US senators release the full details of their highly anticipated bipartisan proposal. This pairs the Border enforcement policy with wartime aid for Ukraine Israel and other US allies as well.

US Senators release $118.3 billion border security bill

Republican senators Ted Cruz, Steve Daines and several others are being mocked on social media platforms after being seen fist-bumping each other as GOP tanked a veteran Healthcare Bill.

Reportedly, the senate had gathered to vote on the&nbsp;Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act which would have expanded the healthcare facilities and coverage to millions of military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their service.&nbsp;

The bill had received 'broadly bipartisan' support up until now. However,&nbsp;when the senate gathered to vote, it was blocked by the Republicans. 41 out of the 42 senators to vote against the bill were from the GOP.

After the vote, Texas senator Ted Cruz, Montana senator Steve Daines along with others were seen fist bumping and congratulating each other by shaking hands. The video of the incident was posted on the microblogging platform Twitter and immediately gained traction.&nbsp;

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Senate Republicans BLOCKED the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PACTAct?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PACTAct</a>, critical health care for veterans with illness caused by toxic burn pits. 
 
Even though many Republicans supported it just weeks ago. 
 
And they celebrated. <a href="https://t.co/fAWIVrwB0A">pic.twitter.com/fAWIVrwB0A</a>
— Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenateDems/status/1552773816027418625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Most of the netizens were of the view that the GOP senators should have kept their political differences aside and voted for a bill that was for the benefit of the veterans who protected the country.&nbsp;

After the controversy snowballed, Ted Cruz's office released a statement saying:&nbsp;

<blockquote>
"Senator Cruz is a strong supporter of the PACT Act and our nation's veterans. However, this version of the PACT Act contains an irresponsible Democratic provision allowing Congress&nbsp;to recklessly spend an additional $400 billion on programs totally unrelated to our veterans."
</blockquote>

It is pertinent to note that last month, 25 senators backed and supported the bill. The sudden u-turn of the senators suggests that it was another attempt by the GOP to settle political scores.&nbsp;

Read More:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-threaten-google-include-anti-abortion-crisis-pregnancy-centres-in-results-for-abortion-or-else-501345">Republicans threaten Google: Include 'anti-abortion' crisis pregnancy centres in results for abortion or else</a>

The PACT Act came into being after&nbsp;the death of Ohio soldier&nbsp;Heath Robinson in 2020. The army veteran was deployed in Kosovo and Iraq during his military days. However, the excessive exposure to burn pits led Robison to develop a rare form of lung cancer, which ultimately&nbsp;became the cause of his death.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1  width=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

Republican senators Ted Cruz, Steve Daines and several others are being mocked on social media platforms after being seen fist-bumping each other as GOP tanked a veteran Healthcare Bill.

Republican senators Ted Cruz, Steve Daines and several others are being mocked on social media platforms after being seen fist-bumping each other as GOP tanked a veteran Healthcare Bill. Reportedly, the senate had gathered to vote on the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act which would have expanded the healthcare facilities and coverage to millions of military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their service. The bill had received 'broadly bipartisan' support up until now. However, when the senate gathered to vote, it was blocked by the Republicans. 41 out of the 42 senators to vote against the bill were from the GOP. After the vote, Texas senator Ted Cruz, Montana senator Steve Daines along with others were seen fist bumping and congratulating each other by shaking hands. The video of the incident was posted on the microblogging platform Twitter and immediately gained traction. Senate Republicans BLOCKED the #PACTAct, critical health care for veterans with illness caused by toxic burn pits. Even though many Republicans supported it just weeks ago. And they celebrated. pic.twitter.com/fAWIVrwB0A — Senate Democrats (@SenateDems) July 28, 2022 × Most of the netizens were of the view that the GOP senators should have kept their political differences aside and voted for a bill that was for the benefit of the veterans who protected the country. After the controversy snowballed, Ted Cruz's office released a statement saying: "Senator Cruz is a strong supporter of the PACT Act and our nation's veterans. However, this version of the PACT Act contains an irresponsible Democratic provision allowing Congress to recklessly spend an additional $400 billion on programs totally unrelated to our veterans." It is pertinent to note that last month, 25 senators backed and supported the bill. The sudden u-turn of the senators suggests that it was another attempt by the GOP to settle political scores. Read More: Republicans threaten Google: Include 'anti-abortion' crisis pregnancy centres in results for abortion or else The PACT Act came into being after the death of Ohio soldier Heath Robinson in 2020. The army veteran was deployed in Kosovo and Iraq during his military days. However, the excessive exposure to burn pits led Robison to develop a rare form of lung cancer, which ultimately became the cause of his death. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

WATCH: Republican senators fist-bump after tanking a healthcare bill for military veterans

In an effort to seek help, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a zoom call with US lawmakers on Saturday.

To ensure complete safety of the president, Ukraine's ambassador reportedly urged the lawmakers to not share anything on social media during the meeting. It was done to ensure that the exact location of Zelensky does not get revealed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

But what happened was just the opposite. With just 15 minutes into the meeting, Republican senators Marco Rubio and Steve Daines shared the screenshot of the call on social media, showing Zelensky live. He could be seen in his trademark army-green shirt in front of a white wall with the Ukrainian flag. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-sought-fighter-jets-russian-oil-embargo-says-report-459441" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought fighter jets, Russian oil embargo, says report</a>

At this time, Zelensky is Russia's target no. 1. Several eyes are looking for him. This makes it highly essential to take utmost precautions when he makes efforts to garner support to fend off Russian invasion. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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Ukraine asked the US Senate not to mention when it was doing a Zoom call with Zelensky, for security purposes. Guess which Senator tweeted it anyway? That’s right! The head Republican on the Intelligence Committee! 🤦‍♂️ <a href="https://t.co/9agug1d7F4">https://t.co/9agug1d7F4</a>
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) <a href="https://twitter.com/vermontgmg/status/1500255885611913217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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I don’t think <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveDaines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveDaines</a> is getting the righteous hell he deserves for tweeting during his zoom call w/ Zelensky. His stupidity is as bad &amp; dangerous as <a href="https://twitter.com/marcorubio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@marcorubio</a> ‘s right? Guess it’s cuz unlike Rubio Daines isn’t up for re-election until 2026. Good luck Montana. 🌻🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/WIpGxDsKLO">pic.twitter.com/WIpGxDsKLO</a>
— Rachel Maria 🇺🇸 I stand with Ukraine 🌻 (@rachel_maria65) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachel_maria65/status/1500294790952349704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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When he joined the call, Zelensky told the lawmakers that this might be the last time they see him alive. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/weekend-special-who-is-a-russian-oligarch-heres-what-you-need-to-know-459198" hreflang="en">Weekend Special: Who is a Russian oligarch? Here's what you need to know</a>

These senators were slammed by Democratic representative Dean Phillips. He said their ignorance was appalling and reckless. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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.<a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZelenskyyUa</a> releases photo of his view of the Zoom call with US Senators and Representatives. Repeats calls for no-fly zone and jets, and blocks on Russian oil exports. <a href="https://t.co/To8fa619bX">pic.twitter.com/To8fa619bX</a>
— Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) <a href="https://twitter.com/nickschifrin/status/1500162028723392512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect President Zelensky,” Dean Phillips said on Twitter. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In an effort to seek help, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a zoom call with US lawmakers on Saturday. To ensure complete safety of the president, Ukraine's ambassador reportedly urged the lawmakers to not share anything on social media during the meeting.

In an effort to seek help, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attended a zoom call with US lawmakers on Saturday. To ensure complete safety of the president, Ukraine's ambassador reportedly urged the lawmakers to not share anything on social media during the meeting. It was done to ensure that the exact location of Zelensky does not get revealed. But what happened was just the opposite. With just 15 minutes into the meeting, Republican senators Marco Rubio and Steve Daines shared the screenshot of the call on social media, showing Zelensky live. He could be seen in his trademark army-green shirt in front of a white wall with the Ukrainian flag. Also Read: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought fighter jets, Russian oil embargo, says report At this time, Zelensky is Russia's target no. 1. Several eyes are looking for him. This makes it highly essential to take utmost precautions when he makes efforts to garner support to fend off Russian invasion. Ukraine asked the US Senate not to mention when it was doing a Zoom call with Zelensky, for security purposes. Guess which Senator tweeted it anyway? That’s right! The head Republican on the Intelligence Committee! 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/9agug1d7F4 — Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) March 5, 2022 × I don’t think @SteveDaines is getting the righteous hell he deserves for tweeting during his zoom call w/ Zelensky. His stupidity is as bad & dangerous as @marcorubio ‘s right? Guess it’s cuz unlike Rubio Daines isn’t up for re-election until 2026. Good luck Montana. 🌻🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/WIpGxDsKLO — Rachel Maria 🇺🇸 I stand with Ukraine 🌻 (@rachel_maria65) March 6, 2022 × When he joined the call, Zelensky told the lawmakers that this might be the last time they see him alive. Also Read | Weekend Special: Who is a Russian oligarch? Here's what you need to know These senators were slammed by Democratic representative Dean Phillips. He said their ignorance was appalling and reckless. .@ZelenskyyUa releases photo of his view of the Zoom call with US Senators and Representatives. Repeats calls for no-fly zone and jets, and blocks on Russian oil exports. pic.twitter.com/To8fa619bX — Nick Schifrin (@nickschifrin) March 5, 2022 × "The Ukrainian Ambassador very intentionally asked each of us on the zoom to NOT share anything on social media during the meeting to protect President Zelensky,” Dean Phillips said on Twitter. (With inputs from agencies)

Defying Ukraine's request, two US senators share Zelensky’s pics on social media during zoom call

After a marathon schedule of high-profile democratic meetings, President Joe Biden's domestic agenda suffered a major setback. Two Democratic Senators have demanded major changes and might not commit to supporting a $1.75 trillion framework on social spending and climate change.

Democratic Senators will not commit to backing Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion spending bill

After failing to win a majority in the senate, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government senators are being approached to gain their support for the opposition candidate in the upcoming election for the senate chair.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan: Government senators being approached to change loyalties

Neera Tanden withdrew from consideration to lead the Office of Management and Budget after facing opposition from senators over old tweets.

US Budget Chief nominee Neera Tanden withdraws nomination

Facebook is "delusional" to believe people will trust it with their money, a U.S. senator said as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle grilled the social media company on its plans for a digital currency at a hearing. Watch this video to know more.

US senators grill Facebook over its plans

&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-reaches-deal-with-us-on-migration-averting-tariff-war-trump-225346">US President Donald Trump</a> defended his administration's deal with Mexico against criticism that there were no major new commitments to stem a flow of Central American migrants crossing into the United States and said on Sunday more details would soon be released.

Key aspects of the agreement are still unclear, including whether Mexico has pledged to buy more US agricultural products and if the deal materially expanded a previous commitment by Mexico to more vigorously police its southern border with Guatemala.

Top Democratic senators said many aspects of the deal were not new, while the Mexican ambassador to the United States declined to confirm whether it contained any commitments on agricultural goods.

The deal announced on Friday after three days of talks in Washington averted Trump's threatened imposition of 5% import tariffs on all Mexican goods that had been due to start on Monday unless Mexico committed to doing more to help reduce an increase in migrants arriving at the US southern border.

"Mexico was not being cooperative on the Border...and now I have full confidence, especially after speaking to their President yesterday, that they will be very cooperative and want to get the job properly done," Trump said on Twitter.

"Importantly, some things not mentioned in the yesterday press release, one in particular, were agreed upon. That will be announced at the appropriate time," he added.

Trump did not elaborate and the White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Friday's joint communique broadly sketched the terms of the agreement but contained few details.

The Mexican peso jumped against the dollar in Asian markets and US equity futures rose on Sunday following the deal.

The agreement expedites a program known as the Migration Protection Protocols that was announced in December. That program sends migrants seeking asylum in the United States to wait in Mexico while their cases are being processed.

Friday's agreement would see the United States immediately expand the implementation of the MPP across its entire 2,000-mile (3,220-km) southern border, the State Department said on Friday.

But as of Sunday night, US-bound asylum seekers were not yet being sent back to additional Mexican border towns, three Mexican officials said.

Officials in the Mexican border states of Sonora, south of the US states of Arizona and New Mexico, and Tamaulipas, south of Texas, said they were unaware of plans to expand the number of border crossings where the asylum seekers must be returned to Mexican territory to await processing.

The deal will also see Mexico deploy the National Guard police force to its southern border, where many Central American migrants enter Mexico.

Uncertainty over Agriculture

On Saturday, a New York Times report, citing officials from both countries familiar with the negotiations, said most of Friday's deal had already been sketched out in March, when Mexico agreed to deploy its National Guard throughout the country, with priority given to the southern border.

Trump tweeted on Sunday that the Times report was false, adding: "We have been trying to get some of these Border Actions for a long time, as have other administrations, but were not able to get them, or get them in full, until our signed agreement with Mexico."

But it was business as usual over the weekend at the busiest crossing point along Mexico's porous southern border with Guatemala. Evidence of Mexico's promised crackdown on new arrivals trying to reach the United States was nowhere to be seen, as a small fleet of rafts carried migrants hoping to escape the violence of Central America.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also said there appeared to be little new in the deal, adding it was a "bogus" solution used by Trump to get out of an ill-conceived tariff threat.

"This is likely to have only a small impact on solving the root causes of Central American migration because many of the components are things Mexico had already said they would do," Schumer said on Twitter.

US Vice President Mike Pence said on Twitter, however, that Trump's "strong stand got Mexico to do things they have never done before."

There is further uncertainty around Trump's comments on Saturday that Mexico had agreed to "immediately begin" buying "large quantities" of agricultural goods from US farmers.

Mexican officials have not confirmed any new agreement on agricultural products. Asked repeatedly about such a deal on CBS on Sunday, the Mexican ambassador to the United States, Martha Bárcena Coqui, said only that trade would increase without the tariffs. She said there were many details discussed during negotiations that were not in the written declaration.

She noted Mexico was already a top US trade partner in agricultural products. Mexico is the top importer of US corn, wheat, pork and dairy by volume.

On Saturday, Mexico's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, tweeted that the deal should boost economic growth and therefore demand for US agricultural products, but he also stopped short of saying that the deal contained a commitment on Mexico's part to purchase more goods from the United States.

US President Donald Trump defended his administration's deal with Mexico against criticism that there were no major new commitments to stem a flow of Central American migrants crossing into the United States and said on Sunday more details would soon be released.

US President Donald Trump defended his administration's deal with Mexico against criticism that there were no major new commitments to stem a flow of Central American migrants crossing into the United States and said on Sunday more details would soon be released. Key aspects of the agreement are still unclear, including whether Mexico has pledged to buy more US agricultural products and if the deal materially expanded a previous commitment by Mexico to more vigorously police its southern border with Guatemala. Top Democratic senators said many aspects of the deal were not new, while the Mexican ambassador to the United States declined to confirm whether it contained any commitments on agricultural goods. The deal announced on Friday after three days of talks in Washington averted Trump's threatened imposition of 5% import tariffs on all Mexican goods that had been due to start on Monday unless Mexico committed to doing more to help reduce an increase in migrants arriving at the US southern border. "Mexico was not being cooperative on the Border...and now I have full confidence, especially after speaking to their President yesterday, that they will be very cooperative and want to get the job properly done," Trump said on Twitter. "Importantly, some things not mentioned in the yesterday press release, one in particular, were agreed upon. That will be announced at the appropriate time," he added. Trump did not elaborate and the White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Friday's joint communique broadly sketched the terms of the agreement but contained few details. The Mexican peso jumped against the dollar in Asian markets and US equity futures rose on Sunday following the deal. The agreement expedites a program known as the Migration Protection Protocols that was announced in December. That program sends migrants seeking asylum in the United States to wait in Mexico while their cases are being processed. Friday's agreement would see the United States immediately expand the implementation of the MPP across its entire 2,000-mile (3,220-km) southern border, the State Department said on Friday. But as of Sunday night, US-bound asylum seekers were not yet being sent back to additional Mexican border towns, three Mexican officials said. Officials in the Mexican border states of Sonora, south of the US states of Arizona and New Mexico, and Tamaulipas, south of Texas, said they were unaware of plans to expand the number of border crossings where the asylum seekers must be returned to Mexican territory to await processing. The deal will also see Mexico deploy the National Guard police force to its southern border, where many Central American migrants enter Mexico. Uncertainty over Agriculture On Saturday, a New York Times report, citing officials from both countries familiar with the negotiations, said most of Friday's deal had already been sketched out in March, when Mexico agreed to deploy its National Guard throughout the country, with priority given to the southern border. Trump tweeted on Sunday that the Times report was false, adding: "We have been trying to get some of these Border Actions for a long time, as have other administrations, but were not able to get them, or get them in full, until our signed agreement with Mexico." But it was business as usual over the weekend at the busiest crossing point along Mexico's porous southern border with Guatemala. Evidence of Mexico's promised crackdown on new arrivals trying to reach the United States was nowhere to be seen, as a small fleet of rafts carried migrants hoping to escape the violence of Central America. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer also said there appeared to be little new in the deal, adding it was a "bogus" solution used by Trump to get out of an ill-conceived tariff threat. "This is likely to have only a small impact on solving the root causes of Central American migration because many of the components are things Mexico had already said they would do," Schumer said on Twitter. US Vice President Mike Pence said on Twitter, however, that Trump's "strong stand got Mexico to do things they have never done before." There is further uncertainty around Trump's comments on Saturday that Mexico had agreed to "immediately begin" buying "large quantities" of agricultural goods from US farmers. Mexican officials have not confirmed any new agreement on agricultural products. Asked repeatedly about such a deal on CBS on Sunday, the Mexican ambassador to the United States, Martha Bárcena Coqui, said only that trade would increase without the tariffs. She said there were many details discussed during negotiations that were not in the written declaration. She noted Mexico was already a top US trade partner in agricultural products. Mexico is the top importer of US corn, wheat, pork and dairy by volume. On Saturday, Mexico's foreign minister, Marcelo Ebrard, tweeted that the deal should boost economic growth and therefore demand for US agricultural products, but he also stopped short of saying that the deal contained a commitment on Mexico's part to purchase more goods from the United States.

Trump defends Mexico migration deal and pledges more detail

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governor-ralph-northam-now-denies-appearance-in-racist-photo-refuses-to-resign-194668">Virginia's embattled governor</a>, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/virginia-governors-future-in-limbo-amid-outcry-over-racist-photo-195375">second accusation of sexual assault</a>.

Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax issued a statement denying both allegations as a "coordinated smear campaign." He said the latest accusation, that he had raped a fellow student at Duke University in 2000, was "demonstrably false" and declared he would not step down.

Fairfax, 39, insisted earlier this week that his encounter with a woman who has accused him of forcing himself on her sexually at a hotel in Boston 14 years ago was entirely consensual.

But Friday's accusation sparked a round of calls for the resignation - and even a threat of impeachment - of the once-promising young politician who seemed poised days ago to replace Northam and become the second African-American governor in Virginia history.

The second in line to succeed Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, 57, came under fire with his own admission this week that he, like Northam, had once darkened his face to imitate a black performer - a practice widely considered to be racist.

The possibility of all three top-ranked leaders of Virginia's executive branch having to resign raised the prospect of Democrats losing the governorship to the Republican speaker of the state House of Delegates, who is next in the line of succession. And that possibility has tested Democrats' resolve to show zero tolerance for sexual misconduct and racial bigotry.

It also has stirred Democrats' concerns that political discord in Virginia, a key swing state in presidential elections, could flip it back into the Republican column in the 2020 White House race.

The upheaval began with the revelation last Friday that Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook page contained a racist photo, followed by his acknowledgement of, and apology for, masquerading in blackface that year as pop star Michael Jackson.

After a week hunkered down in virtual seclusion under mounting pressure to resign, Northam indicated in an email message on Friday to state employees that he planned to keep his post.

"You have placed your trust in me to lead Virginia forward - and I plan to do that," Northam said.

ESCALATING PRESSURE

In a separate statement responding to the latest allegation against him, Fairfax said he has "never forced myself on anyone ever" and demanded a "full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations."

"I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide," Fairfax wrote, and declared: "I will not resign."

But the latest allegation of rape brought a torrent of demands for Fairfax to quit, including from all of the state House and Senate Democrats, the Legislative Black Caucus, former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia's two US&nbsp;senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats.

One state House member, Democrat Patrick Hope, said on Twitter that he planned to introduce articles of impeachment for Fairfax on Monday unless he resigned.

The woman who made the new accusation, identified as Meredith Watson, said she was "reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character," the law firm that is representing her said in a statement.

The firm, New Jersey-based Smith Mullin, said the alleged assault occurred in 2000. Watson is "not seeking any financial damages," and her attorneys had notified Fairfax through his lawyers "that Ms Watson hopes he will resign from public office," the firm said in its statement.

The Smith Mullin statement said the alleged attack on Watson "was premeditated and aggressive," while also saying Fairfax and Watson "were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship."

The law firm said it possessed emails, Facebook messages and statements to corroborate that Watson had shared her account of events immediately after the alleged rape.

Fairfax's first accuser, Stanford University academic Vanessa Tyson, has alleged that Fairfax had forced her to perform oral sex in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

She came forward days after the disclosure by a conservative website of a racist photo on Northam's 1984 yearbook page of one person with blackface and another dressed in white robes of the Ku Klux Klan. Northam had originally admitted he was one of the people in that photo but later said that he was not.

Seeking to mend fences with Virginia's African-American population, Northam on Friday met privately with the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd Jr., in Richmond, the state capital. Boyd told Reuters the two men prayed together and "we asked for forgiveness."

Boyd, whose group says it represents 109,000 farmers across the country, said on Twitter that he urged the governor not to step down.

Virginia's embattled governor, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a second accusation of sexual assault.

Virginia's embattled governor, Ralph Northam, capped a week of political chaos ignited by racial scandals by vowing to stay in office on Friday, while the fellow Democrat in line to succeed him faced a second accusation of sexual assault. Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax issued a statement denying both allegations as a "coordinated smear campaign." He said the latest accusation, that he had raped a fellow student at Duke University in 2000, was "demonstrably false" and declared he would not step down. Fairfax, 39, insisted earlier this week that his encounter with a woman who has accused him of forcing himself on her sexually at a hotel in Boston 14 years ago was entirely consensual. But Friday's accusation sparked a round of calls for the resignation - and even a threat of impeachment - of the once-promising young politician who seemed poised days ago to replace Northam and become the second African-American governor in Virginia history. The second in line to succeed Northam, Attorney General Mark Herring, 57, came under fire with his own admission this week that he, like Northam, had once darkened his face to imitate a black performer - a practice widely considered to be racist. The possibility of all three top-ranked leaders of Virginia's executive branch having to resign raised the prospect of Democrats losing the governorship to the Republican speaker of the state House of Delegates, who is next in the line of succession. And that possibility has tested Democrats' resolve to show zero tolerance for sexual misconduct and racial bigotry. It also has stirred Democrats' concerns that political discord in Virginia, a key swing state in presidential elections, could flip it back into the Republican column in the 2020 White House race. The upheaval began with the revelation last Friday that Northam's 1984 medical school yearbook page contained a racist photo, followed by his acknowledgement of, and apology for, masquerading in blackface that year as pop star Michael Jackson. After a week hunkered down in virtual seclusion under mounting pressure to resign, Northam indicated in an email message on Friday to state employees that he planned to keep his post. "You have placed your trust in me to lead Virginia forward - and I plan to do that," Northam said. ESCALATING PRESSURE In a separate statement responding to the latest allegation against him, Fairfax said he has "never forced myself on anyone ever" and demanded a "full investigation into these unsubstantiated and false allegations." "I will clear my good name and I have nothing to hide," Fairfax wrote, and declared: "I will not resign." But the latest allegation of rape brought a torrent of demands for Fairfax to quit, including from all of the state House and Senate Democrats, the Legislative Black Caucus, former Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia's two US senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats. One state House member, Democrat Patrick Hope, said on Twitter that he planned to introduce articles of impeachment for Fairfax on Monday unless he resigned. The woman who made the new accusation, identified as Meredith Watson, said she was "reluctantly coming forward out of a strong sense of civic duty and her belief that those seeking or serving in public office should be of the highest character," the law firm that is representing her said in a statement. The firm, New Jersey-based Smith Mullin, said the alleged assault occurred in 2000. Watson is "not seeking any financial damages," and her attorneys had notified Fairfax through his lawyers "that Ms Watson hopes he will resign from public office," the firm said in its statement. The Smith Mullin statement said the alleged attack on Watson "was premeditated and aggressive," while also saying Fairfax and Watson "were friends but never dated or had any romantic relationship." The law firm said it possessed emails, Facebook messages and statements to corroborate that Watson had shared her account of events immediately after the alleged rape. Fairfax's first accuser, Stanford University academic Vanessa Tyson, has alleged that Fairfax had forced her to perform oral sex in a hotel room during the 2004 Democratic National Convention. She came forward days after the disclosure by a conservative website of a racist photo on Northam's 1984 yearbook page of one person with blackface and another dressed in white robes of the Ku Klux Klan. Northam had originally admitted he was one of the people in that photo but later said that he was not. Seeking to mend fences with Virginia's African-American population, Northam on Friday met privately with the president and founder of the National Black Farmers Association, John Boyd Jr., in Richmond, the state capital. Boyd told Reuters the two men prayed together and "we asked for forgiveness." Boyd, whose group says it represents 109,000 farmers across the country, said on Twitter that he urged the governor not to step down.

Virginia governor denies sexual assault allegations as 'coordinated smear campaign'

US lawmakers said on Wednesday they expect Congress will pass a resolution ending US involvement in the Yemen war, which would force President Donald Trump to issue the first veto of his presidency in order to continue supporting the Saudi-led coalition.

Republican and Democratic senators and representatives said on Wednesday they were re-introducing a war powers resolution that passed the Senate by 56-41 in December, a rebuke of Trump amid anger at Saudi Arabia not just over civilian deaths in Yemen, but also the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.

The lawmakers - an alliance of progressive Democrats and Republican constitutional conservatives - deplored the "humanitarian disaster" in Yemen but also said they wanted Congress to reassert its constitutional authority to decide whether the United States should be involved in military conflict.

"That decision has never been debated and discussed and voted on and approved by Congress," Republican Senator Mike Lee, one of the measure's sponsors, told a news conference.

The United States has supported the Saudi-led air campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with mid-air refuelling support, intelligence and targeting assistance.

Opponents of the resolution are reluctant to risk disrupting the strategic US relationship with Saudi Arabia, seen as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, the arch-enemy of close US ally Israel.

The embassy of Yemen in Washington issued a statement opposing the resolution, saying it would "deliver a massive victory to Iran" if Washington were to stop supporting the coalition.

December's Senate vote was the first time either chamber of Congress backed a resolution to withdraw US forces from a military engagement under the War Powers Act. That law, passed in 1973, limits the president's ability to commit US forces to potential hostilities without congressional approval.

The measure never went further in December because the Republicans who then controlled the House of Representatives did not allow a vote in that chamber before the end of the year.

However, the measure's sponsors insisted it had helped lead to a ceasefire in Yemen that began in December. "Sometimes we underestimate how much influence we have," Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said.

Democrats now have a House majority, but Trump's fellow Republicans have increased their edge in the Senate by two seats to hold a 53-47 margin.

It would take a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to overcome a Trump veto. Trump had threatened a veto in December. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether he still intended to do so.

"President Trump is going to have to make a decision," said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

US lawmakers said on Wednesday they expect Congress will pass a resolution ending US involvement in the Yemen war, which would force President Donald Trump to issue the first veto of his presidency in order to continue supporting the Saudi-led coalition.

US lawmakers said on Wednesday they expect Congress will pass a resolution ending US involvement in the Yemen war, which would force President Donald Trump to issue the first veto of his presidency in order to continue supporting the Saudi-led coalition. Republican and Democratic senators and representatives said on Wednesday they were re-introducing a war powers resolution that passed the Senate by 56-41 in December, a rebuke of Trump amid anger at Saudi Arabia not just over civilian deaths in Yemen, but also the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The lawmakers - an alliance of progressive Democrats and Republican constitutional conservatives - deplored the "humanitarian disaster" in Yemen but also said they wanted Congress to reassert its constitutional authority to decide whether the United States should be involved in military conflict. "That decision has never been debated and discussed and voted on and approved by Congress," Republican Senator Mike Lee, one of the measure's sponsors, told a news conference. The United States has supported the Saudi-led air campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen with mid-air refuelling support, intelligence and targeting assistance. Opponents of the resolution are reluctant to risk disrupting the strategic US relationship with Saudi Arabia, seen as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, the arch-enemy of close US ally Israel. The embassy of Yemen in Washington issued a statement opposing the resolution, saying it would "deliver a massive victory to Iran" if Washington were to stop supporting the coalition. December's Senate vote was the first time either chamber of Congress backed a resolution to withdraw US forces from a military engagement under the War Powers Act. That law, passed in 1973, limits the president's ability to commit US forces to potential hostilities without congressional approval. The measure never went further in December because the Republicans who then controlled the House of Representatives did not allow a vote in that chamber before the end of the year. However, the measure's sponsors insisted it had helped lead to a ceasefire in Yemen that began in December. "Sometimes we underestimate how much influence we have," Democratic Representative Ro Khanna said. Democrats now have a House majority, but Trump's fellow Republicans have increased their edge in the Senate by two seats to hold a 53-47 margin. It would take a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress to overcome a Trump veto. Trump had threatened a veto in December. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether he still intended to do so. "President Trump is going to have to make a decision," said Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

US lawmakers seek to force Trump decision on Saudi-Yemen war

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