A 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner, Harnish Patel, was shot dead outside his home on Thursday night in the US. 
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The incident took place after Harnish Patel closed his store and left for his home, 6 kilometres&nbsp;away in his minivan at 11:24 pm on Thursday, local news channel <a href="http://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/43-year-old-man-shot-killed-in-his-yard-lancaster-coroner-says/499276598">WSOC-TV reported</a>. Investigators believe he was confronted by his killer when he got out of the vehicle.

He had locked up his nearby store less than 10 minutes before he was found dead, police said.

Lancaster County police received calls at 11:33 pm after people called 911 to say that they heard screaming and gunshots on Craig Manor Road where the victim&#39;s house is situated, PTI reported.

Sheriff Barry Faile said the Indian ethnicity of Patel does not immediately appear to be a factor in the crime. &quot;I don&#39;t have any reason to believe that this was racially motivated,&quot; the Sheriff said.

Friends and customers were in shock and were visiting Patel&#39;s home to offer condolences to his family.

&quot;Who would do anything like this to him, as good as he is to everybody,&quot; Nicole Jones, a frequent customer at Patel&#39;s store, told WBTV.

Jones and other friends said Patel was not always worried about the bottom line of his business.

&quot;If you didn&#39;t have the money, he&#39;d let people have food,&quot; Jones said.

Mario Sadler, another customer and friend, said Patel had offered him jobs before, and did anything he could to help out in tough times.

&quot;He&#39;s watched my kids grow up, which is why it&#39;s painful. From day one he&#39;s been amazing, just awesome, and I just don&#39;t understand the sense behind it,&quot; Sadler said.

Dilipkumar Gajjar, a close friend of Patel and the owner the ABC store next to the Speedee Mart, said Patel came over to this country to better his family&#39;s life, and did that.

Harnish Patel&#39;s death comes after 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in Kansas in an apparent incident of hate crime. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani at a bar before yelling &quot;get out of my country&quot;.

The shooting last month sent shockwaves across the Indian-American community with people expressing concerns over their safety in an enviornment of xenophobia and racist rhetoric in the country.

(WION with inputs from PTI)

 
&nbsp;

Harnish Patel had closed his shop at night, and within ten minutes was fatally shot outside his house

A 43-year-old Indian-origin store owner, Harnish Patel, was shot dead outside his home on Thursday night in the US. Indian-origin businessman shot dead outside his home in South Carolina #USA pic.twitter.com/LAYeN3XSCI — ANI (@ANI_news) March 4, 2017 × The incident took place after Harnish Patel closed his store and left for his home, 6 kilometres away in his minivan at 11:24 pm on Thursday, local news channel WSOC-TV reported. Investigators believe he was confronted by his killer when he got out of the vehicle. He had locked up his nearby store less than 10 minutes before he was found dead, police said. Lancaster County police received calls at 11:33 pm after people called 911 to say that they heard screaming and gunshots on Craig Manor Road where the victim's house is situated, PTI reported. Sheriff Barry Faile said the Indian ethnicity of Patel does not immediately appear to be a factor in the crime. "I don't have any reason to believe that this was racially motivated," the Sheriff said. Friends and customers were in shock and were visiting Patel's home to offer condolences to his family. "Who would do anything like this to him, as good as he is to everybody," Nicole Jones, a frequent customer at Patel's store, told WBTV. Jones and other friends said Patel was not always worried about the bottom line of his business. "If you didn't have the money, he'd let people have food," Jones said. Mario Sadler, another customer and friend, said Patel had offered him jobs before, and did anything he could to help out in tough times. "He's watched my kids grow up, which is why it's painful. From day one he's been amazing, just awesome, and I just don't understand the sense behind it," Sadler said. Dilipkumar Gajjar, a close friend of Patel and the owner the ABC store next to the Speedee Mart, said Patel came over to this country to better his family's life, and did that. Harnish Patel's death comes after 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in Kansas in an apparent incident of hate crime. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran Adam Purinton opened fire at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani at a bar before yelling "get out of my country". The shooting last month sent shockwaves across the Indian-American community with people expressing concerns over their safety in an enviornment of xenophobia and racist rhetoric in the country. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Indian-origin businessman Harnish Patel shot dead in US

The USS Carl Vinson led a carrier strike group on Friday in waters some 400 nautical miles east of China&#39;s Hainan Island and northeast of the Paracels, the island chain occupied by Beijing since it seized control from Vietnam in the 1970s.

China claims most of the South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

China&#39;s growing military presence in the waters has fuelled concern in the West, with the United States criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation.

Tension between the United States and China over trade and territory under US President Donald Trump has been stepped up of late, with fear in the region that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between the two rival powers.

Some 30 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft took to the sky on Friday and crew in colour-coded uniform raced to service them, check their instruments and fit weapons. An overpowering smell of aircraft fuel lingered in the air.

At any given time, between eight and 25 aircraft are in the air, day and night, with 15-20 on standby.

USS Carl Vinson has been on patrol since February 19 in the South China Sea, amid some confusion about US staying power in the region under a Trump administration with policies skewed heavily towards a domestic agenda.

Comments so far by Washington have caused alarm, most notably those by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who suggested during his Senate hearing that China be blocked from accessing the islands it has built and fortified with surface-to-air missiles.

Rear Admiral James Kilby, the strike group commander, said the patrol was not a show of power, but a demonstration of US commitment to the Asia-Pacific.

&quot;We wanted to reassure our friends and allies and our belief in the freedom of navigation and security operations that we always conducted,&quot; he reporters flown out to the carrier on Friday.

&quot;We have operated in the past, and we will continue to operate in the future. We continued to demonstrate that the international waters are waters where everyone can sail.&quot;

Testing The Waters

Under former President Barack Obama&#39;s pivot to Asia, Washington sought to challenge China&#39;s growing assertiveness through FONOPS, or Freedom of Navigation Operations, which routinely riled Beijing, particularly those close to its seven artificial islands.

Some critics say the FONOPS have been both provocative and fruitless, having failed to deter China from building up what it considers legitimate defences.

A top Chinese official last year warned that FONOPS could &quot;end in disaster&quot;.

Friday&#39;s exercise was far from the disputed areas of the waterway, rich fishing grounds which contain largely unexplored oil and gas deposits. Kilby there were &quot;contacts&quot; with merchant, fishing and military vessels in the past two weeks, though no &quot;incidents&quot;. He did not elaborate.

China has been guarded in its response to the latest US mission, which started one day after Beijing finished its own aircraft carrier exercises.

It said it respected freedom of navigation and hoped the United States could &quot;contribute positive energy towards this good situation&quot;.

The crew aboard Carl Vinson will spend five months in Asia.

During Friday&#39;s drills, one fighter missed its landing, or &quot;recovery&quot;, and was made to repeat the exercise, circling the vast ship before making a perfect landing.

Captain Douglas Verissimo, the skipper of Vinson, said the exercises included rigorous checks. Aircraft were simulating combat and bombing runs, performing over and over until flaws were ironed out.

&quot;Every time they land, there&#39;s someone grading them,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

Under Trump, there are fears that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between China and the US

The USS Carl Vinson led a carrier strike group on Friday in waters some 400 nautical miles east of China's Hainan Island and northeast of the Paracels, the island chain occupied by Beijing since it seized control from Vietnam in the 1970s. China claims most of the South China Sea through which about $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims. China's growing military presence in the waters has fuelled concern in the West, with the United States criticising its militarisation of maritime outposts and holding regular air and naval patrols to ensure freedom of navigation. Tension between the United States and China over trade and territory under US President Donald Trump has been stepped up of late, with fear in the region that the South China Sea, vital to global trade, could become a battleground between the two rival powers. Some 30 fighter jets, helicopters and other aircraft took to the sky on Friday and crew in colour-coded uniform raced to service them, check their instruments and fit weapons. An overpowering smell of aircraft fuel lingered in the air. At any given time, between eight and 25 aircraft are in the air, day and night, with 15-20 on standby. USS Carl Vinson has been on patrol since February 19 in the South China Sea, amid some confusion about US staying power in the region under a Trump administration with policies skewed heavily towards a domestic agenda. Comments so far by Washington have caused alarm, most notably those by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who suggested during his Senate hearing that China be blocked from accessing the islands it has built and fortified with surface-to-air missiles. Rear Admiral James Kilby, the strike group commander, said the patrol was not a show of power, but a demonstration of US commitment to the Asia-Pacific. "We wanted to reassure our friends and allies and our belief in the freedom of navigation and security operations that we always conducted," he reporters flown out to the carrier on Friday. "We have operated in the past, and we will continue to operate in the future. We continued to demonstrate that the international waters are waters where everyone can sail." Testing The Waters Under former President Barack Obama's pivot to Asia, Washington sought to challenge China's growing assertiveness through FONOPS, or Freedom of Navigation Operations, which routinely riled Beijing, particularly those close to its seven artificial islands. Some critics say the FONOPS have been both provocative and fruitless, having failed to deter China from building up what it considers legitimate defences. A top Chinese official last year warned that FONOPS could "end in disaster". Friday's exercise was far from the disputed areas of the waterway, rich fishing grounds which contain largely unexplored oil and gas deposits. Kilby there were "contacts" with merchant, fishing and military vessels in the past two weeks, though no "incidents". He did not elaborate. China has been guarded in its response to the latest US mission, which started one day after Beijing finished its own aircraft carrier exercises. It said it respected freedom of navigation and hoped the United States could "contribute positive energy towards this good situation". The crew aboard Carl Vinson will spend five months in Asia. During Friday's drills, one fighter missed its landing, or "recovery", and was made to repeat the exercise, circling the vast ship before making a perfect landing. Captain Douglas Verissimo, the skipper of Vinson, said the exercises included rigorous checks. Aircraft were simulating combat and bombing runs, performing over and over until flaws were ironed out. "Every time they land, there's someone grading them," he said. (Reuters)

US fighter jets, helicopters fly over South China Sea

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Saturday accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping him in October during the late stages of the presidential election campaign, but offered no evidence to support the allegation.

Representatives of Obama have denied the accusations.

Obama&#39;s spokesman Kevin Lewis said: &quot;A cardinal rule of the Obama administration was that no White House official ever interfered with any&nbsp;independent investigation led by the Department of Justice.&quot;&nbsp;

He added, &quot;As part of that practice,&nbsp;neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any US&nbsp;citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false.&quot;

&quot;How low has President Obama gone to tapp [sic] my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!,&quot; Trump said in a series of Tweets on his Twitter account early on Saturday. &quot;I&#39;d bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!&quot;

Presidents don&#39;t&nbsp;order&nbsp;wiretaps. As Ben Rhodes, President Obama&#39;s former speechwriter and policy adviser, Tweeted: &quot;No President can order a wiretap. Those restrictions were put in place to protect citizens from people like you.&quot;

On Saturday, Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News that Trump &quot;is not credible when it comes to talking about Russia&quot;. Swalwell downplayed Trump&#39;s allegation. &quot;I think this is just the president up early doing his routine tweeting,&quot; he said. &quot;Presidents don&#39;t wiretap anyone. These are pursued by the Department of Justice in accordance with the FBI and signed off by a judge.&quot;

And actually, it&#39;s perfectly legal for Trump to be wiretapped,&nbsp;and Trump claiming to have just learned about it&nbsp;now is&nbsp;dubious, considering&nbsp;it&#39;s been&nbsp;known publicly for months that&nbsp;the FBI is investigating him and his connections to Russia. Louise Mensch at <a href="https://heatst.com/world/exclusive-fbi-granted-fisa-warrant-covering-trump-camps-ties-to-russia/" target="_blank">Heat Street</a> broke the news on November 7, 2016: &quot;Two separate sources with links to the counter-intelligence community have confirmed to Heat Street that the FBI sought, and was granted, a FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] court warrant in October, giving counter-intelligence permission to examine the activities of &#39;US persons&#39;&nbsp;in Donald Trump&#39;s campaign with ties to Russia.&quot;

Under US&nbsp;law, a federal court would have to have found probable cause that the target of the surveillance is an &quot;agent of a foreign power&quot; in order to approve a warrant authorising electronic surveillance of Trump Tower.

In one of the Tweets, Trump said the alleged wiretapping took place in his Trump Tower office and apartment building in New York, but there was &quot;nothing found&quot;.

Trump&#39;s administration has come under pressure from Federal Bureau of Investigation and congressional investigations into contacts between some members of his campaign team and Russian officials during his campaign.

Obama imposed sanctions on Russia and ordered Russian diplomats to leave the United States in December over the country&#39;s involvement in hacking political parties in the November&nbsp;8 US&nbsp;presidential election.

Several conservative news outlets and commentators have made similar allegations about Trump being wiretapped during the campaign in recent days, without offering any evidence.

Trump&#39;s national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned in February after revelations that he had discussed US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office.

Flynn had promised Vice President Mike Pence he had not discussed US&nbsp;sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US&nbsp;officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and the Russian ambassador.

Trump has often used his Twitter account to attack rivals and for years led a campaign alleging that Obama was not born in the United States. He later retracted the allegation.

Obama&#39;s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The White House also did not respond to a request to elaborate on Trump&#39;s accusations.

Trump is &quot;having meetings, making phone calls and hitting balls&quot; at his golf course in West Palm Beach, according to a Trump spokeswoman.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Obama's spokesperson has denied the accusation, saying the former president never ordered surveillance on any US citizen

US President Donald Trump on Saturday accused former President Barack Obama of wiretapping him in October during the late stages of the presidential election campaign, but offered no evidence to support the allegation. Representatives of Obama have denied the accusations. Obama's spokesman Kevin Lewis said: "A cardinal rule of the Obama administration was that no White House official ever interfered with any independent investigation led by the Department of Justice." He added, "As part of that practice, neither President Obama nor any White House official ever ordered surveillance on any US citizen. Any suggestion otherwise is simply false." "How low has President Obama gone to tapp [sic] my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!," Trump said in a series of Tweets on his Twitter account early on Saturday. "I'd bet a good lawyer could make a great case out of the fact that President Obama was tapping my phones in October, just prior to Election!" Presidents don't order wiretaps. As Ben Rhodes, President Obama's former speechwriter and policy adviser, Tweeted: "No President can order a wiretap. Those restrictions were put in place to protect citizens from people like you." On Saturday, Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who is a member of the House Intelligence Committee, told Fox News that Trump "is not credible when it comes to talking about Russia". Swalwell downplayed Trump's allegation. "I think this is just the president up early doing his routine tweeting," he said. "Presidents don't wiretap anyone. These are pursued by the Department of Justice in accordance with the FBI and signed off by a judge." And actually, it's perfectly legal for Trump to be wiretapped, and Trump claiming to have just learned about it now is dubious, considering it's been known publicly for months that the FBI is investigating him and his connections to Russia. Louise Mensch at Heat Street broke the news on November 7, 2016: "Two separate sources with links to the counter-intelligence community have confirmed to Heat Street that the FBI sought, and was granted, a FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act] court warrant in October, giving counter-intelligence permission to examine the activities of 'US persons' in Donald Trump's campaign with ties to Russia." Under US law, a federal court would have to have found probable cause that the target of the surveillance is an "agent of a foreign power" in order to approve a warrant authorising electronic surveillance of Trump Tower. In one of the Tweets, Trump said the alleged wiretapping took place in his Trump Tower office and apartment building in New York, but there was "nothing found". Trump's administration has come under pressure from Federal Bureau of Investigation and congressional investigations into contacts between some members of his campaign team and Russian officials during his campaign. Obama imposed sanctions on Russia and ordered Russian diplomats to leave the United States in December over the country's involvement in hacking political parties in the November 8 US presidential election. Several conservative news outlets and commentators have made similar allegations about Trump being wiretapped during the campaign in recent days, without offering any evidence. Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, resigned in February after revelations that he had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office. Flynn had promised Vice President Mike Pence he had not discussed US sanctions with the Russians, but transcripts of intercepted communications, described by US officials, showed that the subject had come up in conversations between him and the Russian ambassador. Trump has often used his Twitter account to attack rivals and for years led a campaign alleging that Obama was not born in the United States. He later retracted the allegation. Obama's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The White House also did not respond to a request to elaborate on Trump's accusations. Trump is "having meetings, making phone calls and hitting balls" at his golf course in West Palm Beach, according to a Trump spokeswoman. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Donald Trump, without evidence, says Obama wiretapped him during campaign

President Donald Trump&#39;s team is deeply divided over whether the United States should withdraw from the Paris climate accord, ahead of an imminent decision on the issue, The New York Times reported Friday.

Senior adviser Steve Bannon is pressing the president to quit the historic agreement reached by 194 countries in December 2015 to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy and government officials told the newspaper.

That would make good on a key campaign promise by climate skeptic Trump.&nbsp;

However, the officials added, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil CEO, and Trump&#39;s own influential daughter Ivanka reject that position.

They are concerned that quitting the accord, negotiated under former president Barack Obama, would weaken US credibility abroad and hurt ties with major allies.

Trump also is reported to be planning to reduce the staff of the Environmental Protection Agency by 20 per cent.

Trump appointee Scott Pruitt now leads the agency. As Oklahoma&#39;s attorney general, Pruitt filed 14 lawsuits against EPA regulations.

As early as next week, Trump plans to sign an executive order to begin the process of dismantling Obama-era regulations that require carbon power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Those restrictions on power plant emissions were key if the United States is to meet its commitments&nbsp;under the Paris agreement.

Although Trump cannot unilaterally dismantle the accord, he can initiate the process for a US exit from the agreement.

The United States is the world&#39;s biggest economy and the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, and its exit would be a major blow to global efforts to combat climate change.

But it would show Trump supporters that he is keeping his promises to protect the US coal industry.

Since the election, Trump has said only that he was an open mind on the issue.

(AFP)

Senior adviser Steve Bannon is all for the Trump team to quit the agreement, while Ivanka Trump is against that position

President Donald Trump's team is deeply divided over whether the United States should withdraw from the Paris climate accord, ahead of an imminent decision on the issue, The New York Times reported Friday. Senior adviser Steve Bannon is pressing the president to quit the historic agreement reached by 194 countries in December 2015 to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy and government officials told the newspaper. That would make good on a key campaign promise by climate skeptic Trump. However, the officials added, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, a former ExxonMobil CEO, and Trump's own influential daughter Ivanka reject that position. They are concerned that quitting the accord, negotiated under former president Barack Obama, would weaken US credibility abroad and hurt ties with major allies. Trump also is reported to be planning to reduce the staff of the Environmental Protection Agency by 20 per cent. Trump appointee Scott Pruitt now leads the agency. As Oklahoma's attorney general, Pruitt filed 14 lawsuits against EPA regulations. As early as next week, Trump plans to sign an executive order to begin the process of dismantling Obama-era regulations that require carbon power plants to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Those restrictions on power plant emissions were key if the United States is to meet its commitments under the Paris agreement. Although Trump cannot unilaterally dismantle the accord, he can initiate the process for a US exit from the agreement. The United States is the world's biggest economy and the second largest emitter of carbon dioxide after China, and its exit would be a major blow to global efforts to combat climate change. But it would show Trump supporters that he is keeping his promises to protect the US coal industry. Since the election, Trump has said only that he was an open mind on the issue. (AFP)

Trump administration divided over Paris climate accord

A man named Hisham Saadi, 47, has been charged with carrying out a hoax regarding terrorist activity, uttering threats and mischief after calling in a fake&nbsp;bomb threat at a Canadian university, Concordia University, <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-concordia-university-bomb-threats-1.4006151" target="_blank">CBC </a>reports.

His arrest comes one day after three buildings at Concordia were <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-university-evacuated-over-anti-muslim-bomb-threat-12945" target="_blank">evacuated </a>because a letter, circulated to the school and to local media, claimed there were explosive devices planted&nbsp;around the school.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-university-evacuated-over-anti-muslim-bomb-threat-12945" target="_blank">letter </a>stated: &quot;Now that President (Donald) Trump is in office south of the border, things have changed. We will not tolerate your behaviour anymore...Until Concordia University stops religious activities of all kinds on campus, we decide the following action to show how far we are ready to go to fight Muslims.&quot;

Saadi appeared in a Montreal courtroom Thursday afternoon via a video link, the report states. He&nbsp;was arrested at 1:30 am local time&nbsp;Thursday, after police officers, including&nbsp;tactical and canine units, descended on his apartment, Constable Boisselle told the CBC.

The police constable said it was unclear&nbsp;whether or not Saadi is at all connected&nbsp;to the university, but a man&nbsp;who spoke on condition of anonymity, claiming to have subletted his apartment to Saadi,&nbsp;said that he was an economic PhD student at Concordia, the CBC report claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The anonyous&nbsp;man said that he thinks Saadi has Canadian citizenship, that &quot;he has been here for many years&quot;, and that he is of&nbsp;Lebanese origin, the CBC report claims.

Saadi has been ordered to undergo a psychological assessment before his bail hearing, which is scheduled for Friday, the CBC said.

Concordia University is located in Montreal, Quebec, the same Canadian province&nbsp;where in late January 2017 a man, who had &quot;liked&quot; Donald Trump on Facebook, murdered six Muslims inside a mosque.&nbsp;

(WION)

Hisham Saadi, 47, was charged after a letter which invoked 'Trump' said there were bombs around the school in an effort to 'fight Muslims'

A man named Hisham Saadi, 47, has been charged with carrying out a hoax regarding terrorist activity, uttering threats and mischief after calling in a fake bomb threat at a Canadian university, Concordia University, CBC reports. His arrest comes one day after three buildings at Concordia were evacuated because a letter, circulated to the school and to local media, claimed there were explosive devices planted around the school. The letter stated: "Now that President (Donald) Trump is in office south of the border, things have changed. We will not tolerate your behaviour anymore...Until Concordia University stops religious activities of all kinds on campus, we decide the following action to show how far we are ready to go to fight Muslims." Saadi appeared in a Montreal courtroom Thursday afternoon via a video link, the report states. He was arrested at 1:30 am local time Thursday, after police officers, including tactical and canine units, descended on his apartment, Constable Boisselle told the CBC. The police constable said it was unclear whether or not Saadi is at all connected to the university, but a man who spoke on condition of anonymity, claiming to have subletted his apartment to Saadi, said that he was an economic PhD student at Concordia, the CBC report claims. The anonyous man said that he thinks Saadi has Canadian citizenship, that "he has been here for many years", and that he is of Lebanese origin, the CBC report claims. Saadi has been ordered to undergo a psychological assessment before his bail hearing, which is scheduled for Friday, the CBC said. Concordia University is located in Montreal, Quebec, the same Canadian province where in late January 2017 a man, who had "liked" Donald Trump on Facebook, murdered six Muslims inside a mosque. (WION)

Canadian man charged with terror-related bomb hoax on university campus

US President Donald Trump continues to come under fire for his links with Russia.&nbsp;

His attorney general Jeff Sessions is currently under pressure to resign after it came to light that he met with the Russian ambassador before the election. At his Senate confirmation hearings, Sessions said he had had no contact with the Russians.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s first-choice National Security Adviser Michael T Flynn has already had to resign. Flynn lasted only 24 days in the job after it was reported that he met with the Russian ambassador.&nbsp;

Flynn had telephoned the ambassador after sanctions were imposed on Russia by the Obama administration, telling him that his country should not retaliate against the sanctions. And that they would be revoked under the Trump administration.

It has now come to light that Trump&#39;s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner was also part of that meeting. &nbsp;

US President Donald Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jared Kushner and his former national security advisor Michael T Flynn together met the Russian ambassador in December to &quot;establish a line of communication&quot; between the new administration and the Russian government, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/02/us/politics/kushner-flynn-sessions-russia.html?_r=0">The New York Times </a>quoted the White House as saying on Thursday.

Jared Kushner had met Russian ambassador Sergey I Kislyak at the Trump Tower in December, <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/06/trump-putin-and-the-new-cold-war">The New Yorker </a>reported this week.&nbsp;

Asked about the meeting by a New York Times reporter, a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed on Thursday that Michael Flynn was also present at the meeting which lasted for 20 minutes at the Trump Tower.

&ldquo;They generally discussed the relationship and it made sense to establish a line of communication,&rdquo; Hicks said. &ldquo;Jared has had meetings with many other foreign countries and representatives &mdash; as many as two dozen other foreign countries&rsquo; leaders and representatives.&rdquo;

The meeting in December came at a crucial time when then President Barack Obama was preparing to sanction Russia and publicly make the case that Moscow had interfered with the 2016 election, the New York Times report said.

It added that the incoming Trump administration was simultaneously striking a conciliatory pose toward Moscow in a series of meetings and phone calls involving the Russian ambassador.

Flynn was fired from the post of national security advisor by Trump for misleading officials about the nature of his telecommunications with Russian diplomats.

In January, when questioned about Flynn&rsquo;s contacts with Kislyak, the White House said that there had been only a text message and a phone call between the men at the end of December and the communications happened before the US sanctions. This was quickly contradicted by news reports.&nbsp;

Flynn later changed his story, and the White House acknowledged the two men had discussed the sanctions and ways of resolving the hostilities between the two countries -- which reached a new high after news of Russia meddling in the US elections -- once Trump was in office.

Flynn&#39;s to fully disclose the nature of the calls with Kislyak ultimately cost him his job and he was asked to resign by Trump.

The contacts raise questions about the White House&#39;s statements that it knew of no further contacts with Russian officials beyond those by Flynn.

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is also in the centre of a storm after the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that he met with the Russian ambassador in July and September just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting.&nbsp;

The revelations have cast a cloud over President Donald Trump&#39;s administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. 
 
(WION)

He met the ambassador at Trump Tower along with the former NSA Michael T Flynn

US President Donald Trump continues to come under fire for his links with Russia. His attorney general Jeff Sessions is currently under pressure to resign after it came to light that he met with the Russian ambassador before the election. At his Senate confirmation hearings, Sessions said he had had no contact with the Russians. Trump's first-choice National Security Adviser Michael T Flynn has already had to resign. Flynn lasted only 24 days in the job after it was reported that he met with the Russian ambassador. Flynn had telephoned the ambassador after sanctions were imposed on Russia by the Obama administration, telling him that his country should not retaliate against the sanctions. And that they would be revoked under the Trump administration. It has now come to light that Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner was also part of that meeting. US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and his former national security advisor Michael T Flynn together met the Russian ambassador in December to "establish a line of communication" between the new administration and the Russian government, The New York Times quoted the White House as saying on Thursday. Jared Kushner had met Russian ambassador Sergey I Kislyak at the Trump Tower in December, The New Yorker reported this week. Asked about the meeting by a New York Times reporter, a White House spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed on Thursday that Michael Flynn was also present at the meeting which lasted for 20 minutes at the Trump Tower. “They generally discussed the relationship and it made sense to establish a line of communication,” Hicks said. “Jared has had meetings with many other foreign countries and representatives — as many as two dozen other foreign countries’ leaders and representatives.” The meeting in December came at a crucial time when then President Barack Obama was preparing to sanction Russia and publicly make the case that Moscow had interfered with the 2016 election, the New York Times report said. It added that the incoming Trump administration was simultaneously striking a conciliatory pose toward Moscow in a series of meetings and phone calls involving the Russian ambassador. Flynn was fired from the post of national security advisor by Trump for misleading officials about the nature of his telecommunications with Russian diplomats. In January, when questioned about Flynn’s contacts with Kislyak, the White House said that there had been only a text message and a phone call between the men at the end of December and the communications happened before the US sanctions. This was quickly contradicted by news reports. Flynn later changed his story, and the White House acknowledged the two men had discussed the sanctions and ways of resolving the hostilities between the two countries -- which reached a new high after news of Russia meddling in the US elections -- once Trump was in office. Flynn's to fully disclose the nature of the calls with Kislyak ultimately cost him his job and he was asked to resign by Trump. The contacts raise questions about the White House's statements that it knew of no further contacts with Russian officials beyond those by Flynn. US Attorney General Jeff Sessions is also in the centre of a storm after the Washington Post reported on Wednesday that he met with the Russian ambassador in July and September just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting. The revelations have cast a cloud over President Donald Trump's administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. (WION)

Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner also met with Russian ambassador: Report

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A day after Washington Post revealed that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions had spoken to russian ambassador on two separate occasions. Sessions says he would recuse himself from the federal (WION)
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Richard Painter, President George W Bush&#39;s top ethics lawyer, told&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/bush-ethics-lawyer-painter-jeff-sessions-perjury-resign-2017-3" target="_blank">Business Insider</a>&nbsp;that he believes US Attorney General Jeff Sessions must resign.

While Painter said it was &quot;debateable&quot; whether or not Sessions perjured himself during his senate confirmation hearing, there is a real possibility that Russia has enough material over him for blackmail, and while &quot;we have no way of knowing if we&#39;re in that situation,&nbsp;he said the possibility was&nbsp;&quot;just way too high a risk&quot;.

Painter said: &quot;The thing with Sessions is that the Russians almost certainly have a recording of these conversations or detailed notes about the conversations...And so, they&#39;ve got something over Sessions. Sessions will be asked what was said in these conversations. And if that doesn&#39;t match what the Russians have in their records...then they&#39;ve got him, and they have this over him for the rest of his term. We have no way of knowing if we&#39;re in that situation, but it&#39;s just way to high a risk.&quot;

&nbsp;

During his confirmation hearing, Sessions told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had no contact with Russian officials during the campaign. He was asked by Al Franken, the Democratic Senator, what he would do if he learned that someone from the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the campaign.

Sessions responded, &quot;Senator Franken, I&#39;m not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians, and I&#39;m unable to comment on it.&quot;

After the&nbsp;Washington Post responded that actually Sessions&nbsp;had two conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in September 2016--while the then-senator was&nbsp;advising&nbsp;Donald Trump&#39;s presidential campaign and at the height of what&nbsp;US intelligence agencies are <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2017/03/02/sessions-s-contact-the-russian-ambassador-a-spy-or-not-a-spy.html" target="_blank">united </a>in saying was a concerted Russian cyber espionage campaign&nbsp;to influence the outcome of the US election--pressure mounted for Sessions to recuse himself from any&nbsp;investigation into Trump&#39;s connection with Russia, and even to resign.

Sessions has since announced that he will <a href="http://US Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Thursday recused himself from any investigations into the alleged Russian interference in 2016 US presidential elections." target="_blank">recuse </a>himself from any such investigation.&nbsp;The investigation into Russia&#39;s connection seeks to determine just how Russia influenced the 2016 presidential election, and Donald Trump&#39;s ties to Russia in general.&nbsp;

Democrats and even some Republicans had called for an indepedent investigator, rather than Sessions.

Trump dismissed the increasing pressure against Sessions, calling it a &quot;witch hunt&quot;.

&nbsp;

So far <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-connection-to-russia-doesnt-end-with-flynn-12478" target="_blank">three&nbsp;people</a> from Trump&#39;s camp have resigned or have been fired once their connection to Russia came to light,&nbsp;including&nbsp;former campaign manager Paul Manafort, former adviser Carter Page, and Trump&#39;s choice to lead national security Michael Flynn.

Donald Trump <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/758071952498159616" target="_blank">tweeted </a>in July 26, 2016: &quot;For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia.&quot;

President Trump&#39;s son, Donald Jr,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2017/01/eric-trump-organization-deals-russia-233360" target="_blank">told </a>a real estate conference in 2008:&nbsp;&quot;Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets...We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.&quot;

Here is then-Trump adviser Paul&nbsp;Manafort in July of 2016, denying that Trump has any financial connections to Russia:

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MUST WATCH: Paul Manafort doesn&#39;t sound very convincing here. 
 
Interview was July 27, 2016 <a href="https://t.co/N46Y2DOAJX">pic.twitter.com/N46Y2DOAJX</a>
&mdash; Yashar (@yashar) <a href="https://twitter.com/yashar/status/837184121600356352">March 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/02/politics/russia-kislyak-spy-claim-sessions/" target="_blank">CNN </a>reported that US intelligence believes that the Russian ambassador Sergey Kisylak--who met several people associated with&nbsp;Trump&#39;s camp including:&nbsp;Michael&nbsp;Flynn and&nbsp;Jeff Sessions, and also&nbsp;former&nbsp;adviser <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/carter-page-russian-ambassador-meeting-235626" target="_blank">Carter Page </a>and <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/washington/la-na-essential-washington-updates-jared-kushner-met-with-russian-1488499538-htmlstory.html" target="_blank">Trump&#39;s son-in-law Jarred Kushner</a>-- is considered to be one of Russia&#39;s top spies and spy-recruiters in Washington. Russia has denied this is true.

Meanwhile, The Indepedent reports that&nbsp;Christopher Steele, the former British MI6 spy who compiled the infamous dossier alleging&nbsp;Russia has blackmail material over Donald Trump, has been approached about testifying in front of the US Senate Intelligence Commitee&#39;s investigation into Trump&#39;s alleged links with Russia.

Trump has dismissed Steele&#39;s allegations, and called him a &quot;failed spy&quot;.

In the past Donald Trump has&nbsp;denied having any connection to&nbsp;Vladimir Putin repeatedly, but&nbsp;has also bragged about his personal relationship with the Russian President.

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Does Donald Trump have a relationship with Vladimir Putin? Allow him to tell you. 
 
Watch this, via <a href="https://twitter.com/MSNBC">@MSNBC</a>. <a href="https://t.co/FN9ZIHRbi3">pic.twitter.com/FN9ZIHRbi3</a>
&mdash; Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) <a href="https://twitter.com/BraddJaffy/status/837141504451837952">March 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

President Bush's ethics officer said Sessions must step down. While unsure if he's been blackmailed, he said it's 'way too big a risk'

A day after Washington Post revealed that US Attorney General Jeff Sessions had spoken to russian ambassador on two separate occasions. Sessions says he would recuse himself from the federal (WION) × Richard Painter, President George W Bush's top ethics lawyer, told Business Insider that he believes US Attorney General Jeff Sessions must resign. While Painter said it was "debateable" whether or not Sessions perjured himself during his senate confirmation hearing, there is a real possibility that Russia has enough material over him for blackmail, and while "we have no way of knowing if we're in that situation, he said the possibility was "just way too high a risk". Painter said: "The thing with Sessions is that the Russians almost certainly have a recording of these conversations or detailed notes about the conversations...And so, they've got something over Sessions. Sessions will be asked what was said in these conversations. And if that doesn't match what the Russians have in their records...then they've got him, and they have this over him for the rest of his term. We have no way of knowing if we're in that situation, but it's just way to high a risk." During his confirmation hearing, Sessions told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had no contact with Russian officials during the campaign. He was asked by Al Franken, the Democratic Senator, what he would do if he learned that someone from the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the campaign. Sessions responded, "Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians, and I'm unable to comment on it." After the Washington Post responded that actually Sessions had two conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in September 2016--while the then-senator was advising Donald Trump's presidential campaign and at the height of what US intelligence agencies are united in saying was a concerted Russian cyber espionage campaign to influence the outcome of the US election--pressure mounted for Sessions to recuse himself from any investigation into Trump's connection with Russia, and even to resign. Sessions has since announced that he will recuse himself from any such investigation. The investigation into Russia's connection seeks to determine just how Russia influenced the 2016 presidential election, and Donald Trump's ties to Russia in general. Democrats and even some Republicans had called for an indepedent investigator, rather than Sessions. Trump dismissed the increasing pressure against Sessions, calling it a "witch hunt". So far three people from Trump's camp have resigned or have been fired once their connection to Russia came to light, including former campaign manager Paul Manafort, former adviser Carter Page, and Trump's choice to lead national security Michael Flynn. Donald Trump tweeted in July 26, 2016: "For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia." President Trump's son, Donald Jr, told a real estate conference in 2008: "Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets...We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia." Here is then-Trump adviser Paul Manafort in July of 2016, denying that Trump has any financial connections to Russia: MUST WATCH: Paul Manafort doesn't sound very convincing here. Interview was July 27, 2016 pic.twitter.com/N46Y2DOAJX — Yashar (@yashar) March 2, 2017 × CNN reported that US intelligence believes that the Russian ambassador Sergey Kisylak--who met several people associated with Trump's camp including: Michael Flynn and Jeff Sessions, and also former adviser Carter Page and Trump's son-in-law Jarred Kushner-- is considered to be one of Russia's top spies and spy-recruiters in Washington. Russia has denied this is true. Meanwhile, The Indepedent reports that Christopher Steele, the former British MI6 spy who compiled the infamous dossier alleging Russia has blackmail material over Donald Trump, has been approached about testifying in front of the US Senate Intelligence Commitee's investigation into Trump's alleged links with Russia. Trump has dismissed Steele's allegations, and called him a "failed spy". In the past Donald Trump has denied having any connection to Vladimir Putin repeatedly, but has also bragged about his personal relationship with the Russian President. Does Donald Trump have a relationship with Vladimir Putin? Allow him to tell you. Watch this, via @MSNBC. pic.twitter.com/FN9ZIHRbi3 — Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) March 2, 2017 (WION)

Trump-Russia: Sessions may be blackmailed by Kremlin, says former White House chief ethics officer

US President Donald Trump accused Democrats late Thursday of conducting a &quot;witch hunt&quot; against Attorney General Jeff Sessions over contacts with Russia, as the veteran senator recused himself from any probe into the election campaign.

Sessions&#39; announcement came as top Democrats called for him to resign after it emerged he had met with Russia&#39;s ambassador during the presidential election campaign, as the White House moved to forestall a snowballing controversy over its ties to Moscow.

Sessions denied any impropriety or that he lied about those encounters in his Senate confirmation hearing.

The attorney general told his confirmation hearing in January that he &quot;did not have communications with the Russians&quot; and did not know of any by other campaign staff.

Sessions on Thursday clarified that his denial referred to contacts made on behalf of the campaign. He said he met Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, and discussed mainly global politics with him.

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<h5>Sessions on Thursday clarified that his denial referred to contacts made on behalf of the campaign. He said he met Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, and discussed mainly global politics with him</h5>
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Trump declared his &quot;total&quot; confidence in Sessions -- while adding that he &quot;wasn&#39;t aware&quot; of contacts between Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and Sessions, who was a senator actively supporting Trump&#39;s campaign at the time.

He defended Sessions again in a statement late Thursday, calling Sessions an &quot;honest man&quot; and accusing Democrats of carrying out &quot;a total witch hunt!&quot;

Sessions &quot;did not say anything wrong. He could have stated his response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional.&quot;

Unswayed by Sessions&#39;s account of events, top Democrats are maintaining their calls for him to step down immediately, accusing him of perjury.

They also called for an independent prosecutor to investigate contacts between the Trump campaign and Moscow, which US intelligence says interfered in the election to hurt Trump&#39;s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

Adam Schiff, a Democratic ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, rejected Sessions&#39;s claim that his contacts with Kislyak were unrelated to his work with the Trump campaign as &quot;simply not credible.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;In the midst of a Russian campaign aimed at undermining our election and as a highly visible proxy for candidate Trump, Sessions would have had to be extraordinarily naive or gullible to believe that the ambassador was seeking him out in his office for a discussion on military matters, and Sessions is neither,&quot; he said in a statement.

&quot;I have come to the reluctant conclusion that the Attorney General should step down,&quot; he said, echoing calls made earlier by top Democrats in both chambers of the Republican-controlled Congress.

Focus on Russian diplomat&nbsp; 
Trump has come under increasing pressure over Russia&#39;s interference in the election and alleged contacts between his entourage and Moscow.

According to officials, US intelligence agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate just how and how much Moscow intruded into US politics, and whether that effort -- which US intelligence chiefs say was directed by President Vladimir Putin -- involved collusion with the Trump campaign.

Four congressional committees have opened probes into the issue, although Democrats fear Republicans will seek to bury their investigations to protect Trump&#39;s young administration.

Two weeks ago, Trump&#39;s newly appointed national security advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign amid controversy over his discussions with Kislyak in late December, when the Obama administration was hitting Moscow with retaliatory sanctions and expulsions for its election interference.&nbsp;

On Thursday, The New York Times reported that Flynn had also met the diplomat in Trump Tower in December, with Trump son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner also in attendance.

Sessions&#39;s own meetings with the envoy took place much earlier, in July and September, just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting, according to The Washington Post.

While meetings between political campaigns and diplomats are generally common, a Clinton spokesman said Thursday there were no meetings or calls between her team and any Russian official during the campaign.

Democrats press independent probe 
After reviewing ethics rules for his office, Sessions said: &quot;I have decided to recuse myself from any existing or future investigations of any matters related in any way to the campaigns for president of the United States.&quot;

Speaking to Fox News Thursday evening, Sessions reiterated that he did not discuss the campaign with Kislyak.&nbsp;

&quot;When I campaigned for Trump, I was not involved with anything like that,&quot; he said. &quot;You can be sure.&quot;

When asked if he believed the Russian government had favored Trump over Clinton, Sessions said he had &quot;never been told that,&quot; adding &quot;you&#39;d have to ask them.&quot;

Despite the swirling controversy, few hard facts are publicly available on what US investigators know and suspect about the contacts and about Russia&#39;s alleged operation to disrupt the election last year.

The New York Times reported two weeks ago, citing US intelligence sources, that three Trump campaign staff had communicated with Russian intelligence officers over the past year.

The White House labeled that report &quot;false&quot; and has accused Democrats, the media and the intelligence community of a political effort to undermine the Trump administration.

Trump&#39;s White House has lobbied the FBI, reportedly the CIA and two Republicans who head committees leading investigations into Russia&#39;s election meddling, to knock down media reports on the alleged links.

That added to Democrats&#39; worries that investigations could be tainted, and lawmakers were pressing for an independent counsel to be named to study the web of allegations about Trump and Russia free from political interference.

(AFP)

He called Sessions an 'honest man', says he 'did not say anything wrong'

US President Donald Trump accused Democrats late Thursday of conducting a "witch hunt" against Attorney General Jeff Sessions over contacts with Russia, as the veteran senator recused himself from any probe into the election campaign. Sessions' announcement came as top Democrats called for him to resign after it emerged he had met with Russia's ambassador during the presidential election campaign, as the White House moved to forestall a snowballing controversy over its ties to Moscow. Sessions denied any impropriety or that he lied about those encounters in his Senate confirmation hearing. The attorney general told his confirmation hearing in January that he "did not have communications with the Russians" and did not know of any by other campaign staff. Sessions on Thursday clarified that his denial referred to contacts made on behalf of the campaign. He said he met Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, and discussed mainly global politics with him. Sessions on Thursday clarified that his denial referred to contacts made on behalf of the campaign. He said he met Kislyak in his capacity as a senator, and discussed mainly global politics with him × Trump declared his "total" confidence in Sessions -- while adding that he "wasn't aware" of contacts between Ambassador Sergey Kislyak and Sessions, who was a senator actively supporting Trump's campaign at the time. He defended Sessions again in a statement late Thursday, calling Sessions an "honest man" and accusing Democrats of carrying out "a total witch hunt!" Sessions "did not say anything wrong. He could have stated his response more accurately, but it was clearly not intentional." Unswayed by Sessions's account of events, top Democrats are maintaining their calls for him to step down immediately, accusing him of perjury. They also called for an independent prosecutor to investigate contacts between the Trump campaign and Moscow, which US intelligence says interfered in the election to hurt Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Adam Schiff, a Democratic ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, rejected Sessions's claim that his contacts with Kislyak were unrelated to his work with the Trump campaign as "simply not credible." "In the midst of a Russian campaign aimed at undermining our election and as a highly visible proxy for candidate Trump, Sessions would have had to be extraordinarily naive or gullible to believe that the ambassador was seeking him out in his office for a discussion on military matters, and Sessions is neither," he said in a statement. "I have come to the reluctant conclusion that the Attorney General should step down," he said, echoing calls made earlier by top Democrats in both chambers of the Republican-controlled Congress. Focus on Russian diplomat Trump has come under increasing pressure over Russia's interference in the election and alleged contacts between his entourage and Moscow. According to officials, US intelligence agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation continue to investigate just how and how much Moscow intruded into US politics, and whether that effort -- which US intelligence chiefs say was directed by President Vladimir Putin -- involved collusion with the Trump campaign. Four congressional committees have opened probes into the issue, although Democrats fear Republicans will seek to bury their investigations to protect Trump's young administration. Two weeks ago, Trump's newly appointed national security advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign amid controversy over his discussions with Kislyak in late December, when the Obama administration was hitting Moscow with retaliatory sanctions and expulsions for its election interference. On Thursday, The New York Times reported that Flynn had also met the diplomat in Trump Tower in December, with Trump son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner also in attendance. Sessions's own meetings with the envoy took place much earlier, in July and September, just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting, according to The Washington Post. While meetings between political campaigns and diplomats are generally common, a Clinton spokesman said Thursday there were no meetings or calls between her team and any Russian official during the campaign. Democrats press independent probe After reviewing ethics rules for his office, Sessions said: "I have decided to recuse myself from any existing or future investigations of any matters related in any way to the campaigns for president of the United States." Speaking to Fox News Thursday evening, Sessions reiterated that he did not discuss the campaign with Kislyak. "When I campaigned for Trump, I was not involved with anything like that," he said. "You can be sure." When asked if he believed the Russian government had favored Trump over Clinton, Sessions said he had "never been told that," adding "you'd have to ask them." Despite the swirling controversy, few hard facts are publicly available on what US investigators know and suspect about the contacts and about Russia's alleged operation to disrupt the election last year. The New York Times reported two weeks ago, citing US intelligence sources, that three Trump campaign staff had communicated with Russian intelligence officers over the past year. The White House labeled that report "false" and has accused Democrats, the media and the intelligence community of a political effort to undermine the Trump administration. Trump's White House has lobbied the FBI, reportedly the CIA and two Republicans who head committees leading investigations into Russia's election meddling, to knock down media reports on the alleged links. That added to Democrats' worries that investigations could be tainted, and lawmakers were pressing for an independent counsel to be named to study the web of allegations about Trump and Russia free from political interference. (AFP)

Trump slams 'witch hunt' over attorney general

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions came under fire late Wednesday after the Washington Post reported he met twice last year with Russia&#39;s ambassador to Washington, seemingly contradicting statements he made in Senate confirmation hearings in January.

The revelation cast a fresh cloud over President Donald Trump&#39;s administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton.

The White House quickly labelled the report an attack by partisan Democrats, confirming the meetings but arguing Sessions did nothing wrong.

In a statement, Sessions said: &quot;I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false.&quot;

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<h5>The White House admits the meetings happened but claims Sessions did nothing wrong</h5>
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But with US intelligence agencies, the Department of Justice, and four Congressional committees examining the Russia scandal, Democrats demanded that Sessions -- the Trump administration&#39;s top law enforcement official -- recuse himself from investigations, and for Congress to name an independent special investigator to oversee a broad probe.

&quot;Given AG Sessions&#39; false statements about contacts with Russian officials, we need a special counsel to investigate Trump associates&#39; ties to Russia,&quot; said Democrat Senator Ron Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that Sessions -- formerly a senator who advised Trump&#39;s campaign on foreign policy and other issues -- met Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in July and September, just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting.&nbsp;

Sessions, however, told his confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 10 that he did not know of contacts between Trump campaign members and Russia.&nbsp;

&quot;I did not have communications with the Russians,&quot; he said under oath.

&nbsp;

Calls to resign

Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the Senate, called for Sessions to step down. &quot;After lying under oath to Congress about his own communications with the Russian, the attorney general must resign,&quot; she said.

Democrat Elijah Cummings of the House of Representative&#39;s Oversight Committee echoed that call in a statement. &quot;When Senator Sessions testified under oath that &#39;I did not have communications with the Russians,&#39; his statement was demonstrably false, yet he let it stand for weeks,&quot; Cummings said. &quot;Attorney General Sessions should resign immediately, and there is no longer any question that we need a truly independent commission to investigate this issue.&quot;

A White House official dubbed the latest report an &quot;attack&quot;.

&quot;This is the latest attack against the Trump administration by partisan Democrats,&quot; the official said.

&quot;Sessions met with the ambassador in an official capacity as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is entirely consistent with his testimony.&quot;

Sessions was confirmed as attorney general on February 8, moving in place to oversee Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation probes into the alleged communications between Trump campaign officials and Moscow.

&nbsp;

Interference

The New York Times reported two weeks ago, citing US intelligence sources, that three campaign staff -- including campaign chief Paul Manafort -- had communicated with Russian intelligence officers.

The White House also labeled that report &quot;false&quot; and has accused Democrats, the media and the intelligence community of a political effort to undermine the Trump administration.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-connection-to-russia-doesnt-end-with-flynn-12478">Three people</a> have resigned from Trump&#39;s administration, also including&nbsp;his election campaign, amid revelations of their connections to&nbsp;Russia. The most recent was Michael&nbsp;Flynn, Trump&#39;s pick to head&nbsp;national security, who resigned after it became public knowledge that he spoke to the Russian ambassador about US sanctions against Russia, then lied about it. During the 2016 election, Manafort resigned, as mentioned above. And so did another Trump aide, <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/09/the-mystery-of-trumps-man-in-moscow-214283" target="_blank">Carter Page</a>, after his connections to Russia came to light.

The Washington Post report emerged as Democrats had begun warning the White House and Republican lawmakers against trying to shut down any investigations of alleged Russian interference.

The warnings came after Trump&#39;s staff sought to enlist the FBI, reportedly the CIA and two Republicans who head committees leading the Russia investigations, to knock down media reports on the alleged links.

US intelligence chiefs announced in December that they had concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind a hacking and misinformation campaign to hurt Clinton and boost Trump&#39;s chances to win the November 8 presidential election.

But they have not made their evidence public, and the Kremlin denies it.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

The Washington Post reported that the Attorney General met with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in July & September

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions came under fire late Wednesday after the Washington Post reported he met twice last year with Russia's ambassador to Washington, seemingly contradicting statements he made in Senate confirmation hearings in January. The revelation cast a fresh cloud over President Donald Trump's administration -- which has repeatedly denied any suspected ties between members of his election team and Russia -- which US intelligence says interfered in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. The White House quickly labelled the report an attack by partisan Democrats, confirming the meetings but arguing Sessions did nothing wrong. In a statement, Sessions said: "I never met with any Russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. I have no idea what this allegation is about. It is false." The White House admits the meetings happened but claims Sessions did nothing wrong × But with US intelligence agencies, the Department of Justice, and four Congressional committees examining the Russia scandal, Democrats demanded that Sessions -- the Trump administration's top law enforcement official -- recuse himself from investigations, and for Congress to name an independent special investigator to oversee a broad probe. "Given AG Sessions' false statements about contacts with Russian officials, we need a special counsel to investigate Trump associates' ties to Russia," said Democrat Senator Ron Wyden, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that Sessions -- formerly a senator who advised Trump's campaign on foreign policy and other issues -- met Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in July and September, just as accusations of Russian interference in the election were mounting. Sessions, however, told his confirmation hearing at the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 10 that he did not know of contacts between Trump campaign members and Russia. "I did not have communications with the Russians," he said under oath. Calls to resign Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the Senate, called for Sessions to step down. "After lying under oath to Congress about his own communications with the Russian, the attorney general must resign," she said. Democrat Elijah Cummings of the House of Representative's Oversight Committee echoed that call in a statement. "When Senator Sessions testified under oath that 'I did not have communications with the Russians,' his statement was demonstrably false, yet he let it stand for weeks," Cummings said. "Attorney General Sessions should resign immediately, and there is no longer any question that we need a truly independent commission to investigate this issue." A White House official dubbed the latest report an "attack". "This is the latest attack against the Trump administration by partisan Democrats," the official said. "Sessions met with the ambassador in an official capacity as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, which is entirely consistent with his testimony." Sessions was confirmed as attorney general on February 8, moving in place to oversee Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation probes into the alleged communications between Trump campaign officials and Moscow. Interference The New York Times reported two weeks ago, citing US intelligence sources, that three campaign staff -- including campaign chief Paul Manafort -- had communicated with Russian intelligence officers. The White House also labeled that report "false" and has accused Democrats, the media and the intelligence community of a political effort to undermine the Trump administration. Three people have resigned from Trump's administration, also including his election campaign, amid revelations of their connections to Russia. The most recent was Michael Flynn, Trump's pick to head national security, who resigned after it became public knowledge that he spoke to the Russian ambassador about US sanctions against Russia, then lied about it. During the 2016 election, Manafort resigned, as mentioned above. And so did another Trump aide, Carter Page, after his connections to Russia came to light. The Washington Post report emerged as Democrats had begun warning the White House and Republican lawmakers against trying to shut down any investigations of alleged Russian interference. The warnings came after Trump's staff sought to enlist the FBI, reportedly the CIA and two Republicans who head committees leading the Russia investigations, to knock down media reports on the alleged links. US intelligence chiefs announced in December that they had concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin was behind a hacking and misinformation campaign to hurt Clinton and boost Trump's chances to win the November 8 presidential election. But they have not made their evidence public, and the Kremlin denies it. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US: Jeff Sessions under fire after report he too met with Russian ambassador

Many of Trump&rsquo;s dependable media critics took a day off and praised his&nbsp;address to Congress. The New York Times ran the headline, &ldquo;Trump, in optimistic address, asks Congress to end trivial fights&rdquo;. The Washington Post, &ldquo;In first joint address to Congress, Trump wins high marks for steady, muscular tone&rdquo;. Another Washington Post headlined&nbsp;called his speech &quot;surprisingly presidential&quot;. They were not alone.

These major US media outlets are rebranding themselves as crusaders in the war between Trump versus facts. While their Congress speech coverage wasn&rsquo;t universally positive, they and others got fooled&nbsp;because for 60 consecutive minutes Trump generally managed to impersonate an adult. Also,&nbsp;perhaps they&nbsp;responded favourably because for once the president&nbsp;didn&#39;t berate them.

The full speech is <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/read-full-text-of-trumps-first-speech-to-congress-12919" target="_blank">here</a>. Reading it is suggested, because it&#39;s different than watching Trump&nbsp;perform it.

It&rsquo;s impossible to address every lie in the speech because most&nbsp;sentences contain&nbsp;at least one, or are&nbsp;founded on one.&nbsp;But let&rsquo;s look closely at one&nbsp;excerpt. The beginning of the speech was praised, despite being dangerous and profoundly untrue. This is both representative of Trump&rsquo;s overall modus operandi, and illustrative of&nbsp;how even non-supporters can fail to understand him:

&ldquo;Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our nation&rsquo;s path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centres and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week&rsquo;s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.&rdquo;

Trump here doesn&rsquo;t celebrate Black culture or condemn acts of&nbsp;racism or&nbsp;murder, he is reminding everybody that he already has. Ingrained&nbsp;in the paragraph is his&nbsp;belief that by definition&nbsp;the US is automatically against hate and evil, so as president, the ultimate embodiment of this virtuous country, Trump is automatically virtuous. He is praising himself, not supporting targeted minority groups.

For weeks he has&nbsp;been asked to condemn the rise of racist attacks since the election.&nbsp;Here, he&nbsp;devotes only two sentences to three groups. Apologies require admitting fault so he doesn&rsquo;t do that, here or anywhere. It would be against his programming. He just utters the word &ldquo;Black&rdquo; and &ldquo;Jewish&rdquo; aloud without saying something horrible after. This bar is disgracefully, grotesquely low.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Yet even here he cannot bring himself to say &ldquo;Muslim&rdquo;. He does say&nbsp;&ldquo;Muslim&rdquo; twice in the hour-long speech but later, and only in the context of working with Muslim allies to fight Islamic State, or, in Trump&#39;s typical trite,&nbsp;overcompensating&nbsp;language, &ldquo;Extinguish this vile enemy from our planet&rdquo;. Several mosques have been burned in the US since the November 8&nbsp;election, but Trump only utters&nbsp;&ldquo;Muslim&rdquo;&nbsp;in the context of Muslim allies helping to kill other Muslims. This is the president&nbsp;extending an olive branch? He did not end his silence on these attacks, he continued it.

Some Indian media credited Trump with something that simply did not happen. NDTV ran the headline &ldquo;President Donald Trump denounces killing of Indian engineer in state of union address&rdquo;.&nbsp;No, Trump&nbsp;did not denounce the killing. He only alluded to it broadly, in part of one sentence,&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;euphemism and a dodge. He carefully avoided&nbsp;expanding on or conveying what happened, which is: A&nbsp;white American&nbsp;murdered an innocent Indian man&nbsp;and shot two others because, as if this is a credible reason, he thought they were Iranian. A witness heard&nbsp;the shooter say,&nbsp;&quot;Get out of my country&quot; before firing.

Later in the speech&nbsp;Trump singled&nbsp;out victims of other&nbsp;attacks that fit his narrative, like the father whose son was, in Trump&#39;s words, &quot;viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member&quot;.&nbsp;Ask yourself, why does Trump&nbsp;so brashly emphasize the attacker&#39;s background when they&#39;re not white, but remain silent about this aspect when the murderer&nbsp;is white?&nbsp;Trump never said &quot;Indian&quot; or&nbsp;the name&nbsp;Srinivas Kuchibhotla aloud.&nbsp;This is all crammed into the limp term, &ldquo;the Kansas shooting&rdquo;. And&nbsp;again, Trump&nbsp;never condemned&nbsp;this in his speech,&nbsp;he reminded&nbsp;us that he had already done so, when he had not.

Lest anyone think this is&nbsp;splitting hairs, remember, when Trump is genuinely moved his language is anything but subtle. To Trump&nbsp; Islamic State isn&rsquo;t just the enemy, they&rsquo;re &ldquo;a network of lawless savages&rdquo;, et cetera. He did not call it&nbsp;the &quot;Kansas multiple shooting&quot;, or the &quot;Kansas murder&quot;. If Trump felt sincerely pained by&nbsp;a racist murder, he would have rushed to Twitter to say something like the US needs a &ldquo;total and complete shutdown&rdquo; on racist murderers. We would not be sitting here five days after the killing, parsing language&nbsp;trying to figure out what Trump&nbsp;meant.

There is enough data on Trump to know where he stands. The verdict was in&nbsp;a long time before he addressed Congress: The president is&nbsp;a dangerous bigot who will never change. Even if he did&nbsp;condemn racism in this speech it would be&nbsp;moot, because it assumes that there was something left to decide about the man.

Trump managed to fool people incapable of decoding both his warped worldview and his barely-veiled bigotry, even his critics, by&nbsp;calmly reading&nbsp;from a teleprompter words he obviously didn&rsquo;t write. When students accomplish this it&rsquo;s called plagiarism,&nbsp;for him&nbsp;it&#39;s presidential.

If&nbsp;president of the United States requires&nbsp;this little, every single employee in the world deserves an enormous raise and promotion.

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Trump has conditioned the media to expect a madman and a pathological liar, so he impressed many pundits by only lying

Many of Trump’s dependable media critics took a day off and praised his address to Congress. The New York Times ran the headline, “Trump, in optimistic address, asks Congress to end trivial fights”. The Washington Post, “In first joint address to Congress, Trump wins high marks for steady, muscular tone”. Another Washington Post headlined called his speech "surprisingly presidential". They were not alone. These major US media outlets are rebranding themselves as crusaders in the war between Trump versus facts. While their Congress speech coverage wasn’t universally positive, they and others got fooled because for 60 consecutive minutes Trump generally managed to impersonate an adult. Also, perhaps they responded favourably because for once the president didn't berate them. The full speech is here. Reading it is suggested, because it's different than watching Trump perform it. It’s impossible to address every lie in the speech because most sentences contain at least one, or are founded on one. But let’s look closely at one excerpt. The beginning of the speech was praised, despite being dangerous and profoundly untrue. This is both representative of Trump’s overall modus operandi, and illustrative of how even non-supporters can fail to understand him: “Tonight, as we mark the conclusion of our celebration of Black History Month, we are reminded of our nation’s path toward civil rights and the work that still remains. Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centres and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week’s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.” Trump here doesn’t celebrate Black culture or condemn acts of racism or murder, he is reminding everybody that he already has. Ingrained in the paragraph is his belief that by definition the US is automatically against hate and evil, so as president, the ultimate embodiment of this virtuous country, Trump is automatically virtuous. He is praising himself, not supporting targeted minority groups. For weeks he has been asked to condemn the rise of racist attacks since the election. Here, he devotes only two sentences to three groups. Apologies require admitting fault so he doesn’t do that, here or anywhere. It would be against his programming. He just utters the word “Black” and “Jewish” aloud without saying something horrible after. This bar is disgracefully, grotesquely low. Yet even here he cannot bring himself to say “Muslim”. He does say “Muslim” twice in the hour-long speech but later, and only in the context of working with Muslim allies to fight Islamic State, or, in Trump's typical trite, overcompensating language, “Extinguish this vile enemy from our planet”. Several mosques have been burned in the US since the November 8 election, but Trump only utters “Muslim” in the context of Muslim allies helping to kill other Muslims. This is the president extending an olive branch? He did not end his silence on these attacks, he continued it. Some Indian media credited Trump with something that simply did not happen. NDTV ran the headline “President Donald Trump denounces killing of Indian engineer in state of union address”. No, Trump did not denounce the killing. He only alluded to it broadly, in part of one sentence, with a euphemism and a dodge. He carefully avoided expanding on or conveying what happened, which is: A white American murdered an innocent Indian man and shot two others because, as if this is a credible reason, he thought they were Iranian. A witness heard the shooter say, "Get out of my country" before firing. Later in the speech Trump singled out victims of other attacks that fit his narrative, like the father whose son was, in Trump's words, "viciously murdered by an illegal immigrant gang member". Ask yourself, why does Trump so brashly emphasize the attacker's background when they're not white, but remain silent about this aspect when the murderer is white? Trump never said "Indian" or the name Srinivas Kuchibhotla aloud. This is all crammed into the limp term, “the Kansas shooting”. And again, Trump never condemned this in his speech, he reminded us that he had already done so, when he had not. Lest anyone think this is splitting hairs, remember, when Trump is genuinely moved his language is anything but subtle. To Trump Islamic State isn’t just the enemy, they’re “a network of lawless savages”, et cetera. He did not call it the "Kansas multiple shooting", or the "Kansas murder". If Trump felt sincerely pained by a racist murder, he would have rushed to Twitter to say something like the US needs a “total and complete shutdown” on racist murderers. We would not be sitting here five days after the killing, parsing language trying to figure out what Trump meant. There is enough data on Trump to know where he stands. The verdict was in a long time before he addressed Congress: The president is a dangerous bigot who will never change. Even if he did condemn racism in this speech it would be moot, because it assumes that there was something left to decide about the man. Trump managed to fool people incapable of decoding both his warped worldview and his barely-veiled bigotry, even his critics, by calmly reading from a teleprompter words he obviously didn’t write. When students accomplish this it’s called plagiarism, for him it's presidential. If president of the United States requires this little, every single employee in the world deserves an enormous raise and promotion. (WION)

Trump?s Congress address analysed: How did this speech fool so many news outlets?

Jeff Sessions, while still a US&nbsp;senator, spoke twice last year with Russia&#39;s ambassador, encounters he did not disclose when asked during his confirmation hearing to become attorney general about possible contacts between Donald Trump&#39;s campaign and Russian officials, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing Justice Department officials.

One of the meetings was a private conversation between Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak that took place in September in the senator&#39;s office, at the height of what US intelligence officials say was a Russian cyber campaign to upend the US&nbsp;presidential race, the Post reported.

The previously undisclosed discussions could fuel new congressional calls for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russia&#39;s alleged role in the 2016 presidential election, the Post said.

Trump&#39;s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was fired last month after he discussed US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia with Kislyak before Trump took office and misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

As attorney general, Sessions oversees the Justice Department, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which have been leading investigations into Russian meddling and any links to Trump&#39;s associates. Sessions has so far resisted calls to recuse himself.

When Sessions spoke with Kislyak in July and September, he was a senior member of the influential Senate Armed Services Committee as well as one of Trump&rsquo;s top foreign policy advisers, according to the Post.

Sessions played a prominent role supporting Trump after formally joining the campaign in February 2016.

At his January 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Democratic Senator Al Franken what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign, the Post reported.

&quot;I&rsquo;m not aware of any of those activities,&quot; Sessions responded, according to the Post. He added: &quot;I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians.&quot;

Officials said Sessions did not consider the conversations relevant to the lawmakers&rsquo; questions and did not remember in detail what he discussed with Kislyak, according to the Post.

&quot;There was absolutely nothing misleading about his answer,&quot; Sarah Isgur Flores, Sessions&#39; spokeswoman, told the Post. 
The Department of Justice and the White House did not respond immediately to requests by Reuters for comment.

Justice officials said Sessions met with Kislyak on September 8 in his capacity as a member of the armed services panel rather than in his role as a Trump campaign surrogate, the Post reported.

&quot;He was asked during the hearing about communications between Russia and the Trump campaign - not about meetings he took as a senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee,&quot; Flores told the Post.

(Reuters)

Justice officials said he met the?Russian Ambassador?as a member of the armed services panel rather than as ?a Trump campaign surrogate

Jeff Sessions, while still a US senator, spoke twice last year with Russia's ambassador, encounters he did not disclose when asked during his confirmation hearing to become attorney general about possible contacts between Donald Trump's campaign and Russian officials, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing Justice Department officials. One of the meetings was a private conversation between Sessions and Russian Ambassador Sergei Kislyak that took place in September in the senator's office, at the height of what US intelligence officials say was a Russian cyber campaign to upend the US presidential race, the Post reported. The previously undisclosed discussions could fuel new congressional calls for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russia's alleged role in the 2016 presidential election, the Post said. Trump's first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, was fired last month after he discussed US sanctions on Russia with Kislyak before Trump took office and misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. As attorney general, Sessions oversees the Justice Department, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which have been leading investigations into Russian meddling and any links to Trump's associates. Sessions has so far resisted calls to recuse himself. When Sessions spoke with Kislyak in July and September, he was a senior member of the influential Senate Armed Services Committee as well as one of Trump’s top foreign policy advisers, according to the Post. Sessions played a prominent role supporting Trump after formally joining the campaign in February 2016. At his January 10 Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Sessions was asked by Democratic Senator Al Franken what he would do if he learned of any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of the 2016 campaign, the Post reported. "I’m not aware of any of those activities," Sessions responded, according to the Post. He added: "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians." Officials said Sessions did not consider the conversations relevant to the lawmakers’ questions and did not remember in detail what he discussed with Kislyak, according to the Post. "There was absolutely nothing misleading about his answer," Sarah Isgur Flores, Sessions' spokeswoman, told the Post. The Department of Justice and the White House did not respond immediately to requests by Reuters for comment. Justice officials said Sessions met with Kislyak on September 8 in his capacity as a member of the armed services panel rather than in his role as a Trump campaign surrogate, the Post reported. "He was asked during the hearing about communications between Russia and the Trump campaign - not about meetings he took as a senator and a member of the Armed Services Committee," Flores told the Post. (Reuters)

US Attorney General Jeff Sessions did not disclose Russia contacts:  Washington Post

A bomb threat targeting Muslim students forced an evacuation of nearly 4,000 students from the downtown campus of Concordia University in Montreal.

In an email to school administrators and also to local media, a group identifying itself as the &quot;underground&quot; chapter of C4, or the Council of Conservative Citizens of Canada, at the university directly warned &quot;Muslim students&quot; there it would detonate one homemade explosive a day through Friday to protest their activities.

&quot;Now that President (Donald) Trump is in office south of the border, things have changed. We will not tolerate your behaviour anymore,&quot; the group said in its emailed letter, referring to the US president.

&quot;Until Concordia University stops religious activities of all kinds on campus, we decide the following action to show how far we are ready to go to fight Muslims,&quot; the group vowed.

Montreal police said they were investigating the &quot;threatening email&quot;. They swept the campus for explosives but found none.

A similar threatening letter was also sent to nearby McGill University, which was put on heightened alert, but it did not specify a time or place of a possible attack.

Three Concordia University buildings were evacuated just before midday, and would remain closed until around 6:00 pm (local time), Concordia spokeswoman Christine Mota said. CBC reports that by 7:00 pm (local time) all buildings at Concordia University had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-police-threat-concordia-1.4004671" target="_blank">reopened</a>, and students were back inside.

One of the sites was hosting an &quot;Islam awareness week&quot;. Quebec Universities Minister Helene David, speaking to reporters at the scene, called the threat against Muslim students &quot;deplorable&quot;.

&quot;We strongly denounce these attacks against a university which is a model of living together,&quot; she said. &quot;Quebec is an inclusive place,&quot; the minister added. &quot;We want to live together. We will not tolerate this kind of situation.&quot;

There has been an escalation of hate crimes in the country in recent months. In January, a white supremacist student, who &quot;liked&quot; Donald Trump on Facebook,&nbsp;shot dead six worshippers at a mosque in Quebec City.

<a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/montreal-police-threat-concordia-1.4004671" target="_blank">CBC </a>reports that police constable Boisselle said investigators are now looking for the main computer which sent the threatening emails. &quot;We don&#39;t take anything for granted,&quot; they quote him as saying. The report also states they will increase patrols of private security officers, as well as police, since the threatening email mentioned a 48-hour window.

(With inputs from AFP)

Citing Trump, an 'underground' group pledged to detonate homemade bombs to 'fight Muslims'. So far, authorities have found no explosives

A bomb threat targeting Muslim students forced an evacuation of nearly 4,000 students from the downtown campus of Concordia University in Montreal. In an email to school administrators and also to local media, a group identifying itself as the "underground" chapter of C4, or the Council of Conservative Citizens of Canada, at the university directly warned "Muslim students" there it would detonate one homemade explosive a day through Friday to protest their activities. "Now that President (Donald) Trump is in office south of the border, things have changed. We will not tolerate your behaviour anymore," the group said in its emailed letter, referring to the US president. "Until Concordia University stops religious activities of all kinds on campus, we decide the following action to show how far we are ready to go to fight Muslims," the group vowed. Montreal police said they were investigating the "threatening email". They swept the campus for explosives but found none. A similar threatening letter was also sent to nearby McGill University, which was put on heightened alert, but it did not specify a time or place of a possible attack. Three Concordia University buildings were evacuated just before midday, and would remain closed until around 6:00 pm (local time), Concordia spokeswoman Christine Mota said. CBC reports that by 7:00 pm (local time) all buildings at Concordia University had reopened, and students were back inside. One of the sites was hosting an "Islam awareness week". Quebec Universities Minister Helene David, speaking to reporters at the scene, called the threat against Muslim students "deplorable". "We strongly denounce these attacks against a university which is a model of living together," she said. "Quebec is an inclusive place," the minister added. "We want to live together. We will not tolerate this kind of situation." There has been an escalation of hate crimes in the country in recent months. In January, a white supremacist student, who "liked" Donald Trump on Facebook, shot dead six worshippers at a mosque in Quebec City. CBC reports that police constable Boisselle said investigators are now looking for the main computer which sent the threatening emails. "We don't take anything for granted," they quote him as saying. The report also states they will increase patrols of private security officers, as well as police, since the threatening email mentioned a 48-hour window. (With inputs from AFP)

Canadian university evacuated over anti-Muslim bomb threat

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, opened his address to the joint session of the US Congress by a cursory reference to last week&rsquo;s shooting in Kansas City of Indian national Srinivas Kuchibhotla.&nbsp;

For the record, Trump has not apologised on behalf of his country or his people.

He left it to his nation to stand united in &ldquo;condemning hate and evil in all its forms&rdquo;. As the executive head of the US government, Trump failed to live up to his responsibility of condemning Kuchibhotla&#39;s killing, an act of blatant hatred and putrid jingoism.

The president did not mention the name of the victim either. After all, Mr Kuchibhotla is neither American, nor a hero. He is just another member of the waves of immigrants from the countries of the global South who have travelled to the US to eke out a living.&nbsp;

No consolation message from the president has reached Kuchibhotla&rsquo;s family yet.&nbsp;

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<h5>The suspect, Adam W&nbsp;Purinton, admitted in court that he shot Kuchibhotla, thinking he was an Iranian. There are thousands of Iranians working and studying all over the US -- why would a Kansas citizen suddenly become so conscious of the presence of an Iranian national in his own town?</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=The suspect, Adam W?Purinton, admitted in court that he shot Kuchibhotla, thinking he was an Iranian. There are thousands of Iranians working and studying all over the US -- why would a Kansas citizen suddenly become so conscious of the presence of an Iranian national in his own town? " target="_blank">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Clearly, the president does not care. His mentioning of the Kansas shooting is perfunctory at best, a face-saving measure to embellish America&rsquo;s image as the land of law and order. &nbsp;

&ldquo;America is strong, America is proud, and America is free,&rdquo;&nbsp;the president pointed out, but in obfuscating over the recent evidence of jingoism in the US, the president evaded engaging with his own role in stirring up negative emotions among many of his countrymen -- which is what led to the killing of Kuchibhotla. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The suspect, Adam W&nbsp;Purinton, admitted in court that he shot Kuchibhotla, thinking he was an Iranian. There are thousands of Iranians working and studying all over the US -- why would a Kansas citizen suddenly become so conscious of the presence of an Iranian national in his own town? &nbsp;

It is virtually universally known that President Trump is committed to painting Iran as a terrorist state. But unlike a responsible leader, Trump deliberately did not distinguish between the Iranian state and common Iranians living in the US. Can the President deny that this consistent blurring of categories is fueling a blanket animosity towards anybody who does not look or speak like a white American?

The death of Kuchibhotla is not an isolated incident of hate crime, it is part of a deeper malice the US is suffering from. The country has high unemployment rates, its people are terrified and confused about terrorism. Under the circumstances, the easy answer the country has found is to obliterate&nbsp;&ldquo;outsiders&rdquo;, anybody it considers not American.&nbsp;

Instead of diffusing culpability for the act, the president needs to address it head on. The United States of America stands at a critical juncture, one at which it needs to recognise the threat insularity poses to the nation&#39;s democratic fabric. Otherwise, this slow smouldering hatred towards immigrants will turn into a normalised practice of violence in the US.&nbsp;

And all future Kuchibhotlas will turn into nameless victims of hate crime in presidential speeches.&nbsp;

(WION)

The answer is no. His mention of the Kansas shooting was perfunctory at best, a face-saving measure

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, opened his address to the joint session of the US Congress by a cursory reference to last week’s shooting in Kansas City of Indian national Srinivas Kuchibhotla. For the record, Trump has not apologised on behalf of his country or his people. He left it to his nation to stand united in “condemning hate and evil in all its forms”. As the executive head of the US government, Trump failed to live up to his responsibility of condemning Kuchibhotla's killing, an act of blatant hatred and putrid jingoism. The president did not mention the name of the victim either. After all, Mr Kuchibhotla is neither American, nor a hero. He is just another member of the waves of immigrants from the countries of the global South who have travelled to the US to eke out a living. No consolation message from the president has reached Kuchibhotla’s family yet. The suspect, Adam W Purinton, admitted in court that he shot Kuchibhotla, thinking he was an Iranian. There are thousands of Iranians working and studying all over the US -- why would a Kansas citizen suddenly become so conscious of the presence of an Iranian national in his own town? × Clearly, the president does not care. His mentioning of the Kansas shooting is perfunctory at best, a face-saving measure to embellish America’s image as the land of law and order. “America is strong, America is proud, and America is free,” the president pointed out, but in obfuscating over the recent evidence of jingoism in the US, the president evaded engaging with his own role in stirring up negative emotions among many of his countrymen -- which is what led to the killing of Kuchibhotla. The suspect, Adam W Purinton, admitted in court that he shot Kuchibhotla, thinking he was an Iranian. There are thousands of Iranians working and studying all over the US -- why would a Kansas citizen suddenly become so conscious of the presence of an Iranian national in his own town? It is virtually universally known that President Trump is committed to painting Iran as a terrorist state. But unlike a responsible leader, Trump deliberately did not distinguish between the Iranian state and common Iranians living in the US. Can the President deny that this consistent blurring of categories is fueling a blanket animosity towards anybody who does not look or speak like a white American? The death of Kuchibhotla is not an isolated incident of hate crime, it is part of a deeper malice the US is suffering from. The country has high unemployment rates, its people are terrified and confused about terrorism. Under the circumstances, the easy answer the country has found is to obliterate “outsiders”, anybody it considers not American. Instead of diffusing culpability for the act, the president needs to address it head on. The United States of America stands at a critical juncture, one at which it needs to recognise the threat insularity poses to the nation's democratic fabric. Otherwise, this slow smouldering hatred towards immigrants will turn into a normalised practice of violence in the US. And all future Kuchibhotlas will turn into nameless victims of hate crime in presidential speeches. (WION)

Did Trump really condemn Srinivas Kuchibhotla's killing?

Donald Trump pledged a &quot;renewal of the American spirit&quot; Tuesday, as he fleshed out his America-first agenda in a more measured presidential tone during a landmark speech to Congress.

Transposing hardline campaign promises into a presidential key, Trump offered the most restrained and detailed explanation yet of his America-first world view.

He criticized threats against Jewish community centres and condemned the seemingly racially-motivated killing of an Indian immigrant, answering calls for him to speak out.

And although the 70-year-old again promised a hard line on illegal immigration, he outlined his policies in less-inflammatory economic terms, winning sustained applause from the Republican-dominated Congress.

&quot;By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions and billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone,&quot; he said.

Putting some policy meat on the bones, he proposed introducing an Australian-style merit-based system to reduce the flow of unskilled workers -- and held out the prospect of a bipartisan compromise with Democrats on root-and-branch immigration reform.

But he also stood by his plan to subject travelers from certain countries to extreme vetting, insisting: &quot;We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America.&quot;

His remarks were made amid expectations that a new executive order on immigration could be rolled out within the coming days.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s initial attempt to bar the entry of visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries has been halted by the courts.

&#39;New national pride&#39; 
Trump&#39;s maiden address to a chamber of lawmakers, Supreme Court Justices, ambassadors and generals, was delivered as the president grapples with multiple crises and faces historically-low approval ratings.

Hailing what he called the &quot;new national pride&quot; sweeping the country, he sought to use the pomp of the occasion and the presidential pulpit to reclaim authority and correct course after 40 difficult days.

Discussing trade, Trump even enlisted the help of Abraham Lincoln, echoing what the first Republican president described as &quot;protective policy.&quot;

&quot;Lincoln was right -- and it is time we heeded his words,&quot; Trump said. &quot;I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers be taken advantage of anymore.&quot;

Looking abroad, Trump softened his criticism of NATO partners and vowed to work with allies in the Muslim world.

But he offered no apologies for emphasizing a world order centered on the nation state.

&quot;My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America,&quot; he said.

&quot;But we know that America is better off when there is less conflict -- not more,&quot; he said, promising to &quot;find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align.&quot;

&#39;Far less dark&#39; 
In Trump&#39;s longest presidential speech to date, he remained largely on message, reading his planned address almost verbatim.

Some women Democratic lawmakers had dressed in white for the occasion, a nod to the suffragette movement and an echo of the substantial opposition the president&#39;s policies face.

But Trump struck a compassionate tone at times, embracing family-friendly policies like paid parental leave, and even won cautious praise from Democrats for his call for unity.

&quot;This was far less dark than the inaugural speech. And he has made an attempt to reach out,&quot; said Democrat John Larson of Connecticut. &quot;But the devil is in the details.&quot;

According to a CNN instant poll, 57 percent of Americans who tuned in had a very positive reaction to the speech.

Pressing his domestic agenda -- and pleasing mainstream Republicans who reluctantly embraced him -- Trump promised to provide &quot;massive&quot; tax relief for the American middle class and to repeal his predecessor&#39;s landmark Obamacare health reform.

Balancing act 
The billionaire&#39;s populist economic message was crucial in his November victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton -- helping him sway voters in crucial Rust Belt states Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Now his challenge is translating that into tangible policy steps.

He outlined plans for rebuilding America&#39;s creaking infrastructure and for high-stakes tax and healthcare reform.

But on all three issues, Trump faces a difficult balancing act with fellow Republicans, who control both the Senate and House of Representatives.

To succeed, Trump -- the consummate political outsider -- may have to embrace Washington deal-making.

Conservatives are desperate to uproot Obamacare, but party pragmatists are wary of dismantling a system that helped some 20 million Americans obtain health insurance.

Tensions between the executive branch and the Republican-led Congress are also simmering over Trump&#39;s 2018 budget proposal.

Trump wants to hike defense spending by $54 billion, offsetting that with cuts in foreign assistance and other non-military spending.

On all these issues, Trump offered little detail about how to meet his promises without worsening the country&#39;s nearly $20 trillion national debt.

&quot;This plan doesn&#39;t add up. A third-grade math student can see that you&#39;re going to blow a huge hole in the deficit if you do the things the president is talking about,&quot; Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen told AFP.&nbsp;

(AFP)

He offered the most restrained and detailed explanation yet of his America-first world view

Donald Trump pledged a "renewal of the American spirit" Tuesday, as he fleshed out his America-first agenda in a more measured presidential tone during a landmark speech to Congress. Transposing hardline campaign promises into a presidential key, Trump offered the most restrained and detailed explanation yet of his America-first world view. He criticized threats against Jewish community centres and condemned the seemingly racially-motivated killing of an Indian immigrant, answering calls for him to speak out. And although the 70-year-old again promised a hard line on illegal immigration, he outlined his policies in less-inflammatory economic terms, winning sustained applause from the Republican-dominated Congress. "By finally enforcing our immigration laws, we will raise wages, help the unemployed, save billions and billions of dollars, and make our communities safer for everyone," he said. Putting some policy meat on the bones, he proposed introducing an Australian-style merit-based system to reduce the flow of unskilled workers -- and held out the prospect of a bipartisan compromise with Democrats on root-and-branch immigration reform. But he also stood by his plan to subject travelers from certain countries to extreme vetting, insisting: "We cannot allow a beachhead of terrorism to form inside America." His remarks were made amid expectations that a new executive order on immigration could be rolled out within the coming days. Trump's initial attempt to bar the entry of visitors from seven Muslim-majority countries has been halted by the courts. 'New national pride' Trump's maiden address to a chamber of lawmakers, Supreme Court Justices, ambassadors and generals, was delivered as the president grapples with multiple crises and faces historically-low approval ratings. Hailing what he called the "new national pride" sweeping the country, he sought to use the pomp of the occasion and the presidential pulpit to reclaim authority and correct course after 40 difficult days. Discussing trade, Trump even enlisted the help of Abraham Lincoln, echoing what the first Republican president described as "protective policy." "Lincoln was right -- and it is time we heeded his words," Trump said. "I am not going to let America and its great companies and workers be taken advantage of anymore." Looking abroad, Trump softened his criticism of NATO partners and vowed to work with allies in the Muslim world. But he offered no apologies for emphasizing a world order centered on the nation state. "My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America," he said. "But we know that America is better off when there is less conflict -- not more," he said, promising to "find new friends, and to forge new partnerships, where shared interests align." 'Far less dark' In Trump's longest presidential speech to date, he remained largely on message, reading his planned address almost verbatim. Some women Democratic lawmakers had dressed in white for the occasion, a nod to the suffragette movement and an echo of the substantial opposition the president's policies face. But Trump struck a compassionate tone at times, embracing family-friendly policies like paid parental leave, and even won cautious praise from Democrats for his call for unity. "This was far less dark than the inaugural speech. And he has made an attempt to reach out," said Democrat John Larson of Connecticut. "But the devil is in the details." According to a CNN instant poll, 57 percent of Americans who tuned in had a very positive reaction to the speech. Pressing his domestic agenda -- and pleasing mainstream Republicans who reluctantly embraced him -- Trump promised to provide "massive" tax relief for the American middle class and to repeal his predecessor's landmark Obamacare health reform. Balancing act The billionaire's populist economic message was crucial in his November victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton -- helping him sway voters in crucial Rust Belt states Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Now his challenge is translating that into tangible policy steps. He outlined plans for rebuilding America's creaking infrastructure and for high-stakes tax and healthcare reform. But on all three issues, Trump faces a difficult balancing act with fellow Republicans, who control both the Senate and House of Representatives. To succeed, Trump -- the consummate political outsider -- may have to embrace Washington deal-making. Conservatives are desperate to uproot Obamacare, but party pragmatists are wary of dismantling a system that helped some 20 million Americans obtain health insurance. Tensions between the executive branch and the Republican-led Congress are also simmering over Trump's 2018 budget proposal. Trump wants to hike defense spending by $54 billion, offsetting that with cuts in foreign assistance and other non-military spending. On all these issues, Trump offered little detail about how to meet his promises without worsening the country's nearly $20 trillion national debt. "This plan doesn't add up. A third-grade math student can see that you're going to blow a huge hole in the deficit if you do the things the president is talking about," Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen told AFP. (AFP)

Trump promises 'renewal of American spirit' in first address to Congress

&nbsp;

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Indian-Americans have launched an online petition calling upon US President Donald Trump to &quot;clearly and unequivocally&quot; denounce the fatal shooting of an Indian engineer in an apparent hate crime in Kansas city.

&quot;We call upon President Donald Trump to state clearly and unequivocally that he denounces this incident. We would also like the US Department of Justice and local law enforcement to investigate this murder as what it is, a hate crime,&quot; said an online petition launched on the White House website yesterday.

&quot;Anything less will be an injustice to the victims and their families,&quot; said the &quot;We the People&quot; petition which has so far gathered more than 54,000 signatures.

President Trump in his first address to Congress did acknowledge&nbsp;the attack that killed an&nbsp;Indian engineer&nbsp;for the first time, but devoted only&nbsp;part of one&nbsp;sentence to it, and this&nbsp;five days after it&nbsp;occurred: &quot;Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centres and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week&#39;s shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms.&quot;

The petition requires 100,000 signatures by March 26 to earn a response from the White House. Launched by one SV on February 24, 2017; the petition says the &quot;fatal shooting&quot; of an Indian engineer allegedly gunned down by a Kansas man on February 22 must be treated as a hate crime.

Joining the Indian American community, Congressman Earl Blumenauer said this hate crime&nbsp;and others like it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, especially by this administration which has taken extreme government action against immigrants and has done nothing but signal intolerance.

&quot;This extreme rhetoric and action is unacceptable for a US President. He cannot continue to single out and target specific races and religions. Trump must start sending different signals, starting with expression of deep sympathy and rejection of bigotry,&quot; said the lawmaker who was part of a Congressional delegation that has just returned from India.

Americans across the country&nbsp;and millions of Indian Americans&nbsp;were shocked and horrified, he said.

&quot;The lack of acknowledgement or sympathy from Trump comes as information from his own administration says there is no proof showing his executive action banning Muslims will make us safer, and as we are seeing a rise in hate crimes, in particular the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and houses of worship,&quot; the Congressman said.

&quot;This needs to stop now. Trump should promote tolerance, inclusion and mutual support,&quot; he said. Indiaspora said the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla is a shocking and tragic incident.

&quot;Based on the currently available facts as they have been reported, we believe that this heinous murder clearly fits the definition of a hate crime. Such hate-filled and xenophobic violence has absolutely no place in America,&quot; said MR Rangaswami, founder and member of board of directors, Indiaspora.

(PTI)

Trump alluded only briefly to the 'shooting' of an Indian man in Kansas, and this was five days after it occurred

Indian-Americans have launched an online petition calling upon US President Donald Trump to "clearly and unequivocally" denounce the fatal shooting of an Indian engineer in an apparent hate crime in Kansas city. "We call upon President Donald Trump to state clearly and unequivocally that he denounces this incident. We would also like the US Department of Justice and local law enforcement to investigate this murder as what it is, a hate crime," said an online petition launched on the White House website yesterday. "Anything less will be an injustice to the victims and their families," said the "We the People" petition which has so far gathered more than 54,000 signatures. President Trump in his first address to Congress did acknowledge the attack that killed an Indian engineer for the first time, but devoted only part of one sentence to it, and this five days after it occurred: "Recent threats targeting Jewish Community Centres and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries, as well as last week's shooting in Kansas City, remind us that while we may be a nation divided on policies, we are a country that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms." The petition requires 100,000 signatures by March 26 to earn a response from the White House. Launched by one SV on February 24, 2017; the petition says the "fatal shooting" of an Indian engineer allegedly gunned down by a Kansas man on February 22 must be treated as a hate crime. Joining the Indian American community, Congressman Earl Blumenauer said this hate crime and others like it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms, especially by this administration which has taken extreme government action against immigrants and has done nothing but signal intolerance. "This extreme rhetoric and action is unacceptable for a US President. He cannot continue to single out and target specific races and religions. Trump must start sending different signals, starting with expression of deep sympathy and rejection of bigotry," said the lawmaker who was part of a Congressional delegation that has just returned from India. Americans across the country and millions of Indian Americans were shocked and horrified, he said. "The lack of acknowledgement or sympathy from Trump comes as information from his own administration says there is no proof showing his executive action banning Muslims will make us safer, and as we are seeing a rise in hate crimes, in particular the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and houses of worship," the Congressman said. "This needs to stop now. Trump should promote tolerance, inclusion and mutual support," he said. Indiaspora said the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla is a shocking and tragic incident. "Based on the currently available facts as they have been reported, we believe that this heinous murder clearly fits the definition of a hate crime. Such hate-filled and xenophobic violence has absolutely no place in America," said MR Rangaswami, founder and member of board of directors, Indiaspora. (PTI)

Indians in US urge Trump to clearly denounce Kansas killing

After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the US&nbsp;Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone.

World financial markets will be scrutinising the 9 pm&nbsp;(0200 GMT Wednesday) address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify regulations he says are harming business.

White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency.

An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 per cent, low for a new president.

Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan&nbsp;20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to &ldquo;American carnage&rdquo;, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism.

In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the &quot;Fox &amp; Friends&quot; television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that &quot;maybe it&#39;s my fault&quot; the administration&#39;s goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively.

He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan&nbsp;27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country.

Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. &quot;I think I get an A in terms of what I&#39;ve actually done, but in terms of messaging, I&#39;d give myself a C or a C+.&quot;

Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, &quot;Maybe I change it during the speech.&quot;

Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterised by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments.

The president&#39;s party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress.

Details needed

Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama&#39;s signature healthcare law have not been released. Republican efforts to find a way to repeal and replace Obamacare have encountered resistance from party conservatives who say draft legislation emerging in the House will not reduce the cost of healthcare.

Trump has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding US&nbsp;roads and bridges.

His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead.

Trump seeks a big increase in defence spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defence federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. US&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would not back slashing State Department funding as the administration is expected to propose.

Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not immediately to citizenship, for illegal immigrants, CNN reported, citing a senior White House official. It said Trump may refer to the idea in his speech.

Trump&#39;s lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them.

With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination.

George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb&nbsp;5, 1993.

Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days.

Democratic displeasure

Trump&#39;s travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday.

Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

Stocks on major markets dipped along with the US&nbsp;dollar and US Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump&#39;s address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda.&nbsp;

&quot;If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move,&quot; said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at JP&nbsp;Morgan Private Bank.

Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump&#39;s best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language.

&quot;Despite those at home or in the audience, he&rsquo;s going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president,&quot; he said. &quot;As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window.&quot;

Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches.

(Reuters)

White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election

After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the US Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone. World financial markets will be scrutinising the 9 pm (0200 GMT Wednesday) address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify regulations he says are harming business. White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency. An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 per cent, low for a new president. Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan 20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to “American carnage”, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism. In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the "Fox & Friends" television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that "maybe it's my fault" the administration's goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively. He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan 27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country. Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. "I think I get an A in terms of what I've actually done, but in terms of messaging, I'd give myself a C or a C+." Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, "Maybe I change it during the speech." Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterised by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments. The president's party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress. Details needed Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law have not been released. Republican efforts to find a way to repeal and replace Obamacare have encountered resistance from party conservatives who say draft legislation emerging in the House will not reduce the cost of healthcare. Trump has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding US roads and bridges. His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead. Trump seeks a big increase in defence spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defence federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would not back slashing State Department funding as the administration is expected to propose. Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not immediately to citizenship, for illegal immigrants, CNN reported, citing a senior White House official. It said Trump may refer to the idea in his speech. Trump's lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them. With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination. George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb 5, 1993. Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days. Democratic displeasure Trump's travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday. Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Stocks on major markets dipped along with the US dollar and US Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump's address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda. "If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move," said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at JP Morgan Private Bank. Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump's best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language. "Despite those at home or in the audience, he’s going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president," he said. "As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window." Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches. (Reuters)

Policy details and tone will be key in Trump speech to Congress

US President Donald Trump teased a budget plan on Monday that includes a nearly 10 per cent increase in defense spending and a &quot;large reduction&quot; in foreign aid.

Previewing measures aimed at backing up campaign promises with dollars and cents, Trump promised a &quot;public safety and national security&quot; focused fiscal plan.

An administration official said that Trump&#39;s plan would include a $54 billion increase in defence spending and a corresponding decrease in non-military programs.

&quot;Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result,&quot; the official said. There will be a &quot;large reduction in foreign aid,&quot; he added, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Trump has put security threats front and centre of his administration, insisting a muscular response is the only option.

He has promised to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport illegal immigrants and wipe jihadists off the &quot;face of the earth.&quot;

His budget proposal -- which will be picked over and must ultimately be approved by Congress -- doubles down on that ethos.

It would substantially increase US defence spending -- already by far the highest in the world -- although there were no details about how the extra funds would be spent.

&#39;Keeping Americans safe&#39;

Trump claimed that his budget &quot;follows through on my promise on keeping Americans safe.&quot;

&quot;It will include a historic increase in defence spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it,&quot; Trump said.

Republican Senator John McCain argued that the increase was less significant than Trump suggested, representing a three percent increase over projection for fiscal year 2018.

&quot;We can and must do better,&quot; he said.

But others raised questions about the impact of planned cuts at the State Department and Environmental Protection Agency.

Foreign aid accounts for less than one percent of US federal spending and is not enough to make up for increased defence spending.

&quot;It is a fairly small part of the discretionary budget, but it is still consistent with what the President said,&quot; Trump budget tsar Mick Mulvaney said.

&quot;We are taking his words and turning them into policies and dollars.&quot;

Mark Toner, the acting State Department spokesman, said the agency would work with the White House to review &quot;budget priorities.&quot;

&quot;The department remains committed to a US foreign policy that advances the security and prosperity of the American people,&quot; he said.

Trump&#39;s comments come a day before he addresses a joint session of Congress -- a crucial agenda-setting moment for new presidents.

His initial budget outline did not include proposals for mandatory spending or tax proposals, which make up the bulk of government outlays and receipts.&nbsp;

The budget is a keystone statement of Trump&#39;s priorities for the coming years.

The nearly $4 trillion annual federal budget is a declaration of intent that puts the president&#39;s policy goals down in black and white.

It also separates affordable campaign promises from the fanciful and is the final arbitrator after turf wars between departments and powerful interest groups.

Trump has promised to cut waste and duplication in federal spending.

US president after US president has made similar promises upon coming to office, before delving into a text that runs in the thousands of pages and tossing the plan into the thicket of Congress.

Trump has oodles of campaign promises to pay for&nbsp;but faces a national debt set to hit $20 trillion on his watch and a deficit at 3.1 percent of GDP and rising.

Trump&#39;s promises -- from building a wall on the Mexican border to stepping up the deportation of undocumented immigrants -- carry an estimated price tag of $5.3 trillion, according to the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budge.

(AFP)

The US president's plan to hike the outlay by almost 10% will directly affect other federal agencies

US President Donald Trump teased a budget plan on Monday that includes a nearly 10 per cent increase in defense spending and a "large reduction" in foreign aid. Previewing measures aimed at backing up campaign promises with dollars and cents, Trump promised a "public safety and national security" focused fiscal plan. An administration official said that Trump's plan would include a $54 billion increase in defence spending and a corresponding decrease in non-military programs. "Most federal agencies will see a reduction as a result," the official said. There will be a "large reduction in foreign aid," he added, speaking on condition of anonymity. Trump has put security threats front and centre of his administration, insisting a muscular response is the only option. He has promised to build a wall on the Mexican border, deport illegal immigrants and wipe jihadists off the "face of the earth." His budget proposal -- which will be picked over and must ultimately be approved by Congress -- doubles down on that ethos. It would substantially increase US defence spending -- already by far the highest in the world -- although there were no details about how the extra funds would be spent. 'Keeping Americans safe' Trump claimed that his budget "follows through on my promise on keeping Americans safe." "It will include a historic increase in defence spending to rebuild the depleted military of the United States of America at a time we most need it," Trump said. Republican Senator John McCain argued that the increase was less significant than Trump suggested, representing a three percent increase over projection for fiscal year 2018. "We can and must do better," he said. But others raised questions about the impact of planned cuts at the State Department and Environmental Protection Agency. Foreign aid accounts for less than one percent of US federal spending and is not enough to make up for increased defence spending. "It is a fairly small part of the discretionary budget, but it is still consistent with what the President said," Trump budget tsar Mick Mulvaney said. "We are taking his words and turning them into policies and dollars." Mark Toner, the acting State Department spokesman, said the agency would work with the White House to review "budget priorities." "The department remains committed to a US foreign policy that advances the security and prosperity of the American people," he said. Trump's comments come a day before he addresses a joint session of Congress -- a crucial agenda-setting moment for new presidents. His initial budget outline did not include proposals for mandatory spending or tax proposals, which make up the bulk of government outlays and receipts. The budget is a keystone statement of Trump's priorities for the coming years. The nearly $4 trillion annual federal budget is a declaration of intent that puts the president's policy goals down in black and white. It also separates affordable campaign promises from the fanciful and is the final arbitrator after turf wars between departments and powerful interest groups. Trump has promised to cut waste and duplication in federal spending. US president after US president has made similar promises upon coming to office, before delving into a text that runs in the thousands of pages and tossing the plan into the thicket of Congress. Trump has oodles of campaign promises to pay for but faces a national debt set to hit $20 trillion on his watch and a deficit at 3.1 percent of GDP and rising. Trump's promises -- from building a wall on the Mexican border to stepping up the deportation of undocumented immigrants -- carry an estimated price tag of $5.3 trillion, according to the non-partisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budge. (AFP)

Trump plans to beef up US defence budget by $54 billion

Vandals have broken and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States.

Hundreds of headstones, some of them more than 100 years old, were cut in half, local media reported Sunday.

A local rabbi, who was unnamed, told ABC television affiliate WPVI, that the affected graves at the historic Mt Carmel Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia&#39;s northeastern Wissinoming neighbuorhood also included those of one-time members of the Quaker and Muslim communities.

New Jersey resident Aaron Mallin discovered the vandalism on Sunday when he came to visit his father`s grave at the cemetery.

&quot;It&#39;s just very disheartening that such a thing would take place,&quot; he told WPVI.

Police say they are investigating the vandalism.

The Anti-Defamation League has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon posted a statement on Twitter saying, &quot;#Philadelphia Jewish cemetery desecration is shocking and a source of worry. Full confidence #US authorities catch and punish culprits.&quot;

The attack comes a week after more than 100 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri. The incident prompted a Muslim-led crowdfunding campaign to raise more than $100,000 to repair the cemetery, and a visit by Vice President Mike Pence.

Among more recent attacks, vandals spray-painted swastikas on several cars, highway overpasses, buildings and an elementary school playground over the weekend in Buffalo, New York, The Buffalo News reported.

After remaining silent on the subject for several days, President Donald Trump on Tuesday decried the anti-Semitic threats against Jewish community centres across America as &quot;horrible&quot; and &quot;painful&quot;.

However, concern is rising about his embrace by white supremacist groups and an &quot;alt-right&quot; movement given a platform on Breitbart, the online news outlet once headed by Trump&#39;s chief White House strategist Steve Bannon.

The White House raised eyebrows on International Holocaust Remembrance Day late last month by issuing a statement that made no mention of the six million Jews killed in the Nazi genocide.

Other groups have also been targeted. On Wednesday, a drunk white man fatally shot an Indian engineer and wounded another in Kansas City, screaming racial slurs and telling them &quot;Get out of my country!&quot;

(AFP)

Hundreds of headstones, some of them more than 100 years old, were cut in half, local media reported Sunday

Vandals have broken and overturned more than 500 gravestones at a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia, the latest in a spate of recent bomb threats and attacks against sites for Jews across the United States. Hundreds of headstones, some of them more than 100 years old, were cut in half, local media reported Sunday. A local rabbi, who was unnamed, told ABC television affiliate WPVI, that the affected graves at the historic Mt Carmel Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia's northeastern Wissinoming neighbuorhood also included those of one-time members of the Quaker and Muslim communities. New Jersey resident Aaron Mallin discovered the vandalism on Sunday when he came to visit his father`s grave at the cemetery. "It's just very disheartening that such a thing would take place," he told WPVI. Police say they are investigating the vandalism. The Anti-Defamation League has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon posted a statement on Twitter saying, "#Philadelphia Jewish cemetery desecration is shocking and a source of worry. Full confidence #US authorities catch and punish culprits." The attack comes a week after more than 100 headstones were damaged at a Jewish cemetery in St Louis, Missouri. The incident prompted a Muslim-led crowdfunding campaign to raise more than $100,000 to repair the cemetery, and a visit by Vice President Mike Pence. Among more recent attacks, vandals spray-painted swastikas on several cars, highway overpasses, buildings and an elementary school playground over the weekend in Buffalo, New York, The Buffalo News reported. After remaining silent on the subject for several days, President Donald Trump on Tuesday decried the anti-Semitic threats against Jewish community centres across America as "horrible" and "painful". However, concern is rising about his embrace by white supremacist groups and an "alt-right" movement given a platform on Breitbart, the online news outlet once headed by Trump's chief White House strategist Steve Bannon. The White House raised eyebrows on International Holocaust Remembrance Day late last month by issuing a statement that made no mention of the six million Jews killed in the Nazi genocide. Other groups have also been targeted. On Wednesday, a drunk white man fatally shot an Indian engineer and wounded another in Kansas City, screaming racial slurs and telling them "Get out of my country!" (AFP)

US: In latest attack on Jewish sites, cemetery vandalised in Philadelphia

US President Donald Trump&#39;s pick for secretary of the Navy withdrew from consideration on Sunday, the second time a Trump nominee to lead one of the armed services bowed out because of government conflict-of-interest rules.

Trump last month nominated Philip Bilden, a private equity executive and former military intelligence officer, to lead the Navy, which the president has pledged he will expand.

In a statement on Sunday, Bilden said that &quot;after an extensive review process, I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family`s private financial interests.&quot;

The development leaves Trump and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis without nominees to head both the Navy and Army.

Vincent Viola, whom the president had picked to be secretary of the Army, withdrew earlier this month.

In a statement, Mattis said he was disappointed but understood Bilden&#39;s decision. &quot;In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the president&#39;s vision to rebuild our military,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Trump had nominated Philip Bilden, a private equity executive and former military intelligence officer, to lead the Navy

US President Donald Trump's pick for secretary of the Navy withdrew from consideration on Sunday, the second time a Trump nominee to lead one of the armed services bowed out because of government conflict-of-interest rules. Trump last month nominated Philip Bilden, a private equity executive and former military intelligence officer, to lead the Navy, which the president has pledged he will expand. In a statement on Sunday, Bilden said that "after an extensive review process, I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family`s private financial interests." The development leaves Trump and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis without nominees to head both the Navy and Army. Vincent Viola, whom the president had picked to be secretary of the Army, withdrew earlier this month. In a statement, Mattis said he was disappointed but understood Bilden's decision. "In the coming days I will make a recommendation to President Trump for a leader who can guide our Navy and Marine Corps team as we execute the president's vision to rebuild our military," he said. (Reuters)

US: Trump's pick for Navy secretary bows out

A hijab-wearing woman quit her job merely eight days into the Donald Trump administration, due to the Muslim ban imposed by the 70-year-old American president.

Rumana Ahmed, a Bangladeshi immigrant whose family moved to the US in 1978, penned a long piece in The Atlantic to talk about the tenuous eight days she worked for the Trump administration.

Ahmed, in her 30s, had joined the White House in 2011 and later moved to the National Security Council under the Barack Obama administration.

She wrote glowingly about the previous administration, writing that she always felt &quot;welcomed and included&quot;, but the incoming administration&#39;s continuous vilification of the Muslims and the eventual travel ban on Muslims from seven countries firmed her mind to leave her West Wing job.

The George Washington University graduate said she initially felt like sticking on to her job under the new era to provide a &quot;nuanced&quot; understanding of Islam but after the controversial Muslim ban, she knew &quot;she could no longer stay and work for an administration that saw me and people like me not as fellow citizens, but as a threat&quot;.

She also chronicled about her penultimate day at the White House: &quot;The evening before I left, bidding farewell to some of my colleagues, many of whom have also since left, I notified Trump&rsquo;s senior NSC communications adviser, Michael Anton, of my departure, since we shared an office. His initial surprise, asking whether I was leaving government entirely, was followed by silence&ndash;&ndash;almost in caution, not asking why. I told him anyway.

&quot;I told him I had to leave because it was an insult walking into this country&rsquo;s most historic building every day under an administration that is working against and vilifying everything I stand for as an American and as a Muslim. I told him that the administration was attacking the basic tenets of democracy. I told him that I hoped that they and those in Congress were prepared to take responsibility for all the consequences that would attend their decisions.

&quot;He looked at me and said nothing.&quot;

Ahmed&rsquo;s personal account comes amid a spike in incidents of intimidation and assault targeting hijab-wearing women across the US following Trump&rsquo;s electoral triumph.

(WION)

Rumana Ahmed, a Bangladeshi immigrant, said she lasted only eight days under the Trump administration

A hijab-wearing woman quit her job merely eight days into the Donald Trump administration, due to the Muslim ban imposed by the 70-year-old American president. Rumana Ahmed, a Bangladeshi immigrant whose family moved to the US in 1978, penned a long piece in The Atlantic to talk about the tenuous eight days she worked for the Trump administration. Ahmed, in her 30s, had joined the White House in 2011 and later moved to the National Security Council under the Barack Obama administration. She wrote glowingly about the previous administration, writing that she always felt "welcomed and included", but the incoming administration's continuous vilification of the Muslims and the eventual travel ban on Muslims from seven countries firmed her mind to leave her West Wing job. The George Washington University graduate said she initially felt like sticking on to her job under the new era to provide a "nuanced" understanding of Islam but after the controversial Muslim ban, she knew "she could no longer stay and work for an administration that saw me and people like me not as fellow citizens, but as a threat". She also chronicled about her penultimate day at the White House: "The evening before I left, bidding farewell to some of my colleagues, many of whom have also since left, I notified Trump’s senior NSC communications adviser, Michael Anton, of my departure, since we shared an office. His initial surprise, asking whether I was leaving government entirely, was followed by silence––almost in caution, not asking why. I told him anyway. "I told him I had to leave because it was an insult walking into this country’s most historic building every day under an administration that is working against and vilifying everything I stand for as an American and as a Muslim. I told him that the administration was attacking the basic tenets of democracy. I told him that I hoped that they and those in Congress were prepared to take responsibility for all the consequences that would attend their decisions. "He looked at me and said nothing." Ahmed’s personal account comes amid a spike in incidents of intimidation and assault targeting hijab-wearing women across the US following Trump’s electoral triumph. (WION)

Hijab-wearing woman quits White House job after Trump's Muslim ban

The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China&#39;s upcoming defence budget as Beijing seeks to check US dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe.

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China&#39;s navy has been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with a rising star admiral taking command, its first aircraft carrier sailing around self-ruled Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places.

Now, with President Donald Trump promising a US &nbsp;shipbuilding spree and unnerving Beijing with his unpredictable approach on hot button issues including Taiwan and the South and East China Seas, China is pushing to narrow the gap with the US &nbsp;Navy.

&quot;It&#39;s opportunity in crisis,&quot; said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat, of China&#39;s recent naval moves. &quot;China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he&#39;s so unpredictable and it&#39;s getting ready.&quot;

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Beijing does not give a breakdown for how much it spends on the navy, and the overall official defence spending figures it gives - 954.35 billion yuan ($139 billion) for 2016 - likely understates its investment, according to diplomats.

China unveils the defence budget for this year at next month&#39;s annual meeting of parliament, a closely watched figure around the region and in Washington, for clues to China&#39;s intentions.

China surprised last year with its lowest increase in six years, 7.6 per cent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps.

&quot;Certainly, the PLA Navy has really been the beneficiary of a lot of this new spending in the past 15 years,&quot; said Richard Bitzinger, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

&quot;We don&#39;t how much they spend on the navy, but simply extrapolating from the quantity and the quality of things that are coming out of their shipyards, it&#39;s pretty amazing.&quot;

Rapid development

The Chinese navy, once generally limited to coastal operations, has developed rapidly under President Xi Jinping&#39;s ambitious military modernisation.

It commissioned 18 ships in 2016, including missile destroyers, corvettes and guided missile frigates, according to state media.

Barely a week goes by without an announcement of some new piece of equipment, including an electronic reconnaissance ship put into service in January.

Still, the PLA Navy significantly lags the United States, which operates 10 aircraft carriers to China&#39;s one, the Soviet-era Liaoning.

Xu Guangyu, a retired major general in the People&#39;s Liberation Army now senior adviser to the government-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said China was keenly aware of the US &nbsp;ability to project power at sea.

&quot;It&#39;s like a marathon and we&#39;re falling behind. We need to step on the gas,&quot; Xu said.

Trump has vowed to increase the US Navy to 350 ships from the current 290 as part of one of the &quot;greatest military buildups in American history&quot;, a move aides say is needed to counter China&#39;s rise as a military power.

&quot;We&rsquo;ve known this is a 15-20 year project and every year they get closer to being a blue-water navy with global aspirations,&quot; said a US &nbsp;administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

&quot;What you have seen this last year and what I think you will see with the new budget is that they are moving ahead with the short-term goal of being the premier naval force in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, with the mid-term goal, of extending all the way to the Indian Ocean.&quot;

In January, China appointed new navy chief, Shen Jinlong, to lead that push.

Shen has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is close to Xi, diplomatic and leadership sources say.

&quot;The navy has gotten very lucky with Shen,&quot; said a Chinese official close to the military, speaking on condition of anonymity. &quot;Now they know for certain their support goes all the way to the top.&quot;

Recent PLA Navy missions have included visits to Gulf states, where the United States has traditionally protected sea lanes, and to the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, in what the state-run website StrongChina called Shen&#39;s &quot;first show of force against the United States, Japan and Taiwan&quot;.

Last month, a Chinese submarine docked at a port in Malaysia&#39;s Sabah state, which lies on the South China Sea, only the second confirmed visit of a Chinese submarine to a foreign port, according to state media.

The submarine had come from supporting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, where China has been learning valuable lessons about overseas naval operations since 2008.

Chinese warships have also been calling at ports in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, unnerving regional rival India.

&quot;It&#39;s power projection,&quot; said a Beijing-based Western diplomat, of China&#39;s navy.

(Reuters)

The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China's upcoming defence budget

The PLA Navy is likely to secure significant new funding in China's upcoming defence budget as Beijing seeks to check US dominance of the high seas and step up its own projection of power around the globe. China's navy has been taking an increasingly prominent role in recent months, with a rising star admiral taking command, its first aircraft carrier sailing around self-ruled Taiwan and new Chinese warships popping up in far-flung places. Now, with President Donald Trump promising a US shipbuilding spree and unnerving Beijing with his unpredictable approach on hot button issues including Taiwan and the South and East China Seas, China is pushing to narrow the gap with the US Navy. "It's opportunity in crisis," said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat, of China's recent naval moves. "China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he's so unpredictable and it's getting ready." 'It's opportunity in crisis,' said a Beijing-based Asian diplomat, of China's recent naval moves. 'China fears Trump will turn on them eventually as he's so unpredictable and it's getting ready' × Beijing does not give a breakdown for how much it spends on the navy, and the overall official defence spending figures it gives - 954.35 billion yuan ($139 billion) for 2016 - likely understates its investment, according to diplomats. China unveils the defence budget for this year at next month's annual meeting of parliament, a closely watched figure around the region and in Washington, for clues to China's intentions. China surprised last year with its lowest increase in six years, 7.6 per cent, the first single-digit rise since 2010, following a nearly unbroken two-decade run of double-digit jumps. "Certainly, the PLA Navy has really been the beneficiary of a lot of this new spending in the past 15 years," said Richard Bitzinger, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Military Transformations Programme at the S.Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. "We don't how much they spend on the navy, but simply extrapolating from the quantity and the quality of things that are coming out of their shipyards, it's pretty amazing." Rapid development The Chinese navy, once generally limited to coastal operations, has developed rapidly under President Xi Jinping's ambitious military modernisation. It commissioned 18 ships in 2016, including missile destroyers, corvettes and guided missile frigates, according to state media. Barely a week goes by without an announcement of some new piece of equipment, including an electronic reconnaissance ship put into service in January. Still, the PLA Navy significantly lags the United States, which operates 10 aircraft carriers to China's one, the Soviet-era Liaoning. Xu Guangyu, a retired major general in the People's Liberation Army now senior adviser to the government-run China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, said China was keenly aware of the US ability to project power at sea. "It's like a marathon and we're falling behind. We need to step on the gas," Xu said. Trump has vowed to increase the US Navy to 350 ships from the current 290 as part of one of the "greatest military buildups in American history", a move aides say is needed to counter China's rise as a military power. "We’ve known this is a 15-20 year project and every year they get closer to being a blue-water navy with global aspirations," said a US administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "What you have seen this last year and what I think you will see with the new budget is that they are moving ahead with the short-term goal of being the premier naval force in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, with the mid-term goal, of extending all the way to the Indian Ocean." In January, China appointed new navy chief, Shen Jinlong, to lead that push. Shen has enjoyed a meteoric rise and is close to Xi, diplomatic and leadership sources say. "The navy has gotten very lucky with Shen," said a Chinese official close to the military, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Now they know for certain their support goes all the way to the top." Recent PLA Navy missions have included visits to Gulf states, where the United States has traditionally protected sea lanes, and to the South China Sea, Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, in what the state-run website StrongChina called Shen's "first show of force against the United States, Japan and Taiwan". Last month, a Chinese submarine docked at a port in Malaysia's Sabah state, which lies on the South China Sea, only the second confirmed visit of a Chinese submarine to a foreign port, according to state media. The submarine had come from supporting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia, where China has been learning valuable lessons about overseas naval operations since 2008. Chinese warships have also been calling at ports in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Myanmar, unnerving regional rival India. "It's power projection," said a Beijing-based Western diplomat, of China's navy. (Reuters)

Worried by Trump, China plays catch-up with US Navy

US President Donald Trump criticised the FBI on Friday for failing to stop leaks of national security information to the media and directed the agency to find those who pass on classified information.

Trump&#39;s comments come amid media reports saying the FBI refused a White House request to knock down news stories saying members of Trump&#39;s team were in frequent contact with Russian intelligence agents during the presidential campaign.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the nation&#39;s top law enforcement agency, did not answer a request for comment on Trump&#39;s remarks on Twitter.

&quot;The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security &#39;leakers&#39; that have permeated our government for a long time. They can&#39;t even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US FIND NOW,&quot; Trump wrote.

News reports by CNN and The Associated Press said White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked Andrew McCabe, the FBI deputy director, to deny a February 14 New York Times report that said Trump&#39;s presidential campaign advisers had been in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officers. The request came after McCabe told him privately the report was wrong.

A senior administration official said on Friday that FBI Director James Comey also told Priebus later the story was not accurate. Priebus asked if the FBI could set the record straight, but Comey said the bureau could not comment.

Priebus asked if he could say intelligence officials assured him the story was inaccurate, and Comey said he could, the official told reporters.

The FBI is investigating Russian interference in the November 8 US election. FBI counterintelligence agents are also examining financial transactions by Russian individuals and companies who are believed to have links to Trump associates.

&quot;There are investigations that are going on and those investigations must find out exactly what Russia was doing in the United States,&quot; Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN on Friday.

&quot;We need a complete investigation and we certainly don&#39;t want the White House at all trying to influence that investigation.&quot;

US Representative John Conyers said any White House attempt to influence the FBI was &quot;deeply troubling&quot;.

&quot;The White House is simply not permitted to pressure the FBI to make public statements about a pending investigation of the President and his advisors,&quot; Conyers, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in late on Thursday.

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Trump's comments come amid reports that FBI refused a White House request to knock down stories linking Trump's team with Russian agents

US President Donald Trump criticised the FBI on Friday for failing to stop leaks of national security information to the media and directed the agency to find those who pass on classified information. Trump's comments come amid media reports saying the FBI refused a White House request to knock down news stories saying members of Trump's team were in frequent contact with Russian intelligence agents during the presidential campaign. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the nation's top law enforcement agency, did not answer a request for comment on Trump's remarks on Twitter. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US FIND NOW," Trump wrote. News reports by CNN and The Associated Press said White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked Andrew McCabe, the FBI deputy director, to deny a February 14 New York Times report that said Trump's presidential campaign advisers had been in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officers. The request came after McCabe told him privately the report was wrong. A senior administration official said on Friday that FBI Director James Comey also told Priebus later the story was not accurate. Priebus asked if the FBI could set the record straight, but Comey said the bureau could not comment. Priebus asked if he could say intelligence officials assured him the story was inaccurate, and Comey said he could, the official told reporters. The FBI is investigating Russian interference in the November 8 US election. FBI counterintelligence agents are also examining financial transactions by Russian individuals and companies who are believed to have links to Trump associates. "There are investigations that are going on and those investigations must find out exactly what Russia was doing in the United States," Senator Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN on Friday. "We need a complete investigation and we certainly don't want the White House at all trying to influence that investigation." US Representative John Conyers said any White House attempt to influence the FBI was "deeply troubling". "The White House is simply not permitted to pressure the FBI to make public statements about a pending investigation of the President and his advisors," Conyers, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said in late on Thursday. (Reuters)

Trump raps FBI for failing to stop leaks, orders probe

Isabelle Huppert and her hit thriller &quot;Elle&quot; were the big winners late Friday at the &quot;French Oscars&quot; -- the Cesars -- in a highly political ceremony marked by Hollywood star George Clooney warning that freedom had to be defended in the face of Donald Trump&#39;s US presidency.

&quot;Courage trumps fear. Right always trumps might,&quot; the American actor said before quoting war reporter Edward F Morrow&#39;s famous condemnation of the McCarthyite Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s.

&quot;Let&#39;s not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must not walk in fear of one another, we must not be driven by fear into an age of unreason,&quot; he said.

Watched by his wife, the human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, who is pregnant with twins, the actor said, &quot;We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home.&quot;

&quot;We have to work harder not to let hate win,&quot; insisted Clooney, who was a supporter of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, as he received an honorary Cesar.&nbsp;

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<h5>Clooney quoted war reporter Edward F Morrow&#39;s famous condemnation of the McCarthyite Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s: &#39;Let&#39;s not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must not walk in fear of one another, we must not be driven by fear into an age of unreason&#39;</h5>
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&quot;Elle&quot;, a subversive thriller about a woman who not only takes revenge on her rapist but holds him in her power, won best film and Huppert, 63, the best actress award.

Her mesmerising performance in such a slippery and morally complex story has won her some of the best reviews of her career, and made her one of the favourites for the best actress Oscar on Sunday.

Another French Oscar contender, &quot;My Life as a Zucchini&quot; (&quot;Ma Vie de Courgette&quot;), won best animated film.

Troubled estates

With France&#39;s troubled suburban estates again rising up in protest after two high-profile police brutality cases, &quot;Divines&quot;, a stirring story of the friendship between two young girls from immigrant families, also triumphed.

Deborah Lukumuena won best actor in a supporting role while co-star Oulaya Amamra wept as she dedicated her best newcomer award to her late father.

Her sister, director Houda Benyamina, took the prize for best first film, after winning the equivalent prize at Cannes.&nbsp;

The highly-political winner of that festival&#39;s Palme d&#39;Or top prize, &quot;I, Daniel Blake&quot;, also got the Cesar for best foreign film.&nbsp;

Its veteran British director Ken Loach used the occasion to again accuse his country&#39;s Conservative government of &quot;deliberate brutality&quot; towards the poor.

The moving drama tells of a carpenter&#39;s Kafkaesque struggle to get benefits after suffering a heart attack and being told by doctors he can no longer work.

Loach also appealed to French voters to reject the far-right National Front, whose leader Marine Le Pen is leading in the polls for France&#39;s presidential election in May.

&quot;The extreme right always succeeds when people feel desperate,&quot; said the 80-year-old leftwinger.

&quot;It is up to the French to make the choice. But we, your friends, hope that you will reject the bitterness of the right,&quot; he added.

The young director of the best documentary prize, Francois Ruffin, used his speech to excoriate French politicians for allowing manufacturing jobs to be delocalised to low-wage countries.

His fiercely comic film &quot;Merci Patron!&quot; (&quot;Thanks Boss&quot;) skewered France&#39;s richest man, Bernard Arnault, the owner of the LVMH luxury goods empire, and was one of year&#39;s surprise hits.

The night&#39;s other big winner was Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan&#39;s hot-tempered family drama &quot;It&#39;s Only the End of the World&quot;, which featured an A-list cast of French stars.

It won the 27-year-old best director, best editing and its star Gaspard Ulliel best actor.

(AFP)

'We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home,' said the actor

Isabelle Huppert and her hit thriller "Elle" were the big winners late Friday at the "French Oscars" -- the Cesars -- in a highly political ceremony marked by Hollywood star George Clooney warning that freedom had to be defended in the face of Donald Trump's US presidency. "Courage trumps fear. Right always trumps might," the American actor said before quoting war reporter Edward F Morrow's famous condemnation of the McCarthyite Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s. "Let's not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must not walk in fear of one another, we must not be driven by fear into an age of unreason," he said. Watched by his wife, the human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, who is pregnant with twins, the actor said, "We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home." "We have to work harder not to let hate win," insisted Clooney, who was a supporter of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, as he received an honorary Cesar. Clooney quoted war reporter Edward F Morrow's famous condemnation of the McCarthyite Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s: 'Let's not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must not walk in fear of one another, we must not be driven by fear into an age of unreason' × "Elle", a subversive thriller about a woman who not only takes revenge on her rapist but holds him in her power, won best film and Huppert, 63, the best actress award. Her mesmerising performance in such a slippery and morally complex story has won her some of the best reviews of her career, and made her one of the favourites for the best actress Oscar on Sunday. Another French Oscar contender, "My Life as a Zucchini" ("Ma Vie de Courgette"), won best animated film. Troubled estates With France's troubled suburban estates again rising up in protest after two high-profile police brutality cases, "Divines", a stirring story of the friendship between two young girls from immigrant families, also triumphed. Deborah Lukumuena won best actor in a supporting role while co-star Oulaya Amamra wept as she dedicated her best newcomer award to her late father. Her sister, director Houda Benyamina, took the prize for best first film, after winning the equivalent prize at Cannes. The highly-political winner of that festival's Palme d'Or top prize, "I, Daniel Blake", also got the Cesar for best foreign film. Its veteran British director Ken Loach used the occasion to again accuse his country's Conservative government of "deliberate brutality" towards the poor. The moving drama tells of a carpenter's Kafkaesque struggle to get benefits after suffering a heart attack and being told by doctors he can no longer work. Loach also appealed to French voters to reject the far-right National Front, whose leader Marine Le Pen is leading in the polls for France's presidential election in May. "The extreme right always succeeds when people feel desperate," said the 80-year-old leftwinger. "It is up to the French to make the choice. But we, your friends, hope that you will reject the bitterness of the right," he added. The young director of the best documentary prize, Francois Ruffin, used his speech to excoriate French politicians for allowing manufacturing jobs to be delocalised to low-wage countries. His fiercely comic film "Merci Patron!" ("Thanks Boss") skewered France's richest man, Bernard Arnault, the owner of the LVMH luxury goods empire, and was one of year's surprise hits. The night's other big winner was Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan's hot-tempered family drama "It's Only the End of the World", which featured an A-list cast of French stars. It won the 27-year-old best director, best editing and its star Gaspard Ulliel best actor. (AFP)

George Clooney blasts Trump at Cesar awards in Paris

Fashion talked politics at Missoni&#39;s Milan show with models strutting down the runway wearing pink knitted cat-eared hats, in a sign of support by creative director Angela Missoni for the recent mass protests against US&nbsp;President Donald Trump.

In January, hundreds of thousands of women filled the streets of cities across the United States and Europe, in an unprecedented wave of rallies against Trump.

Many of the protesters wore pink &quot;pussy hats&quot;, in reference to Trump&#39;s boast in a 2005 video - made public during his presidential campaign - about grabbing women&#39;s genitals.

&quot;I wanted to have a regular show, but at the same time I thought that when I have a show my voice is louder, so I can use it for a good cause...to support the women march and movement, and for everybody who believes that we need to raise a voice for human rights,&quot; Angela Missoni told Reuters after the show.

The enormous industrial space used by Missoni for the show was dotted with the pink hats sitting on the audience&#39;s benches, as a gift to guests.

&quot;I feel the need to recognise that in a time of uncertainty there is a bond that can keep us strong and safe, that unites those that respect all human rights. Let&#39;s show the world that the fashion world is united and fearless,&quot; Missoni said at the end of her show, on the fourth day of Milan&#39;s fashion week.

A huge photo of Italy&#39;s Monte Rosa - the pink mountain - dominated the hangar space used to showcase the autumn and winter 2017/18 collection.

The designer told Reuters that the mountain, which she sees every day from the windows of her home and the family-owned company, were an inspiration for the clothes, and represented both femininity and solidity.

A note from the group said that Angela Missoni, at the helm of the fashion house for almost two decades, &quot;communicates the femininity of our times, prepared to confront the conflicts and dilemmas of our contemporary society: the conditions, needs and rights of all women and all minorities.&quot;

On Thursday Italian fashion house Prada brought to the catwalk designs that dwelled on the role of women in society but creative director Miuccia Prada said she did not want to talk politics and let clothes speak for her.

Milan fashion week runs until Feb. 27, with Marni, Dolce&amp;Gabbana and Giorgio Armani set to showcase their collections in the next days.

(Reuters)

The hats were a sign of support by creative director Angela Missoni for the recent mass protests against US?President Donald Trump

Fashion talked politics at Missoni's Milan show with models strutting down the runway wearing pink knitted cat-eared hats, in a sign of support by creative director Angela Missoni for the recent mass protests against US President Donald Trump. In January, hundreds of thousands of women filled the streets of cities across the United States and Europe, in an unprecedented wave of rallies against Trump. Many of the protesters wore pink "pussy hats", in reference to Trump's boast in a 2005 video - made public during his presidential campaign - about grabbing women's genitals. "I wanted to have a regular show, but at the same time I thought that when I have a show my voice is louder, so I can use it for a good cause...to support the women march and movement, and for everybody who believes that we need to raise a voice for human rights," Angela Missoni told Reuters after the show. The enormous industrial space used by Missoni for the show was dotted with the pink hats sitting on the audience's benches, as a gift to guests. "I feel the need to recognise that in a time of uncertainty there is a bond that can keep us strong and safe, that unites those that respect all human rights. Let's show the world that the fashion world is united and fearless," Missoni said at the end of her show, on the fourth day of Milan's fashion week. A huge photo of Italy's Monte Rosa - the pink mountain - dominated the hangar space used to showcase the autumn and winter 2017/18 collection. The designer told Reuters that the mountain, which she sees every day from the windows of her home and the family-owned company, were an inspiration for the clothes, and represented both femininity and solidity. A note from the group said that Angela Missoni, at the helm of the fashion house for almost two decades, "communicates the femininity of our times, prepared to confront the conflicts and dilemmas of our contemporary society: the conditions, needs and rights of all women and all minorities." On Thursday Italian fashion house Prada brought to the catwalk designs that dwelled on the role of women in society but creative director Miuccia Prada said she did not want to talk politics and let clothes speak for her. Milan fashion week runs until Feb. 27, with Marni, Dolce&Gabbana and Giorgio Armani set to showcase their collections in the next days. (Reuters)

Missoni talks politics with pink cat-eared hats at Milan show

A white US Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victim&#39;s home country.

The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that US President Donald Trump&#39;s &quot;America First&quot; position on immigration and jobs has fuelled a climate of intolerance.

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trump&#39;s rhetoric.

Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed &quot;our deep concern over the incident&quot; to the US government and requested a &quot;thorough and speedy investigation.&quot;

Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters.

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He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunman&#39;s motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice.

If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said.

Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted &quot;get out of my country&quot; before shooting the Indian victims.

Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene.

&quot;People call me a hero,&quot; Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. &quot;I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being.&quot;

Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman &quot;has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone.&quot;

Kuchibhotla received a master&#39;s in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself &quot;Srinu,&quot; said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc.

Flags at Garmin&#39;s offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was &quot;devastated by the senseless tragedy.&quot;

Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims.

The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebee&#39;s restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported.

Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer.

&quot;I don&#39;t want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because that&#39;s not who he is,&quot; Adele Mathews, Purinton&#39;s niece, said in a statement released to local media.

Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said Friday.

Be Angry

At Kuchibhotla&#39;s family home near Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States.

&quot;The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there,&quot; the victim&#39;s brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television.

Many Indians initially welcomed Trump&#39;s election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor.

But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both India&#39;s $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi&#39;s government.

&quot;Don&#39;t be shocked! Be angry!&quot; Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. &quot;Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla.&quot;

(Reuters)

He had also injured two other men. Had shouted 'Get out of my country' before opening fire

A white US Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victim's home country. The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that US President Donald Trump's "America First" position on immigration and jobs has fuelled a climate of intolerance. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trump's rhetoric. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed "our deep concern over the incident" to the US government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation." Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. White House spokesman Sean Spicer had said on Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trump's rhetoric × He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunman's motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said. Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene. "People call me a hero," Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. "I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being." Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman "has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone." Kuchibhotla received a master's in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself "Srinu," said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc. Flags at Garmin's offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was "devastated by the senseless tragedy." Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer. "I don't want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because that's not who he is," Adele Mathews, Purinton's niece, said in a statement released to local media. Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said Friday. Be Angry At Kuchibhotla's family home near Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States. "The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there," the victim's brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. Many Indians initially welcomed Trump's election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both India's $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. "Don't be shocked! Be angry!" Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. "Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla." (Reuters)

US Navy veteran charged with killing Indian in Kansas bar

US President Donald Trump, addressing the Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC), said on Friday he would make a massive budget request for one of the &quot;greatest military buildups in American history&quot;.

He said he would aim to substantially upgrade the military in both offensive and defensive capabilities, with a massive spending request that would make the country&#39;s defense &quot;bigger and better and stronger than ever before.&quot;

&quot;And, hopefully, we&rsquo;ll never have to use it, but nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history,&quot; Trump said.

He also vowed to build the border wall with Mexico &quot;soon, way ahead of schedule&quot;.

&quot;We&#39;re building the wall,&quot; Trump said in his keynote address. &quot;In fact it&#39;s going to start very soon. Way ahead of schedule. It&#39;s way, way, way ahead of schedule.&quot;

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With appeals to people on welfare to go to work and pledges to follow through on his vow to build a wall on the US-Mexican border, Trump drew rounds of applause from the large gathering of conservatives, many of them wearing hats emblazoned with the president&#39;s campaign slogan, &quot;Make America Great Again.&quot;

He vowed to keep &quot;radical Islamic terrorists... the hell out of our country,&quot; again citing the examples of Sweden, Germany and France as places where immigration has led to crime, including the terror attacks in Paris and Nice.

He was met by euphoric chants of &quot;USA, USA.&quot;

His speech was heavy on the nationalist overtones from his campaign last year, focusing heavily on promises to boost US&nbsp;economic growth by retooling international trade deals, rolling back regulations and boosting energy production,

Trump is looking to put behind him a rocky first month in office. An executive order he signed aimed at banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries became embroiled in the courts and he had to fire his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for Russian contacts before Trump took office.

With the federal budget still running a deficit, Trump will have to square his request for a military buildup with his plans to cut taxes for most Americans and for corporations. During his speech, he complained about spending caps that were put in place on the defense budget dating back to 2011.

Trump also heaped criticism on what he called purveyors of &quot;fake news,&quot; seeking to clarify a recent tweet in which he said some in the US&nbsp;news media should be considered an &quot;enemy of the people.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;m against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn&#39;t be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody&#39;s name. Let their name be out there,&quot; Trump said. &quot;Let there be no more sources.&quot;

Trump has repeatedly chosen to make news media criticism a focus of his public remarks since taking office on Jan&nbsp;20.

The speech allowed Trump to put his stamp firmly on the conservative political movement, even as some activists fretted that his immigration and trade policies go too far.

Trump addressed the third day of the CPAC gathering, which has addressed how to fulfill long-held Republican goals to revamp the tax code, roll back regulations on business and repeal former Democratic President Barack Obama&#39;s healthcare law.

With Trump in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, CPAC and the thousands of conservative activists who flock to the event each year from across the country are seeing their political influence rising.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump talked about imposing some form of a border tax to encourage more US&nbsp;manufacturing. He called the Chinese &quot;grand champions&quot; of currency manipulation that hurts US&nbsp;exports and he talked of expanding the US&nbsp;nuclear arsenal.

Several CPAC attendees voiced concerns about some of Trump&#39;s actions in his first month in office, and worried he might take the US&nbsp;economy in the wrong direction in months ahead.

Abby Oliver, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who interns for a local Republican Party organization, said that while she wanted to see the United States better control its borders, she had concerns about the &quot;controversial&quot; travel ban executive order.

Oliver said the order, which caused protests and chaos at airports the weekend after its enactment, was &quot;rolled out a little bit haphazardly&quot; and she worried that Trump could go too far on immigration policy.

&quot;I don&#39;t want it to become people are being ripped apart from their families,&quot; Oliver said.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Addressing a conservative summit, he also vows to keep 'radical Islamic terrorists... the hell out of our country'

US President Donald Trump, addressing the Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC), said on Friday he would make a massive budget request for one of the "greatest military buildups in American history". He said he would aim to substantially upgrade the military in both offensive and defensive capabilities, with a massive spending request that would make the country's defense "bigger and better and stronger than ever before." "And, hopefully, we’ll never have to use it, but nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history," Trump said. He also vowed to build the border wall with Mexico "soon, way ahead of schedule". "We're building the wall," Trump said in his keynote address. "In fact it's going to start very soon. Way ahead of schedule. It's way, way, way ahead of schedule." And, hopefully, we’ll never have to use it, but nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history,' Trump said × With appeals to people on welfare to go to work and pledges to follow through on his vow to build a wall on the US-Mexican border, Trump drew rounds of applause from the large gathering of conservatives, many of them wearing hats emblazoned with the president's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." He vowed to keep "radical Islamic terrorists... the hell out of our country," again citing the examples of Sweden, Germany and France as places where immigration has led to crime, including the terror attacks in Paris and Nice. He was met by euphoric chants of "USA, USA." His speech was heavy on the nationalist overtones from his campaign last year, focusing heavily on promises to boost US economic growth by retooling international trade deals, rolling back regulations and boosting energy production, Trump is looking to put behind him a rocky first month in office. An executive order he signed aimed at banning people from seven Muslim-majority countries became embroiled in the courts and he had to fire his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for Russian contacts before Trump took office. With the federal budget still running a deficit, Trump will have to square his request for a military buildup with his plans to cut taxes for most Americans and for corporations. During his speech, he complained about spending caps that were put in place on the defense budget dating back to 2011. Trump also heaped criticism on what he called purveyors of "fake news," seeking to clarify a recent tweet in which he said some in the US news media should be considered an "enemy of the people." "I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be out there," Trump said. "Let there be no more sources." Trump has repeatedly chosen to make news media criticism a focus of his public remarks since taking office on Jan 20. The speech allowed Trump to put his stamp firmly on the conservative political movement, even as some activists fretted that his immigration and trade policies go too far. Trump addressed the third day of the CPAC gathering, which has addressed how to fulfill long-held Republican goals to revamp the tax code, roll back regulations on business and repeal former Democratic President Barack Obama's healthcare law. With Trump in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, CPAC and the thousands of conservative activists who flock to the event each year from across the country are seeing their political influence rising. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump talked about imposing some form of a border tax to encourage more US manufacturing. He called the Chinese "grand champions" of currency manipulation that hurts US exports and he talked of expanding the US nuclear arsenal. Several CPAC attendees voiced concerns about some of Trump's actions in his first month in office, and worried he might take the US economy in the wrong direction in months ahead. Abby Oliver, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, who interns for a local Republican Party organization, said that while she wanted to see the United States better control its borders, she had concerns about the "controversial" travel ban executive order. Oliver said the order, which caused protests and chaos at airports the weekend after its enactment, was "rolled out a little bit haphazardly" and she worried that Trump could go too far on immigration policy. "I don't want it to become people are being ripped apart from their families," Oliver said. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump promises wall 'way ahead of schedule'

Former number one golfer Rory McIlroy said on Friday that his outing last week with President Donald Trump was not a political endorsement of America&#39;s new leader but rather &quot;simply a round of golf&quot;.

The decision by the Northern Irish golfer to accept the invitation to play with the president at his Trump National golf course in Florida has come under fire on social media by some who saw it as approval of Trump and his policies.

&quot;To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone&#39;s company is just ridiculous,&quot; McIlroy, who lives much of the year in Florida, said on Twitter.

&quot;... This wasn&#39;t an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind. It was quite simply a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else.&quot;

McIlroy, 27, said he respects the office of the president and pointed out that he does not agree with everything his friends and family say, but still plays golf with them.

&quot;I hope to some degree this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation that was extended to me.&quot;

McIlroy&#39;s round with Trump came a week after South African Ernie Els played with the President and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Professional golfers have long played with American presidents, but the issue has become more controversial as the country has become more polarized in recent decades.

Republican-leaning Australian Greg Norman once chided Jack Nicklaus for playing with then-President Bill Clinton in the early 1990s.

But Norman and Clinton later became friends and Clinton suffered a knee injury that required surgery when he stumbled on the steps outside Norman&#39;s home in 1997.

McIlroy, who has been injured, plans to return to competition next week at the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City.

(Reuters)

The former world number one tweeted that him being slammed as a bigot is 'ridiculous'

Former number one golfer Rory McIlroy said on Friday that his outing last week with President Donald Trump was not a political endorsement of America's new leader but rather "simply a round of golf". The decision by the Northern Irish golfer to accept the invitation to play with the president at his Trump National golf course in Florida has come under fire on social media by some who saw it as approval of Trump and his policies. "To be called a fascist and a bigot by some people because I spent time in someone's company is just ridiculous," McIlroy, who lives much of the year in Florida, said on Twitter. "... This wasn't an endorsement nor a political statement of any kind. It was quite simply a round of golf. Golf was our common ground, nothing else." McIlroy, 27, said he respects the office of the president and pointed out that he does not agree with everything his friends and family say, but still plays golf with them. "I hope to some degree this clarifies my decision to accept the invitation that was extended to me." McIlroy's round with Trump came a week after South African Ernie Els played with the President and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Professional golfers have long played with American presidents, but the issue has become more controversial as the country has become more polarized in recent decades. Republican-leaning Australian Greg Norman once chided Jack Nicklaus for playing with then-President Bill Clinton in the early 1990s. But Norman and Clinton later became friends and Clinton suffered a knee injury that required surgery when he stumbled on the steps outside Norman's home in 1997. McIlroy, who has been injured, plans to return to competition next week at the WGC-Mexico Championship in Mexico City. (Reuters)

McIlroy denies round of golf with Trump as 'endorsement'

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing his administration to set up a taskforce to remove &quot;job-killing regulations&quot; in an effort to make the country a business-friendly destination.

&quot;This executive order directs each agency to establish a regulatory reform taskforce which will ensure that every agency has a team&nbsp;of dedicated people to research all regulations that are unnecessary burdens and harmful to the economy and therefore harmful to&nbsp;the creation of jobs and business. Each taskforce will make recommendations to repeal and or simplify existing regulations,&quot; Trump said yesterday.

Acknowledging that the current regulations make it tough to do business, he assured companies of resolving the issue quickly. He signed a series of executive orders to make the US a business-friendly destination.

&quot;This executive order is one of many ways we&#39;re going to get real results when it comes to removing job-killing regulations and unleashing economic opportunity,&quot; he said.

Trump has issued an order which says that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated.

&quot;Every regulation should have to pass a simple test. Does it make life better or safer for American workers or consumers? If the&nbsp;answer is no, we will be getting rid of it and getting rid of it quickly,&quot; he said. 
 
The US president said his administration will stop punishing companies for doing business in the United States. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s going to be absolutely just the opposite. They&#39;re gonna be incentivised for doing business in the US,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;We&#39;re working very hard to roll back the regulatory burden so that coal miners, factory workers, small business owners and so&nbsp;many others can grow their businesses and thrive. 
 
&quot;We cannot allow government to be an obstacle to government opportunity. We are going to bring back jobs and create more&nbsp;opportunities to prosper maybe more than ever before in our country,&quot; Trump said. 
 
(PTI)

Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at making the US a business-friendly destination

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing his administration to set up a taskforce to remove "job-killing regulations" in an effort to make the country a business-friendly destination. "This executive order directs each agency to establish a regulatory reform taskforce which will ensure that every agency has a team of dedicated people to research all regulations that are unnecessary burdens and harmful to the economy and therefore harmful to the creation of jobs and business. Each taskforce will make recommendations to repeal and or simplify existing regulations," Trump said yesterday. Acknowledging that the current regulations make it tough to do business, he assured companies of resolving the issue quickly. He signed a series of executive orders to make the US a business-friendly destination. "This executive order is one of many ways we're going to get real results when it comes to removing job-killing regulations and unleashing economic opportunity," he said. Trump has issued an order which says that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. "Every regulation should have to pass a simple test. Does it make life better or safer for American workers or consumers? If the answer is no, we will be getting rid of it and getting rid of it quickly," he said. The US president said his administration will stop punishing companies for doing business in the United States. "It's going to be absolutely just the opposite. They're gonna be incentivised for doing business in the US," he said. "We're working very hard to roll back the regulatory burden so that coal miners, factory workers, small business owners and so many others can grow their businesses and thrive. "We cannot allow government to be an obstacle to government opportunity. We are going to bring back jobs and create more opportunities to prosper maybe more than ever before in our country," Trump said. (PTI)

Trump signs order aimed at removing 'job-killing regulations'

Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner appealed to US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Thursday to discuss transgender rights with her, after the administration revoked landmark guidance to public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice.

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Well <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump">@realDonaldTrump</a>, from one Republican to another, this is a disaster. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me. <a href="https://t.co/XwYe0LNUOq">pic.twitter.com/XwYe0LNUOq</a>
&mdash; Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) <a href="https://twitter.com/Caitlyn_Jenner/status/834935434144731136">February 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;I have a message for President Trump. From, well, one Republican to another, this is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me,&quot; Jenner said in a video posted on Twitter.

She encouraged supporters to contact LGBT rights group the National Center for Transgender Equality.

The Trump administration&#39;s action on Wednesday&nbsp;reversed a signature initiative of former president Barack Obama, whose Justice and Education departments had threatened to withhold funding for schools that did not comply with its guidance.

(Reuters)

'I have a message for President Trump. From, well, one Republican to another, this is a disaster. And you can still fix it'

Olympic gold medalist and transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner appealed to US President Donald Trump on Thursday to discuss transgender rights with her, after the administration revoked landmark guidance to public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms of their choice. Well @realDonaldTrump, from one Republican to another, this is a disaster. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me. pic.twitter.com/XwYe0LNUOq — Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) February 24, 2017 × "I have a message for President Trump. From, well, one Republican to another, this is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community. Call me," Jenner said in a video posted on Twitter. She encouraged supporters to contact LGBT rights group the National Center for Transgender Equality. The Trump administration's action on Wednesday reversed a signature initiative of former president Barack Obama, whose Justice and Education departments had threatened to withhold funding for schools that did not comply with its guidance. (Reuters)

WATCH: Transgender activist and Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner appeals to Trump

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under increasing pressure on Thursday to deal with asylum seekers illegally crossing into Canada from the United States to avoid a crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Trudeau, who stresses that Canada welcomes refugees, has so far avoided political fallout with Trump. The two talked on the phone about the border and other issues on Thursday but neither government gave many details of the conversation.

Allies and opponents alike say they want a strategy to cope with the dozens of people, mainly from Burundi, Eritrea, Syria, Ghana and Sudan - walking across the border every day.

The number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that Trump will start expelling illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral.

The premier of the western province of Manitoba, where many of the refugees end up, on Thursday asked Ottawa for more resources to deal with the new arrivals, some of whom have lost fingers to frostbite in the dangerous crossing.

While Brian Pallister said his province will welcome those in need with &quot;open arms and open hearts,&quot; his call for a national strategy to deal with the arrivals adds to opposition criticism that Trudeau has put national security at risk by embracing asylum seekers.

As of February&nbsp;13, some 3,800 people had made an asylum claim in 2017, up from the same period last year and on track to approach the 2008 peak of 36,867, said Scott Bardsley, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.

Bardsley said comparable data for the January&nbsp;1 to February13 period in 2016 was not available.

The asylum seekers are breaking the law because Canada&#39;s policy under a Canada-US&nbsp;Safe Third Country Agreement is to turn back refugees if they make claims at border crossings.

Trudeau and Trump discussed border cooperation in their phone call on Thursday.

The White House said Trump emphasised the importance of working closely with Canada on cross-border issues, &quot;including implementation of his administration&#39;s actions to protect America from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals and others.&quot;

Officials say Trump will soon issue a new executive order to replace the administration&#39;s directive suspending travel to the United States by citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries.

Warmer weather could spur more arrivals of asylum-seekers in Canada.

&quot;They know they are in a pickle. If people are coming over in February, what&#39;s it going to be like in June and July?&quot; said University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman.

Polls show Canadians are split over whether Canada should be accepting more or fewer refugees.

But even Liberal legislators are starting to hear from constituents concerned about the arrivals.

&quot;One or two people have raised the issue with me ... and I expect I&#39;ll have a few more&quot; conversations with constituents about the arrivals, said Kevin Lamoureux, member of parliament for Winnipeg North, where many asylum seekers settle awaiting their refugee hearing.

(Reuters)

Trudeau and US President Donald Trump spoke over the phone on Thursday and reportedly discussed border cooperation

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came under increasing pressure on Thursday to deal with asylum seekers illegally crossing into Canada from the United States to avoid a crackdown by the administration of President Donald Trump. Trudeau, who stresses that Canada welcomes refugees, has so far avoided political fallout with Trump. The two talked on the phone about the border and other issues on Thursday but neither government gave many details of the conversation. Allies and opponents alike say they want a strategy to cope with the dozens of people, mainly from Burundi, Eritrea, Syria, Ghana and Sudan - walking across the border every day. The number of asylum seekers crossing into Canada at isolated and unguarded border crossings has increased in recent weeks amid fears that Trump will start expelling illegal immigrants, and photos of smiling Canadian police greeting the migrants have gone viral. The premier of the western province of Manitoba, where many of the refugees end up, on Thursday asked Ottawa for more resources to deal with the new arrivals, some of whom have lost fingers to frostbite in the dangerous crossing. While Brian Pallister said his province will welcome those in need with "open arms and open hearts," his call for a national strategy to deal with the arrivals adds to opposition criticism that Trudeau has put national security at risk by embracing asylum seekers. As of February 13, some 3,800 people had made an asylum claim in 2017, up from the same period last year and on track to approach the 2008 peak of 36,867, said Scott Bardsley, spokesman for Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale. Bardsley said comparable data for the January 1 to February13 period in 2016 was not available. The asylum seekers are breaking the law because Canada's policy under a Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement is to turn back refugees if they make claims at border crossings. Trudeau and Trump discussed border cooperation in their phone call on Thursday. The White House said Trump emphasised the importance of working closely with Canada on cross-border issues, "including implementation of his administration's actions to protect America from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals and others." Officials say Trump will soon issue a new executive order to replace the administration's directive suspending travel to the United States by citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries. Warmer weather could spur more arrivals of asylum-seekers in Canada. "They know they are in a pickle. If people are coming over in February, what's it going to be like in June and July?" said University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman. Polls show Canadians are split over whether Canada should be accepting more or fewer refugees. But even Liberal legislators are starting to hear from constituents concerned about the arrivals. "One or two people have raised the issue with me ... and I expect I'll have a few more" conversations with constituents about the arrivals, said Kevin Lamoureux, member of parliament for Winnipeg North, where many asylum seekers settle awaiting their refugee hearing. (Reuters)

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau under pressure to deal with asylum-seekers crossing over from US

Mexico on Thursday gave a cool reception to visiting senior US officials, secretary of state Rex Tillerson and secretary of homeland security John Kelly, amid the deportation controversy.

Senior Mexican officials expressed &ldquo;worry and irritation&rdquo; about US policies while Trump&rsquo;s top envoys tried to cool tempers.

&quot;There exists among Mexicans worry and irritation about what are perceived to be policies that could be harmful for the national interest and for Mexicans here and abroad,&quot; foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told a news conference after talks with Tillerson and Kelly, news agency Reuters reported.

Videgaray added that it is &quot;a complex time&quot; for US-Mexican relations.

The already strained US-Mexico ties received another blow this week when the US government said it was seeking to deport many illegal immigrants to Mexico if they entered the US from there, regardless of their nationality.

The tensions over immigration come at a time when the two countries are already at loggerheads over Trump&rsquo;s vow to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and his attempts to get Mexico to give concessions on trade.

The two sides on Thursday pledged further dialogue on migration, security issues and trade, Reuters reported.

Kelly says no mass deportations or military force

Earlier on Thursday at the White House, Trump described the stepped-up deportation drive as &ldquo;a military operation&rdquo;, AFP reported.

&quot;We&rsquo;re getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobody&rsquo;s ever seen before,&quot; Trump said.

However, Kelly in Mexico contradicted Trump&rsquo;s statement by promising &quot;no mass deportations&quot; or military force against immigrants in the US.

&quot;There will be no, repeat no mass deportations&quot;, Kelly told a news conference in Mexico, AFP reported. &quot;There will be no use of military force for immigration operations.&quot;

Tillerson said the two sides &quot;reiterated our joint commitment to maintaining law and order along our shared border by stopping potential terrorists and dismantling the transnational criminal networks moving drugs and people into the United States.&quot;, AFP reported.

But he agreed that cooperation on border security had to work both ways.

&quot;We underscored the importance of stopping the illegal firearms and bulk cash that is originating in the United States and flowing into Mexico,&quot; he said, AFP reported.

&quot;There&#39;s no mistaking that the rule of law matters along both sides of the border.&quot;

While US officials said the trip was aimed at building positive relations, Trump said he was determined to reduce the $70 billion US trade deficit with Mexico even at the risk of harming ties.

&quot;We&rsquo;re going to have a good relationship with Mexico, I hope. And if we don&rsquo;t, we don&rsquo;t,&quot; he said, AFP reported.

Protest against envoys, Trump&#39;s &quot;wall&quot; set ablze at carnival

A group of protesters gathered outside Mexico&#39;s Ministry of Foreign Relations shouting slogans outside and holding banners that said &quot;The secretaries are not welcome,&quot; and &quot;Stop Donald Trump, Hate, Racism, Ignorance.&quot;

&quot;We delcare non gratis these secretaries of state (sic.), and we also declare non gratis Donald Trump for all the damage he has caused in the community, and continues causing,&quot;&nbsp;protester&nbsp;Maria Garcia told Reuters.

At the annual carnival of the Mexican city of Veracruz revellers burned &nbsp;an effigy representing Trump&#39;s proposed &quot;wall&quot;, Reuters reported. There was also a play parodying Trump with actors dressed as the president and his wife Melania.

&quot;It&#39;s like, we&#39;re rebelling against the United States. It&#39;s as if we are saying: &#39;Yes, we can.&#39; Because we Mexicans are better than United States,&quot; resident&nbsp;Luz Gutierrez told Reuters.

(WION with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

 
 
&nbsp;

Senior Mexican officials expressed 'worry and irritation' about US policies while Trump?s top envoys tried to cool tempers

Mexico on Thursday gave a cool reception to visiting senior US officials, secretary of state Rex Tillerson and secretary of homeland security John Kelly, amid the deportation controversy. Senior Mexican officials expressed “worry and irritation” about US policies while Trump’s top envoys tried to cool tempers. "There exists among Mexicans worry and irritation about what are perceived to be policies that could be harmful for the national interest and for Mexicans here and abroad," foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told a news conference after talks with Tillerson and Kelly, news agency Reuters reported. Videgaray added that it is "a complex time" for US-Mexican relations. The already strained US-Mexico ties received another blow this week when the US government said it was seeking to deport many illegal immigrants to Mexico if they entered the US from there, regardless of their nationality. The tensions over immigration come at a time when the two countries are already at loggerheads over Trump’s vow to build a wall on the US-Mexico border and his attempts to get Mexico to give concessions on trade. The two sides on Thursday pledged further dialogue on migration, security issues and trade, Reuters reported. Kelly says no mass deportations or military force Earlier on Thursday at the White House, Trump described the stepped-up deportation drive as “a military operation”, AFP reported. "We’re getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobody’s ever seen before," Trump said. However, Kelly in Mexico contradicted Trump’s statement by promising "no mass deportations" or military force against immigrants in the US. "There will be no, repeat no mass deportations", Kelly told a news conference in Mexico, AFP reported. "There will be no use of military force for immigration operations." Tillerson said the two sides "reiterated our joint commitment to maintaining law and order along our shared border by stopping potential terrorists and dismantling the transnational criminal networks moving drugs and people into the United States.", AFP reported. But he agreed that cooperation on border security had to work both ways. "We underscored the importance of stopping the illegal firearms and bulk cash that is originating in the United States and flowing into Mexico," he said, AFP reported. "There's no mistaking that the rule of law matters along both sides of the border." While US officials said the trip was aimed at building positive relations, Trump said he was determined to reduce the $70 billion US trade deficit with Mexico even at the risk of harming ties. "We’re going to have a good relationship with Mexico, I hope. And if we don’t, we don’t," he said, AFP reported. Protest against envoys, Trump's "wall" set ablze at carnival A group of protesters gathered outside Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Relations shouting slogans outside and holding banners that said "The secretaries are not welcome," and "Stop Donald Trump, Hate, Racism, Ignorance." "We delcare non gratis these secretaries of state (sic.), and we also declare non gratis Donald Trump for all the damage he has caused in the community, and continues causing," protester Maria Garcia told Reuters. At the annual carnival of the Mexican city of Veracruz revellers burned an effigy representing Trump's proposed "wall", Reuters reported. There was also a play parodying Trump with actors dressed as the president and his wife Melania. "It's like, we're rebelling against the United States. It's as if we are saying: 'Yes, we can.' Because we Mexicans are better than United States," resident Luz Gutierrez told Reuters. (WION with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Trump's top officials in Mexico: Not a warm reception for Rex Tillerson and John Kelly

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