<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-irritated-by-resignation-letter-tells-mattis-to-go-2-months-early-186055">Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early</a>

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/relishing-battle-with-virat-kohli-says-australia-captain-tim-paine-186063">'Relishing' battle with Virat Kohli, says Australia captain Tim Paine</a>

Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is relishing his sometimes heated battle with animated Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, and promised "intense, hard" cricket in the crunch Boxing Day Test at Melbourne.

The pair had some testy exchanges in the second Test at Perth, which at one point needed the umpire to intervene.

And Kohli offered only a frosty handshake at the end of the game, which Australia won to level the four-Test series 1-1, refusing to meet Paine's eye in a move blasted by some as disrespectful.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/another-tsunami-could-hit-indonesia-experts-warn-186056">Another tsunami could hit Indonesia, warn experts</a>

Another tsunami could strike Indonesia, experts warned on Sunday, a day after more than 200 people were killed by a wave triggered by a volcanic eruption.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/doctor-kills-ex-wife-keeps-her-alive-on-social-media-for-7-months-186064">UP doctor kills ex-wife, keeps her 'alive' on social media for 7 months</a>

A UP doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife and kept her "alive" on social media for seven months to hoodwink the authorities.&nbsp;

Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh, with the help of two employees, killed his wife in Pokhara, Nepal in June 2018 by throwing her off a cliff.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ashutosh-rana-madhur-bhandarkar-back-naseeruddin-shahs-comment-on-bulandshahr-violence-186062">Ashutosh Rana, Madhur Bhandarkar come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah</a>

Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana and film director Madhur Bhandarkar have come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah over the veteran actor`s recent comment on Bulandshahr violence.

Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding Shah`s comment, Rana stated that everyone has a right to share their thoughts. 
&nbsp;

Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.

Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy. 'Relishing' battle with Virat Kohli, says Australia captain Tim Paine Australia skipper Tim Paine said Monday he is relishing his sometimes heated battle with animated Indian counterpart Virat Kohli, and promised "intense, hard" cricket in the crunch Boxing Day Test at Melbourne. The pair had some testy exchanges in the second Test at Perth, which at one point needed the umpire to intervene. And Kohli offered only a frosty handshake at the end of the game, which Australia won to level the four-Test series 1-1, refusing to meet Paine's eye in a move blasted by some as disrespectful. Another tsunami could hit Indonesia, warn experts Another tsunami could strike Indonesia, experts warned on Sunday, a day after more than 200 people were killed by a wave triggered by a volcanic eruption. UP doctor kills ex-wife, keeps her 'alive' on social media for 7 months A UP doctor and owner of a hospital killed his ex-wife and kept her "alive" on social media for seven months to hoodwink the authorities. Dr Dharmendra Pratap Singh, with the help of two employees, killed his wife in Pokhara, Nepal in June 2018 by throwing her off a cliff. Ashutosh Rana, Madhur Bhandarkar come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah Bollywood actor Ashutosh Rana and film director Madhur Bhandarkar have come out in support of Naseeruddin Shah over the veteran actor`s recent comment on Bulandshahr violence. Speaking on the ongoing controversy surrounding Shah`s comment, Rana stated that everyone has a right to share their thoughts.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/what-james-mattiss-resignation-means-for-syria-afghanistan-and-nato-185942">Mattis abruptly said he was quitting on Thursday</a> after falling out with Trump over his foreign policy, including surprise decisions to yank troops from Syria and start planning a drawdown in Afghanistan.

Mattis distributed a candid resignation letter addressed to Trump that laid bare the growing divide between them, and implicitly criticized Trump for failing to value America’s closest allies, who fought alongside the United States in both conflicts. He said Trump should have a defense secretary more aligned with his views.

Trump said that Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would take over for Mattis on an acting basis on Jan. 1. In a tweet, Trump called the former Boeing Co executive "very talented."

"He will be great!" Trump said about Shanahan.

A senior White House official said that Trump was irked by the attention given to Mattis' resignation letter.

"He just wants a smooth, more quick transition and felt that dragging it out for a couple of months is not good,” the official said, on condition of anonymity.

The official said Trump was expected to pick a nominee for defense secretary over the next couple of weeks.

Mattis, a retired Marine general who was highly regarded by Republicans and Democrats, has far wider political support in Washington than Trump himself.

Mattis "will continue to focus on what he needs to do ... to ensure a smooth transition," a U.S. defense official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said.

In a shock announcement on Wednesday, Trump said he was withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria, a decision that upended American policy in the region. A day later, U.S. officials told Reuters the United States was planning on pulling about half of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he was replacing Defence Secretary Jim Mattis two months earlier than had been expected, a move officials said was driven by Trump's anger at Mattis' resignation letter and its rebuke of his foreign policy. Mattis abruptly said he was quitting on Thursday after falling out with Trump over his foreign policy, including surprise decisions to yank troops from Syria and start planning a drawdown in Afghanistan. Mattis distributed a candid resignation letter addressed to Trump that laid bare the growing divide between them, and implicitly criticized Trump for failing to value America’s closest allies, who fought alongside the United States in both conflicts. He said Trump should have a defense secretary more aligned with his views. Trump said that Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would take over for Mattis on an acting basis on Jan. 1. In a tweet, Trump called the former Boeing Co executive "very talented." "He will be great!" Trump said about Shanahan. A senior White House official said that Trump was irked by the attention given to Mattis' resignation letter. "He just wants a smooth, more quick transition and felt that dragging it out for a couple of months is not good,” the official said, on condition of anonymity. The official said Trump was expected to pick a nominee for defense secretary over the next couple of weeks. Mattis, a retired Marine general who was highly regarded by Republicans and Democrats, has far wider political support in Washington than Trump himself. Mattis "will continue to focus on what he needs to do ... to ensure a smooth transition," a U.S. defense official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, said. In a shock announcement on Wednesday, Trump said he was withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria, a decision that upended American policy in the region. A day later, U.S. officials told Reuters the United States was planning on pulling about half of the 14,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

Trump, irritated by resignation letter, tells Mattis to go 2 months early

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will "eradicate whatever" is left of Islamic State in Syria.&nbsp;

Trump had said last week that Islamic State had been defeated in Syria, which is why he was pulling US troops out of the country.&nbsp;

"President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right 'next door'," Trump tweeted Monday.&nbsp;

"Our troops are coming home!" he added.&nbsp;

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President <a href="https://twitter.com/RT_Erdogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RT_Erdogan</a> of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right “next door.” Our troops are coming home!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1077064829825966081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump seemed to be referring to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-erdogan-vow-to-avoid-syria-power-vacuum-after-us-forces-leave-186057">an earlier phone call with&nbsp;President Erdogan</a>&nbsp;during which they agreed not to leave behind a power vacuum after US forces leave.&nbsp;The US has some 2,000 troops at the moment in Syria.&nbsp;

Trump's decision to pull out of Syria has been met by shock around the world.&nbsp;

Trump's Secretary of Defence General <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-irritated-by-resignation-letter-tells-mattis-to-go-2-months-early-186055">Jim Mattis resigned</a> over the shock move.&nbsp;

So did Brett McGurk, America's envoy to the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State. News reports have described McGurk as the glue that bound the coalition together.&nbsp;

Turkey has been among a handful of countries to encourage Trump's decision to pull out of Syria (the others have included Russia and Syria). But that is because Turkey has been keen to go after the Kurds in northern Syria. The Kurds had been fighting alongside the US coalition but Turkey thinks of them as terrorists.&nbsp;

Commentators have also said Trump's decision to pull out of Syria is political.&nbsp;

That it and Trump's doubling down over his demand for funding for his border wall with Mexico will keep his base happy.&nbsp;

And that it will also shine some of the spotlight away from the various investigations into Trump and his 2016 presidential campaign's alleged collusion with Russia.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will "eradicate whatever" is left of Islamic State in Syria. Trump had said last week that Islamic State had been defeated in Syria, which is why he was pulling US troops out of the country.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will "eradicate whatever" is left of Islamic State in Syria. Trump had said last week that Islamic State had been defeated in Syria, which is why he was pulling US troops out of the country. "President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right 'next door'," Trump tweeted Monday. "Our troops are coming home!" he added. President @RT_Erdogan of Turkey has very strongly informed me that he will eradicate whatever is left of ISIS in Syria....and he is a man who can do it plus, Turkey is right “next door.” Our troops are coming home! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2018 × Trump seemed to be referring to an earlier phone call with President Erdogan during which they agreed not to leave behind a power vacuum after US forces leave. The US has some 2,000 troops at the moment in Syria. Trump's decision to pull out of Syria has been met by shock around the world. Trump's Secretary of Defence General Jim Mattis resigned over the shock move. So did Brett McGurk, America's envoy to the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State. News reports have described McGurk as the glue that bound the coalition together. Turkey has been among a handful of countries to encourage Trump's decision to pull out of Syria (the others have included Russia and Syria). But that is because Turkey has been keen to go after the Kurds in northern Syria. The Kurds had been fighting alongside the US coalition but Turkey thinks of them as terrorists. Commentators have also said Trump's decision to pull out of Syria is political. That it and Trump's doubling down over his demand for funding for his border wall with Mexico will keep his base happy. And that it will also shine some of the spotlight away from the various investigations into Trump and his 2016 presidential campaign's alleged collusion with Russia.

Trump says Turkey's Erdogan will 'eradicate whatever is left of' Islamic State in Syria

Warning that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/partial-us-government-shutdown-set-to-last-through-christmas-185912">the government shutdown could last longer</a>, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake.&nbsp;

He further stated that he is working hard and negotiating with Democrats on the need for Border Security, saying that it could be a long stay.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Trump said, "I am in the White House, working hard. News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE. We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Trafficking &amp; more) but it could be a long stay."&nbsp;

A partial government shutdown is imminent as the United States House of Representatives and the Senate was adjourned for the evening, as President Donald Trump and lawmakers remain at odds over border wall funding.&nbsp;

Although negotiations are underway in Congress to reach an agreement in an aim to prevent a government shutdown, virtually, there is no chance that a vote will take place on Friday night (local time).&nbsp;

Talking about Syria, Trump asserted that ISIS has been largely defeated and neighbouring countries including Turkey can take care of "whatever remains."&nbsp;

"On Syria, we were originally going to be there for three months, and that was seven years ago - we never left. When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We`re coming home!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

Trump had earlier announced that US will be withdrawing army troops from Syria after declaring the defeat of ISIS in the region.

 
&nbsp;

Warning that the government shutdown could last longer, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake.

Warning that the government shutdown could last longer, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake. He further stated that he is working hard and negotiating with Democrats on the need for Border Security, saying that it could be a long stay. In a tweet, Trump said, "I am in the White House, working hard. News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE. We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Trafficking & more) but it could be a long stay." A partial government shutdown is imminent as the United States House of Representatives and the Senate was adjourned for the evening, as President Donald Trump and lawmakers remain at odds over border wall funding. Although negotiations are underway in Congress to reach an agreement in an aim to prevent a government shutdown, virtually, there is no chance that a vote will take place on Friday night (local time). Talking about Syria, Trump asserted that ISIS has been largely defeated and neighbouring countries including Turkey can take care of "whatever remains." "On Syria, we were originally going to be there for three months, and that was seven years ago - we never left. When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We`re coming home!" Trump tweeted. Trump had earlier announced that US will be withdrawing army troops from Syria after declaring the defeat of ISIS in the region.

'News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE': Trump

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said.

The move comes after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-special-envoy-brett-mcgurk-quits-over-trump-syria-pullout-185899">US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement on Wednesday of the withdrawal of American troops</a> stationed in northeastern Syria alongside Kurdish fighters, a long-time enemy of Turkey.

Washington has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition dominated by the People's Protection Units (YPG).

But on Wednesday Trump said he was ordering a withdrawal of the estimated 2,000 US troops in Syria because IS had been defeated, an assessment rubbished by many.

"Around 35 tanks and other heavy weapons, carried aboard tank carriers, crossed the Jarablos border crossing in the early evening," Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP.

"They headed for an area near the Sajour River, between Jarablos and Minbej, not far from the front lines where Kurdish fighters of the Minbej Military Council are stationed," he added.

Turkey accuses the YPG of being a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to drive both the YPG and IS from Syria.

Ankara fears a Kurdish state could be established on its borders, which it believes could reinforce separatist ambitions of the Kurdish minority in Turkey.

The Kurdish community accounts for 15 percent of Syria's population and controls around 30 percent of the country, as a federal region declared in 2016.

In the past two years Turkey has conducted two offensives into northern Syria. In 2016 it launched an operation against IS, which also aimed to block the YPG from joining up the territory it held in northern Syria.

And in January 2018 Turkey staged an offensive against the militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin.

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said.

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said. The move comes after US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement on Wednesday of the withdrawal of American troops stationed in northeastern Syria alongside Kurdish fighters, a long-time enemy of Turkey. Washington has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition dominated by the People's Protection Units (YPG). But on Wednesday Trump said he was ordering a withdrawal of the estimated 2,000 US troops in Syria because IS had been defeated, an assessment rubbished by many. "Around 35 tanks and other heavy weapons, carried aboard tank carriers, crossed the Jarablos border crossing in the early evening," Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. "They headed for an area near the Sajour River, between Jarablos and Minbej, not far from the front lines where Kurdish fighters of the Minbej Military Council are stationed," he added. Turkey accuses the YPG of being a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to drive both the YPG and IS from Syria. Ankara fears a Kurdish state could be established on its borders, which it believes could reinforce separatist ambitions of the Kurdish minority in Turkey. The Kurdish community accounts for 15 percent of Syria's population and controls around 30 percent of the country, as a federal region declared in 2016. In the past two years Turkey has conducted two offensives into northern Syria. In 2016 it launched an operation against IS, which also aimed to block the YPG from joining up the territory it held in northern Syria. And in January 2018 Turkey staged an offensive against the militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin.

After Trump says US pulling out, Turkey sends troops into northern Syria: War monitor

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he backed US counterpart <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-islamic-state-defeated-us-will-pull-all-forces-out-of-syira-185369">Donald Trump's decision to order troops back home from Syria</a> after declaring victory over Islamic State forces.

"The fact that the US has decided to withdraw its troops is right," Putin said during his annual press conference.

Trump on Wednesday declared in a video message that "we won" and said that the troops are "coming back now."&nbsp;

Putin said that "as concerns victory over IS, on the whole I agree with the US president," adding that "we have dealt serious blows against IS in Syria."

Nevertheless he cast doubt on Washington's actions, saying "we don't see any signs of withdrawing US troops yet, but I concede that it is possible."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he backed US counterpart Donald Trump's decision to order troops back home from Syria after declaring victory over Islamic State forces.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he backed US counterpart Donald Trump's decision to order troops back home from Syria after declaring victory over Islamic State forces. "The fact that the US has decided to withdraw its troops is right," Putin said during his annual press conference. Trump on Wednesday declared in a video message that "we won" and said that the troops are "coming back now." Putin said that "as concerns victory over IS, on the whole I agree with the US president," adding that "we have dealt serious blows against IS in Syria." Nevertheless he cast doubt on Washington's actions, saying "we don't see any signs of withdrawing US troops yet, but I concede that it is possible."

Trump is 'right' to pull US troops out of Syria, says Putin

The United States <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-advisers-he-wants-us-out-of-syria-senior-officials-127432">will withdraw its troops from Syria</a>, a US official told AFP on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said America has "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.

The stunning move will have extraordinary geopolitical ramifications and throws into question the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists.

"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency," the Republican president tweeted.

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We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075397797929775105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US official said Trump's decision was finalized Tuesday.&nbsp;

"Full withdrawal, all means all," the official said when asked if the troops would be pulled from all of Syria.

Currently, about 2,000 US forces are in Syria, most of them on a train-and-advise mission to support local forces fighting IS.

The official would not provide a timeline for a withdrawal, saying only: "We will ensure force protection is adequately maintained, but as quickly as possible."

The Pentagon would not confirm the US troop pull-out.

"At this time, we continue to work by, with and through our partners in the region," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said.

A large contingent of the main US-backed, anti-IS fighting force in Syria, an alliance known as the Syrian Democratic forces (SDF), is Kurdish and is viewed by Turkey as a "terrorist" group.&nbsp;

Ankara has said it plans to launch an operation against the Kurdish militia, known as the YPG (Kurdish People's Protection Units).

While the YPG has spearheaded Washington's fight against IS, US support has strained relations between the NATO allies.

Ties have grown even more fraught since the US set up observation posts in northern Syria close to the border with Turkey to prevent any altercation between Turkish forces and the YPG.

Most US forces are stationed in northern Syria, though a small contingent is based at a garrison in Al-Tanaf, near the Jordanian and Iraqi border.

'Short-sighted and naive' 
The decision to withdraw marks a shocking development not just for Kurds in Syria, but for long-established US doctrine in the region.

Only last week Brett McGurk, the special envoy to defeat IS, said: "nobody is declaring a mission accomplished."

"The military objective is the enduring defeat of ISIS. And if we've learned one thing over the years, enduring defeat of a group like this means you can't just defeat their physical space and then leave."

A US presence in Syria is seen as key to pushing against Iranian influence in the country and across the broader region. Tehran militias have supported the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said the president's decision was shortsighted.&nbsp;

"President @realDonaldTrump is right to want to contain Iranian expansion," Graham said on Twitter.

"However, withdrawal of our forces in Syria mightily undercuts that effort and put our allies, the Kurds at risk."

Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, called the decision "extraordinarily short-sighted and naive."

"This move will look like a 'withdrawal,' not a 'victory,' and yet more evidence of the dangerous unpredictability of the US president," Lister said.&nbsp;

"This is not just a dream scenario for ISIS, but also for Russia, Iran and the Assad regime, all of whom stand to benefit substantially from a US withdrawal."

IS swept across large swaths of Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014, implementing their brutal interpretation of Islamic law in areas they controlled.

But they have since seen their dream of a state crumble, as they have lost most of that territory to various offensives.

In Syria, IS fighters are holding out in what remains of the pocket that once included Hajin, including the villages of Al-Shaafa and Sousa.

The United States will withdraw its troops from Syria, a US official told AFP on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said America has "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.

The United States will withdraw its troops from Syria, a US official told AFP on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said America has "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country. The stunning move will have extraordinary geopolitical ramifications and throws into question the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists. "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency," the Republican president tweeted. We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × The US official said Trump's decision was finalized Tuesday. "Full withdrawal, all means all," the official said when asked if the troops would be pulled from all of Syria. Currently, about 2,000 US forces are in Syria, most of them on a train-and-advise mission to support local forces fighting IS. The official would not provide a timeline for a withdrawal, saying only: "We will ensure force protection is adequately maintained, but as quickly as possible." The Pentagon would not confirm the US troop pull-out. "At this time, we continue to work by, with and through our partners in the region," Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said. A large contingent of the main US-backed, anti-IS fighting force in Syria, an alliance known as the Syrian Democratic forces (SDF), is Kurdish and is viewed by Turkey as a "terrorist" group. Ankara has said it plans to launch an operation against the Kurdish militia, known as the YPG (Kurdish People's Protection Units). While the YPG has spearheaded Washington's fight against IS, US support has strained relations between the NATO allies. Ties have grown even more fraught since the US set up observation posts in northern Syria close to the border with Turkey to prevent any altercation between Turkish forces and the YPG. Most US forces are stationed in northern Syria, though a small contingent is based at a garrison in Al-Tanaf, near the Jordanian and Iraqi border. 'Short-sighted and naive' The decision to withdraw marks a shocking development not just for Kurds in Syria, but for long-established US doctrine in the region. Only last week Brett McGurk, the special envoy to defeat IS, said: "nobody is declaring a mission accomplished." "The military objective is the enduring defeat of ISIS. And if we've learned one thing over the years, enduring defeat of a group like this means you can't just defeat their physical space and then leave." A US presence in Syria is seen as key to pushing against Iranian influence in the country and across the broader region. Tehran militias have supported the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said the president's decision was shortsighted. "President @realDonaldTrump is right to want to contain Iranian expansion," Graham said on Twitter. "However, withdrawal of our forces in Syria mightily undercuts that effort and put our allies, the Kurds at risk." Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, called the decision "extraordinarily short-sighted and naive." "This move will look like a 'withdrawal,' not a 'victory,' and yet more evidence of the dangerous unpredictability of the US president," Lister said. "This is not just a dream scenario for ISIS, but also for Russia, Iran and the Assad regime, all of whom stand to benefit substantially from a US withdrawal." IS swept across large swaths of Syria and neighboring Iraq in 2014, implementing their brutal interpretation of Islamic law in areas they controlled. But they have since seen their dream of a state crumble, as they have lost most of that territory to various offensives. In Syria, IS fighters are holding out in what remains of the pocket that once included Hajin, including the villages of Al-Shaafa and Sousa.

Trump says Islamic State defeated, US will pull all forces out of Syria

The United States has defeated the Islamic State in Syria, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday, adding that it was the only reason he had kept troops in the country.

"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency," Trump wrote on Twitter.

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We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075397797929775105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier on Wednesday, US&nbsp;officials told Reuters that they were considering a total withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle Eastern country.

Meanwhile, a US official told AFP that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-advisers-he-wants-us-out-of-syria-senior-officials-127432">the United States is to fully withdraw its troops from all of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-advisers-he-wants-us-out-of-syria-senior-officials-127432">Syria</a>, after President Donald Trump said the Islamic State group had been "defeated."

"Full withdrawal," the official said on condition of anonymity.

"We will ensure force protection is adequately maintained, but as quickly as possible," the official added when asked for a timeline.

 
&nbsp;

The United States has defeated the Islamic State in Syria, US President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday, adding that it was the only reason he had kept troops in the country.

The United States has defeated the Islamic State in Syria, US President Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday, adding that it was the only reason he had kept troops in the country. "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency," Trump wrote on Twitter. We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × Earlier on Wednesday, US officials told Reuters that they were considering a total withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Middle Eastern country. Meanwhile, a US official told AFP that the United States is to fully withdraw its troops from all of Syria, after President Donald Trump said the Islamic State group had been "defeated." "Full withdrawal," the official said on condition of anonymity. "We will ensure force protection is adequately maintained, but as quickly as possible," the official added when asked for a timeline.

Trump says the US has defeated Islamic State in Syria

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered the creation of "Space Command," a new organizational structure within the Pentagon that will have overall control of military space operations.

The command will be separate from Trump's goal to build an entirely new branch of the military called "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-wants-space-force-by-2020-dumb-say-his-critics-158177">Space Force</a>," which has not received approval from Congress.

"I direct the establishment, consistent with United States law, of United States Space Command as a functional Unified Combatant Command," Trump said in a memo to Defense Secretary Defense Jim Mattis.

Speaking at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida's Cape Canaveral, Vice President Mike Pence said Space Command would integrate space capabilities across all branches of the military.

"It will develop the space doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures that will enable our war fighters to defend our nation in this new era," Pence said.&nbsp;

SpaceCom, as it will inevitably come to be known, will be the Pentagon's 11th combatant command.

America's vast military divides the globe into various commands, such as Central Command in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific Command in Asia. The new Space Command would be on equal footing with these.

It will require a new headquarters, as well as a commander and deputy commander who will need Senate approval.

Trump in June said he wanted to create a "Space Force," which would be a sixth and entirely new branch of the military alongside the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.&nbsp;

He insists such a move is necessary to tackle vulnerabilities in space and assert US dominance in orbit.

But its creation is not a done deal, as it needs to be approved by Congress, and the concept has met with some skepticism from lawmakers and defense officials wary of the cost and added bureaucracy.

The creation of a new Space Force would also set off a turf war within the Pentagon, particularly with the Air Force, which currently is responsible for most space operations.&nbsp;

New satellites 
Pence spoke to an audience in Florida, where he had been expecting to watch the launch of a SpaceX rocket carrying a new generation of satellite, ordered by the US Air Force, that are much harder for adversaries to jam.

Additional "GPS III," or third generation, satellites will be launched in the coming years, creating a new constellation of the orbiting craft.

The Air Force asked for $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2019 for the program.

Space plays a vital role in just about every aspect of modern warfare, with many military technologies reliant on a network of orbiting sensors and satellites, and the Pentagon has warned that countries like Russia and China are working to build anti-satellite capabilities.

Tuesday's launch was scrubbed at the last minute due to an issue with some sensor readings, SpaceX said. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday morning.&nbsp;

In a series of tweets, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the creation of Space Command is a "critical step" in America's ability to manage space as a warfighting domain.&nbsp;

"US Space Command will allow us to accelerate our space capabilities to defend our National interests and deter our adversaries," he said.

Shanahan added that the Pentagon is working on a legislative proposal that would meet Trump's vision for a separate Space Force.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered the creation of "Space Command," a new organizational structure within the Pentagon that will have overall control of military space operations.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday ordered the creation of "Space Command," a new organizational structure within the Pentagon that will have overall control of military space operations. The command will be separate from Trump's goal to build an entirely new branch of the military called "Space Force," which has not received approval from Congress. "I direct the establishment, consistent with United States law, of United States Space Command as a functional Unified Combatant Command," Trump said in a memo to Defense Secretary Defense Jim Mattis. Speaking at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida's Cape Canaveral, Vice President Mike Pence said Space Command would integrate space capabilities across all branches of the military. "It will develop the space doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures that will enable our war fighters to defend our nation in this new era," Pence said. SpaceCom, as it will inevitably come to be known, will be the Pentagon's 11th combatant command. America's vast military divides the globe into various commands, such as Central Command in the Middle East or Indo-Pacific Command in Asia. The new Space Command would be on equal footing with these. It will require a new headquarters, as well as a commander and deputy commander who will need Senate approval. Trump in June said he wanted to create a "Space Force," which would be a sixth and entirely new branch of the military alongside the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Coast Guard. He insists such a move is necessary to tackle vulnerabilities in space and assert US dominance in orbit. But its creation is not a done deal, as it needs to be approved by Congress, and the concept has met with some skepticism from lawmakers and defense officials wary of the cost and added bureaucracy. The creation of a new Space Force would also set off a turf war within the Pentagon, particularly with the Air Force, which currently is responsible for most space operations. New satellites Pence spoke to an audience in Florida, where he had been expecting to watch the launch of a SpaceX rocket carrying a new generation of satellite, ordered by the US Air Force, that are much harder for adversaries to jam. Additional "GPS III," or third generation, satellites will be launched in the coming years, creating a new constellation of the orbiting craft. The Air Force asked for $1.5 billion for fiscal year 2019 for the program. Space plays a vital role in just about every aspect of modern warfare, with many military technologies reliant on a network of orbiting sensors and satellites, and the Pentagon has warned that countries like Russia and China are working to build anti-satellite capabilities. Tuesday's launch was scrubbed at the last minute due to an issue with some sensor readings, SpaceX said. It has been rescheduled for Wednesday morning. In a series of tweets, Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the creation of Space Command is a "critical step" in America's ability to manage space as a warfighting domain. "US Space Command will allow us to accelerate our space capabilities to defend our National interests and deter our adversaries," he said. Shanahan added that the Pentagon is working on a legislative proposal that would meet Trump's vision for a separate Space Force.

After 'Space Force', Trump tells Pentagon to create 'Space Command'

US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account.

"Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

"Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names &amp; greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!"

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Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous! Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>. They have removed many names &amp; greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075004324567285761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump is a regular critic of social media and his criticism echoed another attack on Twitter as recently as October, when he again accused the platform of stifling the growth of his account.

The internet firms have consistently denied charges of political bias and many analysts have pointed to large social media followings of conservatives including Trump.

Twitter said in a statement it has been working to weed out accounts that hide a user's true identity or seek to manipulate the platform.

"Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior," Twitter said in an emailed statement.

"Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people."

The criticism came a day after a report for the Senate revealed Russian agents had used social media in an attempt to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor.

An analysis for the Senate Intelligence Committee described an organized campaign by the St Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA) to hurt Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

Troll accounts marshalled by the organization had inflamed right-wing conspiracy theories and suppressed the vote of traditionally liberal-leaning groups such as African Americans, the report said.

The IRA-created "Blacktivist" account sent out messages such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton."

Separately, a portion of the 3,841 IRA accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube studied by the researchers sought to provoke Republican-leaning white Americans to get out and vote.

The study showed the IRA US campaign began in 2015, aiming to mobilize conservative voters, with no specific backing for Trump at the time.&nbsp;

But as the then-candidate gained support, and especially when he drove his anti-immigrant message, the IRA posts turned in his favor.

While the study did not draw any lines between the IRA propaganda and the election results -- Republican Donald Trump stunned Clinton to take the White House -- post-election data suggests some impact.

According to the Pew Research Center, white voter turnout surged in 2016 while black turnout sank by five percentage points, to 59.6 percent, from four years earlier. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account.

US President Donald Trump took a swipe on Tuesday at America's tech giants, accusing them of having a liberal bias, and claiming Twitter was making it more difficult to follow his account. "Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous!" Trump tweeted. "Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING!" Facebook, Twitter and Google are so biased toward the Dems it is ridiculous! Twitter, in fact, has made it much more difficult for people to join @realDonaldTrump. They have removed many names & greatly slowed the level and speed of increase. They have acknowledged-done NOTHING! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2018 × Trump is a regular critic of social media and his criticism echoed another attack on Twitter as recently as October, when he again accused the platform of stifling the growth of his account. The internet firms have consistently denied charges of political bias and many analysts have pointed to large social media followings of conservatives including Trump. Twitter said in a statement it has been working to weed out accounts that hide a user's true identity or seek to manipulate the platform. "Our focus is on the health of the service, and that includes work to remove fake accounts to prevent malicious behavior," Twitter said in an emailed statement. "Many prominent accounts have seen follower counts drop, but the result is higher confidence that the followers they have are real, engaged people." The criticism came a day after a report for the Senate revealed Russian agents had used social media in an attempt to sway the 2016 election in Trump's favor. An analysis for the Senate Intelligence Committee described an organized campaign by the St Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA) to hurt Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee. Troll accounts marshalled by the organization had inflamed right-wing conspiracy theories and suppressed the vote of traditionally liberal-leaning groups such as African Americans, the report said. The IRA-created "Blacktivist" account sent out messages such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton." Separately, a portion of the 3,841 IRA accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube studied by the researchers sought to provoke Republican-leaning white Americans to get out and vote. The study showed the IRA US campaign began in 2015, aiming to mobilize conservative voters, with no specific backing for Trump at the time. But as the then-candidate gained support, and especially when he drove his anti-immigrant message, the IRA posts turned in his favor. While the study did not draw any lines between the IRA propaganda and the election results -- Republican Donald Trump stunned Clinton to take the White House -- post-election data suggests some impact. According to the Pew Research Center, white voter turnout surged in 2016 while black turnout sank by five percentage points, to 59.6 percent, from four years earlier.

Trump says Facebook, Twitter, Google biased against him

US President Donald Trump again lashed out at the Federal Reserve on Monday for considering raising interest rates, on the eve of a meeting at which policymakers are widely expected to do so.

The latest Twitter outburst renewed the president's rock throwing at the central bank, which he accuses of undermining his economic agenda of tax cuts, slashed regulations and multi-front trade offensives.

Trump has repeatedly broken with the norms respected by US presidents in recent decades, hammering the central bank this year over its move away from the zero interest rate policy implemented during the global financial crisis.

"It is incredible that with a very strong dollar and virtually no inflation, the outside world blowing up around us, Paris is burning and China way down, the Fed is even considering yet another interest rate hike," Trump wrote, in a message sent one hour before stock markets were due to open.

"Take the Victory!"

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It is incredible that with a very strong dollar and virtually no inflation, the outside world blowing up around us, Paris is burning and China way down, the Fed is even considering yet another interest rate hike. Take the Victory!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1074657278974939138?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2018</a></blockquote>
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As the US economy has recovered, the Fed has been raising the benchmark lending rate gradually since December 2015.

The Fed on Tuesday opens its final two-day policy meeting of 2018, and is widely expected to raise the key rate for the fourth time this year, working to get ahead of expected gains in inflation.

Trump has called the central bank "crazy," "out of control" and a greater economic threat than China, which the president blames for hollowing out American industry through unfair trade.

But analysts and former Fed members say Trump's unprecedented vitriol could cause the central bank to try to prove its independence by raising rates even if policymakers might otherwise have held off.

Staying out of politics 
Inflation is holding right around the Fed's two percent target but if markets believe the Fed can be swayed by political pressure, inflation fears could ignite and become a more serious problem.

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro on Monday said the bank should avoid this urge.&nbsp;

Current economic policy, such as tax cuts and de-regulation, have produced "supply-side positive shocks" that were holding inflation down, he said, also pointing out that the Fed was winding down a bond-buying stimulus program.

"All of those things have led us to a world where we have zero inflation for all practical purposes," Navarro told CNBC.

"The only argument I'm hearing for the Fed to raise rates is that somehow they have to exert their independence from the White House. Now, this is a bad argument."

Policymakers have offered little reaction to Trump's string of taunts, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell saying the political noise does not factor into their decisions.&nbsp;

Amid brisk economic expansion after a decade of steady job growth, US unemployment is flirting with a 50-year low but the US economy is expected to slow.

And with global economy also weakening, there is a growing feeling the central bank will not have to raise rates as much as previously expected next year.

Powell and other officials in recent weeks have suggested they could show patience in 2019 as they study incoming economic data.

Futures markets currently put the odds of a rate hike this week at about 80 percent.

Wall Street opened sharply lower following Trump's tweet but had pared much of its losses around 1630 GMT.

US President Donald Trump again lashed out at the Federal Reserve on Monday for considering raising interest rates, on the eve of a meeting at which policymakers are widely expected to do so.

US President Donald Trump again lashed out at the Federal Reserve on Monday for considering raising interest rates, on the eve of a meeting at which policymakers are widely expected to do so. The latest Twitter outburst renewed the president's rock throwing at the central bank, which he accuses of undermining his economic agenda of tax cuts, slashed regulations and multi-front trade offensives. Trump has repeatedly broken with the norms respected by US presidents in recent decades, hammering the central bank this year over its move away from the zero interest rate policy implemented during the global financial crisis. "It is incredible that with a very strong dollar and virtually no inflation, the outside world blowing up around us, Paris is burning and China way down, the Fed is even considering yet another interest rate hike," Trump wrote, in a message sent one hour before stock markets were due to open. "Take the Victory!" It is incredible that with a very strong dollar and virtually no inflation, the outside world blowing up around us, Paris is burning and China way down, the Fed is even considering yet another interest rate hike. Take the Victory! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2018 × As the US economy has recovered, the Fed has been raising the benchmark lending rate gradually since December 2015. The Fed on Tuesday opens its final two-day policy meeting of 2018, and is widely expected to raise the key rate for the fourth time this year, working to get ahead of expected gains in inflation. Trump has called the central bank "crazy," "out of control" and a greater economic threat than China, which the president blames for hollowing out American industry through unfair trade. But analysts and former Fed members say Trump's unprecedented vitriol could cause the central bank to try to prove its independence by raising rates even if policymakers might otherwise have held off. Staying out of politics Inflation is holding right around the Fed's two percent target but if markets believe the Fed can be swayed by political pressure, inflation fears could ignite and become a more serious problem. White House trade advisor Peter Navarro on Monday said the bank should avoid this urge. Current economic policy, such as tax cuts and de-regulation, have produced "supply-side positive shocks" that were holding inflation down, he said, also pointing out that the Fed was winding down a bond-buying stimulus program. "All of those things have led us to a world where we have zero inflation for all practical purposes," Navarro told CNBC. "The only argument I'm hearing for the Fed to raise rates is that somehow they have to exert their independence from the White House. Now, this is a bad argument." Policymakers have offered little reaction to Trump's string of taunts, with Fed Chairman Jerome Powell saying the political noise does not factor into their decisions. Amid brisk economic expansion after a decade of steady job growth, US unemployment is flirting with a 50-year low but the US economy is expected to slow. And with global economy also weakening, there is a growing feeling the central bank will not have to raise rates as much as previously expected next year. Powell and other officials in recent weeks have suggested they could show patience in 2019 as they study incoming economic data. Futures markets currently put the odds of a rate hike this week at about 80 percent. Wall Street opened sharply lower following Trump's tweet but had pared much of its losses around 1630 GMT.

US central bank expected to raise rates Tuesday, Trump lashes out at it

A feud between President Donald Trump and Congress over funding his proposed US-Mexico border wall gives lawmakers only five days to find a compromise and avert a partial shutdown of some government agencies that could leave about a quarter of the federal workforce without paychecks at Christmastime.

Trump is demanding $5 billion as a down payment on construction of a huge wall that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/undaunted-by-trumps-wall-migrants-vow-to-go-over-it-35674">he argues is the only way to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing into the United States</a>. Democrats, and some Republicans, argue there are less costly, more effective border controls.

The money Trump wants is only a small fraction of the roughly $450 billion Congress was earlier poised to approve, if not for the wall fight, to fund several agencies which will otherwise run out of money on Dec. 21.

Large swaths of the government already are funded through next September, including the U.S. military and agencies that operate public healthcare, education and veterans' programs.

Several Republican and Democratic congressional aides on Friday said there was no apparent progress being made toward resolving the stand-off, after Trump and leading congressional Democrats battled each other on Tuesday in the White House Oval Office in front of television cameras.

"I am proud to shut down the government for border security," Trump told House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.

Since then, a senior House Republican aide said his party was "in a pickle" over how to keep the government open.

The aide noted that Republicans, who still control both houses of Congress until Jan. 3, will not be able to muster the minimum 218 votes needed in the House to pass a funding bill if it contains Trump's demand for border wall money, which Democrats oppose.

If funds run out on Dec. 21, the NASA space program would potentially be unfunded, along with national parks, the U.S. diplomatic corps and agriculture programs.

Similarly, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security would be vulnerable to shutdowns, although "essential" employees, such as FBI agents, airport security screeners and border patrol agents, would still report to work.

Their paychecks, however, would not be issued until the shutdown ends and Congress would have to decide whether to award back pay for them as well as any furloughed workers.

A government in such disarray might not play well for Republicans over the holiday period, especially if Americans also view images for two weeks of Trump vacationing at his exclusive Florida beach-front mansion.

"After the president’s comments earlier this week when he said he was going to own the shutdown, that sealed the deal for Democrats. There is absolutely no reason for them to cut a deal with this president," said Jim Manley, a political strategist and former Senate Democratic leadership aide.

With the clock ticking, the House is not even bothering to come to work until Wednesday night.

For now, Democrats are waiting for the White House to signal whether it will engage on legislation that would keep programs operating, but without money for Trump's wall.

If not, Manley predicted the government will limp along until Jan. 3, when Democrats take control of the House and Pelosi likely becomes the speaker and promptly advances funding, daring the Republican-led Senate to reject it.

A feud between President Donald Trump and Congress over funding his proposed US-Mexico border wall gives lawmakers only five days to find a compromise and avert a partial shutdown of some government agencies that could leave about a quarter of the federal workforce without paychecks at Christmastime.

A feud between President Donald Trump and Congress over funding his proposed US-Mexico border wall gives lawmakers only five days to find a compromise and avert a partial shutdown of some government agencies that could leave about a quarter of the federal workforce without paychecks at Christmastime. Trump is demanding $5 billion as a down payment on construction of a huge wall that he argues is the only way to keep illegal immigrants and drugs from crossing into the United States. Democrats, and some Republicans, argue there are less costly, more effective border controls. The money Trump wants is only a small fraction of the roughly $450 billion Congress was earlier poised to approve, if not for the wall fight, to fund several agencies which will otherwise run out of money on Dec. 21. Large swaths of the government already are funded through next September, including the U.S. military and agencies that operate public healthcare, education and veterans' programs. Several Republican and Democratic congressional aides on Friday said there was no apparent progress being made toward resolving the stand-off, after Trump and leading congressional Democrats battled each other on Tuesday in the White House Oval Office in front of television cameras. "I am proud to shut down the government for border security," Trump told House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Since then, a senior House Republican aide said his party was "in a pickle" over how to keep the government open. The aide noted that Republicans, who still control both houses of Congress until Jan. 3, will not be able to muster the minimum 218 votes needed in the House to pass a funding bill if it contains Trump's demand for border wall money, which Democrats oppose. If funds run out on Dec. 21, the NASA space program would potentially be unfunded, along with national parks, the U.S. diplomatic corps and agriculture programs. Similarly, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security would be vulnerable to shutdowns, although "essential" employees, such as FBI agents, airport security screeners and border patrol agents, would still report to work. Their paychecks, however, would not be issued until the shutdown ends and Congress would have to decide whether to award back pay for them as well as any furloughed workers. A government in such disarray might not play well for Republicans over the holiday period, especially if Americans also view images for two weeks of Trump vacationing at his exclusive Florida beach-front mansion. "After the president’s comments earlier this week when he said he was going to own the shutdown, that sealed the deal for Democrats. There is absolutely no reason for them to cut a deal with this president," said Jim Manley, a political strategist and former Senate Democratic leadership aide. With the clock ticking, the House is not even bothering to come to work until Wednesday night. For now, Democrats are waiting for the White House to signal whether it will engage on legislation that would keep programs operating, but without money for Trump's wall. If not, Manley predicted the government will limp along until Jan. 3, when Democrats take control of the House and Pelosi likely becomes the speaker and promptly advances funding, daring the Republican-led Senate to reject it.

Standoff over Trump wall leaves US govt 5 days away from shutdown

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, would take over as <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-chief-of-staff-john-kelly-to-resign-report-182276">White House chief of staff </a>on a temporary basis after two prominent candidates for the job withdrew from consideration in the space of a week.

Mulvaney, a hard-charging conservative and former congressman who heads the White House Office of Management and Budget, will take over from John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, who will step down from the top job in the West Wing in early January.

He will be the third man in Trump`s two years in office to take on what is seen as one of the most important jobs in Washington: the gatekeeper to the president charged with marshalling the resources of the office to carry out priorities.

Mulvaney will take the reins at a time when Republican Trump, weakened by Democrats winning control of the US House of Representatives in elections last month, grapples with investigations into his businesses and most controversial policies.

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For the record, there were MANY people who wanted to be the White House Chief of Staff. Mick M will do a GREAT job!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1073737336935071744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 15, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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....I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! John will be staying until the end of the year. He is a GREAT PATRIOT and I want to personally thank him for his service!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1073703746432049153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management &amp; Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1073703744766922754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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In addition, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether there was collusion between Trump`s 2016 election campaign team and Russian officials.

Hours before Trump announced his decision on Twitter, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had withdrawn.

Trump's first choice, Nick Ayers, had declined the position on Sunday. Ayers, a Republican strategist and chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, could not agree on terms for the job.

Mulvaney, who rose to prominence as a founder of the powerful House Freedom Caucus conservative voting bloc, also had been in the mix for the chief of staff job.

A White House official told reporters there was "no time limit" on his appointment.

"He`s the acting chief of staff, which means he’s the chief of staff. He got picked because the president liked him. They get along," the official said. 
Mulvaney`s experience as a lawmaker was the main factor, the official said.

Russ Vought, Mulvaney`s deputy in the budget office, will fill in for him, the official said.

This is not the first time Trump has turned to Mulvaney in a pinch.

Last November, he named Mulvaney the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency that had been closely associated with former President Barack Obama’s tenure.

The appointment was fought in court, but Mulvaney prevailed and ran the agency until earlier this month when Trump’s official pick was confirmed by the US Senate.

Trump had been considering his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as possibilities to replace Kelly on a long-term basis, sources familiar with the situation said.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, would take over as White House chief of staff on a temporary basis after two prominent candidates for the job withdrew from consideration in the space of a week.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his budget chief, Mick Mulvaney, would take over as White House chief of staff on a temporary basis after two prominent candidates for the job withdrew from consideration in the space of a week. Mulvaney, a hard-charging conservative and former congressman who heads the White House Office of Management and Budget, will take over from John Kelly, a retired Marine Corps general, who will step down from the top job in the West Wing in early January. He will be the third man in Trump`s two years in office to take on what is seen as one of the most important jobs in Washington: the gatekeeper to the president charged with marshalling the resources of the office to carry out priorities. Mulvaney will take the reins at a time when Republican Trump, weakened by Democrats winning control of the US House of Representatives in elections last month, grapples with investigations into his businesses and most controversial policies. For the record, there were MANY people who wanted to be the White House Chief of Staff. Mick M will do a GREAT job! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018 × ....I look forward to working with him in this new capacity as we continue to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! John will be staying until the end of the year. He is a GREAT PATRIOT and I want to personally thank him for his service! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 × I am pleased to announce that Mick Mulvaney, Director of the Office of Management & Budget, will be named Acting White House Chief of Staff, replacing General John Kelly, who has served our Country with distinction. Mick has done an outstanding job while in the Administration.... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2018 × In addition, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is investigating whether there was collusion between Trump`s 2016 election campaign team and Russian officials. Hours before Trump announced his decision on Twitter, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had withdrawn. Trump's first choice, Nick Ayers, had declined the position on Sunday. Ayers, a Republican strategist and chief of staff for Vice President Mike Pence, could not agree on terms for the job. Mulvaney, who rose to prominence as a founder of the powerful House Freedom Caucus conservative voting bloc, also had been in the mix for the chief of staff job. A White House official told reporters there was "no time limit" on his appointment. "He`s the acting chief of staff, which means he’s the chief of staff. He got picked because the president liked him. They get along," the official said. Mulvaney`s experience as a lawmaker was the main factor, the official said. Russ Vought, Mulvaney`s deputy in the budget office, will fill in for him, the official said. This is not the first time Trump has turned to Mulvaney in a pinch. Last November, he named Mulvaney the acting head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency that had been closely associated with former President Barack Obama’s tenure. The appointment was fought in court, but Mulvaney prevailed and ran the agency until earlier this month when Trump’s official pick was confirmed by the US Senate. Trump had been considering his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as possibilities to replace Kelly on a long-term basis, sources familiar with the situation said.

Trump announces Mick Mulvaney as new acting White House chief of staff

The US Senate delivered a rare double rebuke to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">President Donald Trump</a> on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, voting to end US military support for the war in Yemen and blame the Saudi crown prince for the murder of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/must-not-forget-true-message-in-his-work-jamal-khashoggis-editor-183554">journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a>.

The votes were largely symbolic because to become law the resolutions would have to pass the House of Representatives, whose Republican leaders have blocked any legislation intended to rebuke the Saudis.

In a historic move, Senators voted 56-41 to end US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the world's most dire human crisis, with the country on the brink of famine.

It was the first time either chamber of Congress had backed a resolution to withdraw US forces from a military engagement under the War Powers Act. That law, passed in 1973, limits the president's ability to commit US forces to potential hostilities without congressional approval.

Seven of Trump's fellow Republicans joined Senate Democrats to back the measure.

Immediately after the Yemen vote, the Senate backed a resolution blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Khashoggi's murder and insisting that Saudi Arabia hold accountable anyone responsible for his death.

Khashoggi, a US&nbsp;resident who was a columnist for the Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The Senate vote, which was unanimous, puts pressure on House leaders to allow a vote on the Khashoggi resolution this month, before Congress adjourns for the year.

"Unanimously, the United States Senate has said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is a strong statement. I think it speaks to the values that we hold dear," said Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and sponsor of the resolution.

Trump has said he wants Washington to stand by the Saudi government and the prince, despite a CIA assessment it was likely he ordered Khashoggi's killing. He promised to veto the war powers resolution.

Opponents of the resolution are reluctant to take any action to disrupt the strategic US relationship with Saudi Arabia, seen as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, arch-enemy of close US ally Israel.

Administration officials also see Saudi support as a linchpin for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan yet to be unveiled by the Trump administration. And they have argued that ending US&nbsp;support could complicate Yemen peace talks.

'SHARED STRATEGIC INTERESTS'

Asked to comment on the Khashoggi resolution, a White House spokesperson noted sanctions imposed on 17 Saudis over the killing and said, "Our shared strategic interests with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remain, and we continue to view as achievable the twin imperatives of protecting America and holding accountable those responsible for the killing."

But backers of the resolutions, including some Republicans, promised to press ahead. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators promised to push in the new Congress legislation for humanitarian sanctions and a ban on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.

"What's next is to do everything possible to demand that the House of Representatives do what the members of the House want done, an opportunity to vote on this," Senator Bernie Sanders told Reuters.

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he would bring the resolution up again after the new Congress convenes in January, when Democrats will control the House of Representatives. The measure could pass the Senate again, given the bipartisan support it received on Thursday, even though Trump's Republicans will have a larger majority in the upper chamber next year.

"I think we're going to win in the Senate and I think we are going to do what the American people want, that is to end our participation in this horrific and destructive war," Sanders said.

There was no immediate word from House leadership on whether they would allow a vote on either resolution.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who briefed House members on Thursday, urged senators during a briefing last month to keep supporting the Saudi-led coalition.

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said her members supported congressional action. "There certainly is an appetite in our caucus for that," Pelosi, who is expected to be the next House Speaker, told reporters.

Yemen's warring parties agreed on Thursday to cease fighting for the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and withdraw their troops, the first significant breakthrough for UN-led peace efforts in five years of conflict.

The US Senate delivered a rare double rebuke to President Donald Trump on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, voting to end US military support for the war in Yemen and blame the Saudi crown prince for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The US Senate delivered a rare double rebuke to President Donald Trump on Saudi Arabia on Thursday, voting to end US military support for the war in Yemen and blame the Saudi crown prince for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The votes were largely symbolic because to become law the resolutions would have to pass the House of Representatives, whose Republican leaders have blocked any legislation intended to rebuke the Saudis. In a historic move, Senators voted 56-41 to end US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people and spawned what the United Nations calls the world's most dire human crisis, with the country on the brink of famine. It was the first time either chamber of Congress had backed a resolution to withdraw US forces from a military engagement under the War Powers Act. That law, passed in 1973, limits the president's ability to commit US forces to potential hostilities without congressional approval. Seven of Trump's fellow Republicans joined Senate Democrats to back the measure. Immediately after the Yemen vote, the Senate backed a resolution blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for Khashoggi's murder and insisting that Saudi Arabia hold accountable anyone responsible for his death. Khashoggi, a US resident who was a columnist for the Washington Post, was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. The Senate vote, which was unanimous, puts pressure on House leaders to allow a vote on the Khashoggi resolution this month, before Congress adjourns for the year. "Unanimously, the United States Senate has said that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. That is a strong statement. I think it speaks to the values that we hold dear," said Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and sponsor of the resolution. Trump has said he wants Washington to stand by the Saudi government and the prince, despite a CIA assessment it was likely he ordered Khashoggi's killing. He promised to veto the war powers resolution. Opponents of the resolution are reluctant to take any action to disrupt the strategic US relationship with Saudi Arabia, seen as an essential counterweight in the Middle East to Iran, arch-enemy of close US ally Israel. Administration officials also see Saudi support as a linchpin for an Israeli-Palestinian peace plan yet to be unveiled by the Trump administration. And they have argued that ending US support could complicate Yemen peace talks. 'SHARED STRATEGIC INTERESTS' Asked to comment on the Khashoggi resolution, a White House spokesperson noted sanctions imposed on 17 Saudis over the killing and said, "Our shared strategic interests with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remain, and we continue to view as achievable the twin imperatives of protecting America and holding accountable those responsible for the killing." But backers of the resolutions, including some Republicans, promised to press ahead. On Wednesday, a bipartisan group of senators promised to push in the new Congress legislation for humanitarian sanctions and a ban on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia. "What's next is to do everything possible to demand that the House of Representatives do what the members of the House want done, an opportunity to vote on this," Senator Bernie Sanders told Reuters. Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, said he would bring the resolution up again after the new Congress convenes in January, when Democrats will control the House of Representatives. The measure could pass the Senate again, given the bipartisan support it received on Thursday, even though Trump's Republicans will have a larger majority in the upper chamber next year. "I think we're going to win in the Senate and I think we are going to do what the American people want, that is to end our participation in this horrific and destructive war," Sanders said. There was no immediate word from House leadership on whether they would allow a vote on either resolution. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, who briefed House members on Thursday, urged senators during a briefing last month to keep supporting the Saudi-led coalition. Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said her members supported congressional action. "There certainly is an appetite in our caucus for that," Pelosi, who is expected to be the next House Speaker, told reporters. Yemen's warring parties agreed on Thursday to cease fighting for the Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and withdraw their troops, the first significant breakthrough for UN-led peace efforts in five years of conflict.

Senate rebukes Trump on Saudi Arabia, blames prince Salman for Khashoggi murder

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878">gun</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/strasbourg-christmas-market-attacker-killed-after-gun-battle-183878"> battle</a>

French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/today-has-been-out-of-this-world-its-a-thumbs-up-for-astronauts-branson-on-virgin-galactics-voyage-183902">Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space</a>

Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leaders-reject-mays-plea-over-brexit-deal-183880">EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal</a>

EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">China going to open up </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898">whole</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-going-to-open-up-whole-country-they-want-to-please-me-trump-183898"> country, they want to please me: Trump</a>

In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese.

"I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/no-trump-putin-meeting-while-russia-holds-ukraine-ship-john-bolton-183876">No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton</a>

There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.

Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died.

Strasbourg Christmas market attacker killed after gun battle French security forces on Thursday night killed the suspect, Cherif Chekatt, 29, who was allegedly responsible for the attack on the Christmas market in Strasbourg in which three people had died. Today has been out of this world, it's a thumbs up for astronauts: Branson on Virgin Galactic's voyage into space Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity, flew higher than it ever has before on Thursday, surpassing what the US Air Force considers the boundary of space, and marking the first manned flight to space from US soil since 2011. EU leaders reject PM Theresa May's plea over Brexit deal EU leaders rejected a plea by Theresa May on Thursday to help her sell her Brexit deal to parliament, warning she must set out exactly what she wants -- and announcing they would step up contingency plans in case the deal collapses. China going to open up whole country, they want to please me: Trump In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese. "I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview. No Trump-Putin meeting while Russia holds Ukraine ship: US NSA John Bolton There will be no meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin while Russia still holds Ukrainian ships and sailors seized near Crimea, US national security adviser John Bolton said on Thursday.

In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-demands-access-for-us-diplomats-journalists-to-tibet-threatening-to-bar-chinese-officials-183865">US President Donald Trump</a> said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese.

"I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview.

Trump last met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1.

Following the dinner summit, the two leaders decided to give themselves 90 days' time to hammer out a trade deal that addresses the concerns of the United States with regard to trade balance and intellectual property thefts.

Top officials from the two countries started the talks this Monday.

"I have established a fantastic relationship with President Xi, who is the head of China, the absolute head of China, and I think we are going to work a fantastic deal for both countries, but a fantastic deal for us. We are going to get China to open up," Trump said in response to a question from Fox News.

If the Chinese economy was in trouble, it was only because of him, he said.

"That is the only reason it is in trouble because I have placed billions and billions -- we have taken in $11 billion worth of taxes that I taxed China.&nbsp;

(In the past) We have not made any money with China; we lost money with China," he said.&nbsp;

"In the last four months, we have taken in almost $11 billion of taxes. Nobody has ever heard of that. Nobody knows that. People do not report on that, they only report on nonsense," said the US president.

Asked why was he so confident about his deal with China, Trump said he knew what he was doing.

"I know what I am doing. I mean, it is business. Nobody ever went to China and said, 'Listen, you are stealing our intellectual property. You are doing all sorts of things that are wrong. You are taking out of our country $500 billion a year, not trillion, not million, you are $500 billion away, you cannot do it. You cannot take $500 billion out of our country," he said in response to a question.&nbsp;

In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese. "I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out.

In a major policy shift, China is "going to open" up the entire country, US President Donald Trump said Thursday amidst trade negotiations with the Chinese. "I just see this in the front page of The Wall Street Journal which just came out. China is going to open its policy, a big policy shift. They are going to open the whole country, that they want to please President Trump, that they want to do things that they have to do and that people should have been after China for years, I mean frankly," Trump told Fox News in an interview. Trump last met his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit in Argentina on November 30 and December 1. Following the dinner summit, the two leaders decided to give themselves 90 days' time to hammer out a trade deal that addresses the concerns of the United States with regard to trade balance and intellectual property thefts. Top officials from the two countries started the talks this Monday. "I have established a fantastic relationship with President Xi, who is the head of China, the absolute head of China, and I think we are going to work a fantastic deal for both countries, but a fantastic deal for us. We are going to get China to open up," Trump said in response to a question from Fox News. If the Chinese economy was in trouble, it was only because of him, he said. "That is the only reason it is in trouble because I have placed billions and billions -- we have taken in $11 billion worth of taxes that I taxed China. (In the past) We have not made any money with China; we lost money with China," he said. "In the last four months, we have taken in almost $11 billion of taxes. Nobody has ever heard of that. Nobody knows that. People do not report on that, they only report on nonsense," said the US president. Asked why was he so confident about his deal with China, Trump said he knew what he was doing. "I know what I am doing. I mean, it is business. Nobody ever went to China and said, 'Listen, you are stealing our intellectual property. You are doing all sorts of things that are wrong. You are taking out of our country $500 billion a year, not trillion, not million, you are $500 billion away, you cannot do it. You cannot take $500 billion out of our country," he said in response to a question.

China going to open up whole country, they want to please me: Trump

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/how-ya-like-me-now-tweets-stormy-daniels-after-michael-cohen-pleads-guilty-161064?amp">Michael Cohen</a> will be sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the payment of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Russia that was discussed during the 2016 election campaign.

Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August to charges by federal prosecutors in New York that, just before the election, he paid <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sex-with-trump-may-have-been-least-impressive-id-ever-had-stormy-daniels-166508">adult film actress Stormy Daniels </a>$130,000 and helped arrange a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal so the women would keep quiet about their relationships with Trump, who is married. Trump denies having the affairs.

Cohen also admitted to unrelated tax and bank fraud. He faces sentencing on a separate charge of lying to Congress brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible coordination between Trump's campaign and Russia. Cohen pleaded guilty to that charge last month.

The sentencing by US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan will cap the stunning about-face of a lawyer who once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump but has now directly implicated the president in criminal conduct.

Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and has accused Mueller's team of pressuring his former aides to lie about him, his campaign and his business dealings. Russia has denied US allegations of interfering in the election to help Trump.

Prosecutors and Cohen both say the hush money payments violated campaign finance laws and were directed by Trump himself to cover up affairs he had in 2006 and 2007. Federal law requires that the contribution of "anything of value" to a campaign must be disclosed, and an individual donation cannot exceed $2,700.

In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Trump denied the payments were campaign contributions. "If it were, it’s only civil, and even if it’s only civil, there was no violation based on what we did," he said.

Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has argued the payments cannot be considered campaign finance violations because they were made to protect Trump's reputation and would have been made even if he had not been a presidential candidate.

Though Cohen asked in a November 30 court filing to be given no prison time based on his assistance in the investigation, prosecutors on Friday asked that Cohen be given a "substantial term of imprisonment" for his crimes with only a "modest" reduction to the roughly four- to five-year term they say he faces under sentencing guidelines.

Though they said he provided useful information about the hush money payments, prosecutors said Cohen declined to sign a formal cooperation agreement, which would have required him to be fully debriefed about his entire criminal history and his knowledge of others' crimes. His refusal to cooperate fully, they said, limited his credibility as a witness.

In his guilty plea to Mueller's charge, Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the timeline for discussions about plans for real estate businessman Trump's skyscraper in Moscow. He said in written testimony to two committees that the talks ended in January 2016, before the first Republican primaries, when they actually continued until June 2016 after Trump clinched the Republican nomination.

Mueller's sentencing recommendation was more generous, saying Cohen had provided valuable information about contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia. He recommended any sentence for lying to Congress be served concurrently with Cohen's sentence on the charges in New York.

Sentencing consultant Justin Paperny said Judge Pauley has a reputation for being tough on white-collar defendants and that Cohen probably made a mistake by asking for no jail time when he failed to fully cooperate.

"It’s like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too," said Paperny, adding that Cohen would do well to get a sentence in the low end of the guidelines.

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will be sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the payment of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Russia that was discussed during the 2016 election campaign.

US President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will be sentenced on Wednesday for his role in the payment of hush money to women who said they had affairs with Trump and for lying to Congress about a proposed Trump Tower project in Russia that was discussed during the 2016 election campaign. Cohen, 52, pleaded guilty in August to charges by federal prosecutors in New York that, just before the election, he paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 and helped arrange a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal so the women would keep quiet about their relationships with Trump, who is married. Trump denies having the affairs. Cohen also admitted to unrelated tax and bank fraud. He faces sentencing on a separate charge of lying to Congress brought by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible coordination between Trump's campaign and Russia. Cohen pleaded guilty to that charge last month. The sentencing by US District Judge William Pauley in Manhattan will cap the stunning about-face of a lawyer who once said he would "take a bullet" for Trump but has now directly implicated the president in criminal conduct. Trump has denied any collusion with Russia and has accused Mueller's team of pressuring his former aides to lie about him, his campaign and his business dealings. Russia has denied US allegations of interfering in the election to help Trump. Prosecutors and Cohen both say the hush money payments violated campaign finance laws and were directed by Trump himself to cover up affairs he had in 2006 and 2007. Federal law requires that the contribution of "anything of value" to a campaign must be disclosed, and an individual donation cannot exceed $2,700. In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Trump denied the payments were campaign contributions. "If it were, it’s only civil, and even if it’s only civil, there was no violation based on what we did," he said. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has argued the payments cannot be considered campaign finance violations because they were made to protect Trump's reputation and would have been made even if he had not been a presidential candidate. Though Cohen asked in a November 30 court filing to be given no prison time based on his assistance in the investigation, prosecutors on Friday asked that Cohen be given a "substantial term of imprisonment" for his crimes with only a "modest" reduction to the roughly four- to five-year term they say he faces under sentencing guidelines. Though they said he provided useful information about the hush money payments, prosecutors said Cohen declined to sign a formal cooperation agreement, which would have required him to be fully debriefed about his entire criminal history and his knowledge of others' crimes. His refusal to cooperate fully, they said, limited his credibility as a witness. In his guilty plea to Mueller's charge, Cohen admitted he lied to Congress about the timeline for discussions about plans for real estate businessman Trump's skyscraper in Moscow. He said in written testimony to two committees that the talks ended in January 2016, before the first Republican primaries, when they actually continued until June 2016 after Trump clinched the Republican nomination. Mueller's sentencing recommendation was more generous, saying Cohen had provided valuable information about contacts between Trump's campaign and Russia. He recommended any sentence for lying to Congress be served concurrently with Cohen's sentence on the charges in New York. Sentencing consultant Justin Paperny said Judge Pauley has a reputation for being tough on white-collar defendants and that Cohen probably made a mistake by asking for no jail time when he failed to fully cooperate. "It’s like he wanted to have his cake and eat it too," said Paperny, adding that Cohen would do well to get a sentence in the low end of the guidelines.

Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen to be sentenced for hush money payments

By Matthew Kolasa

The world’s eyes are on Donald Trump, but something much more profound is going on in America. The maverick Republican presidential nominee is but a symptom of a schism within the party sure to remain unresolved after the election. Trump has opportunistically seized on a power vacuum to win the party’s nomination with a campaign founded less on any specific policy agenda—“Everything is negotiable,” he has publicly declared—than on intuition and mastery of attracting publicity on television and social media to build a cult of personality.

The Trump phenomenon is not about Donald Trump. After President Barack Obama won re-election with a comfortable margin over Mitt Romney in 2012, Republicans could agree on one thing—that they urgently and desperately needed a radical change in strategy. While President George W. Bush could attract Spanish-speaking voters in 2000 and 2004, Republicans have seen declines in support among an increasingly large and influential Latino-Hispanic community. Women are less likely than before to vote for Republicans. Asian-Americans, a fast-growing demographic some call a natural “good fit” for the Republican Party, are flocking to the Democratic Party faster than any other group. The Grand Old Party (GOP) risks becoming uncompetitive.

THE SOUL OF THE PARTY

If the problem is easy to identify, the solution has proven elusive. The many factions that once formed the Republican “big tent” have begun demanding a say in the future of the new GOP. Libertarians have sought greater influence with their laissez-faire domestic agenda and isolationist foreign policy with champions like Ron and Rand Paul. The extreme rightist Freedom Caucus has made manifest its disdain for party leadership, unseating powerful figures like Majority Leader Eric Cantor in once-sleepy primary contests. Moderates have sought compromise, with Speaker Paul Ryan negotiating an uneasy truce that has likely ended with his denouncement of Trump.

Will the new GOP keep its old social values or move with changing attitudes on capital punishment, gay marriage and abortion? Will it keep its economic agenda or support social welfare programs? What of immigration? The schism is a battle for the party’s soul.

This is the underlying reason a populist like Donald Trump can abscond with the nomination. There were 17 candidates, including popular governors and senators, seeking the party’s mantle without direction from the establishment. Contrast this with Secretary Clinton, who effectively won her party’s nomination contest long before it began. Republicans knew they had a problem and had four years to pick a direction and a champion to lead them. Conservatives say, elect a true conservative and the base will rise up, while moderates insist that only a broader appeal can save the party. There have been internal battles before, but this is a level of dysfunction unseen in modern American history.

A NEW WORLD ORDER

Many Americans are living in fear and confusion, their lives and livelihoods shaped by tectonic forces they do not understand. Trade deals, market speculation, bailouts and migration are complex phenomena that leave those with stagnant wages and rising costs of living scrambling for a leader to champion them. This led some Democrats to support Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who vowed to fight against free trade and Wall Street. On the Republican side,&nbsp;Trump has blamed immigrants, unpatriotic corporations and weakness in the face of China, Mexico and Japan for America’s ills.

This fear and uncertainty manifested itself in Europe as well, with radical rightists and leftists gaining unexpected seats in parliaments across the continent. Britain’s departure from the European Union (EU) came from a variety of grievances, from discontent with Prime Minister David Cameron, to opposition to immigration from Central and Eastern Europe, to a belief that Britain merely subsidises poorer EU countries.

The press has labelled these various protests against the world order “populism”—a term that belies the complexity of the issues the world faces and the difficulty world leaders have in helping those left behind, whether the victims of urban blight, or coal miners in Appalachia, or unemployed factory workers in northeast England.

One can argue these voters have become tribal, seeking one of their own to put their interests above those of other groups, but there is another way of&nbsp;understanding it: globalisation and government policies have resulted in winners and losers, and those who have gained little in recent decades see no reason to listen to economists’ arguments on the benefits of free trade, immigration or other reforms, no matter how compelling the evidence or the moral arguments.

While racism and xenophobia form an unfortunate part of the debate, these forces will only grow stronger if leaders ignore legitimate grievances. If they are ignored, Trumpism and Brexit will become the rule rather than the exception. In the American case, the challenge for the Republican Party after the election will be to find a balance between representing the far right and the need to build a broader base of support rather than doom it to becoming a radical outsider voice, ideologically pure but impotent and unable to implement its promises.

As the American political landscape changes, the next election cycle may prove to be the Republican Party’s last chance to be a mover of events rather than&nbsp;have its hand forced by developments outside its influence and control. Trumpism is not about Trump. Having two parties with diverse and inclusive bases is crucial, lest we see Donald Trump become a mere prelude to a far greater political turmoil. 
 
(Matthew Kolasa is an attorney and journalist. )

(This article was originally published on Fair Observer. Read the <a href="https://www.fairobserver.com/region/north_america/donald-trump-republican-party-american-election-headlines-89332/">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

&nbsp;

The challenge for the Republican Party will be to find a balance between representing the far right and the need to build a broader base

By Matthew Kolasa The world’s eyes are on Donald Trump, but something much more profound is going on in America. The maverick Republican presidential nominee is but a symptom of a schism within the party sure to remain unresolved after the election. Trump has opportunistically seized on a power vacuum to win the party’s nomination with a campaign founded less on any specific policy agenda—“Everything is negotiable,” he has publicly declared—than on intuition and mastery of attracting publicity on television and social media to build a cult of personality. The Trump phenomenon is not about Donald Trump. After President Barack Obama won re-election with a comfortable margin over Mitt Romney in 2012, Republicans could agree on one thing—that they urgently and desperately needed a radical change in strategy. While President George W. Bush could attract Spanish-speaking voters in 2000 and 2004, Republicans have seen declines in support among an increasingly large and influential Latino-Hispanic community. Women are less likely than before to vote for Republicans. Asian-Americans, a fast-growing demographic some call a natural “good fit” for the Republican Party, are flocking to the Democratic Party faster than any other group. The Grand Old Party (GOP) risks becoming uncompetitive. THE SOUL OF THE PARTY If the problem is easy to identify, the solution has proven elusive. The many factions that once formed the Republican “big tent” have begun demanding a say in the future of the new GOP. Libertarians have sought greater influence with their laissez-faire domestic agenda and isolationist foreign policy with champions like Ron and Rand Paul. The extreme rightist Freedom Caucus has made manifest its disdain for party leadership, unseating powerful figures like Majority Leader Eric Cantor in once-sleepy primary contests. Moderates have sought compromise, with Speaker Paul Ryan negotiating an uneasy truce that has likely ended with his denouncement of Trump. Will the new GOP keep its old social values or move with changing attitudes on capital punishment, gay marriage and abortion? Will it keep its economic agenda or support social welfare programs? What of immigration? The schism is a battle for the party’s soul. This is the underlying reason a populist like Donald Trump can abscond with the nomination. There were 17 candidates, including popular governors and senators, seeking the party’s mantle without direction from the establishment. Contrast this with Secretary Clinton, who effectively won her party’s nomination contest long before it began. Republicans knew they had a problem and had four years to pick a direction and a champion to lead them. Conservatives say, elect a true conservative and the base will rise up, while moderates insist that only a broader appeal can save the party. There have been internal battles before, but this is a level of dysfunction unseen in modern American history. A NEW WORLD ORDER Many Americans are living in fear and confusion, their lives and livelihoods shaped by tectonic forces they do not understand. Trade deals, market speculation, bailouts and migration are complex phenomena that leave those with stagnant wages and rising costs of living scrambling for a leader to champion them. This led some Democrats to support Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who vowed to fight against free trade and Wall Street. On the Republican side, Trump has blamed immigrants, unpatriotic corporations and weakness in the face of China, Mexico and Japan for America’s ills. This fear and uncertainty manifested itself in Europe as well, with radical rightists and leftists gaining unexpected seats in parliaments across the continent. Britain’s departure from the European Union (EU) came from a variety of grievances, from discontent with Prime Minister David Cameron, to opposition to immigration from Central and Eastern Europe, to a belief that Britain merely subsidises poorer EU countries. The press has labelled these various protests against the world order “populism”—a term that belies the complexity of the issues the world faces and the difficulty world leaders have in helping those left behind, whether the victims of urban blight, or coal miners in Appalachia, or unemployed factory workers in northeast England. One can argue these voters have become tribal, seeking one of their own to put their interests above those of other groups, but there is another way of understanding it: globalisation and government policies have resulted in winners and losers, and those who have gained little in recent decades see no reason to listen to economists’ arguments on the benefits of free trade, immigration or other reforms, no matter how compelling the evidence or the moral arguments. While racism and xenophobia form an unfortunate part of the debate, these forces will only grow stronger if leaders ignore legitimate grievances. If they are ignored, Trumpism and Brexit will become the rule rather than the exception. In the American case, the challenge for the Republican Party after the election will be to find a balance between representing the far right and the need to build a broader base of support rather than doom it to becoming a radical outsider voice, ideologically pure but impotent and unable to implement its promises. As the American political landscape changes, the next election cycle may prove to be the Republican Party’s last chance to be a mover of events rather than have its hand forced by developments outside its influence and control. Trumpism is not about Trump. Having two parties with diverse and inclusive bases is crucial, lest we see Donald Trump become a mere prelude to a far greater political turmoil. (Matthew Kolasa is an attorney and journalist. ) (This article was originally published on Fair Observer. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

The Republican Party Beyond Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661">At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661">demand</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-vhp-rally-in-delhi-those-in-power-told-to-fulfil-demand-of-temple-in-ayodhya-182661"> of temple in Ayodhya'</a>

Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it. 
&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670">Disenfranchisement may be </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670">first</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/disenfranchisement-may-be-first-possible-step-after-final-nrc-officials-182670"> possible step after final Assam NRC: Officials</a>

Disenfranchisement may be the first possible step against those whose names will not be part of the final list of the NRC to be published after the claims and objections window comes to an end next week, officials said Sunday.

As of now, just about 10 lakh people out of the total of 40 lakh who were excluded in the draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have submitted applications for inclusion of their names in the list of Assam's citizens.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/rajapaksa-bribed-parliamentarians-to-prove-majority-president-sirisena-182684">Sri Lanka President Sirisena now says Rajapaksa tried to bribe parliamentarians to prove majority</a>

President Maithripala Sirisena here on Saturday said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-must-not-interfere-in-french-politics-foreign-minister-182686">Trump must not interfere in French politics: Foreign minister</a>

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said Donald Trump must not interfere in French politics.&nbsp;

"We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated," AFP quoted Jean-Yves Le Drian as telling LCI television.&nbsp;

"Leave our nation be," he added.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/all-eyes-on-macron-as-yellow-vest-protests-continue-to-hit-france-182694">All eyes on Macron as 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to hit France</a>

Calls mounted Sunday for President Emmanuel Macron to bring an end to the "yellow vest" crisis gripping France as authorities in Paris and elsewhere counted the cost of another day of violent protests and looting.&nbsp;

Authorities said the anti-Macron riots in Paris had been less violent than a week ago, with fewer injured -- but city hall said the physical damage was far worse as the protests were spread out across the capital.

Burned-out cars dotted the streets in several neighbourhoods on Sunday morning as cleaners swept up the broken glass from smashed shop windows and bus stops.

At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil demand of temple in Ayodhya' Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it.

At VHP rally in Delhi, 'those in power' told to 'fulfil demand of temple in Ayodhya' Senior RSS leader Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi on Sunday made a veiled attack on the BJP for not fulfilling its promise of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya and demanded the Union government enact legislation, if need be, for it. Disenfranchisement may be first possible step after final Assam NRC: Officials Disenfranchisement may be the first possible step against those whose names will not be part of the final list of the NRC to be published after the claims and objections window comes to an end next week, officials said Sunday. As of now, just about 10 lakh people out of the total of 40 lakh who were excluded in the draft of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) have submitted applications for inclusion of their names in the list of Assam's citizens. Sri Lanka President Sirisena now says Rajapaksa tried to bribe parliamentarians to prove majority President Maithripala Sirisena here on Saturday said that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had tried to bribe politicians in order to show a majority in the country's Parliament. Trump must not interfere in French politics: Foreign minister French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said Donald Trump must not interfere in French politics. "We do not take domestic American politics into account and we want that to be reciprocated," AFP quoted Jean-Yves Le Drian as telling LCI television. "Leave our nation be," he added. All eyes on Macron as 'Yellow Vest' protests continue to hit France Calls mounted Sunday for President Emmanuel Macron to bring an end to the "yellow vest" crisis gripping France as authorities in Paris and elsewhere counted the cost of another day of violent protests and looting. Authorities said the anti-Macron riots in Paris had been less violent than a week ago, with fewer injured -- but city hall said the physical damage was far worse as the protests were spread out across the capital. Burned-out cars dotted the streets in several neighbourhoods on Sunday morning as cleaners swept up the broken glass from smashed shop windows and bus stops.

Trump seemed to mock French President Emmanuel Macron <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/paris-on-lockdown-as-yellow-vest-protests-hit-again-182474">as Paris went into lockdown Saturday</a> with Yellow Vest protesters clashing yet again with police.&nbsp;

Police fired tear gas at the protesters and arrested hundreds of them.&nbsp;

This is the fourth weekend of protests which broke out over a hike in fuel taxes.&nbsp;

The hike has been rolled back but the protests have continued.&nbsp;

"The Paris Agreement isn’t working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France. People do not want to pay large sums of money, much to third world countries (that are questionably run), in order to maybe protect the environment. Chanting 'We Want Trump!' Love France," Trump tweeted Saturday.&nbsp;

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The Paris Agreement isn’t working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France. People do not want to pay large sums of money, much to third world countries (that are questionably run), in order to maybe protect the environment. Chanting “We Want Trump!” Love France.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071382401954267136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The bit about the protesters chanting <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/paris-protesters-chanting-we-want-trump-is-fake-news-but-he-retweets-it-181621">"We Want Trump" is fake news</a>, and has been pointed out to Trump before but he tweeted it again Saturday.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Trump seemed to mock French President Emmanuel Macron as Paris went into lockdown Saturday with Yellow Vest protesters clashing yet again with police. Police fired tear gas at the protesters and arrested hundreds of them.

Trump seemed to mock French President Emmanuel Macron as Paris went into lockdown Saturday with Yellow Vest protesters clashing yet again with police. Police fired tear gas at the protesters and arrested hundreds of them. This is the fourth weekend of protests which broke out over a hike in fuel taxes. The hike has been rolled back but the protests have continued. "The Paris Agreement isn’t working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France. People do not want to pay large sums of money, much to third world countries (that are questionably run), in order to maybe protect the environment. Chanting 'We Want Trump!' Love France," Trump tweeted Saturday. The Paris Agreement isn’t working out so well for Paris. Protests and riots all over France. People do not want to pay large sums of money, much to third world countries (that are questionably run), in order to maybe protect the environment. Chanting “We Want Trump!” Love France. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018 × The bit about the protesters chanting "We Want Trump" is fake news, and has been pointed out to Trump before but he tweeted it again Saturday.

'Paris Agreement isn't working out so well,' Trump tweets after French protests

US President Donald Trump on Saturday again denied that his presidential campaign colluded with Russian operatives, but made no comment on claims that he directly organized hush payments to ward off a possible sex scandal during his White House run.

Trump took to Twitter, his favourite means of communication, to address the multiple court filings that dropped on Friday in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller's sweeping investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.

"AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION!" the president said.

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AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071389414239162369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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“This is collusion illusion, there is no smoking gun here. At this late date, after all that we have gone through, after millions have been spent, we have no Russian Collusion. There is nothing impeachable here.” <a href="https://twitter.com/GeraldoRivera?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeraldoRivera</a> Time for the Witch Hunt to END!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1071434642555920385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2018</a></blockquote>
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While the filings indeed did not appear to reveal evidence of collusion, they did offer a wealth of new information about what Mueller's team is looking into, along with other federal prosecutors in New York.

Prosecutors directly implicated Trump in efforts to buy the silence of two women who claimed they had had affairs with him, saying he directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to offer them hush money.

"With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election," the New York prosecutors said.&nbsp;

"In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1," they added, referring to Trump.

The payments are technically unrelated to the Russia probe, but prosecutors painted a damning picture of the "extensive, deliberate, and serious criminal conduct" of Cohen -- once a member of Trump's inner circle of trusted aides.

In August, the 52-year-old Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law in connection with the payments.

"Cohen deceived the voting public by hiding alleged facts that he believed would have had a substantial effect on the election," prosecutors said.

'Synergy on a government level' 
In a separate sentencing memo, Mueller said that Cohen was in contact with a Russian national as far back as November 2015 -- months before Trump formally won the presidential nomination and well before previously reported contacts -- who offered "synergy on a government level."

That Russian national claimed to have ties to the Kremlin and repeatedly proposed a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The individual said the meeting could have a "phenomenal" impact "not only in political but in a business dimension as well," but Cohen never followed up, Mueller said.

That combination of political and business interests could spell trouble for Trump, whose real estate empire was seeking to build a signature tower in Moscow as late as mid-2016 in the midst of his White House bid.

Last week, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the Moscow real estate project.&nbsp;

Recent filings in the Mueller probe have suggested the White House knew that Cohen planned to lie to lawmakers about his contacts with Russians.

Due to his "relevant" and "substantial" help, Mueller declined to recommend additional jail time, but Cohen is still expected to face four to five years behind bars.

Multiple 'lies' 
Also on Friday, new twists and turns emerged in the case against Trump's onetime campaign manager Paul Manafort, who was convicted in August of financial fraud and witness tampering charges and pleaded guilty to a second set of charges a month later.

Prosecutors accused Manafort of multiple "lies" to investigators: about his contacts with administration officials even after striking a plea deal; about a debt payment; and about his interaction with a suspected Russian intelligence officer.

The breach of the plea deal could lead to a stiffer jail sentence than the 10 years originally envisaged for the 69-year-old veteran Republican consultant.

Manafort has been convicted mostly on charges related to his work for pro-Moscow politicians in Ukraine between 2004 and 2014.

But he has also been investigated for his possible role in alleged campaign collusion with Russia during the election.

Mueller has been inching ever closer to the White House, and on Friday, Trump fired off a feverish volley of tweets against a probe he dubs a "witch hunt," accusing Mueller of "big time conflicts of interest" and alleging he coerced false testimony from witnesses.

For House Democrat John Garamendi, these may be "the opening days of an impeachment."

Trump is a president who "clearly has surrounded himself with criminals," he told CNN.

"During the campaign, laws were broken... And now we have the president implicated in that," he said.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday again denied that his presidential campaign colluded with Russian operatives, but made no comment on claims that he directly organized hush payments to ward off a possible sex scandal during his White House run.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday again denied that his presidential campaign colluded with Russian operatives, but made no comment on claims that he directly organized hush payments to ward off a possible sex scandal during his White House run. Trump took to Twitter, his favourite means of communication, to address the multiple court filings that dropped on Friday in connection with special counsel Robert Mueller's sweeping investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. "AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION!" the president said. AFTER TWO YEARS AND MILLIONS OF PAGES OF DOCUMENTS (and a cost of over $30,000,000), NO COLLUSION! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018 × “This is collusion illusion, there is no smoking gun here. At this late date, after all that we have gone through, after millions have been spent, we have no Russian Collusion. There is nothing impeachable here.” @GeraldoRivera Time for the Witch Hunt to END! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 8, 2018 × While the filings indeed did not appear to reveal evidence of collusion, they did offer a wealth of new information about what Mueller's team is looking into, along with other federal prosecutors in New York. Prosecutors directly implicated Trump in efforts to buy the silence of two women who claimed they had had affairs with him, saying he directed his then-attorney Michael Cohen to offer them hush money. "With respect to both payments, Cohen acted with the intent to influence the 2016 presidential election," the New York prosecutors said. "In particular, and as Cohen himself has now admitted, with respect to both payments, he acted in coordination with and at the direction of Individual-1," they added, referring to Trump. The payments are technically unrelated to the Russia probe, but prosecutors painted a damning picture of the "extensive, deliberate, and serious criminal conduct" of Cohen -- once a member of Trump's inner circle of trusted aides. In August, the 52-year-old Cohen pleaded guilty to violating campaign finance law in connection with the payments. "Cohen deceived the voting public by hiding alleged facts that he believed would have had a substantial effect on the election," prosecutors said. 'Synergy on a government level' In a separate sentencing memo, Mueller said that Cohen was in contact with a Russian national as far back as November 2015 -- months before Trump formally won the presidential nomination and well before previously reported contacts -- who offered "synergy on a government level." That Russian national claimed to have ties to the Kremlin and repeatedly proposed a meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The individual said the meeting could have a "phenomenal" impact "not only in political but in a business dimension as well," but Cohen never followed up, Mueller said. That combination of political and business interests could spell trouble for Trump, whose real estate empire was seeking to build a signature tower in Moscow as late as mid-2016 in the midst of his White House bid. Last week, Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about the Moscow real estate project. Recent filings in the Mueller probe have suggested the White House knew that Cohen planned to lie to lawmakers about his contacts with Russians. Due to his "relevant" and "substantial" help, Mueller declined to recommend additional jail time, but Cohen is still expected to face four to five years behind bars. Multiple 'lies' Also on Friday, new twists and turns emerged in the case against Trump's onetime campaign manager Paul Manafort, who was convicted in August of financial fraud and witness tampering charges and pleaded guilty to a second set of charges a month later. Prosecutors accused Manafort of multiple "lies" to investigators: about his contacts with administration officials even after striking a plea deal; about a debt payment; and about his interaction with a suspected Russian intelligence officer. The breach of the plea deal could lead to a stiffer jail sentence than the 10 years originally envisaged for the 69-year-old veteran Republican consultant. Manafort has been convicted mostly on charges related to his work for pro-Moscow politicians in Ukraine between 2004 and 2014. But he has also been investigated for his possible role in alleged campaign collusion with Russia during the election. Mueller has been inching ever closer to the White House, and on Friday, Trump fired off a feverish volley of tweets against a probe he dubs a "witch hunt," accusing Mueller of "big time conflicts of interest" and alleging he coerced false testimony from witnesses. For House Democrat John Garamendi, these may be "the opening days of an impeachment." Trump is a president who "clearly has surrounded himself with criminals," he told CNN. "During the campaign, laws were broken... And now we have the president implicated in that," he said.

Trump denies collusion with Russia, not hush payments to women

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-in-a-position-to-tell-us-what-to-do-says-saudi-arabia-on-oil-price-cut-181971">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-in-a-position-to-tell-us-what-to-do-says-saudi-arabia-on-oil-price-cut-181971"> not in a position to tell us what to </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-in-a-position-to-tell-us-what-to-do-says-saudi-arabia-on-oil-price-cut-181971">do,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-not-in-a-position-to-tell-us-what-to-do-says-saudi-arabia-on-oil-price-cut-181971"> says Saudi Arabia on oil price cut</a>

In a move aimed at President Trump, Saudi Arabia's oil minister said the US should not try to dictate policy to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC.

President Trump in a tweet on Wednesday had said the world does not want to see, or need higher oil prices.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-corridor-long-standing-demand-of-sikhs-unfortunate-pak-tried-to-politicise-religious-issue-india-181940">Kartarpur corridor </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-corridor-long-standing-demand-of-sikhs-unfortunate-pak-tried-to-politicise-religious-issue-india-181940">long standing</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-corridor-long-standing-demand-of-sikhs-unfortunate-pak-tried-to-politicise-religious-issue-india-181940"> demand of Sikhs, unfortunate Pak tried to politicise religious issue: India</a>

India's ministry of external affairs(MEA) said today that India's protocol officers were denied entry for the Kartarpur ceremony.

"We see it as the fulfilment of the long-standing demand of the Sikh community. It is unfortunate that Pakistan attempted to politicised a religious issue," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/perpetrators-involved-in-chabahar-terror-attack-should-be-brought-to-justice-india-181926">Perpetrators involved in Chabahar terror attack should be brought to justice: India</a>

India today condemned the suicide attack on the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran in which at least three people were killed and several others were injured.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">China urges </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949">immediate</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-urges-immediate-release-of-huawei-cfo-meng-wanzhou-181949"> release of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou&nbsp;</a>

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday firmly opposed the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Vancouver, Canada and urged an immediate release of her.

Geng Shuang, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing. Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou was detained in Canada at the request of the United States and the US is seeking her extradition.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/can-uk-renounce-brexit-eu-court-decides-monday-181916">Can </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/can-uk-renounce-brexit-eu-court-decides-monday-181916">UK</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/can-uk-renounce-brexit-eu-court-decides-monday-181916"> renounce Brexit? EU court to decide on Monday</a>

The European Court of Justice is expected to announce on Monday whether or not Britain can unilaterally halt its march towards Brexit, a day before a make-or-break vote by MPs on the divorce deal.

US not in a position to tell us what to do, says Saudi Arabia on oil price cut In a move aimed at President Trump, Saudi Arabia's oil minister said the US should not try to dictate policy to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC.

US not in a position to tell us what to do, says Saudi Arabia on oil price cut In a move aimed at President Trump, Saudi Arabia's oil minister said the US should not try to dictate policy to the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries OPEC. President Trump in a tweet on Wednesday had said the world does not want to see, or need higher oil prices. Kartarpur corridor long standing demand of Sikhs, unfortunate Pak tried to politicise religious issue: India India's ministry of external affairs(MEA) said today that India's protocol officers were denied entry for the Kartarpur ceremony. "We see it as the fulfilment of the long-standing demand of the Sikh community. It is unfortunate that Pakistan attempted to politicised a religious issue," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar said. Perpetrators involved in Chabahar terror attack should be brought to justice: India India today condemned the suicide attack on the Chabahar port in southeastern Iran in which at least three people were killed and several others were injured. China urges immediate release of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday firmly opposed the arrest of Huawei's chief financial officer in Vancouver, Canada and urged an immediate release of her. Geng Shuang, spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, made the remarks at a regular press briefing in Beijing. Huawei's CFO Meng Wanzhou was detained in Canada at the request of the United States and the US is seeking her extradition. Can UK renounce Brexit? EU court to decide on Monday The European Court of Justice is expected to announce on Monday whether or not Britain can unilaterally halt its march towards Brexit, a day before a make-or-break vote by MPs on the divorce deal.

The funeral of President George HW Bush got underway on Wednesday, with US and foreign dignitaries gathered to commemorate the life of a World War Two hero, Cold War veteran and former head of the CIA who went on to represent an era of civility in American politics.

An unusual bipartisan spirit was on display at the service at the Washington National Cathedral with both Republican and Democratic politicians gathering to honour a president who called for a "kinder, gentler" nation.

Bush, the 41st US&nbsp;president, died last week in Texas aged 94.

“George HW&nbsp;Bush was America's last great soldier-statesman,” Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer, said in a eulogy. "He stood in the breach in the Cold War against totalitarianism. He stood in the breach in Washington against unthinking partisanship," he said.

Political feuds were briefly set aside in honour of the late president, a naval aviator who was shot down over the Pacific Ocean in World War Two, and a commander in chief who defeated Iraqi forces in the 1991 Gulf War.

Trump shook hands with his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who he has often sharply criticized, as he took his seat at the cathedral.

Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 election opponent, and her husband Bill Clinton shared the front pew with Obama, Trump and their spouses.

Trump, like Bush a Republican, infuriated the late president by attacking his sons, former President George W. Bush and Jeb Bush, one of Trump's rivals in the 2016 Republican primary campaign.

Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, has been remembered as a patrician figure who represented a bygone era of civility in American politics.

He was voted out of office in part for failing to connect with ordinary Americans during an economic recession. But his reputation for moderation and politeness has shone more brightly in recent years in light of the divisiveness and anger in the United States that accompanied the rise of Trump.

TRUMP AT SERVICE

"Looking forward to being with the Bush family. This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday.

The Trumps spent about 20 minutes visiting with the Bush family on Tuesday.

Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, told the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council on Tuesday: "The president and first lady have been really gracious."

All surviving former US&nbsp;presidents were at the cathedral along with their wives.

George W&nbsp;Bush was also to deliver a eulogy, along with former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and retired Wyoming Republican Senator Alan Simpson.

The guest list included Britain's Prince Charles and leaders of Germany, Jordan, Australia and Poland, along with a host of former world leaders, such as former British Prime Minister John Major, who was in office during Bush's term.

Trump closed the federal government on Wednesday to mark a day of mourning for Bush, and several US&nbsp;financial exchanges were closed.

Bush, who had been President Ronald Reagan's vice president, navigated the United States through the end of the Cold War and was president when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989.

He was dogged by domestic problems, including a sluggish

economy, and faced criticism for not doing enough to stem the tens of thousands of deaths from the AIDS virus ravaging America.

When he ran for re-election in 1992, he was pilloried by Democrats and many Republicans for violating his famous 1988 campaign promise: "Read my lips, no new taxes." Democrat Bill Clinton coasted to victory.

Hundreds of people lined Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington to watch a hearse drive Bush's coffin from Capitol Hill, where he had lain in state since Monday night, toward the cathedral on Wednesday morning.

Thousands of people had filed past Bush's body to pay their respects in the Capitol Rotunda, some getting a chance to see Sully, a service dog who was Bush's friendly companion. Sully became an internet sensation after being photographed lying next to his late master's coffin.

The funeral of President George HW Bush got underway on Wednesday, with US and foreign dignitaries gathered to commemorate the life of a World War Two hero, Cold War veteran and former head of the CIA who went on to represent an era of civility in American politics.

The funeral of President George HW Bush got underway on Wednesday, with US and foreign dignitaries gathered to commemorate the life of a World War Two hero, Cold War veteran and former head of the CIA who went on to represent an era of civility in American politics. An unusual bipartisan spirit was on display at the service at the Washington National Cathedral with both Republican and Democratic politicians gathering to honour a president who called for a "kinder, gentler" nation. Bush, the 41st US president, died last week in Texas aged 94. “George HW Bush was America's last great soldier-statesman,” Jon Meacham, a presidential biographer, said in a eulogy. "He stood in the breach in the Cold War against totalitarianism. He stood in the breach in Washington against unthinking partisanship," he said. Political feuds were briefly set aside in honour of the late president, a naval aviator who was shot down over the Pacific Ocean in World War Two, and a commander in chief who defeated Iraqi forces in the 1991 Gulf War. Trump shook hands with his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who he has often sharply criticized, as he took his seat at the cathedral. Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Trump's 2016 election opponent, and her husband Bill Clinton shared the front pew with Obama, Trump and their spouses. Trump, like Bush a Republican, infuriated the late president by attacking his sons, former President George W. Bush and Jeb Bush, one of Trump's rivals in the 2016 Republican primary campaign. Bush, who was president from 1989 to 1993, has been remembered as a patrician figure who represented a bygone era of civility in American politics. He was voted out of office in part for failing to connect with ordinary Americans during an economic recession. But his reputation for moderation and politeness has shone more brightly in recent years in light of the divisiveness and anger in the United States that accompanied the rise of Trump. TRUMP AT SERVICE "Looking forward to being with the Bush family. This is not a funeral, this is a day of celebration for a great man who has led a long and distinguished life. He will be missed!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday. The Trumps spent about 20 minutes visiting with the Bush family on Tuesday. Jeb Bush, a former governor of Florida, told the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council on Tuesday: "The president and first lady have been really gracious." All surviving former US presidents were at the cathedral along with their wives. George W Bush was also to deliver a eulogy, along with former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and retired Wyoming Republican Senator Alan Simpson. The guest list included Britain's Prince Charles and leaders of Germany, Jordan, Australia and Poland, along with a host of former world leaders, such as former British Prime Minister John Major, who was in office during Bush's term. Trump closed the federal government on Wednesday to mark a day of mourning for Bush, and several US financial exchanges were closed. Bush, who had been President Ronald Reagan's vice president, navigated the United States through the end of the Cold War and was president when the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. He was dogged by domestic problems, including a sluggish economy, and faced criticism for not doing enough to stem the tens of thousands of deaths from the AIDS virus ravaging America. When he ran for re-election in 1992, he was pilloried by Democrats and many Republicans for violating his famous 1988 campaign promise: "Read my lips, no new taxes." Democrat Bill Clinton coasted to victory. Hundreds of people lined Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Washington to watch a hearse drive Bush's coffin from Capitol Hill, where he had lain in state since Monday night, toward the cathedral on Wednesday morning. Thousands of people had filed past Bush's body to pay their respects in the Capitol Rotunda, some getting a chance to see Sully, a service dog who was Bush's friendly companion. Sully became an internet sensation after being photographed lying next to his late master's coffin.

Remembering American 'soldier-statesman,' Trump, Obama and Clintons attend Bush funeral

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/act-now-or-risk-disaster-world-told-at-un-climate-summit-181034">Act now or risk disaster, world told at UN climate summit</a>

After the starkest warnings yet of the catastrophic threat posed by climate change, nations gathered in Poland on Sunday to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming.&nbsp;

The COP24 climate summit comes at a crucial juncture in the battle to rein in the effects of our heating planet.&nbsp;

UN General Assembly president Maria Espinosa said mankind was "in danger of disappearing" if climate change was allowed to progress at its current rate.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">History </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">mein</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036"> zero </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">hain</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036"> </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">aap</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-speaking-against-pm-modi-or-bjp-require-me-to-leave-is-it-not-my-country-owaisi-181036">: Asaduddin Owaisi responds to Yogi Adityanath</a>

AIMIM chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, on Sunday launched an attack on BJP asking if those who speak against the saffron party or its leadership will be asked to leave the country.&nbsp;

Owaisi's comments came as a reaction to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's remark wherein he stated that Owaisi will have to flee the state if BJP comes to power in Telangana.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-will-grant-kim-jong-uns-wishes-after-denuclearisation-south-korea-president-181032">Trump will grant Kim Jong Un's wishes after denuclearisation: South Korea president</a>

US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

As officials work to arrange a second meeting between Trump and Kim, South Korea's Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North's leader.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-link-to-rajiv-gandhis-assassination-claims-ltte-181030">'No link' to Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, claims LTTE</a>

In an alleged statement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has claimed that they had 'no link' in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991.

The alleged letter from LTTE has been signed by their Political Wing representative Kurburan Guruswami and Legal Wing representative Lathan Chandralingam.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/un-doctors-hammer-australia-over-refugee-camps-181042">UN, doctors hammer Australia over refugee camps</a>

Australia's under-pressure government received a double blow Monday from the United Nations and a leading doctors' group over harsh treatment of refugees on off-shore island camps.

In an unusual broadside, a top official for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees accused "bureaucrats and politicians" of overruling doctors and putting lives at risk at camps on Nauru and Manus.

Act now or risk disaster, world told at UN climate summit After the starkest warnings yet of the catastrophic threat posed by climate change, nations gathered in Poland on Sunday to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming.

Act now or risk disaster, world told at UN climate summit After the starkest warnings yet of the catastrophic threat posed by climate change, nations gathered in Poland on Sunday to chart a way for mankind to avert runaway global warming. The COP24 climate summit comes at a crucial juncture in the battle to rein in the effects of our heating planet. UN General Assembly president Maria Espinosa said mankind was "in danger of disappearing" if climate change was allowed to progress at its current rate. History mein zero hain aap: Asaduddin Owaisi responds to Yogi Adityanath AIMIM chief, Asaduddin Owaisi, on Sunday launched an attack on BJP asking if those who speak against the saffron party or its leadership will be asked to leave the country. Owaisi's comments came as a reaction to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's remark wherein he stated that Owaisi will have to flee the state if BJP comes to power in Telangana. Trump will grant Kim Jong Un's wishes after denuclearisation: South Korea president US President Donald Trump will grant North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un his wishes if he delivers on denuclearisation, the South Korean president said Sunday, following talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit. As officials work to arrange a second meeting between Trump and Kim, South Korea's Moon Jae-in relayed a message to reporters given to him by the US president to pass on to the North's leader. 'No link' to Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, claims LTTE In an alleged statement, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has claimed that they had 'no link' in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. The alleged letter from LTTE has been signed by their Political Wing representative Kurburan Guruswami and Legal Wing representative Lathan Chandralingam. UN, doctors hammer Australia over refugee camps Australia's under-pressure government received a double blow Monday from the United Nations and a leading doctors' group over harsh treatment of refugees on off-shore island camps. In an unusual broadside, a top official for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees accused "bureaucrats and politicians" of overruling doctors and putting lives at risk at camps on Nauru and Manus.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-trump---kim-summit-is-a-gamble-beyond-optics-144380?amp">second meeting</a> are under consideration.

"We`re getting along very well. We have a good relationship," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G20 summit in Argentina.&nbsp;

Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States.

The two sides have been engaged in talks on the leaders` second meeting after the first, unprecedented, one in Singapore in June, Reuters reported in October, citing a senior official.

The White House said in a statement on Saturday after Trump`s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that they and Kim will strive "to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula."

The statement said Xi and Trump "agreed that great progress has been made with respect to North Korea."&nbsp;

Last month, Vice President Mike Pence said Trump would push for a concrete plan outlining Pyongyang`s moves to end its arms programs.

Pence told NBC News last month the United States would not require Pyongyang to provide a complete list of nuclear weapons and locations before the second summit, but that the meeting must produce a concrete plan.

"I think it will be absolutely imperative in this next summit that we come away with a plan for identifying all of the weapons in question, identifying all the development sites, allowing for inspections of the sites and the plan for dismantling nuclear weapons," Pence said.

Pence said last month it was essential that international sanctions pressure be maintained on North Korea until its complete denuclearization was achieved.

North Korea had been angered by Washington`s refusal to ease sanctions and has warned it could resume development of its nuclear program if the United States did not drop its campaign.

A U.S. think tank said last month it had identified at least 13 of an estimated 20 active, undeclared missile bases inside North Korea, underscoring the challenge for American negotiators hoping to persuade Kim to give up his weapons programs.

North Korea had entered into agreements with regional powers in 1994 and in 2005 to dismantle its nuclear program in return for economic benefits and diplomatic rewards, but those deals broke down after Pyongyang clandestinely continued to pursue building weapons of mass destruction.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration.

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he is likely to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in January or February and that three sites for their second meeting are under consideration. "We`re getting along very well. We have a good relationship," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on his return from a G20 summit in Argentina. Trump added that at some point he will invite Kim to the United States. The two sides have been engaged in talks on the leaders` second meeting after the first, unprecedented, one in Singapore in June, Reuters reported in October, citing a senior official. The White House said in a statement on Saturday after Trump`s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that they and Kim will strive "to see a nuclear free Korean Peninsula." The statement said Xi and Trump "agreed that great progress has been made with respect to North Korea." Last month, Vice President Mike Pence said Trump would push for a concrete plan outlining Pyongyang`s moves to end its arms programs. Pence told NBC News last month the United States would not require Pyongyang to provide a complete list of nuclear weapons and locations before the second summit, but that the meeting must produce a concrete plan. "I think it will be absolutely imperative in this next summit that we come away with a plan for identifying all of the weapons in question, identifying all the development sites, allowing for inspections of the sites and the plan for dismantling nuclear weapons," Pence said. Pence said last month it was essential that international sanctions pressure be maintained on North Korea until its complete denuclearization was achieved. North Korea had been angered by Washington`s refusal to ease sanctions and has warned it could resume development of its nuclear program if the United States did not drop its campaign. A U.S. think tank said last month it had identified at least 13 of an estimated 20 active, undeclared missile bases inside North Korea, underscoring the challenge for American negotiators hoping to persuade Kim to give up his weapons programs. North Korea had entered into agreements with regional powers in 1994 and in 2005 to dismantle its nuclear program in return for economic benefits and diplomatic rewards, but those deals broke down after Pyongyang clandestinely continued to pursue building weapons of mass destruction.

Trump says he is likely to meet North Korea's Kim again in Jan or Feb

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-is-suspending-new-china-tariffs-for-90-days-180809">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-it-is-suspending-new-china-tariffs-for-90-days-180809"> says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days</a>

The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war.

The White House said a threatened increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent, which was set to take effect on January 1, would be put off for 90 days.&nbsp;

"If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," a White House statement said after dinner talks between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/war-will-continue-so-long-as-ukraine-government-stays-putin-180802">War will continue so long as Ukraine government stays: Putin</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power."

"The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-conflict-putin-explains-his-side-of-the-story-to-trump-180807">Putin briefs Trump on Ukraine-Russia conflict</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina.

Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday.

"We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-g20-pm-talks-about-trade-wars-and-terror-180797">At G20, Modi says trade war can do collateral damage to emerging economies</a>

Day 2 of the G20 summit came to an end Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on the issue of terror and highlighting how trade wars can be detrimental to global economies.

Briefing the media, India's sherpa at the G20, Shaktikanta Das, said, "The PM highlighted escalating trade tension and the collateral damage it can do to emerging economies."

The big focus at this year's G20 has been the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, the US and China.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/entertainment/spider-man-is-back-and-this-time-hes-black-and-latino-180806">Spider-Man is back. And this time he's black and Latino</a>

For what seems like the umpteenth time, Spider-Man is back on the big screen.&nbsp;

But this year, when Hollywood is under the microscope on the hot-button issue of diversity, the superhero is half-black and half-Latino.

Step aside, Peter Parker. There's a new Spidey in town. Hello, Miles Morales.

US says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war.

US says it is suspending new China tariffs for 90 days The United States said Saturday that it agreed in a long-awaited summit with China to suspend new tariffs for 90 days as the two powers seek to end a trade war. The White House said a threatened increase of tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods from 10 to 25 percent, which was set to take effect on January 1, would be put off for 90 days. "If at the end of this period of time, the parties are unable to reach an agreement, the 10 percent tariffs will be raised to 25 percent," a White House statement said after dinner talks between President Donald Trump and his counterpart Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires. War will continue so long as Ukraine government stays: Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he saw no end to the conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current authorities remain in power." "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," Putin told reporters at the end of the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin briefs Trump on Ukraine-Russia conflict Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit. At G20, Modi says trade war can do collateral damage to emerging economies Day 2 of the G20 summit came to an end Saturday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi focusing on the issue of terror and highlighting how trade wars can be detrimental to global economies. Briefing the media, India's sherpa at the G20, Shaktikanta Das, said, "The PM highlighted escalating trade tension and the collateral damage it can do to emerging economies." The big focus at this year's G20 has been the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, the US and China. Spider-Man is back. And this time he's black and Latino For what seems like the umpteenth time, Spider-Man is back on the big screen. But this year, when Hollywood is under the microscope on the hot-button issue of diversity, the superhero is half-black and half-Latino. Step aside, Peter Parker. There's a new Spidey in town. Hello, Miles Morales.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina.

Putin said <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/war-will-continue-so-long-as-ukraine-government-stays-putin-180802">he explained Moscow's position to Trump</a> when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday.

"We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit.

Putin strode into the summit under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last week's incident in which his navy detained three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting.

Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko kept up the pressure from Kiev, saying Putin had refused to take his calls since the crisis started.

He said that when the incident happened, he instructed his office to set up a call with the Kremlin leader to say "we are ready for this negotiation to de-escalate... and unfortunately, until now, Putin do not answer my request for direct phone conversation."

Poroshenko told France 24 in an interview that Ukraine would try to resolve the standoff diplomatically but insisted Russian forces withdraw from Crimea, and return its ships and sailors "captured illegally in the neutral water of the Black Sea."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel took Putin to task at length over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged him to "de-escalate" the crisis.

Merkel used a breakfast with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit to voice her "concern" over the tensions in the Kerch Strait off Russian-annexed Crimea.

"Of course, we talked about the situation in the Sea of Azov, because it is important to avoid any aggravation," Merkel said in Buenos Aires.

Macron raised his concerns with the Russian leader at one of his first bilateral meetings, pressing him "to make the necessary gestures so that there is a de-escalation," said a French official.

Both European countries are members of the "Normandy Four" group with Moscow and Kiev, set up to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine involving Russian-backed rebels.

Merkel said she had also discussed Syria with Putin, "especially ... the Idlib region," where a fragile ceasefire has been negotiated between rebels and Syrian army forces backed by Moscow.&nbsp;

Her main focus, however, was on the situation in Ukraine.

"I want to make it quite clear, though, that free shipping to the Sea of Azov must be guaranteed to the Ukrainian coasts and cities. There is a basic contractual agreement from 2003 on this. Russia must comply with this basis," she said.

Away from the summit, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt" for a deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage."

'Exhaustive explanations' 
Putin -- who has praised his navy for defending Russian territory -- "provided exhaustive explanations on this incident in the Black Sea, explaining everything in detail, in exactly the same manner as yesterday during his meeting with the French president," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax.

According to a French aide, Friday's version entailed Putin drawing a map for Macron of the Kerch Strait, to buttress his position that the seized Ukrainian ships had intruded into Russian waters -- a claim denied by Kiev.

As for Macron, "the main message that he passed on is really that of a de-escalation," the aide said.

Far from offering comforting words, Putin said at a post-summit press conference he saw no end in sight to the four-year conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current Ukrainian authorities remain in power."

"The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," he said.

The November 25 incident in the contested Kerch Strait -- which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov -- was the first open military confrontation between Kiev and Moscow since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Merkel said Germany had suggested a meeting of the Normandy group to discuss the crisis.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he briefed his US counterpart Donald Trump on the Ukraine crisis as he came under pressure over Moscow's robust foreign policy at the G20 summit in Argentina. Putin said he explained Moscow's position to Trump when the leaders met briefly at a summit dinner Friday. "We spoke standing up. I replied to his questions about the incident in the Black Sea," Putin told reporters at the end of the summit. Putin strode into the summit under a cloud, having drawn outrage from Europe over last week's incident in which his navy detained three Ukrainian ships and 24 sailors -- causing Trump to abruptly cancel their scheduled meeting. Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko kept up the pressure from Kiev, saying Putin had refused to take his calls since the crisis started. He said that when the incident happened, he instructed his office to set up a call with the Kremlin leader to say "we are ready for this negotiation to de-escalate... and unfortunately, until now, Putin do not answer my request for direct phone conversation." Poroshenko told France 24 in an interview that Ukraine would try to resolve the standoff diplomatically but insisted Russian forces withdraw from Crimea, and return its ships and sailors "captured illegally in the neutral water of the Black Sea." German Chancellor Angela Merkel took Putin to task at length over the naval spat, a day after French President Emmanuel Macron urged him to "de-escalate" the crisis. Merkel used a breakfast with Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit to voice her "concern" over the tensions in the Kerch Strait off Russian-annexed Crimea. "Of course, we talked about the situation in the Sea of Azov, because it is important to avoid any aggravation," Merkel said in Buenos Aires. Macron raised his concerns with the Russian leader at one of his first bilateral meetings, pressing him "to make the necessary gestures so that there is a de-escalation," said a French official. Both European countries are members of the "Normandy Four" group with Moscow and Kiev, set up to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine involving Russian-backed rebels. Merkel said she had also discussed Syria with Putin, "especially ... the Idlib region," where a fragile ceasefire has been negotiated between rebels and Syrian army forces backed by Moscow. Her main focus, however, was on the situation in Ukraine. "I want to make it quite clear, though, that free shipping to the Sea of Azov must be guaranteed to the Ukrainian coasts and cities. There is a basic contractual agreement from 2003 on this. Russia must comply with this basis," she said. Away from the summit, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Moscow had shown "brazen contempt" for a deal "that allowed both Russian and Ukrainian ships free passage." 'Exhaustive explanations' Putin -- who has praised his navy for defending Russian territory -- "provided exhaustive explanations on this incident in the Black Sea, explaining everything in detail, in exactly the same manner as yesterday during his meeting with the French president," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Interfax. According to a French aide, Friday's version entailed Putin drawing a map for Macron of the Kerch Strait, to buttress his position that the seized Ukrainian ships had intruded into Russian waters -- a claim denied by Kiev. As for Macron, "the main message that he passed on is really that of a de-escalation," the aide said. Far from offering comforting words, Putin said at a post-summit press conference he saw no end in sight to the four-year conflict in eastern Ukraine "as long as the current Ukrainian authorities remain in power." "The current Ukrainian authorities have no interest in resolving the conflict, especially by peaceful means," he said. The November 25 incident in the contested Kerch Strait -- which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov -- was the first open military confrontation between Kiev and Moscow since Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. Merkel said Germany had suggested a meeting of the Normandy group to discuss the crisis.

Ukraine-Russia conflict: Putin explains his side of the story to Trump

President Trump and first lady light National Christmas Tree

The United States on Thursday displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons deployed to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a tactic by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-g20-meeting-with-xi-trump-says-billions-of-dollar-pouring-into-us-due-to-tariffs-on-china-180279">President Donald Trump</a>'s administration to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities.

The second presentation of Iranian weapons by the Pentagon, many of which were handed over by Saudi Arabia, coincides with growing concern in Congress over US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war, which has led to a deep humanitarian crisis.

Members of Congress have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October 2 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate. Despite administration pleas to stick with the Saudis and thereby counter Iran, the Senate voted on Wednesday to advance a resolution to end military support for the Saudis in Yemen.

If Iran were found to be shipping arms to Yemen, Afghanistan and other countries, it would be in violation of United Nations resolutions.

Reuters was given advanced access to the military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling just outside of Washington where the US Defense Department put the fragments of weaponry on display and explained how it concluded that they came from Iran.

"We want there to be no doubt across the world that this is a priority for the United States and that it's in international interest to address it," said Katie Wheelbarger, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs.

The presentation, the second such one in the last year, is part of a government-wide effort to follow through on Trump's policy to take a far harder line toward Tehran. He pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions, in part for its "malign" regional activities.

Iran has denied supplying the Houthis in Yemen with such weaponry and described the Pentagon's previous arms display as "fabricated."

WEAPONS TO YEMEN

The Pentagon offered a detailed explanation of why it believed the arms on display came from Iran, noting what it said were Iranian corporate logos on arms fragments and the unique nature of the designs of Iranian weaponry.

The United States acknowledged it could not say precisely when the weapons were transferred to the Houthis, and, in some cases, could not say when they were used. There was no immediate way to independently verify where the weapons were made or employed.

This included a "Sayyad-2" surface to air missile (SAM), which the Pentagon said had been interdicted by the Saudi government in early 2018 en route to Houthi militants in Yemen.

The Pentagon cited a corporate logo of an Iranian defence firm in the warhead section, which was not displayed, and writing in Farsi along the missile as evidence that it was Iranian.

A US defence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the Pentagon did not know if the Houthis had actually used this type of missile before.

The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital Sanaa, have fired dozens of missiles into Saudi Arabia in recent months, part of a three-year-old conflict widely seen as a proxy battle between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Under a UN resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the UN Security Council. A separate UN resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leaders.

WAR IN AFGHANISTAN

The United States has long accused Iran of providing weapons to Taliban militants in Afghanistan. In October, Washington targeted two individuals linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for providing material and financial support to the Taliban.

The Pentagon displayed a number of "Fadjr" rockets, that it said had been provided to the Taliban. It said they were Iranian because of the unique markings on the rockets and the paint scheme, along with the markings on them.

The Taliban is known to buy weapons on the black market and defence officials could not say why they were sure these missiles had not been simply bought by the Taliban.

The United States on Thursday displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons deployed to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a tactic by President Donald Trump's administration to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities.

The United States on Thursday displayed pieces of what it said were Iranian weapons deployed to militants in Yemen and Afghanistan, a tactic by President Donald Trump's administration to pressure Tehran to curb its regional activities. The second presentation of Iranian weapons by the Pentagon, many of which were handed over by Saudi Arabia, coincides with growing concern in Congress over US military support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen's civil war, which has led to a deep humanitarian crisis. Members of Congress have escalated their opposition to Saudi Arabia after the October 2 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in its Istanbul consulate. Despite administration pleas to stick with the Saudis and thereby counter Iran, the Senate voted on Wednesday to advance a resolution to end military support for the Saudis in Yemen. If Iran were found to be shipping arms to Yemen, Afghanistan and other countries, it would be in violation of United Nations resolutions. Reuters was given advanced access to the military hangar at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling just outside of Washington where the US Defense Department put the fragments of weaponry on display and explained how it concluded that they came from Iran. "We want there to be no doubt across the world that this is a priority for the United States and that it's in international interest to address it," said Katie Wheelbarger, the principal deputy assistant secretary of defence for international security affairs. The presentation, the second such one in the last year, is part of a government-wide effort to follow through on Trump's policy to take a far harder line toward Tehran. He pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions, in part for its "malign" regional activities. Iran has denied supplying the Houthis in Yemen with such weaponry and described the Pentagon's previous arms display as "fabricated." WEAPONS TO YEMEN The Pentagon offered a detailed explanation of why it believed the arms on display came from Iran, noting what it said were Iranian corporate logos on arms fragments and the unique nature of the designs of Iranian weaponry. The United States acknowledged it could not say precisely when the weapons were transferred to the Houthis, and, in some cases, could not say when they were used. There was no immediate way to independently verify where the weapons were made or employed. This included a "Sayyad-2" surface to air missile (SAM), which the Pentagon said had been interdicted by the Saudi government in early 2018 en route to Houthi militants in Yemen. The Pentagon cited a corporate logo of an Iranian defence firm in the warhead section, which was not displayed, and writing in Farsi along the missile as evidence that it was Iranian. A US defence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the Pentagon did not know if the Houthis had actually used this type of missile before. The Houthis, who control Yemen’s capital Sanaa, have fired dozens of missiles into Saudi Arabia in recent months, part of a three-year-old conflict widely seen as a proxy battle between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Under a UN resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal with world powers, Tehran is prohibited from supplying, selling or transferring weapons outside the country unless approved by the UN Security Council. A separate UN resolution on Yemen bans the supply of weapons to Houthi leaders. WAR IN AFGHANISTAN The United States has long accused Iran of providing weapons to Taliban militants in Afghanistan. In October, Washington targeted two individuals linked to the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for providing material and financial support to the Taliban. The Pentagon displayed a number of "Fadjr" rockets, that it said had been provided to the Taliban. It said they were Iranian because of the unique markings on the rockets and the paint scheme, along with the markings on them. The Taliban is known to buy weapons on the black market and defence officials could not say why they were sure these missiles had not been simply bought by the Taliban.

US touts new evidence of Iranian weaponry in Yemen, Afghanistan

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-asks-nato-to-send-ships-to-back-it-in-conflict-with-russia-180117">Ukraine asks NATO to send ships to back it in conflict with Russia</a>

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia.

"Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now ready to relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security," he told Germany's Bild daily.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-defends-lawful-seizure-of-ukrainian-ships-180120">Vladimir Putin defends 'lawful' seizure of Ukrainian ships</a>

President Vladimir Putin insisted Wednesday that Russian forces were in the right to seize three Ukrainian ships last weekend, but President Donald Trump expressed "deep concern" at Moscow's actions against a US ally.

In his first extensive remarks since the confrontation at sea on Sunday, Putin said it had been orchestrated by Kiev as a "provocation".

He said the Ukrainian ships had entered Russian territorial waters and refused to respond to requests to stop from Russian patrol boats.&nbsp;

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-studying-new-auto-tariffs-after-general-motors-announces-job-cuts-180128">Trump studying new auto tariffs after General Motors announces job cuts</a>

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that new auto tariffs were "being studied now," asserting they could prevent job cuts such as the US layoffs and plant closures that General Motors Co announced this week.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/more-love-and-respect-for-sidhu-in-pakistan-than-in-india-harsimrat-kaur-180122">More love and respect for Sidhu in Pakistan than in India: Harsimrat Kaur Badal</a>

Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday took a jibe at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and said that he seems to be getting more love and respect from Pakistan than India.

Badal`s statement comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor across the border said that Sidhu can also win elections in his country.

 
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-liverpool-made-to-look-like-butchers-against-psg-says-klopp-180125">Champions League: Liverpool made to look 'like butchers' against PSG, says Klopp</a>

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his team "looked like butchers" because of the reactions of the Paris Saint-Germain players to challenges during the French team's 2-1 Champions League win on Wednesday.

"We are one of the fairest teams in England but tonight we looked like butchers," Klopp said.&nbsp;

Liverpool -- beaten in each of their past five games away from Anfield in the Champions League -- now face the real prospect of missing out on the knockout stages just six months after reaching the final against Real Madrid.

Ukraine asks NATO to send ships to back it in conflict with Russia Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia.

Ukraine asks NATO to send ships to back it in conflict with Russia Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko asked NATO members including Germany Thursday to send naval vessels to the Sea of Azov to back his country in the standoff with Russia. "Germany is one of our closest allies, and we hope that states within NATO are now ready to relocate naval ships to the Sea of Azov in order to assist Ukraine and provide security," he told Germany's Bild daily. Vladimir Putin defends 'lawful' seizure of Ukrainian ships President Vladimir Putin insisted Wednesday that Russian forces were in the right to seize three Ukrainian ships last weekend, but President Donald Trump expressed "deep concern" at Moscow's actions against a US ally. In his first extensive remarks since the confrontation at sea on Sunday, Putin said it had been orchestrated by Kiev as a "provocation". He said the Ukrainian ships had entered Russian territorial waters and refused to respond to requests to stop from Russian patrol boats. Trump studying new auto tariffs after General Motors announces job cuts US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that new auto tariffs were "being studied now," asserting they could prevent job cuts such as the US layoffs and plant closures that General Motors Co announced this week. More love and respect for Sidhu in Pakistan than in India: Harsimrat Kaur Badal Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday took a jibe at Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and said that he seems to be getting more love and respect from Pakistan than India. Badal`s statement comes after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan during the groundbreaking ceremony of Kartarpur Corridor across the border said that Sidhu can also win elections in his country. Champions League: Liverpool made to look 'like butchers' against PSG, says Klopp Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said his team "looked like butchers" because of the reactions of the Paris Saint-Germain players to challenges during the French team's 2-1 Champions League win on Wednesday. "We are one of the fairest teams in England but tonight we looked like butchers," Klopp said. Liverpool -- beaten in each of their past five games away from Anfield in the Champions League -- now face the real prospect of missing out on the knockout stages just six months after reaching the final against Real Madrid.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-visit-argentina-from-nov-28-dec-2-for-g20-summit-to-meet-chinese-president-twice-179827">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> reached Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the G20 summit.

PM Modi will have a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a>. <a href="https://t.co/9YhletLRay">pic.twitter.com/9YhletLRay</a>
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Modi will also highlight the risks posed by oil price volatility and raise the issue of combating terror financing and money laundering, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said.

One of the issues that will be discussed is strengthening of the WTO, he told reporters.

Prime Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet twice during the G20 summit in Argentina, said a foreign ministry official on November 27 as the two Asian powerhouses seek warmer ties.

Modi will also meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mauricio Macri, the President of Argentina; Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the G20 summit. PM Modi will have a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the G20 summit. PM Modi will have a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Buenos Aires on November 30 and December 1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Buenos Aires, Argentina to attend the #G20Summit. pic.twitter.com/9YhletLRay — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2018 × Modi will also highlight the risks posed by oil price volatility and raise the issue of combating terror financing and money laundering, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said. One of the issues that will be discussed is strengthening of the WTO, he told reporters. Prime Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet twice during the G20 summit in Argentina, said a foreign ministry official on November 27 as the two Asian powerhouses seek warmer ties. Modi will also meet United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Mauricio Macri, the President of Argentina; Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

PM Modi arrives at Argentina ahead of G20 summit

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