United States President Donald Trump took a swipe at media mega-celebrity Oprah Winfrey following her appearance in CBS&#39; show, &#39;60 Minutes&#39;, where she led a panel discussion with voters from Michigan state.

Taking to Twitter, the US President said the questions posed by the &quot;very insecure Oprah Winfrey&quot; were biased and slanted.

&quot;Just watched a very insecure Oprah Winfrey, who at one point I knew very well, interview a panel of people on 60 Minutes. The questions were biased and slanted, the facts incorrect. Hope Oprah runs so she can be exposed and defeated just like all of the others!&quot; Trump tweeted.

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Just watched a very insecure Oprah Winfrey, who at one point I knew very well, interview a panel of people on 60 Minutes. The questions were biased and slanted, the facts incorrect. Hope Oprah runs so she can be exposed and defeated just like all of the others!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/965442990134251520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Winfrey questioned seven Michigan voters who voted for Trump and seven who voted against him.

Trump&#39;s mocking remark about hoping for Winfrey to run for President comes in light of the fact that anti-Trump voices have continually called for her to run for President in 2022.

Admiration and praises poured in for her especially after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/watch-oprah-winfreys-winning-speech-at-the-golden-globes-will-give-you-goosebumps-28844" target="_blank">her powerful speech</a> at the recent Golden Globes Awards.

'Just watched a very insecure Oprah Winfrey, who at one point I knew very well, interview a panel of people on 60 Minutes. The questions were biased and slanted, the facts incorrect,' Trump tweeted

United States President Donald Trump took a swipe at media mega-celebrity Oprah Winfrey following her appearance in CBS' show, '60 Minutes', where she led a panel discussion with voters from Michigan state. Taking to Twitter, the US President said the questions posed by the "very insecure Oprah Winfrey" were biased and slanted. "Just watched a very insecure Oprah Winfrey, who at one point I knew very well, interview a panel of people on 60 Minutes. The questions were biased and slanted, the facts incorrect. Hope Oprah runs so she can be exposed and defeated just like all of the others!" Trump tweeted. Just watched a very insecure Oprah Winfrey, who at one point I knew very well, interview a panel of people on 60 Minutes. The questions were biased and slanted, the facts incorrect. Hope Oprah runs so she can be exposed and defeated just like all of the others! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 19, 2018 × Winfrey questioned seven Michigan voters who voted for Trump and seven who voted against him. Trump's mocking remark about hoping for Winfrey to run for President comes in light of the fact that anti-Trump voices have continually called for her to run for President in 2022. Admiration and praises poured in for her especially after her powerful speech at the recent Golden Globes Awards.

Trump takes swipe at 'very insecure' Oprah Winfrey

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people.&nbsp;

Trump spoke to Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, on Friday about a bi-partisan bill that he and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy introduced to improve federal compliance with criminal background checks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

&quot;While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system,&quot; Sanders said in a statement.

Cornyn and Murphy introduced the bill to improve federal background checks last November, days after a gunman killed more than two dozen people in a church in Texas.

The bill, called the Fix NICS Act, would ensure that states and federal agencies comply with existing law on reporting criminal history records to the national background check system.

Cornyn, of Texas, had complained when introducing the legislation that compliance by agencies was &ldquo;lousy.&rdquo;

Students from the Florida high school where a former student is accused of murdering 17 people last week using an assault-style rifle, are planning a &quot;March For Our Lives&quot; in Washington on March 24 to call attention to school safety and ask lawmakers to enact gun control.

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people. Trump spoke to Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, on Friday about a bi-partisan bill that he and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy introduced to improve federal compliance with criminal background checks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. "While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system," Sanders said in a statement. Cornyn and Murphy introduced the bill to improve federal background checks last November, days after a gunman killed more than two dozen people in a church in Texas. The bill, called the Fix NICS Act, would ensure that states and federal agencies comply with existing law on reporting criminal history records to the national background check system. Cornyn, of Texas, had complained when introducing the legislation that compliance by agencies was “lousy.” Students from the Florida high school where a former student is accused of murdering 17 people last week using an assault-style rifle, are planning a "March For Our Lives" in Washington on March 24 to call attention to school safety and ask lawmakers to enact gun control.

Trump backs effort to improve gun background checks: White House

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Russia was succeeding beyond its &quot;wildest dreams&quot; in sowing US discord but refrained once more from directly challenging Moscow on its election meddling.

In a flurry of tweets, Trump blamed former president Barack Obama for failing to stop Russia while accusing the FBI of spending &quot;too much time trying to prove collusion with the Trump campaign.&quot;

But the president has made no move to take on Russia since indictments Friday against 13 Russians that laid out in detail aspects of an alleged covert effort to sway the 2016 US presidential election in Trump&#39;s favor.

US intelligence chiefs warned earlier in the week that Russian meddling has continued and poses a threat to the US mid-term congressional elections this year.

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<h5>In yet another tweet, Trump said: &#39;Obama was President, knew of the threat, and did nothing&#39;</h5>
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Speaking at a security conference in Munich Saturday, National Security Advisor HR McMaster called the evidence of Russian interference in US democratic processes &quot;incontrovertible.&quot;

But Trump glossed over Russian responsibility and offered no indication of what his administration would do about it.

&quot;General McMaster forgot to say that the results of the 2016 election were not impacted or changed by the Russians and that the only Collusion was between Russia and Crooked H, the DNC and the Dems,&quot; Trump said in a tweet late Saturday, making reference to his defeated Democratic Party challenger Hillary Clinton.

He followed that up Sunday: &quot;I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said &#39;it may be Russia, or China or another country or group, or it may be a 400 pound genius sitting in bed and playing with his computer.&#39; The Russian &#39;hoax&#39; was that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia - it never did!&quot;

&#39;Wildest dreams&#39; 
Friday&#39;s indictment was filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between Trump&#39;s campaign and Russia, and possible obstruction of justice.

&quot;For anyone, including the president, who continues to call this a witch hunt... the evidence is now overwhelming and unequivocal and we need to move to protect ourselves from Russian interference in elections that are coming up,&quot; said Adam Schiff, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, speaking on CNN&#39;s &quot;State of the Union&quot; program.

Trump, however, suggested that the problem lay with congressional and Department of Justice probes, rather than the interference itself.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-accuses-fbi-of-spending-too-much-time-on-russia-probe-33282" target="_blank">Trump accuses FBI of &#39;spending too much time&#39; on Russia probe</a>

&quot;If it was the GOAL of Russia to create discord, disruption and chaos within the U.S. then, with all of the Committee Hearings, Investigations and Party hatred, they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams,&quot; Trump tweeted.

&quot;They are laughing their asses off in Moscow. Get smart America!&quot; he added.

In yet another tweet, he said: &quot;Obama was President, knew of the threat, and did nothing.&quot;

Schiff agreed that the Obama administration should have done more when it learned of the Russian meddling.

&quot;None of that is an excuse for this president to sit on his hands,&quot; Schiff said.

&quot;The president of the United States continues to sit on sanctions that Congress passed, that Congress wants enforced against Russia over this interference,&quot; he said.

The US Treasury Department last month issued a list of prominent Russian political and business figures who could be sanctioned, as required under a law passed last year to punish Moscow&#39;s election meddling.

But the administration said new sanctions called for under the law were not needed because the measure was already having a deterrent effect.

Shoes drop 
The indictments brought by Mueller alleges that the Russian campaign was launched in 2014, initially as an effort to undermine confidence in the US political system.

By mid-2016, however, the campaign -- under the direction of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- had become focused on hurting Clinton and helping Trump, according to the indictment.

The effort allegedly involved hundreds of people working in shifts and with a budget of millions of dollars. Three companies were also indicted.

The indictment did not address the Russian government&#39;s role or hacks of the Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee.&nbsp;

&quot;I do think there are other shoes to drop here besides this indictment,&quot; former national security director James Clapper said on CNN.&nbsp;

In announcing the indictments, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said there was &quot;no allegations in this indictment&quot; that any American was a &quot;knowing participant&quot; in the Russian scheme -- leading Trump to declare that this vindicated his campaign team.

Rosenstein also said there was no judgment on whether the Russian campaign &quot;altered the outcome&quot; of the White House race.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the charges, calling them &quot;blabber&quot; and &quot;fantasies.&quot;

In a flurry of tweets, Trump said Russia was succeeding beyond its 'wildest dreams' in sowing US discord but refrained once more from directly challenging Moscow on its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Russia was succeeding beyond its "wildest dreams" in sowing US discord but refrained once more from directly challenging Moscow on its election meddling. In a flurry of tweets, Trump blamed former president Barack Obama for failing to stop Russia while accusing the FBI of spending "too much time trying to prove collusion with the Trump campaign." But the president has made no move to take on Russia since indictments Friday against 13 Russians that laid out in detail aspects of an alleged covert effort to sway the 2016 US presidential election in Trump's favor. US intelligence chiefs warned earlier in the week that Russian meddling has continued and poses a threat to the US mid-term congressional elections this year. In yet another tweet, Trump said: 'Obama was President, knew of the threat, and did nothing' × Speaking at a security conference in Munich Saturday, National Security Advisor HR McMaster called the evidence of Russian interference in US democratic processes "incontrovertible." But Trump glossed over Russian responsibility and offered no indication of what his administration would do about it. "General McMaster forgot to say that the results of the 2016 election were not impacted or changed by the Russians and that the only Collusion was between Russia and Crooked H, the DNC and the Dems," Trump said in a tweet late Saturday, making reference to his defeated Democratic Party challenger Hillary Clinton. He followed that up Sunday: "I never said Russia did not meddle in the election, I said 'it may be Russia, or China or another country or group, or it may be a 400 pound genius sitting in bed and playing with his computer.' The Russian 'hoax' was that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia - it never did!" 'Wildest dreams' Friday's indictment was filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia, and possible obstruction of justice. "For anyone, including the president, who continues to call this a witch hunt... the evidence is now overwhelming and unequivocal and we need to move to protect ourselves from Russian interference in elections that are coming up," said Adam Schiff, the senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" program. Trump, however, suggested that the problem lay with congressional and Department of Justice probes, rather than the interference itself. Also read: Trump accuses FBI of 'spending too much time' on Russia probe "If it was the GOAL of Russia to create discord, disruption and chaos within the U.S. then, with all of the Committee Hearings, Investigations and Party hatred, they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams," Trump tweeted. "They are laughing their asses off in Moscow. Get smart America!" he added. In yet another tweet, he said: "Obama was President, knew of the threat, and did nothing." Schiff agreed that the Obama administration should have done more when it learned of the Russian meddling. "None of that is an excuse for this president to sit on his hands," Schiff said. "The president of the United States continues to sit on sanctions that Congress passed, that Congress wants enforced against Russia over this interference," he said. The US Treasury Department last month issued a list of prominent Russian political and business figures who could be sanctioned, as required under a law passed last year to punish Moscow's election meddling. But the administration said new sanctions called for under the law were not needed because the measure was already having a deterrent effect. Shoes drop The indictments brought by Mueller alleges that the Russian campaign was launched in 2014, initially as an effort to undermine confidence in the US political system. By mid-2016, however, the campaign -- under the direction of Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin -- had become focused on hurting Clinton and helping Trump, according to the indictment. The effort allegedly involved hundreds of people working in shifts and with a budget of millions of dollars. Three companies were also indicted. The indictment did not address the Russian government's role or hacks of the Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee. "I do think there are other shoes to drop here besides this indictment," former national security director James Clapper said on CNN. In announcing the indictments, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said there was "no allegations in this indictment" that any American was a "knowing participant" in the Russian scheme -- leading Trump to declare that this vindicated his campaign team. Rosenstein also said there was no judgment on whether the Russian campaign "altered the outcome" of the White House race. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the charges, calling them "blabber" and "fantasies."

Trump: 'They are laughing their asses off in Moscow'

Students who survived a mass shooting at their Florida school on Sunday announced plans to march on Washington in a bid to &quot;shame&quot; politicians into reforming laws that make firearms readily available.

The &quot;March for Our Lives&quot; will take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country, a group of students told ABC News` &quot;This Week.&quot;

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-school-shooter-was-on-police-radar-in-2016-report-33221"> Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016: Report</a>

They pledged to make Wednesday`s slaughter in Parkland, Florida a turning point in America`s deadlocked debate on gun control.

Nikolas Cruz, 19, a troubled former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, confessed to killing 17 people with a legally-purchased AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, the latest such atrocity in a country with more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually.

Also read:<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/shame-on-you-florida-school-shooting-survivor-tells-trump-at-anti-gun-rally-33213"> &#39;Shame on you!&#39; Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally</a>

Among the students announcing the march was Emma Gonzalez, who captured worldwide attention with a powerful speech in which she assailed President Donald Trump over the multi-million-dollar support his campaign received from the gun lobby.

She vowed Stoneman Douglas would be &quot;the last mass shooting.&quot;

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<h5>The students have pledged to make Wednesday`s slaughter in Parkland, Florida a turning point in America`s deadlocked debate on gun control</h5>
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On Sunday, Gonzalez, 18, urged politicians to join a conversation about gun control -- citing Trump as well as his fellow Republicans Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Governor Rick Scott.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-visits-florida-shooting-survivors-fbi-admits-it-missed-tip-33123">Trump visits Florida shooting survivors, FBI admits it missed tip</a>

&quot;We want to give them the opportunity to be on the right side of this,&quot; she said, as she and her four classmates called on students nationwide to help push the message.

Trump will host a &quot;listening session&quot; with high school students and teachers on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement, though it did not specify who would attend the event.

Singling out the links between politicians and the powerful National Rifle Association, Stoneman Douglas student Cameron Kasky said any politician &quot;who is taking money from the NRA is responsible for events like this.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;This isn`t about the GOP,&quot; he said, referring to the Republican Party. &quot;This isn`t about the Democrats.&quot;&nbsp;

The NRA, a traditional ally of the Republicans who currently control Congress and the White House, defends a literal view of the US Constitution`s 2nd Amendment which promises a right &quot;to keep and bear arms.&quot;

Even after last October`s killing of 58 people by a gunman in Las Vegas who amassed 47 firearms to commit the worst mass shooting in recent US history, legislators accomplished nothing in the way of tighter controls.

Accusing the NRA of &quot;fostering and promoting this gun culture,&quot; Kasky said the students seek &quot;a new normal where there`s a badge of shame on any politician who`s accepting money from the NRA.&quot;&quot;People keep asking us, what about the Stoneman Douglas shooting is going to be different, because this has happened before and change hasn`t come?&quot; said Kasky.&nbsp;

&quot;This is it,&quot; he continued. &quot;We are going to be marching together as students begging for our lives.&quot;&nbsp;

The students did not indicate how many people they expected to join their rallies.

But their aims won support from Florida Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch, who said they can make a difference.

&quot;After what they saw, the worst things imaginable, they`re not going to just sit back and take it,&quot; he told &quot;This Week.&quot;

&quot;All I`ve heard all week is how frustrated people are with rhetoric. They want action.&quot;

Florida Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo, speaking on the same program, said he is working towards bipartisan solutions that could prevent similar tragedies.

&quot;There are a lot of Republicans who are prepared to support reasonable, common-sense gun safety laws,&quot; he said.

Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said that although Republicans have faced a bigger hurdle in making gun control a priority, &quot;it`s been a challenge in the Democratic Party as well.&quot;

Speaking on CNN`s &quot;State of the Union,&quot; Schiff asked, &quot;How much more of this are we gonna to take? How many more shootings?&quot;

Congress has to get &quot;off its backside&quot; to &quot;stare down the NRA and do the right thing,&quot; he said.

The student survivors` calls for change &quot;should matter,&quot; said Mark Kelly, a retired astronaut whose wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot and wounded by a deranged gunman. 
 
He said on &quot;Fox News Sunday&quot; that the student activists &quot;are going to vote on this issue probably for the rest of their lives and they`re going to encourage others to do that as well.&quot;

But conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, speaking on the same show, said neither legislation nor marches are the answer.

&quot;It`s not the fault of the NRA,&quot; he said, calling for concealed weapons to be allowed in schools.

&quot;If we are really serious about protecting the kids, we need a mechanism to be defensive.&quot;

The 'March for Our Lives' will take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country, a group of students told ABC News' 'This Week'

Students who survived a mass shooting at their Florida school on Sunday announced plans to march on Washington in a bid to "shame" politicians into reforming laws that make firearms readily available. The "March for Our Lives" will take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country, a group of students told ABC News` "This Week." Also read: Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016: Report They pledged to make Wednesday`s slaughter in Parkland, Florida a turning point in America`s deadlocked debate on gun control. Nikolas Cruz, 19, a troubled former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, confessed to killing 17 people with a legally-purchased AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, the latest such atrocity in a country with more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually. Also read: 'Shame on you!' Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally Among the students announcing the march was Emma Gonzalez, who captured worldwide attention with a powerful speech in which she assailed President Donald Trump over the multi-million-dollar support his campaign received from the gun lobby. She vowed Stoneman Douglas would be "the last mass shooting." The students have pledged to make Wednesday`s slaughter in Parkland, Florida a turning point in America`s deadlocked debate on gun control × On Sunday, Gonzalez, 18, urged politicians to join a conversation about gun control -- citing Trump as well as his fellow Republicans Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Governor Rick Scott. Also read: Trump visits Florida shooting survivors, FBI admits it missed tip "We want to give them the opportunity to be on the right side of this," she said, as she and her four classmates called on students nationwide to help push the message. Trump will host a "listening session" with high school students and teachers on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement, though it did not specify who would attend the event. Singling out the links between politicians and the powerful National Rifle Association, Stoneman Douglas student Cameron Kasky said any politician "who is taking money from the NRA is responsible for events like this." "This isn`t about the GOP," he said, referring to the Republican Party. "This isn`t about the Democrats." The NRA, a traditional ally of the Republicans who currently control Congress and the White House, defends a literal view of the US Constitution`s 2nd Amendment which promises a right "to keep and bear arms." Even after last October`s killing of 58 people by a gunman in Las Vegas who amassed 47 firearms to commit the worst mass shooting in recent US history, legislators accomplished nothing in the way of tighter controls. Accusing the NRA of "fostering and promoting this gun culture," Kasky said the students seek "a new normal where there`s a badge of shame on any politician who`s accepting money from the NRA.""People keep asking us, what about the Stoneman Douglas shooting is going to be different, because this has happened before and change hasn`t come?" said Kasky. "This is it," he continued. "We are going to be marching together as students begging for our lives." The students did not indicate how many people they expected to join their rallies. But their aims won support from Florida Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch, who said they can make a difference. "After what they saw, the worst things imaginable, they`re not going to just sit back and take it," he told "This Week." "All I`ve heard all week is how frustrated people are with rhetoric. They want action." Florida Republican Congressman Carlos Curbelo, speaking on the same program, said he is working towards bipartisan solutions that could prevent similar tragedies. "There are a lot of Republicans who are prepared to support reasonable, common-sense gun safety laws," he said. Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff said that although Republicans have faced a bigger hurdle in making gun control a priority, "it`s been a challenge in the Democratic Party as well." Speaking on CNN`s "State of the Union," Schiff asked, "How much more of this are we gonna to take? How many more shootings?" Congress has to get "off its backside" to "stare down the NRA and do the right thing," he said. The student survivors` calls for change "should matter," said Mark Kelly, a retired astronaut whose wife, former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, was shot and wounded by a deranged gunman. He said on "Fox News Sunday" that the student activists "are going to vote on this issue probably for the rest of their lives and they`re going to encourage others to do that as well." But conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, speaking on the same show, said neither legislation nor marches are the answer. "It`s not the fault of the NRA," he said, calling for concealed weapons to be allowed in schools. "If we are really serious about protecting the kids, we need a mechanism to be defensive."

Florida school shooting survivors to march on Washington, call for gun reform

US President Donald Trump slammed the FBI Saturday for failing to heed signs that could have prevented the Florida school shooting, charging the agency was too preoccupied with probing his campaign team over Russian election meddling.

Allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and collusion with the Trump campaign are being investigated by several congressional committees and by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who took charge of the federal government&#39;s probe from the FBI last year following the sacking of its former chief James Comey.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-school-shooter-was-on-police-radar-in-2016-report-33221">Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016 says report</a>

&quot;Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable,&quot; he wrote on Twitter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/shame-on-you-florida-school-shooting-survivor-tells-trump-at-anti-gun-rally-33213" target="_blank">&#39;Shame on you!&#39; Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally</a>

&quot;They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion. Get back to the basics and make us all proud!&quot;

Troubled teen Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people with an assault rifle at his former high school in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday.

It was the 18th school shooting of the year and sparked renewed calls for gun control.

US authorities have come under mounting scrutiny for failing to act on a series of warning signs.

The FBI admitted Friday it received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said &nbsp;Cruz could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up.

Cruz was also known to local police after his mother repeatedly reported him for violent outbursts, while records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show authorities investigated him in 2016 after he cut his arms on messaging app Snapchat and threatened to buy a gun.

Mueller&#39;s investigation has so far swept up four members of Trump&#39;s campaign, with two agreeing to work for the probe under a plea deal.

On Thursday Mueller indicted 13 Russians for allegedly running a secret campaign to tilt the vote, but did not accuse any Americans of knowingly participating in that effort.

Allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and collusion with the Trump campaign are being investigated by several congressional committees and by special prosecutor Robert Mueller

US President Donald Trump slammed the FBI Saturday for failing to heed signs that could have prevented the Florida school shooting, charging the agency was too preoccupied with probing his campaign team over Russian election meddling. Allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race and collusion with the Trump campaign are being investigated by several congressional committees and by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, who took charge of the federal government's probe from the FBI last year following the sacking of its former chief James Comey. Also read: Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016 says report "Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable," he wrote on Twitter. Also read: 'Shame on you!' Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally "They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion. Get back to the basics and make us all proud!" Troubled teen Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people with an assault rifle at his former high school in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday. It was the 18th school shooting of the year and sparked renewed calls for gun control. US authorities have come under mounting scrutiny for failing to act on a series of warning signs. The FBI admitted Friday it received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said Cruz could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up. Cruz was also known to local police after his mother repeatedly reported him for violent outbursts, while records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show authorities investigated him in 2016 after he cut his arms on messaging app Snapchat and threatened to buy a gun. Mueller's investigation has so far swept up four members of Trump's campaign, with two agreeing to work for the probe under a plea deal. On Thursday Mueller indicted 13 Russians for allegedly running a secret campaign to tilt the vote, but did not accuse any Americans of knowingly participating in that effort.

Trump slams FBI over school shooting, blames preoccupation with Russia probe

The United States President Donald Trump&#39;s son Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to arrive in Gurugram on Monday to endorse his luxurious residential project, the Trump Towers.

Trump Jr., who is the executive director of the Trump Organisation, will arrive on a Boeing 757, which is nicknamed as Trump Force One, The New York Times reported.

The major English daily, Hindustan Times published an advertisement on their front page of the newspaper on Saturday which read- &quot;Trump has arrived. Have you?&quot;

Advertisements inside the newspaper mentioned that anyone who agreed to buy a Trump property before February 21 will have a chance of &quot;a conversation and dinner&quot; with Trump Jr.

Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at the Global Business Summit in Delhi, which will be held on February 23 and 24.

He will also visit Kolkata, where the construction of a project with 137 luxury units will begin soon.

In Mumbai, he will oversee a 78-story Trump Tower with 400 residences, which is under construction and is scheduled to be completed by next year.

Trump Jr. will also visit Pune, where a fourth Trump-branded project has been built.

In an interview last week, Trump Jr. stated that he had spent nearly a decade &quot;cultivating relationships in India&quot; and that his company was &quot;now seeing the response of that effort.&quot;

According to business partners in India, many units in the Trump Towers are selling about 30 percent per square foot higher than the current market rates. Trump Jr.&#39;s visit to India this week is expected to reinforce the trend.

Talking about his trip earlier this month, Trump Jr. said, &quot;India is such an incredible country and our brand has enjoyed tremendous success in the region for many years. This trip is a celebration of all we have achieved, including the launch of the Trump developments in Kolkata and Delhi which have been underway for many months.&quot;

&quot;The teams in India have been working very hard to deliver residences that are truly second to none and I am looking forward to visiting these spectacular projects very soon,&quot; he added.

India is Trump Organisation&#39;s biggest international market, with four real estate projects underway in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Gurugram.

The towers are being built by local partners- M3M, a National Capital Region (NCR) real estate company and Tribeca Developers of Mumbai.

The Trump development encompasses two towers with a total of 254 &quot;ultra luxury&quot; units, each selling for up to $1.5 million, according to the Trump Organisation.

Among other features of Trump Towers are a temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool, a spa and fitness centre, a fine-dining restaurant, business centre, and in-residence catering.

Trump Jr.&#39;s visit to India comes after his sister, Ivanka, visited Hyderabad in November last year to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. (GES)

Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to arrive in Gurugram on Monday

The United States President Donald Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. is scheduled to arrive in Gurugram on Monday to endorse his luxurious residential project, the Trump Towers. Trump Jr., who is the executive director of the Trump Organisation, will arrive on a Boeing 757, which is nicknamed as Trump Force One, The New York Times reported. The major English daily, Hindustan Times published an advertisement on their front page of the newspaper on Saturday which read- "Trump has arrived. Have you?" Advertisements inside the newspaper mentioned that anyone who agreed to buy a Trump property before February 21 will have a chance of "a conversation and dinner" with Trump Jr. Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at the Global Business Summit in Delhi, which will be held on February 23 and 24. He will also visit Kolkata, where the construction of a project with 137 luxury units will begin soon. In Mumbai, he will oversee a 78-story Trump Tower with 400 residences, which is under construction and is scheduled to be completed by next year. Trump Jr. will also visit Pune, where a fourth Trump-branded project has been built. In an interview last week, Trump Jr. stated that he had spent nearly a decade "cultivating relationships in India" and that his company was "now seeing the response of that effort." According to business partners in India, many units in the Trump Towers are selling about 30 percent per square foot higher than the current market rates. Trump Jr.'s visit to India this week is expected to reinforce the trend. Talking about his trip earlier this month, Trump Jr. said, "India is such an incredible country and our brand has enjoyed tremendous success in the region for many years. This trip is a celebration of all we have achieved, including the launch of the Trump developments in Kolkata and Delhi which have been underway for many months." "The teams in India have been working very hard to deliver residences that are truly second to none and I am looking forward to visiting these spectacular projects very soon," he added. India is Trump Organisation's biggest international market, with four real estate projects underway in Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Gurugram. The towers are being built by local partners- M3M, a National Capital Region (NCR) real estate company and Tribeca Developers of Mumbai. The Trump development encompasses two towers with a total of 254 "ultra luxury" units, each selling for up to $1.5 million, according to the Trump Organisation. Among other features of Trump Towers are a temperature-controlled indoor swimming pool, a spa and fitness centre, a fine-dining restaurant, business centre, and in-residence catering. Trump Jr.'s visit to India comes after his sister, Ivanka, visited Hyderabad in November last year to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit. (GES)

Donald Trump Jr. to launch Trump Towers in Gurugram tomorrow

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump attacked the FBI and lawmakers probing alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and said an excessive focus on Russia led federal investigators to miss signs that could have prevented the deadly school shooting in Florida last week.

In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump accused President Barack Obama of failing to do enough to stop Russian election interference and belittled Representative Adam Schiff, of the House intelligence committee that is investigating Russia&#39;s actions. Trump labelled Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the panel, a leaking &quot;monster.&quot;

Trump also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was &quot;spending too much time&quot; looking into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia.

The tweets follow the announcement on Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller had charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with a conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US&nbsp;election.

The indictment says Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages and staged political rallies while posing as Americans, among other charges. But the indictment was silent on the question of whether anyone from the Trump campaign coordinated or worked with Russians.

Russia has denied meddling in the US&nbsp;election and Trump has denied any collusion.

In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump criticized the FBI for missing warning signs in the case of Nikolas Cruz, 19, who is charged with killing 17 people on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

More than a dozen people were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a US&nbsp;high school.

&quot;Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable,&quot; Trump said on Twitter.

&quot;They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion,&quot; added.

Cruz was investigated as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, newspapers said on Saturday.

The FBI acknowledged on Friday that it failed to investigate a warning that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill.

Russia has denied meddling in the US election and Trump has denied any collusion

US President Donald Trump attacked the FBI and lawmakers probing alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and said an excessive focus on Russia led federal investigators to miss signs that could have prevented the deadly school shooting in Florida last week. In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump accused President Barack Obama of failing to do enough to stop Russian election interference and belittled Representative Adam Schiff, of the House intelligence committee that is investigating Russia's actions. Trump labelled Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the panel, a leaking "monster." Trump also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was "spending too much time" looking into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia. The tweets follow the announcement on Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller had charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with a conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US election. The indictment says Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages and staged political rallies while posing as Americans, among other charges. But the indictment was silent on the question of whether anyone from the Trump campaign coordinated or worked with Russians. Russia has denied meddling in the US election and Trump has denied any collusion. In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump criticized the FBI for missing warning signs in the case of Nikolas Cruz, 19, who is charged with killing 17 people on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. More than a dozen people were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a US high school. "Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable," Trump said on Twitter. "They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion," added. Cruz was investigated as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, newspapers said on Saturday. The FBI acknowledged on Friday that it failed to investigate a warning that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill.

Trump accuses FBI of 'spending too much time' on Russia probe

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tripura-goes-to-polls-left-front-faces-stiffest-challenge-in-25-years-from-bjp-33214">Tripura goes to polls, Left Front faces </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tripura-goes-to-polls-left-front-faces-stiffest-challenge-in-25-years-from-bjp-33214">stiffest</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/tripura-goes-to-polls-left-front-faces-stiffest-challenge-in-25-years-from-bjp-33214"> challenge in 25 years from BJP</a>

People in Tripura are all prepared to cast their votes as the northeastern hill state goes to polls today.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/shame-on-you-florida-school-shooting-survivor-tells-trump-at-anti-gun-rally-33213">&#39;Shame on you!&#39; Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally</a>

A student survivor of the Parkland school shooting called out US President Donald Trump today over his ties to the powerful National Rifle Association, in a poignant address to an anti-gun rally in Florida.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-spree-of-up-encounters-criminals-run-to-jail-for-safety-33222">After spree of UP encounters, criminals run to jail for safety</a>

Fearing getting killed in a Police encounter, wanted criminals in Uttar Pradesh state are on a surrender spree.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-hands-list-of-8000-rohingya-refugees-to-myanmar-for-repatriation-33209">Bangladesh hands over list of 8,000 Rohingyas, Myanmar says will start repatriation</a>

Bangladesh Friday handed over a list of more than 8,000 Rohingya to Myanmar as it moves to kick-start their repatriation weeks after the process was halted due to lack of preparation.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-school-shooter-was-on-police-radar-in-2016-report-33221">Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016: Report</a>

A teenager accused of shooting to death 17 people at a Florida high school was investigated by police and state officials as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, a newspaper said on Saturday. 
&nbsp;

Tripura goes to polls, Left Front faces stiffest challenge in 25 years from BJP People in Tripura are all prepared to cast their votes as the northeastern hill state goes to polls today. 'Shame on you!' Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally A student survivor of the Parkland school shooting called out US President Donald Trump today over his ties to the powerful National Rifle Association, in a poignant address to an anti-gun rally in Florida. After spree of UP encounters, criminals run to jail for safety Fearing getting killed in a Police encounter, wanted criminals in Uttar Pradesh state are on a surrender spree. Bangladesh hands over list of 8,000 Rohingyas, Myanmar says will start repatriation Bangladesh Friday handed over a list of more than 8,000 Rohingya to Myanmar as it moves to kick-start their repatriation weeks after the process was halted due to lack of preparation. Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016: Report A teenager accused of shooting to death 17 people at a Florida high school was investigated by police and state officials as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, a newspaper said on Saturday.

WION Morning News Brief, February 18, 2018

A teenager accused of shooting to death 17 people at a Florida high school was investigated by police and state officials as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, a newspaper said on Saturday.

Nikolas Cruz, 19, is charged with committing multiple murders on Wednesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a Miami suburb. More than a dozen people also were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a U.S. high school.

More vigils and funerals were scheduled for this weekend in and around Parkland. Two gun shows and a rally calling for the firearm safety legislation also were due to be held nearby.

According to a report by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, a video of Cruz cutting his arm posted to the social media network Snapchat in September 2016 raised concerns among law enforcement and at the Florida Department of Children and Family Services.

&quot;Mr. Cruz stated he plans to go out and buy a gun. It is unknown what he is buying the gun for,&quot; said a report written by department officials after investigators interviewed the teenager, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/shame-on-you-florida-school-shooting-survivor-tells-trump-at-anti-gun-rally-33213" target="_blank">&#39;Shame on you!&#39; Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally</a>

The newspaper reported that the investigators ultimately decided that Cruz, then 18, was receiving enough support from mental health professionals and from his school, and that any risk in his case was low.

Representatives for the Department of Children and Family Services did not respond to requests from comment.

On Friday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation admitted it failed to investigate a warning this year that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill. [nL2N1Q60HJ]

A person described as close to Cruz called an FBI tip line on Jan. 5 to report concerns about him, according to the FBI. That information was not forwarded to the FBI&#39;s Miami office, in what agency officials called a breakdown in protocol.

The disclosure spread angry disbelief among Parkland residents and led Florida&#39;s Republican Governor Rick Scott to call for FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign.

&quot;We have spoken with victims and families and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy,&quot; Wray said in a statement on Friday.

FBI procedure under review

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a review of FBI procedures following the shooting, in which 14 students and three school staff members died.

The latest U.S. mass shooting has raised concerns about potential lapses in school security and stirred the continuing U.S. debate pitting proponents of tougher restrictions on firearms against advocates for gun rights, which are protected by the U.S. Constitution&#39;s Second Amendment.

U.S. President Donald Trump and some other political leaders have said mental illness prompted the massacre. Cruz had been expelled from the high school for undisclosed disciplinary reasons and former classmates described him as an outcast and troublemaker with a fascination for weaponry.

According to CNN, Cruz posted disparaging comments about Jews, African Americans and gays in a private chat group on the social media network Instagram.

&quot;I think I am going to kill people,&quot; Cruz wrote in the group, according to CNN, which also quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying the suspect bought at least five guns in the past year.

Cruz&#39;s attorneys at the Broward County Public Defender&#39;s Office could not immediately be reached for comment.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has said that his office had received about 20 &quot;calls for service&quot; in the past few years regarding Cruz and would scrutinize all of them to see if they were handled properly.

In Coral Springs, a neighboring suburb, Life Fellowship Church Pastor Harold Altamirano and about three dozen worshipers gathered on Saturday to walk around the community and pray for healing.

&quot;We just want to tell Parkland that you are not alone. We are hurting with you,&quot; Altamirano said. &quot;Let&#39;s not allow fear to win. Love has to have the last say.&quot;

Nikolas Cruz, charged with the Parkland school shooting, was investigated by police and state officials as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun

A teenager accused of shooting to death 17 people at a Florida high school was investigated by police and state officials as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, a newspaper said on Saturday. Nikolas Cruz, 19, is charged with committing multiple murders on Wednesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a Miami suburb. More than a dozen people also were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a U.S. high school. More vigils and funerals were scheduled for this weekend in and around Parkland. Two gun shows and a rally calling for the firearm safety legislation also were due to be held nearby. According to a report by the South Florida Sun Sentinel, a video of Cruz cutting his arm posted to the social media network Snapchat in September 2016 raised concerns among law enforcement and at the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. "Mr. Cruz stated he plans to go out and buy a gun. It is unknown what he is buying the gun for," said a report written by department officials after investigators interviewed the teenager, according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Also read: 'Shame on you!' Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally The newspaper reported that the investigators ultimately decided that Cruz, then 18, was receiving enough support from mental health professionals and from his school, and that any risk in his case was low. Representatives for the Department of Children and Family Services did not respond to requests from comment. On Friday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation admitted it failed to investigate a warning this year that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill. [nL2N1Q60HJ] A person described as close to Cruz called an FBI tip line on Jan. 5 to report concerns about him, according to the FBI. That information was not forwarded to the FBI's Miami office, in what agency officials called a breakdown in protocol. The disclosure spread angry disbelief among Parkland residents and led Florida's Republican Governor Rick Scott to call for FBI Director Christopher Wray to resign. "We have spoken with victims and families and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy," Wray said in a statement on Friday. FBI procedure under review U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a review of FBI procedures following the shooting, in which 14 students and three school staff members died. The latest U.S. mass shooting has raised concerns about potential lapses in school security and stirred the continuing U.S. debate pitting proponents of tougher restrictions on firearms against advocates for gun rights, which are protected by the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. U.S. President Donald Trump and some other political leaders have said mental illness prompted the massacre. Cruz had been expelled from the high school for undisclosed disciplinary reasons and former classmates described him as an outcast and troublemaker with a fascination for weaponry. According to CNN, Cruz posted disparaging comments about Jews, African Americans and gays in a private chat group on the social media network Instagram. "I think I am going to kill people," Cruz wrote in the group, according to CNN, which also quoted an unnamed law enforcement source as saying the suspect bought at least five guns in the past year. Cruz's attorneys at the Broward County Public Defender's Office could not immediately be reached for comment. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has said that his office had received about 20 "calls for service" in the past few years regarding Cruz and would scrutinize all of them to see if they were handled properly. In Coral Springs, a neighboring suburb, Life Fellowship Church Pastor Harold Altamirano and about three dozen worshipers gathered on Saturday to walk around the community and pray for healing. "We just want to tell Parkland that you are not alone. We are hurting with you," Altamirano said. "Let's not allow fear to win. Love has to have the last say."

Florida school shooter was on police radar in 2016: Report

A student survivor of the Parkland school shooting called out US President Donald Trump today over his ties to the powerful National Rifle Association, in a poignant address to an anti-gun rally in Florida.

&quot;To every politician taking donations from the NRA, shame on you!&quot; said Emma Gonzalez, assailing Trump over the multi-million-dollar support his campaign received from the gun lobby -- and prompting the crowd to chant in turn: &quot;Shame on you!&quot;

Wednesday&#39;s massacre, which claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has fuelled urgent calls for an end to the national deadlock over gun control -- with a string of shooting survivors rallying behind the cause.

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<h5>If the president wants to come up to me and tell me to my face that it was a terrible tragedy and... How nothing is going to be done about it, Im going to happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association,&#39; said Gonzalez</h5>
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The gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was able to legally buy an assault rifle despite a history of troubling and violent behavior.

In Washington, however, the political response has made clear that the powerful NRA pro-gun lobby remains formidable, while Trump himself suggested the root cause of mass shootings was a crisis of mental health -- making no mention of gun control.

&quot;If the president wants to come up to me and tell me to my face that it was a terrible tragedy and... How nothing is going to be done about it, Im going to happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association,&quot; said Gonzalez.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-for-healing-after-florida-school-shooting-33004" target="_blank">Trump says will make schools safer after Florida shooting</a>

&quot;It doesnt matter because I already know. Thirty million,&quot; she told the rally attended by fellow students, parents and local officials, citing the sum spent by the NRA to support Trumps election bid and defeat Hillary Clinton.

Dividing that sum by the number of shooting victims in the United States so far this year, Gonzalez asked: &quot;Is that how much these people are worth to you, Trump?&quot; The young woman&#39;s powerful address immediately went viral, with her name a top trending topic on Twitter. 
 
The US leader also tweeted a day after the massacre that that neighbors and fellow students had failed to flag Cruz to the authorities.

&quot;We did,&quot; Gonzalez said, her shaking with emotion. &quot;Time and time again. Since he was in middle school. It was no surprise to anyone who knew him to hear that he was the shooter.&quot;

US authorities have come under mounting scrutiny for failing to act on a series of warning signs.

The FBI admitted Friday it received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said Cruz could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up.

Cruz was also known to local police after his mother repeatedly called them over his violent outbursts, while records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show welfare services investigated Cruz after he cut his arms and said he wanted to buy a gun.&nbsp;

'To every politician taking donations from the NRA, shame on you!' said Emma Gonzalez, assailing Trump over the multi-million-dollar support his campaign received from the gun lobby

A student survivor of the Parkland school shooting called out US President Donald Trump today over his ties to the powerful National Rifle Association, in a poignant address to an anti-gun rally in Florida. "To every politician taking donations from the NRA, shame on you!" said Emma Gonzalez, assailing Trump over the multi-million-dollar support his campaign received from the gun lobby -- and prompting the crowd to chant in turn: "Shame on you!" Wednesday's massacre, which claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, has fuelled urgent calls for an end to the national deadlock over gun control -- with a string of shooting survivors rallying behind the cause. If the president wants to come up to me and tell me to my face that it was a terrible tragedy and... How nothing is going to be done about it, Im going to happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association,' said Gonzalez × The gunman, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, was able to legally buy an assault rifle despite a history of troubling and violent behavior. In Washington, however, the political response has made clear that the powerful NRA pro-gun lobby remains formidable, while Trump himself suggested the root cause of mass shootings was a crisis of mental health -- making no mention of gun control. "If the president wants to come up to me and tell me to my face that it was a terrible tragedy and... How nothing is going to be done about it, Im going to happily ask him how much money he received from the National Rifle Association," said Gonzalez. Also read: Trump says will make schools safer after Florida shooting "It doesnt matter because I already know. Thirty million," she told the rally attended by fellow students, parents and local officials, citing the sum spent by the NRA to support Trumps election bid and defeat Hillary Clinton. Dividing that sum by the number of shooting victims in the United States so far this year, Gonzalez asked: "Is that how much these people are worth to you, Trump?" The young woman's powerful address immediately went viral, with her name a top trending topic on Twitter. The US leader also tweeted a day after the massacre that that neighbors and fellow students had failed to flag Cruz to the authorities. "We did," Gonzalez said, her shaking with emotion. "Time and time again. Since he was in middle school. It was no surprise to anyone who knew him to hear that he was the shooter." US authorities have come under mounting scrutiny for failing to act on a series of warning signs. The FBI admitted Friday it received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said Cruz could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up. Cruz was also known to local police after his mother repeatedly called them over his violent outbursts, while records obtained by the South Florida Sun Sentinel show welfare services investigated Cruz after he cut his arms and said he wanted to buy a gun.

'Shame on you!' Florida school shooting survivor tells Trump at anti-gun rally

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/magnitude-75-quake-hits-mexico-buildings-sway-in-capital-33121">Magnitude 7.2 quake hits Mexico, buildings sway in capital</a>

A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-indicts-13-russian-nationals-in-2016-us-election-tampering-to-boost-donald-trump-33119">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-indicts-13-russian-nationals-in-2016-us-election-tampering-to-boost-donald-trump-33119"> charges 13 Russians with 2016 presidential election tampering to boost Donald Trump</a>

A Russian propaganda arm oversaw a criminal and espionage conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential campaign to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton, said an indictment released on Friday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-pm-plans-reshuffle-in-wake-of-local-election-drubbing-33135">Sri Lanka Prime Minister plans reshuffle in wake of local election drubbing</a>

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday he planned to stay in office and reshuffle his cabinet in the wake of a stinging loss in local elections for both parties in the ruling coalition.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-declares-state-of-emergency-after-pm-resigns-33125">Ethiopia declares state of emergency after PM resigns</a>

Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on Friday, a move capping a tumultuous week that saw the prime minister resign, a strike in the country`s largest region and a massive prisoner amnesty.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/roger-federer-accends-number-one-rank-33132">Roger Federer becomes </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/roger-federer-accends-number-one-rank-33132">oldest</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/roger-federer-accends-number-one-rank-33132"> world No 1 in tennis history</a>

Roger Federer became the oldest world number one on Friday as he defeated his opponent to enter the semi-final of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

Magnitude 7.2 quake hits Mexico, buildings sway in capital A 7.2 magnitude quake shook southern Mexico on Friday, a prolonged rumble that rocked buildings across the capital Mexico City. US charges 13 Russians with 2016 presidential election tampering to boost Donald Trump A Russian propaganda arm oversaw a criminal and espionage conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US presidential campaign to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton, said an indictment released on Friday. Sri Lanka Prime Minister plans reshuffle in wake of local election drubbing Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Friday he planned to stay in office and reshuffle his cabinet in the wake of a stinging loss in local elections for both parties in the ruling coalition. Ethiopia declares state of emergency after PM resigns Ethiopia declared a state of emergency on Friday, a move capping a tumultuous week that saw the prime minister resign, a strike in the country`s largest region and a massive prisoner amnesty. Roger Federer becomes oldest world No 1 in tennis history Roger Federer became the oldest world number one on Friday as he defeated his opponent to enter the semi-final of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.

WION Morning News Brief, February 17, 2018

US First Lady Melania Trump on Friday chose not to leave the White House with her husband as planned to catch a flight to Florida, after a second woman claimed she had an affair with the now president.

The 47-year-old Slovenian-born model skipped the helicopter ride from the White House to Joint Base Andrews, deciding instead to take the longer motorcade on her own to meet Donald for the flight to the Sunshine State for a long holiday weekend.

Reporters traveling with Trump were prevented from seeing the First Lady arrive on the plane, but she did exit the plane at West Palm Beach with Trump.&nbsp;

The pair walked down the stairs together, Melania in dark sunglasses, but she did not smile.

The flight came just hours after former Playboy model Karen McDougal claimed she and Trump had a sexual relationship in 2006, months after Melania Trump gave birth to the president&#39;s youngest son Barron.

McDougal also described complex legal and financial agreements that were used in an alleged bid to cover it up.

The White House did not reply to a request for comment. But in a statement to The New Yorker, an unnamed spokesperson said the president had denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims &quot;fake news.&quot;

And the first lady&#39;s spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham tried to pour cold water on any speculation about the first couple&#39;s relationship, saying: &quot;&quot;With her schedule, it was easier to meet him on the plane.&quot;

Deal with a tabloid 

According to The New Yorker, the nine-month relationship between Trump and McDougal ended quietly, but years later -- during the 2016 presidential campaign -- she sold her story.

The New Yorker reported that on August 5, 2016, McDougal agreed to give the company which owns the National Inquirer tabloid exclusive rights over &quot;any romantic, personal, or physical relationship she has ever had with any &#39;then-married man.&#39;&quot;

The deal is alleged to have been worth $150,000, but the story never ran.

&quot;I&#39;m the one who took it, so it&#39;s my fault, too. But I didn&#39;t understand the full parameters of it,&quot; McDougal told The New Yorker of the alleged payment.

The National Enquirer is owned by David Pecker, who has claimed to be a friend of Trump&#39;s. The tabloid endorsed Trump&#39;s bid for the presidency.

In a statement, the tabloid&#39;s owner, AMI, said that the suggestion that it &quot;engages in any practice that would allow it to hold influence over the President of the United States is laughable.&quot;

The model&#39;s story strongly echoes allegations of an affair between Trump and the porn star Stephanie Clifford -- known as Stormy Daniels -- during the same period.

In that case, the president&#39;s personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 but refused to say why.

After that admission, Daniels&#39; agent has said she feels free to speak out.

&quot;Everything is off now, and Stormy is going to tell her story,&quot; manager Gina Rodriguez told US media

 
&nbsp;&#39;Lawful&#39; payment to porn star&nbsp;

Good governance groups believe that Cohen&#39;s payment could constitute a campaign donation and breach election financial rules.

Cohen has refused to say why he paid Daniels the vast sum but he claims he was not reimbursed by the &quot;Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign.&quot;

&quot;The payment to Ms Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone,&quot; Cohen said.

Trump declined to comment on the issue. The White House has dodged questions about whether allegations of an affair are true, claiming the matter was dealt with during the campaign.

Last month, celebrity magazine In Touch published a 2011 interview with Daniels in which she details having &quot;textbook generic&quot; sex with Trump.

She recalled meeting Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in 2006, shortly after Melania gave birth to Barron.

Reporters traveling with Trump were prevented from seeing the First Lady arrive on the plane, but she did exit the plane at West Palm Beach with Trump.

US First Lady Melania Trump on Friday chose not to leave the White House with her husband as planned to catch a flight to Florida, after a second woman claimed she had an affair with the now president. The 47-year-old Slovenian-born model skipped the helicopter ride from the White House to Joint Base Andrews, deciding instead to take the longer motorcade on her own to meet Donald for the flight to the Sunshine State for a long holiday weekend. Reporters traveling with Trump were prevented from seeing the First Lady arrive on the plane, but she did exit the plane at West Palm Beach with Trump. The pair walked down the stairs together, Melania in dark sunglasses, but she did not smile. The flight came just hours after former Playboy model Karen McDougal claimed she and Trump had a sexual relationship in 2006, months after Melania Trump gave birth to the president's youngest son Barron. McDougal also described complex legal and financial agreements that were used in an alleged bid to cover it up. The White House did not reply to a request for comment. But in a statement to The New Yorker, an unnamed spokesperson said the president had denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims "fake news." And the first lady's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham tried to pour cold water on any speculation about the first couple's relationship, saying: ""With her schedule, it was easier to meet him on the plane." Deal with a tabloid According to The New Yorker, the nine-month relationship between Trump and McDougal ended quietly, but years later -- during the 2016 presidential campaign -- she sold her story. The New Yorker reported that on August 5, 2016, McDougal agreed to give the company which owns the National Inquirer tabloid exclusive rights over "any romantic, personal, or physical relationship she has ever had with any 'then-married man.'" The deal is alleged to have been worth $150,000, but the story never ran. "I'm the one who took it, so it's my fault, too. But I didn't understand the full parameters of it," McDougal told The New Yorker of the alleged payment. The National Enquirer is owned by David Pecker, who has claimed to be a friend of Trump's. The tabloid endorsed Trump's bid for the presidency. In a statement, the tabloid's owner, AMI, said that the suggestion that it "engages in any practice that would allow it to hold influence over the President of the United States is laughable." The model's story strongly echoes allegations of an affair between Trump and the porn star Stephanie Clifford -- known as Stormy Daniels -- during the same period. In that case, the president's personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 but refused to say why. After that admission, Daniels' agent has said she feels free to speak out. "Everything is off now, and Stormy is going to tell her story," manager Gina Rodriguez told US media 'Lawful' payment to porn star Good governance groups believe that Cohen's payment could constitute a campaign donation and breach election financial rules. Cohen has refused to say why he paid Daniels the vast sum but he claims he was not reimbursed by the "Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign." "The payment to Ms Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone," Cohen said. Trump declined to comment on the issue. The White House has dodged questions about whether allegations of an affair are true, claiming the matter was dealt with during the campaign. Last month, celebrity magazine In Touch published a 2011 interview with Daniels in which she details having "textbook generic" sex with Trump. She recalled meeting Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in 2006, shortly after Melania gave birth to Barron.

Melania shuns cameras as second woman alleges Trump affair

A Russian propaganda arm oversaw a criminal and espionage conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton, said an indictment released on Friday that revealed more details than previously known about Moscow`s purported effort to interfere.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-no-collusion-after-russians-indicted-for-election-meddling-33127" target="_blank">Trump says &#39;no collusion&#39; after Russians indicted for election meddling</a>

The office of US&nbsp;Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies, including St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency known for its trolling on social media. The official who oversees Mueller`s work said the investigation was not finished.

The court document said those accused &quot;had a strategic goal to sow discord in the US&nbsp;political system, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election.&quot;

The indictment said Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages; traveled to the United States to collect intelligence, visiting 10 states; and staged political rallies while posing as Americans. In one case, it said, the Russians paid an unidentified person to build a cage aboard a flatbed truck and another to wear a costume &quot;portraying Clinton in a prison uniform.&quot;

The surprise 37-page indictment could alter the divisive U.S. domestic debate over Russia`s meddling, undercutting some Republicans who, along with Trump, have attacked Mueller`s investigation.

&quot;These Russians engaged in a sinister and systematic attack on our political system. It was a conspiracy to subvert the process, and take aim at democracy itself,&quot; said Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The indictment is silent on the question of whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin, which Mueller is investigating.

In a Tweet on Friday, Trump gave his most direct acknowledgment that Russia had meddled in the election, which he has frequently disputed.

&quot;Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!&quot; Trump wrote.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the allegations that Russian nationals interfered in U.S. elections &quot;absurd&quot; and ridiculed the idea that so few could undermine U.S. democracy.

&quot;13 against the billions` budgets of the secret services?&quot; she asked in a Facebook post.

The accused Russians are unlikely to be arrested or to appear in a U.S. court on the charges, which include conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, bank fraud and identity theft.

ECHOES OF INTELLIGENCE REPORT

The indictment broadly echoes the conclusions of a January 2017 U.S. intelligence assessment, which found that Russia had meddled in the election and that its goals eventually included aiding Trump. In November 2016, Trump won a surprise victory over Democratic Party candidate Clinton.

 
Mueller`s indictment did not tie the meddling effort to the Russian government. But the earlier U.S. intelligence assessment said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a campaign to influence the U.S. election.

Trump has never unequivocally accepted the U.S. intelligence report and has denounced Mueller`s probe into whether his campaign colluded with the Kremlin as a &quot;witch hunt.&quot;

Some of those charged, posing as Americans, &quot;communicated with unwitting individuals associated with the Trump campaign,&quot; the indictment said.

Last year, Mueller charged Trump`s former campaign manager and his deputy with money-laundering and other crimes and accepted guilty pleas from two former foreign policy aides for lying to the FBI.

Friday`s indictment of the Russians, coupled with the FBI disclosed that it failed to heed a warning about the Florida high school shooter, were blown to the White House, still reeling from the fallout of a scandal involving a former aide accused of domestic abuse by two ex-wives.

U.S. stocks had been up over half a percent but lost nearly all of that after the indictment came out.

&#39;CONSPIRATORS&#39;

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told a press conference: &quot;The defendants allegedly conducted what they called information warfare against the United States, with the stated goal of spreading distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general.&quot;

The indictment describes a sophisticated, multi-year and well-funded operation, dubbed &quot;Project Lakhta,&quot; by Russian entities to influence the election, beginning as early as May 2014.

Russians unlawfully used stolen social security numbers and birth dates of Americans to open accounts on the PayPal digital payment platform and to post on social media using those fake identities, the indictment said.

Mueller also on Friday reached an agreement with an American named Richard Pinedo, who pled guilty to aiding and abetting interstate and foreign identity fraud by creating, buying and stealing hundreds of bank account numbers that he sold to individuals to use with large digital payment companies.

According to a source familiar with the indictments, Pinedo is the person cited in the document as helping the Russian conspirators launder money, as well as purchase Facebook ads and pay for rally supplies, through PayPal Holdings Inc.

Pinedo`s attorney, Jeremy I. Lessem, said in a statement that &quot;Mr. Pinedo had absolutely no knowledge of the identities and motivations of any of the purchasers of the information he provided.&quot;

The Russians sought to measure the impact of their online social media operations, tracking the size of U.S. audiences reached through posts and other types of engagement, such as likes, comments, and reposts, according to the indictment.

Facebook said in a statement that it had previously disclosed the Internet Research Agency`s activity on its platform. &quot;We know we have more to do to prevent against future attacks,&quot; said Joel Kaplan, Facebook`s vice president of global policy.

Twitter, whose platform also was used, declined to comment on the indictment.

The Internet Research Agency was registered with the Russian government as a corporate entity in July 2013 and St. Petersburg &quot;became one of the organization&rsquo;s operational hubs,&quot; for the project, the indictment said.

The organization employed hundreds of people, ranging from creators of a fictitious person to technical experts, and by September 2016, its monthly budget was in excess of $1.2 million, the court document said.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that he had already seen evidence Russia was targeting U.S. elections in November when Republican control of the House of

Representatives and Senate are at stake, plus a host of positions in state governments.

The indictment said the Russians it charged tried to destroy evidence of their crimes.

For example, in September 2017, one of the defendants wrote an email to a family member stating: &quot;We had a slight crisis at work: the FBI busted our activity (not a joke). So, I got preoccupied with covering tracks together with colleagues.&quot;

The email continued: &quot;I created all these pictures and posts, and the Americans believed that it was written by their people.&quot;

The indictment is silent on the question of whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin, which Mueller is investigating

A Russian propaganda arm oversaw a criminal and espionage conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 U.S. presidential campaign to support Donald Trump and disparage Hillary Clinton, said an indictment released on Friday that revealed more details than previously known about Moscow`s purported effort to interfere. Also read: Trump says 'no collusion' after Russians indicted for election meddling The office of US Special Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies, including St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency known for its trolling on social media. The official who oversees Mueller`s work said the investigation was not finished. The court document said those accused "had a strategic goal to sow discord in the US political system, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election." The indictment said Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages; traveled to the United States to collect intelligence, visiting 10 states; and staged political rallies while posing as Americans. In one case, it said, the Russians paid an unidentified person to build a cage aboard a flatbed truck and another to wear a costume "portraying Clinton in a prison uniform." The surprise 37-page indictment could alter the divisive U.S. domestic debate over Russia`s meddling, undercutting some Republicans who, along with Trump, have attacked Mueller`s investigation. "These Russians engaged in a sinister and systematic attack on our political system. It was a conspiracy to subvert the process, and take aim at democracy itself," said Paul Ryan, Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives. The indictment is silent on the question of whether the Trump campaign colluded with the Kremlin, which Mueller is investigating. In a Tweet on Friday, Trump gave his most direct acknowledgment that Russia had meddled in the election, which he has frequently disputed. "Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!" Trump wrote. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the allegations that Russian nationals interfered in U.S. elections "absurd" and ridiculed the idea that so few could undermine U.S. democracy. "13 against the billions` budgets of the secret services?" she asked in a Facebook post. The accused Russians are unlikely to be arrested or to appear in a U.S. court on the charges, which include conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, bank fraud and identity theft. ECHOES OF INTELLIGENCE REPORT The indictment broadly echoes the conclusions of a January 2017 U.S. intelligence assessment, which found that Russia had meddled in the election and that its goals eventually included aiding Trump. In November 2016, Trump won a surprise victory over Democratic Party candidate Clinton. Mueller`s indictment did not tie the meddling effort to the Russian government. But the earlier U.S. intelligence assessment said Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a campaign to influence the U.S. election. Trump has never unequivocally accepted the U.S. intelligence report and has denounced Mueller`s probe into whether his campaign colluded with the Kremlin as a "witch hunt." Some of those charged, posing as Americans, "communicated with unwitting individuals associated with the Trump campaign," the indictment said. Last year, Mueller charged Trump`s former campaign manager and his deputy with money-laundering and other crimes and accepted guilty pleas from two former foreign policy aides for lying to the FBI. Friday`s indictment of the Russians, coupled with the FBI disclosed that it failed to heed a warning about the Florida high school shooter, were blown to the White House, still reeling from the fallout of a scandal involving a former aide accused of domestic abuse by two ex-wives. U.S. stocks had been up over half a percent but lost nearly all of that after the indictment came out. 'CONSPIRATORS' U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein told a press conference: "The defendants allegedly conducted what they called information warfare against the United States, with the stated goal of spreading distrust towards the candidates and the political system in general." The indictment describes a sophisticated, multi-year and well-funded operation, dubbed "Project Lakhta," by Russian entities to influence the election, beginning as early as May 2014. Russians unlawfully used stolen social security numbers and birth dates of Americans to open accounts on the PayPal digital payment platform and to post on social media using those fake identities, the indictment said. Mueller also on Friday reached an agreement with an American named Richard Pinedo, who pled guilty to aiding and abetting interstate and foreign identity fraud by creating, buying and stealing hundreds of bank account numbers that he sold to individuals to use with large digital payment companies. According to a source familiar with the indictments, Pinedo is the person cited in the document as helping the Russian conspirators launder money, as well as purchase Facebook ads and pay for rally supplies, through PayPal Holdings Inc. Pinedo`s attorney, Jeremy I. Lessem, said in a statement that "Mr. Pinedo had absolutely no knowledge of the identities and motivations of any of the purchasers of the information he provided." The Russians sought to measure the impact of their online social media operations, tracking the size of U.S. audiences reached through posts and other types of engagement, such as likes, comments, and reposts, according to the indictment. Facebook said in a statement that it had previously disclosed the Internet Research Agency`s activity on its platform. "We know we have more to do to prevent against future attacks," said Joel Kaplan, Facebook`s vice president of global policy. Twitter, whose platform also was used, declined to comment on the indictment. The Internet Research Agency was registered with the Russian government as a corporate entity in July 2013 and St. Petersburg "became one of the organization’s operational hubs," for the project, the indictment said. The organization employed hundreds of people, ranging from creators of a fictitious person to technical experts, and by September 2016, its monthly budget was in excess of $1.2 million, the court document said. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that he had already seen evidence Russia was targeting U.S. elections in November when Republican control of the House of Representatives and Senate are at stake, plus a host of positions in state governments. The indictment said the Russians it charged tried to destroy evidence of their crimes. For example, in September 2017, one of the defendants wrote an email to a family member stating: "We had a slight crisis at work: the FBI busted our activity (not a joke). So, I got preoccupied with covering tracks together with colleagues." The email continued: "I created all these pictures and posts, and the Americans believed that it was written by their people."

US charges 13 Russians with 2016 presidential election tampering to boost Donald Trump

US President Donald Trump on Friday visited a Florida hospital to offer comfort to those wounded in a mass school shooting after the FBI admitted it mishandled a tip about the troubled teen behind the massacre that left 17 dead.

The arrival of Trump and his wife Melania came at the end of a difficult day for the families of those killed in Wednesday&#39;s rampage at a high school in Parkland, Florida, who learned that the carnage could perhaps have been averted.

The FBI, the top US law enforcement agency, admitted it had received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said the 19-year-old gunman, Nikolas Cruz, could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up.

At Broward Health North Hospital, where Trump met with survivors of the shooting, the president thanked the doctors, nurses and first responders for their &quot;incredible&quot; work, and described the carnage as &quot;very sad.&quot;&nbsp;

He and his wife were also expected to visit the Broward County sheriff&#39;s office &quot;to meet with the law enforcement officials whose bravery helped save lives,&quot; a White House official said.

The president&#39;s visit to Parkland -- an area about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Miami -- came amid growing anger among parents and students in the south Florida city over America&#39;s seeming unwillingness to toughen gun control laws.

&quot;My princess wasn&#39;t safe in that school,&quot; said Andrew Pollack, speaking at the funeral of his 18-year-old daughter Meadow. &quot;Please pray that this horrific tragedy never happens to another family.&quot;

Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter Alyssa was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, made an emotional appeal to Trump on camera with tears rolling down her face.

&quot;We need action! Action! Action!&quot; Alhadeff urged in an interview with CNN, addressing Trump as the father of an 11-year-old son of his own.

&quot;Let&#39;s protect Barron, and let&#39;s also protect all these other kids here in Parkland, in Florida, and everyone everywhere else,&quot; she said.

Admitting error &#39;isn&#39;t going to cut it

The FBI made a stunning admission earlier in the day, saying a &quot;person close to Nikolas Cruz&quot; made a call to the agency&#39;s public tipline on January 5 to &quot;report concerns about him.&quot;

&quot;The caller provided information about Cruz&#39;s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting,&quot; the FBI said in a statement.

The information from the caller &quot;should have been assessed as a potential threat to life&quot; and forwarded to the agency&#39;s Miami field office, it said.

Instead, &quot;no further investigation was conducted.&quot;

&quot;We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy,&quot; said Federal Bureau of Investigation director Christopher Wray, who took up his post in August.

Wray said he was &quot;committed to getting to the bottom of what happened,&quot; and Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered an immediate review to ensure &quot;effective response to indications of potential violence.&quot;

But Florida Governor Rick Scott nevertheless called for the FBI chief to step down, saying the failure to act was &quot;unacceptable.&quot;

&quot;Seventeen innocent people are dead and acknowledging a mistake isn&#39;t going to cut it,&quot; Scott said.

The January warning to the FBI was not the first it had received about Cruz, who used an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle that he legally purchased a year ago to spray classrooms with bullets.

In September, the FBI was alerted to a message posted on YouTube, in which a user named Nikolas Cruz vowed: &quot;I&#39;m going to be a professional school shooter.&quot;

The FBI said it had looked into it at the time but was unable to identify the person who made the post.

Illogical

Trump&#39;s visit to the Parkland area -- not far from his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he was spending the long President&#39;s Day weekend -- was not announced in advance, perhaps because he risked being greeted with angry demands for action on laws that allowed Cruz to amass an arsenal.

&quot;It&#39;s illogical that the law says a minor can&#39;t have a drink, but can buy a gun,&quot; said 47-year-old Mavy Rubiano, whose child survived the shooting.

In Washington, the political response so far makes it clear that the powerful pro-gun National Rifle Association -- which spent $30 million to support Trump&#39;s election in 2016 -- remains formidable.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Trump&#39;s nationally televised address made no mention of guns, or of previous mass shootings.

The president focused instead on offering sympathy to the families of the victims and the need to provide better mental health care.

Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said it was not a time for arguing over gun control, while Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio said new gun laws alone would not stop shootings.&nbsp;

As with previous mass shootings, the focus of gun control advocates was the easy availability of the AR-15, a civilian version of the US military&#39;s M16.&nbsp;

Millions have been sold around the United States, and AR-15-style rifles were used in the mass shootings in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Texas and Newtown, Connecticut.

The disclosure sparked angry disbelief from members of the Miami suburb of Parkland still reeling from Wednesday's massacre and led Florida's governor to call for the FBI chief to resign

US President Donald Trump on Friday visited a Florida hospital to offer comfort to those wounded in a mass school shooting after the FBI admitted it mishandled a tip about the troubled teen behind the massacre that left 17 dead. The arrival of Trump and his wife Melania came at the end of a difficult day for the families of those killed in Wednesday's rampage at a high school in Parkland, Florida, who learned that the carnage could perhaps have been averted. The FBI, the top US law enforcement agency, admitted it had received a chilling warning in January from a tipster who said the 19-year-old gunman, Nikolas Cruz, could be planning a mass shooting, but that agents failed to follow up. At Broward Health North Hospital, where Trump met with survivors of the shooting, the president thanked the doctors, nurses and first responders for their "incredible" work, and described the carnage as "very sad." He and his wife were also expected to visit the Broward County sheriff's office "to meet with the law enforcement officials whose bravery helped save lives," a White House official said. The president's visit to Parkland -- an area about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Miami -- came amid growing anger among parents and students in the south Florida city over America's seeming unwillingness to toughen gun control laws. "My princess wasn't safe in that school," said Andrew Pollack, speaking at the funeral of his 18-year-old daughter Meadow. "Please pray that this horrific tragedy never happens to another family." Lori Alhadeff, whose 14-year-old daughter Alyssa was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, made an emotional appeal to Trump on camera with tears rolling down her face. "We need action! Action! Action!" Alhadeff urged in an interview with CNN, addressing Trump as the father of an 11-year-old son of his own. "Let's protect Barron, and let's also protect all these other kids here in Parkland, in Florida, and everyone everywhere else," she said. Admitting error 'isn't going to cut it The FBI made a stunning admission earlier in the day, saying a "person close to Nikolas Cruz" made a call to the agency's public tipline on January 5 to "report concerns about him." "The caller provided information about Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting," the FBI said in a statement. The information from the caller "should have been assessed as a potential threat to life" and forwarded to the agency's Miami field office, it said. Instead, "no further investigation was conducted." "We have spoken with victims and families, and deeply regret the additional pain this causes all those affected by this horrific tragedy," said Federal Bureau of Investigation director Christopher Wray, who took up his post in August. Wray said he was "committed to getting to the bottom of what happened," and Attorney General Jeff Sessions ordered an immediate review to ensure "effective response to indications of potential violence." But Florida Governor Rick Scott nevertheless called for the FBI chief to step down, saying the failure to act was "unacceptable." "Seventeen innocent people are dead and acknowledging a mistake isn't going to cut it," Scott said. The January warning to the FBI was not the first it had received about Cruz, who used an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle that he legally purchased a year ago to spray classrooms with bullets. In September, the FBI was alerted to a message posted on YouTube, in which a user named Nikolas Cruz vowed: "I'm going to be a professional school shooter." The FBI said it had looked into it at the time but was unable to identify the person who made the post. Illogical Trump's visit to the Parkland area -- not far from his Mar-a-Lago resort, where he was spending the long President's Day weekend -- was not announced in advance, perhaps because he risked being greeted with angry demands for action on laws that allowed Cruz to amass an arsenal. "It's illogical that the law says a minor can't have a drink, but can buy a gun," said 47-year-old Mavy Rubiano, whose child survived the shooting. In Washington, the political response so far makes it clear that the powerful pro-gun National Rifle Association -- which spent $30 million to support Trump's election in 2016 -- remains formidable. On Thursday, Trump's nationally televised address made no mention of guns, or of previous mass shootings. The president focused instead on offering sympathy to the families of the victims and the need to provide better mental health care. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said it was not a time for arguing over gun control, while Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio said new gun laws alone would not stop shootings. As with previous mass shootings, the focus of gun control advocates was the easy availability of the AR-15, a civilian version of the US military's M16. Millions have been sold around the United States, and AR-15-style rifles were used in the mass shootings in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Texas and Newtown, Connecticut.

Trump visits Florida shooting survivors, FBI admits it missed tip

By Kevin Johnson, Alex Reilly* and Mireille Paquet**

President Donald Trump has called for overhauling the current U.S. immigration laws. Currently, the laws give priority to providing visas for family members of people already in the U.S. Trump and his Republican colleagues want to replace this with a primarily &ldquo;merit-based&rdquo; system.

To this end, Trump endorsed the RAISE Act in February 2017. Republicans, including President Trump, continue to push certain elements of it like reducing the ability of immigrants already in the country to bring in their relatives.

The RAISE Act sought to cut annual legal immigration in half, from 1 million to 500,000. It would do so by reducing the total number of family-sponsored green cards from 226,000 to 88,000. Cuts to family-based immigration would primarily affect prospective immigrants from Mexico, China and India, the three nations that today send the most immigrants to the United States.

Under the RAISE Act, immigrants admitted based on a new points system based on &ldquo;merit&rdquo; would make up a majority of those who receive green cards. Visa applicants would earn points for higher paid job offers, English-language proficiency, advanced degrees, and the ability to make investments of more than US$1 million in the United States.

Reducing legal immigration will likely increase the pressures for undocumented immigration. Right now, there are already roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. A merit-based system will mean fewer families are able to be reunited with loved ones through legal immigration. It also will not address the high demand in the United States for low- and medium-skilled workers in the agricultural, construction and service industries, which currently employs many undocumented immigrants.

In Australia, half of all skilled migrants are actually family members of skilled migrants 

In 2015-16, Australia accepted 189,770 permanent migrants through its skilled and family immigration streams. In addition, Australia permanently resettled just under 18,000 refugees and other humanitarian migrants. This has been the level of migration to Australia for more than 10 years, adding nearly 1 percent to the Australian population of 24 million every year. This is a considerably larger proportion than the U.S. admits through its migration programs.

Twenty years ago, more migrants came through the family stream than the employer stream. By 2015-16, however, 67.7 percent of migrants came through the skilled stream. This change is a direct result of government policy prioritizing skilled migration because of its contribution to the economy.

However, these figures are deceptive, as numbers in the skilled migration stream include partners and dependents of primary applicants. So approximately half of all skilled migrants are actually family members of skilled migrants who do not have to meet the eligibility requirements of the primary applicant.

There are two pathways for skilled migration. The first, general skilled migration, requires applicants to work in an eligible skilled occupation. Most of these skills are in professional areas such as medicine or engineering, or trades in demand in the economy such as plumbers and electricians. The list is updated regularly based on an assessment of Australia&rsquo;s economic needs.

Visas for this group are awarded on a points system similar to what is being proposed in the U.S. Points are awarded for age, English-language proficiency, skilled employment outside Australia, skilled employment in Australia and qualifications that are linked to occupations on the skilled occupation list. There are also points available for an Australian education, being accredited in a community language, studying in regional Australia, partner qualifications and completing a professional year in Australia. Although migrants in this skilled stream are highly qualified, they do not necessarily find employment in their area of expertise and many remain underemployed.

The second pathway is for skilled migrants with an employer sponsor. This pathway is open to migrants with wider range of skills and has the advantage of migrants being in guaranteed employment when they first arrive in Australia. Employers must demonstrate that they have a skilled position available, and that there are no Australians willing or able to take up the position. This requires employers to have advertised jobs locally before seeking migrants to do the work.

Almost all employer-sponsored migrants apply from within Australia, and 44 percent of independent skilled migrants also apply from within Australia, transitioning from temporary work, international student and working holiday maker visas. This reflects the very high number of temporary migrants working and studying on these visas in Australia &ndash; 750,000 in December 2016.

The economic stream accounted for about 60 percent of the total permanent immigration to Canada with 24 percent family immigration.&nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2015-2016, Canada admitted 271,845 permanent immigrants. Canada&rsquo;s permanent migration inflows resemble those of Australia but are generally smaller than those received by the United States. Immigration is the largest contributor to population growth in Canada since the early 2000s.

The permanent immigration program is divided into three main streams: economic, family and humanitarian. The economic stream accounted for about 60 percent of the total permanent immigration to Canada in 2015-2016. Family made up 24 percent of the total immigration to the country. These proportions have remained relatively stable over the last 15 years, with economic immigration representing the largest share of those selected for permanent settlement in the countries.

The economic stream for permanent immigration is currently divided into several programs. The Federal Skilled Workers program is often used as the flagship example of Canada&rsquo;s approach to selecting immigrants in relation to their expected economic contributions. U.S. President Donald Trump has praised it on the grounds that it would create economic mobility for both native-born Americans and immigrants.

To be considered, candidates must meet baseline criteria for work experience, language proficiency in at least one of the two official languages &ndash; French or English &ndash; and education. Candidates are then assessed using a 100-point selection grid that considers factors such as education, experience, age, arranged employment in Canada and adaptability. Adaptability refers to spouse or partner language level, past work studies in Canada for the applicant and spouse or partner, and the existence of relatives in Canada.

To be eligible, a candidate must score 67 points or higher. The pool of eligible candidates are then ranked. The highest-ranking individuals receive invitations to apply for permanent residence. This system, called Express Entry, relies on a comprehensive ranking system that involves a total of 1,000 factors. The minister of immigration issues the number of invitations to be extended every month.

Despite a sophisticated assessment system, research demonstrates that immigrants to Canada still face challenges in finding jobs and achieving economic mobility in the short and medium term. Gender, race and geographic position in the country and employment sector are all factors that affect economic integration of immigrants to Canada.

* Alex Reilly is the director of the public law and policy research unit, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide, Australia

**&nbsp;Mireille Paquet **, professor of political science, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US is seeking to create merit-based immigration while the rest of the world understands one based on family reunification

By Kevin Johnson, Alex Reilly* and Mireille Paquet** President Donald Trump has called for overhauling the current U.S. immigration laws. Currently, the laws give priority to providing visas for family members of people already in the U.S. Trump and his Republican colleagues want to replace this with a primarily “merit-based” system. To this end, Trump endorsed the RAISE Act in February 2017. Republicans, including President Trump, continue to push certain elements of it like reducing the ability of immigrants already in the country to bring in their relatives. The RAISE Act sought to cut annual legal immigration in half, from 1 million to 500,000. It would do so by reducing the total number of family-sponsored green cards from 226,000 to 88,000. Cuts to family-based immigration would primarily affect prospective immigrants from Mexico, China and India, the three nations that today send the most immigrants to the United States. Under the RAISE Act, immigrants admitted based on a new points system based on “merit” would make up a majority of those who receive green cards. Visa applicants would earn points for higher paid job offers, English-language proficiency, advanced degrees, and the ability to make investments of more than US$1 million in the United States. Reducing legal immigration will likely increase the pressures for undocumented immigration. Right now, there are already roughly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. A merit-based system will mean fewer families are able to be reunited with loved ones through legal immigration. It also will not address the high demand in the United States for low- and medium-skilled workers in the agricultural, construction and service industries, which currently employs many undocumented immigrants. In Australia, half of all skilled migrants are actually family members of skilled migrants In 2015-16, Australia accepted 189,770 permanent migrants through its skilled and family immigration streams. In addition, Australia permanently resettled just under 18,000 refugees and other humanitarian migrants. This has been the level of migration to Australia for more than 10 years, adding nearly 1 percent to the Australian population of 24 million every year. This is a considerably larger proportion than the U.S. admits through its migration programs. Twenty years ago, more migrants came through the family stream than the employer stream. By 2015-16, however, 67.7 percent of migrants came through the skilled stream. This change is a direct result of government policy prioritizing skilled migration because of its contribution to the economy. However, these figures are deceptive, as numbers in the skilled migration stream include partners and dependents of primary applicants. So approximately half of all skilled migrants are actually family members of skilled migrants who do not have to meet the eligibility requirements of the primary applicant. There are two pathways for skilled migration. The first, general skilled migration, requires applicants to work in an eligible skilled occupation. Most of these skills are in professional areas such as medicine or engineering, or trades in demand in the economy such as plumbers and electricians. The list is updated regularly based on an assessment of Australia’s economic needs. Visas for this group are awarded on a points system similar to what is being proposed in the U.S. Points are awarded for age, English-language proficiency, skilled employment outside Australia, skilled employment in Australia and qualifications that are linked to occupations on the skilled occupation list. There are also points available for an Australian education, being accredited in a community language, studying in regional Australia, partner qualifications and completing a professional year in Australia. Although migrants in this skilled stream are highly qualified, they do not necessarily find employment in their area of expertise and many remain underemployed. The second pathway is for skilled migrants with an employer sponsor. This pathway is open to migrants with wider range of skills and has the advantage of migrants being in guaranteed employment when they first arrive in Australia. Employers must demonstrate that they have a skilled position available, and that there are no Australians willing or able to take up the position. This requires employers to have advertised jobs locally before seeking migrants to do the work. Almost all employer-sponsored migrants apply from within Australia, and 44 percent of independent skilled migrants also apply from within Australia, transitioning from temporary work, international student and working holiday maker visas. This reflects the very high number of temporary migrants working and studying on these visas in Australia – 750,000 in December 2016. The economic stream accounted for about 60 percent of the total permanent immigration to Canada with 24 percent family immigration. In 2015-2016, Canada admitted 271,845 permanent immigrants. Canada’s permanent migration inflows resemble those of Australia but are generally smaller than those received by the United States. Immigration is the largest contributor to population growth in Canada since the early 2000s. The permanent immigration program is divided into three main streams: economic, family and humanitarian. The economic stream accounted for about 60 percent of the total permanent immigration to Canada in 2015-2016. Family made up 24 percent of the total immigration to the country. These proportions have remained relatively stable over the last 15 years, with economic immigration representing the largest share of those selected for permanent settlement in the countries. The economic stream for permanent immigration is currently divided into several programs. The Federal Skilled Workers program is often used as the flagship example of Canada’s approach to selecting immigrants in relation to their expected economic contributions. U.S. President Donald Trump has praised it on the grounds that it would create economic mobility for both native-born Americans and immigrants. To be considered, candidates must meet baseline criteria for work experience, language proficiency in at least one of the two official languages – French or English – and education. Candidates are then assessed using a 100-point selection grid that considers factors such as education, experience, age, arranged employment in Canada and adaptability. Adaptability refers to spouse or partner language level, past work studies in Canada for the applicant and spouse or partner, and the existence of relatives in Canada. To be eligible, a candidate must score 67 points or higher. The pool of eligible candidates are then ranked. The highest-ranking individuals receive invitations to apply for permanent residence. This system, called Express Entry, relies on a comprehensive ranking system that involves a total of 1,000 factors. The minister of immigration issues the number of invitations to be extended every month. Despite a sophisticated assessment system, research demonstrates that immigrants to Canada still face challenges in finding jobs and achieving economic mobility in the short and medium term. Gender, race and geographic position in the country and employment sector are all factors that affect economic integration of immigrants to Canada. * Alex Reilly is the director of the public law and policy research unit, Adelaide Law School, University of Adelaide, Australia ** Mireille Paquet **, professor of political science, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: India will one of the worst affected by Trump's merit-based immigration

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan&rsquo;s 17-year war through talks while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US&nbsp;forces would go on.

Taliban&nbsp;insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal to the &quot;American people.&quot;&nbsp;The letter emailed to the media in English and four other languages contained official statistics about the human and economic costs of war.

The letter, sent under the banner of &quot;The Islamic Emirate of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aninews.in/search?query=Afghanistan">Afghanistan</a>,&quot; was issued just weeks after a blitz of deadly insurgent attacks in the Afghan capital.

A more aggressive US&nbsp;strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centers and two provincial capitals.

But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US&nbsp;strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people.

The attacks have toughened both the US&nbsp;and Afghan governments&rsquo; stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict.

&ldquo;Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,&rdquo; the Taliban said.

&quot;Prolonging the war in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;and maintaining American troop presence is neither beneficial for America nor for anyone else,&quot; the letter said.

&quot;Stubbornly seeking the protraction of this war will have dreadful consequences for the region and the stability of America herself,&quot; the document added.

&quot;As confirmed by your own military authorities, 3546 American and foreign soldiers have been killed, more than 20,000 American forces injured and tens of thousands more are suffering mentally,&quot; the letter said, asserting that the actual casualty figures were much higher but were being &quot;concealed&quot; by the U.S. leaders.

The overall message of these arguments was that the American people should make a &quot;rational&quot; assessment of the war.

&quot;You proclaim to be a developed and civilized nation. We leave it to your judgment to decide whether the prevailing conditions of insecurity, chaos and soaring drug problems in&nbsp;Afghanistan&nbsp;constitute reforms or crimes against humanity,&quot; it concluded.

The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its &ldquo;occupation&rdquo; and accept the Taliban right to form a government &ldquo;consistent with the beliefs of our people&rdquo;.

In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January&nbsp;27 raids on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks.

The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement.

A spokesman for Afghanistan&rsquo;s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter &ldquo;good-faith peace negotiations&rdquo; while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process.

&ldquo;The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,&rdquo; said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback.

The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side &ldquo;through healthy politics and dialogue&rdquo;, adding the chances for dialogue were &ldquo;not exhausted&rdquo;.

Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled.

But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated.

The Taliban said their willingness to play a &ldquo;constructive role in finding a peaceful solution&rdquo; should not be taken as a sign of weakness.

&ldquo;This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,&rdquo; they said.

They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Taliban insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal sent under the banner of "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," to the "American people"

The Taliban said on Wednesday, in a rare statement to the American people, they wanted to end Afghanistan’s 17-year war through talks while warning the message should not be seen as a sign of weakness and the fight against US forces would go on. Taliban insurgents issued an astounding 17,000-word appeal to the "American people." The letter emailed to the media in English and four other languages contained official statistics about the human and economic costs of war. The letter, sent under the banner of "The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan," was issued just weeks after a blitz of deadly insurgent attacks in the Afghan capital. A more aggressive US strategy in Afghanistan including a surge in air strikes introduced by President Donald Trump in August has pushed the Taliban back from several district centers and two provincial capitals. But the militants control large parts of the countryside and have responded to the more aggressive US strategy with two attacks in Kabul in the past few weeks, killing nearly 150 people. The attacks have toughened both the US and Afghan governments’ stand against initiating talks with the insurgents, although neither side seems capable of winning the conflict. “Our preference is to solve the Afghan issue through peaceful dialogue,” the Taliban said. "Prolonging the war in Afghanistan and maintaining American troop presence is neither beneficial for America nor for anyone else," the letter said. "Stubbornly seeking the protraction of this war will have dreadful consequences for the region and the stability of America herself," the document added. "As confirmed by your own military authorities, 3546 American and foreign soldiers have been killed, more than 20,000 American forces injured and tens of thousands more are suffering mentally," the letter said, asserting that the actual casualty figures were much higher but were being "concealed" by the U.S. leaders. The overall message of these arguments was that the American people should make a "rational" assessment of the war. "You proclaim to be a developed and civilized nation. We leave it to your judgment to decide whether the prevailing conditions of insecurity, chaos and soaring drug problems in Afghanistan constitute reforms or crimes against humanity," it concluded. The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and defeat the US-backed government, said the United States must end its “occupation” and accept the Taliban right to form a government “consistent with the beliefs of our people”. In their statement, the Taliban did not mention a January 27 raids on a top Kabul hotel, in which more than 30 people were killed, nor a bomb attack on a crowded street a week later that killed more than 100. They claimed both attacks. The militants only mentioned the Afghan government to deride it on various grounds. A government spokesman declined to comment on the statement. A spokesman for Afghanistan’s NATO-led military mission said the recent Taliban attacks on civilians demonstrated they were not ready to enter “good-faith peace negotiations” while the government had on numerous occasions made clear it was willing to begin a peace process. “The Taliban statement alone does not show willingness to engage in peace talks. The recent attacks speak louder than these words,” said the spokesman, Captain Tom Gresback. The Taliban said it was not too late for the American people to realise the Taliban can solve problems with every side “through healthy politics and dialogue”, adding the chances for dialogue were “not exhausted”. Preliminary talks on ending the war that kills thousands of people each year have stalled. But low-level contacts between the government, international groups including the United Nations and groups close to the Taliban have continued even as the insurgency has escalated. The Taliban said their willingness to play a “constructive role in finding a peaceful solution” should not be taken as a sign of weakness. “This can never mean that we are exhausted or our will has been sapped,” they said. They said they had no intention to damage any other country or let anyone use Afghan territory against anyone else. (With inputs from Reuters)

Want to end war through dialogue: Afghan Taliban

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was heading to Florida to meet with victims of the school shooting massacre there this week, as Washington struggles with how to prevent repeated episodes of deadly gun violence.

&ldquo;I will be leaving for Florida today to meet with some of the bravest people on earth - but people whose lives have been totally shattered. Am also working with Congress on many fronts,&rdquo; Donald Trump tweeted.

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I will be leaving for Florida today to meet with some of the bravest people on earth - but people whose lives have been totally shattered. Am also working with Congress on many fronts.
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The President plans to fly to West Palm Beach, Florida, to spend the weekend with his family at his Mar-a-Lago private club, located just 60 km north of Parkland, Florida, where the shooting occurred on Wednesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Efe news agency reported.

The White House did not immediately provide details of the president&rsquo;s planned travel in Florida.

Trump, however, made no mention of possible further gun-control measures in his Thursday speech.

US president is facing mounting pressure to tighten the nation&rsquo;s gun laws.

US president is facing mounting pressure to tighten the nation’s gun laws.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was heading to Florida to meet with victims of the school shooting massacre there this week, as Washington struggles with how to prevent repeated episodes of deadly gun violence. “I will be leaving for Florida today to meet with some of the bravest people on earth - but people whose lives have been totally shattered. Am also working with Congress on many fronts,” Donald Trump tweeted. I will be leaving for Florida today to meet with some of the bravest people on earth - but people whose lives have been totally shattered. Am also working with Congress on many fronts. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2018 × The President plans to fly to West Palm Beach, Florida, to spend the weekend with his family at his Mar-a-Lago private club, located just 60 km north of Parkland, Florida, where the shooting occurred on Wednesday at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Efe news agency reported. The White House did not immediately provide details of the president’s planned travel in Florida. Trump, however, made no mention of possible further gun-control measures in his Thursday speech. US president is facing mounting pressure to tighten the nation’s gun laws.

US President Donald Trump to visit the families of Florida massacre victims

A second woman has made allegations of an affair with Donald Trump, describing complex legal and financial agreements in an alleged bid to cover it up.

Former Playboy model Karen McDougal claims that she and Trump had a sexual relationship in 2006, months after first lady Melania Trump gave birth to the president&#39;s youngest son.

The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but in a statement to NBC a spokesperson said the president had previously denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims &quot;fake news.&quot;

According to the New Yorker, the nine-month relationship ended quietly, but years later -- during the 2016 presidential campaign -- McDougal sold her story.

The New Yorker reported that on August 5, 2016, McDougall agreed to give the company which owns the National Inquirer tabloid exclusive rights over &quot;any romantic, personal, or physical relationship she has ever had with any &#39;then-married man.&#39;&quot;

The deal is alleged to have been worth $150,000, but the story never ran.

The National Enquirer is owned by David Pecker, who has claimed to be a friend of Trump&#39;s. The tabloid endorsed Trump&#39;s bid for the presidency.

The company did not reply to a request for comment.

&quot;I&#39;m the one who took it, so it&#39;s my fault, too. But I didn&#39;t understand the full parameters of it,&quot; McDougal told the New Yorker of the alleged payment.

The model&#39;s story strongly echoes allegations of an affair between Trump and the porn star Stephanie Clifford -- known as Stormy Daniels -- during the same period.

In that case, the president&#39;s personal lawyer admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 but refused to say why.

Good governance groups believe that could constitute a campaign donation and could breach election financial rules.

The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but in a statement to NBC a spokesperson said the president had previously denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims "fake news."

A second woman has made allegations of an affair with Donald Trump, describing complex legal and financial agreements in an alleged bid to cover it up. Former Playboy model Karen McDougal claims that she and Trump had a sexual relationship in 2006, months after first lady Melania Trump gave birth to the president's youngest son. The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but in a statement to NBC a spokesperson said the president had previously denied having a relationship with McDougal, calling the claims "fake news." According to the New Yorker, the nine-month relationship ended quietly, but years later -- during the 2016 presidential campaign -- McDougal sold her story. The New Yorker reported that on August 5, 2016, McDougall agreed to give the company which owns the National Inquirer tabloid exclusive rights over "any romantic, personal, or physical relationship she has ever had with any 'then-married man.'" The deal is alleged to have been worth $150,000, but the story never ran. The National Enquirer is owned by David Pecker, who has claimed to be a friend of Trump's. The tabloid endorsed Trump's bid for the presidency. The company did not reply to a request for comment. "I'm the one who took it, so it's my fault, too. But I didn't understand the full parameters of it," McDougal told the New Yorker of the alleged payment. The model's story strongly echoes allegations of an affair between Trump and the porn star Stephanie Clifford -- known as Stormy Daniels -- during the same period. In that case, the president's personal lawyer admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 but refused to say why. Good governance groups believe that could constitute a campaign donation and could breach election financial rules.

Second woman alleges Trump affair -- and cover-up

The US will not allow China to &quot;bully&quot; or &quot;coerce&quot; nations in Asia, a senior Donald Trump administration official has said, amidst Beijing flexing its muscles in the region.

The President Trump administration has made clear that the US wants a &quot;productive&quot; relationship with China, and the two countries must work to manage and resolve differences, Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing.

We have been equally clear, however, that we will not abide Chinese attempts to displace the US in Asia, to coerce countries in the region and that we will not be taken advantage of, she said.

If the international system that has enabled China&#39;s rise is to continue, the rules and standards must be observed and countries must not be bullied or threatened but treated as equal players, Ms Thornton said.

The administration, under Trump&#39;s leadership, is working to expand and deepen partnerships throughout the region via the Indo-Pacific strategy, she said.

We also continue to prioritise work in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to promote high-standards and fair trade and to support ASEAN-centered regional architecture, which underpins East Asian peace and security.

The US is a Pacific power and will remain committed to this region&#39;s success, Ms Thornton said.

The Asia Pacific region has a &quot;very real security&quot; and economic challenges, including the menacing threat of North Korea, the rise of an authoritarian China, and the spread of terrorism and extremism, she said.

Although the region has enjoyed the peace and growing prosperity for years, the threat from North Korea continues to increase, tensions and extremism are on the rise, and the export-led model that underpinned, Ms Thornton said.

East Asia&#39;s stunning growth is no longer viable. We must insist on fair and reciprocal market access if we are to sustain the global trading system.

Backsliding on democracy, governance and corruption, and human rights is also undermining prospects for stability and growth in some countries, she told the lawmakers.

China is involved in a widening maritime dispute with several Southeast Asian countries over islands in the resource-rich South China Sea

Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over the islands.

The US administration said its working to expand and deepen partnerships throughout the region via the Indo-Pacific strategy under Donald Trump's leadership

The US will not allow China to "bully" or "coerce" nations in Asia, a senior Donald Trump administration official has said, amidst Beijing flexing its muscles in the region. The President Trump administration has made clear that the US wants a "productive" relationship with China, and the two countries must work to manage and resolve differences, Susan Thornton, Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing. We have been equally clear, however, that we will not abide Chinese attempts to displace the US in Asia, to coerce countries in the region and that we will not be taken advantage of, she said. If the international system that has enabled China's rise is to continue, the rules and standards must be observed and countries must not be bullied or threatened but treated as equal players, Ms Thornton said. The administration, under Trump's leadership, is working to expand and deepen partnerships throughout the region via the Indo-Pacific strategy, she said. We also continue to prioritise work in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation to promote high-standards and fair trade and to support ASEAN-centered regional architecture, which underpins East Asian peace and security. The US is a Pacific power and will remain committed to this region's success, Ms Thornton said. The Asia Pacific region has a "very real security" and economic challenges, including the menacing threat of North Korea, the rise of an authoritarian China, and the spread of terrorism and extremism, she said. Although the region has enjoyed the peace and growing prosperity for years, the threat from North Korea continues to increase, tensions and extremism are on the rise, and the export-led model that underpinned, Ms Thornton said. East Asia's stunning growth is no longer viable. We must insist on fair and reciprocal market access if we are to sustain the global trading system. Backsliding on democracy, governance and corruption, and human rights is also undermining prospects for stability and growth in some countries, she told the lawmakers. China is involved in a widening maritime dispute with several Southeast Asian countries over islands in the resource-rich South China Sea Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over the islands.

US will not allow China to 'coerce' nations in Asia: Donald Trump administration

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called for healing and peace one day after a gunman killed at least 17 people at a Florida high school, saying his administration would work to improve school safety and address mental illness.

Trump said he was making plans to meet with families in Parkland, Florida.

In televised remarks from the White House, Trump, who has an 11-year-old son, said he wanted to address America&#39;s children with the message they are &quot;never alone and you never will be.&quot;

&quot;You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you,&quot; he said.

Democrats have said the shooting underscores the need for tougher gun laws, but Trump did not mention the issue in his brief address, delivered from the White House.

He said he would make school safety the top priority when he meets with governors and state attorneys general later this month.

&quot;We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life, that creates deep and meaningful human connections,&quot; Trump said, urging children who feel scared or alone to reach out to trusted adults for help.

&quot;We are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain,&quot; he said.

Trump said his administration would work to improve school safety and address mental illness

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday called for healing and peace one day after a gunman killed at least 17 people at a Florida high school, saying his administration would work to improve school safety and address mental illness. Trump said he was making plans to meet with families in Parkland, Florida. In televised remarks from the White House, Trump, who has an 11-year-old son, said he wanted to address America's children with the message they are "never alone and you never will be." "You have people who care about you, who love you, and who will do anything at all to protect you," he said. Democrats have said the shooting underscores the need for tougher gun laws, but Trump did not mention the issue in his brief address, delivered from the White House. He said he would make school safety the top priority when he meets with governors and state attorneys general later this month. "We must also work together to create a culture in our country that embraces the dignity of life, that creates deep and meaningful human connections," Trump said, urging children who feel scared or alone to reach out to trusted adults for help. "We are here for you, whatever you need, whatever we can do to ease your pain," he said.

Trump says will make schools safer after Florida shooting

There was no doubt that America would regress on multiple issues when it elected Donald Trump as its 45th president. While opinion is divided on his intellectual capacity and mental stability, the president himself opines that he is a&nbsp;stable genius.&nbsp;Yet with every action and tweet of his, he does his best to belie the opinion that he is stable, let alone a genius.

The most damaging of Trump&rsquo;s egregious actions is the appointment of Scott Pruitt as the head of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to assuming the leadership role as its 14th administrator, Pruitt had&nbsp;sued&nbsp;the EPA 14 times as Oklahoma&rsquo;s attorney general. Time and again, Pruitt has refused to acknowledge the scientific consensus that human activity is a primary contributor to climate change. As attorney general, he had taken the&nbsp;position&nbsp;of a &ldquo;leading advocate against the EPA&rsquo;s activist agenda.&rdquo; It is a travesty of justice that Pruitt is now heading the EPA.

Pruitt wasted no time in changing the agency soon as he assumed the helm. The phrase &ldquo;the United States plays a leadership role in working with the other nations to protect the global environment&rdquo; was removed from EPA&rsquo;s updated&nbsp;mission&nbsp;statement. This categorically announced to the world that America no longer intends to be a leader on climate change. The Trump administration unequivocally announced a plan to&nbsp;pull out&nbsp;of the historic Paris Climate Agreement,&nbsp;signed&nbsp;by all but two countries &mdash; Syria and Nicaragua (both of which have since committed to the accord.)

A comparison of the current EPA&nbsp;website&nbsp;with the one that&nbsp;existed&nbsp;before Pruitt&rsquo;s administration took over shows how unabashed the administration is in its parochial view of America&rsquo;s short-term well-being over humanity&rsquo;s long-term survival. Gone from the EPA are the stated priorities in&nbsp;seven&nbsp;areas to address the environmental challenges facing the world.

The first year under Pruitt&rsquo;s leadership has seen unprecedented number of environmental regulations rolled back. A recent&nbsp;New York Times&nbsp;article mentions 67 regulations that have been reversed or are in the process of being rolled back. The list includes a freeze on coal leases in public lands; anti-dumping rule for coal companies; offshore drilling ban in the Atlantic and Arctic; decisions on Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines; endangered species listings; a hunting ban on wolves and grizzly bears in Alaska; and protections for whales and sea turtles. The breakdown of these regulatory rollbacks across the board by the&nbsp;Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit watchdog advocating effective enforcement of environment laws, makes for a depressing and terrifying read.

The myth of &ldquo;clean coal&rdquo;

&ldquo;Clean coal&rdquo; is a political lobbyist term popularized in 2008 by the coal industry to influence public opinion. It actually refers to the nascent technology, carbon capture and storage or carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). CCS traps 90% of carbon dioxide emissions produced from using fossil fuels for generating electricity and other industrial processes, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. This is an expensive technology still in its infancy, being used at just one coal plant,&nbsp;Petra Nova, in Texas.

In a sad reflection of the current state of affairs, President Trump touts clean coal that he&nbsp;interprets&nbsp;in the most literal sense &mdash; coal that is washed and cleaned. Notwithstanding Trump&rsquo;s understanding of the term, even America&rsquo;s coal baron, Robert Murray,&nbsp;admits&nbsp;that clean coal is &ldquo;neither practical nor economic.&rdquo; Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence linking global warming to carbon dioxide emissions, Scott Pruitt refuses to&nbsp;acknowledge&nbsp;the connection. Instead, he recommends that we should &ldquo;continue to debate, continue the review and analysis.&rdquo;

Upon careful analysis, it will become clear that the position and view point of Trump administration on global warming, carbon dioxide emissions and clean coal have several contradictions. If, as Pruitt believes, carbon dioxide emissions are not a contributing factor to global warming, then what would be the need for the expensive CCS technology? The problem CCS solves is essentially trapping 90% of carbon dioxide emissions and preventing them from entering the atmosphere. By promoting clean coal, the political synonym for CCS, Pruitt effectively acknowledges carbon dioxide emissions are indeed a contributing factor to global warming, even if he refuses to say so in as many words.

After being a climate change denier for years, Pruitt took a different tack in his recent&nbsp;interview&nbsp;with KSNV News 3 Las Vegas, where the head of the EPA questioned if global warming &ldquo;is necessarily a bad thing.&rdquo; Discussing whether climate change is an existential threat or not, Pruitt said: &ldquo;I think there&rsquo;s assumptions made that because the climate is warming, that necessarily is a bad thing. Do we really know what the ideal surface temperature should be in the year 2100, in the year 2018? That&rsquo;s fairly arrogant for us to think that we know exactly what it should be in 2100.&rdquo; This statement is an implicit acknowledgment&nbsp; by Pruitt that temperatures are indeed rising as a consequence of global warming, even though recognizing climate change is anathema to him.

In the same interview, Pruitt mentions several times the role of the EPA as a regulator is one of administrator of statutes, &ldquo;recognizing federalism, partnership with states, focusing on process.&rdquo; He also adds that the EPA overstepped its role to &ldquo;declare a war on coal and fossil fuel industry,&rdquo; something that the Trump administration had just ended. Since Pruitt is so particular about procedure, it would only be appropriate if he steps aside when it comes to interpreting scientific findings and let scientists do their work. Pruitt would do well by being the bureaucrat that his role demands, not conducting&nbsp;exercises challenging science that is beyond his comprehension.

To leave the world a bit better

Pulling out of the Paris accord with the excuse that it is a bad deal for America is an arrogant display of misguided nationalism. America is the largest&nbsp;consumer&nbsp;of resources in the world and the second largest&nbsp;greenhouse gas&nbsp;emitter in the world. It is only fair and appropriate that in any reduction of excesses America leads the way by doing more than its share in the international community, not walk away from it.

The actions of the Trump administration in rolling back environmental regulations, pandering to business interests with flimsy excuses and shortsighted economic growth, is a brazen attack on humanity, not just Americans. It is a sad irony that the perpetrators will be long gone when the consequences of their actions are faced by the future generations.

If only Pruitt and Trump would reflect on this poignant Ralph Waldo Emerson&rsquo;s quote that &ldquo;To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived &mdash; that is to have succeeded.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/donald-trump-scott-pruitt-climate-change-epa-news-13421/">article</a> has been originally published in the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/">Fair Observer</a>.

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Trump administration’s rollbacks on environmental policies are a crime against future generations.

There was no doubt that America would regress on multiple issues when it elected Donald Trump as its 45th president. While opinion is divided on his intellectual capacity and mental stability, the president himself opines that he is a stable genius. Yet with every action and tweet of his, he does his best to belie the opinion that he is stable, let alone a genius. The most damaging of Trump’s egregious actions is the appointment of Scott Pruitt as the head of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to assuming the leadership role as its 14th administrator, Pruitt had sued the EPA 14 times as Oklahoma’s attorney general. Time and again, Pruitt has refused to acknowledge the scientific consensus that human activity is a primary contributor to climate change. As attorney general, he had taken the position of a “leading advocate against the EPA’s activist agenda.” It is a travesty of justice that Pruitt is now heading the EPA. Pruitt wasted no time in changing the agency soon as he assumed the helm. The phrase “the United States plays a leadership role in working with the other nations to protect the global environment” was removed from EPA’s updated mission statement. This categorically announced to the world that America no longer intends to be a leader on climate change. The Trump administration unequivocally announced a plan to pull out of the historic Paris Climate Agreement, signed by all but two countries — Syria and Nicaragua (both of which have since committed to the accord.) A comparison of the current EPA website with the one that existed before Pruitt’s administration took over shows how unabashed the administration is in its parochial view of America’s short-term well-being over humanity’s long-term survival. Gone from the EPA are the stated priorities in seven areas to address the environmental challenges facing the world. The first year under Pruitt’s leadership has seen unprecedented number of environmental regulations rolled back. A recent New York Times article mentions 67 regulations that have been reversed or are in the process of being rolled back. The list includes a freeze on coal leases in public lands; anti-dumping rule for coal companies; offshore drilling ban in the Atlantic and Arctic; decisions on Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines; endangered species listings; a hunting ban on wolves and grizzly bears in Alaska; and protections for whales and sea turtles. The breakdown of these regulatory rollbacks across the board by the Environmental Integrity Project, a nonprofit watchdog advocating effective enforcement of environment laws, makes for a depressing and terrifying read. The myth of “clean coal” “Clean coal” is a political lobbyist term popularized in 2008 by the coal industry to influence public opinion. It actually refers to the nascent technology, carbon capture and storage or carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). CCS traps 90% of carbon dioxide emissions produced from using fossil fuels for generating electricity and other industrial processes, preventing it from reaching the atmosphere. This is an expensive technology still in its infancy, being used at just one coal plant, Petra Nova, in Texas. In a sad reflection of the current state of affairs, President Trump touts clean coal that he interprets in the most literal sense — coal that is washed and cleaned. Notwithstanding Trump’s understanding of the term, even America’s coal baron, Robert Murray, admits that clean coal is “neither practical nor economic.” Despite the overwhelming scientific evidence linking global warming to carbon dioxide emissions, Scott Pruitt refuses to acknowledge the connection. Instead, he recommends that we should “continue to debate, continue the review and analysis.” Upon careful analysis, it will become clear that the position and view point of Trump administration on global warming, carbon dioxide emissions and clean coal have several contradictions. If, as Pruitt believes, carbon dioxide emissions are not a contributing factor to global warming, then what would be the need for the expensive CCS technology? The problem CCS solves is essentially trapping 90% of carbon dioxide emissions and preventing them from entering the atmosphere. By promoting clean coal, the political synonym for CCS, Pruitt effectively acknowledges carbon dioxide emissions are indeed a contributing factor to global warming, even if he refuses to say so in as many words. After being a climate change denier for years, Pruitt took a different tack in his recent interview with KSNV News 3 Las Vegas, where the head of the EPA questioned if global warming “is necessarily a bad thing.” Discussing whether climate change is an existential threat or not, Pruitt said: “I think there’s assumptions made that because the climate is warming, that necessarily is a bad thing. Do we really know what the ideal surface temperature should be in the year 2100, in the year 2018? That’s fairly arrogant for us to think that we know exactly what it should be in 2100.” This statement is an implicit acknowledgment by Pruitt that temperatures are indeed rising as a consequence of global warming, even though recognizing climate change is anathema to him. In the same interview, Pruitt mentions several times the role of the EPA as a regulator is one of administrator of statutes, “recognizing federalism, partnership with states, focusing on process.” He also adds that the EPA overstepped its role to “declare a war on coal and fossil fuel industry,” something that the Trump administration had just ended. Since Pruitt is so particular about procedure, it would only be appropriate if he steps aside when it comes to interpreting scientific findings and let scientists do their work. Pruitt would do well by being the bureaucrat that his role demands, not conducting exercises challenging science that is beyond his comprehension. To leave the world a bit better Pulling out of the Paris accord with the excuse that it is a bad deal for America is an arrogant display of misguided nationalism. America is the largest consumer of resources in the world and the second largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world. It is only fair and appropriate that in any reduction of excesses America leads the way by doing more than its share in the international community, not walk away from it. The actions of the Trump administration in rolling back environmental regulations, pandering to business interests with flimsy excuses and shortsighted economic growth, is a brazen attack on humanity, not just Americans. It is a sad irony that the perpetrators will be long gone when the consequences of their actions are faced by the future generations. If only Pruitt and Trump would reflect on this poignant Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote that “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived — that is to have succeeded.” This article has been originally published in the Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why Scott Pruitt can't deny climate change and head EPA

President Donald Trump&#39;s personal attorney says he paid USD 130,000 out of his own pocket to a porn actress who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006.

Michael Cohen tells The New York Times he was not reimbursed by the Trump Organization or the Trump campaign for the payment to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Cohen says, &quot;The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone.&quot;

The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Cohen had arranged the USD 130,000 payment to Clifford in October 2016 to keep her from publicly discussing the alleged sexual encounter during the presidential campaign.

The lawyer said the actor was not reimbursed by the Trump Organization

President Donald Trump's personal attorney says he paid USD 130,000 out of his own pocket to a porn actress who allegedly had a sexual relationship with Trump in 2006. Michael Cohen tells The New York Times he was not reimbursed by the Trump Organization or the Trump campaign for the payment to Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Cohen says, "The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone." The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Cohen had arranged the USD 130,000 payment to Clifford in October 2016 to keep her from publicly discussing the alleged sexual encounter during the presidential campaign.

Donald Trump lawyer says he paid porn actress out of his own pocket

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-moves-motion-to-place-pakistan-on-a-global-terrorist-financing-watchlist-at-fatf-32787">US moves motion to place Pakistan on global terror financing watchlist at FATF: Report</a>

The United States has reportedly put forward a motion to place Pakistan on a global terrorist financing watchlist at the Financial Action Task Force &nbsp;(FATF) meeting due to take place in Paris next week, newswire Reuters reported.

<a href="http://Another US judge blocks Trump's move to end 'Dreamers' programme">Another US judge blocks Trump&#39;s move to end &#39;Dreamers&#39; programme&nbsp;</a>

A month after a US judge blocked President Trump&#39;s move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals(DACA) immigrant programme, another judge on Tuesday blocked the US president&#39;s move to end the programme.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/paul-nehlens-twitter-account-permantently-suspended-for-posting-racist-picture-of-meghan-markle-32789">Twitter permanently suspends Paul Nehlen&#39;s account for posting racist picture of Meghan Markle</a>

Republican politician Paul Nehlen&#39;s account was permanently suspended by Twitter after he tweeted a &quot;racist&quot; picture targetting Meghan Markle on Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-backed-militants-to-continue-attacks-inside-india-us-32793">Pakistan backed militants to continue attacks inside India: US</a>

America&#39;s intelligence chief today warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-police-recommends-bribery-fraud-charge-against-pm-netanyahu-32782">Israeli police recommends bribery, fraud charge against PM Netanyahu</a>

Israeli police on Tuesday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader&#39;s political survival.

 
&nbsp;

US moves motion to place Pakistan on global terror financing watchlist at FATF: Report The United States has reportedly put forward a motion to place Pakistan on a global terrorist financing watchlist at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting due to take place in Paris next week, newswire Reuters reported. Another US judge blocks Trump's move to end 'Dreamers' programme A month after a US judge blocked President Trump's move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals(DACA) immigrant programme, another judge on Tuesday blocked the US president's move to end the programme. Twitter permanently suspends Paul Nehlen's account for posting racist picture of Meghan Markle Republican politician Paul Nehlen's account was permanently suspended by Twitter after he tweeted a "racist" picture targetting Meghan Markle on Tuesday. Pakistan backed militants to continue attacks inside India: US America's intelligence chief today warned that Pakistan-supported terrorist groups would continue to carry out attacks inside India, thus risking escalation of tension between the two neighbours. Israeli police recommends bribery, fraud charge against PM Netanyahu Israeli police on Tuesday recommended indicting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for bribery, opening the way for what could be the biggest challenge yet to the right-wing leader's political survival.

WION Morning News Brief, February 14, 2018

Contradicting the White House, the FBI has said it gave the Trump administration information on multiple occasions last year about a top aide accused of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives, and the investigation wrapped up in January.

That account by FBI Director Christopher Wray challenged the White House assertion that Rob Porter&#39;s background &quot;investigation was ongoing&quot; and officials first learned the extent of accusations against him only last week, just before he abruptly resigned.

Wray&#39;s testimony marked the latest development in a scandal that has called into question the judgement of senior members of the White House staff, put new stress on the administration&#39;s already strained credibility with the public, and drawn accusations of tone-deaf handling of abuse allegations.

The week-long fallout from the allegations against Porter, President Donald Trump&#39;s staff secretary, has thrown the West Wing into chaos not seen since the earliest months of the administration and has sparked new rounds of recriminations inside the White House.

Privately, officials acknowledge that the public timeline offered last week -- that the administration first learned of the ex-wives&#39; charges against Porter last Tuesday -- was flawed at best.

Several senior officials, including chief of staff John Kelly and White House counsel Don McGahn, were aware of the broad allegations against Porter for months, officials said.

Kelly found out after requesting an update on the large number of senior staffers operating without full security clearances, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions.

McGahn told Kelly last fall there was concern about information in the background investigation involving Porter&#39;s ex-wives, the official said, and Kelly expressed surprise that Porter had previously been married.

Despite that, Porter took on an increasingly central role in the West Wing and was under consideration to serve as Trump&#39;s deputy chief of staff, two officials said.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday, &quot;The White House had not received any specific papers regarding the completion of that background check.&quot; Yet Wray testified that the FBI sent the White House its preliminary report in March 2017 and its completed investigation in late July.

Soon after that, the agency received a request for a follow-up inquiry, and it provided that information in November. Porter was interviewed about the allegations in September, an official said.&nbsp;

FBI said it gave the Trump administration information on multiple occasions

Contradicting the White House, the FBI has said it gave the Trump administration information on multiple occasions last year about a top aide accused of domestic abuse by his two ex-wives, and the investigation wrapped up in January. That account by FBI Director Christopher Wray challenged the White House assertion that Rob Porter's background "investigation was ongoing" and officials first learned the extent of accusations against him only last week, just before he abruptly resigned. Wray's testimony marked the latest development in a scandal that has called into question the judgement of senior members of the White House staff, put new stress on the administration's already strained credibility with the public, and drawn accusations of tone-deaf handling of abuse allegations. The week-long fallout from the allegations against Porter, President Donald Trump's staff secretary, has thrown the West Wing into chaos not seen since the earliest months of the administration and has sparked new rounds of recriminations inside the White House. Privately, officials acknowledge that the public timeline offered last week -- that the administration first learned of the ex-wives' charges against Porter last Tuesday -- was flawed at best. Several senior officials, including chief of staff John Kelly and White House counsel Don McGahn, were aware of the broad allegations against Porter for months, officials said. Kelly found out after requesting an update on the large number of senior staffers operating without full security clearances, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal discussions. McGahn told Kelly last fall there was concern about information in the background investigation involving Porter's ex-wives, the official said, and Kelly expressed surprise that Porter had previously been married. Despite that, Porter took on an increasingly central role in the West Wing and was under consideration to serve as Trump's deputy chief of staff, two officials said. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Monday, "The White House had not received any specific papers regarding the completion of that background check." Yet Wray testified that the FBI sent the White House its preliminary report in March 2017 and its completed investigation in late July. Soon after that, the agency received a request for a follow-up inquiry, and it provided that information in November. Porter was interviewed about the allegations in September, an official said.

FBI contradicts White House on probe of former aide Rob Porter

President Donald Trump`s administration on Monday revived its support for construction of a new FBI headquarters, saying it planned to ask Congress in 2018 for the remaining $2.175 billion needed to help pay for it.

The funding request, tucked inside the president`s larger $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, would help cover the cost to tear down and rebuild the Federal Bureau of Investigation`s aging 1970s-era headquarters building in downtown Washington, which has nets rigged to catch falling stones.

The move marks a reversal from July, when the administration cancelled a years-long search to find a new home for the crime-fighting agency.&nbsp;

The FBI had previously searched for possible new spots in either Maryland or Virginia.

The total estimated cost for a new FBI headquarters is $3.3 billion, Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus told reporters in a briefing on Monday at the Justice Department.&nbsp;

The FBI has already set aside $1.125 billion toward the construction project.

&quot;The idea is to build a modern and secure headquarters building across the street on the side of the (J. Edgar) Hoover building,&quot; Lofthus said.&nbsp;

&quot;This is an important part of the president`s infrastructure program.&quot;

Lofthus added that the projected $3.3 billion would also cover the cost of &quot;swing space,&quot; or space that FBI employees will use on a temporary basis during construction.

The agency endorsed the plan, saying in a statement: &quot;The FBI believes this proposed consolidation strategy enhances mission resiliency, continuity of operations, and will provide the Bureau with the agility necessary to meet future needs.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Also on Monday, the Trump administration unveiled its proposal for the fiscal 2019 budget.

That plan asks for a Justice Department budget of $28 billion, a slight decrease of 1.2 percent from the 2017 enacted level.

Most of the Justice Department`s components would see a funding boost under the plan, with increases proposed for the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as for U.S. attorneys and the office that oversees immigration courts.

The decrease would be achieved by consolidating the COPS grants program into the Office of Justice Programs, and closing two regional Bureau of Prisons offices.

The plan also calls for stripping the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) of its powers to police cigarette and alcohol smuggling and transferring them to a tax and trade unit inside the Treasury Department.

After that, the ATF would focus solely on efforts to combat violent crimes such as arson, illegal firearms trafficking and bombings.

FBI had previously searched for possible new spots in either Maryland or Virginia.

President Donald Trump`s administration on Monday revived its support for construction of a new FBI headquarters, saying it planned to ask Congress in 2018 for the remaining $2.175 billion needed to help pay for it. The funding request, tucked inside the president`s larger $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan, would help cover the cost to tear down and rebuild the Federal Bureau of Investigation`s aging 1970s-era headquarters building in downtown Washington, which has nets rigged to catch falling stones. The move marks a reversal from July, when the administration cancelled a years-long search to find a new home for the crime-fighting agency. The FBI had previously searched for possible new spots in either Maryland or Virginia. The total estimated cost for a new FBI headquarters is $3.3 billion, Assistant Attorney General Lee Lofthus told reporters in a briefing on Monday at the Justice Department. The FBI has already set aside $1.125 billion toward the construction project. "The idea is to build a modern and secure headquarters building across the street on the side of the (J. Edgar) Hoover building," Lofthus said. "This is an important part of the president`s infrastructure program." Lofthus added that the projected $3.3 billion would also cover the cost of "swing space," or space that FBI employees will use on a temporary basis during construction. The agency endorsed the plan, saying in a statement: "The FBI believes this proposed consolidation strategy enhances mission resiliency, continuity of operations, and will provide the Bureau with the agility necessary to meet future needs.” Also on Monday, the Trump administration unveiled its proposal for the fiscal 2019 budget. That plan asks for a Justice Department budget of $28 billion, a slight decrease of 1.2 percent from the 2017 enacted level. Most of the Justice Department`s components would see a funding boost under the plan, with increases proposed for the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration, as well as for U.S. attorneys and the office that oversees immigration courts. The decrease would be achieved by consolidating the COPS grants program into the Office of Justice Programs, and closing two regional Bureau of Prisons offices. The plan also calls for stripping the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) of its powers to police cigarette and alcohol smuggling and transferring them to a tax and trade unit inside the Treasury Department. After that, the ATF would focus solely on efforts to combat violent crimes such as arson, illegal firearms trafficking and bombings.

Donald Trump administration revives support for new FBI headquarters

The United States Secret Service is investigating a &quot;suspicious&quot; white packet that was sent to Trump&#39;s home along with a letter.&nbsp;

The US media reported that the packet contained a &quot;white packet&quot;.

As a precautionary measure&nbsp;wife of Donald Trump Jr, Vanessa, was taken to a New York hospital.&nbsp;

A media report stated that&nbsp; Vanessa Trump was taken to the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Centre strictly as a &quot;precaution&quot;&nbsp;and there was no indication of anyone suffering from any injuries.&nbsp;

Though in the initial investigations the powder was found to be unhazardous the suspicious packet is being probed by the US Secret Service.&nbsp;

Calling the incident as &quot; truly disgusting&quot; Donald Trump Jr tweeted that his wife and children were unharmed after the scary situation.&nbsp;

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Thankful that Vanessa &amp; my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior.
&mdash; Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/963163553074221057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ivanka Trump also tweeted showing her concern for her sister-in-law.&nbsp;

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Thinking of <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsVanessaTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MrsVanessaTrump</a> &amp; wishing I was by her side today. No one deserves to be frightened this way. There is no excuse.
&mdash; Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/IvankaTrump/status/963154459357364224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2018</a></blockquote>
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A media stated that Vanessa Trump was taken to the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Centre strictly as a precaution and there was no indication of anyone suffering from any injuries

The United States Secret Service is investigating a "suspicious" white packet that was sent to Trump's home along with a letter. The US media reported that the packet contained a "white packet". As a precautionary measure wife of Donald Trump Jr, Vanessa, was taken to a New York hospital. A media report stated that Vanessa Trump was taken to the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Centre strictly as a "precaution" and there was no indication of anyone suffering from any injuries. Though in the initial investigations the powder was found to be unhazardous the suspicious packet is being probed by the US Secret Service. Calling the incident as " truly disgusting" Donald Trump Jr tweeted that his wife and children were unharmed after the scary situation. Thankful that Vanessa & my children are safe and unharmed after the incredibly scary situation that occurred this morning. Truly disgusting that certain individuals choose to express their opposing views with such disturbing behavior. — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 12, 2018 × Ivanka Trump also tweeted showing her concern for her sister-in-law. Thinking of @MrsVanessaTrump & wishing I was by her side today. No one deserves to be frightened this way. There is no excuse. — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) February 12, 2018 ×

Trump's daughter-in-law taken to hospital after 'suspicious' white powder in mail

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/24-hours-later-gun-battle-continues-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-srinagar-32678">24 hours later, </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/24-hours-later-gun-battle-continues-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-srinagar-32678">gun</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/24-hours-later-gun-battle-continues-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-srinagar-32678"> battle continues between security forces, terrorists in Srinagar</a>

Heavy firing is still underway between terrorists and security forces in Srinagar&#39;s Karan Nagar area.

One soldier was killed after two terrorists tried to enter a CRPF camp on Monday. The security men immediately opened fire as the terrorists fled the area.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-extends-ban-on-terror-groups-listed-by-un-32676">Pakistan extends ban on terror groups listed by UN</a>

After UN released a list of banned terrorist organisations, Pakistan authorities decided to extend the ban in the country.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/japanese-olympic-speed-skater-tests-positive-for-doping-report-32669">Japanese Olympic speed skater tests positive for doping: CAS</a>

Japanese short-track speed skater Kei Saito has tested positive for doping at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games, the first doping case of the Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Tuesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/phillippines-president-orders-soldier-to-shoot-women-rebels-in-their-genitals-32673">Phillippines president Duterte orders soldiers to &#39;shoot women rebels&#39; in genitals: Report</a>

Already reputed for his inappropriate language, Phillippine&#39;s president Rodrigo Duterte has again come under fire for his recent comment about women.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-offers-putin-condolences-over-plane-crash-32668">Trump offers Putin condolences over plane crash</a>

US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to offer his condolences after a deadly plane crash near Moscow, a White House official said.

 
&nbsp;

24 hours later, gun battle continues between security forces, terrorists in Srinagar Heavy firing is still underway between terrorists and security forces in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area. One soldier was killed after two terrorists tried to enter a CRPF camp on Monday. The security men immediately opened fire as the terrorists fled the area. Pakistan extends ban on terror groups listed by UN After UN released a list of banned terrorist organisations, Pakistan authorities decided to extend the ban in the country. Japanese Olympic speed skater tests positive for doping: CAS Japanese short-track speed skater Kei Saito has tested positive for doping at the Pyeongchang Olympic Games, the first doping case of the Games, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said Tuesday. Phillippines president Duterte orders soldiers to 'shoot women rebels' in genitals: Report Already reputed for his inappropriate language, Phillippine's president Rodrigo Duterte has again come under fire for his recent comment about women. Trump offers Putin condolences over plane crash US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to offer his condolences after a deadly plane crash near Moscow, a White House official said.

WION Morning News Brief, February 13, 2018

The Trump administration&rsquo;s infrastructure proposal released on Monday would speed up the permitting of U.S. natural gas pipelines, including by cutting Congress out of the process for allowing them to cross national parks.

The proposal fits into President Donald Trump&rsquo;s broader plan to boost U.S. oil and gas development by slashing red tape, something that has cheered industry but raised concerns among environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers.

&quot;At its core the proposal plans to steamroll as many projects to get to yes as fast as possible whether or not there is a robust environmental review,&quot; said Brett Hartl, government affairs director of the Center for Biological Diversity.

The $1.5 trillion infrastructure proposal would give the interior secretary the authority to approve natural gas pipelines that cross the country&rsquo;s national parks, changing the requirement that Congress authorize such projects.

The plan also aims to speed up the time that a state has to issue water permits - &ldquo;section 401&rdquo; certificates required under the federal Clean Water Act - needed for the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines.

The changes would deliver &ldquo;projects in a less costly and more time effective manner by creating a new, expedited structure for environmental reviews and delegating more decision-making to States and enhancing coordination between State and Federal reviews,&rdquo; the proposal says.

The proposals are part of a larger infrastructure plan designed to encourage spending on improvements by states, localities and private investors but which faces an uphill battle in Congress.

The Trump administration is seeking to tackle what it calls a duplicative environmental review process for major infrastructure projects by trying to amend bedrock environmental laws like the decades-old National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act.

The administration said it wanted environmental reviews for major projects to take no longer than 21 months &ndash; instead of years - and direct one federal agency rather than several different agencies to conduct the review.

The changes could have significant impact on the permitting process for pipelines, including in places where there has been significant public opposition like the U.S. Northeast.

New York state, for example, has denied section 401 certificates for the Constitution Pipeline interstate natural gas pipeline and slowed down the process to issue a certificate for the Millennium Pipeline project, putting the state at odds with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Permit delays or denials for pipelines are a longtime frustration of oil and gas companies that are required to spend money on legal fees to challenge states that oppose them.

The infrastructure proposal was released yesterday.

The Trump administration’s infrastructure proposal released on Monday would speed up the permitting of U.S. natural gas pipelines, including by cutting Congress out of the process for allowing them to cross national parks. The proposal fits into President Donald Trump’s broader plan to boost U.S. oil and gas development by slashing red tape, something that has cheered industry but raised concerns among environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers. "At its core the proposal plans to steamroll as many projects to get to yes as fast as possible whether or not there is a robust environmental review," said Brett Hartl, government affairs director of the Center for Biological Diversity. The $1.5 trillion infrastructure proposal would give the interior secretary the authority to approve natural gas pipelines that cross the country’s national parks, changing the requirement that Congress authorize such projects. The plan also aims to speed up the time that a state has to issue water permits - “section 401” certificates required under the federal Clean Water Act - needed for the construction of interstate natural gas pipelines. The changes would deliver “projects in a less costly and more time effective manner by creating a new, expedited structure for environmental reviews and delegating more decision-making to States and enhancing coordination between State and Federal reviews,” the proposal says. The proposals are part of a larger infrastructure plan designed to encourage spending on improvements by states, localities and private investors but which faces an uphill battle in Congress. The Trump administration is seeking to tackle what it calls a duplicative environmental review process for major infrastructure projects by trying to amend bedrock environmental laws like the decades-old National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act. The administration said it wanted environmental reviews for major projects to take no longer than 21 months – instead of years - and direct one federal agency rather than several different agencies to conduct the review. The changes could have significant impact on the permitting process for pipelines, including in places where there has been significant public opposition like the U.S. Northeast. New York state, for example, has denied section 401 certificates for the Constitution Pipeline interstate natural gas pipeline and slowed down the process to issue a certificate for the Millennium Pipeline project, putting the state at odds with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Permit delays or denials for pipelines are a longtime frustration of oil and gas companies that are required to spend money on legal fees to challenge states that oppose them.

Trump infrastructure plan to speed up pipelines, cut environmental reviews

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-warns-india-over-sunjuwan-army-camp-attack-media-reports-32741">Any Indian aggression shall be met with proportionate response: Pakistan</a>

Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir on Tuesday reacted to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that Pakistan would &quot;pay&quot; for the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu and said any act of aggression by India would be met with a proportionate response.

The defence minister also said Pakistan would &quot;defend robustly&quot; every inch of its soil.

&quot;Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistan&#39;s soil,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s defence minister said.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/karan-nagar-camp-attack-2-terrorists-killed-in-srinagar-encounter-32731">Karan Nagar encounter ends after 30-hour-long gunfight, two terrorists killed</a>

Two-holed up LeT terrorists, involved in a failed terror bid on a CRPF camp here, were killed on Tuesday in a nearly 30-hour-long gunfight, Swayam Prakash Pani, IGP, Kashmir range said.

The encounter between terrorists and security forces, which began yesterday after the ultras tried to attack a CRPF camp, resumed this morning after an overnight lull.

The exact identity of the militants was still being established, the police said, adding that a search operation in the area was going on.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/idea-of-demonetisation-came-from-rss-rahul-gandhi-32736">Idea of demonetisation came from RSS: Rahul Gandhi</a>

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the idea of demonetisation came from a &quot;particular ideologue of the RSS&quot; and that the organisation was a big influence on prime minister Narendra Modi.

&quot;Do you know where the idea of notebandi &nbsp;(demonetisation) came from? It was not the RBI, not Arun Jaitley, it was not an officer in the finance ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. The RSS presses an idea into the prime minister&#39;s mind and PM launches that idea,&quot; Rahul Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of trying to capture the institutions of India and the RSS of trying to put its people into every institution.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/blast-in-cochin-shipyard-at-least-4-killed-32716">Blast in Cochin shipyard as ONGC ship catches fire, at least 5 killed</a>

A blast occurred at a shipyard in Cochin, Kerala leading to the death of at least five people.

Reports said at least 11 people have been injured.

The blast reportedly occurred during maintenance work which was being carried out in an oil and national gas corporation (ONGC) ship.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/donal-trump-is-tweeting-about-everything-except-team-usa-at-the-winter-olympics-32747">Donald Trump is tweeting about everything except Team USA at Winter Olympics</a>

US President Donald Trump is known as a social media-&#39;friendly&#39; leader, &nbsp;who tweets on just about everything.&nbsp;

But, as people have been pointing out, he has said nothing so far about Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.&nbsp;

The United States of America is currently competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which began on February 9 and will go on to February 25, 2018. 
&nbsp;

Any Indian aggression shall be met with proportionate response: Pakistan Pakistan Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir on Tuesday reacted to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that Pakistan would "pay" for the attack on the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu and said any act of aggression by India would be met with a proportionate response. The defence minister also said Pakistan would "defend robustly" every inch of its soil. "Any Indian aggression, strategic miscalculation or misadventure regardless of its scale, mode, or location will not go unpunished and shall be met with an equal and proportionate response. We will defend robustly every inch of Pakistan's soil," Pakistan's defence minister said. Karan Nagar encounter ends after 30-hour-long gunfight, two terrorists killed Two-holed up LeT terrorists, involved in a failed terror bid on a CRPF camp here, were killed on Tuesday in a nearly 30-hour-long gunfight, Swayam Prakash Pani, IGP, Kashmir range said. The encounter between terrorists and security forces, which began yesterday after the ultras tried to attack a CRPF camp, resumed this morning after an overnight lull. The exact identity of the militants was still being established, the police said, adding that a search operation in the area was going on. Idea of demonetisation came from RSS: Rahul Gandhi Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that the idea of demonetisation came from a "particular ideologue of the RSS" and that the organisation was a big influence on prime minister Narendra Modi. "Do you know where the idea of notebandi (demonetisation) came from? It was not the RBI, not Arun Jaitley, it was not an officer in the finance ministry. It was a particular ideologue of the RSS. The RSS presses an idea into the prime minister's mind and PM launches that idea," Rahul Gandhi said. Rahul Gandhi also accused the BJP of trying to capture the institutions of India and the RSS of trying to put its people into every institution. Blast in Cochin shipyard as ONGC ship catches fire, at least 5 killed A blast occurred at a shipyard in Cochin, Kerala leading to the death of at least five people. Reports said at least 11 people have been injured. The blast reportedly occurred during maintenance work which was being carried out in an oil and national gas corporation (ONGC) ship. Donald Trump is tweeting about everything except Team USA at Winter Olympics US President Donald Trump is known as a social media-'friendly' leader, who tweets on just about everything. But, as people have been pointing out, he has said nothing so far about Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The United States of America is currently competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which began on February 9 and will go on to February 25, 2018.

WION news brief, February 13, 2018

&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald Trump blamed Democrat lawmakers for a shutdown of the federal government that went into effect on Saturday.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18</a> in order to power through mess!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/954674157144477696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Democrats are far more concerned with illegal immigrants than they are with our great military or safety at our dangerous southern border,&quot; he said in a Twitter post early on Saturday. &quot;They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead,&quot; tweeted Trump. 
&nbsp;

This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present, Trump tweeted with the&nbsp;#DemocratShutdown.

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This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DemocratShutdown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DemocratShutdown</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/954678287820902401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Senate is expected to resume talks on funding the government at noon.

The Senate is expected to resume talks on funding the government at noon.

US President Donald Trump blamed Democrat lawmakers for a shutdown of the federal government that went into effect on Saturday. Democrats are far more concerned with Illegal Immigrants than they are with our great Military or Safety at our dangerous Southern Border. They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead. #WeNeedMoreRepublicansIn18 in order to power through mess! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 × "Democrats are far more concerned with illegal immigrants than they are with our great military or safety at our dangerous southern border," he said in a Twitter post early on Saturday. "They could have easily made a deal but decided to play Shutdown politics instead," tweeted Trump. This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present, Trump tweeted with the #DemocratShutdown. This is the One Year Anniversary of my Presidency and the Democrats wanted to give me a nice present. #DemocratShutdown — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2018 × The Senate is expected to resume talks on funding the government at noon.

Donald Trump blames Democrats for US government shutdown

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/73-of-wealth-in-india-rests-with-richest-1-oxfam-report-30281">Richest 1% own 73% of India&#39;s wealth: Report</a>

According to an international study published by the Oxfam group, close to 73% of India&#39;s wealth was cornered by India&#39;s richest 1%.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/cji-led-bench-of-supreme-court-to-hear-justice-loya-death-case-today-30275">CJI-led bench of Supreme Court to hear Justice Loya death case today</a>

The Supreme Court will today hear pleas filed by three petitioners seeking probe by a Special Investigation Tribunal (SIT) into the alleged mysterious death of CBI judge Justice BH Loya in 2014.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-leave-for-davos-today-for-world-economic-forum-30284">PM Modi to leave for Davos today for World Economic Forum</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today leave for Davos, Switzerland for the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-troops-tanks-enter-syria-to-fight-kurdish-militia-30274">Turkish troops, tanks enter Syria to fight Kurdish militia</a>

Turkish troops and tanks entered Syria on Sunday to push an offensive against Kurdish militia as rockets hit border towns in apparent retaliation and the United States urged Ankara to show restraint.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-postpones-vote-on-ending-shutdown-to-noon-monday-30288">US Senate postpones vote on ending shutdown to noon Monday</a>

The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday.

Richest 1% own 73% of India's wealth: Report According to an international study published by the Oxfam group, close to 73% of India's wealth was cornered by India's richest 1%. CJI-led bench of Supreme Court to hear Justice Loya death case today The Supreme Court will today hear pleas filed by three petitioners seeking probe by a Special Investigation Tribunal (SIT) into the alleged mysterious death of CBI judge Justice BH Loya in 2014. PM Modi to leave for Davos today for World Economic Forum Prime Minister Narendra Modi today leave for Davos, Switzerland for the 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. Turkish troops, tanks enter Syria to fight Kurdish militia Turkish troops and tanks entered Syria on Sunday to push an offensive against Kurdish militia as rockets hit border towns in apparent retaliation and the United States urged Ankara to show restraint. US Senate postpones vote on ending shutdown to noon Monday The US Senate adjourned late Sunday without reaching a deal on re-opening government, as the Republican leadership postponed a vote on ending the shutdown until noon on Monday.

WION Morning News Brief, January 22, 2018

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