President Xi Jinping of China plans to make his first state visit to North Korea this week, a surprise move that could rattle his relationship with President Trump, who has twice met the North’s leader, Kim Jong-un, and made his nuclear diplomacy with Mr. Kim a signature foreign policy project.

Xi Jinping Will Make First Visit to North Korea Ahead of Meeting With Trump

President Trump and first lady Melania Trump were treated to a viewing of items from the Queen's priceless Royal Collection on Monday, shortly after their arrival in the U.K. for a state visit. The collection showcases items of historical significance to the U.S. They were displayed in the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery.

Queen Elizabeth shows Trump, Melania royal gift collection

Shortly after Donald Trump said<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-should-not-retaliate-on-tariffs-it-will-only-get-worse-says-trump-218364"> China should not impose tariffs</a> against the US, China on Monday said it will impose tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods from June 1.

China will be imposing tariffs ranging from 5 per cent to 25 per cent on a number of American goods, according to a statement by the Tariff Policy Commission of the State Council which is part of China's cabinet.

Earlier in the day, President Trump had said that "if it doesn't make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries."&nbsp;

Trump had directly appealed to President Xi in his tweet even as China said it won't &nbsp;"surrender" to foreign pressure after Washington renewed its threat to impose tariffs.

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I say openly to President Xi &amp; all of my many friends in China that China will be hurt very badly if you don’t make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries. Too expensive to buy in China. You had a great deal, almost completed, &amp; you backed out!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1127888569543077888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"China will never surrender to external pressure," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding,"we are determined to have the ability to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."

"We have said many times that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems," Geng added.

Trade talks between China and the US concluded without any concrete results last week even as the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on China as the deadlock continued.

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China has so far slapped tariffs on $110 billion worth of US goods in retaliation to the US duties.

Meanwhile, President Trump ordered US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China as the trade war between the two nations began to hit markets worldwide.

Reports now suggest a possible meeting between Trump and President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit could help the ease the crisis, however, no date has been set for the two leaders to meet.

Shortly after Donald Trump said China should not impose tariffs against the US, China on Monday said it will impose tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods from June 1.

Shortly after Donald Trump said China should not impose tariffs against the US, China on Monday said it will impose tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods from June 1. China will be imposing tariffs ranging from 5 per cent to 25 per cent on a number of American goods, according to a statement by the Tariff Policy Commission of the State Council which is part of China's cabinet. Earlier in the day, President Trump had said that "if it doesn't make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries." Trump had directly appealed to President Xi in his tweet even as China said it won't "surrender" to foreign pressure after Washington renewed its threat to impose tariffs. I say openly to President Xi & all of my many friends in China that China will be hurt very badly if you don’t make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries. Too expensive to buy in China. You had a great deal, almost completed, & you backed out! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 13, 2019 × "China will never surrender to external pressure," foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, adding,"we are determined to have the ability to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests." "We have said many times that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems," Geng added. Trade talks between China and the US concluded without any concrete results last week even as the Trump administration imposed new tariffs on China as the deadlock continued. China has so far slapped tariffs on $110 billion worth of US goods in retaliation to the US duties. Meanwhile, President Trump ordered US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China as the trade war between the two nations began to hit markets worldwide. Reports now suggest a possible meeting between Trump and President Xi on the sidelines of the G20 summit could help the ease the crisis, however, no date has been set for the two leaders to meet.

Now, China imposes tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods

President Donald Trump has vetoed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-congress-ends-support-for-yemen-war-trump-likely-to-veto-move-207976">congressional resolution</a> that sought to end US involvement in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/starving-girl-shows-impact-of-yemen-war-economic-collapse-197909">Saudi-led war in Yemen,</a> the White House said on Tuesday.

"This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future," Trump said in the veto message.

The resolution passed the House of Representatives in April and the Senate in March, marking the first time both chambers of Congress had supported a War Powers resolution, which limits the president`s ability to send troops into action.

Neither the 247-175 tally in the Democratic-majority House nor the 54-46 vote in the Republican-led Senate would be enough to override the veto, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers.
<img alt="Yemen War" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12878aed-72d7-49c1-b319-d26269e49153" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Yemen%20War.JPG" />
A Houthi militant walks through a government compound following Saudi-led air strikes, in the northwestern city of Amran in July 2015. (Reuters Photo) 
 
Backers of the measure said the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen had made the humanitarian crisis worse, harshly criticizing Riyadh for killing civilians.

They also argued that US involvement in Yemen violated the constitutional requirement that Congress, not the president, should determine when the country goes to war.

The four-year-long civil war in Yemen, which pits the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels backed by Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the world's most dire humanitarian crisis, with the country on the brink of famine.

President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday. "This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future," Trump said in the veto message.

President Donald Trump has vetoed a congressional resolution that sought to end US involvement in the Saudi-led war in Yemen, the White House said on Tuesday. "This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future," Trump said in the veto message. The resolution passed the House of Representatives in April and the Senate in March, marking the first time both chambers of Congress had supported a War Powers resolution, which limits the president`s ability to send troops into action. Neither the 247-175 tally in the Democratic-majority House nor the 54-46 vote in the Republican-led Senate would be enough to override the veto, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers. A Houthi militant walks through a government compound following Saudi-led air strikes, in the northwestern city of Amran in July 2015. (Reuters Photo) Backers of the measure said the Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen had made the humanitarian crisis worse, harshly criticizing Riyadh for killing civilians. They also argued that US involvement in Yemen violated the constitutional requirement that Congress, not the president, should determine when the country goes to war. The four-year-long civil war in Yemen, which pits the Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels backed by Iran, has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the world's most dire humanitarian crisis, with the country on the brink of famine.

President Trump vetoes resolution calling to end US support in Yemen war

US congressional Democrats on Saturday headed for a showdown with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over President Donald Trump's tax returns, setting a new hard deadline of April 23 for the federal tax agency to hand the documents over to lawmakers.

In an April 13 letter that appeared to move Democrats closer to a federal court battle against the Trump administration, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal warned the IRS that failure to comply with his request for six years of Trump's individual and business returns by April 23 would be interpreted as a denial.

The Trump administration has already missed an initial April 10 deadline for providing the tax records, which Neal first set when he made his request on April 3. Democrats based their request on the panel's jurisdiction over IRS enforcement of the tax laws regarding the US&nbsp;presidents.

But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that Neal was "just picking arbitrary dates" in setting deadlines and said it was more important to get the decision "right" to ensure the IRS would not be "weaponized" in a political dispute.

"I do intend to follow the law. But I think these raise very, very complicated legal issues. I don’t think these are simple issues. There are constitutional issues," he told reporters on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington.

He could not say whether the Treasury, which oversees the IRS, would complete its review of Neal's request by April 23.

Mnuchin, who has consulted with the White House and Department of Justice about Trump's tax returns, said earlier this week that Neal's request raised concerns about the scope of the committee's authority, privacy protections for US taxpayers and the legislative purpose of lawmakers in seeking the documents. He said he has not spoken personally to Attorney General William Barr about the request.

"Those concerns lack merit. Moreover, judicial precedent commands that none of the concerns raised can legitimately be used to deny the committee's request," Neal told IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig in his letter.

"It is not the proper function of the IRS, Treasury or Justice to question or second guess the motivations of the committee or its reasonable determinations regarding its need for the requested tax returns and return information.

"Please know that, if you fail to comply, your failure will be interpreted as a denial of my request," Neal wrote.

As Ways and Means chairman, Neal is the only lawmaker in the House of Representatives authorized to request individual tax information under a federal law that says that the Treasury secretary "shall furnish" the data.

Despite the law's clarity, Democrats have long acknowledged that the request, if denied, would mean a federal court battle that could ultimately be settled by the US Supreme Court.

Legal experts say lawmakers could vote to hold administration officials in contempt of Congress, which would provide a basis for the House to ask a federal judge to order the Treasury Department to comply.

Congressional Republicans have condemned Neal's request as a political fishing expedition by Democrats, while the White House has said the documents will "never" be turned over.

But Congress would likely win a court fight, though it could take months or even years to unfold, experts say. Neal's request for the returns of a sitting president is unprecedented, and legal experts say its success or failure may depend on a court ruling about the committee's legislative purpose for seeking the documents.

Neal said in his letter that the request is needed to further "legislative proposals and oversight related to our Federal tax laws, including but not limited to, the extent to which the IRS audits and enforces the Federal tax laws against a President."

Democrats want Trump's tax returns as part of their investigations of possible conflicts of interest posed by his continued ownership of extensive business interests, even as he serves the public as president.

Trump broke with a decades-old precedent by refusing to release his returns as a presidential candidate in 2016 and continues to do so as president, saying his tax returns are under IRS audit.

But the president's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, told a House panel in February that he does not believe Trump's taxes are under audit. Cohen said the president feared that releasing his returns could lead to an audit and IRS tax penalties.

US congressional Democrats on Saturday headed for a showdown with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over President Donald Trump's tax returns, setting a new hard deadline of April 23 for the federal tax agency to hand the documents over to lawmakers.

US congressional Democrats on Saturday headed for a showdown with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over President Donald Trump's tax returns, setting a new hard deadline of April 23 for the federal tax agency to hand the documents over to lawmakers. In an April 13 letter that appeared to move Democrats closer to a federal court battle against the Trump administration, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal warned the IRS that failure to comply with his request for six years of Trump's individual and business returns by April 23 would be interpreted as a denial. The Trump administration has already missed an initial April 10 deadline for providing the tax records, which Neal first set when he made his request on April 3. Democrats based their request on the panel's jurisdiction over IRS enforcement of the tax laws regarding the US presidents. But Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Saturday that Neal was "just picking arbitrary dates" in setting deadlines and said it was more important to get the decision "right" to ensure the IRS would not be "weaponized" in a political dispute. "I do intend to follow the law. But I think these raise very, very complicated legal issues. I don’t think these are simple issues. There are constitutional issues," he told reporters on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank spring meetings in Washington. He could not say whether the Treasury, which oversees the IRS, would complete its review of Neal's request by April 23. Mnuchin, who has consulted with the White House and Department of Justice about Trump's tax returns, said earlier this week that Neal's request raised concerns about the scope of the committee's authority, privacy protections for US taxpayers and the legislative purpose of lawmakers in seeking the documents. He said he has not spoken personally to Attorney General William Barr about the request. "Those concerns lack merit. Moreover, judicial precedent commands that none of the concerns raised can legitimately be used to deny the committee's request," Neal told IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig in his letter. "It is not the proper function of the IRS, Treasury or Justice to question or second guess the motivations of the committee or its reasonable determinations regarding its need for the requested tax returns and return information. "Please know that, if you fail to comply, your failure will be interpreted as a denial of my request," Neal wrote. As Ways and Means chairman, Neal is the only lawmaker in the House of Representatives authorized to request individual tax information under a federal law that says that the Treasury secretary "shall furnish" the data. Despite the law's clarity, Democrats have long acknowledged that the request, if denied, would mean a federal court battle that could ultimately be settled by the US Supreme Court. Legal experts say lawmakers could vote to hold administration officials in contempt of Congress, which would provide a basis for the House to ask a federal judge to order the Treasury Department to comply. Congressional Republicans have condemned Neal's request as a political fishing expedition by Democrats, while the White House has said the documents will "never" be turned over. But Congress would likely win a court fight, though it could take months or even years to unfold, experts say. Neal's request for the returns of a sitting president is unprecedented, and legal experts say its success or failure may depend on a court ruling about the committee's legislative purpose for seeking the documents. Neal said in his letter that the request is needed to further "legislative proposals and oversight related to our Federal tax laws, including but not limited to, the extent to which the IRS audits and enforces the Federal tax laws against a President." Democrats want Trump's tax returns as part of their investigations of possible conflicts of interest posed by his continued ownership of extensive business interests, even as he serves the public as president. Trump broke with a decades-old precedent by refusing to release his returns as a presidential candidate in 2016 and continues to do so as president, saying his tax returns are under IRS audit. But the president's former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, told a House panel in February that he does not believe Trump's taxes are under audit. Cohen said the president feared that releasing his returns could lead to an audit and IRS tax penalties.

US House panel chairman gives IRS April 23 deadline on Trump taxes

The head of the US Secret Service, which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-homeland-security-chief-kirstjen-nielsen-resigns-208661">guards President Donald Trump</a> and visiting heads of state, is stepping down, the White House said Monday in the administration's latest sign of turbulence.

"United States Secret Service director Randolph 'Tex' Alles... will be leaving shortly and President Trump has selected James M. Murray, a career member of the USSS, to take over as director beginning in May," Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement.

No reason was given for Alles' sudden departure. However, the former Marine general quickly denied that he had been pushed out.

"No doubt you have seen media reports regarding my 'firing,'" he said in a statement. "I assure you that this is not the case, and in fact was told weeks ago by the Administration that transitions in leadership should be expected across the Department of Homeland Security."

This appeared aimed at shooting down speculation in the US media that Alles may have been axed in connection to a security incident in March at Trump's Florida golf club and weekend retreat.

In the unusual episode, an unauthorized woman got past security carrying Chinese passports and numerous electronic devices, including phones and a thumb drive allegedly found to contain malware.

Other reports said Alles could have lost his job due to some twist in the reportedly often heated internal political battles over White House staffing.

On Sunday, Trump announced via tweet the departure of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who has spearheaded his controversial policies on trying to stop illegal immigrants and asylum seekers from entering the United States.

Trump said that US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will be acting secretary.

The Secret Service's main job is to provide security for the president and vice president and their families, as well as former presidents and visiting heads of state. It also coordinates the securing of buildings such as the White House and foreign embassies.

The head of the US Secret Service, which guards President Donald Trump and visiting heads of state, is stepping down, the White House said Monday in the administration's latest sign of turbulence.

The head of the US Secret Service, which guards President Donald Trump and visiting heads of state, is stepping down, the White House said Monday in the administration's latest sign of turbulence. "United States Secret Service director Randolph 'Tex' Alles... will be leaving shortly and President Trump has selected James M. Murray, a career member of the USSS, to take over as director beginning in May," Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said in a statement. No reason was given for Alles' sudden departure. However, the former Marine general quickly denied that he had been pushed out. "No doubt you have seen media reports regarding my 'firing,'" he said in a statement. "I assure you that this is not the case, and in fact was told weeks ago by the Administration that transitions in leadership should be expected across the Department of Homeland Security." This appeared aimed at shooting down speculation in the US media that Alles may have been axed in connection to a security incident in March at Trump's Florida golf club and weekend retreat. In the unusual episode, an unauthorized woman got past security carrying Chinese passports and numerous electronic devices, including phones and a thumb drive allegedly found to contain malware. Other reports said Alles could have lost his job due to some twist in the reportedly often heated internal political battles over White House staffing. On Sunday, Trump announced via tweet the departure of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, who has spearheaded his controversial policies on trying to stop illegal immigrants and asylum seekers from entering the United States. Trump said that US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan will be acting secretary. The Secret Service's main job is to provide security for the president and vice president and their families, as well as former presidents and visiting heads of state. It also coordinates the securing of buildings such as the White House and foreign embassies.

US Secret Service director Randolph Alles to step down: White House

Hollywood star Robert De Niro has never minced his words when it comes to US President Donald Trump. He has now called him “a real racist” and a “white supremacist”.&nbsp;

In a recent interview with the Guardian, the actor said that there was a time in his life when he was willing to take a chance on Trump. "I'm older now and I'm just upset about what's going on. When you see someone like (Trump) becoming president, I thought, well, OK, let's see what he does, maybe he'll change. But he just got worse,” De Niro said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Not withholding anything, he added, "It showed me that he is a real racist. I thought maybe as a New Yorker he understands the diversity in the city but he's as bad as I thought he was before, and much worse. It's a shame. It's a bad thing in this country.”

He agreed on Trump being a “white supremacist” and said being a ‘fascist’ follows white supremacy. He said, "If he had his way, we'd wind up in a very bad state in this country. I mean, the way I understand it, they laughed at Hitler. They all look funny. Hitler looked funny, Mussolini looked funny and other dictators and despots look funny.”

Among many other things that he mentioned, the actor said that there is a bigger danger lurking, and that is if the future generations look up to him as an example and start to emulate him. He said, “They'll be affected in some way, but they'll be a lot smarter and have many more colours to their personality and be more mercurial and become someone with the same values as he has but able to get much further and do more damage as a despot. That's my worry.&nbsp;

"There are people who look up to him: 'I want to be like him'. But they'll do it much better and they'll be more smart about it," he said.

Will the actor ever play Trump in a film? De Niro said an emphatic no in the interview and explained his decision: "I always find the character's point of view and I can of course find his, but I have so little sympathy for him, for what he's done, the responsibility he's been given and just thrown away. He doesn't care."

De Niro has always been criticial of Trump and his policies. He had once even said&nbsp;"F**k Trump" as he appeared on stage at the Tony Awards last June. In a reply to this,&nbsp;Trump then wrote on Twitter: "Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received too many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be 'punch-drunk' (sic)"

Hollywood star Robert De Niro has never minced his words when it comes to US President Donald Trump. He has now called him “a real racist” and a “white supremacist”.

Hollywood star Robert De Niro has never minced his words when it comes to US President Donald Trump. He has now called him “a real racist” and a “white supremacist”. In a recent interview with the Guardian, the actor said that there was a time in his life when he was willing to take a chance on Trump. "I'm older now and I'm just upset about what's going on. When you see someone like (Trump) becoming president, I thought, well, OK, let's see what he does, maybe he'll change. But he just got worse,” De Niro said. Not withholding anything, he added, "It showed me that he is a real racist. I thought maybe as a New Yorker he understands the diversity in the city but he's as bad as I thought he was before, and much worse. It's a shame. It's a bad thing in this country.” He agreed on Trump being a “white supremacist” and said being a ‘fascist’ follows white supremacy. He said, "If he had his way, we'd wind up in a very bad state in this country. I mean, the way I understand it, they laughed at Hitler. They all look funny. Hitler looked funny, Mussolini looked funny and other dictators and despots look funny.” Among many other things that he mentioned, the actor said that there is a bigger danger lurking, and that is if the future generations look up to him as an example and start to emulate him. He said, “They'll be affected in some way, but they'll be a lot smarter and have many more colours to their personality and be more mercurial and become someone with the same values as he has but able to get much further and do more damage as a despot. That's my worry. "There are people who look up to him: 'I want to be like him'. But they'll do it much better and they'll be more smart about it," he said. Will the actor ever play Trump in a film? De Niro said an emphatic no in the interview and explained his decision: "I always find the character's point of view and I can of course find his, but I have so little sympathy for him, for what he's done, the responsibility he's been given and just thrown away. He doesn't care." De Niro has always been criticial of Trump and his policies. He had once even said "F**k Trump" as he appeared on stage at the Tony Awards last June. In a reply to this, Trump then wrote on Twitter: "Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received too many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be 'punch-drunk' (sic)"

Donald Trump is 'a real racist': Robert DeNiro

As the US government shutdown continued <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/not-concerned-about-being-impeached-trump-183372">with impeachment fears</a> hanging in the air, President Trump in a tweet said the Democrats want&nbsp;to impeach him because they can't win the next US elections.

"They only want to impeach me because they know they can’t win in 2020," the president said, adding,"As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the financial markets. We won the Senate, they won the House. Things will settle down."

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As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the Financial Markets. We won the Senate, they won the House. Things will settle down. They only want to impeach me because they know they can’t win in 2020, too much success!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1081175076727345152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump's latest jibe at the Democrats comes as Democrat Nancy Pelosi, 78, was elected on Thursday to be the new speaker of the US House of Representatives as the party took majority control of the House.

The Democrats have vowed to open new fronts against the US president including in-depth investigations of his administration.

However, a defiant Trump said: "How do you impeach a president who has won perhaps the greatest election of all time, done nothing wrong (no Collusion with Russia, it was the Dems that colluded), had the most successful first two years of any president," adding further that "and is the most popular Republican in party history 93%?"

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How do you impeach a president who has won perhaps the greatest election of all time, done nothing wrong (no Collusion with Russia, it was the Dems that Colluded), had the most successful first two years of any president, and is the most popular Republican in party history 93%?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1081177511592108032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The US Congress is still divided over Trump's Mexico border wall as the shutdown of the government agencies which began on December 21st entered the third&nbsp;week in Washington.

Both parties failed to reach an agreement which affects nine cabinet-level departments and several agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, transportation, interior, agriculture, state and justice, as well as national parks and forests.

The House of Representatives was set to vote on the latest funding bill on Thursday afternoon to end the government shutdown, but put it off till Friday. The Democrats said the new bill will exclude Trump's request for $5 billion for funding US-Mexico border wall.

President Trump is set to convene a meeting on Saturday to discuss the border wall budget and find a way to end the partial shutdown of US government agencies.

As the US government shutdown continued with impeachment fears hanging in the air, President Trump in a tweet said the Democrats want to impeach him because they can't win the next US elections.

As the US government shutdown continued with impeachment fears hanging in the air, President Trump in a tweet said the Democrats want to impeach him because they can't win the next US elections. "They only want to impeach me because they know they can’t win in 2020," the president said, adding,"As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the financial markets. We won the Senate, they won the House. Things will settle down." As I have stated many times, if the Democrats take over the House or Senate, there will be disruption to the Financial Markets. We won the Senate, they won the House. Things will settle down. They only want to impeach me because they know they can’t win in 2020, too much success! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2019 × Trump's latest jibe at the Democrats comes as Democrat Nancy Pelosi, 78, was elected on Thursday to be the new speaker of the US House of Representatives as the party took majority control of the House. The Democrats have vowed to open new fronts against the US president including in-depth investigations of his administration. However, a defiant Trump said: "How do you impeach a president who has won perhaps the greatest election of all time, done nothing wrong (no Collusion with Russia, it was the Dems that colluded), had the most successful first two years of any president," adding further that "and is the most popular Republican in party history 93%?" How do you impeach a president who has won perhaps the greatest election of all time, done nothing wrong (no Collusion with Russia, it was the Dems that Colluded), had the most successful first two years of any president, and is the most popular Republican in party history 93%? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2019 × The US Congress is still divided over Trump's Mexico border wall as the shutdown of the government agencies which began on December 21st entered the third week in Washington. Both parties failed to reach an agreement which affects nine cabinet-level departments and several agencies, including the departments of Homeland Security, transportation, interior, agriculture, state and justice, as well as national parks and forests. The House of Representatives was set to vote on the latest funding bill on Thursday afternoon to end the government shutdown, but put it off till Friday. The Democrats said the new bill will exclude Trump's request for $5 billion for funding US-Mexico border wall. President Trump is set to convene a meeting on Saturday to discuss the border wall budget and find a way to end the partial shutdown of US government agencies.

Democrats want to impeach me because they know they can’t win 2020 elections, tweets Trump

Meet the lucky Turkeys of thanksgiving

Watch: President Trump's reaction on journalist Jamal Khashoggi death

Brett Kavanaugh, the US Supreme Court nominee at the centre of the sexual assault scandal, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was innocent, asserting that 'will not be intimidated into withdrawing' his nomination.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-hearing-kavanaugh-accuser-100-cent-certain-he-assaulted-her-168053">Also Read:&nbsp;'100 per cent' certain he assaulted me, says Brett Kavanaugh accuser in US Senate hearing</a>

"My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false additional accusations," Kavanaugh said, adding, "I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process."

'I swear to God' assault charges not true," says Kavanaugh in closing testimony. The US judge slammed the confirmation process declaring that it was a "national disgrace."

As Kavanaugh finished his testimony, President Trump reaffirmed his support to the embattled judge declaring that "his testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting".

"Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him," the US president declared.

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Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1045444544068812800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, the Univesity at the centre of the storm, Christine Blasey Ford, told the US committee that she was "100 per cent" certain that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her.

"With what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?" Democratic Senator Richard Durbin asked Ford.

"One hundred per cent," she replied.

The alleged incident which occurred when Ford was a 15-year-old student in Maryland in 1982. Ford denied it could be a case of mistaken identity telling Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein it was "absolutely not" the case.

Ford said Kavanaugh put his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming during the assault, adding, "This was what terrified me the most, and has had the most lasting impact on my life. It was hard for me to breathe, and I thought that Brett was accidentally going to kill me."

Ford said she has suffered from claustrophobia and anxiety as a result of her experience and initially struggled when at college.

"I have found your testimony powerful and credible and I believe you," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told Ford.

Kavanaugh also faces allegations of sexual misconduct by two other women. The committee could vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation on Friday, with a final Senate vote early next week. 
&nbsp;

Brett Kavanaugh, the US Supreme Court nominee at the centre of the sexual assault scandal, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was innocent, asserting that 'will not be intimidated into withdrawing' his nomination.

Brett Kavanaugh, the US Supreme Court nominee at the centre of the sexual assault scandal, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he was innocent, asserting that 'will not be intimidated into withdrawing' his nomination. Also Read: '100 per cent' certain he assaulted me, says Brett Kavanaugh accuser in US Senate hearing "My family and my name have been totally and permanently destroyed by vicious and false additional accusations," Kavanaugh said, adding, "I will not be intimidated into withdrawing from this process." 'I swear to God' assault charges not true," says Kavanaugh in closing testimony. The US judge slammed the confirmation process declaring that it was a "national disgrace." As Kavanaugh finished his testimony, President Trump reaffirmed his support to the embattled judge declaring that "his testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting". "Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him," the US president declared. Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 27, 2018 × Earlier, the Univesity at the centre of the storm, Christine Blasey Ford, told the US committee that she was "100 per cent" certain that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her. "With what degree of certainty do you believe Brett Kavanaugh assaulted you?" Democratic Senator Richard Durbin asked Ford. "One hundred per cent," she replied. The alleged incident which occurred when Ford was a 15-year-old student in Maryland in 1982. Ford denied it could be a case of mistaken identity telling Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein it was "absolutely not" the case. Ford said Kavanaugh put his hand over her mouth to stop her from screaming during the assault, adding, "This was what terrified me the most, and has had the most lasting impact on my life. It was hard for me to breathe, and I thought that Brett was accidentally going to kill me." Ford said she has suffered from claustrophobia and anxiety as a result of her experience and initially struggled when at college. "I have found your testimony powerful and credible and I believe you," Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal told Ford. Kavanaugh also faces allegations of sexual misconduct by two other women. The committee could vote on Kavanaugh's confirmation on Friday, with a final Senate vote early next week.

I swear to God assault charges against me are not true: Kavanaugh to US committee

Trump addresses campaign rally in Las Vegas 

The high-profile summit between <a href="http://wionews.com/world/with-khukris-and-assault-rifles-singapores-gurkhas-to-guard-trump-kim-summit-142406">President Trump and North Korean</a> leader Kim Jong-un will take place in Singapore's Capella hotel on Sentosa Island.

The White House had<a href="http://wionews.com/world/singapore-designates-special-zone-for-trump-kim-summit-142122"> said on Tuesday the </a>meeting would take place at&nbsp9:00 am (0100 GMT).

The plush&nbspCapella hotel had earlier played host to pop star Madonna and Lady Gaga.

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UPDATE: The venue for the Singapore summit between <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality.
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec/status/1004037987607498754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Preparation is underway in full swing in Singapore with Trump-Kim set to meet on June 12th.&nbspTrump said plans for the summit were "moving along very well."

"A lot of relationships being built, a lot of negotiations going on before the trip," Trump said. "We’ll see what happens. But it's very important – it'll be a very important couple of days."

Trump said the summit could result in North Korea agreeing to formally end the 1950 Korean war which ended in an uneasy truce, beyond that the Trump had said the world should not have too many expectations as one meeting would never really give tangible results.

Meanwhile, the Singapore government has put a security blanket around Sentosa and declared the&nbspUS embassy and hotels, as a special zone from June 10 to 14. Sentosa island is a well known tourist attraction with beaches, casinos and world class golf courses, a pet passion of President Trump.

The island reportedly hosts plush houses and with wealthy residents making up the population.

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the Singapore government has put a security blanket around in Sentosa

The high-profile summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un will take place in Singapore's Capella hotel on Sentosa Island. The White House had said on Tuesday the meeting would take place at&nbsp9:00 am (0100 GMT). The plush&nbspCapella hotel had earlier played host to pop star Madonna and Lady Gaga. UPDATE: The venue for the Singapore summit between @POTUS and Leader Kim Jong Un will be the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. We thank our great Singaporean hosts for their hospitality. — Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) June 5, 2018 × Preparation is underway in full swing in Singapore with Trump-Kim set to meet on June 12th.&nbspTrump said plans for the summit were "moving along very well." "A lot of relationships being built, a lot of negotiations going on before the trip," Trump said. "We’ll see what happens. But it's very important – it'll be a very important couple of days." Trump said the summit could result in North Korea agreeing to formally end the 1950 Korean war which ended in an uneasy truce, beyond that the Trump had said the world should not have too many expectations as one meeting would never really give tangible results. Meanwhile, the Singapore government has put a security blanket around Sentosa and declared the&nbspUS embassy and hotels, as a special zone from June 10 to 14. Sentosa island is a well known tourist attraction with beaches, casinos and world class golf courses, a pet passion of President Trump. The island reportedly hosts plush houses and with wealthy residents making up the population.

Kim-Trump summit to take place in Singapore's Capella hotel on Sentosa Island

President Donald Trump on Thursday <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-cancels-summit-with-north-korean-leader-kim-139490">cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President</a> Kim Jong Un.

In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant".&nbsp;

The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri.

Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump.

Dear Mr Chairman:

We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used.

I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated.

If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history.

Sincerely yours,

Donald J. Trump

President of the United States of America

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Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. <a href="https://t.co/qEoi9ymUEz">pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/999667181083295744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was 'totally irrelevant'

President Donald Trump on Thursday cancelled the June 12 summit talks with North Korean President Kim Jong Un. In a letter to Kim, Trump said the meeting requested by North Korea was "totally irrelevant". The development comes even as North Korea dismantled its nuclear site at Punggye-ri. Here is the full text of the letter by President Trump. Dear Mr Chairman: We greatly appreciate your time, patience and effort with respect to our recent negotiations and discussions relative to a summit long sought by both parties, which was scheduled to take place on June 12 in Singapore. We were informed that the meeting was requested by North Korea, but that to us is totally irrelevant. I was very much looking forward to being there with you. Sadly, based on the tremendous anger and open hostility displayed in your most recent statement, I feel it is inappropriate, at this time, to have this long-planned meeting. Therefore, please let this letter serve to represent that the Singapore summit, for the good of both parties, but to the detriment of the world, will not take place. You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray to God they will never have to be used. I felt a wonderful dialogue was building up between you and me, and ultimately, it is only that dialogue that matters. Some day, I look very much forward to meeting you. In the meantime, I want to thank you for the release of the hostages who are now home with their families. That was a beautiful gesture and was very much appreciated. If you change your mind having to do with this most important summit, please do not hesitate to call me or write. The world, and North Korea in particular, has lost a great opportunity for lasting peace and great prosperity and wealth. This missed opportunity is a truly sad moment in history. Sincerely yours, Donald J. Trump President of the United States of America Sadly, I was forced to cancel the Summit Meeting in Singapore with Kim Jung Un. pic.twitter.com/qEoi9ymUEz — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2018 ×

Read letter from President Trump to Kim Jong Un cancelling Singapore summit

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has announced his plans to name the square near the US embassy site as the " United States Square in honour of President Donald Trump".

A media report quoted the mayor saying that they were naming the square in the honour of Trump to show their love and respect for the president and the American people.&nbsp;

He added that the gesture was for the American people who "always stood by there side".

The naming will be celebrated in an official event in future with American dignitaries.

In December last year, Trump had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal and had decided to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city.

The move had created an upheaval in the Middle East with Turkey, Iran and Saudia Arabia condemning the move.

A media report quoted the mayor saying that they were nnaming the square in the honour of Trump to show their love and respect for the president and the American people

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has announced his plans to name the square near the US embassy site as the " United States Square in honour of President Donald Trump". A media report quoted the mayor saying that they were naming the square in the honour of Trump to show their love and respect for the president and the American people. He added that the gesture was for the American people who "always stood by there side". The naming will be celebrated in an official event in future with American dignitaries. In December last year, Trump had recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal and had decided to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the holy city. The move had created an upheaval in the Middle East with Turkey, Iran and Saudia Arabia condemning the move.

Square near new US embassy in Jerusalem to be named after Trump

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in a meeting with US President Donald Trump's lawyers in March, raised the possibility of issuing a subpoena for Trump if he declines to talk to investigators in the Russia probe, a former lawyer for the president said on Tuesday.

John Dowd told Reuters that Mueller mentioned the possibility of a subpoena in the early March meeting. Mueller's subpoena warning was first reported by the Washington Post, which cited four people familiar with the encounter.

"This isn't some game. You are screwing with the work of the president of the United States," Dowd said he told the investigators, who are probing possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Dowd left the president's legal team about two weeks after the meeting.

The Post said Mueller had raised the possibility of a subpoena after Trump's lawyers said the president had no obligation to talk with federal investigators involved in the probe.

After the March meeting, Mueller's team agreed to provide the president's lawyers with more specific information about the subjects they wished to ask Trump, the Post reported.

With that information, Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow compiled a list of 49 questions the president's legal team believed he would be asked, according to the Post.

That list, first reported by the New York Times on Monday, includes questions on Trump's ties to Russia and others to determine whether the president may have unlawfully tried to obstruct the investigation.

"We do not discuss conversations we have had or may have had with the Office of Special Counsel," Sekulow told Reuters on Tuesday evening.

Trump criticised the leak of the questions.&nbsp;

"So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were 'leaked' to the media. No questions on Collusion," Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. "It would seem very hard to obstruct justice for a crime that never happened!" 
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So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were “leaked” to the media. No questions on Collusion. Oh, I see...you have a made up, phony crime, Collusion, that never existed, and an investigation begun with illegally leaked classified information. Nice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/991267863674675200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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It would seem very hard to obstruct justice for a crime that never happened! Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/991279620044591105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Russia has denied interfering in the 2016 US&nbsp;presidential election, as US&nbsp;intelligence agencies allege, and Trump has denied there was any collusion between his campaign and Moscow.

A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in a meeting with the US President's lawyers in March, raised the possibility of issuing a subpoena for Trump if he declines to talk to investigators in the Russia probe, a former lawyer for the president said

Special Counsel Robert Mueller, in a meeting with US President Donald Trump's lawyers in March, raised the possibility of issuing a subpoena for Trump if he declines to talk to investigators in the Russia probe, a former lawyer for the president said on Tuesday. John Dowd told Reuters that Mueller mentioned the possibility of a subpoena in the early March meeting. Mueller's subpoena warning was first reported by the Washington Post, which cited four people familiar with the encounter. "This isn't some game. You are screwing with the work of the president of the United States," Dowd said he told the investigators, who are probing possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Dowd left the president's legal team about two weeks after the meeting. The Post said Mueller had raised the possibility of a subpoena after Trump's lawyers said the president had no obligation to talk with federal investigators involved in the probe. After the March meeting, Mueller's team agreed to provide the president's lawyers with more specific information about the subjects they wished to ask Trump, the Post reported. With that information, Trump's lawyer Jay Sekulow compiled a list of 49 questions the president's legal team believed he would be asked, according to the Post. That list, first reported by the New York Times on Monday, includes questions on Trump's ties to Russia and others to determine whether the president may have unlawfully tried to obstruct the investigation. "We do not discuss conversations we have had or may have had with the Office of Special Counsel," Sekulow told Reuters on Tuesday evening. Trump criticised the leak of the questions. "So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were 'leaked' to the media. No questions on Collusion," Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. "It would seem very hard to obstruct justice for a crime that never happened!" So disgraceful that the questions concerning the Russian Witch Hunt were “leaked” to the media. No questions on Collusion. Oh, I see...you have a made up, phony crime, Collusion, that never existed, and an investigation begun with illegally leaked classified information. Nice! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2018 × It would seem very hard to obstruct justice for a crime that never happened! Witch Hunt! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2018 × Russia has denied interfering in the 2016 US presidential election, as US intelligence agencies allege, and Trump has denied there was any collusion between his campaign and Moscow. A spokesman for Mueller declined to comment.

Mueller raised possibility of Trump subpoena: Former Trump lawyer

US President Donald Trump is known as a social media-&#39;friendly&#39; leader, &nbsp;who tweets on just about everything.&nbsp;

But, as people have been pointing out, he has said nothing so far about Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.&nbsp;

The United States of America is currently competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which began on February 9 and will go on to February 25, 2018.

The US is often a top contender at the Winter Olympic games and has a number of gold-medal favourites.

Trump sent a pair of tweets last week about the games that opened Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Both complimented the host country.

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Congratulations to the Republic of Korea on what will be a MAGNIFICENT Winter Olympics! What the South Korean people have built is truly an inspiration! <a href="https://t.co/giN2B1h6Ph">pic.twitter.com/giN2B1h6Ph</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/961362249880252416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Best wishes to the Republic of Korea on hosting the <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a>! What a wonderful opportunity to show everyone that you are a truly GREAT NATION! <a href="https://t.co/aboM2Up48y">pic.twitter.com/aboM2Up48y</a>
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/961298788219420672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Vice President Mike Pence returned to Washington late Saturday after leading a US delegation to Friday&#39;s opening ceremony.

Trump&#39;s daughter, Ivanka Trump, who serves as an unpaid adviser to her father, is on tap to lead a delegation to the February 25 closing ceremony.

Trump&#39;s silence on the Pyeongchang Games mirrors his relative lack of comment during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He sent one tweet wishing the athletes good luck.

The United States of America is currently competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, from February 9 to 25, 2018

US President Donald Trump is known as a social media-'friendly' leader, who tweets on just about everything. But, as people have been pointing out, he has said nothing so far about Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games. The United States of America is currently competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, which began on February 9 and will go on to February 25, 2018. The US is often a top contender at the Winter Olympic games and has a number of gold-medal favourites. Trump sent a pair of tweets last week about the games that opened Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Both complimented the host country. Congratulations to the Republic of Korea on what will be a MAGNIFICENT Winter Olympics! What the South Korean people have built is truly an inspiration! pic.twitter.com/giN2B1h6Ph — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2018 × Best wishes to the Republic of Korea on hosting the @Olympics! What a wonderful opportunity to show everyone that you are a truly GREAT NATION! pic.twitter.com/aboM2Up48y — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2018 × Vice President Mike Pence returned to Washington late Saturday after leading a US delegation to Friday's opening ceremony. Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, who serves as an unpaid adviser to her father, is on tap to lead a delegation to the February 25 closing ceremony. Trump's silence on the Pyeongchang Games mirrors his relative lack of comment during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He sent one tweet wishing the athletes good luck.

Donald Trump is tweeting about everything except Team USA at Winter Olympics

Congress put the US government back in business Monday by voting to end a three-day shutdown, as President Donald Trump claimed victory in his standoff with Democrats in Washington.

The House voted 266 to 150 to extend federal funding, hours after Senate Democrats dropped their opposition to the plan after winning Republican assurances of a vote on immigration in the coming weeks.

Trump signed the measure into law Monday night, and government operations would essentially return to normal on Tuesday.

&quot;I know there&#39;s great relief that this episode is coming to an end,&quot; House Speaker Paul Ryan told colleagues. &quot;But this is not a moment to pat ourselves on the back. Not even close.&quot;

The stalemate consumed Washington for the better part of a week, as lawmakers and the White House feuded over immigration policy and the nation&#39;s two main political parties exchanged bitter barbs before finally reaching a deal.

&quot;I am pleased Democrats in Congress have come to their senses,&quot; Trump said in a defiant statement, as lawmakers moved to get hundreds of thousands of federal government employees back to work.

Also read: <a href="http://Government shutdown fizzles on spending, immigration deal in US Congress" target="_blank">Government shutdown fizzles on spending, immigration deal in US Congress</a>

Democrats decided to end the three-day shutdown after making progress with ruling Republicans toward securing the fate of hundreds of thousands of so-called &quot;Dreamers&quot; brought to America as children, many of them illegally.

With Democratic support, a bill keeping the government funded until February 8 easily passed the Senate, where different versions of the funding had languished for days.

Word of the compromise deal struck in Washington sent US stocks surging to new highs.

But the White House appeared in no mood for bipartisanship or magnanimity after a shutdown that overshadowed Trump&#39;s first anniversary in office.

Trump moved to undercut Democrats, saying he would only accept a comprehensive immigration reform -- one that notably addresses his demands for a border wall with Mexico as well as the fate of the &quot;Dreamers.&quot;

&quot;We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country,&quot; he said.

Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer earlier announced his party would vote with Republicans to end the shutdown, but in a sign of the poisoned politics of Washington he pilloried Trump in the process.

&quot;The White House refused to engage in negotiations over the weekend. The great deal-making president sat on the sidelines,&quot; Schumer said.

Trump spent the weekend stewing at the White House when he had planned to be among friends and family at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida for his anniversary bash.

And with the fundamental row on immigration and funding of Trump&#39;s border wall unresolved, Republicans and Democrats may very well find themselves back in a similar stalemate come February 9.

- High-profile holdouts - 
Schumer told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he expected Republicans to make good on a pledge to address Democrats&#39; concerns over the Deferred Action on Child Arrivals (DACA) program that shields immigrants brought to the country as children from deportation, but expires on March 5.

There are an estimated 700,000 &quot;Dreamers&quot; whose fates are up in the air.&nbsp;

&quot;If he does not, of course, and I expect he will, he will have breached the trust of not only the Democratic senators but members of his own party as well,&quot; Schumer said.

Trump has staked his political fortunes on taking a hard line on immigrants, painting them as criminals and scroungers.

Senator Tim Kaine summed up the view of the more optimistic Democrats: &quot;We got a commitment that I feel very, very good about.&quot;&nbsp;

But if no progress is made on an immigration bill, Molly Reynolds of the Brookings Institution warned, &quot;Democrats still have the ability to potentially force another shutdown over the issue.&quot;

The House is under no obligation to pass any Senate bill generated as a result of McConnell&#39;s pledge to cooperate with Democrats -- although Speaker Ryan did say his chamber needs to &quot;move forward in good faith&quot; on DACA and immigration.

Notably, many of the Senate Democrats who voted against the funding agreement included a litany of potential 2020 presidential candidates, including Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren.

- Dealmaker on sidelines - 
Ahead of the deal, Trump had goaded Democrats from the sidelines, accusing them of shutting down the government to win concessions on immigration, in service of &quot;their far left base.&quot;

There have been four government shutdowns since 1990. During the last one, in October 2013, more than 800,000 government workers were put on temporary leave.

Essential federal services and the military were operational on Monday.

The House voted 266 to 150 to extend federal funding, hours after Senate Democrats dropped their opposition to the plan after winning Republican assurances of a vote on immigration in the coming weeks

Congress put the US government back in business Monday by voting to end a three-day shutdown, as President Donald Trump claimed victory in his standoff with Democrats in Washington. The House voted 266 to 150 to extend federal funding, hours after Senate Democrats dropped their opposition to the plan after winning Republican assurances of a vote on immigration in the coming weeks. Trump signed the measure into law Monday night, and government operations would essentially return to normal on Tuesday. "I know there's great relief that this episode is coming to an end," House Speaker Paul Ryan told colleagues. "But this is not a moment to pat ourselves on the back. Not even close." The stalemate consumed Washington for the better part of a week, as lawmakers and the White House feuded over immigration policy and the nation's two main political parties exchanged bitter barbs before finally reaching a deal. "I am pleased Democrats in Congress have come to their senses," Trump said in a defiant statement, as lawmakers moved to get hundreds of thousands of federal government employees back to work. Also read: Government shutdown fizzles on spending, immigration deal in US Congress Democrats decided to end the three-day shutdown after making progress with ruling Republicans toward securing the fate of hundreds of thousands of so-called "Dreamers" brought to America as children, many of them illegally. With Democratic support, a bill keeping the government funded until February 8 easily passed the Senate, where different versions of the funding had languished for days. Word of the compromise deal struck in Washington sent US stocks surging to new highs. But the White House appeared in no mood for bipartisanship or magnanimity after a shutdown that overshadowed Trump's first anniversary in office. Trump moved to undercut Democrats, saying he would only accept a comprehensive immigration reform -- one that notably addresses his demands for a border wall with Mexico as well as the fate of the "Dreamers." "We will make a long-term deal on immigration if, and only if, it is good for our country," he said. Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer earlier announced his party would vote with Republicans to end the shutdown, but in a sign of the poisoned politics of Washington he pilloried Trump in the process. "The White House refused to engage in negotiations over the weekend. The great deal-making president sat on the sidelines," Schumer said. Trump spent the weekend stewing at the White House when he had planned to be among friends and family at his home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida for his anniversary bash. And with the fundamental row on immigration and funding of Trump's border wall unresolved, Republicans and Democrats may very well find themselves back in a similar stalemate come February 9. - High-profile holdouts - Schumer told Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell that he expected Republicans to make good on a pledge to address Democrats' concerns over the Deferred Action on Child Arrivals (DACA) program that shields immigrants brought to the country as children from deportation, but expires on March 5. There are an estimated 700,000 "Dreamers" whose fates are up in the air. "If he does not, of course, and I expect he will, he will have breached the trust of not only the Democratic senators but members of his own party as well," Schumer said. Trump has staked his political fortunes on taking a hard line on immigrants, painting them as criminals and scroungers. Senator Tim Kaine summed up the view of the more optimistic Democrats: "We got a commitment that I feel very, very good about." But if no progress is made on an immigration bill, Molly Reynolds of the Brookings Institution warned, "Democrats still have the ability to potentially force another shutdown over the issue." The House is under no obligation to pass any Senate bill generated as a result of McConnell's pledge to cooperate with Democrats -- although Speaker Ryan did say his chamber needs to "move forward in good faith" on DACA and immigration. Notably, many of the Senate Democrats who voted against the funding agreement included a litany of potential 2020 presidential candidates, including Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren. - Dealmaker on sidelines - Ahead of the deal, Trump had goaded Democrats from the sidelines, accusing them of shutting down the government to win concessions on immigration, in service of "their far left base." There have been four government shutdowns since 1990. During the last one, in October 2013, more than 800,000 government workers were put on temporary leave. Essential federal services and the military were operational on Monday.

Congress votes to end US shutdown, Trump claims victory

Quincy Jones, American record producer and actor now claims to know who killed late US President John F. Kennedy and also to have once dated Ivanka Trump.&nbsp;

In an explosive interview with Vulture, the legendary record producer bared his heart and let out all the secrets. Quincy, who is famous for having worked with legendary pop artist Micheal Jackson, did not mince words and gave many controversial statements about musicians and the current music industry scene.&nbsp;

To start with, he called The Beatles&nbsp;&ldquo;the worst musicians in the world&rdquo; and that U2 &quot;are not writing good songs anymore&quot;.

He also alleged that Richard Pryor once had sex with Marlon Brando.

Coming to one of the most debatable explosives he let out, when asked&nbsp;&ldquo;what&rsquo;s something you wish you didn&rsquo;t know,&rdquo; he replied: &ldquo;Who killed Kennedy&rdquo;.

Quincy claimed that&nbsp;Sam Giancana was behind the late US President&rsquo;s murder. He said, &ldquo;The connection was there between Sinatra and the Mafia and Kennedy. Joe Kennedy &mdash; he was a bad man &mdash; he came to Frank to have him talk to Giancana about getting votes&quot; and quickly added, &quot;We shouldn&rsquo;t talk about this publicly.&rdquo;

He moved to the topic of Ivanka Trump when he was prodded to speak about the current&nbsp;US President&nbsp;Donald Trump. He said, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s Trump and uneducated rednecks. Trump is just telling them what they want to hear. I used to hang out with him. He&rsquo;s a crazy motherfucker. Limited mentally &mdash; a megalomaniac, narcissistic. I can&rsquo;t stand him.&rdquo;

&ldquo;I used to date Ivanka, you know,&rdquo; he added, elaborating: &ldquo;Twelve years ago. Tommy Hilfiger, who was working with my daughter Kidada said, &lsquo;Ivanka wants to have dinner with you.&rsquo; I said, &lsquo;No problem. She&rsquo;s a fine motherfucker.&rsquo; She had the most beautiful legs I ever saw in my life. Wrong father, though.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In an explosive interview with Vulture, the American entertainer spills beans on Trumps and some other 'secrets'

Quincy Jones, American record producer and actor now claims to know who killed late US President John F. Kennedy and also to have once dated Ivanka Trump. In an explosive interview with Vulture, the legendary record producer bared his heart and let out all the secrets. Quincy, who is famous for having worked with legendary pop artist Micheal Jackson, did not mince words and gave many controversial statements about musicians and the current music industry scene. To start with, he called The Beatles “the worst musicians in the world” and that U2 "are not writing good songs anymore". He also alleged that Richard Pryor once had sex with Marlon Brando. Coming to one of the most debatable explosives he let out, when asked “what’s something you wish you didn’t know,” he replied: “Who killed Kennedy”. Quincy claimed that Sam Giancana was behind the late US President’s murder. He said, “The connection was there between Sinatra and the Mafia and Kennedy. Joe Kennedy — he was a bad man — he came to Frank to have him talk to Giancana about getting votes" and quickly added, "We shouldn’t talk about this publicly.” He moved to the topic of Ivanka Trump when he was prodded to speak about the current US President Donald Trump. He said, “It’s Trump and uneducated rednecks. Trump is just telling them what they want to hear. I used to hang out with him. He’s a crazy motherfucker. Limited mentally — a megalomaniac, narcissistic. I can’t stand him.” “I used to date Ivanka, you know,” he added, elaborating: “Twelve years ago. Tommy Hilfiger, who was working with my daughter Kidada said, ‘Ivanka wants to have dinner with you.’ I said, ‘No problem. She’s a fine motherfucker.’ She had the most beautiful legs I ever saw in my life. Wrong father, though.”

Quincy Jones: 'Used to date Ivanka' and know 'Who killed Kennedy'

US President Donald Trump continued his longstanding battle against the American media with a fresh tweet in which he said he would announce the &quot;most dishonest and corrupt media awards of the year on Monday.&quot;

&quot;I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST &amp; CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o&rsquo;clock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty &amp; Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!,&quot; tweeted the US President who is often at loggerheads with the mainstream American press.

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I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST &amp; CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o&rsquo;clock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty &amp; Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948359545767841792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump has often described US media outlets like the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post as &quot;fake&quot; media.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-nuclear-button-bigger-and-more-powerful-than-north-koreas-president-trump-28372" target="_blank">My nuclear button &#39;bigger, more powerful&#39; than North Korea&#39;s, says Trump</a>

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/why-does-donald-trump-matter-8187" target="_blank">Why does Donald Trump matter?</a>

In November, also, the US President had tweeted about a competition among news networks for the &quot;Fake News Trophy&quot;.

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We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/935147410472480769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In an email to his supporters on December 28, the Trump campaign sought nominations for the &quot;King of Fake News&quot; trophy.

&quot;At President Trump&#39;s request, we are holding a contest to name the 2017 KING of Fake News. And we want to hear from you,&quot; the email said.

&quot;The FAKE NEWS has utterly abandoned their duty to fairly report the news to the American people. Some journalists and liberal pundits think that Americans are too stupid to see through their amateur efforts to manipulate public opinion, but THEY&#39;RE WRONG,&quot; the email stated.

As per the Trump Campaign list, the competition for &quot;King of Fame news&quot; is between three news outlets.

&quot;ABC News &#39;MISTAKENLY&#39; reported that candidate Trump directed Michael Flynn to make contact with Russian officials before the election,&quot; it said.

&quot;CNN &#39;MISTAKENLY&#39; reported that candidate Donald Trump and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks,&quot; is the second story on the list.

&quot;TIME &#39;MISTAKENLY&#39; reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr from the Oval Office,&quot; the email said as it asked the participants to &quot;let the President know if there is another story you think should be crowned as the 2017 KING of Fake News&quot;.&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI)

President Trump said he would announce the awards on Monday. He has often described US media outlets like the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post as "fake" media

US President Donald Trump continued his longstanding battle against the American media with a fresh tweet in which he said he would announce the "most dishonest and corrupt media awards of the year on Monday." "I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o’clock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned!," tweeted the US President who is often at loggerheads with the mainstream American press. I will be announcing THE MOST DISHONEST & CORRUPT MEDIA AWARDS OF THE YEAR on Monday at 5:00 o’clock. Subjects will cover Dishonesty & Bad Reporting in various categories from the Fake News Media. Stay tuned! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 × Trump has often described US media outlets like the CNN, ABC News, The New York Times and the Washington Post as "fake" media. Also read: My nuclear button 'bigger, more powerful' than North Korea's, says Trump Also read: Why does Donald Trump matter? In November, also, the US President had tweeted about a competition among news networks for the "Fake News Trophy". We should have a contest as to which of the Networks, plus CNN and not including Fox, is the most dishonest, corrupt and/or distorted in its political coverage of your favorite President (me). They are all bad. Winner to receive the FAKE NEWS TROPHY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2017 × In an email to his supporters on December 28, the Trump campaign sought nominations for the "King of Fake News" trophy. "At President Trump's request, we are holding a contest to name the 2017 KING of Fake News. And we want to hear from you," the email said. "The FAKE NEWS has utterly abandoned their duty to fairly report the news to the American people. Some journalists and liberal pundits think that Americans are too stupid to see through their amateur efforts to manipulate public opinion, but THEY'RE WRONG," the email stated. As per the Trump Campaign list, the competition for "King of Fame news" is between three news outlets. "ABC News 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Trump directed Michael Flynn to make contact with Russian officials before the election," it said. "CNN 'MISTAKENLY' reported that candidate Donald Trump and his son Donald J Trump Jr had access to hacked documents from WikiLeaks," is the second story on the list. "TIME 'MISTAKENLY' reported that President Trump removed a bust of Martin Luther King, Jr from the Oval Office," the email said as it asked the participants to "let the President know if there is another story you think should be crowned as the 2017 KING of Fake News". (With inputs from PTI)

Trump says will announce 'Most Dishonest and Corrupt Media Awards'

After North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un&#39;s message that he was <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-button-is-always-on-my-table-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-28204">always within reach of the nuclear button</a> comes President Trump&#39;s tweet that the &quot;US nuclear button is bigger and more powerful one than his.&quot;

Trump tweeted: &quot;North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the &quot;Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.&quot; Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger &amp; more powerful one than his, and my Button works!&quot;

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North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the &ldquo;Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.&rdquo; Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger &amp; more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/948355557022420992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;The nuclear button is always on my table. The US must realise this is not blackmail but reality, Kim Jong-Un had said while reiterating his claims that North Korea was a nuclear state.

&quot;(The North) can cope with any kind of nuclear threats from the US and has a strong nuclear deterrence that is able to prevent the US from playing with fire,&quot; Kim said in his annual address to the nation.

He also said that North Korea must mass-produce nuclear weapons and missiles.

&quot;We must mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missile and speed up their deployment,&quot; said Kim.

On Tuesday, US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned North Korea against staging another missile test.

Nikki Haley told the press the United States was hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile.

&quot;I hope that doesn&#39;t happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime,&quot; Haley said.

The US envoy said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not do something to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.

Trump and Kim&#39;s latest remarks come after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-says-us-threats-make-war-unavoidable-26132">months of escalating tensions</a> over North Korea&#39;s country&#39;s weapons programme. &nbsp;&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump has responded to each test with his own counter-threats, threatening to &quot;totally destroy&quot; Pyongyang and saying Kim Jong-Un was on &quot;a suicide mission&quot;.

Kim Jong-Un has presided over multiple missile tests in recent months and the North&#39;s sixth and most powerful nuclear test -- which it said was a hydrogen bomb -- in September.&nbsp;

In December the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed new, US-drafted sanctions to restrict oil supplies vital for the impoverished state. The sanctions also received the backing of China, the North&#39;s sole major ally and economic lifeline&nbsp;

The third raft of sanctions imposed last year, which the North slammed as an &quot;act of war&quot;.

(With inputs from&nbsp; agencies)

President Trump's tweet comes after North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's New Year address that he was always within reach of the nuclear button

After North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's message that he was always within reach of the nuclear button comes President Trump's tweet that the "US nuclear button is bigger and more powerful one than his." Trump tweeted: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the "Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times." Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!" North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2018 × "The nuclear button is always on my table. The US must realise this is not blackmail but reality, Kim Jong-Un had said while reiterating his claims that North Korea was a nuclear state. "(The North) can cope with any kind of nuclear threats from the US and has a strong nuclear deterrence that is able to prevent the US from playing with fire," Kim said in his annual address to the nation. He also said that North Korea must mass-produce nuclear weapons and missiles. "We must mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missile and speed up their deployment," said Kim. On Tuesday, US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, warned North Korea against staging another missile test. Nikki Haley told the press the United States was hearing reports that North Korea might be preparing to fire another missile. "I hope that doesn't happen. But if it does, we must bring even tougher measures to bear against the North Korean regime," Haley said. The US envoy said Washington would not take any talks between North and South Korea seriously if they did not do something to get Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons. Trump and Kim's latest remarks come after months of escalating tensions over North Korea's country's weapons programme. US President Donald Trump has responded to each test with his own counter-threats, threatening to "totally destroy" Pyongyang and saying Kim Jong-Un was on "a suicide mission". Kim Jong-Un has presided over multiple missile tests in recent months and the North's sixth and most powerful nuclear test -- which it said was a hydrogen bomb -- in September. In December the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed new, US-drafted sanctions to restrict oil supplies vital for the impoverished state. The sanctions also received the backing of China, the North's sole major ally and economic lifeline The third raft of sanctions imposed last year, which the North slammed as an "act of war". (With inputs from agencies)

My nuclear button 'bigger, more powerful' than North Korea's, says Trump

President Trump&rsquo;s announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 6 that the U.S. would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel received widespread criticism. Observers quickly recognised the decision as related not so much to national security concerns as to domestic US politics and promises candidate Trump made to his evangelical supporters, who welcomed the announcement.

Historian Diana Butler Bass posted on Twitter:

<blockquote>
&ldquo;Of all the possible theological dog-whistles to his evangelical base, this is the biggest. Trump is reminding them that he is carrying out God&rsquo;s will to these Last Days.&rdquo;
</blockquote>

It is true that evangelicals have often noted that their support for Trump is based on their conviction that God can use the unlikeliest of men to enact his will. But how did conservative American Christians become invested in such a fine point of Middle East policy as to whether the US Embassy is in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem?

For many of President Trump&rsquo;s evangelical supporters, this is a key step in the progression of events leading to the second coming of Jesus. There&rsquo;s an interesting story as to how that came to be.

Ushering in the kingdom of God

The nation of Israel and the role of the city of Jerusalem are central in the &ldquo;end-times&rdquo; theology &ndash; a form of what is known as &ldquo;pre-millennialism&rdquo; &ndash; embraced by many American conservative Protestants.

While this theology is often thought of as a &ldquo;literal&rdquo; reading of the Bible, it&rsquo;s actually a reasonably new interpretation that dates to the 19th century and relates to the work of Bible teacher John Nelson Darby.

According to Darby, for this to happen the Jewish people must have control of Jerusalem and build a third Jewish temple on the site where the first and second temples &ndash; destroyed centuries ago by the Babylonians and Romans &ndash; once were. In Darby&rsquo;s view, this was a necessary precursor to the rapture, when believers would be &ldquo;taken up&rdquo; by Christ to escape the worst of the seven-year-period of suffering and turmoil on Earth: The Great Tribulation. This is to be followed by the cosmic battle between good and evil called Armageddon at which Satan will be defeated and Christ will establish his earthly kingdom. All of this became eminently more possible when the modern state of Israel was established in the 1940s.

But to understand the power of this way of looking at the world, it is necessary to do more than point to theological tenets. It is their dissemination through the culture that determines which thought systems take hold and which ones are lost to history.

As an author of &ldquo;Building God&rsquo;s Kingdom,&rdquo; I focus on various aspects of conservative American Protestantism in American culture and politics. In my research, I have seen how some thought systems get lost in history and others take hold.

Here is what happened with the end-time narrative that made it a core undercurrent to how these Christians look at the world and history.

The origins of this narrative

The end-times framework was popularised in the 1970s with an inexpensive and widely available paperback by evangelist and Christian writer Hal Lindsey called &ldquo;The Late Great Planet Earth.&rdquo; Lindsey argued that the establishment of the state of Israel in the 1940s set up a chain of events that would lead to Jesus&rsquo;s return.

He calculated a date for that return in the 1980s. Lindsey, like many end-times prognosticators before him, argued that he lived in the &ldquo;first time in history&rdquo; when the biblical prophecies could possibly be fulfilled. This, he thought, was due in large part to the reestablishment of Israel.

Despite his claim to be reading the Bible literally, Lindsey&rsquo;s interpretation was far from literal. He said, for example, that the locusts predicted in one of the plagues in the book of Revelation were &ldquo;really&rdquo; helicopters.

As adults were reading Lindsey&rsquo;s book, a generation of young people watched an &ldquo;evangelistic&rdquo; film, &ldquo;A Thief in the Night,&rdquo; in church services and youth group meetings.

Beginning with an ominous ticking clock, the film begins at the rapture. It shows how all the faithful Christians suddenly disappeared. For those who remained, there was one more chance to accept the Gospel but that chance required living through extreme persecution. 
The film scared young people into conversion by depicting the experiences of these young Christians who were suffering because they had arrogantly dismissed warnings from their friends, families and churches to repent and had missed the rapture.

According to scholar Amy Frykholm, an estimated 50 million to 300 million people viewed &ldquo;A Thief in the Night.&rdquo;

The end-times and the culture wars

The use of popular media to spread a terrifying vision of the end of history to draw young people into repentance continued in the 1980s with the apocalyptic novels of Frank Peretti. The Peretti novels depicted a vibrant and active spiritual world in which cosmic forces of good and evil were vying for supremacy all around us.

As the book presented it, every person is obliged to play a part for one side or the other in very literal ways. This applies to all people: &ldquo;True Christians&rdquo; were meant to fight on God&rsquo;s side, and the rest on the side of Satan. The first of these was called &ldquo;This Present Darkness.&rdquo;

Though clearly recognised as fictional, these books were also perceived as &ldquo;real.&rdquo; For example, while the seat of the diabolical scheming was the fictional local college and the chief antagonist was a fictional professor, it wasn&rsquo;t lost on readers that they were to perceive colleges and professors as likely enemies.

The depiction of literal &ldquo;good guys&rdquo; and &ldquo;bad guys&rdquo; as regular people aligned with God and Satan, respectively, played into the increasingly divisive culture war battles of the time. These books were powerful and effective until a decade later when they were replaced in a popular Christian culture by the &ldquo;Left Behind&rdquo; series, co-authored by culture warrior Tim LaHaye.

These 16 books and four films, released over the course of a decade, also trace the lives of the late-coming believers who had missed the rapture and were now part of the &ldquo;Tribulation Force,&rdquo; as they endured the post-rapture world and sought to remain faithful despite persecution. The series&rsquo; successes included a New York Times best-seller, while seven others set sales records. The entire series sold more than 65 million copies.

It&rsquo;s impossible to overemphasise the effects of this framework on those within the circles of evangelicalism where it is popular. A growing number of young people who have left evangelicalism point to end-times theology as a key component of the subculture they left. They call themselves &ldquo;exvangelicals&rdquo; and label teachings like this as abusive.

It&rsquo;s hard to get away from the invocation of mythic narratives in American politics. They get used often and are invented and reinvented to be deployed at different times in history. While supporters and opponents of the Trump announcement agree that the results might be cataclysmic, some of the supporters are happy. That is because they are reading it through a lens that promises the return of Jesus and the establishment of God&rsquo;s kingdom.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="blank">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-evangelical-supporters-welcome-his-move-on-jerusalem-88775" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" target="blank">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Many American evangelicals believe that the establishment and protection of Israel set up a chain of the event for the return of Jesus.

President Trump’s announcement on Wednesday, Nov. 6 that the U.S. would recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel received widespread criticism. Observers quickly recognised the decision as related not so much to national security concerns as to domestic US politics and promises candidate Trump made to his evangelical supporters, who welcomed the announcement. Historian Diana Butler Bass posted on Twitter: “Of all the possible theological dog-whistles to his evangelical base, this is the biggest. Trump is reminding them that he is carrying out God’s will to these Last Days.” It is true that evangelicals have often noted that their support for Trump is based on their conviction that God can use the unlikeliest of men to enact his will. But how did conservative American Christians become invested in such a fine point of Middle East policy as to whether the US Embassy is in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem? For many of President Trump’s evangelical supporters, this is a key step in the progression of events leading to the second coming of Jesus. There’s an interesting story as to how that came to be. Ushering in the kingdom of God The nation of Israel and the role of the city of Jerusalem are central in the “end-times” theology – a form of what is known as “pre-millennialism” – embraced by many American conservative Protestants. While this theology is often thought of as a “literal” reading of the Bible, it’s actually a reasonably new interpretation that dates to the 19th century and relates to the work of Bible teacher John Nelson Darby. According to Darby, for this to happen the Jewish people must have control of Jerusalem and build a third Jewish temple on the site where the first and second temples – destroyed centuries ago by the Babylonians and Romans – once were. In Darby’s view, this was a necessary precursor to the rapture, when believers would be “taken up” by Christ to escape the worst of the seven-year-period of suffering and turmoil on Earth: The Great Tribulation. This is to be followed by the cosmic battle between good and evil called Armageddon at which Satan will be defeated and Christ will establish his earthly kingdom. All of this became eminently more possible when the modern state of Israel was established in the 1940s. But to understand the power of this way of looking at the world, it is necessary to do more than point to theological tenets. It is their dissemination through the culture that determines which thought systems take hold and which ones are lost to history. As an author of “Building God’s Kingdom,” I focus on various aspects of conservative American Protestantism in American culture and politics. In my research, I have seen how some thought systems get lost in history and others take hold. Here is what happened with the end-time narrative that made it a core undercurrent to how these Christians look at the world and history. The origins of this narrative The end-times framework was popularised in the 1970s with an inexpensive and widely available paperback by evangelist and Christian writer Hal Lindsey called “The Late Great Planet Earth.” Lindsey argued that the establishment of the state of Israel in the 1940s set up a chain of events that would lead to Jesus’s return. He calculated a date for that return in the 1980s. Lindsey, like many end-times prognosticators before him, argued that he lived in the “first time in history” when the biblical prophecies could possibly be fulfilled. This, he thought, was due in large part to the reestablishment of Israel. Despite his claim to be reading the Bible literally, Lindsey’s interpretation was far from literal. He said, for example, that the locusts predicted in one of the plagues in the book of Revelation were “really” helicopters. As adults were reading Lindsey’s book, a generation of young people watched an “evangelistic” film, “A Thief in the Night,” in church services and youth group meetings. Beginning with an ominous ticking clock, the film begins at the rapture. It shows how all the faithful Christians suddenly disappeared. For those who remained, there was one more chance to accept the Gospel but that chance required living through extreme persecution. The film scared young people into conversion by depicting the experiences of these young Christians who were suffering because they had arrogantly dismissed warnings from their friends, families and churches to repent and had missed the rapture. According to scholar Amy Frykholm, an estimated 50 million to 300 million people viewed “A Thief in the Night.” The end-times and the culture wars The use of popular media to spread a terrifying vision of the end of history to draw young people into repentance continued in the 1980s with the apocalyptic novels of Frank Peretti. The Peretti novels depicted a vibrant and active spiritual world in which cosmic forces of good and evil were vying for supremacy all around us. As the book presented it, every person is obliged to play a part for one side or the other in very literal ways. This applies to all people: “True Christians” were meant to fight on God’s side, and the rest on the side of Satan. The first of these was called “This Present Darkness.” Though clearly recognised as fictional, these books were also perceived as “real.” For example, while the seat of the diabolical scheming was the fictional local college and the chief antagonist was a fictional professor, it wasn’t lost on readers that they were to perceive colleges and professors as likely enemies. The depiction of literal “good guys” and “bad guys” as regular people aligned with God and Satan, respectively, played into the increasingly divisive culture war battles of the time. These books were powerful and effective until a decade later when they were replaced in a popular Christian culture by the “Left Behind” series, co-authored by culture warrior Tim LaHaye. These 16 books and four films, released over the course of a decade, also trace the lives of the late-coming believers who had missed the rapture and were now part of the “Tribulation Force,” as they endured the post-rapture world and sought to remain faithful despite persecution. The series’ successes included a New York Times best-seller, while seven others set sales records. The entire series sold more than 65 million copies. It’s impossible to overemphasise the effects of this framework on those within the circles of evangelicalism where it is popular. A growing number of young people who have left evangelicalism point to end-times theology as a key component of the subculture they left. They call themselves “exvangelicals” and label teachings like this as abusive. It’s hard to get away from the invocation of mythic narratives in American politics. They get used often and are invented and reinvented to be deployed at different times in history. While supporters and opponents of the Trump announcement agree that the results might be cataclysmic, some of the supporters are happy. That is because they are reading it through a lens that promises the return of Jesus and the establishment of God’s kingdom. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The author writes here in a personal capacity).

Opinion: Why Trump's supporters welcome his move on Jerusalem

President Trump triggered a Twitter firestorm within his own party on Sunday attacking&nbsp;Republican senator Bob Corker labelling him as a man &quot;lacking guts&quot;.

The Tennessee senator shot back at the President saying, &quot;White House is being run as an adult daycare center.&quot;

The Twitter war began&nbsp;after President Trump in a tweet said: &quot;Senator Bob Corker &quot;begged&quot; me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said &quot;NO&quot; and he dropped out (said he could not win without my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said &quot;NO THANKS.&quot; He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!.&quot;

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Senator Bob Corker &quot;begged&quot; me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said &quot;NO&quot; and he dropped out (said he could not win without...
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/917026789188399105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn&#39;t have the guts to run!,&quot; the president added on Twitter.

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..my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said &quot;NO THANKS.&quot; He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/917029060471152640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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...Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn&#39;t have the guts to run!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/917030148867682304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Bob Corker who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee slammed the US president saying, &quot;It&#39;s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.&quot;

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It&#39;s a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.
&mdash; Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBobCorker/status/917045348820049920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
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In an interview with the New York Times later, Corker said,&quot; President Donald Trump risks setting the nation on the path to World War III.&quot;

&quot;He concerns me,&quot; Corker told The New York Times, adding: &quot;He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation.&quot;

President Trump in a tweet had said senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee

President Trump triggered a Twitter firestorm within his own party on Sunday attacking Republican senator Bob Corker labelling him as a man "lacking guts". The Tennessee senator shot back at the President saying, "White House is being run as an adult daycare center." The Twitter war began after President Trump in a tweet said: "Senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said "NO" and he dropped out (said he could not win without my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said "NO THANKS." He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal!." Senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said "NO" and he dropped out (said he could not win without... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017 × "Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn't have the guts to run!," the president added on Twitter. ..my endorsement). He also wanted to be Secretary of State, I said "NO THANKS." He is also largely responsible for the horrendous Iran Deal! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017 × ...Hence, I would fully expect Corker to be a negative voice and stand in the way of our great agenda. Didn't have the guts to run! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017 × Bob Corker who chairs the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee slammed the US president saying, "It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning." It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning. — Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 8, 2017 × In an interview with the New York Times later, Corker said," President Donald Trump risks setting the nation on the path to World War III." "He concerns me," Corker told The New York Times, adding: "He would have to concern anyone who cares about our nation."

President Trump risks the nation on the path to World War III: Republican senator Bob Corker

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg fired back at US President Donald Trump on Wednesday after he accused the leading social network of being &quot;always anti-Trump.&quot;

Zuckerberg rejected the notion, countering that Facebook is working to ensure &quot;free and fair elections&quot; with an online platform that does not favour one side over another.

Zuckerberg&#39;s post at Facebook came after Trump accused the social network of bias in a morning tweet that read:

&quot;Facebook was always anti-Trump.The Networks were always anti-Trump hence,Fake News, @nytimes(apologized) &amp; @WaPo were anti-Trump. Collusion?&quot;&nbsp;

Early morning Twitter tizzies have become a hallmark of Trump&#39;s presidency.

&quot;Trump says Facebook is against him. Liberals say we helped Trump,&quot; Zuckerberg said in his post.

&quot;Both sides are upset about ideas and content they don&#39;t like. That&#39;s what running a platform for all ideas looks like.&quot;

Facebook last week said that Russia-linked ads on the social network aimed at inflaming tensions around last year&#39;s US presidential election will be given to Congress.

The ads sought to sow discord among Americans on hot-button social issues.

News of the decision came with word that Facebook is cracking down on efforts to use the leading social network to meddle with elections in the US or elsewhere.

&quot;After the election, I made a comment that I thought the idea misinformation on Facebook changed the outcome of the election was a crazy idea,&quot; Zuckerberg said.

&quot;Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive.&quot;

He held firm that Facebook biggest role in the election was as a platform for candidates and citizens to communicated directly with one another regarding issues.

The Senate Intelligence Committee has asked top tech companies Google, Facebook and Twitter to testify about Russian interference in US politics, a Senate aide confirmed Wednesday.

The three internet and online social media giants are expected to appear on November 1 in an open hearing on the rising evidence that they were covertly manipulated in a campaign to help Donald Trump win the presidency.&nbsp;

A core question in the congressional investigation is the extent to which online social networks were manipulated by Russian interests to covertly influence the US election, according to Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House permanent select committee on intelligence.

Russia has denied meddling with the US election.

&quot;We will do our part to defend against nation states attempting to spread misinformation and subvert elections,&quot; Zuckerberg said.

Zuckerberg rejected Trump's notion that he was 'anti' the US president, countering that Facebook is working to ensure 'free and fair elections'

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg fired back at US President Donald Trump on Wednesday after he accused the leading social network of being "always anti-Trump." Zuckerberg rejected the notion, countering that Facebook is working to ensure "free and fair elections" with an online platform that does not favour one side over another. Zuckerberg's post at Facebook came after Trump accused the social network of bias in a morning tweet that read: "Facebook was always anti-Trump.The Networks were always anti-Trump hence,Fake News, @nytimes(apologized) & @WaPo were anti-Trump. Collusion?" Early morning Twitter tizzies have become a hallmark of Trump's presidency. "Trump says Facebook is against him. Liberals say we helped Trump," Zuckerberg said in his post. "Both sides are upset about ideas and content they don't like. That's what running a platform for all ideas looks like." Facebook last week said that Russia-linked ads on the social network aimed at inflaming tensions around last year's US presidential election will be given to Congress. The ads sought to sow discord among Americans on hot-button social issues. News of the decision came with word that Facebook is cracking down on efforts to use the leading social network to meddle with elections in the US or elsewhere. "After the election, I made a comment that I thought the idea misinformation on Facebook changed the outcome of the election was a crazy idea," Zuckerberg said. "Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive." He held firm that Facebook biggest role in the election was as a platform for candidates and citizens to communicated directly with one another regarding issues. The Senate Intelligence Committee has asked top tech companies Google, Facebook and Twitter to testify about Russian interference in US politics, a Senate aide confirmed Wednesday. The three internet and online social media giants are expected to appear on November 1 in an open hearing on the rising evidence that they were covertly manipulated in a campaign to help Donald Trump win the presidency. A core question in the congressional investigation is the extent to which online social networks were manipulated by Russian interests to covertly influence the US election, according to Representative Adam Schiff, a Democrat and the ranking member of the House permanent select committee on intelligence. Russia has denied meddling with the US election. "We will do our part to defend against nation states attempting to spread misinformation and subvert elections," Zuckerberg said.

Zuckerberg fires back at Trump over Facebook barb

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