions and limit the rise in Earth’s temperature before humanity faces the irreversible effects of global warming in the form of droughts, flooding, extreme heat and poverty. In his eight years as president, Barack Obama appointed 329 Article III federal judges, two to US Supreme Court, 55 to the US Court of Appeals, 268 to the US District Courts and four to US Court of International Trade. Thanks to the Republican-controlled Senate that had stalled several Obama nominations since 2015, Trump inherited several vacancies, including the one that allowed him to appoint Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. As of this writing, Trump has appointed 84 Article III judges, including two to the Supreme Court, 29 to the Court of Appeals and 53 to the District Courts, reshaping the complexion of the most important courts in the country. What are the odds? The battle to retake the Senate may prove near impossible for the Democrats, with more of them contesting for re-election than their Republican counterparts. To regain the majority, vulnerable Democratic candidates Heidi Heitkamp, Joe Donnelly, Jon Tester and Joe Manchin have to hold on to their seats in the battleground states of North Dakota, Indiana, Montana and West Virginia respectively. In addition, they have to flip two of the three possible seats in Nevada, Arizona and Texas. While the Democratic incumbents in Indiana, West Virginia and Montana are likely to hold their ground, Heidi Heitkamp is trailing in North Dakota by three points, a deficit that may prove very difficult to overcome following her vote against Kavanaugh’s confirmation. Incumbent Republican Ted Cruz holds a comfortable five-point edge over his Democratic rival, Beto O’Rourke, in Texas, but the contest is surprisingly close for a Senate race in the Lone Star State. The Senate race is a toss-up in Nevada. Democrats stand the best chance of an upset in Arizona, where Democrat Kristen Sinema holds a thin lead over Republican Martha McSally. When the dust settles, the final tally may remain exactly what it is today, 51-49 in favour of Republicans, giving them two more years to comfortably fill court vacancies at various levels in the country with conservative judges and altering the complexion of the judiciary for decades to come. The prospect for Democrats to retake the House majority looks more promising. In order to change the current 194-241 breakdown to a majority, Democrats have to flip at least 24 Republican seats in addition to holding on to their current constituencies. While the number 24 may seem daunting, the House has flipped a majority in the recent past with much larger margins. In 1994 and 2010, Republicans gained a House majority with a swing of 54 and 62 seats respectively. Democrats did that in 2006 with a swing of 32 seats. Regaining the majority in this election season is achievable if the anti-Trump sentiment, especially in key blue states, translates into more voters at the polls. Decency and Decorum Despite having the highest number of electoral votes, California typically plays an insignificant role in presidential elections. That is likely to change in these midterm elections as California can singlehandedly give more than a third of the seats needed for the Democrats to retake the House majority. Political pundits and polls show that California does have the ability to transfer as many as eight Republican-held seats to Democrats in their quest for 24. They are also aided by the millions that former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg is pumping into California to help the cause of winning the House back. The Garden State, New Jersey, has five Republican incumbents who are vulnerable and is very likely to unseat four of them in preference to their Democratic challengers. New York, Illinois, Virginia Iowa and Pennsylvania are all states with competitive elections that can provide the remaining seats needed by the Democrats. A statistical analysis website FiveThirtyEight projects that the Democrats will retake the House with a 6-in-7 chance. If the Democrats do gain House majority, Trump, one of America’s most scandal-prone presidents, will come under closer scrutiny and may even face impeachment. He and his administration will likely face a slew of investigations that will apply brakes on the Republican legislative agenda for rest of his term, slowing down Trump’s destructive policies in the areas of immigration, environment and the rights of marginalized minorities. His threat to end birthright citizenship with an executive order, potentially defying the 14th Amendment of the Constitution will undoubtedly face stiff legal battle, driving another wedge in a nation already struggling with many unresolved immigration issues. Decency and decorum in American politics will still be a distant dream even if Democrats flip the House next week. America’s vindictive and hate-mongering president will only redouble his efforts maligning every effort that exposes the vacuous and corrupt person that he is. That would still be a small price to pay for providing the much-needed checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of the US government that has been completely absent the past two years. (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

What is at stake in the US midterm elections?

Omar Qudrat denies any contradiction in his being both a Muslim and a Republican in the era of President Donald Trump.

In fact, he is so convinced that his party is still one of diversity, despite the president's rhetoric, that he is running for Congress in California's 52nd District on a Republican ticket.

"I'm American period. I was born and raised in this country," Qudrat, whose parent were immigrants from Afghanistan, told AFP.

"We have a very diverse party. We just don't talk about it and make it like the number one talking point about us," he said. "I was endorsed by numerous sitting senior members of Congress and it had nothing to do with my ethnicity and religion."

The reality is, however, that if he wins his race, the 37-year-old would be the first Muslim Republican to take a seat in Congress.

There are currently two Muslims in the House of Representatives -- Keith Ellison and Andre Carson. Both are Democrats.

But the label barely matters for Qudrat. "My run for Congress has to do with reality. And real issues," he said, dismissing what he called "identity politics."

"I don't think that ethnicity is a qualification," he said.

That is why he did not rush to denounce Trump's ban on people from a number of Muslim-majority countries from entering the country, instead arguing that as former Defense Department worker, he was aware of national security issues.

At the same time, he avoids talking about scandal-plagued fellow California Republican Duncan Hunter, who is running against a Democrat of mixed Palestinian and Mexican heritage and who has warned that "radical Muslims are trying to infiltrate the US government," even though his opponent is a Christian.

"I've got to talk about the issues in my district and that's it," Qudrat said.

- 'False promises' -

Qudrat grew up in a violent neighborhood of Los Angeles, where gangs ruled the streets and shoot-outs were common.

He was in the fifth grade when a gang tried to recruit him for the first time, and a year later he was offered a gun for sale: a 25mm pistol for $25.

"I'll tell you why I am Republican," he recently told a gathering of students organized by the University of San Diego. "I don't believe in government, I believe in people."

He blames the Democrats for "not delivering" and making "false promises," something he attributes to his Democrat rival Scott Peters, whom he is currently trailing in polls.&nbsp;

Qudrat learned from his parents -- big supporters of Ronald Reagan, who armed Afghanistan's mujahedin to fight the Soviet occupation -- to have "belief in yourself and self-determination."

"And that matched more with the Republican political philosophy," said the young candidate, who says he has never felt discriminated against in the United States.

Ten years after the 9/11 terror attacks, Qudrat, who speaks fluent Dari and has degrees in law and international relations, worked for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan, trying to improve the country's judicial system.

He then worked for the military prosecutor's office processing detainees in the Guantanamo Bay prison.

He thinks the United States has to "end the war in Afghanistan and do so in a responsible manner that will ensure Afghanistan does not again become a safe haven for terrorist networks that can plot and attack us with impunity."

If he does win his seat, he hopes to use his experience in Congress's committees on the armed forces and foreign relations.

- 'We have laws' -

Qudrat -- who is pro-life and favors tax cuts for the middle classes -- said Trump could do more to unite Americans, but at the same time he defends his economic record.&nbsp;

"President Trump evokes feelings among some people that really caused them to oppose him," he said.

"Do you want to derail the progress that's being made right now?" he argues, citing low unemployment, especially among minority groups, and rising wages among blue collar workers.&nbsp;

"There are real lives that are improving," he said. "I have to support that."

He agrees with the president on the need to improve border security, but has avoided commenting on whether he supports his plan for a wall on the Mexico border.&nbsp;

He also supports a legislative solution for the so-called "dreamers," children of migrant parents who entered the country without documentation and who now may face deportation themselves, despite having lived in the United States their whole lives.&nbsp;

"I do not believe a two-year-old or a three-year-old could have had criminal intent when they were brought involuntarily into our country," he said.&nbsp;

"Therefore we should not treat them as criminals," he said. "They are otherwise American in every way except for their legal status."

"America is the most generous, compassionate nation on earth," he said. But, he noted, "we have laws."&nbsp;

Omar Qudrat denies any contradiction in his being both a Muslim and a Republican in the era of President Donald Trump. In fact, he is so convinced that his party is still one of diversity, despite the president's rhetoric, that he is running for Congress in California's 52nd District on a Republican ticket.

Omar Qudrat denies any contradiction in his being both a Muslim and a Republican in the era of President Donald Trump. In fact, he is so convinced that his party is still one of diversity, despite the president's rhetoric, that he is running for Congress in California's 52nd District on a Republican ticket. "I'm American period. I was born and raised in this country," Qudrat, whose parent were immigrants from Afghanistan, told AFP. "We have a very diverse party. We just don't talk about it and make it like the number one talking point about us," he said. "I was endorsed by numerous sitting senior members of Congress and it had nothing to do with my ethnicity and religion." The reality is, however, that if he wins his race, the 37-year-old would be the first Muslim Republican to take a seat in Congress. There are currently two Muslims in the House of Representatives -- Keith Ellison and Andre Carson. Both are Democrats. But the label barely matters for Qudrat. "My run for Congress has to do with reality. And real issues," he said, dismissing what he called "identity politics." "I don't think that ethnicity is a qualification," he said. That is why he did not rush to denounce Trump's ban on people from a number of Muslim-majority countries from entering the country, instead arguing that as former Defense Department worker, he was aware of national security issues. At the same time, he avoids talking about scandal-plagued fellow California Republican Duncan Hunter, who is running against a Democrat of mixed Palestinian and Mexican heritage and who has warned that "radical Muslims are trying to infiltrate the US government," even though his opponent is a Christian. "I've got to talk about the issues in my district and that's it," Qudrat said. - 'False promises' - Qudrat grew up in a violent neighborhood of Los Angeles, where gangs ruled the streets and shoot-outs were common. He was in the fifth grade when a gang tried to recruit him for the first time, and a year later he was offered a gun for sale: a 25mm pistol for $25. "I'll tell you why I am Republican," he recently told a gathering of students organized by the University of San Diego. "I don't believe in government, I believe in people." He blames the Democrats for "not delivering" and making "false promises," something he attributes to his Democrat rival Scott Peters, whom he is currently trailing in polls. Qudrat learned from his parents -- big supporters of Ronald Reagan, who armed Afghanistan's mujahedin to fight the Soviet occupation -- to have "belief in yourself and self-determination." "And that matched more with the Republican political philosophy," said the young candidate, who says he has never felt discriminated against in the United States. Ten years after the 9/11 terror attacks, Qudrat, who speaks fluent Dari and has degrees in law and international relations, worked for the Department of Defense in Afghanistan, trying to improve the country's judicial system. He then worked for the military prosecutor's office processing detainees in the Guantanamo Bay prison. He thinks the United States has to "end the war in Afghanistan and do so in a responsible manner that will ensure Afghanistan does not again become a safe haven for terrorist networks that can plot and attack us with impunity." If he does win his seat, he hopes to use his experience in Congress's committees on the armed forces and foreign relations. - 'We have laws' - Qudrat -- who is pro-life and favors tax cuts for the middle classes -- said Trump could do more to unite Americans, but at the same time he defends his economic record. "President Trump evokes feelings among some people that really caused them to oppose him," he said. "Do you want to derail the progress that's being made right now?" he argues, citing low unemployment, especially among minority groups, and rising wages among blue collar workers. "There are real lives that are improving," he said. "I have to support that." He agrees with the president on the need to improve border security, but has avoided commenting on whether he supports his plan for a wall on the Mexico border. He also supports a legislative solution for the so-called "dreamers," children of migrant parents who entered the country without documentation and who now may face deportation themselves, despite having lived in the United States their whole lives. "I do not believe a two-year-old or a three-year-old could have had criminal intent when they were brought involuntarily into our country," he said. "Therefore we should not treat them as criminals," he said. "They are otherwise American in every way except for their legal status." "America is the most generous, compassionate nation on earth," he said. But, he noted, "we have laws."

US midterms: Omar Qudrat is Republican, Muslim and hoping to win US Congress seat

Two months ago, Marisol Hernandez's husband was gunned down by gangsters for refusing to work for them. For the pregnant 23-year-old, that was the last straw.

She left her two children with her grandmother and decided to set off among thousands of other Honduran migrants in a bid to reach the United States. In her case, because she wants her next child to "be American."

She is far from alone. Dozens of pregnant women are among the migrants, now in Mexico, fleeing poverty and violence in their homeland in search of the American dream.

But the hope that her unborn child will be American and "graduate in something, study, speak English, know about computers and things like that," is being threatened by President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-plans-to-scrap-birthright-citizenship-174438">Donald Trump's apparent determination to abolish birthright citizenship</a> for the children of illegal immigrants and non-citizens.

"It's ridiculous. And it has to end," said Trump of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment that grants US citizenship to those born on US soil.

For now, Hernandez is hoping that in six months' time, her newborn baby will become a citizen of the United States.

Her story is a harrowing, but typical of those amongst the estimated 7,000-strong caravan heading through Mexico toward California.

She used to work in a clothing shop but two months ago "mareros," gang members, killed her husband with "a bullet between the eyes" on his doorstep as he returned from work.

"He refused to work as an extortionist," said Hernandez. The next day, she started receiving threats.

She left her two children behind "because I can barely feed them" and set off in search of a better future.

Wracked by doubt 
For the last two weeks, she's been sleeping in the street without a roof over her head and walking for 10 hours a day, when not hitch-hiking on trucks giving rides to migrants.

The road is long and Hernandez is beset by doubts.

"At times I want to go back because I feel like neither I nor the child will manage" the rest of the journey, she said in a moment of rest from lugging her heavy suitcase.

The route became longer last Friday when the majority of undocumented migrants voted in favour of diverting from the Pacific highway running up to California and headed inland to Mexico City to ask for legal documents that would allow them to travel freely around the country.

Hernandez is gradually regaining her strength to continue the slog so that her child can grow up far away from "the parasites" in her home country who use threats to recruit children into their gangs.

She has no intention of taking up Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's offer to stay in the country because it's on condition of claiming asylum and living in the largely impoverished and indigenous-populated states of Oaxaca and Chiapas.

"It would be the same as living in Honduras," complained Hernandez.

She says she's heard medical volunteers accompanying the caravan claim there are 42 pregnant women in the group.

'No trust' 
"We've seen a lot of pregnant women but they don't come to us. It seems like they don't trust us," said Julio Mendoza, a medic in the town of Huixtla.

Julia Martinez, a nurse who's been handing out vitamins to women, says she's seen some that up to "30 weeks pregnant."

It's not just Hondurans on the long march to the US.

Salvadoran Delmer Roxana Martinez, 29, is three months pregnant and traveling with her three-year-old son, husband and cousin but she left behind a nine-year-old daughter in San Salvador.

"God knows that it's not out of ambition (but) it would be beneficial to the family" if her child were born in the US, she says.

Stephanie Guadalupe Sanchez is only 15 but seven months pregnant and walks with difficulty.

"I want a good job and future for my child. It would have a better life if we live there in the United States," she said, before heading off to her bed for the night, in a small space in the central square in the town of Pijijiapan.

&nbsp;

Two months ago, Marisol Hernandez's husband was gunned down by gangsters for refusing to work for them. For the pregnant 23-year-old, that was the last straw. She left her two children with her grandmother and decided to set off among thousands of other Honduran migrants in a bid to reach the United States.

Two months ago, Marisol Hernandez's husband was gunned down by gangsters for refusing to work for them. For the pregnant 23-year-old, that was the last straw. She left her two children with her grandmother and decided to set off among thousands of other Honduran migrants in a bid to reach the United States. In her case, because she wants her next child to "be American." She is far from alone. Dozens of pregnant women are among the migrants, now in Mexico, fleeing poverty and violence in their homeland in search of the American dream. But the hope that her unborn child will be American and "graduate in something, study, speak English, know about computers and things like that," is being threatened by President Donald Trump's apparent determination to abolish birthright citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants and non-citizens. "It's ridiculous. And it has to end," said Trump of the US Constitution's 14th Amendment that grants US citizenship to those born on US soil. For now, Hernandez is hoping that in six months' time, her newborn baby will become a citizen of the United States. Her story is a harrowing, but typical of those amongst the estimated 7,000-strong caravan heading through Mexico toward California. She used to work in a clothing shop but two months ago "mareros," gang members, killed her husband with "a bullet between the eyes" on his doorstep as he returned from work. "He refused to work as an extortionist," said Hernandez. The next day, she started receiving threats. She left her two children behind "because I can barely feed them" and set off in search of a better future. Wracked by doubt For the last two weeks, she's been sleeping in the street without a roof over her head and walking for 10 hours a day, when not hitch-hiking on trucks giving rides to migrants. The road is long and Hernandez is beset by doubts. "At times I want to go back because I feel like neither I nor the child will manage" the rest of the journey, she said in a moment of rest from lugging her heavy suitcase. The route became longer last Friday when the majority of undocumented migrants voted in favour of diverting from the Pacific highway running up to California and headed inland to Mexico City to ask for legal documents that would allow them to travel freely around the country. Hernandez is gradually regaining her strength to continue the slog so that her child can grow up far away from "the parasites" in her home country who use threats to recruit children into their gangs. She has no intention of taking up Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's offer to stay in the country because it's on condition of claiming asylum and living in the largely impoverished and indigenous-populated states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. "It would be the same as living in Honduras," complained Hernandez. She says she's heard medical volunteers accompanying the caravan claim there are 42 pregnant women in the group. 'No trust' "We've seen a lot of pregnant women but they don't come to us. It seems like they don't trust us," said Julio Mendoza, a medic in the town of Huixtla. Julia Martinez, a nurse who's been handing out vitamins to women, says she's seen some that up to "30 weeks pregnant." It's not just Hondurans on the long march to the US. Salvadoran Delmer Roxana Martinez, 29, is three months pregnant and traveling with her three-year-old son, husband and cousin but she left behind a nine-year-old daughter in San Salvador. "God knows that it's not out of ambition (but) it would be beneficial to the family" if her child were born in the US, she says. Stephanie Guadalupe Sanchez is only 15 but seven months pregnant and walks with difficulty. "I want a good job and future for my child. It would have a better life if we live there in the United States," she said, before heading off to her bed for the night, in a small space in the central square in the town of Pijijiapan.

Pregnant migrants want their children 'to be American'

Another migrant caravan like the one that has infuriated US President Donald Trump and fueled his anti-immigrant message ahead of next week's election is on the move in southern Mexico.

This second, smaller US-bound group of around 2,000 poor people managed to cross the Suchiate River separating Mexico from Guatemala to the south on Monday.

At one point they clashed with Mexican security forces on a bridge and one member of the caravan was reported killed.

On Tuesday they covered about 25 kilometers (16 miles) and settled down for the night in the town of Tapachula in the state of Chiapas, an AFP reporter said.

Like the larger caravan, this one is made up mostly of Hondurans and includes women and children.

And like their colleagues moving further up north, these people have rejected an offer from Mexico of medical care, schooling for their kids and temporary work permits if they stop traveling and request asylum in Chiapas or Oaxaca.

The first caravan, which has dwindled and now numbers some 4,000 people, according to an aide group called Pueblos sin Fronteras, arrived Tuesday in the town of Juchitan, in Oaxaca.

They were spending Tuesday night in tents in an abandoned bus station.

Trump has announced he is sending more than 5,000 soldiers to shore up the US-Mexico border as he talks up what he calls a migrant invasion to appeal to his right-wing base ahead of the congressional vote next Tuesday.

Another migrant caravan like the one that has infuriated US President Donald Trump and fueled his anti-immigrant message ahead of next week's election is on the move in southern Mexico.

Another migrant caravan like the one that has infuriated US President Donald Trump and fueled his anti-immigrant message ahead of next week's election is on the move in southern Mexico. This second, smaller US-bound group of around 2,000 poor people managed to cross the Suchiate River separating Mexico from Guatemala to the south on Monday. At one point they clashed with Mexican security forces on a bridge and one member of the caravan was reported killed. On Tuesday they covered about 25 kilometers (16 miles) and settled down for the night in the town of Tapachula in the state of Chiapas, an AFP reporter said. Like the larger caravan, this one is made up mostly of Hondurans and includes women and children. And like their colleagues moving further up north, these people have rejected an offer from Mexico of medical care, schooling for their kids and temporary work permits if they stop traveling and request asylum in Chiapas or Oaxaca. The first caravan, which has dwindled and now numbers some 4,000 people, according to an aide group called Pueblos sin Fronteras, arrived Tuesday in the town of Juchitan, in Oaxaca. They were spending Tuesday night in tents in an abandoned bus station. Trump has announced he is sending more than 5,000 soldiers to shore up the US-Mexico border as he talks up what he calls a migrant invasion to appeal to his right-wing base ahead of the congressional vote next Tuesday.

Second migrant caravan on the move in Mexico

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/many-gang-members-in-caravan-headed-to-sourthern-border-it-is-an-invasion-and-our-military-is-waiting-trump-174273">border with Mexico</a>, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections.

The deployment will create an active-duty force comparable in size to the US military contingent in Iraq, as Trump's administration draws attention to a caravan of migrants that is trekking through Mexico toward the United States.

General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the head of US Northern Command, said 800 US troops were already en route to the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-honors-migrants-at-day-of-the-dead-as-caravan-treks-north-173978">Texas border</a> and more were headed to the borders in California and Arizona.

"The president has made it clear that border security is national security," O'Shaughnessy said, as he detailed a much larger deployment than the 800 to 1,000 troops predicted by US officials last week.

O'Shaughnessy said some soldiers would be armed although it was unclear who, beyond US military police, might need those weapons. US officials have stressed that the troops would not police the border and instead carry out support roles like building tents and barricades, and flying US customs personnel to locations along the border.

Trump railed against illegal immigration to win the 2016 US presidential election and has seized on the caravan of Central American migrants at campaign rallies in the run-up to next week's vote, firing up support for his Republican Party.

Trump said the United States would build "tent cities" to house migrants seeking asylum, rather than releasing them while they await court decisions.

"We’re going to put tents up all over the place. We’re not going to build structures and spend all of this, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars - we’re going to have tents," he told Fox News in an interview.

Trump said detaining asylum seekers while their cases are being decided would discourage others from following suit.

If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it could become much harder for Trump to pursue his policy agenda in his remaining two years in office.

According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late September and early October, 75 per cent of Republican voters said illegal immigration is a very big problem, compared with 19 per cent of Democratic voters.

Although Trump's supporters in Congress praised the deployment of troops, the American Civil Liberties Union derided it as a political stunt.

"President Trump has chosen just before midterm elections to force the military into furthering his anti-immigrant agenda of fear and division," said Shaw Drake, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Border Rights Center in El Paso, Texas.

Trump said on Twitter on Monday that the military would be waiting for the procession -- suggesting a far more direct role in confronting the migrants than the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-could-send-thousands-more-troops-to-us-mexico-border-official-174261"> Pentagon</a> described.

"Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump tweeted.

"Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" he added.

Trump administration officials have been discussing other options to address the caravan and a surge in border crossings, including having Trump use his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare certain migrants ineligible for asylum for national security reasons.

Officials said no decisions had been made.

Kevin McAleenan, the US&nbsp;commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said a group of approximately 3,500 immigrants were traveling through southern Mexico with the intent of reaching the US border. A second caravan of about 3,000 people were at the Guatemala-Mexico border, McAleenan said.

At the same time, over the last three weeks, border agents have encountered nearly 1,900 people per day either crossing the border illegally or presenting themselves at ports of entry, with over half of them being children alone or parents and children traveling together, McAleenan said.

"We are already facing a border security and humanitarian crisis at our southwest border," he said.

Some migrants have abandoned the journey, deterred by the hardships or the possibility instead of making a new life in Mexico. Others joined it in southern Mexico.

Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice, at least in recent years, in which such operations were carried out by National Guard forces -- largely part-time military members who are often called upon to serve in response to domestic emergencies.

There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April. The latest deployment would be in addition to those forces.

The decision to send active duty forces this time gives the Pentagon the ability to more rapidly mobilize greater capability than would be immediately available with the Guard, officials told Reuters.

But it also injects the military, which prides itself in being non-partisan, into a highly charged political issue just days ahead of an election.

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the border with Mexico, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections.

The United States said on Monday it will send over 5,200 troops to help secure the border with Mexico, a far larger-than-expected deployment as President Donald Trump hardens his stance on immigration ahead of November 6 mid-term elections. The deployment will create an active-duty force comparable in size to the US military contingent in Iraq, as Trump's administration draws attention to a caravan of migrants that is trekking through Mexico toward the United States. General Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the head of US Northern Command, said 800 US troops were already en route to the Texas border and more were headed to the borders in California and Arizona. "The president has made it clear that border security is national security," O'Shaughnessy said, as he detailed a much larger deployment than the 800 to 1,000 troops predicted by US officials last week. O'Shaughnessy said some soldiers would be armed although it was unclear who, beyond US military police, might need those weapons. US officials have stressed that the troops would not police the border and instead carry out support roles like building tents and barricades, and flying US customs personnel to locations along the border. Trump railed against illegal immigration to win the 2016 US presidential election and has seized on the caravan of Central American migrants at campaign rallies in the run-up to next week's vote, firing up support for his Republican Party. Trump said the United States would build "tent cities" to house migrants seeking asylum, rather than releasing them while they await court decisions. "We’re going to put tents up all over the place. We’re not going to build structures and spend all of this, you know, hundreds of millions of dollars - we’re going to have tents," he told Fox News in an interview. Trump said detaining asylum seekers while their cases are being decided would discourage others from following suit. If the Republicans lose control of the House of Representatives or the Senate, it could become much harder for Trump to pursue his policy agenda in his remaining two years in office. According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in late September and early October, 75 per cent of Republican voters said illegal immigration is a very big problem, compared with 19 per cent of Democratic voters. Although Trump's supporters in Congress praised the deployment of troops, the American Civil Liberties Union derided it as a political stunt. "President Trump has chosen just before midterm elections to force the military into furthering his anti-immigrant agenda of fear and division," said Shaw Drake, policy counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union Border Rights Center in El Paso, Texas. Trump said on Twitter on Monday that the military would be waiting for the procession -- suggesting a far more direct role in confronting the migrants than the Pentagon described. "Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump tweeted. "Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" he added. Trump administration officials have been discussing other options to address the caravan and a surge in border crossings, including having Trump use his authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act to declare certain migrants ineligible for asylum for national security reasons. Officials said no decisions had been made. Kevin McAleenan, the US commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, said a group of approximately 3,500 immigrants were traveling through southern Mexico with the intent of reaching the US border. A second caravan of about 3,000 people were at the Guatemala-Mexico border, McAleenan said. At the same time, over the last three weeks, border agents have encountered nearly 1,900 people per day either crossing the border illegally or presenting themselves at ports of entry, with over half of them being children alone or parents and children traveling together, McAleenan said. "We are already facing a border security and humanitarian crisis at our southwest border," he said. Some migrants have abandoned the journey, deterred by the hardships or the possibility instead of making a new life in Mexico. Others joined it in southern Mexico. Trump's decision to call in the military appears to be a departure from past practice, at least in recent years, in which such operations were carried out by National Guard forces -- largely part-time military members who are often called upon to serve in response to domestic emergencies. There are already 2,100 US National Guard forces at the border, sent after a previous Trump request in April. The latest deployment would be in addition to those forces. The decision to send active duty forces this time gives the Pentagon the ability to more rapidly mobilize greater capability than would be immediately available with the Guard, officials told Reuters. But it also injects the military, which prides itself in being non-partisan, into a highly charged political issue just days ahead of an election.

President Trump has made it clear border security is national security: US northern command chief

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution grants US citizenship to persons born on US soil.

It was passed by Congress in 1866 after the bloody Civil War between the North and pro-slavery South and ratified by three-fourths of the US states two years later.

The 14th Amendment overturned the infamous 1857 US Supreme Court ruling in the "Dred Scott v. Sandford" case which held that African-Americans could not be US citizens.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside," the amendment reads.

President Donald Trump, in an interview released Tuesday, said he is considering using an executive order to abolish "birthright" citizenship for children of non-citizens and illegal immigrants.

"We're the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States," Trump said. "It's ridiculous. And it has to end."

Constitutional scholars questioned whether the president can make such a move through an executive order but Trump said he believes he can.

"It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment," he told Axios. "Guess what? You don't."

"You can definitely do it with an Act of Congress," the president said. "But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) denounced Trump's statements as unconstitutional and a political maneuver ahead of November elections.

"This is a blatantly unconstitutional attempt to fan the flames of anti-immigrant hatred in the days ahead of the midterms," the ACLU said in a tweet.

"The 14th Amendment's citizenship guarantee is clear. You can't erase the Constitution with an executive order @realDonaldTrump."

Wong Kim Ark case

The issue of birthright citizenship has come before the Supreme Court previously, most notably in an 1898 case "United States v. Wong Kim Ark."

Wong Kim Ark was born in California in 1873 to parents who had come to the United States from China.

After a visit to China, Wong Kim Ark was denied reentry into the United States in 1895 under the Chinese Exclusion Acts.

The Supreme Court ruled, however, that the acts did not apply to Wong Kim Ark and that he was a US citizen by virtue of being born in the United States.

Historian Martha Jones, author of "Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America," said the White House may craft an argument to try to get around the ruling and the 14th Amendment.

The 14th Amendment does not apply to persons who are not subject to US jurisdiction -- foreign diplomats, for example, and Native Americans.

"(The Supreme Court) could distinguish from Wong Kim Ark on the facts," Jones said in a thread on Twitter.

"Wong's parents were authorized or we might say legal immigrants. Their presence in the US was authorized," she said. "Wong Kim Ark did not directly address the status of children born to unauthorized immigrants.

"The President proposes to interpret that part of the 14th Amendment which excludes persons not subject to US jurisdiction from Birthright Citizenship," Jones said.

"His view as I take it is that children born to unauthorized immigrants are excluded from Birthright under this exception," she said.

"Could (the Supreme Court) revisit its own precedent in Wong Kim Ark and rule that children of noncitizens are not Birthright citizens," Jones asked. "It would be a departure from precedent, but it is possible."

Vice President Mike Pence appeared to make just this case during a forum with Politico on Tuesday.

"We all cherish the language of the 14th Amendment, but the Supreme Court of the United States has never ruled on whether or not the language of the 14th Amendment 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof' applies specifically to people who are in the country illegally," Pence said.&nbsp;

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally, said he planned to introduce legislation in Congress "along the same lines as the proposed executive order."

"Finally, a president willing to take on this absurd policy of birthright citizenship," Graham tweeted.

"This policy is a magnet for illegal immigration, out of the mainstream of the developed world, and needs to come to an end," he said.

About 30 countries around the world apply some form of birthright citizenship, according to various reports.

According to a Pew Research Center study, about 275,000 babies were born to the parents of unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2014 -- around seven percent of the four million births in the country that year.&nbsp;

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution grants US citizenship to persons born on US soil. It was passed by Congress in 1866 after the bloody Civil War between the North and pro-slavery South and ratified by three-fourths of the US states two years later.

The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution grants US citizenship to persons born on US soil. It was passed by Congress in 1866 after the bloody Civil War between the North and pro-slavery South and ratified by three-fourths of the US states two years later. The 14th Amendment overturned the infamous 1857 US Supreme Court ruling in the "Dred Scott v. Sandford" case which held that African-Americans could not be US citizens. "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside," the amendment reads. President Donald Trump, in an interview released Tuesday, said he is considering using an executive order to abolish "birthright" citizenship for children of non-citizens and illegal immigrants. "We're the only country in the world where a person comes in and has a baby, and the baby is essentially a citizen of the United States," Trump said. "It's ridiculous. And it has to end." Constitutional scholars questioned whether the president can make such a move through an executive order but Trump said he believes he can. "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment," he told Axios. "Guess what? You don't." "You can definitely do it with an Act of Congress," the president said. "But now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order." The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) denounced Trump's statements as unconstitutional and a political maneuver ahead of November elections. "This is a blatantly unconstitutional attempt to fan the flames of anti-immigrant hatred in the days ahead of the midterms," the ACLU said in a tweet. "The 14th Amendment's citizenship guarantee is clear. You can't erase the Constitution with an executive order @realDonaldTrump." Wong Kim Ark case The issue of birthright citizenship has come before the Supreme Court previously, most notably in an 1898 case "United States v. Wong Kim Ark." Wong Kim Ark was born in California in 1873 to parents who had come to the United States from China. After a visit to China, Wong Kim Ark was denied reentry into the United States in 1895 under the Chinese Exclusion Acts. The Supreme Court ruled, however, that the acts did not apply to Wong Kim Ark and that he was a US citizen by virtue of being born in the United States. Historian Martha Jones, author of "Birthright Citizens: A History of Race and Rights in Antebellum America," said the White House may craft an argument to try to get around the ruling and the 14th Amendment. The 14th Amendment does not apply to persons who are not subject to US jurisdiction -- foreign diplomats, for example, and Native Americans. "(The Supreme Court) could distinguish from Wong Kim Ark on the facts," Jones said in a thread on Twitter. "Wong's parents were authorized or we might say legal immigrants. Their presence in the US was authorized," she said. "Wong Kim Ark did not directly address the status of children born to unauthorized immigrants. "The President proposes to interpret that part of the 14th Amendment which excludes persons not subject to US jurisdiction from Birthright Citizenship," Jones said. "His view as I take it is that children born to unauthorized immigrants are excluded from Birthright under this exception," she said. "Could (the Supreme Court) revisit its own precedent in Wong Kim Ark and rule that children of noncitizens are not Birthright citizens," Jones asked. "It would be a departure from precedent, but it is possible." Vice President Mike Pence appeared to make just this case during a forum with Politico on Tuesday. "We all cherish the language of the 14th Amendment, but the Supreme Court of the United States has never ruled on whether or not the language of the 14th Amendment 'subject to the jurisdiction thereof' applies specifically to people who are in the country illegally," Pence said. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Trump ally, said he planned to introduce legislation in Congress "along the same lines as the proposed executive order." "Finally, a president willing to take on this absurd policy of birthright citizenship," Graham tweeted. "This policy is a magnet for illegal immigration, out of the mainstream of the developed world, and needs to come to an end," he said. About 30 countries around the world apply some form of birthright citizenship, according to various reports. According to a Pew Research Center study, about 275,000 babies were born to the parents of unauthorized immigrants in the United States in 2014 -- around seven percent of the four million births in the country that year.

US 'birthright' citizenship, guarantee of the 14th Amendment

The first two victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history will be laid to rest in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the grieving city awaits a controversial visit by President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.

The funeral for Cecil and David Rosenthal -- brothers aged 59 and 54 who were among 11 people gunned down during prayers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday -- was to be held at the Rodef Shalom temple.

Trump's visit to the city has been contentious, coming amid a mounting row over whether his fierce rhetoric at campaign rallies and on Twitter has been partly responsible for stoking extremism ahead of November 6 midterm elections, and a protest in Pittsburgh against the president has been called for Tuesday afternoon.

"It's just enraging that this type of hate crime could occur here and that the leadership of our country does not denounce anti-Semitism and does not denounce white nationalism and does not denounce neo-Nazism. And that is the problem," Joanna Izenson told AFP on her way to the visitation for the Rosenthals.

"There's always going to be anti-Semitism, there always has been, but never have we had a president of this country who does not fight hard against it, verbally and in every way. And he needs those supporters and that's why he doesn't," she said.

There was a huge turnout at Rodef Shalom, a 25-minute walk from the Tree of Life. Large pictures of the Rosenthal brothers were on display inside the lobby.

'Purveyor of hate speech'

"There wasn't an ill thought in their body," Pittsburgh police detective Donald Pasquarelli, who provided security at Tree of Life events, told AFP outside the temple.

"When we worked events there, they were there always. They were the Tree of Life," he said.

The shooting spree allegedly carried out by Robert Bowers came in the same week that authorities arrested a Florida man -- an ardent Trump supporter -- on suspicion of mailing more than a dozen homemade bombs to opponents and critics of the president.

The two incidents have led to accusations that Trump has fanned violence through his almost daily tweets and speeches lambasting illegal immigrants, political opponents and journalists in divisive and hardline language.

Bowers had reportedly claimed on social media that Jews were helping transport caravans of refugees from Central America into the US, repeatedly calling the migrants "invaders."

The caravans are a favourite target of the president's anti-immigrant rhetoric, and he has called a group of several thousand impoverished mainly Honduran migrants currently attempting to walk north to the United States "an invasion."

Jeffrey Myers, a Tree of Life rabbi who was present when the attack started, told CNN that "the president of the United States is always welcome."

But a former president of the synagogue, Lynette Lederman, spoke out on the network on Monday to tell Trump to stay away, calling him a "purveyor of hate speech."

And a group of Pittsburgh Jewish leaders wrote an open letter to Trump Sunday telling him he bears responsibility for the shooting and saying he was not welcome in the city unless he took steps including denouncing white nationalism and ending "your assault on immigrants and refugees."

'Christian rabbi'

Trump has struck back in typically robust fashion, arguing that critical journalists were in fact the ones feeding extremism across the country.

"There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news," Trump tweeted.

"The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open &amp; obvious hostility &amp; report the news accurately &amp; fairly. That will do much to put out the flame of Anger and Outrage."

Trump's visit to Pittsburgh is not the only element of the administration's response to the massacre that has been a source of controversy. &nbsp;

On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence attended a campaign rally in Michigan at which a so-called "Christian rabbi" was invited to speak on behalf of the area's Jewish community.

Instead of opening up with prayers for the 11 victims of the Tree of Life shooting, Loren Jacobs praised Jesus Christ and then offered prayers for four Republican candidates.

At the end of the rally Pence, a devout Christian and hero of evangelicals, invited Jacobs back to say a prayer for the victims as "a leader of the Jewish community here in Michigan."

Jacobs then offered words for the dead in the form of a prayer to Jesus Christ, without naming any of them.

Jews expressed outrage over social media, describing Jacobs' appearance as an "insulting political stunt" and blasting Pence as a "Christian supremacist."

The first two victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history will be laid to rest in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the grieving city awaits a controversial visit by President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.

The first two victims of the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in recent US history will be laid to rest in Pittsburgh on Tuesday as the grieving city awaits a controversial visit by President Donald Trump and his wife Melania. The funeral for Cecil and David Rosenthal -- brothers aged 59 and 54 who were among 11 people gunned down during prayers at the Tree of Life synagogue on Saturday -- was to be held at the Rodef Shalom temple. Trump's visit to the city has been contentious, coming amid a mounting row over whether his fierce rhetoric at campaign rallies and on Twitter has been partly responsible for stoking extremism ahead of November 6 midterm elections, and a protest in Pittsburgh against the president has been called for Tuesday afternoon. "It's just enraging that this type of hate crime could occur here and that the leadership of our country does not denounce anti-Semitism and does not denounce white nationalism and does not denounce neo-Nazism. And that is the problem," Joanna Izenson told AFP on her way to the visitation for the Rosenthals. "There's always going to be anti-Semitism, there always has been, but never have we had a president of this country who does not fight hard against it, verbally and in every way. And he needs those supporters and that's why he doesn't," she said. There was a huge turnout at Rodef Shalom, a 25-minute walk from the Tree of Life. Large pictures of the Rosenthal brothers were on display inside the lobby. 'Purveyor of hate speech' "There wasn't an ill thought in their body," Pittsburgh police detective Donald Pasquarelli, who provided security at Tree of Life events, told AFP outside the temple. "When we worked events there, they were there always. They were the Tree of Life," he said. The shooting spree allegedly carried out by Robert Bowers came in the same week that authorities arrested a Florida man -- an ardent Trump supporter -- on suspicion of mailing more than a dozen homemade bombs to opponents and critics of the president. The two incidents have led to accusations that Trump has fanned violence through his almost daily tweets and speeches lambasting illegal immigrants, political opponents and journalists in divisive and hardline language. Bowers had reportedly claimed on social media that Jews were helping transport caravans of refugees from Central America into the US, repeatedly calling the migrants "invaders." The caravans are a favourite target of the president's anti-immigrant rhetoric, and he has called a group of several thousand impoverished mainly Honduran migrants currently attempting to walk north to the United States "an invasion." Jeffrey Myers, a Tree of Life rabbi who was present when the attack started, told CNN that "the president of the United States is always welcome." But a former president of the synagogue, Lynette Lederman, spoke out on the network on Monday to tell Trump to stay away, calling him a "purveyor of hate speech." And a group of Pittsburgh Jewish leaders wrote an open letter to Trump Sunday telling him he bears responsibility for the shooting and saying he was not welcome in the city unless he took steps including denouncing white nationalism and ending "your assault on immigrants and refugees." 'Christian rabbi' Trump has struck back in typically robust fashion, arguing that critical journalists were in fact the ones feeding extremism across the country. "There is great anger in our Country caused in part by inaccurate, and even fraudulent, reporting of the news," Trump tweeted. "The Fake News Media, the true Enemy of the People, must stop the open & obvious hostility & report the news accurately & fairly. That will do much to put out the flame of Anger and Outrage." Trump's visit to Pittsburgh is not the only element of the administration's response to the massacre that has been a source of controversy. On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence attended a campaign rally in Michigan at which a so-called "Christian rabbi" was invited to speak on behalf of the area's Jewish community. Instead of opening up with prayers for the 11 victims of the Tree of Life shooting, Loren Jacobs praised Jesus Christ and then offered prayers for four Republican candidates. At the end of the rally Pence, a devout Christian and hero of evangelicals, invited Jacobs back to say a prayer for the victims as "a leader of the Jewish community here in Michigan." Jacobs then offered words for the dead in the form of a prayer to Jesus Christ, without naming any of them. Jews expressed outrage over social media, describing Jacobs' appearance as an "insulting political stunt" and blasting Pence as a "Christian supremacist."

First funeral for synagogue massacre victims ahead of Trump visit

Fiancee slams Trump response on Khashoggi's murder

With United States President Donald Trump slated to visit Pittsburgh in the wake of the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/synagogue-gunman-kills-11-in-americas-worst-anti-semitic-attack-173906">shooting that claimed 11 lives</a>, a former leader of the Tree of Life synagogue has said the president is "not welcome" in the city.&nbsp;

"I do not welcome this President to my city," Lynnette Lederman was quoted as saying by CNN as she was responding to questions regarding a letter from Jewish leaders who asked Trump to not visit Pittsburgh. Lederman further labelled Trump as "the purveyor of hate speech."&nbsp;

"The hypocritical words that come from him tell me nothing. We have very, very strong leadership in this city. We have a very strong mayor with very strong values, a very strong county executive in Rich Fitzgerald. We have people who stand by us, who believed in values, not just Jewish values, but believe in values and those are not the values of this President and I do not welcome him to Pittsburgh," the former president of the synagogue said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the current president of the synagogue, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who was conducting services during the shooting on Saturday, said "the President of the United States is always welcome."&nbsp;

"I`m a citizen. He`s my president. He is certainly welcome," Myers added.&nbsp;

Trump had earlier suggested that the perpetrator, identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers, could have been thwarted had an armed guard been stationed outside the Jewish house of worship.&nbsp;

Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirmed that the Department of Justice "will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty."&nbsp;

With United States President Donald Trump slated to visit Pittsburgh in the wake of the shooting that claimed 11 lives, a former leader of the Tree of Life synagogue has said the president is "not welcome" in the city.

With United States President Donald Trump slated to visit Pittsburgh in the wake of the shooting that claimed 11 lives, a former leader of the Tree of Life synagogue has said the president is "not welcome" in the city. "I do not welcome this President to my city," Lynnette Lederman was quoted as saying by CNN as she was responding to questions regarding a letter from Jewish leaders who asked Trump to not visit Pittsburgh. Lederman further labelled Trump as "the purveyor of hate speech." "The hypocritical words that come from him tell me nothing. We have very, very strong leadership in this city. We have a very strong mayor with very strong values, a very strong county executive in Rich Fitzgerald. We have people who stand by us, who believed in values, not just Jewish values, but believe in values and those are not the values of this President and I do not welcome him to Pittsburgh," the former president of the synagogue said. Meanwhile, the current president of the synagogue, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who was conducting services during the shooting on Saturday, said "the President of the United States is always welcome." "I`m a citizen. He`s my president. He is certainly welcome," Myers added. Trump had earlier suggested that the perpetrator, identified as 46-year-old Robert Bowers, could have been thwarted had an armed guard been stationed outside the Jewish house of worship. Attorney General Jeff Sessions confirmed that the Department of Justice "will file hate crimes and other criminal charges against the defendant, including charges that could lead to the death penalty."

Trump 'not welcome' in Pittsburgh

US midterm polls 2018: How Democratic US House could alter foreign policy

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-plans-to-scrap-birthright-citizenship-174438">Donald Trump plans to scrap birthright citizenship: Report</a>

President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday.

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Tens of thousands of activists blocked the centre of Colombo on Tuesday to protest the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister.

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Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed Tuesday to start returning Rohingya refugees in November, less than a week after UN investigators warned that a genocide against the Muslim minority was still ongoing.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-sifts-through-plane-debris-orders-jet-inspection-174431">Indonesia sifts through plane debris, orders jet inspection</a>

Indonesia ordered the inspection of all Boeing 737-MAX airliners on Tuesday as rescue teams recovered more human remains from a brand new Lion Air jet that plunged into the sea with 189 people on board.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/video-10-dead-in-italy-storms-as-wild-weather-sweeps-europe-174444">Video: 10 dead in Italy storms as wild weather sweeps Europe</a>

The death toll from fierce storms battering Italy has risen to 10, civil protection authorities said Tuesday, as wild weather swept parts of Europe, leaving motorists and tourists stranded.

&nbsp;

Donald Trump plans to scrap birthright citizenship: Report President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday.

Donald Trump plans to scrap birthright citizenship: Report President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday. Sri Lanka crisis: Thousands take to streets to protest against Ranil Wickremesinghe sacking Tens of thousands of activists blocked the centre of Colombo on Tuesday to protest the sacking of Ranil Wickremesinghe as prime minister. Bangladesh, Myanmar to start returning Rohingya in November Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed Tuesday to start returning Rohingya refugees in November, less than a week after UN investigators warned that a genocide against the Muslim minority was still ongoing. Indonesia sifts through plane debris, orders jet inspection Indonesia ordered the inspection of all Boeing 737-MAX airliners on Tuesday as rescue teams recovered more human remains from a brand new Lion Air jet that plunged into the sea with 189 people on board. Video: 10 dead in Italy storms as wild weather sweeps Europe The death toll from fierce storms battering Italy has risen to 10, civil protection authorities said Tuesday, as wild weather swept parts of Europe, leaving motorists and tourists stranded.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday.

While Trump asserts that he can change the provision with such an order, that is far from certain: there is a set process for modifying the constitution, which does not include presidential decree.

His comments come shortly before a hotly-contested midterm election in which the president has sought to place the issue of immigration front and center.

"It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't," Trump said in an interview with Axios. "Now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order."

The president's opposition to the constitutional provision centers specifically on the fact that children born in the US to immigrant parents -- whether they are in the country legally or not -- are automatically citizens.

"We're the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby and the person is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous and it has to end," he said.

Trump said he had spoken to legal counsel about it and that the change is in the works.

"It's in the process, it'll happen -- with an executive order."

President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday.

President Donald Trump plans to abolish the right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States -- guaranteed by the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution -- with an executive order, he said in an interview excerpt released Tuesday. While Trump asserts that he can change the provision with such an order, that is far from certain: there is a set process for modifying the constitution, which does not include presidential decree. His comments come shortly before a hotly-contested midterm election in which the president has sought to place the issue of immigration front and center. "It was always told to me that you needed a constitutional amendment. Guess what? You don't," Trump said in an interview with Axios. "Now they're saying I can do it just with an executive order." The president's opposition to the constitutional provision centers specifically on the fact that children born in the US to immigrant parents -- whether they are in the country legally or not -- are automatically citizens. "We're the only country in the world where a person comes in, has a baby and the person is essentially a citizen of the United States for 85 years with all of those benefits. It's ridiculous. It's ridiculous and it has to end," he said. Trump said he had spoken to legal counsel about it and that the change is in the works. "It's in the process, it'll happen -- with an executive order."

Donald Trump plans to scrap birthright citizenship: Report

Celebrated singer Pharrell Williams sent a legal warning to Donald Trump for using his hit song ‘Happy’ at a rally that took place just hours after the unfateful Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The singer’s attorney, Howard King wrote to Trump in a cease-and-desist letter: “On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist,’ you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana.” 
&nbsp; 
It continued: “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
“Pharrell Williams is the owner of the copyright in ‘Happy,’ with the exclusive right to exploit same. Pharrell has not, and will not, grant you permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music,” it added.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The song was played at the Indiana rally in support of Republican Mike Bost. 
&nbsp; 
This is not a one-off incident when an artist has threatened Trump. Earlier this month, Prince’s estate asked Trump to cease using ‘Purple Rain’ at rallies, while Steven Tyler issued a cease-and-desist letter in August after Trump’s rallies broadcasted Aerosmith’s ‘Livin on the Edge.’

Celebrated singer Pharrell Williams sent a legal warning to Donald Trump for using his hit song ‘Happy’ at a rally that took place just hours after the unfateful Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

Celebrated singer Pharrell Williams sent a legal warning to Donald Trump for using his hit song ‘Happy’ at a rally that took place just hours after the unfateful Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. The singer’s attorney, Howard King wrote to Trump in a cease-and-desist letter: “On the day of the mass murder of 11 human beings at the hands of a deranged ‘nationalist,’ you played his song ‘Happy’ to a crowd at a political event in Indiana.” It continued: “There was nothing ‘happy’ about the tragedy inflicted upon our country on Saturday and no permission was granted for your use of this song for this purpose. “Pharrell Williams is the owner of the copyright in ‘Happy,’ with the exclusive right to exploit same. Pharrell has not, and will not, grant you permission to publicly perform or otherwise broadcast or disseminate any of his music,” it added. The song was played at the Indiana rally in support of Republican Mike Bost. This is not a one-off incident when an artist has threatened Trump. Earlier this month, Prince’s estate asked Trump to cease using ‘Purple Rain’ at rallies, while Steven Tyler issued a cease-and-desist letter in August after Trump’s rallies broadcasted Aerosmith’s ‘Livin on the Edge.’

Pharrell Williams sends legal notice to Trump for playing ‘Happy’ after synagogue massacre

Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord.

Bolsonaro, who won 55 per cent of the vote in a run-off on Sunday, issued a series of campaign pledges that left many fearing for the future of the Amazon, known as "the lungs of the planet".

He promised to merge Brazil's agriculture and environment ministries into one, saying "we won't have any more fights" over ecological concerns on deforestation.&nbsp;

"It's all about downsizing government and getting it out of the way so investors and big agribusiness landowners and companies can come in and have a freer hand for more trashing of resources and indigenous rights," Victor Menotti, a former director of the International Forum on Globalization, told AFP.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain, also raised the prospect of building hydro-electric power stations in the Amazon that would greatly restrict water access and forcibly remove indigenous communities.

"If (Bolsonaro) decides to move forward with his pledges against the environment, indigenous peoples and the climate, his fellow citizens will be the biggest victims," said Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory.

"To increase deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions is to leave each and everyone of us more vulnerable to an increasing risk of climate extremes."

May Boeve, executive director at climate NGO 350.org, warned that a Bolsonaro presidency posed "a real threat to human rights at home and a risk to the momentum for climate action abroad."

Deforestation is responsible for about a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies global warming. &nbsp;

But more than two decades of UN-led efforts to curb the practice have largely failed, with Earth still losing a wooded area the size of Greece every year.&nbsp;

The Amazon itself is retreating to the tune of 52,000 square kilometres (20,000 square miles) -- equivalent to the area of Costa Rica -- each year, as agriculture giants saw down trees to make way for vast tracts on which to graze cattle or grow plants for food and cosmetic products.

Indigenous community fears&nbsp; 
Bolsonaro, who openly admires Brazil's former military dictatorship and shocked many with his derogatory remarks on women, gays and blacks, remained vague about the environment during campaigning.&nbsp;

He stunned many observers in August by pledging to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the 2015 Paris treaty on climate change, before backtracking days before the run-off.&nbsp;

The Paris deal aims to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (36 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;

A major report this month highlighted the vital role forests must play in limiting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the crucial role of indigenous people in forest upkeep.&nbsp;

Bolsonaro said in February that he would not give up "one centimetre more" land to indigenous communities in Brazil -- home to around 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest -- who are often threatened when standing up for their rights.&nbsp;

Brazil is already the deadliest place for environmentalists, which pressure group Global Witness recording 57 deaths of people protecting land there last year.

Its annual report on environmentalist deaths said Brazil was already "actively weakening the laws and institutions designed to protect land rights and indigenous peoples".

Boeve said she feared for the indigenous population as Bolsonaro forges ahead with his development-at-any-price approach.&nbsp;

"The poorest will be the hardest hit by unchecked climate change," she said.

"Poor and vulnerable communities in Brazil also suffer most from the activities that drive climate change –- like fossil fuel extraction, fracking, and deforestation."&nbsp;

Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord.

Environmentalists and rights groups reacted with dismay Monday to the victory in Brazil of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a far-right champion of agribusiness who has threatened to pull his country from the Paris climate accord. Bolsonaro, who won 55 per cent of the vote in a run-off on Sunday, issued a series of campaign pledges that left many fearing for the future of the Amazon, known as "the lungs of the planet". He promised to merge Brazil's agriculture and environment ministries into one, saying "we won't have any more fights" over ecological concerns on deforestation. "It's all about downsizing government and getting it out of the way so investors and big agribusiness landowners and companies can come in and have a freer hand for more trashing of resources and indigenous rights," Victor Menotti, a former director of the International Forum on Globalization, told AFP. Bolsonaro, a former army captain, also raised the prospect of building hydro-electric power stations in the Amazon that would greatly restrict water access and forcibly remove indigenous communities. "If (Bolsonaro) decides to move forward with his pledges against the environment, indigenous peoples and the climate, his fellow citizens will be the biggest victims," said Carlos Rittl, executive secretary of the Brazilian Climate Observatory. "To increase deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions is to leave each and everyone of us more vulnerable to an increasing risk of climate extremes." May Boeve, executive director at climate NGO 350.org, warned that a Bolsonaro presidency posed "a real threat to human rights at home and a risk to the momentum for climate action abroad." Deforestation is responsible for about a fifth of greenhouse gas emissions and intensifies global warming. But more than two decades of UN-led efforts to curb the practice have largely failed, with Earth still losing a wooded area the size of Greece every year. The Amazon itself is retreating to the tune of 52,000 square kilometres (20,000 square miles) -- equivalent to the area of Costa Rica -- each year, as agriculture giants saw down trees to make way for vast tracts on which to graze cattle or grow plants for food and cosmetic products. Indigenous community fears Bolsonaro, who openly admires Brazil's former military dictatorship and shocked many with his derogatory remarks on women, gays and blacks, remained vague about the environment during campaigning. He stunned many observers in August by pledging to follow US President Donald Trump's lead and pull Brazil out of the 2015 Paris treaty on climate change, before backtracking days before the run-off. The Paris deal aims to limit temperature rises to "well below" two degrees Celsius (36 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. A major report this month highlighted the vital role forests must play in limiting the impact of greenhouse gas emissions as well as the crucial role of indigenous people in forest upkeep. Bolsonaro said in February that he would not give up "one centimetre more" land to indigenous communities in Brazil -- home to around 60 per cent of the Amazon rainforest -- who are often threatened when standing up for their rights. Brazil is already the deadliest place for environmentalists, which pressure group Global Witness recording 57 deaths of people protecting land there last year. Its annual report on environmentalist deaths said Brazil was already "actively weakening the laws and institutions designed to protect land rights and indigenous peoples". Boeve said she feared for the indigenous population as Bolsonaro forges ahead with his development-at-any-price approach. "The poorest will be the hardest hit by unchecked climate change," she said. "Poor and vulnerable communities in Brazil also suffer most from the activities that drive climate change –- like fossil fuel extraction, fracking, and deforestation."

Like Trump, Brazil's Bolsonaro favours pulling out of Paris climate accord

A new group of migrants gathered and left from the capital of El Salvador on Sunday, headed for the United States after thousands of other Central Americans began similar journeys in recent weeks, angering US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

The group of more than 300 Salvadorans that left San Salvador on Sunday came together after thousands of Hondurans in mid-October left their country in a large group, becoming an international news story and a key issue in the US&nbsp;congressional elections.

A second group of Hondurans was moving through Guatemala last week, and at one point numbered more than 1,000 people before beginning to fragment.

Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make immigration a major issue before the Nov. 6 elections, in which the party is battling to keep control of Congress.

The Salvadoran migrants organized using social networks like Facebook and WhatsApp over the last couple of weeks, inspired by the group of mostly Hondurans currently crossing Mexico.

Salvadoran police traveled with the group on Sunday as they left San Salvador, the migrants carrying backpacks and water bottles and protecting themselves from the hot sun with hats. Some mothers pushed their children in strollers.

Several migrants, gathered by the capital's 'Savior of the World' statue before leaving, said they were headed to the United States.

"We're asking the all-powerful to look after us, to guide us, to free us from all that is bad," shouted Hernan Quinteros, 49, a driver who urged his fellow travelers to tie up their shoes ahead of the long trip.

El Salvador's left-wing government said it had solidarity with the migrants and respected their right to mobilize, but urged them not to risk their lives on the way.

A new group of migrants gathered and left from the capital of El Salvador on Sunday, headed for the United States after thousands of other Central Americans began similar journeys in recent weeks, angering US President Donald Trump.

A new group of migrants gathered and left from the capital of El Salvador on Sunday, headed for the United States after thousands of other Central Americans began similar journeys in recent weeks, angering US President Donald Trump. The group of more than 300 Salvadorans that left San Salvador on Sunday came together after thousands of Hondurans in mid-October left their country in a large group, becoming an international news story and a key issue in the US congressional elections. A second group of Hondurans was moving through Guatemala last week, and at one point numbered more than 1,000 people before beginning to fragment. Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make immigration a major issue before the Nov. 6 elections, in which the party is battling to keep control of Congress. The Salvadoran migrants organized using social networks like Facebook and WhatsApp over the last couple of weeks, inspired by the group of mostly Hondurans currently crossing Mexico. Salvadoran police traveled with the group on Sunday as they left San Salvador, the migrants carrying backpacks and water bottles and protecting themselves from the hot sun with hats. Some mothers pushed their children in strollers. Several migrants, gathered by the capital's 'Savior of the World' statue before leaving, said they were headed to the United States. "We're asking the all-powerful to look after us, to guide us, to free us from all that is bad," shouted Hernan Quinteros, 49, a driver who urged his fellow travelers to tie up their shoes ahead of the long trip. El Salvador's left-wing government said it had solidarity with the migrants and respected their right to mobilize, but urged them not to risk their lives on the way.

New US-bound group of migrants leaves San Salvador

The Pentagon could send thousands more troops to the US-Mexico border, a US official said Monday, as President Donald Trump warned a caravan of Central American migrants that the military was waiting.

US officials last week said about 800 active-duty troops would be sent to provide assistance -- mainly in the form of logistical support -- to border guards working along the frontier.&nbsp;

But the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that 5,000 troops would deploy to the southern border.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said the 5,000 figure was right -- but cautioned that planning is still under way and said no final decisions have been made on numbers.

The Department of Homeland Security, the vast US agency in charge of border security, was scheduled to hold a news conference at 4:00 pm (2000 GMT).

Trump in recent weeks has repeatedly said more troops are needed to tighten security at the border and he has made political capital of the caravan in the weeks before important mid-term congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain a degree of power.&nbsp;

Trump took to Twitter on Monday to again blast the migrant caravan, which is comprised mainly of Hondurans and is making its way slowly northward, mostly on foot, through Mexico.

"Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump wrote.

"Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!"

In April, Trump ordered up to 4,000 National Guardsmen to head to the border as a different migrant caravan wound its way north. About 2,100 have deployed.&nbsp;

The Pentagon could send thousands more troops to the US-Mexico border, a US official said Monday, as President Donald Trump warned a caravan of Central American migrants that the military was waiting.

The Pentagon could send thousands more troops to the US-Mexico border, a US official said Monday, as President Donald Trump warned a caravan of Central American migrants that the military was waiting. US officials last week said about 800 active-duty troops would be sent to provide assistance -- mainly in the form of logistical support -- to border guards working along the frontier. But the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that 5,000 troops would deploy to the southern border. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a US official said the 5,000 figure was right -- but cautioned that planning is still under way and said no final decisions have been made on numbers. The Department of Homeland Security, the vast US agency in charge of border security, was scheduled to hold a news conference at 4:00 pm (2000 GMT). Trump in recent weeks has repeatedly said more troops are needed to tighten security at the border and he has made political capital of the caravan in the weeks before important mid-term congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain a degree of power. Trump took to Twitter on Monday to again blast the migrant caravan, which is comprised mainly of Hondurans and is making its way slowly northward, mostly on foot, through Mexico. "Many Gang Members and some very bad people are mixed into the Caravan heading to our Southern Border," Trump wrote. "Please go back, you will not be admitted into the United States unless you go through the legal process. This is an invasion of our Country and our Military is waiting for you!" In April, Trump ordered up to 4,000 National Guardsmen to head to the border as a different migrant caravan wound its way north. About 2,100 have deployed.

Pentagon could send thousands more troops to US-Mexico border: Official

US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/opinions/india-trumps-trade-target-169316&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjU3NDDuqreAhUEMY8KHa82AcYQFggLMAI&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw1bvPXN4_cJ8MLWg4EvlEDg">India's invitation</a> to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, sources said Sunday.

The US is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that Trump may not be able to honour the invitation as he will have pressing engagements, including his State of The Union (SOTU) address, around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day.

This comes at a time when Indo-US ties have witnessed some strain after India went ahead and sealed a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/putin-set-ink-s-400-defence-deal-during-india-visit-us-warns-against-missile-pact-169213">deal with Russia </a>to procure a batch of S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding US threat of punitive action under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act).

The sources said India has already shortlisted names of two-three heads of states for extending invitation to be chief guest at the Republic Day parade.

Earlier this year, the US announced sanctions against Russia under CAATSA for its alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016.&nbsp;

Under CAATSA, the US can punish entities and governments engaged in a transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia.

India and the US were in touch with each other over New Delhi's invite to Trump to visit the country.

The sources indicated that India was not exclusively looking at Trump's presence at the Republic Day celebrations and that various other options were also being explored.

In July, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that Trump has received an invitation to visit India, but no decision has been taken yet.

"I know that the invitation has been extended, but I do not believe that a final decision has been made," Sanders had told reporters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited President Trump for a bilateral visit to India during their talks in Washington in June 2017.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations.

In 2015, the then US president Barack Obama had attended it as the chief guest which was his second visit to India as American president. 
This year, leaders from 10 ASEAN countries had attended the Republic Day celebrations.

In 2016, the then French president Francois Hollande was the chief guest of the parade while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations in 2014.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept India's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, sources said Sunday. The US is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that Trump may not be able to honour the invitation as he will have pressing engagements, including his State of The Union (SOTU) address, around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day.

US President Donald Trump is unlikely to accept India's invitation to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations, sources said Sunday. The US is understood to have conveyed to New Delhi that Trump may not be able to honour the invitation as he will have pressing engagements, including his State of The Union (SOTU) address, around the time India will celebrate its Republic Day. This comes at a time when Indo-US ties have witnessed some strain after India went ahead and sealed a deal with Russia to procure a batch of S-400 air defence missile systems, notwithstanding US threat of punitive action under CAATSA (Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act). The sources said India has already shortlisted names of two-three heads of states for extending invitation to be chief guest at the Republic Day parade. Earlier this year, the US announced sanctions against Russia under CAATSA for its alleged meddling in the American presidential election in 2016. Under CAATSA, the US can punish entities and governments engaged in a transaction with the defence or intelligence establishment of Russia. India and the US were in touch with each other over New Delhi's invite to Trump to visit the country. The sources indicated that India was not exclusively looking at Trump's presence at the Republic Day celebrations and that various other options were also being explored. In July, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said that Trump has received an invitation to visit India, but no decision has been taken yet. "I know that the invitation has been extended, but I do not believe that a final decision has been made," Sanders had told reporters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited President Trump for a bilateral visit to India during their talks in Washington in June 2017. Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. In 2015, the then US president Barack Obama had attended it as the chief guest which was his second visit to India as American president. This year, leaders from 10 ASEAN countries had attended the Republic Day celebrations. In 2016, the then French president Francois Hollande was the chief guest of the parade while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations in 2014. The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.

Trump unlikely to accept India's Republic Day invite: Sources

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting in Paris on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One.

"There are still a lot of questions concerning strategic stability, even more so in the context of the stated US intention to leave the INF. All of this will of course be on the agenda," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to discuss US plans to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) arms treaty with Donald Trump when the two meet in Paris on November 11, the Kremlin said on Monday. Trump and Putin plan to hold a bilateral meeting in Paris on the sidelines of events to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War One. "There are still a lot of questions concerning strategic stability, even more so in the context of the stated US intention to leave the INF. All of this will of course be on the agenda," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

Putin wants to discuss US exit from nuclear pact with Trump: Russia

A US-bound caravan of Central American migrants pressed on through <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-marches-on-towards-us-172677">southern Mexico</a> on Saturday, in spite of government offers of jobs, as authorities stepped up efforts to disperse the convoy that has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-start-cutting-aid-as-migrant-caravan-rolls-on-trump-172856">angered US President Donald Trump</a>.

Mexican police in riot gear briefly blocked the march of men, women and children as they neared Oaxaca state before dawn, to relay the offer of temporary identification papers, jobs or education for those seeking asylum in Mexico.

Trump has threatened to send troops to the US border and cut aid to Central America to try to stop the group of several thousand people that left Honduras two weeks ago.

Estimates vary significantly on the group's size, which has morphed as some migrants return home and newcomers join. At least 150 migrants travelling separately were detained by Friday near Guatemala's border, a Mexican official said.

More than 1,700 people in the convoy have applied for asylum, while others have returned home, according to Mexico's government. The Honduran ambassador said on Friday the group officially had 3,500 members. Other estimates go much higher.

By Saturday, more than 100 Honduran migrants opted to seek refugee status and enter the temporary work program proposed by President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday, said Mexico's National Migration Institute. Many others rejected the offer.

"We're going to the United States. Because that's our dream," said 28-year-old Honduran Daniel Leonel Esteves at the head of a 50-person wide column of migrants snaking down a highway into the hills.

Others echoed his goal to cross the border, declining Mexico's offer.

"Our destination is the United States," said migrant Francisco Ramirez.

A police official on a road just south of Oaxaca, where migrants were proceeding north from the town of Arriaga in Chiapas state, said authorities intended to keep presenting the asylum offer.

"We think it's very important that every person in the caravan knows these benefits, so that they stop putting their safety at risk crossing these roads," said federal police commissioner Benjamin Grajeda.

Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make the migrant caravan and immigration major issues before the Nov. 6 elections, in which Republicans are battling to keep control of Congress.

Honduras said 4,500 of its citizens attempting to emigrate have returned to the country in recent days. 
&nbsp;

A US-bound caravan of Central American migrants pressed on through southern Mexico on Saturday, in spite of government offers of jobs, as authorities stepped up efforts to disperse the convoy that has angered US President Donald Trump.

A US-bound caravan of Central American migrants pressed on through southern Mexico on Saturday, in spite of government offers of jobs, as authorities stepped up efforts to disperse the convoy that has angered US President Donald Trump. Mexican police in riot gear briefly blocked the march of men, women and children as they neared Oaxaca state before dawn, to relay the offer of temporary identification papers, jobs or education for those seeking asylum in Mexico. Trump has threatened to send troops to the US border and cut aid to Central America to try to stop the group of several thousand people that left Honduras two weeks ago. Estimates vary significantly on the group's size, which has morphed as some migrants return home and newcomers join. At least 150 migrants travelling separately were detained by Friday near Guatemala's border, a Mexican official said. More than 1,700 people in the convoy have applied for asylum, while others have returned home, according to Mexico's government. The Honduran ambassador said on Friday the group officially had 3,500 members. Other estimates go much higher. By Saturday, more than 100 Honduran migrants opted to seek refugee status and enter the temporary work program proposed by President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday, said Mexico's National Migration Institute. Many others rejected the offer. "We're going to the United States. Because that's our dream," said 28-year-old Honduran Daniel Leonel Esteves at the head of a 50-person wide column of migrants snaking down a highway into the hills. Others echoed his goal to cross the border, declining Mexico's offer. "Our destination is the United States," said migrant Francisco Ramirez. A police official on a road just south of Oaxaca, where migrants were proceeding north from the town of Arriaga in Chiapas state, said authorities intended to keep presenting the asylum offer. "We think it's very important that every person in the caravan knows these benefits, so that they stop putting their safety at risk crossing these roads," said federal police commissioner Benjamin Grajeda. Trump and his fellow Republicans have sought to make the migrant caravan and immigration major issues before the Nov. 6 elections, in which Republicans are battling to keep control of Congress. Honduras said 4,500 of its citizens attempting to emigrate have returned to the country in recent days.

Migrant caravan presses on towards US despite offer of jobs from Mexico

President Donald Trump told reporters that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/synagogue-gunman-kills-11-in-americas-worst-anti-semitic-attack-173906">shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue</a> earlier on Saturday had little to do with gun laws and that the killings might have been prevented if there was an armed guard inside the building.

"If they had some kind of a protection inside the temple maybe it could have been a very much different situation," Trump said to reporters about the shooting at a synagogue that was holding a shabbat religious service. "They didn’t and he was able to do things that unfortunately he shouldn’t have been able to do," Trump told reporters before getting on Air Force One to fly to Indianapolis for a farmers' convention.

A gunman killed 11 people and injured six in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue during Sabbath religious services on Saturday, and a suspect was in custody in a possible hate crime, local authorities and media reported.

Trump said the United States should harden laws on the death penalty. "I think one thing we should do is we would stiffen up our laws with guns with the death penalty," Trump said. "When people do this they should get the death penalty."

Earlier this year after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 dead, Trump said teachers carrying concealed guns could stop attacks.

President Donald Trump told reporters that the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue earlier on Saturday had little to do with gun laws and that the killings might have been prevented if there was an armed guard inside the building.

President Donald Trump told reporters that the shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue earlier on Saturday had little to do with gun laws and that the killings might have been prevented if there was an armed guard inside the building. "If they had some kind of a protection inside the temple maybe it could have been a very much different situation," Trump said to reporters about the shooting at a synagogue that was holding a shabbat religious service. "They didn’t and he was able to do things that unfortunately he shouldn’t have been able to do," Trump told reporters before getting on Air Force One to fly to Indianapolis for a farmers' convention. A gunman killed 11 people and injured six in an attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue during Sabbath religious services on Saturday, and a suspect was in custody in a possible hate crime, local authorities and media reported. Trump said the United States should harden laws on the death penalty. "I think one thing we should do is we would stiffen up our laws with guns with the death penalty," Trump said. "When people do this they should get the death penalty." Earlier this year after a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 dead, Trump said teachers carrying concealed guns could stop attacks.

Trump says US synagogue shooting has little to do with gun laws

US&nbsp;Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it.

President Donald Trump said on October 20 that Washington planned to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty which Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, and Ronald Reagan had signed in 1987.

Washington has cited Russia's alleged violation of the treaty as its reason for leaving it, a charge Moscow denies. Russia in turn accuses Washington of breaking the pact.

"We are in consultations with our European counterparts, I was speaking about it the day before with the German defense minister, and so as I said the consultations continue," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Prague.

He will be meeting with his Czech counterpart and Prime Minister Andrej Babis during a short trip to Prague.

Mattis said ministers from NATO would be meeting in Brussels in December and at that point he would have some kind of "culminating point."

European members of NATO urged the United States on Thursday to try to bring Russia back into compliance with a nuclear arms control treaty rather than quit it, diplomats said, seeking to avoid a split in the alliance that Moscow could exploit.

Mattis said he had asked his NATO counterparts after the last summit if they had any ideas on how to bring Russia back into compliance of INF treaty, but so far none had come back to him.

European allies see the INF treaty as a pillar of arms control and, while accepting that Moscow is violating it by developing new weapons, are concerned its collapse could lead to a new arms race with possibly a new generation of US&nbsp;nuclear missiles stationed on the continent.

Heather Conley, a former US&nbsp;State Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Mattis would receive a range of questions from European allies like when a formal notification would be made and whether it signals a new arms race.

"It just deepens the uncertainty. Our allies do not know where US&nbsp;leadership is going, what it's going to do from the day to day basis," Conley said.

When asked whether he could rule out placing intermediate-range missiles on the ground if Washington left the INF treaty, Mattis said: "I never rule things out like that, I also don't rule it in."

"There are a number of ways for us to respond, it does not have to be symmetric and it'll be in close consultation with allies," he added.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it.

US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday that the United States was in consultation with its European allies on an arms control treaty, as NATO members urge Washington to try to bring Russia back into compliance with the pact rather than quit it. President Donald Trump said on October 20 that Washington planned to quit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty which Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Soviet leader, and Ronald Reagan had signed in 1987. Washington has cited Russia's alleged violation of the treaty as its reason for leaving it, a charge Moscow denies. Russia in turn accuses Washington of breaking the pact. "We are in consultations with our European counterparts, I was speaking about it the day before with the German defense minister, and so as I said the consultations continue," Mattis told reporters travelling with him to Prague. He will be meeting with his Czech counterpart and Prime Minister Andrej Babis during a short trip to Prague. Mattis said ministers from NATO would be meeting in Brussels in December and at that point he would have some kind of "culminating point." European members of NATO urged the United States on Thursday to try to bring Russia back into compliance with a nuclear arms control treaty rather than quit it, diplomats said, seeking to avoid a split in the alliance that Moscow could exploit. Mattis said he had asked his NATO counterparts after the last summit if they had any ideas on how to bring Russia back into compliance of INF treaty, but so far none had come back to him. European allies see the INF treaty as a pillar of arms control and, while accepting that Moscow is violating it by developing new weapons, are concerned its collapse could lead to a new arms race with possibly a new generation of US nuclear missiles stationed on the continent. Heather Conley, a former US State Department official now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said Mattis would receive a range of questions from European allies like when a formal notification would be made and whether it signals a new arms race. "It just deepens the uncertainty. Our allies do not know where US leadership is going, what it's going to do from the day to day basis," Conley said. When asked whether he could rule out placing intermediate-range missiles on the ground if Washington left the INF treaty, Mattis said: "I never rule things out like that, I also don't rule it in." "There are a number of ways for us to respond, it does not have to be symmetric and it'll be in close consultation with allies," he added.

Jim Mattis looks to calm European allies nervous about INF treaty

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Friday that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-man-charged-in-connection-with-14-bombs-sent-to-trump-critics-173730">critics of the president</a> had drowned out other stories and slowed Republican momentum ahead of congressional elections.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-mail-bombings-suspect-had-worked-as-professional-wrestler-male-stripper-173755">US mail bombings suspect had worked as </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-mail-bombings-suspect-had-worked-as-professional-wrestler-male-stripper-173755">professional</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-mail-bombings-suspect-had-worked-as-professional-wrestler-male-stripper-173755"> wrestler, male stripper</a>

Democrats are seen as having a good chance of wresting control of the US&nbsp;House of Representatives away from Republicans in the November 6 elections, while Republicans are expected to hold their Senate majority.

If Democrats were to take the majority in either or both chambers, it would likely increase congressional oversight of Trump, a Republican, and thwart parts of his policy agenda.

Departing the White House after news broke that a suspect had been arrested in the bomb case, Trump told reporters it was time for Republicans to regain their lost momentum.

"The Republicans had tremendous momentum and, of course, this happened where all that you people talked about was that -- and rightly so, it was a big thing, rightly so -- but now we have to start the momentum again," he said.

Federal agents on Friday arrested 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc for the string of pipe-bomb mailings after following a trail of evidence that included a fingerprint lifted from one of the devices.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had drowned out other stories and slowed Republican momentum ahead of congressional elections.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that news coverage of the pipe bombs targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had drowned out other stories and slowed Republican momentum ahead of congressional elections. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote. Also read: US mail bombings suspect had worked as professional wrestler, male stripper Democrats are seen as having a good chance of wresting control of the US House of Representatives away from Republicans in the November 6 elections, while Republicans are expected to hold their Senate majority. If Democrats were to take the majority in either or both chambers, it would likely increase congressional oversight of Trump, a Republican, and thwart parts of his policy agenda. Departing the White House after news broke that a suspect had been arrested in the bomb case, Trump told reporters it was time for Republicans to regain their lost momentum. "The Republicans had tremendous momentum and, of course, this happened where all that you people talked about was that -- and rightly so, it was a big thing, rightly so -- but now we have to start the momentum again," he said. Federal agents on Friday arrested 56-year-old Cesar Sayoc for the string of pipe-bomb mailings after following a trail of evidence that included a fingerprint lifted from one of the devices.

'Bomb stuff' slowing Republican momentum at polls: Trump

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/honduran-migrant-caravan-crosses-into-mexico-marches-on-towards-us-172677">to slow illegal crossings</a> in the run-up to key elections.

A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing."

The Pentagon did not provide details on how many troops would be sent, but US officials on Thursday told AFP that about 800 service members would be deployed to the frontier.&nbsp;

"After receiving a request for assistance from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense has approved providing mission-enhancing capabilities to Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection along the Southwest Border," the Pentagon statement read.

The troops would augment the 2,100 or so National Guardsmen who were deployed in April to support border operations, and could come from multiple military bases around the US.

Other help would include aviation support to ferry border agents around and medical to teams to "triage, treat and prepare for commercial transport of patients," the statement read.

The military beef-up of the border comes as thousands of Central American migrants are crossing Mexico toward the United States in a slow-moving caravan.

The issue has become a rallying cry for Trump, who has taken a hard line on illegal immigration and has repeatedly kept the story in the headlines in the run up to America's midterm congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain some degree of power.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Friday approved a request to send troops and military assistance to the US-Mexico border -- part of President Donald Trump's effort to slow illegal crossings in the run-up to key elections. A Pentagon statement said the support would come in the form of logistical and engineering assistance, including the construction of "temporary barriers, barricades and fencing." The Pentagon did not provide details on how many troops would be sent, but US officials on Thursday told AFP that about 800 service members would be deployed to the frontier. "After receiving a request for assistance from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of Defense has approved providing mission-enhancing capabilities to Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection along the Southwest Border," the Pentagon statement read. The troops would augment the 2,100 or so National Guardsmen who were deployed in April to support border operations, and could come from multiple military bases around the US. Other help would include aviation support to ferry border agents around and medical to teams to "triage, treat and prepare for commercial transport of patients," the statement read. The military beef-up of the border comes as thousands of Central American migrants are crossing Mexico toward the United States in a slow-moving caravan. The issue has become a rallying cry for Trump, who has taken a hard line on illegal immigration and has repeatedly kept the story in the headlines in the run up to America's midterm congressional elections that could see the Democrats regain some degree of power.

US Defence Secretary Mattis approves request to send army to Mexico border

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday.

Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators.

In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters.

Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll.

"Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo.

"If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?"

There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT).

Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week.

Brazilians fear more attacks will continue over presidential campaign after the likely election on Sunday. Brazil's tense political situation has been compared by some to divisions in the United States, where several high-profile opponents of President Donald Trump received pipe bombs in the mail this week. But the situation in Brazil is far more perilous, analysts say, because it already suffers from extreme violence, often without consequence for perpetrators. In recent weeks, Bolsonaro's supporters have threatened to harm supreme Court justices, and also they physically attacked journalists and opposition voters. Bolosonaro says that he did not condone violence carried out by his supporters, but analysts say his daily rants on social media platforms are taking a toll. "Bolsonaro, because of his rhetoric supporting violence and the aggressive manner he has campaigned, has opened the Pandora's box on political violence in an already extremely violent country," said Rafael Alcadipani, a public security expert at the Getulio Vargas Foundation university in Sao Paulo. "If people thought Brazil had extremely high levels of street violence in normal times, imagine what it will be like under a president who aggressively pushes violence among police and against political opponents?" There has also been violence attributed to backers of Bolsonaro's opponent, Fernando Haddad of the Workers Party (PT). Bolsonaro, leading candidate in polls also suffered a near-fatal stabbing last month during a campaign. And, he is still recovering.

Brazil fears more violence as they brace for far-right presidency

Taking a tough stand at the migrants heading towards the US from Central America, President Donald Trump on Thursday said that his country would not allow migrants&nbsp;to enter illegally.

Calling the situation as&nbsp;"National emergency", he asked the people to return back to their country and apply&nbsp;for citizenship of the United States.

"To those in the Caravan, turnaround, we are not letting people into the United States illegally. Go back to your Country and if you want, apply for citizenship like millions of others are doing!", his tweet read.

A caravan of some 5,000 to 7,000 people, mostly from the three Latin American countries&nbsp;El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are heading towards America through Mexico to enter the country illegally.

The migrants include people who are seeking to escape violence, poverty and government corruption in their home countries.

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To those in the Caravan, turnaround, we are not letting people into the United States illegally. Go back to your Country and if you want, apply for citizenship like millions of others are doing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1055527191235227648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hours before his tweet, Trump had said that he was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-bringing-out-the-military-to-protect-us-border-173423">deploying military on the Southern border</a> with Mexico to stop them from entering the United States illegally. He also described the situation as&nbsp;"national emergency".

He also hit out at the former US government saying that the people are taking the advantage of the "stupid" US policy of catch and release under which&nbsp;the immigrants are arrested immediately upon entering the border illegally and then released with the advice that they appear before the court for the next hearing, which at times is months away.

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Trump's administration had said Thursday that it would send 1,000 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border.

Although Trump's language in recent days has suggested the military might be directly involved in preventing the migrants from entering the United States, one official said the troops would engage only in logistics and infrastructure services, like setting up tents, and not law enforcement activities. 
There are currently 2,100 National Guard troops along the US border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

Trump has taken a hard line toward immigration - legal and illegal - since becoming president.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taking a tough stand at the migrants heading towards the US from Central America, President Donald Trump on Thursday said that his country would not allow migrants to enter illegally.

Taking a tough stand at the migrants heading towards the US from Central America, President Donald Trump on Thursday said that his country would not allow migrants to enter illegally. Calling the situation as "National emergency", he asked the people to return back to their country and apply for citizenship of the United States. "To those in the Caravan, turnaround, we are not letting people into the United States illegally. Go back to your Country and if you want, apply for citizenship like millions of others are doing!", his tweet read. A caravan of some 5,000 to 7,000 people, mostly from the three Latin American countries El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala are heading towards America through Mexico to enter the country illegally. The migrants include people who are seeking to escape violence, poverty and government corruption in their home countries. To those in the Caravan, turnaround, we are not letting people into the United States illegally. Go back to your Country and if you want, apply for citizenship like millions of others are doing! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 25, 2018 × Hours before his tweet, Trump had said that he was deploying military on the Southern border with Mexico to stop them from entering the United States illegally. He also described the situation as "national emergency". He also hit out at the former US government saying that the people are taking the advantage of the "stupid" US policy of catch and release under which the immigrants are arrested immediately upon entering the border illegally and then released with the advice that they appear before the court for the next hearing, which at times is months away. × Trump's administration had said Thursday that it would send 1,000 active-duty troops to the US-Mexico border. Although Trump's language in recent days has suggested the military might be directly involved in preventing the migrants from entering the United States, one official said the troops would engage only in logistics and infrastructure services, like setting up tents, and not law enforcement activities. There are currently 2,100 National Guard troops along the US border in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Trump has taken a hard line toward immigration - legal and illegal - since becoming president. (With inputs from agencies)

Go back to your country, apply for US citizenship: Trump to caravan of Central American migrants

US President Donald Trump on Friday praised the "incredible job" of law enforcement after a suspect was detained in Florida in connection with 12 suspicious packages and pipe bombs sent to Democratic figures.

"These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country," Trump said from the White House. "I've instructed authorities to spare no resource or expense in finding those responsible and bringing them to swift and certain justice."

"We must never allow political violence to take root in America," Trump added. "We must show the world that we are united together in peace, love and harmony as fellow American citizens."

US President Donald Trump on Friday praised the "incredible job" of law enforcement after a suspect was detained in Florida in connection with 12 suspicious packages and pipe bombs sent to Democratic figures.

US President Donald Trump on Friday praised the "incredible job" of law enforcement after a suspect was detained in Florida in connection with 12 suspicious packages and pipe bombs sent to Democratic figures. "These terrorizing acts are despicable and have no place in our country," Trump said from the White House. "I've instructed authorities to spare no resource or expense in finding those responsible and bringing them to swift and certain justice." "We must never allow political violence to take root in America," Trump added. "We must show the world that we are united together in peace, love and harmony as fellow American citizens."

Trump hails 'incredible job' by law enforcement over bomb alerts

Caitlyn Jenner, America`s best-known transgender celebrity, said on Thursday that she had been wrong to support President Donald Trump, saying he had insulted the transgender community and turned them into political pawns. 
 
Jenner, 68, who announced her transition from Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn in 2015, voted for Republican Trump in the 2016 presidential election despite criticism from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. 
 
In an opinion piece for the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she had hoped to work with Trump and Republican policymakers to support transgender people. 
 
"Sadly, I was wrong. The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president. 
 
"He has ignored our humanity. He has insulted our dignity. He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party," Jenner wrote. 
 
Jenner`s opinion piece was published after a report this week that the Trump administration was attempting to create a narrow definition of gender as being only male or female and unchangeable once it is determined at birth. 
 
"It is unacceptable, it is upsetting, and it has deeply, personally hurt me," wrote Jenner, the former patriarch on reality television show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." 
 
Jenner and rapper Kanye West who is married to Kim Kardashian have been two of the biggest celebrity supporters of Trump. 
 
But she wrote on Thursday, "I cannot support anyone who is working against our community. I do not support Trump. I must learn from my mistakes and move forward."&nbsp; 
Jenner was not immediately available for further comment.

Caitlyn Jenner, America`s best-known transgender celebrity, said on Thursday that she had been wrong to support President Donald Trump, saying he had insulted the transgender community and turned them into political pawns.

Caitlyn Jenner, America`s best-known transgender celebrity, said on Thursday that she had been wrong to support President Donald Trump, saying he had insulted the transgender community and turned them into political pawns. Jenner, 68, who announced her transition from Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner to Caitlyn in 2015, voted for Republican Trump in the 2016 presidential election despite criticism from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. In an opinion piece for the Washington Post on Thursday, she said she had hoped to work with Trump and Republican policymakers to support transgender people. "Sadly, I was wrong. The reality is that the trans community is being relentlessly attacked by this president. "He has ignored our humanity. He has insulted our dignity. He has made trans people into political pawns as he whips up animus against us in an attempt to energize the most right-wing segment of his party," Jenner wrote. Jenner`s opinion piece was published after a report this week that the Trump administration was attempting to create a narrow definition of gender as being only male or female and unchangeable once it is determined at birth. "It is unacceptable, it is upsetting, and it has deeply, personally hurt me," wrote Jenner, the former patriarch on reality television show "Keeping Up with the Kardashians." Jenner and rapper Kanye West who is married to Kim Kardashian have been two of the biggest celebrity supporters of Trump. But she wrote on Thursday, "I cannot support anyone who is working against our community. I do not support Trump. I must learn from my mistakes and move forward." Jenner was not immediately available for further comment.

Trump has ignored our humanity: American transgender celebrity Caitlyn Jenner

The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour.

In her first television interview since the killing, Hatice Cengiz recounted the events leading up to their visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 where Khashoggi handed her his two mobile phones and went inside while she waited outside for him to emerge.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork necessary for his upcoming marriage to Cengiz, a Turkish national. After weeks of denying knowledge of whereabouts, and changing its story a number of times, Riyadh has said his killing was premeditated.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggis-fiancee-says-he-treated-well-during-first-consulate-visit-173677">Khashoggi's fiancee says he was treated well during first consulate visit</a>

"Trump invited me to the United States but I perceived it as a statement to win public favour," Cengiz told broadcaster Haberturk, pausing at times during an interview and more than once breaking down in tears.

Trump and Prince Mohammed have cultivated warm ties though the US&nbsp;president said earlier this week that the crown prince, as the kingdom's de facto ruler, bore ultimate responsibility for the operation against Khashoggi. Trump also said Riyadh had staged the "worst cover-up ever" over the killing.

Cengiz said Khashoggi was concerned tensions would arise when he visited the consulate for the first time on Sept. 28, but he was treated well at that visit, which appeared to reassure him, she said.

"I know he had questions in mind about whether something untoward could actually happen at the consulate," she told Haberturk.

He later assumed he would not ultimately be arrested or harmed in Turkey, she said.

"His local network in Turkey was very good as you know, his political network as well," Cengiz said. "He thought Turkey is a safe country and if he would be held or interrogated, this issue would be swiftly solved."

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia on Friday to disclose who ordered Khashoggi's murder, as well as the location of his body, heightening international pressure on the kingdom to come clean on the case.

The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour.

The fiancee of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Friday said she did not accept an invitation from US President Donald Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his own favour. In her first television interview since the killing, Hatice Cengiz recounted the events leading up to their visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 where Khashoggi handed her his two mobile phones and went inside while she waited outside for him to emerge. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared after entering the consulate to obtain paperwork necessary for his upcoming marriage to Cengiz, a Turkish national. After weeks of denying knowledge of whereabouts, and changing its story a number of times, Riyadh has said his killing was premeditated. Also read: Khashoggi's fiancee says he was treated well during first consulate visit "Trump invited me to the United States but I perceived it as a statement to win public favour," Cengiz told broadcaster Haberturk, pausing at times during an interview and more than once breaking down in tears. Trump and Prince Mohammed have cultivated warm ties though the US president said earlier this week that the crown prince, as the kingdom's de facto ruler, bore ultimate responsibility for the operation against Khashoggi. Trump also said Riyadh had staged the "worst cover-up ever" over the killing. Cengiz said Khashoggi was concerned tensions would arise when he visited the consulate for the first time on Sept. 28, but he was treated well at that visit, which appeared to reassure him, she said. "I know he had questions in mind about whether something untoward could actually happen at the consulate," she told Haberturk. He later assumed he would not ultimately be arrested or harmed in Turkey, she said. "His local network in Turkey was very good as you know, his political network as well," Cengiz said. "He thought Turkey is a safe country and if he would be held or interrogated, this issue would be swiftly solved." Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged Saudi Arabia on Friday to disclose who ordered Khashoggi's murder, as well as the location of his body, heightening international pressure on the kingdom to come clean on the case.

Khashoggi fiancee declined Trump invite fearing public opinion ploy

US President Donald Trump complained Friday that Twitter is removing some of his followers and has made it harder to join, an apparent critique of the social network's efforts to weed out fake and abusive accounts.

Trump, who has some 55 million Twitter followers, revived his argument about "bias" by internet firms in a morning tweet that suggested growth in his network was slowing.

"Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join -- they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all," he wrote.

"A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?"

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Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join - they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all. A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1055822810940129283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump's remarks appeared aimed at Twitter's efforts to weed out fake and "spam" accounts to improve the health and safety of the platform.

For months, Twitter has sought to eliminate automated and bogus accounts designed to manipulate the public conversation on Twitter, in response to concerns over Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Twitter said this week the number of active users fell by nine million in the past quarter as a result of these efforts.

Asked about the president's comments, a Twitter spokesman said: "Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior.

"Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people."

According to the social media monitoring website TwitterCounter, Trump has not lost any followers in the past month but the rate of growth of followers appears to have slowed.

He went from 54.7 million followers on September 26 to some 55.3 million Friday, with little or no change over the past week.

The topic of fake followers has long been controversial on social media, and one research group said this month that more than 60 per cent of Trump's followers were "bots, spam, inactive or propaganda."

The report by SparkToro said the @realdonaldtrump account "has significantly higher numbers (of fake or suspect followers) than any other American politician we could find."

SparkToro said in analyzing Trump's account, 72 per cent of followers had been inactive for at least 120 days, 36 per cent use Twitter's default profile image and 92 per cent don't link to a website in their profile or use one with spam patterns.

Trump has previously accused internet firms of bias or suppressing conservative voices, despite little evidence to back up the claim.

US President Donald Trump complained Friday that Twitter is removing some of his followers and has made it harder to join, an apparent critique of the social network's efforts to weed out fake and abusive accounts.

US President Donald Trump complained Friday that Twitter is removing some of his followers and has made it harder to join, an apparent critique of the social network's efforts to weed out fake and abusive accounts. Trump, who has some 55 million Twitter followers, revived his argument about "bias" by internet firms in a morning tweet that suggested growth in his network was slowing. "Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join -- they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all," he wrote. "A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?" Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join - they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all. A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 × Trump's remarks appeared aimed at Twitter's efforts to weed out fake and "spam" accounts to improve the health and safety of the platform. For months, Twitter has sought to eliminate automated and bogus accounts designed to manipulate the public conversation on Twitter, in response to concerns over Russian interference in the 2016 election. Twitter said this week the number of active users fell by nine million in the past quarter as a result of these efforts. Asked about the president's comments, a Twitter spokesman said: "Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior. "Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people." According to the social media monitoring website TwitterCounter, Trump has not lost any followers in the past month but the rate of growth of followers appears to have slowed. He went from 54.7 million followers on September 26 to some 55.3 million Friday, with little or no change over the past week. The topic of fake followers has long been controversial on social media, and one research group said this month that more than 60 per cent of Trump's followers were "bots, spam, inactive or propaganda." The report by SparkToro said the @realdonaldtrump account "has significantly higher numbers (of fake or suspect followers) than any other American politician we could find." SparkToro said in analyzing Trump's account, 72 per cent of followers had been inactive for at least 120 days, 36 per cent use Twitter's default profile image and 92 per cent don't link to a website in their profile or use one with spam patterns. Trump has previously accused internet firms of bias or suppressing conservative voices, despite little evidence to back up the claim.

Trump complains about Twitter removing his followers

Federal authorities arrested a person on Friday in connection with a dozen parcel bombs sent to Democratic politicians and high-profile critics of US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, the US&nbsp;Justice Department said.

The person was taken into custody in the Miami area, a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-finds-11th-package-in-florida-hunt-for-sender-of-bombs-173674">law enforcement </a>official said. The investigation into this week's wave of suspicious packages had focused on southern Florida and a mail sorting facility in the area.

No one had claimed responsibility for parcel bombs, which were denounced by authorities as terrorism and came less than two weeks ahead of U.S. congressional elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.

Federal authorities arrested a person on Friday in connection with a dozen parcel bombs sent to Democratic politicians and high-profile critics of US President Donald Trump, the US Justice Department said.

Federal authorities arrested a person on Friday in connection with a dozen parcel bombs sent to Democratic politicians and high-profile critics of US President Donald Trump, the US Justice Department said. The person was taken into custody in the Miami area, a law enforcement official said. The investigation into this week's wave of suspicious packages had focused on southern Florida and a mail sorting facility in the area. No one had claimed responsibility for parcel bombs, which were denounced by authorities as terrorism and came less than two weeks ahead of U.S. congressional elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.

Man arrested in Florida in connection with US parcel bombs

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

"Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote.

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Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1055826295337172993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump.

The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported.

Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington.

No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips.

All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

(With inputs from news agencies)

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that the news coverage of the suspicious packages targeting high-profile Democratic politicians and critics of the president had slowed momentum for Republican candidates ahead of congressional elections. "Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this 'Bomb' stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on," Trump wrote on Twitter as he urged Republicans to get out to vote. Republicans are doing so well in early voting, and at the polls, and now this “Bomb” stuff happens and the momentum greatly slows - news not talking politics. Very unfortunate, what is going on. Republicans, go out and vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 26, 2018 × Authorities found two more suspicious packages on Friday addressed to US Senator Cory Booker and James Clapper, the former US director of national intelligence, amid a manhunt for the person who sent bombs to prominent Democrats and critics of Trump. The 11th package was found at a mail sorting facility in Florida and was addressed to Booker, the Democratic senator from New Jersey, the FBI said on Twitter. A 12th package was addressed to James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, and sent to CNN, the cable network reported. Authorities called the parcel bombs an act of terrorism. They were sent less than two weeks before national elections that could alter the balance of power in Washington. No one has claimed responsibility for the bombs so far, and the public was asked to report any tips. All the people targeted were frequently maligned by right-wing critics. They included Democratic Party donor George Soros, former President Barack Obama, former Vice President Joe Biden, and former Secretary of State and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (With inputs from news agencies)

Donald Trump says bomb alerts harming Republicans' vote 'momentum'

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