Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to meet its leaders and underscore US&nbsp;commitment to the country four months after President Donald Trump agreed to an open-ended war against insurgents here.

Pence arrived on a military plane at Bagram Airfield under the cover of darkness on Thursday night after leaving Washington on Wednesday night. He then flew by helicopter to Kabul, where he met President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the presidential palace.

Pence told the leaders he hoped his presence there was tangible evidence that the United States was &quot;here to see this through.&quot;

In a reversal of his campaign call for a swift withdrawal of US&nbsp;forces from Afghanistan, Trump in August pledged a stepped-up military campaign against Taliban insurgents and signalled the United States would send more troops to fight in what is the longest war in its history.

At the end of August, there were some 11,000 US&nbsp;troops in Afghanistan and more have since arrived.

Ghani expressed gratitude to the US government and said Afghanistan&#39;s partnership with the United States was cemented in sacrifice.

Pence told reporters the strategy of increased troops on the ground and greater authorities for military leaders was paying dividends.

&quot;The results are really beginning to become evident around the country,&quot; he said, adding that Ghani and Abdullah had said, &quot;they&#39;ve begun to see a sea change in the attitudes among the Taliban.&quot; Pence said their hope was that &quot;eventually the enemy will tire of losing&quot; and be willing to talk peace.

Asked if more troops would be needed, Pence said that would be a decision for Trump in the days ahead.

Pence said he pressed the Afghan leaders for political reforms and Ghani assured him that an election commission was developing a framework for parliamentary elections in 2018.

Pence had originally planned to travel to Israel and Egypt this week, but he postponed that trip to remain in Washington while Congress passed legislation to overhaul US&nbsp;tax law.

The short visit to Afghanistan, originally part of the Middle East trip, was shrouded in secrecy for security reasons. Reporters travelling with the vice president were asked not to reveal his whereabouts until after the delegation arrived back at the air base from Kabul and Pence had addressed US&nbsp;troops.

Pence almost did not make it to the presidential palace. The helicopters he and others were flying in came close to turning back to Bagram because of poor visibility, but the pilots were able to find a route in the end, a White House official said.

Pence, who coordinated the process that resulted in Trump&#39;s new Afghanistan policy, has been one of the main interlocutors between the White House and the Afghan leadership since Trump entered office in January.

He repeated his promise of US&nbsp;commitment to the region during remarks to troops at Bagram.

&quot;Under President Donald Trump, the armed forces of the United States will remain engaged in Afghanistan until we eliminate the terrorist threat to our homeland, our people once and for all,&quot; Pence said.

Trump&#39;s views of the 16-year-long Afghan conflict have shifted since he came to power.

As a presidential candidate, he called for a swift withdrawal of US&nbsp;forces, which were bogged down through the presidencies of Republican George W&nbsp;Bush and Democrat Barack Obama after a US-led coalition overthrew the Islamist Taliban government for harboring al Qaeda militants who plotted the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

But Trump, while acknowledging the decision went against his instincts, argued in August that a hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for Islamic State and al Qaeda to fill.

He declined to set a timeline for withdrawal or outline benchmarks for the new strategy&#39;s success.

Echoing Trump&#39;s comments when he unveiled the new strategy, Pence had sharp words for neighbouring Pakistan, which he said had provided safe haven to the Taliban and other groups for too long.

&quot;Those days are over,&quot; Pence said. Pakistan had much to gain from partnering with the United States, and much to lose by harbouring &quot;criminals and terrorists,&quot; he said at Bagram.

US&nbsp;troops are involved in training Afghan security forces and carrying out counter-terrorism operations, hoping to reverse gains by the Taliban and prod it to negotiate for peace.

Some 2,400 US&nbsp;forces have died in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion.

Mike Pence told the leaders he hoped his presence there was tangible evidence that the United States was 'here to see this through'

Vice President Mike Pence made an unannounced trip to Afghanistan to meet its leaders and underscore US commitment to the country four months after President Donald Trump agreed to an open-ended war against insurgents here. Pence arrived on a military plane at Bagram Airfield under the cover of darkness on Thursday night after leaving Washington on Wednesday night. He then flew by helicopter to Kabul, where he met President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah at the presidential palace. Pence told the leaders he hoped his presence there was tangible evidence that the United States was "here to see this through." In a reversal of his campaign call for a swift withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, Trump in August pledged a stepped-up military campaign against Taliban insurgents and signalled the United States would send more troops to fight in what is the longest war in its history. At the end of August, there were some 11,000 US troops in Afghanistan and more have since arrived. Ghani expressed gratitude to the US government and said Afghanistan's partnership with the United States was cemented in sacrifice. Pence told reporters the strategy of increased troops on the ground and greater authorities for military leaders was paying dividends. "The results are really beginning to become evident around the country," he said, adding that Ghani and Abdullah had said, "they've begun to see a sea change in the attitudes among the Taliban." Pence said their hope was that "eventually the enemy will tire of losing" and be willing to talk peace. Asked if more troops would be needed, Pence said that would be a decision for Trump in the days ahead. Pence said he pressed the Afghan leaders for political reforms and Ghani assured him that an election commission was developing a framework for parliamentary elections in 2018. Pence had originally planned to travel to Israel and Egypt this week, but he postponed that trip to remain in Washington while Congress passed legislation to overhaul US tax law. The short visit to Afghanistan, originally part of the Middle East trip, was shrouded in secrecy for security reasons. Reporters travelling with the vice president were asked not to reveal his whereabouts until after the delegation arrived back at the air base from Kabul and Pence had addressed US troops. Pence almost did not make it to the presidential palace. The helicopters he and others were flying in came close to turning back to Bagram because of poor visibility, but the pilots were able to find a route in the end, a White House official said. Pence, who coordinated the process that resulted in Trump's new Afghanistan policy, has been one of the main interlocutors between the White House and the Afghan leadership since Trump entered office in January. He repeated his promise of US commitment to the region during remarks to troops at Bagram. "Under President Donald Trump, the armed forces of the United States will remain engaged in Afghanistan until we eliminate the terrorist threat to our homeland, our people once and for all," Pence said. Trump's views of the 16-year-long Afghan conflict have shifted since he came to power. As a presidential candidate, he called for a swift withdrawal of US forces, which were bogged down through the presidencies of Republican George W Bush and Democrat Barack Obama after a US-led coalition overthrew the Islamist Taliban government for harboring al Qaeda militants who plotted the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. But Trump, while acknowledging the decision went against his instincts, argued in August that a hasty withdrawal would create a vacuum for Islamic State and al Qaeda to fill. He declined to set a timeline for withdrawal or outline benchmarks for the new strategy's success. Echoing Trump's comments when he unveiled the new strategy, Pence had sharp words for neighbouring Pakistan, which he said had provided safe haven to the Taliban and other groups for too long. "Those days are over," Pence said. Pakistan had much to gain from partnering with the United States, and much to lose by harbouring "criminals and terrorists," he said at Bagram. US troops are involved in training Afghan security forces and carrying out counter-terrorism operations, hoping to reverse gains by the Taliban and prod it to negotiate for peace. Some 2,400 US forces have died in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion.

US Vice President Mike Pence makes surprise visit to Afghanistan

After a Trump&#39;s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, a senior Palestine official said that United States Vice President Mike Pence was not welcome in Palestine.

&quot;The American vice president is not welcome in Palestine,&quot; Jibril Rajoub, a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas&#39;s Fatah party, AFP reported.

During Pence&#39;s visit, Rajoub has also hinted that he would not meet with the vice president

Pence is expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories&nbsp;before Christmas.

On Thursday, The White House warned that canceling a planned meeting between Abbas Pence in the wake of US policy shift on Jerusalem would be &quot;counterproductive.&quot;

United States President Donald trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital on Wednesday in a move that outraged Palestinian leaders, but which was hailed as historic by Israel.

Arabs and Muslims across the Middle East have condemned the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital as an incendiary move in a volatile region.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas also said that Trump has disqualified the United States from its traditional role as peace broker in the Middle East conflict.

The European Union and United Nations also voiced alarm at US President Donald Trump&#39;s decision to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and its repercussions for any chances of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking.

(With inputs from news agency)

During Pence's visit, Rajoub has also hinted that he would not meet with the vice president

After a Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, a senior Palestine official said that United States Vice President Mike Pence was not welcome in Palestine. "The American vice president is not welcome in Palestine," Jibril Rajoub, a senior member of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas's Fatah party, AFP reported. During Pence's visit, Rajoub has also hinted that he would not meet with the vice president Pence is expected to visit Israel and the Palestinian territories before Christmas. On Thursday, The White House warned that canceling a planned meeting between Abbas Pence in the wake of US policy shift on Jerusalem would be "counterproductive." United States President Donald trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Wednesday in a move that outraged Palestinian leaders, but which was hailed as historic by Israel. Arabs and Muslims across the Middle East have condemned the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital as an incendiary move in a volatile region. Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas also said that Trump has disqualified the United States from its traditional role as peace broker in the Middle East conflict. The European Union and United Nations also voiced alarm at US President Donald Trump's decision to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and its repercussions for any chances of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking. (With inputs from news agency)

Palestinian official says US vice president 'not welcome'

President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Friday on fellow Republicans in the US Senate to pass a bill dismantling the Obamacare law, but with their retooled&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;plan drawing fire within the party even one more defection would doom it.

Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned for a vote next week on revised legislation, unveiled on Thursday, and he has his work cut out for him in the coming days to get the 50 &quot;yes&quot; votes needed for passage. Republicans control the Senate by a 52-48 margin and cannot afford to lose more than two from within their ranks because of united Democratic opposition, but two Republican senators already have declared opposition.

&quot;After all of these years of suffering thru Obamacare, Republican Senators must come through as they have promised,&quot; Trump, who made gutting Obamacare one of his central campaign promises last year, wrote on Twitter from Paris, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations.

The top US doctors&#39; group, the American Medical Association, on Friday called the new bill inadequate and said more bipartisan collaboration is needed in the months ahead to improve the delivery and financing of&nbsp;healthcare. Hospital and medical advocacy groups also have criticised&nbsp;the bill.

&quot;The revised bill does not address the key concerns of physicians and patients regarding proposed Medicaid cuts and inadequate subsidies that will result in millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage,&quot; AMA president Dr David Barbe said, referring to the government insurance program for the poor and disabled.

A major test for McConnell&#39;s legislation expected early next week is an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which last month forecast that the prior version of the bill would have resulted in 22 million Americans losing insurance over the next decade.

A day after that CBO analysis was issued, McConnell postponed a planned vote on the legislation because of a revolt within his own party, including moderates and hard-line conservatives.

While the bill&#39;s prospects may look precarious, the same could have been said of&nbsp;health care legislation that ultimately was passed by the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called off a vote in March in the face of a rebellion involving the disparate factions of the party but managed to coax enough lawmakers to back it and engineered narrow approval on May 4.

Pence seeks support

Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation&#39;s governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio&#39;s John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market.

Kasich&#39;s opposition could put pressure on Rob Portman, a Republican senator from Ohio, who has not yet taken a position on the bill.

If the current Senate legislation collapses, some lawmakers have raised the possibility of seeking bipartisan legislation to fix parts of Obamacare but leaving intact the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama&#39;s signature legislative achievement, commonly known as Obamacare.

&quot;There are changes that need to be made to the law,&quot; Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told MSNBC, citing &quot;a bipartisan appetite to tackle this issue.&quot;

Moderate Susan Collins and conservative Rand Paul already oppose the revised Senate bill. Other Republican senators have either expressed concern or remained noncommittal, including Portman, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, John McCain, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Cory Gardner, Todd Young and Thom Tillis. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy floated an alternative plan.

The new version was crafted to satisfy the Republican Party&#39;s various elements, including moderates worried about Americans who would be left without medical coverage and hard-line conservatives who demand less government regulation of health insurance.

A provision championed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and aimed at attracting conservatives would let insurers sell cheap, bare-bones insurance policies that would not have to cover broad benefits mandated under Obamacare.

But two major health insurance groups, America&#39;s Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, called on McConnell to drop the Cruz proposal, saying it would undermine protections for pre-existing medical conditions, raise insurance premiums and destabilise the individual insurance market.

The bill retained certain Obamacare taxes on the wealthy that the earlier version would have eliminated, a step moderates could embrace. But it kept the core of the earlier bill, including ending the expansion of Medicaid that was instrumental in enabling Obamacare to expand coverage to 20 million people, and restructuring that social safety-net program.

John Thune, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said in order to complete work on the bill by the end of next week, Senate leaders would have to try to formally begin debate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a move that requires a majority vote.

Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation's governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio's John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market

President Donald Trump turned up the heat on Friday on fellow Republicans in the US Senate to pass a bill dismantling the Obamacare law, but with their retooled healthcare plan drawing fire within the party even one more defection would doom it. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has planned for a vote next week on revised legislation, unveiled on Thursday, and he has his work cut out for him in the coming days to get the 50 "yes" votes needed for passage. Republicans control the Senate by a 52-48 margin and cannot afford to lose more than two from within their ranks because of united Democratic opposition, but two Republican senators already have declared opposition. "After all of these years of suffering thru Obamacare, Republican Senators must come through as they have promised," Trump, who made gutting Obamacare one of his central campaign promises last year, wrote on Twitter from Paris, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations. The top US doctors' group, the American Medical Association, on Friday called the new bill inadequate and said more bipartisan collaboration is needed in the months ahead to improve the delivery and financing of healthcare. Hospital and medical advocacy groups also have criticised the bill. "The revised bill does not address the key concerns of physicians and patients regarding proposed Medicaid cuts and inadequate subsidies that will result in millions of Americans losing health insurance coverage," AMA president Dr David Barbe said, referring to the government insurance program for the poor and disabled. A major test for McConnell's legislation expected early next week is an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, which last month forecast that the prior version of the bill would have resulted in 22 million Americans losing insurance over the next decade. A day after that CBO analysis was issued, McConnell postponed a planned vote on the legislation because of a revolt within his own party, including moderates and hard-line conservatives. While the bill's prospects may look precarious, the same could have been said of health care legislation that ultimately was passed by the House of Representatives. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan called off a vote in March in the face of a rebellion involving the disparate factions of the party but managed to coax enough lawmakers to back it and engineered narrow approval on May 4. Pence seeks support Vice president Mike Pence sought to shore up support among the nation's governors at a meeting in Rhode Island, but a key Republican governor, Ohio's John Kasich, came out strongly against the revised bill, saying its Medicaid cuts were too deep and it does too little to stabilise the insurance market. Kasich's opposition could put pressure on Rob Portman, a Republican senator from Ohio, who has not yet taken a position on the bill. If the current Senate legislation collapses, some lawmakers have raised the possibility of seeking bipartisan legislation to fix parts of Obamacare but leaving intact the structure of the Affordable Care Act, Democratic former President Barack Obama's signature legislative achievement, commonly known as Obamacare. "There are changes that need to be made to the law," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told MSNBC, citing "a bipartisan appetite to tackle this issue." Moderate Susan Collins and conservative Rand Paul already oppose the revised Senate bill. Other Republican senators have either expressed concern or remained noncommittal, including Portman, Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, John McCain, Dean Heller, John Hoeven, Lisa Murkowski, Jeff Flake, Ben Sasse, Cory Gardner, Todd Young and Thom Tillis. Republican Senators Lindsey Graham and Bill Cassidy floated an alternative plan. The new version was crafted to satisfy the Republican Party's various elements, including moderates worried about Americans who would be left without medical coverage and hard-line conservatives who demand less government regulation of health insurance. A provision championed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and aimed at attracting conservatives would let insurers sell cheap, bare-bones insurance policies that would not have to cover broad benefits mandated under Obamacare. But two major health insurance groups, America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, called on McConnell to drop the Cruz proposal, saying it would undermine protections for pre-existing medical conditions, raise insurance premiums and destabilise the individual insurance market. The bill retained certain Obamacare taxes on the wealthy that the earlier version would have eliminated, a step moderates could embrace. But it kept the core of the earlier bill, including ending the expansion of Medicaid that was instrumental in enabling Obamacare to expand coverage to 20 million people, and restructuring that social safety-net program. John Thune, a member of the Senate Republican leadership, said in order to complete work on the bill by the end of next week, Senate leaders would have to try to formally begin debate on Tuesday or Wednesday, a move that requires a majority vote.

Another Republican defection would doom Senate healthcare bill

US Vice President Mike Pence Thursday praised Indonesia&#39;s moderate form of Islam as &quot;an inspiration&quot; at the start of a visit to the Muslim-majority country seen as a bid by his administration to heal divisions with the Islamic world.

It came ahead of a visit by Pence to the largest mosque in Indonesia, which has the world&rsquo;s biggest Muslim population, where he will hold a multi-faith dialogue.

His visit represents the most high-profile outreach to Muslims by the Donald Trump administration since the brash billionaire came to office and echoes a similar trip by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2010.

Since becoming president almost 100 days ago, Trump has hosted leaders from majority-Muslim Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

But his administration has also tried to ban travellers from several Muslim-majority nations, citing concerns about terrorism -- an effort currently being challenged in US courts.&nbsp;

As a presidential candidate, Trump often appeared to flirt with the far right as he railed against &quot;radical Islamic terrorism&quot;.&nbsp;

Pence arrived at the presidential palace in Jakarta for talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to a colourful official welcome by hundreds of schoolchildren in regional dress.

Indonesia, where most practice a moderate form of Islam, has long been held up as an example of a successful Muslim democracy where followers of the faith live largely peacefully alongside religious minorities.

After talks with Widodo, Pence said: &quot;Indonesia&#39;s tradition of moderate Islam is frankly an inspiration to the world and we commend you and your people.&nbsp;

&quot;In your nation as in mine, religion unifies, it doesn&rsquo;t divide.&quot;

&nbsp;

Tolerant Islam under threat

But his optimistic words came as Indonesia&#39;s traditionally inclusive Islam is under threat from the rising influence of hardliners and an increasing trend towards more conservative forms of the faith.

On Wednesday Jakarta&#39;s Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama was defeated in a run-off election to lead the capital by a Muslim challenger who was accused of pandering to hardliners to win votes.

Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, lost after his once-unassailable lead in opinion polls was dented by allegations he committed blasphemy, claims that sparked mass protests led by radical groups but were seen by his supporters as unfair and politically motivated.

Pence is currently on a tour of South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia that is aimed at smoothing some of the rougher edges of Trump&#39;s rhetoric.

In South Korea and Japan, Pence played down protectionist declarations of &quot;America first&quot; and reaffirmed US treaty commitments to the security of the two countries as tensions rise over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear programme.

Pence&#39;s Muslim outreach in Indonesia has been welcomed locally, with Maruf Amin, the head of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the country&#39;s top Muslim clerical body, saying he hopes that it &quot;indicates a change in attitude&quot; towards Islam.

But it is unlikely to be enough to assuage fears that the Trump administration is anti-Islam.

&quot;President Trump&#39;s hostile pronouncements on Islam and Muslims have done considerable damage to his reputation in the Islamic world. It would take more than a visit to repair the damage,&quot; said Fawaz Gerges, an expert on the Middle East and Islam from the London School of Economics.

After his talks with Widodo, Pence also said that the US was committed to building a stronger defence partnership with Indonesia to combat the threat of terrorism.&nbsp;

Indonesia has long struggled with Islamic militancy, and in January last year suffered a suicide and gun attack claimed by the Islamic State group that left four assailants and four civilians dead.

He also pledged to uphold the &quot;fundamental freedom of navigation&quot; in the South China Sea. Indonesian and Chinese vessels have clashed repeatedly in recent times in waters near Indonesia&#39;s Natuna Islands, on the fringes of the disputed waters.&nbsp;

Widodo, who wants more foreign investment as he seeks to boost Southeast Asia&#39;s top economy, said the leaders had focused on &quot;the US commitment to enhance the strategic partnership with Indonesia, focusing on cooperation and investment&quot;.

(AFP)

Pence is currently on a tour of South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia to smooth some of the rougher edges of Trump's rhetoric

US Vice President Mike Pence Thursday praised Indonesia's moderate form of Islam as "an inspiration" at the start of a visit to the Muslim-majority country seen as a bid by his administration to heal divisions with the Islamic world. It came ahead of a visit by Pence to the largest mosque in Indonesia, which has the world’s biggest Muslim population, where he will hold a multi-faith dialogue. His visit represents the most high-profile outreach to Muslims by the Donald Trump administration since the brash billionaire came to office and echoes a similar trip by Barack and Michelle Obama in 2010. Since becoming president almost 100 days ago, Trump has hosted leaders from majority-Muslim Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. But his administration has also tried to ban travellers from several Muslim-majority nations, citing concerns about terrorism -- an effort currently being challenged in US courts. As a presidential candidate, Trump often appeared to flirt with the far right as he railed against "radical Islamic terrorism". Pence arrived at the presidential palace in Jakarta for talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to a colourful official welcome by hundreds of schoolchildren in regional dress. Indonesia, where most practice a moderate form of Islam, has long been held up as an example of a successful Muslim democracy where followers of the faith live largely peacefully alongside religious minorities. After talks with Widodo, Pence said: "Indonesia's tradition of moderate Islam is frankly an inspiration to the world and we commend you and your people. "In your nation as in mine, religion unifies, it doesn’t divide." Tolerant Islam under threat But his optimistic words came as Indonesia's traditionally inclusive Islam is under threat from the rising influence of hardliners and an increasing trend towards more conservative forms of the faith. On Wednesday Jakarta's Christian governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama was defeated in a run-off election to lead the capital by a Muslim challenger who was accused of pandering to hardliners to win votes. Purnama, known by his nickname Ahok, lost after his once-unassailable lead in opinion polls was dented by allegations he committed blasphemy, claims that sparked mass protests led by radical groups but were seen by his supporters as unfair and politically motivated. Pence is currently on a tour of South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and Australia that is aimed at smoothing some of the rougher edges of Trump's rhetoric. In South Korea and Japan, Pence played down protectionist declarations of "America first" and reaffirmed US treaty commitments to the security of the two countries as tensions rise over Pyongyang's nuclear programme. Pence's Muslim outreach in Indonesia has been welcomed locally, with Maruf Amin, the head of the Indonesian Ulema Council, the country's top Muslim clerical body, saying he hopes that it "indicates a change in attitude" towards Islam. But it is unlikely to be enough to assuage fears that the Trump administration is anti-Islam. "President Trump's hostile pronouncements on Islam and Muslims have done considerable damage to his reputation in the Islamic world. It would take more than a visit to repair the damage," said Fawaz Gerges, an expert on the Middle East and Islam from the London School of Economics. After his talks with Widodo, Pence also said that the US was committed to building a stronger defence partnership with Indonesia to combat the threat of terrorism. Indonesia has long struggled with Islamic militancy, and in January last year suffered a suicide and gun attack claimed by the Islamic State group that left four assailants and four civilians dead. He also pledged to uphold the "fundamental freedom of navigation" in the South China Sea. Indonesian and Chinese vessels have clashed repeatedly in recent times in waters near Indonesia's Natuna Islands, on the fringes of the disputed waters. Widodo, who wants more foreign investment as he seeks to boost Southeast Asia's top economy, said the leaders had focused on "the US commitment to enhance the strategic partnership with Indonesia, focusing on cooperation and investment". (AFP)

Pence praises 'moderate Islam' in Indonesia in bid to heal divisions

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence warned North Korea on Monday that recent American military strikes in Syria and Afghanistan showed President Donald Trump&#39;s resolve should not be questioned, but Pyongyang vowed to continue missile and nuclear tests.

After a huge display of missiles in Pyongyang and a failed North Korean missile test during the weekend, U.S. officials praised China for stepping up efforts to rein in North Korea, Beijing&#39;s neighbour and ally.

But Pence and South Korea&#39;s acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn, said they would proceed with the early deployment to South Korea of the U.S. THAAD missile-defence system, in spite of Chinese objections.

At a White House Easter celebration on Monday, Trump was asked if he had a message for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and replied: &ldquo;Gotta behave.&rdquo;

But senior North Korean officials remained defiant.

North Korea&#39;s deputy representative to the United Nations, Kim In Ryong, accused Washington of creating &ldquo;a situation where nuclear war could break out at any time&rdquo; and said Pyongyang&#39;s next nuclear test would take place &quot;at a time and at a place where our headquarters deems necessary.&quot;

North Korea&#39;s Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-Ryol told the BBC that missiles would continue to be tested on &quot;a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.&quot;

Kim Song Gyong, director general of the European Department of North Korea&#39;s Foreign Ministry, told Reuters in Pyongyang that if Washington made &quot;the slightest movement&quot; to make a nuclear strike on North Korea, Pyongyang would strike first and &quot;destroy the aggressors without any mercy.&rdquo;

He went on to clarify that the approach of a U.S. naval strike force led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson to Korean waters would not be considered enough to constitute &ldquo;the slightest movement&rdquo;.

Korean tensions have escalated following repeated North Korean missile tests and concerns that Pyongyang may soon conduct a sixth nuclear bomb test in defiance of U.N. sanctions. Washington is increasingly worried about North Korean efforts to develop a nuclear-tipped missile that could hit the U.S. mainland.

Speaking alongside Hwang, Pence said the world had witnessed Trump&#39;s resolve in the past two weeks, which saw a U.S. missile attack on a Syrian airfield and the dropping of a powerful non-nuclear bomb on Islamic State in Afghanistan.

&quot;North Korea would do well not to test his resolve or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region,&quot; Pence said on what was his first stop of a four-nation Asia tour intended to show that Trump is not turning his back on the increasingly volatile part of the world.

Pence, whose father served in the 1950-53 Korean War, visited the North-South border on Monday and said Washington would stand by its &quot;ironclad alliance&quot; with South Korea.

&quot;All options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country,&quot; he told reporters as tinny propaganda music floated across from the North Korean side of the so-called demilitarized zone (DMZ).

The Trump administration has said that military action remains an option for dealing with North Korea.

But mindful that this would likely trigger massive retaliation and casualties in South Korea and Japan and among U.S. troops there, U.S. officials say the Trump administration&#39;s main focus is on tougher economic sanctions to try to get Pyongyang to abandon its weapons programs.

Trump himself, when asked on Monday if he was considering military action, told Fox News Channel he didn&#39;t want to &quot;telegraph&quot; his plans like the previous administration.

&quot;We&rsquo;ll see what happens. I hope things work out well,&quot; he said but added that the United States had tried to engage the North Koreans in talks for a long time.

On Sunday, Trump&#39;s national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said that the United States, its allies and China were working on a range of responses to North Korea&#39;s latest missile test, citing what he called an international consensus to act.

He indicated Trump was not considering military action for now, despite the dispatch the carrier group.

U.S. officials say tougher sanctions could include an oil embargo, a global ban on North Korea&#39;s airline, intercepting cargo ships and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang. They say greater Chinese cooperation is vital.

NO &#39;RED LINES&#39;

White House spokesman Sean Spicer said China had taken some &quot;very helpful&quot; steps, although it remained to be seen how effective these would be. Asked if Trump had a &quot;red line&quot; on North Korea, Spicer said the president did not believe these worked.

Susan Thornton, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and China&#39;s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, agreed in a phone call on Sunday on the need for strict enforcement of U.N. resolutions and for international action to press Pyongyang &quot;to cease provocative actions and recommit to peaceful denuclearisation.&rdquo;

Thornton said any new North Korean nuclear test &quot;would draw a pretty significant international response.&quot;

&quot;We&rsquo;re definitely not seeking conflict or regime change,&quot; she said. &quot;But we are committed to defending our people and our allies should it be necessary.&rdquo;

Pence is expected to discuss Korean tensions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday when he travels to Tokyo for economic talks with Finance Minister Taro Aso. He will also visit Jakarta and Sydney.

His economic discussions will be closely watched to see how hard a line Washington is prepared to take on trade. Trump campaigned on an &quot;America First&quot; platform, and has vowed to narrow big trade deficits with nations like China and Japan.

But Trump has also shown willingness to link trade to other issues, saying he would cut a better trade deal with China if it exerts influence on North Korea.

China has appeared increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang, speaking out against its weapons tests and supporting United Nations sanctions, while repeatedly calling for talks.

China banned imports of North Korean coal, the country&#39;s most important export, in February, and Chinese media have raised the possibility of restricting oil shipments to the North.

However, Beijing says the crisis is one between the United States and North Korea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the situation was &quot;highly sensitive, complicated and high risk&quot; and all sides should &quot;avoid taking provocative actions &quot;

(Reuters)

The statement was made by the country's deputy representative to the UN who accused America of creating the situation

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence warned North Korea on Monday that recent American military strikes in Syria and Afghanistan showed President Donald Trump's resolve should not be questioned, but Pyongyang vowed to continue missile and nuclear tests. After a huge display of missiles in Pyongyang and a failed North Korean missile test during the weekend, U.S. officials praised China for stepping up efforts to rein in North Korea, Beijing's neighbour and ally. But Pence and South Korea's acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn, said they would proceed with the early deployment to South Korea of the U.S. THAAD missile-defence system, in spite of Chinese objections. At a White House Easter celebration on Monday, Trump was asked if he had a message for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and replied: “Gotta behave.” But senior North Korean officials remained defiant. North Korea's deputy representative to the United Nations, Kim In Ryong, accused Washington of creating “a situation where nuclear war could break out at any time” and said Pyongyang's next nuclear test would take place "at a time and at a place where our headquarters deems necessary." North Korea's Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-Ryol told the BBC that missiles would continue to be tested on "a weekly, monthly and yearly basis." Kim Song Gyong, director general of the European Department of North Korea's Foreign Ministry, told Reuters in Pyongyang that if Washington made "the slightest movement" to make a nuclear strike on North Korea, Pyongyang would strike first and "destroy the aggressors without any mercy.” He went on to clarify that the approach of a U.S. naval strike force led by the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Carl Vinson to Korean waters would not be considered enough to constitute “the slightest movement”. Korean tensions have escalated following repeated North Korean missile tests and concerns that Pyongyang may soon conduct a sixth nuclear bomb test in defiance of U.N. sanctions. Washington is increasingly worried about North Korean efforts to develop a nuclear-tipped missile that could hit the U.S. mainland. Speaking alongside Hwang, Pence said the world had witnessed Trump's resolve in the past two weeks, which saw a U.S. missile attack on a Syrian airfield and the dropping of a powerful non-nuclear bomb on Islamic State in Afghanistan. "North Korea would do well not to test his resolve or the strength of the armed forces of the United States in this region," Pence said on what was his first stop of a four-nation Asia tour intended to show that Trump is not turning his back on the increasingly volatile part of the world. Pence, whose father served in the 1950-53 Korean War, visited the North-South border on Monday and said Washington would stand by its "ironclad alliance" with South Korea. "All options are on the table to achieve the objectives and ensure the stability of the people of this country," he told reporters as tinny propaganda music floated across from the North Korean side of the so-called demilitarized zone (DMZ). The Trump administration has said that military action remains an option for dealing with North Korea. But mindful that this would likely trigger massive retaliation and casualties in South Korea and Japan and among U.S. troops there, U.S. officials say the Trump administration's main focus is on tougher economic sanctions to try to get Pyongyang to abandon its weapons programs. Trump himself, when asked on Monday if he was considering military action, told Fox News Channel he didn't want to "telegraph" his plans like the previous administration. "We’ll see what happens. I hope things work out well," he said but added that the United States had tried to engage the North Koreans in talks for a long time. On Sunday, Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, said that the United States, its allies and China were working on a range of responses to North Korea's latest missile test, citing what he called an international consensus to act. He indicated Trump was not considering military action for now, despite the dispatch the carrier group. U.S. officials say tougher sanctions could include an oil embargo, a global ban on North Korea's airline, intercepting cargo ships and punishing Chinese banks doing business with Pyongyang. They say greater Chinese cooperation is vital. NO 'RED LINES' White House spokesman Sean Spicer said China had taken some "very helpful" steps, although it remained to be seen how effective these would be. Asked if Trump had a "red line" on North Korea, Spicer said the president did not believe these worked. Susan Thornton, acting U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asia, said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and China's top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, agreed in a phone call on Sunday on the need for strict enforcement of U.N. resolutions and for international action to press Pyongyang "to cease provocative actions and recommit to peaceful denuclearisation.” Thornton said any new North Korean nuclear test "would draw a pretty significant international response." "We’re definitely not seeking conflict or regime change," she said. "But we are committed to defending our people and our allies should it be necessary.” Pence is expected to discuss Korean tensions with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday when he travels to Tokyo for economic talks with Finance Minister Taro Aso. He will also visit Jakarta and Sydney. His economic discussions will be closely watched to see how hard a line Washington is prepared to take on trade. Trump campaigned on an "America First" platform, and has vowed to narrow big trade deficits with nations like China and Japan. But Trump has also shown willingness to link trade to other issues, saying he would cut a better trade deal with China if it exerts influence on North Korea. China has appeared increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang, speaking out against its weapons tests and supporting United Nations sanctions, while repeatedly calling for talks. China banned imports of North Korean coal, the country's most important export, in February, and Chinese media have raised the possibility of restricting oil shipments to the North. However, Beijing says the crisis is one between the United States and North Korea. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the situation was "highly sensitive, complicated and high risk" and all sides should "avoid taking provocative actions " (Reuters)

'Nuclear war could break out at any time,' says North Korea

The United States is ruling nothing out in its dealings with North Korea, Vice President Mike Pence said Monday during a visit to the heavily militarised border between the two Koreas.

Washington wants to achieve security &quot;through peaceable means, through negotiations. But all options are on the table as we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of South Korea,&quot; he said at the border village of Panmunjom.

Pence, speaking at Freedom House, a few metres from the military demarcation line that he described as a &quot;frontier of freedom&quot;, said America&#39;s relationship with South Korea was &quot;ironclad and immutable&quot;.

&quot;The message of the people of the United States of America is that we seek peace, but America has always sought peace through strength and my message here today standing with US forces Korea, standing with courageous soldiers from the Republic of Korea is a message of resolve.

&quot;The people of North Korea the military of North Korea should not mistake the resolve of the United States of America to stand with our allies.&quot;

Pence&#39;s visit to the DMZ comes a day after North Korea&#39;s latest missile test failed, when the rocket exploded seconds after blast off.

(AFP)

'... We seek peace, but America has always sought peace through strength,' the US vice president said

The United States is ruling nothing out in its dealings with North Korea, Vice President Mike Pence said Monday during a visit to the heavily militarised border between the two Koreas. Washington wants to achieve security "through peaceable means, through negotiations. But all options are on the table as we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of South Korea," he said at the border village of Panmunjom. Pence, speaking at Freedom House, a few metres from the military demarcation line that he described as a "frontier of freedom", said America's relationship with South Korea was "ironclad and immutable". "The message of the people of the United States of America is that we seek peace, but America has always sought peace through strength and my message here today standing with US forces Korea, standing with courageous soldiers from the Republic of Korea is a message of resolve. "The people of North Korea the military of North Korea should not mistake the resolve of the United States of America to stand with our allies." Pence's visit to the DMZ comes a day after North Korea's latest missile test failed, when the rocket exploded seconds after blast off. (AFP)

'All options on table' with North Korea: Pence at DMZ

The United States, its allies and China are working together on a range of responses to North Korea&#39;s latest attempted ballistic missile test, US President Donald Trump&#39;s national security adviser said on Sunday, citing what he called an international consensus to act.

&quot;We are working together with our allies and partners and with the Chinese leadership to develop a range of options,&quot; national security adviser H R&nbsp;McMaster said on ABC&#39;s &quot;This Week&quot; program.

&quot;This latest missile test just fits into a pattern of provocative and destabilising and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime,&quot; McMaster said.

He said the president has asked the national security council to integrate the efforts of the Defense and State departments and US intelligence agencies to develop options if &quot;this pattern of behaviour continues and if the North Korean Regime refuses to denuclearise.&quot;

&quot;There is an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership, that this is a situation that just cannot continue,&quot; McMaster said.

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The North Korean missile &quot;blew up almost immediately&quot; after its test launch on Sunday, the US Pacific Command said.

Hours later US Vice President Mike Pence landed in South Korea for talks on the North&#39;s increasingly defiant arms programme. His visit comes a day after North Korea held a grand military parade in its capital city of Pyongyang, marking the birth anniversary of the state founder. What appeared to be new long-range ballistic missiles were on display in the parade.

Tensions have been steadily rising as Trump takes a hard rhetorical line with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has rebuffed admonitions from China and proceeded with nuclear and missile programs seen by Washington as a direct threat.

Trump on Sunday acknowledged that the softer line he has taken on China&#39;s management of its currency was linked to China&#39;s help on the North Korea issue.

&quot;Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!&quot; Trump said on Twitter. Trump has backed away from a campaign promise to label China in that way.

South Korea said the North&#39;s latest show of force &quot;threatened the whole world&quot;.

But a US foreign policy adviser travelling with Pence on Air Force Two sought to defuse some of the tension, saying the test of what was believed to be a medium-range missile had come as no surprise.

&quot;We had good intelligence before the launch and good intelligence after the launch,&quot; the adviser told reporters on condition of anonymity.

&quot;It&#39;s a failed test. It follows another failed test. So really no need to reinforce their failure. We don&#39;t need to expend any resources against that.&quot;The adviser said the missile&#39;s flight lasted four or five seconds.

Pence, addressing an Easter service with American troops in South Korea, said the US commitment to South Korea was unwavering.

&quot;Let me assure you under President Trump&#39;s leadership, our resolve has never been stronger. Our commitment to this historic alliance with the courageous people of South Korea has never been stronger.&quot;

Pence was beginning a 10-day trip to Asia in what his aides said was a sign of US commitment to its ally in the face of rising tension.

The US nuclear-powered Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group is also heading to the region.&nbsp;

China, which Trump has urged to do more to rein in North Korea, has spoken out against its weapons tests and has supported UN sanctions. It has repeatedly called for talks while appearing increasingly frustrated with the North.

China banned imports of North Korean coal on February 26, cutting off its most important export. China&#39;s customs department issued an order on April 7 telling traders to return North Korean coal cargoes, said trading sources with knowledge of the order.

&nbsp;

Tensions Rise

Trump&#39;s decision to order a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airfield this month, in response to what he said was Syria&#39;s use of chemical weapons, raised questions about his plans for reclusive North Korea.

Pyongyang has conducted several missile and nuclear tests in defiance of UN sanctions, and regularly threatens to destroy South Korea and the United States.

&quot;The president has made clear that he will not accept the United States and its allies and partners in the region being under threat from this hostile regime with nuclear weapons,&quot; McMaster told ABC.

But McMaster, who was speaking from Kabul, Afghanistan, acknowledged the likelihood of North Korean retaliation if Washington uses military force in an attempt to stop its weapons programs.

&quot;What (is) particularly difficult about -- about dealing with this regime, is that it is unpredictable,&quot; he said.

&quot;It&#39;s time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully,&quot; he said.

South Korea, which hosts 28,500 US troops and holds a presidential election on May 9, warned of punitive action if the Sunday launch led to further provocation.

&quot;North Korea showing a variety of offensive missiles at yesterday&#39;s military parade and daring to fire a ballistic missile today is a show of force that threatens the whole world,&quot; South Korea&#39;s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty.

The North has warned of a nuclear strike against the United States if provoked. It has said it has developed and would launch a missile that can strike the mainland United States but officials and experts believe it is some time away from mastering the necessary technology, including miniaturising a nuclear warhead.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the same region this month, ahead of a summit between the United States and China in Florida to discuss the North&#39;s arms program.

But that missile, which US officials said appeared to be a liquid-fuelled, extended-range Scud, only flew about 60 km (40 miles), a fraction of its range, before spinning out of control.

Tension had escalated sharply amid concern the North may conduct a sixth nuclear test or a ballistic missile test around Saturday&#39;s 105th anniversary of the birth of founding father Kim Il Sung, what it calls the &quot;Day of the Sun&quot;.

China&#39;s top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exchanged views on the &quot;situation on the Korean peninsula&quot; by phone on Sunday, China&#39;s official Xinhua News Agency said. Yang said the two sides should maintain dialogue.

&nbsp;

Flower Show

In Pyongyang, there was a festive atmosphere at a flower show, with families out, taking pictures with North Korean-made smart phones. There was no mention of the test failure by the KCNA state news agency.

Company worker Rim Chung Ryol, 30, said he had not heard of the test. &quot;If it is a failure, then failure is the mother of success,&quot; he told Reuters.

Factory worker Ri Gul Chol, 37, also had not heard about the missile test. &quot;But whatever Kim Jong Un decides and instructs will succeed and all the citizens will support him,&quot; he said.

(Reuters)

'We are working together... to develop a range of options,' the US national security adviser said

The United States, its allies and China are working together on a range of responses to North Korea's latest attempted ballistic missile test, US President Donald Trump's national security adviser said on Sunday, citing what he called an international consensus to act. "We are working together with our allies and partners and with the Chinese leadership to develop a range of options," national security adviser H R McMaster said on ABC's "This Week" program. "This latest missile test just fits into a pattern of provocative and destabilising and threatening behaviour on the part of the North Korean regime," McMaster said. He said the president has asked the national security council to integrate the efforts of the Defense and State departments and US intelligence agencies to develop options if "this pattern of behaviour continues and if the North Korean Regime refuses to denuclearise." "There is an international consensus now, including the Chinese leadership, that this is a situation that just cannot continue," McMaster said. McMaster said Trump has asked the national security council to integrate the efforts of the Defense and State departments and US intelligence agencies to develop options if 'this pattern of behavior continues and if the North Korean Regime refuses to denuclearise' × The North Korean missile "blew up almost immediately" after its test launch on Sunday, the US Pacific Command said. Hours later US Vice President Mike Pence landed in South Korea for talks on the North's increasingly defiant arms programme. His visit comes a day after North Korea held a grand military parade in its capital city of Pyongyang, marking the birth anniversary of the state founder. What appeared to be new long-range ballistic missiles were on display in the parade. Tensions have been steadily rising as Trump takes a hard rhetorical line with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who has rebuffed admonitions from China and proceeded with nuclear and missile programs seen by Washington as a direct threat. Trump on Sunday acknowledged that the softer line he has taken on China's management of its currency was linked to China's help on the North Korea issue. "Why would I call China a currency manipulator when they are working with us on the North Korean problem? We will see what happens!" Trump said on Twitter. Trump has backed away from a campaign promise to label China in that way. South Korea said the North's latest show of force "threatened the whole world". But a US foreign policy adviser travelling with Pence on Air Force Two sought to defuse some of the tension, saying the test of what was believed to be a medium-range missile had come as no surprise. "We had good intelligence before the launch and good intelligence after the launch," the adviser told reporters on condition of anonymity. "It's a failed test. It follows another failed test. So really no need to reinforce their failure. We don't need to expend any resources against that."The adviser said the missile's flight lasted four or five seconds. Pence, addressing an Easter service with American troops in South Korea, said the US commitment to South Korea was unwavering. "Let me assure you under President Trump's leadership, our resolve has never been stronger. Our commitment to this historic alliance with the courageous people of South Korea has never been stronger." Pence was beginning a 10-day trip to Asia in what his aides said was a sign of US commitment to its ally in the face of rising tension. The US nuclear-powered Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strike group is also heading to the region. China, which Trump has urged to do more to rein in North Korea, has spoken out against its weapons tests and has supported UN sanctions. It has repeatedly called for talks while appearing increasingly frustrated with the North. China banned imports of North Korean coal on February 26, cutting off its most important export. China's customs department issued an order on April 7 telling traders to return North Korean coal cargoes, said trading sources with knowledge of the order. Tensions Rise Trump's decision to order a cruise missile strike on a Syrian airfield this month, in response to what he said was Syria's use of chemical weapons, raised questions about his plans for reclusive North Korea. Pyongyang has conducted several missile and nuclear tests in defiance of UN sanctions, and regularly threatens to destroy South Korea and the United States. "The president has made clear that he will not accept the United States and its allies and partners in the region being under threat from this hostile regime with nuclear weapons," McMaster told ABC. But McMaster, who was speaking from Kabul, Afghanistan, acknowledged the likelihood of North Korean retaliation if Washington uses military force in an attempt to stop its weapons programs. "What (is) particularly difficult about -- about dealing with this regime, is that it is unpredictable," he said. "It's time for us to undertake all actions we can, short of a military option, to try to resolve this peacefully," he said. South Korea, which hosts 28,500 US troops and holds a presidential election on May 9, warned of punitive action if the Sunday launch led to further provocation. "North Korea showing a variety of offensive missiles at yesterday's military parade and daring to fire a ballistic missile today is a show of force that threatens the whole world," South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Impoverished North Korea and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. The North has warned of a nuclear strike against the United States if provoked. It has said it has developed and would launch a missile that can strike the mainland United States but officials and experts believe it is some time away from mastering the necessary technology, including miniaturising a nuclear warhead. North Korea launched a ballistic missile from the same region this month, ahead of a summit between the United States and China in Florida to discuss the North's arms program. But that missile, which US officials said appeared to be a liquid-fuelled, extended-range Scud, only flew about 60 km (40 miles), a fraction of its range, before spinning out of control. Tension had escalated sharply amid concern the North may conduct a sixth nuclear test or a ballistic missile test around Saturday's 105th anniversary of the birth of founding father Kim Il Sung, what it calls the "Day of the Sun". China's top diplomat, Yang Jiechi, and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson exchanged views on the "situation on the Korean peninsula" by phone on Sunday, China's official Xinhua News Agency said. Yang said the two sides should maintain dialogue. Flower Show In Pyongyang, there was a festive atmosphere at a flower show, with families out, taking pictures with North Korean-made smart phones. There was no mention of the test failure by the KCNA state news agency. Company worker Rim Chung Ryol, 30, said he had not heard of the test. "If it is a failure, then failure is the mother of success," he told Reuters. Factory worker Ri Gul Chol, 37, also had not heard about the missile test. "But whatever Kim Jong Un decides and instructs will succeed and all the citizens will support him," he said. (Reuters)

US, allies & China mulling responses to North Korea missile tests: McMaster

Two Congressional Democrats mocked US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence for posting a picture of all men&nbsp;on&nbsp;Twitter from a House Freedom Caucus meeting proposing doing away with&nbsp;women&#39;s healthcare initiatives, <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/325562-dem-lawmaker-shreds-house-gop-over-lack-of-women-in-maternity" target="_blank">The Hill</a> reports.

Here is the Tweet from Vice President Mike Pence:&nbsp;

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Appreciated joining <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS">@POTUS</a> for meeting with the Freedom Caucus again today. This is it. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PassTheBill?src=hash">#PassTheBill</a> <a href="https://t.co/XG6lQIy5a6">pic.twitter.com/XG6lQIy5a6</a>
&mdash; Vice President Pence (@VP) <a href="https://twitter.com/VP/status/844977432713146370">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The House Freedom Caucus&nbsp;gathered seeking ways to pass the Republican bill to repeal-and-replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Proposed was doing away with &quot;essential health benefits&quot;, which require insurance plans to cover basic health services females need, like maternity care and mammograms.

At least two Democrats seised on this&nbsp;picture without women in it to mock the Republicans for making laws about women&#39;s health in a meeting wit

That the Republicans would make legislation that so impacted women&#39;s health in a meeting without women it and&nbsp;post a picture of it, was seised on by two Democrats.

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This is outrageous: Not a single woman in the room as <a href="https://twitter.com/mike_pence">@Mike_Pence</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseGOP">@HouseGOP</a> propose removing maternity coverage in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trumpcare?src=hash">#Trumpcare</a>. <a href="https://t.co/wwY6WsN206">pic.twitter.com/wwY6WsN206</a>
&mdash; Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMcGovern/status/844991898850877443">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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A rare look inside the GOP&rsquo;s women&rsquo;s health caucus. <a href="https://t.co/SgLmvSpeSM">https://t.co/SgLmvSpeSM</a>
&mdash; Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) <a href="https://twitter.com/PattyMurray/status/845001919034732544">March 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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No women are in the House Freedom Caucus, but it was reported that top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway was in attendance, as was the president and vice president.

(WION)

&nbsp;

The meeting discussed repealing ObamaCare 'essential health benefits', requiring insurance companies to cover mammograms and maternity care

Two Congressional Democrats mocked US Vice President Mike Pence for posting a picture of all men on Twitter from a House Freedom Caucus meeting proposing doing away with women's healthcare initiatives, The Hill reports. Here is the Tweet from Vice President Mike Pence: Appreciated joining @POTUS for meeting with the Freedom Caucus again today. This is it. #PassTheBill pic.twitter.com/XG6lQIy5a6 — Vice President Pence (@VP) March 23, 2017 × The House Freedom Caucus gathered seeking ways to pass the Republican bill to repeal-and-replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Proposed was doing away with "essential health benefits", which require insurance plans to cover basic health services females need, like maternity care and mammograms. At least two Democrats seised on this picture without women in it to mock the Republicans for making laws about women's health in a meeting wit That the Republicans would make legislation that so impacted women's health in a meeting without women it and post a picture of it, was seised on by two Democrats. This is outrageous: Not a single woman in the room as @Mike_Pence and @HouseGOP propose removing maternity coverage in #Trumpcare. pic.twitter.com/wwY6WsN206 — Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) March 23, 2017 × A rare look inside the GOP’s women’s health caucus. https://t.co/SgLmvSpeSM — Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) March 23, 2017 × No women are in the House Freedom Caucus, but it was reported that top Trump aide Kellyanne Conway was in attendance, as was the president and vice president. (WION)

Republicans mocked for posting photo of healthcare meeting with 0 women in it: The Hill

United States Vice President Mike Pence has denied any wrongdoing after a newspaper report suggested that he had a private email account while he was the governor of Indiana.

Pence denied being a hypocrite for having attacked the 2016 Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for having private account while she was in White House.

He said there was &quot;no comparison whatsoever&quot; with Clinton as she had a &quot;private server&quot; and &quot;misused classified information&quot;.

Emails obtained by his home state Indianapolis Star newspaper showed that Pence used the private account to discuss issues including &quot;sensitive matters&quot; and &quot;homeland security issues.&quot;

&quot;I&#39;m very confident we are in full compliance with all of Indiana&#39;s laws. And in my service as vice president I will continue that practice,&quot; he said.

Indiana law does permit government officials to maintain a private account,&nbsp;but generally does require that messages connected to official business be kept for public information purposes.

Pence&#39;s office told the paper that his campaign had taken steps to allow outside counsel to transfer personal emails dealing with public business to the state.

Former Democratic presidential candidate Clinton was dogged throughout her White House campaign by her use of a private email server while secretary of state.&nbsp;

She has said FBI director James Comey played a part in her campaign loss, claiming that his agency&#39;s re-opening of a probe into her email use less than two weeks before the election broke the momentum towards victory.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Pence said unlike him, Hillary Clinton's use of a private server was wrong as she used it to 'misuse classified information'

United States Vice President Mike Pence has denied any wrongdoing after a newspaper report suggested that he had a private email account while he was the governor of Indiana. Pence denied being a hypocrite for having attacked the 2016 Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton for having private account while she was in White House. He said there was "no comparison whatsoever" with Clinton as she had a "private server" and "misused classified information". Emails obtained by his home state Indianapolis Star newspaper showed that Pence used the private account to discuss issues including "sensitive matters" and "homeland security issues." "I'm very confident we are in full compliance with all of Indiana's laws. And in my service as vice president I will continue that practice," he said. Indiana law does permit government officials to maintain a private account, but generally does require that messages connected to official business be kept for public information purposes. Pence's office told the paper that his campaign had taken steps to allow outside counsel to transfer personal emails dealing with public business to the state. Former Democratic presidential candidate Clinton was dogged throughout her White House campaign by her use of a private email server while secretary of state. She has said FBI director James Comey played a part in her campaign loss, claiming that his agency's re-opening of a probe into her email use less than two weeks before the election broke the momentum towards victory. (WION with inputs from AFP)

US Vice President Mike Pence downplays private email storm

US vice president Mike Pence told nervous Europeans on Monday that Donald Trump will remain committed to transatlantic ties, but warned NATO allies they must boost their defence spending in return.

Capping a European trip aimed at allaying fears about the new administration&#39;s support, Pence said Washington&#39;s backing for the EU remained &quot;steadfast and enduring&quot;.

&quot;Today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union,&quot; Pence said after talks with EU president Donald Tusk in Brussels.

European allies have been unnerved by Trump&#39;s criticism of the EU as a vehicle for Germany, his praise of Britains decision to leave the bloc and his dismissal of NATO as &quot;obsolete&quot; even as he praises Russian President Vladimir Putin.

But Pence pledged the United States would keep working with Europe to boost the world&#39;s two biggest economies, fight terrorism and defend eastern EU states against Russian encroachment.

Tusk, a former Polish premier, said that Europeans &quot;truly needed&quot; the meeting with Pence and that the 28-nation bloc counted on &quot;wholehearted and unequivocal&quot; US support.

&quot;Too much has happened over the past month in your country and in the EU... for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be,&quot; Tusk said.

Pence also met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, a former Luxembourg premier, who stressed that the United States &quot;needs a strong united Europe.&quot;.Scores of protesters gathered in the EU quarter of the Belgian capital during Pence&#39;s visit, criticising the Trump administration&#39;s attitude towards women, gay people and climate change.

Two female protesters went topless and carried banners saying &quot;Pence get out of our pants,&quot; while another placard read &quot;Love Trumps Hate&quot;.

At NATO headquarters, Pence said Trump expects NATO allies to make &quot;real progress by the end of 2017&quot; towards meeting a goal they set in 2014 of raising defence spending to two percent of GDP over a decade.

&quot;If you don&#39;t yet have a plan -- these are my words, not his (Trump&#39;s) -- get one. It is time for actions, not words,&quot; Pence told a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

So far, of the 28 NATO members, only the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia have met the two percent target.

&quot;America will do our part but Europe&#39;s defence requires Europe&#39;s commitment as much as ours,&quot; Pence said Monday.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis delivered a similar message at a NATO defence ministers meeting last week, saying Washington could &quot;moderate&quot; its commitment if allies fail to pay up.

Pence, Mattis and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have stuck close to established policy during their first foray into Europe despite Trump&#39;s previous pronouncements.

But they have also been left to cope with their president&#39;s unpredictable remarks, and by a growing scandal over the new White House&#39;s links to Russia.

The vice president admitted on Monday he was &quot;disappointed&quot; that former US national security adviser Michael Flynn had given him &quot;inaccurate&quot; information about his contacts with Russia over US sanctions before he resigned last week.

However he said he fully backed Trump&#39;s decision to accept Flynn&#39;s resignation.

Pence also defended Trump&#39;s criticisms of the media, whom the president has called &quot;the enemy of the American people&quot;.

&quot;Rest assured, both the president and I strongly support a free and independent press,&quot; he said.

&quot;But you can anticipate that the president and all of us will continue to call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts.&quot;Pence&#39;s visit came two days after Trump referred, during a rally in Florida, to a non-existent Swedish terror incident and urged people to &quot;look at what&#39;s happening in Brussels&quot; as he listed a series of European cities struck by deadly terror attacks.

Pence said the United States would remain &quot;full partners&quot; with the EU in fighting terrorism, a Trump priority.

He also pledged it would defend Europe&#39;s &quot;territorial integrity&quot; and said the Trump administration will &quot;continue to hold Russia accountable&quot; for the violence in eastern Ukraine and demand that Moscow honour the Minsk agreements for a ceasefire due to begin Monday.

Trump is expected to attend a NATO summit in Brussels at the end of May and he has also been invited to meet EU leaders.

An EU source told AFP that Pence&#39;s meeting with Tusk was &quot;very positive&quot;.

&quot;Will it allay all Europeans fears about Trump? No but it was the best we could have hoped for,&quot; the source added.

(AFP)

&nbsp;

Pence said Washington's backing for the EU remained 'steadfast and enduring'

US vice president Mike Pence told nervous Europeans on Monday that Donald Trump will remain committed to transatlantic ties, but warned NATO allies they must boost their defence spending in return. Capping a European trip aimed at allaying fears about the new administration's support, Pence said Washington's backing for the EU remained "steadfast and enduring". "Today it is my privilege on behalf of President Trump to express the strong commitment of the United States to continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union," Pence said after talks with EU president Donald Tusk in Brussels. European allies have been unnerved by Trump's criticism of the EU as a vehicle for Germany, his praise of Britains decision to leave the bloc and his dismissal of NATO as "obsolete" even as he praises Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Pence pledged the United States would keep working with Europe to boost the world's two biggest economies, fight terrorism and defend eastern EU states against Russian encroachment. Tusk, a former Polish premier, said that Europeans "truly needed" the meeting with Pence and that the 28-nation bloc counted on "wholehearted and unequivocal" US support. "Too much has happened over the past month in your country and in the EU... for us to pretend that everything is as it used to be," Tusk said. Pence also met European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker, a former Luxembourg premier, who stressed that the United States "needs a strong united Europe.".Scores of protesters gathered in the EU quarter of the Belgian capital during Pence's visit, criticising the Trump administration's attitude towards women, gay people and climate change. Two female protesters went topless and carried banners saying "Pence get out of our pants," while another placard read "Love Trumps Hate". At NATO headquarters, Pence said Trump expects NATO allies to make "real progress by the end of 2017" towards meeting a goal they set in 2014 of raising defence spending to two percent of GDP over a decade. "If you don't yet have a plan -- these are my words, not his (Trump's) -- get one. It is time for actions, not words," Pence told a press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. So far, of the 28 NATO members, only the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia have met the two percent target. "America will do our part but Europe's defence requires Europe's commitment as much as ours," Pence said Monday. US Defence Secretary James Mattis delivered a similar message at a NATO defence ministers meeting last week, saying Washington could "moderate" its commitment if allies fail to pay up. Pence, Mattis and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson have stuck close to established policy during their first foray into Europe despite Trump's previous pronouncements. But they have also been left to cope with their president's unpredictable remarks, and by a growing scandal over the new White House's links to Russia. The vice president admitted on Monday he was "disappointed" that former US national security adviser Michael Flynn had given him "inaccurate" information about his contacts with Russia over US sanctions before he resigned last week. However he said he fully backed Trump's decision to accept Flynn's resignation. Pence also defended Trump's criticisms of the media, whom the president has called "the enemy of the American people". "Rest assured, both the president and I strongly support a free and independent press," he said. "But you can anticipate that the president and all of us will continue to call out the media when they play fast and loose with the facts."Pence's visit came two days after Trump referred, during a rally in Florida, to a non-existent Swedish terror incident and urged people to "look at what's happening in Brussels" as he listed a series of European cities struck by deadly terror attacks. Pence said the United States would remain "full partners" with the EU in fighting terrorism, a Trump priority. He also pledged it would defend Europe's "territorial integrity" and said the Trump administration will "continue to hold Russia accountable" for the violence in eastern Ukraine and demand that Moscow honour the Minsk agreements for a ceasefire due to begin Monday. Trump is expected to attend a NATO summit in Brussels at the end of May and he has also been invited to meet EU leaders. An EU source told AFP that Pence's meeting with Tusk was "very positive". "Will it allay all Europeans fears about Trump? No but it was the best we could have hoped for," the source added. (AFP)

Mike Pence reassures Europe, demands NATO pay up

The Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that national security adviser Michael Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before President Donald Trump took power, a US&nbsp;official said on Monday.

Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding Flynn and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it, Trump&#39;s spokesman said, in a pointed refusal to make a public show of support for his embattled aide.

The US&nbsp;official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US&nbsp;attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States.

She said Flynn might have put himself into a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump&#39;s temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations.

Flynn had told Pence he had not discussed US&nbsp;sanctions against Russia with Russian officials in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan&nbsp;20, prompting Pence to defend him in subsequent television interviews.

In recent days, Flynn has acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions with the Russians but could not remember with 100 per cent certainty, which officials said had upset Pence, who felt he had been misled.

Officials said Flynn apologised to Pence twice, including in person on Friday.

&quot;The president is evaluating the situation. He is speaking to ... Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the vice president had with General Flynn and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is, our national security,&quot; White House spokesman Sean Spicer said.

Early Trump supporter

Flynn, a retired US&nbsp;Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He has frequently raised eyebrows among Washington&#39;s foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US&nbsp;relations with Russia.

Top White House officials have been reviewing Flynn&#39;s contacts with the Russians and whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US&nbsp;sanctions on Russia once Trump took office.

That would potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act.

&ldquo;He&rsquo;s not out of the woods,&rdquo; said a US&nbsp;official who is familiar with the transcripts of intercepted communications between Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, in late December.

This official said Flynn &quot;did discuss sanctions.&quot;

While Flynn did not make any promises about lifting them, he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion &quot;would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US&nbsp;and Russia,&quot; the official said.

An hour before Spicer read his statement, Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump&#39;s closest aides, had told reporters that Flynn had the full confidence of the president.

It was notable, however, that Trump did not use the opportunity of a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to make a public show of support for Flynn.

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer told reporters he wanted an independent investigation of Flynn&rsquo;s discussions with the Russians.

&ldquo;His security clearance ought to be withdrawn until that independent investigation is completed. And if he has violated any law or ethical precept, he ought to be fired,&quot; Schumer said.

Flynn was going about his business despite the cloud hanging over him, participating in national security meetings.

He was at Trump&#39;s side at the president&#39;s Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on Saturday when word reached the presidential entourage that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile at the same time Trump was hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

While Trump left Flynn&#39;s status pending, he appeared to close the door on another source of speculation, as to whether Priebus might be replaced.

Appearing briefly before reporters in the West Wing of the White House, Trump said Priebus was doing a &quot;great job.&quot;

(Reuters)

Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding the national security adviser and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it

The Justice Department warned the White House weeks ago that national security adviser Michael Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail for contacts with Russian officials before President Donald Trump took power, a US official said on Monday. Trump is evaluating the situation surrounding Flynn and talking to vice president Mike Pence about it, Trump's spokesman said, in a pointed refusal to make a public show of support for his embattled aide. The US official confirmed a Washington Post report that Sally Yates, the then-acting US attorney general, told the White House late last month that she believed Flynn had misled them about the nature of his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States. She said Flynn might have put himself into a compromising position, possibly leaving himself vulnerable to blackmail, the official said. Yates was later fired for opposing Trump's temporary entry ban for people from seven mostly Muslim nations. Flynn had told Pence he had not discussed US sanctions against Russia with Russian officials in the weeks before Trump took office on Jan 20, prompting Pence to defend him in subsequent television interviews. In recent days, Flynn has acknowledged he might have discussed sanctions with the Russians but could not remember with 100 per cent certainty, which officials said had upset Pence, who felt he had been misled. Officials said Flynn apologised to Pence twice, including in person on Friday. "The president is evaluating the situation. He is speaking to ... Vice President Pence relative to the conversation the vice president had with General Flynn and also speaking to various other people about what he considers the single most important subject there is, our national security," White House spokesman Sean Spicer said. Early Trump supporter Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general, was an early supporter of Trump and shares his interest in shaking up the establishment in Washington. He has frequently raised eyebrows among Washington's foreign policy establishment for trying to persuade Trump to warm up US relations with Russia. Top White House officials have been reviewing Flynn's contacts with the Russians and whether he discussed the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Russia once Trump took office. That would potentially be in violation of a law banning private citizens from engaging in foreign policy, known as the Logan Act. “He’s not out of the woods,” said a US official who is familiar with the transcripts of intercepted communications between Flynn and the Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak, in late December. This official said Flynn "did discuss sanctions." While Flynn did not make any promises about lifting them, he did indicate that sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama on Russia for its Ukraine incursion "would not necessarily carry over to an administration seeking to improve relations between the US and Russia," the official said. An hour before Spicer read his statement, Kellyanne Conway, one of Trump's closest aides, had told reporters that Flynn had the full confidence of the president. It was notable, however, that Trump did not use the opportunity of a joint news conference with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to make a public show of support for Flynn. Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer told reporters he wanted an independent investigation of Flynn’s discussions with the Russians. “His security clearance ought to be withdrawn until that independent investigation is completed. And if he has violated any law or ethical precept, he ought to be fired," Schumer said. Flynn was going about his business despite the cloud hanging over him, participating in national security meetings. He was at Trump's side at the president's Mar-a-Lago retreat in Florida on Saturday when word reached the presidential entourage that North Korea had launched a ballistic missile at the same time Trump was hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. While Trump left Flynn's status pending, he appeared to close the door on another source of speculation, as to whether Priebus might be replaced. Appearing briefly before reporters in the West Wing of the White House, Trump said Priebus was doing a "great job." (Reuters)

Justice dept warned Trump weeks ago Flynn could be vulnerable to blackmail

The United States Senate confirmed billionaire heiress Betsy DeVos as the next secretary of education Tuesday, after Vice President Mike Pence cast a historic tie-breaking vote on the deeply controversial nomination.

The confirmation means President Donald Trump will now have five of his 15 cabinet members in place more then two weeks into his administration, along with the CIA director and US ambassador to the United Nations, which are cabinet-rank positions.

The chamber deadlocked at 50-50, with two Republicans breaking ranks to oppose DeVos, a champion of using taxpayer monies to help fund privately run schools.

&quot;The Senate being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative, and the nomination is confirmed,&quot; Pence said.

It was the first time a sitting vice president has voted to break a tie for a cabinet pick.

Afterward, Pence tweeted that the confirmation was &quot;a vote for every child having a chance at a world-class education.&quot;

Contentious pick

Her nomination has proven to be the most contentious of Trump&#39;s picks.

Pence&#39;s vote was needed to save DeVos, who had triggered an outpouring of frustration and anger when Trump nominated the 59-year-old political scion from Michigan late last year.

Two moderate Senate Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, bucked Trump and opposed his pick, citing her lack of qualifications for the post that oversees thousands of schools, millions of school children and curriculum standards.

Democrats were unable to convince another Republican to defect despite intense lobbying efforts that culminated with an all-night Democratic talk-a-thon late Monday into Tuesday on the Senate floor.

Senator Patty Murray said DeVos&#39;s performance at last month&#39;s confirmation hearing &quot;underscored how unprepared she is to serve as secretary of education.&quot;

Murray, a former pre-school teacher, added: &quot;There are open questions about her financial entanglements... and lack of understanding about basic education issues.&quot;

DeVos, a former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, never attended public school or worked in the public school system.

Supporters praise the businesswoman and philanthropist as a fierce advocate of school choice, a US movement that seeks to use tax credits and vouchers to allow parents to opt out of the public school system in favor of privately managed charter schools for their children.

Attorney general nominee next

Republican Senator Rob Portman said DeVos would not rule with a heavy hand from Washington.

&quot;She strongly supports local control of education and has pledged not to impose her own views on states and local school districts, but rather to allow them -- along with parents -- to make the decisions that best fit the needs of their children,&quot; Portman said.

Trump rallied Republicans with a pre-vote tweet: &quot;Senate Dems protest to keep the failed status quo. Betsy DeVos is a reformer, and she is going to be a great Education Sec. for our kids!&quot;

The president has strongly criticized Democrats for opposing his cabinet nominations, saying they should be &quot;ashamed of themselves&quot; for slow-walking the process.

One nominee that Democrats have pushed back sharply against is one of the Senate&#39;s own, US attorney general nominee Senator Jeff Sessions, an early Trump backer during the presidential campaign.

Sessions endured a contentious hearing, during which Democrats questioned his civil rights record and his&nbsp;opposition to immigration.

But on Tuesday, his colleagues voted to advance his nomination, setting up a confirmation vote likely for later this week.

DeVos is less well known than Sessions. But she is a fixture in the education world, having served on the boards of not-for-profit groups that support school choice.

&quot;Parents no longer believe that a one-size-fits-all model of learning meets the needs of every child, and they know other options exist -- whether magnet, virtual, charter, home, religious, or any combination thereof,&quot; she said at her confirmation hearing.&nbsp;

Devout Christian beliefs are a hallmark of the DeVos clan, and Betsy has fought hard to carve out broader space for religion in the education world.

Until her nomination she chaired the American Federation for Children, the DeVos family&#39;s umbrella organization that supports advancement of school choice outside of Michigan.

&quot;Our work in Michigan was so successful that some of our friends in the movement began to say, &#39;We really need to do this nationally,&#39;&quot; DeVos said in a 2013 interview with the Philanthropy Roundtable.

&quot;And I said, &#39;Yes, I think we do.&#39;&quot;

(AFP)

With the chamber tied at 50-50, Mike Pence cast a historic tie-breaking vote on the deeply controversial nomination

The United States Senate confirmed billionaire heiress Betsy DeVos as the next secretary of education Tuesday, after Vice President Mike Pence cast a historic tie-breaking vote on the deeply controversial nomination. The confirmation means President Donald Trump will now have five of his 15 cabinet members in place more then two weeks into his administration, along with the CIA director and US ambassador to the United Nations, which are cabinet-rank positions. The chamber deadlocked at 50-50, with two Republicans breaking ranks to oppose DeVos, a champion of using taxpayer monies to help fund privately run schools. "The Senate being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative, and the nomination is confirmed," Pence said. It was the first time a sitting vice president has voted to break a tie for a cabinet pick. Afterward, Pence tweeted that the confirmation was "a vote for every child having a chance at a world-class education." Contentious pick Her nomination has proven to be the most contentious of Trump's picks. Pence's vote was needed to save DeVos, who had triggered an outpouring of frustration and anger when Trump nominated the 59-year-old political scion from Michigan late last year. Two moderate Senate Republicans, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski, bucked Trump and opposed his pick, citing her lack of qualifications for the post that oversees thousands of schools, millions of school children and curriculum standards. Democrats were unable to convince another Republican to defect despite intense lobbying efforts that culminated with an all-night Democratic talk-a-thon late Monday into Tuesday on the Senate floor. Senator Patty Murray said DeVos's performance at last month's confirmation hearing "underscored how unprepared she is to serve as secretary of education." Murray, a former pre-school teacher, added: "There are open questions about her financial entanglements... and lack of understanding about basic education issues." DeVos, a former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, never attended public school or worked in the public school system. Supporters praise the businesswoman and philanthropist as a fierce advocate of school choice, a US movement that seeks to use tax credits and vouchers to allow parents to opt out of the public school system in favor of privately managed charter schools for their children. Attorney general nominee next Republican Senator Rob Portman said DeVos would not rule with a heavy hand from Washington. "She strongly supports local control of education and has pledged not to impose her own views on states and local school districts, but rather to allow them -- along with parents -- to make the decisions that best fit the needs of their children," Portman said. Trump rallied Republicans with a pre-vote tweet: "Senate Dems protest to keep the failed status quo. Betsy DeVos is a reformer, and she is going to be a great Education Sec. for our kids!" The president has strongly criticized Democrats for opposing his cabinet nominations, saying they should be "ashamed of themselves" for slow-walking the process. One nominee that Democrats have pushed back sharply against is one of the Senate's own, US attorney general nominee Senator Jeff Sessions, an early Trump backer during the presidential campaign. Sessions endured a contentious hearing, during which Democrats questioned his civil rights record and his opposition to immigration. But on Tuesday, his colleagues voted to advance his nomination, setting up a confirmation vote likely for later this week. DeVos is less well known than Sessions. But she is a fixture in the education world, having served on the boards of not-for-profit groups that support school choice. "Parents no longer believe that a one-size-fits-all model of learning meets the needs of every child, and they know other options exist -- whether magnet, virtual, charter, home, religious, or any combination thereof," she said at her confirmation hearing. Devout Christian beliefs are a hallmark of the DeVos clan, and Betsy has fought hard to carve out broader space for religion in the education world. Until her nomination she chaired the American Federation for Children, the DeVos family's umbrella organization that supports advancement of school choice outside of Michigan. "Our work in Michigan was so successful that some of our friends in the movement began to say, 'We really need to do this nationally,'" DeVos said in a 2013 interview with the Philanthropy Roundtable. "And I said, 'Yes, I think we do.'" (AFP)

US vice president breaks deadlock to vote for new secretary of education

Donald Trump said on Sunday he is creating a commission headed by Vice President Mike Pence to investigate what the US leader portrays&nbsp;as&nbsp;massive voter fraud in the 2016 election.

No public evidence has emerged of large-scale illegal voting in the November election, and Trump and the White House have failed to substantiate the president&#39;s claim. In fact there is positive proof that the voter fraud Trump is talking about is virtually <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/26/fact-check-trumps-bogus-voter-fraud-claims-revisited/97080242/" target="_blank">non-existent</a>, USA Today reports.

In fact US intelligence claims&nbsp;that Russia&nbsp;meddled in the presidential vote by hacking Democratic Party emails as part of a pro-Trump campaign. Senators have launched a bipartisan investigation. Trump has not said that Pence&#39;s investigation will address Russia&#39;s involvement.

But Trump listed the ways he says he believes&nbsp;voter fraud occurred during an interview with Fox News&#39;s Bill O&#39;Reilly which aired before the Super Bowl on Sunday.

The fraud was apparent, Trump said, &quot;when you look at the registration and you see dead people that have voted, when you see people that are registered in two states that voted in two states, when you see other things, when you see illegals -- people that are not citizens -- and they are on the registration rolls.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s really a bad situation. It&#39;s really bad,&quot; Trump said. Trump&#39;s own lawyers have stated in legal filings that there was no evidence of fraud in the November 8 election. On Sunday the president promised, &quot;to set up a commission to be headed by Vice President Mike Pence and we&#39;re going to look at it very, very carefully&quot;.

&nbsp;

Voter fraud vs&nbsp;voter suppression

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President and CEO Cornell William Brooks has said that voter fraud is a myth, voter suppression, however, is not. Citing studies conducted by the Washington Post and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, Arizona, he said it has been proven that voter suppression is almost non-existent.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The Washington Post&rsquo;s 2015 study showed that between 2000 and 2014 there were only 31 alleged cases of in-person voter fraud among the over 1 billion votes cast in the United States during that time period. Yet, this supposed widespread voter fraud is consistently used as justification for voting restrictions that suppress the votes of African-Americans and Latinos,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;

He also added that a number of federal courts across the US have determined that certain states, like Texas, enacted voting restrictions that discriminated against Black and Latino Americans.

Trump has previously claimed--again, despite solid evidence to the contrary--that were it not for illegal immigrants voting&nbsp;he would have won not just the electoral college but also the popular vote, which was taken by Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

A <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/us/politics/donald-trump-congress-democrats.html">New York Times </a>article claims that Trump, who in business and politics&nbsp;is always conscious of his&nbsp;brand and reputation,&nbsp;was angry about&nbsp;reports that correctly claimed that&nbsp;Clinton earned about 2.8&nbsp;million more votes than Trump.

Despite Trump&#39;s claim that he won the election in a &quot;landslide&quot;, he is only the fourth-ever president to win office despite losing the popular vote.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Proof confirms that the voter fraud Trump claims happened basically does not exist. Critics claim Trump is trying to suppress voting rights

Donald Trump said on Sunday he is creating a commission headed by Vice President Mike Pence to investigate what the US leader portrays as massive voter fraud in the 2016 election. No public evidence has emerged of large-scale illegal voting in the November election, and Trump and the White House have failed to substantiate the president's claim. In fact there is positive proof that the voter fraud Trump is talking about is virtually non-existent, USA Today reports. In fact US intelligence claims that Russia meddled in the presidential vote by hacking Democratic Party emails as part of a pro-Trump campaign. Senators have launched a bipartisan investigation. Trump has not said that Pence's investigation will address Russia's involvement. But Trump listed the ways he says he believes voter fraud occurred during an interview with Fox News's Bill O'Reilly which aired before the Super Bowl on Sunday. The fraud was apparent, Trump said, "when you look at the registration and you see dead people that have voted, when you see people that are registered in two states that voted in two states, when you see other things, when you see illegals -- people that are not citizens -- and they are on the registration rolls." "It's really a bad situation. It's really bad," Trump said. Trump's own lawyers have stated in legal filings that there was no evidence of fraud in the November 8 election. On Sunday the president promised, "to set up a commission to be headed by Vice President Mike Pence and we're going to look at it very, very carefully". Voter fraud vs voter suppression The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President and CEO Cornell William Brooks has said that voter fraud is a myth, voter suppression, however, is not. Citing studies conducted by the Washington Post and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, Arizona, he said it has been proven that voter suppression is almost non-existent. “The Washington Post’s 2015 study showed that between 2000 and 2014 there were only 31 alleged cases of in-person voter fraud among the over 1 billion votes cast in the United States during that time period. Yet, this supposed widespread voter fraud is consistently used as justification for voting restrictions that suppress the votes of African-Americans and Latinos,” he said. He also added that a number of federal courts across the US have determined that certain states, like Texas, enacted voting restrictions that discriminated against Black and Latino Americans. Trump has previously claimed--again, despite solid evidence to the contrary--that were it not for illegal immigrants voting he would have won not just the electoral college but also the popular vote, which was taken by Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. A New York Times article claims that Trump, who in business and politics is always conscious of his brand and reputation, was angry about reports that correctly claimed that Clinton earned about 2.8 million more votes than Trump. Despite Trump's claim that he won the election in a "landslide", he is only the fourth-ever president to win office despite losing the popular vote. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump to create commission investigating non-existent voter fraud

US Vice President Mike Pence has&nbsp;called the federal judge&#39;s ruling suspending the travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations a &quot;wrong decision&quot; and vowed the Trump administration will take &quot;all legal means&quot; to protect the country.

&quot;We believe the judge made the wrong decision, the Boston court made the right decision. We&#39;re going to continue to use all legal means at our disposal to stay that order and move forward to take the steps necessary to protect our country,&quot; Pence told Fox News.

Pence said from the very outset of his campaign for the president and the outset of this administration, President Donald Trump has made it clear that he is going to put the safety and security of the American people first.

The executive order he signed suspending travel from seven mainly Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - that have been compromised by terror is consistent with that objective, and it&#39;s consistent with his powers as president of the United States of America - both under the Constitution and under statutory law, he asserted.

&quot;It&#39;s quite clear that the president has the ability to determine who has access to this country when it comes to national security,&quot; Pence said as he expressed his frustration over the judge&#39;s decision in the Washington court.

&quot;We don&#39;t appoint judges to our district courts to conduct foreign policy or to make decisions about the national security. Under statutory law and under the Constitution, that authority belongs to the president of the United States,&quot; he said.

&quot;While the court did not impose a stay of that order at this point, we&#39;re going to move very quickly into the merits of this argument. As the President said, we are going to in the arguments because we&#39;re going to take the steps necessary to protect the country, which the president of the United States has the authority to do,&quot; Pence said.

When asked about Trump slamming the judge which is quite unusual in the US, Pence told ABC News in another interview that American people are very accustomed to this president speaking his mind and speaking very straight with them.

&quot;There&#39;s simply no question under &#39;The Constitution,&#39; and, frankly, under federal law, that the president of the US has the authority, in the interest of national security, to determine who has the right to come into this country,&quot; he said.

&quot;And we&#39;re going to challenge the judge&#39;s order on that basis, because the reality is, we face a dangerous enemy and the president is determined to use the authority that he has under &#39;The Constitution&#39; and under the law,&quot; Pence said.

&quot;The administration is complying with that order as we speak. We will go through the process in the courts to get a stay of that order, so that again, we can implement this action that is entirely focused on the safety and security of the American people,&quot; he said.

&quot;We have got to do things differently. The Obama administration and the last Congress identified these seven countries repeatedly as seven countries that have been compromised by terrorism,&quot; he added.

As the ban lifted, refugees and thousands of travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen who had been stopped in their tracks last weekend by Trump&#39;s executive order scrambled to get flights to quickly enter the United States.

The sudden reversal of the ban catapulted would-be immigrants back to airports, with uncertainty over how long the window to enter the United States will remain open.

(WION with agency inputs) 
&nbsp;

US Vice President Mike Pence said the Trump administration will take 'all legal means' to protect the country

US Vice President Mike Pence has called the federal judge's ruling suspending the travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations a "wrong decision" and vowed the Trump administration will take "all legal means" to protect the country. "We believe the judge made the wrong decision, the Boston court made the right decision. We're going to continue to use all legal means at our disposal to stay that order and move forward to take the steps necessary to protect our country," Pence told Fox News. Pence said from the very outset of his campaign for the president and the outset of this administration, President Donald Trump has made it clear that he is going to put the safety and security of the American people first. The executive order he signed suspending travel from seven mainly Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen - that have been compromised by terror is consistent with that objective, and it's consistent with his powers as president of the United States of America - both under the Constitution and under statutory law, he asserted. "It's quite clear that the president has the ability to determine who has access to this country when it comes to national security," Pence said as he expressed his frustration over the judge's decision in the Washington court. "We don't appoint judges to our district courts to conduct foreign policy or to make decisions about the national security. Under statutory law and under the Constitution, that authority belongs to the president of the United States," he said. "While the court did not impose a stay of that order at this point, we're going to move very quickly into the merits of this argument. As the President said, we are going to in the arguments because we're going to take the steps necessary to protect the country, which the president of the United States has the authority to do," Pence said. When asked about Trump slamming the judge which is quite unusual in the US, Pence told ABC News in another interview that American people are very accustomed to this president speaking his mind and speaking very straight with them. "There's simply no question under 'The Constitution,' and, frankly, under federal law, that the president of the US has the authority, in the interest of national security, to determine who has the right to come into this country," he said. "And we're going to challenge the judge's order on that basis, because the reality is, we face a dangerous enemy and the president is determined to use the authority that he has under 'The Constitution' and under the law," Pence said. "The administration is complying with that order as we speak. We will go through the process in the courts to get a stay of that order, so that again, we can implement this action that is entirely focused on the safety and security of the American people," he said. "We have got to do things differently. The Obama administration and the last Congress identified these seven countries repeatedly as seven countries that have been compromised by terrorism," he added. As the ban lifted, refugees and thousands of travellers from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen who had been stopped in their tracks last weekend by Trump's executive order scrambled to get flights to quickly enter the United States. The sudden reversal of the ban catapulted would-be immigrants back to airports, with uncertainty over how long the window to enter the United States will remain open. (WION with agency inputs)

Judge's ruling on travel ban a 'wrong decision', says US Vice President

Anti-abortion activists gathered in Washington on Friday for the 44th March for Life, buoyed by President Donald Trump&#39;s pledge to restrict the procedure and Vice President Mike Pence&#39;s plan to address the marchers.

Organisers expect tens of thousands of supporters to converge on the National Mall for the march, which is held each year close to the anniversary of the US&nbsp;Supreme Court&#39;s Roe v&nbsp;Wade ruling that legalised abortion in 1973.

Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican and longtime hero of the anti-abortion movement, is due to be the most senior government official ever to speak in person at the rally, organisers said. As governor of Indiana, Pence signed what were seen as some of the nation&#39;s strictest abortion laws.

Senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and several Republican lawmakers also are scheduled to speak.

Rally participants will march from the Mall about 1.5 miles (2 km) to the Supreme Court.

The March for Life comes six days after Washington was flooded by hundreds of thousands of anti-Trump protesters, many of them backers of abortion rights. That protest came a day after Trump was sworn in as president.&nbsp;

Trump has said Roe v&nbsp;Wade should be overturned and has vowed to appoint an anti-abortion justice to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year.

He also has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood, which draws the ire of many Republicans because it provides abortions, along with other services.&nbsp;

In a speech to Republican lawmakers at a retreat in Philadelphia on Thursday, Trump noted that on Monday he reinstated a national policy banning US&nbsp;aid to non-governmental organisations abroad that provide or &quot;promote&quot; abortion.

Trump, who has frequently accused the media of underestimating the crowd at his inauguration, predicted the size of the march crowd would be &quot;300, 400, 500, 600,000 people.&quot;

The rally comes as the number of US&nbsp;abortions has fallen to a record low. The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health and rights organisation, said last week that it dropped below 1 million in 2013 for the first time since 1975.

The drop could be because of improved contraceptive practices as well as restrictive abortion laws, the institute said.

A Pew poll last year showed 57 per cent of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

(Reuters)

The march comes days after Washington was flooded by hundreds of thousands of anti-Trump protesters, many of them were backers of abortion

Anti-abortion activists gathered in Washington on Friday for the 44th March for Life, buoyed by President Donald Trump's pledge to restrict the procedure and Vice President Mike Pence's plan to address the marchers. Organisers expect tens of thousands of supporters to converge on the National Mall for the march, which is held each year close to the anniversary of the US Supreme Court's Roe v Wade ruling that legalised abortion in 1973. Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican and longtime hero of the anti-abortion movement, is due to be the most senior government official ever to speak in person at the rally, organisers said. As governor of Indiana, Pence signed what were seen as some of the nation's strictest abortion laws. Senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway, New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan and several Republican lawmakers also are scheduled to speak. Rally participants will march from the Mall about 1.5 miles (2 km) to the Supreme Court. The March for Life comes six days after Washington was flooded by hundreds of thousands of anti-Trump protesters, many of them backers of abortion rights. That protest came a day after Trump was sworn in as president. Trump has said Roe v Wade should be overturned and has vowed to appoint an anti-abortion justice to fill the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year. He also has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood, which draws the ire of many Republicans because it provides abortions, along with other services. In a speech to Republican lawmakers at a retreat in Philadelphia on Thursday, Trump noted that on Monday he reinstated a national policy banning US aid to non-governmental organisations abroad that provide or "promote" abortion. Trump, who has frequently accused the media of underestimating the crowd at his inauguration, predicted the size of the march crowd would be "300, 400, 500, 600,000 people." The rally comes as the number of US abortions has fallen to a record low. The Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health and rights organisation, said last week that it dropped below 1 million in 2013 for the first time since 1975. The drop could be because of improved contraceptive practices as well as restrictive abortion laws, the institute said. A Pew poll last year showed 57 per cent of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases. (Reuters)

Anti-abortion activists to hold annual 'March For Life' rally in Washington

The US Senate confirmed Representative Mike Pompeo as President Donald Trump&#39;s CIA director on Monday, after a delay tied to some lawmakers&#39; worries he might expand surveillance or allow the use of certain interrogation techniques widely considered torture.

Sixty-six senators backed Pompeo and 32 voted against. All the opposition was from Democrats, except for Senator Rand Paul, a leading Republican advocate for strict control of surveillance. Shortly afterwards, Pompeo was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence.

Some senators felt Pompeo, 53, had not pledged strongly enough to allow only the use of interrogation techniques included in the Army Field Manual, as required by law, rather than return to waterboarding and other &quot;enhanced interrogation techniques&quot;, or EITs, used by the CIA in the years after the September 11 attacks.

Trump&#39;s predecessor, Barack Obama, signed an executive order in 2009 banning waterboarding - a form of simulated drowning - and other EITs, which are denounced by many lawmakers and rights groups as torture.

In response to written questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pompeo said he was open to changing policy under certain circumstances. &quot;I will consult with experts... on whether the Army Field Manual uniform application is an impediment to gathering vital intelligence to protect the country,&quot; Pompeo wrote.

Trump promised during his presidential campaign to bring back waterboarding and &quot;a hell of a lot worse&quot;.

Democratic Senator Ron Wyden spoke for more than an hour in the Senate in opposition to Pompeo&#39;s nomination, saying he had provided inconsistent answers on surveillance and interrogation tactics, making it impossible to know how he would implement policy at the CIA.

Wyden cited an op-ed Pompeo co-authored last year that called for restarting the bulk collection of domestic telephone metadata and combining it with financial and lifestyle information into one searchable database.

He accused Pompeo of having proposed &quot;the most sweeping new surveillance program I have ever heard of&quot;.

Paul wrote in an op-ed: &quot;I voted against the new CIA Director because I worry that his desire for security will trump his defence of liberty.&quot;

Most Republicans called Pompeo, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, an excellent choice.

Senator John McCain, a leader of the fight for legislation barring the use of the rough interrogation methods, said: &quot;I have no reason to doubt Congressman Pompeo&rsquo;s word.&quot;

McCain added: &quot;I fully support his confirmation. Going forward, I will continue to closely monitor this issue, and use my oversight powers to ensure the law is obeyed.&quot;

(Reuters)

The delay was tied to some lawmakers' worries he might expand surveillance or allow the use of torture

The US Senate confirmed Representative Mike Pompeo as President Donald Trump's CIA director on Monday, after a delay tied to some lawmakers' worries he might expand surveillance or allow the use of certain interrogation techniques widely considered torture. Sixty-six senators backed Pompeo and 32 voted against. All the opposition was from Democrats, except for Senator Rand Paul, a leading Republican advocate for strict control of surveillance. Shortly afterwards, Pompeo was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence. Some senators felt Pompeo, 53, had not pledged strongly enough to allow only the use of interrogation techniques included in the Army Field Manual, as required by law, rather than return to waterboarding and other "enhanced interrogation techniques", or EITs, used by the CIA in the years after the September 11 attacks. Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, signed an executive order in 2009 banning waterboarding - a form of simulated drowning - and other EITs, which are denounced by many lawmakers and rights groups as torture. In response to written questions from the Senate Intelligence Committee, Pompeo said he was open to changing policy under certain circumstances. "I will consult with experts... on whether the Army Field Manual uniform application is an impediment to gathering vital intelligence to protect the country," Pompeo wrote. Trump promised during his presidential campaign to bring back waterboarding and "a hell of a lot worse". Democratic Senator Ron Wyden spoke for more than an hour in the Senate in opposition to Pompeo's nomination, saying he had provided inconsistent answers on surveillance and interrogation tactics, making it impossible to know how he would implement policy at the CIA. Wyden cited an op-ed Pompeo co-authored last year that called for restarting the bulk collection of domestic telephone metadata and combining it with financial and lifestyle information into one searchable database. He accused Pompeo of having proposed "the most sweeping new surveillance program I have ever heard of". Paul wrote in an op-ed: "I voted against the new CIA Director because I worry that his desire for security will trump his defence of liberty." Most Republicans called Pompeo, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, an excellent choice. Senator John McCain, a leader of the fight for legislation barring the use of the rough interrogation methods, said: "I have no reason to doubt Congressman Pompeo’s word." McCain added: "I fully support his confirmation. Going forward, I will continue to closely monitor this issue, and use my oversight powers to ensure the law is obeyed." (Reuters)

After delay, US Senate confirms Mike Pompeo as CIA director

Donald Trump will be sworn in on Friday as the 45th president of the United States, taking power over a divided country after a savage campaign and setting the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad.

In a ceremony likely to draw 900,000 people, including protesters, Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, will take the oath of office at midday (1700 GMT) outside the domed US Capitol, with US Chief Justice John Roberts presiding.

Security was tight around the White House and Capitol Streets near the president`s home were blocked to traffic by empty buses and dump trucks or temporary pedestrian security checkpoints where law enforcement officers and National Guard troops checked people`s bags.

Some 28,000 officers were in place to secure the roughly 3-square-mile (8-square-kilometer) area of downtown Washington. The National Mall in front of the Capitol opened early to begin admitting guests, who were barred from bringing selfie sticks, coolers for beverages, and long umbrellas despite the rainy weather.

Trump, 70, enters the White House with work to do to bolster his image. During a testy transition period since his stunning November election win, the wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to &quot;engage with every windmill that he can find.&quot;

An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed Trump favourably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1977, and the same percentage approved of how he has handled the transition.&nbsp;

His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Democrat Barack Obama`s eight years, raises a host of questions for the United States.

Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad.

Trump`s desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished.

In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to &quot;knock the hell out of&quot; Islamic State militants.

Democrats&#39; boycott

The inaugural festivities may have a more partisan edge than usual, given Trump`s scorching campaign and continuing confrontations between him and Democrats over his take-no-prisoners Twitter attacks and pledge to roll back many of Obama`s policies.

More than 50 Democratic lawmakers plan to stay away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president.

Thousands of anti-Trump protesters were expected among an inauguration crowd that organisers estimated will be upwards of 900,000. Many demonstrators will participate in the &quot;Women`s March on Washington&quot; on Saturday. protests are also planned in other cities in the United States and abroad.

Trump, whose November 8 victory stunned the world, will start his presidency with a 20-minute inaugural address that he has been writing himself with the help of top aides. It will be &quot;a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country,&quot; said his spokesman, Sean Spicer.

&quot;He`ll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base,&quot; Spicer told reporters. &quot;I think it`s going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document, a vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens.&quot;

Quick action

Trump`s to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama`s signature health care law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy.

Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of their presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply oppose Trump`s anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico.&nbsp;

Trump`s critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million.

&quot;Any time you don&rsquo;t win the popular vote but you win by the Electoral College it makes people come unglued,&quot; said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. &quot;It angers people that somebody can win the popular vote but you`re not president.&quot;

Trump`s critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican`s favour. The president-elect has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow - that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election.

To his supporters, many of them working-class whites, Trump is a refreshingly anti-establishment figure who eschews political correctness. To critics - including Obama who during the campaign called Trump temperamentally unfit for the White House - his talk can be jarring, especially when expressed in tweets.

But while a Wall Street Journal opinion poll showed a majority of Americans would like Trump to give up on Twitter, the new president said he would continue because the US news media does not treat him fairly. 
 
(Reuters)

In a ceremony likely to draw 900,000 people, including protesters, Trump will take the oath of office outside the domed US Capitol

Donald Trump will be sworn in on Friday as the 45th president of the United States, taking power over a divided country after a savage campaign and setting the country on a new, uncertain path at home and abroad. In a ceremony likely to draw 900,000 people, including protesters, Trump and his vice president, Mike Pence, will take the oath of office at midday (1700 GMT) outside the domed US Capitol, with US Chief Justice John Roberts presiding. Security was tight around the White House and Capitol Streets near the president`s home were blocked to traffic by empty buses and dump trucks or temporary pedestrian security checkpoints where law enforcement officers and National Guard troops checked people`s bags. Some 28,000 officers were in place to secure the roughly 3-square-mile (8-square-kilometer) area of downtown Washington. The National Mall in front of the Capitol opened early to begin admitting guests, who were barred from bringing selfie sticks, coolers for beverages, and long umbrellas despite the rainy weather. Trump, 70, enters the White House with work to do to bolster his image. During a testy transition period since his stunning November election win, the wealthy New York businessman and former reality TV star has repeatedly engaged in Twitter attacks against his critics, so much so that one fellow Republican, Senator John McCain, told CNN that Trump seemed to want to "engage with every windmill that he can find." An ABC News/Washington Post poll this week found only 40 percent of Americans viewed Trump favourably, the lowest rating for an incoming president since Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1977, and the same percentage approved of how he has handled the transition. His ascension to the White House, while welcomed by Republicans tired of Democrat Barack Obama`s eight years, raises a host of questions for the United States. Trump campaigned on a pledge to take the country on a more isolationist, protectionist path and has vowed to impose a 35 percent tariff on goods on imports from U.S. companies that went abroad. Trump`s desire for warmer ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and threats to cut funding for North Atlantic Treaty Organization nations has allies from Britain to the Baltics worried that the traditional U.S. security umbrella will be diminished. In the Middle East, Trump has said he wants to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, at the risk of angering Arabs. He has yet to sketch out how he plans to carry out a campaign pledge to "knock the hell out of" Islamic State militants. Democrats' boycott The inaugural festivities may have a more partisan edge than usual, given Trump`s scorching campaign and continuing confrontations between him and Democrats over his take-no-prisoners Twitter attacks and pledge to roll back many of Obama`s policies. More than 50 Democratic lawmakers plan to stay away from the proceedings to protest Trump, spurred on after he derided U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia, a hero of the civil rights movement, for calling him an illegitimate president. Thousands of anti-Trump protesters were expected among an inauguration crowd that organisers estimated will be upwards of 900,000. Many demonstrators will participate in the "Women`s March on Washington" on Saturday. protests are also planned in other cities in the United States and abroad. Trump, whose November 8 victory stunned the world, will start his presidency with a 20-minute inaugural address that he has been writing himself with the help of top aides. It will be "a very personal and sincere statement about his vision for the country," said his spokesman, Sean Spicer. "He`ll talk about infrastructure and education, our manufacturing base," Spicer told reporters. "I think it`s going to be less of an agenda and more of a philosophical document, a vision of where he sees the country, the proper role of government, the role of citizens." Quick action Trump`s to-do list has given Republicans hope that, since they also control the U.S. Congress, they can quickly repeal and replace Obama`s signature health care law, approve sweeping tax reform and roll back many federal regulations they say are stifling the U.S. economy. Democrats, in search of firm political footing after the unexpected defeat of their presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, are planning to fight him at every turn. They deeply oppose Trump`s anti-immigrant rhetoric from the campaign trail and plans to build a wall along the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Trump`s critics have been emboldened to attack his legitimacy because his win came in the Electoral College, which gives smaller states more clout in the outcome. He lost the popular vote to Clinton by about 2.9 million. "Any time you don’t win the popular vote but you win by the Electoral College it makes people come unglued," said presidential historian Douglas Brinkley. "It angers people that somebody can win the popular vote but you`re not president." Trump`s critics also point to the conclusion of U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia used hacking and other methods during the campaign to try to tilt the election in the Republican`s favour. The president-elect has acknowledged the finding - denied by Moscow - that Russia was behind the hacking but said it did not affect the outcome of the election. To his supporters, many of them working-class whites, Trump is a refreshingly anti-establishment figure who eschews political correctness. To critics - including Obama who during the campaign called Trump temperamentally unfit for the White House - his talk can be jarring, especially when expressed in tweets. But while a Wall Street Journal opinion poll showed a majority of Americans would like Trump to give up on Twitter, the new president said he would continue because the US news media does not treat him fairly. (Reuters)

Pageantry, protests to mark the start of Trump's US presidency

Donald Trump&#39;s vice-president and top aides joined the US president-elect in criticising&nbsp;US Representative John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat,&nbsp;civil rights activist and lawmaker for questioning the legitimacy of his election win, opening up a new divide days before the inauguration.

US Representative John Lewis, told NBC&#39;s &quot;Meet the Press&quot; he thought hacking by Russians had helped Trump, a Republican, to get elected in November. Lewis said he does not plan to attend Trump&#39;s swearing in on Friday, the first time he would miss such an event since being elected to the House in 1986.

Vice-President-elect Mike Pence, incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Trump spokesman Sean Spicer characterised Lewis&#39; remarks as disappointing and damaging to the reputation of US democracy.

&quot;We honour the sacrifice that he made,&quot; Pence said on CBS&#39; &quot;Face the Nation.&quot; &quot;For someone of his stature not just in the civil rights movement but in voting rights to make a comment that he did not consider Donald Trump to be a legitimate president I think is deeply disappointing. I hope he reconsiders both statements.&quot;

Pence said he had attended both of President Barack Obama&#39;s inaugurations. He said at a time when the country was facing challenges both at home and abroad, Americans should look for ways to come together and work together. The 76-year-old Lewis, who has been a civil rights leader for more than half a century, was beaten by police during a march he helped lead in 1965 in Selma, Alabama, drawing attention to hurdles preventing blacks from voting. He protested alongside leader Martin Luther King Jr. that day and on other occasions. The spat comes ahead of Monday&#39;s federal holiday that honours King.

Speaking on ABC&#39;s &quot;This Week&quot;, Priebus said Lewis&#39; comments, given his position in society, were irresponsible. &quot;We need folks like John Lewis, and others who I think have been champions of voter rights, to actually recognise the fact that Donald Trump was duly elected,&quot; said Priebus. &quot;I think putting the United States down across the world is not something that a responsible person does.&quot;

Outgoing White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said Obama believed that Trump was the freely elected president. McDonough, however, said concerns raised by Lewis and other Democrats about Russia&#39;s interference in the election were not trivial.

&quot;My hope would be that the president-elect will reach out to...John Lewis, who has done so many things over the course of his life, to try to work this out,&quot; McDonough said on CNN&#39;s State of the Union. Such a gesture, he said, would show Americans that the nation is united and send a message to the Russians that &quot;their efforts to divide us, to weaken us, to advance their own interests, at the expense of ours, are going to fail.&quot;

Trump&#39;s aides defended his hard-hitting response on Twitter on Saturday that Lewis &quot;should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested),&quot; instead of complaining about the November 8 election results.

Lewis&#39; district encompasses Atlanta and the city&#39;s main newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, told Trump he was &quot;wrong&quot; in his characterization of the area, which includes &quot;many of Atlanta&rsquo;s crown jewels as well as pockets of poverty.&quot;

&quot;It was John Lewis that attacked Donald Trump. Donald Trump has a right to respond to that, and he did. And forcefully,&quot; Spicer said on Fox News. But other Republicans and conservatives, like Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, had voiced support for Lewis on Saturday and his contribution not just to the United States, but to the world. At least 10 other Democratic politicians have said they also plan to skip the inauguration.

(Reuters)&nbsp;

Trump's top aides have joined in on criticism?of US Representative John Lewis for questioning the legitimacy of Trump's election victory

Donald Trump's vice-president and top aides joined the US president-elect in criticising US Representative John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat, civil rights activist and lawmaker for questioning the legitimacy of his election win, opening up a new divide days before the inauguration. US Representative John Lewis, told NBC's "Meet the Press" he thought hacking by Russians had helped Trump, a Republican, to get elected in November. Lewis said he does not plan to attend Trump's swearing in on Friday, the first time he would miss such an event since being elected to the House in 1986. Vice-President-elect Mike Pence, incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and Trump spokesman Sean Spicer characterised Lewis' remarks as disappointing and damaging to the reputation of US democracy. "We honour the sacrifice that he made," Pence said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "For someone of his stature not just in the civil rights movement but in voting rights to make a comment that he did not consider Donald Trump to be a legitimate president I think is deeply disappointing. I hope he reconsiders both statements." Pence said he had attended both of President Barack Obama's inaugurations. He said at a time when the country was facing challenges both at home and abroad, Americans should look for ways to come together and work together. The 76-year-old Lewis, who has been a civil rights leader for more than half a century, was beaten by police during a march he helped lead in 1965 in Selma, Alabama, drawing attention to hurdles preventing blacks from voting. He protested alongside leader Martin Luther King Jr. that day and on other occasions. The spat comes ahead of Monday's federal holiday that honours King. Speaking on ABC's "This Week", Priebus said Lewis' comments, given his position in society, were irresponsible. "We need folks like John Lewis, and others who I think have been champions of voter rights, to actually recognise the fact that Donald Trump was duly elected," said Priebus. "I think putting the United States down across the world is not something that a responsible person does." Outgoing White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough said Obama believed that Trump was the freely elected president. McDonough, however, said concerns raised by Lewis and other Democrats about Russia's interference in the election were not trivial. "My hope would be that the president-elect will reach out to...John Lewis, who has done so many things over the course of his life, to try to work this out," McDonough said on CNN's State of the Union. Such a gesture, he said, would show Americans that the nation is united and send a message to the Russians that "their efforts to divide us, to weaken us, to advance their own interests, at the expense of ours, are going to fail." Trump's aides defended his hard-hitting response on Twitter on Saturday that Lewis "should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested)," instead of complaining about the November 8 election results. Lewis' district encompasses Atlanta and the city's main newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, told Trump he was "wrong" in his characterization of the area, which includes "many of Atlanta’s crown jewels as well as pockets of poverty." "It was John Lewis that attacked Donald Trump. Donald Trump has a right to respond to that, and he did. And forcefully," Spicer said on Fox News. But other Republicans and conservatives, like Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, had voiced support for Lewis on Saturday and his contribution not just to the United States, but to the world. At least 10 other Democratic politicians have said they also plan to skip the inauguration. (Reuters)

Now, Trump's team slams John Lewis

China called on US officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent.

The US State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on &quot;long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (US) relations with Taiwan&quot;.

China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province.

Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a US president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979.

Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan&#39;s small band of diplomatic allies, on January 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters.

Taiwan&#39;s Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai&#39;s ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai&#39;s trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials.

The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on January 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai&#39;s delegation would seek to meet Trump&#39;s team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said.

&nbsp;

Meeting unlikely

An adviser to Trump&#39;s transition team said he considered it &quot;very unlikely&quot; there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York.

China&#39;s Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai&#39;s real aim was &quot;self-evident&quot;.

China hopes the United States &quot;does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to &#39;Taiwan independence&#39; forces,&quot; the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters.

US&nbsp;State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet US&nbsp;officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically.

He said the transits were &quot;based on long-standing US&nbsp;practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan.&quot; A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call.

In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect.

&quot;I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region,&quot; she told the reporters.

US vice president-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call.

&quot;(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy,&quot; Pence said. &quot;He&rsquo;s also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan. We have a unique relationship with that country that&rsquo;s been defined over the decades since we&rsquo;ve reopened relations with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call.&rdquo;

Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong&#39;s communists in China&#39;s civil war. Taiwan&#39;s Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were &quot;excessive speculation&quot;.

El Salvador&#39;s government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates.

The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on January 10, however, so Tsai&#39;s trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony.

The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump&#39;s phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing.

(Reuters)

The US State Department appeared to reject the request, saying that such transits were based on 'long-standing US practice'

China called on US officials on Tuesday not to let Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pass through the United States en route to Guatemala next month, days after President-elect Donald Trump irked Beijing by speaking to Tsai in a break with decades of precedent. The US State Department appeared to reject the call, saying that such transits were based on "long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of (US) relations with Taiwan". China is deeply suspicious of Tsai, whom it thinks wants to push for the formal independence of Taiwan, a self-governing island that Beijing regards as a renegade province. Her call with Trump on Friday was the first between a US president-elect or president and a Taiwanese leader since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 1979. Tsai is due to visit Guatemala, one of Taiwan's small band of diplomatic allies, on January 11-12, its foreign minister, Carlos Raul Morales, told Reuters. Taiwan's Liberty Times, considered close to Tsai's ruling Democratic Progressive Party, reported on Monday that she was planning to go through New York early next month on her way to Nicaragua, Guatemala and El Salvador. Taiwan has not formally confirmed Tsai's trip but visits to its allies in the region are normally combined with transit stops in the United States and meetings with Taiwan-friendly officials. The trip would take place before Trump is inaugurated on January 20 to replace Democrat Barack Obama and Tsai's delegation would seek to meet Trump's team, including his White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, the Liberty Times said. Meeting unlikely An adviser to Trump's transition team said he considered it "very unlikely" there would be a meeting between Tsai and Trump if she were to go through New York. China's Foreign Ministry said the one-China principle, which states Taiwan is part of China, was commonly recognised by the international community and that Tsai's real aim was "self-evident". China hopes the United States "does not allow her transit, and does not send any wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' forces," the ministry said in a statement sent to Reuters. US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said on Monday he had no information whether Tsai would meet US officials if she stopped in transit but said Taiwanese presidents did stop over periodically. He said the transits were "based on long-standing US practice, consistent with the unofficial nature of our relations with Taiwan." A spokeswoman repeated the position on Tuesday when asked to comment on the Chinese call. In a meeting with American reporters on Tuesday, Tsai played down the significance of her conversation with Trump, saying it was to congratulate the president-elect. "I do not foresee major policy shifts in the near future because we all see the value of stability in the region," she told the reporters. US vice president-elect Mike Pence told the Fox News Channel on Tuesday that Trump did not regret taking the call. "(The) president-elect was fully aware of the one-China policy," Pence said. "He’s also very aware that the United States has sold billions of dollars in arms to Taiwan. We have a unique relationship with that country that’s been defined over the decades since we’ve reopened relations with the People’s Republic of China but I think he think he felt it would be rude not to take the call.” Taiwan has been self governing since 1949 when Nationalist forces fled to the island after defeat by Mao Zedong's communists in China's civil war. Taiwan's Presidential Office said media reports about a January trip were "excessive speculation". El Salvador's government said it was working with Taiwan on plans for a visit by Tsai in the second week of January but gave no specific dates. The Nicaraguan government had no immediate comment. Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is to be sworn in for a third consecutive term on January 10, however, so Tsai's trip to Guatemala would dovetail with that ceremony. The White House said on Monday it had sought to reassure China after Trump's phone call with Tsai, which the Obama administration warned could undermine progress in relations with Beijing. (Reuters)

China asks US to block Taiwan president's stopover after Trump phone call

US President-elect Donald Trump will work to ensure there is &quot;proper separation&quot; between his business empire and his job as president of the United States, vice president-elect Mike Pence said on Sunday, amid fresh concerns about conflict of interest following a meeting with Indian real estate executives.

Trump, who has said he planned to turn over handling of the Trump Organization to his adult children, has come under criticism for the&nbsp;meeting on Tuesday with three Indian businessmen who are partners in a project to build a Trump-branded luxury apartment complex in Mumbai.

Pence said on the CBS program &quot;Face the Nation&quot; that Trump and his family would &quot;work with the best legal minds in this country and create the proper separation from their business enterprise during his duties as president of the United States.&quot;

A photo of the three executives meeting with Trump was posted on Twitter. Indian newspapers reported last week that the business leaders talked with the Trump Organization about expanding the Trump branded projects in India.

Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, speaking on CNN&#39;s &quot;State of the Union&quot; program, said Trump would comply with all laws and have the White House counsel&#39;s office &quot;review all of these things.&quot;

&quot;And we will have every &#39;I&#39; dotted and every &#39;T&#39; crossed, and I can assure the American people that there wouldn&#39;t be any wrongdoing&nbsp;or any sort of undue influence over any decision-making,&quot; Priebus said.

Trump, who takes office on January 20, has said his businesses will be overseen by his three grown children, Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump.

Priebus was asked if it was appropriate for family members to sit in on official meetings after Ivanka Trump attended her father&#39;s meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday.

&quot;Donald Trump has been very clear from the very beginning that his family is very important to him,&quot; Priebus said on CNN.

(Reuters)

Trump will work to ensure there is 'proper separation' between his business empire and his new job, said Mike Pence

US President-elect Donald Trump will work to ensure there is "proper separation" between his business empire and his job as president of the United States, vice president-elect Mike Pence said on Sunday, amid fresh concerns about conflict of interest following a meeting with Indian real estate executives. Trump, who has said he planned to turn over handling of the Trump Organization to his adult children, has come under criticism for the meeting on Tuesday with three Indian businessmen who are partners in a project to build a Trump-branded luxury apartment complex in Mumbai. Pence said on the CBS program "Face the Nation" that Trump and his family would "work with the best legal minds in this country and create the proper separation from their business enterprise during his duties as president of the United States." A photo of the three executives meeting with Trump was posted on Twitter. Indian newspapers reported last week that the business leaders talked with the Trump Organization about expanding the Trump branded projects in India. Incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" program, said Trump would comply with all laws and have the White House counsel's office "review all of these things." "And we will have every 'I' dotted and every 'T' crossed, and I can assure the American people that there wouldn't be any wrongdoing or any sort of undue influence over any decision-making," Priebus said. Trump, who takes office on January 20, has said his businesses will be overseen by his three grown children, Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump. Priebus was asked if it was appropriate for family members to sit in on official meetings after Ivanka Trump attended her father's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Thursday. "Donald Trump has been very clear from the very beginning that his family is very important to him," Priebus said on CNN. (Reuters)

Trump team promises to address ethics concerns on businesses

Saturday morning, New York time, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that his future vice president, Mike Pence, was &quot;harassed&quot; by the cast of the Broadway play, &quot;Hamilton&quot;.&nbsp;

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Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/799972624713420804">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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When Mike Pence arrived in the New York theater he was booed by the crowd. Pence has a record of making homophobic laws, such as voting to ban same sex marriage, signing a bill to jail same-sex couples applying for a marriage license, wanting to divert funds from HIV prevention to conversion therapy, and others.

Brandon Victor Dixon --&nbsp;one of the stars of Hamilton, a cast which contains several&nbsp;members of the gay and queer community&nbsp;--&nbsp;pleaded with the crowd to stop booing, and asked that the future vice president protect all Americans.

Dixon said: &quot;We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us.&quot;&nbsp;The crowd applauded.&nbsp;

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Yes <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MikePence?src=hash">#MikePence</a> was at <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonMusical">@HamiltonMusical</a> here&#39;s what we had to say <a href="https://t.co/YIjt7JZ3gF">pic.twitter.com/YIjt7JZ3gF</a>
&mdash; G R E G O R Y (@ghaney22) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghaney22/status/799824250630762500">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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In response to this&nbsp;plea to the vice president-elect,&nbsp;the president-elect demanded an apology.

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The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/799974635274194947">November 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION)

&nbsp;

The lead actor stopped the crowd from booing and asked Pence for protection, for which Trump demanded he apologize

Saturday morning, New York time, president-elect Donald Trump tweeted that his future vice president, Mike Pence, was "harassed" by the cast of the Broadway play, "Hamilton". Our wonderful future V.P. Mike Pence was harassed last night at the theater by the cast of Hamilton, cameras blazing.This should not happen! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016 × When Mike Pence arrived in the New York theater he was booed by the crowd. Pence has a record of making homophobic laws, such as voting to ban same sex marriage, signing a bill to jail same-sex couples applying for a marriage license, wanting to divert funds from HIV prevention to conversion therapy, and others. Brandon Victor Dixon -- one of the stars of Hamilton, a cast which contains several members of the gay and queer community -- pleaded with the crowd to stop booing, and asked that the future vice president protect all Americans. Dixon said: "We, sir, we are the diverse America who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us. We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and work on behalf of all of us." The crowd applauded. Yes #MikePence was at @HamiltonMusical here's what we had to say pic.twitter.com/YIjt7JZ3gF — G R E G O R Y (@ghaney22) November 19, 2016 × In response to this plea to the vice president-elect, the president-elect demanded an apology. The Theater must always be a safe and special place.The cast of Hamilton was very rude last night to a very good man, Mike Pence. Apologize! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 19, 2016 × (WION)

Trump says Broadway actor 'harassed' vice president-elect Mike Pence

US President-elect Donald Trump, with vice-president elect Mike Pence, is&nbsp;readying&nbsp;to appoint candidates to his transition team on Tuesday.&nbsp;Trump, a political novice, is looking to fill&nbsp;his team with&nbsp;loyalists,&nbsp;top contenders being former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and former UN ambassador John Bolton.

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Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/798721142525665280">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Mike Rogers, a former US congressman was suggested as possible candidate for the post of CIA director, but was rejected because Trump&#39;s advisers believed he did not pressure rival Hillary Clinton when he was the head of the House of Representatives intelligence committee.&nbsp;

Trump also dropped New Jersey governor Chris Christie last week to lead his transition team and replaced him with Mike Pence. Pence, along with Trump&#39;s three older children, will be overseeing the process. But with only&nbsp;weeks left until Trump takes office, Pence has not filled out the necessary legal paperwork&nbsp;with President Barack Obama&#39;s team.&nbsp;

Christie had already negotiated and signed this paperwork while leading Trump&#39;s transition, but since he was replaced Friday, the Trump team has refused to sign the paperwork again. As the New York Times reported, the team is trying to alter and update the initial agreement Christie signed.

The paperwork, a standard arrangement between the president-elect and the standing president, guarantees that the Obama and Trump administration will not publicly share information about each other. It is known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU.

The Washington Examiner&nbsp;reports that Trump&#39;s transition team failed to appear at the Pentagon. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-transition-team_us_582b9516e4b0aa8910bd97a5?">The Huffington Post</a> reports that officials waited in vain for&nbsp;Trump&#39;s transition team to appear at the Department of Energy, who keep the nuclear weapons safe,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the Department of Transportation, and at the Justice Department. This confusion makes it impossible for the agencies to communicate with the staff who will be replacing them.

Giuliani and Bolton are the top contenders for secretary of state.&nbsp;Both are considered hardliners in their approach towards national security.&nbsp;

Mike Flynn, a retired Lieutenant General is a top candidate as national security adviser, while Jeff Sessions, Alabama senator is being considered for secretary or defence or attorney general.&nbsp;Steve Mnuchin, a Wall Street executive, might serve as treasury secretary.&nbsp;

The Huffington Post characterises the transition problem&nbsp;as &quot;twofold&quot;. On the one hand, Trump&#39;s anti-establishment inner circle are reluctant to work with experienced Republicans. Meanwhile&nbsp;GOP members who were eager for political control are unwilling to work under Trump and members of his team.&nbsp;

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After exchange w Trump transition team, changed my recommendation: stay away. They&#39;re angry, arrogant, screaming &quot;you LOST!&quot; Will be ugly.
&mdash; Eliot A Cohen (@EliotACohen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EliotACohen/status/798512852931788800">November 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and former UN ambassador John Bolton are being considered for secretary of state

US President-elect Donald Trump, with vice-president elect Mike Pence, is readying to appoint candidates to his transition team on Tuesday. Trump, a political novice, is looking to fill his team with loyalists, top contenders being former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani and former UN ambassador John Bolton. Very organized process taking place as I decide on Cabinet and many other positions. I am the only one who knows who the finalists are! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016 × Mike Rogers, a former US congressman was suggested as possible candidate for the post of CIA director, but was rejected because Trump's advisers believed he did not pressure rival Hillary Clinton when he was the head of the House of Representatives intelligence committee. Trump also dropped New Jersey governor Chris Christie last week to lead his transition team and replaced him with Mike Pence. Pence, along with Trump's three older children, will be overseeing the process. But with only weeks left until Trump takes office, Pence has not filled out the necessary legal paperwork with President Barack Obama's team. Christie had already negotiated and signed this paperwork while leading Trump's transition, but since he was replaced Friday, the Trump team has refused to sign the paperwork again. As the New York Times reported, the team is trying to alter and update the initial agreement Christie signed. The paperwork, a standard arrangement between the president-elect and the standing president, guarantees that the Obama and Trump administration will not publicly share information about each other. It is known as a memorandum of understanding, or MOU. The Washington Examiner reports that Trump's transition team failed to appear at the Pentagon. The Huffington Post reports that officials waited in vain for Trump's transition team to appear at the Department of Energy, who keep the nuclear weapons safe, at the Department of Transportation, and at the Justice Department. This confusion makes it impossible for the agencies to communicate with the staff who will be replacing them. Giuliani and Bolton are the top contenders for secretary of state. Both are considered hardliners in their approach towards national security. Mike Flynn, a retired Lieutenant General is a top candidate as national security adviser, while Jeff Sessions, Alabama senator is being considered for secretary or defence or attorney general. Steve Mnuchin, a Wall Street executive, might serve as treasury secretary. The Huffington Post characterises the transition problem as "twofold". On the one hand, Trump's anti-establishment inner circle are reluctant to work with experienced Republicans. Meanwhile GOP members who were eager for political control are unwilling to work under Trump and members of his team. After exchange w Trump transition team, changed my recommendation: stay away. They're angry, arrogant, screaming "you LOST!" Will be ugly. — Eliot A Cohen (@EliotACohen) November 15, 2016 × (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump leans toward loyalists as he mulls US Cabinet picks

US President-elect Donald Trump put Mike Pence in charge of White House transition team along with three of his five children and son-in-law.&nbsp;

Christie will continue as vice chair of the transition effort and was left out as he copes with the &#39;Bridgegate&#39; lane closure scandal.&nbsp;

The announcement was made after a meeting at Trump Tower in New York City as Trump&#39;s aides begin the process of selecting candidates for some of the 4,000 jobs.&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s eldest daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, along with sons Eric and Donald Jr. will look into the transition process while managing his business empire.&nbsp;

The business mogul&#39;s company said this will not breach conflict-of-interest laws.&nbsp;

New candidates emerge

Rudy Giuliani, former New York mayor is now a favourite for the position of Attorney General, which Christie was earlier considered for.&nbsp;

Giuliani said he was happy to advise Trump but did not comment if he would take the position.&nbsp;

&quot;I can see already how he is going to be a great president and I&#39;m glad I could play a small role in it,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Since Trump&#39;s surprise win over Democrat nominee and rival Hillary Clinton, candidates such as Sarah Palin, David Malpass, former state department official are open to joining his administration.&nbsp;

According to Trump aides, Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee chairman and Steve Bannon, the campaign&#39;s CEO are the top contenders for White House chief of staff.&nbsp;

Trump does not have a lot of options, as many Republicans fiercely opposed and condemned his policies and comments.&nbsp;

He will most likely choose his strongest supporters for the important positions and according to campaign sources, Alabama senator, Jeff Sessions could be considered for defense secretary, Newt Gingrich as secretary of state and retired General Michael Flynn as national security adviser.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

New Jersey governor Chris Christie was dropped by president-elect Trump as he deals with the 'Bridgegate' lane closure scandal

US President-elect Donald Trump put Mike Pence in charge of White House transition team along with three of his five children and son-in-law. Christie will continue as vice chair of the transition effort and was left out as he copes with the 'Bridgegate' lane closure scandal. The announcement was made after a meeting at Trump Tower in New York City as Trump's aides begin the process of selecting candidates for some of the 4,000 jobs. Trump's eldest daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, along with sons Eric and Donald Jr. will look into the transition process while managing his business empire. The business mogul's company said this will not breach conflict-of-interest laws. New candidates emerge Rudy Giuliani, former New York mayor is now a favourite for the position of Attorney General, which Christie was earlier considered for. Giuliani said he was happy to advise Trump but did not comment if he would take the position. "I can see already how he is going to be a great president and I'm glad I could play a small role in it," he said. Since Trump's surprise win over Democrat nominee and rival Hillary Clinton, candidates such as Sarah Palin, David Malpass, former state department official are open to joining his administration. According to Trump aides, Reince Priebus, Republican National Committee chairman and Steve Bannon, the campaign's CEO are the top contenders for White House chief of staff. Trump does not have a lot of options, as many Republicans fiercely opposed and condemned his policies and comments. He will most likely choose his strongest supporters for the important positions and according to campaign sources, Alabama senator, Jeff Sessions could be considered for defense secretary, Newt Gingrich as secretary of state and retired General Michael Flynn as national security adviser. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump puts Pence in charge of transition team

PoliticusUSA reports that the United States District Court in New Jersey ordered discovery on both Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee&#39;s&nbsp;(RNC)&nbsp;poll monitoring efforts. The hearing will be on November 4th, just days before the November 8 election.

Read the full court ruling<a href="http://electionlawblog.org/wp-content/uploads/dnc-rnc-discovery.pdf">&nbsp;here.</a>

Donald Trump, his running mate Mike Pence, a campaign spokesman Kellyanne Conway have all made statements encouraging Trump supporters to guard the polls because, they say, the 2016 US election could be rigged. There is no statistical evidence&nbsp;to support this contention. While election fraud isn&#39;t literally zero, all evidence suggests that it is statistically negligible.&nbsp;

The concerted, repeated efffort to say otherwise&nbsp;has been widely perceived as a theat that could undermine&nbsp;America&#39;s democractic integrity.

<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/29/voter-fraud-iowa-trump-supporter">The Guardian</a>&nbsp;reports that according to a study by the Loyola Law School, there have been 31 cases of voter impersonation in more than a billion ballots cast from the year 2000 to 2014. The Guardian also reports&nbsp;that Trump&#39;s assertions of voter fraud in Philadelphia in 2012 have also been debunked, by no less than Republican officials in the city.

<a href="http://www.factcheck.org/2016/10/trumps-bogus-voter-fraud-claims/">Here</a> is an updated and thorough debunking&nbsp;of Donald Trump&#39;s claims related to voter fraud.

While voter fraud is pretty close to non existent, a <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/poll-41-percent-of-voters-say-the-election-could-be-stolen-from-trump-229871">Politico/Morning Consult poll</a> suggests that Trump&#39;s repeated assertion that the elections will be &quot;rigged&quot; are taking hold in the American populace: As many as 73 per cent of Republicans think the election could be stolen from him, while 17 per cent of Democrats agree with the basic idea that there could be massive voter fraud.

 
Perhaps because it takes this threat seriously, the court order demands affidavits from several parties, including those with personal knowledge of the Republican National Committee&#39;s effort with the Trump campaign to monitor voting stations around America, &quot;as indicated by Kellyanne Conway.&quot;

The Court ordered affidavits from several Republican operatives from various states who are said to be planning to enact&nbsp;state-wide &quot;voter fraud&quot; monitoring and poll monitoring. These include RNC member Rob Gleason&#39;s efforts to recruit persons to act as poll watchers in Philadelphia, and another RNC member Ronna Romney McDaniel&#39;s attempt in Michigan to prepare, in her words, a &quot;massive statewide anti-voter fraud effort&quot;.

Republicans must also answer in court for Governor Mike Pence&#39;s remarks, that the Trump campaign is working with state officials to ensure &quot;ballot integrity&quot;.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) failed a lawsuit against the RNC for violating a court order from 1982 intended to prevent voter indimidation. Donald Trump&#39;s baseless assertion that the election and rigged and that supporters need to go to other polling stations was widely-considered to be barely-veiled call&nbsp;to intimidate voters.

(WION)

Republicans will have to explain comments inciting their base to monitor polls to guard against 'voter fraud'

PoliticusUSA reports that the United States District Court in New Jersey ordered discovery on both Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee's (RNC) poll monitoring efforts. The hearing will be on November 4th, just days before the November 8 election. Read the full court ruling here. Donald Trump, his running mate Mike Pence, a campaign spokesman Kellyanne Conway have all made statements encouraging Trump supporters to guard the polls because, they say, the 2016 US election could be rigged. There is no statistical evidence to support this contention. While election fraud isn't literally zero, all evidence suggests that it is statistically negligible. The concerted, repeated efffort to say otherwise has been widely perceived as a theat that could undermine America's democractic integrity. The Guardian reports that according to a study by the Loyola Law School, there have been 31 cases of voter impersonation in more than a billion ballots cast from the year 2000 to 2014. The Guardian also reports that Trump's assertions of voter fraud in Philadelphia in 2012 have also been debunked, by no less than Republican officials in the city. Here is an updated and thorough debunking of Donald Trump's claims related to voter fraud. While voter fraud is pretty close to non existent, a Politico/Morning Consult poll suggests that Trump's repeated assertion that the elections will be "rigged" are taking hold in the American populace: As many as 73 per cent of Republicans think the election could be stolen from him, while 17 per cent of Democrats agree with the basic idea that there could be massive voter fraud. Perhaps because it takes this threat seriously, the court order demands affidavits from several parties, including those with personal knowledge of the Republican National Committee's effort with the Trump campaign to monitor voting stations around America, "as indicated by Kellyanne Conway." The Court ordered affidavits from several Republican operatives from various states who are said to be planning to enact state-wide "voter fraud" monitoring and poll monitoring. These include RNC member Rob Gleason's efforts to recruit persons to act as poll watchers in Philadelphia, and another RNC member Ronna Romney McDaniel's attempt in Michigan to prepare, in her words, a "massive statewide anti-voter fraud effort". Republicans must also answer in court for Governor Mike Pence's remarks, that the Trump campaign is working with state officials to ensure "ballot integrity". The Democratic National Committee (DNC) failed a lawsuit against the RNC for violating a court order from 1982 intended to prevent voter indimidation. Donald Trump's baseless assertion that the election and rigged and that supporters need to go to other polling stations was widely-considered to be barely-veiled call to intimidate voters. (WION)

US court orders discovery on Donald Trump and Republican's 'poll monitoring' efforts

Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence&#39;s campaign plane slid off a runway after landing at New York&#39;s LaGuardia Airport Thursday evening, the campaign said.&nbsp;

No injuries were reported.

&quot;We could feel the plane sliding off the runway and then (it) came to a very sharp halt&quot; after landing, CNN producer Elizabeth Landers, who was on the plane, told the channel.&nbsp;

&quot;The governor and everyone on board is okay,&quot; she said of Donald Trump&#39;s running mate.

The Boeing 737 slid completely off the runway onto grass next to the tarmac, she added, saying there was mud and grass on the plane&#39;s body and &quot;gashes&quot; on the runway.

Video footage broadcast from the runway soon after the incident showed steady rain falling. Pence could be seen shaking hands and posing for photos with first responders.

&quot;So thankful everyone on our plane is safe,&quot; he tweeted after the incident. &quot;Grateful for our first responders &amp; the concern &amp; prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!&quot;

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So thankful everyone on our plane is safe. Grateful for our first responders &amp; the concern &amp; prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!
&mdash; Mike Pence (@mike_pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/mike_pence/status/791804660071993344">October 28, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Trump, who was campaigning in Ohio, called Pence after the accident, spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said.

&quot;He reached out to Governor Pence and he is very glad everyone aboard is safe,&quot; she said.

Trump&#39;s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton also tweeted after the incident: &quot;Glad to hear @mike_pence, his staff, Secret Service, and the crew are all safe.&quot;

(AFP)

The plane came to a stop on the grass next to the runway, no injuries were reported

Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence's campaign plane slid off a runway after landing at New York's LaGuardia Airport Thursday evening, the campaign said. No injuries were reported. "We could feel the plane sliding off the runway and then (it) came to a very sharp halt" after landing, CNN producer Elizabeth Landers, who was on the plane, told the channel. "The governor and everyone on board is okay," she said of Donald Trump's running mate. The Boeing 737 slid completely off the runway onto grass next to the tarmac, she added, saying there was mud and grass on the plane's body and "gashes" on the runway. Video footage broadcast from the runway soon after the incident showed steady rain falling. Pence could be seen shaking hands and posing for photos with first responders. "So thankful everyone on our plane is safe," he tweeted after the incident. "Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow!" So thankful everyone on our plane is safe. Grateful for our first responders & the concern & prayers of so many. Back on the trail tomorrow! — Mike Pence (@mike_pence) October 28, 2016 × Trump, who was campaigning in Ohio, called Pence after the accident, spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said. "He reached out to Governor Pence and he is very glad everyone aboard is safe," she said. Trump's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton also tweeted after the incident: "Glad to hear @mike_pence, his staff, Secret Service, and the crew are all safe." (AFP)

Trump running mate Mike Pence's plane skids off New York runway

Donald Trump abruptly postponed his planned announcement today of his vice presidential running mate because of a deadly truck attack in France, but Republican sources said his choice was expected to be Indiana Governor Mike Pence. 
 
Viewed as a safe pair of hands, Pence, 57, has diverging views with Trump on his proposed Muslim ban and trade, and is more socially conservative, but he could help unify a divided party behind Trump&#39;s White House bid. 
 
Trump was due to make his official announcement on his choice today at 11am (1500 GMT) in Manhattan. But he tweeted on Thursday night that the attack in Nice, where a truck slammed into a crowd, killing dozens of people, prompted him to delay. 
 
&quot;In light of the horrible attack in Nice, France, I have postponed tomorrow&#39;s news conference concerning my vice presidential announcement,&quot; said Trump. He said in a Fox News interview: &quot;We will announce tomorrow when it will be.&quot; 
 
Trump, who has proposed banning Muslims from &quot;terror states&quot; from entering the United States, said in another Fox News interview that the attack in France showed the United States and the rest of the world needed to get tougher in the fight against Islamist militants. 
 
&quot;This has to be dealt with very harshly,&quot; Trump said. 
 
He told Fox News he had not made a &quot;final, final decision&quot; on a running mate. He heaped praise on Pence and his other two finalists, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve got three people that are fantastic,&quot; he said. 
 
Trump&#39;s advisers told national party officials that he had settled on Pence, according to two Republican sources familiar with the campaign&#39;s operations. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m told he&#39;s been asked to do this and he&#39;s flying to New York,&quot; one source said. Pence was seen by TV networks arriving at a New York-area airport. 
 
Straight Man 
 
Trump&#39;s choice of running mate is seen as especially critical because his defeat of 16 rivals in the Republican primary race left the party divided. Some party leaders are still uneasy about some of his campaign positions and free-wheeling statements, such as his comments on Muslims and immigrants. 
 
&quot;Pence is Donald Trump&#39;s straight man,&quot; said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. &quot;He&#39;ll be able to defend him as well as be a cheerleader but do it in a calm, cool, collected manner that will preserve his credibility.&quot; 
 
Gingrich, who met Trump on Wednesday, said on a Facebook Live session that he had yet to hear from Trump. He said he had told Trump that he needed to decide whether he wanted &quot;two pirates&quot; on the same ticket. Both men have been political mavericks. 
 
Christie, a former rival to Trump in the presidential race, told MSNBC earlier he would be disappointed if not picked. &ldquo;I&#39;m not going to say it won&#39;t bother me if I&#39;m not selected. Of course it bothers you a little bit.&quot; 
 
Pence, a former congressman, is seen as a safe choice, not too flashy but popular among conservatives, with Midwestern appeal and the ability to rally more party faithful behind Trump. The businessman has never held elected office. 
 
&quot;He&rsquo;s a good, safe, solid conservative,&quot; said Republican strategist Scott Reed. 
 
Pence also could give a boost to Trump&#39;s campaign fundraising efforts as he challenges the well-organized effort of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Pence has strong ties to billionaire donors Charles and David Koch, including current and former staff members who have worked for them. 
 
Differences between the two 
 
But Pence is to the right of Trump on social issues, having signed restrictive abortion legislation and pushed to defund the Planned Parenthood women&#39;s healthcare organization, whose services include providing abortions. Trump has said he opposes abortion, but his views have been inconsistent, and he has said Planned Parenthood provides some valuable services. 
 
Pence has also criticized Trump&rsquo;s proposal to ban Muslims temporarily from entering the country. In 2006, he introduced immigration legislation that would let illegal immigrants apply for U.S. work visas if they left the country for a period, a plan that was criticised by some conservatives. That contrasts with Trump&#39;s strong stance on immigration, marked by his pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico. 
 
Pence has also voiced support for free trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership. Trump supports free trade but says he wants to renegotiate trade deals to make them more favorable to the United States. 
 
Pence had backed a Trump rival, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, in April before the Indiana primary, but he praised Trump and said he would work on behalf of the eventual Republican nominee. Trump won Indiana anyway, prompting Cruz to drop out of the race to be the party&#39;s nominee. 
 
Pence had considered running for president himself in 2016 before deciding to run for re-election as governor. Conservatives had urged him to seek the White House, but missteps last year related to an Indiana law seen as anti-gay hurt his national profile. 
 
This year, he was the target of a mocking social media campaign by women outraged at a law he signed creating new restrictions on abortions. Feeling that the law invaded their privacy, women responded by calling Pence&#39;s office to describe their menstrual periods or tweeting similar messages. 
 
Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress twice before he won election to the House of Representatives in 2000, where he was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservatives. 
 
(Reuters)

Probable candidate Governor Mike Pence has divergent views with Trump on his proposed Muslim ban but he could help unify a divided party

Donald Trump abruptly postponed his planned announcement today of his vice presidential running mate because of a deadly truck attack in France, but Republican sources said his choice was expected to be Indiana Governor Mike Pence. Viewed as a safe pair of hands, Pence, 57, has diverging views with Trump on his proposed Muslim ban and trade, and is more socially conservative, but he could help unify a divided party behind Trump's White House bid. Trump was due to make his official announcement on his choice today at 11am (1500 GMT) in Manhattan. But he tweeted on Thursday night that the attack in Nice, where a truck slammed into a crowd, killing dozens of people, prompted him to delay. "In light of the horrible attack in Nice, France, I have postponed tomorrow's news conference concerning my vice presidential announcement," said Trump. He said in a Fox News interview: "We will announce tomorrow when it will be." Trump, who has proposed banning Muslims from "terror states" from entering the United States, said in another Fox News interview that the attack in France showed the United States and the rest of the world needed to get tougher in the fight against Islamist militants. "This has to be dealt with very harshly," Trump said. He told Fox News he had not made a "final, final decision" on a running mate. He heaped praise on Pence and his other two finalists, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. "I've got three people that are fantastic," he said. Trump's advisers told national party officials that he had settled on Pence, according to two Republican sources familiar with the campaign's operations. "I'm told he's been asked to do this and he's flying to New York," one source said. Pence was seen by TV networks arriving at a New York-area airport. Straight Man Trump's choice of running mate is seen as especially critical because his defeat of 16 rivals in the Republican primary race left the party divided. Some party leaders are still uneasy about some of his campaign positions and free-wheeling statements, such as his comments on Muslims and immigrants. "Pence is Donald Trump's straight man," said Republican strategist Ron Bonjean. "He'll be able to defend him as well as be a cheerleader but do it in a calm, cool, collected manner that will preserve his credibility." Gingrich, who met Trump on Wednesday, said on a Facebook Live session that he had yet to hear from Trump. He said he had told Trump that he needed to decide whether he wanted "two pirates" on the same ticket. Both men have been political mavericks. Christie, a former rival to Trump in the presidential race, told MSNBC earlier he would be disappointed if not picked. “I'm not going to say it won't bother me if I'm not selected. Of course it bothers you a little bit." Pence, a former congressman, is seen as a safe choice, not too flashy but popular among conservatives, with Midwestern appeal and the ability to rally more party faithful behind Trump. The businessman has never held elected office. "He’s a good, safe, solid conservative," said Republican strategist Scott Reed. Pence also could give a boost to Trump's campaign fundraising efforts as he challenges the well-organized effort of his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Pence has strong ties to billionaire donors Charles and David Koch, including current and former staff members who have worked for them. Differences between the two But Pence is to the right of Trump on social issues, having signed restrictive abortion legislation and pushed to defund the Planned Parenthood women's healthcare organization, whose services include providing abortions. Trump has said he opposes abortion, but his views have been inconsistent, and he has said Planned Parenthood provides some valuable services. Pence has also criticized Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims temporarily from entering the country. In 2006, he introduced immigration legislation that would let illegal immigrants apply for U.S. work visas if they left the country for a period, a plan that was criticised by some conservatives. That contrasts with Trump's strong stance on immigration, marked by his pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico. Pence has also voiced support for free trade deals like the Trans Pacific Partnership. Trump supports free trade but says he wants to renegotiate trade deals to make them more favorable to the United States. Pence had backed a Trump rival, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, in April before the Indiana primary, but he praised Trump and said he would work on behalf of the eventual Republican nominee. Trump won Indiana anyway, prompting Cruz to drop out of the race to be the party's nominee. Pence had considered running for president himself in 2016 before deciding to run for re-election as governor. Conservatives had urged him to seek the White House, but missteps last year related to an Indiana law seen as anti-gay hurt his national profile. This year, he was the target of a mocking social media campaign by women outraged at a law he signed creating new restrictions on abortions. Feeling that the law invaded their privacy, women responded by calling Pence's office to describe their menstrual periods or tweeting similar messages. Pence ran unsuccessfully for Congress twice before he won election to the House of Representatives in 2000, where he was chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a group of conservatives. (Reuters)

Trump postpones vice presidential running mate pick after Nice terror attack

Republican Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;announced Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his Vice-Presidential running mate today, putting a seasoned Conservative politician at his side, who could help rally more party loyalists behind his White House bid.

Republican sources said on Thursday that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had decided on Pence, but the campaign had not confirmed this until now.&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had postponed an&nbsp;event&nbsp;today to announce his decision following the deadly truck attack in France.

Viewed as a safe pair of hands, Pence, 57, has diverging views with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;on his proposed Muslim ban and trade, and is more socially conservative. But he could help unify Republicans left divided by&nbsp;Trump&#39;s campaign to win the party presidential nomination for the November&nbsp;8 election.

&quot;I am pleased to announce that I have chosen governor Mike Pence as my Vice-Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11.00 am,&quot;&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said in a tweet.

Trump&nbsp;had faced a midday deadline to announce Pence because the governor had to declare by then whether he would be on the ballot in his home state for re-election.

Trump, a New York businessman who has never held elected office, had chosen Pence from a short list that included two other finalists, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

In a Fox News interview on Thursday night,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said Pence had done a great job in Indiana and that of all the people he had interviewed for the job, &quot;there&#39;s nobody that agrees with me fully on everything.&quot;

His choice was slammed by the campaign of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

&ldquo;By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate known for supporting discriminatory politics and failed economic policies that favour millionaires and corporations over working families,&rdquo; said Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta.

Trump&nbsp;said on Thursday he postponed his planned announcement on Friday&nbsp;out of respect for the victims in Nice, France. An attacker in a heavy truck drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing at least 84 and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act.

Trump, 70, is set to be formally nominated as the party&#39;s candidate for the presidential election at the convention in Cleveland. Traditionally, the vice-presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists.

The Republican National Committee expects the convention to draw 50,000 to Cleveland and US&nbsp;authorities were preparing for the possibility of violence - whether from demonstrators or planned attacks.

The Cleveland gathering and the Democratic Party Convention the following week in Philadelphia have been given the status of special national security event by the federal government for the first time and security will be heightened, said Republican Party spokesman Sean Spicer.

&quot;They&#39;re just going to make sure that it&#39;s the safest place on earth for the guests, the attendees, the delegates and the media,&quot; Spicer told CNN.

The Department of Homeland Security will send more than 3,000 personnel to each convention, Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Thursday, speaking before the Nice attack. No specific or credible threat to either gathering has been reported, he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Pence has diverging views with Trump, but could help unite Republicans divided by Trump's campaign to win the party presidential nomination

Republican Donald Trump announced Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his Vice-Presidential running mate today, putting a seasoned Conservative politician at his side, who could help rally more party loyalists behind his White House bid. Republican sources said on Thursday that Trump had decided on Pence, but the campaign had not confirmed this until now. Trump had postponed an event today to announce his decision following the deadly truck attack in France. Viewed as a safe pair of hands, Pence, 57, has diverging views with Trump on his proposed Muslim ban and trade, and is more socially conservative. But he could help unify Republicans left divided by Trump's campaign to win the party presidential nomination for the November 8 election. "I am pleased to announce that I have chosen governor Mike Pence as my Vice-Presidential running mate. News conference tomorrow at 11.00 am," Trump said in a tweet. Trump had faced a midday deadline to announce Pence because the governor had to declare by then whether he would be on the ballot in his home state for re-election. Trump, a New York businessman who has never held elected office, had chosen Pence from a short list that included two other finalists, former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. In a Fox News interview on Thursday night, Trump said Pence had done a great job in Indiana and that of all the people he had interviewed for the job, "there's nobody that agrees with me fully on everything." His choice was slammed by the campaign of Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. “By picking Mike Pence as his running mate, Donald Trump has doubled down on some of his most disturbing beliefs by choosing an incredibly divisive and unpopular running mate known for supporting discriminatory politics and failed economic policies that favour millionaires and corporations over working families,” said Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. Trump said on Thursday he postponed his planned announcement on Friday out of respect for the victims in Nice, France. An attacker in a heavy truck drove into crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing at least 84 and injuring scores more in what President Francois Hollande called a terrorist act. Trump, 70, is set to be formally nominated as the party's candidate for the presidential election at the convention in Cleveland. Traditionally, the vice-presidential choice is used to build enthusiasm among party loyalists. The Republican National Committee expects the convention to draw 50,000 to Cleveland and US authorities were preparing for the possibility of violence - whether from demonstrators or planned attacks. The Cleveland gathering and the Democratic Party Convention the following week in Philadelphia have been given the status of special national security event by the federal government for the first time and security will be heightened, said Republican Party spokesman Sean Spicer. "They're just going to make sure that it's the safest place on earth for the guests, the attendees, the delegates and the media," Spicer told CNN. The Department of Homeland Security will send more than 3,000 personnel to each convention, Secretary Jeh Johnson said on Thursday, speaking before the Nice attack. No specific or credible threat to either gathering has been reported, he said. (Reuters)

White House candidate Donald Trump announces Mike Pence as his running mate

The US vice presidential running mate Mike Pence on Thursday said Donald Trump has backtracked on his call for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States.

The Republican presidential candidate had last December called for a &ldquo;total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US&rdquo; in the wake of gruesome Islamic-state inspired mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people and injured 22.&nbsp;

Pence had earlier supported Trump&#39;s call to suspend immigration from &ldquo;countries that have been compromised by terrorism&rdquo;.&nbsp;

However, on being asked whether the statement meant a blanket ban on Muslims, he responded with an &ldquo;of course not&rdquo;.&nbsp;

The proposed ban has drawn a severe backlash from critics who have called the ban a violation of the US Constitution&#39;s gaurantee of religious freedom, with the Democrats resorting to calling him a bigot for his racist and xenophobic policies.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

No love for Russia?

Trump on Thursday said he is unsure how his relationship with Russia&#39;s Putin will pan out if he becomes the President of the United States.&nbsp;

&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t love (Putin), I don&rsquo;t hate. We&rsquo;ll see how it works. We&rsquo;ll see,&rdquo; Trump told supporters during a campaign stop in Nevada, a day after Pence called the Russian leader a &ldquo;small and a bullying leader&rdquo;.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Maybe we&rsquo;ll have a good relationship. Maybe we&rsquo;ll have a horrible relationship. Maybe we&rsquo;ll have a relationship right in the middle.&rdquo;&nbsp;

In a vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, Pence had denounced Russia for supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and for interfering in Syria&#39;s five-year-long civil war.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The Republican presidential candidate had last December called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US

The US vice presidential running mate Mike Pence on Thursday said Donald Trump has backtracked on his call for a complete ban on Muslims entering the United States. The Republican presidential candidate had last December called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US” in the wake of gruesome Islamic-state inspired mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, that killed 14 people and injured 22. Pence had earlier supported Trump's call to suspend immigration from “countries that have been compromised by terrorism”. However, on being asked whether the statement meant a blanket ban on Muslims, he responded with an “of course not”. The proposed ban has drawn a severe backlash from critics who have called the ban a violation of the US Constitution's gaurantee of religious freedom, with the Democrats resorting to calling him a bigot for his racist and xenophobic policies. No love for Russia? Trump on Thursday said he is unsure how his relationship with Russia's Putin will pan out if he becomes the President of the United States. “I don’t love (Putin), I don’t hate. We’ll see how it works. We’ll see,” Trump told supporters during a campaign stop in Nevada, a day after Pence called the Russian leader a “small and a bullying leader”. “Maybe we’ll have a good relationship. Maybe we’ll have a horrible relationship. Maybe we’ll have a relationship right in the middle.” In a vice presidential debate between Mike Pence and Tim Kaine, Pence had denounced Russia for supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and for interfering in Syria's five-year-long civil war. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump 'backing away' from complete Muslim ban, says Pence

&nbsp;

Donald Trump&#39;s running mate Mike Pence on Tuesday said the United States should attack Syrian government targets if Russia continues to support its campaign to retake Aleppo.

&quot;If Russia chooses to be involved and continue... in this barbaric attack on Aleppo, the United States of America should use military force to strike the targets of the Assad regime,&quot; the Republican vice presidential candidate said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a debate with his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine.

The Syrian army announced a major Russian-backed military push nearly two weeks ago to capture the eastern rebel-held half of Aleppo in northern Syria, once the country&#39;s commercial hub.

Both candidates on Tuesday advocated the establishment of humanitarian safe zones in northern Syria.

Washington came close to launching strikes against Syrian regime targets in 2013 after evidence emerged the government had attacked civilians with sarin gas.

However, President Barack Obama agreed instead to a last-minute deal brokered by Russia to remove Syria&#39;s banned chemical weapons.

Both Pence and Kaine criticised Russia&#39;s support for the Syrian regime during their debate as well as Moscow&#39;s confrontation with Western countries, but clashed over earlier statements by both Trump and Pence praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

&quot;He&#39;s been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader,&quot; Trump said of Putin last month.

Kaine said that &quot;Donald Trump, again and again, has praised Vladimir Putin, and it&#39;s clear that he has business dealings with Russian oligarchs who are related to Putin.&quot;

&quot;Governor Pence made the odd claim, he said that arguably, Vladimir Putin is a better leader than President Obama,&quot; he added.

Pence denied the accusations as &quot;absolutely inaccurate,&quot; blaming Russian military offensives on Clinton&#39;s tenure as secretary of state.

&quot;Hillary Clinton said her number one priority was a reset with Russia,&quot; he said of Obama&#39;s policy to improve relations with Moscow during his first term. &quot;That reset resulted in the invasion of Ukraine.&quot;

Washington announced late Monday that it would suspend negotiations with Russia over reinstating a nationwide truce in Syria, accusing Moscow of abetting Assad in a conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people since it erupted in March 2011. 
&nbsp;

(AFP)

Mike Pence said US should conduct military strikes against Assad if Russia continues to back his regime and does not stop attacking Syria

Donald Trump's running mate Mike Pence on Tuesday said the United States should attack Syrian government targets if Russia continues to support its campaign to retake Aleppo. "If Russia chooses to be involved and continue... in this barbaric attack on Aleppo, the United States of America should use military force to strike the targets of the Assad regime," the Republican vice presidential candidate said, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a debate with his Democratic counterpart Tim Kaine. The Syrian army announced a major Russian-backed military push nearly two weeks ago to capture the eastern rebel-held half of Aleppo in northern Syria, once the country's commercial hub. Both candidates on Tuesday advocated the establishment of humanitarian safe zones in northern Syria. Washington came close to launching strikes against Syrian regime targets in 2013 after evidence emerged the government had attacked civilians with sarin gas. However, President Barack Obama agreed instead to a last-minute deal brokered by Russia to remove Syria's banned chemical weapons. Both Pence and Kaine criticised Russia's support for the Syrian regime during their debate as well as Moscow's confrontation with Western countries, but clashed over earlier statements by both Trump and Pence praising Russian President Vladimir Putin. "He's been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader," Trump said of Putin last month. Kaine said that "Donald Trump, again and again, has praised Vladimir Putin, and it's clear that he has business dealings with Russian oligarchs who are related to Putin." "Governor Pence made the odd claim, he said that arguably, Vladimir Putin is a better leader than President Obama," he added. Pence denied the accusations as "absolutely inaccurate," blaming Russian military offensives on Clinton's tenure as secretary of state. "Hillary Clinton said her number one priority was a reset with Russia," he said of Obama's policy to improve relations with Moscow during his first term. "That reset resulted in the invasion of Ukraine." Washington announced late Monday that it would suspend negotiations with Russia over reinstating a nationwide truce in Syria, accusing Moscow of abetting Assad in a conflict that has killed more than 300,000 people since it erupted in March 2011. (AFP)

Pence calls for US attacks against Syrian regime

Freshly minted as his party&#39;s choice for the White House, Republican Donald Trump today will make a display of solidarity with his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a social conservative who is at odds with Trump on many issues. 
 
Pence, the keynote speaker on the third day of the Republican convention in Cleveland, has been well-received by the Republican Party&#39;s social conservative wing, who were skeptical of Trump&#39;s commitment to opposing abortion and same-sex marriage but trust his running mate, a former US lawmaker. 
 
But joint appearances between the two men have been awkward. Trump and Pence shared the stage only briefly on Saturday as Pence publicly agreed to be Trump&#39;s running mate, and their first televised interview together, on CBS&#39;s &quot;60 Minutes&quot;, was not smooth. 
 
For example, asked about Pence&#39;s support in Congress for war in Iraq, Trump responded, &quot;I don&#39;t care,&quot; saying Pence was allowed to make occasional mistakes. When the interviewer asked if Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton should get the same wiggle room on her own Iraq vote when she was a US senator, Trump said, &quot;No&quot;. 
 
The choreography of the Cleveland convention, where Trump was formally named the party&#39;s nominee for the November 8 election, has been uneven. At times, anti-Trump delegates interrupted to shout their displeasure. Tuesday&#39;s session was intended to focus on the economy, but few speakers hewed to the theme. 
 
Several convention delegates called Trump&#39;s choice of running mate a step toward uniting a bitterly divided Republican Party and working to build bridges with the party&#39;s establishment. Pence&#39;s performance today and his interactions with Trump, could help to sell hesitant Republicans at home on the duo. 
 
Pence will speak in prime time today, a day dedicated to &quot;Make America First Again&quot;. Earlier in the day, he will appear with his wife, Karen, Trump and his family at a welcome event. 
 
On Tuesday, Pence delivered a surprise address to the American Conservative Union, where he repeatedly compared Trump to former Republican President Ronald Reagan, a favourite among the party faithful. He said he had gotten to know Trump and knew he cared about helping Americans. 
 
&quot;For all the world he reminds me of Ronald Reagan,&quot; Pence said. &quot;My fellow conservatives, it&#39;s time for us to come together. Come together around this good man.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

The two shared the stage only briefly on Saturday at the Republican Convention, but now Pence compares Trump to Ronald Reagan

Freshly minted as his party's choice for the White House, Republican Donald Trump today will make a display of solidarity with his running mate, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a social conservative who is at odds with Trump on many issues. Pence, the keynote speaker on the third day of the Republican convention in Cleveland, has been well-received by the Republican Party's social conservative wing, who were skeptical of Trump's commitment to opposing abortion and same-sex marriage but trust his running mate, a former US lawmaker. But joint appearances between the two men have been awkward. Trump and Pence shared the stage only briefly on Saturday as Pence publicly agreed to be Trump's running mate, and their first televised interview together, on CBS's "60 Minutes", was not smooth. For example, asked about Pence's support in Congress for war in Iraq, Trump responded, "I don't care," saying Pence was allowed to make occasional mistakes. When the interviewer asked if Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton should get the same wiggle room on her own Iraq vote when she was a US senator, Trump said, "No". The choreography of the Cleveland convention, where Trump was formally named the party's nominee for the November 8 election, has been uneven. At times, anti-Trump delegates interrupted to shout their displeasure. Tuesday's session was intended to focus on the economy, but few speakers hewed to the theme. Several convention delegates called Trump's choice of running mate a step toward uniting a bitterly divided Republican Party and working to build bridges with the party's establishment. Pence's performance today and his interactions with Trump, could help to sell hesitant Republicans at home on the duo. Pence will speak in prime time today, a day dedicated to "Make America First Again". Earlier in the day, he will appear with his wife, Karen, Trump and his family at a welcome event. On Tuesday, Pence delivered a surprise address to the American Conservative Union, where he repeatedly compared Trump to former Republican President Ronald Reagan, a favourite among the party faithful. He said he had gotten to know Trump and knew he cared about helping Americans. "For all the world he reminds me of Ronald Reagan," Pence said. "My fellow conservatives, it's time for us to come together. Come together around this good man." (Reuters)

After awkward start, Trump, Pence put relationship on display

In his first interview as Donald Trump&#39;s running mate, Indiana governor Mike Pence on Friday compared the Republican presidential hopeful to conservative icon Ronald Reagan. 
 
Pence, interviewed on Fox News Channel&#39;s &quot;Hannity&quot; show, emphasised that the real estate mogul and reality TV star was &quot;the people&#39;s choice&quot;. 
 
The Republican Party &quot;had a competitive primary with him, enormous number of talented men and women,&quot; Pence said.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;Donald Trump again and again emerged because I think very much like the 40th president that you and I so admire, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump understands the anxiety and the aspiration of the American people like no leader since Reagan.&quot; 
 
Trump has no direct political experience. In contrast Reagan, a Hollywood actor, was governor of California before he was elected president. 
 
The comparison with the late Reagan, who served two terms during the 1980s and is revered by Republicans, is a clear appeal to make 
Trump more palatable to conservatives alienated by Trump&#39;s bombastic rhetoric and populist message who had backed other primary candidates. 
 
The four-day Republican Party convention that will nominate Trump as their presidential candidate, which starts Monday in Cleveland, Ohio, will feature no former presidents, few party luminaries and only a smattering of elected officials. 
 
John McCain and Mitt Romney, the last two Republican presidential candidates, will also stay away. 
 
Pence, however, predicted the party will unify around Trump. 
 
&quot;I expect next week at our convention you&#39;re going to see our party, and leaders in our party, rally around this good man who will be a great president of the United States,&quot; he said. 
 
While Trump has campaigned as a protectionist, Pence has backed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the sweeping trade deal that Trump has attacked as bad for US jobs. 
 
Pence has denounced Trump&#39;s proposal to close US borders to Muslims as &quot;unconstitutional.&quot; 
 
And while Trump has called the Iraq war a &quot;disaster&quot;, Pence was a co-sponsor of the 2002 Iraq war resolution. 
But in the Fox interview, Pence fully supported Trump. 
 
&quot;I am very supportive of Donald Trump&#39;s call to temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorists influence and impact represents a threat to the United States,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;We have a proud tradition of refugee resettlement ... but it has to be subordinated to the safety and security of American people.&quot; 
 
As for the Iraq war, &quot;that&#39;s for historians to debate&quot;, but both he and Trump &quot;are in strong agreement is that Barack Obama&#39;s precipitous withdrawal from Iraq created a vacuum in which ISIS was created&quot;. 
 
Pence said that trade agreements like the TPP can go back to the bargaining table. 
 
&quot;When we elect one of the best negotiators in the world as president of the United States, I&#39;m open to renegotiating these trade agreements,&quot; Pence said. 
 
And if there are major disagreements, &quot;you shut the door. You tell the boss exactly what you think.&quot;&nbsp; 
 
Pence said that Trump &quot;is a man that appreciates candor. And we&#39;ve had some very candid and straightforward conversations. 
 
&quot;But when the door opens, the job of the vice-president is to stand right next to the president and implement the policy that he&#39;s decided.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

'Donald Trump understands the anxiety and the aspiration of the American people like no leader since Reagan,' Pence said

In his first interview as Donald Trump's running mate, Indiana governor Mike Pence on Friday compared the Republican presidential hopeful to conservative icon Ronald Reagan. Pence, interviewed on Fox News Channel's "Hannity" show, emphasised that the real estate mogul and reality TV star was "the people's choice". The Republican Party "had a competitive primary with him, enormous number of talented men and women," Pence said. "Donald Trump again and again emerged because I think very much like the 40th president that you and I so admire, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump understands the anxiety and the aspiration of the American people like no leader since Reagan." Trump has no direct political experience. In contrast Reagan, a Hollywood actor, was governor of California before he was elected president. The comparison with the late Reagan, who served two terms during the 1980s and is revered by Republicans, is a clear appeal to make Trump more palatable to conservatives alienated by Trump's bombastic rhetoric and populist message who had backed other primary candidates. The four-day Republican Party convention that will nominate Trump as their presidential candidate, which starts Monday in Cleveland, Ohio, will feature no former presidents, few party luminaries and only a smattering of elected officials. John McCain and Mitt Romney, the last two Republican presidential candidates, will also stay away. Pence, however, predicted the party will unify around Trump. "I expect next week at our convention you're going to see our party, and leaders in our party, rally around this good man who will be a great president of the United States," he said. While Trump has campaigned as a protectionist, Pence has backed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the sweeping trade deal that Trump has attacked as bad for US jobs. Pence has denounced Trump's proposal to close US borders to Muslims as "unconstitutional." And while Trump has called the Iraq war a "disaster", Pence was a co-sponsor of the 2002 Iraq war resolution. But in the Fox interview, Pence fully supported Trump. "I am very supportive of Donald Trump's call to temporarily suspend immigration from countries where terrorists influence and impact represents a threat to the United States," he said. "We have a proud tradition of refugee resettlement ... but it has to be subordinated to the safety and security of American people." As for the Iraq war, "that's for historians to debate", but both he and Trump "are in strong agreement is that Barack Obama's precipitous withdrawal from Iraq created a vacuum in which ISIS was created". Pence said that trade agreements like the TPP can go back to the bargaining table. "When we elect one of the best negotiators in the world as president of the United States, I'm open to renegotiating these trade agreements," Pence said. And if there are major disagreements, "you shut the door. You tell the boss exactly what you think." Pence said that Trump "is a man that appreciates candor. And we've had some very candid and straightforward conversations. "But when the door opens, the job of the vice-president is to stand right next to the president and implement the policy that he's decided." (AFP)

Mike Pence, Trump's running mate, compares him to former president Reagan

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