Sri Lanka on Monday extended a law granting security forces emergency powers for a fourth month following the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-cuts-rates-to-boost-economy-after-easter-attacks-223126">Easter Day bomb attacks</a> on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people.

Under the law, security forces can interrogate suspects without court orders. More than 100 people have been arrested in the crackdown launched after the bombings, which were claimed by Islamic State.

President Maithripala <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-failed-to-arrest-easter-bomber-despite-warnings-222660">Sirisena issued orders</a> for the law to be extended for another month from midnight on Sunday, according to a gazette notification.

Sirisena said in the official notification that extending emergency rule was "in the interest of public security, the preservation of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community".

Authorities say the threat of more attacks has been contained and security services have dismantled most of the network linked to the Easter bombings, but operations are still underway to find remaining suspects.

Sirisena told foreign diplomats in May that he planned to lift the emergency once the security situation was "99 percent" back to normal.

Sri Lanka on Monday extended a law granting security forces emergency powers for a fourth month following the Easter Day bomb attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people.

Sri Lanka on Monday extended a law granting security forces emergency powers for a fourth month following the Easter Day bomb attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people. Under the law, security forces can interrogate suspects without court orders. More than 100 people have been arrested in the crackdown launched after the bombings, which were claimed by Islamic State. President Maithripala Sirisena issued orders for the law to be extended for another month from midnight on Sunday, according to a gazette notification. Sirisena said in the official notification that extending emergency rule was "in the interest of public security, the preservation of public order and the maintenance of supplies and services essential to the life of the community". Authorities say the threat of more attacks has been contained and security services have dismantled most of the network linked to the Easter bombings, but operations are still underway to find remaining suspects. Sirisena told foreign diplomats in May that he planned to lift the emergency once the security situation was "99 percent" back to normal.

Sri Lanka extends emergency for fourth month after Easter bombings

Tropical <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/life-threatening-tropical-storm-barry-grinds-toward-louisiana-235408&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqt4CY5bHjAhUKO3AKHTmWCuYQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3enmOBvnyahBlPshYI5VEE">Storm Barry</a>, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding.

Authorities urged citizens to secure property, stock up provisions and shelter in place. However, some nervous residents opted to flee the city, and tourism officials reported an abrupt exodus of out-of-town visitors on Friday.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in outlying coastal areas beyond the protection of levees in neighbouring Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes south of the city.

The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph), was on track to reach hurricane strength shortly before crossing the Louisiana coastline southwest of New Orleans on Saturday, the National Weather Service said.

Landfall predictions were pushed back from sunrise to late morning or early afternoon, as the storm crawled across the Gulf Coast at about 3 mph, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said early Saturday.

Rain bands were already hitting the coast before sunrise, and more than 56,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

Meteorologists warned that torrential rain - as much as 2 feet (60 cm) in some places - could unleash severe flooding as the storm moves inland from the Gulf of Mexico, where oil and gas operations have already cut production by nearly 60 per cent.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/new-orleans-braces-for-flooding-trump-declares-emergency-ahead-of-storm-barry-235308&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJkMm_5bHjAhXLdXAKHZ-LCuwQFjAFegQIChAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wf734-7VGa_HjR097sZt5">US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for Louisiana</a> on Friday, freeing up federal disaster assistance if needed.

The impending storm could test beefed-up flood defences put in place since the 2005 calamity of Hurricane Katrina, which left much of New Orleans underwater and killed about 1,800 people.

Too much water

The brunt of Barry's force was expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans, avoiding a direct hit on a low-lying city virtually surrounded on all sides by rising waters.

But Mayor LaToya Cantrell said 48 hours of heavy downpours could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water.

"There is no system in the world that can handle that amount of rainfall in such a short period," Cantrell said on Twitter.

Authorities were paying especially close attention to the levee system built to contain the lower Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of New Orleans and was already above flood stage from months of heavy upstream rainfall over the Midwest.

A coastal storm surge into the mouth of the Mississippi was expected to push its crest to 19 feet (5.79 m) in New Orleans on Saturday, the highest level since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the city's levees.

New Orleans was already saturated after thunderstorms drenched it with a foot of rain on Wednesday.

While street flooding seemed probable, the US&nbsp;Army Corps of Engineers insisted that significant breaching of the 20-foot-tall levees in New Orleans was unlikely.

Levee floodgates normally left open to allow passage of traffic were being closed, along with a giant ocean surge barrier erected after Katrina.

The level of Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary on the city's northern flank, rose by 3 feet on Friday, triggering the closure of a floodgate on a drainage canal that breached during Katrina, officials said.

Ahead of the storm, New Orleans residents flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snacks and beer, thronging grocery stores in such numbers that some ran out of shopping carts.

Across the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways, hoping the extra elevation would protect them from flood damage. Sandbags were stacked outside of hotels, shops and other businesses along Canal Street.

The sheriff's office said dozens of jail inmates held on minor charges were released to make room for nearly 70 inmates transferred from a temporary lockup to the main detention facility, which was built to withstand a major hurricane.

City residents were asked to remain indoors after 8 p.m. but some, in keeping with New Orleans' party spirit, decided to hunker down in more festive surroundings.

"The rain's not going to shut us down, we're going to shut this place down," said Brett Tidball, 33, who gathered with eight friends at Bourbon Street bar for his bachelor party, asking the pianist for back-to-back songs about bad weather.

Prince's "Purple Rain" echoed down the street.

Tropical Storm Barry, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding.

Tropical Storm Barry, poised to make landfall as the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019, churned ever closer to Louisiana's shore early on Saturday as most New Orleans residents huddled at home, or in bars, bracing for the threat of severe flooding. Authorities urged citizens to secure property, stock up provisions and shelter in place. However, some nervous residents opted to flee the city, and tourism officials reported an abrupt exodus of out-of-town visitors on Friday. Mandatory evacuations were ordered in outlying coastal areas beyond the protection of levees in neighbouring Plaquemines and Jefferson parishes south of the city. The storm, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour (100 kph), was on track to reach hurricane strength shortly before crossing the Louisiana coastline southwest of New Orleans on Saturday, the National Weather Service said. Landfall predictions were pushed back from sunrise to late morning or early afternoon, as the storm crawled across the Gulf Coast at about 3 mph, forecasters with the National Hurricane Center said early Saturday. Rain bands were already hitting the coast before sunrise, and more than 56,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us. Meteorologists warned that torrential rain - as much as 2 feet (60 cm) in some places - could unleash severe flooding as the storm moves inland from the Gulf of Mexico, where oil and gas operations have already cut production by nearly 60 per cent. US President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency for Louisiana on Friday, freeing up federal disaster assistance if needed. The impending storm could test beefed-up flood defences put in place since the 2005 calamity of Hurricane Katrina, which left much of New Orleans underwater and killed about 1,800 people. Too much water The brunt of Barry's force was expected to skirt the western edge of New Orleans, avoiding a direct hit on a low-lying city virtually surrounded on all sides by rising waters. But Mayor LaToya Cantrell said 48 hours of heavy downpours could overwhelm pumps designed to purge streets and storm drains of excess water. "There is no system in the world that can handle that amount of rainfall in such a short period," Cantrell said on Twitter. Authorities were paying especially close attention to the levee system built to contain the lower Mississippi River, which winds through the heart of New Orleans and was already above flood stage from months of heavy upstream rainfall over the Midwest. A coastal storm surge into the mouth of the Mississippi was expected to push its crest to 19 feet (5.79 m) in New Orleans on Saturday, the highest level since 1950 and dangerously close to the top of the city's levees. New Orleans was already saturated after thunderstorms drenched it with a foot of rain on Wednesday. While street flooding seemed probable, the US Army Corps of Engineers insisted that significant breaching of the 20-foot-tall levees in New Orleans was unlikely. Levee floodgates normally left open to allow passage of traffic were being closed, along with a giant ocean surge barrier erected after Katrina. The level of Lake Pontchartrain, an estuary on the city's northern flank, rose by 3 feet on Friday, triggering the closure of a floodgate on a drainage canal that breached during Katrina, officials said. Ahead of the storm, New Orleans residents flocked to supermarkets for bottled water, ice, snacks and beer, thronging grocery stores in such numbers that some ran out of shopping carts. Across the city, motorists left cars parked on the raised median strips of roadways, hoping the extra elevation would protect them from flood damage. Sandbags were stacked outside of hotels, shops and other businesses along Canal Street. The sheriff's office said dozens of jail inmates held on minor charges were released to make room for nearly 70 inmates transferred from a temporary lockup to the main detention facility, which was built to withstand a major hurricane. City residents were asked to remain indoors after 8 p.m. but some, in keeping with New Orleans' party spirit, decided to hunker down in more festive surroundings. "The rain's not going to shut us down, we're going to shut this place down," said Brett Tidball, 33, who gathered with eight friends at Bourbon Street bar for his bachelor party, asking the pianist for back-to-back songs about bad weather. Prince's "Purple Rain" echoed down the street.

New Orleans residents huddle at home, and in bars, ahead of hurricane

In the first edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'&nbsp;after Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the resistance against the national emergency in the 1970s was not limited to the political arena or politicians but even general public felt something was 'snatched'&nbsp;from them.

"When Emergency was imposed, resistance against it was not limited to the political arena or politicians; the movement was not curtailed to the confines of prison cells. There was an outrage in the conscience of one and all," Prime Minister Modi said.

"In normal life, one realises the importance of democratic rights when someone snatches them. During Emergency, every citizen felt that something that belonged to them has been snatched away. If what was snatched had never been enjoyed by that person, ever, it had to eventually precipitate into a painful inner agony," he added.

He went on to add, "Perhaps, nowhere else in the world had citizens voted, without bothering about other rights and requirements, just for the sake of saving democracy. And the country witnessed one such election in 1977."

This was not the first time when the Prime Minister talked about the Emergency period.

On June 25, Prime Minister Modi, he made a veiled attack on late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing emergency in the 1970s and said that the soul of the country was crushed just because they wanted to remain in power.

"Today is June 25. On the night of June 25, the soul of the country was crushed. In India, democracy does not come into existence from the pages of the Constitution; it has been our soul for decades. That soul was crushed just because they wanted to remain in power," he had said while replying to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha.

June 25 marked the day when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared a state of Emergency in the country from 1975 to 1977. The for a 21-month period saw media censorship, restrictions on civil rights and forced mass sterilisation of men.&nbsp;

In the first edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' after Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the resistance against the national emergency in the 1970s was not limited to the political arena or politicians but even general public felt something was 'snatched' from them.

In the first edition of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' after Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the resistance against the national emergency in the 1970s was not limited to the political arena or politicians but even general public felt something was 'snatched' from them. "When Emergency was imposed, resistance against it was not limited to the political arena or politicians; the movement was not curtailed to the confines of prison cells. There was an outrage in the conscience of one and all," Prime Minister Modi said. "In normal life, one realises the importance of democratic rights when someone snatches them. During Emergency, every citizen felt that something that belonged to them has been snatched away. If what was snatched had never been enjoyed by that person, ever, it had to eventually precipitate into a painful inner agony," he added. He went on to add, "Perhaps, nowhere else in the world had citizens voted, without bothering about other rights and requirements, just for the sake of saving democracy. And the country witnessed one such election in 1977." This was not the first time when the Prime Minister talked about the Emergency period. On June 25, Prime Minister Modi, he made a veiled attack on late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for imposing emergency in the 1970s and said that the soul of the country was crushed just because they wanted to remain in power. "Today is June 25. On the night of June 25, the soul of the country was crushed. In India, democracy does not come into existence from the pages of the Constitution; it has been our soul for decades. That soul was crushed just because they wanted to remain in power," he had said while replying to the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha. June 25 marked the day when then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had declared a state of Emergency in the country from 1975 to 1977. The for a 21-month period saw media censorship, restrictions on civil rights and forced mass sterilisation of men.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi discusses emergency in Mann Ki Baat

Watch India Watch, 26th June 2019. To know more watch the video

India Watch, 26th June 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Opposition parties especially Congress over their allegations on EVM discrepancies, saying it amounted to insulting the vote of the people.

"Some people kept talking about the EVM issue in this House. I want to tell them that there was a time when we were two MPs in the Parliament. People mocked us. But, we worked harder and won the trust of people. We did not make excuses and blame the polling booth," he said.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first Rajya Sabha address after re-election&nbsp;said those not ready to introspect and look into their shortcomings blame EVMs for their defeat.

"It is after a long time that a Government with a full majority was elected once again with a full majority. In this mandate, we see the desire of the people for stability. In fact, this trend of stable governments is being seen in various states too," Modi said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"I was saddened when some leaders said- the BJP and allies won the elections but the nation lost, democracy lost. I want to clearly say that such statements are unfortunate. &nbsp;Why question the wisdom of voters," Modi questioned.&nbsp;

He slammed the Congress party stating, "Their arrogance has no limits or what? well, arrogance shouldn't exist in the first place... but what do they mean. Did democracy lose in Wayanad and Raebareilly..?" Modi asked.&nbsp;

Replying to Motion of Thanks on President's Address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi asked for a collective endeavour from all MPs to make India a strong political economy.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Opposition parties especially Congress over their allegations on EVM discrepancies, saying it amounted to insulting the vote of the people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday launched a stinging attack on Opposition parties especially Congress over their allegations on EVM discrepancies, saying it amounted to insulting the vote of the people. "Some people kept talking about the EVM issue in this House. I want to tell them that there was a time when we were two MPs in the Parliament. People mocked us. But, we worked harder and won the trust of people. We did not make excuses and blame the polling booth," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first Rajya Sabha address after re-election said those not ready to introspect and look into their shortcomings blame EVMs for their defeat. "It is after a long time that a Government with a full majority was elected once again with a full majority. In this mandate, we see the desire of the people for stability. In fact, this trend of stable governments is being seen in various states too," Modi said. "I was saddened when some leaders said- the BJP and allies won the elections but the nation lost, democracy lost. I want to clearly say that such statements are unfortunate. Why question the wisdom of voters," Modi questioned. He slammed the Congress party stating, "Their arrogance has no limits or what? well, arrogance shouldn't exist in the first place... but what do they mean. Did democracy lose in Wayanad and Raebareilly..?" Modi asked. Replying to Motion of Thanks on President's Address in Rajya Sabha, PM Modi asked for a collective endeavour from all MPs to make India a strong political economy. (With inputs from agencies)

Don't insult voters' sentiment by blaming EVM: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha

In a stinging attack on the Congress, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/dont-insult-voters-sentiment-pm-narendra-modi-in-rajya-sabha-230575">Prime Minister Narendra Modi </a>on Wednesday said the Opposition party's arrogance has no limits, they can't accept defeat.

"My friends in Congress have not been able to digest victory, they have not been able to accept defeat. This is not a healthy sign in a democracy," he said.

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My friends in the Congress: 
 
They have not been able to digest victory. 
 
They have not been able to accept defat. 
 
I do not consider this to be a healthy sign in a democracy: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1143805335452303360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Slamming Congress during his speech, PM Modi said that we should appreciate how our electoral processes have improved over the years. In 1950s polling process took a long time to complete. Violence and booth capturing were common in some places. Now, the news is about rising voter turnout. This is a healthy signal.

On one nation, one election issue, PM Modi asked the opposition parties to come forward and present their views. He said that it may not become a reality but spreading negativity even before having a discussion on the matter is not right. He cited examples of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh where Assembly and general elections are held simultaneously.

On Jharkhand lynching incident, PM Modi said that he is too pained by the killing of a youth. He said that the accused should be dealt with a firm hand. Responding to Congress leader Azad's jibe that Jharkhand has become a factory of lynching, he said, "It is wrong to blame entire Jharkhand for the lynching."

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The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too. 
 
But, some people in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a state. 
 
None of us have the right to insult the state of Jharkhand: PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1143809912297807872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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PM Narendra Modi said that the people of the country rejected opposition's negative politics. He said that opposition leaders mocked the government's schemes like clean India, Make in India, toilet etc.

In a stinging attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Opposition party's arrogance has no limits, they can't accept defeat. "My friends in Congress have not been able to digest victory, they have not been able to accept defeat.

In a stinging attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the Opposition party's arrogance has no limits, they can't accept defeat. "My friends in Congress have not been able to digest victory, they have not been able to accept defeat. This is not a healthy sign in a democracy," he said. My friends in the Congress: They have not been able to digest victory. They have not been able to accept defat. I do not consider this to be a healthy sign in a democracy: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 26, 2019 × Slamming Congress during his speech, PM Modi said that we should appreciate how our electoral processes have improved over the years. In 1950s polling process took a long time to complete. Violence and booth capturing were common in some places. Now, the news is about rising voter turnout. This is a healthy signal. On one nation, one election issue, PM Modi asked the opposition parties to come forward and present their views. He said that it may not become a reality but spreading negativity even before having a discussion on the matter is not right. He cited examples of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh where Assembly and general elections are held simultaneously. On Jharkhand lynching incident, PM Modi said that he is too pained by the killing of a youth. He said that the accused should be dealt with a firm hand. Responding to Congress leader Azad's jibe that Jharkhand has become a factory of lynching, he said, "It is wrong to blame entire Jharkhand for the lynching." The lynching in Jharkhand has pained me. It has saddened others too. But, some people in the Rajya Sabha are calling Jharkhand a hub of lynching. Is this fair? Why are they insulting a state. None of us have the right to insult the state of Jharkhand: PM @narendramodi — PMO India (@PMOIndia) June 26, 2019 × PM Narendra Modi said that the people of the country rejected opposition's negative politics. He said that opposition leaders mocked the government's schemes like clean India, Make in India, toilet etc.

Congress can't accept defeats, not a healthy sign in democracy: PM Narendra Modi in Rajya Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage&nbsp;to people who resisted the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1975.

"India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency. India's democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset," he tweeted with a short video. 
&nbsp;

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India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency. 
 
India’s democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset. <a href="https://t.co/vUS6HYPbT5">pic.twitter.com/vUS6HYPbT5</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1143362212335144960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Home minister Amit Shah also recalled how people were deprived of their fundamental rights during the Emergency. "It was on this day in 1975 that democracy of the country was killed for political interests. Millions of patriots were tortured in their fight to restore democracy. I salute all the fighters," Shah tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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1975 में आज ही के दिन मात्र अपने राजनीतिक हितों के लिए देश के लोकतंत्र की हत्या की गयी। देशवासियों से उनके मूलभूत अधिकार छीन लिए गए, अखबारों पर ताले लगा दिए गए। लाखों राष्ट्रभक्तों ने लोकतंत्र को पुनर्स्थापित करने के लिए अनेकों यातनाएं सहीं। 
 
मैं उन सभी सेनानियों को नमन करता हूं। <a href="https://t.co/XzRc4vEdJS">pic.twitter.com/XzRc4vEdJS</a>
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmitShah/status/1143361005583552513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Defence minister Rajnath Singh said Emergency was one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. "The declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975 and the incidents that followed, mark as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. On this day, we the people of India should always remember the importance of upholding the integrity our institutions and the Constitution," he tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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The declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975 and the incidents that followed, mark as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. 
 
On this day, we the people of India should always remember the importance of upholding the integrity our institutions and the Constitution.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1143345301756846080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile lashing out at BJP, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and said that while it was the anniversary of Emergency imposed in 1975, the country is going through "super emergency" for the past five years.

"Today is the anniversary of the Emergency declared in 1975. For the last five years, the country went through a 'Super Emergency'. We must learn our lessons from history and fight to safeguard the democratic institutions in the country," Banerjee tweeted. 
&nbsp;

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Today is the anniversary of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Emergency?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Emergency</a> declared in 1975. For the last five years, the country went through a ‘Super Emergency’. We must learn our lessons from history and fight to safeguard the democratic institutions in the country
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/MamataOfficial/status/1143336759205306368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Emergency was imposed in India from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to people who resisted the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1975. "India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid homage to people who resisted the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on this day in 1975. "India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency. India's democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset," he tweeted with a short video. India salutes all those greats who fiercely and fearlessly resisted the Emergency. India’s democratic ethos successfully prevailed over an authoritarian mindset. pic.twitter.com/vUS6HYPbT5 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2019 × Home minister Amit Shah also recalled how people were deprived of their fundamental rights during the Emergency. "It was on this day in 1975 that democracy of the country was killed for political interests. Millions of patriots were tortured in their fight to restore democracy. I salute all the fighters," Shah tweeted. 1975 में आज ही के दिन मात्र अपने राजनीतिक हितों के लिए देश के लोकतंत्र की हत्या की गयी। देशवासियों से उनके मूलभूत अधिकार छीन लिए गए, अखबारों पर ताले लगा दिए गए। लाखों राष्ट्रभक्तों ने लोकतंत्र को पुनर्स्थापित करने के लिए अनेकों यातनाएं सहीं। मैं उन सभी सेनानियों को नमन करता हूं। pic.twitter.com/XzRc4vEdJS — Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 25, 2019 × Defence minister Rajnath Singh said Emergency was one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. "The declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975 and the incidents that followed, mark as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. On this day, we the people of India should always remember the importance of upholding the integrity our institutions and the Constitution," he tweeted. The declaration of Emergency on June 25, 1975 and the incidents that followed, mark as one of the darkest chapters in India’s history. On this day, we the people of India should always remember the importance of upholding the integrity our institutions and the Constitution. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 25, 2019 × Meanwhile lashing out at BJP, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee took to Twitter and said that while it was the anniversary of Emergency imposed in 1975, the country is going through "super emergency" for the past five years. "Today is the anniversary of the Emergency declared in 1975. For the last five years, the country went through a 'Super Emergency'. We must learn our lessons from history and fight to safeguard the democratic institutions in the country," Banerjee tweeted. Today is the anniversary of the #Emergency declared in 1975. For the last five years, the country went through a ‘Super Emergency’. We must learn our lessons from history and fight to safeguard the democratic institutions in the country — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 25, 2019 × Emergency was imposed in India from June 25, 1975 to March 21, 1977. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah remember those who resisted Emergency; Mamata Banerjee lashes out at BJP

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-cant-forget-dark-days-of-emergency-indias-soul-was-crushed-pm-modi-in-lok-sabha-230357">We can't forget dark days of Emergency, India's soul was crushed: PM Modi in Lok Sabha</a>

Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday PM Narendra Modi said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/navys-marcos-commandos-board-indian-vessels-in-persian-gulf-to-ensure-safety-230339">Navy's MARCOS commandos board Indian vessels in Persian Gulf to ensure safety</a>

After the Indian Navy launched "Operation Sankalp" in the Gulf of Oman to "reassure" Indian flagged vessels transiting through the region in the wake of US-Iran tensions, Indian Navy MARCOS commandos boarded the oil tankers intent on travelling onboard in order to provide protection to the ships.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/have-military-intelligence-to-show-us-drone-was-iranian-airspace-russia-230296">Have military intelligence to show US drone was in Iranian airspace: Russia</a>

Russia has military intelligence that shows that a US drone was in Iranian air space when it was shot down by Iran last week, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brian-lara-complains-of-chest-pain-hospitalised-in-mumbai-230288">Brian Lara complains of chest pain, hospitalised in Mumbai</a>

Former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, 50, has complained of chest pain and has been admitted to Global Hospital in Mumbai. There has been no information on Lara's health but the hospital will issue an official statement shortly to give an update.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/the-life-and-legacy-of-michael-jackson-remembering-the-king-of-pop-on-his-tenth-death-anniversary-230233">In pics: The life and legacy of Michael Jackson-Remembering the 'King of Pop'&nbsp;</a>

Despite the controversies around him, there is no doubt that man created some incredible music and his work cannot be overshadowed by any single person.&nbsp;

We can't forget dark days of Emergency, India's soul was crushed: PM Modi in Lok Sabha Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday PM Narendra Modi said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten.

We can't forget dark days of Emergency, India's soul was crushed: PM Modi in Lok Sabha Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday PM Narendra Modi said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten. Navy's MARCOS commandos board Indian vessels in Persian Gulf to ensure safety After the Indian Navy launched "Operation Sankalp" in the Gulf of Oman to "reassure" Indian flagged vessels transiting through the region in the wake of US-Iran tensions, Indian Navy MARCOS commandos boarded the oil tankers intent on travelling onboard in order to provide protection to the ships. Have military intelligence to show US drone was in Iranian airspace: Russia Russia has military intelligence that shows that a US drone was in Iranian air space when it was shot down by Iran last week, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, said on Tuesday. Brian Lara complains of chest pain, hospitalised in Mumbai Former West Indies cricketer Brian Lara, 50, has complained of chest pain and has been admitted to Global Hospital in Mumbai. There has been no information on Lara's health but the hospital will issue an official statement shortly to give an update. In pics: The life and legacy of Michael Jackson-Remembering the 'King of Pop' Despite the controversies around him, there is no doubt that man created some incredible music and his work cannot be overshadowed by any single person.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-leaders-never-mentioned-narasimha-rao-and-dr-manmohan-singh-centred-only-around-gandhis-pm-modi-in-lok-sabha-230332">PM Narendra Modi</a> said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten.

In his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-government-will-overcome-all-challenges-received-a-strong-mandate-pm-modi-230320">maiden speech in the 17th Lok Sabha</a>, the prime minister said: “A few people were constantly asking during the debate – Who did it? Who did it? I want to ask them, today is 25th June. Who imposed the Emergency? Who trampled over the spirit of the Constitution, gagged the media and bullied the judiciary? We can’t forget those dark days.”

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Replying to 'Motion Of Thanks On the President's Address' in Lok Sabha <a href="https://t.co/oXpl0TMDOg">https://t.co/oXpl0TMDOg</a>
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The Prime Minister recalled the "horrors of emergency" while targeting Congress, the prime Opposition party. "Soul of the nation was crushed on this day, June 25, 44 years ago," he said, adding that all castes, groups, religions had fought together to reclaim democracy.

Taking a potshot at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the party never recognised efforts of anyone but only the members from the Gandhi-Nehru family.&nbsp;

Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, Modi said the Congress never spoke about the good work of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narasimha Rao.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister said the NDA was given a chance to serve the nation in 2014 as the people thought it was a way of escaping from the UPA regime.

(With inputs from PTI)

Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday PM Narendra Modi said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten.

Launching a scathing attack on Congress Party on Tuesday PM Narendra Modi said that Emergency was imposed on this day in 1975 and the blot on India’s soul will never be forgotten. In his maiden speech in the 17th Lok Sabha, the prime minister said: “A few people were constantly asking during the debate – Who did it? Who did it? I want to ask them, today is 25th June. Who imposed the Emergency? Who trampled over the spirit of the Constitution, gagged the media and bullied the judiciary? We can’t forget those dark days.” Replying to 'Motion Of Thanks On the President's Address' in Lok Sabha https://t.co/oXpl0TMDOg — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2019 × The Prime Minister recalled the "horrors of emergency" while targeting Congress, the prime Opposition party. "Soul of the nation was crushed on this day, June 25, 44 years ago," he said, adding that all castes, groups, religions had fought together to reclaim democracy. Taking a potshot at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the party never recognised efforts of anyone but only the members from the Gandhi-Nehru family. Replying to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in Lok Sabha, Modi said the Congress never spoke about the good work of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narasimha Rao. The Prime Minister said the NDA was given a chance to serve the nation in 2014 as the people thought it was a way of escaping from the UPA regime. (With inputs from PTI)

We can't forget dark days of Emergency, India's soul was crushed: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

In a sharp attack on the Congress, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/our-government-will-overcome-all-challenges-received-a-strong-mandate-pm-modi-230320">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Tuesday accused it of insulting leaders like Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh and also targeted the party over “dynastic politics” and said only one family was spoken about and got all the attention.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was replying in Lok Sabha on Motion of thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind's joint address of the house.

Continuing his attack on the Congress, Narendra Modi said, "Did those in power from 2004 to 2014 ever talk in appreciation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee? Did they ever speak about the good work of Narasimha Rao Ji? In this Lok Sabha debate, they did not even speak of Manmohan Singh."

Taking a dig at the Opposition, Narendra Modi said, "You have gone so up in the air that you can't see the ground, you've lost your roots. It gives me satisfaction to see you rise so much,".

In the next 5 years, Modi claimed, the goal is to further strengthen and secure the nation and giving an impetus to the nation's inclusivity.

PM Modi said a period of five years cannot suffice to cure the malaise of 70 years, but his government strove to bring the nation to the path of peace, prosperity and development.

"I know that it takes time to change things which have been existing for the last 70 years. We did not divert or dilute from our main goal. We have to move forward, be it regarding infrastructure or in space," he added.

The Prime Minister claimed that electoral gains or setback never factored in his governance or policy-making.

"I never think about polls in terms of victory and defeat. The opportunity to serve 130 crore Indians and work to make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens is special to me," he said.&nbsp;

In a sharp attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused it of insulting leaders like Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh and also targeted the party over “dynastic politics” and said only one family was spoken about and got all the attention.

In a sharp attack on the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday accused it of insulting leaders like Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh and also targeted the party over “dynastic politics” and said only one family was spoken about and got all the attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was replying in Lok Sabha on Motion of thanks on President Ram Nath Kovind's joint address of the house. Continuing his attack on the Congress, Narendra Modi said, "Did those in power from 2004 to 2014 ever talk in appreciation of Atal Bihari Vajpayee? Did they ever speak about the good work of Narasimha Rao Ji? In this Lok Sabha debate, they did not even speak of Manmohan Singh." Taking a dig at the Opposition, Narendra Modi said, "You have gone so up in the air that you can't see the ground, you've lost your roots. It gives me satisfaction to see you rise so much,". In the next 5 years, Modi claimed, the goal is to further strengthen and secure the nation and giving an impetus to the nation's inclusivity. PM Modi said a period of five years cannot suffice to cure the malaise of 70 years, but his government strove to bring the nation to the path of peace, prosperity and development. "I know that it takes time to change things which have been existing for the last 70 years. We did not divert or dilute from our main goal. We have to move forward, be it regarding infrastructure or in space," he added. The Prime Minister claimed that electoral gains or setback never factored in his governance or policy-making. "I never think about polls in terms of victory and defeat. The opportunity to serve 130 crore Indians and work to make a positive difference in the lives of our citizens is special to me," he said.

Congress leaders never mentioned Narasimha Rao and Dr Manmohan Singh; centred only around Gandhis: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

India's 1990 emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka which played a crucial role in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks is now available throughout the nine&nbsp;provinces of the Indian Ocean Island country.&nbsp;

The last phase of the project was launched on Sunday by Sri Lankan ministers and Indian high commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu in Ampara, the eastern province of the country.

The Sri Lankan ministers present at the launch were--Daya Gamage, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment, Dr Harsha de Silva Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution and Anoma Gamage, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Development.

A video recorded message of EAM Dr Jaishankar was played who described it as a "great example of what India and Sri Lanka can achieve together."

The ambulance service which can be obtained by dialling toll-free number 1990 was requested by Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit of PM Modi in March 2015.
<img alt="Emergency ambulance service" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a0f184ed-f151-4560-99c7-af26c5ac81fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SL2.JPG" /><img alt="Emergency ambulance service" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5e8a1e3b-7144-4312-a740-c5941e5f8454" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/SL.JPG" />
It came into existence in July 2016 with its launch in southern and western provinces of the country and under the initial Indian grant of $ 7.5 million.

It was later expanded phase wise from May 2017 to a massive expansion in many provinces in 2018. It is the largest Indian grant project in Sri Lanka after the Indian Housing Project.

India's 1990 emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka which played a crucial role in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks is now available throughout the nine provinces of the Indian Ocean Island country.

India's 1990 emergency ambulance service in Sri Lanka which played a crucial role in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks is now available throughout the nine provinces of the Indian Ocean Island country. The last phase of the project was launched on Sunday by Sri Lankan ministers and Indian high commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu in Ampara, the eastern province of the country. The Sri Lankan ministers present at the launch were--Daya Gamage, Minister of Primary Industries and Social Empowerment, Dr Harsha de Silva Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution and Anoma Gamage, Deputy Minister of Petroleum Resources Development. A video recorded message of EAM Dr Jaishankar was played who described it as a "great example of what India and Sri Lanka can achieve together." The ambulance service which can be obtained by dialling toll-free number 1990 was requested by Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe during the visit of PM Modi in March 2015. It came into existence in July 2016 with its launch in southern and western provinces of the country and under the initial Indian grant of $ 7.5 million. It was later expanded phase wise from May 2017 to a massive expansion in many provinces in 2018. It is the largest Indian grant project in Sri Lanka after the Indian Housing Project.

India backed emergency ambulance service now available across Sri Lanka

A World Health Organization panel decided on Friday not to declare an international emergency over Congo`s Ebola outbreak despite its spread to Uganda this week, concluding such a declaration could cause too much economic harm.

Congo`s epidemic is the second worst ever, with 2,108 cases of Ebola and 1,411 deaths since last August. This week it reached Uganda, where three cases were recorded, all in people who had arrived from Congo. Two of them died.

In a statement, the panel of 13 independent medical experts on the WHO`s Emergency Committee urged neighbouring "at risk" countries to improve their preparedness for detecting and managing imported cases, "as Uganda has done".

"This is not a global emergency, it is an emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a severe emergency and it may affect neighbouring counties," Dr. Preben Aavitsland, the panel`s acting chair told a news conference at the UN agency`s headquarters in Geneva.

"It was the view of the Committee that there is really nothing to gain by declaring a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern), but there is potentially a lot to lose."

Such a declaration would risk creating restrictions on travel or trade "that could severely harm the economy in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Aavitsland said.

WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking by telephone from Kampala, said: "The spread of Ebola to Uganda is a new development but the fundamental dynamics of the outbreak haven`t changed."

Ugandan authorities have now drawn up a list of 98 contacts, or contacts of contacts, potentially exposed to the Ebola virus, of whom 10 are considered "high risk", said Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO`s emergencies programme. Vaccination of those contacts and health workers with a Merck experimental vaccine is to start on Saturday, he said.

Some medical groups had urged the committee to declare an emergency which would have led to boosting public health measures, funding and resources.

Lawrence Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University Law School, voiced disappointment that the panel had failed to declare an emergency for the third time.&nbsp;

"The @WHO was criticized for delay in declaring a PHEIC in W Africa. Will it’s failure in DRC affect legitimacy?" Gostin tweeted. He said he admired the panel members but disagreed with their conclusion.

Only four emergencies have been declared in the past decade, including the worst ever Ebola outbreak, which hit West Africa in 2014-2016. The others were an influenza pandemic in 2009, polio in 2014 and the Zika virus in 2016.

Ryan told Reuters on Friday that there had been no sign of local transmission of Ebola virus in Uganda.

"No evidence yet...But we`re not out of the woods yet," he said, noting that the incubation period is up to 21 days.

A World Health Organization panel decided on Friday not to declare an international emergency over Congo`s Ebola outbreak despite its spread to Uganda this week, concluding such a declaration could cause too much economic harm.

A World Health Organization panel decided on Friday not to declare an international emergency over Congo`s Ebola outbreak despite its spread to Uganda this week, concluding such a declaration could cause too much economic harm. Congo`s epidemic is the second worst ever, with 2,108 cases of Ebola and 1,411 deaths since last August. This week it reached Uganda, where three cases were recorded, all in people who had arrived from Congo. Two of them died. In a statement, the panel of 13 independent medical experts on the WHO`s Emergency Committee urged neighbouring "at risk" countries to improve their preparedness for detecting and managing imported cases, "as Uganda has done". "This is not a global emergency, it is an emergency in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a severe emergency and it may affect neighbouring counties," Dr. Preben Aavitsland, the panel`s acting chair told a news conference at the UN agency`s headquarters in Geneva. "It was the view of the Committee that there is really nothing to gain by declaring a PHEIC (Public Health Emergency of International Concern), but there is potentially a lot to lose." Such a declaration would risk creating restrictions on travel or trade "that could severely harm the economy in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Aavitsland said. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking by telephone from Kampala, said: "The spread of Ebola to Uganda is a new development but the fundamental dynamics of the outbreak haven`t changed." Ugandan authorities have now drawn up a list of 98 contacts, or contacts of contacts, potentially exposed to the Ebola virus, of whom 10 are considered "high risk", said Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO`s emergencies programme. Vaccination of those contacts and health workers with a Merck experimental vaccine is to start on Saturday, he said. Some medical groups had urged the committee to declare an emergency which would have led to boosting public health measures, funding and resources. Lawrence Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University Law School, voiced disappointment that the panel had failed to declare an emergency for the third time. "The @WHO was criticized for delay in declaring a PHEIC in W Africa. Will it’s failure in DRC affect legitimacy?" Gostin tweeted. He said he admired the panel members but disagreed with their conclusion. Only four emergencies have been declared in the past decade, including the worst ever Ebola outbreak, which hit West Africa in 2014-2016. The others were an influenza pandemic in 2009, polio in 2014 and the Zika virus in 2016. Ryan told Reuters on Friday that there had been no sign of local transmission of Ebola virus in Uganda. "No evidence yet...But we`re not out of the woods yet," he said, noting that the incubation period is up to 21 days.

WHO panel decides not to declare international Ebola emergency

United States President Donald Trump is planning to declare a national emergency for<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-hopes-to-reach-migration-deal-with-the-united-states-as-tariffs-loom-223935"> slapping new tariffs on Mexico </a>over the flow of migrants into his country, according to a draft document.

The new emergency is necessary due to "the failure of the Government of Mexico to take effective action to reduce the mass migration of aliens illegally crossing into the United States through Mexico," the document said.

Last week, Trump had threatened to impose a five per cent tariff on all Mexican goods, which would increase by another five per cent every month and ultimately reach 25 per cent by October, The Hill reported.

"The United States Government has repeatedly asked the Government of Mexico to take responsibility and help reduce this mass migration. Yet the Government of Mexico has failed to take sufficient action to alleviate this problem, has allowed this mass incursion to increase, and has failed to secure its own southern border," the draft document said.

Representatives of the US and Mexico on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement on the immigration issue during high-stakes negotiations held at the White House.

Shortly after the meeting, Trump had tweeted to inform that "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-nearly-enough-progress-made-in-immigration-talks-with-mexico-trump-224814">not nearly enough</a>" progress was made in the negotiations, and reiterated that in case no agreement is reached between the two sides, the tariffs would begin on Monday "as per schedule."

The US President had said that he would carry out his threat under authority from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and he would lift tariffs only "if the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico".

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the US` position has not changed, adding that tariffs will be imposed next week as announced.

"Position has not changed, and we are still moving forward with tariffs at this time," she said in an e-mail statement.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that there`s an influx of drugs and criminals from US` southern border with Mexico. He has used these claims to justify and press for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump is planning to declare a national emergency for slapping new tariffs on Mexico over the flow of migrants into his country, according to a draft document.

United States President Donald Trump is planning to declare a national emergency for slapping new tariffs on Mexico over the flow of migrants into his country, according to a draft document. The new emergency is necessary due to "the failure of the Government of Mexico to take effective action to reduce the mass migration of aliens illegally crossing into the United States through Mexico," the document said. Last week, Trump had threatened to impose a five per cent tariff on all Mexican goods, which would increase by another five per cent every month and ultimately reach 25 per cent by October, The Hill reported. "The United States Government has repeatedly asked the Government of Mexico to take responsibility and help reduce this mass migration. Yet the Government of Mexico has failed to take sufficient action to alleviate this problem, has allowed this mass incursion to increase, and has failed to secure its own southern border," the draft document said. Representatives of the US and Mexico on Wednesday failed to reach an agreement on the immigration issue during high-stakes negotiations held at the White House. Shortly after the meeting, Trump had tweeted to inform that "not nearly enough" progress was made in the negotiations, and reiterated that in case no agreement is reached between the two sides, the tariffs would begin on Monday "as per schedule." The US President had said that he would carry out his threat under authority from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and he would lift tariffs only "if the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico". Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said the US` position has not changed, adding that tariffs will be imposed next week as announced. "Position has not changed, and we are still moving forward with tariffs at this time," she said in an e-mail statement. Trump has repeatedly claimed that there`s an influx of drugs and criminals from US` southern border with Mexico. He has used these claims to justify and press for the construction of a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump mulling over declaring 'new emergency' for imposing tariffs on Mexico

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">national emergency</a> and barring US&nbsp;companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co.

The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days.

The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/huawei-willing-to-sign-no-spy-pacts-with-governments-chairman-218851">Huawei willing to sign 'no-spy' pacts with governments: Chairman</a>

"Under President Trump`s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure," he said.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was expected to take action on the long-awaited proposal this week. The order does not specifically name any country or company, but US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks.

The executive order comes at a delicate time in relations between China and the United States as the world`s<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-is-a-us-china-trade-war-around-the-corner-217615"> two largest economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle</a> over what US officials call China`s unfair trade practices.

Washington believes equipment made by Huawei could be used by the Chinese state to spy. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-defence-secretary-fired-over-huawei-leaks-denies-involvement-215329">Huawei</a>, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, did not immediately comment.&nbsp;

The United States has been actively pushing other countries not to use Huawei`s equipment in next-generation 5G networks that it calls "untrustworthy." In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government itself from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who has called Huawei a threat to US security, said Wednesday that "given the threats presented by certain foreign companies’ equipment and services, this is a significant step toward securing America’s networks."

The order directs the director of US National Intelligence to produce an assessment by late June on the risks to the United States and critical infrastructure "from information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary."&nbsp;

In January, US&nbsp;prosecutors charged two Huawei units in Washington state, saying they conspired to steal T-Mobile US Inc trade secrets, and also charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with bank and wire fraud on allegations that the company violated sanctions against Iran.

The FCC in April 2018 voted to advance a proposal to bar the use of a $9 billion government fund to purchase equipment or services from companies that pose a security threat to US&nbsp;communications networks.

The FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile Ltd’s bid to provide US telecommunications services last week and said it was reviewing similar prior approvals held by China Unicom and China Telecom Corp.

The issue has taken on new urgency as US&nbsp;wireless carriers rollout 5G networks.

While the big wireless companies have already cut ties with Huawei, small rural carriers continue to rely on both Huawei and ZTE switches and other equipment because they tend to be cheaper.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order declaring a national emergency and barring US companies from using telecommunications equipment made by firms posing a national security risk, paving the way for a ban on doing business with China`s Huawei Technologies Co. The executive order invokes the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which gives the president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The order directs the Commerce Department, working with other government agencies, to draw up a plan for enforcement within 150 days. The order, which has been under review for more than a year, is aimed at protecting the supply chain from "foreign adversaries to the nation`s information and communications technology and services supply chain," said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Also read- Huawei willing to sign 'no-spy' pacts with governments: Chairman "Under President Trump`s leadership, Americans will be able to trust that our data and infrastructure are secure," he said. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Trump was expected to take action on the long-awaited proposal this week. The order does not specifically name any country or company, but US officials have previously labelled Huawei a "threat" and actively lobbied allies to not using Huawei network equipment in next generation 5G networks. The executive order comes at a delicate time in relations between China and the United States as the world`s two largest economies ratchet up tariffs in a battle over what US officials call China`s unfair trade practices. Washington believes equipment made by Huawei could be used by the Chinese state to spy. Huawei, which has repeatedly denied the allegations, did not immediately comment. The United States has been actively pushing other countries not to use Huawei`s equipment in next-generation 5G networks that it calls "untrustworthy." In August, Trump signed a bill that barred the US government itself from using equipment from Huawei and another Chinese provider, ZTE Corp. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai, who has called Huawei a threat to US security, said Wednesday that "given the threats presented by certain foreign companies’ equipment and services, this is a significant step toward securing America’s networks." The order directs the director of US National Intelligence to produce an assessment by late June on the risks to the United States and critical infrastructure "from information and communications technology or services designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a foreign adversary." In January, US prosecutors charged two Huawei units in Washington state, saying they conspired to steal T-Mobile US Inc trade secrets, and also charged Huawei and its chief financial officer with bank and wire fraud on allegations that the company violated sanctions against Iran. The FCC in April 2018 voted to advance a proposal to bar the use of a $9 billion government fund to purchase equipment or services from companies that pose a security threat to US communications networks. The FCC voted unanimously to deny China Mobile Ltd’s bid to provide US telecommunications services last week and said it was reviewing similar prior approvals held by China Unicom and China Telecom Corp. The issue has taken on new urgency as US wireless carriers rollout 5G networks. While the big wireless companies have already cut ties with Huawei, small rural carriers continue to rely on both Huawei and ZTE switches and other equipment because they tend to be cheaper.

Trump declares national emergency, bars Huawei from US telecommunications networks

President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-republican-delivers-blow-to-trump-border-emergency-203207">measure passed by Democrats and Republicans</a> in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">US border with Mexico</a>.

The veto, made necessary after a strong and unusual rebuke from members of Trump's Republican party, capped a week that left Trump politically wounded, at least temporarily, as immigration and his signature promise of a wall become a flashpoint again in the 2020 presidential campaign.

Congress is unlikely to muster the votes to override Trump's veto, a fact that left White House officials confident despite disappointment that it passed the Republican-controlled Senate at all.

The bipartisan vote on Thursday was a slap at Trump for his decision to circumvent Congress and take money already designated for other programs to pay for a barrier on the southern border.

Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate to pass the measure, concerned that the president had overstepped his authority.

Trump repeated his view that a crisis existed at the border, called the resolution reckless and said he was proud to veto it.

"As president the protection of the nation is my highest duty. Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in danger, very grave danger," he said, sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office. "Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it."

The White House had lobbied heavily for Republicans to back Trump, despite concerns among some about executive overreach and precedent-setting action that a future Democratic president could copy on policies that Republicans oppose. The president, without acknowledging that lobbying, said he had sympathy for those who defied him, adding they did what they had to do.

US Attorney General William Barr said the president's emergency declaration was legal.

It is being challenged in court as an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress' power of the purse.

Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote on March 26 to override the veto.

“The House and Senate resoundingly rejected the president’s lawless power grab, yet the president has chosen to continue to defy the Constitution, the Congress and the will of the American people," she said in a statement.

The Senate would have to vote to override the veto as well, requiring more Republicans than the original 12 to sign on, which is unlikely to happen.

Trump was flanked by border officials and people whose relatives were killed by someone who was in the United States illegally. They praised the president for standing firm on the issue, which resonates strongly with his political base.

Researchers have said that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, despite Trump repeatedly linking immigration and crime.

The president has said he wants a wall to prevent immigrants from crossing into the United States illegally. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low.

Trump thanked Republican senators who voted for his declaration in a Twitter post earlier on Friday. "Watch, when you get back to your State, they will LOVE you more than ever before!" he said.

Trump made a border wall a central promise of his 2016 campaign for the White House. He initially insisted that Mexico would pay for the wall but it has declined to do so. Last year, Trump forced a government shutdown over an impasse with Congress over funding for the barrier.

When a deal to prevent another shutdown did not give him the funding he requested, Trump declared a national emergency, redirecting funds that were allocated for other projects to build the barrier instead.

President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a measure passed by Democrats and Republicans in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the US border with Mexico.

President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency on Friday to block a measure passed by Democrats and Republicans in Congress that would terminate his emergency declaration for a wall on the US border with Mexico. The veto, made necessary after a strong and unusual rebuke from members of Trump's Republican party, capped a week that left Trump politically wounded, at least temporarily, as immigration and his signature promise of a wall become a flashpoint again in the 2020 presidential campaign. Congress is unlikely to muster the votes to override Trump's veto, a fact that left White House officials confident despite disappointment that it passed the Republican-controlled Senate at all. The bipartisan vote on Thursday was a slap at Trump for his decision to circumvent Congress and take money already designated for other programs to pay for a barrier on the southern border. Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in the Senate to pass the measure, concerned that the president had overstepped his authority. Trump repeated his view that a crisis existed at the border, called the resolution reckless and said he was proud to veto it. "As president the protection of the nation is my highest duty. Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in danger, very grave danger," he said, sitting behind his desk in the Oval Office. "Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution, and I have the duty to veto it." The White House had lobbied heavily for Republicans to back Trump, despite concerns among some about executive overreach and precedent-setting action that a future Democratic president could copy on policies that Republicans oppose. The president, without acknowledging that lobbying, said he had sympathy for those who defied him, adding they did what they had to do. US Attorney General William Barr said the president's emergency declaration was legal. It is being challenged in court as an unconstitutional usurpation of Congress' power of the purse. Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote on March 26 to override the veto. “The House and Senate resoundingly rejected the president’s lawless power grab, yet the president has chosen to continue to defy the Constitution, the Congress and the will of the American people," she said in a statement. The Senate would have to vote to override the veto as well, requiring more Republicans than the original 12 to sign on, which is unlikely to happen. Trump was flanked by border officials and people whose relatives were killed by someone who was in the United States illegally. They praised the president for standing firm on the issue, which resonates strongly with his political base. Researchers have said that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes, despite Trump repeatedly linking immigration and crime. The president has said he wants a wall to prevent immigrants from crossing into the United States illegally. Democrats deny there is an emergency at the border, saying border crossings are at a four-decade low. Trump thanked Republican senators who voted for his declaration in a Twitter post earlier on Friday. "Watch, when you get back to your State, they will LOVE you more than ever before!" he said. Trump made a border wall a central promise of his 2016 campaign for the White House. He initially insisted that Mexico would pay for the wall but it has declined to do so. Last year, Trump forced a government shutdown over an impasse with Congress over funding for the barrier. When a deal to prevent another shutdown did not give him the funding he requested, Trump declared a national emergency, redirecting funds that were allocated for other projects to build the barrier instead.

Trump vetoes measure to end his emergency declaration on border wall

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans.&nbsp;

Republican Senator Mike Lee, who had been shopping a second bill that would keep the emergency declaration in effect temporarily, said on Wednesday the White House had said Trump would not support his proposal, so he would be voting on Thursday to end the emergency declaration.

"For decades, Congress has been giving far too much legislative power to the executive branch," Lee said in a statement. "I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration."

The Utah lawmaker was the fifth Republican senator to say they back a measure passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives to terminate Trump`s declaration. In the 100-seat Senate, votes from at least four Republicans are needed to pass the measure, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents.

Given Trump`s threat to veto the legislation, it is unlikely to become law.

"We`ll see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it all works out, but it`s going to be very successful," Trump told reporters on Wednesday.

At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January.

Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on Feb. 15, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs. There are also court challenges asserting Congress, not the president, decides how taxpayer money is spent.

Republicans who oppose the national emergency are worried that future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the tactic to pass their own pet programs.

Lee had introduced a second measure that would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. That 30-day approval window would apply after Trump`s current border declaration expires in one year, meaning it could remain in place for at least a year without congressional approval.

Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to push Lee`s plan, saying Trump would support it. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did "not have an immediate path forward" and he hoped it could be the "starting point for future work."

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans.

The US Senate appeared poised to pass a proposal to terminate President Donald Trump`s declaration of an emergency at the southern border, despite his threat to veto the measure and heavy lobbying of his fellow Republicans. Republican Senator Mike Lee, who had been shopping a second bill that would keep the emergency declaration in effect temporarily, said on Wednesday the White House had said Trump would not support his proposal, so he would be voting on Thursday to end the emergency declaration. "For decades, Congress has been giving far too much legislative power to the executive branch," Lee said in a statement. "I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration." The Utah lawmaker was the fifth Republican senator to say they back a measure passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives to terminate Trump`s declaration. In the 100-seat Senate, votes from at least four Republicans are needed to pass the measure, along with all 45 Democrats and two independents. Given Trump`s threat to veto the legislation, it is unlikely to become law. "We`ll see whether or not I have to do the veto. And it will be, I think, all very successful, regardless of how it all works out, but it`s going to be very successful," Trump told reporters on Wednesday. At stake are billions of dollars in funding for a wall along the US-Mexico border that Trump is demanding but Congress has refused to fully provide. The stalemate led to a 35-day partial government shutdown that ended in January. Under the emergency declaration Trump signed on Feb. 15, he would take money from other federal programs to build the barrier he says is needed to curb illegal immigration and the flow of illicit drugs. There are also court challenges asserting Congress, not the president, decides how taxpayer money is spent. Republicans who oppose the national emergency are worried that future Democratic presidents could usurp the power of Congress to fund the government and use the tactic to pass their own pet programs. Lee had introduced a second measure that would end future emergency declarations after 30 days unless Congress votes to extend them. That 30-day approval window would apply after Trump`s current border declaration expires in one year, meaning it could remain in place for at least a year without congressional approval. Vice President Mike Pence met with Republican senators this week to push Lee`s plan, saying Trump would support it. Lee said on Wednesday the White House had subsequently made clear his bill did "not have an immediate path forward" and he hoped it could be the "starting point for future work."

US Senate Republican delivers blow to Trump border emergency

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nancy-pelosi-urges-support-for-resolution-to-block-mexico-border-wall-emergency-198721">Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi</a> said, ''To defend our democracy the House will pass Congressman Castro's privileged resolution to terminate the emergency declaration tomorrow.''

The resolution's fate is less clear in the US Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, though some Republicans have expressed concern about his declaration.

In a separate letter on Monday, 23 former Republican US lawmakers also urged current members of Congress to pass the resolution, Politico reported.

Even if it passes, Trump has said he would veto it, and Congress would need to muster two-thirds of lawmakers to override a veto.

Trump on Monday continued to defend the declaration on Twitter and called on Republican senators to stand by him. "Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats 'trap' of Open Borders and Crime!" he wrote.

The former security officials, in Monday's letter, cited US government statistics showing illegal border crossings at nearly 40-year lows. They also pointed to other government data on drug trafficking that showed most opioids enter the country via legal entry points -- something they said a border wall would not stop.

While the letter included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as career civil servants who served under presidents of both parties, the bulk of its most senior signatories rose to their top positions under Democratic presidents.

Among these former officials were CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director John Brennan, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA Director David Cohen, all of whom held those posts under Democratic President Barack Obama.

However, the list also included lower-level former officials such as John Bellinger, a former State Department legal adviser, and Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counsellor, both of whom served under Republican President George W Bush.

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it.

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it. Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi said, ''To defend our democracy the House will pass Congressman Castro's privileged resolution to terminate the emergency declaration tomorrow.'' The resolution's fate is less clear in the US Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, though some Republicans have expressed concern about his declaration. In a separate letter on Monday, 23 former Republican US lawmakers also urged current members of Congress to pass the resolution, Politico reported. Even if it passes, Trump has said he would veto it, and Congress would need to muster two-thirds of lawmakers to override a veto. Trump on Monday continued to defend the declaration on Twitter and called on Republican senators to stand by him. "Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats 'trap' of Open Borders and Crime!" he wrote. The former security officials, in Monday's letter, cited US government statistics showing illegal border crossings at nearly 40-year lows. They also pointed to other government data on drug trafficking that showed most opioids enter the country via legal entry points -- something they said a border wall would not stop. While the letter included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as career civil servants who served under presidents of both parties, the bulk of its most senior signatories rose to their top positions under Democratic presidents. Among these former officials were CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director John Brennan, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA Director David Cohen, all of whom held those posts under Democratic President Barack Obama. However, the list also included lower-level former officials such as John Bellinger, a former State Department legal adviser, and Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counsellor, both of whom served under Republican President George W Bush.

The House will terminate the emergency declaration, says US Democrat Nancy Pelosi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-president-bashir-declares-year-long-state-of-emergency-across-the-country-199057">President Omar al-Bashir</a> named a new prime minister Saturday as he pressed on with a shake-up at the top, even as protest leaders dismissed his move to impose a state of emergency across Sudan to quell nationwide demonstrations.

Bashir's three-decade rule has been rocked by two months of protests that a deadly crackdown has failed to suppress. On Friday, he imposed a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the federal and provincial governments.

In a televised speech to the nation, the veteran leader pledged to form a government of technocrats to address Sudan's chronic economic woes, which have been the driving force behind the protests.

On Saturday, Bashir sacked his vice president and long-time ally Bakri Hassan Saleh, replacing him with Defence Minister General Awad Ibnouf.

In a separate decree, he appointed Mohamed Tahir Ela, former governor of the agricultural state of Jazeera, as prime minister.

But protest organisers and their supporters in the political opposition dismissed the reshuffles.

They said the state of emergency showed that Bashir's rule was weakened and only its overthrow would now satisfy the protesters.

"Imposing a state of emergency shows the fear within the regime," the Alliance for Freedom and Change said.

"We will continue with our people to take to the streets across all towns and villages until our demand has been achieved."&nbsp;

The National Umma Party, whose leader Sadiq al-Mahdi was Sudan's elected prime minister when Bashir seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, said the protests against his successor's iron-fisted rule would carry on until he quits.

"Dissolving the government and imposing a state of emergency is nothing but a repetition of this regime's failures," it said.

"Nothing will satisfy the people who are taking to the streets except the overthrow of this regime."

Analysts said the state of emergency was an act of desperation in the face of public anger.

"The declaration of emergency powers only makes it less likely that the economy can be revived," said Eric Reeves, a senior fellow at Harvard University, who has tracked Sudan's politics and economy for two decades.

"The regime has never understood economics...That's why there are in the mess they are."&nbsp;

Sudan has been hit by a chronic shortage of hard currency to pay for imports that has worsened since South Sudan became independent in 2011, taking with it the bulk of oil earnings.

The resulting shortages in basic goods have fuelled spiralling inflation that has devastated the purchasing power and living standards of ordinary Sudanese from agricultural labourers to middle-class professionals.

The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was a government decision last December to triple the price of bread.

But the demonstrations swiftly mushroomed as they fed into wider grievances and the Sudanese Professionals Association -- an umbrella group of teachers, doctors and engineer -- has taken the lead in using social media to organise daily protests.

It was only afterwards that the political opposition joined in, forming an alliance with the SPA.

"The imposing of emergency unfortunately suggests that things will get worse before they get better," said Murithi Mutiga of the International Crisis Group think-tank.

"It concentrates powers in Bashir's hands and sets the stage for a confrontation with the protest movement, which may become more violent than it has been."&nbsp;

Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed, while Sudanese officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence since the demonstrations began on December 19.

Hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been jailed in a crackdown led by the feared National Intelligence and Security Service.

And the crackdown shows no sign of easing.

Soon after he imposed the emergency, prominent newspaper editor Osman Mirghani was detained by security agents for comments he made in a television interview criticising the move.

Bashir told Sudanese he understood the scale of the economic crisis facing the country.

"The economic issue needs to be tackled by qualified people and for this I will form a government made of people of quality," he said.

The protest alliance, which also includes the political wings of rebel groups in Sudan's three domestic war zones, has united around a platform that promises radical reforms, including an end to huge military spending on the conflicts.&nbsp;

President Omar al-Bashir named a new prime minister Saturday as he pressed on with a shake-up at the top, even as protest leaders dismissed his move to impose a state of emergency across Sudan to quell nationwide demonstrations.

President Omar al-Bashir named a new prime minister Saturday as he pressed on with a shake-up at the top, even as protest leaders dismissed his move to impose a state of emergency across Sudan to quell nationwide demonstrations. Bashir's three-decade rule has been rocked by two months of protests that a deadly crackdown has failed to suppress. On Friday, he imposed a nationwide state of emergency and dissolved the federal and provincial governments. In a televised speech to the nation, the veteran leader pledged to form a government of technocrats to address Sudan's chronic economic woes, which have been the driving force behind the protests. On Saturday, Bashir sacked his vice president and long-time ally Bakri Hassan Saleh, replacing him with Defence Minister General Awad Ibnouf. In a separate decree, he appointed Mohamed Tahir Ela, former governor of the agricultural state of Jazeera, as prime minister. But protest organisers and their supporters in the political opposition dismissed the reshuffles. They said the state of emergency showed that Bashir's rule was weakened and only its overthrow would now satisfy the protesters. "Imposing a state of emergency shows the fear within the regime," the Alliance for Freedom and Change said. "We will continue with our people to take to the streets across all towns and villages until our demand has been achieved." The National Umma Party, whose leader Sadiq al-Mahdi was Sudan's elected prime minister when Bashir seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989, said the protests against his successor's iron-fisted rule would carry on until he quits. "Dissolving the government and imposing a state of emergency is nothing but a repetition of this regime's failures," it said. "Nothing will satisfy the people who are taking to the streets except the overthrow of this regime." Analysts said the state of emergency was an act of desperation in the face of public anger. "The declaration of emergency powers only makes it less likely that the economy can be revived," said Eric Reeves, a senior fellow at Harvard University, who has tracked Sudan's politics and economy for two decades. "The regime has never understood economics...That's why there are in the mess they are." Sudan has been hit by a chronic shortage of hard currency to pay for imports that has worsened since South Sudan became independent in 2011, taking with it the bulk of oil earnings. The resulting shortages in basic goods have fuelled spiralling inflation that has devastated the purchasing power and living standards of ordinary Sudanese from agricultural labourers to middle-class professionals. The immediate trigger for the demonstrations was a government decision last December to triple the price of bread. But the demonstrations swiftly mushroomed as they fed into wider grievances and the Sudanese Professionals Association -- an umbrella group of teachers, doctors and engineer -- has taken the lead in using social media to organise daily protests. It was only afterwards that the political opposition joined in, forming an alliance with the SPA. "The imposing of emergency unfortunately suggests that things will get worse before they get better," said Murithi Mutiga of the International Crisis Group think-tank. "It concentrates powers in Bashir's hands and sets the stage for a confrontation with the protest movement, which may become more violent than it has been." Human Rights Watch says at least 51 people have been killed, while Sudanese officials say 31 people have died in protest-related violence since the demonstrations began on December 19. Hundreds of protesters, opposition leaders, activists and journalists have been jailed in a crackdown led by the feared National Intelligence and Security Service. And the crackdown shows no sign of easing. Soon after he imposed the emergency, prominent newspaper editor Osman Mirghani was detained by security agents for comments he made in a television interview criticising the move. Bashir told Sudanese he understood the scale of the economic crisis facing the country. "The economic issue needs to be tackled by qualified people and for this I will form a government made of people of quality," he said. The protest alliance, which also includes the political wings of rebel groups in Sudan's three domestic war zones, has united around a platform that promises radical reforms, including an end to huge military spending on the conflicts.

Sudan's Bashir names new PM as protest leaders dismiss emergency

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">Trump's declaration of a national emergency</a> to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border.

The declaration allows Trump to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall.

"Donald Trump is trying to subvert our democracy," said Sam Crook, 65, a Green Party activist, holding a sign that reads: "Trump is a two-bit tin-pot wannabe dictator."

Although presidents have declared national emergencies before, Friday's action is believed to be the first time one has been used to raise funds that were specifically rejected by Congress.

The action will be fought in court, with California's attorney general already warning that his state will file suit.

The declaration enables him to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border.

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border. The declaration allows Trump to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall. "Donald Trump is trying to subvert our democracy," said Sam Crook, 65, a Green Party activist, holding a sign that reads: "Trump is a two-bit tin-pot wannabe dictator." Although presidents have declared national emergencies before, Friday's action is believed to be the first time one has been used to raise funds that were specifically rejected by Congress. The action will be fought in court, with California's attorney general already warning that his state will file suit. The declaration enables him to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.

Trump's emergency declaration sparks protests outside White House

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-his-case-for-nobel-peace-prize-complains-hell-never-get-it-197683">President Donald Trump</a>'s declaration of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">emergency Friday to build a border wall</a> immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

Legal experts said it was "unprecedented" for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress's refusal to fund his wishes, in this case, a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants.

They also questioned Trump's categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a non-military project.

Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union.

"President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up 'national emergency' in order to seize power and subvert the constitution," said California Governor Gavin Newsome.

"California will see you in court."

Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail.

"We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued," Trump said Friday.

"Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we'll win in the Supreme Court."

Dangerous precedent&nbsp;

Trump invoked the 1976 National Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill.&nbsp;

The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-allocated funds in the Defense Department budget.

Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab.

"The president's actions clearly violate the Congress's exclusive power of the purse," Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement.

It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergencies Act had "never been used in that way, for good reason."&nbsp;

Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might someday invoke it to get funds to fight ongoing "emergencies" of climate change and gun proliferation.

The White House dismissed this argument, underscoring how a court showdown might proceed.

"This actually creates zero precedent. This is authority given to the president in law already," said acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney.

"It's not as if he just didn't get what he wanted, so he is waving a magic wand and taking a bunch of money."

A real 'emergency'?&nbsp;

Any legal battle will focus on the definition of "emergency."

The emergencies act "does not provide any explicit limitations on what does and does not constitute a national emergency," Daskal told AFP.

Previous governments have declared emergencies based on the act due to immediate threats such as the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2009 outbreak of swine flu.

Trump said the emergency now is the flow of drugs and violent criminals across the border.

In the abstract, he appears within his rights.

However, said Bobby Chesney, the associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, "litigation won't be in abstract."

"The pretext issue looms large here," he said in a comment on Twitter.&nbsp;

He was referring to the problem of Trump resorting to declaring the border issue an emergency after spending two years in a losing political battle for wall funding.

Trump himself appeared to undermine his argument as he announced the emergency on Friday.

"I didn't need to do this, but I'd rather do it much faster," he said.

Land, military issues&nbsp;

Daskal expects border landowners also to sue to protect their property rights.

"A lot of the land that's at issue is not federal land, it's private land," she said.

Chesney points to a challenge over the use of military funds. Defense Department rules say that, even if diverted, construction funds must be for a project that "requires the use of the armed forces."

The wall, however, has been cast from the outset as a civilian project.

"That is the main point of litigation vulnerability," said Chesney.

President Donald Trump's declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress.

President Donald Trump's declaration of an emergency Friday to build a border wall immediately drew legal challenges that could easily escalate into a landmark test of the balance of power between the White House and Congress. Legal experts said it was "unprecedented" for a president to use his emergency powers to overcome Congress's refusal to fund his wishes, in this case, a barrier on the US-Mexican border to keep out illegal immigrants. They also questioned Trump's categorization of the immigration issue as a national emergency and his tapping military funds for a non-military project. Hours after the announcement, the Trump administration faced an investigation by the House Judiciary committee and lawsuits from New York, California and the American Civil Liberties Union. "President Trump is manufacturing a crisis and declaring a made-up 'national emergency' in order to seize power and subvert the constitution," said California Governor Gavin Newsome. "California will see you in court." Trump said he expected a legal fight and predicted he would prevail. "We will have a national emergency, and we will then be sued," Trump said Friday. "Then we will end up in the Supreme Court, and hopefully we will get a fair shake, and we'll win in the Supreme Court." Dangerous precedent Trump invoked the 1976 National Emergencies Act after Congress refused to allocate his requested $5.7 billion for a wall in a spending bill. The White House says the emergency order empowers it to pull around $6.6 billion from other sources, mostly already-allocated funds in the Defense Department budget. Democrats accused the president of an unconstitutional power grab. "The president's actions clearly violate the Congress's exclusive power of the purse," Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leaders in Congress, said in a joint statement. It is a precedent-setting move, said American University law professor Jennifer Daskal, adding that the National Emergencies Act had "never been used in that way, for good reason." Critics warn that Trump opened the door for future presidents to call on the act whenever they fail to get their way with Congress. A frustrated Democratic president might someday invoke it to get funds to fight ongoing "emergencies" of climate change and gun proliferation. The White House dismissed this argument, underscoring how a court showdown might proceed. "This actually creates zero precedent. This is authority given to the president in law already," said acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney. "It's not as if he just didn't get what he wanted, so he is waving a magic wand and taking a bunch of money." A real 'emergency'? Any legal battle will focus on the definition of "emergency." The emergencies act "does not provide any explicit limitations on what does and does not constitute a national emergency," Daskal told AFP. Previous governments have declared emergencies based on the act due to immediate threats such as the September 11, 2001 attacks and the 2009 outbreak of swine flu. Trump said the emergency now is the flow of drugs and violent criminals across the border. In the abstract, he appears within his rights. However, said Bobby Chesney, the associate dean at the University of Texas School of Law, "litigation won't be in abstract." "The pretext issue looms large here," he said in a comment on Twitter. He was referring to the problem of Trump resorting to declaring the border issue an emergency after spending two years in a losing political battle for wall funding. Trump himself appeared to undermine his argument as he announced the emergency on Friday. "I didn't need to do this, but I'd rather do it much faster," he said. Land, military issues Daskal expects border landowners also to sue to protect their property rights. "A lot of the land that's at issue is not federal land, it's private land," she said. Chesney points to a challenge over the use of military funds. Defense Department rules say that, even if diverted, construction funds must be for a project that "requires the use of the armed forces." The wall, however, has been cast from the outset as a civilian project. "That is the main point of litigation vulnerability," said Chesney.

Trump's border wall 'emergency' faces tough legal hurdles

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ready-to-sign-border-deal-averting-shutdown-reports-197220">government shutdown</a> but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time."

The White House confirmed the plan minutes later.

"He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said.

Declaring such an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">emergency, a rare </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-economist-says-economy-strong-despite-shutdown-195142">step</a>, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats.

The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall.

Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly.

A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday.

Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said.

Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court.

The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday.

US President Trump will sign a spending bill averting a government shutdown but will also issue an emergency declaration to fund his controversial border wall, the White House and lawmakers said on Thursday. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell told colleagues that he spoke by phone with Trump, who "indicated he's prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time." The White House confirmed the plan minutes later. "He will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said. Declaring such an emergency, a rare step, would free Trump to seek to redirect federal funds from elsewhere to help pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border. Trump saying he will sign the spending bill, expected ahead of a Friday midnight deadline, eases some pressure in Washington after he had openly expressed concern about the deal reached earlier in the week between Republicans and Democrats. The measure includes only $375 billion for border barriers or fencing, far from the $5.7 billion that Trump has demanded for his long-sought border wall. Trump's misgivings put the fate of the bill in question. But minutes after McConnell announced Trump's intention, the Senate took up the measure and advanced it overwhelmingly. A final Senate vote was to follow, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said her chamber would vote later Thursday. Pelosi, Trump's Democratic nemesis, expressed disdain for the president's upcoming emergency declaration, warning that he was doing "an end run around Congress." "It's not an emergency, what's happening at the border," she said. Trump's declaration is expected to be challenged in court. The compromise package funds until September 30th. The government operations would lapse if the bill is not signed by Trump by the midnight Friday deadline.

Trump will sign shutdown bill but will also issue emergency declaration: Senator McConnell

The Indonesian authorities have declared a state of emergency on Siau island following the continuous eruption of lava and ash from Karangetang volcano, which has caused the evacuation of more than 100 people and cut off access to several villages, officials said on Friday.

The government in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) municipality, located to the north of Sulawesi island, took the decision on Thursday night after lava flows cut off roads to the settlements of Batubulan and Beba, in the northwest of the island, which currently can only be accessed by sea, according to a statement by the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG).

Due to difficulty in accessing the two villages because of high waves and strong winds, the regional government of Sitaro plans to open one access route, the statement said.

Some residents of Batubulan have refused to leave their houses over fears of losing their livestock.

Security forces are working to open up a route to the villages.

PVMBG has maintained a level three volcano alert - on a scale where four is the maximum - and has set up a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) security perimeter around the crater and another of 500 meters (1,640 feet) either side of the lava flows.

The volcanology authority has also started an awareness campaign to help the people on the island - with a population of over 20,000 - to protect themselves against the dangers posed by the falling of volcanic material.

Activity at the 1,974-meter high Karangetang volcano increased in November, and eruptions have intensified in recent days especially affecting the western and northwestern sides, leading to the displacement of 132 people from Niambangen village.

This is one of the most active volcanoes out of the total of 127 in Indonesia - although most of the volcanoes have been classified under the minimum alert level - and its last round of eruptions occurred in 2016.

The Indonesian archipelago sits within the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area of great seismic and volcanic activity that is shaken by thousands of tremors every year, most of small magnitudes.

The Indonesian authorities have declared a state of emergency on Siau island following the continuous eruption of lava and ash from Karangetang volcano, which has caused the evacuation of more than 100 people and cut off access to several villages, officials said on Friday.

The Indonesian authorities have declared a state of emergency on Siau island following the continuous eruption of lava and ash from Karangetang volcano, which has caused the evacuation of more than 100 people and cut off access to several villages, officials said on Friday. The government in Siau Tagulandang Biaro (Sitaro) municipality, located to the north of Sulawesi island, took the decision on Thursday night after lava flows cut off roads to the settlements of Batubulan and Beba, in the northwest of the island, which currently can only be accessed by sea, according to a statement by the Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation Center (PVMBG). Due to difficulty in accessing the two villages because of high waves and strong winds, the regional government of Sitaro plans to open one access route, the statement said. Some residents of Batubulan have refused to leave their houses over fears of losing their livestock. Security forces are working to open up a route to the villages. PVMBG has maintained a level three volcano alert - on a scale where four is the maximum - and has set up a 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) security perimeter around the crater and another of 500 meters (1,640 feet) either side of the lava flows. The volcanology authority has also started an awareness campaign to help the people on the island - with a population of over 20,000 - to protect themselves against the dangers posed by the falling of volcanic material. Activity at the 1,974-meter high Karangetang volcano increased in November, and eruptions have intensified in recent days especially affecting the western and northwestern sides, leading to the displacement of 132 people from Niambangen village. This is one of the most active volcanoes out of the total of 127 in Indonesia - although most of the volcanoes have been classified under the minimum alert level - and its last round of eruptions occurred in 2016. The Indonesian archipelago sits within the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire," an area of great seismic and volcanic activity that is shaken by thousands of tremors every year, most of small magnitudes.

Emergency declared on Indonesian island after volcanic eruption

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-will-skip-davos-meeting-if-us-government-shutdown-continues-189462">US President Donald Trump</a> threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Trump flew to the Texas border with Mexico to try to bolster his case for the border wall as a partial US government shutdown tied to the issue stretched into its 20th day with no sign of new talks to resolve the impasse.

"We can declare a national emergency. We shouldn`t have to," Trump told reporters. "This is just common sense."

Such a step would likely prompt an immediate legal challenge over constitutional powers from congressional Democrats - a challenge Trump said he would win.

The Republican president is adamant that a government funding bill to end the shutdown include $5.7 billion for a border barrier - his signature campaign promise. Congressional Democrats oppose that.

The standoff has left a quarter of the federal government closed down and hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay.

A day after he stormed out of a meeting with Democratic leaders, Trump attacked them for refusing his demand, calling them harder to deal with than China, a rival power.

"I find China, frankly, in many ways to be far more honourable than Crying Chuck and Nancy. I really do," Trump said, referring to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

The House passed two bills to fund the departments of transportation, housing and agriculture - each drawing a few more Republican votes than a similar effort on Wednesday to reopen the Treasury Department and other agencies.

The White House has said Trump would veto the bills if they made it to his desk.

Trump cancelled plans to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 22, signalling he was prepared for the shutdown to drag on.

"I have never been more depressed about moving forward than right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who said it was time for Trump to declare a national emergency.

`HIS ONLY WAY OUT`

Trump said his lawyers had told him he had the power to invoke national emergency powers to get his wall funded.

"I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I’m not prepared to do that yet, but if I have to, I will."

The declaration would circumvent Congress` power over the national purse strings. A subsequent court fight could be protracted.

The Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, reported that the White House was laying the groundwork for declaring an emergency that would let Trump build sections of a wall, possibly using funds from the Army Corps of Engineers.

NBC News, in a similar report, said Trump had been briefed on the plan involving the Army Corps while flying to the border on Thursday. A White House official denied Trump had been briefed on the plan, and the Pentagon declined to comment on the news reports.

Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has cultivated good relations with Trump, told reporters a national emergency declaration by Trump would be “wrong, but I think that’s his only way out” of the impasse.

If Trump were to make such a declaration, Manchin predicted the Senate would immediately pass legislation to fund the federal agencies that have been partially closed.

FRIDAY PAYCHECKS

Pressure on both sides could intensify on Friday when about 800,000 federal employees miss their first paychecks. About half of them are deemed "essential" to national security, like prison guards and airport security screeners - and have to continue working. Others are home on furlough.

At the FBI, where most agents continue to work, concerns are building that operational funds the bureau needs to conduct investigations, including sensitive undercover operations, are beginning to dry up, said Tom O’Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association.

The shutdown, which began on December 22, will be the longest in US history if it is still going on by Saturday.

In Texas, Trump focussed on stories told by tearful family members of people killed by illegal immigrants, and was shown plastic-wrapped bricks of heroin, bales of marijuana, guns and a bag full of cash seized by border agents.

Trump says undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs are streaming across the border, despite statistics that show illegal immigration there is at a 20-year low and that many drug shipments likely are smuggled through legal ports of entry.

Raul Ortiz, a local border patrol official, told Trump and reporters that 133 people from countries other than Mexico and those in central America - including India, Pakistan, China and Romania - had been apprehended in the stretch of territory around McAllen.

Just across the Rio Grande, in the Mexican city of Reynosa, a dozen recent deportees and US-bound migrants gathered near a cross that memorialized dead migrants.

Plagued by kidnappings, Reynosa is so dangerous for migrants that locals advise new arrivals against any trip alone out of the two shelters.

"Building a wall for a country, a nation so big, for a border so immense, so many kilometres is ridiculous," said Jose Ramon Poso Briseno, a Honduran man who has waited in a Reynosa shelter for five months but has so far balked at crossing the river out of fear of cartel violence.

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border.

Flanked by border agents who are going without paychecks during a government shutdown, US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to use emergency powers to bypass Congress to pay for a wall on the US-Mexico border. Trump flew to the Texas border with Mexico to try to bolster his case for the border wall as a partial US government shutdown tied to the issue stretched into its 20th day with no sign of new talks to resolve the impasse. "We can declare a national emergency. We shouldn`t have to," Trump told reporters. "This is just common sense." Such a step would likely prompt an immediate legal challenge over constitutional powers from congressional Democrats - a challenge Trump said he would win. The Republican president is adamant that a government funding bill to end the shutdown include $5.7 billion for a border barrier - his signature campaign promise. Congressional Democrats oppose that. The standoff has left a quarter of the federal government closed down and hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. A day after he stormed out of a meeting with Democratic leaders, Trump attacked them for refusing his demand, calling them harder to deal with than China, a rival power. "I find China, frankly, in many ways to be far more honourable than Crying Chuck and Nancy. I really do," Trump said, referring to House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. The House passed two bills to fund the departments of transportation, housing and agriculture - each drawing a few more Republican votes than a similar effort on Wednesday to reopen the Treasury Department and other agencies. The White House has said Trump would veto the bills if they made it to his desk. Trump cancelled plans to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, which is scheduled to start on Jan. 22, signalling he was prepared for the shutdown to drag on. "I have never been more depressed about moving forward than right now. I just don’t see a pathway forward," said Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, who said it was time for Trump to declare a national emergency. `HIS ONLY WAY OUT` Trump said his lawyers had told him he had the power to invoke national emergency powers to get his wall funded. "I have the absolute right to declare a national emergency," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I’m not prepared to do that yet, but if I have to, I will." The declaration would circumvent Congress` power over the national purse strings. A subsequent court fight could be protracted. The Washington Post, citing two unnamed sources, reported that the White House was laying the groundwork for declaring an emergency that would let Trump build sections of a wall, possibly using funds from the Army Corps of Engineers. NBC News, in a similar report, said Trump had been briefed on the plan involving the Army Corps while flying to the border on Thursday. A White House official denied Trump had been briefed on the plan, and the Pentagon declined to comment on the news reports. Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat who has cultivated good relations with Trump, told reporters a national emergency declaration by Trump would be “wrong, but I think that’s his only way out” of the impasse. If Trump were to make such a declaration, Manchin predicted the Senate would immediately pass legislation to fund the federal agencies that have been partially closed. FRIDAY PAYCHECKS Pressure on both sides could intensify on Friday when about 800,000 federal employees miss their first paychecks. About half of them are deemed "essential" to national security, like prison guards and airport security screeners - and have to continue working. Others are home on furlough. At the FBI, where most agents continue to work, concerns are building that operational funds the bureau needs to conduct investigations, including sensitive undercover operations, are beginning to dry up, said Tom O’Connor, president of the FBI Agents Association. The shutdown, which began on December 22, will be the longest in US history if it is still going on by Saturday. In Texas, Trump focussed on stories told by tearful family members of people killed by illegal immigrants, and was shown plastic-wrapped bricks of heroin, bales of marijuana, guns and a bag full of cash seized by border agents. Trump says undocumented immigrants and illegal drugs are streaming across the border, despite statistics that show illegal immigration there is at a 20-year low and that many drug shipments likely are smuggled through legal ports of entry. Raul Ortiz, a local border patrol official, told Trump and reporters that 133 people from countries other than Mexico and those in central America - including India, Pakistan, China and Romania - had been apprehended in the stretch of territory around McAllen. Just across the Rio Grande, in the Mexican city of Reynosa, a dozen recent deportees and US-bound migrants gathered near a cross that memorialized dead migrants. Plagued by kidnappings, Reynosa is so dangerous for migrants that locals advise new arrivals against any trip alone out of the two shelters. "Building a wall for a country, a nation so big, for a border so immense, so many kilometres is ridiculous," said Jose Ramon Poso Briseno, a Honduran man who has waited in a Reynosa shelter for five months but has so far balked at crossing the river out of fear of cartel violence.

Trump threatens to use emergency power to build wall, end shutdown

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refuses-to-sign-us-government-shutdown-legislation-over-mexico-wall-funding-185571">shutdown of the US government</a> as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border.&nbsp;

After Democratic congressional leaders turned Trump down at a meeting in the White House Situation Room, the Republican president threatened to take the controversial step of using emergency powers to build the wall without approval from Congress.

Trump is withholding his support for a bill that would fully fund the government until he secures the money for the wall. As a result around 800,000 public workers have been unpaid, with about a quarter of the federal government closed for two weeks.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats had told Trump during the meeting to end the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-approves-bill-to-avert-government-shutdown-excludes-mexico-border-wall-funding-185405">shutdown</a>. "He resisted," Schumer said. "In fact, he said he`d keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years."

Trump confirmed that comment but painted a more positive picture of the meeting, the first since a new era of divided government began when Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Thursday.&nbsp;

"We had a very, very productive meeting, and we`ve come a long way," Trump said.

According to a source familiar with the White House discussion, Trump opened the meeting with a speech that lasted at least 15 minutes in which he insisted on the need for $5.6 billion for a border wall.

The source also said Trump brought up recent impeachment threats during those remarks, arguing that he had notched a strong performance as president and should not be a target for impeachment.

National emergency?

Raising the stakes in his tussle with the newly emboldened Democrats, Trump threatened extraordinary measures to build the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States.

Asked by a reporter whether he had considered declaring a national emergency to build the wall, Trump said: "Yes, I have ... I may do it ... we can call a national emergency and build it very quickly."

He said he could declare a national emergency "because of the security of our country, absolutely."

Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the comments, saying in a statement, "Declaring a trumped-up national emergency in order to skirt congressional approval is wrong."&nbsp;

The US Constitution assigns Congress the power over funding the federal government so Trump likely would face legal challenges if he tried to bypass Congress on financing the wall. Building a wall - and having Mexico pay for it - was one of Trump`s main promises when he ran for president in 2016.

Trump's wall project is estimated to cost about $23 billion.

Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and medieval.

Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Democratic speaker of the House, said Friday's meeting with Trump was "sometimes contentious" but that they agreed to continue talking.

"But we recognise on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government and we made that very clear to the president," she said.&nbsp;

Credit rating agency Moody`s says the shutdown will cause minimal US economic and credit market disruption but there could be a more severe impact on financial markets and the broad economy if the closure is protracted.

A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll last week showed that 50 per cent of the public blame Trump for the shutdown and 7 per cent blame Republican lawmakers, while 32 per cent blame Democrats.

In a December 11 meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, Trump said he would be "proud" to shut the government over the security issue and would not blame Democrats. He has since said they are responsible.&nbsp;

White House officials and congressional staffers will meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Saturday to try to end the impasse, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters that Trump had named Vice President Mike Pence, senior aide Jared Kushner and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to work over the weekend.

The partial shutdown is straining the country`s immigration system, worsening backlogs in courts and complicating hiring for employers.

Federal agencies such as the Justice Department, Commerce Department and departments of Agriculture, Labor, Interior and Treasury have been hit by the shutdown.

House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal, a Democrat, asked the Internal Revenue Service in a letter on Friday to explain the possible effects of the shutdown on the upcoming tax filing season for millions of Americans.

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial shutdown of the US government as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border.

President Donald Trump and senior Democrats failed to strike a deal in talks on Friday to end a partial shutdown of the US government as they again fought over Trump`s request for over $5 billion to fund his signature wall on the Mexican border. After Democratic congressional leaders turned Trump down at a meeting in the White House Situation Room, the Republican president threatened to take the controversial step of using emergency powers to build the wall without approval from Congress. Trump is withholding his support for a bill that would fully fund the government until he secures the money for the wall. As a result around 800,000 public workers have been unpaid, with about a quarter of the federal government closed for two weeks. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said Democrats had told Trump during the meeting to end the shutdown. "He resisted," Schumer said. "In fact, he said he`d keep the government closed for a very long period of time, months or even years." Trump confirmed that comment but painted a more positive picture of the meeting, the first since a new era of divided government began when Democrats took control of the House of Representatives on Thursday. "We had a very, very productive meeting, and we`ve come a long way," Trump said. According to a source familiar with the White House discussion, Trump opened the meeting with a speech that lasted at least 15 minutes in which he insisted on the need for $5.6 billion for a border wall. The source also said Trump brought up recent impeachment threats during those remarks, arguing that he had notched a strong performance as president and should not be a target for impeachment. National emergency? Raising the stakes in his tussle with the newly emboldened Democrats, Trump threatened extraordinary measures to build the wall, which he says is needed to stem the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States. Asked by a reporter whether he had considered declaring a national emergency to build the wall, Trump said: "Yes, I have ... I may do it ... we can call a national emergency and build it very quickly." He said he could declare a national emergency "because of the security of our country, absolutely." Senator Jack Reed, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the comments, saying in a statement, "Declaring a trumped-up national emergency in order to skirt congressional approval is wrong." The US Constitution assigns Congress the power over funding the federal government so Trump likely would face legal challenges if he tried to bypass Congress on financing the wall. Building a wall - and having Mexico pay for it - was one of Trump`s main promises when he ran for president in 2016. Trump's wall project is estimated to cost about $23 billion. Democrats have called the wall immoral, ineffective and medieval. Nancy Pelosi, the newly elected Democratic speaker of the House, said Friday's meeting with Trump was "sometimes contentious" but that they agreed to continue talking. "But we recognise on the Democratic side that we really cannot resolve this until we open up government and we made that very clear to the president," she said. Credit rating agency Moody`s says the shutdown will cause minimal US economic and credit market disruption but there could be a more severe impact on financial markets and the broad economy if the closure is protracted. A Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll last week showed that 50 per cent of the public blame Trump for the shutdown and 7 per cent blame Republican lawmakers, while 32 per cent blame Democrats. In a December 11 meeting with Pelosi and Schumer, Trump said he would be "proud" to shut the government over the security issue and would not blame Democrats. He has since said they are responsible. White House officials and congressional staffers will meet at 11 a.m. EST (1600 GMT) on Saturday to try to end the impasse, White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said. House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy told reporters that Trump had named Vice President Mike Pence, senior aide Jared Kushner and Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to work over the weekend. The partial shutdown is straining the country`s immigration system, worsening backlogs in courts and complicating hiring for employers. Federal agencies such as the Justice Department, Commerce Department and departments of Agriculture, Labor, Interior and Treasury have been hit by the shutdown. House Ways and Means Committee chairman Richard Neal, a Democrat, asked the Internal Revenue Service in a letter on Friday to explain the possible effects of the shutdown on the upcoming tax filing season for millions of Americans.

US shutdown talks falter, Trump threatens emergency powers

The heavy deployment of security and prohibitory orders ahead of the opening of Sabarimala temple has irked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who has said that an "emergency-like" situation is being created in the holy site.

The party has further said that the excessive police deployment at Sabarimala temple is "undemocratic and against rule of law".

Speaking to ANI, General Secretary of BJP Kerala unit, K. Surendran said, "Why is the government doing this? This is an emergency like situation. This is undemocratic and against rule of law."

He further asked the logic behind deploying&nbsp;large number of police personnel in the area and imposing Section 144 in areas surrounding Sabarimala Temple. He also claimed that a peaceful atmosphere is already prevailing in the temple, thus negating the need for additional deployment of forces.

Surendran said that the Ayyappaa devotees will be protesting peacefully, like last month.

"What we (BJP) did last time, we will repeat this time also. The BJP won't allow anyone to destroy the sanctity of Sabarimala," he stated.

On being asked if the police would stop them from going towards the holy temple, Surendran said, "They (police) can't stop us, as we will go like a devotee, with irumudikettu (a bag for keeping the puja articles and other offerings made to the deities at Sabarimala) on our heads."

Taking a cue from the violence last month, the Kerala police has deployed over 1500 personnel in Pamba and Sannidhanam.

"Around 1500 police personnel have been deployed from Pamba to Sannidhanam," Inspector General Ashok Yadav said.

The police have issued the prohibitory orders at Pamba and Nilakkal, and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards it.

The Sabarimala temple will open on Monday for devotees for two days. The BJP is also taking out a 'Sabarimala protection rath yatra' from Kasaragod to Sabarimala on November 8 aimed to save Sannidhanam's Sanctity.

The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144 in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavunkal till November 6.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits any assembly of five or more people in an area where it has been imposed. Every member of such "unlawful assembly" can be booked for "engaging in rioting", the maximum punishment for which is three years.

As a precautionary measure and to avoid any untoward situation, the state security forces have also issued movement orders restricting devotees and media persons from travelling beyond a certain point. The route will be fully open for all on November 5.

The Sabarimala Temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests in October over the apex court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the holy shrine.

More than 3000 protesters have been arrested so far for instigating the violence that broke out in the state, while around 529 cases have been registered across the state.

As per reports, the Kerala High Court has also directed the state government to report on police action after the violent protests erupted at Sabarimala in October.

The heavy deployment of security and prohibitory orders ahead of the opening of Sabarimala temple has irked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who has said that an "emergency-like" situation is being created in the holy site.

The heavy deployment of security and prohibitory orders ahead of the opening of Sabarimala temple has irked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who has said that an "emergency-like" situation is being created in the holy site. The party has further said that the excessive police deployment at Sabarimala temple is "undemocratic and against rule of law". Speaking to ANI, General Secretary of BJP Kerala unit, K. Surendran said, "Why is the government doing this? This is an emergency like situation. This is undemocratic and against rule of law." He further asked the logic behind deploying large number of police personnel in the area and imposing Section 144 in areas surrounding Sabarimala Temple. He also claimed that a peaceful atmosphere is already prevailing in the temple, thus negating the need for additional deployment of forces. Surendran said that the Ayyappaa devotees will be protesting peacefully, like last month. "What we (BJP) did last time, we will repeat this time also. The BJP won't allow anyone to destroy the sanctity of Sabarimala," he stated. On being asked if the police would stop them from going towards the holy temple, Surendran said, "They (police) can't stop us, as we will go like a devotee, with irumudikettu (a bag for keeping the puja articles and other offerings made to the deities at Sabarimala) on our heads." Taking a cue from the violence last month, the Kerala police has deployed over 1500 personnel in Pamba and Sannidhanam. "Around 1500 police personnel have been deployed from Pamba to Sannidhanam," Inspector General Ashok Yadav said. The police have issued the prohibitory orders at Pamba and Nilakkal, and other areas near the shrine and are maintaining vigil on vehicles going towards it. The Sabarimala temple will open on Monday for devotees for two days. The BJP is also taking out a 'Sabarimala protection rath yatra' from Kasaragod to Sabarimala on November 8 aimed to save Sannidhanam's Sanctity. The Pathanamthitta district administration has imposed Section 144 in Sannidhanam, Pamba, Nilakkal, and Elavunkal till November 6. Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) prohibits any assembly of five or more people in an area where it has been imposed. Every member of such "unlawful assembly" can be booked for "engaging in rioting", the maximum punishment for which is three years. As a precautionary measure and to avoid any untoward situation, the state security forces have also issued movement orders restricting devotees and media persons from travelling beyond a certain point. The route will be fully open for all on November 5. The Sabarimala Temple and surrounding areas witnessed a string of protests in October over the apex court's decision to quash restrictions on the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the holy shrine. More than 3000 protesters have been arrested so far for instigating the violence that broke out in the state, while around 529 cases have been registered across the state. As per reports, the Kerala High Court has also directed the state government to report on police action after the violent protests erupted at Sabarimala in October.

Sabarimala: BJP says heavy police deployment creating 'emergency-like' situation

Turkey&nbsp;may&nbsp;lift a&nbsp;state&nbsp;of&nbsp;emergency, imposed shortly&nbsp;after&nbsp;a failed coup attempt in 2016,&nbsp;after&nbsp;the June 24 elections, President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;said on Thursday.

Speaking in an interview with CNN Turk,&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;said the issue of lifting the&nbsp;emergency&nbsp;rule would be discussed&nbsp;after&nbsp;the snap presidential and parliamentary elections later this month.

The issue of lifting the emergency rule would be discussed after the snap presidential and parliamentary elections

Turkey may lift a state of emergency, imposed shortly after a failed coup attempt in 2016, after the June 24 elections, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday. Speaking in an interview with CNN Turk, Erdogan said the issue of lifting the emergency rule would be discussed after the snap presidential and parliamentary elections later this month.

State of emergency may be lifted after elections: Erdogan

Heavy rain and severe flooding made streets in Ellicott City, Maryland look like a river on Sunday (May 27).

Videos uploaded to social media showed completely flooded streets, stranded cars and people trapped in buildings looking through windows as water flowed by.

Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours.

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. First responders arrived at the scene to rescue people trapped on buildings around the area, according to local media.

Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours

Heavy rain and severe flooding made streets in Ellicott City, Maryland look like a river on Sunday (May 27). Videos uploaded to social media showed completely flooded streets, stranded cars and people trapped in buildings looking through windows as water flowed by. Local media reported up to 8 inches of rain had fallen on Ellicott City in only two hours. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. First responders arrived at the scene to rescue people trapped on buildings around the area, according to local media.

United States: Ellicott City declared on state of emergency due to massive flooding

Gunmen set off at least three explosions in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday and then battled security forces from buildings they occupied in the latest in a spate of violence to rock the city.

Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack.

As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside.

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"We can hear the gun shots and we are waiting inside the bank's safe room until the clashes end," he said.

Afghanistan's Western-backed government is fighting an intensifying war with both the Taliban and the Islamic State that has turned much of Kabul into a high security zone of concrete blast walls and razor wire.

But despite repeated government pledges to tighten security, hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in attacks in the city since the beginning of the year and authorities have appeared powerless to stop the bloodshed.

Islamic State claimed responsibility of one of the three blasts on its Amaq new agency but many officials doubt the group, which has its stronghold in a remote eastern border region of Nangarhar province, has the capacity to mount such complex attacks.

A senior Afghan security official said intelligence services believe the Haqqani network, a militant group affiliated to the Taliban which has a long record of urban attacks, was the real organiser of the attack.

ELECTION PREPARATIONS A TARGET

The initial blast on Wednesday hit a police station in western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district, at around midday, said police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai.

Minutes later, two back-to-back explosions went off in Shar-e Naw, the city's main business district, near the office of a travel agency that processes visa applications for India.

Najib Danish, spokesman for interior ministry, said gunmen had followed the blasts and fought intense gunbattles with security forces from nearby buildings.

A senior official at the Indian embassy confirmed that one blast took place outside a travel company's office and many security guards were injured.

The Afghan capital has seen an increase in bombings and other attacks against the security forces and civilians since the Taliban announced the beginning of their spring offensive on April 25.

With preparations for elections now underway across much of the country, more attacks are expected.

Fighting traditionally picks up in Afghanistan as warmer weather melts snow in mountain passes, allowing insurgents to move around more easily and the Taliban have put security forces under heavy pressure in many areas of the country.

Wednesday's attack comes just over a week after twin blasts in Kabul killed 26 people including nine journalists on April 30.

Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack

Gunmen set off at least three explosions in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday and then battled security forces from buildings they occupied in the latest in a spate of violence to rock the city. Six wounded were brought into the trauma hospital run by Italian medical aid group Emergency, of whom one was dead on arrival. Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said the casualty toll was likely to rise once security forces were able to get a clearer picture of the attack. As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside. As police cordoned off part of the city's main commercial area, an official from a branch of Afghanistan International Bank reached by telephone said customers were sheltering in the bank premises as gunfire continued in the street outside × "We can hear the gun shots and we are waiting inside the bank's safe room until the clashes end," he said. Afghanistan's Western-backed government is fighting an intensifying war with both the Taliban and the Islamic State that has turned much of Kabul into a high security zone of concrete blast walls and razor wire. But despite repeated government pledges to tighten security, hundreds of people have been killed and wounded in attacks in the city since the beginning of the year and authorities have appeared powerless to stop the bloodshed. Islamic State claimed responsibility of one of the three blasts on its Amaq new agency but many officials doubt the group, which has its stronghold in a remote eastern border region of Nangarhar province, has the capacity to mount such complex attacks. A senior Afghan security official said intelligence services believe the Haqqani network, a militant group affiliated to the Taliban which has a long record of urban attacks, was the real organiser of the attack. ELECTION PREPARATIONS A TARGET The initial blast on Wednesday hit a police station in western Kabul's Dasht-e-Barchi district, at around midday, said police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai. Minutes later, two back-to-back explosions went off in Shar-e Naw, the city's main business district, near the office of a travel agency that processes visa applications for India. Najib Danish, spokesman for interior ministry, said gunmen had followed the blasts and fought intense gunbattles with security forces from nearby buildings. A senior official at the Indian embassy confirmed that one blast took place outside a travel company's office and many security guards were injured. The Afghan capital has seen an increase in bombings and other attacks against the security forces and civilians since the Taliban announced the beginning of their spring offensive on April 25. With preparations for elections now underway across much of the country, more attacks are expected. Fighting traditionally picks up in Afghanistan as warmer weather melts snow in mountain passes, allowing insurgents to move around more easily and the Taliban have put security forces under heavy pressure in many areas of the country. Wednesday's attack comes just over a week after twin blasts in Kabul killed 26 people including nine journalists on April 30.

Gunmen launch coordinated strikes in Afghan capital Kabul with bombs, bullets; at least 1 dead

A New Jersey-bound Southwest Airlines Co flight made an emergency landing in Cleveland on Wednesday after a window pane cracked in flight, airline officials and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said.

No one was injured in the incident, which came two weeks after an engine on a Southwest 737 ripped apart in flight and shattered a window, killing a female passenger in the first US airline passenger fatality since 2009.

The cause of Wednesday's crack in one of the window's multiple panes was not immediately known.

The flight, Southwest 957, was travelling to Newark Liberty International Airport from Chicago Midway International Airport with 76 passengers on board. The crew diverted the Boeing Co 737-700 to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport at about 11 am EDT (1500 GMT) to inspect a layer of a windowpane, said Southwest spokesman Brian Parrish.

"The aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance review," Parrish said.

FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro, who said no one was hurt, said the organization was investigating the incident.

The FAA on Tuesday ordered additional inspections of fan blades in hundreds of additional engines similar to the one that failed in the deadly Southwest accident on April 17.

Southwest has said it planned to complete ultrasonic inspections on all fan blades on the some 700 planes in its fleet with the CFM56-7B engines, the model involved in last month`s blowout, over the next two weeks, meeting the FAA`s August deadline by mid-May. The CFM engine is made by a joint venture of General Electric Co and France's Safran.

Southwest said it has not found any cracks on fan blades inspected since the accident.

The cause of Wednesday`s crack in one of the window's multiple panes was not immediately known.

A New Jersey-bound Southwest Airlines Co flight made an emergency landing in Cleveland on Wednesday after a window pane cracked in flight, airline officials and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said. No one was injured in the incident, which came two weeks after an engine on a Southwest 737 ripped apart in flight and shattered a window, killing a female passenger in the first US airline passenger fatality since 2009. The cause of Wednesday's crack in one of the window's multiple panes was not immediately known. The flight, Southwest 957, was travelling to Newark Liberty International Airport from Chicago Midway International Airport with 76 passengers on board. The crew diverted the Boeing Co 737-700 to Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport at about 11 am EDT (1500 GMT) to inspect a layer of a windowpane, said Southwest spokesman Brian Parrish. "The aircraft has been taken out of service for maintenance review," Parrish said. FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro, who said no one was hurt, said the organization was investigating the incident. The FAA on Tuesday ordered additional inspections of fan blades in hundreds of additional engines similar to the one that failed in the deadly Southwest accident on April 17. Southwest has said it planned to complete ultrasonic inspections on all fan blades on the some 700 planes in its fleet with the CFM56-7B engines, the model involved in last month`s blowout, over the next two weeks, meeting the FAA`s August deadline by mid-May. The CFM engine is made by a joint venture of General Electric Co and France's Safran. Southwest said it has not found any cracks on fan blades inspected since the accident.

US: Another Southwest jet makes emergency landing with cracked window

Congress without power is like fish out of water: PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the Congress government in Karnataka responsible for "political violence that led to the death of several BJP cadres" in the state.

Prime Minister Modi assailed Congress party in his Belagavi speech.&nbsp;

He said that the Congress party, when out of power, is like a fish without water.&nbsp;

Recalling the period of Emergency, Modi said that Congress was the first to assault the Constitution, just to ensure that they remain in power.&nbsp;

Siddaramaiah:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/siddaramaiah-janata-parivar-veteran-and-congresss-best-bet-in-karnataka-polls-133957">Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls</a>

B S Yeddyurappa:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/b-s-yeddyurappa-karnatakas-lingayat-strongman-bjp-is-pinning-its-hope-on-133936">Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on</a>

"Congress is jealous because it was our government that got the majority and a person for humble background became the prime minister," Modi said. And that is why "they are spreading lies, dividing people on the grounds of caste," he added. &nbsp;

"It is extremely shameful that the Congress government allowed violence in the state and several BJP workers were murdered. The Congress must provide an answer to the rising crime," Modi told a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally.

"I urge people of Karnataka to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi Ji's wish of disbanding the Congress party. Now, its Karnataka's turn and you should grab this opportunity," Modi said in his speech.&nbsp;

Speaking in Belagavi, Modi said that many take pride in calling themselves political pundits and they attempt to analyze elections every time.&nbsp;

"Earlier too attempts were made to analyse elections and these people said that it will be a hung House in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Again, similar lies were repeated. But mark my words, every time you hear the poll pundits rambling about a hung house it means that the Congress is up for a massive defeat. This is just a way to defend Congress," Modi said.&nbsp;

PM Modi has ended his address with a mix of Kannada and Marathi. Remember, Belagavi district borders Maharashtra and has a significant Marathi language speaking population.

The BJP is contesting all 224 Assembly seats to return to power.&nbsp;

Recalling the period of Emergency, Modi said that Congress was the first to assault the Constitution, just to ensure that they remain in power.

Congress without power is like fish out of water: PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held the Congress government in Karnataka responsible for "political violence that led to the death of several BJP cadres" in the state. Prime Minister Modi assailed Congress party in his Belagavi speech. He said that the Congress party, when out of power, is like a fish without water. Recalling the period of Emergency, Modi said that Congress was the first to assault the Constitution, just to ensure that they remain in power. Siddaramaiah: Janata Parivar veteran and Congress's best bet in Karnataka polls B S Yeddyurappa: Karnataka's Lingayat strongman BJP is pinning its hope on "Congress is jealous because it was our government that got the majority and a person for humble background became the prime minister," Modi said. And that is why "they are spreading lies, dividing people on the grounds of caste," he added. "It is extremely shameful that the Congress government allowed violence in the state and several BJP workers were murdered. The Congress must provide an answer to the rising crime," Modi told a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rally. "I urge people of Karnataka to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi Ji's wish of disbanding the Congress party. Now, its Karnataka's turn and you should grab this opportunity," Modi said in his speech. Speaking in Belagavi, Modi said that many take pride in calling themselves political pundits and they attempt to analyze elections every time. "Earlier too attempts were made to analyse elections and these people said that it will be a hung House in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Again, similar lies were repeated. But mark my words, every time you hear the poll pundits rambling about a hung house it means that the Congress is up for a massive defeat. This is just a way to defend Congress," Modi said. PM Modi has ended his address with a mix of Kannada and Marathi. Remember, Belagavi district borders Maharashtra and has a significant Marathi language speaking population. The BJP is contesting all 224 Assembly seats to return to power.

Congress without power is like fish out of water: PM Narendra Modi

Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes.

"Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies," President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website.

"The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations," he added.

U.S., British and French forces pounded Syria with more than 100 missiles early on Saturday in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Putin said the U.S. actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians.

"Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism," Putin said.

MISSILES FOR SYRIA

Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and "other countries", Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday.

Russia had "refused" supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, "taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners".

Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, "we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well," Rudskoi said.

Syria's air defence system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added.

"In the past year and a half Russia has fully restored Syria's air defence system and continues to further upgrade it," Rudskoi said.

'The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations,' Russian President Vladimir Putin said

Russia on Saturday called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council as Moscow said it would consider supplying S-300 missile systems to Syria following U.S.-led strikes. "Russia convenes an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss aggressive actions of the U.S. and its allies," President Vladimir Putin said in a statement published on the Kremlin website. "The current escalation of the situation around Syria has a devastating impact on the whole system of international relations," he added. U.S., British and French forces pounded Syria with more than 100 missiles early on Saturday in response to a poison gas attack that killed dozens of people last week, in the biggest intervention by Western powers against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Putin said the U.S. actions in Syria made the humanitarian catastrophe worse and caused pain for civilians. "Russia in the most serious way condemns the attack on Syria where Russian military servicemen help the legitimate government to fight terrorism," Putin said. MISSILES FOR SYRIA Moscow may consider supplying S-300 surface to-air missile systems to Syria and "other countries", Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoi told a televised briefing on Saturday. Russia had "refused" supplying those missiles to Syria a few years ago, he added, "taking into account the pressing request of some of our Western partners". Following the U.S.-led strikes, however, "we consider it possible to return to examination of this issue not only in regard to Syria but to other countries as well," Rudskoi said. Syria's air defence system, which mostly consists of systems made in the Soviet Union, has intercepted 71 of the missiles fired on Saturday by the U.S., British and French forces, he added. "In the past year and a half Russia has fully restored Syria's air defence system and continues to further upgrade it," Rudskoi said.

Syria strikes: Russia calls for emergency UN meeting to discuss 'aggressive actions'

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