The United States administration has ordered shutdown of New York city and Los Angeles, after the death toll due to coronavirus outbreak in the country crossed 65. In New York City only, more than 350 people were confirmed to have been infected with the virus.

The city of New York is set to close all restaurants, cafes and bars from March 17 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The decision was announced by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the city would be closing bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues and gyms until at least March 31. Restaurants will remain open only for takeout and delivery.

There were at least 3,244 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the United States as of Sunday.

There are more than 1,69,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 6,500 deaths across the world.

The deadly virus has travelled far and wide to Europe too. The region has witnessed heavy fatalities, with death toll in Italy crossing 1,000.

In Italy alone, 24,000 persons remain infected.

The death toll in Spain and France have crossed 300 and 120 respectively.

Germany has been the third-worst-affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, after Italy and Spain.

Germany announced on Monday that all shopping malls, bars, and sport venues across the country would be closed.

 
&nbsp;

The United States administration has ordered shutdown of New York city and Los Angeles, after the death toll due to coronavirus outbreak in the country crossed 65.

The United States administration has ordered shutdown of New York city and Los Angeles, after the death toll due to coronavirus outbreak in the country crossed 65. In New York City only, more than 350 people were confirmed to have been infected with the virus. The city of New York is set to close all restaurants, cafes and bars from March 17 to prevent the spread of Covid-19. The decision was announced by New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the city would be closing bars, nightclubs, entertainment venues and gyms until at least March 31. Restaurants will remain open only for takeout and delivery. There were at least 3,244 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the United States as of Sunday. There are more than 1,69,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 6,500 deaths across the world. The deadly virus has travelled far and wide to Europe too. The region has witnessed heavy fatalities, with death toll in Italy crossing 1,000. In Italy alone, 24,000 persons remain infected. The death toll in Spain and France have crossed 300 and 120 respectively. Germany has been the third-worst-affected country by the coronavirus pandemic in Europe, after Italy and Spain. Germany announced on Monday that all shopping malls, bars, and sport venues across the country would be closed.

Coronavirus shuts down US, Europe

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has undergone a coronavirus test and is yet to receive the results.&nbsp;

Speaking at a White House news conference where he issued guidelines and tried to calm Americans concerns, Trump said that his temperature was "totally normal". &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-he-is-ready-to-get-tested-for-covid-19-286332">Donald Trump says he is ready to get tested for COVID-19</a>

The US also extended the travel ban imposed on European nations over the pandemic to the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The US president said that he had taken a test late on Friday and expecting a result in "a day or two days."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-chaos-spreads-globally-trump-declares-us-emergency-286308">Coronavirus chaos spreads globally, Trump declares US emergency</a>

Trump, contrary to the medical advice, was seen shaking hands on Friday in a meeting with his coronavirus response team at the White House.&nbsp;

He said on Friday he'd "most likely" get tested for the COVID-19 after he was grilled on his recent meeting with several officials of a visiting Brazilian presidential delegation who have since confirmed with the novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

The White House, as a precautionary measure, also started checking the temperature of the ones coming close to the US president or Vice President Mike Pence.

The White House earlier today said "out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president."

Ahead of Saturday's briefing, a member of the White House medical team checked the temperature of all journalists who are wanting to attend the event.&nbsp;

One of the journalists was not allowed to attend the briefing after a high reading.&nbsp;

US has recorded 2,226 positive cases of the novel coronavirus, but has not yet reached the peak yet, said top US infectious diseases expert, Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director.&nbsp;

"This will get worse before it gets better," Surgeon General Jerome Adams said at the WH briefing.

On Friday, Trump declared a national emergency in a bid to bring "the full power of the federal government" to bear on the escalating health crisis by releasing some $50 billion in aid.&nbsp;

(With AFP, Reuters inputs)

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has undergone a coronavirus test and is yet to receive the results. Speaking at a White House news conference where he issued guidelines and tried to calm Americans concerns, Trump said that his temperature was "totally normal".

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has undergone a coronavirus test and is yet to receive the results. Speaking at a White House news conference where he issued guidelines and tried to calm Americans concerns, Trump said that his temperature was "totally normal". Also read: Donald Trump says he is ready to get tested for COVID-19 The US also extended the travel ban imposed on European nations over the pandemic to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The US president said that he had taken a test late on Friday and expecting a result in "a day or two days." Also read: Coronavirus chaos spreads globally, Trump declares US emergency Trump, contrary to the medical advice, was seen shaking hands on Friday in a meeting with his coronavirus response team at the White House. He said on Friday he'd "most likely" get tested for the COVID-19 after he was grilled on his recent meeting with several officials of a visiting Brazilian presidential delegation who have since confirmed with the novel coronavirus. The White House, as a precautionary measure, also started checking the temperature of the ones coming close to the US president or Vice President Mike Pence. The White House earlier today said "out of an abundance of caution, temperature checks are now being performed on any individuals who are in close contact with the president and vice president." Ahead of Saturday's briefing, a member of the White House medical team checked the temperature of all journalists who are wanting to attend the event. One of the journalists was not allowed to attend the briefing after a high reading. US has recorded 2,226 positive cases of the novel coronavirus, but has not yet reached the peak yet, said top US infectious diseases expert, Anthony Fauci, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director. "This will get worse before it gets better," Surgeon General Jerome Adams said at the WH briefing. On Friday, Trump declared a national emergency in a bid to bring "the full power of the federal government" to bear on the escalating health crisis by releasing some $50 billion in aid. (With AFP, Reuters inputs)

Donald Trump takes coronavirus test as US extends travel ban to UK, Ireland

A number of rockets were fired targetting foreign troops deployed in an Iraqi base north of Baghdad, Iraqi and US security sources said.&nbsp;

"The initial toll is two wounded Iraqi Air Defence personnel who are in very critical condition," said Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command on the attack at the Taji airbase.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-donald-trump-after-us-carried-air-strikes-in-iraq-286169">Iran warns Donald Trump after US carried air strikes in Iraq</a>

At least 33 rockets struck Iraqi air defence units at the airbase, the country's military said, in one of the largest such volleys ever.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-says-us-strikes-in-iraq-proportionate-response-286170">UK says US strikes in Iraq 'proportionate' response</a>

Another 24 missiles at a nearby launching site have been found and the owner of the plot of land and security forces from an adjacent checkpoint are detained for questioning, Iraq's military said.&nbsp;

This was the 23rd attack since late October that aim installations across Iraq where American forces and diplomats are present. None of the groups has claimed responsibility for these attacks but the US has blamed hardline elements of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of armed groups.

The US-led coalition said three of its people and two Iraqi soldiers were injured in the latest attack.&nbsp;

The US-led coalition's surveillance capabilities have been affected by cloudy weather in recent days, which a US official said could have motivated the attackers to launch the rockets during the day instead of night.

This attack came three days after a similar attack which killed two American military personnel and a British soldier, the deadliest attack of such nature at an Iraqi base in years.

The US responded on Friday with airstrikes on arms depots, which it said were used by Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran-favoured group within the Hashed.&nbsp;

The strikes killed at least five personnel of Iraq's security forces and one civilian, as per the country's military.&nbsp;

Iraq has faced trouble because of the enmity between two of its allies: Iran and the US. And the country started facing a lot of trouble because of this when the tussle between Iran and US spiked in late 2019 when a US contractor was killed in a rocket attack in northern Iraq.&nbsp;

The US, in a retaliatory move, killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis which greatly increased the global concerns.&nbsp;

After the death of Soleimani, Iran launched ballistic missiles at US military in Iraq, while Iraqi parliament voted in favour of expelling all foreign armies from its soil, a move that is still not implemented. &nbsp;

Some 5,200 American troops are deployed in Iraq as part of US-led coalition to help local forces weed out the remnants of the Islamic State group.

A number of rockets were fired targetting foreign troops deployed in an Iraqi base north of Baghdad, Iraqi and US security sources said. "The initial toll is two wounded Iraqi Air Defence personnel who are in very critical condition," said Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command on the attack at the Taji airbase.

A number of rockets were fired targetting foreign troops deployed in an Iraqi base north of Baghdad, Iraqi and US security sources said. "The initial toll is two wounded Iraqi Air Defence personnel who are in very critical condition," said Tahsin al-Khafaji, spokesman for Iraq's Joint Operations Command on the attack at the Taji airbase. Also read: Iran warns Donald Trump after US carried air strikes in Iraq At least 33 rockets struck Iraqi air defence units at the airbase, the country's military said, in one of the largest such volleys ever. Also read: UK says US strikes in Iraq 'proportionate' response Another 24 missiles at a nearby launching site have been found and the owner of the plot of land and security forces from an adjacent checkpoint are detained for questioning, Iraq's military said. This was the 23rd attack since late October that aim installations across Iraq where American forces and diplomats are present. None of the groups has claimed responsibility for these attacks but the US has blamed hardline elements of the Hashed al-Shaabi, a network of armed groups. The US-led coalition said three of its people and two Iraqi soldiers were injured in the latest attack. The US-led coalition's surveillance capabilities have been affected by cloudy weather in recent days, which a US official said could have motivated the attackers to launch the rockets during the day instead of night. This attack came three days after a similar attack which killed two American military personnel and a British soldier, the deadliest attack of such nature at an Iraqi base in years. The US responded on Friday with airstrikes on arms depots, which it said were used by Kataeb Hezbollah, an Iran-favoured group within the Hashed. The strikes killed at least five personnel of Iraq's security forces and one civilian, as per the country's military. Iraq has faced trouble because of the enmity between two of its allies: Iran and the US. And the country started facing a lot of trouble because of this when the tussle between Iran and US spiked in late 2019 when a US contractor was killed in a rocket attack in northern Iraq. The US, in a retaliatory move, killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani and Hashed deputy chief Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis which greatly increased the global concerns. After the death of Soleimani, Iran launched ballistic missiles at US military in Iraq, while Iraqi parliament voted in favour of expelling all foreign armies from its soil, a move that is still not implemented. Some 5,200 American troops are deployed in Iraq as part of US-led coalition to help local forces weed out the remnants of the Islamic State group.

At least 33 rockets target US, UK troops in Iraq

In a massive development, the US state of Ohio said that 100,000 people in the region are likely to have coronavirus, the state health department director said.

The health department director Amy Acton said that Ohio had community spread of COVID-19 in a press conference with state governor Mike DeWine.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-suspends-travel-from-europe-to-us-in-coronavirus-crisis-285714">Trump suspends travel from Europe to US in coronavirus crisis</a>

"We know now just the fact of community spread says that at least one per cent, at the very least, one per cent of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today," Acton said.&nbsp;

"We have 11.7 million people. So the math is over 100,000. So that just gives you a sense of how this virus spreads and is spreading quickly". &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-us-president-donald-trump-likens-deadly-virus-to-seasonal-flu-285444">COVID-19: US President Donald Trump likens deadly virus to seasonal flu</a>

She said that this is "one-in-50 years pandemic that we've been planning for".&nbsp;

Ohio has five positive cases and 52 people are placed under investigation. However, the state has carried out limited number of tests, much like the US.&nbsp;

In the US, the coronavirus cases surpassed 1,300 on Thursday with around 40 deaths, data from Johns Hopkins University said.&nbsp;

"These numbers are going to continue to grow," governor DeWine said during the press conference, adding that that confirmed numbers "are just a small fraction of the individuals who are infected already in the state of Ohio". &nbsp;

"We're told by medical experts that whatever the number is today, it will double in six days and that just continues on and on," DeWine said.

Public health experts have lashed out at US authorities for downplaying the pandemic and lagging far behind the other badly-affected countries in dealing with the virus.&nbsp;

In order to control the spread, Ohio banned mass gathering of over 100 people. Schools in the state were also shut down for three weeks.&nbsp;

"Taking decisive action now will greatly slow down this disease and stop this trajectory," Acton said.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has been slammed for a slow response to the outbreak and playing down the threat, initially claiming that only a few Americans are at risk.&nbsp;

Earlier Axios and NBC News projected 70 to 150 million Americans being affected by the COVID-19.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the US president banned travel from mainland Europe as part of his effort to control the pandemic.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

In a massive development, the US state of Ohio said that 100,000 people in the region are likely to have coronavirus, the state health department director said. The health department director Amy Acton said that Ohio had community spread of COVID-19 in a press conference with state governor Mike DeWine.

In a massive development, the US state of Ohio said that 100,000 people in the region are likely to have coronavirus, the state health department director said. The health department director Amy Acton said that Ohio had community spread of COVID-19 in a press conference with state governor Mike DeWine. Also read: Trump suspends travel from Europe to US in coronavirus crisis "We know now just the fact of community spread says that at least one per cent, at the very least, one per cent of our population is carrying this virus in Ohio today," Acton said. "We have 11.7 million people. So the math is over 100,000. So that just gives you a sense of how this virus spreads and is spreading quickly". Also read: COVID-19: US President Donald Trump likens deadly virus to seasonal flu She said that this is "one-in-50 years pandemic that we've been planning for". Ohio has five positive cases and 52 people are placed under investigation. However, the state has carried out limited number of tests, much like the US. In the US, the coronavirus cases surpassed 1,300 on Thursday with around 40 deaths, data from Johns Hopkins University said. "These numbers are going to continue to grow," governor DeWine said during the press conference, adding that that confirmed numbers "are just a small fraction of the individuals who are infected already in the state of Ohio". "We're told by medical experts that whatever the number is today, it will double in six days and that just continues on and on," DeWine said. Public health experts have lashed out at US authorities for downplaying the pandemic and lagging far behind the other badly-affected countries in dealing with the virus. In order to control the spread, Ohio banned mass gathering of over 100 people. Schools in the state were also shut down for three weeks. "Taking decisive action now will greatly slow down this disease and stop this trajectory," Acton said. President Donald Trump has been slammed for a slow response to the outbreak and playing down the threat, initially claiming that only a few Americans are at risk. Earlier Axios and NBC News projected 70 to 150 million Americans being affected by the COVID-19. On Wednesday, the US president banned travel from mainland Europe as part of his effort to control the pandemic.

100,000 likely coronavirus cases in Ohio: US health official

The coronavirus that has reached nearly 115 countries, infecting more than 15,000 and killing over 4,500, comes up with sad and depressing stories now and then. However, the story of Elizabeth Schneider from United States, presents more than a ray of hope in times when the situation&nbsp;looks gloomy.&nbsp;

On February 25, Schneider woke up feeling tired and groggy, three days after she went for a house party.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/video-american-woman-recovers-from-coronavirus-covid-19-survivor-285962/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Schneider felt unwell and returned from office early and started working from home the same day. After taking a short nap in the evening, Schneider realised she had a very high fever.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trading-in-wall-street-halted-for-second-time-this-week-over-coronavirus-scare-285952">Trading in Wall Street halted for second time this week over coronavirus scare</a> 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
She underwent certain tests that confirmed she is suffering from COVID-19.&nbsp;

"So initially when I got the test results, I was definitely a little shocked, I really did not expect that I would have COVID-19. I think at the time there were only about a hundred cases in Washington, maybe 500 or more cases across the United States, so I thought wow, I’m really lucky or rather in this case rather unlucky," Schneider said.&nbsp;

Many of Schneider's friends were also feeling sick after the party, but fortunately, they tested negative for the novel coronavirus.&nbsp;

Schneider decided to self-quarantine herself despite feeling depressed and restless at one point.&nbsp;

"Towards the beginning of my self-isolation it was fine, I realised that I was sick, that I just needed to hunker down and take care of myself and rest. Towards about the middle or the latter half of it, I started getting very restless and honestly I started getting quite depressed. I live by myself, and I was starting to get really really lonely, Schneider added.&nbsp;

However, Schneider overcame her agony and successfully won the battle against the deadly virus, thereby becoming an inspiration for others.&nbsp;

The coronavirus that has reached nearly 115 countries, infecting more than 15,000 and killing over 4,500, comes up with sad and depressing stories now and then. However, the story of Elizabeth Schneider from United States, presents more than a ray of hope in times when the situation looks gloomy.

The coronavirus that has reached nearly 115 countries, infecting more than 15,000 and killing over 4,500, comes up with sad and depressing stories now and then. However, the story of Elizabeth Schneider from United States, presents more than a ray of hope in times when the situation looks gloomy. On February 25, Schneider woke up feeling tired and groggy, three days after she went for a house party. Watch: Schneider felt unwell and returned from office early and started working from home the same day. After taking a short nap in the evening, Schneider realised she had a very high fever. Also read: Trading in Wall Street halted for second time this week over coronavirus scare She underwent certain tests that confirmed she is suffering from COVID-19. "So initially when I got the test results, I was definitely a little shocked, I really did not expect that I would have COVID-19. I think at the time there were only about a hundred cases in Washington, maybe 500 or more cases across the United States, so I thought wow, I’m really lucky or rather in this case rather unlucky," Schneider said. Many of Schneider's friends were also feeling sick after the party, but fortunately, they tested negative for the novel coronavirus. Schneider decided to self-quarantine herself despite feeling depressed and restless at one point. "Towards the beginning of my self-isolation it was fine, I realised that I was sick, that I just needed to hunker down and take care of myself and rest. Towards about the middle or the latter half of it, I started getting very restless and honestly I started getting quite depressed. I live by myself, and I was starting to get really really lonely, Schneider added. However, Schneider overcame her agony and successfully won the battle against the deadly virus, thereby becoming an inspiration for others.

Meet Elizabeth Schneider, whose coronavirus story is a beacon of hope

Amid the growing concerns over the coronavirus, US President Donald Trump had a lighter moment when he shared that he has not touched his face in weeks. And Trump misses it!

The incident happened when the US president held a meeting with airlines CEOs to discuss measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx was elaborating on the need of frequent hand-washing and avoiding touching one's own face.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/john-oliver-trolls-donald-trump-for-lying-about-the-spread-of-a-deadly-disease-283768">John Oliver trolls Donald Trump for 'lying about the spread of a deadly disease'</a>

"I haven't touched my face in weeks. It’s been weeks! I miss it," Trump responded to&nbsp;Birx's statements.

Trump's witty comments were, however, immediately fact-checked by the netizens who shared posts where Trump touched his face.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today Donald Trump claimed that he hasn’t touched his face in weeks. 
 
FACT CHECK: photographs show him touching his face three days ago 
 
What else is he lying to us about? 
 
cc <a href="https://twitter.com/CNN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CNN</a> <a href="https://t.co/KTdvfxZjM8">pic.twitter.com/KTdvfxZjM8</a>
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattWalshBlog/status/1235262735522418689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Here’s President Trump on Monday during a coronavirus meeting <a href="https://t.co/yA7mJ2qjBL">https://t.co/yA7mJ2qjBL</a> <a href="https://t.co/kM4e4aDqdU">pic.twitter.com/kM4e4aDqdU</a>
— Tyler Bartlam (@tylerbartlam5) <a href="https://twitter.com/tylerbartlam5/status/1235246167719587841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, the death toll from coronavirus infections jumped to 11 in the United States. In the US, the state of Washington has been the worst affected as 10 people have died from the COVID-19.&nbsp;

Amid the growing concerns over the coronavirus, US President Donald Trump had a lighter moment when he shared that he has not touched his face in weeks. And Trump misses it!

Amid the growing concerns over the coronavirus, US President Donald Trump had a lighter moment when he shared that he has not touched his face in weeks. And Trump misses it! The incident happened when the US president held a meeting with airlines CEOs to discuss measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. White House coronavirus response coordinator Deborah Birx was elaborating on the need of frequent hand-washing and avoiding touching one's own face. Also read: John Oliver trolls Donald Trump for 'lying about the spread of a deadly disease' "I haven't touched my face in weeks. It’s been weeks! I miss it," Trump responded to Birx's statements. Trump's witty comments were, however, immediately fact-checked by the netizens who shared posts where Trump touched his face. Today Donald Trump claimed that he hasn’t touched his face in weeks. FACT CHECK: photographs show him touching his face three days ago What else is he lying to us about? cc @CNN pic.twitter.com/KTdvfxZjM8 — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 4, 2020 × Here’s President Trump on Monday during a coronavirus meeting https://t.co/yA7mJ2qjBL pic.twitter.com/kM4e4aDqdU — Tyler Bartlam (@tylerbartlam5) March 4, 2020 × On Wednesday, the death toll from coronavirus infections jumped to 11 in the United States. In the US, the state of Washington has been the worst affected as 10 people have died from the COVID-19.

Donald Trump claims he hasn't touched his face in weeks

A gunman opened fire at the Molson Coors Beverage Co brewing complex in Milwaukee on Wednesday, killing five employees before he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, the city`s police chief said.

No other people were injured in the violence, which erupted about 2 pm at the sprawling campus of more than 20 buildings, where over 1,000 workers are employed by the beer company in Wisconsin`s largest city, the chief said.

"There is no threat at this time, and we will continue to investigate throughout the night," the police chief, Alfonso Morales, told reporters at a news conference hours after the shooting.

Morales said the bloodshed was confined to the Molson Coors &nbsp;complex west of downtown - a facility known to locals as the old Miller brewery - and that "no members of the general public were involved." Miller beer is one of the company`s leading brands.

Hours later, law enforcement officers were still combing through each building in the complex to secure the facility, Morales said, adding the deceased gunman was believed to have acted alone.

The suspect was described only as a 51-year-old Milwaukee man. Details about the circumstances of the shooting, including what may have precipitated the carnage, were not provided by authorities.

President Donald Trump, acknowledging the shooting as he opened a White House news conference about the coronavirus outbreak, referred to the gunman as a "wicked murderer" and called the gun violence "a terrible thing."

Appearing with the police chief in Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett branded the shooting "an unspeakable tragedy."

"There were five individuals who went to work today just like everybody goes to work. They thought they were going to work and return to their families. They didn`t, and tragically they never will."

Governor Tony Evers asked for a brief moment of silence out of respect for the victims "needlessly murdered at Molson Coors this afternoon."

The entire Molson Coors campus was placed under a security lockdown, and the company advised employees in an email that the gunman had been located in or near a second-floor stairwell near a packaging facility, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Video footage from the scene showed streets cordoned off with numerous police and fire department vehicles ringing the area as brewery workers were escorted from buildings.

Local television station WISN, an ABC affiliate, said police appeared to be searching a vehicle on or near the scene. The station later showed part of a residential Milwaukee neighbourhood roped off with police crime-scene tape.

According to the Journal Sentinel, Molson Coors Beverage Co, which operates MillerCoors, announced plans last fall to close a Denver office and relocate some corporate support jobs to Milwaukee. The newspaper said the restructuring was designed to cut costs and resulted in 400 to 500 jobs being eliminated throughout Molson Coors.

It said the company now had 610 jobs at its Milwaukee corporate office, in addition to 750 jobs at two breweries in the city.

A gunman opened fire at the Molson Coors Beverage Co brewing complex in Milwaukee on Wednesday, killing five employees before he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, the city`s police chief said.

A gunman opened fire at the Molson Coors Beverage Co brewing complex in Milwaukee on Wednesday, killing five employees before he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, the city`s police chief said. No other people were injured in the violence, which erupted about 2 pm at the sprawling campus of more than 20 buildings, where over 1,000 workers are employed by the beer company in Wisconsin`s largest city, the chief said. "There is no threat at this time, and we will continue to investigate throughout the night," the police chief, Alfonso Morales, told reporters at a news conference hours after the shooting. Morales said the bloodshed was confined to the Molson Coors complex west of downtown - a facility known to locals as the old Miller brewery - and that "no members of the general public were involved." Miller beer is one of the company`s leading brands. Hours later, law enforcement officers were still combing through each building in the complex to secure the facility, Morales said, adding the deceased gunman was believed to have acted alone. The suspect was described only as a 51-year-old Milwaukee man. Details about the circumstances of the shooting, including what may have precipitated the carnage, were not provided by authorities. President Donald Trump, acknowledging the shooting as he opened a White House news conference about the coronavirus outbreak, referred to the gunman as a "wicked murderer" and called the gun violence "a terrible thing." Appearing with the police chief in Milwaukee, Mayor Tom Barrett branded the shooting "an unspeakable tragedy." "There were five individuals who went to work today just like everybody goes to work. They thought they were going to work and return to their families. They didn`t, and tragically they never will." Governor Tony Evers asked for a brief moment of silence out of respect for the victims "needlessly murdered at Molson Coors this afternoon." The entire Molson Coors campus was placed under a security lockdown, and the company advised employees in an email that the gunman had been located in or near a second-floor stairwell near a packaging facility, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Video footage from the scene showed streets cordoned off with numerous police and fire department vehicles ringing the area as brewery workers were escorted from buildings. Local television station WISN, an ABC affiliate, said police appeared to be searching a vehicle on or near the scene. The station later showed part of a residential Milwaukee neighbourhood roped off with police crime-scene tape. According to the Journal Sentinel, Molson Coors Beverage Co, which operates MillerCoors, announced plans last fall to close a Denver office and relocate some corporate support jobs to Milwaukee. The newspaper said the restructuring was designed to cut costs and resulted in 400 to 500 jobs being eliminated throughout Molson Coors. It said the company now had 610 jobs at its Milwaukee corporate office, in addition to 750 jobs at two breweries in the city.

Six people dead, including gunman, in Molson Coors brewery shooting in Milwaukee

US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign said on Wednesday that it had filed a libel suit against New York Times, accusing it of intentionally publishing false and defamatory opinion piece which claimed Trump's "overarching deal" with Russia in the 2016 elections.

Responding to the questions on the suit during White House press conference, Trump said that the news organisation "got a lot wrong over the last number of years".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-new-york-times-to-disclose-sources-that-us-is-ramping-up-cyber-attacks-on-russia-228519">Donald Trump asks New York Times to disclose sources that US is ramping up cyber attacks on Russia</a>

"If you read it, you'll see it's beyond an opinion. That's not an opinion. That's something much more than an opinion. They did a bad thing. And there'll be more coming."

The lawsuit is on the opinion published in the New York Times on March 27, 2017 by Max Frankel, with a headline: "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo”. A subhead from the opinion piece said: "The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal: help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy."&nbsp;

The opinion added: “Collusion – or a lack of it – turns out to have been the rhetorical trap that ensnared President Trump’s pursuers.”

“There was no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin’s oligarchy because they had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administration’s burdensome economic sanctions. The Trumpites knew about the quid and held out the prospect of the quo.”

The New York Times knowingly "published false and defamatory statements" against Trump, the draft copy of the suit said. &nbsp;

"The Times' own previous reporting had confirmed the falsity of these statements. But The Times published these statements anyway, knowing them to be false, and knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers," it said, blaming the media organisation's "extreme bias against and animosity toward the campaign", and "exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020".&nbsp;

Replying to the suit, a New York Times spokesperson said: "The Trump campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgements and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case."

US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign said on Wednesday that it had filed a libel suit against New York Times, accusing it of intentionally publishing false and defamatory opinion piece which claimed Trump's "overarching deal" with Russia in the 2016 elections.

US President Donald Trump's re-election campaign said on Wednesday that it had filed a libel suit against New York Times, accusing it of intentionally publishing false and defamatory opinion piece which claimed Trump's "overarching deal" with Russia in the 2016 elections. Responding to the questions on the suit during White House press conference, Trump said that the news organisation "got a lot wrong over the last number of years". Also read: Donald Trump asks New York Times to disclose sources that US is ramping up cyber attacks on Russia "If you read it, you'll see it's beyond an opinion. That's not an opinion. That's something much more than an opinion. They did a bad thing. And there'll be more coming." The lawsuit is on the opinion published in the New York Times on March 27, 2017 by Max Frankel, with a headline: "The Real Trump-Russia Quid Pro Quo”. A subhead from the opinion piece said: "The campaign and the Kremlin had an overarching deal: help beat Hillary Clinton for a new pro-Russian foreign policy." The opinion added: “Collusion – or a lack of it – turns out to have been the rhetorical trap that ensnared President Trump’s pursuers.” “There was no need for detailed electoral collusion between the Trump campaign and Vladimir Putin’s oligarchy because they had an overarching deal: the quid of help in the campaign against Hillary Clinton for the quo of a new pro-Russian foreign policy, starting with relief from the Obama administration’s burdensome economic sanctions. The Trumpites knew about the quid and held out the prospect of the quo.” The New York Times knowingly "published false and defamatory statements" against Trump, the draft copy of the suit said. "The Times' own previous reporting had confirmed the falsity of these statements. But The Times published these statements anyway, knowing them to be false, and knowing it would misinform and mislead its own readers," it said, blaming the media organisation's "extreme bias against and animosity toward the campaign", and "exuberance to improperly influence the presidential election in November 2020". Replying to the suit, a New York Times spokesperson said: "The Trump campaign has turned to the courts to try to punish an opinion writer for having an opinion they find unacceptable. Fortunately, the law protects the right of Americans to express their judgements and conclusions, especially about events of public importance. We look forward to vindicating that right in this case."

Trump campaign sues New York Times over Russia opinion piece

Donald Trump sided with India on tackling terrorism, mentioning that Delhi and Washington are committed to fighting terrorists.

"India and the US are committed to fight terrorists and their ideology; that is why my government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups," Trump said as he addressed a huge gathering at 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/latest-india-news/ddlj-spinning-charkha-and-garba-dance-five-developments-from-donald-trumps-india-visit-so-far-narendra-modi-282417">DDLJ, spinning charkha and Garba dance: Five developments from Donald Trump's India visit so far</a>

Trump also said that the US will always be a faithful and loyal friend of India. "Thank you for the spectacular welcome," he added.

Watch:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NamasteTrump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NamasteTrump</a> | Here's more of <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a>'s speech from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MoteraStadium?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MoteraStadium</a> in case you missed it!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaWelcomesTrump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaWelcomesTrump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpInIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpInIndia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpIndiaVisit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpIndiaVisit</a> <a href="https://t.co/TipynBKHjj">pic.twitter.com/TipynBKHjj</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1231885227569614848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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De-escalating tensions on trade friction, Trump also said that both US and India are working on a "fantastic trade" deal, and described Modi as a "tough negotiator".&nbsp;

The US president also spoke highly on PM Narendra Modi's humble background as a tea-seller, adding that PM Modi is a "living proof" of what an Indian could achieve from hard work. &nbsp;

"There is a difference between a nation that rises by coercion and one that rises by setting its people free -- that is India. India and the US have natural and enduring friendship," Trump said.

Trump also announced that a defence deal with India worth USD 3 billion would be signed tomorrow and said that the US looks forward to sell India with some of the best and most feared military equipment. &nbsp;

Heaping praise on films such as Sholay and DDLJ, Trump called Bollywood a "hub of genius and creativity". &nbsp;

"All over the planet people take great joy in scenes of bhangra, music and dance, romance and drama, and classic Indian films like 'DDLJ' and 'Sholay'," the US president said.

(with PTI inputs) 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump sided with India on tackling terrorism, mentioning that Delhi and Washington are committed to fighting terrorists. "India and the US are committed to fight terrorists and their ideology; that is why my government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups," Trump said as he addressed a huge gathering at 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad.

Donald Trump sided with India on tackling terrorism, mentioning that Delhi and Washington are committed to fighting terrorists. "India and the US are committed to fight terrorists and their ideology; that is why my government is working with Pakistan to crack down on terror groups," Trump said as he addressed a huge gathering at 'Namaste Trump' event at the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. Also read: DDLJ, spinning charkha and Garba dance: Five developments from Donald Trump's India visit so far Trump also said that the US will always be a faithful and loyal friend of India. "Thank you for the spectacular welcome," he added. Watch: #NamasteTrump | Here's more of @realDonaldTrump's speech from the #MoteraStadium in case you missed it!#IndiaWelcomesTrump #TrumpInIndia #TrumpIndiaVisit pic.twitter.com/TipynBKHjj — WION (@WIONews) February 24, 2020 × De-escalating tensions on trade friction, Trump also said that both US and India are working on a "fantastic trade" deal, and described Modi as a "tough negotiator". The US president also spoke highly on PM Narendra Modi's humble background as a tea-seller, adding that PM Modi is a "living proof" of what an Indian could achieve from hard work. "There is a difference between a nation that rises by coercion and one that rises by setting its people free -- that is India. India and the US have natural and enduring friendship," Trump said. Trump also announced that a defence deal with India worth USD 3 billion would be signed tomorrow and said that the US looks forward to sell India with some of the best and most feared military equipment. Heaping praise on films such as Sholay and DDLJ, Trump called Bollywood a "hub of genius and creativity". "All over the planet people take great joy in scenes of bhangra, music and dance, romance and drama, and classic Indian films like 'DDLJ' and 'Sholay'," the US president said. (with PTI inputs)

India, US committed to fighting terrorism, says President Trump

Pakistan&nbsp;Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process.

"I can tell you that there are no safe havens here," Khan spoke in a conference in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/no-let-up-in-taliban-attacks-fresh-orders-awaited-over-deal-with-us-281157">No let up in Taliban attacks, fresh orders awaited over deal with United States </a>

"Whatever the situation might have been in the past, right now, I can tell you... there is one thing we want: peace in Afghanistan."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-not-taking-any-concrete-step-against-terrorism-says-afghan-president-ghani-280998">Pakistan not taking any concrete step against terrorism, says Afghan President Ghani</a>

Khan's comments came at a time when the United States and Taliban appear on the verge of signing a deal that would ensure the US begin pulling out troops from Afghanistan.

Taliban, in return, would enter talks with the Afghan government, reduce violence and work towards a complete ceasefire, among others.

However, the Taliban on Sunday carried out an attack in a security checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz. Taliban claimed that 19 security personnel were killed in the attack. Afghan officials said that five people died in the attack.

Despite the attack, one of the Taliban's senior leaders said that the US and the militant group would sign a deal by the end of February in Doha.

Addressing a conference which marked 40 years of Pakistan giving shelter to Afghan refugees, the Pakistani PM also said that his country cannot "completely guarantee" that no Taliban are hiding among the Afghans living in Pakistan. However, he said, that his administration has done everything to prevent attacks in Afghanistan. &nbsp;

Earlier Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president claimed that Pakistan is allowing Taliban to recruit new militants from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has played a key role in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US also attended the conference.

The US has "commitments from the Talibs on security issues," Khalilzad said.

Last week, officials said that a seven-day "reduction in violence" by the Taliban, US and Afghanistan forces would kick-off as part of the confidence-building measures.

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that his country has no more militant safe havens left and his government fully backs the Afghan peace process. "I can tell you that there are no safe havens here," Khan spoke in a conference in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Also read: No let up in Taliban attacks, fresh orders awaited over deal with United States "Whatever the situation might have been in the past, right now, I can tell you... there is one thing we want: peace in Afghanistan." Also read: Pakistan not taking any concrete step against terrorism, says Afghan President Ghani Khan's comments came at a time when the United States and Taliban appear on the verge of signing a deal that would ensure the US begin pulling out troops from Afghanistan. Taliban, in return, would enter talks with the Afghan government, reduce violence and work towards a complete ceasefire, among others. However, the Taliban on Sunday carried out an attack in a security checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz. Taliban claimed that 19 security personnel were killed in the attack. Afghan officials said that five people died in the attack. Despite the attack, one of the Taliban's senior leaders said that the US and the militant group would sign a deal by the end of February in Doha. Addressing a conference which marked 40 years of Pakistan giving shelter to Afghan refugees, the Pakistani PM also said that his country cannot "completely guarantee" that no Taliban are hiding among the Afghans living in Pakistan. However, he said, that his administration has done everything to prevent attacks in Afghanistan. Earlier Sarwar Danish, Afghanistan's second vice president claimed that Pakistan is allowing Taliban to recruit new militants from Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan. US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who has played a key role in the dialogue between the Taliban and the US also attended the conference. The US has "commitments from the Talibs on security issues," Khalilzad said. Last week, officials said that a seven-day "reduction in violence" by the Taliban, US and Afghanistan forces would kick-off as part of the confidence-building measures. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Imran Khan claims no safe haven for militants left in Pakistan

The Democratic race for nominations has intensified and even a small mistake by the contenders can ruin their 2020 chances. And Democratic presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer, who are already behind the frontrunners, have erred on a general knowledge question&nbsp;which is grabbing eyeballs.&nbsp;

Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador&nbsp;will definitely not happy to know that Klobuchar and Steyer don't know his name.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-wins-new-hampshire-democratic-primary-report-280179">Bernie Sanders narrowly beats Buttigieg in New Hampshire Democratic primary: Report</a>

Steyer and Klobuchar, in a televised interview in Nevada, could not name the president of US's neighbour Mexico.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-twitter-trolls-roast-buttigiegs-robotic-raise-the-roof-280647">Twitter trolls Buttigieg's robotic 'Raise the Roof' dance move</a>

When asked about Mexico president's name, billionaire Steyer said: "I forgot".

"No," admitted Klobuchar on the same question.&nbsp;

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Steyer and Klobuchar did not know the name of the president of Mexico, in interviews w/ <a href="https://twitter.com/TelemundoNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TelemundoNews</a> 
“I forget,” says Steyer. 
"Can you tell me his name?" 
Klobuchar: “No." 
Pete knew. <a href="https://t.co/gUBqyxLfUW">pic.twitter.com/gUBqyxLfUW</a>
— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlxThomp/status/1228412333963333639?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Pete Buttigieg, who is currently the frontrunner in the Democratic nomination race was able to answer, avoiding a major embarrassment.&nbsp;

"Lopez Obrador... I hope," he responded, hesitatingly.

The netizens, however, gave mixed reactions to the gaffe, with some taking a dig, while others showing sympathy.

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Uh say what? Even I know who the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/President?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#President</a> of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mexico?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mexico</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMLOPresidente?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AMLOPresidente</a> JFC and these people expect to run this nation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Klobuchar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Klobuchar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steyer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steyer</a> are awful <a href="https://t.co/azBftSedxH">https://t.co/azBftSedxH</a>
— Grace in Your Face 🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸 (@MediumGrace) <a href="https://twitter.com/MediumGrace/status/1228585302412808193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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I don’t blame <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steyer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steyer</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amy</a> for not knowing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMLO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AMLO</a>’s name. I’m Mexican and I wish I could forget he is the president 😂😂🤣
— Paco Torres (@pakotorz93) <a href="https://twitter.com/pakotorz93/status/1228483877439713280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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It's all good, Mexican fam. No one in America knows who Amy Klobuchar is and if it wasnt for his spending spree buying up television ads, I'm pretty sure no one would know who Tom Steyer is either. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Klobuchar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Klobuchar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Steyer?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Steyer</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Democrats?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Democrats</a> <a href="https://t.co/YvDqVPZ0O8">https://t.co/YvDqVPZ0O8</a>
— Barkley (@MuttleyTweets) <a href="https://twitter.com/MuttleyTweets/status/1228548637656940545?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The interviews were conducted in an election forum which was hosted by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights group. Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Steyer were the only contenders who attended the event.&nbsp;

The forum focussed on the issues concerning the 32 million Latino voters in the state, many of whom have Mexican roots.&nbsp;

After Iowa and New Hampshire, Democrat candidates will now try their luck in Nevada caucus on February 22.&nbsp;

Sanders and Buttigieg are in a neck-and-neck race, with the latter narrowly winning the most delegates so far. On the other hand, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, who were the frontrunners before the primaries and caucuses began, are lagging behind.&nbsp;

The Democratic race for nominations has intensified and even a small mistake by the contenders can ruin their 2020 chances. And Democratic presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer, who are already behind the frontrunners, have erred on a general knowledge question which is grabbing eyeballs.

The Democratic race for nominations has intensified and even a small mistake by the contenders can ruin their 2020 chances. And Democratic presidential candidates Amy Klobuchar and Tom Steyer, who are already behind the frontrunners, have erred on a general knowledge question which is grabbing eyeballs. Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador will definitely not happy to know that Klobuchar and Steyer don't know his name. Also read: Bernie Sanders narrowly beats Buttigieg in New Hampshire Democratic primary: Report Steyer and Klobuchar, in a televised interview in Nevada, could not name the president of US's neighbour Mexico. Also read: Twitter trolls Buttigieg's robotic 'Raise the Roof' dance move When asked about Mexico president's name, billionaire Steyer said: "I forgot". "No," admitted Klobuchar on the same question. Steyer and Klobuchar did not know the name of the president of Mexico, in interviews w/ @TelemundoNews “I forget,” says Steyer. "Can you tell me his name?" Klobuchar: “No." Pete knew. pic.twitter.com/gUBqyxLfUW — Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) February 14, 2020 × Pete Buttigieg, who is currently the frontrunner in the Democratic nomination race was able to answer, avoiding a major embarrassment. "Lopez Obrador... I hope," he responded, hesitatingly. The netizens, however, gave mixed reactions to the gaffe, with some taking a dig, while others showing sympathy. Uh say what? Even I know who the #President of #Mexico #AMLOPresidente JFC and these people expect to run this nation. #Klobuchar #Steyer are awful https://t.co/azBftSedxH — Grace in Your Face 🙏🏼❤️🇺🇸 (@MediumGrace) February 15, 2020 × I don’t blame #Steyer and #Amy for not knowing #AMLO’s name. I’m Mexican and I wish I could forget he is the president 😂😂🤣 — Paco Torres (@pakotorz93) February 15, 2020 × It's all good, Mexican fam. No one in America knows who Amy Klobuchar is and if it wasnt for his spending spree buying up television ads, I'm pretty sure no one would know who Tom Steyer is either. #Klobuchar #Steyer #Democrats https://t.co/YvDqVPZ0O8 — Barkley (@MuttleyTweets) February 15, 2020 × The interviews were conducted in an election forum which was hosted by the League of United Latin American Citizens, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights group. Buttigieg, Klobuchar, and Steyer were the only contenders who attended the event. The forum focussed on the issues concerning the 32 million Latino voters in the state, many of whom have Mexican roots. After Iowa and New Hampshire, Democrat candidates will now try their luck in Nevada caucus on February 22. Sanders and Buttigieg are in a neck-and-neck race, with the latter narrowly winning the most delegates so far. On the other hand, Elizabeth Warren and Joe Biden, who were the frontrunners before the primaries and caucuses began, are lagging behind.

Who is Mexico's President? Don't ask Democratic candidates Klobuchar, Steyer

The US has approved the sale of an integrated air defence weapon system to India for an estimated cost of $1.9 billion to modernise its armed forces and to expand its existing air <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/indias-profile-is-attracting-engagement-on-military-issues-181801">defence architecture</a> to counter threats posed by air attacks.&nbsp;

The estimated cost of the entire system is $1.867 billion and the State Department has issued a statement saying that India intends to use these defence articles and services to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-military-expenditure-in-2018-stood-at-665-billion-pak-at-114-billion-sipri-214328">modernise its armed forces</a>, and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attack.

Massive military modernisation by China follows this proposed sale which is also exhibiting its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-india-news-our-target-is-5-billion-of-defence-export-in-next-five-years-narendra-modi-278885">military might</a> in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. The deal comes ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to India

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-aims-to-double-defence-exports-in-five-years-amid-resource-crunch-279876">India aims to double defence exports in five years amid resource crunch</a>

The US president will arrive in India on February 23 with&nbsp;both sides currently fine-tuning his schedule. The US and India are also to seal a trade deal during Trump's planned visit.

India’s military goal of updating its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between India, the US, and other allies will be achieved by the proposed sale of the IADWS.

A request was also made by India for five AN/MPQ-64Fl Sentinel radar systems; three AMRAAM Guidance Sections; one hundred eighteen AMRAAM AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles and one hundred thirty-four Stinger FIM-92L missiles.

Included in the comprehensive sale, among other things, are Vehicle Mounted Stinger Rapid Ranger Air Defence Systems and Dual Mount Stinger (DMS) Air Defence Systems.

The US has approved the sale of an integrated air defence weapon system to India for an estimated cost of $1.9 billion to modernise its armed forces and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attacks.

The US has approved the sale of an integrated air defence weapon system to India for an estimated cost of $1.9 billion to modernise its armed forces and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attacks. The estimated cost of the entire system is $1.867 billion and the State Department has issued a statement saying that India intends to use these defence articles and services to modernise its armed forces, and to expand its existing air defence architecture to counter threats posed by air attack. Massive military modernisation by China follows this proposed sale which is also exhibiting its military might in the strategic Indo-Pacific region. The deal comes ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to India Also Read: India aims to double defence exports in five years amid resource crunch The US president will arrive in India on February 23 with both sides currently fine-tuning his schedule. The US and India are also to seal a trade deal during Trump's planned visit. India’s military goal of updating its capability while further enhancing greater interoperability between India, the US, and other allies will be achieved by the proposed sale of the IADWS. A request was also made by India for five AN/MPQ-64Fl Sentinel radar systems; three AMRAAM Guidance Sections; one hundred eighteen AMRAAM AIM-120C-7/C-8 missiles and one hundred thirty-four Stinger FIM-92L missiles. Included in the comprehensive sale, among other things, are Vehicle Mounted Stinger Rapid Ranger Air Defence Systems and Dual Mount Stinger (DMS) Air Defence Systems.

US approves sale of  $1.9 billion worth integrated air defence weapon system to India

Iran should increase its military might to prevent a war, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/khamenei-to-lead-friday-prayers-for-first-time-since-2012-274495">Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei</a> told a gathering of air force commanders on Saturday, dismissing the US sanctions on the country as "criminal act".

"We should be strong to prevent any <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/irans-khamenei-delivers-friday-sermon-bid-to-quell-public-anger-274853">war against the county</a>. Being weak will encourage our enemies to attack Iran," Khamenei, Iran's top authority, said according to state news agency IRNA.

The Islamic Republic has vowed to increase its military strength despite mounting pressure from Western countries to curtail its military capabilities, including its ballistic missile programme.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/these-american-clowns-who-lie-says-khamenei-in-friday-sermon-referring-to-trump-274902">These American 'clowns' who lie, says Khamenei in Friday sermon referring to Trump</a>

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked since 2018 when US President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 pact between Iran and world powers under which Tehran accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions.

"Since the revolution, their aim was to stop us from having a strong military and a strong air force but look at us now. We even build planes. We have transformed their pressure to opportunity."

Iran is marking the 41st anniversary of the Islamic revolution, which toppled the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979. Washington has reimposed crippling sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force Iran to negotiate to reach a wider deal.

<img alt="Khamenei" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fafe40ea-8228-48cd-b2bc-e3afd3d958f9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_49.jpg" /> 
[ Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Khamenei, who dismissed the US sanctions as a "criminal act", has banned Iranian officials from holding talks unless the United States returns to the deal and lifts all sanctions. He said Iran should distance its economy from dependence on oil exports.

Iran and the United States stormed to the edge of war in early January when Tehran's most prominent general, Qassem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike on his convoy in Baghdad.

Tehran responded by launching missile attacks on US targets in Iraq. 
Iranian television said 80 "American terrorists" had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment damaged, without providing any evidence, Washington denied that there were any fatalities.

Iran should increase its military might to prevent a war, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of air force commanders on Saturday, dismissing the US sanctions on the country as "criminal act".

Iran should increase its military might to prevent a war, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told a gathering of air force commanders on Saturday, dismissing the US sanctions on the country as "criminal act". "We should be strong to prevent any war against the county. Being weak will encourage our enemies to attack Iran," Khamenei, Iran's top authority, said according to state news agency IRNA. The Islamic Republic has vowed to increase its military strength despite mounting pressure from Western countries to curtail its military capabilities, including its ballistic missile programme. Also Read: These American 'clowns' who lie, says Khamenei in Friday sermon referring to Trump Tensions between Tehran and Washington have spiked since 2018 when US President Donald Trump abandoned a 2015 pact between Iran and world powers under which Tehran accepted curbs to its nuclear programme in return for lifting sanctions. "Since the revolution, their aim was to stop us from having a strong military and a strong air force but look at us now. We even build planes. We have transformed their pressure to opportunity." Iran is marking the 41st anniversary of the Islamic revolution, which toppled the US-backed Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979. Washington has reimposed crippling sanctions aimed at halting all Iranian oil exports, saying it seeks to force Iran to negotiate to reach a wider deal. [ Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Khamenei, who dismissed the US sanctions as a "criminal act", has banned Iranian officials from holding talks unless the United States returns to the deal and lifts all sanctions. He said Iran should distance its economy from dependence on oil exports. Iran and the United States stormed to the edge of war in early January when Tehran's most prominent general, Qassem Soleimani, was killed in a US drone strike on his convoy in Baghdad. Tehran responded by launching missile attacks on US targets in Iraq. Iranian television said 80 "American terrorists" had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment damaged, without providing any evidence, Washington denied that there were any fatalities.

To prevent war, Iran must increase its military might: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack.

Here’s how each of the seven contenders on stage fared:

JOE BIDEN 
The former vice president, looking to rebound from a faceplant in Iowa's caucuses this week, obviously wanted to come out on the offensive. Unfortunately, he started the night telling the nation that he probably was going to lose New Hampshire as well.

But Biden grew more assured, tearing into US Senator Bernie Sanders over the cost of his Medicare for All plan and his record on guns while questioning Pete Buttigieg’s lack of experience. Biden seemed to relish in his long record of public service, repeatedly listing his accomplishments as a senator and vice president for Barack Obama. “The politics of the past, I think, were not all that bad,” Biden said.

The risk for Biden is such talk only reinforces the view of some Democrats that his moment has passed and why they’re looking to fresh faces such as Buttigieg. But Biden has little choice but lean even harder into his argument that he is best prepared to take over for President Donald Trump.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="351e7d0b-29e1-4073-b4d4-3cf068c648ab" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2897%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

PETE BUTTIGIEG 
As expected, everyone came gunning for the 38-year-old boyish former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Biden and US Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned his thin track record. Klobuchar also suggested Buttigieg had flipped positions on Medicare for All.&nbsp;

Sanders took a shot at his fundraising. And US Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a brutal critique of Buttigieg’s defence of his record as mayor concerning African Americans and criminal justice.

All of it was designed to make Buttigieg appear unready for the job – and at times he wobbled. At other points, he turned aggressive, labelling Sanders as an extreme candidate who would drive away moderates. Buttigieg did not back down from making his generational argument that it was time to pass the torch.&nbsp;

<img alt="Pete Buttigieg" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e86f3f22-1b4b-44fd-b429-e090dd49df1d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2898%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Pete Buttigieg, Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

He told Biden his achievements “were phenomenally important because they met the moment. But now we have to meet at this moment, and this moment is different.” He also continued his outreach to independents and even Republicans, who could be critical in New Hampshire, which allows non-Democrats to vote.

AMY KLOBUCHAR 
If this is the end of the line for the senator from Minnesota, she will go out turning in probably her best debate performance to date. She showed quick thinking on stage. She was the first candidate to raise her hand when they were asked if they were concerned about having a democratic socialist like Sanders at the top of the ticket.&nbsp;

Not long after, she was the first candidate to bring up Trump’s impeachment and his acquittal by the Senate, a trenchant reminder of the stakes of the election.

It was clear from the outset that Klobuchar looked to dent Buttigieg’s momentum, challenging him and even mocking him while framing herself as a better “unity” candidate. Referring to Trump, she said, “We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us.”

<img alt="Klobuchar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b57fa770-ed76-4a86-9943-68061bf949ff" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-08T131153.994.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic US Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

After a disappointing finish in Iowa - she came in fifth - Klobuchar heads into the New Hampshire primary a distinct underdog. One good debate is not likely to change that.

BERNIE SANDERS 
Coming off a strong performance in Iowa that put him almost in a dead heat with Buttigieg, Sanders was on the defensive early, as rivals like Biden questioned whether a democratic socialist could marshal broad enough support in November to defeat Trump.

As usual, Sanders showed little interest in moderating his message. His remarkable consistency – most of his quotes on Friday could have come from any of the other seven debates of this campaign, or his first presidential run in 2016 – is part of what endears him to his supporters.

It also brings questions about whether he can broaden his appeal to win a majority of American voters. Sanders’ answer on Friday was that his agenda of Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy would inspire more voters to participate in the election. “I believe the way we beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country,” he said.

<img alt="Sanders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="789faacc-f28e-4c7b-a456-c1dd6cd0129e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2899%29_1.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic US&nbsp;Presidential Candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

TOM STEYER 
The California billionaire was probably the most pugnacious candidate on stage, fashioning himself as a truth-teller trying to elevate the discussion beyond squabbles over healthcare plans and abortion rights toward something more basic: How to beat Trump.

Steyer argued Democrats must find some way to challenge Trump on the economy or risk failure. “We have to go win a huge victory this year, and we're in trouble,” he said. He also seemed to suggest that his rivals had very little idea how to bring the party together and ensure that African Americans and other voters of colour go to the polls in November.&nbsp;

With polls showing Steyer rising as a challenger to Biden in South Carolina, the outsider candidate is likely to keep spending freely, act like he has nothing to lose and perhaps stay on the debate stage.

ELIZABETH WARREN 
Warren continued pressing the closing argument she made in Iowa, arguing that she is uniquely positioned to unify the various factions within the Democratic Party. As a result, she appeared somewhat unwilling to engage in attacks on her rivals.

But as the debate proceeded, Warren fired a few shots at the other candidates. After moderators pressed Buttigieg on his mayoral record on race and policing, Warren was asked whether his answer had been satisfactory.

“No,” she said bluntly, before ticking off several areas – housing, education, employment – in which she has released plans that specifically target racial gaps.

<img alt="Warren" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b97a700e-ca37-4b1c-a3b8-cfe14d84b149" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%28100%29_1.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;Presidential Candidate and US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Later, she jumped at the chance to criticize billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early voting states and blanketing later states with a barrage of advertising, for trying to “buy” the nomination. She followed that with a thinly veiled shot at Sanders for getting help from an outside political group even though he has sworn off super PACs.

With less speaking time than Buttigieg, Biden, Sanders and Klobuchar, it was not clear whether she made enough of an impact after a week in which she was mostly an afterthought following a third-place finish in Iowa.

ANDREW YANG 
For months, Andrew Yang has pointed to New Hampshire as the early state where he expected to have the most appeal, thanks to the independent voters who make up a large portion of the electorate and might be drawn to his esoteric campaign platform.

But after a poor showing in Iowa, where he finished far behind the top candidates, Yang needed a breakout performance to have any hope of outperforming on Tuesday.

He didn’t get many opportunities. The moderators directed only a handful of questions at him, leaving him with by far the least amount of speaking time. As he has throughout the campaign, he declined to engage in any back-and-forth attacks with other candidates, which meant he spent long stretches in silence as rivals took turns swinging at one another.

<img alt="Yang" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3388b91a-447e-451c-8cde-d3e3aaf03944" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-08T131645.502.jpg" /> 
[ Businessman and 2020 US Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang (Courtesy: Twitter Handle @AndrewYang) ]

Yang's campaign, which has far outstripped any reasonable expectations, may be drawing to a close.

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack.

With Democratic presidential candidates fighting for their political lives ahead of New Hampshire's primary to choose who will face Republican Donald Trump in November, rivals debating on Friday took shots at one another and tried to separate themselves from the pack. Here’s how each of the seven contenders on stage fared: JOE BIDEN The former vice president, looking to rebound from a faceplant in Iowa's caucuses this week, obviously wanted to come out on the offensive. Unfortunately, he started the night telling the nation that he probably was going to lose New Hampshire as well. But Biden grew more assured, tearing into US Senator Bernie Sanders over the cost of his Medicare for All plan and his record on guns while questioning Pete Buttigieg’s lack of experience. Biden seemed to relish in his long record of public service, repeatedly listing his accomplishments as a senator and vice president for Barack Obama. “The politics of the past, I think, were not all that bad,” Biden said. The risk for Biden is such talk only reinforces the view of some Democrats that his moment has passed and why they’re looking to fresh faces such as Buttigieg. But Biden has little choice but lean even harder into his argument that he is best prepared to take over for President Donald Trump. [ Democratic Presidential Candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ] PETE BUTTIGIEG As expected, everyone came gunning for the 38-year-old boyish former mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Biden and US Senator Amy Klobuchar questioned his thin track record. Klobuchar also suggested Buttigieg had flipped positions on Medicare for All. Sanders took a shot at his fundraising. And US Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a brutal critique of Buttigieg’s defence of his record as mayor concerning African Americans and criminal justice. All of it was designed to make Buttigieg appear unready for the job – and at times he wobbled. At other points, he turned aggressive, labelling Sanders as an extreme candidate who would drive away moderates. Buttigieg did not back down from making his generational argument that it was time to pass the torch. [ Pete Buttigieg, Democratic presidential candidate and former South Bend, Indiana mayor (Courtesy: Reuters) ] He told Biden his achievements “were phenomenally important because they met the moment. But now we have to meet at this moment, and this moment is different.” He also continued his outreach to independents and even Republicans, who could be critical in New Hampshire, which allows non-Democrats to vote. AMY KLOBUCHAR If this is the end of the line for the senator from Minnesota, she will go out turning in probably her best debate performance to date. She showed quick thinking on stage. She was the first candidate to raise her hand when they were asked if they were concerned about having a democratic socialist like Sanders at the top of the ticket. Not long after, she was the first candidate to bring up Trump’s impeachment and his acquittal by the Senate, a trenchant reminder of the stakes of the election. It was clear from the outset that Klobuchar looked to dent Buttigieg’s momentum, challenging him and even mocking him while framing herself as a better “unity” candidate. Referring to Trump, she said, “We have a newcomer in the White House, and look what that got us.” [ Democratic US Presidential Candidate Amy Klobuchar (Courtesy: Reuters) ] After a disappointing finish in Iowa - she came in fifth - Klobuchar heads into the New Hampshire primary a distinct underdog. One good debate is not likely to change that. BERNIE SANDERS Coming off a strong performance in Iowa that put him almost in a dead heat with Buttigieg, Sanders was on the defensive early, as rivals like Biden questioned whether a democratic socialist could marshal broad enough support in November to defeat Trump. As usual, Sanders showed little interest in moderating his message. His remarkable consistency – most of his quotes on Friday could have come from any of the other seven debates of this campaign, or his first presidential run in 2016 – is part of what endears him to his supporters. It also brings questions about whether he can broaden his appeal to win a majority of American voters. Sanders’ answer on Friday was that his agenda of Medicare for All and higher taxes on the wealthy would inspire more voters to participate in the election. “I believe the way we beat Trump is by having the largest voter turnout in the history of this country,” he said. [ Democratic US Presidential Candidate and US Senator Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ] TOM STEYER The California billionaire was probably the most pugnacious candidate on stage, fashioning himself as a truth-teller trying to elevate the discussion beyond squabbles over healthcare plans and abortion rights toward something more basic: How to beat Trump. Steyer argued Democrats must find some way to challenge Trump on the economy or risk failure. “We have to go win a huge victory this year, and we're in trouble,” he said. He also seemed to suggest that his rivals had very little idea how to bring the party together and ensure that African Americans and other voters of colour go to the polls in November. With polls showing Steyer rising as a challenger to Biden in South Carolina, the outsider candidate is likely to keep spending freely, act like he has nothing to lose and perhaps stay on the debate stage. ELIZABETH WARREN Warren continued pressing the closing argument she made in Iowa, arguing that she is uniquely positioned to unify the various factions within the Democratic Party. As a result, she appeared somewhat unwilling to engage in attacks on her rivals. But as the debate proceeded, Warren fired a few shots at the other candidates. After moderators pressed Buttigieg on his mayoral record on race and policing, Warren was asked whether his answer had been satisfactory. “No,” she said bluntly, before ticking off several areas – housing, education, employment – in which she has released plans that specifically target racial gaps. [ Democratic 2020 US Presidential Candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Later, she jumped at the chance to criticize billionaire Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early voting states and blanketing later states with a barrage of advertising, for trying to “buy” the nomination. She followed that with a thinly veiled shot at Sanders for getting help from an outside political group even though he has sworn off super PACs. With less speaking time than Buttigieg, Biden, Sanders and Klobuchar, it was not clear whether she made enough of an impact after a week in which she was mostly an afterthought following a third-place finish in Iowa. ANDREW YANG For months, Andrew Yang has pointed to New Hampshire as the early state where he expected to have the most appeal, thanks to the independent voters who make up a large portion of the electorate and might be drawn to his esoteric campaign platform. But after a poor showing in Iowa, where he finished far behind the top candidates, Yang needed a breakout performance to have any hope of outperforming on Tuesday. He didn’t get many opportunities. The moderators directed only a handful of questions at him, leaving him with by far the least amount of speaking time. As he has throughout the campaign, he declined to engage in any back-and-forth attacks with other candidates, which meant he spent long stretches in silence as rivals took turns swinging at one another. [ Businessman and 2020 US Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang (Courtesy: Twitter Handle @AndrewYang) ] Yang's campaign, which has far outstripped any reasonable expectations, may be drawing to a close.

Presidential Candidates fight for survival in New Hampshire debate

Today in History: Articles of Confederation, Apollo 14 and more!

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-police-foils-terror-plot-arrests-three-taliban-terrorists-278421">Taliban</a> lashed out at the Trump administration&nbsp;on&nbsp;Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The US&nbsp;and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-envoy-for-taliban-talks-back-in-kabul-official-278071">US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official</a>

However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans.

The Taliban "has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Reaction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Reaction</a> 
IEA has the intention &amp; capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecPompeo</a> should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1224647135746043905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands &amp; quarrel b/w US &amp; Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled &amp; concerted - unlike them," he added.

The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan.

The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad -&nbsp;the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">Afghanistan</a> to brief officials on the status of the talks.

In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-violence-rises-amid-us-taliban-talks-watchdog-277677">Taliban </a>has&nbsp;insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward.

The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year&nbsp;when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence.

Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan.

The Taliban lashed out at the Trump administration on Wednesday, accusing the US of holding up negotiations over a potential withdrawal deal that would see the Americans end their 18-year war in Afghanistan. The US and the Taliban are still wrangling over a possible deal that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. Also read: US envoy for Taliban talks back in Kabul: Official However, there appears to have been little progress in reaching a deal in recent weeks, prompting the insurgents to saddle blame on the White House and what they say are a growing list of demands by the Americans. The Taliban "has the intention & capacity for a resolution," said spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a tweet. #Reaction IEA has the intention & capacity for a resolution. Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials.@SecPompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) February 4, 2020 × "Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump's tweet, numerous US demands & quarrel b/w US & Kabul officials. Secretary Pompeo should refrain from blame-shifting. Our stance in principled & concerted - unlike them," he added. The Taliban's remarks came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the insurgents must make "demonstrable evidence of their will and capacity to reduce violence" in order to reach an agreement during a meeting with Central Asian officials in Uzbekistan. The tweet also came days after Zalmay Khalilzad - the US special envoy leading negotiations with the Taliban launched a new round of shuttle diplomacy by travelling to both Pakistan and Afghanistan to brief officials on the status of the talks. In recent weeks, the US has been largely been quiet on the exact status of the negotiations, while the Taliban has insisted they were prepared to reduce fighting to move talks forward. The US and Taliban had been negotiating the deal for a year and were on the brink of an announcement in September last year when President Donald Trump abruptly declared the process "dead", citing Taliban violence. Talks were later restarted in December in Qatar, but paused again following an attack near the US-run Bagram military base in Afghanistan.

Negotiation process has been harmed by Trump and US demands: Taliban

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-calls-unmitigated-disaster-as-sanders-buttigieg-claim-victory-278558">Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory</a>

Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation."

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f9c5b1b8-542c-457b-ba0e-be3edcf448a8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN_0.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data.

"While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement.

"We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added.

'Winning organization'&nbsp;

Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign."

"We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC.

"This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added.

Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa."

"Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist.

Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience.

"I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard."

'Unmitigated disaster'&nbsp;

With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11.

According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent.&nbsp;

Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November.

"The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country."

Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'"

"When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said.

Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday.

According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses.

Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses.

Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump. 
&nbsp;

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump.

Democratic candidates were anxiously awaiting results from the Iowa caucuses on Tuesday after technical glitches plunged the kickoff vote of the US presidential nominating contest into chaos, drawing the mockery of President Donald Trump. Pete Buttigieg, the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, claimed victory although the Iowa Democratic Party had not yet released any official results, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders also declared that he had done "very, very well." Also read: Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory Former vice president Joe Biden's campaign for its part said that although it had "zero official data" so far it believed it had won its "fair share" of the vote and it was a "tight race with bunched up candidates." Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' But Joe Rospars, chief strategist for Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, chided the other candidates, tweeting that "any campaign saying they won or putting out incomplete numbers is contributing to the chaos and misinformation." (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) The Iowa Democratic Party said precinct results were still coming in and blamed the delay on an app that was reporting only partial data. "While our plan is to release results as soon as possible today, our ultimate goal is to ensure that the integrity and accuracy of the process continues to be upheld," it said in a statement. "We have every indication that our systems were secure and there was not a cybersecurity intrusion," it added. 'Winning organization' Buttigieg, who is battling Biden for the moderate wing of the party, said that based on an internal tally it was a "clear victory for this campaign." "We were able to demonstrate both the winning message and the winning organization," Buttigieg said in an interview with MSNBC. "This is really the first proof point for how we're building the campaign that is ultimately going to go on to defeat Trump" in November's presidential election, he added. Sanders, 78, said he had "a good feeling we're going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa." "Tonight in this enormously consequential 2020 election, the first state in the country has voted, and today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump," said the self-described democratic socialist. Another Democratic candidate, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, called for patience. "I think they'll be able to count them by hand, just like they used to," Klobuchar told CNN. "I'm sure they're working hard." 'Unmitigated disaster' With Iowa still mired in confusion, Democratic candidates were already turning their sights on the next nominating contest, which takes place in New Hampshire on February 11. According to a Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll released Monday, Sanders is leading in New Hampshire with 24 per cent support followed by Biden with 18 per cent, Warren with 13 per cent and Buttigieg with 11 per cent. Republicans led by Trump gloated over the Democratic setback, a closely-watched test in the months-long process to determine who will be the party nominee in November. "The Democrat caucus is an unmitigated disaster," Trump tweeted. "Nothing works, just like they ran the country." Alluding to his own victory in Republican caucuses in Iowa, Trump said "the only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump.'" "When will the Democrats start blaming RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA, instead of their own incompetence for the voting disaster that just happened in the Great State of Iowa?" Trump said. Trump is to deliver his nationally televised "State of the Union" address later Tuesday to a joint session of Congress under the cloud of impeachment but all but certain acquittal in the Senate on Wednesday. According to Buttigieg's website, citing results from 1,200 of the 1,700 precincts in Iowa, he earned the support of 24.7 per cent of the 152,000 voters who took part in Monday's caucuses. Results released by the Sanders campaign from nearly 40 per cent of the Iowa precincts showed him with 28.62 per cent of the state delegate equivalent, the figure used to determine who wins the Iowa caucuses. Buttigieg was credited with 25.71 per cent, followed by Warren with 18.42 per cent and Biden with 15.08 per cent which, if confirmed, would be a disappointing showing for the candidate who has consistently claimed he is the person best positioned to take on and defeat Trump.

Democrats turn attention to New Hampshire after Iowa fiasco

US President Donald Trump late on Tuesday will deliver the annual State of the Union speech to Congress just ahead of the verdict on his impeachment trial.&nbsp;

The State of the Union is a grand political event in the United States, where foes observe a truce while the president lays out a vision for the future.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/state-of-the-union-the-women-in-white-stole-trumps-night-195958">State of the Union: The women in white stole Trump’s night</a>

So, what exactly is the State of the Union and what is its significance? Let's find out.&nbsp;

What is the State of the Union?

George Washington on April 30, 1789, combined the inaugural address with the annual address.&nbsp;

The US Constitution lays out the basics of the State of the Union address.&nbsp;

The president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient,” says Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution.

With time, the yearly message has gone through name changes. From 1790 to 1946, it was formally known as the Annual Message. It was described informally as the "state of the Union" message/address from 1942 to 1946. From 1947, it is officially known as the State of the Union address.&nbsp;

What is included in the address?

Earlier, the annual address focussed on budget requests and the state of the economy. In the 20th century, Congress required more-specialised reports on these two areas, separate from the annual message.&nbsp;

With Woodrow Wilson's address in 1913, the content of the message has changed as it now is a platform for the president to rally support for his agenda. Wilson also revived the practice of the address in person to the joint session of Congress. Since Wilson, all American presidents (except Herbert Hoover) have chosen to go before Congress to address their annual message.&nbsp;

What Trump can speak on the State of the Union?

The annual speech themed as "The Great American Comeback" could be an opportunity for Trump to reach out to the nation whose anger is growing over mistrust. He could also express regret for what even his Republican senators agree as a wrongful behaviour to push Ukraine for opening 
a probe against his main Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden. Trump can also avoid touching impeachment, just as Bill Clinton did post his impeachment in 1999.&nbsp;

Trump has earlier said that his speech would present an optimistic vision for the US.&nbsp;However, as the crucial elections will be held this year, Trump could also use this speech to lash out at his Democratic rivals.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump late on Tuesday will deliver the annual State of the Union speech to Congress just ahead of the verdict on his impeachment trial. The State of the Union is a grand political event in the United States, where foes observe a truce while the president lays out a vision for the future.

US President Donald Trump late on Tuesday will deliver the annual State of the Union speech to Congress just ahead of the verdict on his impeachment trial. The State of the Union is a grand political event in the United States, where foes observe a truce while the president lays out a vision for the future. Also read: State of the Union: The women in white stole Trump’s night So, what exactly is the State of the Union and what is its significance? Let's find out. What is the State of the Union? George Washington on April 30, 1789, combined the inaugural address with the annual address. The US Constitution lays out the basics of the State of the Union address. The president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient,” says Article II, Section 3, Clause 1 of the Constitution. With time, the yearly message has gone through name changes. From 1790 to 1946, it was formally known as the Annual Message. It was described informally as the "state of the Union" message/address from 1942 to 1946. From 1947, it is officially known as the State of the Union address. What is included in the address? Earlier, the annual address focussed on budget requests and the state of the economy. In the 20th century, Congress required more-specialised reports on these two areas, separate from the annual message. With Woodrow Wilson's address in 1913, the content of the message has changed as it now is a platform for the president to rally support for his agenda. Wilson also revived the practice of the address in person to the joint session of Congress. Since Wilson, all American presidents (except Herbert Hoover) have chosen to go before Congress to address their annual message. What Trump can speak on the State of the Union? The annual speech themed as "The Great American Comeback" could be an opportunity for Trump to reach out to the nation whose anger is growing over mistrust. He could also express regret for what even his Republican senators agree as a wrongful behaviour to push Ukraine for opening a probe against his main Democratic presidential opponent Joe Biden. Trump can also avoid touching impeachment, just as Bill Clinton did post his impeachment in 1999. Trump has earlier said that his speech would present an optimistic vision for the US. However, as the crucial elections will be held this year, Trump could also use this speech to lash out at his Democratic rivals.

EXPLAINED: What is the State of the Union address

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-news-iowa-caucus-results-delayed-due-to-inconsistencies-278461">Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies'</a>

The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f64a6563-8bb2-491e-b7f0-eacf978b1759" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/MdIo1ZN5.jpg" />

(Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters)

It was unclear when any results would be released.

<img alt="Iowa" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10757c8f-edfc-496a-bc24-ad5a016b0294" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/ohdSMXgN.jpg" />

(A supporter of Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020)

Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes.

Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1224657196392370177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee.

Dismay in the ranks

Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome.

"Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau.

A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results.

Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president.

Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren.

Declaring victory

With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place.

"I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters.

Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire.

"By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said.

Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning.

"Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport.

At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion.

Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February.

Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July.

Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden.

Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues.

Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets. 
&nbsp;

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely.

President Donald Trump branded the Democratic Party's chaotic effort in Iowa to begin choosing an election challenger as an "unmitigated disaster" on Tuesday after results in the state caucus were delayed indefinitely. Hours after voters made their choices at 1,600 schools and other public locations, Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters to expect results sometime on Tuesday in the state, the first to hold a nominating contest. Also read: Iowa caucus results delayed due to 'inconsistencies' The party said it had to make "quality checks" after finding "inconsistencies" in the reporting of the data from caucus sites, sparking frustration among Democrats and criticism from Republicans. (Chasten and Pete Buttigieg pose for a selfie with supporters at an election night rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, February 3 | Photo Credit: Reuters) It was unclear when any results would be released. (A supporter of Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) listens as she speaks at her Iowa Caucus rally in Des Moines, Iowa, US, Feb 3, 2020) Iowa voters met to render judgment on a field of 11 Democratic contenders led by front-runner Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and his rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Party officials voiced confidence in their ability to ensure accurate results, citing a paper trail to validate the votes. Trump called the Democratic caucus an "unmitigated disaster" in a tweet. "Nothing works, just like they ran the Country." The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is “Trump”. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020 × But Republicans in Iowa have their own history of chaos. On the night of the party's 2012 caucuses, Mitt Romney was declared to have won by eight votes. But the party said two weeks later that Rick Santorum had won by a 34-vote margin. Romney went on to be the nominee. Dismay in the ranks Long lines and big crowds were reported in some locations on Monday, but more than ten hours after the doors closed there was no word on the outcome. "Every second that passes undermines the process a little bit," said Warren's campaign manager Roger Lau. A source in Buttigieg's campaign said the delay would "delegitimize" the win and dampen the immediate benefits of a strong night. Biden's general counsel, Dana Remus, told state party officials in a letter there were widespread failures in the party's system of reporting results. Mostly white, rural Iowa is the first test in the state-by-state battle to pick a Democratic nominee to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. After more than a year of campaigning and more than $800 million in spending, the results in Iowa were expected to begin to provide answers for a party desperately trying to figure out how to beat the businessman-turned-president. Voters are pondering whether to back someone with an appeal to independents and disaffected Republicans, like moderates Biden, Buttigieg and Senator Amy Klobuchar of neighbouring Minnesota, or someone who energizes the party's liberal base and brings out new voters, like progressives Sanders and Warren. Declaring victory With no results to celebrate or mourn, the candidates spun their own upbeat view of the outcome. The Sanders campaign released what it said were its internal numbers collected at 40% of precincts, showing him in first, ahead of Buttigieg, Warren and Biden in fourth place. "I have a strong feeling that at some point the results will be announced, and when those results are announced I have a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa," Sanders told cheering supporters. Buttigieg told his supporters in Iowa that "we don't know the results" but was looking ahead to the next contest on Feb. 11 in New Hampshire. "By all indications, we are going to New Hampshire victorious," he said. Several of the candidates, including Biden, Klobuchar and Warren, headed to New Hampshire immediately after the caucuses. Sanders planned to fly there on Tuesday morning. "Of course we don't know the results yet - minor problem - but we know we did incredibly well," Klobuchar told supporters at the Manchester, New Hampshire, airport. At the caucus sites in Iowa, voters had gathered in groups by candidate preference in a public display of support. If a candidate did not attract 15% of voters, the total needed to be considered viable, that candidates' supporters were released to back another contender, leading to a further round of persuasion. Even if one candidate eventually wins by a commanding margin in Iowa, Democrats may still lack clear answers as the race moves on to the other three early voting states of New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina later in February. Whoever remains in the race by Super Tuesday on March 3, when 15 states and territories vote, will also confront billionaire former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is skipping the early states in favour of focusing on states rich in delegates to the Democratic National Convention in July. Sanders has surged in many Iowa polls to move just ahead of Biden. Beating Trump was the prime consideration for voters as they entered the caucus, according to a poll of 1,512 Iowa Democrats conducted by the National Election Pool, with 62% saying they want someone who can beat Trump and 36% wanting a nominee who agrees with them on major issues. Republicans also held Iowa caucuses on Monday, with Trump, who has around 90 per cent support in his party, declared the projected winner by media outlets.

Donald Trump calls Democrats Iowa 'unmitigated disaster' as Sanders, Buttigieg claim victory

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-plane-crashes-in-afghanistan-top-us-intel-officers-dead-277184">conflict's continued toll</a> despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-recovers-two-bodies-from-bombardier-aircraft-crash-site-in-afghanistan-277343">two </a>months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities.

Despite the lull, which has come as the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/despite-defeats-the-islamic-state-remains-unbroken-and-defiant-around-the-world-277491"> US and the Taliban continue talks</a> over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-bombing-of-afghanistan-hits-10-year-high-us-air-force-277324">United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force</a>

September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September.

"A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force.

Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees.&nbsp; The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire.

SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul.

Violent attacks in Afghanistan's war jumped to record levels in the last quarter of 2019, a US government watchdog said Friday, underscoring the conflict's continued toll despite relative calm in Kabul. The nation's capital and other urban areas have enjoyed a rare stretch of more than two months without the sorts of large-scale bomb attack that frequently rock the city and cause mass causalities. Despite the lull, which has come as the US and the Taliban continue talks over a possible deal for American forces to leave Afghanistan, fighting in rural provinces has continued unabated, with reports of skirmishes appearing daily. According to the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), "enemy-initiated attacks" rose sharply last year, with the fourth quarter seeing a total of 8,204 attacks -- up from 6,974 in the same period in 2018. Also Read: United States bombing of Afghanistan hits 10-year high: US Air Force September, when the first round of presidential voting was held, saw the highest number of casualty-causing attacks since recording began in 2010. SIGAR noted that attacks appeared to mirror progress in US-Taliban talks, with incidents dropping earlier in the year, then picking up again after US President Donald Trump temporarily halted negotiations in September. "A turbulent last six months resulted in increases in overall enemy attacks (6 per cent) and effective attacks (4 per cent) in 2019 compared to the already high levels reported in 2018," SIGAR said in its quarterly report to the US Congress. The Pentagon has also continued to up the tempo of operations, with American warplanes dropping more bombs on Afghanistan in 2019 than at any other time in at least a decade, according to the US Air Force. Washington and the Taliban are continuing to wrangle over a possible agreement that would see US troops begin to leave Afghanistan in return for security guarantees. The US has for months been calling on the militants to reduce violence, but both sides have said little in recent days about the status of talks and the Kabul government wants the US to push for a full ceasefire. SIGAR's report also found that Afghanistan's security forces struggled to take the fight to the Taliban, relying on US support for more than half their ground operations. SIGAR also highlighted a slight increase in the number of casualties among Afghan military members, who have sustained massive losses over the past five years.

Amid US-Taliban peace talks, violence in Afghanistan rises: Watchdog

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill strengthening Washington's support for human rights and environmental protection in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tibetans-retain-power-of-truth-china-exercises-power-of-guns-dalai-lama-270151">Tibet</a>, and advocating sanctions against China if it interferes in the succession of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tibetan-government-passes-resolution-on-reincarnation-of-dalai-lama-254071">Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama</a>.

The bill, Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019, states that if <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/chinas-increased-influence-in-nepal-led-to-ban-on-dalai-lama-birthday-celebration-us-envoy-257843">Chinese officials</a> interfere in the process of recognizing a successor or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, they will be subject to sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act.

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Introduced by Congressman James P McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the bill passed with an overwhelming vote of 392-22, reported CNN.

Stating that the US is sending a 'clear signal' to China, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "We are sending Beijing a clear signal that they will be held accountable for interfering in Tibet's religious and cultural affairs. We are making clear that Chinese officials who meddle in the process of recognizing a new Dalai Lama will be subject to targeted sanctions, including those in the Global Magnitsky Act."

"I rise in support of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2019: strong, bipartisan and urgently-needed legislation to strengthen America's commitment to the Tibetan people and their right to safeguard their distinct identity," she added.

Further, she added that this legislation deploys America's diplomatic weight to encourage a genuine dialogue between Tibetan leaders and Beijing.

"It is unacceptable that the Chinese government still refuses to enter into a dialogue with Tibetan leaders," she added.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill strengthening Washington's support for human rights and environmental protection in Tibet, and advocating sanctions against China if it interferes in the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill strengthening Washington's support for human rights and environmental protection in Tibet, and advocating sanctions against China if it interferes in the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. The bill, Tibet Policy Support Act of 2019, states that if Chinese officials interfere in the process of recognizing a successor or reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, they will be subject to sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act. Also Read: Dalai Lama: A monk in the middle of two rival nations Introduced by Congressman James P McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the bill passed with an overwhelming vote of 392-22, reported CNN. Stating that the US is sending a 'clear signal' to China, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, "We are sending Beijing a clear signal that they will be held accountable for interfering in Tibet's religious and cultural affairs. We are making clear that Chinese officials who meddle in the process of recognizing a new Dalai Lama will be subject to targeted sanctions, including those in the Global Magnitsky Act." "I rise in support of the Tibetan Policy Act of 2019: strong, bipartisan and urgently-needed legislation to strengthen America's commitment to the Tibetan people and their right to safeguard their distinct identity," she added. Further, she added that this legislation deploys America's diplomatic weight to encourage a genuine dialogue between Tibetan leaders and Beijing. "It is unacceptable that the Chinese government still refuses to enter into a dialogue with Tibetan leaders," she added.

US House passes bill to support Tibet, warns sanctions on Chinese officials for interfering in Dalai Lama's succession

Now, Iran media claims CIA chief behind Soleimani’s assassination killed in Afghanistan plane crash

The United States is arranging a flight to evacuate personnel and American citizens trapped at the epicentre of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-virus-death-toll-rises-to-56-total-cases-near-2000-276577">deadly virus in central China</a>, the US State Department said on Sunday.

The flight will leave on Tuesday from the city of Wuhan to take consular personnel to San Francisco, the department said in an email to Americans in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-declares-coronavirus-emergency-halts-official-visits-to-mainland-china-276488">China</a>, warning that there would be limited space for private citizens.

"This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/understanding-novel-coronavirus-ncov-symptoms-and-precautions-276477">coronavirus</a>," the department said.

<img alt="Medical staff attending to patient" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4ac83845-fe92-4d28-8544-40cfd85e2b87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2873%29.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Medical staff attending to patient Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-3-cases-in-france-1-in-australia-us-expecting-more-cases-276474">Coronavirus Outbreak: 3 cases in France, 1 in Australia, US expecting more cases</a>

Citing unidentified people familiar with the effort, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the plane would seat around 230 people. Around 1,000 American citizens are believed to be in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, the newspaper said.

France plans to evacuate its citizens stuck in Hubei by bus. The outbreak, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 across China, is believed to have originated in a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan.

The city of 11 million people has been placed under effective quarantine for days, with a car traffic ban going into effect on Sunday. Transport restrictions have been expanded across Hubei, corralling some 56 million people in total.

The United States is arranging a flight to evacuate personnel and American citizens trapped at the epicentre of a deadly virus in central China, the US State Department said on Sunday.

The United States is arranging a flight to evacuate personnel and American citizens trapped at the epicentre of a deadly virus in central China, the US State Department said on Sunday. The flight will leave on Tuesday from the city of Wuhan to take consular personnel to San Francisco, the department said in an email to Americans in China, warning that there would be limited space for private citizens. "This capacity is extremely limited and if there is insufficient ability to transport everyone who expresses interest, priority will be given to individuals at greater risk from coronavirus," the department said. [ Medical staff attending to patient Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Coronavirus Outbreak: 3 cases in France, 1 in Australia, US expecting more cases Citing unidentified people familiar with the effort, The Wall Street Journal reported earlier that the plane would seat around 230 people. Around 1,000 American citizens are believed to be in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, the newspaper said. France plans to evacuate its citizens stuck in Hubei by bus. The outbreak, which has killed 56 people and infected nearly 2,000 across China, is believed to have originated in a seafood and live animal market in Wuhan. The city of 11 million people has been placed under effective quarantine for days, with a car traffic ban going into effect on Sunday. Transport restrictions have been expanded across Hubei, corralling some 56 million people in total.

US to evacuate its citizens from China virus epicentre

US Treasury Secretary <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Steven Mnuchin</a> said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday.

"I'm quite optimistic. I think the prime minister and the president have a very good relationship," Mnuchin told an audience at the Chatham House think tank in London.

"We're focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it's important to both of us," he added.

After the United States recently concluded the initial phase of a trade agreement with China, deals with Britain and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-imposes-record-75-billion-tariffs-on-european-union-256583">the European Union</a> were now the priority, Mnuchin stated. While the Treasury Secretary conceded that Britain may need to finalise some issues with the EU before it could discuss them with Washington, he didn't see this leading to a delay.

"I think a lot of the issues can be dealt with simultaneously and again we look forward to continuing a great trade relationship, and, if anything, I think there will be significantly more trade between the US and the UK," he said. When asked if Britain's plan to implement a digital services tax on US technology giants such as Facebook and Google could hinder the trade negotiations, Mnuchin said that he discussed the issue on Saturday with Javid.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/queen-elizabeth-ii-approves-uk-governments-brexit-bill-276201">Queen Elizabeth II approves UK government's Brexit bill</a>

<img alt="US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59ffbaed-cc2a-4034-8dc4-fa97bfde2a87" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2884%29_0.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Washington is threatening to put tariffs on products from the EU's member states if they follow through with a plan to introduce a new tax on US tech giants. "The US feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate," Mnuchin said.&nbsp;

Britain has said it intends to implement the tax, while France has put off its plans to wait for broader negotiations within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Mnuchin said he wanted to narrow the US trade deficit with the EU but that differences between the bloc's member states would complicate negotiations.

"When we talk about the EU, one of the challenges is some of these issues are really only a couple of countries, but I think, as you know, because of the EU we can’t negotiate these things on a bilateral basis," he said. "One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is even within the EU they have different views," he added. 
&nbsp;

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that he was optimistic the United States and Britain, soon to be out of the European Union, would strike a trade deal this year and that he had discussed it with Britain's finance minister on Saturday. "I'm quite optimistic. I think the prime minister and the president have a very good relationship," Mnuchin told an audience at the Chatham House think tank in London. "We're focused on trying to get this done this year because we think it's important to both of us," he added. After the United States recently concluded the initial phase of a trade agreement with China, deals with Britain and the European Union were now the priority, Mnuchin stated. While the Treasury Secretary conceded that Britain may need to finalise some issues with the EU before it could discuss them with Washington, he didn't see this leading to a delay. "I think a lot of the issues can be dealt with simultaneously and again we look forward to continuing a great trade relationship, and, if anything, I think there will be significantly more trade between the US and the UK," he said. When asked if Britain's plan to implement a digital services tax on US technology giants such as Facebook and Google could hinder the trade negotiations, Mnuchin said that he discussed the issue on Saturday with Javid. Also Read: Queen Elizabeth II approves UK government's Brexit bill [ US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Washington is threatening to put tariffs on products from the EU's member states if they follow through with a plan to introduce a new tax on US tech giants. "The US feels very strongly that any tax that is designed specifically on digital companies is a discriminatory tax and is not appropriate," Mnuchin said. Britain has said it intends to implement the tax, while France has put off its plans to wait for broader negotiations within the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Mnuchin said he wanted to narrow the US trade deficit with the EU but that differences between the bloc's member states would complicate negotiations. "When we talk about the EU, one of the challenges is some of these issues are really only a couple of countries, but I think, as you know, because of the EU we can’t negotiate these things on a bilateral basis," he said. "One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is even within the EU they have different views," he added.

Post-Brexit UK trade deal with US 'optimistic', says Treasury Secretary Mnuchin

Mexican troops used tear gas to detain 800 migrants who surged into <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/the-vatican-must-probe-cover-up-of-child-sexual-abuse-275752">Mexico</a> Thursday after wading across a river on the country's southern border with Guatemala.&nbsp;

National Guard forces in the southern state of Chiapas prevented them from continuing their journey by forming a human fence along a road, as panic erupted among some of the migrants.&nbsp;

The Central Americans, who were trekking on foot towards the city of Ciudad Hidalgo, were intercepted by troops who used tear gas and scuffled with the migrants to halt their progress, an AFP journalist at the scene reported.&nbsp;

<img alt="Central American migrants" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2dc9f225-d02d-47be-b584-04be81ed1234" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2876%29_0.jpg" />

The Interior Ministry later said 800 migrants of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shock-investment-urged-to-stem-flow-of-central-american-migrants-245236">Central American</a> origin were "rescued" after crossing the border at the Suchiate River.

Following their detention, the migrants were taken to buses run by the National Migration Institute, the agency that will determine their official immigration status and manage deportations.

Officials said that they were still looking for another 200 migrants who managed to avoid detention.&nbsp;

Thousands of Central Americans have crossed Mexico toward the United States in caravans in recent years, fleeing chronic poverty and brutal gang violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

The so-called "2020 Caravan" left Honduras on January 14, gathering an estimated 3,500 people as it made its way across Guatemala. The bulk of the caravan crossed into Mexico at the weekend.

Mexican National Guard troops also fired tear gas on Monday to force back migrants attempting to enter the country, leading to scenes of chaos as huge crowds of people flailed across the Suchiate River.&nbsp;

<img alt="Central America migrants" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4126b09d-00b2-458c-b5a8-ed76ccb6eccb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2875%29.jpg" />

About 500 were able to enter the country illegally, though more than 400 of them were later arrested at a roadblock.&nbsp;

The Interior Ministry said it deported 460 Hondurans via official planes and buses following Monday's clashes.

"We want to speak with President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mexico-is-bleeding-can-its-new-president-stop-the-violence-193818">Lopez Obrador</a> directly," read one long cloth banner held up as the migrants walked Thursday.

Others waved flags from their countries, as well as a giant US banner.

"We are coming peacefully," some of the migrants shouted.&nbsp;

Others distributed apparently unofficial forms requesting refuge in Mexico.

Mexico's migration authority said the country was ready to welcome foreigners as long as they entered the country in a manner that was "lawful, safe and orderly."

Officials have begun implementing a government plan to offer jobs and shelter to migrants to encourage them to stay in southern Mexico.

However, most want to be allowed to move freely through Mexico to the US border, citing their intention to seek asylum in the United States to escape poverty and gang violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Mexican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mexico-accuses-bolivia-of-intimidating-its-diplomats-in-la-paz-269871">Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador</a>, an anti-establishment leftist who came to office vowing to protect migrants' rights, said 4,000 jobs were available to migrants from the new caravan if they remain in southern Mexico.

Mexico faces pressure to keep migrants from crossing its northern border from US President Donald Trump, who last year threatened to impose steep tariffs if the country did not do more to stop a surge of undocumented Central Americans.&nbsp;

Lopez Obrador deployed some 26,000 troops to the country's borders in response.&nbsp;

Mexican troops used tear gas to detain 800 migrants who surged into Mexico Thursday after wading across a river on the country's southern border with Guatemala. National Guard forces in the southern state of Chiapas prevented them from continuing their journey by forming a human fence along a road, as panic erupted among some of the migrants.

Mexican troops used tear gas to detain 800 migrants who surged into Mexico Thursday after wading across a river on the country's southern border with Guatemala. National Guard forces in the southern state of Chiapas prevented them from continuing their journey by forming a human fence along a road, as panic erupted among some of the migrants. The Central Americans, who were trekking on foot towards the city of Ciudad Hidalgo, were intercepted by troops who used tear gas and scuffled with the migrants to halt their progress, an AFP journalist at the scene reported. The Interior Ministry later said 800 migrants of Central American origin were "rescued" after crossing the border at the Suchiate River. Following their detention, the migrants were taken to buses run by the National Migration Institute, the agency that will determine their official immigration status and manage deportations. Officials said that they were still looking for another 200 migrants who managed to avoid detention. Thousands of Central Americans have crossed Mexico toward the United States in caravans in recent years, fleeing chronic poverty and brutal gang violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The so-called "2020 Caravan" left Honduras on January 14, gathering an estimated 3,500 people as it made its way across Guatemala. The bulk of the caravan crossed into Mexico at the weekend. Mexican National Guard troops also fired tear gas on Monday to force back migrants attempting to enter the country, leading to scenes of chaos as huge crowds of people flailed across the Suchiate River. About 500 were able to enter the country illegally, though more than 400 of them were later arrested at a roadblock. The Interior Ministry said it deported 460 Hondurans via official planes and buses following Monday's clashes. "We want to speak with President Lopez Obrador directly," read one long cloth banner held up as the migrants walked Thursday. Others waved flags from their countries, as well as a giant US banner. "We are coming peacefully," some of the migrants shouted. Others distributed apparently unofficial forms requesting refuge in Mexico. Mexico's migration authority said the country was ready to welcome foreigners as long as they entered the country in a manner that was "lawful, safe and orderly." Officials have begun implementing a government plan to offer jobs and shelter to migrants to encourage them to stay in southern Mexico. However, most want to be allowed to move freely through Mexico to the US border, citing their intention to seek asylum in the United States to escape poverty and gang violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, an anti-establishment leftist who came to office vowing to protect migrants' rights, said 4,000 jobs were available to migrants from the new caravan if they remain in southern Mexico. Mexico faces pressure to keep migrants from crossing its northern border from US President Donald Trump, who last year threatened to impose steep tariffs if the country did not do more to stop a surge of undocumented Central Americans. Lopez Obrador deployed some 26,000 troops to the country's borders in response.

Mexico detains 800 Central American migrants headed to United States

Lead House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;manager <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/adam-schiff-to-lead-prosecution-in-us-senate-on-trump-impeachment-trial-pelosi-274484">Adam Schiff</a> called dramatically for the Senate to remove President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-sign-trade-accord-with-mexico-canada-next-week-276253">Donald Trump</a> from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

"The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff.

His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105">Ukraine</a> to help his 2020 reelection campaign.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105"> Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine</a>

"You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added.

"He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."

"Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost."

Also watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-lay-out-abuse-of-power-case-276260/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'It is illegal'

As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers.

Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-ukrainian-victims-of-downed-plane-repatriated-from-iran-275279">Kiev </a>to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden.

"President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber.

"Since President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/george-washington-gold-coin-sells-for-17-million-159678">George Washington </a>took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said.

"The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous."

'Unfair and corrupt'

Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong.&nbsp;

They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volodymyr-zelensky-says-ukraine-getting-tired-of-trump-scandal-263215">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election.

To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense.&nbsp;

And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it.

"Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-dream-team-meet-us-president-trumps-star-studded-legal-team-274978">&nbsp;Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team</a>

Uphill battle&nbsp;

Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51672510-212d-4906-8c46-95972b7ed0a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2020-01-22T231541Z_1_LYNXMPEG0L2GF_RTROPTP_3_USA-TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-POLL.JPG" />

"What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso.

"We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said."

At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations."

"Most unfair &amp; corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted

Witness issue

Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days.

Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair.

But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week.

Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own. "The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff. His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure Ukraine to help his 2020 reelection campaign. Also read: Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine "You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added. "He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed." "Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost." Also watch: Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case 'It is illegal' As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House impeachment managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers. Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force Kiev to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden. "President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber. "Since President George Washington took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said. "The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous." 'Unfair and corrupt' Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong. They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election. To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense. And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it. "Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee. Also read: Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team Uphill battle Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him. "What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso. "We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said." At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations." "Most unfair & corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted Witness issue Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second impeachment charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days. Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair. But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week. Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff

US President Donald Trump will sign the new North American trade pact with Mexico and Canada next week, a White House official said Thursday.

The USMCA, the fruit of years of negotiation between the three key trading partners, is billed as an update to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump had long thrashed as a job killer and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/mexican-businesses-want-clarity-on-details-of-usmca-trade-deal-267698">threatened to scrap outright</a>.

<img alt="NAFTA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a3349387-d5f0-41e7-9ba0-c19f18aa21ad" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2885%29_1.jpg" /> 
[Flags of all three nations involved in the agreement&nbsp;(Courtesy: Reuters) ]

The US Senate approved the pact last week and White House officials said Trump will sign it Wednesday. The earlier NAFTA created a vast free-trade zone across North America, leading to radical shifts in the makeup of industries in the three countries and vastly increasing cross-border exchanges in goods, services and people.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/usmca-united-states-mexico-and-canada-finalize-new-trade-agreement-267552">United States, Mexico, Canada sign deal finalizing USMCA trade pact</a>

While the agreement produced winners and losers in some areas, economists say overall it increased growth and raised the standard of living in North America. The new deal changes content rules on auto manufacturing and requires higher salaries for some Mexican auto workers.

It also makes changes to e-commerce, intellectual property protection and dispute settlement for investors, as well as tougher labour provisions that require reforms to Mexico's labour laws. Mexico ratified the new agreement December 10, and Canada is expected to follow suit in coming weeks.

US President Donald Trump will sign the new North American trade pact with Mexico and Canada next week, a White House official said Thursday. The USMCA, the fruit of years of negotiation between the three key trading partners, is billed as an update to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump had long thrashed as a job killer and threatened to scrap outright.

US President Donald Trump will sign the new North American trade pact with Mexico and Canada next week, a White House official said Thursday. The USMCA, the fruit of years of negotiation between the three key trading partners, is billed as an update to the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement, which Trump had long thrashed as a job killer and threatened to scrap outright. [Flags of all three nations involved in the agreement (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The US Senate approved the pact last week and White House officials said Trump will sign it Wednesday. The earlier NAFTA created a vast free-trade zone across North America, leading to radical shifts in the makeup of industries in the three countries and vastly increasing cross-border exchanges in goods, services and people. Also Read: United States, Mexico, Canada sign deal finalizing USMCA trade pact While the agreement produced winners and losers in some areas, economists say overall it increased growth and raised the standard of living in North America. The new deal changes content rules on auto manufacturing and requires higher salaries for some Mexican auto workers. It also makes changes to e-commerce, intellectual property protection and dispute settlement for investors, as well as tougher labour provisions that require reforms to Mexico's labour laws. Mexico ratified the new agreement December 10, and Canada is expected to follow suit in coming weeks.

Donald Trump to sign trade accord with Mexico, Canada next week

US President Donald Trump faced sharp reaction on Twitter after he shared a morphed image with former president Barack Obama&nbsp;on Friday.&nbsp;

As per the photograph, Obama is peeping through a window with binoculars as Trump posed opposite a wall.&nbsp;

The post garnered over 103,000 likes and was retweeted nearly 29,000 times so far.&nbsp;

However, the US president got a lot of angry reactions from the Twitteratis and some even hailed Obama.

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do you have any idea just how ridiculous you are
— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) <a href="https://twitter.com/itsJeffTiedrich/status/1220536997774798848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DonaldTrump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DonaldTrump</a> will always be jealous of President Obama, and will never measure up. 😳
— Jules Morgan (@glamelegance) <a href="https://twitter.com/glamelegance/status/1220537342026489856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Has no reason to do that... 🤣 <a href="https://t.co/o78WEQQJBr">pic.twitter.com/o78WEQQJBr</a>
— Bobby’s Thoughts (@bobby_thoughts) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobby_thoughts/status/1220537560084242432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Really should be the other way around, Dirty Don. Obama on the inside, u the perpetual outsider. Always looking in. Jealous. Feeling insecure &amp; inadequate. Wanting to be "in" but knowing you never will be. Bc you're ignorant. Incompetent. A fraud. Easily exposed. Scared. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Trump</a>
— Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndyOstroy/status/1220550452103786496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Some users also shared contrary views.&nbsp;

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You are the BEST, sir! <a href="https://t.co/HVafo7KTIx">pic.twitter.com/HVafo7KTIx</a>
— Rep. Steven Smith 🇺🇸 (@RepStevenSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepStevenSmith/status/1220537846731243520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Journalists right now furiously writing articles claiming this is a DaNgErOuS dOcToReD ImAgE!!! <a href="https://t.co/18Tlto6Lyn">pic.twitter.com/18Tlto6Lyn</a>
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimRunsHisMouth/status/1220538337276186624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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US President Donald Trump faced sharp reaction on Twitter after he shared a morphed image with former president Barack Obama on Friday. As per the photograph, Obama is peeping through a window with binoculars as Trump posed opposite a wall.

US President Donald Trump faced sharp reaction on Twitter after he shared a morphed image with former president Barack Obama on Friday. As per the photograph, Obama is peeping through a window with binoculars as Trump posed opposite a wall. The post garnered over 103,000 likes and was retweeted nearly 29,000 times so far. However, the US president got a lot of angry reactions from the Twitteratis and some even hailed Obama. do you have any idea just how ridiculous you are — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) January 24, 2020 × #DonaldTrump will always be jealous of President Obama, and will never measure up. 😳 — Jules Morgan (@glamelegance) January 24, 2020 × Has no reason to do that... 🤣 pic.twitter.com/o78WEQQJBr — Bobby’s Thoughts (@bobby_thoughts) January 24, 2020 × Really should be the other way around, Dirty Don. Obama on the inside, u the perpetual outsider. Always looking in. Jealous. Feeling insecure & inadequate. Wanting to be "in" but knowing you never will be. Bc you're ignorant. Incompetent. A fraud. Easily exposed. Scared. #Trump — Andy Ostroy (@AndyOstroy) January 24, 2020 × Some users also shared contrary views. You are the BEST, sir! pic.twitter.com/HVafo7KTIx — Rep. Steven Smith 🇺🇸 (@RepStevenSmith) January 24, 2020 × Journalists right now furiously writing articles claiming this is a DaNgErOuS dOcToReD ImAgE!!! pic.twitter.com/18Tlto6Lyn — Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) January 24, 2020 ×

Netizens furious after Donald Trump shares morphed image with Barack Obama

Water sources used by nearly a third of Americans will no longer have pollution safeguards after the Trump administration completed its rollback of environmental measures.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised a move that removes millions of miles of streams and around 50 per cent of America’s wetlands from federal oversight, which will potentially give a free hand to pesticides and other pollutants be dumped without penalty, reported Guardian.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tears-into-environmental-doom-mongers-at-davos-forum-275841">Trump tears into environmental 'doom' mongers at Davos forum</a>

US President Donald Trump has long targeted his predecessor Barack Obama for clean water protections measures, calling it a “very destructive and horrible rule”.&nbsp;

Trump has been backed by farming groups, ranchers, who assert the so-called “Water of the United States” (Wotus) rule impinged upon landowners’ rights.&nbsp;

However, the EPA staff has expressed disappointment over the move.

“The new rule is scientifically indefensible and socially unjust,” said Betsy Southerland, was scientific director of the EPA’s office for three decades, reported.&nbsp;

The industry groups who were promised by the Trump administration to revoke the law welcomed the move.&nbsp;

With this move, the major rivers such as the Mississippi River and Colorado will remain protected but impositions from short-lived streams and wetlands have been lifted.&nbsp;

Environmental groups warn that nearly 75 endangered species dependent on temporary streams will be paralysed from this decision.&nbsp;

Recently, Trump claimed at the Davos summit that the US has “among the cleanest air and drinking water on Earth”. But, more than 100 environmental rules have been dismantled during Trump's presidency.&nbsp;

Water sources used by nearly a third of Americans will no longer have pollution safeguards after the Trump administration completed its rollback of environmental measures.

Water sources used by nearly a third of Americans will no longer have pollution safeguards after the Trump administration completed its rollback of environmental measures. On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised a move that removes millions of miles of streams and around 50 per cent of America’s wetlands from federal oversight, which will potentially give a free hand to pesticides and other pollutants be dumped without penalty, reported Guardian. Also read: Trump tears into environmental 'doom' mongers at Davos forum US President Donald Trump has long targeted his predecessor Barack Obama for clean water protections measures, calling it a “very destructive and horrible rule”. Trump has been backed by farming groups, ranchers, who assert the so-called “Water of the United States” (Wotus) rule impinged upon landowners’ rights. However, the EPA staff has expressed disappointment over the move. “The new rule is scientifically indefensible and socially unjust,” said Betsy Southerland, was scientific director of the EPA’s office for three decades, reported. The industry groups who were promised by the Trump administration to revoke the law welcomed the move. With this move, the major rivers such as the Mississippi River and Colorado will remain protected but impositions from short-lived streams and wetlands have been lifted. Environmental groups warn that nearly 75 endangered species dependent on temporary streams will be paralysed from this decision. Recently, Trump claimed at the Davos summit that the US has “among the cleanest air and drinking water on Earth”. But, more than 100 environmental rules have been dismantled during Trump's presidency.

Trump administration rolls back law preventing pollution in drinking water sources

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would release Middle East peace plan ahead of a meeting in Washington next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"It's a great plan. It's a plan that really would work," Trump said to reporters travelling with him to Florida on board Air Force One. Trump said that the plan would probably be unveiled before the White House meeting on Tuesday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/opinion-us-policy-on-palestine-conflict-has-changed-over-time-159087">Opinion: US policy on Palestine conflict has changed over time</a>

The Palestinians have once again reiterated its rejection to the plans as they believe the plans intend to bury the two-state solution. They are also not invited for the White House meeting regarding the same next week.&nbsp;

Asked on any contacts made by the US to Palestinians, Trump said: "We've spoken to them briefly. But we will speak to them in a period of time."

Trump also said that after the declaration of the plans, Palestinians "maybe will react negatively at first but it's actually very positive for them".&nbsp;

US President also said that he was pleased that both Netanyahu and his main electoral rival Benny Gantz would come for the meeting ahead of the elections in Israel on March 2.&nbsp;

"This step only reaffirms our absolute rejection of what the US administration has done so far, particularly the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas' said in a statement.

Palestinian President broke all ties with the US after the latter recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017, a move that went against decades of international consensus.&nbsp;

Trump earlier described his Israel-Palestine peace agreement brokered by the US as "ultimate deal".

The peace initiative was expected months ago but was postponed after the inconclusive September elections in Israel last year. &nbsp;

Israeli media claimed that the leaked outlines of the deal show that the US has accepted key Israeli demands.&nbsp;

The White House meeting coincides with an expected session in the Israeli parliament to discuss Netanyahu's potential immunity from prosecution over the corruption charges.&nbsp;

(with AFP inputs)

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would release Middle East peace plan ahead of a meeting in Washington next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he would release Middle East peace plan ahead of a meeting in Washington next week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "It's a great plan. It's a plan that really would work," Trump said to reporters travelling with him to Florida on board Air Force One. Trump said that the plan would probably be unveiled before the White House meeting on Tuesday. Also read: Opinion: US policy on Palestine conflict has changed over time The Palestinians have once again reiterated its rejection to the plans as they believe the plans intend to bury the two-state solution. They are also not invited for the White House meeting regarding the same next week. Asked on any contacts made by the US to Palestinians, Trump said: "We've spoken to them briefly. But we will speak to them in a period of time." Trump also said that after the declaration of the plans, Palestinians "maybe will react negatively at first but it's actually very positive for them". US President also said that he was pleased that both Netanyahu and his main electoral rival Benny Gantz would come for the meeting ahead of the elections in Israel on March 2. "This step only reaffirms our absolute rejection of what the US administration has done so far, particularly the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital," spokesman of Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas' said in a statement. Palestinian President broke all ties with the US after the latter recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017, a move that went against decades of international consensus. Trump earlier described his Israel-Palestine peace agreement brokered by the US as "ultimate deal". The peace initiative was expected months ago but was postponed after the inconclusive September elections in Israel last year. Israeli media claimed that the leaked outlines of the deal show that the US has accepted key Israeli demands. The White House meeting coincides with an expected session in the Israeli parliament to discuss Netanyahu's potential immunity from prosecution over the corruption charges. (with AFP inputs)

Donald Trump to unveil Israel-Palestine peace plan by Tuesday

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US&nbsp;airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">Wuhan</a> who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/instances-of-binge-drinking-increasing-among-us-adults-study-275080">CDC</a>) said the screening at the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles airports would begin on Friday and focus on travellers to the United States via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan.

So far, the new virus has spread outside of China to Japan and Thailand, and CDC officials said in a conference call with reporters that they expect more cases will be reported outside of China. The risk to Americans is deemed to be low, the CDC said.

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Health screenings of travelers arriving from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Wuhan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Wuhan</a>, China is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to slow and reduce possible spread of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2019nCOV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2019nCOV</a> into the United States. <a href="https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf">https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf</a>
— CDC (@CDCgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov/status/1218252302647287808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, said the CDC will be sending about 100 additional staff to the three airports, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, and New York's John F. Kennedy International to supplement existing staff at quarantine stations located at those airports.

Under the screening procedures, travellers from Wuhan will be taken to a separate area in the airport, where they will complete a questionnaire and be checked for fever. Those with symptoms will be asked additional health and exposure-related questions and those needing more follow-up will be referred to a designated healthcare facility for more testing.

The CDC said it may adjust screening procedures as the outbreak investigation continues.

The Chinese virus is a coronavirus, a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mysterious-sars-like-virus-in-china-has-affected-hundreds-report-274962">SARS</a>, a highly infectious virus that originated in China in 2002 and eventually traveled to 37 countries, killing 774 people.

So far, health officials do not consider the new virus from China to be as lethal as SARS, but the investigation is evolving and much is still not known about whether the virus can spread easily from person to person.

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According to the latest predictions from <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCFlu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CDCflu</a> forecasting experts, flu activity is likely to remain elevated through late January. A <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/fluvaccine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#fluvaccine</a> can be beneficial any time flu viruses are circulating, including after January: <a href="https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg">https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg</a>
— Dr. Nancy Messonnier (@DrNancyM_CDC) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrNancyM_CDC/status/1215036631020900353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"This is the stage of the investigation where we need to proceed cautiously and be prepared for any eventuality," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a CDC expert in respiratory diseases, said on the conference call.

"It's highly plausible" that there will be a case in the United States, Messonnier said. "That is why we are moving forward with this screening."

China health officials report that most of the patients infected with the virus have had exposure to a large market where live animals were present, suggesting the virus is new and has jumped from animals to humans.

It is still not clear how well the virus can be transmitted, but there are indications of some limited spread from person-to-person, CDC officials said.

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Q: What is a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#coronavirus</a>? 
 
A: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) <a href="https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK">https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK</a> <a href="https://t.co/mhEa7LFVhx">pic.twitter.com/mhEa7LFVhx</a>
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1218229883484155913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-new-cases-in-wuhan-virus-outbreak-275016">World Health Organization</a> this week provided guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection prevention and control in case the new virus spreads. There is no specific treatment for the new virus, but antivirals are being considered.

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday.

The United States will begin screening efforts at three US airports to detect travellers from the central Chinese city of Wuhan who may have symptoms of a new respiratory virus that so far has killed two people and infected 45 more, public health officials said on Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the screening at the San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles airports would begin on Friday and focus on travellers to the United States via direct or connecting flights from Wuhan. So far, the new virus has spread outside of China to Japan and Thailand, and CDC officials said in a conference call with reporters that they expect more cases will be reported outside of China. The risk to Americans is deemed to be low, the CDC said. Health screenings of travelers arriving from #Wuhan, China is part of a layered approach used with other public health measures already in place to slow and reduce possible spread of #2019nCOV into the United States. https://t.co/Ovg4CTFJWf — CDC (@CDCgov) January 17, 2020 × Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, said the CDC will be sending about 100 additional staff to the three airports, Los Angeles International, San Francisco International, and New York's John F. Kennedy International to supplement existing staff at quarantine stations located at those airports. Under the screening procedures, travellers from Wuhan will be taken to a separate area in the airport, where they will complete a questionnaire and be checked for fever. Those with symptoms will be asked additional health and exposure-related questions and those needing more follow-up will be referred to a designated healthcare facility for more testing. The CDC said it may adjust screening procedures as the outbreak investigation continues. The Chinese virus is a coronavirus, a large family of viruses that can cause infections ranging from the common cold to severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, a highly infectious virus that originated in China in 2002 and eventually traveled to 37 countries, killing 774 people. So far, health officials do not consider the new virus from China to be as lethal as SARS, but the investigation is evolving and much is still not known about whether the virus can spread easily from person to person. According to the latest predictions from @CDCflu forecasting experts, flu activity is likely to remain elevated through late January. A #fluvaccine can be beneficial any time flu viruses are circulating, including after January: https://t.co/CeAX6Br1Xg — Dr. Nancy Messonnier (@DrNancyM_CDC) January 8, 2020 × "This is the stage of the investigation where we need to proceed cautiously and be prepared for any eventuality," Dr. Nancy Messonnier, a CDC expert in respiratory diseases, said on the conference call. "It's highly plausible" that there will be a case in the United States, Messonnier said. "That is why we are moving forward with this screening." China health officials report that most of the patients infected with the virus have had exposure to a large market where live animals were present, suggesting the virus is new and has jumped from animals to humans. It is still not clear how well the virus can be transmitted, but there are indications of some limited spread from person-to-person, CDC officials said. Q: What is a #coronavirus? A: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are known to cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) https://t.co/PKzKaO2yfK pic.twitter.com/mhEa7LFVhx — World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 17, 2020 × The World Health Organization this week provided guidance to hospitals worldwide about infection prevention and control in case the new virus spreads. There is no specific treatment for the new virus, but antivirals are being considered.

US to screen passengers for new China coronavirus at three airports