President Donald Trump said on Thursday he believes he will be fairly treated in a special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election, but said he did not know how long the probe would last.

The federal investigation has hung over Trump&#39;s White House since he took office almost a year ago, and some Trump allies have in recent weeks accused the team of Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller of being biased against the Republican president.

But in an interview with the New York Times, Trump appeared to shrug off concerns about the investigation, which was prompted by U.S. intelligence agencies&#39; conclusion that Russia tried to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton by hacking and releasing embarrassing emails and disseminating propaganda.

&quot;There&#39;s been no collusion. But I think he&#39;s going to be fair,&quot; Trump said in what the Times described as a 30-minute impromptu interview at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Mueller has charged four Trump associates in his investigation. Russia has denied interfering in the U.S. election.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said this month that he was not aware of any impropriety by Mueller&#39;s team.

Trump&#39;s lawyers have been saying for weeks that they had expected the Mueller investigation to wrap up quickly, possibly by the end of 2017. Mueller has not commented on how long it will last.

Trump told the Times that he did not know how long the investigation would take. &quot;Timing-wise, I can&#39;t tell you. I just don&#39;t know,&quot; he said.

Trump said he thought a prolonged probe &quot;makes the country look bad&quot; but said it has energized his core supporters.

&quot;What it&#39;s done is, it&#39;s really angered the base and made the base stronger. My base is strong than it&#39;s ever been,&quot; he said.

Break from Golf

 
The interview was a rare break in Trump&#39;s Christmas vacation in Florida. He has golfed each day aside from Christmas Day, and mainly kept a low profile, apart from the occasional flurry of tweets.

He spent one day golfing with Republican Senator David Perdue from Georgia, who has pushed legislation to cap immigration numbers, and had dinner on Thursday with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, an international trade hawk.

Trump told the Times he hoped to work with Democrats in the U.S. Congress on a spending plan to fix roads and other infrastructure, and on protections for a group of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

Trump spoke about trade issues, saying he had backed off his hard line on Chinese trade practices in the hope that Beijing would do more to pressure North Korea to end its nuclear and missile testing program. He said he had been disappointed in the results.

He also complained about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which his administration is attempting to renegotiate in talks with Mexico and Canada.

Trump said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had played down the importance of Canadian oil and lumber exports to the United States when looking at the balance of trade between the two countries.

&quot;If I don&rsquo;t make the right deal, I&rsquo;ll terminate NAFTA in two seconds. But we&rsquo;re doing pretty good,&quot; Trump said.

Mueller has charged four Trump associates in his investigation. Russia has denied interfering in the U.S. election.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he believes he will be fairly treated in a special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election, but said he did not know how long the probe would last. The federal investigation has hung over Trump's White House since he took office almost a year ago, and some Trump allies have in recent weeks accused the team of Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller of being biased against the Republican president. But in an interview with the New York Times, Trump appeared to shrug off concerns about the investigation, which was prompted by U.S. intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia tried to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton by hacking and releasing embarrassing emails and disseminating propaganda. "There's been no collusion. But I think he's going to be fair," Trump said in what the Times described as a 30-minute impromptu interview at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mueller has charged four Trump associates in his investigation. Russia has denied interfering in the U.S. election. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said this month that he was not aware of any impropriety by Mueller's team. Trump's lawyers have been saying for weeks that they had expected the Mueller investigation to wrap up quickly, possibly by the end of 2017. Mueller has not commented on how long it will last. Trump told the Times that he did not know how long the investigation would take. "Timing-wise, I can't tell you. I just don't know," he said. Trump said he thought a prolonged probe "makes the country look bad" but said it has energized his core supporters. "What it's done is, it's really angered the base and made the base stronger. My base is strong than it's ever been," he said. Break from Golf The interview was a rare break in Trump's Christmas vacation in Florida. He has golfed each day aside from Christmas Day, and mainly kept a low profile, apart from the occasional flurry of tweets. He spent one day golfing with Republican Senator David Perdue from Georgia, who has pushed legislation to cap immigration numbers, and had dinner on Thursday with Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, an international trade hawk. Trump told the Times he hoped to work with Democrats in the U.S. Congress on a spending plan to fix roads and other infrastructure, and on protections for a group of undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Trump spoke about trade issues, saying he had backed off his hard line on Chinese trade practices in the hope that Beijing would do more to pressure North Korea to end its nuclear and missile testing program. He said he had been disappointed in the results. He also complained about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which his administration is attempting to renegotiate in talks with Mexico and Canada. Trump said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had played down the importance of Canadian oil and lumber exports to the United States when looking at the balance of trade between the two countries. "If I don’t make the right deal, I’ll terminate NAFTA in two seconds. But we’re doing pretty good," Trump said.

Trump says Russia probe will be fair, but timeline unclear: Report

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not consider reinstating an immigration program that protected young people from deportation without a commitment from Democrats to help build a wall on the border with Mexico and end certain immigration programs.

The debate on immigration will be a pivotal issue in Washington in early 2018 ahead of midterm congressional elections in November.&nbsp;

In September, Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected young people from deportation who had been brought to the United States illegally as children and gave Congress until March to devise a long-term solution.&nbsp;

Democrats have pushed for DACA to continue, but Trump, a Republican, has said that will not happen without the end to various visa programs and the construction of a wall along the southern US&nbsp;border.

&quot;The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration &amp; ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc,&quot; Trump posted on Twitter on Friday.

Representatives for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said they would not negotiate the issue in the media but looked forward to serious talks after lawmakers return to work in Washington early next month.&nbsp;

The Senate is set to resume its work January&nbsp;3 while the US&nbsp;House of Representatives restarts its session January 8.&nbsp;

Trump promised to build a border wall as a presidential candidate and has continued to press for it publicly.&nbsp;

He has also called for an additional &quot;merit based&quot; assessment for U.S. visa recipients.&nbsp;

The debate on immigration will be a pivotal issue in Washington in early 2018

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he would not consider reinstating an immigration program that protected young people from deportation without a commitment from Democrats to help build a wall on the border with Mexico and end certain immigration programs. The debate on immigration will be a pivotal issue in Washington in early 2018 ahead of midterm congressional elections in November. In September, Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protected young people from deportation who had been brought to the United States illegally as children and gave Congress until March to devise a long-term solution. Democrats have pushed for DACA to continue, but Trump, a Republican, has said that will not happen without the end to various visa programs and the construction of a wall along the southern US border. "The Democrats have been told, and fully understand, that there can be no DACA without the desperately needed WALL at the Southern Border and an END to the horrible Chain Migration & ridiculous Lottery System of Immigration etc," Trump posted on Twitter on Friday. Representatives for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said they would not negotiate the issue in the media but looked forward to serious talks after lawmakers return to work in Washington early next month. The Senate is set to resume its work January 3 while the US House of Representatives restarts its session January 8. Trump promised to build a border wall as a presidential candidate and has continued to press for it publicly. He has also called for an additional "merit based" assessment for U.S. visa recipients.

Trump demands border wall, visa changes as part of immigration fix

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was &quot;very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea&quot; and that such moves would prevent &quot;a friendly solution&quot; to the crisis over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear program.

&quot;Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!&quot; Trump wrote in a post on Twitter.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/946416486054285314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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China earlier on Thursday said there had been no UN&nbsp;sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea after a South Korea newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to North Korea.&nbsp;

China earlier on Thursday said there had been no UN?sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was "very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea" and that such moves would prevent "a friendly solution" to the crisis over Pyongyang's nuclear program. "Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen!" Trump wrote in a post on Twitter. Caught RED HANDED - very disappointed that China is allowing oil to go into North Korea. There will never be a friendly solution to the North Korea problem if this continues to happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2017 × China earlier on Thursday said there had been no UN sanction-breaking oil sales by Chinese ships to North Korea after a South Korea newspaper said Chinese and North Korean vessels had been illicitly linking up at sea to get oil to North Korea.

'Disappointed' on China allowing oil into North Korea, Trump tweets

&nbsp;Israel wants to name a train station after Donald Trump to thank him for recognising Jerusalem as its capital, but the site of the planned building could be as divisive as the US&nbsp;president&#39;s declaration.

Transport Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday he had chosen a proposed subway stop near the Western Wall in Jerusalem&#39;s Old City - right in the middle of the area that the Palestinians want as their own future capital.

&quot;I have decided to name the Western Wall station ... after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump for his courageous and historic decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel,&quot; Katz said in a statement.

The envisaged underground extension of a high-speed rail link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is still on the drawing board and a transport ministry spokeswoman said other departments still needed to approve it.

The announcement was quickly condemned by Palestinian leaders already angered by Trump&#39;s December 6 decision to overturn decades of US&nbsp;policy on the city.

&quot;The Israeli extremist government is trying to race against time to impose facts on the ground in the city of Jerusalem,&quot; Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization&#39;s Executive Committee, told Reuters.

Trump has said he has simply acknowledged the reality on the ground by recognising Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital - but the Palestinians and most world powers have said he undermined the long-held position that Jerusalem&#39;s status must be settled by future negotiations.

A ministry spokeswoman said the proposed station and underground extension still required the approval of various governmental planning committees and gave no date for when a final go-ahead might be given. She said she did not know where funds for the estimated $700-million rail add-on would come from.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem its capital. Palestinians want East Jerusalem - among whose shrines is Islam&#39;s third-holiest mosque, Al-Aqsa - as the capital of a state they seek in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

?Israel wants to name a train station after Donald Trump to thank him for recognising Jerusalem as its capital, but the site of the planned building could be as divisive as the US president's declaration

Israel wants to name a train station after Donald Trump to thank him for recognising Jerusalem as its capital, but the site of the planned building could be as divisive as the US president's declaration. Transport Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday he had chosen a proposed subway stop near the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City - right in the middle of the area that the Palestinians want as their own future capital. "I have decided to name the Western Wall station ... after US President Donald Trump for his courageous and historic decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel," Katz said in a statement. The envisaged underground extension of a high-speed rail link between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem is still on the drawing board and a transport ministry spokeswoman said other departments still needed to approve it. The announcement was quickly condemned by Palestinian leaders already angered by Trump's December 6 decision to overturn decades of US policy on the city. "The Israeli extremist government is trying to race against time to impose facts on the ground in the city of Jerusalem," Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organization's Executive Committee, told Reuters. Trump has said he has simply acknowledged the reality on the ground by recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital - but the Palestinians and most world powers have said he undermined the long-held position that Jerusalem's status must be settled by future negotiations. A ministry spokeswoman said the proposed station and underground extension still required the approval of various governmental planning committees and gave no date for when a final go-ahead might be given. She said she did not know where funds for the estimated $700-million rail add-on would come from. Israel considers all of Jerusalem its capital. Palestinians want East Jerusalem - among whose shrines is Islam's third-holiest mosque, Al-Aqsa - as the capital of a state they seek in the occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

Israel wants to name train station after Trump for recognising Jerusalem as its capital

A suspected US&nbsp;drone attack along the Pakistani-Afghan border killed an Islamist militant commander and one of his associates on Tuesday, a Pakistani official in the remote area said.

It was not immediately clear whether the missile struck on the Afghan or Pakistani side or the border.

There have been multiple unverified US&nbsp;drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan&#39;s Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took office in January.

Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to terrorists including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network carrying out attacks in Afghanistan.

Tuesday&#39;s suspected drone attack targeted the vehicle of a militant commander named Jamiuddin, said a Pakistani official in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Another witness reported seeing the strike near the Mata Sanghar area of Kurram agency, across from the Afghan province of Paktia.

&quot;I saw two missiles hit the vehicle and the people inside were killed,&quot; said witness Rehmanullah.

The local official said it was unclear which side of the border the attack took place, but authorities were investigating.

More aggressive drone strikes that hit inside Pakistani territory are one of the steps that US&nbsp;officials have said could be taken if Islamabad does not end safe havens for militants.

Pakistan has sought to downplay several recent drone strikes inside the border, with officials saying they were on the Afghan side even though local residents said they were in Pakistan.

In October, three suspected strikes in two days killed 31 people who officials said belonged to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, allied to the Taliban.

Those attacks came days after a Canadian-American couple held hostage by the Taliban were freed from the area in Pakistan&#39;s northwest, striking a rare positive note in the country&#39;s often-fraught relations with the United States.

There have been multiple unverified US?drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan's Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US?President Donald Trump took office in January

A suspected US drone attack along the Pakistani-Afghan border killed an Islamist militant commander and one of his associates on Tuesday, a Pakistani official in the remote area said. It was not immediately clear whether the missile struck on the Afghan or Pakistani side or the border. There have been multiple unverified US drone strikes in the mountainous border region separating Pakistan's Kurram Agency from Afghanistan since US President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump has taken a hardline stance on Pakistan, which he says provides safe haven to terrorists including the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network carrying out attacks in Afghanistan. Tuesday's suspected drone attack targeted the vehicle of a militant commander named Jamiuddin, said a Pakistani official in the area, speaking on condition of anonymity. Another witness reported seeing the strike near the Mata Sanghar area of Kurram agency, across from the Afghan province of Paktia. "I saw two missiles hit the vehicle and the people inside were killed," said witness Rehmanullah. The local official said it was unclear which side of the border the attack took place, but authorities were investigating. More aggressive drone strikes that hit inside Pakistani territory are one of the steps that US officials have said could be taken if Islamabad does not end safe havens for militants. Pakistan has sought to downplay several recent drone strikes inside the border, with officials saying they were on the Afghan side even though local residents said they were in Pakistan. In October, three suspected strikes in two days killed 31 people who officials said belonged to the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani Network, allied to the Taliban. Those attacks came days after a Canadian-American couple held hostage by the Taliban were freed from the area in Pakistan's northwest, striking a rare positive note in the country's often-fraught relations with the United States.

Suspected US drone kills militants on Pakistan-Afghan border

On Christmas Eve, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump took calls from children, asking them what they wanted most from Santa, and revealing what was on his own wish list.

One boy wanted building blocks. Another wished for his grandma to get out of the hospital.

And as for Trump - who has sent a series of combative tweets since arriving at his Florida vacation home - he said he wants &quot;peace for the country.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;ve got prosperity - now we want peace,&quot; Trump told a child named Ryan, who called the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to check on Santa&#39;s progress.

Every year on Christmas eve NORAD purports to track the flight of Santa and his reindeer-pulled sleigh, a tradition since 1955 when a department store misprinted a phone number, sending a flood of calls to a NORAD colonel, who played along.

Sitting in a gold chair beside first lady Melania Trump in an ornate, tapestried great room, the president enthusiastically chatted with youngsters and their parents. Reporters in the room could hear only the president&#39;s side of the conversation.

In his trademark brash style honed during a career in the New York real estate world, Trump predicted the kids would have the greatest Christmas ever.

&quot;I&#39;ll make a prediction - Santa is going to treat you well. Really well. The best he&#39;s ever treated you,&quot; he told one child from Mississippi, throwing in an invitation to come to the Oval Office sometime.

Casper from Arlington, Virginia, was a child after Trump&#39;s own heart. &quot;Building blocks! That&#39;s what I always liked too,&quot; the president exclaimed.

&quot;I predict that Santa will bring you building blocks, so many you won&#39;t be able to use them all,&quot; he said.

As for Ryan, he told Trump he wanted his grandmother to come home from the hospital.

&quot;That is great. That&#39;s better than asking for some toy or something,&quot; Trump said.

As for Trump - who has sent a series of combative tweets since arriving at his Florida vacation home - he said he wants "peace for the country."

On Christmas Eve, US President Donald Trump took calls from children, asking them what they wanted most from Santa, and revealing what was on his own wish list. One boy wanted building blocks. Another wished for his grandma to get out of the hospital. And as for Trump - who has sent a series of combative tweets since arriving at his Florida vacation home - he said he wants "peace for the country." "We've got prosperity - now we want peace," Trump told a child named Ryan, who called the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to check on Santa's progress. Every year on Christmas eve NORAD purports to track the flight of Santa and his reindeer-pulled sleigh, a tradition since 1955 when a department store misprinted a phone number, sending a flood of calls to a NORAD colonel, who played along. Sitting in a gold chair beside first lady Melania Trump in an ornate, tapestried great room, the president enthusiastically chatted with youngsters and their parents. Reporters in the room could hear only the president's side of the conversation. In his trademark brash style honed during a career in the New York real estate world, Trump predicted the kids would have the greatest Christmas ever. "I'll make a prediction - Santa is going to treat you well. Really well. The best he's ever treated you," he told one child from Mississippi, throwing in an invitation to come to the Oval Office sometime. Casper from Arlington, Virginia, was a child after Trump's own heart. "Building blocks! That's what I always liked too," the president exclaimed. "I predict that Santa will bring you building blocks, so many you won't be able to use them all," he said. As for Ryan, he told Trump he wanted his grandmother to come home from the hospital. "That is great. That's better than asking for some toy or something," Trump said.

Trump's Christmas wish: 'We've got prosperity, Now we want peace'

Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes as Christmas celebrations began in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away with tensions still simmering following Washington&#39;s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass.

On Bethlehem&#39;s Manger Square, hundreds of Palestinians and tourists gathered in the cold near a huge nativity scene and Christmas tree to watch the annual scout parade.

They took pictures as a marching band made its way through the square towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus.

The square usually throngs with tourists on Christmas Eve, but clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks have kept people away this year.

Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump&#39;s declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest.

Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, a town near Bethlehem, said Trump&#39;s decision had made the run-up to Christmas &quot;miserable&quot;.

&quot;People are only going out to vent,&quot; said the 67-year-old, whose granddaughter wore a Santa Claus hat and clutched a pink balloon.

Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem.

Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Bethlehem after noon and shook hands with local personalities on his way to the Church of the Nativity.

Pizzaballa said last week that &quot;dozens&quot; of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump&#39;s announcement.

But Israel&#39;s tourism ministry has said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016.

An Israeli police spokesman said that extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the travel and access for the &quot;thousands of tourists and visitors&quot;.

And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas.

&quot;We&#39;ve reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario,&quot; Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP.

Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community.

Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and interpreted Trump&#39;s statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this.

In a statement before Christmas, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump&#39;s announcement &quot;encouraged the illegal disconnection between the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, both separated for the first time in over 2,000 years of Christianity&quot;.

Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a &quot;mix of sadness and joy&quot; because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called &quot;the beating heart of Palestine.&quot;

In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017.

Hundreds entered the church, chanting slogans calling for its demolition, destroying furniture and attacking worshippers before security forces restored order.

Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of the Syrian capital Damascus this year.

In the central city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins.

In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul.

Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city&#39;s recapture from the Islamic State group in July.

The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass

Palestinian scouts played drums and bagpipes as Christmas celebrations began in Bethlehem on Sunday, but many tourists stayed away with tensions still simmering following Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. The December 6 announcement by US President Donald Trump unleashed demonstrations and clashes, including in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank where Christians will mark the birth of Jesus in a midnight mass. On Bethlehem's Manger Square, hundreds of Palestinians and tourists gathered in the cold near a huge nativity scene and Christmas tree to watch the annual scout parade. They took pictures as a marching band made its way through the square towards the Church of the Nativity, built over the spot where tradition says Mary gave birth to Jesus. The square usually throngs with tourists on Christmas Eve, but clashes between Palestinian protesters and the Israeli army in the past weeks have kept people away this year. Twelve Palestinians have been killed since Trump's declaration, including a 19-year-old who died of his wounds on Sunday nine days after he was shot during a Gaza protest. Nahil Banura, a Christian woman from Beit Sahur, a town near Bethlehem, said Trump's decision had made the run-up to Christmas "miserable". "People are only going out to vent," said the 67-year-old, whose granddaughter wore a Santa Claus hat and clutched a pink balloon. Perhaps as few as 50,000 Palestinian Christians make up just around two percent of the predominantly Muslim population of the West Bank and east Jerusalem. Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, arrived in Bethlehem after noon and shook hands with local personalities on his way to the Church of the Nativity. Pizzaballa said last week that "dozens" of foreign visitors had cancelled their Christmas trips after Trump's announcement. But Israel's tourism ministry has said Christmas preparations have not been affected, and it expects a 20 percent increase in the number of Christian pilgrims this year compared with 2016. An Israeli police spokesman said that extra units would be deployed in Jerusalem and at the crossings to Bethlehem to ease the travel and access for the "thousands of tourists and visitors". And the Israeli army officer in charge of the Bethlehem area said that while tensions had been high in the area following the Jerusalem announcement, he did not expect trouble on Christmas. "We've reinforced our troops, and are ready for any scenario," Lieutenant Colonel Benny Meir told AFP. Israel seized east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed it, in moves never recognised by the international community. Palestinians view east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state, and interpreted Trump's statement as rejecting their right to a capital in east Jerusalem, although the Americans deny this. In a statement before Christmas, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas said Trump's announcement "encouraged the illegal disconnection between the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, both separated for the first time in over 2,000 years of Christianity". Mitri Raheb, pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, told AFP on Sunday that Christmas this year is a "mix of sadness and joy" because of the US decision on Jerusalem, which he called "the beating heart of Palestine." In neighbouring Egypt, Coptic Christians who celebrate Christmas on January 6 saw a church in Giza attacked by a mob following Muslim prayers on Friday, the latest in some 20 such incidents in 2017. Hundreds entered the church, chanting slogans calling for its demolition, destroying furniture and attacking worshippers before security forces restored order. Christmas decorations have meanwhile become more visible in Christian areas of the Syrian capital Damascus this year. In the central city of Homs, Christians will celebrate Christmas with great fanfare for the first time in years after the end of battles between regime and rebel forces, with processions, shows for children and even decorations among the ruins. In Iraq too, this year marks a positive turning point for the Christian community in the northern city of Mosul. Hymns filled a Mosul church on Sunday as worshippers celebrated Christmas for the first time in four years after the city's recapture from the Islamic State group in July.

Jerusalem tensions cast shadow over Holy Land Christmas

A US appeals court on Friday said President Donald Trump&#39;s hotly contested travel ban targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries should not be applied to people with strong US ties.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers several West Coast states, also said its ruling would be put on hold pending a decision on the latest version of the travel ban from the Trump administration by the US&nbsp;Supreme Court.

Since taking office in January, Trump has been struggling to enact a ban that passes court muster.

A three-judge panel from the 9th Circuit narrowed a previous injunction from a lower federal court to those people &quot;with a credible bona fide relationship with the United States.&quot;

It also said that while the US president has broad powers to regulate the entry of immigrants into the United States, those powers are not without limits.

&quot;We conclude that the President&rsquo;s issuance of the Proclamation once again exceeds the scope of his delegated authority,&quot; the panel said.

The ban targets people from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen seeking to enter the United States. The Republican president has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism.

The state of Hawaii, however, challenged it in court, and a Honolulu federal judge said it exceeded Trump&#39;s powers under immigration law.

Trump&#39;s ban also covers people from North Korea and certain government officials from Venezuela, but the lower courts had already allowed those provisions to go into effect.

The same three judge 9th Circuit panel, which limited a previous version of Trump&#39;s ban, heard arguments earlier this month. Some of the judges appeared more cautious toward the idea of blocking the president&#39;s policy.

Trump issued his first travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries in January, which caused chaos at airports and mass protests.

He issued a revised one in March after the first was blocked by federal courts.

That expired in September after a long court fight, and was replaced with the current version.

The ban has some exceptions. Certain people from each targeted country can still apply for a visa for tourism, business or education purposes, and any applicant can ask for an individual waiver.

U.S. Justice Department officials were not immediately available for comment.

The US?Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit also said its ruling will be put on hold pending a decision on the travel ban by US?Supreme Court.

A US appeals court on Friday said President Donald Trump's hotly contested travel ban targeting people from six Muslim-majority countries should not be applied to people with strong US ties. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers several West Coast states, also said its ruling would be put on hold pending a decision on the latest version of the travel ban from the Trump administration by the US Supreme Court. Since taking office in January, Trump has been struggling to enact a ban that passes court muster. A three-judge panel from the 9th Circuit narrowed a previous injunction from a lower federal court to those people "with a credible bona fide relationship with the United States." It also said that while the US president has broad powers to regulate the entry of immigrants into the United States, those powers are not without limits. "We conclude that the President’s issuance of the Proclamation once again exceeds the scope of his delegated authority," the panel said. The ban targets people from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen seeking to enter the United States. The Republican president has said the travel ban is needed to protect the United States from terrorism. The state of Hawaii, however, challenged it in court, and a Honolulu federal judge said it exceeded Trump's powers under immigration law. Trump's ban also covers people from North Korea and certain government officials from Venezuela, but the lower courts had already allowed those provisions to go into effect. The same three judge 9th Circuit panel, which limited a previous version of Trump's ban, heard arguments earlier this month. Some of the judges appeared more cautious toward the idea of blocking the president's policy. Trump issued his first travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries in January, which caused chaos at airports and mass protests. He issued a revised one in March after the first was blocked by federal courts. That expired in September after a long court fight, and was replaced with the current version. The ban has some exceptions. Certain people from each targeted country can still apply for a visa for tourism, business or education purposes, and any applicant can ask for an individual waiver. U.S. Justice Department officials were not immediately available for comment.

Trump travel ban should not be applied to people with strong US ties: Court

At least two Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces amid protests over US President Donald Trump&#39;s Jerusalem move, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

According to Al Jazeera, the ministry in a statement said that two Palestinians were killed and over 70 others were injured during clashes with Israeli forces in northern Gaza near the border with Israel.

The dead men have been identified as Zakaria al-Kafarneh who died after being shot in the chest in clashes near Jabalia, in northern Gaza and Mohammed Mohaisen who died later in clashes in east of Gaza City, according to the reports.

Thousands of Palestinians participated in &quot;violent riots&quot; along the Gaza border and across the West Bank &quot;hurling firebombs and rocks and rolling burning tires&quot; at Israeli forces, the Israeli military stated.

Troops responded with tear gas and deployed live fire &quot;selectively toward main instigators,&quot; it added.

Protesters chanted &quot;Trump is a coward. Trump is a fool&quot;. Among the wounded one man was dressed as Santa Claus and also was holding a Palestinian flag.

This came a day after when in a major blow to the United States, 128 countries voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling on Washington DC to withdraw its unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

President Trump reversed decades of US&nbsp;policy on December 6 when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

Trump&#39;s Jerusalem move has prompted international criticism and sparked protests across the world.

Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites.

However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

According to Al Jazeera, the ministry in a statement said that two Palestinians were killed and over 70 others were injured during clashes with Israeli forces in northern Gaza near the border with Israel

At least two Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli forces amid protests over US President Donald Trump's Jerusalem move, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. According to Al Jazeera, the ministry in a statement said that two Palestinians were killed and over 70 others were injured during clashes with Israeli forces in northern Gaza near the border with Israel. The dead men have been identified as Zakaria al-Kafarneh who died after being shot in the chest in clashes near Jabalia, in northern Gaza and Mohammed Mohaisen who died later in clashes in east of Gaza City, according to the reports. Thousands of Palestinians participated in "violent riots" along the Gaza border and across the West Bank "hurling firebombs and rocks and rolling burning tires" at Israeli forces, the Israeli military stated. Troops responded with tear gas and deployed live fire "selectively toward main instigators," it added. Protesters chanted "Trump is a coward. Trump is a fool". Among the wounded one man was dressed as Santa Claus and also was holding a Palestinian flag. This came a day after when in a major blow to the United States, 128 countries voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution calling on Washington DC to withdraw its unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. President Trump reversed decades of US policy on December 6 when he recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Trump's Jerusalem move has prompted international criticism and sparked protests across the world. Jerusalem is considered a sacred place, which is home to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holy sites. However, it is also a disputed territory, contested by both Israel and Palestine, which sees it as a capital of its future state.

2 Palestinians dead in clashes over Trump's Jerusalem move

US President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on notice for providing safe haven to the Taliban and other terror organisations in its soil, Vice President Mike Pence said during his unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

&quot;For too long Pakistan has provided safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organisations, but those days are over,&quot; Pence told American troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan.

&quot;President Trump has put Pakistan on notice,&quot; Pence said, addressing about 500 troops in a hangar decorated with Christmas decorations and massive armoured vehicles.

&quot;As the President said, so I say now: Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the US, and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists,&quot; the vice president said, issuing another stern warning to Pakistan, for which using non-state actors against its two neighbours India and Afghanistan has been part of its national security policy.

Trump, he said, has unleashed the full range of American military might.

&quot;We&#39;ve lifted the restrictions that limited the effectiveness of our armed forces, so you can, as the President has said, fully and swiftly wage battle against the enemy,&quot; he said.

The Trump Administration, he said, has given the troops new authorities to directly target the terrorists and militants no matter where they hide. 
He has empowered battlefield commanders with the freedom and flexibility they need to win.

Pence said this new strategy is already bearing fruit all across Afghanistan.

&quot;American people deserve to know that with the courage of everyone gathered here, we&#39;re making real progress in this fight for freedom in Afghanistan. We&#39;ve dramatically increased American air strikes. And together with our Afghan partners, we&#39;ve put the Taliban on the defensive,&quot; he said.

&quot;We&#39;ve prevented them from launching a major campaign against a provincial capital for the first time in three years. We&#39;ve targeted the Taliban&#39;s funding as never before through renewed attacks on its drug trafficking networks,? Pence said.

&quot;All across this country we&#39;ve won new victories against the terrorists, no matter what they call themselves or where they try to hide. Our enemies will have no time to recover or rebuild because we will continue to bring overwhelming force to defeat them every day, every time,&quot; Pence said.

Trump, according to him, has ordered the integration of every facet of American power, diplomatic and economic measures to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan.

&quot;And until that day comes, you can be assured, we will be relentless in our campaign to destroy our enemies. Because as history attests, weakness arouses evil, and peace only comes through strength. So be strong and courageous, and do the work of freedom,&quot; Pence said.

In Afghanistan, Pence met the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah.

&quot;We discussed the progress that we&#39;ve made in this country and America&#39;s commitment to the Afghan government and the commitment of the Afghanis to their own freedom in this land,&quot; he said.

&quot;I said to them what I say to you now:? Under President Donald Trump, the Armed Forces of the United States will remain engaged in Afghanistan until we eliminate the terrorist threat to our homeland, our people once and for all,&quot; he added.

&nbsp;

Trump, he said, has unleashed the full range of American military might.

US President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on notice for providing safe haven to the Taliban and other terror organisations in its soil, Vice President Mike Pence said during his unannounced visit to Afghanistan. "For too long Pakistan has provided safe haven to the Taliban and many terrorist organisations, but those days are over," Pence told American troops at the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. "President Trump has put Pakistan on notice," Pence said, addressing about 500 troops in a hangar decorated with Christmas decorations and massive armoured vehicles. "As the President said, so I say now: Pakistan has much to gain from partnering with the US, and Pakistan has much to lose by continuing to harbor criminals and terrorists," the vice president said, issuing another stern warning to Pakistan, for which using non-state actors against its two neighbours India and Afghanistan has been part of its national security policy. Trump, he said, has unleashed the full range of American military might. "We've lifted the restrictions that limited the effectiveness of our armed forces, so you can, as the President has said, fully and swiftly wage battle against the enemy," he said. The Trump Administration, he said, has given the troops new authorities to directly target the terrorists and militants no matter where they hide. He has empowered battlefield commanders with the freedom and flexibility they need to win. Pence said this new strategy is already bearing fruit all across Afghanistan. "American people deserve to know that with the courage of everyone gathered here, we're making real progress in this fight for freedom in Afghanistan. We've dramatically increased American air strikes. And together with our Afghan partners, we've put the Taliban on the defensive," he said. "We've prevented them from launching a major campaign against a provincial capital for the first time in three years. We've targeted the Taliban's funding as never before through renewed attacks on its drug trafficking networks,? Pence said. "All across this country we've won new victories against the terrorists, no matter what they call themselves or where they try to hide. Our enemies will have no time to recover or rebuild because we will continue to bring overwhelming force to defeat them every day, every time," Pence said. Trump, according to him, has ordered the integration of every facet of American power, diplomatic and economic measures to achieve lasting peace in Afghanistan. "And until that day comes, you can be assured, we will be relentless in our campaign to destroy our enemies. Because as history attests, weakness arouses evil, and peace only comes through strength. So be strong and courageous, and do the work of freedom," Pence said. In Afghanistan, Pence met the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah. "We discussed the progress that we've made in this country and America's commitment to the Afghan government and the commitment of the Afghanis to their own freedom in this land," he said. "I said to them what I say to you now:? Under President Donald Trump, the Armed Forces of the United States will remain engaged in Afghanistan until we eliminate the terrorist threat to our homeland, our people once and for all," he added.

President Donald Trump has put Pakistan on notice: Mike Pence

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a sweeping overhaul of the US tax code, two days after the Republican plan was adopted by Congress in a major political victory.

Trump signed the bill shortly before departing for a year-end break at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, pulling forward a formal signing initially planned for January.

&quot;I watched the news this morning and they were all saying, will he keep his promise, will he sign it by Christmas?&quot; Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office.

&quot;And I called downstairs and said &#39;Get it ready, we have to sign it now.&#39;&quot;

Trump this week celebrated his first major legislative victory since taking office a year ago as the US Congress passed a massive Republican tax cut plan.

The $1.5 trillion overhaul will impact every corner of the US economy through dramatic tax cuts for corporations and temporary reductions for individuals.

&quot;As you know, $3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families,&quot; Trump said. &quot;And they&#39;re going to start to see that because we&#39;re signing today.&quot;

&quot;We&#39;re going to bring back probably $4 trillion from overseas,&quot; he said. &quot;Corporations are literally going wild over this.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;This is something that Republicans wanted for years and Democrats wanted for years and yet it never got done. Now it&#39;s being done.&quot;

Trump departed the White House right after the signing ceremony for what he told reporters would be a working holiday.

&quot;We&#39;ll be working in Florida, I&#39;ll be working very hard during that Christmas because we have many things we&#39;re talking about, including North Korea, including a lot of things happening in the Middle East as you know.&quot;

The US leader also signed into law a short-term funding bill that will keep the federal government running until January 19, averting a looming shutdown.

The temporary funding extension gives more time to lawmakers from both parties to reach an agreement on funding for the remainder of the 2018 fiscal year, which ends September 30.&nbsp;

The bill adopted by Congress on Thursday also unlocks four billion dollars to build a new missile base in Alaska, and to repair US Navy ships damaged in recent accidents.

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Trump signed the bill shortly before departing for a year-end break at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, pulling forward a formal signing initially planned for January

US President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law a sweeping overhaul of the US tax code, two days after the Republican plan was adopted by Congress in a major political victory. Trump signed the bill shortly before departing for a year-end break at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, pulling forward a formal signing initially planned for January. "I watched the news this morning and they were all saying, will he keep his promise, will he sign it by Christmas?" Trump told reporters gathered in the Oval Office. "And I called downstairs and said 'Get it ready, we have to sign it now.'" Trump this week celebrated his first major legislative victory since taking office a year ago as the US Congress passed a massive Republican tax cut plan. The $1.5 trillion overhaul will impact every corner of the US economy through dramatic tax cuts for corporations and temporary reductions for individuals. "As you know, $3.2 trillion in tax cuts for American families," Trump said. "And they're going to start to see that because we're signing today." "We're going to bring back probably $4 trillion from overseas," he said. "Corporations are literally going wild over this." "This is something that Republicans wanted for years and Democrats wanted for years and yet it never got done. Now it's being done." Trump departed the White House right after the signing ceremony for what he told reporters would be a working holiday. "We'll be working in Florida, I'll be working very hard during that Christmas because we have many things we're talking about, including North Korea, including a lot of things happening in the Middle East as you know." The US leader also signed into law a short-term funding bill that will keep the federal government running until January 19, averting a looming shutdown. The temporary funding extension gives more time to lawmakers from both parties to reach an agreement on funding for the remainder of the 2018 fiscal year, which ends September 30. The bill adopted by Congress on Thursday also unlocks four billion dollars to build a new missile base in Alaska, and to repair US Navy ships damaged in recent accidents.

Trump signs sweeping tax overhaul, sealing major victory

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks known for giving remarkable performances in his movies has now said that he would refuse any invitation from The White House to screen his recently released movie &quot;The Post&quot;.&nbsp;

Tom Hanks along with Meryl Streep starred in &quot;The Post&quot; directed by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg that tells the true story of how top secret Pentagon Papers were released.&nbsp;

In an interview, Tom Hanks talking about his film said, &ldquo;I don&#39;t think I would. Because I think that at some point &mdash; look, I didn&#39;t think things were going to be this way last November. I would not have been able to imagine that we would be living in a country where neo-Nazis are doing torchlight parades in Charlottesville [Va.] and jokes about Pocahontas are being made in front of the Navajo code talkers. And individually we have to decide when we take to the ramparts.&rdquo;

He continued:&nbsp;&ldquo;You don&#39;t take to the ramparts necessarily right away, but you do have to start weighing things. You may think: &lsquo;You know what? I think now is the time.&rsquo; This is the moment where, in some ways, our personal choices are going to have to reflect our opinions. We have to start voting, actually, before the election. So, I would probably vote not to go.&rdquo;

&quot;The Post&quot; depicts the story of the Washington Post&rsquo;s decision in the 1970s to publish the top secret Pentagon Papers, which held details about the United State&rsquo;s involvement in the Vietnam War. The paper ultimately decided to publish the documents despite pressure from then-president Richard Nixon not to.

Hanks plays the paper&rsquo;s editor, Ben Bradlee.

&nbsp;

The films is about the true story of how The Washington Post and The New York Times worked together to publish the Pentagon Papers, which exposed actions the US government had taken during the Vietnam that was kept a secret

Hollywood actor Tom Hanks known for giving remarkable performances in his movies has now said that he would refuse any invitation from The White House to screen his recently released movie "The Post". Tom Hanks along with Meryl Streep starred in "The Post" directed by acclaimed filmmaker Steven Spielberg that tells the true story of how top secret Pentagon Papers were released. In an interview, Tom Hanks talking about his film said, “I don't think I would. Because I think that at some point — look, I didn't think things were going to be this way last November. I would not have been able to imagine that we would be living in a country where neo-Nazis are doing torchlight parades in Charlottesville [Va.] and jokes about Pocahontas are being made in front of the Navajo code talkers. And individually we have to decide when we take to the ramparts.” He continued: “You don't take to the ramparts necessarily right away, but you do have to start weighing things. You may think: ‘You know what? I think now is the time.’ This is the moment where, in some ways, our personal choices are going to have to reflect our opinions. We have to start voting, actually, before the election. So, I would probably vote not to go.” "The Post" depicts the story of the Washington Post’s decision in the 1970s to publish the top secret Pentagon Papers, which held details about the United State’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The paper ultimately decided to publish the documents despite pressure from then-president Richard Nixon not to. Hanks plays the paper’s editor, Ben Bradlee.

Tom Hanks says he wouldn't screen 'The Post' for President Trump at the White House

The Republican-controlled US Congress on Thursday passed a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government running for four more weeks, averting a looming shutdown.

Members of the House of voted 231-188 for the bill and the Senate followed with a 66 to 32 vote.

The temporary funding extension,&nbsp;which lasts until January 19, gives more time to lawmakers from both parties to reach an agreement on funding for the remainder of the 2018 fiscal year, which ends September 30.&nbsp;

Opposition Democrats had the numbers to block the Republican bill in the Senate, giving them the ability leverage concessions from the majority party on policy priorities.

Some Democratic senators opposed the measure because it did not address the fate of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who came to the United States as children, whose status has been thrown into doubt by President Donald Trump.

In the House, some Republicans had threatened to vote &quot;no&quot; on the temporary funding bill because it does not fund the Department of Defense for the entire year.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Trump accused Democrats of trying to block the bill in order to close down the federal government -- something that did not in the end occur.

&quot;House Democrats want a SHUTDOWN for the holidays in order to distract from the very popular, just passed, Tax Cuts. House Republicans, don&#39;t let this happen,&quot; he tweeted. &quot;Pass the (bill) TODAY and keep our Government OPEN!&quot;&nbsp;

The House also approved $81 billion in funding on Thursday for states and territories devastated by hurricanes and wildfires this summer and fall.

Members of the House of voted 231-188 for the bill and the Senate followed with a 66 to 32 vote

The Republican-controlled US Congress on Thursday passed a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government running for four more weeks, averting a looming shutdown. Members of the House of voted 231-188 for the bill and the Senate followed with a 66 to 32 vote. The temporary funding extension, which lasts until January 19, gives more time to lawmakers from both parties to reach an agreement on funding for the remainder of the 2018 fiscal year, which ends September 30. Opposition Democrats had the numbers to block the Republican bill in the Senate, giving them the ability leverage concessions from the majority party on policy priorities. Some Democratic senators opposed the measure because it did not address the fate of hundreds of thousands of young immigrants who came to the United States as children, whose status has been thrown into doubt by President Donald Trump. In the House, some Republicans had threatened to vote "no" on the temporary funding bill because it does not fund the Department of Defense for the entire year. Earlier in the day, Trump accused Democrats of trying to block the bill in order to close down the federal government -- something that did not in the end occur. "House Democrats want a SHUTDOWN for the holidays in order to distract from the very popular, just passed, Tax Cuts. House Republicans, don't let this happen," he tweeted. "Pass the (bill) TODAY and keep our Government OPEN!" The House also approved $81 billion in funding on Thursday for states and territories devastated by hurricanes and wildfires this summer and fall.

US Congress approves short-term budget to avoid shutdown

China on Tuesday decried US President Donald Trump&#39;s first National Security Strategy, which described Beijing as a challenge to American power, as a &quot;Cold War mentality&quot; that will only harm Washington.

&quot;Any country, or any report, which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain,&quot; foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing.

The two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods.

Trump&#39;s security strategy -- 11 months in the making -- takes a step further, pillorying China as a &quot;revisionist power&quot; seeking to displace the United States in Asia.

&quot;We urge the United States to stop intentionally distorting China&#39;s strategic intentions and to abandon outdated notions such as the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, otherwise it will only harm itself or others,&quot; Hua said.

Hua launched a vigorous defence of Beijing&#39;s foreign policy.&nbsp;

&quot;China will never pursue its own development at the expense of other countries&#39; interests.&quot;&nbsp;

Hua added: &quot;At the same time we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests.&quot;

The security strategy contrasts with the friendly nature of Trump&#39;s first state visit to Beijing in November, when he received a lavish welcome and repeatedly praised President Xi Jinping.

Trump's security strategy -- 11 months in the making -- takes a step further, pillorying China as a 'revisionist power' seeking to displace the United States in Asia

China on Tuesday decried US President Donald Trump's first National Security Strategy, which described Beijing as a challenge to American power, as a "Cold War mentality" that will only harm Washington. "Any country, or any report, which distorts the facts, or maliciously slanders will only do so in vain," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing. The two countries have been locked in an increasingly acrimonious battle over trade issues, with Washington taking unprecedented steps to investigate and add tariffs to Chinese-made goods. Trump's security strategy -- 11 months in the making -- takes a step further, pillorying China as a "revisionist power" seeking to displace the United States in Asia. "We urge the United States to stop intentionally distorting China's strategic intentions and to abandon outdated notions such as the Cold War mentality and zero-sum game, otherwise it will only harm itself or others," Hua said. Hua launched a vigorous defence of Beijing's foreign policy. "China will never pursue its own development at the expense of other countries' interests." Hua added: "At the same time we will never give up our legitimate rights and interests." The security strategy contrasts with the friendly nature of Trump's first state visit to Beijing in November, when he received a lavish welcome and repeatedly praised President Xi Jinping.

China slams US security strategy as 'Cold War mentality'

US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take &quot;decisive action&quot; against terror groups operating on its soil, as he unveiled America&#39;s new National Security Strategy.

The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the National Security Strategy (NSS) said.

Mandated by the Congress, Trump yesterday released his first NSS, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts.

&quot;We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help,&quot; Trump said in his remarks as he announced the NSS.

Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from the US since the 9/11 terror attacks.

&quot;We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country&#39;s support for militants and terrorists who target a partner&#39;s own service members and officials,&quot; it said.

The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security.

The Trump administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups.

On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

&quot;If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan?s global reputation,&quot; the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said.

On Afghanistan, the US will continue to partner with it to promote peace and security in the region, it said.

&quot;We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations,&quot; it added.

In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders.

&quot;For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror,&quot; he said and asked Pakistan to &quot;demonstrate&quot; its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace.

The US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan&#39;s safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond.

Since then top US leadership, including the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have visited Pakistan to press the latter.

Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.&nbsp;

Trump asked Pakistan to intensify its efforts as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy

US President Donald Trump has asked Pakistan to take "decisive action" against terror groups operating on its soil, as he unveiled America's new National Security Strategy. The US will also encourage Pakistan to continue demonstrating that it is a responsible steward of its nuclear assets, the National Security Strategy (NSS) said. Mandated by the Congress, Trump yesterday released his first NSS, according to which the US has asked Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts. "We have made clear to Pakistan that while we desire continued partnership, we must see decisive action against terrorist groups operating on their territory. And we make massive payments every year to Pakistan. They have to help," Trump said in his remarks as he announced the NSS. Pakistan has received more than USD 33 billion from the US since the 9/11 terror attacks. "We will press Pakistan to intensify its counterterrorism efforts, since no partnership can survive a country's support for militants and terrorists who target a partner's own service members and officials," it said. The NSS links its efforts to build trade and investment ties with Pakistan with improvement in security. The Trump administration has been talking tough with Pakistan after it came to power, but has stopped short of taking any action against it even though the Pakistani leadership have shown reluctance in taking decisive actions against terrorist groups. On November 25, the White House asked Pakistan to immediately re-arrest and prosecute Hafiz Saeed, leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba. "If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan?s global reputation," the White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders had said. On Afghanistan, the US will continue to partner with it to promote peace and security in the region, it said. "We will continue to promote anti-corruption reform in Afghanistan to increase the legitimacy of its government and reduce the appeal of violent extremist organisations," it added. In his South Asia speech on August 21, Trump became the first US president to publicly point out for its support to terrorist outfits and leaders. "For its part, Pakistan often gives safe haven to agents of chaos, violence, and terror," he said and asked Pakistan to "demonstrate" its commitment to civilisation, order, and to peace. The US, Trump then said, can no longer be silent about Pakistan's safe havens for terrorist organisations, the Taliban, and other groups that pose a threat to the region and beyond. Since then top US leadership, including the Defence Secretary Jim Mattis and the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, have visited Pakistan to press the latter. Mattis has refused to give necessary certification to Pakistan that it is taking action against Haqqani network, as a result of which blocking several hundred million coalition support funds to Islamabad.

US asks Pakistan to take 'decisive action' against terror groups

Japan and South Korea urged China to do more to &quot;pressure&quot; North Korea to end its nuclear and missile programmes, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said on Tuesday, as tension builds amid a standoff between North Korea and the United States.

North Korea has boasted of developing a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching the mainland United States in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and international condemnation, including from its lone major ally, China.

&quot;China is currently implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions (on North Korea), but China can probably do more&quot;, Kono said after talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.&nbsp;&quot;We agreed on the need to put pressure firmly on North Korea&quot;.

The US Navy&#39;s top officer said on Tuesday said that vessels from eastern Pacific could be brought forward to reinforce US naval power in Asia as Washington contends with increased threats in the region.

North Korea has defended its weapons programmes as necessary to counter US aggression and sees the military drills the United States holds with South Korea and Japan as preludes to invasion.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged bellicose rhetoric in recent weeks, with Trump threatening to destroy North Korea if provoked, while US diplomats have stressed the importance of diplomacy.

Trump on Monday unveiled a new national security strategy, again saying Washington had to deal with the challenge posed by North Korea&#39;s weapons programmes.&nbsp;

Japan and South Korea are seeking to boost cooperation over North Korea, despite lingering tension between them over the issue of &quot;comfort women&quot;, a Japanese euphemism for women - many of them Korean - forced to work in Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two.

The United States has also pressured China and other nations to cut trade and diplomatic ties with North Korea as part of international efforts to dry up Pyongyang&#39;s illegal cash flows that could fund its weapons programmes.

North Korea has defended its weapons programmes as necessary to counter US aggression

Japan and South Korea urged China to do more to "pressure" North Korea to end its nuclear and missile programmes, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said on Tuesday, as tension builds amid a standoff between North Korea and the United States. North Korea has boasted of developing a missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and reaching the mainland United States in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and international condemnation, including from its lone major ally, China. "China is currently implementing the United Nations Security Council resolutions (on North Korea), but China can probably do more", Kono said after talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha. "We agreed on the need to put pressure firmly on North Korea". The US Navy's top officer said on Tuesday said that vessels from eastern Pacific could be brought forward to reinforce US naval power in Asia as Washington contends with increased threats in the region. North Korea has defended its weapons programmes as necessary to counter US aggression and sees the military drills the United States holds with South Korea and Japan as preludes to invasion. US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have exchanged bellicose rhetoric in recent weeks, with Trump threatening to destroy North Korea if provoked, while US diplomats have stressed the importance of diplomacy. Trump on Monday unveiled a new national security strategy, again saying Washington had to deal with the challenge posed by North Korea's weapons programmes. Japan and South Korea are seeking to boost cooperation over North Korea, despite lingering tension between them over the issue of "comfort women", a Japanese euphemism for women - many of them Korean - forced to work in Japanese military brothels before and during World War Two. The United States has also pressured China and other nations to cut trade and diplomatic ties with North Korea as part of international efforts to dry up Pyongyang's illegal cash flows that could fund its weapons programmes.

Japan and South Korea urge China to do more to 'pressure' North Korea

Donald Trump&rsquo;s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel potentially sets the stage for a controversial American effort &mdash; backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates &mdash; to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US and the two Gulf states see an American peace plan-in-the-making as a way for more overt cooperation with Israel in confronting Iran, whom they accuse of destabilising the Middle East.

In doing so, the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are navigating a minefield. Protests against President Trump&rsquo;s move have, so far, underplayed the link between the fight against Iran and apparent Saudi and Emirati willingness to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace, which include East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Abu Dis, capital of Palestine?

That could change as US plans for Israeli-Palestinian peace crystalise and the link to the Saudi-Iranian rivalry manifests itself. According to a Lebanese official, at the core of the US draft plan is the controversial suggestion that Abu Dis &mdash; a Palestinian village bordering Jerusalem &mdash; would be the capital of a future Palestinian state, instead of East Jerusalem.

Perceived Saudi and Emirati backing for the proposal, which is reportedly being drafted by Trump&rsquo;s aide and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would bring anger at alleged Arab complicity to the forefront, fuel the persistent anti-US and anti-Israel protests, and complicate the campaign by the US and the two Gulf states against Iran.

The notion that Abu Dis could replace East Jerusalem has been around for almost two decades. It failed to garner support during the 2000 Camp David peace talks because Arab and Palestinian leaders rejected it. Saudi and Emirati eagerness to work with Israel, coupled with Trump&rsquo;s seemingly unqualified support for the Jewish state, has given the proposal a new lease on life.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite their official condemnation of Trump&rsquo;s recognition of Jerusalem, have signalled a willingness to be more flexible by continuing to support Kushner&rsquo;s effort and playing a low-key, if not dampening, role in the Arab and Muslim rejection of the president&rsquo;s move.

Ironically, differences among Arab leaders about how to respond to Trump&rsquo;s Jerusalem comments may have temporarily prevented Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from adding Palestine to a string of failed foreign policy moves aimed at escalating the kingdom&rsquo;s proxy war with Iran. Prince Mohammed&rsquo;s devastating military intervention in Yemen, his botched effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign, and his hamstrung boycott of Qatar have backfired and only strengthened the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s regional influence.

Inadvertently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah did Prince Mohammed a favour when they reportedly rejected pressure by the crown prince to not participate in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia was represented by a lower level cabinet official. Abbas may have further shielded the Saudi leader when his refusal to accept the US as a mediator was adopted by the summit.

The standby Abbas and King Abdullah, coupled with the OIC summit&rsquo;s rejection of Trump&rsquo;s move, make it more difficult for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to endorse any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that does not recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The problem is that Prince Mohammed and his UAE counterpart, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, run the risk of misreading or underestimating public anger and frustration in significant parts of the Arab and Muslim world.

The Iran deal

The link between Israeli-Palestinian peace-making and Iran is likely to become undeniable in January 2018, when Trump must decide whether to uphold the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran, which puts severe restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Under US law, Trump has to certify Iranian compliance every three months. In October, the president refused to do so. He threatened to pull out of the deal if Congress failed to address the agreement&rsquo;s perceived shortcomings within 60 days.

Congress has so far refrained from acting on Trump&rsquo;s demand. The president wants Congress to ensure that Iranian compliance involves accepting restrictions on its ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies.

It is anybody&rsquo;s guess what Trump will do.

At first glance, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley&rsquo;s presentation of Iranian missile parts as evidence of Tehran&rsquo;s support for Houthi rebels in Yemen &mdash; and wider Iranian destabilisation of the Middle East &mdash; would suggest that Trump is preparing to decertify Iran and possibly withdraw from the agreement. It could, however, also be an effort to project a tougher US stance toward Iran, while cooler heads in the administration put pressure on Trump to keep the agreement in place.

In either case, Trump and his Gulf allies are walking a tightrope by fueling suspicion that they are willing to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace in a bid to cater to Israel, a natural ally in the fight against Iran. In doing so, Trump and the two Gulf princes risk misreading not only the public mood but also Iranian influence and intentions, particularly regarding the Islamic Republic&rsquo;s ability to control the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Haley&rsquo;s evidence, which was supplied by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, failed to convince many in the international community.

Haley&rsquo;s display of missiles was prompted by the Iranian-backed Houthis who fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on November 4. It remains unclear whether that missile was supplied by Iran, or possibly North Korea, and when it was given to the Houthis. These are key questions that need to be answered to determine possible Iranian culpability.

The Houthis, a fiercely independent actor who have repeatedly demonstrated that they do not take orders from Tehran and at times ignore its advice, could throw a monkey wrench into the fragile Middle East mix if they make good on a threat to target not only Saudi but also Emirati cities. A missile strike would no doubt provoke a harsh response, possibly involving a joint American-Saudi-Emirati strike against Iran rather than the Houthis in Yemen.

Anger at President Trump&rsquo;s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders, who would be seen to be cooperating with the US and willing to sacrifice Palestinian rights to work with Israel.

In short, it could open a can of worms in which public anger is directed against multiple parties, ranging from the US to Israel to Arab leaders to Iran and the Houthis, and/or prove to be a perfect storm.

This <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/middle_east_north_africa/jerusalem-donald-trump-palestine-israel-iran-world-news-today-34349/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">article</a> has been originally published in <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/" rel="nofollow" target="blank">Fair Observer</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Anger at President Trump?s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders

Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel potentially sets the stage for a controversial American effort — backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The US and the two Gulf states see an American peace plan-in-the-making as a way for more overt cooperation with Israel in confronting Iran, whom they accuse of destabilising the Middle East. In doing so, the US, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are navigating a minefield. Protests against President Trump’s move have, so far, underplayed the link between the fight against Iran and apparent Saudi and Emirati willingness to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace, which include East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Abu Dis, capital of Palestine? That could change as US plans for Israeli-Palestinian peace crystalise and the link to the Saudi-Iranian rivalry manifests itself. According to a Lebanese official, at the core of the US draft plan is the controversial suggestion that Abu Dis — a Palestinian village bordering Jerusalem — would be the capital of a future Palestinian state, instead of East Jerusalem. Perceived Saudi and Emirati backing for the proposal, which is reportedly being drafted by Trump’s aide and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would bring anger at alleged Arab complicity to the forefront, fuel the persistent anti-US and anti-Israel protests, and complicate the campaign by the US and the two Gulf states against Iran. The notion that Abu Dis could replace East Jerusalem has been around for almost two decades. It failed to garner support during the 2000 Camp David peace talks because Arab and Palestinian leaders rejected it. Saudi and Emirati eagerness to work with Israel, coupled with Trump’s seemingly unqualified support for the Jewish state, has given the proposal a new lease on life. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, despite their official condemnation of Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem, have signalled a willingness to be more flexible by continuing to support Kushner’s effort and playing a low-key, if not dampening, role in the Arab and Muslim rejection of the president’s move. Ironically, differences among Arab leaders about how to respond to Trump’s Jerusalem comments may have temporarily prevented Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from adding Palestine to a string of failed foreign policy moves aimed at escalating the kingdom’s proxy war with Iran. Prince Mohammed’s devastating military intervention in Yemen, his botched effort to force Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri to resign, and his hamstrung boycott of Qatar have backfired and only strengthened the Islamic Republic’s regional influence. Inadvertently, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Jordanian King Abdullah did Prince Mohammed a favour when they reportedly rejected pressure by the crown prince to not participate in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia was represented by a lower level cabinet official. Abbas may have further shielded the Saudi leader when his refusal to accept the US as a mediator was adopted by the summit. The standby Abbas and King Abdullah, coupled with the OIC summit’s rejection of Trump’s move, make it more difficult for Saudi Arabia and the UAE to endorse any resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that does not recognise East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine. The problem is that Prince Mohammed and his UAE counterpart, Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, run the risk of misreading or underestimating public anger and frustration in significant parts of the Arab and Muslim world. The Iran deal The link between Israeli-Palestinian peace-making and Iran is likely to become undeniable in January 2018, when Trump must decide whether to uphold the 2015 international nuclear agreement with Iran, which puts severe restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Under US law, Trump has to certify Iranian compliance every three months. In October, the president refused to do so. He threatened to pull out of the deal if Congress failed to address the agreement’s perceived shortcomings within 60 days. Congress has so far refrained from acting on Trump’s demand. The president wants Congress to ensure that Iranian compliance involves accepting restrictions on its ballistic missile program and support of regional proxies. It is anybody’s guess what Trump will do. At first glance, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley’s presentation of Iranian missile parts as evidence of Tehran’s support for Houthi rebels in Yemen — and wider Iranian destabilisation of the Middle East — would suggest that Trump is preparing to decertify Iran and possibly withdraw from the agreement. It could, however, also be an effort to project a tougher US stance toward Iran, while cooler heads in the administration put pressure on Trump to keep the agreement in place. In either case, Trump and his Gulf allies are walking a tightrope by fueling suspicion that they are willing to compromise on minimal Palestinian demands for peace in a bid to cater to Israel, a natural ally in the fight against Iran. In doing so, Trump and the two Gulf princes risk misreading not only the public mood but also Iranian influence and intentions, particularly regarding the Islamic Republic’s ability to control the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Haley’s evidence, which was supplied by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, failed to convince many in the international community. Haley’s display of missiles was prompted by the Iranian-backed Houthis who fired a ballistic missile at Riyadh, the Saudi capital, on November 4. It remains unclear whether that missile was supplied by Iran, or possibly North Korea, and when it was given to the Houthis. These are key questions that need to be answered to determine possible Iranian culpability. The Houthis, a fiercely independent actor who have repeatedly demonstrated that they do not take orders from Tehran and at times ignore its advice, could throw a monkey wrench into the fragile Middle East mix if they make good on a threat to target not only Saudi but also Emirati cities. A missile strike would no doubt provoke a harsh response, possibly involving a joint American-Saudi-Emirati strike against Iran rather than the Houthis in Yemen. Anger at President Trump’s move on Jerusalem could potentially turn against Arab leaders, who would be seen to be cooperating with the US and willing to sacrifice Palestinian rights to work with Israel. In short, it could open a can of worms in which public anger is directed against multiple parties, ranging from the US to Israel to Arab leaders to Iran and the Houthis, and/or prove to be a perfect storm. This article has been originally published in Fair Observer. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL).

Opinion: The Arabs trade Jerusalem for Iran

US President Donald Trump Monday spoke about &quot;America First National Strategy&quot; primarily aimed at establishing and strengthening ties with key allies in order to face &quot;an extraordinarily dangerous world, filled with a wide range of threats&quot;.

He mentioned India&#39;s significant role in the strategy supporting India&#39;s leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region.&nbsp;

Trump targeted Russia complaining about the country&#39;s meddling stance on global political affairs.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world,&rdquo; said the official statement.

Trump also expressed his thoughts on &quot;deepening strategic partnerships with India&quot;.

Turning to Pakistan, Trump called for stringent initiatives required for the country to take to tackle terrorism and militant activism.&nbsp;

He welcomed India&#39;s emergence as a &quot;leading global power&quot; and hoped to see the country as a strategic and defence partner.&nbsp;

Trump also spoke on strengthening quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Trump also expressed his thoughts on 'deepening strategic partnerships with India'

US President Donald Trump Monday spoke about "America First National Strategy" primarily aimed at establishing and strengthening ties with key allies in order to face "an extraordinarily dangerous world, filled with a wide range of threats". He mentioned India's significant role in the strategy supporting India's leadership role in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump targeted Russia complaining about the country's meddling stance on global political affairs. “Through modernized forms of subversive tactics, Russia interferes in the domestic political affairs of countries around the world,” said the official statement. Trump also expressed his thoughts on "deepening strategic partnerships with India". Turning to Pakistan, Trump called for stringent initiatives required for the country to take to tackle terrorism and militant activism. He welcomed India's emergence as a "leading global power" and hoped to see the country as a strategic and defence partner. Trump also spoke on strengthening quadrilateral cooperation with Japan, Australia, and India. (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump unveils 'America First National Strategy'; welcomes India's emergence as 'global power'

US President Donald Trump unveiled &#39;America First National Strategy&#39; Monday wherein he talked about strengthening ties with ally nations and <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-talks-about-america-first-national-strategy-welcomes-indias-emergence-as-leading-global-power-27128">supporting India in a &quot;leadership&quot; role</a> in the Indo-Pacific region.

Trump went on to target Russia in the official statement calling the country to have a meddling stance on global political affairs thereby undermining &quot;the legitimacy of democracies.&quot;

Russia was also targetted for waging &quot;offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion&quot; in other countries.

&quot;Its (Russia&#39;s) influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or &#39;trolls,&#39;&quot; the official statement noted.&nbsp;

The document also pointed to Russia&#39;s attempts to &quot;interfere&quot; in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election.&nbsp;

Trump administration aims to keep the global &#39;status quo&#39; in balance by rolling-out the national security strategy, the statement noted.&nbsp;

&quot;We must protect our people, we cannot protect our nation if we do not secure our borders. We will find new ways to counter cyber-threats and people who use social media to attack our nation. Economic security will ensure nation&#39;s prosperity,&quot; Trump noted in his address.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
With the strategy that I announced today, we are declaring that AMERICA is in the game and AMERICA is DETERMINED to WIN! 
 
OUR FOUR PILLARS OF NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: <a href="https://t.co/B3POaMVID8">pic.twitter.com/B3POaMVID8</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/942904686125965312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

US president also emphasised the importance of strengthening and growing America&#39;s military prowess to counter threats and called for a &quot;total modernisation&quot; of the military.&nbsp;

This strategy aims to counter modern threats and electromagnetic attacks. It recognises space as a competitive domain and calls for a multi-layered missile defence,&quot; Trump noted.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia was targetted for waging 'offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion' in other countries.

US President Donald Trump unveiled 'America First National Strategy' Monday wherein he talked about strengthening ties with ally nations and supporting India in a "leadership" role in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump went on to target Russia in the official statement calling the country to have a meddling stance on global political affairs thereby undermining "the legitimacy of democracies." Russia was also targetted for waging "offensive cyber efforts to influence public opinion" in other countries. "Its (Russia's) influence campaigns blend covert intelligence operations and false online personas with state-funded media, third-party intermediaries, and paid social media users or 'trolls,'" the official statement noted. The document also pointed to Russia's attempts to "interfere" in the 2016 US presidential election. Trump administration aims to keep the global 'status quo' in balance by rolling-out the national security strategy, the statement noted. "We must protect our people, we cannot protect our nation if we do not secure our borders. We will find new ways to counter cyber-threats and people who use social media to attack our nation. Economic security will ensure nation's prosperity," Trump noted in his address. With the strategy that I announced today, we are declaring that AMERICA is in the game and AMERICA is DETERMINED to WIN! OUR FOUR PILLARS OF NATIONAL SECURITY STRATEGY: pic.twitter.com/B3POaMVID8 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2017 × US president also emphasised the importance of strengthening and growing America's military prowess to counter threats and called for a "total modernisation" of the military. This strategy aims to counter modern threats and electromagnetic attacks. It recognises space as a competitive domain and calls for a multi-layered missile defence," Trump noted. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump's national security strategy statement thrashes Russia

Undeniably, the world will face paralysis if we were to do away with GPS. The Global Positioning System is an intricate web of signals that are beamed off satellites positioned in space.

While most of us would not like to fancy a scenario devoid of internet and GPS, United States seem to have started putting the mind in the reverse direction -- what to do if GPS fails?

Reportedly, America&nbsp;has begun bracing-up for a situation where its space-based technology is disrupted or damaged.

While it is extremely cumbersome and expensive for countries to innovate and develop orbital platforms, jamming or destroying military satellites of an enemy country would be way too simpler and easier. Low-cost jammers, strategically stationed, can wreak havoc with incoming GPS signals.

&quot;When you start taking away those combat multipliers, we need to go back then to the days of the industrial-age army where you have to have three times as many people as the adversary does,&quot; said Colonel Richard Zellmann, commander of the 1st Space Brigade based in Colorado.

According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army&#39;s &#39;major combat systems&#39; depends on GPS signals.

While countries like Russia and China are busy bolstering their satellites competence, America has also developed satellites capable of inspecting or monitoring other space objects.

America plans ahead

The US now thinks of going the old-school way, training their soldiers to read paper maps, and teaching their sailors how to navigate by the stars.

The older, analogue technologies are being technologically overhauled by new science, &quot;designed to replicate satellites, only from Earth,&quot; noted the report.&nbsp;

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, US (DARPA) is now all set to develop next-gen navigation and timing tools for the Pentagon that are better-off GPS. 
&nbsp; 
But space, once an uncontested territory, is also becoming congested and crowded by the day, all thanks to technological advancements. Keeping the same in mind, United States has started investing in a new generation of satellites equipped with better accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities.

President Donald Trump on Monday communicated his first National Security Strategy and talked about America&#39;s space infrastructure and US military&#39;s dependence on it.

(With inputs from AFP)

According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army's 'major combat systems' depend on GPS signals

Undeniably, the world will face paralysis if we were to do away with GPS. The Global Positioning System is an intricate web of signals that are beamed off satellites positioned in space. While most of us would not like to fancy a scenario devoid of internet and GPS, United States seem to have started putting the mind in the reverse direction -- what to do if GPS fails? Reportedly, America has begun bracing-up for a situation where its space-based technology is disrupted or damaged. While it is extremely cumbersome and expensive for countries to innovate and develop orbital platforms, jamming or destroying military satellites of an enemy country would be way too simpler and easier. Low-cost jammers, strategically stationed, can wreak havoc with incoming GPS signals. "When you start taking away those combat multipliers, we need to go back then to the days of the industrial-age army where you have to have three times as many people as the adversary does," said Colonel Richard Zellmann, commander of the 1st Space Brigade based in Colorado. According to a latest AFP report, about 70 per cent of US Army's 'major combat systems' depends on GPS signals. While countries like Russia and China are busy bolstering their satellites competence, America has also developed satellites capable of inspecting or monitoring other space objects. America plans ahead The US now thinks of going the old-school way, training their soldiers to read paper maps, and teaching their sailors how to navigate by the stars. The older, analogue technologies are being technologically overhauled by new science, "designed to replicate satellites, only from Earth," noted the report. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, US (DARPA) is now all set to develop next-gen navigation and timing tools for the Pentagon that are better-off GPS. But space, once an uncontested territory, is also becoming congested and crowded by the day, all thanks to technological advancements. Keeping the same in mind, United States has started investing in a new generation of satellites equipped with better accuracy and anti-jamming capabilities. President Donald Trump on Monday communicated his first National Security Strategy and talked about America's space infrastructure and US military's dependence on it. (With inputs from AFP)

GPS failure will paralyse the world, US plans ahead

President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark &quot;America First&quot; slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core.

The US leader, who has dismantled the legacy of Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, and isolated Washington on the world stage, will unveil what is being billed as a comprehensive vision for tackling America&#39;s complex security challenges.

The new document, released periodically by the presidency, &quot;affirms the belief that America&#39;s economic security is national security,&quot; an administration official said.

It also reflects a determination to push for balance in US economic relations with the rest of the world, especially China.

&quot;The greatest weapon we have is our strong GDP,&quot; the official said, citing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Trump has taken an aggressive stance on trade. He vows to reduce bilateral trade deficits, particularly with China, and has said he wants to level the playing field for American companies.

Asked on Monday about the expected US strategy, Beijing&#39;s foreign ministry Hua Chunying said US-China economic and trade relations &quot;are mutually beneficial.&quot;

She added that she hoped the new US policy will contribute to &quot;our common safeguard of the international peace and security.&quot;

Trump&#39;s National Security Strategy was a year in the making.

Beyond its focus on economic competitiveness, it will mark a break with his Democratic and Republican predecessors when it comes to &quot;homeland&quot; and border security, the US official added.&nbsp;

Trump has cracked down on immigration and wants a wall built on the Mexican border.

The new national security document is to be released following a speech by the president.

It identifies four main priorities: protecting the country and the American people, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence.

Climate not a priority&nbsp;

Addressing the United Nations in late September -- with a virulence rarely seen in that forum -- Trump hammered home his attachment to American &quot;sovereignty&quot; while calling into question many aspects of the multilateral world order.

But despite the fiery delivery, the address fell short of spelling out a veritable &quot;Trump doctrine&quot; regarding America&#39;s place in the world.

Asked about the role of climate change in the new document, the administration official said it &quot;is not identified as a national security threat&quot; to the US.

Ascending to power on a message resolutely sceptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries.

Obama was one of the main architects of the Paris pact to curb global warming, and had underscored on several occasions how climate and security had become intertwined.

A year before he left office, Obama said climate change would affect the way America&#39;s military must defend the country, through profound adjustments in organization, training and protection of infrastructure.

&quot;Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows and conflicts over basic resources like food and water,&quot; according to the last National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015 during Obama&#39;s tenure.

On that occasion, he argued at length against the temptation to make hasty decisions in the management of international crises.

&quot;In a complex world, many of the security problems we face do not lend themselves to quick and easy fixes,&quot; Obama wrote, calling for &quot;strategic patience and persistence.&quot;

He will unveil a comprehensive vision to tackle America's complex security challenges

President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark "America First" slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core. The US leader, who has dismantled the legacy of Barack Obama on issues ranging from climate change to free trade, and isolated Washington on the world stage, will unveil what is being billed as a comprehensive vision for tackling America's complex security challenges. The new document, released periodically by the presidency, "affirms the belief that America's economic security is national security," an administration official said. It also reflects a determination to push for balance in US economic relations with the rest of the world, especially China. "The greatest weapon we have is our strong GDP," the official said, citing Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Trump has taken an aggressive stance on trade. He vows to reduce bilateral trade deficits, particularly with China, and has said he wants to level the playing field for American companies. Asked on Monday about the expected US strategy, Beijing's foreign ministry Hua Chunying said US-China economic and trade relations "are mutually beneficial." She added that she hoped the new US policy will contribute to "our common safeguard of the international peace and security." Trump's National Security Strategy was a year in the making. Beyond its focus on economic competitiveness, it will mark a break with his Democratic and Republican predecessors when it comes to "homeland" and border security, the US official added. Trump has cracked down on immigration and wants a wall built on the Mexican border. The new national security document is to be released following a speech by the president. It identifies four main priorities: protecting the country and the American people, promoting American prosperity, preserving peace through strength and advancing American influence. Climate not a priority Addressing the United Nations in late September -- with a virulence rarely seen in that forum -- Trump hammered home his attachment to American "sovereignty" while calling into question many aspects of the multilateral world order. But despite the fiery delivery, the address fell short of spelling out a veritable "Trump doctrine" regarding America's place in the world. Asked about the role of climate change in the new document, the administration official said it "is not identified as a national security threat" to the US. Ascending to power on a message resolutely sceptical of climate change, Trump said in June that he would pull the US out of the Paris agreement on climate change signed by almost 200 countries. Obama was one of the main architects of the Paris pact to curb global warming, and had underscored on several occasions how climate and security had become intertwined. A year before he left office, Obama said climate change would affect the way America's military must defend the country, through profound adjustments in organization, training and protection of infrastructure. "Climate change is an urgent and growing threat to our national security, contributing to increased natural disasters, refugee flows and conflicts over basic resources like food and water," according to the last National Security Strategy, issued in February 2015 during Obama's tenure. On that occasion, he argued at length against the temptation to make hasty decisions in the management of international crises. "In a complex world, many of the security problems we face do not lend themselves to quick and easy fixes," Obama wrote, calling for "strategic patience and persistence."

President Trump to lay out 'America First' security strategy

US Senator John McCain will miss a key vote on the Republican tax bill, further narrowing the already-thin margin of support for the controversial measure, US media reported today.

The legislation, which will slash corporate taxes as well as cutting those for individuals, has been criticized as primarily benefiting the wealthy.

The measure is President Donald Trump&#39;s last shot at a major legislative accomplishment in his first year in office.

CBS News reported that McCain, who was hospitalized for side effects of chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer, returned to Arizona today and would miss the tax overhaul vote.

CNN also reported that McCain would miss the vote, which is expected to be held in the next few days.

His daughter Meghan said her father would be spending the holidays in Arizona.

&quot;My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona,&quot; she wrote on Twitter.

If McCain is absent, Republicans -- who have a 52-48 majority in the Senate -- can only afford one defection if the measure is to pass.

No Democrats or independents support the legislation in the Senate. It is expected to comfortably pass the House.

McCain, an 81-year-old former prisoner of war and 2008 Republican presidential nominee was diagnosed in July with a brain tumor known as a glioblastoma, after doctors found a blood clot over his left eye during a routine checkup.

He has been critical of Trump and cast a crucial &quot;no&quot; vote on the president&#39;s effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act health law, helping to torpedo the measure.&nbsp;

The legislation, which will slash corporate taxes as well as cutting those for individuals, has been criticized as primarily benefiting the wealthy.

US Senator John McCain will miss a key vote on the Republican tax bill, further narrowing the already-thin margin of support for the controversial measure, US media reported today. The legislation, which will slash corporate taxes as well as cutting those for individuals, has been criticized as primarily benefiting the wealthy. The measure is President Donald Trump's last shot at a major legislative accomplishment in his first year in office. CBS News reported that McCain, who was hospitalized for side effects of chemotherapy treatment for brain cancer, returned to Arizona today and would miss the tax overhaul vote. CNN also reported that McCain would miss the vote, which is expected to be held in the next few days. His daughter Meghan said her father would be spending the holidays in Arizona. "My father is doing well and we are all looking forward to spending Christmas together in Arizona," she wrote on Twitter. If McCain is absent, Republicans -- who have a 52-48 majority in the Senate -- can only afford one defection if the measure is to pass. No Democrats or independents support the legislation in the Senate. It is expected to comfortably pass the House. McCain, an 81-year-old former prisoner of war and 2008 Republican presidential nominee was diagnosed in July with a brain tumor known as a glioblastoma, after doctors found a blood clot over his left eye during a routine checkup. He has been critical of Trump and cast a crucial "no" vote on the president's effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act health law, helping to torpedo the measure.

US Senator John McCain to miss key tax vote: reports

President Donald Trump insisted today he has no plans to fire special counsel Mueller, despite his team&#39;s recent attacks on the credibility of the probe into Russian meddling in the US election.

With the ex-FBI director&#39;s investigation making inroads into the president&#39;s inner circle in recent weeks, Republicans have sought to cast doubt on its impartiality and pressed for a new independent prosecutor to investigate anti-Trump bias.

This, in turn, has led to speculation that the administration could be laying the groundwork for firing Mueller.

But Trump shot down those rumors. Asked whether he was going to fire Mueller, the president told reporters: &quot;No, I&#39;m not.&quot;

In a letter to congressional committees, Trump campaign lawyer Kory Langhofer alleged the General Services Administration (GSA) &quot;unlawfully produced&quot; private materials, including privileged communications that Mueller then used as part of his Russia probe.

The GSA is the government agency that supports presidential transitions -- the interim period after a new president is elected but before he takes office.

Langhofer wrote that Mueller&#39;s office &quot;received from the GSA tens of thousands of emails, including a very significant volume of privileged material,&quot; according to a copy of the letter published by Politico. 
The letter added that a warrant should have been obtained for such materials, and said it violated the Presidential Transition Act.

Trump said &quot;my people are very upset about it,&quot; calling the development &quot;quite sad.&quot;

&quot;I can&#39;t imagine there&#39;s anything on them, frankly, because as we said, there&#39;s no collusion. There&#39;s no collusion whatsoever.&quot;

But Mueller&#39;s spokesman Peter Carr told CNN that emails were obtained for the probe after &quot;we have secured either the account owner&#39;s consent or appropriate criminal process.&quot;

Mueller was appointed after Trump abruptly fired then-FBI director James Comey, who was leading an agency probe into the Russia affair.

The president&#39;s Democratic foes have sought to characterize the allegations of illegality as an attempt to stymie the probe, which has already led to charges against Trump&#39;s former national security advisor Michael Flynn and three other people linked to the presidential campaign.

&quot;ABSOLUTE RED LINE: the firing of Bob Mueller or crippling the special counsel&#39;s office,&quot; tweeted Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under Trump&#39;s predecessor Barack Obama.

&quot;If removed or meaningfully tampered with, there must be mass, popular, peaceful support of both. The American people must be seen and heard - they will ultimately be determinative.&quot;

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell said: &quot;This is another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens.&quot;

Republicans asked the US Justice Department on Wednesday to name a new independent prosecutor to probe alleged bias in the FBI.

The special counsel&#39;s critics have seized upon the case of Peter Strzok, a senior FBI agent whom Mueller removed from his team for sending text messages critical of Trump.

In addition to whether Trump&#39;s campaign team colluded with Russia to help him win last year&#39;s election, the special counsel is also looking at possible obstruction of justice linked to Trump&#39;s firing of Comey.

Trump did so in May and later acknowledged he had the Russia probe in mind when he sacked him.

Comey, for his part, wrote a memo alleging Trump had asked him to drop his investigation into Flynn, an act which some say could constitute obstruction of justice and thus grounds for seeking Trump&#39;s impeachment.

But the Justice Department&#39;s number two, Rod Rosenstein, insisted this week that the investigation was impartial and free from any political influence.

Trump has repeatedly denied claims of &quot;collusion&quot; with Russia, and denounced the &quot;witch hunt&quot; against him.&nbsp;

With the ex-FBI director's investigation making inroads into the president's inner circle in recent weeks, Republicans have sought to cast doubt on its impartiality and pressed for a new independent prosecutor to investigate anti-Trump bias.

President Donald Trump insisted today he has no plans to fire special counsel Mueller, despite his team's recent attacks on the credibility of the probe into Russian meddling in the US election. With the ex-FBI director's investigation making inroads into the president's inner circle in recent weeks, Republicans have sought to cast doubt on its impartiality and pressed for a new independent prosecutor to investigate anti-Trump bias. This, in turn, has led to speculation that the administration could be laying the groundwork for firing Mueller. But Trump shot down those rumors. Asked whether he was going to fire Mueller, the president told reporters: "No, I'm not." In a letter to congressional committees, Trump campaign lawyer Kory Langhofer alleged the General Services Administration (GSA) "unlawfully produced" private materials, including privileged communications that Mueller then used as part of his Russia probe. The GSA is the government agency that supports presidential transitions -- the interim period after a new president is elected but before he takes office. Langhofer wrote that Mueller's office "received from the GSA tens of thousands of emails, including a very significant volume of privileged material," according to a copy of the letter published by Politico. The letter added that a warrant should have been obtained for such materials, and said it violated the Presidential Transition Act. Trump said "my people are very upset about it," calling the development "quite sad." "I can't imagine there's anything on them, frankly, because as we said, there's no collusion. There's no collusion whatsoever." But Mueller's spokesman Peter Carr told CNN that emails were obtained for the probe after "we have secured either the account owner's consent or appropriate criminal process." Mueller was appointed after Trump abruptly fired then-FBI director James Comey, who was leading an agency probe into the Russia affair. The president's Democratic foes have sought to characterize the allegations of illegality as an attempt to stymie the probe, which has already led to charges against Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn and three other people linked to the presidential campaign. "ABSOLUTE RED LINE: the firing of Bob Mueller or crippling the special counsel's office," tweeted Eric Holder, who served as attorney general under Trump's predecessor Barack Obama. "If removed or meaningfully tampered with, there must be mass, popular, peaceful support of both. The American people must be seen and heard - they will ultimately be determinative." Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell said: "This is another attempt to discredit Mueller as his #TrumpRussia probe tightens." Republicans asked the US Justice Department on Wednesday to name a new independent prosecutor to probe alleged bias in the FBI. The special counsel's critics have seized upon the case of Peter Strzok, a senior FBI agent whom Mueller removed from his team for sending text messages critical of Trump. In addition to whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russia to help him win last year's election, the special counsel is also looking at possible obstruction of justice linked to Trump's firing of Comey. Trump did so in May and later acknowledged he had the Russia probe in mind when he sacked him. Comey, for his part, wrote a memo alleging Trump had asked him to drop his investigation into Flynn, an act which some say could constitute obstruction of justice and thus grounds for seeking Trump's impeachment. But the Justice Department's number two, Rod Rosenstein, insisted this week that the investigation was impartial and free from any political influence. Trump has repeatedly denied claims of "collusion" with Russia, and denounced the "witch hunt" against him.

Trump says he won't fire Russia meddling probe chief

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/election-results-bjp-wins-gujarat-27098">Election results prove country ready for reform: Modi after Gujarat win</a>

The BJP has won the Gujarat election, reaching the victory mark of&nbsp;92.

Ninety-two is the victory mark in the 182-seat state.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-bow-to-people-of-gujarat-and-himachal-modi-27072">I bow to people of Gujarat and Himachal: Modi</a>

&quot;I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP,&quot; Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Monday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070">EVMs tampered </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070">in</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070"> Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, says </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070">Hardik</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070"> Patel</a>

Patidar leader Hardik Patel has claimed that there has been tampering in EVMs in Surat, Rajkot <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070">and</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/hardik-patel-claims-tampering-of-evms-in-surat-rajkot-ahmedabad-27070"> Ahmedabad.</a>

He said that the gap between the rival candidates was very less in places wherever tempering happened. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-lay-out-america-first-security-strategy-27092">President Trump to lay out &#39;America First&#39; security strategy</a>

President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark &quot;America First&quot; slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/entertainment-k-pop-band-shinees-lead-singer-kim-jonghyun-reportedly-commits-suicide-27096">K-pop band SHINee&#39;s lead singer Kim Jonghyun reportedly commits suicide</a>

The lead singer of South Korean boy band SHINee, Kim Jong-hyun, died Monday.

He was found unconscious at his home in Seoul, South Korea before being taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

&nbsp;

Election results prove country ready for reform: Modi after Gujarat win The BJP has won the Gujarat election, reaching the victory mark of 92. Ninety-two is the victory mark in the 182-seat state. I bow to people of Gujarat and Himachal: Modi "I bow to the people of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh for their affection and trust in BJP," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on Monday. EVMs tampered in Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, says Hardik Patel Patidar leader Hardik Patel has claimed that there has been tampering in EVMs in Surat, Rajkot and Ahmedabad. He said that the gap between the rival candidates was very less in places wherever tempering happened. President Trump to lay out 'America First' security strategy President Donald Trump is set to lay out Monday a new National Security Strategy built upon his trademark "America First" slogan, which is expected to have economic security at its core. K-pop band SHINee's lead singer Kim Jonghyun reportedly commits suicide The lead singer of South Korean boy band SHINee, Kim Jong-hyun, died Monday. He was found unconscious at his home in Seoul, South Korea before being taken to hospital where he was declared dead.

WION Evening News Brief, December 18, 2017

Tens of thousands of Muslims marched from the main mosque in Indonesia&#39;s capital to a square in Jakarta on Sunday to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

It was the biggest protest in Indonesia since Trump&#39;s controversial move earlier this month to reverse decades of U.S. policy. Police estimated the number attending the rally, organised by various Muslim groups, at about 80,000.

The protest was peaceful but rows of police behind coils of barbed wire held back the crowd outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta. A police spokesman said 20,000 police and members of the military were deployed to ensure security.&nbsp;

&quot;We urge all countries to reject the unilateral and illegal decision of President Donald Trump to make Jerusalem Israel&#39;s capital,&quot; Anwar Abbas, the secretary general of the Indonesian Ulema Council, told the crowd. &nbsp;

&quot;We call on all Indonesian people to boycott U.S. and Israel products in this country&quot; if Trump does not revoke his action, Abbas said, reading from a petition due to be handed to the U.S. ambassador in Indonesia.

Many of the protesters were clad in white and waved Palestinian flags and held up placards, some reading: &quot;Peace, love and free Palestine&quot;.

There have been a series of protests in Indonesia over the issue, including somewhere hardliners burned U.S. and Israeli flags.

The status of Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians, is one of the biggest barriers to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Jerusalem&#39;s eastern sector was captured by Israel in a 1967war and annexed in a move not recognised internationally.

Palestinians claim East Jerusalem for the capital of an independent state that they seek, while Israel maintains that all of Jerusalem is its capital.

Many of the protesters were clad in white and waved Palestinian flags and held up placards, some reading: "Peace, love and free Palestine".

Tens of thousands of Muslims marched from the main mosque in Indonesia's capital to a square in Jakarta on Sunday to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It was the biggest protest in Indonesia since Trump's controversial move earlier this month to reverse decades of U.S. policy. Police estimated the number attending the rally, organised by various Muslim groups, at about 80,000. The protest was peaceful but rows of police behind coils of barbed wire held back the crowd outside the U.S. embassy in Jakarta. A police spokesman said 20,000 police and members of the military were deployed to ensure security. "We urge all countries to reject the unilateral and illegal decision of President Donald Trump to make Jerusalem Israel's capital," Anwar Abbas, the secretary general of the Indonesian Ulema Council, told the crowd. "We call on all Indonesian people to boycott U.S. and Israel products in this country" if Trump does not revoke his action, Abbas said, reading from a petition due to be handed to the U.S. ambassador in Indonesia. Many of the protesters were clad in white and waved Palestinian flags and held up placards, some reading: "Peace, love and free Palestine". There have been a series of protests in Indonesia over the issue, including somewhere hardliners burned U.S. and Israeli flags. The status of Jerusalem, a city holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians, is one of the biggest barriers to a lasting Israeli-Palestinian peace. Jerusalem's eastern sector was captured by Israel in a 1967war and annexed in a move not recognised internationally. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem for the capital of an independent state that they seek, while Israel maintains that all of Jerusalem is its capital.

Tens of thousands of Indonesians rally over Trump's Jerusalem stance

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-confirms-processing-visa-applications-of-jadhavs-wife-mother-26944" target="_blank">&nbsp;Pakistan confirms &#39;processing&#39; visa applications of Jadhav&#39;s wife, mother</a>

Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed that the visa applications of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav&#39;s mother and wife were being processed. According to local media Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Office had issued directives to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to Jadhav&#39;s wife and mother.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mudslide-in-southern-chile-kills-three-15-others-missing-26943" target="_blank">&nbsp;Mudslide in southern Chile kills three; 15 others missing</a>

&nbsp;A mudslide tore through a small village near a popular national park in southern Chile on Saturday (December 16), leaving three people dead and 15 missing after a night of torrential downpours, authorities said.&nbsp;Two Chilean women and a male tourist whose name and nationality have not been disclosed died in the accident, authorities said. Rescue workers were continuing to search through the debris for at least 15 other people.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-tax-overhaul-christmas-gift-for-middle-class-26951" target="_blank">Trump calls tax overhaul &#39;Christmas gift&#39; for middle class</a>

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a &quot;great&quot; gift for the middle class. Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-lifts-ban-on-women-driving-26949" target="_blank">Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving</a>

Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, drive motorcycles and trucks.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/andhra-cabinet-sanctions-pension-scheme-for-transgenders-26948" target="_blank">Andhra Cabinet sanctions pension scheme for transgenders</a>

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs 1,500 to transgenders above 18 years of age in the state. The Andhra cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and was briefed by Information and Public Relations (I-PR) Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu and Municipal Administration minister P Narayana on Saturday.

Pakistan confirms 'processing' visa applications of Jadhav's wife, mother Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) has confirmed that the visa applications of former Indian Naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav's mother and wife were being processed. According to local media Pakistan's Foreign Office had issued directives to the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to issue visas to Jadhav's wife and mother. Mudslide in southern Chile kills three; 15 others missing A mudslide tore through a small village near a popular national park in southern Chile on Saturday (December 16), leaving three people dead and 15 missing after a night of torrential downpours, authorities said. Two Chilean women and a male tourist whose name and nationality have not been disclosed died in the accident, authorities said. Rescue workers were continuing to search through the debris for at least 15 other people. Trump calls tax overhaul 'Christmas gift' for middle class President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a "great" gift for the middle class. Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office. Saudi Arabia lifts ban on women driving Saudi Arabia, the only country in the world to impose a ban on women driving, has finally lifted the ban allowing women to drive cars, drive motorcycles and trucks. Andhra Cabinet sanctions pension scheme for transgenders The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved a scheme to provide a pension of Rs 1,500 to transgenders above 18 years of age in the state. The Andhra cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and was briefed by Information and Public Relations (I-PR) Minister Kaluva Srinivasulu and Municipal Administration minister P Narayana on Saturday.

WION morning news brief, December 17 2017

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a &quot;great&quot; gift for the middle class.

Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office.

The Democratic minority has repeatedly denounced the measure as benefiting companies and the wealthiest Americans, including Trump himself, the most.

Trump has promised Americans that the legislation would pass before Christmas, so that it would take effect from the beginning of 2018.

&quot;The Democrats have their soundbite, the standard soundbite before they even know what the bill is all about. They talk about &#39;for the wealthy,&#39;&quot; Trump told reporters as he left the White House for the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend.

&quot;But this is going to be one of the greatest gifts for the middle-income people of this country that they&#39;ve ever gotten for Christmas.&quot;

The president said the changes would boost employment, adding that it was essential for US growth.

&quot;The economy now has hit three percent (growth). Nobody thought it would be anywhere close. I think we could go to four, five or even six percent, ultimately,&quot; Trump said.

&quot;We are back. We are really going to start to rock. We need this as our final push. And you&#39;re going to see some numbers that are great. You&#39;re going to see great job numbers. Jobs are going to come pouring back into this country.&quot;

Asked about the increase in the national debt that the reform will trigger, Trump stressed that the measure would also generate extra revenues as growth increases.

According to the final text, the federal tax on businesses would drop from 35 to 21 percent, while the top income tax will fall from 39.6 to 37 percent, with the number of tax brackets remaining the same.

Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office.

President Donald Trump said Saturday that the sweeping tax overhaul set to be adopted next week in Congress would be a "great" gift for the middle class. Passage of the measure would mark a massive win for a leader who has yet to notch any major legislative victory after nearly a year in office. The Democratic minority has repeatedly denounced the measure as benefiting companies and the wealthiest Americans, including Trump himself, the most. Trump has promised Americans that the legislation would pass before Christmas, so that it would take effect from the beginning of 2018. "The Democrats have their soundbite, the standard soundbite before they even know what the bill is all about. They talk about 'for the wealthy,'" Trump told reporters as he left the White House for the Camp David presidential retreat for the weekend. "But this is going to be one of the greatest gifts for the middle-income people of this country that they've ever gotten for Christmas." The president said the changes would boost employment, adding that it was essential for US growth. "The economy now has hit three percent (growth). Nobody thought it would be anywhere close. I think we could go to four, five or even six percent, ultimately," Trump said. "We are back. We are really going to start to rock. We need this as our final push. And you're going to see some numbers that are great. You're going to see great job numbers. Jobs are going to come pouring back into this country." Asked about the increase in the national debt that the reform will trigger, Trump stressed that the measure would also generate extra revenues as growth increases. According to the final text, the federal tax on businesses would drop from 35 to 21 percent, while the top income tax will fall from 39.6 to 37 percent, with the number of tax brackets remaining the same.

Trump calls tax overhaul 'Christmas gift' for middle class

Congressional Republicans on Friday unveiled the final version of their dramatic US&nbsp;tax overhaul - debt-financed cuts for businesses, the wealthy and some middle-class Americans - and picked up crucial support from two wavering senators ahead of planned votes by lawmakers early next week.

Passage of the biggest US&nbsp;tax rewrite since 1986 would provide Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump their first major legislative victory since he took office in January. Prospects for approval soared after Republican senators Marco Rubio and Bob Corker pledged support.

Three Republican senators, enough to defeat the measure in a Senate that Trump&#39;s party controls with a slim 52-48 majority, remained uncommitted: Susan Collins, Jeff Flake and Mike Lee.

The final version hammered out between Senate and House of Representatives Republicans after each chamber previously passed competing versions contained no surprises.

It would cut the corporate income tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, according to a summary distributed to reporters by congressional tax writers. Corporate tax lobbyists have been seeking a tax cut of this magnitude for many years.

The bill, the summary showed, would create a 20-percent business income tax deduction for owners of &quot;pass-through&quot; businesses, such as partnerships and sole proprietorships; allow for immediate write-off by corporations of new equipment costs, and eliminate the corporate alternative minimum tax.

Under a new territorial system, the bill would exempt US&nbsp;corporations from taxes on most of their future foreign profits. It also sets a one-time tax for companies to repatriate more than $2.6 trillion now held overseas, at rates of 15.5 percent for cash and cash-equivalents and 8 percent for illiquid assets.

If passed by Congress, the changes would be in effect for 2018 taxes, with tax returns for 2017 unaffected.

Democrats have been unified against the measure, calling it a giveaway to corporations and the rich that would drive up the federal deficit.

Bernie Sanders, a leading liberal voice in the Senate who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year, called the bill &quot;a moral and economic obscenity.&quot;

&quot;It is a gift to wealthy Republican campaign contributors and an insult to the working families of our country,&quot; Sanders said.

Republicans have said the tax cuts are needed because the economy is not expanding quickly enough. &quot;Now the American people are closer to a plan that will deliver higher wages, lower taxes, a simpler system, and a stronger American economy,&quot; House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said.

The House was expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday. Republicans have a large majority there, and passage was expected despite Democratic opposition. The bill would then go to the Senate. Republicans can afford to lose only two votes from within their own ranks and still win Senate passage.

The tax bill was expected to add at least $1 trillion to the 20 trillion US&nbsp;national debt over 10 years, making it an unusual example of deficit spending on stimulative tax cuts at a time when the economy is already expanding.

For months, Trump has touted the bill as a middle-class tax cut. Studies from independent analysts and non-partisan congressional researchers have projected that corporations and the rich would benefit disproportionately.

Top rate cut 

The Republican bill would maintain the existing seven individual and family income tax brackets with rates of 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35 and 37 percent. That top rate, for the highest-earning Americans, would be cut from today&#39;s 39.6 percent.

Republicans abandoned their quest to eliminate the estate tax on inherited assets, a move that would have benefited the richest Americans. But they did propose increasing the exemption for the tax to $10 million from $5 million person.

The bill does not eliminate Wall Street&#39;s so-called carried interest loophole that allows fund managers to claim a lower capital gains tax rate on profits from investments held more than a year. Getting rid of the loophole was a Trump campaign pledge. Instead, the legislation makes it harder for some fund managers to take advantage of the loopholes by requiring them to hold investments for more than three years before claiming it.

Trump, who last year promised voters major tax cuts, wants a bill on his desk before the Dec. 25 Christmas holiday so he can sign it into law and finish 2017 with at least one big win in Congress before the 2018 mid-term election campaigns when Republicans will defend their Senate and House of Representatives majorities.

Since sweeping to power in Washington in January, Trump and his fellow Republicans have failed to pass major legislation including a promised healthcare overhaul, while Trump`s public approval ratings have remained low. Since last month, Republicans have lost hard-fought elections in Alabama and Virginia.

Stock markets have been rallying for months in anticipation of sharply lower tax rates for corporations, wealthy financiers and business owners, all of which the bill would deliver.

Wall Street&#39;s three major stock indexes closed at record highs on Friday, driven by corporate tax rates that looked likely to pass.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.58 percent to 24,651.74, the S&amp;P 500 gained 0.90 percent to 2,675.81 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.17 percent, to 6,936.58.

Late Changes&nbsp;

As the tax package evolved, it tilted increasingly toward benefiting businesses and the wealthy. Provisions for offsetting the revenue costs of last-minute changes were troublesome for some lawmakers.

Rubio said he would support the bill after its approach to the child tax credit was changed. The bill doubles the credit, meant to help reduce the costs of raising kids, to $2,000 per dependent child under the age of 17, with a refundable portion of $1,400. That refundable portion was raised from $1,100 at the last minute to win Rubio`s backing.

Lee called the change to the child credit &quot;a big win&quot; but stopped short of endorsing the bill until he saw the details.

Corker, a fiscal hawk who opposed an earlier bill that passed the Senate because of its deficit impact, said the final measure was &quot;far from perfect&quot; but he would support it, calling it a &quot;once-in-a-generation opportunity&quot; to help US&nbsp;businesses.

Collins has remained non-committal, in part out of concern about a provision that would repeal the fine imposed under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, on Americans who do not obtain health insurance.

Flake has said he needs to see all the details before supporting the measure.

The Senate vote outlook has been complicated by Republican Senator John McCain&#39;s hospitalization for treatment for side effects of cancer therapy. His office said he &quot;looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible.&quot;

Under the legislation, the federal corporate tax would fall from 35 percent to 21 percent

Congressional Republicans on Friday unveiled the final version of their dramatic US tax overhaul - debt-financed cuts for businesses, the wealthy and some middle-class Americans - and picked up crucial support from two wavering senators ahead of planned votes by lawmakers early next week. Passage of the biggest US tax rewrite since 1986 would provide Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump their first major legislative victory since he took office in January. Prospects for approval soared after Republican senators Marco Rubio and Bob Corker pledged support. Three Republican senators, enough to defeat the measure in a Senate that Trump's party controls with a slim 52-48 majority, remained uncommitted: Susan Collins, Jeff Flake and Mike Lee. The final version hammered out between Senate and House of Representatives Republicans after each chamber previously passed competing versions contained no surprises. It would cut the corporate income tax rate to 21 percent from 35 percent, according to a summary distributed to reporters by congressional tax writers. Corporate tax lobbyists have been seeking a tax cut of this magnitude for many years. The bill, the summary showed, would create a 20-percent business income tax deduction for owners of "pass-through" businesses, such as partnerships and sole proprietorships; allow for immediate write-off by corporations of new equipment costs, and eliminate the corporate alternative minimum tax. Under a new territorial system, the bill would exempt US corporations from taxes on most of their future foreign profits. It also sets a one-time tax for companies to repatriate more than $2.6 trillion now held overseas, at rates of 15.5 percent for cash and cash-equivalents and 8 percent for illiquid assets. If passed by Congress, the changes would be in effect for 2018 taxes, with tax returns for 2017 unaffected. Democrats have been unified against the measure, calling it a giveaway to corporations and the rich that would drive up the federal deficit. Bernie Sanders, a leading liberal voice in the Senate who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination last year, called the bill "a moral and economic obscenity." "It is a gift to wealthy Republican campaign contributors and an insult to the working families of our country," Sanders said. Republicans have said the tax cuts are needed because the economy is not expanding quickly enough. "Now the American people are closer to a plan that will deliver higher wages, lower taxes, a simpler system, and a stronger American economy," House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy said. The House was expected to vote on the bill on Tuesday. Republicans have a large majority there, and passage was expected despite Democratic opposition. The bill would then go to the Senate. Republicans can afford to lose only two votes from within their own ranks and still win Senate passage. The tax bill was expected to add at least $1 trillion to the 20 trillion US national debt over 10 years, making it an unusual example of deficit spending on stimulative tax cuts at a time when the economy is already expanding. For months, Trump has touted the bill as a middle-class tax cut. Studies from independent analysts and non-partisan congressional researchers have projected that corporations and the rich would benefit disproportionately. Top rate cut The Republican bill would maintain the existing seven individual and family income tax brackets with rates of 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35 and 37 percent. That top rate, for the highest-earning Americans, would be cut from today's 39.6 percent. Republicans abandoned their quest to eliminate the estate tax on inherited assets, a move that would have benefited the richest Americans. But they did propose increasing the exemption for the tax to $10 million from $5 million person. The bill does not eliminate Wall Street's so-called carried interest loophole that allows fund managers to claim a lower capital gains tax rate on profits from investments held more than a year. Getting rid of the loophole was a Trump campaign pledge. Instead, the legislation makes it harder for some fund managers to take advantage of the loopholes by requiring them to hold investments for more than three years before claiming it. Trump, who last year promised voters major tax cuts, wants a bill on his desk before the Dec. 25 Christmas holiday so he can sign it into law and finish 2017 with at least one big win in Congress before the 2018 mid-term election campaigns when Republicans will defend their Senate and House of Representatives majorities. Since sweeping to power in Washington in January, Trump and his fellow Republicans have failed to pass major legislation including a promised healthcare overhaul, while Trump`s public approval ratings have remained low. Since last month, Republicans have lost hard-fought elections in Alabama and Virginia. Stock markets have been rallying for months in anticipation of sharply lower tax rates for corporations, wealthy financiers and business owners, all of which the bill would deliver. Wall Street's three major stock indexes closed at record highs on Friday, driven by corporate tax rates that looked likely to pass. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.58 percent to 24,651.74, the S&P 500 gained 0.90 percent to 2,675.81 and the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.17 percent, to 6,936.58. Late Changes As the tax package evolved, it tilted increasingly toward benefiting businesses and the wealthy. Provisions for offsetting the revenue costs of last-minute changes were troublesome for some lawmakers. Rubio said he would support the bill after its approach to the child tax credit was changed. The bill doubles the credit, meant to help reduce the costs of raising kids, to $2,000 per dependent child under the age of 17, with a refundable portion of $1,400. That refundable portion was raised from $1,100 at the last minute to win Rubio`s backing. Lee called the change to the child credit "a big win" but stopped short of endorsing the bill until he saw the details. Corker, a fiscal hawk who opposed an earlier bill that passed the Senate because of its deficit impact, said the final measure was "far from perfect" but he would support it, calling it a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to help US businesses. Collins has remained non-committal, in part out of concern about a provision that would repeal the fine imposed under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, on Americans who do not obtain health insurance. Flake has said he needs to see all the details before supporting the measure. The Senate vote outlook has been complicated by Republican Senator John McCain's hospitalization for treatment for side effects of cancer therapy. His office said he "looks forward to returning to work as soon as possible."

Trump's much-touted tax cut on track for passage in US Congress, voting next week

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-took-india-to-21st-century-but-the-pm-today-is-taking-us-back-to-medieval-times-rahul-gandhi-26892">PM Modi taking India back to medieval times: Rahul Gandhi</a>

In his inagurual speech after taking over as Congress president, Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s policies and alleged &#39;&#39;Modi is taking us back to the medieval times&#39;&#39;.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-takes-charge-as-congress-president-26891">&#39;&#39;Congress took India to&nbsp;</a>21st century, but the PM, today, is taking us back to the medieval times,&#39;&#39; Congress president Rahul Gandhi said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-may-revoke-rule-allowing-spouses-of-h-1b-visa-holders-to-work-in-the-united-states-26905">Trump administration may revoke rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-may-revoke-rule-allowing-spouses-of-h-1b-visa-holders-to-work-in-the-united-states-26905">United</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-may-revoke-rule-allowing-spouses-of-h-1b-visa-holders-to-work-in-the-united-states-26905"> States</a>

Trump administration had decided to revoke the rule that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States, likely causing a muddle in technology jobs, reports said on Saturday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-26898">Only PM after Morarji Desai to take part in meeting of North-East Council: PM Modi in Shillong</a>

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura Road in Meghalaya capital Shillong on Saturday.

The prime minister said the road will boost economic activity and establish a direct link between the important towns of the state.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/sonia-gandhi-will-fight-from-rae-bareli-priyanka-gandhi-26907">Sonia Gandhi will fight from Rae Bareli: Priyanka Gandhi</a>

Congress party leader Priyanka Gandhi has denied the rumours of her mother, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi retiring from politics.

Priyanka Gandhi said that Sonia Gandhi will be fighting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from her constituency, Raebareli, in Uttar Pradesh.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/coal-scam-madhu-koda-gets-3-year-imprisonment-26890">Coal Scam: Madhu Koda gets 3-year imprisonment, 2 months interim bail granted</a>

A special CBI court in Delhi has sentenced former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his former coal secretary H C Gupta to 3-year imprisonment.

Koda has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 25 lakh while a Gupta has been fined Rs.1 lakh; three others to appeal in the high court reports ANI.&nbsp;

PM Modi taking India back to medieval times: Rahul Gandhi In his inagurual speech after taking over as Congress president, Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's policies and alleged ''Modi is taking us back to the medieval times''. ''Congress took India to 21st century, but the PM, today, is taking us back to the medieval times,'' Congress president Rahul Gandhi said. Trump administration may revoke rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in United States Trump administration had decided to revoke the rule that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States, likely causing a muddle in technology jobs, reports said on Saturday. Only PM after Morarji Desai to take part in meeting of North-East Council: PM Modi in Shillong Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shillong-Nongstoin-Rongjeng-Tura Road in Meghalaya capital Shillong on Saturday. The prime minister said the road will boost economic activity and establish a direct link between the important towns of the state. Sonia Gandhi will fight from Rae Bareli: Priyanka Gandhi Congress party leader Priyanka Gandhi has denied the rumours of her mother, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi retiring from politics. Priyanka Gandhi said that Sonia Gandhi will be fighting in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from her constituency, Raebareli, in Uttar Pradesh. Coal Scam: Madhu Koda gets 3-year imprisonment, 2 months interim bail granted A special CBI court in Delhi has sentenced former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his former coal secretary H C Gupta to 3-year imprisonment. Koda has also been slapped with a fine of Rs 25 lakh while a Gupta has been fined Rs.1 lakh; three others to appeal in the high court reports ANI.

Evening News Brief, December 16, 2017

Two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes along the Gaza border Friday, as tens of thousands of people joined new protests against Washington&#39;s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital.

US President Donald Trump&#39;s December 6 announcement that he would break with decades of American policy and move his embassy to Jerusalem has stirred international condemnation, as well as protests across the Palestinian territories and Arab world.

Demonstrators have burned American and Israeli flags and trampled on pictures of Trump amid concerns his announcement would lead to major bloodshed.

On Friday, two men were killed in clashes east of Gaza City, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Yasser Sokar and Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, 32 and 29, became the fifth and sixth Palestinians to be killed in Gaza since Trump&#39;s announcement.

Four were killed in clashes, while two Hamas militants died in an Israeli air strike.

Protests and clashes broke out across the Palestinian territories for the second Friday in a row after the end of weekly Muslim prayers, often a catalyst for clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli soldiers.

In the occupied West Bank, thousands of people gathered for protests in the southern city of Hebron, as well as Nablus in the north.

Near a military checkpoint on the outskirts of Ramallah a man stabbed a border police officer before being shot, police said.

AFP photos showed the man wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest, though it was unclear if it was operational.

He was taken to hospital for treatment after being shot three times. Police said they were investigating the incident.

In Gaza, the strip&#39;s Islamist rulers Hamas had called for another &quot;day of rage&quot; against Trump&#39;s decision, with tens of thousands taking to the streets.

A few thousand people clashed with Israeli forces along different parts of the border, during which at least 82 people were injured, with five in serious condition, the health ministry in Gaza said.

The army said around 2,500 people were involved in &quot;riots&quot; across the West Bank and about 3,500 in Gaza.

At least 56 people were hospitalised across the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said.

In Jerusalem itself, there were minor scuffles in the Old City after Friday prayers.

Over the border in neighbouring Jordan, thousands of people also demonstrated in the latest round of protests called by the Muslim Brotherhood, burning Israeli and American flags.

Rise in support for uprising&nbsp;

The status of Jerusalem is one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees the whole of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

For decades global powers have avoided taking an opinion, keeping their embassies in Tel Aviv instead.

Trump declared, however, that he would move the embassy and has recognised the city as Israel&#39;s capital.

Amid condemnation from much of the international community, the Palestinians have announced they will no longer view the Americans as a mediator in negotiations with the Israelis.

A poll conducted after Trump&#39;s announcement by the respected Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 45 percent of Palestinians supported a violent popular uprising, up from 35 percent three months previously.

Khalil Shikaki, the centre&#39;s director, said the &quot;only possible explanation&quot; for the increase was Trump&#39;s decision.

He said, however, the effectiveness of the Israeli forces and the Palestinian security forces&#39; ongoing cooperation with them had ensured the protests in the West Bank remained relatively minor.

While angered by Trump&#39;s declaration, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has not instructed his party Fatah or security forces to cut ties with Israel.

&quot;Hamas is too weak in the West Bank to carry out any serious attacks (and) Fatah does not want to engage in violence,&quot; Shikaki said.

&quot;This is not likely to change any time soon.&quot;

In Gaza, hermetically sealed off by Israel and Egypt, at least 12 rockets or mortar rounds have been fired from the territory since Trump&#39;s announcement, with Israel hitting at least 10 sites in reply.

But the response to Trump&#39;s move has been relatively muted despite some warnings, said Ofer Zalzberg, Israel-based analyst with the International Crisis Group think tank.

He said the lack of serious blowback to the announcement had encouraged right wingers in Israel&#39;s government to question whether &quot;maybe other things that people said were impossible are not&quot;.

Yasser Sokar and Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, 32 and 29, became the fifth and sixth Palestinians to be killed in Gaza since Trump's announcement that Washington recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital

Two Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in clashes along the Gaza border Friday, as tens of thousands of people joined new protests against Washington's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. US President Donald Trump's December 6 announcement that he would break with decades of American policy and move his embassy to Jerusalem has stirred international condemnation, as well as protests across the Palestinian territories and Arab world. Demonstrators have burned American and Israeli flags and trampled on pictures of Trump amid concerns his announcement would lead to major bloodshed. On Friday, two men were killed in clashes east of Gaza City, the Palestinian health ministry said. Yasser Sokar and Ibrahim Abu Thurayeh, 32 and 29, became the fifth and sixth Palestinians to be killed in Gaza since Trump's announcement. Four were killed in clashes, while two Hamas militants died in an Israeli air strike. Protests and clashes broke out across the Palestinian territories for the second Friday in a row after the end of weekly Muslim prayers, often a catalyst for clashes between young Palestinians and Israeli soldiers. In the occupied West Bank, thousands of people gathered for protests in the southern city of Hebron, as well as Nablus in the north. Near a military checkpoint on the outskirts of Ramallah a man stabbed a border police officer before being shot, police said. AFP photos showed the man wearing what appeared to be a suicide vest, though it was unclear if it was operational. He was taken to hospital for treatment after being shot three times. Police said they were investigating the incident. In Gaza, the strip's Islamist rulers Hamas had called for another "day of rage" against Trump's decision, with tens of thousands taking to the streets. A few thousand people clashed with Israeli forces along different parts of the border, during which at least 82 people were injured, with five in serious condition, the health ministry in Gaza said. The army said around 2,500 people were involved in "riots" across the West Bank and about 3,500 in Gaza. At least 56 people were hospitalised across the West Bank, the Palestinian health ministry said. In Jerusalem itself, there were minor scuffles in the Old City after Friday prayers. Over the border in neighbouring Jordan, thousands of people also demonstrated in the latest round of protests called by the Muslim Brotherhood, burning Israeli and American flags. Rise in support for uprising The status of Jerusalem is one of the most controversial issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees the whole of Jerusalem as its undivided capital, while the Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state. For decades global powers have avoided taking an opinion, keeping their embassies in Tel Aviv instead. Trump declared, however, that he would move the embassy and has recognised the city as Israel's capital. Amid condemnation from much of the international community, the Palestinians have announced they will no longer view the Americans as a mediator in negotiations with the Israelis. A poll conducted after Trump's announcement by the respected Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 45 percent of Palestinians supported a violent popular uprising, up from 35 percent three months previously. Khalil Shikaki, the centre's director, said the "only possible explanation" for the increase was Trump's decision. He said, however, the effectiveness of the Israeli forces and the Palestinian security forces' ongoing cooperation with them had ensured the protests in the West Bank remained relatively minor. While angered by Trump's declaration, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has not instructed his party Fatah or security forces to cut ties with Israel. "Hamas is too weak in the West Bank to carry out any serious attacks (and) Fatah does not want to engage in violence," Shikaki said. "This is not likely to change any time soon." In Gaza, hermetically sealed off by Israel and Egypt, at least 12 rockets or mortar rounds have been fired from the territory since Trump's announcement, with Israel hitting at least 10 sites in reply. But the response to Trump's move has been relatively muted despite some warnings, said Ofer Zalzberg, Israel-based analyst with the International Crisis Group think tank. He said the lack of serious blowback to the announcement had encouraged right wingers in Israel's government to question whether "maybe other things that people said were impossible are not".

Palestinians killed in new wave of protests over Trump Jerusalem move

Walt Disney Co has struck a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Rupert Murdoch&#39;s Twenty-First Century Fox Inc for $52.4 billion in stock, giving the world&#39;s largest entertainment company an arsenal of shows and movies to combat growing digital rivals Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc.

The deal brings to a close more than half a century of expansion by Murdoch, 86, who turned a single Australian newspaper he inherited from his father at the age of 21 into one of the world&#39;s most important global news and film conglomerates. The new, slimmed down Fox will focus on TV news and sport.

Early indications are that the deal will not face strong resistance from antitrust regulators as AT&amp;T Corp&#39;s bid to acquire Time Warner Inc has done. US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, who has attacked the AT&amp;T deal, spoke to Murdoch on Thursday and congratulated him on the deal, according to the White House.

Shares of Fox, which have surged more than 30 per cent since talk of the deal surfaced in early November, closed up 6.5 per cent. Disney shares rose 2.7 per cent, spurred on by the company&#39;s plan to buy up to $20 billion of its own shares to offset dilution from the all-stock deal. Disney will also assume about $13.7 billion of Fox debt in the deal.

Fox stockholders will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each share held and will end up owning about a quarter of Disney.

Under the deal, expected to close in 12 to 18 months, Disney acquires 21st Century Fox&#39;s film and television studios, its cable entertainment networks and international TV businesses.

That brings marquee franchises like &quot;Avatar&quot; and &quot;The Simpsons&quot; inside the Mouse House, on top of Iger&#39;s previous purchases, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and &quot;Star Wars&quot; producer Lucasfilm.

The deal also includes 22 of Fox&#39;s regional sports networks that have the rights to televise live games of US&nbsp;professional baseball, basketball and hockey teams as well as popular college and high school games.

Disney&rsquo;s global footprint expands with the acquisition of Fox&#39;s international satellite assets, including Star TV network in India and a stake in European pay-TV provider Sky Plc and sports rights in several countries.

The new pipeline of shows and movies will help Disney battle technology companies siphoning audiences away from traditional TV networks.

Amazon is on track to spend at least $4.5 billion on video this year, according to analyst estimates, while Netflix plans to spend $8 billion on content next year. That is closing the gap on Disney, which spent $13.5 billion on content, half of that on sports, in the latest fiscal year, according to analysts.

&quot;The deal illustrates the huge strategic challenge traditional media companies face and how they need to reinvent their business models to compete with digital, online competitors such as Netflix, Google and Amazon,&quot; said Nick Jones, partner and head of technology at Cavendish Corporate Finance. &quot;(It) helps Disney dramatically reduce its reliance on traditional television, a business that has declined over the last two decades.&quot;

New Fox

Immediately before the acquisition, Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, its sports channels FS1, FS2 and the Big Ten Network, into a newly listed company that it will spin off to its shareholders.

&quot;This will be a growth company, centred on live news and sports brands and the strength of the Fox network,&quot; 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Murdoch told investors. He said Fox was not retreating, rather &quot;pivoting at a pivotal moment.&quot;

Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, 66, will extend his tenure through the end of 2021 to oversee the integration of the Fox businesses. He has already postponed his retirement from Disney three times, saying in March he was committed to leaving the company in July 2019.

If Iger sees out his new term, that would rule out a presidential bid in 2020, which had been the subject of some speculation.

&quot;This acquisition reflects a changing media landscape, increasingly defined by transforming technology and evolving consumer expectations,&quot; Iger told investors on a conference call.

He said new technology would be necessary to meet the demands of viewers who want to access content anytime. Fox&#39;s regional sports networks and cable network puts Disney in a better position to sell more shows directly to more consumers, he added.

Disney has been struggling to bolster its TV business as cancellation of cable subscriptions is pressuring its biggest network, sports channel ESPN.

The company plans to launch its own streaming service in 2019, a calculated gamble that it can generate more profit in the long run from its own subscription service rather than renting out movies to services like Netflix.

It is not clear who will head the new Fox. Iger said current Fox CEO James Murdoch, Rupert&#39;s younger son, will help with the transition and that the two will discuss whether he will have a longer-term role at Disney.

Sky&#39;s future

Through Fox&#39;s stake in the Hulu video streaming service, Disney will assume majority control of one of Netflix&#39;s main competitors. Hulu is also partially owned by Comcast Corp and Time Warner Inc.

A majority of antitrust experts contacted by Reuters said the deal would likely win approval from US&nbsp;antitrust authorities, although the US&nbsp;Department of Justice may require asset sales or conditions, they said.

Fox said it remained committed to buying the 61 percent of Sky it does not already own and expects to win regulatory approval from Britain and to close the deal by the end of June, 2018.

Britain&rsquo;s Takeover Panel said Disney had informed the watchdog that should it only buy 39 percent of the company - if Murdoch fails to buy the rest of Sky - it did not think it should be forced to make a full bid for the company. The statement prompted Sky&rsquo;s stock to fall by 1 percent.

In Britain, any investor acquiring 30 percent of a listed company is automatically forced to make a bid for the rest of the stock. The Takeover Panel said it would seek the opinions of Sky&rsquo;s independent directors before making a decision.

Fox stockholders will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each share held and will end up owning about a quarter of Disney

Walt Disney Co has struck a deal to buy film, television and international businesses from Rupert Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox Inc for $52.4 billion in stock, giving the world's largest entertainment company an arsenal of shows and movies to combat growing digital rivals Netflix Inc and Amazon.com Inc. The deal brings to a close more than half a century of expansion by Murdoch, 86, who turned a single Australian newspaper he inherited from his father at the age of 21 into one of the world's most important global news and film conglomerates. The new, slimmed down Fox will focus on TV news and sport. Early indications are that the deal will not face strong resistance from antitrust regulators as AT&T Corp's bid to acquire Time Warner Inc has done. US President Donald Trump, who has attacked the AT&T deal, spoke to Murdoch on Thursday and congratulated him on the deal, according to the White House. Shares of Fox, which have surged more than 30 per cent since talk of the deal surfaced in early November, closed up 6.5 per cent. Disney shares rose 2.7 per cent, spurred on by the company's plan to buy up to $20 billion of its own shares to offset dilution from the all-stock deal. Disney will also assume about $13.7 billion of Fox debt in the deal. Fox stockholders will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each share held and will end up owning about a quarter of Disney. Under the deal, expected to close in 12 to 18 months, Disney acquires 21st Century Fox's film and television studios, its cable entertainment networks and international TV businesses. That brings marquee franchises like "Avatar" and "The Simpsons" inside the Mouse House, on top of Iger's previous purchases, including Pixar Animation Studios, Marvel Entertainment and "Star Wars" producer Lucasfilm. The deal also includes 22 of Fox's regional sports networks that have the rights to televise live games of US professional baseball, basketball and hockey teams as well as popular college and high school games. Disney’s global footprint expands with the acquisition of Fox's international satellite assets, including Star TV network in India and a stake in European pay-TV provider Sky Plc and sports rights in several countries. The new pipeline of shows and movies will help Disney battle technology companies siphoning audiences away from traditional TV networks. Amazon is on track to spend at least $4.5 billion on video this year, according to analyst estimates, while Netflix plans to spend $8 billion on content next year. That is closing the gap on Disney, which spent $13.5 billion on content, half of that on sports, in the latest fiscal year, according to analysts. "The deal illustrates the huge strategic challenge traditional media companies face and how they need to reinvent their business models to compete with digital, online competitors such as Netflix, Google and Amazon," said Nick Jones, partner and head of technology at Cavendish Corporate Finance. "(It) helps Disney dramatically reduce its reliance on traditional television, a business that has declined over the last two decades." New Fox Immediately before the acquisition, Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, its sports channels FS1, FS2 and the Big Ten Network, into a newly listed company that it will spin off to its shareholders. "This will be a growth company, centred on live news and sports brands and the strength of the Fox network," 21st Century Fox Executive Chairman Murdoch told investors. He said Fox was not retreating, rather "pivoting at a pivotal moment." Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, 66, will extend his tenure through the end of 2021 to oversee the integration of the Fox businesses. He has already postponed his retirement from Disney three times, saying in March he was committed to leaving the company in July 2019. If Iger sees out his new term, that would rule out a presidential bid in 2020, which had been the subject of some speculation. "This acquisition reflects a changing media landscape, increasingly defined by transforming technology and evolving consumer expectations," Iger told investors on a conference call. He said new technology would be necessary to meet the demands of viewers who want to access content anytime. Fox's regional sports networks and cable network puts Disney in a better position to sell more shows directly to more consumers, he added. Disney has been struggling to bolster its TV business as cancellation of cable subscriptions is pressuring its biggest network, sports channel ESPN. The company plans to launch its own streaming service in 2019, a calculated gamble that it can generate more profit in the long run from its own subscription service rather than renting out movies to services like Netflix. It is not clear who will head the new Fox. Iger said current Fox CEO James Murdoch, Rupert's younger son, will help with the transition and that the two will discuss whether he will have a longer-term role at Disney. Sky's future Through Fox's stake in the Hulu video streaming service, Disney will assume majority control of one of Netflix's main competitors. Hulu is also partially owned by Comcast Corp and Time Warner Inc. A majority of antitrust experts contacted by Reuters said the deal would likely win approval from US antitrust authorities, although the US Department of Justice may require asset sales or conditions, they said. Fox said it remained committed to buying the 61 percent of Sky it does not already own and expects to win regulatory approval from Britain and to close the deal by the end of June, 2018. Britain’s Takeover Panel said Disney had informed the watchdog that should it only buy 39 percent of the company - if Murdoch fails to buy the rest of Sky - it did not think it should be forced to make a full bid for the company. The statement prompted Sky’s stock to fall by 1 percent. In Britain, any investor acquiring 30 percent of a listed company is automatically forced to make a bid for the rest of the stock. The Takeover Panel said it would seek the opinions of Sky’s independent directors before making a decision.

Disney buying Fox film, TV units for $52 billion in digital push

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