A majority of Democrats in the US House of Representatives now favour launching impeachment proceedings against Republican President Donald&nbsp;Trump, after a California lawmaker on Friday became the 118th Democrat to call for the process to begin.

"In the past few years, our nation has seen and heard things from this president that have no place in our democracy," Representative Salud Carbajal said in a statement that accused Trump&nbsp;of "criminal" behaviour.&nbsp;

"I believe it is time to open an impeachment inquiry into President Donald&nbsp;Trump," Carbajal said.

The Democrats have a majority of 235 members in the House of Representatives. Support for an impeachment inquiry has jumped by more than two dozen Democrats since former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified on July 24 about his probe of&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Russian interference in the 2016 election.

But the total of 118 is still far short of the 218 House votes needed to approve an impeachment resolution, and opinion polls continue to show voters sharply divided over the&nbsp;issue. The House is currently on a summer recess and will not return until September 9.

Having a majority of her own caucus favour impeachment could put new pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who opposes impeachment as a politically risky move unless investigators find powerful evidence of misconduct by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;that can unify public opinion.

In a statement issued Friday, Pelosi gave no sign she was about to change her cautious approach. Instead, she outlined in considerable detail her strategy of Democrats continuing to investigate the president, while also moving in court to get access to more evidence.

"Democrats in the Congress continue to legislate, investigate and litigate," Pelosi declared. "The president will be held accountable."

Democrats opposing impeachment say the best way to remove&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;is by defeating him in 2020, when he is up for re-election. Some Democrats worry that too strong a focus on impeachment could eclipse other issues like healthcare and threaten the re-election of Democrats who pried seats away from Republicans last year in regions where many voters oppose impeachment.

Trump&nbsp;has denied any wrongdoing and says he was vindicated by the Mueller report, but the special counsel made clear in his testimony to Congress that that was not the case.

In his report, Mueller described in detail the extensive contact&nbsp;Trump's team had with Russia during the 2016 election campaign, and how&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;tried to impede Mueller's investigation.

While he stopped short of concluding&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had committed a crime or that his aides had conspired with Moscow, Mueller did not clear him and indicated it was up to Congress to decide the next steps.

Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee effectively rebranded their six-month-old oversight investigation of&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;as an impeachment probe last week, when they asked a federal judge for access to Mueller's grand jury evidence to determine whether to recommend articles of impeachment against&nbsp;Trump.

Despite the mounting impeachment calls, there are no outward signs of a revolt among Democratic lawmakers over Pelosi's attitude, perhaps in part because she has said that lawmakers are free to “espouse their own position, and to criticise me.”

Democrats appear generally happy with her performance as speaker, especially her ability to stand up to&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;day after day.

Pelosi has rallied to the defence of lawmakers&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;has attacked in recent weeks, and sometimes she has returned&nbsp;Trump's fire with fire.&nbsp;

Defending her native city of Baltimore against&nbsp;Trump's criticisms that it was a "rodent-infested mess," Pelosi said Thursday that the president's own son-in-law was a "slumlord" there.

A majority of Democrats in the US House of Representatives now favour launching impeachment proceedings against Republican President Donald Trump, after a California lawmaker on Friday became the 118th Democrat to call for the process to begin.

A majority of Democrats in the US House of Representatives now favour launching impeachment proceedings against Republican President Donald Trump, after a California lawmaker on Friday became the 118th Democrat to call for the process to begin. "In the past few years, our nation has seen and heard things from this president that have no place in our democracy," Representative Salud Carbajal said in a statement that accused Trump of "criminal" behaviour. "I believe it is time to open an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump," Carbajal said. The Democrats have a majority of 235 members in the House of Representatives. Support for an impeachment inquiry has jumped by more than two dozen Democrats since former Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified on July 24 about his probe of Trump and Russian interference in the 2016 election. But the total of 118 is still far short of the 218 House votes needed to approve an impeachment resolution, and opinion polls continue to show voters sharply divided over the issue. The House is currently on a summer recess and will not return until September 9. Having a majority of her own caucus favour impeachment could put new pressure on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who opposes impeachment as a politically risky move unless investigators find powerful evidence of misconduct by Trump that can unify public opinion. In a statement issued Friday, Pelosi gave no sign she was about to change her cautious approach. Instead, she outlined in considerable detail her strategy of Democrats continuing to investigate the president, while also moving in court to get access to more evidence. "Democrats in the Congress continue to legislate, investigate and litigate," Pelosi declared. "The president will be held accountable." Democrats opposing impeachment say the best way to remove Trump is by defeating him in 2020, when he is up for re-election. Some Democrats worry that too strong a focus on impeachment could eclipse other issues like healthcare and threaten the re-election of Democrats who pried seats away from Republicans last year in regions where many voters oppose impeachment. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and says he was vindicated by the Mueller report, but the special counsel made clear in his testimony to Congress that that was not the case. In his report, Mueller described in detail the extensive contact Trump's team had with Russia during the 2016 election campaign, and how Trump tried to impede Mueller's investigation. While he stopped short of concluding Trump had committed a crime or that his aides had conspired with Moscow, Mueller did not clear him and indicated it was up to Congress to decide the next steps. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee effectively rebranded their six-month-old oversight investigation of Trump as an impeachment probe last week, when they asked a federal judge for access to Mueller's grand jury evidence to determine whether to recommend articles of impeachment against Trump. Despite the mounting impeachment calls, there are no outward signs of a revolt among Democratic lawmakers over Pelosi's attitude, perhaps in part because she has said that lawmakers are free to “espouse their own position, and to criticise me.” Democrats appear generally happy with her performance as speaker, especially her ability to stand up to Trump day after day. Pelosi has rallied to the defence of lawmakers Trump has attacked in recent weeks, and sometimes she has returned Trump's fire with fire. Defending her native city of Baltimore against Trump's criticisms that it was a "rodent-infested mess," Pelosi said Thursday that the president's own son-in-law was a "slumlord" there.

Majority of US House Democrats favour starting impeachment proceedings

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday revealed the name he chose for a horse that was somewhat symbolically given to his 13-year-old son, Barron, by visiting Mongolian President Battulga Khaltmaa: Victory.

Battulga, the first president from the remote Asian nation to visit the White House since 2011, pulled up on the South Lawn driveway in a black SUV, without the horse.

A senior official had told reporters ahead of the visit that Battulga wanted Trump to name the Mongolian steed - a traditional symbolic gift for visiting dignitaries, who typically leave them behind to be cared for on the northern steppes. The ancient breed of tough, tiny horses was ridden by Genghis Khan and other warlords.

Asked by a reporter during a brief Rose Garden photo op if he had thought of a name for the horse, Trump said, "I did: `Victory.`"

Turning to Battulga, Trump said, "Thank you very much for the horse," before asking reporters if they had seen a photo. (They had not.) "Beautiful," he said.

Later, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham tweeted a photo of a dun foal scampering beside a mare, and said the horse would remain in Mongolia. "The First Family is very grateful to Mongolia for this time-honoured traditional gift," Grisham said.

The country, home to only about 3 million people, is a vast expanse of mineral-rich land strategically sandwiched between China and Russia.

Battulga is eager for investment from the United States and other countries it considers "third neighbours" to help it reduce its economic dependence on China, through which most of its exports of cashmere and other goods move.

"The United States and Mongolia have agreed that their relationship has reached the level of a `strategic partnership,`" the White House said in a statement, noting that the two countries are building closer security ties.

Mongolia, a former Communist country, has volunteered to play a part in Trump`s diplomatic overtures to Pyongyang, offering to host Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a summit. The country is accessible by rail from North Korea.

Like Trump, Battulga was a businessman before he entered public service. Battulga also was a former judo wrestling champion, and brought with him to the White House his aide, Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, a well-known former sumo champion.

"Mongolia - they`re great fighters. You know, they`re great fighters, great wrestlers, great champions," Trump said.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday revealed the name he chose for a horse that was somewhat symbolically given to his 13-year-old son, Barron, by visiting Mongolian President Battulga Khaltmaa: Victory.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday revealed the name he chose for a horse that was somewhat symbolically given to his 13-year-old son, Barron, by visiting Mongolian President Battulga Khaltmaa: Victory. Battulga, the first president from the remote Asian nation to visit the White House since 2011, pulled up on the South Lawn driveway in a black SUV, without the horse. A senior official had told reporters ahead of the visit that Battulga wanted Trump to name the Mongolian steed - a traditional symbolic gift for visiting dignitaries, who typically leave them behind to be cared for on the northern steppes. The ancient breed of tough, tiny horses was ridden by Genghis Khan and other warlords. Asked by a reporter during a brief Rose Garden photo op if he had thought of a name for the horse, Trump said, "I did: `Victory.`" Turning to Battulga, Trump said, "Thank you very much for the horse," before asking reporters if they had seen a photo. (They had not.) "Beautiful," he said. Later, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham tweeted a photo of a dun foal scampering beside a mare, and said the horse would remain in Mongolia. "The First Family is very grateful to Mongolia for this time-honoured traditional gift," Grisham said. The country, home to only about 3 million people, is a vast expanse of mineral-rich land strategically sandwiched between China and Russia. Battulga is eager for investment from the United States and other countries it considers "third neighbours" to help it reduce its economic dependence on China, through which most of its exports of cashmere and other goods move. "The United States and Mongolia have agreed that their relationship has reached the level of a `strategic partnership,`" the White House said in a statement, noting that the two countries are building closer security ties. Mongolia, a former Communist country, has volunteered to play a part in Trump`s diplomatic overtures to Pyongyang, offering to host Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for a summit. The country is accessible by rail from North Korea. Like Trump, Battulga was a businessman before he entered public service. Battulga also was a former judo wrestling champion, and brought with him to the White House his aide, Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj, a well-known former sumo champion. "Mongolia - they`re great fighters. You know, they`re great fighters, great wrestlers, great champions," Trump said.

'Victory': Trump reveals name for Mongolian gift horse

Democratic presidential contenders attacked Republican President Donald Trump as a demagogue who is ripping apart the country and promised to restore unity during the opening minutes of a debate on Wednesday.

On the second of back-to-back nights of Democratic debates, front-runner <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-harris-go-on-the-attack-in-us-democratic-debate-239808">Joe Biden was flanked at centre stage by rivals Kamala Harris</a> and Cory Booker, US senators who are the most prominent black contenders in a Democratic nominating contest in which race has played a prominent role.

Biden cited that diversity on stage in his opening statement.

"Mr. President, this is America, and we are strong and great because of this diversity, Mr. President, not in spite of it," he said to Trump.

"Let`s get something straight, we love it, we’re not leaving it, we’re here to stay and we’re certainly not leaving it here to you," said Biden, who was vice president under America`s first black president, Barack Obama.

Seven other candidates, including former US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined them on stage in Detroit in search of a breakout moment that will generate new momentum for their campaigns.

The crowded Democratic field of about two dozen candidates has been vying for attention and financial support in the race to pick a challenger to Trump in the November 2020 election.

"Tonight, we have to get to the heart and soul of who we are as Democrats," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his opening statement. "There are good people on this stage but there are real differences."

Biden did not figure prominently in the first night of the debate on Tuesday, which featured a clash between progressives Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and their more moderate rivals on issues such as universal healthcare and immigration.

But he was in the spotlight on Wednesday, after engaging for weeks in an escalating fight with Harris and Booker for the support of black voters, a vital constituency in the Democratic nominating battle.

Biden admitted he was taken by surprise last month when Harris criticized him for opposing federally mandated busing for school integration in the 1970s and for working with segregationists while serving in the US Senate decades ago.

The sharp attack gave Harris a bump in the polls, and Biden`s feeble response led to a dip in his standing. He has recovered in some recent polls and still maintains a firm grip on first place, helped by strong support from black voters.&nbsp;

During the candidate introductions on Wednesday, Biden told Harris to "go easy on me, kid." His comment was picked up by a microphone.

The debates come about six months before Iowa holds the first nominating contest, and the two nights in Detroit could be the last chance for many of the lower-tier contenders to make an appearance on the national debate stage.

The Democratic National Committee will double its fundraising and polling requirements to qualify for the next debates in September and October, leaving out more candidates and raising questions about their ability to continue their campaigns.

Democratic presidential contenders attacked Republican President Donald Trump as a demagogue who is ripping apart the country and promised to restore unity during the opening minutes of a debate on Wednesday.

Democratic presidential contenders attacked Republican President Donald Trump as a demagogue who is ripping apart the country and promised to restore unity during the opening minutes of a debate on Wednesday. On the second of back-to-back nights of Democratic debates, front-runner Joe Biden was flanked at centre stage by rivals Kamala Harris and Cory Booker, US senators who are the most prominent black contenders in a Democratic nominating contest in which race has played a prominent role. Biden cited that diversity on stage in his opening statement. "Mr. President, this is America, and we are strong and great because of this diversity, Mr. President, not in spite of it," he said to Trump. "Let`s get something straight, we love it, we’re not leaving it, we’re here to stay and we’re certainly not leaving it here to you," said Biden, who was vice president under America`s first black president, Barack Obama. Seven other candidates, including former US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined them on stage in Detroit in search of a breakout moment that will generate new momentum for their campaigns. The crowded Democratic field of about two dozen candidates has been vying for attention and financial support in the race to pick a challenger to Trump in the November 2020 election. "Tonight, we have to get to the heart and soul of who we are as Democrats," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his opening statement. "There are good people on this stage but there are real differences." Biden did not figure prominently in the first night of the debate on Tuesday, which featured a clash between progressives Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren and their more moderate rivals on issues such as universal healthcare and immigration. But he was in the spotlight on Wednesday, after engaging for weeks in an escalating fight with Harris and Booker for the support of black voters, a vital constituency in the Democratic nominating battle. Biden admitted he was taken by surprise last month when Harris criticized him for opposing federally mandated busing for school integration in the 1970s and for working with segregationists while serving in the US Senate decades ago. The sharp attack gave Harris a bump in the polls, and Biden`s feeble response led to a dip in his standing. He has recovered in some recent polls and still maintains a firm grip on first place, helped by strong support from black voters. During the candidate introductions on Wednesday, Biden told Harris to "go easy on me, kid." His comment was picked up by a microphone. The debates come about six months before Iowa holds the first nominating contest, and the two nights in Detroit could be the last chance for many of the lower-tier contenders to make an appearance on the national debate stage. The Democratic National Committee will double its fundraising and polling requirements to qualify for the next debates in September and October, leaving out more candidates and raising questions about their ability to continue their campaigns.

US Democratic candidates attack Trump as Democratic presidential debate opens

Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and rival Kamala Harris battled fiercely over their healthcare plans in a debate on Wednesday, picking up where they left off last month when they had an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kamala-harris-goes-after-biden-on-race-in-us-presidential-debate-231096">explosive confrontation over race</a>.

On the second of back-to-back nights of debates, the two rivals waded into a growing fight over healthcare that has split the Democratic Party and dominated the first night of debates in Detroit on Tuesday.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-clash-on-healthcare-in-feisty-first-us-presidential-debate-230721">crowded Democratic</a> field of about two dozen candidates is vying for the right to face Republican President Donald Trump in the November <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-biden-show-distinct-styles-in-potential-2020-preview-226447">2020 election</a>.

Biden, who struck a sharper and more aggressive tone than in the first debate, ridiculed Harris` contention that her recently unveiled plan would not require a middle-class tax increase or eliminate private insurance plans.

"You can`t beat President Trump with double-talk on this plan," Biden told Harris. "The plan no matter how you cut it costs $3 trillion. It will require middle-class taxes to go up, not down. Thirdly, it will eliminate employer-based insurance."

Harris rejected Biden`s description as "simply inaccurate" and ripped into Biden`s proposal to build on President Barack Obama`s healthcare plan, popularly known as Obamacare, and include a government-run option, saying it would leave millions uninsured.

"In 2019 in America for a Democrat to be running for president with a plan that does not cover everyone, I think is without excuse," Harris said.

Highlighting Diversity

The early fireworks were expected after Biden had engaged for weeks in an escalating fight with Harris and US Senator Cory Booker for the support of black voters, a vital constituency in the Democratic nominating battle.

Biden was flanked at centre stage by Harris and Booker, the most prominent black contenders in a Democratic nominating contest in which race has played a prominent role.

He cited that diversity on stage in his opening statement, contrasting it with Trump`s recent attacks on Democratic minority lawmakers that have been widely criticized as racist.

"Mr. President, this is America, and we are strong and great because of this diversity, Mr. President, not in spite of it," he said to Republican President Donald Trump.

"Let`s get something straight, we love it, we’re not leaving it, we’re here to stay and we’re certainly not leaving it here to you," said Biden, who was vice president under Obama, the first black US president.

Seven other candidates, including former US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined them on stage in Detroit in search of a breakout moment that will generate new momentum for their campaigns.

"Tonight, we have to get to the heart and soul of who we are as Democrats," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his opening statement. "There are good people on this stage but there are real differences."

Biden admitted he was taken by surprise last month when Harris criticized him for opposing federally mandated busing for school integration in the 1970s and for working with segregationists while serving in the U.S. Senate decades ago.

The sharp attack gave Harris a bump in the polls, and Biden`s feeble response led to a dip in his standing although he has recovered in some recent polls and still maintains a firm grip on first place.

During the candidate introductions on Wednesday, Biden told Harris to "go easy on me, kid." His comment was picked up by a microphone.

The debates come about six months before Iowa holds the first nominating contest, and the two nights in Detroit could be the last chance for many of the lower-tier contenders to make an appearance on the national debate stage.

The Democratic National Committee will double its fundraising and polling requirements to qualify for the next debates in September and October, leaving out more candidates and raising questions about their ability to continue their campaigns.

Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and rival Kamala Harris battled fiercely over their healthcare plans in a debate on Wednesday, picking up where they left off last month when they had an explosive confrontation over race.

Democratic presidential front-runner Joe Biden and rival Kamala Harris battled fiercely over their healthcare plans in a debate on Wednesday, picking up where they left off last month when they had an explosive confrontation over race. On the second of back-to-back nights of debates, the two rivals waded into a growing fight over healthcare that has split the Democratic Party and dominated the first night of debates in Detroit on Tuesday. The crowded Democratic field of about two dozen candidates is vying for the right to face Republican President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election. Biden, who struck a sharper and more aggressive tone than in the first debate, ridiculed Harris` contention that her recently unveiled plan would not require a middle-class tax increase or eliminate private insurance plans. "You can`t beat President Trump with double-talk on this plan," Biden told Harris. "The plan no matter how you cut it costs $3 trillion. It will require middle-class taxes to go up, not down. Thirdly, it will eliminate employer-based insurance." Harris rejected Biden`s description as "simply inaccurate" and ripped into Biden`s proposal to build on President Barack Obama`s healthcare plan, popularly known as Obamacare, and include a government-run option, saying it would leave millions uninsured. "In 2019 in America for a Democrat to be running for president with a plan that does not cover everyone, I think is without excuse," Harris said. Highlighting Diversity The early fireworks were expected after Biden had engaged for weeks in an escalating fight with Harris and US Senator Cory Booker for the support of black voters, a vital constituency in the Democratic nominating battle. Biden was flanked at centre stage by Harris and Booker, the most prominent black contenders in a Democratic nominating contest in which race has played a prominent role. He cited that diversity on stage in his opening statement, contrasting it with Trump`s recent attacks on Democratic minority lawmakers that have been widely criticized as racist. "Mr. President, this is America, and we are strong and great because of this diversity, Mr. President, not in spite of it," he said to Republican President Donald Trump. "Let`s get something straight, we love it, we’re not leaving it, we’re here to stay and we’re certainly not leaving it here to you," said Biden, who was vice president under Obama, the first black US president. Seven other candidates, including former US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Washington Governor Jay Inslee and US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, joined them on stage in Detroit in search of a breakout moment that will generate new momentum for their campaigns. "Tonight, we have to get to the heart and soul of who we are as Democrats," said New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in his opening statement. "There are good people on this stage but there are real differences." Biden admitted he was taken by surprise last month when Harris criticized him for opposing federally mandated busing for school integration in the 1970s and for working with segregationists while serving in the U.S. Senate decades ago. The sharp attack gave Harris a bump in the polls, and Biden`s feeble response led to a dip in his standing although he has recovered in some recent polls and still maintains a firm grip on first place. During the candidate introductions on Wednesday, Biden told Harris to "go easy on me, kid." His comment was picked up by a microphone. The debates come about six months before Iowa holds the first nominating contest, and the two nights in Detroit could be the last chance for many of the lower-tier contenders to make an appearance on the national debate stage. The Democratic National Committee will double its fundraising and polling requirements to qualify for the next debates in September and October, leaving out more candidates and raising questions about their ability to continue their campaigns.

Joe Biden and Kamala Harris go on the attack in US Democratic debate

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon.

The tape of the October 1971 phone call was unearthed by Tim Naftali, former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, and his findings were published online on Wednesday in The Atlantic magazine.

The tape is of a call Reagan placed to Nixon after the United Nations voted to recognise the People's Republic of China.

Reagan, who went on to win the presidency in 1980, was an ardent defender of Taiwan and called Nixon to vent his anger at the African nations which defied the United States and voted at the UN to grant recognition to the People's Republic.

In the call, Reagan criticises the African countries which sided against the United States.

"Last night, I tell you, to watch that thing on television as I did," &nbsp;Reagan said.

"Yeah," Nixon said.

Reagan continued: "To see those, those monkeys from those African countries -- damn them, they’re still uncomfortable wearing shoes!"

Nixon responds with a huge guffaw and went on to gleefully repeat Reagan's remarks in other taped conversations with his advisers.

Naftali, who is now an associate professor at New York University, said the portion of the tape containing Reagan's remarks was initially withheld to protect his privacy but the complete version was released by the National Archives two weeks ago.

President Donald Trump has been accused of repeatedly making racist remarks and was rebuked recently by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives over "racist comments" he made about four minority Democratic lawmakers. 
&nbsp;

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon.

Then-California governor Ronald Reagan made racist remarks about Africans, calling them "monkeys" in a newly-discovered taped conversation with US president Richard Nixon. The tape of the October 1971 phone call was unearthed by Tim Naftali, former director of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library, and his findings were published online on Wednesday in The Atlantic magazine. The tape is of a call Reagan placed to Nixon after the United Nations voted to recognise the People's Republic of China. Reagan, who went on to win the presidency in 1980, was an ardent defender of Taiwan and called Nixon to vent his anger at the African nations which defied the United States and voted at the UN to grant recognition to the People's Republic. In the call, Reagan criticises the African countries which sided against the United States. "Last night, I tell you, to watch that thing on television as I did," Reagan said. "Yeah," Nixon said. Reagan continued: "To see those, those monkeys from those African countries -- damn them, they’re still uncomfortable wearing shoes!" Nixon responds with a huge guffaw and went on to gleefully repeat Reagan's remarks in other taped conversations with his advisers. Naftali, who is now an associate professor at New York University, said the portion of the tape containing Reagan's remarks was initially withheld to protect his privacy but the complete version was released by the National Archives two weeks ago. President Donald Trump has been accused of repeatedly making racist remarks and was rebuked recently by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives over "racist comments" he made about four minority Democratic lawmakers.

Those 'monkeys' from those African countries, said Ronald Reagan to ex-President Nixon in 1971

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-controversial-asylum-deal-with-guatemala-238748">obstacle for asylum-seekers </a>on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum.

The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-use-disputed-funds-of-25-billion-for-border-wall-238745">US-Mexico border</a> has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. 
&nbsp; 
Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice.&nbsp;

As part of a wider effort&nbsp;to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country.

A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction.

In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father.&nbsp;

Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group."

An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.

But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net."&nbsp;

Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States.

US President Donald Trump`s administration imposed another obstacle for asylum-seekers on Monday, finding that being persecuted based on threats against a family member is usually not enough to be granted asylum in the United States. Attorney General William Barr issued a ruling that will set the standard for all immigration judges, using the same power his predecessors Jeff Sessions and Matthew Whitaker used to try to narrow the field of people potentially eligible for asylum. The Trump administration is actively seeking to reduce the number of asylum cases, saying the system is overwhelmed by fraudulent claims. The number of people apprehended at the US-Mexico border has surged under Trump, with many Central Americans asking for refuge in the United States even though the vast majority of their claims are ultimately denied in court. Unlike the federal judiciary, US immigration courts fall under Justice Department jurisdiction, and the attorney general can intervene in cases to set national legal precedent. Trump`s attorneys general have been more active than previous administrations in this practice. As part of a wider effort to clamp down on immigration, the Trump administration has taken a series of measures recently to restrict asylum claims, including by issuing a rule requiring asylum candidates first to seek safe haven in a third country. A federal judge in San Francisco blocked the new rule last week by issuing a preliminary injunction pending trial. The government on Monday filed a motion asking the judge to suspend the injunction. In the family ties case, known as "Matter of L-E-A," Barr overruled a decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals, finding that the board improperly ruled a Mexican was eligible for asylum protection because the threats against him came about only after a drug cartel first threatened his father. Asylum law requires that claims be evaluated on a case-by-case basis if they can show their persecution was based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a "particular social group." An immigration lawyer who represented L-E-A said immigration courts for decades have considered families to be a particular social group, "so suddenly reversing that trend is likely to affect thousands of cases," said Bradley Jenkins, a litigator for Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. But Barr`s decision found that virtually every asylum-seeker is a member of a family and that, "There is no evidence that Congress intended the term `particular social group` to cast so wide a net." Decisions like the one Barr issued Monday can ultimately be appealed to federal appellate courts. In December, a US judge struck down a previous Trump administration decision aimed at denying asylum to victims of gang or domestic violence.

Trump administration enacts another obstacle to asylum cases

US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office on August 15, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-defends-attack-on-african-american-us-lawmaker-elijah-cummings-239036">President Donald Trump</a> announced on Sunday, the latest high-profile departure from his turnover-plagued administration.

Coats was regularly at odds with Trump during his tenure as Director of National Intelligence and at times appears to have been kept in the dark by his administration, but tried to avoid confrontation with the mercurial president.&nbsp;

Trump tweeted that he plans to nominate Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, who serves on the House intelligence, judiciary and homeland security committees, as the next official to oversee and coordinate the CIA, NSA and other US espionage bodies.

"A former US Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the country he loves," Trump wrote, also thanking Coats "for his great service to our Country."

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....be leaving office on August 15th. I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country. The Acting Director will be named shortly.
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If Ratcliffe's nomination is approved, Trump will get an intelligence chief who is more in synch with his views.

In Congress, he has been a staunch defender of Trump and has criticized two of the president's nemeses, former FBI chief James Comey and special counsel Robert Mueller.

Ratcliffe has also said he has "seen no evidence" that Russian election meddling helped bring Trump to office, has backed the president's assertion that court-approved surveillance of his campaign amounted to spying, and has supported his hawkish policy on Iran.

Russian election meddling is just one of several issues on which Coats has not seen eye-to-eye with Trump.

Coats backed the US intelligence community's conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election that brought Trump to office -- something the president was long loath to acknowledge.

North Korea, Islamic State group

The intelligence chief also disagreed with Trump's decision to hold two hours of closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July 2018 with no one else present but interpreters.

"If he had asked me how that ought to be conducted, I would have suggested a different way," Coats said.

He acknowledged being kept in the dark about the contents of the talks, saying three days after they were held that: "I don't know what happened in that meeting."

Trump's attempts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal via talks with Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un was another point of disagreement.

"We continue to assess that North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international concessions," Coats said in the annual "Worldwide Threat Assessment" report earlier this year.

North Korea's leaders see having a nuclear weapons capability as "critical to regime survival," Coats said.

Trump, however, has taken the view that Kim is willing to give up his nuclear arms.

The report also warned that the Islamic State group -- despite Trump's assertions to the contrary -- was hardly vanquished and could easily rise again in a vacuum left by departing US forces, resuming global attacks and restarting its propaganda machine.

The jihadist group "still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said.

Coats's departure will be the latest in a long series of exits by top Trump administration officials, including defence secretary Jim Mattis, homeland security chief Kirstjen Nielsen, chief of staff John Kelly and top diplomat Rex Tillerson.

US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office on August 15, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, the latest high-profile departure from his turnover-plagued administration.

US intelligence chief Dan Coats will leave office on August 15, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday, the latest high-profile departure from his turnover-plagued administration. Coats was regularly at odds with Trump during his tenure as Director of National Intelligence and at times appears to have been kept in the dark by his administration, but tried to avoid confrontation with the mercurial president. Trump tweeted that he plans to nominate Representative John Ratcliffe of Texas, who serves on the House intelligence, judiciary and homeland security committees, as the next official to oversee and coordinate the CIA, NSA and other US espionage bodies. "A former US Attorney, John will lead and inspire greatness for the country he loves," Trump wrote, also thanking Coats "for his great service to our Country." ....be leaving office on August 15th. I would like to thank Dan for his great service to our Country. The Acting Director will be named shortly. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 28, 2019 × If Ratcliffe's nomination is approved, Trump will get an intelligence chief who is more in synch with his views. In Congress, he has been a staunch defender of Trump and has criticized two of the president's nemeses, former FBI chief James Comey and special counsel Robert Mueller. Ratcliffe has also said he has "seen no evidence" that Russian election meddling helped bring Trump to office, has backed the president's assertion that court-approved surveillance of his campaign amounted to spying, and has supported his hawkish policy on Iran. Russian election meddling is just one of several issues on which Coats has not seen eye-to-eye with Trump. Coats backed the US intelligence community's conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election that brought Trump to office -- something the president was long loath to acknowledge. North Korea, Islamic State group The intelligence chief also disagreed with Trump's decision to hold two hours of closed-door talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki in July 2018 with no one else present but interpreters. "If he had asked me how that ought to be conducted, I would have suggested a different way," Coats said. He acknowledged being kept in the dark about the contents of the talks, saying three days after they were held that: "I don't know what happened in that meeting." Trump's attempts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal via talks with Pyongyang's leader Kim Jong Un was another point of disagreement. "We continue to assess that North Korea is unlikely to give up all of its nuclear weapons and production capabilities, even as it seeks to negotiate partial denuclearization steps to obtain key US and international concessions," Coats said in the annual "Worldwide Threat Assessment" report earlier this year. North Korea's leaders see having a nuclear weapons capability as "critical to regime survival," Coats said. Trump, however, has taken the view that Kim is willing to give up his nuclear arms. The report also warned that the Islamic State group -- despite Trump's assertions to the contrary -- was hardly vanquished and could easily rise again in a vacuum left by departing US forces, resuming global attacks and restarting its propaganda machine. The jihadist group "still commands thousands of fighters in Iraq and Syria, and it maintains eight branches, more than a dozen networks, and thousands of dispersed supporters around the world, despite significant leadership and territorial losses," Coats said. Coats's departure will be the latest in a long series of exits by top Trump administration officials, including defence secretary Jim Mattis, homeland security chief Kirstjen Nielsen, chief of staff John Kelly and top diplomat Rex Tillerson.

US intelligence chief Dan Coats to resign from Trump administration

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-macron-discussed-need-for-broad-digital-tax-deal-with-trump-elysee-238773">France </a>would proceed with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-macron-over-digital-tax-on-us-tech-giants-threatens-reciprocal-action-against-french-wine-238733">taxing revenues of big technology firms</a> and urged the United States not to bring trade tariffs into the debate on how to fairly raise levies on digital services.

Le Maire was responding to US President Donald Trump`s threat to tax French wines in retaliation for France`s digital services tax, which he says unjustly targets US companies.

"It`s in our interest to have a fair digital tax," Le Maire told reporters, speaking in English. "Please do not mix the two issues. The key question now is how we can we get consensus on fair taxation of digital activities."

Two weeks ago, the French Senate approved the 3% levy that will apply to revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with more than 25 million euros ($27.8 million) in French revenue and 750 million euros worldwide.

Other European Union countries, including Austria, Britain, Spain and Italy, have also announced plans for their own digital taxes.

Trump blasted Macron`s "foolishness" for pressing ahead with the French levy and warned his administration would announce "substantial reciprocal action".

"They shouldn`t have done this," Trump told reporters on Friday. "I told them, I said, `Don`t do it because if you do it, I`m going to tax your wine.`"

Le Maire reiterated Macron`s assurance that France would lift its national digital tax if there was a deal on a universal tax at the level of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).&nbsp;

He added that France wanted leaders of the G7 group of nations to agree on the principle of universal taxation of digital activities at next month`s summit in the coastal resort of Biarritz.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday that France would proceed with taxing revenues of big technology firms and urged the United States not to bring trade tariffs into the debate on how to fairly raise levies on digital services.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Saturday that France would proceed with taxing revenues of big technology firms and urged the United States not to bring trade tariffs into the debate on how to fairly raise levies on digital services. Le Maire was responding to US President Donald Trump`s threat to tax French wines in retaliation for France`s digital services tax, which he says unjustly targets US companies. "It`s in our interest to have a fair digital tax," Le Maire told reporters, speaking in English. "Please do not mix the two issues. The key question now is how we can we get consensus on fair taxation of digital activities." Two weeks ago, the French Senate approved the 3% levy that will apply to revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with more than 25 million euros ($27.8 million) in French revenue and 750 million euros worldwide. Other European Union countries, including Austria, Britain, Spain and Italy, have also announced plans for their own digital taxes. Trump blasted Macron`s "foolishness" for pressing ahead with the French levy and warned his administration would announce "substantial reciprocal action". "They shouldn`t have done this," Trump told reporters on Friday. "I told them, I said, `Don`t do it because if you do it, I`m going to tax your wine.`" Le Maire reiterated Macron`s assurance that France would lift its national digital tax if there was a deal on a universal tax at the level of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He added that France wanted leaders of the G7 group of nations to agree on the principle of universal taxation of digital activities at next month`s summit in the coastal resort of Biarritz.

Don't mix digital taxes and wine tariffs: France urges Trump

Just when India and the US had begun to address the uneasiness in bilateral ties due to high tariffs imposed by the two sides, President Donald Trump saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought his help in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan has increased the temperature in New Delhi.&nbsp;

Realising the impact of the false statement, US officials swung into the damage control mode, saying that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. The fact, however, remains that the damage has been done.&nbsp;

The latest statement by Trump needs to be examined in the light of his ambiguous and regressive policy towards India in recent times.&nbsp;

Sure, India has been given a preeminent position in US Indo-Pacific strategy. The Trump administration has renamed its Pacific Command as the Indo-Pacific Command, largely in recognition of India’s increasing military and economic might in the region.&nbsp;

The US has also shown interest in treating India on a par with its NATO allies, deciding to sell India an MTCT Category-1 Unmanned Aerial System, Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) and Patriot Missile Defence System.&nbsp;

While these initiatives point towards the Trump administration’s ardent desire to strengthen defence and security ties with India, the fact remains the offer of THAAD has been made only to prevent India from buying the S-400 missile system from Russia.&nbsp;

This and other defence offerings by the US also underscore the Trump administration’s efforts to secure a large portion of the Indian defence market. Understandably so, because India is the world’s second-largest arms buyer. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While US is keen to see India play a vital role in the Indo-Pacific region, Washington is not a bit concerned about addressing India’s security threats emanating from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, the continued insecurity in Afghanistan and the conflict between the US and Iran, among other issues.&nbsp;

In fact, there is a sea change in the Trump administration’s South Asia policy. In 2017, Trump’s South Asia Policy mentioned that the US will deploy more troops in Afghanistan without fixing a timeline for their return. Now, the US is holding talks with Taliban terrorists to secure a respectable exit from the 18-year-long Afghan war.&nbsp;

All this is happening without Washington consulting New Delhi on the issue. This unilateral action by the US indicates that it is not interested in protecting the interests of its allies and partners.&nbsp;

This becomes further clear from Trump’s Iran policy, which has resulted in India ending all oil imports from Iran. The possibility of India facing sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is very high because it allows the US to impose economic sanctions on countries buying Russian military weapons.&nbsp;

If these initiatives still do not give a clear picture of the direction of Trump’s policy towards India, look at the high tariffs that Washington has imposed on Indian products. While the Modi government resisted taking retaliatory measures initially, the latest move by the US finally forced India to raise the tariffs on the import of 28 US products. This, in turn, further intensified the tension between the two sides.&nbsp;

In the meantime, the massive victory of the BJP-led alliance under the leadership of Modi witnessed some positive changes in the US’ attitude.&nbsp;

Speaking at the India Ideas Summit and the 44th Annual Meeting of the US-India Business Council, secretary of state Michael Pompeo said, “Modi Hai to Mumkin Hai,” alluding to the necessity of taking concrete efforts to address each other’s concerns. Subsequently, Pompeo’s visit to India and the meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 in June infused fresh air into the relationship.&nbsp;

However, the recent development has once again derailed the momentum of improvement in the relationship. Now it remains to be seen how the US tries to engage with India, while attempting to chart out a new approach towards its ties with Pakistan and the Taliban terrorist group in Afghanistan.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-trump-s-attitude-towards-india-unpredictable-unreliable-2775756">original article)</a>

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Just when India and the US had begun to address the uneasiness in bilateral ties due to high tariffs imposed by the two sides, President Donald Trump saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought his help in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan has increased the temperature in New Delhi.

Just when India and the US had begun to address the uneasiness in bilateral ties due to high tariffs imposed by the two sides, President Donald Trump saying that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought his help in resolving the Kashmir issue with Pakistan has increased the temperature in New Delhi. Realising the impact of the false statement, US officials swung into the damage control mode, saying that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan. The fact, however, remains that the damage has been done. The latest statement by Trump needs to be examined in the light of his ambiguous and regressive policy towards India in recent times. Sure, India has been given a preeminent position in US Indo-Pacific strategy. The Trump administration has renamed its Pacific Command as the Indo-Pacific Command, largely in recognition of India’s increasing military and economic might in the region. The US has also shown interest in treating India on a par with its NATO allies, deciding to sell India an MTCT Category-1 Unmanned Aerial System, Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) and Patriot Missile Defence System. While these initiatives point towards the Trump administration’s ardent desire to strengthen defence and security ties with India, the fact remains the offer of THAAD has been made only to prevent India from buying the S-400 missile system from Russia. This and other defence offerings by the US also underscore the Trump administration’s efforts to secure a large portion of the Indian defence market. Understandably so, because India is the world’s second-largest arms buyer. While US is keen to see India play a vital role in the Indo-Pacific region, Washington is not a bit concerned about addressing India’s security threats emanating from Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, the continued insecurity in Afghanistan and the conflict between the US and Iran, among other issues. In fact, there is a sea change in the Trump administration’s South Asia policy. In 2017, Trump’s South Asia Policy mentioned that the US will deploy more troops in Afghanistan without fixing a timeline for their return. Now, the US is holding talks with Taliban terrorists to secure a respectable exit from the 18-year-long Afghan war. All this is happening without Washington consulting New Delhi on the issue. This unilateral action by the US indicates that it is not interested in protecting the interests of its allies and partners. This becomes further clear from Trump’s Iran policy, which has resulted in India ending all oil imports from Iran. The possibility of India facing sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) is very high because it allows the US to impose economic sanctions on countries buying Russian military weapons. If these initiatives still do not give a clear picture of the direction of Trump’s policy towards India, look at the high tariffs that Washington has imposed on Indian products. While the Modi government resisted taking retaliatory measures initially, the latest move by the US finally forced India to raise the tariffs on the import of 28 US products. This, in turn, further intensified the tension between the two sides. In the meantime, the massive victory of the BJP-led alliance under the leadership of Modi witnessed some positive changes in the US’ attitude. Speaking at the India Ideas Summit and the 44th Annual Meeting of the US-India Business Council, secretary of state Michael Pompeo said, “Modi Hai to Mumkin Hai,” alluding to the necessity of taking concrete efforts to address each other’s concerns. Subsequently, Pompeo’s visit to India and the meeting between Modi and Trump during the G-20 in June infused fresh air into the relationship. However, the recent development has once again derailed the momentum of improvement in the relationship. Now it remains to be seen how the US tries to engage with India, while attempting to chart out a new approach towards its ties with Pakistan and the Taliban terrorist group in Afghanistan. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Donald Trump’s attitude towards India unpredictable, unreliable

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bjps-bs-yediyurappa-takes-oath-as-karnataka-chief-minister-for-fourth-time-238660">BJP's BS Yediyurappa takes oath as Karnataka chief minister for fourth time</a>

Yediyurappa was administered oath by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. He will have to prove the majority of his government in state Assembly by July 31.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-is-chinas-hong-kong-will-never-allow-any-foreign-forces-to-intervene-foreign-ministry-238638">Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, will never allow any foreign forces to intervene: Foreign ministry</a>

After protesters lay siege to Hong Kong's airport&nbsp;chanting ant-China slogans, China's foreign ministry said Hong Kong belongs to China and it will not allow foreign forces to interfere.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-would-personally-vouch-for-mayers-bail-says-trump-238654">PM Lofven is very clear, everyone is equal before the law: Sweden on Trump backing rapper A$AP Rocky</a>

Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from&nbsp;United States&nbsp;President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged US rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-notice-to-centre-states-for-implementation-of-guidelines-to-prevent-mob-lynching-238625">Supreme Court notice to Centre, states for implementation of guidelines to prevent mob lynching</a>

The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and several states on a plea seeking proper implementation of the court's 2018 judgement laying down guidelines to prevent&nbsp;mob lynching.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/17-opposition-mps-express-concern-over-passing-bills-without-scrutiny-write-to-rajya-sabha-chairman-238669">17 Opposition MPs express concern over passing Bills without scrutiny, write to Rajya Sabha Chairman</a>

As many as 17 opposition members have written to&nbsp;Rajya Sabha&nbsp;Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu raising serious concerns over how the Central government is "hurriedly"&nbsp;passing legislation&nbsp;without any scrutiny by the Standing or Select Committees of Parliament. 
&nbsp;

BJP's BS Yediyurappa takes oath as Karnataka chief minister for fourth time Yediyurappa was administered oath by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru.

BJP's BS Yediyurappa takes oath as Karnataka chief minister for fourth time Yediyurappa was administered oath by Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru. He will have to prove the majority of his government in state Assembly by July 31. Hong Kong is China's Hong Kong, will never allow any foreign forces to intervene: Foreign ministry After protesters lay siege to Hong Kong's airport chanting ant-China slogans, China's foreign ministry said Hong Kong belongs to China and it will not allow foreign forces to interfere. PM Lofven is very clear, everyone is equal before the law: Sweden on Trump backing rapper A$AP Rocky Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from United States President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged US rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference. Supreme Court notice to Centre, states for implementation of guidelines to prevent mob lynching The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and several states on a plea seeking proper implementation of the court's 2018 judgement laying down guidelines to prevent mob lynching. 17 Opposition MPs express concern over passing Bills without scrutiny, write to Rajya Sabha Chairman As many as 17 opposition members have written to Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu raising serious concerns over how the Central government is "hurriedly" passing legislation without any scrutiny by the Standing or Select Committees of Parliament.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/us-calls-for-no-more-north-korean-provocations-hopes-to-resume-talks-238539&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiKxpqEzdLjAhUDaI8KHcUnC0kQFjAFegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1BOBziYODgLsYPFJmrr2vN">United States</a> President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged US rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference.

Best known for his song "Praise the Lord", the 30-year-old performer, producer, and model, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was detained about three weeks ago following a street altercation with two men in Stockholm on June 30. A$AP Rocky, who was charged on Thursday, will go on trial next week.

Trump, who last week urged Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to free A$AP Rocky, fired off tweets on Thursday saying he was "very disappointed" in Lofven and demanding: "Treat Americans fairly!"

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Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeRocky?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeRocky</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1154501344323080192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump added: "We do so much for Sweden but it doesn't seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! #FreeRocky."

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Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeRocky?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreeRocky</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1154502673514684416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
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A spokesman for the Swedish government said on Friday the government would not get involved in the case.

"Sweden and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven have been very clear in the dialogue with both the White House and directly with the American president, that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot interfere in legal proceedings," the spokesman said in a text message.

Mayers has said he is innocent and that the men provoked him and his two companions, who have also been charged with assault. If convicted, they could face up to two years in jail.

Trump has said he would personally vouch for Mayers' bail. Sweden does not have a bail system.

Former prime minister Carl Bildt told the daily Aftonbladet that Lofven was right not to comment further on the case.

"I think it's right of the government not to go into a mud wrestling match with Trump. That is his element, and should not be Sweden's," Bildt said.

Mayers, also known by the pseudonym Lord Flacko, was in Stockholm to perform at the Smash hip-hop festival. His arrest forced him to cancel a dozen shows scheduled as part of his Europe tour.

Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from United States President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged US rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference.

Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from United States President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged US rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference. Best known for his song "Praise the Lord", the 30-year-old performer, producer, and model, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was detained about three weeks ago following a street altercation with two men in Stockholm on June 30. A$AP Rocky, who was charged on Thursday, will go on trial next week. Trump, who last week urged Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to free A$AP Rocky, fired off tweets on Thursday saying he was "very disappointed" in Lofven and demanding: "Treat Americans fairly!" Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly! #FreeRocky — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019 × Trump added: "We do so much for Sweden but it doesn't seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! #FreeRocky." Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! #FreeRocky — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019 × A spokesman for the Swedish government said on Friday the government would not get involved in the case. "Sweden and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven have been very clear in the dialogue with both the White House and directly with the American president, that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot interfere in legal proceedings," the spokesman said in a text message. Mayers has said he is innocent and that the men provoked him and his two companions, who have also been charged with assault. If convicted, they could face up to two years in jail. Trump has said he would personally vouch for Mayers' bail. Sweden does not have a bail system. Former prime minister Carl Bildt told the daily Aftonbladet that Lofven was right not to comment further on the case. "I think it's right of the government not to go into a mud wrestling match with Trump. That is his element, and should not be Sweden's," Bildt said. Mayers, also known by the pseudonym Lord Flacko, was in Stockholm to perform at the Smash hip-hop festival. His arrest forced him to cancel a dozen shows scheduled as part of his Europe tour.

PM Lofven is very clear, everyone is equal before the law: Sweden on Trump backing rapper A$AP Rocky

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in his weekly presser said, "There was a statement made by us, External Affairs Minister in both houses of the Parliament. State Department has issued a clarification in this regard."

Calling India-US ties important, Raveesh said, "We are a very strong strategic partnership, we have deep convergences on range of issues. We have excellent trade and investment linkages... we are moving towards technological ties up"

He added, "Our relationship with the US remains multifaceted.. stands on its own merit. We have broadened convergence"

Trump earlier this week riled up India when he said PM Modi during his meet with him on the sidelines of G20 summit had asked him to mediate on Kashmir.&nbsp;

This was immediately dismissed by India with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "categorically" assuring the Parliament that no such suggestion was ever made. The state department too said its a bilateral issue and US can only assist.

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides.

Days after United States President Donald Trump ruffled up feathers by his comments on mediation on Kashmir, New Delhi has said its time to "move on" since clarification has been given by both sides. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar in his weekly presser said, "There was a statement made by us, External Affairs Minister in both houses of the Parliament. State Department has issued a clarification in this regard." Calling India-US ties important, Raveesh said, "We are a very strong strategic partnership, we have deep convergences on range of issues. We have excellent trade and investment linkages... we are moving towards technological ties up" He added, "Our relationship with the US remains multifaceted.. stands on its own merit. We have broadened convergence" Trump earlier this week riled up India when he said PM Modi during his meet with him on the sidelines of G20 summit had asked him to mediate on Kashmir. This was immediately dismissed by India with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar "categorically" assuring the Parliament that no such suggestion was ever made. The state department too said its a bilateral issue and US can only assist.

Time to move on from Trump's Kashmir comments: MEA

The US Justice Department announced on Thursday it was reinstating a two-decades long dormant policy to resume the federal government's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-for-man-involved-in-calculated-murder-of-chinese-student-234135">use of capital punishment</a> and immediately scheduled the executions for five death row federal inmates.

"Congress has expressly authorised the death penalty through legislation adopted by the people’s representatives in both houses of Congress and signed by the President," Attorney General William Barr said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The Justice Department upholds the rule of law - and we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system."

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has called for increasing use of the death penalty for drug traffickers and mass shooters.

The Justice Department said it has scheduled executions for five federal inmates who have been convicted of horrific murders and sex crimes.

Those inmates include Daniel Lewis Lee, a white supremacist who was convicted in Arkansas for murdering a family of three, including an eight-year-old girl.

Another one of the five is Lezmond Mitchell, who was found guilty by a jury in Arizona of stabbing a 63-year-old grandmother and forcing her young granddaughter to sit next to her lifeless body on a car journey before slitting the girl's throat.

"Each of these inmates has exhausted their appellate and post-conviction remedies," the department said, adding that all five executions will take place at the US&nbsp;Penitentiary Terre Haute in Indiana.

The US Justice Department announced on Thursday it was reinstating a two-decades long dormant policy to resume the federal government's use of capital punishment and immediately scheduled the executions for five death row federal inmates.

The US Justice Department announced on Thursday it was reinstating a two-decades long dormant policy to resume the federal government's use of capital punishment and immediately scheduled the executions for five death row federal inmates. "Congress has expressly authorised the death penalty through legislation adopted by the people’s representatives in both houses of Congress and signed by the President," Attorney General William Barr said in a statement. "The Justice Department upholds the rule of law - and we owe it to the victims and their families to carry forward the sentence imposed by our justice system." US President Donald Trump has called for increasing use of the death penalty for drug traffickers and mass shooters. The Justice Department said it has scheduled executions for five federal inmates who have been convicted of horrific murders and sex crimes. Those inmates include Daniel Lewis Lee, a white supremacist who was convicted in Arkansas for murdering a family of three, including an eight-year-old girl. Another one of the five is Lezmond Mitchell, who was found guilty by a jury in Arizona of stabbing a 63-year-old grandmother and forcing her young granddaughter to sit next to her lifeless body on a car journey before slitting the girl's throat. "Each of these inmates has exhausted their appellate and post-conviction remedies," the department said, adding that all five executions will take place at the US Penitentiary Terre Haute in Indiana.

US Justice Department reinstates death penalty after Trump, Congress approval

Boris Johnson is set to take over as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party has elected him as the new leader. Boris Johnson is referred to as 'Britain's Trump' by many.

They are remarkably similar figures. Some feel that even look alike.

Just like the US President, Johnson's focus has been on controlling immigration and restoring the United Kingdom's standing in global issues.

A big win for Johnson would have been incomplete without Trump's compliment.

The US President Donald Trump congratulated the new prime minister and said that he was going to be a really good prime minister.

Trump also spoke about how people refer to johnson as Britain's Trump. He said that is what Britain needs.

"A really good man is going to be the Prime Minister of the UK now, Boris Johnson. Goodman. He's tough and he's smart. This ain't Britain-Trump.&nbsp;They call him Britain-Trump and people are saying that's a good thing — that they like me over there — that's what they wanted. That's what they need, what they need, he'll get it done. Boris is good. He's gonna do a good job," said Trump.

Boris Johnson is set to take over as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party has elected him as the new leader. Boris Johnson is referred to as 'Britain's Trump' by many.

Boris Johnson is set to take over as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party has elected him as the new leader. Boris Johnson is referred to as 'Britain's Trump' by many. They are remarkably similar figures. Some feel that even look alike. Just like the US President, Johnson's focus has been on controlling immigration and restoring the United Kingdom's standing in global issues. A big win for Johnson would have been incomplete without Trump's compliment. The US President Donald Trump congratulated the new prime minister and said that he was going to be a really good prime minister. Trump also spoke about how people refer to johnson as Britain's Trump. He said that is what Britain needs. "A really good man is going to be the Prime Minister of the UK now, Boris Johnson. Goodman. He's tough and he's smart. This ain't Britain-Trump. They call him Britain-Trump and people are saying that's a good thing — that they like me over there — that's what they wanted. That's what they need, what they need, he'll get it done. Boris is good. He's gonna do a good job," said Trump.

They call him 'Britain's Trump', says US President on Boris Johnson

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times.

As per a schedule released by the White House, the meeting will begin at around 12:05 pm and would be followed by an expanded bilateral lunch at around 12.50 pm.

Khan would be accompanied by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, confirmed military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor.&nbsp;

The US-Pakistan relationship has been strained in recent times, especially after Trump struck down an aid amounting to $1.3 billion to Pakistan last year. Washington had said that the aid would remain suspended until Islamabad takes steps against harbouring terrorists on its soil.

A tweet by Pakistan's Information Ministry on Sunday stated that the meeting is likely to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation on trade and investment, as well as working "toward peace in South Asia at large and Afghanistan in particular".

After accompanying Khan at the bilateral meeting, the Army Chief will visit the Pentagon to have interaction with US military leadership, informed Ghafoor.

"COAS at Washington, DC. On 22 July 19, after the meeting at White House as part of Prime Minister's delegation, COAS will visit Pentagon to interact with Acting Secretary Defence Mr. Richard Spencer, CJCS Gen Joseph Dunford, and Chief of Staff of US Army Gen Mark A Milley," Ghafoor wrote on Twitter.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times.

Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan will hold a bilateral meeting with United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday afternoon to repair damaged ties between the two countries in recent times. As per a schedule released by the White House, the meeting will begin at around 12:05 pm and would be followed by an expanded bilateral lunch at around 12.50 pm. Khan would be accompanied by Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, confirmed military spokesperson Asif Ghafoor. The US-Pakistan relationship has been strained in recent times, especially after Trump struck down an aid amounting to $1.3 billion to Pakistan last year. Washington had said that the aid would remain suspended until Islamabad takes steps against harbouring terrorists on its soil. A tweet by Pakistan's Information Ministry on Sunday stated that the meeting is likely to focus on expanding bilateral cooperation on trade and investment, as well as working "toward peace in South Asia at large and Afghanistan in particular". After accompanying Khan at the bilateral meeting, the Army Chief will visit the Pentagon to have interaction with US military leadership, informed Ghafoor. "COAS at Washington, DC. On 22 July 19, after the meeting at White House as part of Prime Minister's delegation, COAS will visit Pentagon to interact with Acting Secretary Defence Mr. Richard Spencer, CJCS Gen Joseph Dunford, and Chief of Staff of US Army Gen Mark A Milley," Ghafoor wrote on Twitter.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Trump to hold bilateral meeting today

US President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his attacks on four liberal Democrats in Congress, all women of color who have criticized his policies, calling on them to apologize as he himself faced charges of racism.

The Republican president`s incendiary comments dovetail with the anti-immigrant stance he has embraced since his 2016 campaign for the White House, which included saying Mexico was sending rapists into the country and seeking to ban people from Muslim-majority nations.

"I don`t believe the four Congresswomen are capable of loving our Country. They should apologize to America (and Israel) for the horrible (hateful) things they have said," Trump said in a Twitter post.

Trump ignited controversy last weekend when he tweeted that the Democratic congresswomen should "go back" to where they came from if they do not like the United States.&nbsp;

Three of the lawmakers - US Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - were born in the United States. Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota came as a refugee from Somalia and is a naturalized citizen.&nbsp;

The first-term congresswomen, known as "the squad," have been very critical of Trump and have also challenged their own Democratic leadership.

US Representative Elijah Cummings, the Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, denounced Trump`s latest attack and said he had "no doubt" that Trump was a racist.

"These are folks and women who love their country and they work very hard and they want to move us towards that more perfect union that our founding fathers talked about," Cummings, who is African-American, said on ABC`s "This Week."

"So when you disagree with the president, suddenly you`re a bad person. Our allegiance is not to the president. Our allegiance is to the Constitution of the United States of America and to the American people."

A day after saying his audience at a campaign rally in North Carolina went too far in chanting "Send her back!" about Omar, Trump on Friday defended the crowd members as "incredible patriots."

Omar said after Wednesday night`s rally that Trump was "spewing fascist ideology." On Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez accused Trump of intentionally egging on the vitriol, pausing while the crowd chanted.

"Roll back the tape ... He relished it. He took it in and he`s doing this intentionally," she said at a town hall meeting on immigration in Queens. 
Stephen Miller, Trump`s top immigration adviser, said the president made clear he disagreed with the "Send her back" chants.

"The core issue is that all the people in that audience, and millions of patriotic Americans all across this country are tired of being beat up, condescended to, looked down upon, talked down to by members of Congress on the left in Washington, DC, and their allies in many quarters of the media," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

US President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his attacks on four liberal Democrats in Congress, all women of color who have criticized his policies, calling on them to apologize as he himself faced charges of racism.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday stepped up his attacks on four liberal Democrats in Congress, all women of color who have criticized his policies, calling on them to apologize as he himself faced charges of racism. The Republican president`s incendiary comments dovetail with the anti-immigrant stance he has embraced since his 2016 campaign for the White House, which included saying Mexico was sending rapists into the country and seeking to ban people from Muslim-majority nations. "I don`t believe the four Congresswomen are capable of loving our Country. They should apologize to America (and Israel) for the horrible (hateful) things they have said," Trump said in a Twitter post. Trump ignited controversy last weekend when he tweeted that the Democratic congresswomen should "go back" to where they came from if they do not like the United States. Three of the lawmakers - US Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - were born in the United States. Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota came as a refugee from Somalia and is a naturalized citizen. The first-term congresswomen, known as "the squad," have been very critical of Trump and have also challenged their own Democratic leadership. US Representative Elijah Cummings, the Democratic chairman of the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, denounced Trump`s latest attack and said he had "no doubt" that Trump was a racist. "These are folks and women who love their country and they work very hard and they want to move us towards that more perfect union that our founding fathers talked about," Cummings, who is African-American, said on ABC`s "This Week." "So when you disagree with the president, suddenly you`re a bad person. Our allegiance is not to the president. Our allegiance is to the Constitution of the United States of America and to the American people." A day after saying his audience at a campaign rally in North Carolina went too far in chanting "Send her back!" about Omar, Trump on Friday defended the crowd members as "incredible patriots." Omar said after Wednesday night`s rally that Trump was "spewing fascist ideology." On Saturday, Ocasio-Cortez accused Trump of intentionally egging on the vitriol, pausing while the crowd chanted. "Roll back the tape ... He relished it. He took it in and he`s doing this intentionally," she said at a town hall meeting on immigration in Queens. Stephen Miller, Trump`s top immigration adviser, said the president made clear he disagreed with the "Send her back" chants. "The core issue is that all the people in that audience, and millions of patriotic Americans all across this country are tired of being beat up, condescended to, looked down upon, talked down to by members of Congress on the left in Washington, DC, and their allies in many quarters of the media," he said on "Fox News Sunday."

Trump says Democratic congresswoman 'should apologize to America'

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-meets-pakistan-businessmen-during-us-visit-237467">Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> on Monday.

In his letter, the organisation`s founder, Nadeem Nusrat, urged Trump to "raise several critical issues" with Khan during their upcoming meeting.&nbsp;

This includes the state of affairs in Karachi -- home to Mohajirs -- which remains deprived of even the most basic civic facilities, according to Nadeem.

He highlighted that Karachi`s millions of frustrated, poor, and unemployed, yet talented and educated, youth could easily fall prey to religious extremists, including ISIS, which recently vowed to make Pakistan its next powerbase.

"Reforms in Karachi are the key to turning the corner on resisting the terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan to benefit not only the interest of the US but those of the civilized world," Nadeem stated in his letter.

"As we all know, criminal and terrorist forces thrive in places where frustration, poverty and hunger dominate. This is why it is critical from the US safety and security perspective to work closely with Pakistan to ensure justice for people living in urban Sindh. Again, largescale political and financial reforms in Karachi are key to the elimination of the terrorist elements in Pakistan," he added.

He highlighted a few focus areas in Karachi which could be raised during the Khan-Trump meeting.&nbsp;

They range from the fair representation of the people of Karachi to the persecution of Mohajirs, or Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947.

"There must be a crack-down on the draconian brutality of the actions of the quasi-military police force which is the source of deaths, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, political engineering, and basic civil rights abuses," Nadeem said.

"Law and order is a serious issue in Karachi. Over 90 per cent of the personnel of every law enforcement agency operating in Karachi is recruited from outside the city. At first brush, that may not seem important. However, we get back to the ethnic and cultural prejudice," he wrote.

"The large majority of Karachi citizens subject to these abuses are Urdu-speaking Mohajirs: Mohajirs are the descendants of those Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947; The religious, cultural and ethnic differences of these Mohajirs from the law enforcement personnel, who are not Mohajirs, is the basis of the gross human rights atrocities," Nadeem stated.

"These non-local security forces treat citizens of Karachi with utmost disrespect and contempt. Human rights violations are a daily occurrence and thousands of Karachi`s citizens have gone missing in the last few years after being taken into unlawful custody by non-local law enforcement agencies.&nbsp;

Around 25,000 people in Karachi have also been killed in fake encounters at the hands of police and paramilitary forces," he said, highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

He also outlined that a few law enforcement agencies patronise and protect organised criminal gangs -- known as tanker mafia -- that steal Karachi`s water from main pipelines and sell it to Karachi`s poor residents through privately-owned tankers at exorbitant prices.

"In addition, two federal governments in Pakistan, in 1990 and 1996, were dissolved due to their involvement in extrajudicial executions of Karachi citizens, but the state has prosecuted even a single culprit responsible for these crimes against humanity. These facts have been reported by Amnesty International, UNO`s Commission on Human Rights, UNO`s Special Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance, as well as many other independent human rights organizations," he added.

Nadeem further stated that these intimidation tactics to politically control the population of Karachi through the denial of basic human needs and the right of representation are adverse to the political and security interest of the US.

"If it continues, ISIS and similar terrorist organisations can prey on the vulnerabilities of this Karachi population and find sanctuaries there...Chinese influence is sneaking its way into the Karachi vicinity and maybe in a position, with the direct or indirect approval of the Pakistan government, to lure those needy citizens of Karachi to work and thereby be brought into the influence of the Chinese government," he stated.

"The World Bank has catalogued even more problems than I have described in this letter that the city of Karachi is facing. The authors of the report have made some important recommendations besides strongly urging the Pakistan Government to spend at least 10 billion dollars every year on top of the city`s regular annual budget to make Karachi a viable city. Both federal and Sindh governments, however, have refused to implement any of those recommendations," the founder said.

He requested Trump to instruct the US State Department and the USAID to work closely with Karachi and Pakistan`s elected leadership to promote fair representation of the citizens of Karachi in the local and national government, free speech, religious freedom, free trade, freedom from oppressive para-military police force actions and provide opportunities for basic human development.

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.

A US-based non-profit organisation, the South Asian Minorities Alliance Foundation, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump highlighting the abuses faced by Mohajirs in Pakistan, ahead of the leader`s meeting with the South Asian country`s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday. In his letter, the organisation`s founder, Nadeem Nusrat, urged Trump to "raise several critical issues" with Khan during their upcoming meeting. This includes the state of affairs in Karachi -- home to Mohajirs -- which remains deprived of even the most basic civic facilities, according to Nadeem. He highlighted that Karachi`s millions of frustrated, poor, and unemployed, yet talented and educated, youth could easily fall prey to religious extremists, including ISIS, which recently vowed to make Pakistan its next powerbase. "Reforms in Karachi are the key to turning the corner on resisting the terrorist sanctuaries in Pakistan to benefit not only the interest of the US but those of the civilized world," Nadeem stated in his letter. "As we all know, criminal and terrorist forces thrive in places where frustration, poverty and hunger dominate. This is why it is critical from the US safety and security perspective to work closely with Pakistan to ensure justice for people living in urban Sindh. Again, largescale political and financial reforms in Karachi are key to the elimination of the terrorist elements in Pakistan," he added. He highlighted a few focus areas in Karachi which could be raised during the Khan-Trump meeting. They range from the fair representation of the people of Karachi to the persecution of Mohajirs, or Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. "There must be a crack-down on the draconian brutality of the actions of the quasi-military police force which is the source of deaths, kidnappings, enforced disappearances, political engineering, and basic civil rights abuses," Nadeem said. "Law and order is a serious issue in Karachi. Over 90 per cent of the personnel of every law enforcement agency operating in Karachi is recruited from outside the city. At first brush, that may not seem important. However, we get back to the ethnic and cultural prejudice," he wrote. "The large majority of Karachi citizens subject to these abuses are Urdu-speaking Mohajirs: Mohajirs are the descendants of those Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947; The religious, cultural and ethnic differences of these Mohajirs from the law enforcement personnel, who are not Mohajirs, is the basis of the gross human rights atrocities," Nadeem stated. "These non-local security forces treat citizens of Karachi with utmost disrespect and contempt. Human rights violations are a daily occurrence and thousands of Karachi`s citizens have gone missing in the last few years after being taken into unlawful custody by non-local law enforcement agencies. Around 25,000 people in Karachi have also been killed in fake encounters at the hands of police and paramilitary forces," he said, highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. He also outlined that a few law enforcement agencies patronise and protect organised criminal gangs -- known as tanker mafia -- that steal Karachi`s water from main pipelines and sell it to Karachi`s poor residents through privately-owned tankers at exorbitant prices. "In addition, two federal governments in Pakistan, in 1990 and 1996, were dissolved due to their involvement in extrajudicial executions of Karachi citizens, but the state has prosecuted even a single culprit responsible for these crimes against humanity. These facts have been reported by Amnesty International, UNO`s Commission on Human Rights, UNO`s Special Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance, as well as many other independent human rights organizations," he added. Nadeem further stated that these intimidation tactics to politically control the population of Karachi through the denial of basic human needs and the right of representation are adverse to the political and security interest of the US. "If it continues, ISIS and similar terrorist organisations can prey on the vulnerabilities of this Karachi population and find sanctuaries there...Chinese influence is sneaking its way into the Karachi vicinity and maybe in a position, with the direct or indirect approval of the Pakistan government, to lure those needy citizens of Karachi to work and thereby be brought into the influence of the Chinese government," he stated. "The World Bank has catalogued even more problems than I have described in this letter that the city of Karachi is facing. The authors of the report have made some important recommendations besides strongly urging the Pakistan Government to spend at least 10 billion dollars every year on top of the city`s regular annual budget to make Karachi a viable city. Both federal and Sindh governments, however, have refused to implement any of those recommendations," the founder said. He requested Trump to instruct the US State Department and the USAID to work closely with Karachi and Pakistan`s elected leadership to promote fair representation of the citizens of Karachi in the local and national government, free speech, religious freedom, free trade, freedom from oppressive para-military police force actions and provide opportunities for basic human development.

Trump apprised of persecution of Mohajirs in Pakistan ahead of meeting with Imran Khan

The top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/factbox-clash-between-trump-us-house-democrats-shifts-into-courts-228730">Democrat</a> on the US House Judiciary Committee said Sunday he believes there is "substantial evidence" that President Donald Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanours, and he plans to ask former Special Counsel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-mueller-testimony-on-russia-meddling-investigation-postponed-reports-235395">Robert Mueller</a> to present those facts at a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

"The report presents very substantial evidence that the president is guilty of high crime and misdemeanours, and we have to let Mueller present those facts to the American people and then see where we go from there," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said on "Fox News Sunday."

"The administration must be held accountable, and no president can be above the law."

Nadler`s comments are significant because evidence of such crimes would be required if Democrats pursue impeachment proceedings against the president.

In two nationally televised back-to-back hearings on Wednesday before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees, Democrats are expected to try and get Mueller to focus his testimony on specific examples of Trump`s misconduct.

By having Mueller lay bare the unflattering details of how Trump tried to stymie the investigation into his campaign, Democrats hope they can build support for their ongoing investigations into the president and potentially, impeachment proceedings.

Some Democrats in Congress support impeaching Trump, but they have not managed to win traction from House Democratic leadership including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has preferred a more cautious approach that entails conducting congressional fact-finding investigations into Trump`s conduct.

Last week, the House voted 332-95 to table an impeachment resolution.&nbsp;

Mueller completed his nearly two-year-long probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election in March, and the Justice Department released a redacted copy of his report in April.

The report laid out numerous contacts between Russian officials and Trump`s campaign but found no evidence of a criminal conspiracy. 
It also gave examples of 10 incidents in which Trump sought to hinder the investigation, but it did not draw any conclusions on whether Trump obstructed justice.&nbsp;

Attorney General William Barr later concluded he did not see enough evidence to bring obstruction charges.

Whether Democrats will get Mueller to discuss Trump`s conduct in detail remains to be seen.

Mueller has made it clear he has no desire to appear before Congress, saying the report is his testimony, and he is also notorious for being tight-lipped and for giving one-word answers in hearings.

Nadler said Democrats plan to ask very specific questions about Trump`s obstructive conduct and ask Mueller to read passages from the report aloud.

"We hope it won`t end up being a dud," he said of the hearing.

Meanwhile, Nadler said Sunday he plans to go to court "within a couple of days" after the Mueller hearings to enforce a subpoena, after the White House ordered former White House Counsel Don McGahn not to testify about incidents he witnessed which many say show Trump tried to obstruct justice.

The top Democrat on the US House Judiciary Committee said Sunday he believes there is "substantial evidence" that President Donald Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanours, and he plans to ask former Special Counsel Robert Mueller to present those facts at a congressional hearing on Wednesday.

The top Democrat on the US House Judiciary Committee said Sunday he believes there is "substantial evidence" that President Donald Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanours, and he plans to ask former Special Counsel Robert Mueller to present those facts at a congressional hearing on Wednesday. "The report presents very substantial evidence that the president is guilty of high crime and misdemeanours, and we have to let Mueller present those facts to the American people and then see where we go from there," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said on "Fox News Sunday." "The administration must be held accountable, and no president can be above the law." Nadler`s comments are significant because evidence of such crimes would be required if Democrats pursue impeachment proceedings against the president. In two nationally televised back-to-back hearings on Wednesday before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees, Democrats are expected to try and get Mueller to focus his testimony on specific examples of Trump`s misconduct. By having Mueller lay bare the unflattering details of how Trump tried to stymie the investigation into his campaign, Democrats hope they can build support for their ongoing investigations into the president and potentially, impeachment proceedings. Some Democrats in Congress support impeaching Trump, but they have not managed to win traction from House Democratic leadership including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has preferred a more cautious approach that entails conducting congressional fact-finding investigations into Trump`s conduct. Last week, the House voted 332-95 to table an impeachment resolution. Mueller completed his nearly two-year-long probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 election in March, and the Justice Department released a redacted copy of his report in April. The report laid out numerous contacts between Russian officials and Trump`s campaign but found no evidence of a criminal conspiracy. It also gave examples of 10 incidents in which Trump sought to hinder the investigation, but it did not draw any conclusions on whether Trump obstructed justice. Attorney General William Barr later concluded he did not see enough evidence to bring obstruction charges. Whether Democrats will get Mueller to discuss Trump`s conduct in detail remains to be seen. Mueller has made it clear he has no desire to appear before Congress, saying the report is his testimony, and he is also notorious for being tight-lipped and for giving one-word answers in hearings. Nadler said Democrats plan to ask very specific questions about Trump`s obstructive conduct and ask Mueller to read passages from the report aloud. "We hope it won`t end up being a dud," he said of the hearing. Meanwhile, Nadler said Sunday he plans to go to court "within a couple of days" after the Mueller hearings to enforce a subpoena, after the White House ordered former White House Counsel Don McGahn not to testify about incidents he witnessed which many say show Trump tried to obstruct justice.

Mueller report shows evidence Trump committed crimes: House Judiciary chairman

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-health-is-a-private-matter-germans-say-after-shaking-bouts-235572">German Chancellor Angela Merkel</a> on Friday condemned <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-destroyed-iranian-drone-in-strait-of-hormuz-says-donald-trump-236999">President Donald Trump</a>'s xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great."

"I firmly distance myself from (the attacks) and I feel solidarity towards" the women, she told journalists.

"In my view, the strength of America lies in that people from different (origins) contributed to what makes the country great."

Trump on Sunday urged a group of four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- all American citizens and three of them US-born -- to "go back" to their countries of origin.

Despite a domestic uproar over the comments which were deemed "racist" by the House of Representatives, Trump repeatedly renewed his attack.

"If you're not happy here, you can leave ... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted on Tuesday, while repeating the same message to a rally on Wednesday.

International condemnation has rained down over the comments, with British Prime Minister Theresa May calling them "completely unacceptable" and New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern saying she "completely and utterly" disagrees with him.

While usually refraining from commenting on other countries' domestic politics, Merkel on Friday also had markedly sharp words about Trump's latest attacks.

Questions over racism are particularly sensitive in Germany given its Nazi past, and the government routinely speaks out forcefully in favour of tolerance and diversity.

While Merkel had shared a visibly warm relationship with former US president Barack Obama, her contact with Trump has been formal and firm.&nbsp;

Setting the tone from the start, Merkel in her first phone call with Trump after he took office offered cooperation, but also reminded him of democratic values.

That phone call led some commentators to suggest she had taken on the mantle of the "leader of the free world", a title usually reserved for US presidents.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday condemned President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday condemned President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets against four minority Democratic congresswomen, saying the US leader's attacks "go against what makes America great." "I firmly distance myself from (the attacks) and I feel solidarity towards" the women, she told journalists. "In my view, the strength of America lies in that people from different (origins) contributed to what makes the country great." Trump on Sunday urged a group of four progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour -- all American citizens and three of them US-born -- to "go back" to their countries of origin. Despite a domestic uproar over the comments which were deemed "racist" by the House of Representatives, Trump repeatedly renewed his attack. "If you're not happy here, you can leave ... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted on Tuesday, while repeating the same message to a rally on Wednesday. International condemnation has rained down over the comments, with British Prime Minister Theresa May calling them "completely unacceptable" and New Zealand's leader Jacinda Ardern saying she "completely and utterly" disagrees with him. While usually refraining from commenting on other countries' domestic politics, Merkel on Friday also had markedly sharp words about Trump's latest attacks. Questions over racism are particularly sensitive in Germany given its Nazi past, and the government routinely speaks out forcefully in favour of tolerance and diversity. While Merkel had shared a visibly warm relationship with former US president Barack Obama, her contact with Trump has been formal and firm. Setting the tone from the start, Merkel in her first phone call with Trump after he took office offered cooperation, but also reminded him of democratic values. That phone call led some commentators to suggest she had taken on the mantle of the "leader of the free world", a title usually reserved for US presidents.

Trump tweets go against what makes America great: Angela Merkel

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/unbowed-trump-intensifies-attacks-on-four-democratic-congresswomen-236766">chant of "Send her back"</a> aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before.

"I was not happy with it -&nbsp;I disagree with it," Trump told reporters when asked about the cry, launched by the crowd in response to an angry tirade by Trump against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-rebuke-trump-says-i-dont-have-a-racist-bone-in-my-body-236506">congresswoman Ilhan Omar</a>.&nbsp;

Asked why he did nothing to stop the taunt, instead pausing as the crowd chanted it over and over, Trump responded: "I think I did -- I started speaking very quickly."

Meanwhile, US congresswoman Ilhan Omar said she believes President Donald Trump is a "fascist," one day after he criticised the Democrat at a rally where his supporters chanted demeaning comments about her.

"We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist remarks. I believe he is a fascist," Omar, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, told reporters in Washington.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trump-criticised-for-racist-rant-236528/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Omar is among a group of ethnic minority Democrats in Congress who have been the target of Trump's attacks over several days, as he accused them of hating America and urged them to "go back" to their countries of origin.

On Wednesday, fired up by Donald Trump, the crowd targeted Somali-born Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of only three Muslims in the US House of Representatives, with cries of "Send her back! Send her back!"&nbsp;

The derisive chant at Trump's "Make America Great Again" rally set the tone for a 2020 White House campaign that is shaping up to be just as heated and toxic as the 2016 election.

Trump made it clear at the gathering in Greenville, North Carolina, that he plans to make his inflammatory attacks on Omar and three other left-leaning Democratic congresswomen a centerpiece of his re-election strategy.

Without a Democratic presidential candidate to focus on yet, the Republican chief executive is seeking to make the minority lawmakers known as the "Squad" the face of the Democratic Party.

Trump was rebuked by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday for "racist comments" for saying the four should "go back" to their countries of origin if they are not happy in the United States.

The first-term lawmakers -- all but one of whom, Omar, were born in the United States -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent.

Trump shrugged off the House rebuke and went back on the offensive in Greenville.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary chant of "Send her back" aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday sought to distance himself from the incendiary chant of "Send her back" aimed at a Somali-born Democratic lawmaker during an election rally the night before. "I was not happy with it - I disagree with it," Trump told reporters when asked about the cry, launched by the crowd in response to an angry tirade by Trump against congresswoman Ilhan Omar. Asked why he did nothing to stop the taunt, instead pausing as the crowd chanted it over and over, Trump responded: "I think I did -- I started speaking very quickly." Meanwhile, US congresswoman Ilhan Omar said she believes President Donald Trump is a "fascist," one day after he criticised the Democrat at a rally where his supporters chanted demeaning comments about her. "We have said this president is racist, we have condemned his racist remarks. I believe he is a fascist," Omar, one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, told reporters in Washington. Watch Video: Omar is among a group of ethnic minority Democrats in Congress who have been the target of Trump's attacks over several days, as he accused them of hating America and urged them to "go back" to their countries of origin. On Wednesday, fired up by Donald Trump, the crowd targeted Somali-born Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, one of only three Muslims in the US House of Representatives, with cries of "Send her back! Send her back!" The derisive chant at Trump's "Make America Great Again" rally set the tone for a 2020 White House campaign that is shaping up to be just as heated and toxic as the 2016 election. Trump made it clear at the gathering in Greenville, North Carolina, that he plans to make his inflammatory attacks on Omar and three other left-leaning Democratic congresswomen a centerpiece of his re-election strategy. Without a Democratic presidential candidate to focus on yet, the Republican chief executive is seeking to make the minority lawmakers known as the "Squad" the face of the Democratic Party. Trump was rebuked by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday for "racist comments" for saying the four should "go back" to their countries of origin if they are not happy in the United States. The first-term lawmakers -- all but one of whom, Omar, were born in the United States -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent. Trump shrugged off the House rebuke and went back on the offensive in Greenville.

Not happy, I disagree with it: Trump on 'send her back' chant during election rally

China demanded the US on Thursday to stop interfering in its internal affairs, after President Donald Trump met Chinese Uighur and other religious <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/they-gave-you-nobel-peace-prize-for-what-trump-asks-yazidi-activist-nadia-murad-236832">persecution victims at the White House</a>.

Trump, who has made religious freedom a centerpiece of his foreign policy, met with victims of religious persecution from countries including China, Turkey, North Korea, Iran and Myanmar.

Trump counts evangelical Christians among his core supporters and the State Department is hosting a conference on the topic this week that will be attended by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

"I must point out that in China this situation of so-called religious persecution does not exist," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Suang said.&nbsp;

"Chinese people have freedom of religion. The United States have arranged for people from the evil cult of Falun Gong and people who smear China's religious policy to take part in the so-called religious meeting, and arranged them to meet with the US leader," the foreign ministry spokesman added.&nbsp;

Four of the 27 participants in the Oval Office meeting were from China, the White House said: Jewher Ilham, an Uighur Muslim; Yuhua Zhang, a Falun Gong practitioner; Nyima Lhamo, a Tibetan Buddhist; and Manping Ouyang, a Christian.

Ilham told Trump her father was one of many Uighurs "locked up in concentration camps" in the Xinjiang region and that she had not spoken with him since 2017.

"This is an interference in China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this. We demand that the United States correctly views China's religious policies and the status of religious freedom in China, and stop using the issue of religion to interfere in other countries' affairs," Geng said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration has been weighing sanctions against Chinese officials over the treatment of the Uighurs, including the Communist Party chief of Xinjiang, Chen Quanguo, but has so far held back amid Chinese threats of retaliation.

Relations between the United States and China are already tense over a tit-for-tat trade war, with the United States alleging that China engages in unfair trading practices.

China demanded the US on Thursday to stop interfering in its internal affairs, after President Donald Trump met Chinese Uighur and other religious persecution victims at the White House.

China demanded the US on Thursday to stop interfering in its internal affairs, after President Donald Trump met Chinese Uighur and other religious persecution victims at the White House. Trump, who has made religious freedom a centerpiece of his foreign policy, met with victims of religious persecution from countries including China, Turkey, North Korea, Iran and Myanmar. Trump counts evangelical Christians among his core supporters and the State Department is hosting a conference on the topic this week that will be attended by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. "I must point out that in China this situation of so-called religious persecution does not exist," China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Suang said. "Chinese people have freedom of religion. The United States have arranged for people from the evil cult of Falun Gong and people who smear China's religious policy to take part in the so-called religious meeting, and arranged them to meet with the US leader," the foreign ministry spokesman added. Four of the 27 participants in the Oval Office meeting were from China, the White House said: Jewher Ilham, an Uighur Muslim; Yuhua Zhang, a Falun Gong practitioner; Nyima Lhamo, a Tibetan Buddhist; and Manping Ouyang, a Christian. Ilham told Trump her father was one of many Uighurs "locked up in concentration camps" in the Xinjiang region and that she had not spoken with him since 2017. "This is an interference in China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this. We demand that the United States correctly views China's religious policies and the status of religious freedom in China, and stop using the issue of religion to interfere in other countries' affairs," Geng said. The Trump administration has been weighing sanctions against Chinese officials over the treatment of the Uighurs, including the Communist Party chief of Xinjiang, Chen Quanguo, but has so far held back amid Chinese threats of retaliation. Relations between the United States and China are already tense over a tit-for-tat trade war, with the United States alleging that China engages in unfair trading practices.

Chinese people have freedom of religion, US should stop using issue of religion to interfere: China

After Pakistan authorities arrested <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-arrests-2611-mumbai-terror-attack-mastermind-hafiz-saeed-236587">Hafiz Saeed on terror financing</a>&nbsp;charges, US President Trump tweeted, saying that after a ten-year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan".&nbsp;

"Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!" Trump added.

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After a ten year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai Terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1151495794295525378?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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India blames Saeed for masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people were killed including several Americans. On Wednesday, Saeed was arrested near the town of Gujranwala in central Pakistan.

"The main charge is that he is gathering funds for banned outfits, which is illegal," Punjab&nbsp;governor spokesman Shahbaz Gill&nbsp;said.

Saeed denied all charges.&nbsp;

The Punjab counter-terrorism department said that Saeed had been arrested while going to a court in Gujranwala to seek pre-arrest bail but was remanded in custody.

The anti-terror court in Lahore had earlier granted interim pre-arrest bail to the Jamat-ud-Dawa(JuD) chief.

Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the UNSC recently after a long, protracted battle by India at the UN body, a move which was consistently blocked by China. The US had declared a $10 million reward for capturing the Pakistan-based terrorist.

The arrest of the JuD chief comes just months ahead of Pakistan's probable blacklisting at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which had slammed the Imran Khan-led government for not doing enough to stop money laundering and terror financing in the country.

After Pakistan authorities arrested Hafiz Saeed on terror financing charges, US President Trump tweeted, saying that after a ten-year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan".

After Pakistan authorities arrested Hafiz Saeed on terror financing charges, US President Trump tweeted, saying that after a ten-year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan". "Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him!" Trump added. After a ten year search, the so-called “mastermind” of the Mumbai Terror attacks has been arrested in Pakistan. Great pressure has been exerted over the last two years to find him! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2019 × India blames Saeed for masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people were killed including several Americans. On Wednesday, Saeed was arrested near the town of Gujranwala in central Pakistan. "The main charge is that he is gathering funds for banned outfits, which is illegal," Punjab governor spokesman Shahbaz Gill said. Saeed denied all charges. The Punjab counter-terrorism department said that Saeed had been arrested while going to a court in Gujranwala to seek pre-arrest bail but was remanded in custody. The anti-terror court in Lahore had earlier granted interim pre-arrest bail to the Jamat-ud-Dawa(JuD) chief. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the UNSC recently after a long, protracted battle by India at the UN body, a move which was consistently blocked by China. The US had declared a $10 million reward for capturing the Pakistan-based terrorist. The arrest of the JuD chief comes just months ahead of Pakistan's probable blacklisting at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which had slammed the Imran Khan-led government for not doing enough to stop money laundering and terror financing in the country.

Mumbai terror attack 'mastermind' arrested in Pakistan, tweets Trump

President Donald Trump declined Tuesday to criticize <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-says-trump-can-waive-sanctions-on-turkey-report-236013">Turkey's</a> acquisition of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-hails-s-400-deal-as-turkey-marks-2016-coup-bid-anniversary-236260">Russian missile system</a> assailed by the Pentagon and NATO, making no mention of sanctions Washington had threatened over the purchase.

In his first comments since Turkey began taking delivery of the S-400 system last Friday, Trump said Turkey was forced into the move by his predecessor Barack Obama, and that he understood why they opted to buy the Russian missiles.

"I've had a good relationship with President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan," Trump told journalists.

"It's a very tough situation that they're in and it's a very tough situation that we've been placed in.... With all of that being said, we're working through it — we'll see what happens."

Trump called it a "complex situation," noting that the Pentagon has suspended Turkey from participating in the NATO F-35 fighter jet production program and from buying a planned 100 F-35s.

"Because they have a system of missiles that's made in Russia, they're now prohibited from buying over 100 planes. I would say that Lockheed isn't exactly happy. That's a lot of jobs," Trump said, referring to the F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

Congress urges sanctions

Trump's comments appeared to put him at odds with Congress and the Pentagon's view, that placing the S-400 system alongside the F-35 was a threat to the US and NATO air systems.

"Turkey has been a long-standing and very capable NATO ally, but their decision on the S-400 is the wrong one and it's disappointing," Mark Esper, Trump's nominee as secretary of defence, told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier Tuesday.

"Acquisition of the S-400 fundamentally undermines the capability of the F-35 and our ability to maintain that overmatch in the skies," Esper said.

Esper said he had already told Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar that his policy is, "You can either have the S-400 or the F-35. You cannot have both."

On Friday senior Republican and Democratic senators of the armed services and foreign relations committees urged Trump to implement new sanctions on Turkey and directly "terminate" Turkey's participation in the F-35 program.

"By accepting delivery of the S-400 from Russia, President Erdogan has chosen a perilous partnership with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at the expense of Turkey's security, economic prosperity and the integrity of the NATO alliance," they said in a statement.

State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump are reviewing Congressional legislation passed in 2017 that mandates sanctions for any "significant" purchases of weapons from Russia.

Asked if there could be a waiver, Ortagus said: "I think that the secretary and the president will make a decision based off what they are required to do according to US law," without specifying a timeline for the decision.

'Not a fair situation'

But Trump took a softer line as other officials of his administration who had, in the past, expressed strong opposition to the S-400 deal remained silent.

"We have a situation where Turkey is very good with us, very good," Trump said, noting Ankara's release last October of a US Christian pastor held for two years by the government.

"And we are now telling Turkey that because you have really been forced to buy another missile system, we're not going to sell you the F-35 fighter jets.

"And because of the fact he bought a Russian missile, we're not allowed to sell him billions of dollars worth of aircraft. It's not a fair situation," Trump said.

Turkey initially sought in 2009 to buy the US Patriot missile defence system, and a $7.8 billion deal was tentatively approved by the Obama administration.

But Washington balked when Ankara, seeking to boost its technology base, insisted on Turkey producing some of the system components itself as part of the deal.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump declined Tuesday to criticize Turkey's acquisition of a Russian missile system assailed by the Pentagon and NATO, making no mention of sanctions Washington had threatened over the purchase.

President Donald Trump declined Tuesday to criticize Turkey's acquisition of a Russian missile system assailed by the Pentagon and NATO, making no mention of sanctions Washington had threatened over the purchase. In his first comments since Turkey began taking delivery of the S-400 system last Friday, Trump said Turkey was forced into the move by his predecessor Barack Obama, and that he understood why they opted to buy the Russian missiles. "I've had a good relationship with President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan," Trump told journalists. "It's a very tough situation that they're in and it's a very tough situation that we've been placed in.... With all of that being said, we're working through it — we'll see what happens." Trump called it a "complex situation," noting that the Pentagon has suspended Turkey from participating in the NATO F-35 fighter jet production program and from buying a planned 100 F-35s. "Because they have a system of missiles that's made in Russia, they're now prohibited from buying over 100 planes. I would say that Lockheed isn't exactly happy. That's a lot of jobs," Trump said, referring to the F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin. Congress urges sanctions Trump's comments appeared to put him at odds with Congress and the Pentagon's view, that placing the S-400 system alongside the F-35 was a threat to the US and NATO air systems. "Turkey has been a long-standing and very capable NATO ally, but their decision on the S-400 is the wrong one and it's disappointing," Mark Esper, Trump's nominee as secretary of defence, told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier Tuesday. "Acquisition of the S-400 fundamentally undermines the capability of the F-35 and our ability to maintain that overmatch in the skies," Esper said. Esper said he had already told Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar that his policy is, "You can either have the S-400 or the F-35. You cannot have both." On Friday senior Republican and Democratic senators of the armed services and foreign relations committees urged Trump to implement new sanctions on Turkey and directly "terminate" Turkey's participation in the F-35 program. "By accepting delivery of the S-400 from Russia, President Erdogan has chosen a perilous partnership with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin at the expense of Turkey's security, economic prosperity and the integrity of the NATO alliance," they said in a statement. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Tuesday that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Trump are reviewing Congressional legislation passed in 2017 that mandates sanctions for any "significant" purchases of weapons from Russia. Asked if there could be a waiver, Ortagus said: "I think that the secretary and the president will make a decision based off what they are required to do according to US law," without specifying a timeline for the decision. 'Not a fair situation' But Trump took a softer line as other officials of his administration who had, in the past, expressed strong opposition to the S-400 deal remained silent. "We have a situation where Turkey is very good with us, very good," Trump said, noting Ankara's release last October of a US Christian pastor held for two years by the government. "And we are now telling Turkey that because you have really been forced to buy another missile system, we're not going to sell you the F-35 fighter jets. "And because of the fact he bought a Russian missile, we're not allowed to sell him billions of dollars worth of aircraft. It's not a fair situation," Trump said. Turkey initially sought in 2009 to buy the US Patriot missile defence system, and a $7.8 billion deal was tentatively approved by the Obama administration. But Washington balked when Ankara, seeking to boost its technology base, insisted on Turkey producing some of the system components itself as part of the deal.

Trump cites 'good relationship' with Turkey despite Russian missile purchase

US President Donald Trump's administration plans to divert more than $40 million in humanitarian aid for Central America to support the US-backed opposition in Venezuela, according to an internal document obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.

The $41.9 million had been destined for Guatemala and Honduras, two of the three Central American countries at the centre of a migration crisis in which thousands of people have fled poverty, violence and corruption and attempted to cross the southern US border.

The congressional notification from the US Agency for International Development said the money will instead be used for salaries, travel, communications equipment, technical assistance and training for the management of a government budget and other needs for the Venezuelan opposition.

The memorandum, dated July 11, says the funds are necessary because of "a significant, exigent event in the US national interest, specifically the rapidly evolving crisis in Venezuela."

The memo and its contents were first reported by the Los Angeles Times.

Spokespeople for the State Department, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Guaido, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, invoked the Venezuelan constitution in January to assume an interim presidency, arguing Venezuela`s President Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate.&nbsp;

Maduro, meanwhile, has called Guaido a US-backed puppet and has so far retained his grip on the levers of government.

The State Department announced in June it was slashing hundreds of millions of dollars of aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras after Trump said the three countries were not doing enough to stem migration.

US President Donald Trump's administration plans to divert more than $40 million in humanitarian aid for Central America to support the US-backed opposition in Venezuela, according to an internal document obtained by Reuters on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump's administration plans to divert more than $40 million in humanitarian aid for Central America to support the US-backed opposition in Venezuela, according to an internal document obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. The $41.9 million had been destined for Guatemala and Honduras, two of the three Central American countries at the centre of a migration crisis in which thousands of people have fled poverty, violence and corruption and attempted to cross the southern US border. The congressional notification from the US Agency for International Development said the money will instead be used for salaries, travel, communications equipment, technical assistance and training for the management of a government budget and other needs for the Venezuelan opposition. The memorandum, dated July 11, says the funds are necessary because of "a significant, exigent event in the US national interest, specifically the rapidly evolving crisis in Venezuela." The memo and its contents were first reported by the Los Angeles Times. Spokespeople for the State Department, Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido and Venezuela's Information Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Guaido, the head of Venezuela's National Assembly, invoked the Venezuelan constitution in January to assume an interim presidency, arguing Venezuela`s President Nicolas Maduro is illegitimate. Maduro, meanwhile, has called Guaido a US-backed puppet and has so far retained his grip on the levers of government. The State Department announced in June it was slashing hundreds of millions of dollars of aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras after Trump said the three countries were not doing enough to stem migration.

Trump administration plans to divert $40 million in aid to Venezuela's opposition

A look at Trump's history of inflammatory and 'racist' statements

After Democratic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-congresswomen-hit-back-after-racist-trump-tirade-236437">Congresswoman hit back at President</a> Trump over his xenophobic tirade against them, the US president said those tweets were "not racist".

"I don’t have a racist bone in my body," Trump tweeted, adding, "our country is free, beautiful and very successful. If you hate our country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!"

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Those Tweets were NOT Racist. I don’t have a Racist bone in my body! The so-called vote to be taken is a Democrat con game. Republicans should not show “weakness” and fall into their trap. This should be a vote on the filthy language, statements and lies told by the Democrat.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1151129281134768128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our country. Get a list of the horrible things they have said."

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.....Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our Country. Get a list of the HORRIBLE things they have said. Omar is polling at 8%, Cortez at 21%. Nancy Pelosi tried to push them away, but now they are forever wedded to the Democrat Party. See you in 2020!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1151129281919102976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In a series of tweets on Sunday Trump had attacked the four congress lawmakers, all born in America -&nbsp;Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.

Trump had also accused the four first-term congresswomen - who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin - of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda."

The four lawmakers -- who have been nicknamed "The Squad" by some media -- said attention should instead be focused on healthcare and immigration and, in particular, the treatment of asylum seekers on the southern border.

"Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," said Ocasio-Cortez.

Trump "does not know how to defend his policies, so what he does is attack us personally, and that is what this is all about," she said.

--

After Democratic Congresswoman hit back at President Trump over his xenophobic tirade against them, the US president said those tweets were "not racist". "I don’t have a racist bone in my body," Trump tweeted, adding, "our country is free, beautiful and very successful.

After Democratic Congresswoman hit back at President Trump over his xenophobic tirade against them, the US president said those tweets were "not racist". "I don’t have a racist bone in my body," Trump tweeted, adding, "our country is free, beautiful and very successful. If you hate our country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!" Those Tweets were NOT Racist. I don’t have a Racist bone in my body! The so-called vote to be taken is a Democrat con game. Republicans should not show “weakness” and fall into their trap. This should be a vote on the filthy language, statements and lies told by the Democrat..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2019 × "Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our country. Get a list of the horrible things they have said." .....Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our Country. Get a list of the HORRIBLE things they have said. Omar is polling at 8%, Cortez at 21%. Nancy Pelosi tried to push them away, but now they are forever wedded to the Democrat Party. See you in 2020! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2019 × In a series of tweets on Sunday Trump had attacked the four congress lawmakers, all born in America - Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. Trump had also accused the four first-term congresswomen - who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin - of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda." The four lawmakers -- who have been nicknamed "The Squad" by some media -- said attention should instead be focused on healthcare and immigration and, in particular, the treatment of asylum seekers on the southern border. "Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," said Ocasio-Cortez. Trump "does not know how to defend his policies, so what he does is attack us personally, and that is what this is all about," she said. --

After rebuke, Trump says 'I don’t have a racist bone in my body'

Democratic congresswomen targeted in a xenophobic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-defiant-as-lawmakers-blast-his-racist-attacks-on-four-congresswomen-236257">tirade by President Donald Trump</a> hit back Monday, saying he was trying to distract attention away from his policies with his "blatantly racist attack."

The president first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-youre-not-happy-here-you-can-leave-trump-to-democratic-congresswomen-236251">attacked the four lawmakers</a> -- all but one of whom were born in America -- with a series of tweets on Sunday, saying they should "go back" to their countries of origin.

The four -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts -- struck back at a news conference Monday and urged people not to "take the bait."

Trump was simply trying to distract with his "blatantly racist attack" on the four women of color, Omar said.

"This is the agenda of white nationalists," she said.

Pressley also urged the American people "to not take the bait."

"This is simply a disruption and a distraction from the callous chaotic and corrupt culture of this administration, all the way down," Pressley said.

The four lawmakers -- who have been nicknamed "The Squad" by some media -- said attention should instead be focused on healthcare and immigration and, in particular, the treatment of asylum seekers on the southern border.

"Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," said Ocasio-Cortez.

Trump "does not know how to defend his policies, so what he does is attack us personally, and that is what this is all about," she said.

Tlaib said Trump's tweets and remarks were "a continuation of his racist and xenophobic playbook."

"We cannot allow these hateful actions by the president to distract us from the critical work to hold this administration accountable to the inhumane conditions at the border that is separating children from their loved ones and caging them up in illegal, horrific conditions," she said.

Omar and Tlaib repeated calls for Trump to be impeached.

Watch: Congresswomen call Trump's attack an attempt to distract from his policies

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Trump doubles down

The president also came under fire from some members of his Republican party but remained unrepentant.

"All they do is complain," Trump told reporters at a White House event featuring products made in America.

"These are people that hate our country," he said of the four lawmakers.

"If you're not happy here, you can leave."

Trump also accused the four first-term congresswomen -- who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin -- of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda."

Asked by a reporter whether he was concerned that many people saw his comments as racist, Trump said: "It doesn't concern me because many people agree with me."

'Destructive'

Trump's extraordinary attacks on the lawmakers prompted critical reactions from foreign leaders and outrage from Democrats.

Republicans were initially silent, but on Monday several of his party faithful began to speak up.

"My view is that what was said and what was tweeted was destructive, was demeaning, was disunifying, and frankly it was very wrong," said Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah.

"There is no excuse for the president's spiteful comments -- they were absolutely unacceptable and this needs to stop," said Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska. "We must demand a higher standard of decorum and decency."

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she disagreed with the policies espoused by the "far-left" Democratic lawmakers, but that Trump was "way over the line."

Texan Will Hurd, the only black Republican in the House of Representatives, told CNN that Trump's behavior was "unbecoming of the leader of the free world."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the latest international leader to condemn Trump's tweets.

"I completely and utterly disagree with him," she told Radio New Zealand, noting that her country welcomed diversity in the corridors of power.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Britain's Theresa May also expressed disapproval.

'Cold, hard strategy'

Trump's comments appear to be aimed at galvanizing his mostly white electoral base ahead of the 2020 presidential vote -- while also stoking racial tensions and divisions among his political opponents.

"With his deliberate, racist outburst, @realDonaldTrump wants to raise the profile of his targets, drive Dems to defend them and make them emblematic of the entire party," said David Axelrod, who served as chief strategist for Barack Obama's two White House campaigns.

In his initial Twitter attack on Sunday, Trump -- who before becoming president pushed the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that Obama was not born on US soil -- said the congresswomen came from corrupt, poorly managed countries to which they should return.

Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley were all born in the United States while Omar arrived as a refugee from war-torn Somalia, which she fled as a child.

Former vice president Joe Biden, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, denounced Trump as the most "openly racist and divisive" president in US history.

"Go home to your country? It's sickening, it's embarrassing," Biden said.

Democratic congresswomen targeted in a xenophobic tirade by President Donald Trump hit back Monday, saying he was trying to distract attention away from his policies with his "blatantly racist attack.

Democratic congresswomen targeted in a xenophobic tirade by President Donald Trump hit back Monday, saying he was trying to distract attention away from his policies with his "blatantly racist attack." The president first attacked the four lawmakers -- all but one of whom were born in America -- with a series of tweets on Sunday, saying they should "go back" to their countries of origin. The four -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts -- struck back at a news conference Monday and urged people not to "take the bait." Trump was simply trying to distract with his "blatantly racist attack" on the four women of color, Omar said. "This is the agenda of white nationalists," she said. Pressley also urged the American people "to not take the bait." "This is simply a disruption and a distraction from the callous chaotic and corrupt culture of this administration, all the way down," Pressley said. The four lawmakers -- who have been nicknamed "The Squad" by some media -- said attention should instead be focused on healthcare and immigration and, in particular, the treatment of asylum seekers on the southern border. "Weak minds and leaders challenge loyalty to our country in order to avoid challenging and debating the policy," said Ocasio-Cortez. Trump "does not know how to defend his policies, so what he does is attack us personally, and that is what this is all about," she said. Tlaib said Trump's tweets and remarks were "a continuation of his racist and xenophobic playbook." "We cannot allow these hateful actions by the president to distract us from the critical work to hold this administration accountable to the inhumane conditions at the border that is separating children from their loved ones and caging them up in illegal, horrific conditions," she said. Omar and Tlaib repeated calls for Trump to be impeached. Watch: Congresswomen call Trump's attack an attempt to distract from his policies × Trump doubles down The president also came under fire from some members of his Republican party but remained unrepentant. "All they do is complain," Trump told reporters at a White House event featuring products made in America. "These are people that hate our country," he said of the four lawmakers. "If you're not happy here, you can leave." Trump also accused the four first-term congresswomen -- who are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African American origin -- of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda." Asked by a reporter whether he was concerned that many people saw his comments as racist, Trump said: "It doesn't concern me because many people agree with me." 'Destructive' Trump's extraordinary attacks on the lawmakers prompted critical reactions from foreign leaders and outrage from Democrats. Republicans were initially silent, but on Monday several of his party faithful began to speak up. "My view is that what was said and what was tweeted was destructive, was demeaning, was disunifying, and frankly it was very wrong," said Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah. "There is no excuse for the president's spiteful comments -- they were absolutely unacceptable and this needs to stop," said Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska. "We must demand a higher standard of decorum and decency." Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine said she disagreed with the policies espoused by the "far-left" Democratic lawmakers, but that Trump was "way over the line." Texan Will Hurd, the only black Republican in the House of Representatives, told CNN that Trump's behavior was "unbecoming of the leader of the free world." New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the latest international leader to condemn Trump's tweets. "I completely and utterly disagree with him," she told Radio New Zealand, noting that her country welcomed diversity in the corridors of power. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Britain's Theresa May also expressed disapproval. 'Cold, hard strategy' Trump's comments appear to be aimed at galvanizing his mostly white electoral base ahead of the 2020 presidential vote -- while also stoking racial tensions and divisions among his political opponents. "With his deliberate, racist outburst, @realDonaldTrump wants to raise the profile of his targets, drive Dems to defend them and make them emblematic of the entire party," said David Axelrod, who served as chief strategist for Barack Obama's two White House campaigns. In his initial Twitter attack on Sunday, Trump -- who before becoming president pushed the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that Obama was not born on US soil -- said the congresswomen came from corrupt, poorly managed countries to which they should return. Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley were all born in the United States while Omar arrived as a refugee from war-torn Somalia, which she fled as a child. Former vice president Joe Biden, who is seeking the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, denounced Trump as the most "openly racist and divisive" president in US history. "Go home to your country? It's sickening, it's embarrassing," Biden said.

Democratic congresswomen hit back after Trump's 'racist' tirade

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-congresswomen-hit-back-after-racist-trump-tirade-236437">Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen</a>.

Ardern, the charismatic young leader who has been hailed as "the anti-Trump" by US media, said she proudly celebrated her country's diversity.

"Usually I don't get into other people's politics, but it will be clear to most people that I completely and utterly disagree with him," Ardern told Radio New Zealand.

Trump on Sunday urged a group of four Democratic congresswomen of colour -- three of them US-born -- to "go back" to the countries they came from, then renewed his attack on them a day later.

"If you're not happy here, you can leave... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted.

Ardern said New Zealanders welcomed diversity in the corridors of power.

"We take the view that our parliament should be a representative place, it should look and feel like New Zealand, it should have a range of different cultures and ethnicities," she said.

"And never should a judgement be made about the origin of anyone, and their right, therefore, to be in parliament as a representative."

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau have also condemned the tweets, while Democratic presidential candidates have labelled Trump racist.

Ardern has not been shy about highlighting her differences with Trump in the past, advising him to send "sympathy and love to all Muslim communities" in the wake of the Christchurch mosques massacre in March when a gunman killed 51 worshippers.

Shortly after Ardern's stunning election win in late 2017, Trump met her at a summit in Vietnam and joked she had "caused a lot of upset in her country".

"You know, no one marched when I was elected," she retorted, referring to the protests that followed Trump's victory in 2016.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Tuesday joined international condemnation of US President Donald Trump's xenophobic tweets about progressive Democrat congresswomen. Ardern, the charismatic young leader who has been hailed as "the anti-Trump" by US media, said she proudly celebrated her country's diversity. "Usually I don't get into other people's politics, but it will be clear to most people that I completely and utterly disagree with him," Ardern told Radio New Zealand. Trump on Sunday urged a group of four Democratic congresswomen of colour -- three of them US-born -- to "go back" to the countries they came from, then renewed his attack on them a day later. "If you're not happy here, you can leave... This is about love for America, certain people hate our country," he tweeted. Ardern said New Zealanders welcomed diversity in the corridors of power. "We take the view that our parliament should be a representative place, it should look and feel like New Zealand, it should have a range of different cultures and ethnicities," she said. "And never should a judgement be made about the origin of anyone, and their right, therefore, to be in parliament as a representative." British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian leader Justin Trudeau have also condemned the tweets, while Democratic presidential candidates have labelled Trump racist. Ardern has not been shy about highlighting her differences with Trump in the past, advising him to send "sympathy and love to all Muslim communities" in the wake of the Christchurch mosques massacre in March when a gunman killed 51 worshippers. Shortly after Ardern's stunning election win in late 2017, Trump met her at a summit in Vietnam and joked she had "caused a lot of upset in her country". "You know, no one marched when I was elected," she retorted, referring to the protests that followed Trump's victory in 2016.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern 'utterly' disagrees with Trump tweets on US congresswomen

Representatives from the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/robert-muller-to-testify-before-house-committees-on-us-russia-probe-in-july-congress-230456&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2sjx_-5jhYFhUOAKW0ZERJ">United States and Russia</a> are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month.

China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.

"A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said.

China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks.

"At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said.

Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said.

"We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said.

"I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said.

Relations between the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-us-russia-relations-are-getting-worse-and-worse-226830&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiMqYiKornjAhXKso8KHeq_DFMQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0tvrZETUunIs5K2GbpcHAL">United States and Russia</a> have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war.

Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton.

The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling.

Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents.

The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles.

US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation.

No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said.

US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons.

One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday.

Representatives from the United States and Russia are set to meet in Geneva on Wednesday to explore the concept of a new accord limiting nuclear arms that could eventually include China, senior US officials said on Monday. US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to see a "next-generation" arms control deal with Russia and China to cover all types of nuclear weapons. He has broached the topic individually with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, including most recently at the G20 summit in Osaka last month. China is not a party to nuclear arms pacts between the United States and Russia and it is unclear how willing Beijing would be to be drawn into talks, said the officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity. "A good meeting would be some greater clarity about where the Russians see things going with the Chinese," one official said. China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that the country had no interest in joining such talks. "At present, we cannot see the preconditions or basis for China participating in these negotiations between the United States and Russia," ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters in Beijing. US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will lead the delegation, which will include Tim Morrison, a top aide at the White House National Security Council, and representatives from the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Agency, the US officials said. Russia's deputy foreign minister, Sergei Ryabkov, will lead the Russian delegation, the US officials said. "We actually feel that - touch wood - we've actually got to a point where we can try to start this again," one US official said. "I say touch wood because we're always just one incident away from unfortunately things getting derailed," the official said. Relations between the United States and Russia have been sour for years, deteriorating after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war. Trump has sought better relations but has been hamstrung by a two-year investigation into the 2016 influence campaign by Russian operatives to attack Trump's Democratic rival in the presidential election, Hillary Clinton. The investigation by US Special Counsel Robert Mueller found there was insufficient evidence that the Trump campaign illegally conspired with Moscow. The Kremlin has denied any meddling. Relations also frayed over Russia's poisoning of a former spy and his daughter on British soil, the detention of Ukrainian navy boats and crew near Crimea, and Russia's detention of US citizens, among other incidents. The Geneva meeting will be just two weeks before the United States withdraws from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty that required both countries to eliminate short-range and intermediate-range nuclear and conventional missiles. US authorities believe Moscow is developing and has deployed a ground-launched system in breach of the INF treaty that could allow it to launch a nuclear strike on Europe at short notice. Russia has consistently denied any such violation. No breakthrough is expected on the INF treaty, the US officials said. US officials also are not planning to discuss renewal of the 2011 New START treaty, a US-Russia arms control pact which limits deployed strategic nuclear weapons. One of the officials told reporters it would be "premature" to talk about New START, which is set to expire in February 2021 but can be extended for five years if both sides agree, calling the issues a "next-year problem."

US, Russia to discuss nuclear arms limits in Geneva on Wednesday: Officials

In a court case that could further strain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-says-trump-can-waive-sanctions-on-turkey-report-236013">American relations with Turkey</a> and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn.

Bijan Rafiekian's trial in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, turns on whether he conspired to lobby on Turkey's behalf to try to persuade the US government to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for a failed coup in July 2016.

"During the summer and fall of 2016, the defendant has acted as an agent to advance one of Turkey's most important foreign policy goals," one US&nbsp;prosecutor said in his opening statement, adding that was to help support Ankara's goal in seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States.

Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general whose brief tenure in 2017 as part of President Donald Trump's inner circle is still causing legal aftershocks, is not charged as a co-conspirator with Rafiekian. But the case could influence how US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan sentences Flynn later this year in Washington.

Flynn had previously agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors and testify against Rafiekian, known as "Kian," in hopes of getting a lighter sentence after he pleaded guilty in December 2017 to having lied to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators about his contacts with Russian officials.

In a reversal earlier this month, Flynn and prosecutors had a falling out and Flynn backed away from earlier admissions of making false statements to the US Justice Department in the paperwork that disclosed his work as a Turkish government lobbyist.

Flynn now contends he relied on attorneys' advice when filing the lobbying paperwork with the Justice Department and that he did not knowingly file false information.

STRAINED TIES

Rafiekian faces two criminal counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, making false statements to the Justice Department and acting as a foreign agent. His former client, Turkish-Dutch national Ekim Alptekin, is also charged.

The trial, which began on the third anniversary of Turkey's failed coup that killed 251 people and wounded more than 1,500, has implications for already strained ties between Ankara and Washington.

US prosecutors are aiming to build a case showing Rafiekian and Alptekin acted with direction from the Turkish government and did not disclose their lobbying campaign to return Gulen, a shadowy figure who lives in a fortified compound in Pennsylvania, to Turkey.

The Turkish government has denied engaging in a conspiracy to evade US regulations requiring foreign government lobbyists to register with the Justice Department.

"The idea that we would conspire against the United States is preposterous. ... We categorically reject any accusation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct in the United States," Fahrettin Altun, spokesman for the Turkish presidency, said in a statement over the weekend.

Lawyers for Rafiekian denied the allegations. "Bijan never conspired with anyone, never ever sought to avoid US regulations, never conspired to serve as an agent of a foreign government," his attorney, Bob Trout, said in his opening statements.

Government lawyers now no longer plan to call Flynn as a star witness in the Rafiekian case, although they may end up calling Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn, who worked for Flynn's lobbying firm, known as the Flynn Intel Group. Defence lawyers for Rafiekian have listed the elder Flynn as a possible star witness in the case.

The US government is expected to call five witnesses on Tuesday, prosecutors said. Michael G. Flynn was not one of them.

Flynn was due to be sentenced in December 2018, but his sentence was delayed after Judge Sullivan lambasted him for selling his country out to Russia and urged him to complete his cooperation with government prosecutors.

In a court case that could further strain American relations with Turkey and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn.

In a court case that could further strain American relations with Turkey and weigh on the sentencing of former US national security adviser Michael Flynn, a criminal trial began on Monday involving a former Iranian-American business partner of Flynn. Bijan Rafiekian's trial in US District Court in Alexandria, Virginia, turns on whether he conspired to lobby on Turkey's behalf to try to persuade the US government to extradite Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkey for a failed coup in July 2016. "During the summer and fall of 2016, the defendant has acted as an agent to advance one of Turkey's most important foreign policy goals," one US prosecutor said in his opening statement, adding that was to help support Ankara's goal in seeking the extradition of Gulen from the United States. Flynn, a retired US Army lieutenant general whose brief tenure in 2017 as part of President Donald Trump's inner circle is still causing legal aftershocks, is not charged as a co-conspirator with Rafiekian. But the case could influence how US District Court Judge Emmet Sullivan sentences Flynn later this year in Washington. Flynn had previously agreed to cooperate with US prosecutors and testify against Rafiekian, known as "Kian," in hopes of getting a lighter sentence after he pleaded guilty in December 2017 to having lied to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigators about his contacts with Russian officials. In a reversal earlier this month, Flynn and prosecutors had a falling out and Flynn backed away from earlier admissions of making false statements to the US Justice Department in the paperwork that disclosed his work as a Turkish government lobbyist. Flynn now contends he relied on attorneys' advice when filing the lobbying paperwork with the Justice Department and that he did not knowingly file false information. STRAINED TIES Rafiekian faces two criminal counts of conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government, making false statements to the Justice Department and acting as a foreign agent. His former client, Turkish-Dutch national Ekim Alptekin, is also charged. The trial, which began on the third anniversary of Turkey's failed coup that killed 251 people and wounded more than 1,500, has implications for already strained ties between Ankara and Washington. US prosecutors are aiming to build a case showing Rafiekian and Alptekin acted with direction from the Turkish government and did not disclose their lobbying campaign to return Gulen, a shadowy figure who lives in a fortified compound in Pennsylvania, to Turkey. The Turkish government has denied engaging in a conspiracy to evade US regulations requiring foreign government lobbyists to register with the Justice Department. "The idea that we would conspire against the United States is preposterous. ... We categorically reject any accusation of wrongdoing or illegal conduct in the United States," Fahrettin Altun, spokesman for the Turkish presidency, said in a statement over the weekend. Lawyers for Rafiekian denied the allegations. "Bijan never conspired with anyone, never ever sought to avoid US regulations, never conspired to serve as an agent of a foreign government," his attorney, Bob Trout, said in his opening statements. Government lawyers now no longer plan to call Flynn as a star witness in the Rafiekian case, although they may end up calling Flynn's son, Michael G. Flynn, who worked for Flynn's lobbying firm, known as the Flynn Intel Group. Defence lawyers for Rafiekian have listed the elder Flynn as a possible star witness in the case. The US government is expected to call five witnesses on Tuesday, prosecutors said. Michael G. Flynn was not one of them. Flynn was due to be sentenced in December 2018, but his sentence was delayed after Judge Sullivan lambasted him for selling his country out to Russia and urged him to complete his cooperation with government prosecutors.

Trial begins with high stakes for United States-Turkey ties, ex-Trump adviser Michael Flynn

President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on four progressive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-democratic-congresswomen-to-go-back-to-fix-countries-they-came-from-235979">Democratic congresswomen</a> on Monday, saying if they're not happy in the United States "they can leave."

"All they do is complain," Trump told reporters at a "Made in America" event at the White House. "These are people that hate our country. They hate it, I think, with a passion."

"If you're not happy here, you can leave," he added. "So all I'm saying is if they want to leave, they can leave."

Trump also accused the four Democratic congresswomen, all of whom are women of colour, of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda."

Meanwhile, moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins on Monday called on President Donald Trump to delete a Twitter attack on four Democratic congresswomen of colour, saying his comments went "way over the line."

Collins said that while she disagreed with the political views of the leftist representatives, "the president's tweet that some members of Congress should go back to the 'places from which they came' was way over the line, and he should take that down."

The US president had attacked the progressive Democratic congresswomen over the weekend in a series of tweets.

"When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-five-us-twitter-users-follows-donald-trump-survey-236247">Trump wrote on Twitter</a>.&nbsp;

"So many people are angry at them &amp; their horrible &amp; disgusting actions," Trump said.

Trump referred on Twitter to "'Progressive'&nbsp;Democrat&nbsp;Congresswomen" that appeared to be aimed at a group of outspoken relatively young, liberal women of colour, all first-time members of the House of Representatives.&nbsp;

These include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts.

They "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world," Trump tweeted.

President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on four progressive Democratic congresswomen on Monday, saying if they're not happy in the United States "they can leave.

President Donald Trump stepped up his attacks on four progressive Democratic congresswomen on Monday, saying if they're not happy in the United States "they can leave." "All they do is complain," Trump told reporters at a "Made in America" event at the White House. "These are people that hate our country. They hate it, I think, with a passion." "If you're not happy here, you can leave," he added. "So all I'm saying is if they want to leave, they can leave." Trump also accused the four Democratic congresswomen, all of whom are women of colour, of having "love" for US "enemies like Al-Qaeda." Meanwhile, moderate Republican Senator Susan Collins on Monday called on President Donald Trump to delete a Twitter attack on four Democratic congresswomen of colour, saying his comments went "way over the line." Collins said that while she disagreed with the political views of the leftist representatives, "the president's tweet that some members of Congress should go back to the 'places from which they came' was way over the line, and he should take that down." The US president had attacked the progressive Democratic congresswomen over the weekend in a series of tweets. "When will the Radical Left Congresswomen apologize to our Country, the people of Israel and even to the Office of the President, for the foul language they have used, and the terrible things they have said," Trump wrote on Twitter. "So many people are angry at them & their horrible & disgusting actions," Trump said. Trump referred on Twitter to "'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen" that appeared to be aimed at a group of outspoken relatively young, liberal women of colour, all first-time members of the House of Representatives. These include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. They "originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world," Trump tweeted.

If you're not happy here, you can leave: Trump to Democratic congresswomen

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