US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200106">Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony.

The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal.

Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-in-hanoi-as-second-summit-begins-200070"> and North Korean</a> flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner.

Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people."

The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning.

This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail.

A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington.

But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world.

Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head.

Bidding to make history

Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize.

His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953.

To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war.

At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability.

Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built.

From insults to love

A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status.

He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner.

Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route.

And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance.

Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard."

With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation.

Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. 
Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan.

In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted.

Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do.

In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession.&nbsp;

Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence.

Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit.

"If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP.

And Trump deserves credit, he said.

"You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un smiled, shook hands and dined Wednesday in Hanoi, expressing optimism that their highly personal brand of diplomacy will lead to a deal on the totalitarian state's nuclear weapons. At the start of around two hours of talks and dinner at a luxury hotel in the Vietnamese capital, Trump predicted a "very successful" summit, due to resume Thursday and end in a still unspecified signing ceremony. The two-day get-together follows up on the leaders' initial historic meeting in Singapore in June, where Trump launched his charm offensive to try and get Kim to give up his nuclear arsenal. Shaking hands and smiling in front of a bank of a dozen alternating US and North Korean flags, they briefly took questions from reporters before starting one-on-one talks, then the dinner. Critics said the Singapore summit was light on concrete results but Trump said the Hanoi talks would be "equal or better than the first" time. Kim said: "I am certain that a great outcome will be achieved this time that will be welcomed by all people." The White House said that on Thursday Trump and Kim will meet again one-on-one, before continuing talks alongside advisers throughout the morning. This will culminate in a "Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony," the White House said without providing further detail. A press conference is also scheduled before Trump returns to Washington. But the president has been dogged by scandal at home, where his former lawyer Michael Cohen described him as a "conman" in nationally televised testimony to Congress starting shortly after Trump finished Wednesday's negotiations on the other side of the world. Asked by reporters if he had any reaction to Cohen's bombshell testimony about hush money payments and murky business dealings in Russia, Trump simply shook his head. Bidding to make history Seeking a big foreign policy win to push back against domestic troubles, Trump believes he can make history with North Korea and claims Japan's prime minister has already nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. His goal is to persuade Kim to dismantle his nuclear weapons and resolve a stand-off with the deeply isolated state that has bedevilled US leaders since the end of the Korean war in 1953. To lure Kim into radical change, Trump is believed to be considering offering a formal peace declaration -- though perhaps not a formal treaty -- to draw a line under the technically still unfinished war. At the same time, Washington faces mounting pressure to extract significant concessions from Kim, who has so far shown little desire to ditch his nuclear capability. Washington and Pyongyang disagree even on what denuclearisation means precisely. And while North Korea has now gone more than a year without conducting missile and nuclear tests, it has done nothing to roll back the weapons already built. From insults to love A former real estate tycoon who often boasts he is one of the world's best negotiators, Trump is pitching a vision of North Korea as a new Asian economic tiger if it surrenders its nuclear status. He said the country could quickly emulate the summit's host, Vietnam -- a communist state once locked in devastating conflict with the United States, but now a thriving trade partner. Trump sent a tweet touting North Korea's "AWESOME" potential if his "friend" Kim takes the non-nuclear route. And Trump has invested himself personally in the relationship with Kim, creating the diplomatic equivalent of a Hollywood odd-couple bromance. Before Singapore, they were slinging bizarre insults -- Trump calling Kim "rocket man" and Kim calling him a "dotard." With North Korea then busily testing missiles and conducting underground nuclear tests, analysts feared the duo were egging each other on towards a catastrophic confrontation. Now, Trump talks of "love" and claims that his ground-breaking policies defused the threat posed by Kim. Critics warn Trump is so keen to score a deal that he could give away too much, too quickly, endangering US allies South Korea and Japan. In Singapore, Trump took his own generals by surprise when he announced a suspension of military exercises with the South -- something the North badly wanted. Washington would ideally like Kim to dismantle a key nuclear facility at Yongbyon, allow in international inspectors, or even hand over a list of all his nuclear assets -- something the North Koreans have categorically refused to do. In return, Trump is believed to be considering dangling relief from tough international sanctions. Opening diplomatic liaison offices is another possible US concession. Another possibility is a joint declaration to end the Korean War -- a hugely symbolic gesture which some analysts fear would upset the delicate power balance in a region where the US and China are already struggling for influence. Those pushing for a scaled-back US foreign policy footprint around the world would welcome the gambit. "If you get an end of war declaration, I think that's really important symbolically because it starts to change the mentality," Daniel Davis, at the conservative Washington-based Defense Priorities think tank, told AFP. And Trump deserves credit, he said. "You just can't ignore the fact that he's the only one of the last nine American presidents that has even gotten to this point. No one else has even had the conversations, no one else has had these summits."

Trump, Kim express optimism over second summit in Vietnam

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/michael-cohen-accuses-trump-over-wikileaks-moscow-project-hush-payments-200061">Michael Cohen</a>, Donald Trump's longtime lawyer and fixer, assailed his former former boss as a "racist" and a &nbsp;"conman" in explosive testimony before the US Congress Wednesday.

Addressing the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Cohen -- who has been sentenced to jail for crimes related in part to his work for Trump -- expressed regret for his past loyalty.

"I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience," Cohen said.

"He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat."

Cohen said he was presenting "irrefutable" evidence of Trump's wrongdoing including a check reimbursing "hush money" paid to two women shortly before the 2016 election.&nbsp;

He also said Trump directed negotiations for a Trump Tower in Moscow through the 2016 election campaign even while denying any business ties with the Russians.

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's longtime lawyer and fixer, assailed his former former boss as a "racist" and a "conman" in explosive testimony before the US Congress Wednesday.

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's longtime lawyer and fixer, assailed his former former boss as a "racist" and a "conman" in explosive testimony before the US Congress Wednesday. Addressing the House Oversight and Reform Committee, Cohen -- who has been sentenced to jail for crimes related in part to his work for Trump -- expressed regret for his past loyalty. "I am ashamed that I chose to take part in concealing Mr. Trump's illicit acts rather than listening to my own conscience," Cohen said. "He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat." Cohen said he was presenting "irrefutable" evidence of Trump's wrongdoing including a check reimbursing "hush money" paid to two women shortly before the 2016 election. He also said Trump directed negotiations for a Trump Tower in Moscow through the 2016 election campaign even while denying any business ties with the Russians.

Trump is a 'racist,' 'conman' and 'cheat,' ex-lawyer Michael Cohen tells Congress

A US House panel investigating President Donald Trump wants to depose Trump`s long-time tax lawyer Sheri Dillon, as well as Stefan Passantino, former deputy White House Counsel in charge of compliance and ethics, according to letters sent to both of them on Wednesday and seen by Reuters.&nbsp;

House of Representatives Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, a Democrat, said in the letters that the panel wants to ask about Trump`s legally mandated financial ethics disclosures.

The panel, the letters said, also seeks information about payments made before the 2016 presidential election by former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen to buy the silence of women who claimed they had affairs with the married Trump.

Neither Dillon nor Passantino responded immediately to requests for comment. The White House also did not immediately have a comment.

The letters, sent hours before Cohen was set to testify to the committee about his work for Trump, signals a widening of its investigation into Trump`s personal finances.

Dillon has a deep understanding of the president`s tax filings. Breaking with decades of presidential tradition, Trump has refused to make his tax returns public, leading other Democrats in Congress also to seek them. The letter did not indicate the committee would question Dillon about Trump`s tax returns.&nbsp;

The Cummings letters targets a 92-page ethics disclosure form that Trump filed in May 2018. It said he repaid Cohen in 2017 for a $130,000 payment made weeks before the November 2016 election to porn actress Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, to silence her over an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.&nbsp;

A June 2017 disclosure filed by Trump did not list a debt owed to Cohen. Some critics of the president have said this omission amounted to filing a false report, a federal crime.&nbsp;

In the letters to Dillon and Passantino, Cummings wrote that interviews with them "will address issues related to President Donald Trump`s financial disclosure reporting and the reimbursement of Michael Cohen for payments to silence women alleging affairs before the 2016 election."

He added that, to accommodate committee Republicans` concerns, Dillon and Passantino would be able to provide "a first-hand account of your interactions with the Office of Government Ethics."

Passantino`s signature appeared on the 2018 disclosure filing, confirming that he concluded Trump was "in compliance with applicable laws and regulations."&nbsp;

Passantino, summoned to appear on March 18, is now a legal adviser to the Trump Organization, the president`s business.&nbsp;

Dillon, summoned to appear on March 19, is a partner at the law firm Morgan, Lewis &amp; Bockius. She detailed Trump`s business investments at a press conference in 2016 shortly after he was elected and would likely have helped prepare the ethics disclosure, which provides an account of his business holdings.

A US House panel investigating President Donald Trump wants to depose Trump`s long-time tax lawyer Sheri Dillon, as well as Stefan Passantino, former deputy White House Counsel in charge of compliance and ethics, according to letters sent to both of them on Wednesday and seen by Reuters.

A US House panel investigating President Donald Trump wants to depose Trump`s long-time tax lawyer Sheri Dillon, as well as Stefan Passantino, former deputy White House Counsel in charge of compliance and ethics, according to letters sent to both of them on Wednesday and seen by Reuters. House of Representatives Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings, a Democrat, said in the letters that the panel wants to ask about Trump`s legally mandated financial ethics disclosures. The panel, the letters said, also seeks information about payments made before the 2016 presidential election by former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen to buy the silence of women who claimed they had affairs with the married Trump. Neither Dillon nor Passantino responded immediately to requests for comment. The White House also did not immediately have a comment. The letters, sent hours before Cohen was set to testify to the committee about his work for Trump, signals a widening of its investigation into Trump`s personal finances. Dillon has a deep understanding of the president`s tax filings. Breaking with decades of presidential tradition, Trump has refused to make his tax returns public, leading other Democrats in Congress also to seek them. The letter did not indicate the committee would question Dillon about Trump`s tax returns. The Cummings letters targets a 92-page ethics disclosure form that Trump filed in May 2018. It said he repaid Cohen in 2017 for a $130,000 payment made weeks before the November 2016 election to porn actress Stephanie Clifford, known as Stormy Daniels, to silence her over an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. A June 2017 disclosure filed by Trump did not list a debt owed to Cohen. Some critics of the president have said this omission amounted to filing a false report, a federal crime. In the letters to Dillon and Passantino, Cummings wrote that interviews with them "will address issues related to President Donald Trump`s financial disclosure reporting and the reimbursement of Michael Cohen for payments to silence women alleging affairs before the 2016 election." He added that, to accommodate committee Republicans` concerns, Dillon and Passantino would be able to provide "a first-hand account of your interactions with the Office of Government Ethics." Passantino`s signature appeared on the 2018 disclosure filing, confirming that he concluded Trump was "in compliance with applicable laws and regulations." Passantino, summoned to appear on March 18, is now a legal adviser to the Trump Organization, the president`s business. Dillon, summoned to appear on March 19, is a partner at the law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius. She detailed Trump`s business investments at a press conference in 2016 shortly after he was elected and would likely have helped prepare the ethics disclosure, which provides an account of his business holdings.

US House panel seeks to depose Trump tax, ethics attorneys

As US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un prepare for their second summit in Vietnam, analysts say the top-down approach to diplomacy may help ease the difficult negotiations which have made little progress since their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

"Trump, while this is an unconventional approach especially for America in terms of doing diplomacy top-down summit-driven incrementally-paced is actually more effective when working with the North Koreans and working with a very top-down system. So there is some room for him to claim success on building a different starting to build a different relationship with North Korea and opening a door to a very real opportunity. It's not helpful for him to overstate where we are. Certainly North Korea's nuclear capabilities have not changed yet and their military capabilities have not changed yet. And until it does, certainly that threat is still there," said Stimson Center analyst and Managing Director of 38 North, Jenny Town.

The Trump administration has pressed North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, which threatens the United States, before it can expect any concessions. That means elimination of all weapons of mass destruction programmes in North Korea - the production of those weapons, as well as the intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver them.

North Korea has publicly called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, which will be its main aim at the summit. But its concept of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula could include removal of the US nuclear umbrella for South Korea and nuclear-capable forces.

Some officials in South Korea, the US Congress and elsewhere have expressed concern that North Korea is calling for changes to the level of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but Trump said on Friday that drawing down US troops in South Korea is not on the table.

North Korea has also long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

Town is hopeful that concrete steps will emerge from the second summit, specifically that Pyongyang will allow visits at Yongbyon nuclear facility after Kim expressed willingness in September to take steps, including the permanent dismantlement of nuclear facilities at Yongbyon, in return for "corresponding measures" by the United States.

As the United States will seek to form a shared understanding with North Korea of what denuclearisation means at the summit, Washington is also expected to seek to establish a roadmap that sets expectations and the process for negotiations on denuclearisation beyond this week's summit.

Victor Cha, Senior Adviser and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that Trump has much political capital at stake in the negotiations. While agreeing that the US president's strong personal interest in negotiating with the North Koreans was promising, he warned that the North Koreans are likely to offer a number of hollow steps.

"They are things that they've already talked about giving up and in fact have stopped operations right after the Singapore summit. And you know my guess is that they're going to allow the United States or some international body to go in and sort of monitor this, the decommissioning of the of these sites. And as we saw in Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech in January, he has put forward the idea of stopping further production in the future, as well as a pledge not to transfer any capabilities or knowledge. So if you think about those things, that is negotiating your past-- things that you don't need anymore-- and it's negotiating your future-- things you promise not to do in the future. So you're actually not really giving up anything. And in the meantime I'm pretty certain they're going to be clear demands for the United States to give up things very much in the present whether that's exercises, whether it's the deployment of troops, sanctions, a variety of different things," he said.

CSIS Korea Chair Sue Mi Terry said that as Pyongyang seeks the removal of economic sanctions, it will probably put three things at the table: Punggye-ri nuclear test site, Sohae satellite launch site and some, but perhaps not all, of Yongbyon. She said she expected them to go no further in a process she said resembled an arms agreement more than a denuclearization process, and to stall for the next several years as the sides negotiate the details of those three sites. Terry warned that Trump may be too willing to give up too much in exchange for a process that did not include full denuclearization.

"North Korea is not going to go beyond that. I think these three sites are going to be good enough from North Korea's perspective to just drag this out ... and that's going to be enough to last the entire Trump administration. And I think that is North Korea's game plan," she said.

While a freeze on North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs is also likely to be on the agenda, North Korea appears to have produced enough bomb fuel in the past year to add as many as seven nuclear weapons to its arsenal, a report by Stanford University's Centre for International Security and Cooperation said earlier this month.

Washington has balked at signing a comprehensive peace treaty before North Korea completely denuclearises, but US officials have signalled they may be willing to conclude a more limited agreement to reduce tensions, open liaison offices, and move toward normalising relations.

"On the US side, I think it's a little less clear but there has been some indications coming from the administration or through leaks to talk about some of the things that they've been considering such as an end of war declaration, opening up a liaison office, having liaison officers, potentially expanding some kind of cultural or educational exchanges, potentially some level of exemptions for specific inter-Korean economic projects as well," she said.

Kim said in January that North Korea is "ready to re-open Kaesong industrial park and tours to Mount Kumgang without any preconditions or price." The two inter-Korean projects require at least partial easing of sanctions to resume operations.

Still, experts warned that the top-down approach could backfire if at any time, Trump seems to suggest further U.S. concessions than what the negotiators have agreed upon.

"In many ways, I think that it's both what's in the document and is President Trump consistent with what's in that because if he's not, Kim Jong Un wIll see no reason to follow the letter of what is in a statement and wIll just go with where President Trump goes," she said.

As the two sides negotiate, the long shadows of Russia and China hang over the talks. Town warned that regional powers will be watching closely any possibility of shifting political alliances.

"Any kind of progress on that side will be sort of a double-edged sword for the Chinese and the Russians who obviously want negotiations to keep going but also do worry about where loyalties lie as those relationships start to change. I think the Japanese of everyone in this process are probably the most nervous about success or failure because they're less involved and they haven't been part of the inner circle of states negotiating," she said.

The high-stakes nuclear summit is set to take place in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi on February 27 and 28.

As US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un prepare for their second summit in Vietnam, analysts say the top-down approach to diplomacy may help ease the difficult negotiations which have made little progress since their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

As US President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un prepare for their second summit in Vietnam, analysts say the top-down approach to diplomacy may help ease the difficult negotiations which have made little progress since their historic summit in Singapore, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, where they pledged to work toward the complete denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. "Trump, while this is an unconventional approach especially for America in terms of doing diplomacy top-down summit-driven incrementally-paced is actually more effective when working with the North Koreans and working with a very top-down system. So there is some room for him to claim success on building a different starting to build a different relationship with North Korea and opening a door to a very real opportunity. It's not helpful for him to overstate where we are. Certainly North Korea's nuclear capabilities have not changed yet and their military capabilities have not changed yet. And until it does, certainly that threat is still there," said Stimson Center analyst and Managing Director of 38 North, Jenny Town. The Trump administration has pressed North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program, which threatens the United States, before it can expect any concessions. That means elimination of all weapons of mass destruction programmes in North Korea - the production of those weapons, as well as the intercontinental ballistic missiles that can deliver them. North Korea has publicly called for an end to the crippling economic sanctions imposed by the United States and the United Nations, which will be its main aim at the summit. But its concept of denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula could include removal of the US nuclear umbrella for South Korea and nuclear-capable forces. Some officials in South Korea, the US Congress and elsewhere have expressed concern that North Korea is calling for changes to the level of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but Trump said on Friday that drawing down US troops in South Korea is not on the table. North Korea has also long called for a peace deal with the United States to normalise relations and end the technical state of war that has existed since the 1950-1953 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Town is hopeful that concrete steps will emerge from the second summit, specifically that Pyongyang will allow visits at Yongbyon nuclear facility after Kim expressed willingness in September to take steps, including the permanent dismantlement of nuclear facilities at Yongbyon, in return for "corresponding measures" by the United States. As the United States will seek to form a shared understanding with North Korea of what denuclearisation means at the summit, Washington is also expected to seek to establish a roadmap that sets expectations and the process for negotiations on denuclearisation beyond this week's summit. Victor Cha, Senior Adviser and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that Trump has much political capital at stake in the negotiations. While agreeing that the US president's strong personal interest in negotiating with the North Koreans was promising, he warned that the North Koreans are likely to offer a number of hollow steps. "They are things that they've already talked about giving up and in fact have stopped operations right after the Singapore summit. And you know my guess is that they're going to allow the United States or some international body to go in and sort of monitor this, the decommissioning of the of these sites. And as we saw in Kim Jong Un's New Year's speech in January, he has put forward the idea of stopping further production in the future, as well as a pledge not to transfer any capabilities or knowledge. So if you think about those things, that is negotiating your past-- things that you don't need anymore-- and it's negotiating your future-- things you promise not to do in the future. So you're actually not really giving up anything. And in the meantime I'm pretty certain they're going to be clear demands for the United States to give up things very much in the present whether that's exercises, whether it's the deployment of troops, sanctions, a variety of different things," he said. CSIS Korea Chair Sue Mi Terry said that as Pyongyang seeks the removal of economic sanctions, it will probably put three things at the table: Punggye-ri nuclear test site, Sohae satellite launch site and some, but perhaps not all, of Yongbyon. She said she expected them to go no further in a process she said resembled an arms agreement more than a denuclearization process, and to stall for the next several years as the sides negotiate the details of those three sites. Terry warned that Trump may be too willing to give up too much in exchange for a process that did not include full denuclearization. "North Korea is not going to go beyond that. I think these three sites are going to be good enough from North Korea's perspective to just drag this out ... and that's going to be enough to last the entire Trump administration. And I think that is North Korea's game plan," she said. While a freeze on North Korea's weapons of mass destruction and missile programs is also likely to be on the agenda, North Korea appears to have produced enough bomb fuel in the past year to add as many as seven nuclear weapons to its arsenal, a report by Stanford University's Centre for International Security and Cooperation said earlier this month. Washington has balked at signing a comprehensive peace treaty before North Korea completely denuclearises, but US officials have signalled they may be willing to conclude a more limited agreement to reduce tensions, open liaison offices, and move toward normalising relations. "On the US side, I think it's a little less clear but there has been some indications coming from the administration or through leaks to talk about some of the things that they've been considering such as an end of war declaration, opening up a liaison office, having liaison officers, potentially expanding some kind of cultural or educational exchanges, potentially some level of exemptions for specific inter-Korean economic projects as well," she said. Kim said in January that North Korea is "ready to re-open Kaesong industrial park and tours to Mount Kumgang without any preconditions or price." The two inter-Korean projects require at least partial easing of sanctions to resume operations. Still, experts warned that the top-down approach could backfire if at any time, Trump seems to suggest further U.S. concessions than what the negotiators have agreed upon. "In many ways, I think that it's both what's in the document and is President Trump consistent with what's in that because if he's not, Kim Jong Un wIll see no reason to follow the letter of what is in a statement and wIll just go with where President Trump goes," she said. As the two sides negotiate, the long shadows of Russia and China hang over the talks. Town warned that regional powers will be watching closely any possibility of shifting political alliances. "Any kind of progress on that side will be sort of a double-edged sword for the Chinese and the Russians who obviously want negotiations to keep going but also do worry about where loyalties lie as those relationships start to change. I think the Japanese of everyone in this process are probably the most nervous about success or failure because they're less involved and they haven't been part of the inner circle of states negotiating," she said. The high-stakes nuclear summit is set to take place in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi on February 27 and 28.

What's at stake at the Hanoi summit between Trump and Kim

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-awesome-future-for-north-korea-if-kim-jong-un-gives-up-nukes-199965">Trump hailed North Korea</a>`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries.

"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-vietnamese-president-nguyen-phu-trong-before-second-north-korea-summit-199964">Vietnam</a> is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim.

"The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" 
He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-like-trump-more-than-kim-because-he-is-rich-powerful-says-vietnams-resident-ahead-of-summit-199974">Trump and Kim </a>will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said.

Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar.

On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced.

Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship".

Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks.

Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion.&nbsp;

He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch.

PRESSURE

At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty.

That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return.

While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea.

US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased.&nbsp;

In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful".

The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say.

US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects.

Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests.

`STOP TALKING`

Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president.

"The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter.

Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home.

As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country.

For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles.

While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus.

Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying.

"I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons. Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries. "Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim. "The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said. Trump and Kim will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said. Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar. On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced. Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship". Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks. Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion. He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch. PRESSURE At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty. That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return. While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea. US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased. In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful". The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say. US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects. Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests. `STOP TALKING` Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president. "The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter. Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home. As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country. For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles. While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus. Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying. "I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Trump hails North Korea's 'awesome' potential ahead of talks with Kim

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/terror-camps-destroyed-as-12-mirage-jets-drops-1000-kg-bombs-across-loc-iaf-sources-199744">Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources&nbsp;</a>

India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI.

The attack is India's retaliation to Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF soldiers were killed.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">summit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-arrives-in-vietnam-for-summit-trump-on-his-way-199727">; Trump on his way</a>

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a summit with US President Donald Trump where they will try to reach an agreement on a North's Korean pledge to give up its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump is due to arrive in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Tuesday evening.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/top-vatican-cleric-cardinal-pell-convicted-of-child-sex-crimes-199719">Top Vatican cleric Cardinal Pell convicted of child sex crimes</a>

Australian Cardinal George Pell, who helped elect popes and ran the Vatican's finances, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, a court said Tuesday, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uks-labour-says-it-will-back-call-for-second-brexit-referendum-199733">UK's Labour party says it will back call for second Brexit referendum</a>

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/irans-foreign-minister-zarif-announces-unexpected-resignation-on-instagram-199721">Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announces unexpected resignation on Instagram</a>

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the urbane, US-educated architect of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram.

Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI.

Terror camps destroyed as 12 Mirage jets drops 1000 Kg bombs across LoC: IAF sources India launched an early morning air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) on Tuesday destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan, reported news agency ANI. The attack is India's retaliation to Pulwama terror attack in which more than 40 CRPF soldiers were killed. North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for summit; Trump on his way North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived in Vietnam on Tuesday for a summit with US President Donald Trump where they will try to reach an agreement on a North's Korean pledge to give up its nuclear weapons programme. Trump is due to arrive in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, on Tuesday evening. Top Vatican cleric Cardinal Pell convicted of child sex crimes Australian Cardinal George Pell, who helped elect popes and ran the Vatican's finances, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, a court said Tuesday, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes. UK's Labour party says it will back call for second Brexit referendum Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union. Iran's Foreign Minister Zarif announces unexpected resignation on Instagram Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the urbane, US-educated architect of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, announced his resignation unexpectedly on Monday on Instagram.

News brief: Big stories of the day

North Korea's Kim arrives in Vietnam for summit

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nancy-pelosi-urges-support-for-resolution-to-block-mexico-border-wall-emergency-198721">Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi</a> said, ''To defend our democracy the House will pass Congressman Castro's privileged resolution to terminate the emergency declaration tomorrow.''

The resolution's fate is less clear in the US Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, though some Republicans have expressed concern about his declaration.

In a separate letter on Monday, 23 former Republican US lawmakers also urged current members of Congress to pass the resolution, Politico reported.

Even if it passes, Trump has said he would veto it, and Congress would need to muster two-thirds of lawmakers to override a veto.

Trump on Monday continued to defend the declaration on Twitter and called on Republican senators to stand by him. "Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats 'trap' of Open Borders and Crime!" he wrote.

The former security officials, in Monday's letter, cited US government statistics showing illegal border crossings at nearly 40-year lows. They also pointed to other government data on drug trafficking that showed most opioids enter the country via legal entry points -- something they said a border wall would not stop.

While the letter included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as career civil servants who served under presidents of both parties, the bulk of its most senior signatories rose to their top positions under Democratic presidents.

Among these former officials were CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director John Brennan, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA Director David Cohen, all of whom held those posts under Democratic President Barack Obama.

However, the list also included lower-level former officials such as John Bellinger, a former State Department legal adviser, and Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counsellor, both of whom served under Republican President George W Bush.

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it.

Democrats have launched a resolution to stop Trump's border emergency and, on Tuesday, the Democratically controlled House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the measure aimed at stopping it. Democratic Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi said, ''To defend our democracy the House will pass Congressman Castro's privileged resolution to terminate the emergency declaration tomorrow.'' The resolution's fate is less clear in the US Senate, which is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, though some Republicans have expressed concern about his declaration. In a separate letter on Monday, 23 former Republican US lawmakers also urged current members of Congress to pass the resolution, Politico reported. Even if it passes, Trump has said he would veto it, and Congress would need to muster two-thirds of lawmakers to override a veto. Trump on Monday continued to defend the declaration on Twitter and called on Republican senators to stand by him. "Be strong and smart, don't fall into the Democrats 'trap' of Open Borders and Crime!" he wrote. The former security officials, in Monday's letter, cited US government statistics showing illegal border crossings at nearly 40-year lows. They also pointed to other government data on drug trafficking that showed most opioids enter the country via legal entry points -- something they said a border wall would not stop. While the letter included both Republicans and Democrats, as well as career civil servants who served under presidents of both parties, the bulk of its most senior signatories rose to their top positions under Democratic presidents. Among these former officials were CIA Director and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, CIA Director John Brennan, White House National Security Adviser Susan Rice, Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Deputy CIA Director David Cohen, all of whom held those posts under Democratic President Barack Obama. However, the list also included lower-level former officials such as John Bellinger, a former State Department legal adviser, and Eliot Cohen, a former State Department counsellor, both of whom served under Republican President George W Bush.

The House will terminate the emergency declaration, says US Democrat Nancy Pelosi

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strikes-on-terror-launchpads-meticulous-planning-led-to-successful-air-force-mission-199830">Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission</a>

The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uncalled-for-aggression-will-respond-at-time-place-of-our-choosing-say-pak-after-nsc-meeting-199838">Uncalled for aggression, will respond at time &amp; place of our choosing, says Pak after NSC meeting</a>

Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) held a meeting in which it said India has committed "uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing".

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821">China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821">air</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-urges-india-pakistan-to-exercise-restraint-after-air-strike-199821"> strike</a>

China urged India and Pakistan on Tuesday to "exercise restraint" after New Delhi said its warplanes attacked a militant camp, in a move that sent tensions soaring between the two neighbours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/country-is-in-safe-hands-modi-says-hours-after-iaf-airstrikes-on-jem-terror-camps-199812">'Country is in safe hands,' Modi says hours after IAF airstrikes on JeM terror camps &nbsp;</a>

Hours after India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan early Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is in safe hands.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/sanath-jayasuriya-guilty-of-breaching-anti-corruption-code-banned-for-2-years-by-icc-199876">Sanath Jayasuriya guilty of breaching anti-corruption code, banned for 2 years by ICC</a>

Sanath Jayasuriya Tuesday was banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

Air strikes on terror launchpads: Meticulous planning led to successful Air Force mission The air strikes were carried out after credible information emerged that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group was attempting suicide attacks at various parts of the country, foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale said. Uncalled for aggression, will respond at time & place of our choosing, says Pak after NSC meeting Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) held a meeting in which it said India has committed "uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing". China urges India, Pakistan to 'exercise restraint' after air strike China urged India and Pakistan on Tuesday to "exercise restraint" after New Delhi said its warplanes attacked a militant camp, in a move that sent tensions soaring between the two neighbours. 'Country is in safe hands,' Modi says hours after IAF airstrikes on JeM terror camps Hours after India bombed and destroyed Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Balakot in Pakistan early Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country is in safe hands. Sanath Jayasuriya guilty of breaching anti-corruption code, banned for 2 years by ICC Sanath Jayasuriya Tuesday was banned from all cricket for two years after admitting breaching two counts of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-delay-china-tariff-increase-trump-199444">Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods</a>

The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks.

US President Donald Trump also said Sunday that he planned to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432">Oscars 2019, Live: India-based 'Period: End Of Sentence' wins </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432">best</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/oscars-2019-live-hollywoods-biggest-night-is-here-199432"> documentary short award</a>

Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga get a standing ovation as they sing a mesmerising version of 'Shallow' from their film 'A Star Is Born'.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/give-peace-a-chance-imran-khan-to-pm-modi-199487">Give peace a chance: Imran Khan to PM Modi</a>

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463">Pope vows to battle child sex abuse by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463">Catholic</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/popes-vow-to-battle-child-sex-abuse-fails-to-appease-victims-199463"> church but fails to appease victims</a>

Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/oscars-red-carpet-jennifer-lopez-chadwick-boseman-rami-malek-turn-up-the-heat-199465#rami-malek-and-lucy-boynton-199433">Oscars red carpet: Jennifer Lopez, Chadwick Boseman, Rami Malek turn up the heat</a>

The 91st Academy Awards kickstarted on a glamorous note as Hollywood biggies arrived at the red carpet. From Best Actor nominee Rami Malek to Chadwick Boseman who starred in the hit film 'Black Panther', the boys gave the girls a stiff competition.&nbsp;

Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks.

Trump says he is delaying tariff increase on Chinese goods The United States is delaying a planned increase of tariffs on more than $200 billion in Chinese exports after both sides hailed "substantial progress" made in trade talks. US President Donald Trump also said Sunday that he planned to hold a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping at his Florida estate Mar-a-Lago to ink a deal. Oscars 2019, Live: India-based 'Period: End Of Sentence' wins best documentary short award Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga get a standing ovation as they sing a mesmerising version of 'Shallow' from their film 'A Star Is Born'. Give peace a chance: Imran Khan to PM Modi Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday asked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to "give peace a chance" and assured him that he "stands by" his words and will "immediately act" if New Delhi provides Islamabad with "actionable intelligence" on the Pulwama attack. Pope vows to battle child sex abuse by Catholic church but fails to appease victims Pope Francis on Sunday vowed to tackle every single case of sexual abuse by priests, comparing paedophilia to "human sacrifice", but drew an angry response from victims. Oscars red carpet: Jennifer Lopez, Chadwick Boseman, Rami Malek turn up the heat The 91st Academy Awards kickstarted on a glamorous note as Hollywood biggies arrived at the red carpet. From Best Actor nominee Rami Malek to Chadwick Boseman who starred in the hit film 'Black Panther', the boys gave the girls a stiff competition.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - 23 February 2019

'Very dangerous situation' between India and Pakistan: Trump on Pulwama attack

US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday to impose tariffs on European auto imports if he is unable to strike a trade deal with the EU.

"We're negotiating. If we don't make the deal, we'll do the tariffs," Trump told reporters in response to a question on new tariffs.

Trump's renewed threat against the EU auto industry takes on a new edge as it came two days after the Commerce Department delivered a report that sources said found <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/merkel-says-us-calling-european-cars-a-threat-is-frightening-197761">European car imports constitute a national security threat to the United States</a>.

The report could set the stage for the White House to impose tariffs within 90 days, a move Brussels has vowed to parry with its own set of counter-tariffs.

Washington already has used the national security argument to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, drawing instant retaliation from the EU, Canada, Mexico and China.

In one of many aggressive moves against US trading partners, Trump, who boasts that he favors tariffs, has threatened 25 percent duties on European autos, especially targeting Germany, which he says has harmed the American car industry.

Trump reached a truce with the EU following a meeting last July with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker but on Wednesday expressed frustration with the state of talks.

"We're trying to make a deal," Trump said. "They're very tough to make a deal with, the EU. They've been very difficult over a period of time, over many, many years."

However, negotiations with the EU have not yet begun. The European Commission must seek approval from member states on a negotiating mandate before it can enter into talks. EU trade ministers will meet in Bucharest on Thursday and Friday to review the proposal.

But the sides have differences over what is to be included: the US negotiating goals include agriculture, while EU officials insist that will be off limits, and talks will be restricted to industrial goods and regulatory issues.

The White House is also locked in tough, high-stakes negotiations with China to find a way to resolve the conflict that saw punishing tariffs exchanged between Beijing and Washington.

US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday to impose tariffs on European auto imports if he is unable to strike a trade deal with the EU. "We're negotiating.

US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday to impose tariffs on European auto imports if he is unable to strike a trade deal with the EU. "We're negotiating. If we don't make the deal, we'll do the tariffs," Trump told reporters in response to a question on new tariffs. Trump's renewed threat against the EU auto industry takes on a new edge as it came two days after the Commerce Department delivered a report that sources said found European car imports constitute a national security threat to the United States. The report could set the stage for the White House to impose tariffs within 90 days, a move Brussels has vowed to parry with its own set of counter-tariffs. Washington already has used the national security argument to impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, drawing instant retaliation from the EU, Canada, Mexico and China. In one of many aggressive moves against US trading partners, Trump, who boasts that he favors tariffs, has threatened 25 percent duties on European autos, especially targeting Germany, which he says has harmed the American car industry. Trump reached a truce with the EU following a meeting last July with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker but on Wednesday expressed frustration with the state of talks. "We're trying to make a deal," Trump said. "They're very tough to make a deal with, the EU. They've been very difficult over a period of time, over many, many years." However, negotiations with the EU have not yet begun. The European Commission must seek approval from member states on a negotiating mandate before it can enter into talks. EU trade ministers will meet in Bucharest on Thursday and Friday to review the proposal. But the sides have differences over what is to be included: the US negotiating goals include agriculture, while EU officials insist that will be off limits, and talks will be restricted to industrial goods and regulatory issues. The White House is also locked in tough, high-stakes negotiations with China to find a way to resolve the conflict that saw punishing tariffs exchanged between Beijing and Washington.

Trump threatens tariffs on EU if no trade deal reached

Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">decision to declare a national emergency</a> to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution.

The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, said the president's order was contrary to the Presentment Clause that outlines legislative procedures and the Appropriations Clause, which defines Congress as the final arbiter of public funds.

The move had been previously announced by Xavier Becerra the attorney general of California who said his state and others had legal standing because they risked losing money intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes.

Several Republican senators have decried the emergency declaration, saying it establishes a dangerous precedent and amounts to executive overreach.&nbsp;

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Virginia are party to the complaint seeking an injunction.

"Use of those additional federal funds for the construction of a border wall is contrary to Congress's intent in violation of the US Constitution, including the Presentment Clause and Appropriations Clause," the complaint said.

It added that Trump had "veered the country toward a constitutional crisis of his own making."

"Congress has repeatedly rebuffed the president's insistence to fund a border wall, recently resulting in a record 35-day partial government shutdown over the border wall dispute," the document read.

"After the government reopened, Congress approved, and the president signed into law, a $1.375 billion appropriation for fencing along the southern border, but Congress made clear that funding could not be used to build President Trump's proposed border wall."

The complaint added that the Department of Homeland Security had violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to evaluate the environmental impact of the wall in California and New Mexico.

Friday's declaration enables the president to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.&nbsp;

Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution.

Sixteen US states sued President Donald Trump's administration on Monday over his decision to declare a national emergency to fund a wall on the southern border with Mexico, saying the move violated the constitution. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in California, said the president's order was contrary to the Presentment Clause that outlines legislative procedures and the Appropriations Clause, which defines Congress as the final arbiter of public funds. The move had been previously announced by Xavier Becerra the attorney general of California who said his state and others had legal standing because they risked losing money intended for military projects, disaster assistance and other purposes. Several Republican senators have decried the emergency declaration, saying it establishes a dangerous precedent and amounts to executive overreach. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon and Virginia are party to the complaint seeking an injunction. "Use of those additional federal funds for the construction of a border wall is contrary to Congress's intent in violation of the US Constitution, including the Presentment Clause and Appropriations Clause," the complaint said. It added that Trump had "veered the country toward a constitutional crisis of his own making." "Congress has repeatedly rebuffed the president's insistence to fund a border wall, recently resulting in a record 35-day partial government shutdown over the border wall dispute," the document read. "After the government reopened, Congress approved, and the president signed into law, a $1.375 billion appropriation for fencing along the southern border, but Congress made clear that funding could not be used to build President Trump's proposed border wall." The complaint added that the Department of Homeland Security had violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to evaluate the environmental impact of the wall in California and New Mexico. Friday's declaration enables the president to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.

Sixteen US states sue Trump after he declares emergency to fund border wall

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-declares-us-mexico-border-emergency-democrats-protest-197678">Trump's declaration of a national emergency</a> to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border.

The declaration allows Trump to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall.

"Donald Trump is trying to subvert our democracy," said Sam Crook, 65, a Green Party activist, holding a sign that reads: "Trump is a two-bit tin-pot wannabe dictator."

Although presidents have declared national emergencies before, Friday's action is believed to be the first time one has been used to raise funds that were specifically rejected by Congress.

The action will be fought in court, with California's attorney general already warning that his state will file suit.

The declaration enables him to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border.

A small group of demonstrators rallied outside the White House Monday to protest President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall on the US-Mexico border. The declaration allows Trump to bypass Congress, which approved only a quarter of the $5.6 billion he wanted for the wall. "Donald Trump is trying to subvert our democracy," said Sam Crook, 65, a Green Party activist, holding a sign that reads: "Trump is a two-bit tin-pot wannabe dictator." Although presidents have declared national emergencies before, Friday's action is believed to be the first time one has been used to raise funds that were specifically rejected by Congress. The action will be fought in court, with California's attorney general already warning that his state will file suit. The declaration enables him to divert funds from the Pentagon's military construction budget and other sources.

Trump's emergency declaration sparks protests outside White House

California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-aide-predicts-hundreds-of-miles-of-border-wall-by-2020-197976">a US-Mexico border wall</a>, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.

"Definitely and imminently," Becerra told ABC's "This Week" program when asked whether and when California would sue the Trump administration in federal court. Other states controlled by Democrats are expected to join the effort.

"We are prepared, we knew something like this might happen. And with our sister state partners, we are ready to go," he said.

Trump invoked the emergency powers on Friday under a 1976 law after Congress rebuffed his request for $5.7 billion to help build the wall that was a signature 2016 campaign promise.

The move is intended to allow him to redirect money appropriated by Congress for other purposes to wall construction.

The White House says Trump will have access to about $8 billion. Nearly $1.4 billion was allocated for border fencing under a spending measure approved by Congress last week, and Trump's emergency declaration is aimed at giving him another $6.7 billion for the wall.

Becerra cited Trump's own comment on Friday that he "didn't need to do this" as evidence that the emergency declaration is legally vulnerable.

"It's become clear that this is not an emergency, not only because no one believes it is but because Donald Trump himself has said it's not," he said.&nbsp;

Becerra and California Governor Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, have been expected to sue to block Trump's move.

Becerra told ABC that California and other states are waiting to learn which federal programs will lose money to determine what kind of harm the states could face from the declaration.

He said California may be harmed by less federal funding for emergency response services, the military and stopping drug trafficking.

"We're confident there are at least 8 billion ways that we can prove harm," Becerra said.

Three Texas landowners and an environmental group filed the first lawsuit against Trump's move on Friday, saying it violates the Constitution and would infringe on their property rights.

The legal challenges could at least slow down Trump's efforts to build the wall but would likely end up at the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court.

Congress never defined a national emergency in the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which has been invoked dozens of times without a single successful legal challenge.

Democrats in Congress have vowed to challenge Trump's declaration and several Republican lawmakers have said they are not certain whether they would support the president.

"I think many of us are concerned about this," Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, told NBC's "Meet the Press."

Trump could, however, veto any resolution of disapproval from Congress.

White House senior adviser Stephen Miller told Fox News on Sunday that Trump's declaration would allow the administration to build "hundreds of miles" of border wall by September 2020.

"We have 120-odd miles that are already under construction or are already obligated plus the additional funds we have and then we’re going to outlay – we’re going to look at a few hundred miles."

Trump's proposed wall and wider immigration policies are likely to be a major campaign issue ahead of the next presidential election in November 2020, where he will seek a second four-year term.

California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday.

California will "imminently" challenge President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to obtain funds for a US-Mexico border wall, state Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Sunday. "Definitely and imminently," Becerra told ABC's "This Week" program when asked whether and when California would sue the Trump administration in federal court. Other states controlled by Democrats are expected to join the effort. "We are prepared, we knew something like this might happen. And with our sister state partners, we are ready to go," he said. Trump invoked the emergency powers on Friday under a 1976 law after Congress rebuffed his request for $5.7 billion to help build the wall that was a signature 2016 campaign promise. The move is intended to allow him to redirect money appropriated by Congress for other purposes to wall construction. The White House says Trump will have access to about $8 billion. Nearly $1.4 billion was allocated for border fencing under a spending measure approved by Congress last week, and Trump's emergency declaration is aimed at giving him another $6.7 billion for the wall. Becerra cited Trump's own comment on Friday that he "didn't need to do this" as evidence that the emergency declaration is legally vulnerable. "It's become clear that this is not an emergency, not only because no one believes it is but because Donald Trump himself has said it's not," he said. Becerra and California Governor Gavin Newsom, both Democrats, have been expected to sue to block Trump's move. Becerra told ABC that California and other states are waiting to learn which federal programs will lose money to determine what kind of harm the states could face from the declaration. He said California may be harmed by less federal funding for emergency response services, the military and stopping drug trafficking. "We're confident there are at least 8 billion ways that we can prove harm," Becerra said. Three Texas landowners and an environmental group filed the first lawsuit against Trump's move on Friday, saying it violates the Constitution and would infringe on their property rights. The legal challenges could at least slow down Trump's efforts to build the wall but would likely end up at the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court. Congress never defined a national emergency in the National Emergencies Act of 1976, which has been invoked dozens of times without a single successful legal challenge. Democrats in Congress have vowed to challenge Trump's declaration and several Republican lawmakers have said they are not certain whether they would support the president. "I think many of us are concerned about this," Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who chairs the Senate Homeland Security Committee, told NBC's "Meet the Press." Trump could, however, veto any resolution of disapproval from Congress. White House senior adviser Stephen Miller told Fox News on Sunday that Trump's declaration would allow the administration to build "hundreds of miles" of border wall by September 2020. "We have 120-odd miles that are already under construction or are already obligated plus the additional funds we have and then we’re going to outlay – we’re going to look at a few hundred miles." Trump's proposed wall and wider immigration policies are likely to be a major campaign issue ahead of the next presidential election in November 2020, where he will seek a second four-year term.

California tells Trump lawsuit over border wall is 'imminent'

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/nigeria-postpones-presidential-parliamentary-election-for-one-week-197707">Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open</a>

Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

The voting has been rescheduled on February 23.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pulwama-attack-india-slams-pakistan-yet-again-says-islamabad-cannot-claim-its-unaware-of-jem-presence-197702">Pulwama attack: India says Islamabad cannot be blind to JeM presence in its soil</a>

India slammed Pakistan Foreign Secretary (FS) Tehmina Janjua on Friday after the latter in his briefing to ambassador of permanent five (P5) members of United Nations security council (UNSC) rejected Pakistan's involvement in the Pulwama attack. &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/five-dead-multiple-wounded-in-us-mass-shooting-police-197682">Five dead, multiple wounded in US mass shooting: Police</a>

Five people were killed and multiple police officers shot Friday when a gunman opened fire in an industrial area on the outskirts of Chicago, the latest mass shooting to hit the United States.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689">Special Counsel Mueller seeks </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689">tough</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/mueller-seeks-tough-sentence-for-ex-trump-campaign-chairman-manafort-197689"> sentence for ex-Trump campaign chairman Manafort</a>

Prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller urged a federal judge in Virginia on Friday to impose a strict prison sentence for President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, after a jury last year convicted him on eight counts of bank and tax fraud.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-raises-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-via-sanctions-aid-airlift-197708">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-raises-pressure-on-venezuelas-maduro-via-sanctions-aid-airlift-197708"> raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift</a>

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open.

Nigeria postpones presidential, parliamentary election hours before polls due to open Nigeria's electoral watchdog on Saturday postponed presidential and parliamentary elections for one week, just hours before polls were due to open. The voting has been rescheduled on February 23. Pulwama attack: India says Islamabad cannot be blind to JeM presence in its soil India slammed Pakistan Foreign Secretary (FS) Tehmina Janjua on Friday after the latter in his briefing to ambassador of permanent five (P5) members of United Nations security council (UNSC) rejected Pakistan's involvement in the Pulwama attack. Five dead, multiple wounded in US mass shooting: Police Five people were killed and multiple police officers shot Friday when a gunman opened fire in an industrial area on the outskirts of Chicago, the latest mass shooting to hit the United States. Special Counsel Mueller seeks tough sentence for ex-Trump campaign chairman Manafort Prosecutors for Special Counsel Robert Mueller urged a federal judge in Virginia on Friday to impose a strict prison sentence for President Donald Trump's former campaign manager Paul Manafort, after a jury last year convicted him on eight counts of bank and tax fraud. US raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The United States ratcheted up pressure on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuelas-maduro-blasts-us-for-stealing-billions-and-offering-crumbs-197688">Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro</a> on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The US Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who US officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro's behalf.

Separately, the US State Department said on Friday it was working with the Pentagon and US aid agency to fly humanitarian assistance on Saturday to Cucuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border.

The steps are part of a wider effort by the United States to undermine Maduro, whose 2018 election it views as illegitimate and whose government it has disavowed, and to strengthen opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido.

Quevedo said on Twitter the Venezuelan officials were being sanctioned for guaranteeing peace, building homes and condemning the "coup and military plan of the United States, its allies" and Guaido.

US&nbsp;military aircraft were expected to deliver more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid to the border town, a US&nbsp;official said. The United States already has pre-positioned some relief supplies in Colombia and is coordinating with Guaido to mobilize aid for Venezuelans, a State Department spokeswoman said.

It was unclear whether any of the US&nbsp;aid being ferried to Colombia would reach Venezuelans.

Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich country that has left millions struggling to buy food and medicine and fuelled an unprecedented migration crisis in the region, has refused to allow supplies in.

"This man Maduro has created a humanitarian crisis," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Reykjavik. "As soon as this weekend we will continue to deliver massive humanitarian assistance. Hopefully, Mr Maduro will allow that into his country."

The aid convoy dispatched by the United States and Colombia arrived in Cucuta last week, where it is being held in warehouses.

US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton worked to undermine Maduro on Friday, saying economic and political pressure was squeezing his top government officials and claiming without offering any evidence that "a clear majority, maybe almost all of them" were talking to the opposition about supporting Guaido or leaving the country.

Bolton appeared to confirm reports that Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met in New York with US special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, and suggested Maduro should ask himself what they talked about.

Bolton also said he thought "Russia and China are hedging" their support for Maduro because of concern about the Maduro government's indebtedness to Moscow and Beijing.

Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to declare himself interim president last month, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was a sham. Most Western countries, including the United States and many of Venezuela's neighbours, have recognised Guaido as the legitimate head of state.

Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China and control of Venezuelan state institutions including the military.

The US Treasury took aim at some of Maduro's allies with its sanctions on Friday.

"We are sanctioning officials in charge of Maduro's security and intelligence apparatus, which has systematically violated human rights and suppressed democracy, including through torture," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

Also targeted was Ivan Hernandez, commander of Maduro's Presidential Guard, which Treasury says has tortured Maduro's opponents and carried out other human rights abuses.

Manuel Cristopher, director general of Venezuela's Sebin intelligence agency, and Hildemaro Rodriguez, first commissioner of the service, also were sanctioned.

The Treasury's action freezes all property in the United States belonging to the five sanctioned officials as well as that of any entities in which they own 50 per cent or more.

In a sign that the Trump administration may be trying to split the men from Maduro, the Treasury Department noted in its statement that "US sanctions need not to be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behaviour."

"The United States has made clear that we will consider lifting sanctions for persons ... who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela," it said.

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border.

The United States ratcheted up pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Friday by sanctioning some of his top security officials and the head of the state oil company, and unveiling plans to airlift over 200 tons of aid to the Colombian border. The US Treasury said it sanctioned PDVSA chief Manuel Quevedo, three top intelligence officials and Rafael Bastardo, who US officials say is the head of a national police unit responsible for dozens of extrajudicial killings carried out in nighttime raids on Maduro's behalf. Separately, the US State Department said on Friday it was working with the Pentagon and US aid agency to fly humanitarian assistance on Saturday to Cucuta, Colombia, on the Venezuelan border. The steps are part of a wider effort by the United States to undermine Maduro, whose 2018 election it views as illegitimate and whose government it has disavowed, and to strengthen opposition leader and self-declared president Juan Guaido. Quevedo said on Twitter the Venezuelan officials were being sanctioned for guaranteeing peace, building homes and condemning the "coup and military plan of the United States, its allies" and Guaido. US military aircraft were expected to deliver more than 200 tons of humanitarian aid to the border town, a US official said. The United States already has pre-positioned some relief supplies in Colombia and is coordinating with Guaido to mobilize aid for Venezuelans, a State Department spokeswoman said. It was unclear whether any of the US aid being ferried to Colombia would reach Venezuelans. Maduro, who has overseen an economic collapse in the oil-rich country that has left millions struggling to buy food and medicine and fuelled an unprecedented migration crisis in the region, has refused to allow supplies in. "This man Maduro has created a humanitarian crisis," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters in Reykjavik. "As soon as this weekend we will continue to deliver massive humanitarian assistance. Hopefully, Mr Maduro will allow that into his country." The aid convoy dispatched by the United States and Colombia arrived in Cucuta last week, where it is being held in warehouses. US President Donald Trump's national security adviser John Bolton worked to undermine Maduro on Friday, saying economic and political pressure was squeezing his top government officials and claiming without offering any evidence that "a clear majority, maybe almost all of them" were talking to the opposition about supporting Guaido or leaving the country. Bolton appeared to confirm reports that Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza met in New York with US special envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, and suggested Maduro should ask himself what they talked about. Bolton also said he thought "Russia and China are hedging" their support for Maduro because of concern about the Maduro government's indebtedness to Moscow and Beijing. Guaido invoked constitutional provisions to declare himself interim president last month, arguing that Maduro's 2018 re-election was a sham. Most Western countries, including the United States and many of Venezuela's neighbours, have recognised Guaido as the legitimate head of state. Maduro retains the backing of Russia and China and control of Venezuelan state institutions including the military. The US Treasury took aim at some of Maduro's allies with its sanctions on Friday. "We are sanctioning officials in charge of Maduro's security and intelligence apparatus, which has systematically violated human rights and suppressed democracy, including through torture," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. Also targeted was Ivan Hernandez, commander of Maduro's Presidential Guard, which Treasury says has tortured Maduro's opponents and carried out other human rights abuses. Manuel Cristopher, director general of Venezuela's Sebin intelligence agency, and Hildemaro Rodriguez, first commissioner of the service, also were sanctioned. The Treasury's action freezes all property in the United States belonging to the five sanctioned officials as well as that of any entities in which they own 50 per cent or more. In a sign that the Trump administration may be trying to split the men from Maduro, the Treasury Department noted in its statement that "US sanctions need not to be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behaviour." "The United States has made clear that we will consider lifting sanctions for persons ... who take concrete and meaningful actions to restore democratic order, refuse to take part in human rights abuses, speak out against abuses committed by the government, and combat corruption in Venezuela," it said.

US raises pressure on Venezuela's Maduro via sanctions, aid airlift

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/venezuela-enlists-50-countries-at-un-to-show-support-197489">aid to Venezuela</a>, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition.

Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, and two men -- <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/showdown-looms-as-venezuelan-opposition-leader-guaido-sets-aid-entry-date-197058">opposition leader Juan Guaido</a> and President Nicolas Maduro -- are vying for control of the country.

The United States is among more than 50 countries that have recognized Guaido as interim president, but Maduro -- backed by the country's military as well as Russia, China and dozens of other states -- has so far refused to relinquish his office.

US national security advisor John Bolton made the announcement on the aid pledged to Venezuela following an Organization of American States conference on assisting the country.

"Today, 25 countries, united at the OAS-hosted Conference on Humanitarian Assistance in Support of Venezuela pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance," Bolton tweeted.

According to David Smolanksy, coordinator of an OAS working group on migration and refugees from Venezuela, the money will go directly to aid collection centres set up on the borders with Colombia and Brazil and on the Caribbean island of Curazao.

At the opening of the conference in Washington, Guaido's representative in the United States, Carlos Vecchio, said the priority is to get aid into Venezuela on February 23 -- a month after Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president.

Blockade at the border&nbsp;

Guaido and Maduro have been locked in a battle over allowing aid into the country, and the military reinforced a blockade on Thursday at the border with Colombia, where the opposition leader has vowed to bring in desperately-needed goods.

AFP journalists saw several new freight containers blocking the road that connects the town of Urena in Venezuela to Cucuta in Colombia, where tons of US aid has been piling up for a week.

Venezuela is enduring the biggest economic crisis in its modern history, with hyperinflation predicted to hit 10 million per cent this year according to the International Monetary Fund.

On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly -- which is headed by Guaido -- appointed executives to form new boards for Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA and its US-based affiliate Citgo.

Venezuela's Supreme Court took aim at the move the following day, ordering that the new appointees face criminal prosecution.

The high court -- which is packed with Maduro loyalists -- ruled that the executives were named by a legislature whose decisions are "null," and that the appointees should face prosecution for crimes including "usurpation," "corruption," "organized crime" and "terrorism."

The Supreme Court decision set in motion the process of extraditing the accused, most of whom are in the United States, and freezing their accounts.

Guaido celebrated the appointments as a "step forward in the reconstruction of PDVSA," but Maduro had warned that those accepting "illegal" appointments would face justice.

The United States, which is leading the push to topple Maduro, has sanctioned key regime financial assets including the Citgo subsidiary, and President Donald Trump has refused to rule out military action against the leftist leader.

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in aid to Venezuela, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition.

Twenty-five countries have pledged $100 million in aid to Venezuela, a top US official said Thursday, as the crisis-hit country's Supreme Court took aim at oil executives appointed by the opposition. Venezuela is plagued by hyperinflation and major shortages of basic goods, and two men -- opposition leader Juan Guaido and President Nicolas Maduro -- are vying for control of the country. The United States is among more than 50 countries that have recognized Guaido as interim president, but Maduro -- backed by the country's military as well as Russia, China and dozens of other states -- has so far refused to relinquish his office. US national security advisor John Bolton made the announcement on the aid pledged to Venezuela following an Organization of American States conference on assisting the country. "Today, 25 countries, united at the OAS-hosted Conference on Humanitarian Assistance in Support of Venezuela pledged $100 million in humanitarian assistance," Bolton tweeted. According to David Smolanksy, coordinator of an OAS working group on migration and refugees from Venezuela, the money will go directly to aid collection centres set up on the borders with Colombia and Brazil and on the Caribbean island of Curazao. At the opening of the conference in Washington, Guaido's representative in the United States, Carlos Vecchio, said the priority is to get aid into Venezuela on February 23 -- a month after Guaido declared himself Venezuela's interim president. Blockade at the border Guaido and Maduro have been locked in a battle over allowing aid into the country, and the military reinforced a blockade on Thursday at the border with Colombia, where the opposition leader has vowed to bring in desperately-needed goods. AFP journalists saw several new freight containers blocking the road that connects the town of Urena in Venezuela to Cucuta in Colombia, where tons of US aid has been piling up for a week. Venezuela is enduring the biggest economic crisis in its modern history, with hyperinflation predicted to hit 10 million per cent this year according to the International Monetary Fund. On Wednesday, the opposition-controlled National Assembly -- which is headed by Guaido -- appointed executives to form new boards for Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA and its US-based affiliate Citgo. Venezuela's Supreme Court took aim at the move the following day, ordering that the new appointees face criminal prosecution. The high court -- which is packed with Maduro loyalists -- ruled that the executives were named by a legislature whose decisions are "null," and that the appointees should face prosecution for crimes including "usurpation," "corruption," "organized crime" and "terrorism." The Supreme Court decision set in motion the process of extraditing the accused, most of whom are in the United States, and freezing their accounts. Guaido celebrated the appointments as a "step forward in the reconstruction of PDVSA," but Maduro had warned that those accepting "illegal" appointments would face justice. The United States, which is leading the push to topple Maduro, has sanctioned key regime financial assets including the Citgo subsidiary, and President Donald Trump has refused to rule out military action against the leftist leader.

25 countries pledge $100 million in humanitarian aid to crisis-hit Venezuela

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-media-publish-image-of-local-collaborator-in-khashoggi-killing-197487">Jamal Khashoggi</a> at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash.

Ten of the 12 Republicans from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Chairman Jim Risch, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking for more information.

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is committed to pursuing all information available in its oversight role and, to that end, is in the process of arranging a classified briefing for the committee," Risch said in a statement.

All 10 committee Democrats, led by senior member Bob Menendez, along with Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Pat Leahy, signed their own letter demanding that Pompeo brief Congress on why President Donald Trump's administration missed last Friday's deadline to report to Congress on whether Saudi government officials and members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were behind the death of Khashoggi, a legal US resident.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, was killed at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. His death fuelled simmering discontent with the Saudis among many in Washington angry over the kingdom's human rights record and heavy civilian casualties in Yemen's civil war, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Members of Congress have been introducing legislation for months to push back against Riyadh. On Wednesday, the Democratic-led US House of Representatives approved a rare war powers resolution that would end US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen. A Senate vote is due within weeks.

While several Republicans had demanded more of a response from Trump last week, Risch told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm really satisfied with the way they are answering questions and giving us information."

A State Department representative, commenting on the senators' letters, said Pompeo had provided an update to Foreign Relations on Friday and would continue to consult with Congress.

After initially denying his death, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its agents killed Khashoggi. Riyadh denies its senior leaders were behind the killing.

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash.

Republican and Democratic members of the US Senate asked the Trump administration on Thursday to tell them more about the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate last year, days after a missed deadline for a detailed report on his death prompted an angry bipartisan backlash. Ten of the 12 Republicans from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Chairman Jim Risch, wrote to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo asking for more information. "The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is committed to pursuing all information available in its oversight role and, to that end, is in the process of arranging a classified briefing for the committee," Risch said in a statement. All 10 committee Democrats, led by senior member Bob Menendez, along with Appropriations Committee Vice Chairman Pat Leahy, signed their own letter demanding that Pompeo brief Congress on why President Donald Trump's administration missed last Friday's deadline to report to Congress on whether Saudi government officials and members of the royal family, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, were behind the death of Khashoggi, a legal US resident. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, was killed at a Saudi consulate in Turkey in October. His death fuelled simmering discontent with the Saudis among many in Washington angry over the kingdom's human rights record and heavy civilian casualties in Yemen's civil war, where a Saudi-led coalition is fighting Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Members of Congress have been introducing legislation for months to push back against Riyadh. On Wednesday, the Democratic-led US House of Representatives approved a rare war powers resolution that would end US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Yemen. A Senate vote is due within weeks. While several Republicans had demanded more of a response from Trump last week, Risch told reporters on Tuesday: "I'm really satisfied with the way they are answering questions and giving us information." A State Department representative, commenting on the senators' letters, said Pompeo had provided an update to Foreign Relations on Friday and would continue to consult with Congress. After initially denying his death, Saudi Arabia has confirmed that its agents killed Khashoggi. Riyadh denies its senior leaders were behind the killing.

US lawmakers want more information on Saudi journalist Khashoggi's death

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-stocks-lifted-by-us-china-trade-talk-hopes-197048">Stock markets jumped </a>Wednesday on hopes of a breakthrough in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-trade-talks-begin-amid-deep-differences-193945">US-China trade </a>war.

The dollar mostly rose, while oil prices rallied on news that OPEC crude output hit a four-year nadir.

The pound weakened after official data showed UK inflation hit a two-year low and as the Brexit impasse drags on without a breakthrough insight.

In the US, President Donald Trump said he may extend his trade deal deadline with Beijing, while a report claimed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would meet with top US officials, seeming to boost the prospects of an agreement.

High-level talks are due to begin in the Chinese capital Thursday aimed at an accord to stop sharp US tariff hikes that could damage the global economy.

Trump said he could let his March 1 deadline for the tariffs "slide for a little while" if the two sides were close to a meaningful deal, adding that he expects a summit with President Xi "at some point".

Later, a report in the South China Morning Post said Xi would personally meet the US delegation in Beijing, suggesting a redoubled effort to make progress on a deal.

Washington is demanding changes from Beijing on what it says are unfair commercial practices. A resolution would prevent US tariffs more than doubling on $200 billion in Chinese imports next month.&nbsp;

Tokyo stocks added a further 1.3 per cent after Tuesday's gains to finish at a two-month high.

Hong Kong rose 1.2 per cent, and Shanghai earned 1.8 per cent on the news, following Wall Street's lead.

European equities also climbed, with London up 0.6 per cent, Paris 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt 0.2 per cent nearing the half-way stage.

However, some analysts struck a cautious tone, noting that much work needs to be completed before a framework agreement is in reach.

"The rally in stocks has been based on hope rather than any concrete agreements overnight," warned Oanda senior analyst Jeffrey Halley, predicting short-term volatility to come as headlines emerge from Beijing.

Elsewhere Sydney shed 0.3 per cent, with calls for a snap election amid political tensions over refugees adding to underwhelming corporate earnings and subdued metal prices.

Shutdown unlikely&nbsp;

The New Zealand dollar soared 1.5 per cent as the central bank held interest rates unchanged and forecast no moves until 2021 — defying expectations it may follow dovish leads elsewhere by indicating a rate cut.&nbsp;

Renewed global investor confidence saw a movement away from the greenback — which has enjoyed a strong rally in the past week — to riskier currencies.

The pound moved upwards past $1.29, despite no-deal Brexit fears as Prime Minister Theresa May was accused by the opposition of "running down the clock" and "playing chicken" with Brussels over talks.

The yuan also earned back losses after it had dropped following the Lunar New Year break.

Trump's suggestion that another chaotic US government shutdown was now unlikely following a deal struck in Congress over border security further fuelled risk appetite.

The deal to offer nearly $1.4 billion for construction of a Mexico border wall, as well as other security measures, fell far short of Trump's demands but has been presented as a workable compromise.

"I don't think you're going to see a shutdown," said the president.

Stock markets jumped Wednesday on hopes of a breakthrough in the US-China trade war. The dollar mostly rose, while oil prices rallied on news that OPEC crude output hit a four-year nadir.

Stock markets jumped Wednesday on hopes of a breakthrough in the US-China trade war. The dollar mostly rose, while oil prices rallied on news that OPEC crude output hit a four-year nadir. The pound weakened after official data showed UK inflation hit a two-year low and as the Brexit impasse drags on without a breakthrough insight. In the US, President Donald Trump said he may extend his trade deal deadline with Beijing, while a report claimed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping would meet with top US officials, seeming to boost the prospects of an agreement. High-level talks are due to begin in the Chinese capital Thursday aimed at an accord to stop sharp US tariff hikes that could damage the global economy. Trump said he could let his March 1 deadline for the tariffs "slide for a little while" if the two sides were close to a meaningful deal, adding that he expects a summit with President Xi "at some point". Later, a report in the South China Morning Post said Xi would personally meet the US delegation in Beijing, suggesting a redoubled effort to make progress on a deal. Washington is demanding changes from Beijing on what it says are unfair commercial practices. A resolution would prevent US tariffs more than doubling on $200 billion in Chinese imports next month. Tokyo stocks added a further 1.3 per cent after Tuesday's gains to finish at a two-month high. Hong Kong rose 1.2 per cent, and Shanghai earned 1.8 per cent on the news, following Wall Street's lead. European equities also climbed, with London up 0.6 per cent, Paris 0.3 per cent and Frankfurt 0.2 per cent nearing the half-way stage. However, some analysts struck a cautious tone, noting that much work needs to be completed before a framework agreement is in reach. "The rally in stocks has been based on hope rather than any concrete agreements overnight," warned Oanda senior analyst Jeffrey Halley, predicting short-term volatility to come as headlines emerge from Beijing. Elsewhere Sydney shed 0.3 per cent, with calls for a snap election amid political tensions over refugees adding to underwhelming corporate earnings and subdued metal prices. Shutdown unlikely The New Zealand dollar soared 1.5 per cent as the central bank held interest rates unchanged and forecast no moves until 2021 — defying expectations it may follow dovish leads elsewhere by indicating a rate cut. Renewed global investor confidence saw a movement away from the greenback — which has enjoyed a strong rally in the past week — to riskier currencies. The pound moved upwards past $1.29, despite no-deal Brexit fears as Prime Minister Theresa May was accused by the opposition of "running down the clock" and "playing chicken" with Brussels over talks. The yuan also earned back losses after it had dropped following the Lunar New Year break. Trump's suggestion that another chaotic US government shutdown was now unlikely following a deal struck in Congress over border security further fuelled risk appetite. The deal to offer nearly $1.4 billion for construction of a Mexico border wall, as well as other security measures, fell far short of Trump's demands but has been presented as a workable compromise. "I don't think you're going to see a shutdown," said the president.

Stock markets jump as Trump boosts trade deal hopes

The last <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/russia-seeks-to-vindicate-afghan-war-30-years-after-pullout-196807">Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev</a> issued a stinging criticism of Washington on Wednesday, accusing it of misleading the world over its exit from a key arms treaty and seeking to gain military superiority at the expense of international security.

This month US President Donald Trump ripped up a key arms control agreement, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-take-measures-to-ensure-security-if-us-leaves-inf-missile-treaty-russia-195913">Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty,</a> that Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan brokered in 1987.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly followed suit, tasking his government with developing new ground-based missiles and banning his ministers from initiating any future talks to salvage the agreement.

Gorbachev said that according to the treaty the country exiting it should notify the global community of "exceptional circumstances" that prompted it to do so.

In a column published by Vedomosti liberal daily, Gorbachev asked if &nbsp;Washington, the world's biggest military spender, had been able to "explain itself to the international community" and the UN Security Council.

"No, this has not been done," Gorbachev said, adding that instead, the United States prefered to accuse Russia of violating the agreement.

The 87-year-old also claimed Washington misled the world when it said it needed to abandon the treaty also because China and other countries not bound by the INF pact were stockpiling missiles.

"This is not convincing either," he said, adding that Russia and the United States still controlled 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons.

"Behind the US decision to exit the treaty are not the reasons the US leaders are citing but something completely different," said Gorbachev.

It is, he said, "a desire by the United States to free itself of any constraints in the arms sphere (and) gain absolute military superiority."

"Presumably to impose its will on the world — and why else?"

The last Soviet leader also rubbished Trump's claim he wanted to "get everybody in a big and beautiful room and do a new treaty."

"What treaty? About an arms buildup?" Gorbachev asked.

He agreed with critics of the agreement that much had changed since the signing of the pact in 1987. But, he added, that was not a reason to dismantle the existing arms control regime.

He said the changes "call not for the abandonment of treaties that created the foundation of global security after the end of the Cold War but a further movement towards to the final goal —&nbsp; the elimination of armaments."

The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev issued a stinging criticism of Washington on Wednesday, accusing it of misleading the world over its exit from a key arms treaty and seeking to gain military superiority at the expense of international security.

The last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev issued a stinging criticism of Washington on Wednesday, accusing it of misleading the world over its exit from a key arms treaty and seeking to gain military superiority at the expense of international security. This month US President Donald Trump ripped up a key arms control agreement, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, that Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan brokered in 1987. Russian President Vladimir Putin quickly followed suit, tasking his government with developing new ground-based missiles and banning his ministers from initiating any future talks to salvage the agreement. Gorbachev said that according to the treaty the country exiting it should notify the global community of "exceptional circumstances" that prompted it to do so. In a column published by Vedomosti liberal daily, Gorbachev asked if Washington, the world's biggest military spender, had been able to "explain itself to the international community" and the UN Security Council. "No, this has not been done," Gorbachev said, adding that instead, the United States prefered to accuse Russia of violating the agreement. The 87-year-old also claimed Washington misled the world when it said it needed to abandon the treaty also because China and other countries not bound by the INF pact were stockpiling missiles. "This is not convincing either," he said, adding that Russia and the United States still controlled 90 per cent of all nuclear weapons. "Behind the US decision to exit the treaty are not the reasons the US leaders are citing but something completely different," said Gorbachev. It is, he said, "a desire by the United States to free itself of any constraints in the arms sphere (and) gain absolute military superiority." "Presumably to impose its will on the world — and why else?" The last Soviet leader also rubbished Trump's claim he wanted to "get everybody in a big and beautiful room and do a new treaty." "What treaty? About an arms buildup?" Gorbachev asked. He agreed with critics of the agreement that much had changed since the signing of the pact in 1987. But, he added, that was not a reason to dismantle the existing arms control regime. He said the changes "call not for the abandonment of treaties that created the foundation of global security after the end of the Cold War but a further movement towards to the final goal — the elimination of armaments."

Last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev slams Washington over arms treaty exit

US lawmakers have reached an agreement in principle to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-that-its-up-to-the-democrats-if-government-shuts-down-again-196783">avoid a new government shutdown</a> at the end of the week, senators announced Monday, including $1.375 billion for a wall on the southern US border.

"We've reached an agreement in principle between us on the Homeland Security and the other six bills," Senator Richard Shelby, a key Republican negotiator, told reporters.

Senior congressional aides told AFP the agreement included $1.375 billion in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border -- a key campaign promise of President Donald Trump, who had demanded $5.7 billion for his pet project.

The agreed figure would fund approximately 89 kilometres, all to be located in the Rio Grande Valley area of south Texas, the aides said.

The deal still faces White House approval.

The Democrats and Trump have been clashing for weeks over funding a barrier on the border.

The gridlock prompted the longest government shutdown in US history -- lasting over a month -- that ended January 25 when Trump signed into law a deal giving lawmakers three weeks to come up with an agreement or face further paralysis.

As Monday's tentative deal was announced, the president was holding a campaign-style rally in the frontier city of El Paso, Texas -- a place where he claims walls have eradicated an out-of-control influx of criminals from Mexico.

US lawmakers have reached an agreement in principle to avoid a new government shutdown at the end of the week, senators announced Monday, including $1.375 billion for a wall on the southern US border.

US lawmakers have reached an agreement in principle to avoid a new government shutdown at the end of the week, senators announced Monday, including $1.375 billion for a wall on the southern US border. "We've reached an agreement in principle between us on the Homeland Security and the other six bills," Senator Richard Shelby, a key Republican negotiator, told reporters. Senior congressional aides told AFP the agreement included $1.375 billion in funding for a wall on the US-Mexico border -- a key campaign promise of President Donald Trump, who had demanded $5.7 billion for his pet project. The agreed figure would fund approximately 89 kilometres, all to be located in the Rio Grande Valley area of south Texas, the aides said. The deal still faces White House approval. The Democrats and Trump have been clashing for weeks over funding a barrier on the border. The gridlock prompted the longest government shutdown in US history -- lasting over a month -- that ended January 25 when Trump signed into law a deal giving lawmakers three weeks to come up with an agreement or face further paralysis. As Monday's tentative deal was announced, the president was holding a campaign-style rally in the frontier city of El Paso, Texas -- a place where he claims walls have eradicated an out-of-control influx of criminals from Mexico.

Reached agreement 'in principle' to avoid new US government shutdown: Senator Shelby

The mayor of El Paso, Texas - Republican Dee Margo - said Monday that President Donald Trump made a mistake by linking building a frontier wall with a drop in crime in the border city.

"It's an incorrect reference," said Margo in an interview with EFE when asked about Trump's claim that before the building of a barrier along part of the US-Mexico border El Paso was one of the "most dangerous" cities in the country due to its "extremely high" rates of violence.

The Texas city, which has a population of about 700,000, has become the focus of national attention after Trump mentioned it in his prime time, nationally broadcast State of the Union address to Congress last week.

In contrast with its cross-border counterpart in Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, El Paso never has been among the most dangerous cities in this country and before the wall was built in this area in 2008 it was - in fact - among the safest compared to other US urban areas of the same size.

"El Paso is one of the safest cities above 500,000 residents in the entire country," emphasized Margo a few hours before Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally there.

The mayor hailed the fact that the president was visiting her city, "even though it's a campaign event," because "if (Trump) wants to understand the border, he must come to El Paso."

Margo said that border security must be achieved using "advanced technology, more personnel and a physical barrier," although she added that the wall "cannot be continuous" due to geographical considerations.

"We're a sovereign country and we need to control and protect our border," the Republican mayor said.

Trump has made his campaign promise to build a border wall one of his priorities during the first two years of his term, and he has demanded that Congress provide funding to construct it, although originally he promised that Mexico would fully pay for it.

Democratic lawmakers, who now control the House of Representatives, have categorically refused to allocate budgetary funding to build the border barrier, and the inability of lawmakers to reach a compromise on the matter in Congress that Trump would accept resulted in the partial shutdown of the federal government for five weeks - from December 22 through January 25 - the longest such stretch in history.

The mayor of El Paso, Texas - Republican Dee Margo - said Monday that President Donald Trump made a mistake by linking building a frontier wall with a drop in crime in the border city.

The mayor of El Paso, Texas - Republican Dee Margo - said Monday that President Donald Trump made a mistake by linking building a frontier wall with a drop in crime in the border city. "It's an incorrect reference," said Margo in an interview with EFE when asked about Trump's claim that before the building of a barrier along part of the US-Mexico border El Paso was one of the "most dangerous" cities in the country due to its "extremely high" rates of violence. The Texas city, which has a population of about 700,000, has become the focus of national attention after Trump mentioned it in his prime time, nationally broadcast State of the Union address to Congress last week. In contrast with its cross-border counterpart in Mexico, Ciudad Juarez, El Paso never has been among the most dangerous cities in this country and before the wall was built in this area in 2008 it was - in fact - among the safest compared to other US urban areas of the same size. "El Paso is one of the safest cities above 500,000 residents in the entire country," emphasized Margo a few hours before Trump is scheduled to hold a campaign rally there. The mayor hailed the fact that the president was visiting her city, "even though it's a campaign event," because "if (Trump) wants to understand the border, he must come to El Paso." Margo said that border security must be achieved using "advanced technology, more personnel and a physical barrier," although she added that the wall "cannot be continuous" due to geographical considerations. "We're a sovereign country and we need to control and protect our border," the Republican mayor said. Trump has made his campaign promise to build a border wall one of his priorities during the first two years of his term, and he has demanded that Congress provide funding to construct it, although originally he promised that Mexico would fully pay for it. Democratic lawmakers, who now control the House of Representatives, have categorically refused to allocate budgetary funding to build the border barrier, and the inability of lawmakers to reach a compromise on the matter in Congress that Trump would accept resulted in the partial shutdown of the federal government for five weeks - from December 22 through January 25 - the longest such stretch in history.

El Paso mayor criticises Trump for linking wall with drop in crime

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/if-huawei-is-co-located-with-american-systems-it-would-be-difficult-for-us-to-partner-pompeo-to-hungary-196791">If Huawei is co-located with American systems, it would be difficult for us to partner: Pompeo to Hungary</a>

US secretary of state Mike Pompeo during his visit to Hungary cautioned the government against Chinese and Russian influence.

Pompeo was particularly insistent on Hungry not allowing Chinese telecom giant Huawei access to 5G network.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-9-dead-as-fire-breaks-out-in-karol-baghs-hotel-196800">Delhi: 9 dead as fire breaks out in Karol Bagh hotel</a>

At least nine people died in a massive fire that broke out in Delhi's Karol Bagh Hotel Arpit Palace early Tuesday morning.

While many others were feared trapped inside the hotel, the authorities rescued around 25 people from the site.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-that-its-up-to-the-democrats-if-government-shuts-down-again-196783">It's up to Democrats if </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-that-its-up-to-the-democrats-if-government-shuts-down-again-196783">government</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-that-its-up-to-the-democrats-if-government-shuts-down-again-196783"> shuts again: Trump</a>

The President of the United States, said Monday that it depends on the Democrats whether there will be a partial government shutdown again this weekend due to lack of funds, as he began a visit to the border with Mexico to continue his campaign in favour of the construction of a wall there.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-cabinet-ministers-believe-pm-may-preparing-to-resign-report-196794">British cabinet ministers believe PM May preparing to resign: Report</a>

Cabinet ministers now believe Theresa May is preparing to resign as British Prime Minister this summer so she can influence who succeeds her, The Sun newspaper reported.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/footballer-sala-killed-by-head-trunk-injuries-inquest-196796">Footballer Emiliano Sala killed by </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/footballer-sala-killed-by-head-trunk-injuries-inquest-196796">head</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/footballer-sala-killed-by-head-trunk-injuries-inquest-196796">, trunk injuries: Inquest</a>

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala died of "head and trunk injuries", an inquest in England heard Monday as it began to examine his death in a plane crash in the sea.

If Huawei is co-located with American systems, it would be difficult for us to partner: Pompeo to Hungary US secretary of state Mike Pompeo during his visit to Hungary cautioned the government against Chinese and Russian influence.

If Huawei is co-located with American systems, it would be difficult for us to partner: Pompeo to Hungary US secretary of state Mike Pompeo during his visit to Hungary cautioned the government against Chinese and Russian influence. Pompeo was particularly insistent on Hungry not allowing Chinese telecom giant Huawei access to 5G network. Delhi: 9 dead as fire breaks out in Karol Bagh hotel At least nine people died in a massive fire that broke out in Delhi's Karol Bagh Hotel Arpit Palace early Tuesday morning. While many others were feared trapped inside the hotel, the authorities rescued around 25 people from the site. It's up to Democrats if government shuts again: Trump The President of the United States, said Monday that it depends on the Democrats whether there will be a partial government shutdown again this weekend due to lack of funds, as he began a visit to the border with Mexico to continue his campaign in favour of the construction of a wall there. British cabinet ministers believe PM May preparing to resign: Report Cabinet ministers now believe Theresa May is preparing to resign as British Prime Minister this summer so she can influence who succeeds her, The Sun newspaper reported. Footballer Emiliano Sala killed by head, trunk injuries: Inquest Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala died of "head and trunk injuries", an inquest in England heard Monday as it began to examine his death in a plane crash in the sea.

The President of the United States, said Monday that it depends on the Democrats whether there will be a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-meet-on-border-security-scrambling-to-avert-shutdown-196776">partial government shutdown</a> again this weekend due to lack of funds, as he began a visit to the border with Mexico to continue his campaign in favour of the construction of a wall there.

"It's up to the Democrats," Donald Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if there will be another partial closure of the administration later this week.

On February 15 the legislation expires that temporarily provided funds to the government at the end of January, which put an end to a 35-day shutdown of numerous government activities due to disagreement over the financing of the wall that Trump wants to build on the border with Mexico.

A bipartisan committee with members of the lower house and the Senate has been negotiating for two weeks to reach an agreement on immigration that can adhere to a new budget, thus avoiding a repeat of the partial paralysis.

In such political climate, Trump travelled to the border city of El Paso, Texas, on Monday to hold his first rally this year, while former Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke prepares an alternative rally in the city at the same time.

"We're going to El Paso... We have a line that is very long already... And I understand our competition's got a line, too, but it's a tiny, little line," the president said.

Trump lambasted a Democrats' plan to limit the number of beds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can keep in their detention centres.

"Now it turns out not only don't they want to give us money for the wall, but they also don't want to give us the space to detain murderers, criminals, drug dealers, human smugglers," Trump said.

Trump's government last month asked Congress for $ 4.2 billion to support the maintenance of 52,000 beds in its immigrant detention centres, a notable increase from the current 40,000 beds.

Democrats believe that, with that increase, ICE is also trying to detain undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, and they want to use the current negotiations to set a limit of 35,520 beds for the rest of this fiscal year, including a maximum of 16,500 for US detainees.

ICE acting deputy director Matt Albence warned that cutting funds for the detention centres of his department would be "extremely damaging to public safety."

In a telephone press conference, Albence confirmed that the ICE detained some "20,000 or 22,000" undocumented people, who were captured inside the country, the majority with a criminal record, and claimed that a cut of funds would force his department to "release" some of them.

The President of the United States, said Monday that it depends on the Democrats whether there will be a partial government shutdown again this weekend due to lack of funds, as he began a visit to the border with Mexico to continue his campaign in favour of the construction of a wall there.

The President of the United States, said Monday that it depends on the Democrats whether there will be a partial government shutdown again this weekend due to lack of funds, as he began a visit to the border with Mexico to continue his campaign in favour of the construction of a wall there. "It's up to the Democrats," Donald Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if there will be another partial closure of the administration later this week. On February 15 the legislation expires that temporarily provided funds to the government at the end of January, which put an end to a 35-day shutdown of numerous government activities due to disagreement over the financing of the wall that Trump wants to build on the border with Mexico. A bipartisan committee with members of the lower house and the Senate has been negotiating for two weeks to reach an agreement on immigration that can adhere to a new budget, thus avoiding a repeat of the partial paralysis. In such political climate, Trump travelled to the border city of El Paso, Texas, on Monday to hold his first rally this year, while former Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke prepares an alternative rally in the city at the same time. "We're going to El Paso... We have a line that is very long already... And I understand our competition's got a line, too, but it's a tiny, little line," the president said. Trump lambasted a Democrats' plan to limit the number of beds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can keep in their detention centres. "Now it turns out not only don't they want to give us money for the wall, but they also don't want to give us the space to detain murderers, criminals, drug dealers, human smugglers," Trump said. Trump's government last month asked Congress for $ 4.2 billion to support the maintenance of 52,000 beds in its immigrant detention centres, a notable increase from the current 40,000 beds. Democrats believe that, with that increase, ICE is also trying to detain undocumented immigrants with no criminal record, and they want to use the current negotiations to set a limit of 35,520 beds for the rest of this fiscal year, including a maximum of 16,500 for US detainees. ICE acting deputy director Matt Albence warned that cutting funds for the detention centres of his department would be "extremely damaging to public safety." In a telephone press conference, Albence confirmed that the ICE detained some "20,000 or 22,000" undocumented people, who were captured inside the country, the majority with a criminal record, and claimed that a cut of funds would force his department to "release" some of them.

It's up to Democrats if government shuts again: Trump

The United States has denied accusations it is pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestinian government, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/us-stops-funds-to-uns-palestine-agency-162925">whose relations with Washington have been plummeting</a>.

Several Palestinian officials have accused the US of trying to force banks not to deal with transactions linked to the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank.

"The United States has not requested that foreign donors restrict assistance to the Palestinians, nor has it requested that financial institutions cease transfers to Palestinian Authority (PA) bank accounts," a US official told AFP late Monday.&nbsp;

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"We are aware of media reports suggesting this has occurred. Those reports are incorrect."

On Sunday, senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh charged that Washington was launching a "financial siege" on the PA.

"Major international financial institutions and parties have begun to accede to an American request to impose a tight financial siege on the Palestinian Authority," he told AFP.

"Washington has asked for financial aid given to the authority to be stopped, and it has also issued a circular to banks not to receive transfers for the authority’s accounts."

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki has said on local radio that the US was using "all means to press Arab countries to stop financial support for our people".

Relations between the US and the Palestinians have broken down since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in late 2017.

The Palestinians consider the eastern part of the city their capital and have boycotted the Trump administration since.&nbsp;

In response, the US has cut more than $500 million in annual aid to the Palestinians, mostly to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees.

The cuts have worsened longterm financial shortfalls for the PA, which is heavily reliant on international aid.

The United States has denied accusations it is pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestinian government, whose relations with Washington have been plummeting.

The United States has denied accusations it is pressuring banks to stop dealing with the Palestinian government, whose relations with Washington have been plummeting. Several Palestinian officials have accused the US of trying to force banks not to deal with transactions linked to the Palestinian Authority, which has limited self-rule in the occupied West Bank. "The United States has not requested that foreign donors restrict assistance to the Palestinians, nor has it requested that financial institutions cease transfers to Palestinian Authority (PA) bank accounts," a US official told AFP late Monday. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki has said on local radio that the US was using 'all means to press Arab countries to stop financial support for our people' × "We are aware of media reports suggesting this has occurred. Those reports are incorrect." On Sunday, senior Palestinian official Hussein al-Sheikh charged that Washington was launching a "financial siege" on the PA. "Major international financial institutions and parties have begun to accede to an American request to impose a tight financial siege on the Palestinian Authority," he told AFP. "Washington has asked for financial aid given to the authority to be stopped, and it has also issued a circular to banks not to receive transfers for the authority’s accounts." Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki has said on local radio that the US was using "all means to press Arab countries to stop financial support for our people". Relations between the US and the Palestinians have broken down since President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in late 2017. The Palestinians consider the eastern part of the city their capital and have boycotted the Trump administration since. In response, the US has cut more than $500 million in annual aid to the Palestinians, mostly to the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. The cuts have worsened longterm financial shortfalls for the PA, which is heavily reliant on international aid.

US says it did not tell banks to stop working with Palestinians

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-back-from-north-korea-after-talks-on-trump-kim-summit-196109">summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a>, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-summit-with-kim-to-take-place-in-hanoi-196131"> preparatory talks </a>in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28.

Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi.

"We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here.

"We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive."

Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit.

The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks.

Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim &amp; advancing the cause of peace."

At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula".

But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means.

Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV".

On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim.

"He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him &amp; fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday.

There was still some hard work to be done ahead of the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Washington envoy said on Saturday. Stephen Biegun, the US Special Representative for North Korea, said three days of preparatory talks in Pyongyang that ended Friday had been productive, but more dialogue was needed ahead of the summit scheduled for Vietnam from February 27-28. Biegun on Saturday briefed South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa on his Pyongyang visit, also confirming the summit would be held in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. "We have some hard work to do with the DPRK," Biegun told Kang, adding: "I'm confident that if both sides stay committed we can make real progress here. "We don't know where it's going to go, but we are in the midst of a conversation ... our discussions (with Pyongyang) were productive." Kang told Biegun that the US had South Korea's "full support" for the summit. The US State Department said Biegun will meet again with Pyongyang officials ahead of the Trump-Kim talks. Trump earlier announced Hanoi as the venue in a tweet, saying: "I look forward to seeing Chairman Kim & advancing the cause of peace." At their landmark summit in Singapore last year, the mercurial US and North Korean leaders produced a vaguely worded document in which Kim pledged to work towards "the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula". But progress has since stalled, with the two sides disagreeing over what that means. Experts say tangible progress on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons will be needed for the second summit if it is to avoid being dismissed as "reality TV". On Friday Trump tweeted that North Korea will become a "great Economic Powerhouse" under Kim. "He may surprise some but he won't surprise me, because I have gotten to know him & fully understand how capable he is," said Trump.

Hard work still needed before Kim-Trump summit: US envoy

President Donald Trump, who delights in confounding health experts with his junk food cravings and disinclination to exercise, is "in very good health," his doctor declared Friday following an annual medical checkup.

"I am happy to announce the president of the United States is in very good health and I anticipate he will remain so for the duration of his presidency, and beyond," chief physician Sean Conley said in a memorandum released by the White House.

The Marine One helicopter returned the 72-year-old head of state to the White House from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the Washington suburb of Bethesda after a full four hours of prodding, poking and testing.

Dressed in a long dark overcoat, Trump gave a thumb's up but did not respond to reporters' questions about how he was feeling.

It remained unclear how many of the test results would eventually be made public.

Last year, everything from the president's cholesterol levels (high) to weight (too high at 239 pounds, or 108 kilograms) was released.

Trump's then chief physician, Ronny Jackson — who has since run into trouble over alleged ethical misconduct — also held an unusually detailed press conference in which he declared Trump to be in "excellent health."&nbsp;

On the plus side, Trump doesn't smoke and is a noted teetotaler. He says he's never even had a beer.

Less good: the former real estate tycoon and reality TV performer unashamedly embraces the couch potato life.

'Incredibly good genes'&nbsp;

Not for Trump the basketball sessions that Barack Obama sweated through in the White House, or the bike rides of George W Bush.

Trump loves the more sedate game of golf, but rides a cart between holes and has said that anything more strenuous is actually bad for your health.

"All my friends who work out all the time, they're going for knee replacements, hip replacements — they're a disaster," Trump told The New York Times in 2015.

Trump has described his chief exercise as walking around the White House compound and standing up at public events.

The 45th president's diet, reportedly involving legendary amounts of Coke and red meat, also seems to defy most doctors' orders.

In January, Trump hosted the strapping athletes of America's champion college football team, the Clemson Tigers, with a mountain of hamburgers and pizzas.

According to Jackson last year, Trump's secret is genes.

"Incredibly good genes," he said. "It's just the way God made him."

President Donald Trump, who delights in confounding health experts with his junk food cravings and disinclination to exercise, is "in very good health," his doctor declared Friday following an annual medical checkup.

President Donald Trump, who delights in confounding health experts with his junk food cravings and disinclination to exercise, is "in very good health," his doctor declared Friday following an annual medical checkup. "I am happy to announce the president of the United States is in very good health and I anticipate he will remain so for the duration of his presidency, and beyond," chief physician Sean Conley said in a memorandum released by the White House. The Marine One helicopter returned the 72-year-old head of state to the White House from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the Washington suburb of Bethesda after a full four hours of prodding, poking and testing. Dressed in a long dark overcoat, Trump gave a thumb's up but did not respond to reporters' questions about how he was feeling. It remained unclear how many of the test results would eventually be made public. Last year, everything from the president's cholesterol levels (high) to weight (too high at 239 pounds, or 108 kilograms) was released. Trump's then chief physician, Ronny Jackson — who has since run into trouble over alleged ethical misconduct — also held an unusually detailed press conference in which he declared Trump to be in "excellent health." On the plus side, Trump doesn't smoke and is a noted teetotaler. He says he's never even had a beer. Less good: the former real estate tycoon and reality TV performer unashamedly embraces the couch potato life. 'Incredibly good genes' Not for Trump the basketball sessions that Barack Obama sweated through in the White House, or the bike rides of George W Bush. Trump loves the more sedate game of golf, but rides a cart between holes and has said that anything more strenuous is actually bad for your health. "All my friends who work out all the time, they're going for knee replacements, hip replacements — they're a disaster," Trump told The New York Times in 2015. Trump has described his chief exercise as walking around the White House compound and standing up at public events. The 45th president's diet, reportedly involving legendary amounts of Coke and red meat, also seems to defy most doctors' orders. In January, Trump hosted the strapping athletes of America's champion college football team, the Clemson Tigers, with a mountain of hamburgers and pizzas. According to Jackson last year, Trump's secret is genes. "Incredibly good genes," he said. "It's just the way God made him."

Fast-food fan Trump in 'very good health': Chief physician

Trump to meet Kim Jong-un in Hanoi

President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address on Tuesday to call for a bipartisan commitment to eradicate AIDS in the United States within a decade.

"Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach," Trump said in his annual address to Congress.&nbsp;

"My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years," he said.

"Together, we will defeat AIDS in America and beyond."

Some 38,000 people were infected with HIV in the United States in 2017, according to government statistics.&nbsp;

This number has shrunk over the years, but in some communities, there has been no let-up, especially among gays, blacks and Hispanics.&nbsp;

The Trump administration proposed last year to cut the budget for AIDS prevention, but Congress refused.

"No force in history has done more to advance the human condition than American freedom," Trump said.&nbsp;

"In recent years we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS." &nbsp;

Trump's mastery of the issue has been called into question, however, most notably by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who said last year that at two meetings, Trump needed help distinguishing HIV from HPV, another sexually transmitted disease.

"Both times, he wanted to know if there was a difference between HIV and HPV so I was able to explain that those are rarely confused with each other," Gates said.

President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address on Tuesday to call for a bipartisan commitment to eradicate AIDS in the United States within a decade.

President Donald Trump used his State of the Union address on Tuesday to call for a bipartisan commitment to eradicate AIDS in the United States within a decade. "Scientific breakthroughs have brought a once-distant dream within reach," Trump said in his annual address to Congress. "My budget will ask Democrats and Republicans to make the needed commitment to eliminate the HIV epidemic in the United States within 10 years," he said. "Together, we will defeat AIDS in America and beyond." Some 38,000 people were infected with HIV in the United States in 2017, according to government statistics. This number has shrunk over the years, but in some communities, there has been no let-up, especially among gays, blacks and Hispanics. The Trump administration proposed last year to cut the budget for AIDS prevention, but Congress refused. "No force in history has done more to advance the human condition than American freedom," Trump said. "In recent years we have made remarkable progress in the fight against HIV and AIDS." Trump's mastery of the issue has been called into question, however, most notably by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, who said last year that at two meetings, Trump needed help distinguishing HIV from HPV, another sexually transmitted disease. "Both times, he wanted to know if there was a difference between HIV and HPV so I was able to explain that those are rarely confused with each other," Gates said.

We will defeat AIDS in America and beyond: Trump in State of the Union address

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