Turkish Offensive Escalates In Syria. #Gravitas

Gravitas: Syrian Crisis, 'the' Letter From Trump & More

US President Donald Trump&nbsp;on Thursday announced a ceasefire in Syria.

Trump took to Twitter and&nbsp;thanked Turkish President Erdogan adding that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-assault-in-northeast-syria-displaced-300000-monitor-256435">millions of lives will be saved</a> after the deal.

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Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a>. Thank you to <a href="https://twitter.com/RTErdogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RTErdogan</a>. Millions of lives will be saved!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1184884179751731200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump said, "Turkey had agreed to no-military action" and the US would not impose any sanctions on Turkey.

The Turkish military has decided to pause for five days.

US said the&nbsp;two countries were committed to defeating the Islamic State.

Earlier White House had said that Trump may revoke the invitation to host Erdogan depending on Ankara talks.

The development has come after US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-mike-pence-and-mike-pompeo-head-to-turkey-seeking-ceasefire-256457">visited Turkey seeking to secure a ceasefire </a>in the Turkish invasion of northern Syria.

Turkey and its Syrian proxies launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas on October 9, after US troops pulled back from the border and started withdrawing from the northeast altogether.

Turkey's week-old offensive against Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria has displaced more than 300,000 people, a war monitor stated.

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire in Syria. Trump took to Twitter and thanked Turkish President Erdogan adding that millions of lives will be saved after the deal.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday announced a ceasefire in Syria. Trump took to Twitter and thanked Turkish President Erdogan adding that millions of lives will be saved after the deal. Great news out of Turkey. News Conference shortly with @VP and @SecPompeo. Thank you to @RTErdogan. Millions of lives will be saved! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2019 × Trump said, "Turkey had agreed to no-military action" and the US would not impose any sanctions on Turkey. The Turkish military has decided to pause for five days. US said the two countries were committed to defeating the Islamic State. Earlier White House had said that Trump may revoke the invitation to host Erdogan depending on Ankara talks. The development has come after US Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Turkey seeking to secure a ceasefire in the Turkish invasion of northern Syria. Turkey and its Syrian proxies launched a broad assault on Kurdish-controlled areas on October 9, after US troops pulled back from the border and started withdrawing from the northeast altogether. Turkey's week-old offensive against Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria has displaced more than 300,000 people, a war monitor stated.

Millions of lives will be saved, says Trump as US-Turkey reach ceasefire in Syria

The partial trade bargain struck last week with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-sees-no-difference-with-us-on-trade-deal-256089">China is now being formally put down in writing</a>, United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday.

"It hasn't been papered yet but it is being papered," Trump told reporters at the White House.

He reiterated that China committed to greater purchases of US farm exports, and made concessions because of economic pressure by Washington.

"They want to make a deal. They have to make a deal. Their economy has been hurt very badly by what we've done and the tariffs," Trump said.

Markets rallied Friday as the deal was struck, in relief after the steady escalation in the trade conflict with China.

Last week, Trump hailed a breakthrough on a "phase one" deal that he said was substantial and included a surge in purchases of American farm products and also&nbsp;covers intellectual property, financial services and currencies.

However, comments from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/oil-falls-more-than-2-on-us-china-trade-deal-doubts-stronger-dollar-256002">officials in Beijing</a> raised skepticism about the significance of the agreement.

While the deal meant tariffs increases planned for this week would not go forward, it did not roll back any of the stinging import duties imposed up to now on hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the economic powers, nor did it address another round of import taxes planned for December.

Scant specifics are available but Trump says he hopes to sign the agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Chile next month.

The partial trade bargain struck last week with China is now being formally put down in writing, United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday. "It hasn't been papered yet but it is being papered," Trump told reporters at the White House.

The partial trade bargain struck last week with China is now being formally put down in writing, United States President Donald Trump said Wednesday. "It hasn't been papered yet but it is being papered," Trump told reporters at the White House. He reiterated that China committed to greater purchases of US farm exports, and made concessions because of economic pressure by Washington. "They want to make a deal. They have to make a deal. Their economy has been hurt very badly by what we've done and the tariffs," Trump said. Markets rallied Friday as the deal was struck, in relief after the steady escalation in the trade conflict with China. Last week, Trump hailed a breakthrough on a "phase one" deal that he said was substantial and included a surge in purchases of American farm products and also covers intellectual property, financial services and currencies. However, comments from officials in Beijing raised skepticism about the significance of the agreement. While the deal meant tariffs increases planned for this week would not go forward, it did not roll back any of the stinging import duties imposed up to now on hundreds of billions of dollars in trade between the economic powers, nor did it address another round of import taxes planned for December. Scant specifics are available but Trump says he hopes to sign the agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Chile next month.

United States-China trade mini-deal being 'papered': Trump

"As the president of Ukraine, I won't interfere with events in other countries, unlike some others (who) may try (to)," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraines-zelensky-denies-trump-tried-to-blackmail-him-254961">Zelensky told AFP</a> as he met the Ukrainian diaspora in the Latvian capital Riga.&nbsp;

"We, as Ukraine, will do nothing," he said.

The leader of the impeachment investigation said Tuesday that witnesses had provided substantial support for allegations that he illegally tried to force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-calls-controversial-donald-trump-call-normal-252078">Ukraine to investigate Biden</a>.

While the White House and Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani refused to turn over subpoenaed documents on the Ukraine affair to Congress, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said five witnesses had backed up allegations of misuse of power that could underpin formal impeachment charges.

Witnesses have said Trump's July 25 phone call with Zelensky, in which he appeared to tie US military aid to getting dirt on Biden, was planned in advance and then followed up, Schiff said.

Meanwhile, on Twitter, Trump lashed out at lawmakers, saying "Democrats are allowing no transparency at the Witch Hunt hearings."

Democrats are seeking to prove Trump sought foreign aid to boost his reelection next year, violating US election laws.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-discussed-biden-in-call-with-ukrainian-president-251491">Trump has admitted asking Zelensky for help</a> to probe Biden, but said it was for legitimate suspicions of corruption and not political reasons.

"As the president of Ukraine, I won't interfere with events in other countries, unlike some others (who) may try (to)," Zelensky told AFP as he met the Ukrainian diaspora in the Latvian capital Riga.

"As the president of Ukraine, I won't interfere with events in other countries, unlike some others (who) may try (to)," Zelensky told AFP as he met the Ukrainian diaspora in the Latvian capital Riga. "We, as Ukraine, will do nothing," he said. The leader of the impeachment investigation said Tuesday that witnesses had provided substantial support for allegations that he illegally tried to force Ukraine to investigate Biden. While the White House and Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani refused to turn over subpoenaed documents on the Ukraine affair to Congress, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said five witnesses had backed up allegations of misuse of power that could underpin formal impeachment charges. Witnesses have said Trump's July 25 phone call with Zelensky, in which he appeared to tie US military aid to getting dirt on Biden, was planned in advance and then followed up, Schiff said. Meanwhile, on Twitter, Trump lashed out at lawmakers, saying "Democrats are allowing no transparency at the Witch Hunt hearings." Democrats are seeking to prove Trump sought foreign aid to boost his reelection next year, violating US election laws. Trump has admitted asking Zelensky for help to probe Biden, but said it was for legitimate suspicions of corruption and not political reasons.

Ukraine 'won't interfere' in Trump impeachment probe: President Zelensky

A Turkish soldier was killed on Tuesday after shelling by Kurdish militants in Syria's Manbij region, the defence ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

"Following artillery fire by the terrorists from the Manbij region... one of our heroic comrades was killed and eight were injured," the ministry said.&nbsp;

The statement did not provide the precise location of the Turkish soldiers but said the army returned fire and killed at least 15 "terrorists."

Five Turkish soldiers have been killed since the operation was launched last Wednesday against Kurdish militants in Syria.&nbsp;

Turkish border towns have come under heavy artillery fire from Kurdish positions in Syria, killing 20 civilians.

A Turkish soldier was killed on Tuesday after shelling by Kurdish militants in Syria's Manbij region, the defence ministry said in a statement. "Following artillery fire by the terrorists from the Manbij region.

A Turkish soldier was killed on Tuesday after shelling by Kurdish militants in Syria's Manbij region, the defence ministry said in a statement. "Following artillery fire by the terrorists from the Manbij region... one of our heroic comrades was killed and eight were injured," the ministry said. The statement did not provide the precise location of the Turkish soldiers but said the army returned fire and killed at least 15 "terrorists." Five Turkish soldiers have been killed since the operation was launched last Wednesday against Kurdish militants in Syria. Turkish border towns have come under heavy artillery fire from Kurdish positions in Syria, killing 20 civilians.

Turkish soldier killed in shelling from Syria's Manbij: Ministry

An internet meme that depicts <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-announces-partial-trade-deal-with-china-255358">US President Donald Trump</a> shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday.

In the clip, the US president's head is superimposed on a man opening fire in the "Church of Fake News" at people whose faces have been replaced with the logos of outlets including CNN, the Washington Post and NBC TV.

As the rampage continues, the Trump character fends off worshippers, strikes late senator John McCain in the back of the neck and torches the head of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential rival.

He throws Republican senator Mitt Romney to the ground and strikes former president Barack Obama in the back and slams him against a wall.

The organizer of last week's "American Priority" event, which was held at Trump's resort in Miami, said the clip was part of a "meme exhibit."

"American Priority rejects all political violence and aims to promote a healthy dialogue about the preservation of free speech," Alex Phillips told the Times.

Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 election campaign, told the Times that the "video was not produced by the campaign, and we do not condone violence."

Media organizations have come under regular verbal attack from Trump and his supporters.

An internet meme that depicts US President Donald Trump shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday.

An internet meme that depicts US President Donald Trump shooting and stabbing media characters and political opponents was shown at a conference for his supporters, the New York Times reported Sunday. In the clip, the US president's head is superimposed on a man opening fire in the "Church of Fake News" at people whose faces have been replaced with the logos of outlets including CNN, the Washington Post and NBC TV. As the rampage continues, the Trump character fends off worshippers, strikes late senator John McCain in the back of the neck and torches the head of Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democratic presidential rival. He throws Republican senator Mitt Romney to the ground and strikes former president Barack Obama in the back and slams him against a wall. The organizer of last week's "American Priority" event, which was held at Trump's resort in Miami, said the clip was part of a "meme exhibit." "American Priority rejects all political violence and aims to promote a healthy dialogue about the preservation of free speech," Alex Phillips told the Times. Tim Murtaugh, a spokesman for Trump's 2020 election campaign, told the Times that the "video was not produced by the campaign, and we do not condone violence." Media organizations have come under regular verbal attack from Trump and his supporters.

US President Donald Trump violently attacks media figures in supporter's event meme: Report

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will nominate US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan to be the US ambassador to Russia.

If confirmed by the Senate, Sullivan would be the top US diplomat in Russia at a particularly challenging time for Trump's presidency, which is facing an impeachment inquiry after Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate his domestic political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden

Trump had said in August he was considering Sullivan for the envoy job. Sullivan had also been under consideration to be Trump's national security adviser, a role that ultimately ended up going to Robert O'Brien, the former US special envoy for hostage affairs.

Sullivan will replace Jon Huntsman, who resigned in August after two years in the post, amid speculation that he will run for Utah governor.

Sullivan was a lawyer and had served in previous Republican administrations before becoming the deputy secretary of state in 2017.

Moscow has come under fire from Washington most recently because US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential elections. Russia has denied wrongdoing.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will nominate US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan to be the US ambassador to Russia. If confirmed by the Senate, Sullivan would be the top US diplomat in Russia at a particularly challenging time for Trump's presidency, which is facing an impeachment inquiry after Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate his domestic political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden Trump had said in August he was considering Sullivan for the envoy job.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he will nominate US Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan to be the US ambassador to Russia. If confirmed by the Senate, Sullivan would be the top US diplomat in Russia at a particularly challenging time for Trump's presidency, which is facing an impeachment inquiry after Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate his domestic political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden Trump had said in August he was considering Sullivan for the envoy job. Sullivan had also been under consideration to be Trump's national security adviser, a role that ultimately ended up going to Robert O'Brien, the former US special envoy for hostage affairs. Sullivan will replace Jon Huntsman, who resigned in August after two years in the post, amid speculation that he will run for Utah governor. Sullivan was a lawyer and had served in previous Republican administrations before becoming the deputy secretary of state in 2017. Moscow has come under fire from Washington most recently because US intelligence agencies concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential elections. Russia has denied wrongdoing.

Trump names John Sullivan as his pick for US ambassador to Russia

The former US ambassador to Ukraine on Friday told a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-host-first-post-impeachment-inquiry-rally-in-democratic-stronghold-255010">President Donald Trump</a> that Trump ousted her based on "unfounded and false claims" after she had come under attack by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

Marie Yovanovitch, the ambassador who was abruptly recalled from Kiev in May, spent more than nine hours in a closed-door meeting with House members and staff. She had been expected to appear last week, but was told not to by the State Department at the behest of the White House, according to Democratic House members. Lawmakers then issued a subpoena for her appearance and she complied.

Yovanovitch, according to a copy of her opening statement posted online by US media, said she was told by a senior State Department official about "a concerted campaign against me" and said Trump had pushed for her removal since the middle of 2018 even though the department believed "I had done nothing wrong."

She expressed alarm over damage to diplomacy under Trump and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-businessmen-linked-to-trump-ukraine-scandal-arrested-on-us-charges-255065">warned about "private interests"</a> circumventing "professional diplomats for their own gain, not the public good."

The impeachment inquiry focuses on a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate a leading rival seeking to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election, former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden's businessman son Hunter Biden.

Giuliani has accused Yovanovitch of blocking efforts to persuade Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. The former New York mayor has said he provided information to both Trump and State about Yovanovitch, who he suggested was biased against Trump.

On Friday, Giuliani said: "I was doing it in my role as a defence lawyer" for Trump.

Trump was asked on Friday whether Giuliani was still his personal attorney. He answered, "I don't know."

A person familiar with the situation said Giuliani was still Trump's outside counsel, but would not represent him on matters dealing with Ukraine.

In her statement, Yovanovitch denied any bias. She said Giuliani's associates "may well have believed that their personal financial ambitions were stymied by our anti-corruption policy in Ukraine."

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating whether Giuliani broke lobbying laws in his dealings in Ukraine, the New York Times reported, citing two people familiar with the inquiry.

On Thursday, two businessmen, Ukraine-born Lev Parnas and Belarus-born Igor Fruman, who helped Giuliani as he investigated Biden, were arrested in what US prosecutors called a scheme to illegally funnel money to a pro-Trump election committee and other political candidates.

The Times said the investigation of Giuliani is tied to the case against Parnas and Fruman.

Asked about the Times report, Giuliani told Reuters: "I never did any lobbying for anyone. If they want to ask me I’m happy to prove it. But they haven’t." A spokesman for the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office declined to comment.

'Clown show'

Democrats have called Yovanovitch's removal politically motivated.

Democratic Representative Denny Heck said he was gripped by Yovanovitch's testimony. "It was that amazing, that powerful, that impactful. And I just feel very fortunate to have been there," he told reporters.

Republicans were critical. Representative Lee Zeldin called Yovanovitch's testimony a "clown show."

According to a White House summary, Trump in his call to Zelenskiy said of Yovanovitch: "the woman was bad news and the people she was dealing with in Ukraine were bad news." Zelenskiy agreed she was a "bad ambassador" and agreed to investigate the Bidens.

The conversation occurred after Trump withheld $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine as it faced Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country.

"Although I understand that I served at the pleasure of the president, I was nevertheless incredulous that the US government chose to remove an Ambassador based, as best as I can tell, on unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives," Yovanovitch said in her statement.

Yovanovitch, who entered the Capitol complex for the deposition wearing dark glasses, did not respond to questions.

Yovanovitch has worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations and has had support from members of both parties in Congress. A senior Republican congressional aide described her as someone widely viewed as "professional."

Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring vulnerable ally Ukraine to dig up dirt on a rival for his own political benefit. Biden is a leading Democratic contender seeking his party's nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Democrats have also criticized the Trump administration for what they see as efforts to obstruct the investigation. After Yovanovitch's testimony, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff warned that interfering in the probe would show "the president is violating the constitutional separation of powers and seeking to cover up his misconduct."

He said Yovanovitch had been "a model diplomat and deserves better than the shabby treatment she received from the president and the Secretary of State."

'Potty mouth'

As Yovanovitch spoke to the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that the administration would comply with the law.

"We're going to do everything we're lawfully required to do," Pompeo said in an interview with WKRN-TV in Nashville.

The investigation could lead to the approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges against the president - in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Senate, where Trump's fellow Republicans who control the chamber have shown little appetite for ousting him.

In a call with her fellow House Democrats on Friday afternoon, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the investigation was about finding facts, not Trump's personality, although she said Trump "has become a potty mouth and children are listening."

"His policy, his personality, his potty-mouth, that's about the election," Pelosi said, according to an aide who was on the call. "The inquiry is because he has not honoured his oath of office. We will honour ours."

Trump had told a rally on Thursday that Biden "was only a good vice president because he knew how to kiss (former President) Barack Obama's ass."

Yovanovitch said the United States' allowing Russian aggression toward Ukraine would "set a precedent that the United States will regret for decades to come."

"Today, we see the State Department attacked and hollowed out from within. State Department leadership, with Congress, needs to take action now to defend this great institution, and its thousands of loyal and effective employees," she said.

Depositions are scheduled in the coming days with more witnesses, including Fiona Hill, former senior director for European and Russian Affairs on Trump's National Security Council, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and State Department Counsellor Ulrich Brechbuhl.

Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, will comply with a subpoena and testify on Thursday, his lawyers said, despite the White House policy against cooperation. But Sondland is not yet authorized to release documents the committees have sought, his lawyers said.

The former US ambassador to Ukraine on Friday told a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump that Trump ousted her based on "unfounded and false claims" after she had come under attack by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

The former US ambassador to Ukraine on Friday told a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump that Trump ousted her based on "unfounded and false claims" after she had come under attack by his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Marie Yovanovitch, the ambassador who was abruptly recalled from Kiev in May, spent more than nine hours in a closed-door meeting with House members and staff. She had been expected to appear last week, but was told not to by the State Department at the behest of the White House, according to Democratic House members. Lawmakers then issued a subpoena for her appearance and she complied. Yovanovitch, according to a copy of her opening statement posted online by US media, said she was told by a senior State Department official about "a concerted campaign against me" and said Trump had pushed for her removal since the middle of 2018 even though the department believed "I had done nothing wrong." She expressed alarm over damage to diplomacy under Trump and warned about "private interests" circumventing "professional diplomats for their own gain, not the public good." The impeachment inquiry focuses on a July 25 phone call in which Trump pressed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate a leading rival seeking to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election, former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden, and Biden's businessman son Hunter Biden. Giuliani has accused Yovanovitch of blocking efforts to persuade Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. The former New York mayor has said he provided information to both Trump and State about Yovanovitch, who he suggested was biased against Trump. On Friday, Giuliani said: "I was doing it in my role as a defence lawyer" for Trump. Trump was asked on Friday whether Giuliani was still his personal attorney. He answered, "I don't know." A person familiar with the situation said Giuliani was still Trump's outside counsel, but would not represent him on matters dealing with Ukraine. In her statement, Yovanovitch denied any bias. She said Giuliani's associates "may well have believed that their personal financial ambitions were stymied by our anti-corruption policy in Ukraine." Federal prosecutors in Manhattan are investigating whether Giuliani broke lobbying laws in his dealings in Ukraine, the New York Times reported, citing two people familiar with the inquiry. On Thursday, two businessmen, Ukraine-born Lev Parnas and Belarus-born Igor Fruman, who helped Giuliani as he investigated Biden, were arrested in what US prosecutors called a scheme to illegally funnel money to a pro-Trump election committee and other political candidates. The Times said the investigation of Giuliani is tied to the case against Parnas and Fruman. Asked about the Times report, Giuliani told Reuters: "I never did any lobbying for anyone. If they want to ask me I’m happy to prove it. But they haven’t." A spokesman for the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office declined to comment. 'Clown show' Democrats have called Yovanovitch's removal politically motivated. Democratic Representative Denny Heck said he was gripped by Yovanovitch's testimony. "It was that amazing, that powerful, that impactful. And I just feel very fortunate to have been there," he told reporters. Republicans were critical. Representative Lee Zeldin called Yovanovitch's testimony a "clown show." According to a White House summary, Trump in his call to Zelenskiy said of Yovanovitch: "the woman was bad news and the people she was dealing with in Ukraine were bad news." Zelenskiy agreed she was a "bad ambassador" and agreed to investigate the Bidens. The conversation occurred after Trump withheld $391 million in security assistance to Ukraine as it faced Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. "Although I understand that I served at the pleasure of the president, I was nevertheless incredulous that the US government chose to remove an Ambassador based, as best as I can tell, on unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives," Yovanovitch said in her statement. Yovanovitch, who entered the Capitol complex for the deposition wearing dark glasses, did not respond to questions. Yovanovitch has worked under both Republican and Democratic administrations and has had support from members of both parties in Congress. A senior Republican congressional aide described her as someone widely viewed as "professional." Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring vulnerable ally Ukraine to dig up dirt on a rival for his own political benefit. Biden is a leading Democratic contender seeking his party's nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Trump has denied wrongdoing. Democrats have also criticized the Trump administration for what they see as efforts to obstruct the investigation. After Yovanovitch's testimony, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff warned that interfering in the probe would show "the president is violating the constitutional separation of powers and seeking to cover up his misconduct." He said Yovanovitch had been "a model diplomat and deserves better than the shabby treatment she received from the president and the Secretary of State." 'Potty mouth' As Yovanovitch spoke to the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo insisted that the administration would comply with the law. "We're going to do everything we're lawfully required to do," Pompeo said in an interview with WKRN-TV in Nashville. The investigation could lead to the approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges against the president - in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Senate, where Trump's fellow Republicans who control the chamber have shown little appetite for ousting him. In a call with her fellow House Democrats on Friday afternoon, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the investigation was about finding facts, not Trump's personality, although she said Trump "has become a potty mouth and children are listening." "His policy, his personality, his potty-mouth, that's about the election," Pelosi said, according to an aide who was on the call. "The inquiry is because he has not honoured his oath of office. We will honour ours." Trump had told a rally on Thursday that Biden "was only a good vice president because he knew how to kiss (former President) Barack Obama's ass." Yovanovitch said the United States' allowing Russian aggression toward Ukraine would "set a precedent that the United States will regret for decades to come." "Today, we see the State Department attacked and hollowed out from within. State Department leadership, with Congress, needs to take action now to defend this great institution, and its thousands of loyal and effective employees," she said. Depositions are scheduled in the coming days with more witnesses, including Fiona Hill, former senior director for European and Russian Affairs on Trump's National Security Council, as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State George Kent and State Department Counsellor Ulrich Brechbuhl. Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, will comply with a subpoena and testify on Thursday, his lawyers said, despite the White House policy against cooperation. But Sondland is not yet authorized to release documents the committees have sought, his lawyers said.

Former US ambassador to Ukraine tells impeachment inquiry Trump ousted her based on 'false claims'

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration.

"Kevin McAleenan has done an outstanding job as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. We have worked well together with Border Crossings being way down," Trump said in a tweet.

"Kevin now, after many years in Government, wants to spend more time with his family and go to the private sector. Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done!"

McAleenan served in the role for only six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months.

During McAleenan's brief tenure, the Trump administration stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico.

"I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security," McAleenan said in a tweet.

"With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year, by reducing unlawful crossings, partnering with governments in the region to counter human smugglers and address the causes of migration, and deploy additional border security resources."

Trump said he would announce a new acting homeland security secretary next week, and that there were "many wonderful candidates."

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration.

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan has resigned, US President Donald Trump announced late Friday, becoming the latest in a long list of top officials to leave the administration. "Kevin McAleenan has done an outstanding job as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security. We have worked well together with Border Crossings being way down," Trump said in a tweet. "Kevin now, after many years in Government, wants to spend more time with his family and go to the private sector. Congratulations Kevin, on a job well done!" McAleenan served in the role for only six months, replacing Kirstjen Nielsen, who sat at the helm of the powerful agency for 18 months. During McAleenan's brief tenure, the Trump administration stepped up efforts to discourage an exodus of migrants from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador by asking Mexico to impede their transit and requiring them to apply for asylum in the first country they enter -- meaning either Guatemala or Mexico. "I want to thank the President for the opportunity to serve alongside the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security," McAleenan said in a tweet. "With his support, over the last 6 months, we have made tremendous progress mitigating the border security and humanitarian crisis we faced this year, by reducing unlawful crossings, partnering with governments in the region to counter human smugglers and address the causes of migration, and deploy additional border security resources." Trump said he would announce a new acting homeland security secretary next week, and that there were "many wonderful candidates."

Acting US homeland security chief Kevin McAleenan resigns: Trump

For the better part of a century, the United States could claim the moral high ground despite allegations of hypocrisy because its policies continuously contradicted its proclaimed propagation of democracy and human rights. Under President Donald J&nbsp;Trump, the US has lost that moral high ground.

This week's US sanctioning of 28 Chinese government entities and companies for their involvement in China's brutal clampdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled north-western province of Xinjiang, the first such measure by any country since the crackdown began, is a case in point.

So is the imposition of visa restrictions on Chinese officials suspected of being involved in the detention and human rights abuses of millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.

The irony is that the Trump administration has for the first time elevated human rights to a US foreign policy goal in export control policy despite its overall lack of concern for such rights.

The sanctions should put the Muslim world, always the first to ring the alarm bell when Muslims rights are trampled upon, on the spot.

It probably won't even though Muslim nations are out on a limb, having remained conspicuously silent in a bid not to damage relations with China, and in some cases even having endorsed the Chinese campaign, the most frontal assault on Islam in recent history.

This week’s seeming endorsement by Mr Trump of Turkey's military offensive against Syrian Kurds, who backed by the United States, fought the Islamic State and were guarding its captured fighters and their families drove the final nail into the coffin of US moral claims.

The endorsement came on the back of Mr Trump’s transactional approach towards foreign policy and relations with America’s allies, his hesitancy to respond robustly to last month’s missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, his refusal to ensure Saudi transparency on the killing a year ago of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and his perceived empathy for illiberals and authoritarians symbolized by his reference to Egyptian field marshal-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as “my favourite dictator.”

Rejecting Saudi and Egyptian criticism of his intervention in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the United States and Mr. Trump a blunt preview of what they can expect next time they come calling, whether it is for support of their holding China to account for its actions in Xinjiang, issues of religious freedom that are dear to the Trump administration’s heart, or specific infractions on human rights that the US opportunistically wishes to emphasize.

"Let me start with Saudi Arabia," Mr. Erdogan said in blistering remarks to members of his Justice and Development Party (AKP). "Look in the mirror first. Who brought Yemen to this state? Did tens of thousands of people not die in Yemen?" he asked, referring to the kingdom's disastrous military intervention in Yemen's ruinous civil war.

Addressing Mr. Al-Sisi, Mr. Erdogan charged: “Egypt, you can't talk at all. You are a country with a democracy killer." The Turkish leader asserted that Mr Al-Sisi had "held a meeting with some others and condemned the (Turkish) operation - so what if you do?"

The fact that the United States is likely to encounter similar responses, even if they are less belligerent in tone, as well as the fact that Mr Trump’s sanctioning of Chinese entities is unlikely to shame the Muslim world into action, signals a far more fundamental paradigm shift: the loss of the US and Western moral high ground that gave them an undisputed advantage in the battle of ideas, a key battleground in the struggle to shape a new world order.

China, Russia, Middle Eastern autocrats and other authoritarians and illiberals have no credible response to notions of personal and political freedom, human rights and the rule of law.

As a result, they countered the ideational appeal of greater freedoms by going through the motions. They often maintained or erected democratic facades and paid lip service to democratic concepts while cloaking their repression in terms employed by the West like the fight against terrorism.

By surrendering the West’s ideological edge, Mr Trump reduced the shaping of the new world order to a competition in which the power with the deeper pockets had the upper hand.

Former US national security advisor John Bolton admitted as much when he identified in late 2018 Africa as a new battleground and unveiled a new strategy focused on commercial ties, counterterrorism, and better-targeted US&nbsp;foreign aid.

Said international affairs scholar Keren Yarhi-Milo: “The United States has already paid a significant price for Trump’s behaviour: the president is no longer considered the ultimate voice on foreign policy. Foreign leaders are turning elsewhere to gauge American intentions… With Trump’s reputation compromised, the price tag on US&nbsp;deterrence, coercion, and reassurance has risen, along with the probability of miscalculation and inadvertent escalation.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

For the better part of a century, the United States could claim the moral high ground despite allegations of hypocrisy because its policies continuously contradicted its proclaimed propagation of democracy and human rights.

For the better part of a century, the United States could claim the moral high ground despite allegations of hypocrisy because its policies continuously contradicted its proclaimed propagation of democracy and human rights. Under President Donald J Trump, the US has lost that moral high ground. This week's US sanctioning of 28 Chinese government entities and companies for their involvement in China's brutal clampdown on Turkic Muslims in its troubled north-western province of Xinjiang, the first such measure by any country since the crackdown began, is a case in point. So is the imposition of visa restrictions on Chinese officials suspected of being involved in the detention and human rights abuses of millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims. The irony is that the Trump administration has for the first time elevated human rights to a US foreign policy goal in export control policy despite its overall lack of concern for such rights. The sanctions should put the Muslim world, always the first to ring the alarm bell when Muslims rights are trampled upon, on the spot. It probably won't even though Muslim nations are out on a limb, having remained conspicuously silent in a bid not to damage relations with China, and in some cases even having endorsed the Chinese campaign, the most frontal assault on Islam in recent history. This week’s seeming endorsement by Mr Trump of Turkey's military offensive against Syrian Kurds, who backed by the United States, fought the Islamic State and were guarding its captured fighters and their families drove the final nail into the coffin of US moral claims. The endorsement came on the back of Mr Trump’s transactional approach towards foreign policy and relations with America’s allies, his hesitancy to respond robustly to last month’s missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, his refusal to ensure Saudi transparency on the killing a year ago of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and his perceived empathy for illiberals and authoritarians symbolized by his reference to Egyptian field marshal-turned-president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as “my favourite dictator.” Rejecting Saudi and Egyptian criticism of his intervention in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the United States and Mr. Trump a blunt preview of what they can expect next time they come calling, whether it is for support of their holding China to account for its actions in Xinjiang, issues of religious freedom that are dear to the Trump administration’s heart, or specific infractions on human rights that the US opportunistically wishes to emphasize. "Let me start with Saudi Arabia," Mr. Erdogan said in blistering remarks to members of his Justice and Development Party (AKP). "Look in the mirror first. Who brought Yemen to this state? Did tens of thousands of people not die in Yemen?" he asked, referring to the kingdom's disastrous military intervention in Yemen's ruinous civil war. Addressing Mr. Al-Sisi, Mr. Erdogan charged: “Egypt, you can't talk at all. You are a country with a democracy killer." The Turkish leader asserted that Mr Al-Sisi had "held a meeting with some others and condemned the (Turkish) operation - so what if you do?" The fact that the United States is likely to encounter similar responses, even if they are less belligerent in tone, as well as the fact that Mr Trump’s sanctioning of Chinese entities is unlikely to shame the Muslim world into action, signals a far more fundamental paradigm shift: the loss of the US and Western moral high ground that gave them an undisputed advantage in the battle of ideas, a key battleground in the struggle to shape a new world order. China, Russia, Middle Eastern autocrats and other authoritarians and illiberals have no credible response to notions of personal and political freedom, human rights and the rule of law. As a result, they countered the ideational appeal of greater freedoms by going through the motions. They often maintained or erected democratic facades and paid lip service to democratic concepts while cloaking their repression in terms employed by the West like the fight against terrorism. By surrendering the West’s ideological edge, Mr Trump reduced the shaping of the new world order to a competition in which the power with the deeper pockets had the upper hand. Former US national security advisor John Bolton admitted as much when he identified in late 2018 Africa as a new battleground and unveiled a new strategy focused on commercial ties, counterterrorism, and better-targeted US foreign aid. Said international affairs scholar Keren Yarhi-Milo: “The United States has already paid a significant price for Trump’s behaviour: the president is no longer considered the ultimate voice on foreign policy. Foreign leaders are turning elsewhere to gauge American intentions… With Trump’s reputation compromised, the price tag on US deterrence, coercion, and reassurance has risen, along with the probability of miscalculation and inadvertent escalation.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Trump surrenders the West's moral high ground

Why Did Trump Backstab Kurdish Forces In Syria?

WION Edit: What led to Trump's Syria 'U-turn'?

Turkey's Invasion Of Syria & Trump's Decision To Allow It Has Sparked Global Criticism.

Gravitas: World condemns Turkey's move to invade Syria

Turkey's Pounds Kurdish Forces In Turkey-Syria Border As Tensions Escalate.

Gravitas: Turkey's military offensive in Syria: Has the U.S. allowed a genocide?

Thousands Of Civilians Flee After Turkey's Strikes In North East Syria.

Gravitas: Turkey targets Kurds in Syria: Key implications

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trump-decision-to-withdraw-troops-from-syria-opens-way-for-dangerous-middle-east-power-play-254749">United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US military becoming involved in the Middle East</a> was the "worst decision ever made" and that he was ensuring the safe return of troops.

Trump has faced a bipartisan storm of criticism since a surprise announcement by the White House on Sunday that Washington was pulling back 50 to 100 "special operators" from Syria's northern frontier.

"GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under a false &amp; now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There were NONE!" the president tweeted in reference to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The United States has spent EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS fighting and policing in the Middle East. Thousands of our Great Soldiers have died or been badly wounded. Millions of people have died on the other side. GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1181905659568283648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The United States is estimated to have between 60,000 and 80,000 troops across the area covered by US Central Command, which includes Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.

Trump bemoaned what he called the "eight trillion-dollar" bill for "fighting and policing" in the Middle East, and the thousands of US soldiers who had been killed or wounded in battle.

"Now we are slowly &amp; carefully bringing our great soldiers &amp; military home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!" Trump said.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under a false &amp; now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There were NONE! Now we are slowly &amp; carefully bringing our great soldiers &amp; military home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1181905661300559872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Syria's Kurds called up civilians&nbsp;on Wednesday to defend against a Turkish assault feared to be imminent despite Trump's insistence the United States has not abandoned its Kurdish allies.

Turkey said on Tuesday that it would begin its long-threatened offensive "soon," after Trump gave what was widely seen as a green light at the weekend, ordering the pullback of US troops who had previously served as a buffer.

United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US military becoming involved in the Middle East was the "worst decision ever made" and that he was ensuring the safe return of troops.

United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the US military becoming involved in the Middle East was the "worst decision ever made" and that he was ensuring the safe return of troops. Trump has faced a bipartisan storm of criticism since a surprise announcement by the White House on Sunday that Washington was pulling back 50 to 100 "special operators" from Syria's northern frontier. "GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under a false & now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There were NONE!" the president tweeted in reference to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. The United States has spent EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS fighting and policing in the Middle East. Thousands of our Great Soldiers have died or been badly wounded. Millions of people have died on the other side. GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019 × The United States is estimated to have between 60,000 and 80,000 troops across the area covered by US Central Command, which includes Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Trump bemoaned what he called the "eight trillion-dollar" bill for "fighting and policing" in the Middle East, and the thousands of US soldiers who had been killed or wounded in battle. "Now we are slowly & carefully bringing our great soldiers & military home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE!" Trump said. ....IN THE HISTORY OF OUR COUNTRY! We went to war under a false & now disproven premise, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. There were NONE! Now we are slowly & carefully bringing our great soldiers & military home. Our focus is on the BIG PICTURE! THE USA IS GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019 × Syria's Kurds called up civilians on Wednesday to defend against a Turkish assault feared to be imminent despite Trump's insistence the United States has not abandoned its Kurdish allies. Turkey said on Tuesday that it would begin its long-threatened offensive "soon," after Trump gave what was widely seen as a green light at the weekend, ordering the pullback of US troops who had previously served as a buffer.

United States going into Middle East was 'worst decision ever', says Trump

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections.

At this stage, it appears there are the numbers in the house for impeachment, which entails formally charging the president with “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Their indictment then moves to the Senate, which can remove the president by a two-thirds majority, in a hearing chaired by the chief justice.

Because 2020 is an election year, both sides will manage proceedings with an eye to the November poll. It is possible the house will vote before the end of the year: the decision to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath was made in the last three months of 1998.

Clinton was cleared by the Senate by the following February, so it is also possible the Senate will hold its own proceedings before most of the presidential primaries commence. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to remove a president from office, which has never happened.

While several Republican house representatives have expressed concern about the president’s behaviour, the overwhelming majority of Republican politicians are either supporting him or remaining silent.

Rather as Boris Johnston seems to have captured the British Conservative Party, so Trump has imposed himself on the Republicans. Those who three years ago assailed his unfitness for the presidency, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, are now his loudest defenders. Meanwhile, several of his opponents are withdrawing from political office.

However, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for president in 2012, has indicated his disquiet, which is almost certainly shared by others. If the house uncovers more apparently illegal activity on Trump, and if public opinion seems to be turning against the president, there are several other senators who may follow, if only to preserve their own positions. Republican senators are facing re-election in states such as Colorado, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina, where they are increasingly vulnerable.

There is an odd historical parallel with the history of Senator Joe McCarthy, who led increasingly virulent anti-Communist crusades in the early 1950s and whose protégé, Roy Cohn, in turn influenced Trump.

Eventually, Republican senators turned on McCarthy, and censured but did not expel him. But this happened only once it was clear that public support for McCarthy was collapsing, which is so far not evident for Trump.

Faced with possible impeachment and loss of support, Richard Nixon resigned. It is difficult to see Trump doing this – it is more likely he will become even more irrational and vengeful as the process winds on. Right-wing media will echo the president’s claim that the impeachment hearings represent treason, with real danger of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Trump.

For the Democrats, the best outcome would be a split within Republican ranks, which leaves Trump in office but weakened and vulnerable to a challenge for re-nomination. Removing Trump would place Vice President Mike Pence in office, and presumably ensured of nomination in 2020.

The dilemma for the Democrats is that the impeachment process will dominate the news cycle as they jockey for position going into next year’s long battle for the presidential nomination. Trump will use the allegations to focus attention on former Vice President Joe Biden, whose son’s business dealings in Ukraine triggered the impeachment inquiry.

Biden may hope this will allow him to emerge as the injured defender of political propriety, but he will be tarnished through guilt by association, and is likely to slip further in the polls. Biden represents some of the traditional working class and African American base of the Democratic Party, and how they react could determine the ultimate Democrat candidate.

At the moment, Elizabeth Warren challenges Biden’s lead in the polls, with Bernie Sanders the only other candidate consistently supported by more than 10 per cent&nbsp;of Democrats. None of the others in a crowded field — 12 have qualified to take part in the next televised Democratic debate — have much support, and they will start to drop out once the primary season begins in February 2020.

If Biden continues to lose support, there is room for someone to emerge as the moderate front-runner, given that both Warren and Sanders represent the more radical instincts of the party. This is presumably why so many candidates are determined to continue campaigning, even when some of them rarely muster 2 per cent&nbsp;in the polls.

Were Sanders’ current health problems to lead to his withdrawal most of his support would presumably switch to Warren. Predictions are risky, and my record is poor. But it is increasingly likely that the Democrats will nominate someone other than an old white man in 2020, betting on a figure like Barack Obama who can galvanise a bitterly divided nation and persuade people to turn out and vote.

(Dennis Altman is Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University)

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-impeachment-inquiry-might-affect-trumps-2020-re-election-chances-124424">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) &nbsp;

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections.

The next 13 months will see American politics completely dominated by the fate of Donald Trump. As the House of Representatives moves towards impeaching him, leading to a hearing which then moves to the Senate, the Democrats will be engaged in an increasingly bitter contest for the nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 elections. At this stage, it appears there are the numbers in the house for impeachment, which entails formally charging the president with “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Their indictment then moves to the Senate, which can remove the president by a two-thirds majority, in a hearing chaired by the chief justice. Because 2020 is an election year, both sides will manage proceedings with an eye to the November poll. It is possible the house will vote before the end of the year: the decision to impeach Bill Clinton for lying under oath was made in the last three months of 1998. Clinton was cleared by the Senate by the following February, so it is also possible the Senate will hold its own proceedings before most of the presidential primaries commence. It takes two-thirds of the Senate to remove a president from office, which has never happened. While several Republican house representatives have expressed concern about the president’s behaviour, the overwhelming majority of Republican politicians are either supporting him or remaining silent. Rather as Boris Johnston seems to have captured the British Conservative Party, so Trump has imposed himself on the Republicans. Those who three years ago assailed his unfitness for the presidency, such as Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz, are now his loudest defenders. Meanwhile, several of his opponents are withdrawing from political office. However, Senator Mitt Romney, Republican candidate for president in 2012, has indicated his disquiet, which is almost certainly shared by others. If the house uncovers more apparently illegal activity on Trump, and if public opinion seems to be turning against the president, there are several other senators who may follow, if only to preserve their own positions. Republican senators are facing re-election in states such as Colorado, Iowa, Maine and North Carolina, where they are increasingly vulnerable. There is an odd historical parallel with the history of Senator Joe McCarthy, who led increasingly virulent anti-Communist crusades in the early 1950s and whose protégé, Roy Cohn, in turn influenced Trump. Eventually, Republican senators turned on McCarthy, and censured but did not expel him. But this happened only once it was clear that public support for McCarthy was collapsing, which is so far not evident for Trump. Faced with possible impeachment and loss of support, Richard Nixon resigned. It is difficult to see Trump doing this – it is more likely he will become even more irrational and vengeful as the process winds on. Right-wing media will echo the president’s claim that the impeachment hearings represent treason, with real danger of violent clashes between supporters and opponents of Trump. For the Democrats, the best outcome would be a split within Republican ranks, which leaves Trump in office but weakened and vulnerable to a challenge for re-nomination. Removing Trump would place Vice President Mike Pence in office, and presumably ensured of nomination in 2020. The dilemma for the Democrats is that the impeachment process will dominate the news cycle as they jockey for position going into next year’s long battle for the presidential nomination. Trump will use the allegations to focus attention on former Vice President Joe Biden, whose son’s business dealings in Ukraine triggered the impeachment inquiry. Biden may hope this will allow him to emerge as the injured defender of political propriety, but he will be tarnished through guilt by association, and is likely to slip further in the polls. Biden represents some of the traditional working class and African American base of the Democratic Party, and how they react could determine the ultimate Democrat candidate. At the moment, Elizabeth Warren challenges Biden’s lead in the polls, with Bernie Sanders the only other candidate consistently supported by more than 10 per cent of Democrats. None of the others in a crowded field — 12 have qualified to take part in the next televised Democratic debate — have much support, and they will start to drop out once the primary season begins in February 2020. If Biden continues to lose support, there is room for someone to emerge as the moderate front-runner, given that both Warren and Sanders represent the more radical instincts of the party. This is presumably why so many candidates are determined to continue campaigning, even when some of them rarely muster 2 per cent in the polls. Were Sanders’ current health problems to lead to his withdrawal most of his support would presumably switch to Warren. Predictions are risky, and my record is poor. But it is increasingly likely that the Democrats will nominate someone other than an old white man in 2020, betting on a figure like Barack Obama who can galvanise a bitterly divided nation and persuade people to turn out and vote. (Dennis Altman is Professorial Fellow in Human Security, La Trobe University) (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)

How the impeachment inquiry might affect Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election chances

A longtime US&nbsp;diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-in-donald-trump-ukraine-scandal-a-cia-officer-report-252276">whistleblower complaint</a> that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats.

Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate.

Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-feud-heats-up-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-was-subject-of-ukraine-call-251345">call</a> to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-denounces-impeachment-inquiry-as-a-coup-253163">impeachment investigation</a> last week.

On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker.

The 54-year-old, who is also a former US&nbsp;ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily.

The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days.

More are expected.

Late on Wednesday, US&nbsp;Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker.

He also expressed concern that US&nbsp;Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker.

An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry.

Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email.

Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing.

Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US&nbsp;ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October&nbsp;11.

'Perfect'- or 'wrong'?

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-nothing-compromising-in-trump-call-to-ukraine-leader-253325">Trump</a>&nbsp;has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect."

Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong."

Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed.

Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel.

Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick.

At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation."

Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch.

A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists.

The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president.

A longtime US diplomat who served as President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine will tell his story to congressional committee staff on Thursday as part of a Democratic-led impeachment probe of the Republican president. Kurt Volker resigned as special representative for Ukraine negotiations on Friday, the day after the public release of a whistleblower complaint that described him as trying to "contain the damage" from efforts by Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani to press Ukraine to investigate Democrats. Volker's meeting with the committee comes after an emotional day in the impeachment inquiry on Wednesday when Trump railed at journalists during a news conference, resorted to the use of an expletive on Twitter and called the probe "a hoax and a fraud" while pledging to cooperate. Democratic lawmakers had said earlier on Wednesday they were prepared to subpoena White House records about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Charges that Trump pressured Zelenskiy in that call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading rival in Trump's bid for re-election in 2020, helped prompt House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to announce a formal impeachment investigation last week. On Thursday, staff from the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Oversight committees will conduct a transcribed interview with Volker. The 54-year-old, who is also a former US ambassador to NATO, is appearing voluntarily. The briefing will take place behind closed doors, the first of a series of events in the probe, none of them public, scheduled within the 10 days. More are expected. Late on Wednesday, US Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the session with Volker, saying that Foreign Affairs Committee Republicans were not being given equal representation or the chance to question Volker. He also expressed concern that US Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic House foreign affairs chairman, had ceded oversight of US foreign policy to the Intelligence Committee because that panel, he said, would lead the questioning of Volker. An Intelligence Committee aide said the panel's staff would conduct the interview because Pelosi had designated it as the lead committee in the impeachment inquiry. Intelligence Committee investigators have been working with the Foreign Affairs and Oversight committees, "both of which will have equal Majority and Minority representation," the aide said in an email. Representatives for the Foreign Affairs Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Friday, Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson will testify at an Intelligence Committee hearing. Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US ambassador in Kiev until Trump recalled her in May before her normal term was up, will meet with committee staff on October 11. 'Perfect'- or 'wrong'? Trump has denied wrongdoing, repeatedly calling his call with Zelenskiy "perfect." Pelosi dismissed that characterization at a news conference on Wednesday, saying: "It's not perfect - it's wrong." Some of Trump's Republican allies have joined him in seeking to discredit Representative Adam Schiff, chairman of the House intelligence panel, after a New York Times report on Wednesday that the whistleblower had contacted the committee for advice on how to proceed. Both Republicans and Democrats familiar with the process said, however, that Schiff's panel had acted properly in advising the person to contact an Inspector General and seek legal counsel. Staff from eight Senate and House congressional committees, including Republicans and Democrats, also reacted with surprise on Wednesday after a briefing by the State Department's inspector general, Steve Linick. At the briefing, which was held behind closed doors but not classified, Linick handed out packets of documents that the only lawmaker who attended, Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, described as "propaganda and disinformation." Committee staff members who attended the briefing said it concerned a package of documents delivered to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that included allegations against Biden and Yovanovitch. A photograph of one document, whose source was not disclosed, described a discredited theory promoted by Trump allies that Yovanovitch was installed in her post by billionaire George Soros, a Democratic donor frequently attacked by far-right activists. The impeachment probe could lead to approval of articles of impeachment - or formal charges - against Trump in the House. A trial on whether to remove Trump from office would then be held in the Republican-controlled Senate. Republicans, however, have shown little appetite for ousting him.

United States diplomat at center of Trump-Ukraine affair to meet House committee staff

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pompeo-heads-to-italy-amid-reports-that-he-took-part-in-trump-zelenskiy-phone-call-252916">US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo</a> confirmed Wednesday that he listened in on the phone call that is at the heart of the impeachment probe against President Donald Trump.

"I was on the call," Pompeo told a news conference in Rome.

It was Pompeo's first public comment on whether he had heard Trump ask the president of Ukraine to dig up dirt on political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter in the July 25 call.

Pompeo did not say what was discussed in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-white-house-intervened-after-trump-ukraine-call-252228">Trump's half-hour conversation</a> with Volodymyr Zelensky.

He also again lambasted Democratic congressional leaders pressing for quick testimony from five State Department diplomats as part of their probe of the Ukraine scandal now threatening the Trump presidency.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that he listened in on the phone call that is at the heart of the impeachment probe against President Donald Trump.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed Wednesday that he listened in on the phone call that is at the heart of the impeachment probe against President Donald Trump. "I was on the call," Pompeo told a news conference in Rome. It was Pompeo's first public comment on whether he had heard Trump ask the president of Ukraine to dig up dirt on political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter in the July 25 call. Pompeo did not say what was discussed in Trump's half-hour conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky. He also again lambasted Democratic congressional leaders pressing for quick testimony from five State Department diplomats as part of their probe of the Ukraine scandal now threatening the Trump presidency.

'I was on the call,' says Pompeo on Trump call to Ukraine leader

US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed for Italy Monday&nbsp;amid reports that he took part in a July phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that is at the heart of a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

Democrats have been moving quickly since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced last Tuesday that she was formally launching an impeachment enquiry. On Friday three House committees announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been subpoenaed, and depositions had been scheduled for five other State Department officials.

House Democrats subpoenaed Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-in-donald-trump-ukraine-scandal-a-cia-officer-report-252276">Mike Pompeo</a>&nbsp;for Ukraine-related documents Friday as they plunged into an impeachment probe of President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-white-house-intervened-after-trump-ukraine-call-252228">Donald Trump</a>.

The heads of three House committees gave Pompeo one week to produce the documents, saying a number of State Department officials have direct knowledge of Trump's efforts to enlist the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-defends-ukraine-support-after-trump-call-row-252242">Ukraine government's help in his domestic political campaign</a>&nbsp;for reelection.&nbsp;

"The Committees are investigating the extent to which President Trump jeopardised national security by pressing Ukraine to interfere with our 2020 election and by withholding security assistance provided by Congress to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression," they said.

"The subpoenaed documents shall be part of the impeachment inquiry and shared among the Committees. Your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House's impeachment inquiry," they wrote.

The subpoena came one day after the release of an intelligence official's bombshell whistleblower complaint that describes Trump pressuring Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to supply dirt on Democratic political rival Joe Biden.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed for Italy Monday amid reports that he took part in a July phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that is at the heart of a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed for Italy Monday amid reports that he took part in a July phone conversation between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that is at the heart of a House of Representatives impeachment inquiry, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday. Democrats have been moving quickly since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced last Tuesday that she was formally launching an impeachment enquiry. On Friday three House committees announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had been subpoenaed, and depositions had been scheduled for five other State Department officials. House Democrats subpoenaed Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for Ukraine-related documents Friday as they plunged into an impeachment probe of President Donald Trump. The heads of three House committees gave Pompeo one week to produce the documents, saying a number of State Department officials have direct knowledge of Trump's efforts to enlist the Ukraine government's help in his domestic political campaign for reelection. "The Committees are investigating the extent to which President Trump jeopardised national security by pressing Ukraine to interfere with our 2020 election and by withholding security assistance provided by Congress to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression," they said. "The subpoenaed documents shall be part of the impeachment inquiry and shared among the Committees. Your failure or refusal to comply with the subpoena shall constitute evidence of obstruction of the House's impeachment inquiry," they wrote. The subpoena came one day after the release of an intelligence official's bombshell whistleblower complaint that describes Trump pressuring Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in a July 25 phone call to supply dirt on Democratic political rival Joe Biden.

Pompeo heads to Italy amid reports that he took part in Trump-Zelenskiy phone call

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US&nbsp;intelligence community.

The whistleblower's complaint cited a July 25 telephone call in which <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-white-house-intervened-after-trump-ukraine-call-252228">Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> to investigate Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to challenge him in 2020, and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US&nbsp;ally to get dirt on a political rival for personal political gain. Trump's July 25 phone call came after he froze nearly $400 million in aid intended to help Ukraine deal with an insurgency by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. The aid was later provided.

The House Intelligence Committee is leading the impeachment inquiry. The inquiry in the Democratic-led House could lead to approval of articles of impeachment against the Republican president and a subsequent trial in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office.

Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday he expects the whistleblower to appear before the panel very soon.

While Congress is on a two-week recess, members of the committee will return to the US&nbsp;Capitol this week to carry out an investigation that is likely to produce new subpoenas for documents and other material.

The committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door hearing on Friday with the intelligence community's inspector general, Michael Atkinson, who concluded that the whistleblower complaint was of urgent concern and appeared credible.

House investigators are set to take the first witness testimony from two people mentioned in the whistleblower's complaint.

On Wednesday, three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight - are due to get a deposition from former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump labelled "bad news" during his call with Zelenskiy.

On Thursday, the committees are set to get a deposition from Trump's former special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, who resigned last week after the whistleblower complaint named him as one of two US&nbsp;diplomats who followed up with Ukrainian officials a day after Trump's call to Zelenskiy.&nbsp;

The whistleblower has not been publicly identified. Trump, in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday evening, said he <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/like-every-american-i-deserve-to-meet-my-accuser-donald-trump-252710">wanted to "meet" the whistleblower</a>, who he called "my accuser," as well as "the person who illegally gave this information" to the whistleblower.

"Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!" Trump wrote.

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....In addition, I want to meet not only my accuser, who presented SECOND &amp; THIRD HAND INFORMATION, but also the person who illegally gave this information, which was largely incorrect, to the “Whistleblower.” Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1178442765736333313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Some House Democrats said articles of impeachment against Trump could move to the House floor as soon as next month.

"In my mind, it's several weeks," House Judiciary Committee member David Cicilline told reporters last week. "He has already admitted that he contacted a foreign leader and discussed with him ginning up a fake story about one of his political opponents."

Last Friday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents related to the Ukraine scandal. House Democrats also have sought material from the White House and Justice Department.&nbsp;

Schiff said any effort by Trump to stonewall the probe could be used to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-caught-in-trump-row-says-nobody-can-pressure-me-251999">impeach him for obstructing Congress</a>.

Trump has withstood repeated scandals since taking office in 2017. House Democrats considered, but never moved ahead with, pursuing articles of impeachment over Trump's actions relating to Russian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election aimed at boosting his candidacy.

The United States has been giving military aid to Ukraine since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community.

The House of Representatives impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump over his request that a foreign power investigate a domestic political rival is set to intensify this week with testimony due from witnesses concerning allegations made by a whistleblower within the US intelligence community. The whistleblower's complaint cited a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Joe Biden, one of the leading Democratic candidates seeking to challenge him in 2020, and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Democrats have accused Trump of pressuring a vulnerable US ally to get dirt on a political rival for personal political gain. Trump's July 25 phone call came after he froze nearly $400 million in aid intended to help Ukraine deal with an insurgency by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. The aid was later provided. The House Intelligence Committee is leading the impeachment inquiry. The inquiry in the Democratic-led House could lead to approval of articles of impeachment against the Republican president and a subsequent trial in the Republican-led Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said on Sunday he expects the whistleblower to appear before the panel very soon. While Congress is on a two-week recess, members of the committee will return to the US Capitol this week to carry out an investigation that is likely to produce new subpoenas for documents and other material. The committee is scheduled to hold a closed-door hearing on Friday with the intelligence community's inspector general, Michael Atkinson, who concluded that the whistleblower complaint was of urgent concern and appeared credible. House investigators are set to take the first witness testimony from two people mentioned in the whistleblower's complaint. On Wednesday, three House committees - Intelligence, Foreign Affairs and Oversight - are due to get a deposition from former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch, who Trump labelled "bad news" during his call with Zelenskiy. On Thursday, the committees are set to get a deposition from Trump's former special representative for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, who resigned last week after the whistleblower complaint named him as one of two US diplomats who followed up with Ukrainian officials a day after Trump's call to Zelenskiy. The whistleblower has not been publicly identified. Trump, in a series of Twitter posts on Sunday evening, said he wanted to "meet" the whistleblower, who he called "my accuser," as well as "the person who illegally gave this information" to the whistleblower. "Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences!" Trump wrote. ....In addition, I want to meet not only my accuser, who presented SECOND & THIRD HAND INFORMATION, but also the person who illegally gave this information, which was largely incorrect, to the “Whistleblower.” Was this person SPYING on the U.S. President? Big Consequences! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 29, 2019 × Some House Democrats said articles of impeachment against Trump could move to the House floor as soon as next month. "In my mind, it's several weeks," House Judiciary Committee member David Cicilline told reporters last week. "He has already admitted that he contacted a foreign leader and discussed with him ginning up a fake story about one of his political opponents." Last Friday, the House Foreign Affairs Committee issued a subpoena to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for documents related to the Ukraine scandal. House Democrats also have sought material from the White House and Justice Department. Schiff said any effort by Trump to stonewall the probe could be used to impeach him for obstructing Congress. Trump has withstood repeated scandals since taking office in 2017. House Democrats considered, but never moved ahead with, pursuing articles of impeachment over Trump's actions relating to Russian interference in the 2016 US election aimed at boosting his candidacy. The United States has been giving military aid to Ukraine since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Trump remains defiant as impeachment enquiry against him intensifies

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

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

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

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

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening. This will be his second time addressing the world body since 2014. In his last speech, he presented the idea of a 'Yoga Day', which is now celebrated annually across the world on June 21.

The Prime Minister is expected to strongly raise the issues of terrorism and climate change. Ever since he landed in the United States on Saturday, the PM has been busy attending <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-trade-to-terror-key-takeaways-from-trump-modi-bilateral-meeting-251872">bilateral meetings</a> with leaders from across the world.

During his two-city visit to Houston and New York, he reached out to the Indian diaspora, spoke at the Climate Change Summit, and met the CEOs of global conglomerates. He also won the Global Goalkeeper Award for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/this-belongs-to-crores-of-indians-who-adopted-swachh-bharat-pm-modi-on-receiving-global-goalkeeper-award-251874">dedicated the award</a> to the "130 crore people of India and the collective endeavours of our nation to improve cleanliness".

PM Modi started the week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the Indian government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change. He said, "We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching".

On Tuesday, he inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park atop the UN Building and spoke at a lecture on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and his beliefs in the contemporary world.

He said, "Mahatma Gandhi never held positions of power. Yet, he motivates people around the world. Millions of people, several nations drew strength from his ideals and attained freedom."

The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-endorsement-of-narendra-modis-remarks-on-kashmir-and-terrorism-a-setback-for-pakistan-251804">Modi</a> also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island Meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit. Additionally, he has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-howdy-modi-trump-and-pm-modi-could-sign-trade-deal-251028">US President Trump</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

On Thursday the prime minister will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. On Friday, he is slated to meet leaders from neighbouring countries including Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening.

In what may be considered the grand finale of Prime Minister Modi's week-long United States visit, he will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Friday evening. This will be his second time addressing the world body since 2014. In his last speech, he presented the idea of a 'Yoga Day', which is now celebrated annually across the world on June 21. The Prime Minister is expected to strongly raise the issues of terrorism and climate change. Ever since he landed in the United States on Saturday, the PM has been busy attending bilateral meetings with leaders from across the world. During his two-city visit to Houston and New York, he reached out to the Indian diaspora, spoke at the Climate Change Summit, and met the CEOs of global conglomerates. He also won the Global Goalkeeper Award for the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. He dedicated the award to the "130 crore people of India and the collective endeavours of our nation to improve cleanliness". PM Modi started the week by addressing the United Nations Climate Change Summit where he highlighted the Indian government's climate action policies and called for a global movement to bring about change. He said, "We believe that an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of preaching". On Tuesday, he inaugurated the Gandhi Solar Park atop the UN Building and spoke at a lecture on the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi and his beliefs in the contemporary world. He said, "Mahatma Gandhi never held positions of power. Yet, he motivates people around the world. Millions of people, several nations drew strength from his ideals and attained freedom." The event was attended by the Secretary-General of the UN António Guterres, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina, Jamaica's PM Andrew Holness, and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern. Modi also reached out to small Island countries at the India Pacific Island Meet and the 1st India Caribbean Summit. Additionally, he has conducted bilateral meetings with more than ten global leaders including the US President Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. On Thursday the prime minister will meet with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. On Friday, he is slated to meet leaders from neighbouring countries including Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina.

PM Modi's US visit to end this week, UNGA address on Friday

French President Emmanuel&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said on Tuesday that&nbsp;he believed that the&nbsp;conditions&nbsp;for the leaders of the United States and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rouhani-says-iran-resists-sanctions-drives-us-desperate-251461">Iran</a> to meet were now in place, but the ball was now in their court to make it happen.

"I believe that the&nbsp;conditions&nbsp;in this context for a rapid return to negotiations have been created,"&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;told reporters before heading back to Paris from New York, where he attended the annual United Nations General Assembly.

"It's now&nbsp;up&nbsp;to the Iranians and the United States to seize these&nbsp;conditions&nbsp;and work together to relaunch momentum", he added.

The French leader has been pushing to defuse tensions between Washington and Tehran over the last few weeks, especially after an attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14. that the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia have blamed on Iran.

Macron&nbsp;used two days of shuffle diplomacy at the United Nations to try to bring US&nbsp;President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and Iranian President Hassan&nbsp;Rouhani&nbsp;face-to-face or at the very least get&nbsp;them&nbsp;to engage, fearing that a new incident could inflame the region.

But, with&nbsp;Rouhani&nbsp;demanding that the US lift tough sanctions that have strangled its economy and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-rouhani-meeting-not-scheduled-as-speculation-swirls-251685">Washington refusing</a> to do so until Iran comes to the table without&nbsp;conditions, the chances of a breakthrough still appear slim, even if the two leaders are still in New York on Wednesday.

"There is a common desire to progress and to not just find the terms of deescalation, but build a long-term accord,"&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said. "But it depends on the will of both sides."

Macron&nbsp;said the parameters of the&nbsp;talks&nbsp;were to ensure that Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, end Yemen's civil war, develop a plan for regional security that includes other crises in the region, ensure maritime flows in the Strait of Hormuz and lift economic sanctions.

But while&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said that those were the&nbsp;conditions, there appeared little to suggest that either side had agreed to take the next step.

"I think that lifting of sanctions on the part of the Americans without any visibility on the other subjects is not possible,"&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said.

"At the same time, clear commitments from Iran on the points I mentioned are not possible without American commitments", he added.

When asked whether he thought that they could still meet this week,&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;urged the two leaders to not miss the chance.

"I don't think in the coming weeks and months there will be an opportunity for him <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-president-rouhani-calls-for-unity-to-overcome-us-economic-war-246275">(Rouhani)</a> to come back to the US, and I don't think President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;will be going to Tehran," he said.

"It's a physical opportunity to seize because I think the best way to start a negotiation is to have a meeting, have a frank discussion between the two main protagonists,"&nbsp;Macron&nbsp;said.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that he believed that the conditions for the leaders of the United States and Iran to meet were now in place, but the ball was now in their court to make it happen.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Tuesday that he believed that the conditions for the leaders of the United States and Iran to meet were now in place, but the ball was now in their court to make it happen. "I believe that the conditions in this context for a rapid return to negotiations have been created," Macron told reporters before heading back to Paris from New York, where he attended the annual United Nations General Assembly. "It's now up to the Iranians and the United States to seize these conditions and work together to relaunch momentum", he added. The French leader has been pushing to defuse tensions between Washington and Tehran over the last few weeks, especially after an attack on Saudi oil facilities on September 14. that the United States, Europe, and Saudi Arabia have blamed on Iran. Macron used two days of shuffle diplomacy at the United Nations to try to bring US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani face-to-face or at the very least get them to engage, fearing that a new incident could inflame the region. But, with Rouhani demanding that the US lift tough sanctions that have strangled its economy and Washington refusing to do so until Iran comes to the table without conditions, the chances of a breakthrough still appear slim, even if the two leaders are still in New York on Wednesday. "There is a common desire to progress and to not just find the terms of deescalation, but build a long-term accord," Macron said. "But it depends on the will of both sides." Macron said the parameters of the talks were to ensure that Iran can never acquire a nuclear weapon, end Yemen's civil war, develop a plan for regional security that includes other crises in the region, ensure maritime flows in the Strait of Hormuz and lift economic sanctions. But while Macron said that those were the conditions, there appeared little to suggest that either side had agreed to take the next step. "I think that lifting of sanctions on the part of the Americans without any visibility on the other subjects is not possible," Macron said. "At the same time, clear commitments from Iran on the points I mentioned are not possible without American commitments", he added. When asked whether he thought that they could still meet this week, Macron urged the two leaders to not miss the chance. "I don't think in the coming weeks and months there will be an opportunity for him (Rouhani) to come back to the US, and I don't think President Trump will be going to Tehran," he said. "It's a physical opportunity to seize because I think the best way to start a negotiation is to have a meeting, have a frank discussion between the two main protagonists," Macron said.

Macron says Trump, Rouhani know conditions for talks, but up to them to deliver

Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday after US Democrats launched<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-steps-up-donald-trump-impeachment-probe-248698"> formal impeachment</a> proceedings against Donald Trump and renewed worries about trade as the President adopted a hard line on China.

In a dramatic move, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry after US markets closed.

Democrats accuse Trump of abuse of power in a reported attempt to pressure the newly installed president of Ukraine to open a corruption investigation into his lead challenger for the White House, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-feud-heats-up-donald-trump-says-joe-biden-was-subject-of-ukraine-call-251345">Joe Biden</a>, and Biden's son Hunter.

Trump denounced the inquiry as "Witch Hunt garbage" and said he would release a transcript of his phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The impeachment hearing announcement delivered a knock-out blow to stocks markets already weak at the knees," Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note.

Concern over US political turmoil added to worries over international trade after Trump ripped into China at the UN, declaring that the time of Beijing's "abuses" of the system was "over."

Touting what he argued were the benefits of his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-war-is-making-china-stronger-234526">tariff war with China</a>, Trump reiterated his hope that a trade agreement "beneficial to both countries" could be struck.

"But as I said very clearly, I will not accept a bad deal for the American people," he said.

"Trump's speech at the United Nations lacked any semblance of endearment towards China, but instead, he used this opportunity to reignite US-China tensions while renewing his attacks on America's largest technology companies," said Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader.

Tokyo slipped 0.5 per cent, while Hong Kong and Shanghai both dropped 0.4 per cent.

Oil prices took a hit, with both main contracts down 0.6 per cent following Trump's tough talk on China and after data indicating a build-up in US crude inventories.

In currency trading, the Pound slipped against the Dollar in Asia. It had rallied Tuesday following Britain's Supreme Court ruling that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament was "unlawful", providing a spark of hope that Brexit will be more orderly than previously feared.

"The ensuing British Pound rally was a bit underwhelming. It probably reflected the uncertainty of both Mr Johnson's tenure and the Brexit process with October the 31st looming," said OANDA's Halley.

&nbsp;

Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday after US Democrats launched formal impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump and renewed worries about trade as the President adopted a hard line on China.

Asian stock markets fell on Wednesday after US Democrats launched formal impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump and renewed worries about trade as the President adopted a hard line on China. In a dramatic move, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi announced a formal impeachment inquiry after US markets closed. Democrats accuse Trump of abuse of power in a reported attempt to pressure the newly installed president of Ukraine to open a corruption investigation into his lead challenger for the White House, Joe Biden, and Biden's son Hunter. Trump denounced the inquiry as "Witch Hunt garbage" and said he would release a transcript of his phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky. "The impeachment hearing announcement delivered a knock-out blow to stocks markets already weak at the knees," Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst at OANDA, said in a note. Concern over US political turmoil added to worries over international trade after Trump ripped into China at the UN, declaring that the time of Beijing's "abuses" of the system was "over." Touting what he argued were the benefits of his tariff war with China, Trump reiterated his hope that a trade agreement "beneficial to both countries" could be struck. "But as I said very clearly, I will not accept a bad deal for the American people," he said. "Trump's speech at the United Nations lacked any semblance of endearment towards China, but instead, he used this opportunity to reignite US-China tensions while renewing his attacks on America's largest technology companies," said Stephen Innes, Asia Pacific market strategist at AxiTrader. Tokyo slipped 0.5 per cent, while Hong Kong and Shanghai both dropped 0.4 per cent. Oil prices took a hit, with both main contracts down 0.6 per cent following Trump's tough talk on China and after data indicating a build-up in US crude inventories. In currency trading, the Pound slipped against the Dollar in Asia. It had rallied Tuesday following Britain's Supreme Court ruling that Prime Minister Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament was "unlawful", providing a spark of hope that Brexit will be more orderly than previously feared. "The ensuing British Pound rally was a bit underwhelming. It probably reflected the uncertainty of both Mr Johnson's tenure and the Brexit process with October the 31st looming," said OANDA's Halley.

Asian markets fall as impeachment process against Donald Trump begins

U.S. President Donald Trump Offers To Mediate The Kashmir Issue, Once Again.

Gravitas U.S. Edition: Is Trump Playing Both India & Pakistan?

Ukraine's president has joked that the only person who can pressure him is his six-year-old son, amid a growing scandal over whether US leader Donald Trump leaned on Kiev to investigate a political rival.

"Nobody can pressure me because I am the president of an independent country," Volodymyr Zelensky told the Russian news channel Rossiya 24 from New York.

"The only person who can put pressure on me is my son, who is six years old," added the leader, who was a popular comedian before his surprise election to the presidency earlier this year.&nbsp;

Zelensky and Trump are due to meet for the first time Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

US Democrats have launched a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump, accusing him of abuse of power over a reported attempt to pressure Zelensky into opening a corruption probe into ex-vice president Joe Biden, the leading Democrat presidential contender.&nbsp;

The investigation -- the first step in a possible impeachment process -- allegedly would have focused on Biden's son Hunter and his work for a Ukrainian company while his father was President Barack Obama's deputy.

Trump has admitted discussing Biden with Zelensky but denied reports he threatened to suspend military aid in the case of refusal.

Washington has been a key partner for Kiev in its conflict with Russia, which broke out in 2014 when Moscow annexed Crimea and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

Along with other Western countries, the US has imposed sanctions against Moscow and helped Kiev politically and financially.&nbsp;

Ukraine's president has joked that the only person who can pressure him is his six-year-old son, amid a growing scandal over whether US leader Donald Trump leaned on Kiev to investigate a political rival.

Ukraine's president has joked that the only person who can pressure him is his six-year-old son, amid a growing scandal over whether US leader Donald Trump leaned on Kiev to investigate a political rival. "Nobody can pressure me because I am the president of an independent country," Volodymyr Zelensky told the Russian news channel Rossiya 24 from New York. "The only person who can put pressure on me is my son, who is six years old," added the leader, who was a popular comedian before his surprise election to the presidency earlier this year. Zelensky and Trump are due to meet for the first time Wednesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. US Democrats have launched a formal impeachment inquiry against Trump, accusing him of abuse of power over a reported attempt to pressure Zelensky into opening a corruption probe into ex-vice president Joe Biden, the leading Democrat presidential contender. The investigation -- the first step in a possible impeachment process -- allegedly would have focused on Biden's son Hunter and his work for a Ukrainian company while his father was President Barack Obama's deputy. Trump has admitted discussing Biden with Zelensky but denied reports he threatened to suspend military aid in the case of refusal. Washington has been a key partner for Kiev in its conflict with Russia, which broke out in 2014 when Moscow annexed Crimea and supported separatists in eastern Ukraine. Along with other Western countries, the US has imposed sanctions against Moscow and helped Kiev politically and financially.

Ukraine president, caught in Trump row, says 'nobody can pressure me'

Watch what Indian-Americans has to say about Prime Minister Modi's Houston event.

Modi fever grips Indian-Americans

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/key-highlights-of-pm-modis-speech-at-houstons-howdy-modi-event-251334">''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston</a>, where <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-arrives-in-new-york-to-attend-un-climate-action-summit-251367">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters.

''Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters,'' PMO tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Memorable moments from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HowdyModi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HowdyModi</a> when PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> interacted with a group of youngsters. <a href="https://t.co/8FFIqCDt41">pic.twitter.com/8FFIqCDt41</a>
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/PMOIndia/status/1175977557226926080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In the video, the two leaders are seen walking together and having a brief interaction with the young performers who participated in the event.

A young boy then requested the US president for a selfie, for which Trump agrees and pose with PM Modi for the picture.

The video immediately went viral on social media, as the boy was lucky enough to get a picture with both the world leaders.

Soon the users started calling him as ''lucky boy'' on the Twitter.

''So lucky boy to meet Narendra Modi nd @realDonaldTrump,'' wrote a user.

The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters.

The PMO India on Monday tweeted a video showing some memorable moments from ''Howdy, Modi'' event in Houston, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are seen interacting with a group of youngsters. ''Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters,'' PMO tweeted. Memorable moments from #HowdyModi when PM @narendramodi and @POTUS interacted with a group of youngsters. pic.twitter.com/8FFIqCDt41 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 23, 2019 × In the video, the two leaders are seen walking together and having a brief interaction with the young performers who participated in the event. A young boy then requested the US president for a selfie, for which Trump agrees and pose with PM Modi for the picture. The video immediately went viral on social media, as the boy was lucky enough to get a picture with both the world leaders. Soon the users started calling him as ''lucky boy'' on the Twitter. ''So lucky boy to meet Narendra Modi nd @realDonaldTrump,'' wrote a user. The prime minister on Sunday addressed the Indian diaspora in Houston's "Howdy, Modi" event in the presence of US President Donald Trump.

'Howdy, Modi' in Houston: Young boy clicks selfie with PM Modi, US President Donald trump

During the course of his speech, Prime Minister Modi referred to both 9/11 as well as the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. He suggested that the perpetrators of both the attacks came from Pakistan and the whole world is aware of the fact. Watch this video to know more.

Culprits of 9/11 and 26/11 found at the same place: PM Modi's scathing attack on Pakistan

From US President Donald Trump at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston stressed on safe borders and said border security is vital to America as well as India. He also came down heavily on 'radical Islamic terrorism' that is 'posing a global challenge'. Watch this video to know more.

Committed to fight radical Islamic terror: Donald Trump at 'Howdy, Modi' event

Watch the ball by ball account from the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27th September, LIVE from New York only on WION.

Watch the ball by ball account from the UNGA on September 27 | LIVE from New York

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