President Donald Trump on Thursday (October 18) said the upcoming midterm election would be about "Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order and common sense," during a campaign rally in Montana.

"I have created so many jobs. I've made this country so great that everybody wants to come in," Trump said in a speech where he blamed Democrats for obstructing his efforts to build a wall along the US&nbsp;border with Mexico.

Trump also shared a surprising benefit of becoming president and the constant scrutiny from the media.

"They used to say 'he wears a hairpiece. He wears a hairpiece.' They don't say that anymore," Trump said.

Referencing to his recent visits to hurricane impacted areas, Trump added, "These people have seen me under every condition known to man. You walk around in those conditions. You can't fake it...It might be one of the best things that's happened to me in a long time."

Trump is on a three-state tour in the western part of the United States advocating for Republican candidates who are running for election in November with the hope of keeping control of the US&nbsp;Senate and House of Representatives in Republican hands.

President Donald Trump on Thursday (October 18) said the upcoming midterm election would be about "Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order and common sense," during a campaign rally in Montana.

President Donald Trump on Thursday (October 18) said the upcoming midterm election would be about "Kavanaugh, the caravan, law and order and common sense," during a campaign rally in Montana. "I have created so many jobs. I've made this country so great that everybody wants to come in," Trump said in a speech where he blamed Democrats for obstructing his efforts to build a wall along the US border with Mexico. Trump also shared a surprising benefit of becoming president and the constant scrutiny from the media. "They used to say 'he wears a hairpiece. He wears a hairpiece.' They don't say that anymore," Trump said. Referencing to his recent visits to hurricane impacted areas, Trump added, "These people have seen me under every condition known to man. You walk around in those conditions. You can't fake it...It might be one of the best things that's happened to me in a long time." Trump is on a three-state tour in the western part of the United States advocating for Republican candidates who are running for election in November with the hope of keeping control of the US Senate and House of Representatives in Republican hands.

Trump shares surprising perk of being president, says election will be about 'Kavanaugh, caravan, common sense'

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US&nbsp;Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday.

Pompeo will meet with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela in Panama City on Thursday and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday, among other top officials, the department said, adding that immigration, narcotic drugs and terrorism will also be discussed.

Pompeo&nbsp;met Turkey's President and Foreign Minister on Wednesday to discuss the disappearance of a Saudi journalist as pressure mounted on the kingdom to provide answers following Turkish allegations he was killed.

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt on Tuesday even as US&nbsp;lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and&nbsp;Pompeo, sent by Trump to address the crisis, discussed the affair with Saudi King Salman and his Crown Prince on a visit to Riyadh.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;would provide information about the case after Khashoggi, a US&nbsp;resident, vanished during a visit to the consulate on Oct. 2 to collect marriage documents.

Turkish police on Wednesday began a search at the residence of the Saudi consul to Istanbul, in the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in the city, according to an AFP correspondent.

A team of a dozen police and prosecutors, including forensics experts in white overalls, entered the residence of Mohammed al-Otaibi, a day after he flew out of Istanbul for Riyadh.

Earlier in the day, a Saudi delegation had also arrived at the building to take part in what is presented as a joint search with their Turkish counterparts.

Turkish police had on Monday searched the consulate building itself for over eight hours, taking away soil and DNA samples for further examination.

Khashoggi, a former regime insider who became critical of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wrote articles for titles including the Washington Post. He has not been seen since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed there although this has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Panama and Mexico this week to meet with top leaders and discuss "defending democracy in Venezuela and Nicaragua," aong other regional issues, the US Department of State said in a statement on Wednesday. Pompeo will meet with Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela in Panama City on Thursday and Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on Friday, among other top officials, the department said, adding that immigration, narcotic drugs and terrorism will also be discussed. Pompeo met Turkey's President and Foreign Minister on Wednesday to discuss the disappearance of a Saudi journalist as pressure mounted on the kingdom to provide answers following Turkish allegations he was killed. US President Donald Trump gave Saudi Arabia the benefit of the doubt on Tuesday even as US lawmakers pointed the finger at the Saudi leadership and Pompeo, sent by Trump to address the crisis, discussed the affair with Saudi King Salman and his Crown Prince on a visit to Riyadh. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has said Pompeo would provide information about the case after Khashoggi, a US resident, vanished during a visit to the consulate on Oct. 2 to collect marriage documents. Turkish police on Wednesday began a search at the residence of the Saudi consul to Istanbul, in the investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom's consulate in the city, according to an AFP correspondent. A team of a dozen police and prosecutors, including forensics experts in white overalls, entered the residence of Mohammed al-Otaibi, a day after he flew out of Istanbul for Riyadh. Earlier in the day, a Saudi delegation had also arrived at the building to take part in what is presented as a joint search with their Turkish counterparts. Turkish police had on Monday searched the consulate building itself for over eight hours, taking away soil and DNA samples for further examination. Khashoggi, a former regime insider who became critical of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, wrote articles for titles including the Washington Post. He has not been seen since he stepped inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed there although this has not been confirmed by Saudi Arabia.

US's Pompeo to visit Panama, Mexico to discuss Venezuela, other issues

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said.

The weather system was located between Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cuba by 1500 GMT and was heading slowly towards the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said.

It is expected to be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida on Wednesday, before moving northeast across the southeastern United States through Thursday.&nbsp;

"#Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds, with storm surge and hurricane watches in effect," the NHC said on Twitter.

"Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local officials."

Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce "life-threatening flash flooding," the NHC said, from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of the Carolinas through Thursday.

The first rains from Michael were already beginning to soak the Florida Keys on Monday, with up to four inches (10 centimeters) expected to fall through Tuesday.

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties.

Get ready 'right now'&nbsp;

"This morning I met with local officials and emergency management professionals in Bay County in preparation for Hurricane Michael," he tweeted.

"I will be in Pasco County this afternoon to give another briefing. FL families need to get ready for this storm RIGHT NOW."

The Carolinas are on the long recovery from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month.

It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (one meter) of rain.

Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the west Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey -- causing a record-equaling $125 billion (107 billion euros) in damages when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area.

For this hurricane season, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting service and Britain's Met Office predict between five and nine storms of Category 3 or stronger.&nbsp;

Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible.

At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima.

"EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life," Scott added.

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said.

Tropical storm Michael strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane Monday as it barreled toward the US Gulf Coast packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, meteorologists said. The weather system was located between Mexico's Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cuba by 1500 GMT and was heading slowly towards the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami said. It is expected to be a major Category 3 hurricane by the time it hits Florida on Wednesday, before moving northeast across the southeastern United States through Thursday. "#Michael could produce three life-threatening hazards along portions of the northeastern Gulf Coast: storm surge, heavy rainfall, and hurricane-force winds, with storm surge and hurricane watches in effect," the NHC said on Twitter. "Residents in these areas should follow advice given by local officials." Heavy rainfall from Michael could produce "life-threatening flash flooding," the NHC said, from the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend region into portions of the Carolinas through Thursday. The first rains from Michael were already beginning to soak the Florida Keys on Monday, with up to four inches (10 centimeters) expected to fall through Tuesday. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for 26 counties. Get ready 'right now' "This morning I met with local officials and emergency management professionals in Bay County in preparation for Hurricane Michael," he tweeted. "I will be in Pasco County this afternoon to give another briefing. FL families need to get ready for this storm RIGHT NOW." The Carolinas are on the long recovery from Hurricane Florence, which left dozens dead and is estimated to have caused billions of dollars in damage last month. It made landfall on the coast as a Category 1 hurricane on September 14 and drenched some parts of the state with 40 inches (one meter) of rain. Last year saw a string of catastrophic storms batter the west Atlantic -- including Irma, Maria and Hurricane Harvey -- causing a record-equaling $125 billion (107 billion euros) in damages when it flooded the Houston metropolitan area. For this hurricane season, the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasting service and Britain's Met Office predict between five and nine storms of Category 3 or stronger. Scientists have long warned that global warming will make cyclones more destructive, and some say the evidence for this may already be visible. At their most fearsome, these low-pressure weather fronts pack more power than the energy released by the atomic bomb that levelled Hiroshima. "EVERY FAMILY must be prepared. We can rebuild your home, but we cannot rebuild your life," Scott added.

Tropical storm Michael upgraded to hurricane in Gulf of Mexico

Mexico marks 50 years since student massacre

US President Donald Trump on Monday praised Canada's entry into a reworked trade deal with the United States and Mexico after the two countries forged a last-gasp agreement on Sunday to salvage the NAFTA.

In a post on Twitter, Trump called the US agreement with its neighbour to the north "wonderful" and "a great deal for all three countries," adding that the new trade alliance would be renamed the United States Mexico Canada Agreement or USMCA.

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Late last night, our deadline, we reached a wonderful new Trade Deal with Canada, to be added into the deal already reached with Mexico. The new name will be The United States Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA. It is a great deal for all three countries, solves the many......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1046708836407685122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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.....deficiencies and mistakes in NAFTA, greatly opens markets to our Farmers and Manufacturers, reduce Trade Barriers to the U.S. and will bring all three Great Nations closer together in competition with the rest of the world. The USMCA is a historic transaction!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1046711423227842560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The United States and Canada reached a deal on Sunday to salvage NAFTA as a trilateral pact with Mexico, beating a midnight deadline with agreements to substantially boost American access to Canada's dairy market and protect Canada from possible US auto tariffs, sources with direct knowledge of the talks said.

US President Donald Trump on Monday praised Canada's entry into a reworked trade deal with the United States and Mexico after the two countries forged a last-gasp agreement on Sunday to salvage the NAFTA.

US President Donald Trump on Monday praised Canada's entry into a reworked trade deal with the United States and Mexico after the two countries forged a last-gasp agreement on Sunday to salvage the NAFTA. In a post on Twitter, Trump called the US agreement with its neighbour to the north "wonderful" and "a great deal for all three countries," adding that the new trade alliance would be renamed the United States Mexico Canada Agreement or USMCA. Late last night, our deadline, we reached a wonderful new Trade Deal with Canada, to be added into the deal already reached with Mexico. The new name will be The United States Mexico Canada Agreement, or USMCA. It is a great deal for all three countries, solves the many...... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2018 × .....deficiencies and mistakes in NAFTA, greatly opens markets to our Farmers and Manufacturers, reduce Trade Barriers to the U.S. and will bring all three Great Nations closer together in competition with the rest of the world. The USMCA is a historic transaction! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 1, 2018 × The United States and Canada reached a deal on Sunday to salvage NAFTA as a trilateral pact with Mexico, beating a midnight deadline with agreements to substantially boost American access to Canada's dairy market and protect Canada from possible US auto tariffs, sources with direct knowledge of the talks said.

Trump welcomes Canada's entry into trade pact with US, Mexico

The United States and Canada have told Mexico they could reach a compromise within 48 hours on keeping the updated North American Free Trade Agreement a three-country deal, the Mexican economy minister said Friday.

Speaking as he presented the Mexican Senate with the current US-Mexican agreement to update NAFTA -- which does not include Canada, the third member of the original deal -- Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said Washington and Ottawa were making a "very serious," last-ditch attempt to bridge their differences.

"For the first time, we're seeing a real effort by both sides," he said.

"In the next 48 hours, we will know if we are going with a trilateral agreement."

Guajardo, Mexico's top negotiator for "NAFTA 2.0," insisted that even if no 11th-hour US-Canadian deal is reached, a three-way deal would still be possible at some point in the future.

But that would mean "going ahead with a bilateral agreement and then later defining what legal actions we would have to take to maintain the possibility of a three-way deal," he said.

A Canadian government source told AFP that Canada's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, "is in constant communication with the Americans, both formally and informally."

The United States and Mexico want to push their deal through their respective legislatures before Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office on December 1.

In the United States, there is a three-month timeframe for doing so -- meaning Congress must have the text of the deal by Sunday.

Tempers flare&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a complete overhaul of the 25-year-old trade deal, which he says has been a "rip-off" for the United States.

In August -- more than a year into the negotiations -- the United States and Mexico announced they had reached a two-way deal, after breaking away for bilateral talks on their outstanding issues.

But the ensuing talks to incorporate Canada have stumbled.

According to the negotiators, Canada's insistence on a trade dispute provision and its protected dairy sector are the last major sticking points.

Ottawa is also seeking assurances that the United States will not, after signing a new NAFTA deal, turn around and hit Canada with punitive auto tariffs.

Tempers flared this week on both sides as the end-of-month deadline approached.

"We're not getting along with their negotiators," Trump said Wednesday of Canada.

"Canadians are tough negotiators, as we should be," Trudeau fired back.

"We won't sign a bad deal for Canada."

The politics are high-stakes on both sides: Trump needs to look strong heading into the US mid-term elections in November, while Trudeau does not want to be seen as caving with a general election looming next year.

'AMLO' upbeat&nbsp;

The man whose impending inauguration is responsible for the rush -- Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador -- downplayed the importance of the end-of-month deadline.

"There is no fatal date, there is still time to reach a deal," he told a press conference earlier Friday.

The leftist president-elect, a free-trade skeptic, had criticized NAFTA in the past. But his transition team played an active part in the recent negotiations, and he has firmly backed the US-Mexican deal -- which he wants Canada to join.

Lopez Obrador, widely known as "AMLO," said he had spoken by phone Thursday with Trudeau.

"He said the negotiations were very difficult, that it might not be possible (to reach a three-way deal), but that they (Canada) had made a proposal," he said.

He said there was a counter-proposal Friday from the United States.

"That means the negotiations aren't over yet," he said.

He reiterated his insistence that Mexico prefers to keep NAFTA a three-country deal.

But he said he considered the substance of the US-Mexican deal to be final, and that Mexico did not want to renegotiate points that had already been agreed with Washington.

"We don't want to put our economic future and our country's financial stability at risk," he said.

The United States and Canada have told Mexico they could reach a compromise within 48 hours on keeping the updated North American Free Trade Agreement a three-country deal, the Mexican economy minister said Friday.

The United States and Canada have told Mexico they could reach a compromise within 48 hours on keeping the updated North American Free Trade Agreement a three-country deal, the Mexican economy minister said Friday. Speaking as he presented the Mexican Senate with the current US-Mexican agreement to update NAFTA -- which does not include Canada, the third member of the original deal -- Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said Washington and Ottawa were making a "very serious," last-ditch attempt to bridge their differences. "For the first time, we're seeing a real effort by both sides," he said. "In the next 48 hours, we will know if we are going with a trilateral agreement." Guajardo, Mexico's top negotiator for "NAFTA 2.0," insisted that even if no 11th-hour US-Canadian deal is reached, a three-way deal would still be possible at some point in the future. But that would mean "going ahead with a bilateral agreement and then later defining what legal actions we would have to take to maintain the possibility of a three-way deal," he said. A Canadian government source told AFP that Canada's top negotiator, Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, "is in constant communication with the Americans, both formally and informally." The United States and Mexico want to push their deal through their respective legislatures before Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador takes office on December 1. In the United States, there is a three-month timeframe for doing so -- meaning Congress must have the text of the deal by Sunday. Tempers flare US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a complete overhaul of the 25-year-old trade deal, which he says has been a "rip-off" for the United States. In August -- more than a year into the negotiations -- the United States and Mexico announced they had reached a two-way deal, after breaking away for bilateral talks on their outstanding issues. But the ensuing talks to incorporate Canada have stumbled. According to the negotiators, Canada's insistence on a trade dispute provision and its protected dairy sector are the last major sticking points. Ottawa is also seeking assurances that the United States will not, after signing a new NAFTA deal, turn around and hit Canada with punitive auto tariffs. Tempers flared this week on both sides as the end-of-month deadline approached. "We're not getting along with their negotiators," Trump said Wednesday of Canada. "Canadians are tough negotiators, as we should be," Trudeau fired back. "We won't sign a bad deal for Canada." The politics are high-stakes on both sides: Trump needs to look strong heading into the US mid-term elections in November, while Trudeau does not want to be seen as caving with a general election looming next year. 'AMLO' upbeat The man whose impending inauguration is responsible for the rush -- Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador -- downplayed the importance of the end-of-month deadline. "There is no fatal date, there is still time to reach a deal," he told a press conference earlier Friday. The leftist president-elect, a free-trade skeptic, had criticized NAFTA in the past. But his transition team played an active part in the recent negotiations, and he has firmly backed the US-Mexican deal -- which he wants Canada to join. Lopez Obrador, widely known as "AMLO," said he had spoken by phone Thursday with Trudeau. "He said the negotiations were very difficult, that it might not be possible (to reach a three-way deal), but that they (Canada) had made a proposal," he said. He said there was a counter-proposal Friday from the United States. "That means the negotiations aren't over yet," he said. He reiterated his insistence that Mexico prefers to keep NAFTA a three-country deal. But he said he considered the substance of the US-Mexican deal to be final, and that Mexico did not want to renegotiate points that had already been agreed with Washington. "We don't want to put our economic future and our country's financial stability at risk," he said.

US, Canada could reach new NAFTA deal in 48 hours: Mexico

He is just 90 centimetres (less than three feet) tall, but he packs muscles, power and swagger in a little frame: meet Microman, the smallest star in Mexican professional wrestling.

Mexico's "lucha libre," a wildly popular mix of sport and entertainment, long featured midgets and dwarves in a deeply demeaning role: they were "mascotas" -- a word that can mean both "mascot" and "pet" -- for full-size wrestlers.

But a new generation of little people are now rising lucha libre stars in their own right, and dream of one day headlining the main events on their fight cards.

Microman wowed a skeptical crowd at one recent bout in Mexico City, where he and two co-stars, El Gallito and Guapito, took on another team of small-sized wrestlers.

He and his fellow "Micro Stars" were met with a smattering of jeers when they got in the ring.

But Microman silenced them when he climbed onto the top rope -- more than three times his height -- to execute a high-flying leap straight into the neck of his also small, but larger, rival.

He then flattened another with an acrobatic headstand kick known as the "Zero Gravity" move.

The audience went wild in Arena Mexico, the high cathedral of lucha libre.

"Did you see how he held that headstand on top of the ropes? He does it really well," said one impressed fan, 28-year-old construction worker Juan Carlos Elizalde.

"He's really tiny, but look how he fights!" said another, 30-year-old Felipe Escorza.

Microman, 19, takes it all in with an attitude befitting lucha libre's biggest little star.

"Microman is a wrestler who gives everything he's got for the crowd," he said, referring to himself in the third person.

From father to son

Microman was fighting in the second match of the night -- four bouts down from the top of the fight card.

But just having his name on the billing shows the progress he and other little wrestlers have made since his father's time.

Microman is the son of Kemonito, who was also a midget wrestler but had a very different career.

For 30 years, Kemonito was a "mascota" for full-size wrestlers, a laughable sidekick who provided comic relief until the real action started.

Working conditions and the level of respect have improved dramatically since then in the Mexican professional wrestling league, the World Lucha Libre Council (CMLL), says Catalina Gaspar, an activist for little people's rights.

"They train them professionally now. I've been really happy to see that. Twenty years ago, they threw them in the ring with wrestlers who were two meters (more than 6'6") tall, and they got injured a lot," Gaspar told AFP.

Kemonito's generation had no health insurance or benefits, but put up with the job for lack of other options, she said.

"Some of them were paralyzed... One even committed suicide," she said.

"But now they are seen as idols, not mascots or buffoons."

But Gaspar, who is herself just over one meter tall, said there is still a long way to go: social security benefits, pension plans and other support for "life after wrestling."

Wrestling revelation&nbsp;

The eight Micro Stars debuted in April 2017 as the third weight category in the CMLL.

Their coach, wrestling legend The Last Warrior, remembers it as a revelation.

"It was Children's Day, and it was awesome. Everybody in the crowd was going crazy," he said.

Microman himself said he did not know just what to expect that day.

"I didn't know people would react like that, that they would back me so much without even knowing me. I think it was my happiest day in wrestling," he said.

The Micro Stars started out with abbreviated bouts, but now fight full-length matches just like their bigger peers.

They do not earn a regular salary, but they get medical care, health insurance and a guarantee of at least two events per month, according to the CMLL.

Increasingly, that includes the league's prized weekend fight nights.

"That makes you nervous, because you never know what will happen, whether people will like it," said Microman.

"But when you enter the arena and start walking down the bridge, you just do what you have to do, which is show everything you know in the ring."

He is just 90 centimetres (less than three feet) tall, but he packs muscles, power and swagger in a little frame: meet Microman, the smallest star in Mexican professional wrestling.

He is just 90 centimetres (less than three feet) tall, but he packs muscles, power and swagger in a little frame: meet Microman, the smallest star in Mexican professional wrestling. Mexico's "lucha libre," a wildly popular mix of sport and entertainment, long featured midgets and dwarves in a deeply demeaning role: they were "mascotas" -- a word that can mean both "mascot" and "pet" -- for full-size wrestlers. But a new generation of little people are now rising lucha libre stars in their own right, and dream of one day headlining the main events on their fight cards. Microman wowed a skeptical crowd at one recent bout in Mexico City, where he and two co-stars, El Gallito and Guapito, took on another team of small-sized wrestlers. He and his fellow "Micro Stars" were met with a smattering of jeers when they got in the ring. But Microman silenced them when he climbed onto the top rope -- more than three times his height -- to execute a high-flying leap straight into the neck of his also small, but larger, rival. He then flattened another with an acrobatic headstand kick known as the "Zero Gravity" move. The audience went wild in Arena Mexico, the high cathedral of lucha libre. "Did you see how he held that headstand on top of the ropes? He does it really well," said one impressed fan, 28-year-old construction worker Juan Carlos Elizalde. "He's really tiny, but look how he fights!" said another, 30-year-old Felipe Escorza. Microman, 19, takes it all in with an attitude befitting lucha libre's biggest little star. "Microman is a wrestler who gives everything he's got for the crowd," he said, referring to himself in the third person. From father to son Microman was fighting in the second match of the night -- four bouts down from the top of the fight card. But just having his name on the billing shows the progress he and other little wrestlers have made since his father's time. Microman is the son of Kemonito, who was also a midget wrestler but had a very different career. For 30 years, Kemonito was a "mascota" for full-size wrestlers, a laughable sidekick who provided comic relief until the real action started. Working conditions and the level of respect have improved dramatically since then in the Mexican professional wrestling league, the World Lucha Libre Council (CMLL), says Catalina Gaspar, an activist for little people's rights. "They train them professionally now. I've been really happy to see that. Twenty years ago, they threw them in the ring with wrestlers who were two meters (more than 6'6") tall, and they got injured a lot," Gaspar told AFP. Kemonito's generation had no health insurance or benefits, but put up with the job for lack of other options, she said. "Some of them were paralyzed... One even committed suicide," she said. "But now they are seen as idols, not mascots or buffoons." But Gaspar, who is herself just over one meter tall, said there is still a long way to go: social security benefits, pension plans and other support for "life after wrestling." Wrestling revelation The eight Micro Stars debuted in April 2017 as the third weight category in the CMLL. Their coach, wrestling legend The Last Warrior, remembers it as a revelation. "It was Children's Day, and it was awesome. Everybody in the crowd was going crazy," he said. Microman himself said he did not know just what to expect that day. "I didn't know people would react like that, that they would back me so much without even knowing me. I think it was my happiest day in wrestling," he said. The Micro Stars started out with abbreviated bouts, but now fight full-length matches just like their bigger peers. They do not earn a regular salary, but they get medical care, health insurance and a guarantee of at least two events per month, according to the CMLL. Increasingly, that includes the league's prized weekend fight nights. "That makes you nervous, because you never know what will happen, whether people will like it," said Microman. "But when you enter the arena and start walking down the bridge, you just do what you have to do, which is show everything you know in the ring."

Mexico's dwarf wrestlers overcome mockery to become stars

Gunmen shot and killed a Mexican journalist as he left his home in the southern state of Chiapas, his newspaper said Friday, at least the ninth reporter murdered in the country this year.

Mario Gomez, a reporter with El Heraldo de Chiapas, is the latest victim in a wave of violence against the press in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, according to the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders.

"He had recently filed a complaint because he was receiving threats," a colleague at the paper told AFP on condition of anonymity. 
&nbsp;

Gunmen shot and killed a Mexican journalist as he left his home in the southern state of Chiapas, his newspaper said Friday, at least the ninth reporter murdered in the country this year.

Gunmen shot and killed a Mexican journalist as he left his home in the southern state of Chiapas, his newspaper said Friday, at least the ninth reporter murdered in the country this year. Mario Gomez, a reporter with El Heraldo de Chiapas, is the latest victim in a wave of violence against the press in Mexico, one of the deadliest countries in the world for journalists, according to the watchdog group Reporters Without Borders. "He had recently filed a complaint because he was receiving threats," a colleague at the paper told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Journalist murdered in Mexico, ninth of 2018: Report 

Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday that his country will seek a bilateral trade deal with Canada if negotiations fall through for a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The United States and Canada are holding a flurry of talks aimed at keeping NAFTA a three-country deal after the US and Mexico reached their own deal that President Donald Trump says may or may not end up including Ottawa.

But the latest round of negotiations ended Thursday with no signs of a compromise to bring Canada into the deal.

Mexico has repeatedly said it wants the updated version of the 25-year-old NAFTA to remain a three-country deal -- a stance reiterated by Lopez Obrador, who takes office on December 1.

But if all else fails, "we'd have to keep the deal (with the United States) and try to reach a similar one with Canada," he said in the northern state of Sonora.

"Obviously we can't cut ties with either."

The anti-establishment leftist, who won Mexico's July elections in a landslide, said he has had good relations so far with the Trump administration.

"I hope with all my heart it stays that way," he said.

"We're neighbours. We can't be distant neighbours. We have to achieve a relationship of respect and cooperation."

US-Mexican relations have been strained over Trump's anti-Mexican insults, his insistence on overhauling the "terrible" NAFTA deal, and his vows to make Mexico pay for a wall on the border.

But despite their ideological differences, Lopez Obrador and Trump have hit it off.

The leftist leader is known as "AMLO" has notably wooed the Republican billionaire with talk of stemming the flow of migration to the United States by promoting economic development in Mexico.

Lopez Obrador, 64, posted a video on Twitter from the border fence between Sonora and the US state of Arizona in which he vowed to keep would-be migrants on the Mexican side by launching an economic development corridor in the border region from January 1.

His plan, which would notably double the minimum wage and slash taxes along the border, would act as a "curtain," rather than a wall, to keep would-be migrants in Mexico, he said.

Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday that his country will seek a bilateral trade deal with Canada if negotiations fall through for a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Mexican President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Friday that his country will seek a bilateral trade deal with Canada if negotiations fall through for a new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The United States and Canada are holding a flurry of talks aimed at keeping NAFTA a three-country deal after the US and Mexico reached their own deal that President Donald Trump says may or may not end up including Ottawa. But the latest round of negotiations ended Thursday with no signs of a compromise to bring Canada into the deal. Mexico has repeatedly said it wants the updated version of the 25-year-old NAFTA to remain a three-country deal -- a stance reiterated by Lopez Obrador, who takes office on December 1. But if all else fails, "we'd have to keep the deal (with the United States) and try to reach a similar one with Canada," he said in the northern state of Sonora. "Obviously we can't cut ties with either." The anti-establishment leftist, who won Mexico's July elections in a landslide, said he has had good relations so far with the Trump administration. "I hope with all my heart it stays that way," he said. "We're neighbours. We can't be distant neighbours. We have to achieve a relationship of respect and cooperation." US-Mexican relations have been strained over Trump's anti-Mexican insults, his insistence on overhauling the "terrible" NAFTA deal, and his vows to make Mexico pay for a wall on the border. But despite their ideological differences, Lopez Obrador and Trump have hit it off. The leftist leader is known as "AMLO" has notably wooed the Republican billionaire with talk of stemming the flow of migration to the United States by promoting economic development in Mexico. Lopez Obrador, 64, posted a video on Twitter from the border fence between Sonora and the US state of Arizona in which he vowed to keep would-be migrants on the Mexican side by launching an economic development corridor in the border region from January 1. His plan, which would notably double the minimum wage and slash taxes along the border, would act as a "curtain," rather than a wall, to keep would-be migrants in Mexico, he said.

Mexico's 'AMLO' wants two-way deal with Canada if NAFTA fails

FIFA members vote Wednesday on whether to award the 2026 World Cup to a slick North American bid or to Morocco, which has African support to bring football's showpiece event back to the continent.

On the eve of the 2018 World Cup, delegates from 207 nations gathered in Moscow are faced with a clear choice.

The United States, Mexico and Canada are the frontrunners, boasting modern, established stadiums and well-developed transport links.

Morocco's bid exists largely on paper -- many stadiums will need to be built and critics question how it will cope with a tournament that will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026.

FIFA inspectors have classified the north African nation's stadiums, accommodation and transport as "high risk", awarding it just 2.7 out of five, with red flags raised over several critical aspects of the bid.

A FIFA taskforce warned last month "the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated".

The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of five.

But the North American bid fears it could lose out if the vote essentially becomes a referendum on the popularity of US President Donald Trump.

Bid leader Carlos Cordeiro has urged FIFA members to vote on the "merits" of the bid, not Trump's divisive policies.

"We believe strongly that this decision will be made on its merits,"&nbsp;Cordeiro said in a conference call. "This is not geopolitics, we're talking about football and what is fundamentally, at the end of the day, the best interest of football and our footballing community."

The US lost out to Qatar in 2022 in a vote now tarnished by corruption allegations that spelled the beginning of the end of the once all-powerful FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

It prompted a change in the rules.&nbsp;Whereas previously the 24 members of the FIFA executive committee used to determine World Cup races,&nbsp;the host will now be decided by a vote of individual FIFA member nations.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino is believed to strongly support the North American bid because the three countries involved backed him for the presidency in 2016 when he took over after the reign of Blatter.

Critics of the Morocco bid also point to the fact that the 2026 World Cup will be the first to be expanded to 48 teams, posing a severe test for the hosts.

Bid leader Hicham El Amrani argues its 12 host cities are "very close to each other, with for example Casablanca a maximum 500 kilometres from another venue" compared to the vast distances involved in North America.

France, in particular, has lobbied behind the scenes for French-speaking Morocco and the bid has the support of most of Africa in line with a call from the head of the Confederation of African Football, Ahmad Ahmad.

It will likely need heavy support from European nations to pull off a shock win -- and its proximity to Europe is a plus for many supporters.&nbsp;

Aleksander Ceferin, the president of Europe's governing body UEFA, says he has not directed his members which way to vote.

"UEFA delegates are smart enough to choose what is best for football," he told the BBC.

Morocco has tried, and failed, four times before, in votes for the 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 tournaments -- it lost out in the latter to South Africa, the only African nation ever to have hosted football's global showpiece.

North American bid leaders countered by promising to deliver a record $11 billion profit.

Morocco's bid exists largely on paper -- many stadiums will need to be built and critics question how it will cope with a tournament that will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026

FIFA members vote Wednesday on whether to award the 2026 World Cup to a slick North American bid or to Morocco, which has African support to bring football's showpiece event back to the continent. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup, delegates from 207 nations gathered in Moscow are faced with a clear choice. The United States, Mexico and Canada are the frontrunners, boasting modern, established stadiums and well-developed transport links. Morocco's bid exists largely on paper -- many stadiums will need to be built and critics question how it will cope with a tournament that will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026. FIFA inspectors have classified the north African nation's stadiums, accommodation and transport as "high risk", awarding it just 2.7 out of five, with red flags raised over several critical aspects of the bid. A FIFA taskforce warned last month "the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated". The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of five. But the North American bid fears it could lose out if the vote essentially becomes a referendum on the popularity of US President Donald Trump. Bid leader Carlos Cordeiro has urged FIFA members to vote on the "merits" of the bid, not Trump's divisive policies. "We believe strongly that this decision will be made on its merits," Cordeiro said in a conference call. "This is not geopolitics, we're talking about football and what is fundamentally, at the end of the day, the best interest of football and our footballing community." The US lost out to Qatar in 2022 in a vote now tarnished by corruption allegations that spelled the beginning of the end of the once all-powerful FIFA president Sepp Blatter. It prompted a change in the rules. Whereas previously the 24 members of the FIFA executive committee used to determine World Cup races, the host will now be decided by a vote of individual FIFA member nations. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is believed to strongly support the North American bid because the three countries involved backed him for the presidency in 2016 when he took over after the reign of Blatter. Critics of the Morocco bid also point to the fact that the 2026 World Cup will be the first to be expanded to 48 teams, posing a severe test for the hosts. Bid leader Hicham El Amrani argues its 12 host cities are "very close to each other, with for example Casablanca a maximum 500 kilometres from another venue" compared to the vast distances involved in North America. France, in particular, has lobbied behind the scenes for French-speaking Morocco and the bid has the support of most of Africa in line with a call from the head of the Confederation of African Football, Ahmad Ahmad. It will likely need heavy support from European nations to pull off a shock win -- and its proximity to Europe is a plus for many supporters. Aleksander Ceferin, the president of Europe's governing body UEFA, says he has not directed his members which way to vote. "UEFA delegates are smart enough to choose what is best for football," he told the BBC. Morocco has tried, and failed, four times before, in votes for the 1994, 1998, 2006 and 2010 tournaments -- it lost out in the latter to South Africa, the only African nation ever to have hosted football's global showpiece. North American bid leaders countered by promising to deliver a record $11 billion profit.

Who will host football World Cup 2026: Canada, US & Mexico or Morocco

Mexico's presidential candidates laid out their visions for the nation in a third and final televised debate on Tuesday (June 12), with leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador the reported favourite to clinch Los Pinos on July 01.

The ruling PRI candidate, former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, kept to his campaign message of economic growth and poverty reduction, but he finds himself aligned with the unpopular government of President Enrique Pena Nieto.

39-year-old Ricardo Anaya, who is heading a right-left coalition, vowed during the debate to bring Pena Nieto and Meade to justice following a series of corruption allegations that have plagued the outgoing government.

64-year-old leftist Lopez Obrador brushed off the attacks from his rivals. He has run on a popular platform to disrupt the ruling political class in&nbspMexico. But his critics have also lambasted Lopez Obrador for coming from the same group of career politicians.

The wildcard in the debate is independent candidate Jaime Rodriguez. Although he trails in fourth place, Rodriguez has portrayed himself as a rogue amongst&nbspMexico's politician and the real alternative in the vote.

According to an opinion poll earlier this week, Lopez Obrador has a double-digit lead over his rivals with 37.2 percent of support. Second-place Anaya sits on 20.3 percent and Meade third with 17.1 percent.

The ruling PRI candidate, former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, kept to his campaign message of economic growth and poverty reduction, but he finds himself aligned with the unpopular government of President Enrique Pena Nieto

Mexico's presidential candidates laid out their visions for the nation in a third and final televised debate on Tuesday (June 12), with leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador the reported favourite to clinch Los Pinos on July 01. The ruling PRI candidate, former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, kept to his campaign message of economic growth and poverty reduction, but he finds himself aligned with the unpopular government of President Enrique Pena Nieto. 39-year-old Ricardo Anaya, who is heading a right-left coalition, vowed during the debate to bring Pena Nieto and Meade to justice following a series of corruption allegations that have plagued the outgoing government. 64-year-old leftist Lopez Obrador brushed off the attacks from his rivals. He has run on a popular platform to disrupt the ruling political class in&nbspMexico. But his critics have also lambasted Lopez Obrador for coming from the same group of career politicians. The wildcard in the debate is independent candidate Jaime Rodriguez. Although he trails in fourth place, Rodriguez has portrayed himself as a rogue amongst&nbspMexico's politician and the real alternative in the vote. According to an opinion poll earlier this week, Lopez Obrador has a double-digit lead over his rivals with 37.2 percent of support. Second-place Anaya sits on 20.3 percent and Meade third with 17.1 percent.

Candidates face off for final debate ahead of Mexico's presidential vote

FIFA members have voted and given their verdict that US, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup.

The North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.

The bid was between North American countries - the US, Mexico and Canada -&nbsp;and Morocco.

Although, Morocco had African support to bring football's showpiece event back to the continent but they lost the bid.

On the eve of the 2018 World Cup, delegates from 207 nations gathered in Moscow and delivered a clear result.

The US will be hosting the FIFA World Cup after 1994, and Mexico hosted the event in 1970 and 1986. For Canda, this is the first opportunity to host the football&nbsp;carnival.

North American bid had an upper hand as Morocco's bid exists largely on paper -&nbsp;many stadiums will need to be built and critics question how it will cope with a tournament that will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026.

FIFA inspectors had classified the north African nation's stadiums, accommodation and transport as "high risk", awarding it just 2.7 out of five, with red flags raised over several critical aspects of the bid but still they won.

A FIFA taskforce warned last month "the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated".

The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of five.

FIFA members have voted and given their verdict that US, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup

FIFA members have voted and given their verdict that US, Mexico and Canada will host the 2026 World Cup. The North American bid received 134 of the 203 votes, while Morocco polled 65 in the ballot at a FIFA Congress held in Moscow on the eve of the 2018 World Cup. The bid was between North American countries - the US, Mexico and Canada - and Morocco. Although, Morocco had African support to bring football's showpiece event back to the continent but they lost the bid. On the eve of the 2018 World Cup, delegates from 207 nations gathered in Moscow and delivered a clear result. The US will be hosting the FIFA World Cup after 1994, and Mexico hosted the event in 1970 and 1986. For Canda, this is the first opportunity to host the football carnival. North American bid had an upper hand as Morocco's bid exists largely on paper - many stadiums will need to be built and critics question how it will cope with a tournament that will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026. FIFA inspectors had classified the north African nation's stadiums, accommodation and transport as "high risk", awarding it just 2.7 out of five, with red flags raised over several critical aspects of the bid but still they won. A FIFA taskforce warned last month "the amount of new infrastructure required for the Morocco 2026 bid to become reality cannot be overstated". The report left the US-Canada-Mexico bid as the clear front-runner after giving it a rating of four out of five.

US, Mexico and Canada to host 2026 FIFA World Cup

India’s largest travelling film festival - Jagran Film Festival, which is in its 9th&nbsp;edition this year,&nbsp;has received movie entries across 116 countries.

The festival has received a total of 3,080 movie entries so far, wherein 967 are from India, 249 from Iran, 243 from the United States, 123 from Spain, 118 from Brazil, 118 from France and 107 from Turkey.&nbsp;

Besides these countries, other participating countries include - Pakistan, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Poland, Malaysia and many more.

Scheduled to be inaugurated in New Delhi from&nbsp;June 29th, 2018, the festival invites film entries from filmmakers across several categories.&nbsp;

All the films in the competition sections would be previewed by the pre-selection panels comprising of filmmakers and film critics.&nbsp;

This panel includes names like Shivani Pandey, Sujata Shiven, Vinod Kapoor, Manjula Shirodkar, Sanjay Dattani and Sharad Dutt.

The festival will begin in New Delhi in June this year and will continue to tour in Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Dehradun, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Indore, Gorakhpur, Agra, Ludhiana, Hissar, Meerut, Raipur before concluding in Mumbai in&nbsp;September 2018.

9th edition Jagran Film Festival has incessantly carried the ‘Cinematic Culture’ from metro cities to smaller cities thereby spreading and promoting the appreciation of the cinematic art at the grass root level.&nbsp;

<img alt="ko.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/ko.jpg" width="770" />

<img alt="Untitled design_4.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/Untitled%20design_4.jpg" width="770" />

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The festival has already received a total of 3,080 movie entries from around the world

India’s largest travelling film festival - Jagran Film Festival, which is in its 9th edition this year, has received movie entries across 116 countries. The festival has received a total of 3,080 movie entries so far, wherein 967 are from India, 249 from Iran, 243 from the United States, 123 from Spain, 118 from Brazil, 118 from France and 107 from Turkey. Besides these countries, other participating countries include - Pakistan, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Belgium, Poland, Malaysia and many more. Scheduled to be inaugurated in New Delhi from June 29th, 2018, the festival invites film entries from filmmakers across several categories. All the films in the competition sections would be previewed by the pre-selection panels comprising of filmmakers and film critics. This panel includes names like Shivani Pandey, Sujata Shiven, Vinod Kapoor, Manjula Shirodkar, Sanjay Dattani and Sharad Dutt. The festival will begin in New Delhi in June this year and will continue to tour in Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Dehradun, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Indore, Gorakhpur, Agra, Ludhiana, Hissar, Meerut, Raipur before concluding in Mumbai in September 2018. 9th edition Jagran Film Festival has incessantly carried the ‘Cinematic Culture’ from metro cities to smaller cities thereby spreading and promoting the appreciation of the cinematic art at the grass root level.

India’s largest travelling film festival, Jagran to kickstart in June this year

The United States Department of Commerce on Thursday announced that a temporary exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico would be allowed to expire, a decision that is likely to further exacerbate trade tensions and trigger retaliatory measures.

Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told reporters on a telephone briefing on Thursday that a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico would go into effect at midnight on Friday.

"We look forward to continued negotiations, both with Canada and Mexico on the one hand and with the European Commission on the other hand, because there are other issues that we also need to get resolved," he said.

Ross told reporters that talks with Canada and Mexico over revising the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) were "taking longer than we had hoped."

Talks with Europe had "made some progress" but not enough for additional exemptions, he said in a conference call from Paris.

'Bad day for world trade'&nbsp

European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker responded to the announcement, saying the EU will impose countermeasures on the US.&nbsp

"This is a bad day for world trade," Juncker said in a speech in Brussels.&nbsp

"So, we will immediately introduce a settlement dispute with the WTO [World Trade Organisation] and will announce counterbalancing measures in the coming hours," he added.&nbsp

"It is totally unacceptable that a country is imposing unilateral measures when it comes to world trade."&nbsp

Mexico reaction

Mexico retaliated with "equivalent" measures on the farm and industrial products, targeting pork legs, apples, grapes and cheeses as well as steel.

Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said the tit-for-tat measures would complicate talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that underpins trade between the neighbours.&nbsp

Wall Street slips

The S&P 500 packaged foods and meats index dipped 2.3 per cent with all its 10 components in the red. Kraft Heinz and Mondelez were the biggest lags on the index.

The S&P Composite 1500 Steel index rose 0.3 per cent, led by gains in AK Steel and US Steel although it pared early gains after Mexico`s retaliation. 
Shares of Boeing slipped 1.3 per cent and Caterpillar declined 1.9 per cent, dragging down the Dow Jones Industrials.

"The market is worried about retaliation, they are looking for what would come from the EU side," said Zhiwei Ren, managing director and portfolio manager at Penn Mutual Asset Management in Horsham, Pennsylvania. 
"But this is another negotiation tactic on the U.S. side and they want to use tariffs as a bargaining tool for other negotiations."

(With inputs from Agencies)

US stocks fell on Thursday after the United States moved to impose metal tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and the European Union, prompting a tit-for-tat response from some of its trading partners.

The United States Department of Commerce on Thursday announced that a temporary exemption from US tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico would be allowed to expire, a decision that is likely to further exacerbate trade tensions and trigger retaliatory measures. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross told reporters on a telephone briefing on Thursday that a 25 per cent tariff on steel imports and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports from the EU, Canada and Mexico would go into effect at midnight on Friday. "We look forward to continued negotiations, both with Canada and Mexico on the one hand and with the European Commission on the other hand, because there are other issues that we also need to get resolved," he said. Ross told reporters that talks with Canada and Mexico over revising the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) were "taking longer than we had hoped." Talks with Europe had "made some progress" but not enough for additional exemptions, he said in a conference call from Paris. 'Bad day for world trade' European Commission President Jean Claude-Juncker responded to the announcement, saying the EU will impose countermeasures on the US. "This is a bad day for world trade," Juncker said in a speech in Brussels. "So, we will immediately introduce a settlement dispute with the WTO [World Trade Organisation] and will announce counterbalancing measures in the coming hours," he added. "It is totally unacceptable that a country is imposing unilateral measures when it comes to world trade." Mexico reaction Mexico retaliated with "equivalent" measures on the farm and industrial products, targeting pork legs, apples, grapes and cheeses as well as steel. Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo said the tit-for-tat measures would complicate talks between the United States, Canada and Mexico to revamp the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that underpins trade between the neighbours. Wall Street slips The S&P 500 packaged foods and meats index dipped 2.3 per cent with all its 10 components in the red. Kraft Heinz and Mondelez were the biggest lags on the index. The S&P Composite 1500 Steel index rose 0.3 per cent, led by gains in AK Steel and US Steel although it pared early gains after Mexico`s retaliation. Shares of Boeing slipped 1.3 per cent and Caterpillar declined 1.9 per cent, dragging down the Dow Jones Industrials. "The market is worried about retaliation, they are looking for what would come from the EU side," said Zhiwei Ren, managing director and portfolio manager at Penn Mutual Asset Management in Horsham, Pennsylvania. "But this is another negotiation tactic on the U.S. side and they want to use tariffs as a bargaining tool for other negotiations." (With inputs from Agencies)

US hits EU, Mexico and Canada with steel, aluminium tariffs

Trump who campaigned furiously for the Mexican wall during the presidential campaign said United States' neighbour will "pay for the wall in the end".

&nbsp"I don't want to cause a problem, but in the end ...in the end Mexico is going to pay for the wall, I am just telling you. I am just telling you. All right, I don't want to cause any problem....but in the end Mexico is paying for the wall," the US president said during a rally in Tennessee.

However, Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto said his country will "never" pay for the border wall. Trump contends the wall will help to curb "illegal immigrants" entering the US from the Mexican side.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Presidente <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>: NO. México NUNCA pagará por un muro. Ni ahora, ni nunca. 
 
Atentamente, México (todos nosotros).
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) <a href="https://twitter.com/EPN/status/1001636541469409280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The move widely condemned both inside and outside the US has become a major issue for Mexico which sees it as a hurdle towards free flow of labour including of goods and services.

The US in recent months has tightened controls along the border with Mexico&nbspin an attempt to ostensibly keep migrants out. 
&nbsp

The US in recent months has tightened controls along the border with Mexico

Trump who campaigned furiously for the Mexican wall during the presidential campaign said United States' neighbour will "pay for the wall in the end". "I don't want to cause a problem, but in the end ...in the end Mexico is going to pay for the wall, I am just telling you. I am just telling you. All right, I don't want to cause any problem....but in the end Mexico is paying for the wall," the US president said during a rally in Tennessee. However, Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto said his country will "never" pay for the border wall. Trump contends the wall will help to curb "illegal immigrants" entering the US from the Mexican side. Presidente @realDonaldTrump: NO. México NUNCA pagará por un muro. Ni ahora, ni nunca. Atentamente, México (todos nosotros). — Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) May 30, 2018 × The move widely condemned both inside and outside the US has become a major issue for Mexico which sees it as a hurdle towards free flow of labour including of goods and services. The US in recent months has tightened controls along the border with Mexico&nbspin an attempt to ostensibly keep migrants out.

Campaign trail again? Trump says Mexico will 'pay for the wall in the end'

The death toll in one of Cuba's worst air disasters rose to 111 on Monday while Mexico suspended the operations of the Mexican company that had leased the 39-year old Boeing 737 to Cuba's flagship airline.

Grettel Landrove, a 23-year old Cuban student who loved to dance flamenco, died in a Havana hospital from "severe traumatic lesions", Cuban state-run media reported.

Two Cuban women remained in critical condition due to burns and other trauma, with a high risk of complications, media reports said. Their progress is being closely followed by many Cubans through regular hospital updates.

The airliner crashed shortly after takeoff on a domestic flight from Havana to the eastern city of Holguin on Friday in one of Cuba's worst air disasters.

The accident has killed 100 Cubans, 7 Mexicans, two Argentines and two Sahrawis from a disputed area in Western Sahara known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

The plane was a Boeing 737 built in 1979 and leased to Cuba's flagship carrier Cubana by a little-known Mexican company Damojh.

Mexico's civil aviation authority said on Monday it had temporarily suspended Damojh's operations while it made sure the firm adhered to regulations and gathered information to help investigators find the cause of the crash.

Damojh, which owned three 737s before the accident, has been suspended twice before during regulatory compliance reviews, the authority said.

Operations were halted for about a month in 2010 after a Damojh plane made an emergency landing in the Mexican beach resort of Puerto Vallarta due to a problem with its landing gear.

The authority investigated again in 2013 after receiving a complaint from Marco Aurelio Hernandez, who was identified on the weekend by Mexican media as a former Damojh pilot.

Hernandez was quoted by Mexican newspaper Milenio as criticizing Damojh for a lack of adequate maintenance on its planes.

The 2013 probe led to a suspension for about two months.

Most aircraft accidents take months to investigate. Cuban investigators have so far recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are still looking for the flight data recorder.

Cuba will lead the probe, with the aid of Mexican and US&nbsp;investigators, Cuban state-run media said. It will receive technical assistance from Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, part of US-based industrial group United Technologies, which manufactured the engines of the plane that crashed.

Friday's crash was the worst in Cuba since a Soviet-built Ilyushin-62M passenger plane came down near Havana in 1989, killing all 126 people on board and another 14 on the ground.

Most aircraft accidents take months to investigate. Cuban investigators have so far recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are still looking for the flight data recorder

The death toll in one of Cuba's worst air disasters rose to 111 on Monday while Mexico suspended the operations of the Mexican company that had leased the 39-year old Boeing 737 to Cuba's flagship airline. Grettel Landrove, a 23-year old Cuban student who loved to dance flamenco, died in a Havana hospital from "severe traumatic lesions", Cuban state-run media reported. Two Cuban women remained in critical condition due to burns and other trauma, with a high risk of complications, media reports said. Their progress is being closely followed by many Cubans through regular hospital updates. The airliner crashed shortly after takeoff on a domestic flight from Havana to the eastern city of Holguin on Friday in one of Cuba's worst air disasters. The accident has killed 100 Cubans, 7 Mexicans, two Argentines and two Sahrawis from a disputed area in Western Sahara known as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. The plane was a Boeing 737 built in 1979 and leased to Cuba's flagship carrier Cubana by a little-known Mexican company Damojh. Mexico's civil aviation authority said on Monday it had temporarily suspended Damojh's operations while it made sure the firm adhered to regulations and gathered information to help investigators find the cause of the crash. Damojh, which owned three 737s before the accident, has been suspended twice before during regulatory compliance reviews, the authority said. Operations were halted for about a month in 2010 after a Damojh plane made an emergency landing in the Mexican beach resort of Puerto Vallarta due to a problem with its landing gear. The authority investigated again in 2013 after receiving a complaint from Marco Aurelio Hernandez, who was identified on the weekend by Mexican media as a former Damojh pilot. Hernandez was quoted by Mexican newspaper Milenio as criticizing Damojh for a lack of adequate maintenance on its planes. The 2013 probe led to a suspension for about two months. Most aircraft accidents take months to investigate. Cuban investigators have so far recovered the cockpit voice recorder and are still looking for the flight data recorder. Cuba will lead the probe, with the aid of Mexican and US investigators, Cuban state-run media said. It will receive technical assistance from Boeing and Pratt & Whitney, part of US-based industrial group United Technologies, which manufactured the engines of the plane that crashed. Friday's crash was the worst in Cuba since a Soviet-built Ilyushin-62M passenger plane came down near Havana in 1989, killing all 126 people on board and another 14 on the ground.

Cuba plane crash: Death toll rises to 111, Mexico suspends lease company

The mega event hosted by Russia will be keenly followed by thousands of fans around the world

FIFA 2018: All you need to know about 21st edition of football World Cup

&nbsp;US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, and has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil, the White House said on Monday.

The decisions came just hours before temporary exemptions from the tariffs on these countries were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. (0401 GMT) on Tuesday.

In a statement, the White House said that the details of the deals with Brazil, Argentina and Australia would be finalized shortly, and it did not disclose terms.

"The administration is also extending negotiations with Canada, Mexico, and the European Union for a final 30 days. In all of these negotiations, the administration is focused on quotas that will restrain imports, prevent transshipment, and protect the national security," the White House added.

A source familiar with the decision said that there would be no further extensions beyond June 1 to stave off tariffs.

Trump on March 23 imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum in March, but granted temporary exemptions to Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the EU, Australia and Argentina. He also has granted a permanent exemption on steel tariffs to South Korea.

Trump has invoked a 1962 trade law to erect protections for US&nbsp;steel and aluminum producers on national security grounds, amid a worldwide glut of both metals that is largely blamed on excess production in China.

The tariffs, which have increased frictions with US&nbsp;trading partners worldwide and have prompted several challenges before the World Trade Organization, are aimed at allowing the two US&nbsp;metals industries to increase their capacity utilization rates above 80 percent for the first time in years.

Trump administration officials have said that in lieu of tariffs, steel- and aluminum-exporting countries would have to agree to quotas designed to achieve similar protections for US&nbsp;producers.

The terms agreed by Brazil, Argentina and Australia to escape the US&nbsp;tariffs were unclear. South Korea earned its permanent exemption from steel tariffs by agreeing to quotas that will cut its steel shipments by about 30 percent from 2017 levels. Seoul is still subject to US&nbsp;aluminum tariffs.

The White House said the agreements reflect administration efforts "to reach fair outcomes with allies to protect our national security and address global challenges to the steel and aluminum industries."

Todd Leebow, president of Majestic Steel USA, a Cleveland-based distributor of domestic steel products, said American steelmakers needed certainty that import protections won't be eroded.

"We're hopeful this extension moves us toward the most productive path for our domestic steel industry -- the tariffs President Trump announced earlier this year and a quota system to limit the amount of imports flooding our country," Leebow said in a statement.

But Canada, Mexico and the European Union have all insisted that they will not accept quotas to gain permanent exemptions from the US&nbsp;tariffs.

A British government spokeswoman in Washington said the extension for the EU was "positive," but the UK steel and aluminum industries needed safeguarding.

"We remain concerned about the impact of these tariffs on global trade and will continue to work with the EU on a multilateral solution to the global problem of overcapacity, as well as to manage the impact on domestic markets."

Negotiations over US&nbsp;steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for Canada and Mexico have also become intertwined with intensified talks to reach an agreement to update the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Canada is the largest steel exporter to the United States, and its industry is highly integrated with that of its southern neighbor, with raw materials and finished steel crisscrossing the Great Lakes region.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that any move by the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum would be a "very bad idea" guaranteed to disrupt trade between the two countries.

If the EU is subject to tariffs on the 6.4 billion euros ($7.7 billion) of the metals it exports annually to the United States, it has said it will set its own duties on 2.8 billion euros of US&nbsp;exports of products ranging from makeup to motorcycles.

Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminium in March

US President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, and has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil, the White House said on Monday. The decisions came just hours before temporary exemptions from the tariffs on these countries were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. (0401 GMT) on Tuesday. In a statement, the White House said that the details of the deals with Brazil, Argentina and Australia would be finalized shortly, and it did not disclose terms. "The administration is also extending negotiations with Canada, Mexico, and the European Union for a final 30 days. In all of these negotiations, the administration is focused on quotas that will restrain imports, prevent transshipment, and protect the national security," the White House added. A source familiar with the decision said that there would be no further extensions beyond June 1 to stave off tariffs. Trump on March 23 imposed a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum in March, but granted temporary exemptions to Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the EU, Australia and Argentina. He also has granted a permanent exemption on steel tariffs to South Korea. Trump has invoked a 1962 trade law to erect protections for US steel and aluminum producers on national security grounds, amid a worldwide glut of both metals that is largely blamed on excess production in China. The tariffs, which have increased frictions with US trading partners worldwide and have prompted several challenges before the World Trade Organization, are aimed at allowing the two US metals industries to increase their capacity utilization rates above 80 percent for the first time in years. Trump administration officials have said that in lieu of tariffs, steel- and aluminum-exporting countries would have to agree to quotas designed to achieve similar protections for US producers. The terms agreed by Brazil, Argentina and Australia to escape the US tariffs were unclear. South Korea earned its permanent exemption from steel tariffs by agreeing to quotas that will cut its steel shipments by about 30 percent from 2017 levels. Seoul is still subject to US aluminum tariffs. The White House said the agreements reflect administration efforts "to reach fair outcomes with allies to protect our national security and address global challenges to the steel and aluminum industries." Todd Leebow, president of Majestic Steel USA, a Cleveland-based distributor of domestic steel products, said American steelmakers needed certainty that import protections won't be eroded. "We're hopeful this extension moves us toward the most productive path for our domestic steel industry -- the tariffs President Trump announced earlier this year and a quota system to limit the amount of imports flooding our country," Leebow said in a statement. But Canada, Mexico and the European Union have all insisted that they will not accept quotas to gain permanent exemptions from the US tariffs. A British government spokeswoman in Washington said the extension for the EU was "positive," but the UK steel and aluminum industries needed safeguarding. "We remain concerned about the impact of these tariffs on global trade and will continue to work with the EU on a multilateral solution to the global problem of overcapacity, as well as to manage the impact on domestic markets." Negotiations over US steel and aluminum tariff exemptions for Canada and Mexico have also become intertwined with intensified talks to reach an agreement to update the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canada is the largest steel exporter to the United States, and its industry is highly integrated with that of its southern neighbor, with raw materials and finished steel crisscrossing the Great Lakes region. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday that any move by the United States to impose tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum would be a "very bad idea" guaranteed to disrupt trade between the two countries. If the EU is subject to tariffs on the 6.4 billion euros ($7.7 billion) of the metals it exports annually to the United States, it has said it will set its own duties on 2.8 billion euros of US exports of products ranging from makeup to motorcycles.

Trump postpones steel tariff decision for Canada, EU, Mexico

United States President Donald Trump has tweeted in support of the joint North American bid to host FIFA World Cup 2026. He said, "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup." Previously the US hosted football World Cup in 1994. For FIFA 2026, North American bid boasts large stadiums and excellent infrastructure.

Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid. Other than the North American joint bid, Morocco is the only strong rival which can stand against them.

On Thursday, Trump tweeted, "It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?"

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The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/989650212380692480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It is&nbsp;expected that Morocco might receive strong backing from FIFA's African and Middle East countries.

On June 13 in Moscow, The FIFA Congress will meet to select the 2026 host. A majority of the 207 voting FIFA members is needed to decide. Member countries might also&nbsp;pick neither bid, which would lead to the host process being reopened.

FIFA member countries receive one vote each, no matter their size, which gives disproportionate influence to small soccer nations.

FIFA 2026 will be the 23rd edition of football World Cup. The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place in June 2018 in Russia.

Donald Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid to host football World Cup 2026

United States President Donald Trump has tweeted in support of the joint North American bid to host FIFA World Cup 2026. He said, "The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup." Previously the US hosted football World Cup in 1994. For FIFA 2026, North American bid boasts large stadiums and excellent infrastructure. Trump also issued a warning to the countries who might oppose the joint US-Canada-Mexico bid. Other than the North American joint bid, Morocco is the only strong rival which can stand against them. On Thursday, Trump tweeted, "It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)?" The U.S. has put together a STRONG bid w/ Canada & Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. It would be a shame if countries that we always support were to lobby against the U.S. bid. Why should we be supporting these countries when they don’t support us (including at the United Nations)? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 26, 2018 × It is expected that Morocco might receive strong backing from FIFA's African and Middle East countries. On June 13 in Moscow, The FIFA Congress will meet to select the 2026 host. A majority of the 207 voting FIFA members is needed to decide. Member countries might also pick neither bid, which would lead to the host process being reopened. FIFA member countries receive one vote each, no matter their size, which gives disproportionate influence to small soccer nations. FIFA 2026 will be the 23rd edition of football World Cup. The upcoming edition is scheduled to take place in June 2018 in Russia.

Trump threatens countries who don't support North American joint bid for FIFA 2026

Hundreds took to the streets of Guadalajara on Tuesday (April 24) after Mexican authorities on Monday (April 23) said three missing Mexican students were killed last month in the western state of Jalisco and their bodies dissolved in acid after criminals confused them with members of a rival gang

Organizers of the student-led demonstration in the capital of Jalisco state said the government needed to do more to address disappearances and killings, especially of young people.

Criminal groups in Mexico often kidnap, torture, dismember and even dissolve their victims in acid and many of the remains are dumped in clandestine graves.

In 2014, 43 student teachers disappeared in the southern state of Guerrero and the government said they were kidnapped by police who handed them over to a criminal group that killed them and burnt their bodies.

The three film students were last seen in the municipality of Tonala after their car broke down and they were later kidnapped by at least six people, who tortured and killed them, according to Jalisco state prosecutors.

Prosecutors said the youths were confused with members of a another gang by gunmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has become the most powerful in Mexico, according to U.S. authorities.

More than 25,000 people were murdered last year in Mexico. Homicides hit their highest level in records going back 20 years.

Organizers of the student-led demonstration in the capital of Jalisco state said the government needed to do more to address disappearances and killings, especially of young people

Hundreds took to the streets of Guadalajara on Tuesday (April 24) after Mexican authorities on Monday (April 23) said three missing Mexican students were killed last month in the western state of Jalisco and their bodies dissolved in acid after criminals confused them with members of a rival gang Organizers of the student-led demonstration in the capital of Jalisco state said the government needed to do more to address disappearances and killings, especially of young people. Criminal groups in Mexico often kidnap, torture, dismember and even dissolve their victims in acid and many of the remains are dumped in clandestine graves. In 2014, 43 student teachers disappeared in the southern state of Guerrero and the government said they were kidnapped by police who handed them over to a criminal group that killed them and burnt their bodies. The three film students were last seen in the municipality of Tonala after their car broke down and they were later kidnapped by at least six people, who tortured and killed them, according to Jalisco state prosecutors. Prosecutors said the youths were confused with members of a another gang by gunmen from the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), which has become the most powerful in Mexico, according to U.S. authorities. More than 25,000 people were murdered last year in Mexico. Homicides hit their highest level in records going back 20 years.

Protests erupt after Mexican authorities say three students killed, dissolved in acid

Facebook is committed to ensure the integrity of key elections across the world, including in India, its founder Mark Zuckerberg said as he testified before the US Congress over the massive Cambridge Analytica scandal that has shaken the social media giant.

Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users.

The scandal shook confidence in Facebook, leading some people to go as far as abandoning the social media site altogether&nbspa revolt called the hashtag #DeleteFacebook.

Zuckerberg, who is also the CEO of Facebook, said data privacy and foreign interference in elections were topics that they have discussed at the Facebook board meeting.

"These are some of the biggest issues that the company has faced, and we feel a huge responsibility to get these right," Zuckerberg told lawmakers during the Congressional hearing, adding that "this is one of my top priorities in 2018".

He said Facebook was taking steps to ensure the integrity of elections in countries like the United States, India, Brazil, and Pakistan.

"2018 is is an incredibly important year for elections. Not just in the US mid-terms, but, around the world, there are important elections -- in India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Hungary -- and we want to make sure we do everything we can to protect the integrity of these elections," he said.

Zuckerberg organisation faces charges of failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica from gathering personal information of Facebook users to try to influence an election.

Zuckerberg said his one of the greatest regrets was that Facebook has been slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016.

"We expected them to do a number of more traditional cyber attacks, which we did identify and notify the campaigns that they were trying to hack into them," he said.

The Facebook CEO said he was now more confident as his company has set the things right. Since the 2016 election, there have been several important elections around the world where it has had a better record, he said.

There was the French presidential election. There was the German election. There was the US Senate Alabama special election last year," Zuckerberg added.

He said Facebook has deployed new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that better identify fake accounts, trying to interfere in elections or spread misinformation.

"Between those three elections, we were able to proactively remove tens of thousands of accounts before they could do significant harm," he said.

"And the nature of these attacks, though, is that there are people in Russia whose job is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems, and other systems, as well. So this is an arms race, right? I mean, they're going to keep on getting better at this, and we need to invest in keeping on getting better at this, too, which is why one of the things I mentioned before is we're going to have more than 20,000 people, by the end of this year, working on security and content review across the company," he said.

Zuckerberg said they had developed tools which identify people when they try to create fake accounts.

Your content has to be authentic. So we build technical tools to try to identify when people are creating fake accounts, especially large networks of fake accounts, like the Russians have in order to remove all of that content," he said.

Zuckerberg said after the US 2016 election, Facebook's top priority was to protect the integrity of other elections around the world.

"What we're going to do is to ask a valid government identity and we're going to verify the location. We are going to do that so that someone sitting in Russia, for example, couldn't say that they're in America and, therefore, able to run an election ad," he said.

Mark Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users

Facebook is committed to ensure the integrity of key elections across the world, including in India, its founder Mark Zuckerberg said as he testified before the US Congress over the massive Cambridge Analytica scandal that has shaken the social media giant. Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users. The scandal shook confidence in Facebook, leading some people to go as far as abandoning the social media site altogether&nbspa revolt called the hashtag #DeleteFacebook. Zuckerberg, who is also the CEO of Facebook, said data privacy and foreign interference in elections were topics that they have discussed at the Facebook board meeting. "These are some of the biggest issues that the company has faced, and we feel a huge responsibility to get these right," Zuckerberg told lawmakers during the Congressional hearing, adding that "this is one of my top priorities in 2018". He said Facebook was taking steps to ensure the integrity of elections in countries like the United States, India, Brazil, and Pakistan. "2018 is is an incredibly important year for elections. Not just in the US mid-terms, but, around the world, there are important elections -- in India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Hungary -- and we want to make sure we do everything we can to protect the integrity of these elections," he said. Zuckerberg organisation faces charges of failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica from gathering personal information of Facebook users to try to influence an election. Zuckerberg said his one of the greatest regrets was that Facebook has been slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016. "We expected them to do a number of more traditional cyber attacks, which we did identify and notify the campaigns that they were trying to hack into them," he said. The Facebook CEO said he was now more confident as his company has set the things right. Since the 2016 election, there have been several important elections around the world where it has had a better record, he said. There was the French presidential election. There was the German election. There was the US Senate Alabama special election last year," Zuckerberg added. He said Facebook has deployed new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that better identify fake accounts, trying to interfere in elections or spread misinformation. "Between those three elections, we were able to proactively remove tens of thousands of accounts before they could do significant harm," he said. "And the nature of these attacks, though, is that there are people in Russia whose job is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems, and other systems, as well. So this is an arms race, right? I mean, they're going to keep on getting better at this, and we need to invest in keeping on getting better at this, too, which is why one of the things I mentioned before is we're going to have more than 20,000 people, by the end of this year, working on security and content review across the company," he said. Zuckerberg said they had developed tools which identify people when they try to create fake accounts. Your content has to be authentic. So we build technical tools to try to identify when people are creating fake accounts, especially large networks of fake accounts, like the Russians have in order to remove all of that content," he said. Zuckerberg said after the US 2016 election, Facebook's top priority was to protect the integrity of other elections around the world. "What we're going to do is to ask a valid government identity and we're going to verify the location. We are going to do that so that someone sitting in Russia, for example, couldn't say that they're in America and, therefore, able to run an election ad," he said.

Facebook committed to ensure integrity of elections in India, other countries: Zuckerberg

Seven police personnel were killed on Sunday trying to put down a riot at a prison in eastern Mexico, authorities said, the latest outburst of deadly violence in the country's jails. 
 
According to media reports, the deceased officers had gone to La Toma prison situated in the mountain town of Amatlan de Los Reyes in Southern&nbspMexico&nbspto restore the law and order in the prison.

It described some of the prisoners as highly dangerous.

The authorities have not yet released any details about any injured prisoners.

Inmates were reported to have broken free from their cells. 
 
The facility is located in the municipality of Amatlan de los Reyes, about 140 kilometers (85 miles) south of the state capital, Xalapa. 
 
Mexico's prisons are frequently hit by riots, killings and jailbreaks. 
 
Criminal gangs often hold de facto control inside, operating with the complicity of corrupt officials. 
 
The office of Mexico's human rights ombudsman acknowledged the problem in its 2017 report on the country's prisons. It also found the country's jails suffer from overcrowding, poor conditions and violence.

t described some of the prisoners as highly dangerous

Seven police personnel were killed on Sunday trying to put down a riot at a prison in eastern Mexico, authorities said, the latest outburst of deadly violence in the country's jails. According to media reports, the deceased officers had gone to La Toma prison situated in the mountain town of Amatlan de Los Reyes in Southern&nbspMexico&nbspto restore the law and order in the prison. It described some of the prisoners as highly dangerous. The authorities have not yet released any details about any injured prisoners. Inmates were reported to have broken free from their cells. The facility is located in the municipality of Amatlan de los Reyes, about 140 kilometers (85 miles) south of the state capital, Xalapa. Mexico's prisons are frequently hit by riots, killings and jailbreaks. Criminal gangs often hold de facto control inside, operating with the complicity of corrupt officials. The office of Mexico's human rights ombudsman acknowledged the problem in its 2017 report on the country's prisons. It also found the country's jails suffer from overcrowding, poor conditions and violence.

Seven police killed in Mexico prison riot

United States President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the building of US-Mexico border would help to stem the flow of illegal drugs, such as heroin and narcotics into the country.

While speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, which has been the primary city exposed to opioid deaths Trump came up with the decision to build the wall to &quot;keep the damn drugs out&quot; and has come up with numerous ways to fight the epidemic.&nbsp;

&quot;Eventually the Democrats will agree with us and we&#39;ll build the wall to keep the damn drugs out,&quot; he said.

The drug overdose rose to 23 per cent in the city in the first two months of 2018, reports said.&nbsp;

At the same time, the outlet reported that overdose deaths were down 27 percent. Trump said 90 percent of illicit drugs come into the United States via the Mexican border.

In a speech on opioid epidemic at New Hampshire, President Trump vowed to be &quot;extremely tough&quot; on rampant drug crime in the country, adding that he would give &#39;death penalty&#39; to the country&#39;s drug dealers.

&quot;If we don&#39;t get tough on drug dealers, we are wasting our time, and that toughness includes the death penalty. We have got to get tough. This isn&#39;t about nice anymore,&quot; he asserted.

He spoke in front of a banner that read, &quot;Opioids: The Crisis Next Door&quot; and was flanked by law enforcement members.

He vowed that his administration would be spending a lot of money on a public awareness campaign to prevent American youth from taking drugs.

&quot;That&#39;s the least expensive thing we can do, where you scare them from ending up like the people in the commercials. And we&#39;ll make them very bad commercials; we&#39;ll make them very unsavoury situations,&quot; added President Trump.

The US President also called for greater access to treatment and praised American pharmaceutical companies that are making &quot;lifesaving overdose-reversing drugs&quot;.

The Trump administration is also calling for a national prescription-drug-monitoring database, where prescriptions can be tracked across the country. Each state has its own system and some share data. The administration also wants to cut opioid prescriptions by one-third nationwide.

&quot;The plan contains some important steps that will increase access to effective, evidence-based treatment, particularly Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid addiction,&quot; Chuck Ingoglia, senior vice president for public policy and practice improvement at the National Council for Behavioral Health, said in a statement.

The opioid epidemic or opioid crisis is the rapid increase in the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in the United States and Canada beginning in the late 1990s and continuing throughout the first two decades of the 2000s.&nbsp;

Opioids are a diverse class of moderately strong painkillers, including oxycodone (commonly sold under the trade names OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and a very strong painkiller, fentanyl, which is synthesized to resemble other opiates such as opium-derived morphine and heroin.

(With inputs from ANI)

In a speech on opioid epidemic at New Hampshire, President Trump vowed to be 'extremely tough' on rampant drug crime in the country, adding that he would give 'death penalty' to the country's drug dealers

United States President Donald Trump on Monday reiterated that the building of US-Mexico border would help to stem the flow of illegal drugs, such as heroin and narcotics into the country. While speaking in Manchester, New Hampshire, which has been the primary city exposed to opioid deaths Trump came up with the decision to build the wall to "keep the damn drugs out" and has come up with numerous ways to fight the epidemic. "Eventually the Democrats will agree with us and we'll build the wall to keep the damn drugs out," he said. The drug overdose rose to 23 per cent in the city in the first two months of 2018, reports said. At the same time, the outlet reported that overdose deaths were down 27 percent. Trump said 90 percent of illicit drugs come into the United States via the Mexican border. In a speech on opioid epidemic at New Hampshire, President Trump vowed to be "extremely tough" on rampant drug crime in the country, adding that he would give 'death penalty' to the country's drug dealers. "If we don't get tough on drug dealers, we are wasting our time, and that toughness includes the death penalty. We have got to get tough. This isn't about nice anymore," he asserted. He spoke in front of a banner that read, "Opioids: The Crisis Next Door" and was flanked by law enforcement members. He vowed that his administration would be spending a lot of money on a public awareness campaign to prevent American youth from taking drugs. "That's the least expensive thing we can do, where you scare them from ending up like the people in the commercials. And we'll make them very bad commercials; we'll make them very unsavoury situations," added President Trump. The US President also called for greater access to treatment and praised American pharmaceutical companies that are making "lifesaving overdose-reversing drugs". The Trump administration is also calling for a national prescription-drug-monitoring database, where prescriptions can be tracked across the country. Each state has its own system and some share data. The administration also wants to cut opioid prescriptions by one-third nationwide. "The plan contains some important steps that will increase access to effective, evidence-based treatment, particularly Medication-Assisted Treatment for opioid addiction," Chuck Ingoglia, senior vice president for public policy and practice improvement at the National Council for Behavioral Health, said in a statement. The opioid epidemic or opioid crisis is the rapid increase in the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in the United States and Canada beginning in the late 1990s and continuing throughout the first two decades of the 2000s. Opioids are a diverse class of moderately strong painkillers, including oxycodone (commonly sold under the trade names OxyContin and Percocet), hydrocodone (Vicodin), and a very strong painkiller, fentanyl, which is synthesized to resemble other opiates such as opium-derived morphine and heroin. (With inputs from ANI)

Building US-Mexico border to 'keep the damn drugs out': Trump

Google announced on Tuesday it plans to launch a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots across Mexico. The move comes as part of Google&#39;s effort to improve connectivity in emerging markets and to promote its products.

Google Station, a network of Wi-Fi hotspots in high-traffic locations, will be launched in Mexico. Nearly 56 hotspots will be planted and others planned. Google&rsquo;s initial batch of Wi-Fi zones is scattered across the country

Mexico becomes the third market for Google Station&rsquo;s after India and Indonesia.

Google sees Mexico as a good entry point for the product in Latin America.

According to reports, Mexico saw a rise in the number of people accessing internet by 20 million in the year 2016 as compared to 2013.

&ldquo;We are finding that public Wi-Fi remains still a very important way to get online,&rdquo; Anjali Joshi, vice president for product management at Google noted.

In India, Google Station was launched in 2016 and counts roughly 8 million users a month.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

Google sees Mexico as a good entry point for the product in Latin America

Google announced on Tuesday it plans to launch a network of free Wi-Fi hotspots across Mexico. The move comes as part of Google's effort to improve connectivity in emerging markets and to promote its products. Google Station, a network of Wi-Fi hotspots in high-traffic locations, will be launched in Mexico. Nearly 56 hotspots will be planted and others planned. Google’s initial batch of Wi-Fi zones is scattered across the country Mexico becomes the third market for Google Station’s after India and Indonesia. Google sees Mexico as a good entry point for the product in Latin America. According to reports, Mexico saw a rise in the number of people accessing internet by 20 million in the year 2016 as compared to 2013. “We are finding that public Wi-Fi remains still a very important way to get online,” Anjali Joshi, vice president for product management at Google noted. In India, Google Station was launched in 2016 and counts roughly 8 million users a month. (With inputs from Reuters)

Mexico gets free WiFi, thanks to Google 

US President Donald Trump slapped steep trade tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum Thursday, drawing sharp protests from allies at home and abroad as the contentious move raised the specter of a global trade war.&nbsp;

Signaling a sharp departure from a decades-long US-led drive for more open and less regulated trade, Trump declared that America had been &quot;ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s really an assault on our country,&quot; he said, in announcing the tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminum.

Trump said the tariffs -- which will come into effect after 15 days -- will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, and that close partners on security and trade could negotiate exemptions.

&quot;Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and on the military are our allies, as they call them,&quot; he complained.

The tariffs, worth billions of dollars, sparked immediate protests from top trading partners the European Union and Brazil, with retaliatory action expected from China and other economic powers.

Leaning on a little-used and decades old national security clause in US trade law, Trump said he was fulfilling a campaign promise.

&quot;I&#39;ve been talking about this a long time, a lot longer than my political career,&quot; he said. &quot;We&#39;ve been treated very badly by our past administrations, by presidents that represented us that didn&#39;t know what they were doing.&quot;

The mercurial 45th president compared his action to those of predecessors George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley.

Real friends

Canada, America&#39;s neighbor to the north, was its single-largest source of steel last year, followed by Brazil, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Japan and Germany.

Regarding alumina and aluminum, Canada was also by far the largest supplier followed by China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward &quot;real friends,&quot; and during the signing confirmed Canada and Mexico would be permanently exempted if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful.

The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely carve-outs, as a &quot;great country&quot; and &quot;long term partner.&quot;

But he singled out Germany for criticism, reviving a longstanding gripe that European NATO allies do not pay their fair share.

&quot;We have some friends and some enemies where we have been tremendously taken advantage of over the years on trade and on military,&quot; he said.

The EU&#39;s top trade official Cecilia Malmstroem insisted the entire bloc &quot;should be excluded&quot; from the tariffs as a &quot;close ally,&quot; vowing to &quot;seek more clarity&quot; from Washington.&nbsp;

Britain meanwhile said it would &quot;work with EU partners to consider the scope for exemptions outlined today,&quot; saying &quot;tariffs are not the right way&quot; to tackle the problem of global over-capacity in steel.

Major producer Brazil immediately vowed to take &quot;all necessary steps&quot; in order to &quot;protect its rights and interests&quot; in response to the US move.

China had also warned it was ready to respond -- although Trump struck a more conciliatory tone in his announcement, pointing to negotiations under way to trim Washington&#39;s soaring bilateral trade deficit with Beijing.

Partners promise backlash&nbsp;

Last week Trump stunned the world -- and his own aides -- with an off-the-cuff announcement of his plan, even before White House lawyers judged the legality of the tariffs.&nbsp;

The metals are used in everything from cars to construction, roads to railways.&nbsp;

While the full economic impact remains unknown, the political fallout was swift with the top Republican in Congress Paul Ryan publicly denouncing Trump&#39;s move, and vowing to push him to narrow its focus to &quot;countries and practices that violate trade law.&quot;

More than 100 Republican lawmakers had written to Trump expressing &quot;deep concern&quot; about the policy, which threatens to sour already vinegared trans-Atlantic relations.

The European Union has promised tariffs on items from steel to peanut butter, bourbon and denim -- most of which are produced in states that Trump needs to win reelection.

Even as Trump approved the tariffs, 11 partners in the Asia-Pacific were in Santiago, Chile, to sign a multilateral trade deal embraced by president Barack Obama but rejected by Trump.&nbsp;

The White House was left scrambling to catch up following Trump&#39;s shock move last week, as top economic advisor Gary Cohn -- who opposed it -- quit in protest.

&quot;He may be globalist, but I still like him,&quot; Trump joked earlier Thursday, alluding to an ideological clash within his administration that the &quot;nationalists&quot; appear to have decisively won.

Signaling a sharp departure from a decades-long US-led drive for more open and less regulated trade, Trump declared that America had been 'ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices'

US President Donald Trump slapped steep trade tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum Thursday, drawing sharp protests from allies at home and abroad as the contentious move raised the specter of a global trade war. Signaling a sharp departure from a decades-long US-led drive for more open and less regulated trade, Trump declared that America had been "ravaged by aggressive foreign trade practices." "It's really an assault on our country," he said, in announcing the tariffs of 25 per cent on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminum. Trump said the tariffs -- which will come into effect after 15 days -- will not initially apply to Canada and Mexico, and that close partners on security and trade could negotiate exemptions. "Many of the countries that treat us the worst on trade and on the military are our allies, as they call them," he complained. The tariffs, worth billions of dollars, sparked immediate protests from top trading partners the European Union and Brazil, with retaliatory action expected from China and other economic powers. Leaning on a little-used and decades old national security clause in US trade law, Trump said he was fulfilling a campaign promise. "I've been talking about this a long time, a lot longer than my political career," he said. "We've been treated very badly by our past administrations, by presidents that represented us that didn't know what they were doing." The mercurial 45th president compared his action to those of predecessors George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William McKinley. Real friends Canada, America's neighbor to the north, was its single-largest source of steel last year, followed by Brazil, South Korea, Russia, Mexico, Japan and Germany. Regarding alumina and aluminum, Canada was also by far the largest supplier followed by China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Trump had indicated he would be flexible toward "real friends," and during the signing confirmed Canada and Mexico would be permanently exempted if the ongoing renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement is successful. The US leader had also added Australia to a list of likely carve-outs, as a "great country" and "long term partner." But he singled out Germany for criticism, reviving a longstanding gripe that European NATO allies do not pay their fair share. "We have some friends and some enemies where we have been tremendously taken advantage of over the years on trade and on military," he said. The EU's top trade official Cecilia Malmstroem insisted the entire bloc "should be excluded" from the tariffs as a "close ally," vowing to "seek more clarity" from Washington. Britain meanwhile said it would "work with EU partners to consider the scope for exemptions outlined today," saying "tariffs are not the right way" to tackle the problem of global over-capacity in steel. Major producer Brazil immediately vowed to take "all necessary steps" in order to "protect its rights and interests" in response to the US move. China had also warned it was ready to respond -- although Trump struck a more conciliatory tone in his announcement, pointing to negotiations under way to trim Washington's soaring bilateral trade deficit with Beijing. Partners promise backlash Last week Trump stunned the world -- and his own aides -- with an off-the-cuff announcement of his plan, even before White House lawyers judged the legality of the tariffs. The metals are used in everything from cars to construction, roads to railways. While the full economic impact remains unknown, the political fallout was swift with the top Republican in Congress Paul Ryan publicly denouncing Trump's move, and vowing to push him to narrow its focus to "countries and practices that violate trade law." More than 100 Republican lawmakers had written to Trump expressing "deep concern" about the policy, which threatens to sour already vinegared trans-Atlantic relations. The European Union has promised tariffs on items from steel to peanut butter, bourbon and denim -- most of which are produced in states that Trump needs to win reelection. Even as Trump approved the tariffs, 11 partners in the Asia-Pacific were in Santiago, Chile, to sign a multilateral trade deal embraced by president Barack Obama but rejected by Trump. The White House was left scrambling to catch up following Trump's shock move last week, as top economic advisor Gary Cohn -- who opposed it -- quit in protest. "He may be globalist, but I still like him," Trump joked earlier Thursday, alluding to an ideological clash within his administration that the "nationalists" appear to have decisively won.

Trump signs sweeping tariffs; Canada, Mexico exempted

Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador leads by 13.6 percentage points in the run-up to Mexico&#39;s July 1 presidential election and has an even bigger advantage over the ruling party candidate, a voter survey by polling firm Ipsos showed on Thursday.

The opinion poll seen by Reuters showed two-time runner-up Lopez Obrador, a former mayor of Mexico City, garnering 36.3 per cent support in the election.

Running second on 22.7 per cent was Ricardo Anaya, a onetime leader of the centre-right National Action Party (PAN), who fronts the challenge of a right-left coalition.

Back in third, on 15.1 per cent, was former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, the candidate of president Enrique Pena Nieto&#39;s Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI.

The Ipsos survey is the latest of several opinion polls to show Lopez Obrador in a strong position ahead of the start of formal campaigning on March 30. He finished second in 2006 and 2012.

The 64-year-old founder of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party has capitalized on disaffection with the PRI over a slew of political corruption scandals, increasing gang violence and sluggish economic growth.

Meade, who is not formally affiliated to any party, has so far struggled to gain traction in a race being run in the shadow of strained relations between his government and US President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Mexico.

The poll was the first conducted by Ipsos since the three main contenders were formally chosen as candidates last month.

It had a margin of error of 2.53 percentage points and consisted of 1,500 face-to-face interviews carried out nationwide between February 24 and March 3, Ipsos said.

The poll also suggested that many voters may still be up for grabs, with more than 32 per cent of the respondents surveyed either rejecting all contenders or giving no answer.

In addition, independent hopeful and former first lady Margarita Zavala had around 2.8 per cent support, with two other independents polling a combined 1.5 per cent between them.

Trump has riled Mexicans by insisting the country will pay for a border wall he wants built to keep out illegal immigrants, and by threatening to dump the North American Free Trade Agreement, a cornerstone of Mexico&#39;s business model.

A separate survey by polling firm Parametria published on Wednesday showed Lopez Obrador widening his lead over Anaya to 14 points, with Meade also losing ground.

The poll was the first conducted by Ipsos

Leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador leads by 13.6 percentage points in the run-up to Mexico's July 1 presidential election and has an even bigger advantage over the ruling party candidate, a voter survey by polling firm Ipsos showed on Thursday. The opinion poll seen by Reuters showed two-time runner-up Lopez Obrador, a former mayor of Mexico City, garnering 36.3 per cent support in the election. Running second on 22.7 per cent was Ricardo Anaya, a onetime leader of the centre-right National Action Party (PAN), who fronts the challenge of a right-left coalition. Back in third, on 15.1 per cent, was former finance minister Jose Antonio Meade, the candidate of president Enrique Pena Nieto's Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI. The Ipsos survey is the latest of several opinion polls to show Lopez Obrador in a strong position ahead of the start of formal campaigning on March 30. He finished second in 2006 and 2012. The 64-year-old founder of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) party has capitalized on disaffection with the PRI over a slew of political corruption scandals, increasing gang violence and sluggish economic growth. Meade, who is not formally affiliated to any party, has so far struggled to gain traction in a race being run in the shadow of strained relations between his government and US President Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized Mexico. The poll was the first conducted by Ipsos since the three main contenders were formally chosen as candidates last month. It had a margin of error of 2.53 percentage points and consisted of 1,500 face-to-face interviews carried out nationwide between February 24 and March 3, Ipsos said. The poll also suggested that many voters may still be up for grabs, with more than 32 per cent of the respondents surveyed either rejecting all contenders or giving no answer. In addition, independent hopeful and former first lady Margarita Zavala had around 2.8 per cent support, with two other independents polling a combined 1.5 per cent between them. Trump has riled Mexicans by insisting the country will pay for a border wall he wants built to keep out illegal immigrants, and by threatening to dump the North American Free Trade Agreement, a cornerstone of Mexico's business model. A separate survey by polling firm Parametria published on Wednesday showed Lopez Obrador widening his lead over Anaya to 14 points, with Meade also losing ground.

Mexican leftist leads by 13.6 point in presidency race - opinion poll

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson seized his first title in nearly five years on Sunday as he edged Justin Thomas in a playoff to win the WGC Mexico Championship.

Mickelson, who hadn&#39;t won since his victory at the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013, parred the first playoff hole, the par-three 17th at Club de Golf Chapultepec, where Thomas missed the green and was unable to get up and down for par.

&quot;It&#39;s been a tough go the last four years, not playing my best,&quot; Mickelson said. &quot;But to have the belief that I was going to get there and finally break through and do it feels incredible.

&quot;I feel that more is to come,&quot; added the 47-year-old. &quot;I`m starting play some of my best golf.&quot;

The 24-year-old Thomas, one of the hottest young stars in golf and the reigning US PGA Tour Player of the Year, was coming off a victory at the Honda Classic last week.

He made six birdies and holed out from the fairway for an eagle at the 18th for a closing seven-under 64 that put him atop the leaderboard on 16-under 268.

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Your <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WGCMexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WGCMexico</a> champ speaks to the media <a href="https://t.co/mQJQ8zf6un">https://t.co/mQJQ8zf6un</a>
&mdash; Mexico Championship (@WGCMexico) <a href="https://twitter.com/WGCMexico/status/970449184120811520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;PHIL PHIL PHIL!&quot; 
 
Phil Mickelson claims his first ???? in almost five years! Congrats on the <a href="https://twitter.com/WGCMexico?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WGCMexico</a> victory. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QuickHits?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QuickHits</a> <a href="https://t.co/Np8p59IqPc">pic.twitter.com/Np8p59IqPc</a>
&mdash; PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) <a href="https://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/970439036186722306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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With Thomas in the clubhouse with a two-stroke lead, Mickelson birdied 15 and 16 to reach 16-under and parred the last two holes to cap a 66 and force the decider.

England&#39;s Tyrrell Hatton was 16-under through 17 holes but bogeyed the last to miss the playoff.

His 67 left him tied for third on 269 with Spain`s Rafa Cabrera Bello (67).

Mickelson, whose drought stretched over 101 worldwide starts, had sounded a confident note when he finished the third round two shots off the 54-hole lead of India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma.

He opened with back-to-back birdies, and after a three-putt bogey at the third birdied the fourth and sixth, adding another birdie at the 10th to hold sole possession of the lead on 15-under.

He gave a stroke back at the 11th, however, where his second shot ended up in the undergrowth between ivy-covered trees.When Thomas produced his finishing eagle it looked like, once again, Mickelson would miss out on a trip to the winner`s circle.

But a birdie at the par-five 15th and a birdie at 16 -- where he rolled in a 19-foot putt -- kept his chances alive.

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WOW. 
 
Phil Mickelson gets his first win in 5 years. Here&#39;s your 2018 Mexico Championship winner ???????? <a href="https://t.co/XLNP2cS3iO">pic.twitter.com/XLNP2cS3iO</a>
&mdash; Mexico Championship (@WGCMexico) <a href="https://twitter.com/WGCMexico/status/970441085314125824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;It just validates the hard work I&#39;ve put in and the struggle for the last few years to finally get my game back,&quot; Mickelson said.

He admitted he was nervous teeing off in the last group -- but said he welcomed the butterflies.

&quot;The thing about it is, I love the challenge,&quot; Mickelson said. &quot;To have something like this today makes it all worthwhile.&quot;

Although he won last week, Thomas got off to a rocky start at Chapultepec and was even through two rounds.

He roared up the leaderboard with a course-record 62 on Saturday.

&quot;If you would have told me I would have been in a playoff after two rounds, I would have told you were lying,&quot; said Thomas, whose five wins last season included his first major title at the PGA Championship.

&quot;But I played unbelievable golf these last two days. I&#39;m probably more proud of myself than I&#39;ve ever been. It takes a lot of patience and calmness to stay in it as much as I did.&quot;

Mickelson was also impressed with Thomas&#39;s weekend.

&quot;If you look at what Justin Thomas did this weekend, shooting 16-under on this golf course over two days -- just incredible,&quot; Mickelson said.

&quot;I know and respect and admire how great these young players are, and yet I welcome and cherish the opportunity to compete against them.&quot;

The unexpected youngster who dominated the headlines on Friday and Saturday, Sharma, just couldn&#39;t maintain his momentum on Sunday.

The 21-year-old who had shot to 75th in the world with two European Tour wins this season was trying to win in his first World Golf Championships start.

But he closed with a three-over 74 that included five bogeys and just two birdies and left him tied for ninth, six shots adrift. 
 
 
&nbsp;

India's Shubhankar Sharma, who had shot to 75th in the world with two European Tour wins this season is the runner-up

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson seized his first title in nearly five years on Sunday as he edged Justin Thomas in a playoff to win the WGC Mexico Championship. Mickelson, who hadn't won since his victory at the Open Championship at Muirfield in 2013, parred the first playoff hole, the par-three 17th at Club de Golf Chapultepec, where Thomas missed the green and was unable to get up and down for par. "It's been a tough go the last four years, not playing my best," Mickelson said. "But to have the belief that I was going to get there and finally break through and do it feels incredible. "I feel that more is to come," added the 47-year-old. "I`m starting play some of my best golf." The 24-year-old Thomas, one of the hottest young stars in golf and the reigning US PGA Tour Player of the Year, was coming off a victory at the Honda Classic last week. He made six birdies and holed out from the fairway for an eagle at the 18th for a closing seven-under 64 that put him atop the leaderboard on 16-under 268. Your #WGCMexico champ speaks to the media https://t.co/mQJQ8zf6un — Mexico Championship (@WGCMexico) March 5, 2018 × "PHIL PHIL PHIL!" Phil Mickelson claims his first ???? in almost five years! Congrats on the @WGCMexico victory. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/Np8p59IqPc — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 4, 2018 × With Thomas in the clubhouse with a two-stroke lead, Mickelson birdied 15 and 16 to reach 16-under and parred the last two holes to cap a 66 and force the decider. England's Tyrrell Hatton was 16-under through 17 holes but bogeyed the last to miss the playoff. His 67 left him tied for third on 269 with Spain`s Rafa Cabrera Bello (67). Mickelson, whose drought stretched over 101 worldwide starts, had sounded a confident note when he finished the third round two shots off the 54-hole lead of India's Shubhankar Sharma. He opened with back-to-back birdies, and after a three-putt bogey at the third birdied the fourth and sixth, adding another birdie at the 10th to hold sole possession of the lead on 15-under. He gave a stroke back at the 11th, however, where his second shot ended up in the undergrowth between ivy-covered trees.When Thomas produced his finishing eagle it looked like, once again, Mickelson would miss out on a trip to the winner`s circle. But a birdie at the par-five 15th and a birdie at 16 -- where he rolled in a 19-foot putt -- kept his chances alive. WOW. Phil Mickelson gets his first win in 5 years. Here's your 2018 Mexico Championship winner ???????? pic.twitter.com/XLNP2cS3iO — Mexico Championship (@WGCMexico) March 4, 2018 × "It just validates the hard work I've put in and the struggle for the last few years to finally get my game back," Mickelson said. He admitted he was nervous teeing off in the last group -- but said he welcomed the butterflies. "The thing about it is, I love the challenge," Mickelson said. "To have something like this today makes it all worthwhile." Although he won last week, Thomas got off to a rocky start at Chapultepec and was even through two rounds. He roared up the leaderboard with a course-record 62 on Saturday. "If you would have told me I would have been in a playoff after two rounds, I would have told you were lying," said Thomas, whose five wins last season included his first major title at the PGA Championship. "But I played unbelievable golf these last two days. I'm probably more proud of myself than I've ever been. It takes a lot of patience and calmness to stay in it as much as I did." Mickelson was also impressed with Thomas's weekend. "If you look at what Justin Thomas did this weekend, shooting 16-under on this golf course over two days -- just incredible," Mickelson said. "I know and respect and admire how great these young players are, and yet I welcome and cherish the opportunity to compete against them." The unexpected youngster who dominated the headlines on Friday and Saturday, Sharma, just couldn't maintain his momentum on Sunday. The 21-year-old who had shot to 75th in the world with two European Tour wins this season was trying to win in his first World Golf Championships start. But he closed with a three-over 74 that included five bogeys and just two birdies and left him tied for ninth, six shots adrift.

Golf: Phil Mickelson wins WGC Mexico

India&#39;s Shubhankar Sharma survived some shaky moments to maintain his two-shot lead at the WGC Mexico Championship after the third round on Saturday.

Sharma, the 21-year-old Asian Tour Order of Merit leader whose European Tour wins this season at Johannesburg and the Maybank Championship have propelled him to number 75 in the world, is making his first start in an elite World Golf Championships event.

He&#39;s vying to break into the top 50 in time to earn a Masters berth. With a win on Sunday he would become the youngest player to win a WGC event, eclipsing the mark of Patrick Reed who won the 2014 WGC Mexico Championship at 23 years old.

&quot;I don&#39;t really want to think about it,&quot; Sharma said. &quot;That would put too much pressure on me. I just want to go ahead and enjoy myself.

&quot;Tomorrow will be a lot of fun with a lot of good players in the mix.&quot;

Sharma hit 11 of 14 fairways &ndash; his highest total of the week &ndash; and 10 of 18 greens in regulation during his third round.

He had five birdies and three bogeys in his two-under par 69 at Club de Golf Chapultepec near Mexico City, where his 13-under par total of 200 put him two clear of five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton and Rafa Cabrera Bello.

World number one and defending champion Dustin Johnson headed a group on 203 that also included 2017 US PGA Tour rookie of the year Xander Schauffele, Pat Perez and Brian Harman.

Mickelson poised to strike

Sharma, leading by two to start the day, made a quick start with three birdies in his first six holes. He bounced back from a bogey at the eighth with a birdie at 11, but surrendered a shot at 13.

He rolled in a 16-foot birdie putt at 14 to reclaim sole possession of the lead, and he was two clear even after his bogey at 16.

He closed with a tremendous par save at the last, calmly rolling in a 15-foot putt to maintain his cushion as he tries to become the first player since Jim Benepe at the 1988 Western Open to win a first US PGA Tour title in his tour debut.

&quot;I got off to a great start,&quot; Sharma said. &quot;Made a few mistakes coming in, but I&#39;ve done a fairly good job of the distances and the yardages.&quot;

Sharma will tee off on Sunday alongside Hatton and Mickelson. Hatton carded a 64 to join the group sharing second while the 43-year-old Mickelson posted a bogey-free 65.

Mickelson, chasing his first title wince the 2013 British Open, arrived in Mexico buoyed by three straight top-10 finishes.

&quot;It&#39;s been a long time since my game&#39;s been back to this point,&quot; he said. &quot;I&#39;m back playing some of my best golf again.&quot;

Mickelson said he wouldn&#39;t get too concerned about whether that translates to a victory on Sunday.

&quot;If it doesn&#39;t, it&#39;s going to happen soon because I&#39;m playing too well for it not to,&quot; he said.

&nbsp;

Sharma, the 21-year-old Asian Tour Order of Merit leader is making his first start in an elite World Golf Championships event

India's Shubhankar Sharma survived some shaky moments to maintain his two-shot lead at the WGC Mexico Championship after the third round on Saturday. Sharma, the 21-year-old Asian Tour Order of Merit leader whose European Tour wins this season at Johannesburg and the Maybank Championship have propelled him to number 75 in the world, is making his first start in an elite World Golf Championships event. He's vying to break into the top 50 in time to earn a Masters berth. With a win on Sunday he would become the youngest player to win a WGC event, eclipsing the mark of Patrick Reed who won the 2014 WGC Mexico Championship at 23 years old. "I don't really want to think about it," Sharma said. "That would put too much pressure on me. I just want to go ahead and enjoy myself. "Tomorrow will be a lot of fun with a lot of good players in the mix." Sharma hit 11 of 14 fairways – his highest total of the week – and 10 of 18 greens in regulation during his third round. He had five birdies and three bogeys in his two-under par 69 at Club de Golf Chapultepec near Mexico City, where his 13-under par total of 200 put him two clear of five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, reigning Masters champion Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton and Rafa Cabrera Bello. World number one and defending champion Dustin Johnson headed a group on 203 that also included 2017 US PGA Tour rookie of the year Xander Schauffele, Pat Perez and Brian Harman. Mickelson poised to strike Sharma, leading by two to start the day, made a quick start with three birdies in his first six holes. He bounced back from a bogey at the eighth with a birdie at 11, but surrendered a shot at 13. He rolled in a 16-foot birdie putt at 14 to reclaim sole possession of the lead, and he was two clear even after his bogey at 16. He closed with a tremendous par save at the last, calmly rolling in a 15-foot putt to maintain his cushion as he tries to become the first player since Jim Benepe at the 1988 Western Open to win a first US PGA Tour title in his tour debut. "I got off to a great start," Sharma said. "Made a few mistakes coming in, but I've done a fairly good job of the distances and the yardages." Sharma will tee off on Sunday alongside Hatton and Mickelson. Hatton carded a 64 to join the group sharing second while the 43-year-old Mickelson posted a bogey-free 65. Mickelson, chasing his first title wince the 2013 British Open, arrived in Mexico buoyed by three straight top-10 finishes. "It's been a long time since my game's been back to this point," he said. "I'm back playing some of my best golf again." Mickelson said he wouldn't get too concerned about whether that translates to a victory on Sunday. "If it doesn't, it's going to happen soon because I'm playing too well for it not to," he said.

Golf: Shubhankar Sharma maintains WGC Mexico lead

At least 13 people on the ground, including three children, were killed when a Mexican military helicopter carrying top officials surveying damages from an earthquake crashed in a small town in the southern state of Oaxaca, authorities said on Saturday.

The helicopter, which was carrying Mexico&#39;s interior minister and the state governor, crashed on top of two vans in an open field while trying to land in Santiago Jamiltepec after a tour of damage from a powerful earthquake on Friday, officials said.

The senior officials survived but 12 people at the scene were killed and another died later in a hospital, Oaxaca&#39;s attorney general&#39;s office said in a statement. Fifteen more people were injured.

The 7.2 magnitude quake left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in Mexico City and the south and damaged at least 50 homes in Oaxaca.

The state, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September and killed at least 471 people.

The 7.2 magnitude quake left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in Mexico City and the south and damaged at least 50 homes in Oaxaca.

At least 13 people on the ground, including three children, were killed when a Mexican military helicopter carrying top officials surveying damages from an earthquake crashed in a small town in the southern state of Oaxaca, authorities said on Saturday. The helicopter, which was carrying Mexico's interior minister and the state governor, crashed on top of two vans in an open field while trying to land in Santiago Jamiltepec after a tour of damage from a powerful earthquake on Friday, officials said. The senior officials survived but 12 people at the scene were killed and another died later in a hospital, Oaxaca's attorney general's office said in a statement. Fifteen more people were injured. The 7.2 magnitude quake left nearly a million homes and businesses without power in Mexico City and the south and damaged at least 50 homes in Oaxaca. The state, along with Mexico City, is still reeling from earthquakes that caused widespread damage in September and killed at least 471 people.

Mexico: 13 killed after helicopter crashes on two vans

A US federal judge on Thursday set a September 5 trial date for Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as &quot;El Chapo&quot; who is jailed in the United States on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges.

US prosecutors have accused Guzman, 60, of running a global cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine smuggling operation as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and playing a central role in a decade-long Mexican drug war where more than 100,000 people have died.

Guzman&#39;s lawyer, Eduardo Balarezo, said that Guzman wanted to address the court directly, in order to tell his family to pay his legal fees. Guzman said he did, and also began to say that he wanted to talk about his health and jail conditions, before US District Judge Brian Cogan told him he would consider allowing him to speak at a future hearing.

Lawyers for Guzman have said in court papers that his health has deteriorated during his months in solitary confinement. Balarezo told reporters outside the courthouse following the hearing that he had been paid part of his fee by some &quot;friends&quot; of Guzman, but that Guzman had so far been unable to instruct his family about further payments.

Mexican authorities captured Guzman and an associate in January 2016 by pulling over a Ford Focus they had stolen, after Guzman had fled through tunnels and drains from a raid on a safe house in northwest Mexico. Six months earlier, Guzman had escaped through a tunnel from a high-security Mexican prison. Guzman was extradited to the United States in January 2017.

A US federal judge on Thursday set a September 5 trial date for Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as 'El Chapo' who is jailed in the United States on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges

A US federal judge on Thursday set a September 5 trial date for Joaquin Guzman, the Mexican drug lord known as "El Chapo" who is jailed in the United States on drug trafficking and conspiracy charges. US prosecutors have accused Guzman, 60, of running a global cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine smuggling operation as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, and playing a central role in a decade-long Mexican drug war where more than 100,000 people have died. Guzman's lawyer, Eduardo Balarezo, said that Guzman wanted to address the court directly, in order to tell his family to pay his legal fees. Guzman said he did, and also began to say that he wanted to talk about his health and jail conditions, before US District Judge Brian Cogan told him he would consider allowing him to speak at a future hearing. Lawyers for Guzman have said in court papers that his health has deteriorated during his months in solitary confinement. Balarezo told reporters outside the courthouse following the hearing that he had been paid part of his fee by some "friends" of Guzman, but that Guzman had so far been unable to instruct his family about further payments. Mexican authorities captured Guzman and an associate in January 2016 by pulling over a Ford Focus they had stolen, after Guzman had fled through tunnels and drains from a raid on a safe house in northwest Mexico. Six months earlier, Guzman had escaped through a tunnel from a high-security Mexican prison. Guzman was extradited to the United States in January 2017.

Mexican drug lord 'El Chapo' to face US trial in September

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