A US Justice Department review into the origins of the probe into Russia's alleged interference in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/republicans-to-unveil-measure-knocking-trump-impeachment-effort-258014">2016 US presidential election</a> is now a criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday (October 24).

The person, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, declined to say whether a grand jury has been convened in the investigation.

The development was first reported by the New York Times.

US Attorney General William Barr launched a review earlier this year to investigate<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-compares-impeachment-to-lynching-faces-backlash-257586"> President Donald Trump</a>'s complaints that his campaign was improperly targeted by US intelligence and law enforcement agencies during the 2016 election.

Democrats and some former law enforcement officials say Barr is using the Justice Department to chase unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that could benefit the Republican president politically and undermine former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation.

As part of his inquiry, Barr has asked Australian and British justice officials for assistance and visited Italy twice, meeting intelligence agents in Rome in August and September to learn more about people mentioned in Mueller's report.

Mueller's investigation found that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump, and led to criminal convictions of several former campaign aides. But Mueller concluded that he did not have enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy with Russia.

Barr appointed Connecticut State Attorney John Durham to lead the review of whether US intelligence and law enforcement agencies acted properly when they examined possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, which ultimately led to the Mueller investigation.

Trump, who calls the Russia investigation a witch hunt and a hoax, says US officials launched the probe to undermine his chances of winning the White House, although he and his supporters have provided no evidence.

Trump is also grappling with a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry focused on his request in a July telephone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election.

A US Justice Department review into the origins of the probe into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election is now a criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday (October 24).

A US Justice Department review into the origins of the probe into Russia's alleged interference in the 2016 US presidential election is now a criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday (October 24). The person, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, declined to say whether a grand jury has been convened in the investigation. The development was first reported by the New York Times. US Attorney General William Barr launched a review earlier this year to investigate President Donald Trump's complaints that his campaign was improperly targeted by US intelligence and law enforcement agencies during the 2016 election. Democrats and some former law enforcement officials say Barr is using the Justice Department to chase unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that could benefit the Republican president politically and undermine former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation. As part of his inquiry, Barr has asked Australian and British justice officials for assistance and visited Italy twice, meeting intelligence agents in Rome in August and September to learn more about people mentioned in Mueller's report. Mueller's investigation found that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump, and led to criminal convictions of several former campaign aides. But Mueller concluded that he did not have enough evidence to establish a criminal conspiracy with Russia. Barr appointed Connecticut State Attorney John Durham to lead the review of whether US intelligence and law enforcement agencies acted properly when they examined possible ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, which ultimately led to the Mueller investigation. Trump, who calls the Russia investigation a witch hunt and a hoax, says US officials launched the probe to undermine his chances of winning the White House, although he and his supporters have provided no evidence. Trump is also grappling with a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry focused on his request in a July telephone call to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, who is a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election.

US Justice Department review of origins of Russia probe turns into criminal investigation: Source

A US diplomat told Congress Thursday that President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani injected US domestic electoral issues into talks with Ukraine, adding explosive fuel to Democrats' impeachment probe of Trump.&nbsp;

Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, testified that Trump ordered diplomats in May to involve his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in talks between Washington and the new administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Giuliani, he said, sought to pressure Zelensky to investigate Trump's Democratic rival Joe Biden, and Biden' son, over ties to a Ukraine energy company, Burisma, as well as to find evidence for a popular but widely discredited conspiracy theory that Ukraine helped Democrats in the 2016 election.

"Mr Giuliani emphasized that the president wanted a public statement from President Zelensky committing Ukraine to look into anticorruption issues," Sondland said in a prepared statement.

"Mr Giuliani specifically mentioned the 2016 election (including the DNC server) and Burisma as two anti-corruption investigatory topics of importance for the president," Sondland said.

"I did not understand, until much later, that Mr Giuliani's agenda might have also included an effort to prompt the Ukrainians to investigate Vice President Biden or his son or to involve Ukrainians, directly or indirectly, in the president’s 2020 reelection campaign," he said.

Evidence Trump abused powers

The statement added evidence to allegations that Trump abused his office and violated election laws by seeking to involve a foreign country in US electoral politics.

Trump and Giuliani are accused of linking US military aid to Ukraine to Zelensky's agreeing to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of Burisma for five years until April this year.

Sondland, a businessman who was appointed ambassador after donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration festivities, sought to distance himself from the political storm enveloping the White House as Trump faces possible impeachment.

He said he was not initially aware of what Trump wanted in talks with Zelensky until a whistleblower complaint released last month. The complaint detailed a July 25 call between the two leaders, in which Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky to investigate Biden amid a discussion about military aid for the country.

Sondland said Giuliani was the principal messenger, and that he barely had any communications with him.

"My understanding was that the president directed Mr. Giuliani's participation, that Mr. Giuliani was expressing the concerns of the president," Sondland stated.

"We were also disappointed by the president's direction that we involve Mr. Giuliani," Sondland said.

"Our view was that the men and women of the State Department, not the president's personal lawyer, should take responsibility for all aspects of US foreign policy towards Ukraine."

But critics have alleged that Sondland himself was involved in transmitting Trump's political demands to Ukraine.&nbsp;

Giuliani's activities were well-reported in US media already in May, and Giuliani told the Washington Post that he dealt primarily with Sondland and another diplomat, Kurt Volker.

The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Sondland frequently met Trump's White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and that Mulvaney arranged for Sondland to brief Trump just prior to the July 25 call.

Eight witnesses

Sondland was the eighth witness to testify to the three House committees leading the impeachment investigation, all defying White House efforts to block them from appearing.

On Tuesday the White House prevented Vice President Mike Pence, the US budget office, and the Defense Department from turning over documents on Ukraine to investigators, and Giuliani defied a subpoena for his documents.

Impeachment inquiry leader Adam Schiff said that defiance would only support an additional impeachment charge that the White House has obstructed the investigation.

Democrats appeared increasingly likely to unveil articles of impeachment -- formal charges -- before the end of the year. If approved by the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives, Trump would then go on trial for removal in the Senate, where Republicans have the majority.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied Thursday that the investigation was politically driven, and said there was no timeline.

"None of us came to Congress to impeach a president," she told reporters. "Any such actions are to be taken very solemnly, seriously and in my view prayerfully."

"The timeline will depend on the truth line and that's what we're looking for."

A US diplomat told Congress Thursday that President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani injected US domestic electoral issues into talks with Ukraine, adding explosive fuel to Democrats' impeachment probe of Trump.

A US diplomat told Congress Thursday that President Donald Trump and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani injected US domestic electoral issues into talks with Ukraine, adding explosive fuel to Democrats' impeachment probe of Trump. Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, testified that Trump ordered diplomats in May to involve his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in talks between Washington and the new administration of President Volodymyr Zelensky. Giuliani, he said, sought to pressure Zelensky to investigate Trump's Democratic rival Joe Biden, and Biden' son, over ties to a Ukraine energy company, Burisma, as well as to find evidence for a popular but widely discredited conspiracy theory that Ukraine helped Democrats in the 2016 election. "Mr Giuliani emphasized that the president wanted a public statement from President Zelensky committing Ukraine to look into anticorruption issues," Sondland said in a prepared statement. "Mr Giuliani specifically mentioned the 2016 election (including the DNC server) and Burisma as two anti-corruption investigatory topics of importance for the president," Sondland said. "I did not understand, until much later, that Mr Giuliani's agenda might have also included an effort to prompt the Ukrainians to investigate Vice President Biden or his son or to involve Ukrainians, directly or indirectly, in the president’s 2020 reelection campaign," he said. Evidence Trump abused powers The statement added evidence to allegations that Trump abused his office and violated election laws by seeking to involve a foreign country in US electoral politics. Trump and Giuliani are accused of linking US military aid to Ukraine to Zelensky's agreeing to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of Burisma for five years until April this year. Sondland, a businessman who was appointed ambassador after donating $1 million to Trump's inauguration festivities, sought to distance himself from the political storm enveloping the White House as Trump faces possible impeachment. He said he was not initially aware of what Trump wanted in talks with Zelensky until a whistleblower complaint released last month. The complaint detailed a July 25 call between the two leaders, in which Trump allegedly pressured Zelensky to investigate Biden amid a discussion about military aid for the country. Sondland said Giuliani was the principal messenger, and that he barely had any communications with him. "My understanding was that the president directed Mr. Giuliani's participation, that Mr. Giuliani was expressing the concerns of the president," Sondland stated. "We were also disappointed by the president's direction that we involve Mr. Giuliani," Sondland said. "Our view was that the men and women of the State Department, not the president's personal lawyer, should take responsibility for all aspects of US foreign policy towards Ukraine." But critics have alleged that Sondland himself was involved in transmitting Trump's political demands to Ukraine. Giuliani's activities were well-reported in US media already in May, and Giuliani told the Washington Post that he dealt primarily with Sondland and another diplomat, Kurt Volker. The Washington Post reported Wednesday that Sondland frequently met Trump's White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, and that Mulvaney arranged for Sondland to brief Trump just prior to the July 25 call. Eight witnesses Sondland was the eighth witness to testify to the three House committees leading the impeachment investigation, all defying White House efforts to block them from appearing. On Tuesday the White House prevented Vice President Mike Pence, the US budget office, and the Defense Department from turning over documents on Ukraine to investigators, and Giuliani defied a subpoena for his documents. Impeachment inquiry leader Adam Schiff said that defiance would only support an additional impeachment charge that the White House has obstructed the investigation. Democrats appeared increasingly likely to unveil articles of impeachment -- formal charges -- before the end of the year. If approved by the Democrat-dominated House of Representatives, Trump would then go on trial for removal in the Senate, where Republicans have the majority. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denied Thursday that the investigation was politically driven, and said there was no timeline. "None of us came to Congress to impeach a president," she told reporters. "Any such actions are to be taken very solemnly, seriously and in my view prayerfully." "The timeline will depend on the truth line and that's what we're looking for."

Trump pushed for Ukraine probe of firm linked to Biden son: US diplomat

The Kremlin said on Thursday it was concerned by the humanitarian situation in northern Syria following Turkey's decision to launch a military operation there.

Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan would discuss Turkey's actions in Syria at a meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday next week.

Peskov also told journalists that a letter sent by US President Donald Trump to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, was highly unusual for correspondence between heads of state.

The White House on Wednesday released the October 9 letter, in which Trump urged Erdogan: "Don't be a tough guy" and "Don't be a fool!"

The Kremlin said on Thursday it was concerned by the humanitarian situation in northern Syria following Turkey's decision to launch a military operation there. Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan would discuss Turkey's actions in Syria at a meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday next week.

The Kremlin said on Thursday it was concerned by the humanitarian situation in northern Syria following Turkey's decision to launch a military operation there. Peskov said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan would discuss Turkey's actions in Syria at a meeting in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Tuesday next week. Peskov also told journalists that a letter sent by US President Donald Trump to his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, was highly unusual for correspondence between heads of state. The White House on Wednesday released the October 9 letter, in which Trump urged Erdogan: "Don't be a tough guy" and "Don't be a fool!"

Kremlin worried by situation in Syria, calls Trump's letter to Erdogan 'unusual'

As Turkish troops began their offensive in northeast Syria, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-flee-dozens-reported-killed-as-turkey-pushes-syria-assault-255067">US President Trump said</a> he hopes he can mediate between Turkey and Kurds.

"We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win militarily, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-faces-us-sanctions-from-hell-after-syria-kurd-assault-255061">hit Turkey very hard financially</a> and with sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds! the US president said.

On Tuesday, thousands of civilians fled their homes as Turkish troops pounded Kurdish military positions in northeast Syria. According to reports, at least twenty-three fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and six fighters with a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel group were killed in the initial assault launched by Turkish troops.

Trump, however, declared that ISS was defeated "100%" and the US no longer "has any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria." "We did our job perfectly," the US president added.

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We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1182387197066039298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years," he said.

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....We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win Militarily, hit Turkey very hard Financially and with Sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1182387198164946944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Watch Video:

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The civilian exodus from the area around the military operation has been immense. The International Rescue Committee said 64,000 people in Syria have fled since the campaign began on Wednesday&nbsp;with Ras al-Ain and Darbasiya towns which fall directly in the assault zone practically deserted.

The rescue committee said Turkish forces had already seized two villages near Ras al-Ain and five near the town of Tel Abyad. Meanwhile, Turkey has said it intends to create a "safe zone" for the return of millions of refugees to Syria even as fighting continues in the region.

Turkey President Erdogan defiantly declared on Thursday that he would permit Syrian refugees in Turkey to move to Europe if EU countries described his forces' move as an occupation. Turkey is reportedly holding at least 3.6 million people who have fled the conflict in Syria.&nbsp;

Although Turkey brands the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia as terrorists because of their ties to militants who have waged an insurgency in Turkey, the US Congress feels Kurds have been instrumental in defeating the Islamic State terrorists.

As Turkish troops began their offensive in northeast Syria, US President Trump said he hopes he can mediate between Turkey and Kurds. "We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win militarily, hit Turkey very hard financially and with sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds!

As Turkish troops began their offensive in northeast Syria, US President Trump said he hopes he can mediate between Turkey and Kurds. "We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win militarily, hit Turkey very hard financially and with sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds! the US president said. On Tuesday, thousands of civilians fled their homes as Turkish troops pounded Kurdish military positions in northeast Syria. According to reports, at least twenty-three fighters with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and six fighters with a Turkish-backed Syrian rebel group were killed in the initial assault launched by Turkish troops. Trump, however, declared that ISS was defeated "100%" and the US no longer "has any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria." "We did our job perfectly," the US president added. We defeated 100% of the ISIS Caliphate and no longer have any troops in the area under attack by Turkey, in Syria. We did our job perfectly! Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019 × "Now Turkey is attacking the Kurds, who have been fighting each other for 200 years," he said. ....We have one of three choices: Send in thousands of troops and win Militarily, hit Turkey very hard Financially and with Sanctions, or mediate a deal between Turkey and the Kurds! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 10, 2019 × Watch Video: The civilian exodus from the area around the military operation has been immense. The International Rescue Committee said 64,000 people in Syria have fled since the campaign began on Wednesday with Ras al-Ain and Darbasiya towns which fall directly in the assault zone practically deserted. The rescue committee said Turkish forces had already seized two villages near Ras al-Ain and five near the town of Tel Abyad. Meanwhile, Turkey has said it intends to create a "safe zone" for the return of millions of refugees to Syria even as fighting continues in the region. Turkey President Erdogan defiantly declared on Thursday that he would permit Syrian refugees in Turkey to move to Europe if EU countries described his forces' move as an occupation. Turkey is reportedly holding at least 3.6 million people who have fled the conflict in Syria. Although Turkey brands the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia as terrorists because of their ties to militants who have waged an insurgency in Turkey, the US Congress feels Kurds have been instrumental in defeating the Islamic State terrorists.

Mediating deal between Turkey and the Kurds one of the choices: Trump

Two foreign-born Florida businessmen who have been helping President Donald Trump's personal lawyer investigate political rival Joe Biden have been arrested on charges of funnelling foreign money to US political candidates and a pro-Trump election committee, authorities said on Thursday.

The arrests were the latest dramatic development in a political saga that threatens Trump's presidency. They come as the Democratic-led US House of Representatives conducts an impeachment inquiry into Trump centered on the Republican president's request in a July telephone call for Ukraine's president to investigate Biden.

The businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were arrested in connection with a New York federal case involving campaign finance laws, the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan said. The two men were donors to a pro-Trump fundraising committee and the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has said they helped him as he sought to investigate former Vice President Biden, a leading Democratic contender in the 2020 presidential election.

Parnas is a Ukrainian businessman. Fruman is a real estate investor who was born in Belarus. Both, according to various media accounts, helped introduce Giuliani into top Ukrainian political circles.

The two men had been planning to fly to Vienna on Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Parnas and Fruman conspired to "funnel foreign money to candidates for federal and state office," according to a federal court filing in New York. The two men made illegal contributions using straw donors, according to the indictment.

John Dowd, the lawyer for Parnas and Fruman, declined to comment on the charges. Giuliani did not immediately return a request for comment.

Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for the president, told Reuters that "neither the president nor the campaign was aware of their scheme," referring to the defendants.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and has described the impeachment probe as a partisan smear.

In May 2018, the indictment said, Parnas and Fruman contributed $325,000 to a pro-Trump political action committee called America First Action. The $325,000 donation was falsely reported as coming from a purported natural gas company, the indictment said.

The two men falsely claimed that the company, GEP, was "a real business enterprise" and that "its major purpose is energy trading, not political activity," the indictment said. In fact, it said, the company had no real business.

According to the indictment, Parnas sought the help of a US congressman - identified by a person familiar with the matter as Republican Pete Sessions - to get the US government to remove the then-ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news" in his July 25 call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Yovanovitch was removed from the post by Trump.

The indictment said the efforts were conducted at least in part at the request of at least one Ukrainian government official. Giuliani told Reuters last week he provided information to both Trump and the State Department about Yovanovitch, who he suggested was biased against Trump. She is scheduled to give testimony to House lawmakers this week.

Sessions, a Republican from Dallas, lost his seat in the 2018 congressional elections to Democrat Colin Allred.

Parnas and Fruman were due to appear at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT) in front of US Magistrate Judge Michael Nachmanoff at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, according to a spokesman for the federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Two other people were charged in the indictment: David Correia, a U.S. businessman, and Andrey Kukushkin, a Ukrainian-born U.S. businessman.

'Clerical thing'

In an interview last month, Parnas told Reuters that the FBI was investigating him but said he did not know why, and that he did nothing wrong. "I don't know what the FBI wants. I'm not going to comment, what they are doing. What they did."

"I don't think we know too much" about the investigation, Parnas said, but added that it had to be political. "When you have the heads of the Democratic Party not liking you, it's very easy to get the FBI involved."

Parnas said that any violations of Federal Election Commision rules were unwitting and a "clerical thing" because he was not an experienced political donor. Parnas said he was not trying to hide the source of the $325,000 donation.

Kelly Sadler, a spokeswoman for America First Action Political Action Committee, said the organization takes its legal obligations seriously and scrupulously complies with the law, adding any suggestion otherwise is false.

"In May 2018, America First Action received a $325,000 contribution and donor form from Global Energy Producers. In July 2018, a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission concerning this contribution."

Sadler added that there is separate litigation in Florida that concerns these funds.

"Accordingly, America First Action placed that contribution in a segregated bank account, it has not been used it for any purpose and the funds will remain in this segregated account until these matters are resolved."

The Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit that favors campaign finance regulation, had urged a US government agency in a July 2018 complaint to investigate whether Parnas and Fruman had broken the law by using a shell company to disguise the source of the $325,000 donation to the pro-Trump political action committee.

Federal records show Parnas has donated a total of $25,200 to Republican candidates and political groups since the 2016 presidential election, including $2,700 to Representative Pete Sessions and $2,700 to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. Fruman has donated $44,201 over that period to Republicans, including Sessions, the Republican National Committee and Trump’s presidential campaign.

Nancy Pelosi, who as House Speaker is the top Democrat in the chamber, launched the impeachment inquiry last month after the revelation that Trump had sought foreign interference in the 2020 election.

A whistleblower complaint to Congress also raised concerns that Trump leveraged $400 million in US aid to try to secure a promise from Ukraine's president to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

Democrats are getting impatient with the administration's blocks on its investigation.

"Republicans are now refusing to answer the simplest question: whether it’s acceptable for a president to pressure foreign countries to undermine our elections. American elections should be decided by Americans, not by 'favors' from foreign governments," Pelosi tweeted on Thursday.

Two foreign-born Florida businessmen who have been helping President Donald Trump's personal lawyer investigate political rival Joe Biden have been arrested on charges of funnelling foreign money to US political candidates and a pro-Trump election committee, authorities said on Thursday.

Two foreign-born Florida businessmen who have been helping President Donald Trump's personal lawyer investigate political rival Joe Biden have been arrested on charges of funnelling foreign money to US political candidates and a pro-Trump election committee, authorities said on Thursday. The arrests were the latest dramatic development in a political saga that threatens Trump's presidency. They come as the Democratic-led US House of Representatives conducts an impeachment inquiry into Trump centered on the Republican president's request in a July telephone call for Ukraine's president to investigate Biden. The businessmen, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, were arrested in connection with a New York federal case involving campaign finance laws, the US Attorney's Office in Manhattan said. The two men were donors to a pro-Trump fundraising committee and the president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, has said they helped him as he sought to investigate former Vice President Biden, a leading Democratic contender in the 2020 presidential election. Parnas is a Ukrainian businessman. Fruman is a real estate investor who was born in Belarus. Both, according to various media accounts, helped introduce Giuliani into top Ukrainian political circles. The two men had been planning to fly to Vienna on Wednesday night, according to a source familiar with the matter. Parnas and Fruman conspired to "funnel foreign money to candidates for federal and state office," according to a federal court filing in New York. The two men made illegal contributions using straw donors, according to the indictment. John Dowd, the lawyer for Parnas and Fruman, declined to comment on the charges. Giuliani did not immediately return a request for comment. Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for the president, told Reuters that "neither the president nor the campaign was aware of their scheme," referring to the defendants. Trump has denied wrongdoing and has described the impeachment probe as a partisan smear. In May 2018, the indictment said, Parnas and Fruman contributed $325,000 to a pro-Trump political action committee called America First Action. The $325,000 donation was falsely reported as coming from a purported natural gas company, the indictment said. The two men falsely claimed that the company, GEP, was "a real business enterprise" and that "its major purpose is energy trading, not political activity," the indictment said. In fact, it said, the company had no real business. According to the indictment, Parnas sought the help of a US congressman - identified by a person familiar with the matter as Republican Pete Sessions - to get the US government to remove the then-ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news" in his July 25 call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Yovanovitch was removed from the post by Trump. The indictment said the efforts were conducted at least in part at the request of at least one Ukrainian government official. Giuliani told Reuters last week he provided information to both Trump and the State Department about Yovanovitch, who he suggested was biased against Trump. She is scheduled to give testimony to House lawmakers this week. Sessions, a Republican from Dallas, lost his seat in the 2018 congressional elections to Democrat Colin Allred. Parnas and Fruman were due to appear at 2 p.m. (1800 GMT) in front of US Magistrate Judge Michael Nachmanoff at the federal courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, according to a spokesman for the federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of Virginia. Two other people were charged in the indictment: David Correia, a U.S. businessman, and Andrey Kukushkin, a Ukrainian-born U.S. businessman. 'Clerical thing' In an interview last month, Parnas told Reuters that the FBI was investigating him but said he did not know why, and that he did nothing wrong. "I don't know what the FBI wants. I'm not going to comment, what they are doing. What they did." "I don't think we know too much" about the investigation, Parnas said, but added that it had to be political. "When you have the heads of the Democratic Party not liking you, it's very easy to get the FBI involved." Parnas said that any violations of Federal Election Commision rules were unwitting and a "clerical thing" because he was not an experienced political donor. Parnas said he was not trying to hide the source of the $325,000 donation. Kelly Sadler, a spokeswoman for America First Action Political Action Committee, said the organization takes its legal obligations seriously and scrupulously complies with the law, adding any suggestion otherwise is false. "In May 2018, America First Action received a $325,000 contribution and donor form from Global Energy Producers. In July 2018, a complaint was filed with the Federal Election Commission concerning this contribution." Sadler added that there is separate litigation in Florida that concerns these funds. "Accordingly, America First Action placed that contribution in a segregated bank account, it has not been used it for any purpose and the funds will remain in this segregated account until these matters are resolved." The Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit that favors campaign finance regulation, had urged a US government agency in a July 2018 complaint to investigate whether Parnas and Fruman had broken the law by using a shell company to disguise the source of the $325,000 donation to the pro-Trump political action committee. Federal records show Parnas has donated a total of $25,200 to Republican candidates and political groups since the 2016 presidential election, including $2,700 to Representative Pete Sessions and $2,700 to House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy. Fruman has donated $44,201 over that period to Republicans, including Sessions, the Republican National Committee and Trump’s presidential campaign. Nancy Pelosi, who as House Speaker is the top Democrat in the chamber, launched the impeachment inquiry last month after the revelation that Trump had sought foreign interference in the 2020 election. A whistleblower complaint to Congress also raised concerns that Trump leveraged $400 million in US aid to try to secure a promise from Ukraine's president to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Democrats are getting impatient with the administration's blocks on its investigation. "Republicans are now refusing to answer the simplest question: whether it’s acceptable for a president to pressure foreign countries to undermine our elections. American elections should be decided by Americans, not by 'favors' from foreign governments," Pelosi tweeted on Thursday.

Two businessmen linked to Trump Ukraine scandal arrested on US charges

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden called for the impeachment of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-seeks-to-discredit-entire-impeachment-enquiry-against-him-254809">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> for the first time on Wednesday in his strongest indictment of the Republican leader's actions involving Ukraine.

Biden, who figures prominently in the actions that led congressional Democrats to start impeachment proceedings, had refrained from making an outright plea for the move. He said in an opinion piece over the weekend the would let Congress do its job on impeachment.

During a campaign stop in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-inquiry-lacks-legitimate-constitutional-foundation-white-house-254610">New Hampshire, Biden</a> - the Democratic front-runner for the party's nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 election - took the gloves off.

"With his words and his actions, President Trump has indicted himself. By obstructing justice, refusing to reply with a congressional inquiry, he's already convicted himself," he said.

"In full view of the world and the American people, Donald Trump has violated his oath of office, betrayed this nation and committed impeachable acts."

"To preserve our Constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached."

Trump responded in real time on Twitter, using one of his nicknames for Biden.

"So pathetic to see Sleepy Joe Biden, who with his son, Hunter, and to the detriment of the American Taxpayer, has ripped off at least two countries for millions of dollars, calling for my impeachment - and I did nothing wrong."

The Democratic-led House of Representatives opened impeachment proceedings against Trump on September&nbsp;24 over a phone call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on July 25 in which he asked Zelinskiy to investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden called for the impeachment of US President Donald Trump for the first time on Wednesday in his strongest indictment of the Republican leader's actions involving Ukraine.

Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden called for the impeachment of US President Donald Trump for the first time on Wednesday in his strongest indictment of the Republican leader's actions involving Ukraine. Biden, who figures prominently in the actions that led congressional Democrats to start impeachment proceedings, had refrained from making an outright plea for the move. He said in an opinion piece over the weekend the would let Congress do its job on impeachment. During a campaign stop in New Hampshire, Biden - the Democratic front-runner for the party's nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 election - took the gloves off. "With his words and his actions, President Trump has indicted himself. By obstructing justice, refusing to reply with a congressional inquiry, he's already convicted himself," he said. "In full view of the world and the American people, Donald Trump has violated his oath of office, betrayed this nation and committed impeachable acts." "To preserve our Constitution, our democracy, our basic integrity, he should be impeached." Trump responded in real time on Twitter, using one of his nicknames for Biden. "So pathetic to see Sleepy Joe Biden, who with his son, Hunter, and to the detriment of the American Taxpayer, has ripped off at least two countries for millions of dollars, calling for my impeachment - and I did nothing wrong." The Democratic-led House of Representatives opened impeachment proceedings against Trump on September 24 over a phone call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on July 25 in which he asked Zelinskiy to investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden.

Trump has violated his oath of office, he should be impeached: Biden

By Cynthia Hooper

The Russians are calling it “Ukrainegate.”

“I never thought I’d say it, but CNN is right,” remarked one pundit on Russia 1, the county’s most-watched television station. “The person who wins in this situation is Putin.”

Commentary in Russian media about the impeachment investigation of US President Donald Trump in many ways echoes the language of US&nbsp;coverage. Just a few of the jokes are different.

“Of course, if Trump is impeached, he could probably return here, if you believe the American press,” laughed one Moscow-based moderator.

As a historian who studies contemporary Russia, I have seen the pro-Kremlin Russian political and media establishment grow increasingly skilled at spinning stories to highlight US political weaknesses over the past five years – since conflict between the US and Russia first erupted over Russia’s annexation of a portion of Ukraine.

This latest scandal, revolving around a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is a gift for those wishing to advertise US dysfunction without seeming to engage in heavy-handed censorship or promote obviously deceptive propaganda.

One tactic is comedy. In a catchy YouTube feature by the Kremlin-funded English-language media service RT, titled “Ukrainegate: The Next Best Thing,” an enthusiastic young woman with a British accent gives a synopsis of the impeachment investigation. In less than three minutes, she succeeds in mocking both the US and Ukrainian presidents, the US political system, and the ignorance and condescension of the average Democratic operative.

She begins: “Despite all the effort that went into Russiagate, the claims against Donald Trump just won’t stick. Luckily for the Democrats, there are plenty more Eastern European countries that can be used to bring down a president.”

Ukraine is, of course, the country she’s referring to. “If you squint, it could even be Russia,” she says. “It’s big, it’s cold, and everyone speaks Russian … sort of.”

Who is to blame?

Most Russian newspapers are echoing Republican condemnation of Democrats for allegedly concocting another scandal involving Trump after failing to find proof his campaign colluded with Russia to swing his 2016 election.

“The Democrats are making a laughingstock of themselves. If they are not careful, this could end up exposing a lot of Democratic corruption dating back to the Clinton years. But at least it’s keeping them busy – otherwise, they’d return to interfering in the Russian economy.” So remarked one panellist to general applause on “Vecher” (“Evening”), a popular prime-time talk show with pro-Putin host Vladimir Soloviev.

“The actions of US Democrats are exposing their country to global ridicule,” wrote Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Facebook.

Russian pundits are also presenting the US intelligence community as highly politicised and unreliable. Many repeat variants of Trump’s own angry tweets, accusing the security organs of trying to orchestrate a coup.

At the opening of Russian Energy Week in Moscow on October 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise criticised their actions, which he claimed had little to do with defending rule of law.

During Watergate, Putin said, US President Richard Nixon got into trouble “for eavesdropping on his political rivals. But here we have a totally different situation. Here Trump was eavesdropped on … and some kind of anonymous employee of the special services distributed that&nbsp; 
information.”

Trump slump

Even in defending Trump, the Russian establishment casts him as far more vulnerable than their own leader.

Putin, meanwhile, is taking a cool, professorial tone in describing the US&nbsp;situation to international audiences.

“I was taught long ago to be aware that any of my conversations could end up published,” Putin remarked at the Energy Week panel, alluding to his past training in espionage. He claimed that, consequently, he had nothing to hide and did not oppose making public the transcripts of his meetings with Trump.

Nevertheless, even independent Russian media services generally critical of the Kremlin have pointed out that Trump, not Putin, might be the one with something to hide. Citing The Washington Post, internet news company Meduza reported that in one redacted meeting Trump held in 2017 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trump allegedly said that “he wasn’t greatly upset about Russian meddling in the American presidential election of 2016, given that America has done the same thing in many other countries.”

Russian talk show hosts, meanwhile, are expressing incredulity at the fact that a sitting US president can’t apparently manage to keep his would-be secrets secret.

As nationalist Eduard Limonov argued: “If I were in Trump’s position, I’d create my own secret service, answering only to me, and I wouldn’t drink or eat anything that wasn’t vetted by my own people.”

Even as Russian commentators defend both Trump and to some extent Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy, they also are taking the opportunity to remind viewers that the two men both lack political experience. Trump probably thought he and Zelenskiy, the star of a popular television sitcom before he became president, could be “kindred spirits, able to reminisce about promising TV careers ruined by a move into politics,” RT joked.

Looking like a global leader

Amid a barrage of increasingly sensational Western headlines, Russian journalists can allow the US media to do their work for them. Selective quotes from US coverage of Washington’s bitter political battles are held up, in the Russian press, as examples of US hypocrisy and decay.

At the same time, Russian leaders are presenting themselves as statesmanlike and above the fray. Their benevolent attitude, at least for the moment, appears to extend to Ukraine, thanks to Zelenskiy’s apparent willingness to make peace with the Kremlin.

“I don’t envy him,” said Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on a trip to Cuba, refusing to get drawn into a reporter’s question about whether “Zelenskiy has become Trump’s Monica Lewinsky” but still laughing at the jest.

Meanwhile, Putin continues to position himself to look strong on the global stage. Taking questions with a panel of oil and gas executives in Moscow on October 2, he joked about planning to interfere in 2020 US elections.

But, speaking the next day at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi to an audience that included the King of Jordan and the presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Philippines, Putin emphasised that today’s complex world requires global cooperation and a sense of “common responsibility.”

Taking the tone of a parent talking about a small child, Putin suggested the US try hard to correct its all-consuming domestic chaos. He stressed that Moscow will be willing to work with whomever the future US leader might be.

(Cynthia Hooper is Associate Professor of History, College of the Holy Cross)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-russia-talk-of-trump-impeachment-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-124689">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

By Cynthia Hooper The Russians are calling it “Ukrainegate.” “I never thought I’d say it, but CNN is right,” remarked one pundit on Russia 1, the county’s most-watched television station.

By Cynthia Hooper The Russians are calling it “Ukrainegate.” “I never thought I’d say it, but CNN is right,” remarked one pundit on Russia 1, the county’s most-watched television station. “The person who wins in this situation is Putin.” Commentary in Russian media about the impeachment investigation of US President Donald Trump in many ways echoes the language of US coverage. Just a few of the jokes are different. “Of course, if Trump is impeached, he could probably return here, if you believe the American press,” laughed one Moscow-based moderator. As a historian who studies contemporary Russia, I have seen the pro-Kremlin Russian political and media establishment grow increasingly skilled at spinning stories to highlight US political weaknesses over the past five years – since conflict between the US and Russia first erupted over Russia’s annexation of a portion of Ukraine. This latest scandal, revolving around a phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is a gift for those wishing to advertise US dysfunction without seeming to engage in heavy-handed censorship or promote obviously deceptive propaganda. One tactic is comedy. In a catchy YouTube feature by the Kremlin-funded English-language media service RT, titled “Ukrainegate: The Next Best Thing,” an enthusiastic young woman with a British accent gives a synopsis of the impeachment investigation. In less than three minutes, she succeeds in mocking both the US and Ukrainian presidents, the US political system, and the ignorance and condescension of the average Democratic operative. She begins: “Despite all the effort that went into Russiagate, the claims against Donald Trump just won’t stick. Luckily for the Democrats, there are plenty more Eastern European countries that can be used to bring down a president.” Ukraine is, of course, the country she’s referring to. “If you squint, it could even be Russia,” she says. “It’s big, it’s cold, and everyone speaks Russian … sort of.” Who is to blame? Most Russian newspapers are echoing Republican condemnation of Democrats for allegedly concocting another scandal involving Trump after failing to find proof his campaign colluded with Russia to swing his 2016 election. “The Democrats are making a laughingstock of themselves. If they are not careful, this could end up exposing a lot of Democratic corruption dating back to the Clinton years. But at least it’s keeping them busy – otherwise, they’d return to interfering in the Russian economy.” So remarked one panellist to general applause on “Vecher” (“Evening”), a popular prime-time talk show with pro-Putin host Vladimir Soloviev. “The actions of US Democrats are exposing their country to global ridicule,” wrote Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Facebook. Russian pundits are also presenting the US intelligence community as highly politicised and unreliable. Many repeat variants of Trump’s own angry tweets, accusing the security organs of trying to orchestrate a coup. At the opening of Russian Energy Week in Moscow on October 2, Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise criticised their actions, which he claimed had little to do with defending rule of law. During Watergate, Putin said, US President Richard Nixon got into trouble “for eavesdropping on his political rivals. But here we have a totally different situation. Here Trump was eavesdropped on … and some kind of anonymous employee of the special services distributed that information.” Trump slump Even in defending Trump, the Russian establishment casts him as far more vulnerable than their own leader. Putin, meanwhile, is taking a cool, professorial tone in describing the US situation to international audiences. “I was taught long ago to be aware that any of my conversations could end up published,” Putin remarked at the Energy Week panel, alluding to his past training in espionage. He claimed that, consequently, he had nothing to hide and did not oppose making public the transcripts of his meetings with Trump. Nevertheless, even independent Russian media services generally critical of the Kremlin have pointed out that Trump, not Putin, might be the one with something to hide. Citing The Washington Post, internet news company Meduza reported that in one redacted meeting Trump held in 2017 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Trump allegedly said that “he wasn’t greatly upset about Russian meddling in the American presidential election of 2016, given that America has done the same thing in many other countries.” Russian talk show hosts, meanwhile, are expressing incredulity at the fact that a sitting US president can’t apparently manage to keep his would-be secrets secret. As nationalist Eduard Limonov argued: “If I were in Trump’s position, I’d create my own secret service, answering only to me, and I wouldn’t drink or eat anything that wasn’t vetted by my own people.” Even as Russian commentators defend both Trump and to some extent Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy, they also are taking the opportunity to remind viewers that the two men both lack political experience. Trump probably thought he and Zelenskiy, the star of a popular television sitcom before he became president, could be “kindred spirits, able to reminisce about promising TV careers ruined by a move into politics,” RT joked. Looking like a global leader Amid a barrage of increasingly sensational Western headlines, Russian journalists can allow the US media to do their work for them. Selective quotes from US coverage of Washington’s bitter political battles are held up, in the Russian press, as examples of US hypocrisy and decay. At the same time, Russian leaders are presenting themselves as statesmanlike and above the fray. Their benevolent attitude, at least for the moment, appears to extend to Ukraine, thanks to Zelenskiy’s apparent willingness to make peace with the Kremlin. “I don’t envy him,” said Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on a trip to Cuba, refusing to get drawn into a reporter’s question about whether “Zelenskiy has become Trump’s Monica Lewinsky” but still laughing at the jest. Meanwhile, Putin continues to position himself to look strong on the global stage. Taking questions with a panel of oil and gas executives in Moscow on October 2, he joked about planning to interfere in 2020 US elections. But, speaking the next day at the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi to an audience that included the King of Jordan and the presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Philippines, Putin emphasised that today’s complex world requires global cooperation and a sense of “common responsibility.” Taking the tone of a parent talking about a small child, Putin suggested the US try hard to correct its all-consuming domestic chaos. He stressed that Moscow will be willing to work with whomever the future US leader might be. (Cynthia Hooper is Associate Professor of History, College of the Holy Cross) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

For Russia, talk of Donald Trump impeachment is the gift that keeps on giving

A defiant White House declared war Tuesday against the impeachment <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-subpoena-pentagon-docs-in-impeachment-inquiry-254451">investigation of Donald Trump</a>, blasting the process as partisan, illegitimate and unconstitutional and saying neither the president nor his administration will cooperate.

In a fiery letter, the White House threw down the gauntlet to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of three congressional panels leading the inquiry, challenging them to proceed with their effort to oust <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-to-testify-about-trump-ukraine-efforts-as-democrats-build-impeachment-case-254216">Trump despite zero future cooperation</a>.

"Put simply, you seek to overturn the results of the 2016 election and deprive the American people of the president they have freely chosen," White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote in an eight-page letter.

"Your inquiry lacks any legitimate constitutional foundation, any pretense of fairness, or even the most elementary due process protections," he said of the probe, which is weighing whether Trump abused his office by seeking a corruption probe in Ukraine of his rival Joe Biden.

"President Trump cannot permit his administration to participate in this partisan inquiry under these circumstances."

Pelosi fired back, terming the letter "manifestly wrong" and describing it as "another unlawful attempt to hide the facts."

"Mr President, you are not above the law. You will be held accountable," she said, warning that "continued efforts to hide the truth of the president's abuse of power from the American people will be regarded as further evidence of obstruction."

The stand-off set Washington on a path toward a constitutional crisis and into unknown territory, with the potential for a court showdown just as the nation gears up for the 2020 election.

Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell expressed support for Trump's strategy, tweeting that the House had failed "to follow the same basic procedures that it has followed for every other President in our history."

The White House &nbsp;letter capped a day of explosive developments that included Trump barring a key witness, Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, from speaking to Congress -- calling it a "totally compromised kangaroo court."

In response, Democrats slapped Sondland with a subpoena that "compels" him to appear on October 16.

Pelosi formally launched the impeachment inquiry last month after revelations Trump pressured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call.

Biden, the former vice president who is seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination, joined the chorus of condemnation, tweeting that Trump "must stop stonewalling Congress."

Sondland, a major donor to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, was one of a handful of US diplomats on a text message chain between July and September that goes to the heart of the investigation.

The messages involving Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani show them coordinating to pressure Kiev into investigating Biden, as Ukraine sought US military aid and access.

House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said investigators have learned that Sondland has text messages or emails on a personal device that are "deeply relevant" to the probe, but that State is withholding them.

A defiant White House declared war Tuesday against the impeachment investigation of Donald Trump, blasting the process as partisan, illegitimate and unconstitutional and saying neither the president nor his administration will cooperate.

A defiant White House declared war Tuesday against the impeachment investigation of Donald Trump, blasting the process as partisan, illegitimate and unconstitutional and saying neither the president nor his administration will cooperate. In a fiery letter, the White House threw down the gauntlet to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the chairmen of three congressional panels leading the inquiry, challenging them to proceed with their effort to oust Trump despite zero future cooperation. "Put simply, you seek to overturn the results of the 2016 election and deprive the American people of the president they have freely chosen," White House counsel Pat Cipollone wrote in an eight-page letter. "Your inquiry lacks any legitimate constitutional foundation, any pretense of fairness, or even the most elementary due process protections," he said of the probe, which is weighing whether Trump abused his office by seeking a corruption probe in Ukraine of his rival Joe Biden. "President Trump cannot permit his administration to participate in this partisan inquiry under these circumstances." Pelosi fired back, terming the letter "manifestly wrong" and describing it as "another unlawful attempt to hide the facts." "Mr President, you are not above the law. You will be held accountable," she said, warning that "continued efforts to hide the truth of the president's abuse of power from the American people will be regarded as further evidence of obstruction." The stand-off set Washington on a path toward a constitutional crisis and into unknown territory, with the potential for a court showdown just as the nation gears up for the 2020 election. Top Senate Republican Mitch McConnell expressed support for Trump's strategy, tweeting that the House had failed "to follow the same basic procedures that it has followed for every other President in our history." The White House letter capped a day of explosive developments that included Trump barring a key witness, Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland, from speaking to Congress -- calling it a "totally compromised kangaroo court." In response, Democrats slapped Sondland with a subpoena that "compels" him to appear on October 16. Pelosi formally launched the impeachment inquiry last month after revelations Trump pressured Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call. Biden, the former vice president who is seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination, joined the chorus of condemnation, tweeting that Trump "must stop stonewalling Congress." Sondland, a major donor to Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, was one of a handful of US diplomats on a text message chain between July and September that goes to the heart of the investigation. The messages involving Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani show them coordinating to pressure Kiev into investigating Biden, as Ukraine sought US military aid and access. House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff said investigators have learned that Sondland has text messages or emails on a personal device that are "deeply relevant" to the probe, but that State is withholding them.

Trump impeachment enquiry lacks legitimate constitutional foundation: White House

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-orders-trump-to-produce-tax-returns-president-appeals-254340">United States&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a> on Monday threatened to "totally destroy and obliterate" Turkey's economy if it took any action he considered "off-limits" following his decision to withdraw American forces from northeastern Syria.

The withdrawal, announced by the White House late on Sunday, was swiftly condemned by a bipartisan group of lawmakers over concerns that it could open the way for a Turkish strike on Kurdish-led forces long allied with Washington.

"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off-limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I've done before!)" Trump tweeted.

The United States began pulling troops back from the northeast Syrian border on Monday.

The major policy shift was denounced as a "stab in the back" by Kurdish-led forces who have been Washington's most capable partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-erdogan-discuss-proposed-safe-zone-in-northeastern-syria-over-phone-call-254137">The Kurdish forces, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), accused Washington of reneging on an ally</a>, warning it would have a "great negative" impact on the war against the militants.

The White House statement on Sunday appeared to hand Turkey responsibility for Islamic State captives who are held in SDF facilities south of Turkey's initially proposed safe zone

United States President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to "totally destroy and obliterate" Turkey's economy if it took any action he considered "off-limits" following his decision to withdraw American forces from northeastern Syria.

United States President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to "totally destroy and obliterate" Turkey's economy if it took any action he considered "off-limits" following his decision to withdraw American forces from northeastern Syria. The withdrawal, announced by the White House late on Sunday, was swiftly condemned by a bipartisan group of lawmakers over concerns that it could open the way for a Turkish strike on Kurdish-led forces long allied with Washington. "As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off-limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I've done before!)" Trump tweeted. The United States began pulling troops back from the northeast Syrian border on Monday. The major policy shift was denounced as a "stab in the back" by Kurdish-led forces who have been Washington's most capable partners in fighting Islamic State in Syria. The Kurdish forces, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), accused Washington of reneging on an ally, warning it would have a "great negative" impact on the war against the militants. The White House statement on Sunday appeared to hand Turkey responsibility for Islamic State captives who are held in SDF facilities south of Turkey's initially proposed safe zone

US President Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Turkey's economy over Syria

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-diplomats-to-testify-about-trump-ukraine-efforts-as-democrats-build-impeachment-case-254216">A federal judge on Monday dismissed US President Donald Trump's bid to block access to years of his personal and corporate tax returns</a>, saying sitting presidents are not immune from criminal investigations.

In a 75-page ruling, US District Judge Victor Marrero rejected Trump's argument, saying such vast immunity would "operate to frustrate the administration of justice" by putting the president's personal and professional affairs off-limits.

"This court cannot endorse such a categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process," Marrero wrote.

"The Court cannot square a vision of presidential immunity that would place the President above the law," added the US District Court judge for the Southern District of New York.

The decision opened a new front in&nbsp;a years-long effort to obtain copies of the president's tax returns, which he promised during the campaign to make public after an audit -&nbsp;but has since refused to share.

Lawyers for Trump immediately appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which issued a temporary stay of the judge's order, Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for the president, said in a statement.

Trump had filed suit against Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr, who had subpoenaed the accounting firm Mazars USA, seeking access to the president's returns dating back to 2011.

Vance is investigating payments made by Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress who claimed to have had a sexual liaison with Trump before he ran for president in 2016.

Cohen is currently serving three years in prison after admitting paying hush money - in violation of campaign finance laws -&nbsp;to Daniels and another woman, tax fraud, and lying to Congress.

Trump has declined to release his tax returns, claiming they were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service, and there have been various attempts to obtain them, including by the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

Trump pushes back

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-amps-up-complaints-says-pelosi-may-be-guilty-of-treason-254144">Trump lashed out on Twitter at the move by Manhattan prosecutors following Judge Marrero's ruling</a>.

"The Radical Left Democrats have failed on all fronts, so now they are pushing local New York City and State Democrat prosecutors to go get President Trump," he tweeted.&nbsp;

"A thing like this has never happened to any President before. Not even close!"

Trump broke with a long-established norm during the 2016 presidential election by refusing to release his tax returns as most presidents have done since the 1970s even though it is not required by law.

California's governor signed a law in July that would prevent Trump from appearing on the state's primary ballot unless he discloses his income tax returns.&nbsp;

"These are extraordinary times and states have a legal and moral duty to do everything in their power to ensure leaders seeking the highest offices meet minimal standards," California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said at the time.

"The disclosure required by this bill will shed light on conflicts of interest, self-dealing, or influence from domestic and foreign business interest," Newsom said.&nbsp;

The California law means any candidate for president must file five years' worth of returns in order to contest primary elections in the country's most populous state.

The bill was passed by California's heavily Democratic legislature.

The law is being challenged in court by Trump's lawyers and is not expected to seriously impact his bid for the 2020 Republican nomination.

A federal judge on Monday dismissed US President Donald Trump's bid to block access to years of his personal and corporate tax returns, saying sitting presidents are not immune from criminal investigations.

A federal judge on Monday dismissed US President Donald Trump's bid to block access to years of his personal and corporate tax returns, saying sitting presidents are not immune from criminal investigations. In a 75-page ruling, US District Judge Victor Marrero rejected Trump's argument, saying such vast immunity would "operate to frustrate the administration of justice" by putting the president's personal and professional affairs off-limits. "This court cannot endorse such a categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity from judicial process," Marrero wrote. "The Court cannot square a vision of presidential immunity that would place the President above the law," added the US District Court judge for the Southern District of New York. The decision opened a new front in a years-long effort to obtain copies of the president's tax returns, which he promised during the campaign to make public after an audit - but has since refused to share. Lawyers for Trump immediately appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which issued a temporary stay of the judge's order, Jay Sekulow, a lawyer for the president, said in a statement. Trump had filed suit against Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr, who had subpoenaed the accounting firm Mazars USA, seeking access to the president's returns dating back to 2011. Vance is investigating payments made by Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress who claimed to have had a sexual liaison with Trump before he ran for president in 2016. Cohen is currently serving three years in prison after admitting paying hush money - in violation of campaign finance laws - to Daniels and another woman, tax fraud, and lying to Congress. Trump has declined to release his tax returns, claiming they were under audit by the Internal Revenue Service, and there have been various attempts to obtain them, including by the Democratic-led House of Representatives. Trump pushes back Trump lashed out on Twitter at the move by Manhattan prosecutors following Judge Marrero's ruling. "The Radical Left Democrats have failed on all fronts, so now they are pushing local New York City and State Democrat prosecutors to go get President Trump," he tweeted. "A thing like this has never happened to any President before. Not even close!" Trump broke with a long-established norm during the 2016 presidential election by refusing to release his tax returns as most presidents have done since the 1970s even though it is not required by law. California's governor signed a law in July that would prevent Trump from appearing on the state's primary ballot unless he discloses his income tax returns. "These are extraordinary times and states have a legal and moral duty to do everything in their power to ensure leaders seeking the highest offices meet minimal standards," California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom said at the time. "The disclosure required by this bill will shed light on conflicts of interest, self-dealing, or influence from domestic and foreign business interest," Newsom said. The California law means any candidate for president must file five years' worth of returns in order to contest primary elections in the country's most populous state. The bill was passed by California's heavily Democratic legislature. The law is being challenged in court by Trump's lawyers and is not expected to seriously impact his bid for the 2020 Republican nomination.

US judge orders Trump to produce tax returns, president appeals

A second whistleblower, with first-hand knowledge of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/et-tu-mitt-trump-blasts-republican-senator-as-impeachment-battle-heats-up-254009">President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine</a>, has spoken with the intelligence community's internal watchdog, the lawyer representing the official said on Sunday.

Mark Zaid confirmed in an interview with ABC's "This Week" that the second official, also from the United States&nbsp;intelligence community, has been interviewed by the inspector general. Zaid represents the first whistleblower who filed a complaint involving a July 25 phone call Trump held with Ukraine's president in which he asked him to investigate a Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Ukraine inquiry a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-democrats-subpoena-white-house-for-documents-in-trump-impeachment-probe-253826">'silly gotcha game'</a> on Saturday&nbsp;during a visit to Athens.

"This is what's wrong, when the world doesn't focus on the things that are right, the things that matter, the things that impact real people's lives, and instead you get caught up in some silly 'gotcha' game. You see, that's not healthy, that doesn't help democracies flourish," Pompeo said during a question and answer session following a speech in the Greek capital.

His comment was in response to whether there were any 'red flags' which required further investigation in a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July.

But in a new tactic, the White House plans to argue that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi must have the full House vote to formally approve an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry, a source familiar with the effort said.

Without a vote, White House lawyers believe Trump can ignore lawmakers' requests, the source said, meaning the federal courts would presumably have to render a decision and potentially slow the march toward&nbsp;impeachment.

A White House letter arguing Pelosi must hold a House vote could be sent to Capitol Hill as early as Friday, the source said. It comes as the Democratic-led House Intelligence Committee plans to issue more subpoenas in the coming days as it pushes ahead with the investigation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-says-he-wont-tie-biden-concerns-to-trade-deal-with-china-253812">Trump's gambit</a> is emerging at the end of a storm-tossed week for him as the president lashed out at Democrats, reporters and anyone else standing in his way to air complaints that he was being unfairly accused and had done nothing wrong.

Democrats want to prove Trump sought personal political gain by appealing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 phone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who earned money from a Ukrainian gas company.

Joe Biden, the former vice president, leads in most opinion polls among the 19 Democrats seeking their party's nomination to take on Trump in the November 2020 election.

A second whistleblower, with first-hand knowledge of President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine, has spoken with the intelligence community's internal watchdog, the lawyer representing the official said on Sunday.

A second whistleblower, with first-hand knowledge of President Donald Trump's dealings with Ukraine, has spoken with the intelligence community's internal watchdog, the lawyer representing the official said on Sunday. Mark Zaid confirmed in an interview with ABC's "This Week" that the second official, also from the United States intelligence community, has been interviewed by the inspector general. Zaid represents the first whistleblower who filed a complaint involving a July 25 phone call Trump held with Ukraine's president in which he asked him to investigate a Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Ukraine inquiry a 'silly gotcha game' on Saturday during a visit to Athens. "This is what's wrong, when the world doesn't focus on the things that are right, the things that matter, the things that impact real people's lives, and instead you get caught up in some silly 'gotcha' game. You see, that's not healthy, that doesn't help democracies flourish," Pompeo said during a question and answer session following a speech in the Greek capital. His comment was in response to whether there were any 'red flags' which required further investigation in a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in July. But in a new tactic, the White House plans to argue that U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi must have the full House vote to formally approve an impeachment inquiry, a source familiar with the effort said. Without a vote, White House lawyers believe Trump can ignore lawmakers' requests, the source said, meaning the federal courts would presumably have to render a decision and potentially slow the march toward impeachment. A White House letter arguing Pelosi must hold a House vote could be sent to Capitol Hill as early as Friday, the source said. It comes as the Democratic-led House Intelligence Committee plans to issue more subpoenas in the coming days as it pushes ahead with the investigation. Trump's gambit is emerging at the end of a storm-tossed week for him as the president lashed out at Democrats, reporters and anyone else standing in his way to air complaints that he was being unfairly accused and had done nothing wrong. Democrats want to prove Trump sought personal political gain by appealing to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 phone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter, who earned money from a Ukrainian gas company. Joe Biden, the former vice president, leads in most opinion polls among the 19 Democrats seeking their party's nomination to take on Trump in the November 2020 election.

Second whistleblower in Trump-Ukraine scandal comes forward: Report

Shrugging off anti-United States&nbsp;demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region.

Pompeo is in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=%09Greece+steps+up+migrant+transfers+after+Lesbos+clashes">Greece</a> to underline support for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally and reinforce cooperation, signing an amendment to a mutual defence cooperation agreement, sources for both governments said.

"This is a dynamic region, with lots going on, lots of change taking place and we are very confident that together, we can work to ensure that Greece can be a pillar for stability in this region," said Pompeo, hailing a relationship that "has truly never been stronger."

Thousands of demonstrators outside the Greek parliament begged to differ, some brandishing a huge banner reading "Pompeo go home."

His visit comes amid <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-seeks-early-imf-debt-repayment-to-build-trust-249500">Greek concerns</a> to which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alluded -- Turkish drilling off EU member Cyprus.

The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has triggered a race to tap the region's resources and sparked a dispute between Turkey and Cyprus.

"The United States has a special interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus only asks for the obvious, the implementation of international law... I expect the positive contribution of the United States, which will eventually lead to the creation of a more constructive and productive environment in the region," Mitsotakis added.

Turkey has had troops stationed in Cyprus since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece.

As well as holding talks with Mitsotakis, who took office in July, Pompeo was also meeting Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos.

Pompeo refused to address questions from reporters on allegations that President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine for political favours, a claim which has launched an impeachment investigation.

Shrugging off anti-United States demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region.

Shrugging off anti-United States demonstrations on a visit Saturday to Athens, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Greece can be a pillar of stability in a troubled region. Pompeo is in Greece to underline support for a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally and reinforce cooperation, signing an amendment to a mutual defence cooperation agreement, sources for both governments said. "This is a dynamic region, with lots going on, lots of change taking place and we are very confident that together, we can work to ensure that Greece can be a pillar for stability in this region," said Pompeo, hailing a relationship that "has truly never been stronger." Thousands of demonstrators outside the Greek parliament begged to differ, some brandishing a huge banner reading "Pompeo go home." His visit comes amid Greek concerns to which Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alluded -- Turkish drilling off EU member Cyprus. The discovery of huge gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has triggered a race to tap the region's resources and sparked a dispute between Turkey and Cyprus. "The United States has a special interest in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Cyprus only asks for the obvious, the implementation of international law... I expect the positive contribution of the United States, which will eventually lead to the creation of a more constructive and productive environment in the region," Mitsotakis added. Turkey has had troops stationed in Cyprus since 1974 when it invaded and occupied its northern third after a coup sponsored by the military junta then ruling Greece. As well as holding talks with Mitsotakis, who took office in July, Pompeo was also meeting Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias and Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Pompeo refused to address questions from reporters on allegations that President Donald Trump pressured Ukraine for political favours, a claim which has launched an impeachment investigation.

Greece can be 'pillar' for regional stability: Pompeo

President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-nothing-compromising-in-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253325">Donald Trump</a> on Wednesday angrily denounced an impeachment inquiry into his July telephone call with Ukraine's leader as Democratic lawmakers said they would subpoena White House records about the call.

At a joint news conference with Finland's president, a frustrated Trump blasted reporters who asked about the probe, which he called a hoax and a fraud, but said he would cooperate with the inquiry. "I always cooperate," he said.

His voice rising with anger, Trump lashed out at Reuters reporter Jeff Mason, who asked what he had wanted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to do when Trump brought up the business ties to Ukraine of Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

"It's a whole hoax, and you know who's playing into the hoax? People like you and the fake news media that we have in this country," he retorted. He told the reporter not to be “rude” and repeatedly evaded the question.

Watch: Defiant Trump takes aim at journalist over Ukraine

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Trump suggested, however, that his objective was corruption in Ukraine, saying the United States gives the country a lot of money, and "I don't like giving money to a country that's that corrupt. ... I don't like being the sucker country."

The Democrats' subpoena request has the potential to become a flashpoint in the showdown between the Republican president and the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a close ally of Trump, acknowledged earlier in the day during a trip to Italy that he had listened in on the call in which Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden, a former U.S. vice president and a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

The call prompted the House to launch its impeachment inquiry last week. Pompeo's admission came a day after he objected to Democratic efforts as part of the impeachment inquiry to obtain depositions from five current and former State Department officials.

"We're not fooling around here, though. We don't want this to drag on months and months and months, which appears to be the administration's strategy," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, whose panel leads the inquiry, told a news conference alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said he intended to subpoena the White House for the Ukraine-related records on Friday, the latest demand for evidence from an administration that has repeatedly resisted such efforts by Democrats.

Trump seemed to make light of the request, telling reporters that Pelosi "hands out subpoenas like they're cookies."

Schiff said Democrats were deeply concerned about the Trump administration's potential interference with witnesses, and that any such efforts by the president, Pompeo or others would be considered obstruction of justice.

The House launched its impeachment inquiry, which threatens Trump's presidency, following a complaint brought by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community over Trump's request to Zelenskiy.

The whistleblower provided an account of his concerns to a House Intelligence Committee aide before bringing his complaint, and some of that information was shared with Schiff, the New York Times reported, citing a spokesman for Schiff and current and former U.S. officials.

Trump said the newspaper's report showed that "Schiff is a fraud" and the president called it a "scandal" that Schiff had advance knowledge of the complaint. "He probably helped write it," Trump said, without offering evidence.

'Hard to imagine'

Trump made his request to Zelenskiy shortly after he had frozen nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine. Zelenskiy agreed to the request on the call, and the aid was later provided.&nbsp;

Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US ally to meddle in the 2020 election for his political benefit.

"It's hard to imagine a more corrupt course of conduct," Schiff said.

Scrutiny of Pompeo's role in the administration's interactions with Ukraine, including the recall of the U.S. ambassador to Kiev earlier this year, rose after the Wall Street Journal reported that the top US diplomat had listened in on the Trump-Zelenskiy call.

"I was on the phone call," Pompeo told reporters in Rome on Wednesday.

Pompeo sought to portray the call as proper, saying it was in the context of US policymaking in Ukraine, including "taking down the Russia threat," rooting out corruption in government and boosting the economy.

The Democratic chairmen of three House committees have accused Pompeo of intimidating witnesses and said he was considered "a fact witness" in the impeachment inquiry based on his role in Trump's call with Zelenskiy.

Pompeo said State Department employees had been contacted directly by lawmakers or their staff and told not to talk to the State Department's legal counsel. He has said, however, that he would cooperate with Congress.

Democratic-led committees previously subpoenaed Pompeo and Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, as well as documents.

According to a summary of the July call released by the White House, Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter in coordination with U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Giuliani. Hunter Biden had sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company that had been under investigation by Kiev.

Trump on Wednesday called Biden and his son Hunter "stone-cold crooked." The president has repeatedly accused the pair of wrongdoing without providing any evidence.

Biden shot back in remarks prepared for a speech in Reno, Nevada, on Wednesday night, accusing Trump of "abuse of power."

"Let me make something clear to Trump and his hatchet men and the special interests funding his attacks against me - I'm not going anywhere," Biden said, according to excerpts provided by his campaign.

The prospect that Trump solicited Ukraine's help against his potential challenger next year has infuriated Democrats, many of whom blame the loss of the 2016 presidential election on Russian interference. Moscow has denied interfering in that campaign.

On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he saw no evidence of pressure in Trump's July conversation with Zelenskiy and added that there was nothing wrong with the US president asking for an investigation into potential corruption.

US&nbsp;intelligence agencies and Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election with a scheme of hacking and propaganda to boost Trump's candidacy and disparage his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Kurt Volker, who resigned last Friday as Trump's special representative for Ukraine, is scheduled to give a deposition to House staff on Thursday. Marie Yovanovitch, who was U.S. ambassador to Ukraine until she was abruptly recalled in May, has agreed to appear on Oct. 11. In his phone call with Zelenskiy, Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news."

Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a letter to the panel's chairman, Eliot Engel, that Schiff lacked jurisdiction to investigate the State Department's conduct regarding Ukraine and demanded "equal representation and participation" for Republicans in questioning Volker.

The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced an impeachment inquiry into his July telephone call with Ukraine's leader as Democratic lawmakers said they would subpoena White House records about the call.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday angrily denounced an impeachment inquiry into his July telephone call with Ukraine's leader as Democratic lawmakers said they would subpoena White House records about the call. At a joint news conference with Finland's president, a frustrated Trump blasted reporters who asked about the probe, which he called a hoax and a fraud, but said he would cooperate with the inquiry. "I always cooperate," he said. His voice rising with anger, Trump lashed out at Reuters reporter Jeff Mason, who asked what he had wanted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to do when Trump brought up the business ties to Ukraine of Hunter Biden, son of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden. "It's a whole hoax, and you know who's playing into the hoax? People like you and the fake news media that we have in this country," he retorted. He told the reporter not to be “rude” and repeatedly evaded the question. Watch: Defiant Trump takes aim at journalist over Ukraine Trump suggested, however, that his objective was corruption in Ukraine, saying the United States gives the country a lot of money, and "I don't like giving money to a country that's that corrupt. ... I don't like being the sucker country." The Democrats' subpoena request has the potential to become a flashpoint in the showdown between the Republican president and the Democratic-led House of Representatives. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a close ally of Trump, acknowledged earlier in the day during a trip to Italy that he had listened in on the call in which Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden, a former U.S. vice president and a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election. The call prompted the House to launch its impeachment inquiry last week. Pompeo's admission came a day after he objected to Democratic efforts as part of the impeachment inquiry to obtain depositions from five current and former State Department officials. "We're not fooling around here, though. We don't want this to drag on months and months and months, which appears to be the administration's strategy," House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, whose panel leads the inquiry, told a news conference alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings said he intended to subpoena the White House for the Ukraine-related records on Friday, the latest demand for evidence from an administration that has repeatedly resisted such efforts by Democrats. Trump seemed to make light of the request, telling reporters that Pelosi "hands out subpoenas like they're cookies." Schiff said Democrats were deeply concerned about the Trump administration's potential interference with witnesses, and that any such efforts by the president, Pompeo or others would be considered obstruction of justice. The House launched its impeachment inquiry, which threatens Trump's presidency, following a complaint brought by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community over Trump's request to Zelenskiy. The whistleblower provided an account of his concerns to a House Intelligence Committee aide before bringing his complaint, and some of that information was shared with Schiff, the New York Times reported, citing a spokesman for Schiff and current and former U.S. officials. Trump said the newspaper's report showed that "Schiff is a fraud" and the president called it a "scandal" that Schiff had advance knowledge of the complaint. "He probably helped write it," Trump said, without offering evidence. 'Hard to imagine' Trump made his request to Zelenskiy shortly after he had frozen nearly $400 million in aid to Ukraine. Zelenskiy agreed to the request on the call, and the aid was later provided. Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US ally to meddle in the 2020 election for his political benefit. "It's hard to imagine a more corrupt course of conduct," Schiff said. Scrutiny of Pompeo's role in the administration's interactions with Ukraine, including the recall of the U.S. ambassador to Kiev earlier this year, rose after the Wall Street Journal reported that the top US diplomat had listened in on the Trump-Zelenskiy call. "I was on the phone call," Pompeo told reporters in Rome on Wednesday. Pompeo sought to portray the call as proper, saying it was in the context of US policymaking in Ukraine, including "taking down the Russia threat," rooting out corruption in government and boosting the economy. The Democratic chairmen of three House committees have accused Pompeo of intimidating witnesses and said he was considered "a fact witness" in the impeachment inquiry based on his role in Trump's call with Zelenskiy. Pompeo said State Department employees had been contacted directly by lawmakers or their staff and told not to talk to the State Department's legal counsel. He has said, however, that he would cooperate with Congress. Democratic-led committees previously subpoenaed Pompeo and Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, as well as documents. According to a summary of the July call released by the White House, Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter in coordination with U.S. Attorney General William Barr and Giuliani. Hunter Biden had sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company that had been under investigation by Kiev. Trump on Wednesday called Biden and his son Hunter "stone-cold crooked." The president has repeatedly accused the pair of wrongdoing without providing any evidence. Biden shot back in remarks prepared for a speech in Reno, Nevada, on Wednesday night, accusing Trump of "abuse of power." "Let me make something clear to Trump and his hatchet men and the special interests funding his attacks against me - I'm not going anywhere," Biden said, according to excerpts provided by his campaign. The prospect that Trump solicited Ukraine's help against his potential challenger next year has infuriated Democrats, many of whom blame the loss of the 2016 presidential election on Russian interference. Moscow has denied interfering in that campaign. On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he saw no evidence of pressure in Trump's July conversation with Zelenskiy and added that there was nothing wrong with the US president asking for an investigation into potential corruption. US intelligence agencies and Special Counsel Robert Mueller concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election with a scheme of hacking and propaganda to boost Trump's candidacy and disparage his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Kurt Volker, who resigned last Friday as Trump's special representative for Ukraine, is scheduled to give a deposition to House staff on Thursday. Marie Yovanovitch, who was U.S. ambassador to Ukraine until she was abruptly recalled in May, has agreed to appear on Oct. 11. In his phone call with Zelenskiy, Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news." Representative Michael McCaul, the top Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a letter to the panel's chairman, Eliot Engel, that Schiff lacked jurisdiction to investigate the State Department's conduct regarding Ukraine and demanded "equal representation and participation" for Republicans in questioning Volker. The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

US President Donald Trump slams impeachment probe as hoax as Democrats seek White House documents

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;is known to be a fan of fast food, but the fare at one of his hotels is more refined -&nbsp;the sushi restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington has won a coveted Michelin Star.

The 2020 Michelin Guide to Washington, released on Tuesday, awarded Sushi Nakazawa one star, meaning editors believe the restaurant is "worth a stop."

According to the guide, "this intimate and elegant restaurant offers a laser focus on quality, seasonality and technique."

Chef Daisuke Nakazawa offers a 20-course meal and an Edomae sushi-style tasting menu, according to the restaurant's website, which says reservations must be made 30 days in advance.

Sushi Nakazawa has a controversial location as Trump has been accused of using his presidency to make money by promoting the hotel, just blocks from the White House, to visiting foreign delegations.

Jose Andres, a Spanish chef who runs a US dining empire, declined to open an outlet at the hotel after then-candidate Trump made disparaging comments about immigrants during the 2016 election.

Michelin's new Washington guide, its fourth edition in the US capital, bestowed 22 stars on 18 different restaurants, including a repeat of a prestigious three stars for the Inn at Little Washington, run by chef Patrick O'Connell.

"Our inspectors are especially impressed by the range and diversity of cuisine in Washington, DC, which reflects Washington's culture as a global crossroads for governments and travellers," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump is known to be a fan of fast food, but the fare at one of his hotels is more refined - the sushi restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington has won a coveted Michelin Star.

US President Donald Trump is known to be a fan of fast food, but the fare at one of his hotels is more refined - the sushi restaurant at the Trump International Hotel in Washington has won a coveted Michelin Star. The 2020 Michelin Guide to Washington, released on Tuesday, awarded Sushi Nakazawa one star, meaning editors believe the restaurant is "worth a stop." According to the guide, "this intimate and elegant restaurant offers a laser focus on quality, seasonality and technique." Chef Daisuke Nakazawa offers a 20-course meal and an Edomae sushi-style tasting menu, according to the restaurant's website, which says reservations must be made 30 days in advance. Sushi Nakazawa has a controversial location as Trump has been accused of using his presidency to make money by promoting the hotel, just blocks from the White House, to visiting foreign delegations. Jose Andres, a Spanish chef who runs a US dining empire, declined to open an outlet at the hotel after then-candidate Trump made disparaging comments about immigrants during the 2016 election. Michelin's new Washington guide, its fourth edition in the US capital, bestowed 22 stars on 18 different restaurants, including a repeat of a prestigious three stars for the Inn at Little Washington, run by chef Patrick O'Connell. "Our inspectors are especially impressed by the range and diversity of cuisine in Washington, DC, which reflects Washington's culture as a global crossroads for governments and travellers," Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement.

Trump Hotel's sushi restaurant wins Michelin Star

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-at-stake-like-never-before-trump-to-supporters-252638">Donald Trump</a> on Tuesday denounced the impeachment inquiry threatening his presidency as a "coup," as his administration pushed back hard against the investigation.

Trump's comments came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed to prevent or delay five former or current State Department staffers from testifying in the investigation probing accusations that Trump abused his office by seeking dirt from Ukraine on a 2020 election rival.

"As I learn more and more each day, I am coming to the conclusion that what is taking place is not an impeachment, it is a COUP," Trump tweeted.

It is "intended to take away the Power of the People, their VOTE, their Freedoms, their Second Amendment, Religion, Military, Border Wall, and their God-given rights as a Citizen of The United States of America!" he wrote.

"The Greatest Witch Hunt in the history of our Country!" he said.

Pompeo meanwhile accused three Democratic House committee heads conducting the impeachment inquiry of "an attempt to intimidate, bully and treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State."

But Democrats accused the top US diplomat of "stonewalling" the investigation and, according to media reports, scheduled interviews with at least two of the diplomats who both had direct involvement in the Ukraine matter.

First clash in impeachment fight

It was the first major clash of the days-old impeachment probe, pointing to a dramatically mounting political and legal siege as Trump battles to save his presidency.

Trump faces the possibility of becoming only the third president ever impeached by Congress, which could lead to his going on trial in the Senate.&nbsp;

Democrats decided last week to seek impeachment after a whistleblower complaint, supported by a White House call transcript, showed Trump pressuring Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to supply him with politically useful information on Democratic former vice president Joe Biden.&nbsp;

Biden is the most likely Democrat to challenge Trump's reelection bid next year.

The first move of the three powerful House Democrats -- Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, Eliot Engel of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Elijah Cummings of the Oversight Committee -- was to subpoena Pompeo and Trump's private lawyer Rudy Giuliani for documents and to summon the five diplomats to testify.

"Secretary Pompeo was reportedly on the call when the President pressed Ukraine to smear his political opponent," they said.

Pompeo warned against obstruction

Pompeo's letter suggested that the committees could be forced to subpoena the five diplomats, and that the State Department and White House could seek to limit what they can talk about.

"I will use all means at my disposal to prevent and expose any attempts to intimidate the dedicated professionals whom I am proud to lead," Pompeo said.

But news reports said the State Department's former special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, would testify Thursday and that the ex-ambassador to Kiev, Marie Yovanovitch, would appear behind closed doors on October 11.

Volker had been sought by Giuliani to help pressure Zelensky, while Yovanovitch was removed earlier this year as ambassador after she reportedly resisted that effort.

The three committee heads warned Pompeo in a statement Tuesday that any effort to prevent witnesses from speaking to them was "illegal and will constitute evidence of obstruction of the impeachment inquiry."&nbsp;

Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani suggested he might not comply with a House subpoena issued on Monday.

Giuliani spent months earlier this year contacting Ukraine officials to encourage them to investigate Biden, whose son had business ties to Ukraine.

Trump attacks Schiff, whistleblower

While Pompeo and Giuliani battled the House committees, Trump also stepped up his personal attacks on Schiff, the leader of the impeachment investigation, as well as the anonymous whistleblower.

"Why isn't Congressman Adam Schiff being brought up on charges for fraudulently making up a statement and reading it to Congress," he asked.

"It is just another Democrat Hoax!"&nbsp;

On Monday, Trump said the White House was trying to get more information on the whistleblower, whose identity is protected by law. 
But politicians from both parties warned the president against threatening or attempting to unmask the whistleblower, who was reported to be a CIA analyst.

Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced the impeachment inquiry threatening his presidency as a "coup," as his administration pushed back hard against the investigation.

Donald Trump on Tuesday denounced the impeachment inquiry threatening his presidency as a "coup," as his administration pushed back hard against the investigation. Trump's comments came after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressed to prevent or delay five former or current State Department staffers from testifying in the investigation probing accusations that Trump abused his office by seeking dirt from Ukraine on a 2020 election rival. "As I learn more and more each day, I am coming to the conclusion that what is taking place is not an impeachment, it is a COUP," Trump tweeted. It is "intended to take away the Power of the People, their VOTE, their Freedoms, their Second Amendment, Religion, Military, Border Wall, and their God-given rights as a Citizen of The United States of America!" he wrote. "The Greatest Witch Hunt in the history of our Country!" he said. Pompeo meanwhile accused three Democratic House committee heads conducting the impeachment inquiry of "an attempt to intimidate, bully and treat improperly the distinguished professionals of the Department of State." But Democrats accused the top US diplomat of "stonewalling" the investigation and, according to media reports, scheduled interviews with at least two of the diplomats who both had direct involvement in the Ukraine matter. First clash in impeachment fight It was the first major clash of the days-old impeachment probe, pointing to a dramatically mounting political and legal siege as Trump battles to save his presidency. Trump faces the possibility of becoming only the third president ever impeached by Congress, which could lead to his going on trial in the Senate. Democrats decided last week to seek impeachment after a whistleblower complaint, supported by a White House call transcript, showed Trump pressuring Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to supply him with politically useful information on Democratic former vice president Joe Biden. Biden is the most likely Democrat to challenge Trump's reelection bid next year. The first move of the three powerful House Democrats -- Adam Schiff of the Intelligence Committee, Eliot Engel of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Elijah Cummings of the Oversight Committee -- was to subpoena Pompeo and Trump's private lawyer Rudy Giuliani for documents and to summon the five diplomats to testify. "Secretary Pompeo was reportedly on the call when the President pressed Ukraine to smear his political opponent," they said. Pompeo warned against obstruction Pompeo's letter suggested that the committees could be forced to subpoena the five diplomats, and that the State Department and White House could seek to limit what they can talk about. "I will use all means at my disposal to prevent and expose any attempts to intimidate the dedicated professionals whom I am proud to lead," Pompeo said. But news reports said the State Department's former special envoy to Ukraine, Kurt Volker, would testify Thursday and that the ex-ambassador to Kiev, Marie Yovanovitch, would appear behind closed doors on October 11. Volker had been sought by Giuliani to help pressure Zelensky, while Yovanovitch was removed earlier this year as ambassador after she reportedly resisted that effort. The three committee heads warned Pompeo in a statement Tuesday that any effort to prevent witnesses from speaking to them was "illegal and will constitute evidence of obstruction of the impeachment inquiry." Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani suggested he might not comply with a House subpoena issued on Monday. Giuliani spent months earlier this year contacting Ukraine officials to encourage them to investigate Biden, whose son had business ties to Ukraine. Trump attacks Schiff, whistleblower While Pompeo and Giuliani battled the House committees, Trump also stepped up his personal attacks on Schiff, the leader of the impeachment investigation, as well as the anonymous whistleblower. "Why isn't Congressman Adam Schiff being brought up on charges for fraudulently making up a statement and reading it to Congress," he asked. "It is just another Democrat Hoax!" On Monday, Trump said the White House was trying to get more information on the whistleblower, whose identity is protected by law. But politicians from both parties warned the president against threatening or attempting to unmask the whistleblower, who was reported to be a CIA analyst.

Donald Trump denounces impeachment inquiry as a 'coup'

Rudy Giuliani, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/like-every-american-i-deserve-to-meet-my-accuser-donald-trump-252710">President Donald Trump's</a> personal attorney, says he met Ukrainian officials in Madrid, Paris and Warsaw this year as he pushed an investigation into one of Trump's main political rivals in the 2020 presidential election, former Vice President Joe Biden.

Giuliani has emerged as a central figure in a scandal that has now engulfed Trump and left him facing an impeachment enquiry into whether he misused his office for his own political gains.

One of the key questions is who financed Giuliani's globe-trotting as he pursued unsubstantiated allegations that Biden had tried to fire Ukraine's then Chief Prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, to stop him investigating an energy company on which his son Hunter served as a director.

"Nobody pays my expenses," Giuliani said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. "What does it matter if I'm getting paid for it. Isn't the real story whether he (Biden) sold out the vice presidency of the United States, not whether I got paid for it?"

Reuters was not able to independently verify how Giuliani paid for his trips.

Biden has accused Giuliani of peddling "false, debunked conspiracy theories," and on Sunday urged U.S. television networks to stop booking him to appear on air.

Giuliani travelled to Madrid to meet Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy, a few days after a July 25 phone call in which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/our-country-is-at-stake-like-never-before-trump-to-supporters-252638">Trump pressed</a> Zelinskiy to investigate Biden. Yermak had sought the meeting with Giuliani.

Giuliani said that he chose Madrid as the meeting place because he was going to be there anyway on behalf of two clients, whom he declined to name.

"We were negotiating where to meet. He was going to come to New York. I said Mr. Yermak, I'm going to Madrid for four days, five days. Would it be easier if I met you there? He said yes, so those expenses were paid by I assume one client. Since I took two days off I think I paid some of that personally as well."

Giuliani did not say what they discussed at that meeting, but a whistleblower complaint about Trump's call with Zelinksiy made public last week said U.S. officials had characterized the meeting as a "direct follow-up" to the president's call. Giuliani said he had received no money from Trump's election campaign or the Republican National Committee, the bureaucratic body that oversees Trump's Republican Party.

He said he did not view his work as a "political act."

"This began almost a year ago, two years before any election, when I heard the allegations about Joe Biden I did not think about them as connected to the 2020 election. At that point, he wasn't even a candidate."

Giuliani said he met a Ukrainian prosecutor in Paris in April or May for further discussions about the firing of Shokin. He added that he had been in the French capital "for other reasons once again."

Giuliani said he met Shokin's replacement, Yuriy Lutsenko, in Warsaw in February after first meeting him in New York in January. Giuliani said the meeting with Lutsenko in Warsaw was "really social." "I think it was either dinner or cigars after dinner. Not opportune for substantive discussion," he said.

In a break with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-want-access-to-trumps-phone-calls-with-russian-president-putin-others-252704">the president</a>, Trump's former homeland security adviser Tom Bossert, on Sunday said that he was "deeply disturbed" by Trump's call with Zelenskiy and that Trump was referring to "a debunked conspiracy theory."

Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, says he met Ukrainian officials in Madrid, Paris and Warsaw this year as he pushed an investigation into one of Trump's main political rivals in the 2020 presidential election, former Vice President Joe Biden.

Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump's personal attorney, says he met Ukrainian officials in Madrid, Paris and Warsaw this year as he pushed an investigation into one of Trump's main political rivals in the 2020 presidential election, former Vice President Joe Biden. Giuliani has emerged as a central figure in a scandal that has now engulfed Trump and left him facing an impeachment enquiry into whether he misused his office for his own political gains. One of the key questions is who financed Giuliani's globe-trotting as he pursued unsubstantiated allegations that Biden had tried to fire Ukraine's then Chief Prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, to stop him investigating an energy company on which his son Hunter served as a director. "Nobody pays my expenses," Giuliani said in an interview with Reuters on Friday. "What does it matter if I'm getting paid for it. Isn't the real story whether he (Biden) sold out the vice presidency of the United States, not whether I got paid for it?" Reuters was not able to independently verify how Giuliani paid for his trips. Biden has accused Giuliani of peddling "false, debunked conspiracy theories," and on Sunday urged U.S. television networks to stop booking him to appear on air. Giuliani travelled to Madrid to meet Andriy Yermak, a top adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelinskiy, a few days after a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Zelinskiy to investigate Biden. Yermak had sought the meeting with Giuliani. Giuliani said that he chose Madrid as the meeting place because he was going to be there anyway on behalf of two clients, whom he declined to name. "We were negotiating where to meet. He was going to come to New York. I said Mr. Yermak, I'm going to Madrid for four days, five days. Would it be easier if I met you there? He said yes, so those expenses were paid by I assume one client. Since I took two days off I think I paid some of that personally as well." Giuliani did not say what they discussed at that meeting, but a whistleblower complaint about Trump's call with Zelinksiy made public last week said U.S. officials had characterized the meeting as a "direct follow-up" to the president's call. Giuliani said he had received no money from Trump's election campaign or the Republican National Committee, the bureaucratic body that oversees Trump's Republican Party. He said he did not view his work as a "political act." "This began almost a year ago, two years before any election, when I heard the allegations about Joe Biden I did not think about them as connected to the 2020 election. At that point, he wasn't even a candidate." Giuliani said he met a Ukrainian prosecutor in Paris in April or May for further discussions about the firing of Shokin. He added that he had been in the French capital "for other reasons once again." Giuliani said he met Shokin's replacement, Yuriy Lutsenko, in Warsaw in February after first meeting him in New York in January. Giuliani said the meeting with Lutsenko in Warsaw was "really social." "I think it was either dinner or cigars after dinner. Not opportune for substantive discussion," he said. In a break with the president, Trump's former homeland security adviser Tom Bossert, on Sunday said that he was "deeply disturbed" by Trump's call with Zelenskiy and that Trump was referring to "a debunked conspiracy theory."

Giuliani says Trump did not pay for his push for Biden probe

US President Donald Trump railed against the Democratic lawmaker leading the impeachment probe Monday, suggesting he be arrested for treason for depicting him as using mafia-like tactics.

Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, opened a congressional hearing last week by pretending to be the president speaking like a mob boss to pressure Ukraine's leader to probe rival Joe Biden.

The impersonation was intended to dramatize Schiff's contention that Trump's July 25 phone call to Volodymyr Zelensky was a classic mafia-like shakedown -- but has been widely criticized by conservative media.

Trump denounced it on Twitter as a "FAKE &amp; terrible statement," saying Schiff "pretended it to be mine as the most important part of my call to the Ukrainian President, and read it aloud to Congress and the American people.

"It bore NO relationship to what I said on the call. Arrest for Treason?"

US President Donald Trump railed against the Democratic lawmaker leading the impeachment probe Monday, suggesting he be arrested for treason for depicting him as using mafia-like tactics.

US President Donald Trump railed against the Democratic lawmaker leading the impeachment probe Monday, suggesting he be arrested for treason for depicting him as using mafia-like tactics. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, opened a congressional hearing last week by pretending to be the president speaking like a mob boss to pressure Ukraine's leader to probe rival Joe Biden. The impersonation was intended to dramatize Schiff's contention that Trump's July 25 phone call to Volodymyr Zelensky was a classic mafia-like shakedown -- but has been widely criticized by conservative media. Trump denounced it on Twitter as a "FAKE & terrible statement," saying Schiff "pretended it to be mine as the most important part of my call to the Ukrainian President, and read it aloud to Congress and the American people. "It bore NO relationship to what I said on the call. Arrest for Treason?"

Trump suggests 'arrest for treason' of Democrat leading impeachment probe

A US federal judge has dealt a new blow to President Donald Trump's anti-immigration efforts, blocking a measure meant to relax the criteria for deporting undocumented migrants.

The ruling concerns a policy known as expedited removal under which migrants previously found within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border within 14 days of their arrival were deported without appearing before an immigration judge.

In July, the Department of Homeland Security implemented a policy to expand the measure to include immigrants found within two years of arrival and located anywhere in the United States.

The decision issued late Friday evening by US District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson prohibits the DHS from applying the expanded criteria.

The move, she said, would leave those affected by the expansion "irreparably harmed."

"The Trump administration intended to deport as many noncitizens as possible using a process that is profoundly flawed and puts noncitizens, including asylum-seekers, at serious risk of wrongful deportation," said Trina Realmuto, directing attorney of the American Immigration Council (AIC) which was one of the plaintiffs in the case.

According to the AIC, some undocumented migrants potentially exempt from deportation due to security risks in their country of origin would be denied due process under the expansion.

On Saturday, the White House issued a statement calling the struck-down expansion a tool that is "vital to addressing the many aliens in the United States who have no right to remain here."

"Once again, a single district judge has suspended application of Federal law nationwide—removing whole classes of illegal aliens from legal accountability," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said.

A spokesperson for the US Department of Justice said the decision "squarely conflicts" with authority granted to the Department of Homeland Security to act quickly to "remove from the country aliens who have no right to be here."

Also Friday, a federal judge in California rejected an attempt by the administration to reverse an agreement preventing the indefinite detention of undocumented children.

The United States is facing a migration crisis on its southern border with Mexico, where tens of thousands of people from Central America cross into the United States every month. 
&nbsp;

A US federal judge has dealt a new blow to President Donald Trump's anti-immigration efforts, blocking a measure meant to relax the criteria for deporting undocumented migrants.

A US federal judge has dealt a new blow to President Donald Trump's anti-immigration efforts, blocking a measure meant to relax the criteria for deporting undocumented migrants. The ruling concerns a policy known as expedited removal under which migrants previously found within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border within 14 days of their arrival were deported without appearing before an immigration judge. In July, the Department of Homeland Security implemented a policy to expand the measure to include immigrants found within two years of arrival and located anywhere in the United States. The decision issued late Friday evening by US District Court Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson prohibits the DHS from applying the expanded criteria. The move, she said, would leave those affected by the expansion "irreparably harmed." "The Trump administration intended to deport as many noncitizens as possible using a process that is profoundly flawed and puts noncitizens, including asylum-seekers, at serious risk of wrongful deportation," said Trina Realmuto, directing attorney of the American Immigration Council (AIC) which was one of the plaintiffs in the case. According to the AIC, some undocumented migrants potentially exempt from deportation due to security risks in their country of origin would be denied due process under the expansion. On Saturday, the White House issued a statement calling the struck-down expansion a tool that is "vital to addressing the many aliens in the United States who have no right to remain here." "Once again, a single district judge has suspended application of Federal law nationwide—removing whole classes of illegal aliens from legal accountability," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said. A spokesperson for the US Department of Justice said the decision "squarely conflicts" with authority granted to the Department of Homeland Security to act quickly to "remove from the country aliens who have no right to be here." Also Friday, a federal judge in California rejected an attempt by the administration to reverse an agreement preventing the indefinite detention of undocumented children. The United States is facing a migration crisis on its southern border with Mexico, where tens of thousands of people from Central America cross into the United States every month.

US judge rejects Trump policy of expanded deportation

President Donald Trump, the target of an impeachment investigation over alleged abuse of power, warned supporters Saturday that "Our country is at stake like never before."

The video message posted on Twitter underscores the pressure on the White House as Democratic lawmakers charge aggressively into their<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-democratic-impeachment-enquiry-a-joke-252097"> investigation over accusations </a>that Trump tried to arm-twist the Ukrainian president into providing dirt on one of his main 2020 election rivals, Joe Biden.

American rights are being threatened by Democrats, Trump said, stating that they "want to take away your guns, they want to take away your health care, they want to take away your vote, they want to take away your freedom."

"We can never let this happen," he said. "Because our country is at stake like never before. It's all very simple. They're trying to stop me because I'm fighting for you -- and I'll never let that happen."

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They are trying to stop ME, because I am fighting for YOU! <a href="https://t.co/xiw4jtjkNl">pic.twitter.com/xiw4jtjkNl</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1178055467987275776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In subsequent tweets, Trump repeated his charges that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-launch-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-251842">impeachment investigation</a> is a "Witch Hunt," and said Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff, who is leading the impeachment probe, had defamed and libeled him, and should resign from Congress.

Congressional committees carrying out the impeachment inquiry have ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and conduct interviews starting next week with five State Department officials.

They include former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, whom Trump reportedly forced out earlier this year for resisting his efforts to pressure Kiev to probe Biden.

President Donald Trump, the target of an impeachment investigation over alleged abuse of power, warned supporters Saturday that "Our country is at stake like never before.

President Donald Trump, the target of an impeachment investigation over alleged abuse of power, warned supporters Saturday that "Our country is at stake like never before." The video message posted on Twitter underscores the pressure on the White House as Democratic lawmakers charge aggressively into their investigation over accusations that Trump tried to arm-twist the Ukrainian president into providing dirt on one of his main 2020 election rivals, Joe Biden. American rights are being threatened by Democrats, Trump said, stating that they "want to take away your guns, they want to take away your health care, they want to take away your vote, they want to take away your freedom." "We can never let this happen," he said. "Because our country is at stake like never before. It's all very simple. They're trying to stop me because I'm fighting for you -- and I'll never let that happen." They are trying to stop ME, because I am fighting for YOU! pic.twitter.com/xiw4jtjkNl — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 28, 2019 × In subsequent tweets, Trump repeated his charges that the impeachment investigation is a "Witch Hunt," and said Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff, who is leading the impeachment probe, had defamed and libeled him, and should resign from Congress. Congressional committees carrying out the impeachment inquiry have ordered Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and conduct interviews starting next week with five State Department officials. They include former ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, whom Trump reportedly forced out earlier this year for resisting his efforts to pressure Kiev to probe Biden.

Our country is at stake like never before: Trump to supporters

Speaking from the lectern at the United Nations General Assembly Thursday, the president of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, took the opportunity to dive right into Israel's ongoing political jockeying.

Abbas has appeared to see Israel's coalition drama as an opportunity for his government in the occupied West Bank to announce election plans. Abbas told reporters outside Norway's parliament that he would issue a decree for elections across the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem when he returns to the Palestinian Territories following the UN General Assembly in New York.

And he said he will not cede to an emboldened Israeli stance.

"A week before the recent Israeli elections, Israel's Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu came out to arrogantly announce that should he prevail in the elections he would annex and apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley, Northern Dead sea and Israel's colonial settlements despite the fact that all these areas are occupied Palestinian territory," he said. "We reject entirely and completely this plan."

Despite a long rift with Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas, Abbas said his Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, would be ready to accept a Hamas victory "because Hamas is a part of our people, we cannot exclude Hamas."&nbsp;

Abbas was elected president in 2005 and Hamas won a 2006 parliamentary election, plunging Palestinian politics into a bitter power struggle from which it has not emerged.

He also came out against stances backed by the US administration of Donald Trump, saying they run the risk of hardening divisions.

In referring to the decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, Abbas said "it has jeopardized the two-state solution."

He said stances are hardening. "Now many wonder, if the two state solution has become impossible? Can we have a one state solution? Where everyone can live equally. Some are starting to wonder."

Speaking from the lectern at the United Nations General Assembly Thursday, the president of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, took the opportunity to dive right into Israel's ongoing political jockeying.

Speaking from the lectern at the United Nations General Assembly Thursday, the president of the Palestinians, Mahmoud Abbas, took the opportunity to dive right into Israel's ongoing political jockeying. Abbas has appeared to see Israel's coalition drama as an opportunity for his government in the occupied West Bank to announce election plans. Abbas told reporters outside Norway's parliament that he would issue a decree for elections across the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem when he returns to the Palestinian Territories following the UN General Assembly in New York. And he said he will not cede to an emboldened Israeli stance. "A week before the recent Israeli elections, Israel's Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu came out to arrogantly announce that should he prevail in the elections he would annex and apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley, Northern Dead sea and Israel's colonial settlements despite the fact that all these areas are occupied Palestinian territory," he said. "We reject entirely and completely this plan." Despite a long rift with Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas, Abbas said his Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank, would be ready to accept a Hamas victory "because Hamas is a part of our people, we cannot exclude Hamas." Abbas was elected president in 2005 and Hamas won a 2006 parliamentary election, plunging Palestinian politics into a bitter power struggle from which it has not emerged. He also came out against stances backed by the US administration of Donald Trump, saying they run the risk of hardening divisions. In referring to the decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem, Abbas said "it has jeopardized the two-state solution." He said stances are hardening. "Now many wonder, if the two state solution has become impossible? Can we have a one state solution? Where everyone can live equally. Some are starting to wonder."

Palestine president Mahmoud Abbas points finger at Netanyahu, Trump administration at UNGA

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz praised US President Donald Trump in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

"I want to thank the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for his historic and brave decision to recognise <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/jerusalem-attack-in-pictures-361">Jerusalem</a>, the eternal capital of the Jewish people," Katz told the gathering.

In 2017 Trump broke with longstanding US policy when he recognised <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/360-wion-what-makes-jerusalem-so-holy-to-muslims-3557">Jerusalem</a> as the capital of Israel, imperilling Middle East peace efforts and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies alike.

"I call on all countries to follow the United States and to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. No one can separate the Jewish people from our historical homeland, and no one can separate us from Jerusalem, our eternal capital," he added.

Earlier in the day, in his address to the General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Trump to rescind his decisions recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and cutting aid to the Palestinians, which he said had undermined the two-state solution to the Middle East conflict.

Katz also singled out Trump's hard line policy towards Iran, saying, "I call on the international community to support President Trump's "maximum pressure policy' against Iran. This is the way to stop them. We must stop Iran today, in order to prevent war tomorrow," he added.

The US-Iranian confrontation has ratcheted up since last year, when US President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy to force Tehran to renegotiate the pact.

Iran refuses to hold any talks with the United States unless Washington lifts sanctions on Tehran.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz praised US President Donald Trump in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. "I want to thank the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for his historic and brave decision to recognise Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people," Katz told the gathering.

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz praised US President Donald Trump in his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday. "I want to thank the President of the United States, Donald Trump, for his historic and brave decision to recognise Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people," Katz told the gathering. In 2017 Trump broke with longstanding US policy when he recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, imperilling Middle East peace efforts and upsetting the Arab world and Western allies alike. "I call on all countries to follow the United States and to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. No one can separate the Jewish people from our historical homeland, and no one can separate us from Jerusalem, our eternal capital," he added. Earlier in the day, in his address to the General Assembly, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on Trump to rescind his decisions recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and cutting aid to the Palestinians, which he said had undermined the two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. Katz also singled out Trump's hard line policy towards Iran, saying, "I call on the international community to support President Trump's "maximum pressure policy' against Iran. This is the way to stop them. We must stop Iran today, in order to prevent war tomorrow," he added. The US-Iranian confrontation has ratcheted up since last year, when US President Donald Trump withdrew from Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers and reimposed sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy to force Tehran to renegotiate the pact. Iran refuses to hold any talks with the United States unless Washington lifts sanctions on Tehran.

Israeli foreign minister Katz praises Trump on Jerusalem move in UNGA speech

Donald Trump, the United States President&nbsp;on Wednesday dismissed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-launch-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-251842">impeachment enquiry</a> against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him&nbsp;of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart.

Trump denied claims that he abused his office by repeatedly urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to probe his rival Joe Biden - as confirmed in a call transcript released by the White House.

The next episode in the&nbsp;impeachment debacle&nbsp;is set for Thursday when Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph McGuire will testify at&nbsp;Capitol Hill.

"They are getting hit hard on this witch hunt because when they look at the information, it's a joke," said the President, at his first news conference since Democrats launched an official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-begins-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-call-to-ukraine-leader-251866">impeachment inquiry.</a>

"Impeachment for that? When you have a wonderful meeting or you have a wonderful phone conversation?", he asked.

Trump had earlier insisted that he exerted "no pressure" on Zelensky, who appeared side-by-side with the US leader at a long-planned meeting at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

As two competing narratives took hold, Republican Party's Senator Mitt Romney referred to the escalation as "deeply troubling."

Trump and his allies claimed that the July 25 call contained no evidence of a quid pro quo, pressuring Zelensky to probe the President's top Democratic rival for the White House.

"This is how a mafia boss talks," charged senior Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff.&nbsp;

"'What have you done for us? We've done so much for you but there's not much reciprocity. I have a favour to ask you. And what is that favour? Of course, the favour is to investigate his political rival, to investigate the Bidens", he added.

The call summary -&nbsp;which is not a verbatim transcript -&nbsp;has Trump saying that the&nbsp;US Attorney General Bill Barr and the President's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be in touch about probing the Ukraine-related activities of Biden and his son.

In announcing the impeachment probe, House Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-wasting-her-time-on-manufactured-crisis-says-trump-on-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-252066">Nancy Pelosi</a> said Trump's actions amounted to a betrayal of his oath of office and of national security.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Watch Video: Trump-Zelensky call row escalates</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/wion-usa-direct-trump-zelensky-call-row-escalates-252070/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'A nothing call'

As Barack Obama's Vice President, Biden and other Western leaders pressured Ukraine to get rid of the country's top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he was seen as not tough enough on corruption.

"There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great," Trump told Zelensky in the call.

"Biden went around bragging that he stopped the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-steps-up-donald-trump-impeachment-probe-248698">prosecution</a> so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me", he added.&nbsp;

The transcript did not show Trump explicitly tying aid to Ukraine to Zelensky probing Biden, which has fed the calls to impeach him.

But the two did discuss a major aid package, which had been frozen by Trump at the time and was only released in recent weeks.

The memo also shows Trump asking Zelensky for a "favour" on an issue unconnected to Biden -&nbsp;just after noting that the US had been "very, very good to Ukraine."

Analysts noted that the transcript uses ellipses -&nbsp;denoting words or entire passages are missing - on three occasions, all when Trump is making requests of Zelensky.

Others pointed out that it was supposed to summarize a 30-minute call, yet the transcript runs to around just 12 minutes.

"There was no pressure whatsoever," Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday, saying Democrats had built up the exchange as the "call from hell" but that "it&nbsp;turned out to be a nothing call."

Zelensky insisted meanwhile that he had not been "pushed" by Trump during the controversial call.

'Very troubling'

Faced with the possibility of being impeached, Trump has pushed back hard - branding the probe the "single greatest witch hunt in American history... a disgraceful thing."&nbsp;

Pelosi had for months resisted pressure from the party rank-and-file for impeachment, preferring to focus on next year's election fight.

But on Tuesday, she relented, 11 days after news that an anonymous US intelligence official had filed a whistleblower complaint on Trump's alleged double-dealing with Ukraine.

Democrats made clear the White House's release of the call record would not satisfy their investigation into whether the US leader broke the law, and the complaint has now been reviewed by lawmakers.

Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after reading the whistleblower complaint that "it's very troubling" -- an assessment echoed by Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who said that "there's obviously lots that is very troubling there."

Schumer later called in a statement for the contents of the complaint to be made public, saying: "The public has a right to read the whistleblower's complaint for themselves."

Donald Trump, the United States President on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment enquiry against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart.

Donald Trump, the United States President on Wednesday dismissed the impeachment enquiry against him as a "joke", while Democrats stood firm in accusing him of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump denied claims that he abused his office by repeatedly urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to probe his rival Joe Biden - as confirmed in a call transcript released by the White House. The next episode in the impeachment debacle is set for Thursday when Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph McGuire will testify at Capitol Hill. "They are getting hit hard on this witch hunt because when they look at the information, it's a joke," said the President, at his first news conference since Democrats launched an official impeachment inquiry. "Impeachment for that? When you have a wonderful meeting or you have a wonderful phone conversation?", he asked. Trump had earlier insisted that he exerted "no pressure" on Zelensky, who appeared side-by-side with the US leader at a long-planned meeting at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. As two competing narratives took hold, Republican Party's Senator Mitt Romney referred to the escalation as "deeply troubling." Trump and his allies claimed that the July 25 call contained no evidence of a quid pro quo, pressuring Zelensky to probe the President's top Democratic rival for the White House. "This is how a mafia boss talks," charged senior Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff. "'What have you done for us? We've done so much for you but there's not much reciprocity. I have a favour to ask you. And what is that favour? Of course, the favour is to investigate his political rival, to investigate the Bidens", he added. The call summary - which is not a verbatim transcript - has Trump saying that the US Attorney General Bill Barr and the President's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be in touch about probing the Ukraine-related activities of Biden and his son. In announcing the impeachment probe, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's actions amounted to a betrayal of his oath of office and of national security. Watch Video: Trump-Zelensky call row escalates 'A nothing call' As Barack Obama's Vice President, Biden and other Western leaders pressured Ukraine to get rid of the country's top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he was seen as not tough enough on corruption. "There's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped the prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with the attorney general would be great," Trump told Zelensky in the call. "Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me", he added. The transcript did not show Trump explicitly tying aid to Ukraine to Zelensky probing Biden, which has fed the calls to impeach him. But the two did discuss a major aid package, which had been frozen by Trump at the time and was only released in recent weeks. The memo also shows Trump asking Zelensky for a "favour" on an issue unconnected to Biden - just after noting that the US had been "very, very good to Ukraine." Analysts noted that the transcript uses ellipses - denoting words or entire passages are missing - on three occasions, all when Trump is making requests of Zelensky. Others pointed out that it was supposed to summarize a 30-minute call, yet the transcript runs to around just 12 minutes. "There was no pressure whatsoever," Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday, saying Democrats had built up the exchange as the "call from hell" but that "it turned out to be a nothing call." Zelensky insisted meanwhile that he had not been "pushed" by Trump during the controversial call. 'Very troubling' Faced with the possibility of being impeached, Trump has pushed back hard - branding the probe the "single greatest witch hunt in American history... a disgraceful thing." Pelosi had for months resisted pressure from the party rank-and-file for impeachment, preferring to focus on next year's election fight. But on Tuesday, she relented, 11 days after news that an anonymous US intelligence official had filed a whistleblower complaint on Trump's alleged double-dealing with Ukraine. Democrats made clear the White House's release of the call record would not satisfy their investigation into whether the US leader broke the law, and the complaint has now been reviewed by lawmakers. Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after reading the whistleblower complaint that "it's very troubling" -- an assessment echoed by Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who said that "there's obviously lots that is very troubling there." Schumer later called in a statement for the contents of the complaint to be made public, saying: "The public has a right to read the whistleblower's complaint for themselves."

Trump calls Democratic impeachment enquiry a 'joke'

White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday.

"I have received information from multiple US government officials that the president of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election," the whistleblower, an unidentified intelligence community official, wrote in the complaint released by Congress.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-launch-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-251842">US House to launch Trump impeachment inquiry over Ukraine controversy</a>

The whistleblower said White House officials had expressed alarm about the gravity of Trump's call with his Ukrainian counterpart, and that they told the whistleblower that they had likely "witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain."

"In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple US officials that senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call," the whistleblower said.

"This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call," the whistleblower said in the complaint, which he or she described as a matter of "urgent concern."

"White House officials told me that they were 'directed' by White House lawyers to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials," the whistleblower added.

In the transcript of the phone call released by the White House on Wednesday, Trump repeatedly asks the Ukrainian leader to help with an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives has opened an impeachment inquiry to remove the president from office for abuse of power.

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&nbsp;

White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday.

White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday. "I have received information from multiple US government officials that the president of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election," the whistleblower, an unidentified intelligence community official, wrote in the complaint released by Congress. Also read: US House to launch Trump impeachment inquiry over Ukraine controversy The whistleblower said White House officials had expressed alarm about the gravity of Trump's call with his Ukrainian counterpart, and that they told the whistleblower that they had likely "witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain." "In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple US officials that senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call," the whistleblower said. "This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call," the whistleblower said in the complaint, which he or she described as a matter of "urgent concern." "White House officials told me that they were 'directed' by White House lawyers to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials," the whistleblower added. In the transcript of the phone call released by the White House on Wednesday, Trump repeatedly asks the Ukrainian leader to help with an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. The Democratic-led House of Representatives has opened an impeachment inquiry to remove the president from office for abuse of power.

White House intervened after Trump-Ukraine call: Whistleblower

Howdy, America! - Key highlights of PM Modi's US visit

&nbsp;Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was named on Wednesday as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, known as Sweden's alternative Nobel Prize.

Thunberg won the award "for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts," the Right Livelihood Foundation said in a statement.

Thunberg, 16, denounced world leaders on Monday for failing to tackle climate change in a speech at the start of a climate summit at the United Nations in New York.

She started solitary weekly protests outside the Swedish parliament a year ago. Inspired by her, millions of young people poured onto streets around the world last Friday to demand governments attending the summit take emergency action.

Thunberg shares the award with Brazilian indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa of the Yanomami people, Chinese women's rights lawyer Guo Jianmei and Western Sahara human rights defender Aminatou Haidar.

"With the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, we honour four practical visionaries whose leadership has empowered millions of people to defend their inalienable rights and to strive for a liveable future for all on planet Earth," the foundation said in the statement.

The four laureates will receive a cash award of 1 million Swedish crowns ($103,000) each.

Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was named on Wednesday as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, known as Sweden's alternative Nobel Prize.

Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg was named on Wednesday as one of four winners of the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, known as Sweden's alternative Nobel Prize. Thunberg won the award "for inspiring and amplifying political demands for urgent climate action reflecting scientific facts," the Right Livelihood Foundation said in a statement. Thunberg, 16, denounced world leaders on Monday for failing to tackle climate change in a speech at the start of a climate summit at the United Nations in New York. She started solitary weekly protests outside the Swedish parliament a year ago. Inspired by her, millions of young people poured onto streets around the world last Friday to demand governments attending the summit take emergency action. Thunberg shares the award with Brazilian indigenous leader Davi Kopenawa of the Yanomami people, Chinese women's rights lawyer Guo Jianmei and Western Sahara human rights defender Aminatou Haidar. "With the 2019 Right Livelihood Award, we honour four practical visionaries whose leadership has empowered millions of people to defend their inalienable rights and to strive for a liveable future for all on planet Earth," the foundation said in the statement. The four laureates will receive a cash award of 1 million Swedish crowns ($103,000) each.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg wins 'alternative Nobel Prize'

Donald Trump described himself Wednesday as the worst-treated president ever after Democrats announced a formal impeachment inquiry against him.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in announcing the probe on Tuesday afternoon that Trump had betrayed his oath of office by seeking help from Ukraine to hurt his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

In the latest of a blast of tweets in response to that bombshell announcement, Trump said: "There has been no President in the history of our country who has been treated so badly as I have."

"The Democrats are frozen with hatred and fear. They get nothing done. This should never be allowed to happen to another President. Witch Hunt!," Trump tweeted.

The dramatic move marked the first step in a complex process that stands little chance of driving Trump from office. And it pushed US politics into a perilous new chapter 14 months before new elections for control of the White House and Congress.

Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Democratic Party leaders had resisted taking the step for months, preferring to focus on the coming election fight.

But a combination of the most recent allegations that Trump offered Ukraine to aid in return for help to damage Democratic White House frontrunner Biden, and a groundswell of support for impeachment among the party's rank and file, appeared to tip the balance.

Donald Trump described himself Wednesday as the worst-treated president ever after Democrats announced a formal impeachment inquiry against him. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in announcing the probe on Tuesday afternoon that Trump had betrayed his oath of office by seeking help from Ukraine to hurt his Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

Donald Trump described himself Wednesday as the worst-treated president ever after Democrats announced a formal impeachment inquiry against him. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in announcing the probe on Tuesday afternoon that Trump had betrayed his oath of office by seeking help from Ukraine to hurt his Democratic rival, Joe Biden. In the latest of a blast of tweets in response to that bombshell announcement, Trump said: "There has been no President in the history of our country who has been treated so badly as I have." "The Democrats are frozen with hatred and fear. They get nothing done. This should never be allowed to happen to another President. Witch Hunt!," Trump tweeted. The dramatic move marked the first step in a complex process that stands little chance of driving Trump from office. And it pushed US politics into a perilous new chapter 14 months before new elections for control of the White House and Congress. Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and other Democratic Party leaders had resisted taking the step for months, preferring to focus on the coming election fight. But a combination of the most recent allegations that Trump offered Ukraine to aid in return for help to damage Democratic White House frontrunner Biden, and a groundswell of support for impeachment among the party's rank and file, appeared to tip the balance.

Trump complains again of harassment after impeachment probe launched

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-makes-unscheduled-appearance-at-united-nations-climate-summit-251577">Donald Trump </a>on Monday denied trying to coerce Ukraine into investigating his Democratic political rival Joe Biden, but wavered about whether he would release a transcript of a phone call that some Democrats say is grounds for his impeachment.

Trump told reporters in New York that he did not pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July phone call to launch a corruption investigation into Biden and his son in return for U.S. military aid.

"No I didn't", Trump said.

A U.S. whistleblower lodged a complaint about the contents of Trump's conversation with Zelenskiy, leading to calls from some Democrats for Trump to be impeached for trying to enlist a foreign power to smear a domestic opponent.

Biden, a former vice president, whose son Hunter worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine, is the front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election.

Trump gave a contradictory message about whether he would release a transcript of the call with the Ukrainian leader.

"I may do it because it was a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-feud-heats-up-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-was-subject-of-ukraine-call-251345">very interesting call</a>," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. I hope you get to see it and I hope you get to see it soon,” he said.

But he added: "I don’t think it’s a great precedent to be releasing calls with foreign countries, heads of foreign countries. So I don’t think it’s a great precedent."

Earlier on Monday, Trump shrugged off the impeachment talk, saying he was not taking it seriously.

Democrats Seek Documents

Democratic leaders of the House of Representatives have called a caucus meeting for Tuesday afternoon to discuss the whistleblower complaint, a leadership aide said.

Congressional Democrats on Monday demanded documents from the White House about Trump team's contacts with Ukraine.

Three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight - called on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to produce documents related to contacts between Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Ukrainian officials.

The Democratic-led committees said in a letter that they "jointly request documents related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the president’s bid for reelection."

Trump hit out on Monday at Biden, calling him and his son "corrupt."

Neither the president nor aides have provided any details of possible corruption by Biden when he was Vice-President under Trump's predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama.

There has been no evidence so far that Biden used his position as vice president to help his son, and he said in Iowa this past weekend that he had never discussed Hunter Biden’s business in Ukraine with his son

Ukrainian officials, while acknowledging they had met with Giuliani, have not said that they would not open any investigation of Biden or his son.

Ukraine's former general prosecutor, Yuriy Lutsenko, told Reuters on Friday that there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Biden's son in his relationship with the energy firm.

The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported on Friday that Trump repeatedly asked the Ukrainian leader in the phone call to investigate the involvement of Biden's son with the company. He also asked Zelenskiy to work with Giuliani, who had been urging Ukrainian officials to investigate the Bidens.

On Sunday, Trump acknowledged that he discussed Biden and his son in the July 25 call.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate Intelligence Committee was working to get the intelligence community's inspector general to speak to the panel to discuss the whistleblower's allegations.

A Senate aide said a briefing with the panel's Chairman and Vice-Chairman was expected to occur this week.

The media reports about the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-demands-trump-release-transcript-of-july-phone-call-with-ukrainian-president-250940">phone call</a> said Trump repeatedly asked Zelenskiy to investigate whether Biden misused his position as Vice-President to threaten to withhold US&nbsp;aid unless a prosecutor who was looking into the gas company in which Biden's son was involved was fired.

Biden has confirmed he wanted the prosecutor fired but denies it was to help his son. Biden said the wider US&nbsp;government, the European Union and other international institutions also wanted the prosecutor fired for his alleged failure to pursue major corruption cases.

A top official in Zelenskiy's administration told Reuters that Ukraine wanted to stay out of the domestic political battle in Washington and that any attempt by either side to take advantage of Ukraine would damage relations.

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied trying to coerce Ukraine into investigating his Democratic political rival Joe Biden, but wavered about whether he would release a transcript of a phone call that some Democrats say is grounds for his impeachment.

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied trying to coerce Ukraine into investigating his Democratic political rival Joe Biden, but wavered about whether he would release a transcript of a phone call that some Democrats say is grounds for his impeachment. Trump told reporters in New York that he did not pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July phone call to launch a corruption investigation into Biden and his son in return for U.S. military aid. "No I didn't", Trump said. A U.S. whistleblower lodged a complaint about the contents of Trump's conversation with Zelenskiy, leading to calls from some Democrats for Trump to be impeached for trying to enlist a foreign power to smear a domestic opponent. Biden, a former vice president, whose son Hunter worked for a company drilling for gas in Ukraine, is the front-runner in the race for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election. Trump gave a contradictory message about whether he would release a transcript of the call with the Ukrainian leader. "I may do it because it was a very interesting call," Trump said. "It was a very nice call. I hope you get to see it and I hope you get to see it soon,” he said. But he added: "I don’t think it’s a great precedent to be releasing calls with foreign countries, heads of foreign countries. So I don’t think it’s a great precedent." Earlier on Monday, Trump shrugged off the impeachment talk, saying he was not taking it seriously. Democrats Seek Documents Democratic leaders of the House of Representatives have called a caucus meeting for Tuesday afternoon to discuss the whistleblower complaint, a leadership aide said. Congressional Democrats on Monday demanded documents from the White House about Trump team's contacts with Ukraine. Three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Oversight - called on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to produce documents related to contacts between Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani and Ukrainian officials. The Democratic-led committees said in a letter that they "jointly request documents related to reported efforts by President Trump and his associates to improperly pressure the Ukrainian government to assist the president’s bid for reelection." Trump hit out on Monday at Biden, calling him and his son "corrupt." Neither the president nor aides have provided any details of possible corruption by Biden when he was Vice-President under Trump's predecessor, Democratic President Barack Obama. There has been no evidence so far that Biden used his position as vice president to help his son, and he said in Iowa this past weekend that he had never discussed Hunter Biden’s business in Ukraine with his son Ukrainian officials, while acknowledging they had met with Giuliani, have not said that they would not open any investigation of Biden or his son. Ukraine's former general prosecutor, Yuriy Lutsenko, told Reuters on Friday that there was no evidence of wrongdoing on the part of Biden's son in his relationship with the energy firm. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times reported on Friday that Trump repeatedly asked the Ukrainian leader in the phone call to investigate the involvement of Biden's son with the company. He also asked Zelenskiy to work with Giuliani, who had been urging Ukrainian officials to investigate the Bidens. On Sunday, Trump acknowledged that he discussed Biden and his son in the July 25 call. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate Intelligence Committee was working to get the intelligence community's inspector general to speak to the panel to discuss the whistleblower's allegations. A Senate aide said a briefing with the panel's Chairman and Vice-Chairman was expected to occur this week. The media reports about the phone call said Trump repeatedly asked Zelenskiy to investigate whether Biden misused his position as Vice-President to threaten to withhold US aid unless a prosecutor who was looking into the gas company in which Biden's son was involved was fired. Biden has confirmed he wanted the prosecutor fired but denies it was to help his son. Biden said the wider US government, the European Union and other international institutions also wanted the prosecutor fired for his alleged failure to pursue major corruption cases. A top official in Zelenskiy's administration told Reuters that Ukraine wanted to stay out of the domestic political battle in Washington and that any attempt by either side to take advantage of Ukraine would damage relations.

Donald Trump denies pressurising Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden for corruption

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-makes-unscheduled-appearance-at-united-nations-climate-summit-251577">Donald Trump</a> will try selling his tough Iran policy in a speech to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-dare-you-greta-thunberg-asks-world-leaders-at-un-251559">United Nations</a> on Tuesday, but the bid for international leadership will be overshadowed by the growing political scandal at home.

"We'll be talking about Iran," Trump told reporters about his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Saying his administration had already put "a lot of pressure" on Tehran, he hinted at new measures in the US campaign to end Iran's nuclear technology programs and, more generally, to curb the country's power in the Middle East.

"A lot of things are going to happen," he said. "A lot more than you would know. A lot more than the media knows."

Watch: Modi-Trump joint appearance a sign of strong ties

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-edition-modi-trump-joint-appearance-a-sign-of-strong-ties-251586/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

For all the tough talk, speculation persisted that Trump might somehow still meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN, something that appeared to have been ruled out in the wake of an attack on oil facilities in US ally Saudi Arabia.

"I never rule anything out," Trump said Monday.

The US president's speech to the UN General Assembly is always one of the highlights of the world body's annual get-together.

But Trump is an awkward fit at an organization designed to collaborate over the planet's problems.

That's all the more so as his 2020 reelection battle intensifies and the former real estate businessman strengthens his nationalist, "America First" message.

Trump, who opposes any attempt to cut carbon emissions, largely snubbed the chief event of the opening day Monday, a summit called by the UN secretary-general on global warming.

Although he did attend, having previously indicated he wouldn't come at all, Trump left after less than 15 minutes and did not speak, before hosting his own conference on religious freedom.

Alleged dirty tricks

Adding to the turmoil around the lightning rod US leader, he faces new threats of impeachment from Democrats over claims that he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dig up dirt on his possible 2020 election opponent Joe Biden.

Everywhere Trump went at UN headquarters on Monday, he faced questions from reporters about the controversy.

Trump says he did nothing wrong, although he admits talking to Zelensky about what he says was corruption by Biden's family. 
A meeting scheduled with Zelensky on Wednesday will come under scrutiny.

The mounting furore back in Washington clearly wore on Trump, who is under pressure to release transcripts of his phone calls with the Ukrainian leader.

Trump angrily called journalists "crooked as hell," Biden "corrupt" and claimed that members of his Republican party would get "the electric chair" if they were as bad as he claimed Biden was.

Airing another grudge, he complained about not having been awarded a Nobel peace prize, saying he would have, many times over, "if they give it out fairly."

Economy boasts, worries

What the world is sure to get from Trump's speech is a rundown of his successes with the powerful US economy.

"We'll say the United States is the greatest country in the world. It's never been stronger and it's never been better," he said ahead of the UN bash.

Last year, Trump boasted that he had "accomplished more than almost any administration" in US history. Diplomats laughed.

This time, Trump will have his work cut out justifying his high-stakes trade war with China and reassuring partners.

The two top economic superpowers' exchange of massive tariffs has spooked markets around the world.

Trump insists that his all-or-nothing approach is needed to break decades of unfair trade practices by China. And he says that US tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese exports have forced Beijing to come to the negotiating table.

"China wants to make a deal. They have a lot of people that don't have jobs now because their supply chain is broken," he said.

US President Donald Trump will try selling his tough Iran policy in a speech to the United Nations on Tuesday, but the bid for international leadership will be overshadowed by the growing political scandal at home.

US President Donald Trump will try selling his tough Iran policy in a speech to the United Nations on Tuesday, but the bid for international leadership will be overshadowed by the growing political scandal at home. "We'll be talking about Iran," Trump told reporters about his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York. Saying his administration had already put "a lot of pressure" on Tehran, he hinted at new measures in the US campaign to end Iran's nuclear technology programs and, more generally, to curb the country's power in the Middle East. "A lot of things are going to happen," he said. "A lot more than you would know. A lot more than the media knows." Watch: Modi-Trump joint appearance a sign of strong ties For all the tough talk, speculation persisted that Trump might somehow still meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN, something that appeared to have been ruled out in the wake of an attack on oil facilities in US ally Saudi Arabia. "I never rule anything out," Trump said Monday. The US president's speech to the UN General Assembly is always one of the highlights of the world body's annual get-together. But Trump is an awkward fit at an organization designed to collaborate over the planet's problems. That's all the more so as his 2020 reelection battle intensifies and the former real estate businessman strengthens his nationalist, "America First" message. Trump, who opposes any attempt to cut carbon emissions, largely snubbed the chief event of the opening day Monday, a summit called by the UN secretary-general on global warming. Although he did attend, having previously indicated he wouldn't come at all, Trump left after less than 15 minutes and did not speak, before hosting his own conference on religious freedom. Alleged dirty tricks Adding to the turmoil around the lightning rod US leader, he faces new threats of impeachment from Democrats over claims that he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to dig up dirt on his possible 2020 election opponent Joe Biden. Everywhere Trump went at UN headquarters on Monday, he faced questions from reporters about the controversy. Trump says he did nothing wrong, although he admits talking to Zelensky about what he says was corruption by Biden's family. A meeting scheduled with Zelensky on Wednesday will come under scrutiny. The mounting furore back in Washington clearly wore on Trump, who is under pressure to release transcripts of his phone calls with the Ukrainian leader. Trump angrily called journalists "crooked as hell," Biden "corrupt" and claimed that members of his Republican party would get "the electric chair" if they were as bad as he claimed Biden was. Airing another grudge, he complained about not having been awarded a Nobel peace prize, saying he would have, many times over, "if they give it out fairly." Economy boasts, worries What the world is sure to get from Trump's speech is a rundown of his successes with the powerful US economy. "We'll say the United States is the greatest country in the world. It's never been stronger and it's never been better," he said ahead of the UN bash. Last year, Trump boasted that he had "accomplished more than almost any administration" in US history. Diplomats laughed. This time, Trump will have his work cut out justifying his high-stakes trade war with China and reassuring partners. The two top economic superpowers' exchange of massive tariffs has spooked markets around the world. Trump insists that his all-or-nothing approach is needed to break decades of unfair trade practices by China. And he says that US tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese exports have forced Beijing to come to the negotiating table. "China wants to make a deal. They have a lot of people that don't have jobs now because their supply chain is broken," he said.

Trump addresses United Nations in shadow of Iran crisis, domestic scandal

I admire President Trump's belief in America's future: PM Modi in Houston

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-howdy-modi-trump-and-pm-modi-could-sign-trade-deal-251028">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> arrived at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport at Houston, Texas on Saturday on a week-long visit to the United States.

Kick-starting his engagements in the US, the PM is expected to meet the&nbsp;CEOs of the energy sector in the country which will be followed by '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/excitement-builds-up-as-indian-diaspora-gears-up-for-electrifying-howdy-modi-event-251008">Howdy Modi</a>', billed as the biggest address ever in the United States by a foreign leader on Sunday.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modis-biggest-diaspora-event-in-us-on-sunday-trump-to-address-indian-american-community-251035">Modi will address the Indian diaspora</a>&nbsp;during the event.

According to the organisers, Texas India Forum, the event is expected to witness the attendance of as many as 50,000 people. Senior US diplomats along with US President Donald Trump will be present at the meeting.&nbsp;

In his departure statement, the prime minister said, "I am confident that my visit would present India as a vibrant land of opportunities, a reliable partner and a global leader and will also help impart new energy to our relations with the US."

PM Modi will be meeting around 45 world leaders from India's immediate neighbourhood to Latin America.&nbsp;

He will be meeting US President Trump on Tuesday in New York. Earlier Modi in the statement said he looks forward to meeting with Trump in Houston and New York.

"The US is a vital partner for our national development with rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation and an enabler for India in economic growth and national security... Working together, we can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world," he said.

The prime minister will be in New York from Monday and will be speaking nine times at various events throughout the week that will be broadcast live. Monday will see him address climate change and health care summit at the United Nations.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport at Houston, Texas on Saturday on a week-long visit to the United States. Kick-starting his engagements in the US, the PM is expected to meet the CEOs of the energy sector in the country which will be followed by 'Howdy Modi', billed as the biggest address ever in the United States by a foreign leader on Sunday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport at Houston, Texas on Saturday on a week-long visit to the United States. Kick-starting his engagements in the US, the PM is expected to meet the CEOs of the energy sector in the country which will be followed by 'Howdy Modi', billed as the biggest address ever in the United States by a foreign leader on Sunday. Modi will address the Indian diaspora during the event. According to the organisers, Texas India Forum, the event is expected to witness the attendance of as many as 50,000 people. Senior US diplomats along with US President Donald Trump will be present at the meeting. In his departure statement, the prime minister said, "I am confident that my visit would present India as a vibrant land of opportunities, a reliable partner and a global leader and will also help impart new energy to our relations with the US." PM Modi will be meeting around 45 world leaders from India's immediate neighbourhood to Latin America. He will be meeting US President Trump on Tuesday in New York. Earlier Modi in the statement said he looks forward to meeting with Trump in Houston and New York. "The US is a vital partner for our national development with rich possibilities of partnership in education, skills, research, technology and innovation and an enabler for India in economic growth and national security... Working together, we can contribute to building a more peaceful, stable, secure, sustainable and prosperous world," he said. The prime minister will be in New York from Monday and will be speaking nine times at various events throughout the week that will be broadcast live. Monday will see him address climate change and health care summit at the United Nations.

Prime Minister Modi arrives in United States on a week-long visit

In his first engagement after arriving in Houston, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a fruitful round table interaction with 17 global energy company&nbsp;CEOs on Saturday, with the discussions focused on boosting cooperation in energy security.

The combined net worth of companies participating in the round table meeting stood at US$1 trillion with&nbsp;presence in 150 countries. All companies have some engagement or presence in India. 
&nbsp; 
The objective of the meeting was to deepen India's energy cooperation as part of a strategic energy partnership. CEOs talked about enhancing their footprint in India.&nbsp;

They also lauded the Indian government's effort towards Ease of Doing Business and steps taken towards deregulation in the sector.&nbsp;

The business leaders also supported reforms and policies and were upbeat on the issue of Indian economy.&nbsp;

The CEOs were thankful to the Indian government for support and facilitation.&nbsp;

On the sidelines, an MoU was signed between Tellurian, a Houston based energy major and India's Petronet LNG. Petronet will invest $2.5 billion in Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal, in exchange for the rights to 5 million metric tons of LNG per year over 40 years.

In his first engagement after arriving in Houston, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a fruitful round table interaction with 17 global energy company CEOs on Saturday, with the discussions focused on boosting cooperation in energy security.

In his first engagement after arriving in Houston, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a fruitful round table interaction with 17 global energy company CEOs on Saturday, with the discussions focused on boosting cooperation in energy security. The combined net worth of companies participating in the round table meeting stood at US$1 trillion with presence in 150 countries. All companies have some engagement or presence in India. The objective of the meeting was to deepen India's energy cooperation as part of a strategic energy partnership. CEOs talked about enhancing their footprint in India. They also lauded the Indian government's effort towards Ease of Doing Business and steps taken towards deregulation in the sector. The business leaders also supported reforms and policies and were upbeat on the issue of Indian economy. The CEOs were thankful to the Indian government for support and facilitation. On the sidelines, an MoU was signed between Tellurian, a Houston based energy major and India's Petronet LNG. Petronet will invest $2.5 billion in Tellurian's proposed Driftwood LNG export terminal, in exchange for the rights to 5 million metric tons of LNG per year over 40 years.

PM Narendra Modi in Houston: CEOs of energy companies laud government's effort, Petronet signs LNG deal with US's Tellurian

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