Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, on Friday, welcomed the announcement of the meet between US President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un.

&quot;I highly appreciate North Korea`s change that it will begin talks on the premise of denuclearisation,&quot; Shinzo Abe said, adding that he planned to visit the United States to meet Trump &quot;as early as April&quot;.

Japan has been cautious about a recent Olympics-driven rapprochement on the Korean peninsula. The Japanese Prime Minister noted on Thursday that &quot;talks for the sake of talks are meaningless.&quot;

Abe sounded positive about the planned Trump-Kim summit. He also described the event as &quot;the achievement of cooperation between... Japan, the US, and South Korea to maintain great pressure&quot;.

&quot;We will keep putting maximum pressure (on North Korea) until North Korea takes concrete actions toward denuclearisation in a manner that is perfect, verifiable and irreversible.&quot;

According to Abe, there is no change in policy for Japan and the US.

(With inputs from ANI)&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Japan has been cautious about a recent Olympics-driven rapprochement on the Korean peninsula

Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzō Abe, on Friday, welcomed the announcement of the meet between US President Donald Trump and his North Korean counterpart Kim Jong Un. "I highly appreciate North Korea`s change that it will begin talks on the premise of denuclearisation," Shinzo Abe said, adding that he planned to visit the United States to meet Trump "as early as April". Japan has been cautious about a recent Olympics-driven rapprochement on the Korean peninsula. The Japanese Prime Minister noted on Thursday that "talks for the sake of talks are meaningless." Abe sounded positive about the planned Trump-Kim summit. He also described the event as "the achievement of cooperation between... Japan, the US, and South Korea to maintain great pressure". "We will keep putting maximum pressure (on North Korea) until North Korea takes concrete actions toward denuclearisation in a manner that is perfect, verifiable and irreversible." According to Abe, there is no change in policy for Japan and the US. (With inputs from ANI)

Japan's Prime Minister hails and welcomes Trump-Kim summit 

&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; 
President Donald Trump&#39;s team played down talk of a trade war Wednesday as it fought to limit a financial market sell-off, promising a quick decision on contentious tariffs that prompted a popular economic advisor to the president to quit.

Administration big guns Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin rushed to the cameras to calm market jitters over proposed steel and aluminium duties, which they indicated were still negotiable and would not hurt growth.&nbsp;

Trump is set to formalize the tariffs at a signing ceremony Thursday afternoon, and Canada and Mexico will be exempt initially, Peter Navarro, a top trade advisor, told Fox Business Network Wednesday night.

As markets fell on news that Wall Street favourite Gary Cohn, Trump`s top economic adviser, had resigned from the White House in protest at Trump&#39;s trade decision and global partners vowed retaliation, Ross tried to calm fears of a trade war.

&quot;We&#39;re going to have sensible relations with our allies,&quot; he told CNBC, claiming that Trump&#39;s policy was well &quot;thought through. We&#39;re not looking for a trade war.&quot; Mnuchin joined the effort, claiming that the tariffs, which are not yet finalized, would not hurt the administration&#39;s projections for three percent growth.&nbsp;

&quot;We&#39;re comfortable that we&#39;re going to manage through this so that it is not detrimental to our growth projections,&quot; he told Fox Business.

As stocks fell off on Wall Street, a fierce battle over Trump&#39;s proposals raged behind the scenes in Washington.

Trump surprised and angered Republican lawmakers with his impromptu tariff announcement last week.&nbsp;

Congress is now starting to contemplate legislation that would block the measures from taking effect.

&quot;We are still trying to work with POTUS to avoid that outcome,&quot; a congressional source told AFP.Even Trump&#39;s most accommodating allies have begun to speak out against what amounts to a major break with Republican orthodoxy.

&quot;There is a lot of concern among Republican senators that this could sort of metastasize into a larger trade war,&quot; Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters.&nbsp;

&quot;Many of our members are discussing with the administration just how broad, how sweeping this might be,&quot; he added. &quot;There&#39;s a high level of concern about interfering with what appears to be an economy that`s taking off in every respect.&quot;

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also tried to soothe unease, projecting calm and saying a decision would come soon.

&quot;We are still on pace for an announcement on that at the end of this week,&quot; she said, adding that Trump would also quickly move to replace Cohn with a mainstream pick.

&quot;The president&#39;s got a number of people that could potentially fill that role,&quot; she said.

&quot;What I can assure you obviously is he&#39;s going to make a good pick that can help him continue to further building a strong economy and continue creating jobs and continue focusing on long-term economic success.&quot;

Despite Republican agitation, it is far from clear that Trump will back down.

Cohn&#39;s departure has given the president&#39;s &quot;nationalist&quot; advisors like arch China skeptic Peter Navarro and Commerce boss Ross the whip hand.

Cohn, a 57-year-old former Goldman Sachs executive, had lobbied passionately against the tariffs before losing out.

Ross offered an olive branch, claiming, contrary to the statements of his White House colleagues earlier in the week, that Trump could agree to tariff carve outs for Canada, Mexico and perhaps others.

Data released Wednesday showed the US foreign trade deficit widened in January to its highest level in nine years, heaping pressure on Trump, who had campaigned on a promise to reverse that trend.

Trump took to Twitter to blame the deficit on &quot;bad policies &amp; leadership&quot; from his White House predecessors.

He also took aim at perennial trade bogeyman, Beijing.

&quot;China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States,&quot; he tweeted.

&quot;Our relationship with China has been a very good one, and we look forward to seeing what ideas they come back with. We must act soon!&quot;

China warned Thursday it was ready to respond to US tariffs if they materialize.

&quot;Choosing a trade war is surely the wrong prescription, in the end you will only hurt others and yourself,&quot; Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding that &quot;China will certainly make an appropriate and necessary response.&quot; 
&nbsp;

Trump is set to formalize the tariffs at a signing ceremony Thursday afternoon

President Donald Trump's team played down talk of a trade war Wednesday as it fought to limit a financial market sell-off, promising a quick decision on contentious tariffs that prompted a popular economic advisor to the president to quit. Administration big guns Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin rushed to the cameras to calm market jitters over proposed steel and aluminium duties, which they indicated were still negotiable and would not hurt growth. Trump is set to formalize the tariffs at a signing ceremony Thursday afternoon, and Canada and Mexico will be exempt initially, Peter Navarro, a top trade advisor, told Fox Business Network Wednesday night. As markets fell on news that Wall Street favourite Gary Cohn, Trump`s top economic adviser, had resigned from the White House in protest at Trump's trade decision and global partners vowed retaliation, Ross tried to calm fears of a trade war. "We're going to have sensible relations with our allies," he told CNBC, claiming that Trump's policy was well "thought through. We're not looking for a trade war." Mnuchin joined the effort, claiming that the tariffs, which are not yet finalized, would not hurt the administration's projections for three percent growth. "We're comfortable that we're going to manage through this so that it is not detrimental to our growth projections," he told Fox Business. As stocks fell off on Wall Street, a fierce battle over Trump's proposals raged behind the scenes in Washington. Trump surprised and angered Republican lawmakers with his impromptu tariff announcement last week. Congress is now starting to contemplate legislation that would block the measures from taking effect. "We are still trying to work with POTUS to avoid that outcome," a congressional source told AFP.Even Trump's most accommodating allies have begun to speak out against what amounts to a major break with Republican orthodoxy. "There is a lot of concern among Republican senators that this could sort of metastasize into a larger trade war," Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell told reporters. "Many of our members are discussing with the administration just how broad, how sweeping this might be," he added. "There's a high level of concern about interfering with what appears to be an economy that`s taking off in every respect." White House press secretary Sarah Sanders also tried to soothe unease, projecting calm and saying a decision would come soon. "We are still on pace for an announcement on that at the end of this week," she said, adding that Trump would also quickly move to replace Cohn with a mainstream pick. "The president's got a number of people that could potentially fill that role," she said. "What I can assure you obviously is he's going to make a good pick that can help him continue to further building a strong economy and continue creating jobs and continue focusing on long-term economic success." Despite Republican agitation, it is far from clear that Trump will back down. Cohn's departure has given the president's "nationalist" advisors like arch China skeptic Peter Navarro and Commerce boss Ross the whip hand. Cohn, a 57-year-old former Goldman Sachs executive, had lobbied passionately against the tariffs before losing out. Ross offered an olive branch, claiming, contrary to the statements of his White House colleagues earlier in the week, that Trump could agree to tariff carve outs for Canada, Mexico and perhaps others. Data released Wednesday showed the US foreign trade deficit widened in January to its highest level in nine years, heaping pressure on Trump, who had campaigned on a promise to reverse that trend. Trump took to Twitter to blame the deficit on "bad policies & leadership" from his White House predecessors. He also took aim at perennial trade bogeyman, Beijing. "China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States," he tweeted. "Our relationship with China has been a very good one, and we look forward to seeing what ideas they come back with. We must act soon!" China warned Thursday it was ready to respond to US tariffs if they materialize. "Choosing a trade war is surely the wrong prescription, in the end you will only hurt others and yourself," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding that "China will certainly make an appropriate and necessary response."

Embattled White House promises quick tariff decision

The dramatic developments in the Korean Peninsula, over the last few weeks, read like pages of a racy thriller. In a span of just two months, the breeze of d&eacute;tente instead bugle of conflict, has begun to blow. Gone are the threats of death and destruction, replaced by the soothing sound of dialogue, peace and reason. No wonder the Korean theatre has always had observers rivetted.

Consider the following. Out of the blue on January 1, Kim Jong-un (KJU) offered to South Korea (ROK) talks and participation in PyeongChang winter Olympics. The latter acted with equal alacrity and, within weeks, the North and South teams were seen marching together under a common unification flag.&nbsp;

Next, in a deft move, KJU despatched his younger sister Kim Yo-jong with a personal letter of invite to President Moon, for a summit meeting. In the process, she became the first member of the Kim clan to set foot on the South Korean soil. In no time, she had South Koreans swooning over her &lsquo;poise, smile, simplicity, dignity&rsquo; and numerous other accolades that the smitten media showered on her. She did not utter a word in public, shook hands with Vice President Pence and held a luncheon meeting with President Moon. It was a PR coup for Pyongyang.

No sooner had she gone back and the winter games ended that a return visit of ROK special envoys was announced. A five-member delegation led by NSA Chung Eui-yong and including the head of Korean CIA Suh Hoon, arrived in Pyongyang on 5th March.&nbsp;

They met the portly and reclusive North Korean leader over dinner. Hitherto, during his six-year rule, KJU had never emerged for a meeting with a visiting foreign leader or delegation. Setting aside protocol (as the guests were without their spouse) and contrary to Korean custom, KJU also had his wife participate in the dinner. He was clearly on a charm offensive towards his southern neighbour. An enigma herself, she has been a subject of unrelenting speculation in ROK. &nbsp;

The sides have since announced a summit at the end of April at the peace village in DMZ. North Korea (DPRK) now &lsquo;understands&rsquo; that the forthcoming US-ROK annual joint military exercise will take place. The visitors were assured that there would be no further provocations by DPRK, for the time being. And what&rsquo;s more, KJU agreed to unconditional talks with the US and even dangled the carrot of denuclearisation if his regime&rsquo;s security is guaranteed.&nbsp;

President Trump was prompt to tweet &ndash;&lsquo;Possible progress being made in talks with North Korea. For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned. The World is watching and waiting! Maybe false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!&rsquo; USA and ROK have been trying to present a united facade, but they are far from being on the same page. Trump has little patience for diplomacy and Moon is wary of his temperamental American counterpart.&nbsp;

It may be recalled that quite recently North&rsquo;s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun had thundered &ndash; &lsquo;Hoping that the DPRK would abandon its nuclear programs is as foolish an act as trying to wish seas to get dried up&rsquo;. (Japan Times, March 5, 2018).&nbsp; KJU trusts no one and no nation, other than his WMD arsenal and own instincts, honed by three generations of Kims during their 65-year-long uninterrupted reign.&nbsp;

Pyongyang has also drawn the requisite lessons from the fate that had befallen Saddam Hussain and Qaddafi, one of which is that WMD is the insurance for survival. Thus, no security guarantee would be good enough for him.&nbsp;

Then why this huge climbdown? The noose of sanctions had begun to tighten. The squeeze had begun hurting DPRK&rsquo;s fragile economy. The nation&rsquo;s diplomatic isolation was growing. A number of countries had downgraded ties. The Chinese lifeline was becoming tenuous. Hence, there was an urgent need to deflect pressure, buy time and make a pitch for easing sanctions and humanitarian assistance. Somehow a wedge had to be driven between ROK and USA. And what better way than to offer a summit to President Moon, as no ROK leader can resist the temptation of making history.

All this sounds surreal? Yes, because it is indeed too good to be true. The only imponderable is whether the deceptive thaw will last weeks or months. Nevertheless, this round squarely goes to Kim Jong-un.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kim Jong came up with an effective response to North Korea's urgent need to deflect pressure, buy time and make a pitch for easing sanctions and humanitarian assistance.

The dramatic developments in the Korean Peninsula, over the last few weeks, read like pages of a racy thriller. In a span of just two months, the breeze of détente instead bugle of conflict, has begun to blow. Gone are the threats of death and destruction, replaced by the soothing sound of dialogue, peace and reason. No wonder the Korean theatre has always had observers rivetted. Consider the following. Out of the blue on January 1, Kim Jong-un (KJU) offered to South Korea (ROK) talks and participation in PyeongChang winter Olympics. The latter acted with equal alacrity and, within weeks, the North and South teams were seen marching together under a common unification flag. Next, in a deft move, KJU despatched his younger sister Kim Yo-jong with a personal letter of invite to President Moon, for a summit meeting. In the process, she became the first member of the Kim clan to set foot on the South Korean soil. In no time, she had South Koreans swooning over her ‘poise, smile, simplicity, dignity’ and numerous other accolades that the smitten media showered on her. She did not utter a word in public, shook hands with Vice President Pence and held a luncheon meeting with President Moon. It was a PR coup for Pyongyang. No sooner had she gone back and the winter games ended that a return visit of ROK special envoys was announced. A five-member delegation led by NSA Chung Eui-yong and including the head of Korean CIA Suh Hoon, arrived in Pyongyang on 5th March. They met the portly and reclusive North Korean leader over dinner. Hitherto, during his six-year rule, KJU had never emerged for a meeting with a visiting foreign leader or delegation. Setting aside protocol (as the guests were without their spouse) and contrary to Korean custom, KJU also had his wife participate in the dinner. He was clearly on a charm offensive towards his southern neighbour. An enigma herself, she has been a subject of unrelenting speculation in ROK. The sides have since announced a summit at the end of April at the peace village in DMZ. North Korea (DPRK) now ‘understands’ that the forthcoming US-ROK annual joint military exercise will take place. The visitors were assured that there would be no further provocations by DPRK, for the time being. And what’s more, KJU agreed to unconditional talks with the US and even dangled the carrot of denuclearisation if his regime’s security is guaranteed. President Trump was prompt to tweet –‘Possible progress being made in talks with North Korea. For the first time in many years, a serious effort is being made by all parties concerned. The World is watching and waiting! Maybe false hope, but the U.S. is ready to go hard in either direction!’ USA and ROK have been trying to present a united facade, but they are far from being on the same page. Trump has little patience for diplomacy and Moon is wary of his temperamental American counterpart. It may be recalled that quite recently North’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun had thundered – ‘Hoping that the DPRK would abandon its nuclear programs is as foolish an act as trying to wish seas to get dried up’. (Japan Times, March 5, 2018). KJU trusts no one and no nation, other than his WMD arsenal and own instincts, honed by three generations of Kims during their 65-year-long uninterrupted reign. Pyongyang has also drawn the requisite lessons from the fate that had befallen Saddam Hussain and Qaddafi, one of which is that WMD is the insurance for survival. Thus, no security guarantee would be good enough for him. Then why this huge climbdown? The noose of sanctions had begun to tighten. The squeeze had begun hurting DPRK’s fragile economy. The nation’s diplomatic isolation was growing. A number of countries had downgraded ties. The Chinese lifeline was becoming tenuous. Hence, there was an urgent need to deflect pressure, buy time and make a pitch for easing sanctions and humanitarian assistance. Somehow a wedge had to be driven between ROK and USA. And what better way than to offer a summit to President Moon, as no ROK leader can resist the temptation of making history. All this sounds surreal? Yes, because it is indeed too good to be true. The only imponderable is whether the deceptive thaw will last weeks or months. Nevertheless, this round squarely goes to Kim Jong-un. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Kim Jong wins the first round against US, South Korea

After criticizing video games in the wake of a school shooting in Florida last month, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with industry executives on Thursday to discuss what the president believes is a link between the games and violent acts.

Trump, a Republican, cited the influence of video games after a 19-year-old gunman was accused of killing 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida and injuring more than a dozen others. &ldquo;I&#39;m hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young people&#39;s thoughts,&rdquo; he said last month.&nbsp;

The White House said that Thursday&rsquo;s meeting will be the first of several and will include an industry trade group, conservative activists and members of Congress, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida.

Also attending will be executives from two video game-makers, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc, which owns Rockstar Games Inc, and ZeniMax Media Inc, which owns Bethesda Softworks.

The purpose of the meeting will be &ldquo;to discuss violent video-game exposure and the correlation to aggression and desensitization in children,&rdquo; White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said.

Trump has made the issue personal by mentioning his concern for his 11-year-old son, Barron. &ldquo;I look at some of the things he&#39;s watching, and I say, how is that possible?&rdquo; he said last week.&nbsp;

The president also has spoken for the need for a new ratings system for games. Currently, the industry employs its own system, which rates games for violence and sexual content.

Dan Hewitt, a spokesman for the Entertainment Software Association, whose CEO will attend the White House meeting, said studies have established no connection between video games and violent conduct.

&ldquo;Like all Americans, we are deeply concerned about the level of gun violence in the United States,&rdquo; Hewitt said. &ldquo;Video games are plainly not the issue: entertainment is distributed and consumed globally, but the U.S. has an exponentially higher level of gun violence than any other nation.&rdquo;

In addition to Take-Two and ZeniMax, the association&#39;s members include some of the biggest names in the industry such as Electronic Arts Inc, Activision Blizzard Inc, Nintendo Co Ltd, Sony Corp and Tencent Holdings Ltd.

It will not be the first time video game-makers have been called to the White House in the wake of a school shooting. In 2013, then-Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat, met with industry leaders after the massacre at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school that left 26 dead.

Trump had criticised video games after the shooting, saying 'I'm hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young people's thoughts'

After criticizing video games in the wake of a school shooting in Florida last month, U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with industry executives on Thursday to discuss what the president believes is a link between the games and violent acts. Trump, a Republican, cited the influence of video games after a 19-year-old gunman was accused of killing 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida and injuring more than a dozen others. “I'm hearing more and more people say the level of violence on video games is really shaping young people's thoughts,” he said last month. The White House said that Thursday’s meeting will be the first of several and will include an industry trade group, conservative activists and members of Congress, including Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Also attending will be executives from two video game-makers, Take-Two Interactive Software Inc, which owns Rockstar Games Inc, and ZeniMax Media Inc, which owns Bethesda Softworks. The purpose of the meeting will be “to discuss violent video-game exposure and the correlation to aggression and desensitization in children,” White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said. Trump has made the issue personal by mentioning his concern for his 11-year-old son, Barron. “I look at some of the things he's watching, and I say, how is that possible?” he said last week. The president also has spoken for the need for a new ratings system for games. Currently, the industry employs its own system, which rates games for violence and sexual content. Dan Hewitt, a spokesman for the Entertainment Software Association, whose CEO will attend the White House meeting, said studies have established no connection between video games and violent conduct. “Like all Americans, we are deeply concerned about the level of gun violence in the United States,” Hewitt said. “Video games are plainly not the issue: entertainment is distributed and consumed globally, but the U.S. has an exponentially higher level of gun violence than any other nation.” In addition to Take-Two and ZeniMax, the association's members include some of the biggest names in the industry such as Electronic Arts Inc, Activision Blizzard Inc, Nintendo Co Ltd, Sony Corp and Tencent Holdings Ltd. It will not be the first time video game-makers have been called to the White House in the wake of a school shooting. In 2013, then-Vice President Joe Biden, a Democrat, met with industry leaders after the massacre at a Newtown, Connecticut elementary school that left 26 dead.

Trump to meet with video-game industry in wake of Florida shooting

President Donald Trump pledged Thursday the United States will show &quot;flexibility&quot; to &quot;real friends&quot; as the White House prepares to roll out steel and aluminum tariffs that have sparked fears of a global trade war.

Trump&#39;s impromptu announcement he intends to slap 25 per cent import taxes on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum, has sparked a revolt within his own Republican party, pushed a top aide to quit, and angered major trading partners who vowed retaliation.

The proposed duties -- which have already roiled world markets for days -- are to be formalized at a signing ceremony later Thursday, and Canada and Mexico will initially be exempt according to Trump&#39;s top trade advisor Peter Navarro.

&quot;We have to protect &amp; build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military,&quot; the president tweeted -- saying he was &quot;looking forward&quot; to the 3:30 pm White House meeting.

Administration big guns Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin rushed to calm market jitters Wednesday over the tariff plans, which they indicated were still negotiable and would not hurt growth.&nbsp;

The US would offer temporary relief to Canada and Mexico for 30 days, the Washington Post reported citing senior US officials, breaks that could be extended depending on progress in the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

But Brussels warned against letting individual European states off the hook -- such as Washington&#39;s close ally Britain -- saying any such exemption would be viewed as applying to the whole bloc.

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said Brussels would not accept a carve-out for Britain, which has voted to leave the EU but remains a member until 2019.

&quot;What I have read today is that they are probably considering some exemptions to NAFTA countries... but also they have mentioned the UK and maybe some other countries,&quot; Katainen told reporters.

&quot;So if they try to make (an) exemption for one of our member states it means the EU as a whole.&quot;

Partners promise backlash

The EU had already sounded a stern warning Wednesday as it readied to lash back with US-targeted tariffs of its own on everything from steel to peanut butter, orange juice, cranberries, bourbon and denim jeans.

&quot;Trade wars are bad and easy to lose,&quot; EU President Donald Tusk warned, directly rebuffing Trump&#39;s assertion last week that they were &quot;good and easy to win&quot;.

With markets tumbling following the resignation of Wall Street favorite Gary Cohn -- Trump&#39;s top economic adviser who had lobbied ardently against the tariffs -- Ross tried to assuage fears.

&quot;We&#39;re going to have sensible relations with our allies,&quot; he told a media, claiming that Trump&#39;s policy was well &quot;thought through. We&#39;re not looking for a trade war.

Data released Wednesday showed the US foreign trade deficit widened in January to its highest level in nine years -- heaping pressure on Trump, who had campaigned on a promise to reverse that trend.

Trump blamed the deficit on his White House predecessors, while also taking aim at Beijing.

&quot;China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States,&quot; he tweeted.

&quot;Our relationship with China has been a very good one, and we look forward to seeing what ideas they come back with. We must act soon!&quot;

China meanwhile warned Thursday it was ready to respond to US tariffs if they materialize.

&quot;Choosing a trade war is surely the wrong prescription, in the end you will only hurt others and yourself,&quot; Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding that &quot;China will certainly make an appropriate and necessary response.&quot;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Trump's impromptu announcement he intends to slap 25 per cent import taxes on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum, has sparked a revolt within his own Republican party, pushed a top aide to quit, and angered major trading partners who vowed retaliation

President Donald Trump pledged Thursday the United States will show "flexibility" to "real friends" as the White House prepares to roll out steel and aluminum tariffs that have sparked fears of a global trade war. Trump's impromptu announcement he intends to slap 25 per cent import taxes on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum, has sparked a revolt within his own Republican party, pushed a top aide to quit, and angered major trading partners who vowed retaliation. The proposed duties -- which have already roiled world markets for days -- are to be formalized at a signing ceremony later Thursday, and Canada and Mexico will initially be exempt according to Trump's top trade advisor Peter Navarro. "We have to protect & build our Steel and Aluminum Industries while at the same time showing great flexibility and cooperation toward those that are real friends and treat us fairly on both trade and the military," the president tweeted -- saying he was "looking forward" to the 3:30 pm White House meeting. Administration big guns Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin rushed to calm market jitters Wednesday over the tariff plans, which they indicated were still negotiable and would not hurt growth. The US would offer temporary relief to Canada and Mexico for 30 days, the Washington Post reported citing senior US officials, breaks that could be extended depending on progress in the ongoing North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. But Brussels warned against letting individual European states off the hook -- such as Washington's close ally Britain -- saying any such exemption would be viewed as applying to the whole bloc. European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said Brussels would not accept a carve-out for Britain, which has voted to leave the EU but remains a member until 2019. "What I have read today is that they are probably considering some exemptions to NAFTA countries... but also they have mentioned the UK and maybe some other countries," Katainen told reporters. "So if they try to make (an) exemption for one of our member states it means the EU as a whole." Partners promise backlash The EU had already sounded a stern warning Wednesday as it readied to lash back with US-targeted tariffs of its own on everything from steel to peanut butter, orange juice, cranberries, bourbon and denim jeans. "Trade wars are bad and easy to lose," EU President Donald Tusk warned, directly rebuffing Trump's assertion last week that they were "good and easy to win". With markets tumbling following the resignation of Wall Street favorite Gary Cohn -- Trump's top economic adviser who had lobbied ardently against the tariffs -- Ross tried to assuage fears. "We're going to have sensible relations with our allies," he told a media, claiming that Trump's policy was well "thought through. We're not looking for a trade war. Data released Wednesday showed the US foreign trade deficit widened in January to its highest level in nine years -- heaping pressure on Trump, who had campaigned on a promise to reverse that trend. Trump blamed the deficit on his White House predecessors, while also taking aim at Beijing. "China has been asked to develop a plan for the year of a One Billion Dollar reduction in their massive Trade Deficit with the United States," he tweeted. "Our relationship with China has been a very good one, and we look forward to seeing what ideas they come back with. We must act soon!" China meanwhile warned Thursday it was ready to respond to US tariffs if they materialize. "Choosing a trade war is surely the wrong prescription, in the end you will only hurt others and yourself," Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, adding that "China will certainly make an appropriate and necessary response."

Trump vows 'flexibility' for 'real friends' in tariff row

The Oscars telecasted on the 4th of March this year and hit an all-time low viewer rating.

The politically charged 90th annual Academy Awards drew an all-time low of 26.5 million viewers this year, a 20 per cent drop from last year.&nbsp;

Major feud happened when US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to publicise the news saying, &quot;Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY. Problem is, we don&rsquo;t have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!&quot;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY. Problem is, we don&rsquo;t have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/971013841395027968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

In no time, Jimmy Kimmel, talk show host who also hosted this years Oscars retaliated in rage and also took to Twitter to shun&nbsp;down Trump and said: &quot;Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY.&quot;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY. <a href="https://t.co/E01UgDaZ3T">https://t.co/E01UgDaZ3T</a>
&mdash; Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmykimmel/status/971073765567156224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Kimmel focused on Hollywood&#39;s own diversity issues during his opening monologue at the ceremony, though he did manage to throw some shade on Trump, including his assumed dislike for immigrant actress Lupita Nyong&rsquo;o and his probable misunderstanding of the racially based horror-comedy Get Out.

Moreover, critics are now speculating if ABC will have an awakening and take control of the telecast away from the notoriously arrogant Academy, reports said.

ABC executives have long been rumoured to vent privately about the arrogance of the Academy, but the Oscars are still the second biggest night on television after the Super Bowl, so the Academy continues to celebrate Hollywood&#39;s elite exactly how it wants to.&nbsp;

As per reports, viewers have mostly complained about how the Oscars tend to give more regards to self-serving tributes to the yearly tradition of leaving fan favorites out of the &ldquo;In Memoriam&rdquo; segment. This year, for example, Adam West and Glen Campbell were posthumously ignored. Others feel the telecast ends too late, takes too long, is too politically correct and doesn&rsquo;t feature TV stars in an era when television produces household names at the same rate as films.

But, these are not the primary reasons that keep viewers from watching the star-studded event. The two issues that are most commonly mentioned as a turn off for viewers are divisive politics and the lack of well-known movies. While the Academy has a lot of power over the content of the program as its producer, ABC is also responsible for much of the blame, reports suggested.

This is not a one-year trend either. Oscars viewership in 2018 fell by 39 per cent from its ratings just four years earlier, in 2014, when Ellen DeGeneres hosted for ABC. The previous low of 31.8 million viewers came in 2008 when Jon Stewart hosted not long after a lengthy writers&#39; strike ended.

The politically charged 90th annual Academy Awards drew an all-time low 26.5 million viewers this year, a 19 per cent drop from last year

The Oscars telecasted on the 4th of March this year and hit an all-time low viewer rating. The politically charged 90th annual Academy Awards drew an all-time low of 26.5 million viewers this year, a 20 per cent drop from last year. Major feud happened when US President Donald Trump took to Twitter to publicise the news saying, "Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY. Problem is, we don’t have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)!" Lowest rated Oscars in HISTORY. Problem is, we don’t have Stars anymore - except your President (just kidding, of course)! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 6, 2018 × In no time, Jimmy Kimmel, talk show host who also hosted this years Oscars retaliated in rage and also took to Twitter to shun down Trump and said: "Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY." Thanks, lowest rated President in HISTORY. https://t.co/E01UgDaZ3T — Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 6, 2018 × Kimmel focused on Hollywood's own diversity issues during his opening monologue at the ceremony, though he did manage to throw some shade on Trump, including his assumed dislike for immigrant actress Lupita Nyong’o and his probable misunderstanding of the racially based horror-comedy Get Out. Moreover, critics are now speculating if ABC will have an awakening and take control of the telecast away from the notoriously arrogant Academy, reports said. ABC executives have long been rumoured to vent privately about the arrogance of the Academy, but the Oscars are still the second biggest night on television after the Super Bowl, so the Academy continues to celebrate Hollywood's elite exactly how it wants to. As per reports, viewers have mostly complained about how the Oscars tend to give more regards to self-serving tributes to the yearly tradition of leaving fan favorites out of the “In Memoriam” segment. This year, for example, Adam West and Glen Campbell were posthumously ignored. Others feel the telecast ends too late, takes too long, is too politically correct and doesn’t feature TV stars in an era when television produces household names at the same rate as films. But, these are not the primary reasons that keep viewers from watching the star-studded event. The two issues that are most commonly mentioned as a turn off for viewers are divisive politics and the lack of well-known movies. While the Academy has a lot of power over the content of the program as its producer, ABC is also responsible for much of the blame, reports suggested. This is not a one-year trend either. Oscars viewership in 2018 fell by 39 per cent from its ratings just four years earlier, in 2014, when Ellen DeGeneres hosted for ABC. The previous low of 31.8 million viewers came in 2008 when Jon Stewart hosted not long after a lengthy writers' strike ended.

Trump, Kimmel face-off over low Oscar TV ratings

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/emergency-in-kandy-top-un-official-to-visit-sri-lanka-expected-to-visit-riot-hit-area-34942">Emergency in Kandy: Top UN official to visit Sri Lanka, expected to visit </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/emergency-in-kandy-top-un-official-to-visit-sri-lanka-expected-to-visit-riot-hit-area-34942">riot-hit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/emergency-in-kandy-top-un-official-to-visit-sri-lanka-expected-to-visit-riot-hit-area-34942"> area</a>

As the Lankan government announced a 10-day emergency after Muslim, Buddhist riots in Kandy, the UN has announced it will send its political chief Jeffrey Feltman to the riot-hit region. &quot;We are obviously concerned over reports of the ongoing communal violence and we welcome the government&#39;s commitment to addressing the tensions and achieve reconciliation,&quot; UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pornstar-stormy-daniels-files-lawsuit-against-trump-over-hush-agreement-34943">Pornstar Stormy Daniels files </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pornstar-stormy-daniels-files-lawsuit-against-trump-over-hush-agreement-34943">lawsuit</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/pornstar-stormy-daniels-files-lawsuit-against-trump-over-hush-agreement-34943"> against Trump over &#39;hush agreement&#39;</a>

As speculation about whether US president Donald Trump had an encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels makes rounds, the adult actress has decided to file a lawsuit against Trump alleging that he never signed a &quot;hush agreement&quot; to keep quiet about their rumoured affair, reports said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/will-choose-wisely-says-trump-after-economic-adviser-cohns-resignation-34938">&#39;Will choose wisely!&#39;, says Trump after economic adviser Cohn&#39;s resignation</a>

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday tweeted that he will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new Chief Economic Advisor. &quot;Will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new Chief Economic Advisor. Many people wanting the job - will choose wisely!,&#39;&#39; Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-india-to-operate-all-women-crew-flights-to-celebrate-international-womens-day-34944">Air India to operate all-women crew flights to celebrate International Women&#39;s Day</a>

The national carrier Air India will operate flights with an all-women crew to New York, Frankfurt, Singapore and various other destinations to commemorate International Women&#39;s Day on March 8. The national carrier on Tuesday said it has planned several flights, domestic and international, operated only by its women employees.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-real-on-song-as-psg-falter-again-in-champions-league-34934">Football: Real Madrid on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-real-on-song-as-psg-falter-again-in-champions-league-34934">song</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-real-on-song-as-psg-falter-again-in-champions-league-34934"> as PSG falter again in Champions League</a>

Real Madrid showed their collective strength in a clinical 2-1 win over Paris St Germain to reach the quarter-finals as the hosts slumped to another early Champions League exit on Tuesday. Zinedine Zidane&#39;s side prevailed at the Parc des Princes with goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Casimero for a 5-2 aggregate win as they were barely threatened in the last 16 return leg.

Emergency in Kandy: Top UN official to visit Sri Lanka, expected to visit riot-hit area As the Lankan government announced a 10-day emergency after Muslim, Buddhist riots in Kandy, the UN has announced it will send its political chief Jeffrey Feltman to the riot-hit region. "We are obviously concerned over reports of the ongoing communal violence and we welcome the government's commitment to addressing the tensions and achieve reconciliation," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. Pornstar Stormy Daniels files lawsuit against Trump over 'hush agreement' As speculation about whether US president Donald Trump had an encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels makes rounds, the adult actress has decided to file a lawsuit against Trump alleging that he never signed a "hush agreement" to keep quiet about their rumoured affair, reports said on Tuesday. 'Will choose wisely!', says Trump after economic adviser Cohn's resignation US President Donald Trump on Wednesday tweeted that he will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new Chief Economic Advisor. "Will be making a decision soon on the appointment of new Chief Economic Advisor. Many people wanting the job - will choose wisely!,'' Trump tweeted. Air India to operate all-women crew flights to celebrate International Women's Day The national carrier Air India will operate flights with an all-women crew to New York, Frankfurt, Singapore and various other destinations to commemorate International Women's Day on March 8. The national carrier on Tuesday said it has planned several flights, domestic and international, operated only by its women employees. Football: Real Madrid on song as PSG falter again in Champions League Real Madrid showed their collective strength in a clinical 2-1 win over Paris St Germain to reach the quarter-finals as the hosts slumped to another early Champions League exit on Tuesday. Zinedine Zidane's side prevailed at the Parc des Princes with goals by Cristiano Ronaldo and Casimero for a 5-2 aggregate win as they were barely threatened in the last 16 return leg.

WION Morning News Brief, March 7, 2018

As speculation about whether US president Donald Trump had an encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels makes rounds, the adult actress has decided to file a lawsuit against Trump alleging that he never signed a &quot;hush agreement&quot; to keep quiet about their rumoured affair, reports said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Stephanie Clifford, whose porn name is Stormy Daniels, signed the lawsuit on Tuesday in Los Angeles. It said that Trump did not sign the nondisclosure statement with the actress which refrained her from disclosing their 2006 reported relationship - making the agreement invalid leaving her free to publicly discuss the Trump tryst, according to media reports.&nbsp;

Both Daniels and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen signed the agreement three days before then 2016 presidential election.

In the agreement, Trump is identified as David Dennison and Daniels is referred to as Peggy Peterson, to maintain confidentiality, but the space where Trump was supposed to sign has been blank ever since.&nbsp;

She reportedly claims that Cohen has bullied her into keeping quiet and now she&rsquo;s fighting back.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-lawyer-claim-stormy-daniels-free-to-talk-32946">After Trump lawyer claim, Stormy Daniels &#39;free to talk&#39; </a>

Daniels&#39; manager Gina Rodriguez said that Michael Cohen had paid <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-lawyer-paid-130k-to-pornstar-for-silence-over-trump-encounter-reports-29385">US$130,000 </a>of his own money to the porn star, there was in violation of a non-disclosure agreement with Daniels about the matter. As a result, Daniels believes she can now talk about it publicly.

The payment was made during the 2016 presidential election campaign but the lawyer, Michael Cohen, said he was working alone and that it was not a campaign expense.&nbsp;

Reports quoted Daniels saying that the money was routed through an entity called Essential Consultants LLC. She says the company was created right before the election purely to hide the source of the payment. Cohen has claimed he used his own personal funds to pay her.

As per reports, Trump and Clifford had the encounter in Lake Tahoe, California, in 2006, a year after he married his third wife, Melania.&nbsp;

She reportedly claims that Cohen has bullied her into keeping quiet and now she’s fighting back

As speculation about whether US president Donald Trump had an encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels makes rounds, the adult actress has decided to file a lawsuit against Trump alleging that he never signed a "hush agreement" to keep quiet about their rumoured affair, reports said on Tuesday. Stephanie Clifford, whose porn name is Stormy Daniels, signed the lawsuit on Tuesday in Los Angeles. It said that Trump did not sign the nondisclosure statement with the actress which refrained her from disclosing their 2006 reported relationship - making the agreement invalid leaving her free to publicly discuss the Trump tryst, according to media reports. Both Daniels and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen signed the agreement three days before then 2016 presidential election. In the agreement, Trump is identified as David Dennison and Daniels is referred to as Peggy Peterson, to maintain confidentiality, but the space where Trump was supposed to sign has been blank ever since. She reportedly claims that Cohen has bullied her into keeping quiet and now she’s fighting back. Also read: After Trump lawyer claim, Stormy Daniels 'free to talk' Daniels' manager Gina Rodriguez said that Michael Cohen had paid US$130,000 of his own money to the porn star, there was in violation of a non-disclosure agreement with Daniels about the matter. As a result, Daniels believes she can now talk about it publicly. The payment was made during the 2016 presidential election campaign but the lawyer, Michael Cohen, said he was working alone and that it was not a campaign expense. Reports quoted Daniels saying that the money was routed through an entity called Essential Consultants LLC. She says the company was created right before the election purely to hide the source of the payment. Cohen has claimed he used his own personal funds to pay her. As per reports, Trump and Clifford had the encounter in Lake Tahoe, California, in 2006, a year after he married his third wife, Melania.

Pornstar Stormy Daniels files lawsuit against Trump over 'hush agreement'

The International Monetary Fund warned the Trump administration on Friday that US import tariffs on steel and aluminium would cause damage not only to the countries outside the US but to the US economy itself.

&quot;The import restrictions announced by the US President (Donald Trump) are likely to cause damage not only outside the US, but also to the US economy itself, including to its manufacturing and construction sectors, which are major users of aluminium and steel,&quot; the IMF said in a terse statement.

&quot;We are concerned that the measures proposed by the US will, de facto, expand the circumstances where countries use the national-security rationale to justify broad-based import restrictions,&quot; IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said in the statement.

The IMF did not elaborate on the economic damages.

President Trump said on Thursday he planned to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium products in order to safeguard American jobs in the face of cheaper foreign products. A formal announcement would take place next week.

A day later, the European Union raised the possibility of taking countermeasures, France said the duties would be unacceptable and China urged Trump to show restraint. Canada, the biggest supplier of steel and aluminium to the United States, said it would retaliate if hit by US tariffs.

(With inputs from Reuters)

he International Monetary Fund warned the Trump administration on Friday that US import tariffs on steel and aluminium would cause damage not only to the countries outside the US but to the US economy itself

The International Monetary Fund warned the Trump administration on Friday that US import tariffs on steel and aluminium would cause damage not only to the countries outside the US but to the US economy itself. "The import restrictions announced by the US President (Donald Trump) are likely to cause damage not only outside the US, but also to the US economy itself, including to its manufacturing and construction sectors, which are major users of aluminium and steel," the IMF said in a terse statement. "We are concerned that the measures proposed by the US will, de facto, expand the circumstances where countries use the national-security rationale to justify broad-based import restrictions," IMF spokesman Gerry Rice said in the statement. The IMF did not elaborate on the economic damages. President Trump said on Thursday he planned to impose tariffs of 25 per cent on steel imports and 10 per cent on aluminium products in order to safeguard American jobs in the face of cheaper foreign products. A formal announcement would take place next week. A day later, the European Union raised the possibility of taking countermeasures, France said the duties would be unacceptable and China urged Trump to show restraint. Canada, the biggest supplier of steel and aluminium to the United States, said it would retaliate if hit by US tariffs. (With inputs from Reuters)

IMF warns Trump tarrifs would hit US economy

After the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-stock-exchange-tumbles-post-increase-in-price-for-steel-aluminium-export-34463">US president announced steep tariff duty</a> on steel amid global criticism, Trump in an early morning tweet said &quot;trade wars are good&quot;, and easy to win.

On Thursday,<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-impose-tariffs-on-steel-aluminium-imports-34459"> the US administration had announced </a>tariff up to 25 percent on the steel exports, as a result, the US stock markets fell dramatically with the S&amp;P 500 falling 1.3 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1.7 per cent.

However, in the tweet President Trump said: &quot;When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win.&quot;

The US president&#39;s move was roundly condemned by leaders worldwide. Canada, the next door neighbour, said it will retaliate against any US tariffs on steel and aluminium products.

However, Trump refused to take a step back, tweeting today: &quot;Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don&rsquo;t trade anymore-we win big. It&rsquo;s easy!&quot;

Russia said it was &quot;concerned&quot; by US President&#39;s decision to impose steep tariffs on steel, and Germany &quot;rejected&quot; the move outright.

&quot;The federal government rejects such tariffs... the problem of global overcapacity in the steel and aluminium sectors cannot be solved by this unilateral measure from the United States,&quot; Germany said.

German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said the European Union must respond &quot;with determination&quot; to US President Donald Trump.

Russia said it was "concerned" by US President's decision to impose steep tariffs on steel, and Germany "rejected" the move outright.

After the US president announced steep tariff duty on steel amid global criticism, Trump in an early morning tweet said "trade wars are good", and easy to win. On Thursday, the US administration had announced tariff up to 25 percent on the steel exports, as a result, the US stock markets fell dramatically with the S&P 500 falling 1.3 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1.7 per cent. However, in the tweet President Trump said: "When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win." The US president's move was roundly condemned by leaders worldwide. Canada, the next door neighbour, said it will retaliate against any US tariffs on steel and aluminium products. However, Trump refused to take a step back, tweeting today: "Example, when we are down $100 billion with a certain country and they get cute, don’t trade anymore-we win big. It’s easy!" Russia said it was "concerned" by US President's decision to impose steep tariffs on steel, and Germany "rejected" the move outright. "The federal government rejects such tariffs... the problem of global overcapacity in the steel and aluminium sectors cannot be solved by this unilateral measure from the United States," Germany said. German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said the European Union must respond "with determination" to US President Donald Trump.

Trade wars are good and easy to win: Trump

US President Donald Trump plans to discuss gun legislation with lawmakers this week, the White House said Monday, and he told governors not to worry about the National Rifle Association as they mull responses to the massacre of 17 people at a Florida high school.

&quot;Don`t worry about the NRA. They`re on our side,&quot; Trump told more than 35 governors, including Rick Scott of Florida, during a White House meeting. &quot;If they`re not with you, we have to fight them every once in a while. That`s OK. They`re doing what they think is right.&quot;

The February 14 massacre of students and educators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, by a gunman with a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle reignited the nation`s long-running debate over gun rights.&nbsp;

Trump, a Republican who backed gun rights during and since his 2016 presidential campaign, has been under pressure to show he is responding without alienating Republicans who oppose restrictions on gun rights. He plans to meet with lawmakers from both parties on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at a news briefing.

Trump, who had lunch with senior NRA officials on Sunday, on Monday repeated his suggestion that arming teachers could help stop more rampages. He did not mention raising the legal age to buy assault rifles to 21, an idea he emphasised last week and one that Florida`s Scott, also a Republican, backed after the rampage.

The NRA could not be reached for immediate comment.

Investigators said this month`s assault was carried out by Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student at the high school, with a legally purchased AR-15 assault weapon.

The shooting has rattled long-drawn political lines on gun rights in the United States, where Republican officials have often opposed any efforts to tighten gun ownership rules, partly out of concern about retribution by the powerful NRA.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, told Trump that teachers in his state do not want to carry weapons.

&quot;I have listened to the first-grade teachers who don`t want to be pistol-packing first-grade teachers,&quot; Inslee said. &quot;Let`s just take that off the table and move forward.&quot;

But Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said more than 100 school districts in his state have trained teachers and other staff to carry a weapon and respond to attacks.

&quot;Some school districts, they promote it,&quot; Abbott said. &quot;They will have signs out front, a warning sign, `Be aware there are armed personnel on campus.`&quot;

Florida plans to invest $500 million to have a significant law enforcement presence in every public school in the state, Scott told the White House meeting.

Trump says would have run in

Trump criticised the law enforcement officers who responded to the shooting.

An armed school resource officer stationed at the school stayed outside during the attack, and has since resigned. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has been criticised for his department`s response to the shooting.

&quot;The way they performed was, frankly, disgusting,&quot; Trump said, adding that he believed that if he were in the same situation, he would have run into the school &quot;even if I didn`t have a weapon.&quot;

The businessman-turned-politician avoided military service during the Vietnam War through student and medical deferments.

He has called the school resource officer, Scot Peterson, a &quot;coward.&quot;

An attorney for Peterson defended his actions in a statement, saying he had remained outside because he believed the gunfire was occurring outside the school.

&quot;Allegations that Mr. Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue,&quot; attorney Joseph DiRuzzo said in a statement.

Trump has said he plans to limit sales of &quot;bump stocks,&quot; which can modify a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle to fire at high rates of speed akin to a machine gun. Fully automatic machine guns are largely banned under US law.

The NRA has pushed back against that idea, saying it would impinge on the rights of law-abiding gun owners while having no effect on public safety.

A gunman in Las Vegas last year used assault rifles equipped with bump stocks to kill 58 people in the deadliest attack by a single shooter in US history. Bump stocks have not played a prominent role in other recent US mass shootings.

'Don`t worry about the NRA. They`re on our side,' Trump told more than 35 governors during a White House meeting. 'If they`re not with you, we have to fight them every once in a while. That`s OK. They`re doing what they think is right'

US President Donald Trump plans to discuss gun legislation with lawmakers this week, the White House said Monday, and he told governors not to worry about the National Rifle Association as they mull responses to the massacre of 17 people at a Florida high school. "Don`t worry about the NRA. They`re on our side," Trump told more than 35 governors, including Rick Scott of Florida, during a White House meeting. "If they`re not with you, we have to fight them every once in a while. That`s OK. They`re doing what they think is right." The February 14 massacre of students and educators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, by a gunman with a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle reignited the nation`s long-running debate over gun rights. Trump, a Republican who backed gun rights during and since his 2016 presidential campaign, has been under pressure to show he is responding without alienating Republicans who oppose restrictions on gun rights. He plans to meet with lawmakers from both parties on Wednesday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said at a news briefing. Trump, who had lunch with senior NRA officials on Sunday, on Monday repeated his suggestion that arming teachers could help stop more rampages. He did not mention raising the legal age to buy assault rifles to 21, an idea he emphasised last week and one that Florida`s Scott, also a Republican, backed after the rampage. The NRA could not be reached for immediate comment. Investigators said this month`s assault was carried out by Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student at the high school, with a legally purchased AR-15 assault weapon. The shooting has rattled long-drawn political lines on gun rights in the United States, where Republican officials have often opposed any efforts to tighten gun ownership rules, partly out of concern about retribution by the powerful NRA. Washington Governor Jay Inslee, a Democrat, told Trump that teachers in his state do not want to carry weapons. "I have listened to the first-grade teachers who don`t want to be pistol-packing first-grade teachers," Inslee said. "Let`s just take that off the table and move forward." But Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, said more than 100 school districts in his state have trained teachers and other staff to carry a weapon and respond to attacks. "Some school districts, they promote it," Abbott said. "They will have signs out front, a warning sign, `Be aware there are armed personnel on campus.`" Florida plans to invest $500 million to have a significant law enforcement presence in every public school in the state, Scott told the White House meeting. Trump says would have run in Trump criticised the law enforcement officers who responded to the shooting. An armed school resource officer stationed at the school stayed outside during the attack, and has since resigned. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel has been criticised for his department`s response to the shooting. "The way they performed was, frankly, disgusting," Trump said, adding that he believed that if he were in the same situation, he would have run into the school "even if I didn`t have a weapon." The businessman-turned-politician avoided military service during the Vietnam War through student and medical deferments. He has called the school resource officer, Scot Peterson, a "coward." An attorney for Peterson defended his actions in a statement, saying he had remained outside because he believed the gunfire was occurring outside the school. "Allegations that Mr. Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue," attorney Joseph DiRuzzo said in a statement. Trump has said he plans to limit sales of "bump stocks," which can modify a legally purchased semiautomatic rifle to fire at high rates of speed akin to a machine gun. Fully automatic machine guns are largely banned under US law. The NRA has pushed back against that idea, saying it would impinge on the rights of law-abiding gun owners while having no effect on public safety. A gunman in Las Vegas last year used assault rifles equipped with bump stocks to kill 58 people in the deadliest attack by a single shooter in US history. Bump stocks have not played a prominent role in other recent US mass shootings.

Trump plans to discuss gun legislation with lawmakers, says NRA 'on our side'

US President Donald Trump has said that ties with China have improved, but also warned that the relationship could be derailed over trade disputes as Beijing is &quot;absolutely killing us&quot; on this.

The Trump administration has threatened tough action against China including punitive tariffs, sanctions and even a trade war.

Tensions have escalated between Beijing and Washington in recent months, with China reporting a record $275.8 billion trade surplus with the US, contrary to Trump&#39;s goal to narrow the US trade deficit with China.

&quot;I have to say, we&#39;ve developed a great relationship with China, other than the fact that they&#39;ve been killing us on trade for the last long period of time... killing us, absolutely killing the United States on trade. But we have developed a great relationship with China; probably closer than we&#39;ve ever had,&quot; Trump told reporters at a joint White House news conference.

Trump said his personal relationship with President Xi Jinping is quite extraordinary.

&quot;He&#39;s somebody that I like and I think he likes me. With that being said, he likes China and I like the United States. But a lot of things are happening. It&#39;s going to be a very interesting period of time,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

But his administration, he asserted, has to straighten out the trade imbalance with China, he said. &quot;So much (trade imbalance), it&#39;s no good,&quot; he said.

China, he conceded, is tough and getting stronger. &quot;They&#39;re getting stronger, to a large extent, with a lot of the money they&#39;ve made from having poor leadership in the US, because the US leadership has allowed them to get away with murder,&quot; he said.

&quot;With that being said, I think we can have a truly great, even trading relationship with China. Hopefully, that&#39;s going to work out. And hopefully, the relationship I have with President Xi will make that happen. Only time will tell,&quot; he noted.

According to Trump, trade is the only thing that comes between having a better relationship with China.

&quot;The only thing that can get in its way is the trade because it&#39;s so one-sided, it&#39;s so lopsided. And the people that stood here for many years, in this position, right where I am right now, should never have allowed that to happen. It&#39;s very unfair to the United States, and it&#39;s very unfair to the workers of the United States. Very, very unfair,&quot; he rued.&nbsp;

&quot;Even today, it&#39;s extremely hard for companies that want to do business in China, because the barriers are incredible, whereas the barriers coming into our country are foolishly not. Foolishly. I believe in reciprocal trade. If they do something to us, we do something to them,&quot; he said.

&quot;Well, that never happened, and it&#39;s gotten worse and worse over the years. But we&#39;ll correct it. That can be the only thing that can get in the way of a truly long-term great relationship. Because we have all the ingredients for friendship,&quot; said the US President.

The US Commerce Department recently recommended imposing heavy tariffs on China and other countries to counter a global glut in steel and aluminium.

Beijing has warned it could take retaliatory action if necessary.&nbsp;

China reporting a record $275.8 billion trade surplus with the US, contrary to Trump's goal to narrow the US trade deficit with China

US President Donald Trump has said that ties with China have improved, but also warned that the relationship could be derailed over trade disputes as Beijing is "absolutely killing us" on this. The Trump administration has threatened tough action against China including punitive tariffs, sanctions and even a trade war. Tensions have escalated between Beijing and Washington in recent months, with China reporting a record $275.8 billion trade surplus with the US, contrary to Trump's goal to narrow the US trade deficit with China. "I have to say, we've developed a great relationship with China, other than the fact that they've been killing us on trade for the last long period of time... killing us, absolutely killing the United States on trade. But we have developed a great relationship with China; probably closer than we've ever had," Trump told reporters at a joint White House news conference. Trump said his personal relationship with President Xi Jinping is quite extraordinary. "He's somebody that I like and I think he likes me. With that being said, he likes China and I like the United States. But a lot of things are happening. It's going to be a very interesting period of time," he said. But his administration, he asserted, has to straighten out the trade imbalance with China, he said. "So much (trade imbalance), it's no good," he said. China, he conceded, is tough and getting stronger. "They're getting stronger, to a large extent, with a lot of the money they've made from having poor leadership in the US, because the US leadership has allowed them to get away with murder," he said. "With that being said, I think we can have a truly great, even trading relationship with China. Hopefully, that's going to work out. And hopefully, the relationship I have with President Xi will make that happen. Only time will tell," he noted. According to Trump, trade is the only thing that comes between having a better relationship with China. "The only thing that can get in its way is the trade because it's so one-sided, it's so lopsided. And the people that stood here for many years, in this position, right where I am right now, should never have allowed that to happen. It's very unfair to the United States, and it's very unfair to the workers of the United States. Very, very unfair," he rued. "Even today, it's extremely hard for companies that want to do business in China, because the barriers are incredible, whereas the barriers coming into our country are foolishly not. Foolishly. I believe in reciprocal trade. If they do something to us, we do something to them," he said. "Well, that never happened, and it's gotten worse and worse over the years. But we'll correct it. That can be the only thing that can get in the way of a truly long-term great relationship. Because we have all the ingredients for friendship," said the US President. The US Commerce Department recently recommended imposing heavy tariffs on China and other countries to counter a global glut in steel and aluminium. Beijing has warned it could take retaliatory action if necessary.

China absolutely killing US on trade says US president Trump

US president Donald Trump <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-president-willing-to-hold-summit-with-kim-jong-un-29072">sidestepped the recent North, South Korean</a> peace moves at the Winter Olympics and unveiled the largest-ever sanctions on Kim Jong Un&#39;s regime.

Trump outlined sanctions against 56 entities linked to North Korea.

&quot;Today I am announcing that we are launching the largest-ever set of new sanctions on the North Korean regime,&quot;&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said.

The US president said the Treasury Department will soon take action to further cut off sources of &quot;revenue and fuel&quot; that North Korea uses to fund its nuclear program and sustain its military.

Trump said the effort will target more than 50 &quot;vessels, shipping companies, and trade businesses that are assisting North Korea in evading sanctions.&quot;

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed the sanctions covered &quot;virtually all the ships&quot; North Korea is &quot;using at this moment in time.&quot;

US vice president Mike Pence on a visit to Japan recently had hinted about the&nbsp;sanctions which the US president has now put into effect.

The&nbsp;president&#39;s decision comes even as his daughter Ivanka is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics.

Trump&#39;s sanctions comes&nbsp;as tension in the Korean peninsula has cooled in recent weeks after North Korea decided to send a delegation for the Winter Olympics and took part in a joint ice skating team with its neighbour.

North Korea leader&#39;s sister Kim Yo Jong visited South Korea for the opening ceremony of the Winter Game at Pyeongchang which was closely followed worldwide, after a series of nuclear tests over the past several months by Kim had severely dented&nbsp;relations between the two nations.

The president's decision comes even as his daughter Ivanka is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics.

US president Donald Trump sidestepped the recent North, South Korean peace moves at the Winter Olympics and unveiled the largest-ever sanctions on Kim Jong Un's regime. Trump outlined sanctions against 56 entities linked to North Korea. "Today I am announcing that we are launching the largest-ever set of new sanctions on the North Korean regime," Trump said. The US president said the Treasury Department will soon take action to further cut off sources of "revenue and fuel" that North Korea uses to fund its nuclear program and sustain its military. Trump said the effort will target more than 50 "vessels, shipping companies, and trade businesses that are assisting North Korea in evading sanctions." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin confirmed the sanctions covered "virtually all the ships" North Korea is "using at this moment in time." US vice president Mike Pence on a visit to Japan recently had hinted about the sanctions which the US president has now put into effect. The president's decision comes even as his daughter Ivanka is in South Korea for the Winter Olympics. Trump's sanctions comes as tension in the Korean peninsula has cooled in recent weeks after North Korea decided to send a delegation for the Winter Olympics and took part in a joint ice skating team with its neighbour. North Korea leader's sister Kim Yo Jong visited South Korea for the opening ceremony of the Winter Game at Pyeongchang which was closely followed worldwide, after a series of nuclear tests over the past several months by Kim had severely dented relations between the two nations.

Trump unveils 'largest-ever' sanctions against North Korea, targets fuel & shipping

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (February 23) the armed deputy assigned to the Florida high school where 17 people were shot dead did a &quot;poor job&quot; not confronting the gunman.

&quot;He was there for five minutes, for five minutes. That was during the entire shooting. He heard it right at the beginning. So he certainly did a poor job. But that&#39;s a case where somebody was outside, they&#39;re trained, but they didn&#39;t react properly under pressure or they were a coward. It was a real shock to the police department,&quot; Trump told reporters on the White House lawn.

Deputy Scot Peterson resigned after an internal investigation showed he failed to enter the school to confront the gunman during the attack, according to the county sheriff.

Peterson, who was on duty and in uniform as the resource officer posted at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was the only law enforcement officer present on February 14 when the rampage started.

Peterson&#39;s actions were caught on video during the massacre, which ranks as the second-deadliest shooting ever at a U.S. public school, carried out by a lone gunman wielding a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle.

Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student, was later arrested and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the assault.

&quot;This has been going on for a long time, many years, decades, and we&#39;re going to get it fixed. But the only way you&#39;re going to get it fixed is you have to have a certain degree of offensive power within the school. It can&#39;t only be defense. You have to have protection within the schools. And we&#39;re going to work it out,&quot; Trump said.

 
&nbsp;

Deputy Scot Peterson resigned after an internal investigation showed he failed to enter the school to confront the gunman during the attack, according to the county sheriff

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (February 23) the armed deputy assigned to the Florida high school where 17 people were shot dead did a "poor job" not confronting the gunman. "He was there for five minutes, for five minutes. That was during the entire shooting. He heard it right at the beginning. So he certainly did a poor job. But that's a case where somebody was outside, they're trained, but they didn't react properly under pressure or they were a coward. It was a real shock to the police department," Trump told reporters on the White House lawn. Deputy Scot Peterson resigned after an internal investigation showed he failed to enter the school to confront the gunman during the attack, according to the county sheriff. Peterson, who was on duty and in uniform as the resource officer posted at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was the only law enforcement officer present on February 14 when the rampage started. Peterson's actions were caught on video during the massacre, which ranks as the second-deadliest shooting ever at a U.S. public school, carried out by a lone gunman wielding a semiautomatic AR-15-style assault rifle. Nikolas Cruz, a 19-year-old former student, was later arrested and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the assault. "This has been going on for a long time, many years, decades, and we're going to get it fixed. But the only way you're going to get it fixed is you have to have a certain degree of offensive power within the school. It can't only be defense. You have to have protection within the schools. And we're going to work it out," Trump said.

Armed deputy did 'poor job' not confronting Florida school gunman: Trump

America&#39;s bilateral trade deficit with four major countries, including India, narrowed in the first three quarters of 2017 as compared to the previous year, the US administration said in a report according to which India&#39;s growth has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms.

The Economic Report of the President (ERP) that shows a path for continued growth and paints a rosy picture for the American economy, alleges that countries, including India and Brazil - both GATT signatories since 1948 - have been far less open, preserving high bound rates and avoiding universal binding coverage.

&quot;Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India&#39;s demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based,&quot; it said.

&quot;The introduction in July 2017 of a single, country-wide sales tax replaced a vast number of different state and local tax rates, and has created short-term uncertainty,&quot; the report noted. 
The report expressed concern over increasing share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in India&#39;s banking sector, which it said poses further risks.

According to country-sourced statistics provided to the IMF, NPLs as a share of all loans in India stood at 9.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 1.7 per cent in China (IMF 2017).

&quot;NPLs have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, with the current NPL slippage ratio in India almost double that in FY 2014/15 (IMF 2017b). Public sector banks, with the State Bank of India as a leading example, account for the lion&#39;s share of NPLs in the banking sector,&quot; it said.

The Reserve Bank of India predicts that gross NPLs as a proportion of all loans will increase to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, and to 11. 1 per cent by September 2018.

&quot;However, the stress of India&#39;s banking sector may be ameliorated in the future, given that the government recently announced a $ 32.4 billion package to recapitalise publicly- owned banks,&quot; the report said.

Noting that India has been the most frequent user of anti-dumping measures, the White House said delays in the approval of agricultural products derived from biotechnology in China, the EU, India, and other countries result in increased market uncertainty among technology providers, farmers, and traders of US corn, soy, cotton, and alfalfa&mdash;leading to reduced exports of these products.

The Trump administration also blamed India for not implementing the WTO ruling on poultry.

&quot;India has failed to revise its requirements for poultry in a manner that would allow for US imports, and the case continues to be litigated in the WTO,&quot; it said.

&quot;Since 2007, India has restricted various US agricultural products, including poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs, supposedly to prevent the entry of avian influenza into India,&quot; the report said.

The US has maintained that no scientific basis supports the ban.

In March 2012, the US initiated a WTO dispute by requesting consultations with India.

In emerging and developing economies, such as Brazil, China, India, Russia, and certain other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, strengthening the external environment continues to help output growth recover.

&quot;There are, however, certain risks to future growth. As monetary policy normalises with higher interest rates in advanced economies, emerging and developing economies could face an outflow of capital,&quot; it said.

&quot;Financial stability risks are also increasing due to the increase in nonperforming loans on the private sector balance sheets of two of the biggest and fastest-growing emerging market economies - China and India.

Credit growth in China has arguably also become excessive, as it continues to shift from growth led by exports and investment to an economy led by internal demand,&quot; it said.&nbsp;

'Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India's demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based, Economic Report said

America's bilateral trade deficit with four major countries, including India, narrowed in the first three quarters of 2017 as compared to the previous year, the US administration said in a report according to which India's growth has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. The Economic Report of the President (ERP) that shows a path for continued growth and paints a rosy picture for the American economy, alleges that countries, including India and Brazil - both GATT signatories since 1948 - have been far less open, preserving high bound rates and avoiding universal binding coverage. "Growth in India has slowed due to the effects of its structural economic reforms. India's demonetisation of large-denomination notes in November 2016 invalidated 86 per cent of the cash in circulation in an economy where more than 90 per cent of transactions were cash-based," it said. "The introduction in July 2017 of a single, country-wide sales tax replaced a vast number of different state and local tax rates, and has created short-term uncertainty," the report noted. The report expressed concern over increasing share of non-performing loans (NPLs) in India's banking sector, which it said poses further risks. According to country-sourced statistics provided to the IMF, NPLs as a share of all loans in India stood at 9.7 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, compared with 1.7 per cent in China (IMF 2017). "NPLs have increased at an alarming rate in recent years, with the current NPL slippage ratio in India almost double that in FY 2014/15 (IMF 2017b). Public sector banks, with the State Bank of India as a leading example, account for the lion's share of NPLs in the banking sector," it said. The Reserve Bank of India predicts that gross NPLs as a proportion of all loans will increase to 10.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018, and to 11. 1 per cent by September 2018. "However, the stress of India's banking sector may be ameliorated in the future, given that the government recently announced a $ 32.4 billion package to recapitalise publicly- owned banks," the report said. Noting that India has been the most frequent user of anti-dumping measures, the White House said delays in the approval of agricultural products derived from biotechnology in China, the EU, India, and other countries result in increased market uncertainty among technology providers, farmers, and traders of US corn, soy, cotton, and alfalfa—leading to reduced exports of these products. The Trump administration also blamed India for not implementing the WTO ruling on poultry. "India has failed to revise its requirements for poultry in a manner that would allow for US imports, and the case continues to be litigated in the WTO," it said. "Since 2007, India has restricted various US agricultural products, including poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs, supposedly to prevent the entry of avian influenza into India," the report said. The US has maintained that no scientific basis supports the ban. In March 2012, the US initiated a WTO dispute by requesting consultations with India. In emerging and developing economies, such as Brazil, China, India, Russia, and certain other countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, strengthening the external environment continues to help output growth recover. "There are, however, certain risks to future growth. As monetary policy normalises with higher interest rates in advanced economies, emerging and developing economies could face an outflow of capital," it said. "Financial stability risks are also increasing due to the increase in nonperforming loans on the private sector balance sheets of two of the biggest and fastest-growing emerging market economies - China and India. Credit growth in China has arguably also become excessive, as it continues to shift from growth led by exports and investment to an economy led by internal demand," it said.

India's growth slowed due to demonetisation, GST: USA

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/canadian-mp-randeep-sarai-takes-responsibility-for-inviting-khalistani-terrorist-jaspal-atwal-33716" target="_blank">Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India</a>

As the controversy over invitation to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/khalistani-terrorist-should-never-have-been-invited-to-our-event-canada-33696">Punjab&nbsp;pro-Khalistani terrorist&nbsp;Jaspal&nbsp;</a>Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-never-said-give-guns-to-teachers-says-trump-33729" target="_blank">&#39;I never said give guns to teachers,&#39; says Trump</a>

President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. &quot;I never said give teachers guns,&quot; the president tweeted.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/china-saudi-arabia-turkey-blocked-us-move-to-place-pak-on-terror-financing-watch-list-report-33707" target="_blank"> move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report</a>

A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries -&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-moves-motion-to-place-pakistan-on-a-global-terrorist-financing-watchlist-at-fatf-32787">China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey</a>&nbsp;blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the &nbsp;Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">Pak army on </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank">modernisation</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-army-on-modernisation-path-under-general-bajwa-33721" target="_blank"> path under General Bajwa</a>

Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan&#39;s attempt to create a territorial army.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">Delhi Chief Secretary assault </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank">case :</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-chief-secretary-assault-case-aap-mlas-sent-to-judicial-custody-for-14-days-33728" target="_blank"> AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days</a>

Canadian MP Randeep Sarai takes responsibility for inviting Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal to India As the controversy over invitation to Punjab pro-Khalistani terrorist Jaspal Atwal continued, the ministry of external affairs(MEA) said it was seeking information on how a visa was granted to Atwal. 'I never said give guns to teachers,' says Trump President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. "I never said give teachers guns," the president tweeted. China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey blocked US move to place Pak on terror-financing watch list: Report A report in the Wall Street Journal(WSJ) said three countries - China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey blocked the US efforts to place Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force(FATF) watchlist. Pak army on modernisation path under General Bajwa Pakistan Army has formulated a training policy for next three years starting from July 1st, 2017. The latest move is being seen as Pakistan's attempt to create a territorial army. Delhi Chief Secretary assault case : AAP MLAs sent to judicial custody for 14 days

WION Evening news brief, February 22, 2018

President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters.

&quot;I never said give teachers guns,&quot; the president tweeted.

Trump was endorsed by the &nbsp;National Rifle Association(NRA) during the 2016 presidential campaign. He is seen by many in the United States as a &quot;pro-gun&quot; president who has close ties with the gun association. Students last week blasted Trump&#39;s alleged links with gun lobbyists after the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in which 17 people were killed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I never said &ldquo;give teachers guns&rdquo; like was stated on Fake News <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/nbc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBC</a>. What I said was to look at the possibility of giving &ldquo;concealed guns to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience - only the best. 20% of teachers, a lot, would now be able to
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/966650397002813440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

The US president added: &quot;What I said was to look at the possibility of giving &ldquo;concealed guns&quot; to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience.&quot;

&quot;only the best, 20 per cent teachers,&quot; he added.

&quot;Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A &ldquo;gun free&rdquo; school is a magnet for bad people,&quot; the President said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
....immediately fire back if a savage sicko came to a school with bad intentions. Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards that do this. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A &ldquo;gun free&rdquo; school is a magnet for bad people. ATTACKS WOULD END!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/966653833047887874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 22, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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The US Constitution protects the right of Americans to bear arms, a right fiercely defended by Republicans.

&quot;ATTACKS WOULD END!,&quot; the president tweeted in the end.

Students last week blasted Trump's alleged links with gun lobbyists

President Trump today denied that he said teachers should be given guns to protect students from shooters. "I never said give teachers guns," the president tweeted. Trump was endorsed by the National Rifle Association(NRA) during the 2016 presidential campaign. He is seen by many in the United States as a "pro-gun" president who has close ties with the gun association. Students last week blasted Trump's alleged links with gun lobbyists after the attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in which 17 people were killed. I never said “give teachers guns” like was stated on Fake News @CNN & @NBC. What I said was to look at the possibility of giving “concealed guns to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience - only the best. 20% of teachers, a lot, would now be able to — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018 × The US president added: "What I said was to look at the possibility of giving “concealed guns" to gun adept teachers with military or special training experience." "only the best, 20 per cent teachers," he added. "Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A “gun free” school is a magnet for bad people," the President said on Twitter. ....immediately fire back if a savage sicko came to a school with bad intentions. Highly trained teachers would also serve as a deterrent to the cowards that do this. Far more assets at much less cost than guards. A “gun free” school is a magnet for bad people. ATTACKS WOULD END! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 22, 2018 × The US Constitution protects the right of Americans to bear arms, a right fiercely defended by Republicans. "ATTACKS WOULD END!," the president tweeted in the end.

'I never said give guns to teachers,' tweets Trump

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-haasan-33554">Kamal Haasan to launch political party </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-haasan-33554">today,</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamal-haasan-33554"> invites people to &#39;create a new era&#39;</a>

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has invited people to &#39;create a new era&#39; even as he gears up to launch his political party on Wednesday in Madurai.&nbsp;

Haasan began his political journey from the house of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Hours before launching his political party, he visited the residence of Kalam and interacted with his family members.

The actor will take out a rally from the house of Kalam at Rameswaram, culminating in Madurai where he will address a rally to announce the party&rsquo;s name and launch its flag.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-cs-assault-case-police-detains-aap-mla-prakash-jarwal-33546">Delhi Chief Secretary assault case: Police detain AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal</a>

AAP legislator Prakash Jarwal was detained last night in connection with the alleged assault on the Delhi chief secretary at the chief minister&#39;s residence, police said.

He was picked up from his house at Deoli and detained. There is a possibility he will be arrested later, sources said.

Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was assaulted by AAP MLAs Amantullah Khan and others during a meeting at the Chief Minister&#39;s residence on Monday night.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-dated-bushra-when-i-was-still-his-wife-reham-khan-33552">Imran dated Bushra while I was still his wife: Reham Khan</a>

&quot;Imran dated Bushra when I was his wife,&quot; said Reham Khan, the second wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan.

Imran Khan, 65, tied the knot with Bushra Maneka in a private ceremony in Lahore on Sunday.

In an interview with The Times, Reham alleged that her ex-husband knew Bushra for the last three years and continued to see her even during her short-lived marriage with the former cricketer-turned-politician.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-backs-ban-on-bump-stocks-on-semi-automatic-weapons-33551">Trump backs ban on &#39;bump stocks&#39; on semi-automatic weapons</a>

Faced with an outpouring of grief and anger over a deadly school shooting in Florida, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threw his support behind moves to ban &quot;bump stocks&quot; -- an accessory that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one.

Trump also said school safety was a &quot;top priority&quot; for his administration and he would be holding meetings on the subject this week and also next week, when he holds talks with governors from all 50 US states.

Calls to ban bump stocks have been mounting since Stephen Paddock, a retired accountant, used them on several of his weapons to kill 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas in October 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-cancels-planned-meeting-with-us-vp-pence-33543">Secret Pence, North Korea meeting planned, then scrapped</a>

US Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to meet with North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong Un&#39;s sister, while in South Korea for the Winter Olympics this month but the North Koreans cancelled at the last minute, US officials said on Tuesday.

&quot;North Korea dangled a meeting in hopes of the Vice President softening his message, which would have ceded the world stage for their propaganda during the Olympics,&quot; Pence&#39;s chief of staff, Nick Ayers, said in a statement.

But after Pence condemned North Korean human rights abuses and announced plans for new economic sanctions, &quot;they walked away from a meeting or perhaps they were never sincere about sitting down,&quot; Ayers said. 
&nbsp;

Kamal Haasan to launch political party today, invites people to 'create a new era' Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan has invited people to 'create a new era' even as he gears up to launch his political party on Wednesday in Madurai. Haasan began his political journey from the house of former President APJ Abdul Kalam. Hours before launching his political party, he visited the residence of Kalam and interacted with his family members. The actor will take out a rally from the house of Kalam at Rameswaram, culminating in Madurai where he will address a rally to announce the party’s name and launch its flag. Delhi Chief Secretary assault case: Police detain AAP MLA Prakash Jarwal AAP legislator Prakash Jarwal was detained last night in connection with the alleged assault on the Delhi chief secretary at the chief minister's residence, police said. He was picked up from his house at Deoli and detained. There is a possibility he will be arrested later, sources said. Delhi Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash has alleged that he was assaulted by AAP MLAs Amantullah Khan and others during a meeting at the Chief Minister's residence on Monday night. Imran dated Bushra while I was still his wife: Reham Khan "Imran dated Bushra when I was his wife," said Reham Khan, the second wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan. Imran Khan, 65, tied the knot with Bushra Maneka in a private ceremony in Lahore on Sunday. In an interview with The Times, Reham alleged that her ex-husband knew Bushra for the last three years and continued to see her even during her short-lived marriage with the former cricketer-turned-politician. Trump backs ban on 'bump stocks' on semi-automatic weapons Faced with an outpouring of grief and anger over a deadly school shooting in Florida, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threw his support behind moves to ban "bump stocks" -- an accessory that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one. Trump also said school safety was a "top priority" for his administration and he would be holding meetings on the subject this week and also next week, when he holds talks with governors from all 50 US states. Calls to ban bump stocks have been mounting since Stephen Paddock, a retired accountant, used them on several of his weapons to kill 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas in October 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history. Secret Pence, North Korea meeting planned, then scrapped US Vice President Mike Pence was scheduled to meet with North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong Un's sister, while in South Korea for the Winter Olympics this month but the North Koreans cancelled at the last minute, US officials said on Tuesday. "North Korea dangled a meeting in hopes of the Vice President softening his message, which would have ceded the world stage for their propaganda during the Olympics," Pence's chief of staff, Nick Ayers, said in a statement. But after Pence condemned North Korean human rights abuses and announced plans for new economic sanctions, "they walked away from a meeting or perhaps they were never sincere about sitting down," Ayers said.

WION News brief, February 21, 2018

Faced with an outpouring of grief and anger over a deadly school shooting in Florida, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threw his support behind moves to ban &quot;bump stocks&quot; -- an accessory that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one.

Trump also said school safety was a &quot;top priority&quot; for his administration and he would be holding meetings on the subject this week and also next week, when he holds talks with governors from all 50 US states.

Calls to ban bump stocks have been mounting since Stephen Paddock, a retired accountant, used them on several of his weapons to kill 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas in October 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history.

Although the former student who shot dead 17 people in Florida last week did not have bump stocks on his gun, there has been a renewed focus on the devices because outlawing them is a rare point of agreement between Democrats, some Republicans and the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby.

Dozens of shooting survivors plan to speak with lawmakers about gun control and school safety Wednesday at the state Capitol in Tallahassee.

Florida House rejects ban on assault weapons

Less than a week after the shooting, the Florida state House of Representatives rejected a ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines in a 36-71 vote, during a session that opened with a prayer for the people killed in the tragedy.

Trump -- who received strong backing from the NRA during his White House run -- said he had signed a memorandum &quot;directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns.&quot;&nbsp;

He said he expected them to be finalised &quot;very soon.&quot;

&quot;We cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference,&quot; Trump said at a White House event to honour 12 Americans for heroism. &quot;We must actually make a difference.

&quot;We must move past cliches and tired debates and focus on evidence-based solutions and security measures that actually work,&quot; he said. &quot;We must do more to protect our children.&quot;

Trump said he would meet this week with students, local leaders, and members of law enforcement to develop &quot;concrete steps&quot; to &quot;secure our schools, safeguard our students, and protect our communities.&quot;

&quot;This includes implementing common sense security measures and addressing mental health issues,&quot; he said, &quot;including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs.&quot;

Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz, 19, had a history of troubling behaviour and a person close to him warned the FBI five weeks before the shooting that he was a threat -- but no action was taken.

Parkland students take action 
 
Cruz legally bought the gun he used in the attack -- &nbsp;an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle -- and the White House said it would consider options to raise the age for such purchases.

&quot;I think that&#39;s certainly something that&#39;s on the table for us to discuss and that we expect to come up over the next couple of weeks,&quot; spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

About 100 students at the Parkland high school where the shooting took place on February 14 were meanwhile heading to Tallahassee, the Florida state capital, to call for stricter gun control at a rally Wednesday.

Many of the students who survived the shooting have vowed to make the tragedy a turning point in America&#39;s deadlocked debate on gun control.

They are planning a march on Washington next month and they earned $1 million in pledges from Hollywood A-listers George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife Amal, plus Oprah Winfrey.

The &quot;March for Our Lives&quot; is scheduled to take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country.

&quot;Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School,&quot; Clooney said in a statement, pledging $500,000 to help fund the event.

&quot;Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country.&quot;

Winfrey then tweeted: &quot;George and Amal, I couldn&#39;t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation.&quot; 
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George and Amal, I couldn&rsquo;t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to &lsquo;March For Our Lives.&rsquo; These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we&rsquo;ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard.
&mdash; Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Oprah/status/966079086379507712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US Congress is deadlocked on the gun control debate, accomplishing nothing since the October shooting in Las Vegas.

Americans support stricter gun laws by a 66 percent to 31 percent margin, according to a poll released on Tuesday by Quinnipiac University.

It described the margin as &quot;the highest level of support&quot; for stricter gun control since it began surveys on the question in 2008. 
&nbsp;

'Bump stocks' are an accessory that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one.

Faced with an outpouring of grief and anger over a deadly school shooting in Florida, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threw his support behind moves to ban "bump stocks" -- an accessory that can turn a semi-automatic weapon into an automatic one. Trump also said school safety was a "top priority" for his administration and he would be holding meetings on the subject this week and also next week, when he holds talks with governors from all 50 US states. Calls to ban bump stocks have been mounting since Stephen Paddock, a retired accountant, used them on several of his weapons to kill 58 concertgoers in Las Vegas in October 2017 in the deadliest mass shooting in recent US history. Although the former student who shot dead 17 people in Florida last week did not have bump stocks on his gun, there has been a renewed focus on the devices because outlawing them is a rare point of agreement between Democrats, some Republicans and the powerful National Rifle Association (NRA) gun lobby. Dozens of shooting survivors plan to speak with lawmakers about gun control and school safety Wednesday at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. Florida House rejects ban on assault weapons Less than a week after the shooting, the Florida state House of Representatives rejected a ban on assault weapons and large capacity magazines in a 36-71 vote, during a session that opened with a prayer for the people killed in the tragedy. Trump -- who received strong backing from the NRA during his White House run -- said he had signed a memorandum "directing the attorney general to propose regulations to ban all devices that turn legal weapons into machine guns." He said he expected them to be finalised "very soon." "We cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference," Trump said at a White House event to honour 12 Americans for heroism. "We must actually make a difference. "We must move past cliches and tired debates and focus on evidence-based solutions and security measures that actually work," he said. "We must do more to protect our children." Trump said he would meet this week with students, local leaders, and members of law enforcement to develop "concrete steps" to "secure our schools, safeguard our students, and protect our communities." "This includes implementing common sense security measures and addressing mental health issues," he said, "including better coordination between federal and state law enforcement to take swift action when there are warning signs." Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz, 19, had a history of troubling behaviour and a person close to him warned the FBI five weeks before the shooting that he was a threat -- but no action was taken. Parkland students take action Cruz legally bought the gun he used in the attack -- an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle -- and the White House said it would consider options to raise the age for such purchases. "I think that's certainly something that's on the table for us to discuss and that we expect to come up over the next couple of weeks," spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters. About 100 students at the Parkland high school where the shooting took place on February 14 were meanwhile heading to Tallahassee, the Florida state capital, to call for stricter gun control at a rally Wednesday. Many of the students who survived the shooting have vowed to make the tragedy a turning point in America's deadlocked debate on gun control. They are planning a march on Washington next month and they earned $1 million in pledges from Hollywood A-listers George Clooney and his human rights lawyer wife Amal, plus Oprah Winfrey. The "March for Our Lives" is scheduled to take place on March 24, with sister rallies planned across the country. "Amal and I are so inspired by the courage and eloquence of these young men and women from Stoneman Douglas High School," Clooney said in a statement, pledging $500,000 to help fund the event. "Our family will be there on March 24 to stand side by side with this incredible generation of young people from all over the country." Winfrey then tweeted: "George and Amal, I couldn't agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation." George and Amal, I couldn’t agree with you more. I am joining forces with you and will match your $500,000 donation to ‘March For Our Lives.’ These inspiring young people remind me of the Freedom Riders of the 60s who also said we’ve had ENOUGH and our voices will be heard. — Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) February 20, 2018 × The US Congress is deadlocked on the gun control debate, accomplishing nothing since the October shooting in Las Vegas. Americans support stricter gun laws by a 66 percent to 31 percent margin, according to a poll released on Tuesday by Quinnipiac University. It described the margin as "the highest level of support" for stricter gun control since it began surveys on the question in 2008.

Trump backs ban on 'bump stocks' on semi-automatic weapons

The driver of a van carrying journalists covering President Donald Trump was detained on Monday after Secret Service officials found a gun in his bag during a security sweep before the vehicle was to drive onto the president&#39;s Florida property.

The Secret Service said no one had been put in danger.

The male driver told reporters he had forgotten to leave his personal firearm in another vehicle.

He and the other drivers of three media vans were replaced before the vehicles drove on to Trump&#39;s Mar-a-Lago compound, where the vans joined the president&#39;s motorcade.

&quot;The individual was found to be in lawful possession of a prohibited item (firearm) outside the secure area at a Secret Service security screening checkpoint,&quot; the Secret Service said in a statement.

The man could be seen being questioned as journalists were driven away from the area where the security sweeps had taken place.

&quot;The incident was investigated by the Secret Service and our partners at the Palm Beach County Sheriff&rsquo;s Office (PBSO) and resolved. At no time was any Secret Service protectee in danger or impacted,&quot; the statement said.

A pool of reporters travels as part of the president&#39;s motorcade in Washington and on domestic and foreign trips. Drivers of the vans are sometimes volunteers and are sometimes hired for the job. The driver on Monday was a hired contractor.

The male driver told reporters he had forgotten to leave his personal firearm in another vehicle

The driver of a van carrying journalists covering President Donald Trump was detained on Monday after Secret Service officials found a gun in his bag during a security sweep before the vehicle was to drive onto the president's Florida property. The Secret Service said no one had been put in danger. The male driver told reporters he had forgotten to leave his personal firearm in another vehicle. He and the other drivers of three media vans were replaced before the vehicles drove on to Trump's Mar-a-Lago compound, where the vans joined the president's motorcade. "The individual was found to be in lawful possession of a prohibited item (firearm) outside the secure area at a Secret Service security screening checkpoint," the Secret Service said in a statement. The man could be seen being questioned as journalists were driven away from the area where the security sweeps had taken place. "The incident was investigated by the Secret Service and our partners at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) and resolved. At no time was any Secret Service protectee in danger or impacted," the statement said. A pool of reporters travels as part of the president's motorcade in Washington and on domestic and foreign trips. Drivers of the vans are sometimes volunteers and are sometimes hired for the job. The driver on Monday was a hired contractor.

Driver of van slated to be in Trump motorcade detained for having gun

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people.&nbsp;

Trump spoke to Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, on Friday about a bi-partisan bill that he and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy introduced to improve federal compliance with criminal background checks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

&quot;While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system,&quot; Sanders said in a statement.

Cornyn and Murphy introduced the bill to improve federal background checks last November, days after a gunman killed more than two dozen people in a church in Texas.

The bill, called the Fix NICS Act, would ensure that states and federal agencies comply with existing law on reporting criminal history records to the national background check system.

Cornyn, of Texas, had complained when introducing the legislation that compliance by agencies was &ldquo;lousy.&rdquo;

Students from the Florida high school where a former student is accused of murdering 17 people last week using an assault-style rifle, are planning a &quot;March For Our Lives&quot; in Washington on March 24 to call attention to school safety and ask lawmakers to enact gun control.

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people

The White House said on Monday that President Donald Trump supports efforts to improve federal background checks for gun purchases, days after a shooting at a Florida school killed 17 people. Trump spoke to Senator John Cornyn, a Republican, on Friday about a bi-partisan bill that he and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy introduced to improve federal compliance with criminal background checks, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. "While discussions are ongoing and revisions are being considered, the president is supportive of efforts to improve the federal background check system," Sanders said in a statement. Cornyn and Murphy introduced the bill to improve federal background checks last November, days after a gunman killed more than two dozen people in a church in Texas. The bill, called the Fix NICS Act, would ensure that states and federal agencies comply with existing law on reporting criminal history records to the national background check system. Cornyn, of Texas, had complained when introducing the legislation that compliance by agencies was “lousy.” Students from the Florida high school where a former student is accused of murdering 17 people last week using an assault-style rifle, are planning a "March For Our Lives" in Washington on March 24 to call attention to school safety and ask lawmakers to enact gun control.

Trump backs effort to improve gun background checks: White House

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is &quot;absolutely critical&quot; that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed.

Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House&#39;s stance on the nuke deal as &quot;untenable&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;It is not good diplomacy,&quot; Kerry noted.&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. &quot;Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place,&quot; Kerry added.&nbsp;

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States.&nbsp;

He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States.&nbsp;

&quot;If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators,&quot; Rouhani added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world

Former US Secretary of State John Kerry recently noted the significance of the Iran nuclear deal expressing that it is "absolutely critical" that the deal survives although the Trump administration is highly sceptical about the 2015 deal. US President Donald Trump extended sanctions waivers in January. He later stated that he would not do the same at the time of the renewal in May unless his concerns are addressed. Kerry, who is also one of the leading negotiators on the deal, spoke at the Munich Security Conference today and called the White House's stance on the nuke deal as "untenable". "It is not good diplomacy," Kerry noted. Kerry noted the deal to be of the utmost importance for the world. He stated that going backwards on the agreement is not an option. "Without the Iran nuclear agreement the world is not a better place," Kerry added. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, on his three-day visit to India, also talked about the nuclear deal and agreements with the United States. He noted that the Iranian government will adhere to any agreement that is signed with the United States. "If the US violates this agreement, you will see that America will regret its decision. Not only US administration, but also US people would voice their opposition immediately and will object to the violators," Rouhani added.

Iran nuclear deal must survive: Former US Secretary of State John Kerry

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump attacked the FBI and lawmakers probing alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and said an excessive focus on Russia led federal investigators to miss signs that could have prevented the deadly school shooting in Florida last week.

In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump accused President Barack Obama of failing to do enough to stop Russian election interference and belittled Representative Adam Schiff, of the House intelligence committee that is investigating Russia&#39;s actions. Trump labelled Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the panel, a leaking &quot;monster.&quot;

Trump also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was &quot;spending too much time&quot; looking into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia.

The tweets follow the announcement on Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller had charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with a conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US&nbsp;election.

The indictment says Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages and staged political rallies while posing as Americans, among other charges. But the indictment was silent on the question of whether anyone from the Trump campaign coordinated or worked with Russians.

Russia has denied meddling in the US&nbsp;election and Trump has denied any collusion.

In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump criticized the FBI for missing warning signs in the case of Nikolas Cruz, 19, who is charged with killing 17 people on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

More than a dozen people were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a US&nbsp;high school.

&quot;Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable,&quot; Trump said on Twitter.

&quot;They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion,&quot; added.

Cruz was investigated as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, newspapers said on Saturday.

The FBI acknowledged on Friday that it failed to investigate a warning that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill.

Russia has denied meddling in the US election and Trump has denied any collusion

US President Donald Trump attacked the FBI and lawmakers probing alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election and said an excessive focus on Russia led federal investigators to miss signs that could have prevented the deadly school shooting in Florida last week. In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump accused President Barack Obama of failing to do enough to stop Russian election interference and belittled Representative Adam Schiff, of the House intelligence committee that is investigating Russia's actions. Trump labelled Schiff, the ranking Democrat on the panel, a leaking "monster." Trump also said the Federal Bureau of Investigation was "spending too much time" looking into whether his presidential campaign colluded with Russia. The tweets follow the announcement on Friday that special counsel Robert Mueller had charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with a conspiracy to tamper in the 2016 US election. The indictment says Russians adopted false online personas to push divisive messages and staged political rallies while posing as Americans, among other charges. But the indictment was silent on the question of whether anyone from the Trump campaign coordinated or worked with Russians. Russia has denied meddling in the US election and Trump has denied any collusion. In a tweet on Saturday night, Trump criticized the FBI for missing warning signs in the case of Nikolas Cruz, 19, who is charged with killing 17 people on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. More than a dozen people were wounded in the deadliest shooting at a US high school. "Very sad that the FBI missed all of the many signals sent out by the Florida school shooter. This is not acceptable," Trump said on Twitter. "They are spending too much time trying to prove Russian collusion with the Trump campaign - there is no collusion," added. Cruz was investigated as far back as 2016 after slashing his arm in a social media video, and saying he wanted to buy a gun, but authorities determined he was receiving sufficient support, newspapers said on Saturday. The FBI acknowledged on Friday that it failed to investigate a warning that Cruz possessed a gun and the desire to kill.

Trump accuses FBI of 'spending too much time' on Russia probe

US President Donald Trump on Friday<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-indicts-13-russian-nationals-in-2016-us-election-tampering-to-boost-donald-trump-33119"> held up the indictment of 13 Russians</a> -- and no Americans -- for meddling in the 2016 election as vindication that his campaign team did not collude with Moscow.

&quot;Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for president,&quot; Trump tweeted, pointing to details of the indictment as evidence of his name being cleared.

&quot;The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!&quot; 
&nbsp;

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Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/964594780088033282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

US Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted the 13 Russian nationals, as well as three companies, for running a secret campaign to tilt the presidential election.

The unsealed indictment details a stunning operation that began in 2014 and aimed to sow social division inside the United States, and influence its politics including the 2016 vote.

Trump has repeatedly dismissed claims of Russian interference as &quot;fake news&quot; designed to take away from his election victory over Hillary Clinton.&nbsp;

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the indictments contained &quot;no allegation&quot; that any American was a knowing participant in the meddling, and said there was no judgment on whether the election outcome was affected.

In a separate White House statement reacting to the indictments, Trump urged his fellow citizens to &quot;unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy and our elections.&quot;

&quot;We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord, and rancor to be successful,&quot; Trump was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s time we stop the outlandish partisan attacks, wild and false allegations, and far-fetched theories, which only serve to further the agendas of bad actors, like Russia, and do nothing to protect the principles of our institutions.&quot;&nbsp;

The US President on Friday held up the indictment of 13 Russians -- and no Americans -- for meddling in the 2016 election as vindication that his campaign team did not collude with Moscow

US President Donald Trump on Friday held up the indictment of 13 Russians -- and no Americans -- for meddling in the 2016 election as vindication that his campaign team did not collude with Moscow. "Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for president," Trump tweeted, pointing to details of the indictment as evidence of his name being cleared. "The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion!" Russia started their anti-US campaign in 2014, long before I announced that I would run for President. The results of the election were not impacted. The Trump campaign did nothing wrong - no collusion! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 16, 2018 × US Special Counsel Robert Mueller indicted the 13 Russian nationals, as well as three companies, for running a secret campaign to tilt the presidential election. The unsealed indictment details a stunning operation that began in 2014 and aimed to sow social division inside the United States, and influence its politics including the 2016 vote. Trump has repeatedly dismissed claims of Russian interference as "fake news" designed to take away from his election victory over Hillary Clinton. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said the indictments contained "no allegation" that any American was a knowing participant in the meddling, and said there was no judgment on whether the election outcome was affected. In a separate White House statement reacting to the indictments, Trump urged his fellow citizens to "unite as Americans to protect the integrity of our democracy and our elections." "We cannot allow those seeking to sow confusion, discord, and rancor to be successful," Trump was quoted as saying. "It's time we stop the outlandish partisan attacks, wild and false allegations, and far-fetched theories, which only serve to further the agendas of bad actors, like Russia, and do nothing to protect the principles of our institutions."

Trump says 'no collusion' after Russians indicted for election meddling

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-rejects-trumps-immigration-plan-dreamers-programme-left-hanging-33017">US Senate rejects Trump&#39;s immigration plan; &#39;Dreamers&#39; programme left hanging</a>

In a major blow to President Trump, the US Senate today voted against the president&#39;s immigration plan with several Republicans joining the opposition Democrats in opposing the bill. President Trump&#39;s own party leaders voted against the bill with as many as 14 Republicans joining hands with Democrats as the proposal fell 39 to 60.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-encounter-underway-between-security-forces-terrorists-in-baramulla-33023">J&amp;K: Encounter underway between security forces, terrorists in Baramulla</a>

An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Palhalan area of Baramulla&rsquo;s Pattan area in J&amp;K. The firefight comes just days after two LeT terrorists and security forces were engaged in a fierce gun battle in Srinagar&#39;s Karan Nagar area which lasted over 30 hours.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/ed-conducted-in-camera-raids-on-nirav-modis-showrooms-33027">ED conducted &#39;in-camera&#39; raids on Nirav Modi&#39;s showrooms</a>

The Enforcement Directorate(ED) conducted in-camera raids on Nirav Modi&#39;s various showrooms while seizing diamonds on Thursday. The ED conducted searches in 17 premises across the country including Geetanjali Gems and seized stock of gold, diamond and precious stones worth Rs 5,100 crore.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/florida-shooting-suspect-was-part-of-white-supremacist-group-33018">Florida school shooting: Suspect was part of &#39;white supremacist group&#39;</a>

The boy behind the Florida school shooting on Wednesday, Nikolas Cruz, was a member of a &quot;white supremacist group&quot; and had been a part of the military-style training routines, the rights group Anti-Defamation League said Thursday. Nikolas Cruz, 19, described by fellow pupils as a &ldquo;weird and racist&rdquo; gun-obsessed, has been charged with murdering 17 people at his former school in Parkland, Florida.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-local-group-files-complaint-against-oru-adaar-love-actress-director-33020">Maharashtra: Local group files complaint against &#39;Oru </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-local-group-files-complaint-against-oru-adaar-love-actress-director-33020">Adaar</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/maharashtra-local-group-files-complaint-against-oru-adaar-love-actress-director-33020"> Love&#39; actress, director&nbsp; &nbsp;</a>

A police complaint against Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier and film director Omar Lulu has been lodged by a local organisation for allegedly hurting sentiments of the Muslim community through a song in their upcoming movie &quot;Oru Adaar Love&quot;. However, police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR) yet.

US Senate rejects Trump's immigration plan; 'Dreamers' programme left hanging In a major blow to President Trump, the US Senate today voted against the president's immigration plan with several Republicans joining the opposition Democrats in opposing the bill. President Trump's own party leaders voted against the bill with as many as 14 Republicans joining hands with Democrats as the proposal fell 39 to 60. J&K: Encounter underway between security forces, terrorists in Baramulla An encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in Palhalan area of Baramulla’s Pattan area in J&K. The firefight comes just days after two LeT terrorists and security forces were engaged in a fierce gun battle in Srinagar's Karan Nagar area which lasted over 30 hours. ED conducted 'in-camera' raids on Nirav Modi's showrooms The Enforcement Directorate(ED) conducted in-camera raids on Nirav Modi's various showrooms while seizing diamonds on Thursday. The ED conducted searches in 17 premises across the country including Geetanjali Gems and seized stock of gold, diamond and precious stones worth Rs 5,100 crore. Florida school shooting: Suspect was part of 'white supremacist group' The boy behind the Florida school shooting on Wednesday, Nikolas Cruz, was a member of a "white supremacist group" and had been a part of the military-style training routines, the rights group Anti-Defamation League said Thursday. Nikolas Cruz, 19, described by fellow pupils as a “weird and racist” gun-obsessed, has been charged with murdering 17 people at his former school in Parkland, Florida. Maharashtra: Local group files complaint against 'Oru Adaar Love' actress, director A police complaint against Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier and film director Omar Lulu has been lodged by a local organisation for allegedly hurting sentiments of the Muslim community through a song in their upcoming movie "Oru Adaar Love". However, police have not registered a First Information Report (FIR) yet.

WION Morning News Brief, February 16, 2018

In a major blow to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-any-immigration-plan-without-border-wall-waste-of-time-31899">President Trump, the US Senate today</a> voted against the president&#39;s immigration plan with several Republicans joining the opposition Democrats in opposing the bill.

President Trump&#39;s<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/sotu-2018-trump-for-legislation-that-promotes-merit-based-immigration-move-to-affect-indians-31285"> own party leaders voted against </a>the bill with as many as 14 Republicans joining hands with Democrats as the proposal fell 39 to 60.

&quot;This vote is proof that President Trump&rsquo;s plan will never become law. If he would stop torpedoing bipartisan efforts, a good bill would pass,&rdquo; Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said.

The rejection of the immigration plan also meant the House did not have a way to shield the &quot;Dreamers&quot; programme which expires on March 5th.

Federal judges have blocked the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme from taking effect with two US judges holding back President Trump&#39;s plan.

&quot;It looks like demagogues on the left and the right win again on immigration,&quot; Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.

Senator Mike Rounds, a leading Republican sponsor of the failed bipartisan proposal, said: &quot;We&rsquo;ll have a chance to regroup, and take a look at what we can do to take a bipartisan approach, modify some of those things where there are questions.&quot;

Federal judges have blocked the DACA programme from taking effect

In a major blow to President Trump, the US Senate today voted against the president's immigration plan with several Republicans joining the opposition Democrats in opposing the bill. President Trump's own party leaders voted against the bill with as many as 14 Republicans joining hands with Democrats as the proposal fell 39 to 60. "This vote is proof that President Trump’s plan will never become law. If he would stop torpedoing bipartisan efforts, a good bill would pass,” Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. The rejection of the immigration plan also meant the House did not have a way to shield the "Dreamers" programme which expires on March 5th. Federal judges have blocked the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme from taking effect with two US judges holding back President Trump's plan. "It looks like demagogues on the left and the right win again on immigration," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said. Senator Mike Rounds, a leading Republican sponsor of the failed bipartisan proposal, said: "We’ll have a chance to regroup, and take a look at what we can do to take a bipartisan approach, modify some of those things where there are questions."

US Senate rejects Trump's immigration plan; 'Dreamers' programme left hanging

The military parade that President Donald Trump wants to stage, likely in Washington, would cost U.S. taxpayers up to $30 million, the White House budget chief said on Wednesday in remarks on the administration&#39;s fiscal 2019 spending plan.

Mick Mulvaney, who in a congressional hearing continued a broad defence of the $4.4-trillion plan he began earlier this week, was asked about the parade, which Trump&#39;s spending plan does not break out as a specific item.

&quot;The estimates I&rsquo;ve seen, they&rsquo;re very preliminary, is between $10 million and $30 million, depending upon the length,&quot; said Mulvaney, director of the US&nbsp;Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

&quot;Obviously an hour parade is different from a five-hour parade in terms of the cost and the equipment and those types of things.&quot;

According to media reports, Trump came up with the idea of showing off U.S. military might after a 2017 trip to France when he and French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed that country&#39;s defence forces marching down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris.&nbsp;

Trump ordered the Defense Department to look into a comparable display of military might that he could review.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said last week he believed Trump wants Washington to host the parade but left open the possibility that it could be staged elsewhere.

Ahead of Mulvaney&#39;s testimony, Republican committee Chairman Steve Womack asked about the deficit impact of Trump&#39;s spending plan. Mulvaney faced similar inquiries earlier this week.

At a Senate panel hearing on Tuesday, he was asked if he would vote for the Trump spending plan if he were still in Congress, which he was before Trump hired him to run OMB.

&quot;I probably would have found enough shortcomings in this to vote against it,&quot; Mulvaney said at the time.

On Wednesday, Mulvaney walked that back, telling the House panel he thought he had been asked not about Trump&#39;s budget, but about a narrower two-year spending-caps deal.

&ldquo;I read in the newspapers this morning that someone reported that I wouldn&rsquo;t support this budget if I were in Congress. That is absolutely false,&rdquo; Mulvaney said. &ldquo;I absolutely, without reservation, support this budget.&quot;

Trump ordered the Defense Department to look into a comparable display of military might that he could review.

The military parade that President Donald Trump wants to stage, likely in Washington, would cost U.S. taxpayers up to $30 million, the White House budget chief said on Wednesday in remarks on the administration's fiscal 2019 spending plan. Mick Mulvaney, who in a congressional hearing continued a broad defence of the $4.4-trillion plan he began earlier this week, was asked about the parade, which Trump's spending plan does not break out as a specific item. "The estimates I’ve seen, they’re very preliminary, is between $10 million and $30 million, depending upon the length," said Mulvaney, director of the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB). "Obviously an hour parade is different from a five-hour parade in terms of the cost and the equipment and those types of things." According to media reports, Trump came up with the idea of showing off U.S. military might after a 2017 trip to France when he and French President Emmanuel Macron reviewed that country's defence forces marching down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris. Trump ordered the Defense Department to look into a comparable display of military might that he could review. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said last week he believed Trump wants Washington to host the parade but left open the possibility that it could be staged elsewhere. Ahead of Mulvaney's testimony, Republican committee Chairman Steve Womack asked about the deficit impact of Trump's spending plan. Mulvaney faced similar inquiries earlier this week. At a Senate panel hearing on Tuesday, he was asked if he would vote for the Trump spending plan if he were still in Congress, which he was before Trump hired him to run OMB. "I probably would have found enough shortcomings in this to vote against it," Mulvaney said at the time. On Wednesday, Mulvaney walked that back, telling the House panel he thought he had been asked not about Trump's budget, but about a narrower two-year spending-caps deal. “I read in the newspapers this morning that someone reported that I wouldn’t support this budget if I were in Congress. That is absolutely false,” Mulvaney said. “I absolutely, without reservation, support this budget."

Trump's military parade could cost between $10 to $30 million: Budget chief Mulvaney

US trade sanctions will hit the world economy, Beijing warned Wednesday, after President Donald Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs on imports from China. &nbsp;

Trump said he was &quot;considering all options,&quot; including tariffs and quotas, after he accused China of decimating the American steel and aluminium industries.

Washington has already imposed a range of tariffs on Chinese-made goods, sparking fears of a tit-for-tat trade war between the world&#39;s top two economies as China also threatens to take action.&nbsp;

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that &quot;any sign of unilateralism or protectionism will ... worsen global trade issues and will hurt the recovering momentum of the world economy&quot;.

He added that with the sheer volume of trade and integration between the US and Chinese economies, some friction was natural.

However, &quot;China always regards the US as an important cooperation partner in trade and economy, and we hope we will continue to open our respective markets wider&quot;, Geng said.&nbsp;

The Trump administration has two months to decide whether to take action on Chinese aluminium, steel and intellectual property practices.

China produces around half of the world&#39;s steel but stands accused of &quot;dumping&quot; cheap steel on global markets to gain market share.

The two countries have already begun trading sanctions in what China&#39;s commerce ministry warned could become a &quot;vicious circle&quot;.

On Monday Beijing announced it had taken aim at imports from the US of styrene, a key chemical in the manufacture of styrofoam.&nbsp;

Last week it launched an anti-dumping investigation into sorghum imports from the US, worth almost $1 billion last year.

The measures come a month after the Trump administration slapped new tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels and washing machines, the most recent in a series of trade cases that have rattled Beijing.

The two countries have already begun trading sanctions in what China's commerce ministry warned could become a 'vicious circle'

US trade sanctions will hit the world economy, Beijing warned Wednesday, after President Donald Trump threatened to impose fresh tariffs on imports from China. Trump said he was "considering all options," including tariffs and quotas, after he accused China of decimating the American steel and aluminium industries. Washington has already imposed a range of tariffs on Chinese-made goods, sparking fears of a tit-for-tat trade war between the world's top two economies as China also threatens to take action. Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters that "any sign of unilateralism or protectionism will ... worsen global trade issues and will hurt the recovering momentum of the world economy". He added that with the sheer volume of trade and integration between the US and Chinese economies, some friction was natural. However, "China always regards the US as an important cooperation partner in trade and economy, and we hope we will continue to open our respective markets wider", Geng said. The Trump administration has two months to decide whether to take action on Chinese aluminium, steel and intellectual property practices. China produces around half of the world's steel but stands accused of "dumping" cheap steel on global markets to gain market share. The two countries have already begun trading sanctions in what China's commerce ministry warned could become a "vicious circle". On Monday Beijing announced it had taken aim at imports from the US of styrene, a key chemical in the manufacture of styrofoam. Last week it launched an anti-dumping investigation into sorghum imports from the US, worth almost $1 billion last year. The measures come a month after the Trump administration slapped new tariffs on Chinese-made solar panels and washing machines, the most recent in a series of trade cases that have rattled Beijing.

China warns Trump trade sanctions threaten global economy

US President Donald Trump today slammed India for a high import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycle, calling it &quot;unfair&quot;, even as New Delhi slashed customs duty on imported motorcycles from high-end brands to 50 per cent. 
Trump, during a discussion with members of the Congress over steel industry, also threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian motorcycles to the US.

 
He said the recent decision of the Indian government to reduce the tariff from 75 per cent to 50 per cent was not enough and asked that it should be reciprocal, as the US imposes &quot;zero tax&quot; on the import of motorcycles. 
&quot;We have so many countries where we made a product, they make a product, ..We pay a tremendous tax to get into their countries -- motorcycles, Harley Davidson -- it goes into a certain country. I won&#39;t mention the fact that it happens to be India, in this case,&quot; Trump said amidst laughter from the audience.

 
In fact, he also indirectly referred to the recent conversation he had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.

 
&quot;And a great gentleman called me from India and he said, we have just reduced the tariff on motorcycles, reduced it down to 50 per cent from 75, and even 100 per cent,&quot; Trump said in an apparent reference to his last week&#39;s conversation with Prime Minister Modi.

 
&quot;We have -- if you are Harley Davidson, you have 50 to 75 per cent tax, tariff to get your motorcycle, your product in. And yet they sell thousands and thousands of motorcycles, which a lot of people don&#39;t know, from India into the United States. You know what our tax is? Nothing,&quot; he told the lawmakers and his other Cabinet colleague.

 
Trump once again pitched for a &quot;reciprocal tax&quot; on countries that he says abuse their trade relationships with the US.

 
&quot;So, I say, we should have reciprocal taxes for a case like that. I&#39;m not blaming India. I think it&#39;s great that they can get away with it. I don&#39;t know why people allowed them to get away with it. But there&#39;s an example that&#39;s very unfair. I think we should have a reciprocal tax,&quot; he said.

 
Trump has floated the idea of a reciprocal tax in the past, promising to slap it on countries, including allies, that take advantage of the United States.

 
&quot;That&#39;s called fair trade. It&#39;s called free trade. Because ultimately, what&#39;s going to happen -- either we&#39;ll collect the same that they&#39;re collecting, or, probably, what happens is they&#39;ll end up not charging a tax and we won&#39;t have a tax. And that becomes free trade,&quot; Trump said.

 
Imported motorcycles from high-end brands such as Harley-Davidson and Triumph are set to get cheaper in India with the reduction in the tariffs.

 
Earlier, import of motorcycles with engine capacity of 800cc or less used to attract 60 per cent duty, while those with the capacity of above 800cc, attracted 75 per cent duty.

Trump has floated the idea of a reciprocal tax in the past, promising to slap it on countries, including allies, that take advantage of the United States.

US President Donald Trump today slammed India for a high import tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycle, calling it "unfair", even as New Delhi slashed customs duty on imported motorcycles from high-end brands to 50 per cent. Trump, during a discussion with members of the Congress over steel industry, also threatened to increase the tariff on import of Indian motorcycles to the US. He said the recent decision of the Indian government to reduce the tariff from 75 per cent to 50 per cent was not enough and asked that it should be reciprocal, as the US imposes "zero tax" on the import of motorcycles. "We have so many countries where we made a product, they make a product, ..We pay a tremendous tax to get into their countries -- motorcycles, Harley Davidson -- it goes into a certain country. I won't mention the fact that it happens to be India, in this case," Trump said amidst laughter from the audience. In fact, he also indirectly referred to the recent conversation he had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard. "And a great gentleman called me from India and he said, we have just reduced the tariff on motorcycles, reduced it down to 50 per cent from 75, and even 100 per cent," Trump said in an apparent reference to his last week's conversation with Prime Minister Modi. "We have -- if you are Harley Davidson, you have 50 to 75 per cent tax, tariff to get your motorcycle, your product in. And yet they sell thousands and thousands of motorcycles, which a lot of people don't know, from India into the United States. You know what our tax is? Nothing," he told the lawmakers and his other Cabinet colleague. Trump once again pitched for a "reciprocal tax" on countries that he says abuse their trade relationships with the US. "So, I say, we should have reciprocal taxes for a case like that. I'm not blaming India. I think it's great that they can get away with it. I don't know why people allowed them to get away with it. But there's an example that's very unfair. I think we should have a reciprocal tax," he said. Trump has floated the idea of a reciprocal tax in the past, promising to slap it on countries, including allies, that take advantage of the United States. "That's called fair trade. It's called free trade. Because ultimately, what's going to happen -- either we'll collect the same that they're collecting, or, probably, what happens is they'll end up not charging a tax and we won't have a tax. And that becomes free trade," Trump said. Imported motorcycles from high-end brands such as Harley-Davidson and Triumph are set to get cheaper in India with the reduction in the tariffs. Earlier, import of motorcycles with engine capacity of 800cc or less used to attract 60 per cent duty, while those with the capacity of above 800cc, attracted 75 per cent duty.

India's high tariff on Harley-Davidson motorcycle unfair, says Trump

US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to offer his condolences after a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-passenger-plane-with-71-on-board-crashes-outside-moscow-32499" target="_blank">deadly plane crash near Moscow</a>, a White House official said.

The call between the two leaders -- who are at the center of an FBI investigation into <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-face-consequences-if-it-meddles-again-tillerson-32051" target="_blank">Moscow`s alleged meddling in the 2016 US election</a> -- took place after a plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Domodedovo airport, killing all 71 people on board.

Trump spoke with Putin to &quot;express his condolences regarding the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on February 11,&quot; the White House said, offering its account of the event.

&quot;President Trump said that the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation.&quot;

The pair also discussed Middle East peace, ahead of Putin`s meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas.

&quot;The two presidents discussed other topics of mutual concern, and President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea,&quot; according to the White House.

The call between the two leaders -- who are at the center of an FBI investigation into Moscow`s alleged meddling in the 2016 US election -- took place after a plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Domodedovo airport, killing all 71 people on board

US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday to offer his condolences after a deadly plane crash near Moscow, a White House official said. The call between the two leaders -- who are at the center of an FBI investigation into Moscow`s alleged meddling in the 2016 US election -- took place after a plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Domodedovo airport, killing all 71 people on board. Trump spoke with Putin to "express his condolences regarding the crash of Saratov Airlines Flight 703 on February 11," the White House said, offering its account of the event. "President Trump said that the United States was standing by to assist Russian authorities in their investigation." The pair also discussed Middle East peace, ahead of Putin`s meeting with Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. "The two presidents discussed other topics of mutual concern, and President Trump reiterated the importance of taking further steps to ensure the denuclearization of North Korea," according to the White House.

Trump offers Putin condolences over plane crash

US President Donald Trump has apologised for the first time for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-retweets-anti-muslim-videos-25466" target="_blank">retweeting a British far-right group&#39;s videos apparently showing Islamist violence</a>, in an ITV interview aired in Britain today.

&quot;If you&#39;re telling me they&#39;re horrible racist people, I would certainly apologise if you&#39;d like me to do that,&quot; he told Good Morning Britain&#39;s Piers Morgan during the interview, conducted in Davos yesterday.&nbsp;

'If you're telling me they're horrible racist people, I would certainly apologise if you'd like me to do that,' Trump told Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan

US President Donald Trump has apologised for the first time for retweeting a British far-right group's videos apparently showing Islamist violence, in an ITV interview aired in Britain today. "If you're telling me they're horrible racist people, I would certainly apologise if you'd like me to do that," he told Good Morning Britain's Piers Morgan during the interview, conducted in Davos yesterday.

Finally, Trump apologises for retweeting far-right British group

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