Former US President Donald Trump on Friday was served a subpoena by a nine-member House of Representatives committee to testify and provide documents related to the January 6 US Capitol riots, allegedly started by his supporters.

Former US President Donald Trump on Friday was served a subpoena by a nine-member House of Representatives committee to testify and provide documents related to the January 6 US Capitol riots, allegedly started by his supporters. In a letter written to Trump, the committee summoned the Republican leader and alleged that he was the one pulling the strings. "As demonstrated in our hearings, we have assembled overwhelming evidence, including from dozens of your former appointees and staff, that you personally orchestrated and oversaw a multi-part effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and to obstruct the peaceful transition of power," read the letter. WATCH | Jan 6 Capitol Riots Probe: Former President Donald Trump's tweet blamed for inciting violence × The committee also said that it would not be a new precedent that a former or sitting president had been called for a congressional hearing. Citing instances of Abraham Lincoln and Gerald Ford attending the Congressional testimony, the panel added that Trump was at the forefront of trying to overturn elections. "In short, you were at the center of the first and only effort by any US president to overturn an election and obstruct the peaceful transition of power, ultimately culminating in a bloody attack on our own Capitol and on the Congress itself," it read further. Read more: Donald Trump 'wanted to join US Capitol riot', says former White House top aide According to experts, Trump is highly unlikely to attend the hearing. He will attempt to run the clock and wait for the November midterm elections as several reports suggest that Republicans are in with a chance to win the House which will end the current committee's mandate by early next year. As reported extensively by WION, in the aftermath of the US presidential elections, Trump supporters allegedly attempted to overturn the results. The Republican leader was accused of posting messages online to incite violence. The committee believes that Trump was the one that egged his legion of followers to march on the Capitol. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

House panel summons Trump to testify in relation to January 6 US Capitol riot

US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging gun control bill. The bill, tabled in the wake of&nbsp;recent shootouts in Texas and New York, seeks to raise minimum age limit for the purchase of semi-automatic rifles. It also provides for the prohibition of sale of ammunition magazines with more than 15 rounds of&nbsp;capacity.

The bill was passed by near party-line votes of 223-204. Although it has been passed in the House, chances of it actually becoming a law are slim as Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks.

But passage of the bill in House gives Democratic Party lawmakers a chance to send message to the voters. Midterm elections are due in November this year.

"We can't save every life, but my God, shouldn't we try? America we hear you and today in the House we are taking the action you are demanding," said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas.&nbsp;

"Take note of who is with you and who is not."

The passage of the bill came on the same day when a House committee heard testimony from survivors of shootout in Texas school. The testimonies included one from Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old girl who smeared blood of a dead classmate to play dead in front of the gunman. The girl's testimony left some lawmakers in tears.

Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/texas-shootout-girl-who-smeared-blood-on-herself-to-play-dead-describes-horrific-ordeal-486392">Texas shootout: Girl who smeared blood on herself to play dead describes horrific ordeal</a>

USA suffers from regular gun violence including mass shootouts. Unlike in the past, the Congress has been stirred into action after shooting of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. This time, lawmakers from both parties have expressed need to do something.

"It's sickening, it's sickening that our children are forced to live in this constant fear," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Pelosi said the House vote would "make history by making progress." But it's unclear where the House measure will go after Wednesday's vote, given that Republicans were adamant in their opposition.

"The answer is not to destroy the Second Amendment, but that is exactly where the Democrats want to go," said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging gun control bill. The bill, tabled in the wake of recent shootouts in Texas and New York, seeks to raise minimum age limit for the purchase of semi-automatic rifles.

US House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a wide-ranging gun control bill. The bill, tabled in the wake of recent shootouts in Texas and New York, seeks to raise minimum age limit for the purchase of semi-automatic rifles. It also provides for the prohibition of sale of ammunition magazines with more than 15 rounds of capacity. The bill was passed by near party-line votes of 223-204. Although it has been passed in the House, chances of it actually becoming a law are slim as Senate pursues negotiations focused on improving mental health programs, bolstering school security and enhancing background checks. But passage of the bill in House gives Democratic Party lawmakers a chance to send message to the voters. Midterm elections are due in November this year. "We can't save every life, but my God, shouldn't we try? America we hear you and today in the House we are taking the action you are demanding," said Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. "Take note of who is with you and who is not." The passage of the bill came on the same day when a House committee heard testimony from survivors of shootout in Texas school. The testimonies included one from Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old girl who smeared blood of a dead classmate to play dead in front of the gunman. The girl's testimony left some lawmakers in tears. Read | Texas shootout: Girl who smeared blood on herself to play dead describes horrific ordeal USA suffers from regular gun violence including mass shootouts. Unlike in the past, the Congress has been stirred into action after shooting of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. This time, lawmakers from both parties have expressed need to do something. "It's sickening, it's sickening that our children are forced to live in this constant fear," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Pelosi said the House vote would "make history by making progress." But it's unclear where the House measure will go after Wednesday's vote, given that Republicans were adamant in their opposition. "The answer is not to destroy the Second Amendment, but that is exactly where the Democrats want to go," said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US House of Representatives passes gun control bill following recent shootouts

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday that she plans to run for 19th term in office. The Democratic Party leader said she was determined to stay on to fight existential threats to democracy.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who turns 82 in March, had been expected to step down, with her party bracing for a possible heavy defeat in this year's midterm elections.

Despite dire predictions of a Democratic wipeout in November, Pelosi is likely to win her liberal San Francisco district comfortably -- but she did not reveal whether she intended to keep her leadership role.

"Our democracy is at risk because of the assault on the truth, the assault on the US Capitol and the state-by-state assault on voting rights," Pelosi said in a video announcement.&nbsp;

"This election is crucial. Nothing less is at stake than our democracy. But as we say, we don't agonize, we organize, and that is why I am running for reelection to Congress and respectfully seek your support."

Pelosi, the only female speaker in US history, first took up the gavel in 2007 and returned to the role when the Democrats retook the House in the 2018 midterm elections.

After securing her party's nomination to lead the House in 2020, Pelosi suggested it would be her last term in the job.

The job places her second in line to the presidency behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

"When people ask me, 'What are the three most important issues facing the Congress?' I always say the same thing: our children, our children, our children... That is why I am in Congress, for the children," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday that she plans to run for 19th term in office. The Democratic Party leader said she was determined to stay on to fight existential threats to democracy.

US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Tuesday that she plans to run for 19th term in office. The Democratic Party leader said she was determined to stay on to fight existential threats to democracy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who turns 82 in March, had been expected to step down, with her party bracing for a possible heavy defeat in this year's midterm elections. Despite dire predictions of a Democratic wipeout in November, Pelosi is likely to win her liberal San Francisco district comfortably -- but she did not reveal whether she intended to keep her leadership role. "Our democracy is at risk because of the assault on the truth, the assault on the US Capitol and the state-by-state assault on voting rights," Pelosi said in a video announcement. "This election is crucial. Nothing less is at stake than our democracy. But as we say, we don't agonize, we organize, and that is why I am running for reelection to Congress and respectfully seek your support." Pelosi, the only female speaker in US history, first took up the gavel in 2007 and returned to the role when the Democrats retook the House in the 2018 midterm elections. After securing her party's nomination to lead the House in 2020, Pelosi suggested it would be her last term in the job. The job places her second in line to the presidency behind Vice President Kamala Harris. "When people ask me, 'What are the three most important issues facing the Congress?' I always say the same thing: our children, our children, our children... That is why I am in Congress, for the children," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says will run for reelection

On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a law banning imports from China's Xinjiang region because of concerns about forced labour. This is one of three measures that has received overwhelming backing, amid Washington's push back against Beijing's treatment of the Uyghurs Muslim minority.

The House overwhelmingly approved the 'Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act' by a vote of 428-1. It must now also be approved by the Senate and signed by President Biden before it can become law.

Under the 'Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act' or the Uyghur measure, all goods coming from Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has set up a vast network of detention camps for Uyghurs and other Muslim groups, would be presumed to have been made with forced labour.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-vote-on-bill-banning-imports-of-products-from-chinas-xinjiang-433718">US House to vote on bill banning imports of products from China's Xinjiang</a>

"The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, requires corporations to prove with "clear and convincing evidence" that imports from Xinjiang are not made with forced labour,&nbsp;American news website Axios reported.

The Chinese government denies abuses in Xinjiang, but the US government and many rights groups claim Beijing is committing genocide there.

In light of Xinjiang's role in supplying much of the world's solar panel materials, Republicans have accused Biden's White House and fellow Democrats in Congress of slow-walking the legislation because it would complicate President Biden's renewable energy agenda.

Democrats and the White House, however, deny delaying the legislation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/xinjiang-papers-leak-reveals-connection-between-xi-jinpings-speeches-and-the-uyghur-crackdown-432970">'Xinjiang Papers': Leak reveals connection between Xi Jinping's speeches and the Uyghur crackdown</a>

Two other measures related to China and human rights were also passed by the Democratic-led House by landslide margins.

The House of Representatives voted 428-0 in favour of a resolution declaring that the International Olympic Committee violated human rights by cooperating with the Chinese government.

Another resolution calling for action at the United Nations was passed by 427 votes to 1. This condemns China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity" against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups while calling for action at the UN.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: China cornered on Xinjiang

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On Monday, the Biden administration had also announced that US government officials would boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to China's human rights violations.&nbsp;

The United States athletes will still be allowed to participate in the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in Beijing, but the Biden administration has decided not to send any diplomats or officials.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a law banning imports from China's Xinjiang region because of concerns about forced labour. This is one of three measures that has received overwhelming backing, amid Washington's push back against Beijing's treatment of the Uyghurs Muslim minority.

On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives passed a law banning imports from China's Xinjiang region because of concerns about forced labour. This is one of three measures that has received overwhelming backing, amid Washington's push back against Beijing's treatment of the Uyghurs Muslim minority. The House overwhelmingly approved the 'Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act' by a vote of 428-1. It must now also be approved by the Senate and signed by President Biden before it can become law. Under the 'Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act' or the Uyghur measure, all goods coming from Xinjiang, where the Chinese government has set up a vast network of detention camps for Uyghurs and other Muslim groups, would be presumed to have been made with forced labour. Also read | US House to vote on bill banning imports of products from China's Xinjiang "The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, requires corporations to prove with "clear and convincing evidence" that imports from Xinjiang are not made with forced labour, American news website Axios reported. The Chinese government denies abuses in Xinjiang, but the US government and many rights groups claim Beijing is committing genocide there. In light of Xinjiang's role in supplying much of the world's solar panel materials, Republicans have accused Biden's White House and fellow Democrats in Congress of slow-walking the legislation because it would complicate President Biden's renewable energy agenda. Democrats and the White House, however, deny delaying the legislation. Also read | 'Xinjiang Papers': Leak reveals connection between Xi Jinping's speeches and the Uyghur crackdown Two other measures related to China and human rights were also passed by the Democratic-led House by landslide margins. The House of Representatives voted 428-0 in favour of a resolution declaring that the International Olympic Committee violated human rights by cooperating with the Chinese government. Another resolution calling for action at the United Nations was passed by 427 votes to 1. This condemns China's "ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity" against Uyghurs and other religious and ethnic minority groups while calling for action at the UN. Watch | Gravitas: China cornered on Xinjiang On Monday, the Biden administration had also announced that US government officials would boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to China's human rights violations. The United States athletes will still be allowed to participate in the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games in Beijing, but the Biden administration has decided not to send any diplomats or officials. (With inputs from agencies)

'Forced labour': US House passes law to ban imports from China's Xinjiang

The US House of Representatives on Friday voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, days after the United Nations removed it from the list of world's most dangerous drugs.&nbsp;

This was the first time either chamber of Congress has voted to end the federal ban on cannabis.

Watch |&nbsp;

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However, the bill is not expected to gather support at the Senate as long as it remains under the control of Republicans.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-removes-cannabis-from-list-of-worlds-most-dangerous-drugs-347118">UN removes cannabis from list of world's most dangerous drugs</a>

Already, 15 US states and the District of Colombia allow recreation use of marijuana and 30 states permit the use of the drug for medicinal purposes.&nbsp;

However, the drug faces a ban at the federal level, which limits cannabis companies' access to banking services and funding.&nbsp;

The House, which has a majority of Democrats, voted 224-168, by and large on party lines to remove the ban on marijuana.&nbsp;

However, it will be difficult for the bill to get it approved by the Senate as its majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, opposes it.

The Democrats can move the bill only if they take control of Senate after winning both Georgia seats where voting will occur on January 5.&nbsp;

“This legislation does not legalize cannabis across the country. It stops the federal government from interfering with what states have decided to do," said Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat and co-chairman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.&nbsp;

The US House of Representatives on Friday voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, days after the United Nations removed it from the list of world's most dangerous drugs.

The US House of Representatives on Friday voted to decriminalize marijuana at the federal level, days after the United Nations removed it from the list of world's most dangerous drugs. This was the first time either chamber of Congress has voted to end the federal ban on cannabis. Watch | However, the bill is not expected to gather support at the Senate as long as it remains under the control of Republicans. Also read | UN removes cannabis from list of world's most dangerous drugs Already, 15 US states and the District of Colombia allow recreation use of marijuana and 30 states permit the use of the drug for medicinal purposes. However, the drug faces a ban at the federal level, which limits cannabis companies' access to banking services and funding. The House, which has a majority of Democrats, voted 224-168, by and large on party lines to remove the ban on marijuana. However, it will be difficult for the bill to get it approved by the Senate as its majority leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, opposes it. The Democrats can move the bill only if they take control of Senate after winning both Georgia seats where voting will occur on January 5. “This legislation does not legalize cannabis across the country. It stops the federal government from interfering with what states have decided to do," said Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat and co-chairman of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus.

US House passes landmark bill to decriminalise marijuana

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could close US stock and money markets to Chinese firms.

The bill passed Wednesday by Congress is part of a commercial and political duel between Washington and Beijing, and takes aim at opaque accounting practices used by Chinese firms listing shares for trade on US exchanges.

The measure introduced in 2019 by Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy would mandate that foreign companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with accounting requirements of the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

Many foreign companies already conform to the standard, but Chinese firms do not.

The "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act" could be quickly placed on the desk of US President Donald Trump for final approval, since it was already passed by the Senate.

In addition, Chinese groups on the US Stock Exchange will have to disclose whether one or more of their board members are members of the Chinese Communist Party.

According to figures from a congressional commission, 217 Chinese companies were listed on US stock exchanges in early October, valued at a total of $2.2 trillion based on share prices.

A small number of those firms are also on the Asian markets and could fall back to these stock exchanges in the event of delisting in the United States.

One of the heavyweights on the list is e-commerce colossus Alibaba, which in 2014 had the biggest all-time initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $25 billion.

The SEC has already crafted a proposal similar to the measure that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. In November, the SEC had already formulated a proposal similar to the text adopted Wednesday by the House.

(with inputs)

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could close US stock and money markets to Chinese firms. The bill passed Wednesday by Congress is part of a commercial and political duel between Washington and Beijing, and takes aim at opaque accounting practices used by Chinese firms listing shares for trade on US exchanges.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could close US stock and money markets to Chinese firms. The bill passed Wednesday by Congress is part of a commercial and political duel between Washington and Beijing, and takes aim at opaque accounting practices used by Chinese firms listing shares for trade on US exchanges. The measure introduced in 2019 by Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy would mandate that foreign companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with accounting requirements of the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Many foreign companies already conform to the standard, but Chinese firms do not. The "Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act" could be quickly placed on the desk of US President Donald Trump for final approval, since it was already passed by the Senate. In addition, Chinese groups on the US Stock Exchange will have to disclose whether one or more of their board members are members of the Chinese Communist Party. According to figures from a congressional commission, 217 Chinese companies were listed on US stock exchanges in early October, valued at a total of $2.2 trillion based on share prices. A small number of those firms are also on the Asian markets and could fall back to these stock exchanges in the event of delisting in the United States. One of the heavyweights on the list is e-commerce colossus Alibaba, which in 2014 had the biggest all-time initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, raising $25 billion. The SEC has already crafted a proposal similar to the measure that passed the House of Representatives on Wednesday. In November, the SEC had already formulated a proposal similar to the text adopted Wednesday by the House. (with inputs)

Chinese firms may lose access to US stock markets, courtesy new bill

The US House of Representatives on Friday passed a $3 trillion Democratic bill aimed at salving the heavy human and economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 85,000 Americans and shut much of the economy, reports said on Saturday.

The US House of Representatives on Friday passed a $3 trillion Democratic bill aimed at salving the heavy human and economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 85,000 Americans and shut much of the economy, reports said on Saturday. House Democrats on Friday narrowly pushed through the largest-ever US economic rescue package, but the coronavirus measure faces headwinds in the White House and Senate where Republicans bemoan its $3 trillion price tag, the report added. The bill, crafted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her fellow Democrats, passed mostly along party lines in a 208-199 vote. The Heroes Act, which passed largely along party lines, provides some $1 trillion for state and local governments; another round of cash disbursements to millions of hard-hit American families; funds for hospitals and health workers; extended unemployment and food aid; and money for virus testing. But Republicans, who control the Senate, have promised it will be "dead on arrival" in their chamber. Almost all Republicans opposed the bill, with many branding it an exorbitant liberal wish list packed with Democratic priorities like funding for vote-by-mail programs. (With inputs from agencies)

US House passes $3 trillion coronavirus aid bill, fate uncertain in Senate

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon.&nbsp;

The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress.

Trump's 116-page-long Trial Memorandum is his first official defence against the charges.

Watch:&nbsp;Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment

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"The Senate should reject the Articles of Impeachment and acquit the president immediately," the memo mentioned.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel had recently put forward rules to facilitate a quick impeachment trial, and offered no guarantee of admission of new witnesses and evidence.

<h6><img alt="oooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf4364d8-99c5-47fd-b3a9-bfcd2730cc3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_52.jpg" /> 
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (C) is handed a document while signing the articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The resolution could face a vote today, with Trump's lawyers intending to seek dismissal of all charges.

According to the proposal put forth by the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on whether the material collected by the House would be valid in the trial.

Trump is the fourth of 45 American presidents to face an impeachment hearing. Allegedly, Trump had approached Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden, and stopping an enquiry into his whataboutery.

The Democrats claim that by withholding US military aid to Ukraine, Trump abused his power. 
 
Additionally, he allegedly obstructed Congress by denying access to documents and withholding testimonies from administration officials, and this was after the House had already issued a subpoena.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6d6cb370-1219-4c8b-ad02-3d5b7dd1a69d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_59.jpg" /> 
US President Donald Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2020 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Trump's defence has reiterated that neither of the charges constitutes a crime or an impeachable offence, and that, as president, Trump has the rights to make foreign policy decisions as well as for deciding what information he gives to Congress. Additionally, his team called it a one-sided process.

Based on the defence memo, the theory of the abuse of power&nbsp;is not an impeachable offence and needs supplementary support from the US constitution's stature pertaining to ''Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours''.

The memo also referred to the obstruction of Congress charge as ''frivolous and dangerous''.

The discourse of Trump's innocence and a rigged process was the memo's highlight, which suggested that this was an attempt to overturn Trump's 2016 victory and undemocratic. 
 
It's imperative to note that the Senate is highly unlikely to remove Trump office.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-73-donald-trump-says-he-is-physically-strong-and-gets-more-exercise-than-people-think-275326">At 73, Donald Trump says he is 'physically strong' and gets 'more exercise than people think'</a>

(With inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon.

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon. The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. Trump's 116-page-long Trial Memorandum is his first official defence against the charges. Watch: Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment "The Senate should reject the Articles of Impeachment and acquit the president immediately," the memo mentioned. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel had recently put forward rules to facilitate a quick impeachment trial, and offered no guarantee of admission of new witnesses and evidence. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (C) is handed a document while signing the articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power | AFP The resolution could face a vote today, with Trump's lawyers intending to seek dismissal of all charges. According to the proposal put forth by the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on whether the material collected by the House would be valid in the trial. Trump is the fourth of 45 American presidents to face an impeachment hearing. Allegedly, Trump had approached Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden, and stopping an enquiry into his whataboutery. The Democrats claim that by withholding US military aid to Ukraine, Trump abused his power. Additionally, he allegedly obstructed Congress by denying access to documents and withholding testimonies from administration officials, and this was after the House had already issued a subpoena. US President Donald Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2020 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos | AFP Trump's defence has reiterated that neither of the charges constitutes a crime or an impeachable offence, and that, as president, Trump has the rights to make foreign policy decisions as well as for deciding what information he gives to Congress. Additionally, his team called it a one-sided process. Based on the defence memo, the theory of the abuse of power is not an impeachable offence and needs supplementary support from the US constitution's stature pertaining to ''Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours''. The memo also referred to the obstruction of Congress charge as ''frivolous and dangerous''. The discourse of Trump's innocence and a rigged process was the memo's highlight, which suggested that this was an attempt to overturn Trump's 2016 victory and undemocratic. It's imperative to note that the Senate is highly unlikely to remove Trump office. Read more: At 73, Donald Trump says he is 'physically strong' and gets 'more exercise than people think' (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump's impeachment trial to begin in US Senate, his defence team calls for immediate acquittal

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran.

The five-page resolution emphasised&nbsp;that if President Trump wants to take the US to war, he would need authorization from Congress.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-iran-sanctions-are-already-in-effect-says-us-president-donald-trump-273262">Also Read: New Iran sanctions are already in effect, says US President Donald Trump</a>

The resolution passed 224-194 in the Democratic-controlled US lower House. Three Republicans and an independent voted for it, while eight Democrats opposed it.

Watch Video:&nbsp;

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"Today to honour our duty to keep the American people safe - that is our first responsibility to protect and defend. we must keep the American people safe, the House will pass a war powers resolution to limit the president's military actions regarding Iran," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.

"Congress is reassuring our long-established oversight responsibilities as we mandate that if no further Congressional action is taken, the administration's military hostilities with regard to Iran must end," Pelosi added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/soleimanis-killing-how-was-the-operation-carried-out-and-what-are-the-consequences-272077">In Pics:&nbsp;How was the operation to kill Soleimani was carried out</a>

The resolution comes after Congressional Democrats sharply criticised the Trump administration for not consulting Congress on the Soleimani strike and also accused him of recklessness in his decision-making on Iran.

However, Republican leader Kevin Mccarthy disagreeing with Pelosi said: "I'd actually like to hear a democrat speak to the 600 gold star families the Soleimani killed. I'd like to hear them defend that. I'd like to hear them defend Iran and their actions of burning an embassy, of killing an American, of killing thousands of civilians, even in their own country but they're going to take our time today with something that means nothing."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missile-strike-was-start-of-a-series-of-attacks-across-the-region-iranian-commander-273235">Missile strike was start of a series of attacks across the region: Iranian commander</a>

"They'll get on TV and they'll tell a little more fake news that it meant something today. The only thing today will happen - they'll make Iran believe they are stronger. They'll make Iran believe they have allies in the House of Representatives," Mccarthy said. 
&nbsp; 
The war powers resolution has now been sent to the Senate which is dominated by Republicans.

The fate of the resolution is uncertain in the Senate, however, if passed by the Senate as well, the measure does not need Trump's signature to go into effect, although Democrats and Republicans disagreed over whether it is binding.

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran. The five-page resolution emphasised that if President Trump wants to take the US to war, he would need authorization from Congress.

The US House of Representatives passed a resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's ability to wage war against Iran. The five-page resolution emphasised that if President Trump wants to take the US to war, he would need authorization from Congress. Also Read: New Iran sanctions are already in effect, says US President Donald Trump The resolution passed 224-194 in the Democratic-controlled US lower House. Three Republicans and an independent voted for it, while eight Democrats opposed it. Watch Video: "Today to honour our duty to keep the American people safe - that is our first responsibility to protect and defend. we must keep the American people safe, the House will pass a war powers resolution to limit the president's military actions regarding Iran," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "Congress is reassuring our long-established oversight responsibilities as we mandate that if no further Congressional action is taken, the administration's military hostilities with regard to Iran must end," Pelosi added. In Pics: How was the operation to kill Soleimani was carried out The resolution comes after Congressional Democrats sharply criticised the Trump administration for not consulting Congress on the Soleimani strike and also accused him of recklessness in his decision-making on Iran. However, Republican leader Kevin Mccarthy disagreeing with Pelosi said: "I'd actually like to hear a democrat speak to the 600 gold star families the Soleimani killed. I'd like to hear them defend that. I'd like to hear them defend Iran and their actions of burning an embassy, of killing an American, of killing thousands of civilians, even in their own country but they're going to take our time today with something that means nothing." Missile strike was start of a series of attacks across the region: Iranian commander "They'll get on TV and they'll tell a little more fake news that it meant something today. The only thing today will happen - they'll make Iran believe they are stronger. They'll make Iran believe they have allies in the House of Representatives," Mccarthy said. The war powers resolution has now been sent to the Senate which is dominated by Republicans. The fate of the resolution is uncertain in the Senate, however, if passed by the Senate as well, the measure does not need Trump's signature to go into effect, although Democrats and Republicans disagreed over whether it is binding.

US House of Representatives curbs Trump's war powers amid Iran tensions

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">impeachment trial of President Donald Trump</a>, saying there should be distance between the two.

The comments by the Alaska lawmaker come after Mitch&nbsp;McConnell, majority leader of the Republican-led Senate, said during an&nbsp;interview earlier this month that he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on the upcoming trial.

"To me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence," Murkowski said in comments aired late on Tuesday during an interview. "I heard what leader&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process."

&nbsp;

Also Watch: Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews

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Murkowski, who says she remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, cited the need for distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted.

Trump was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/so-unfair-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-delay-in-senate-269522">impeached</a> last week by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son. He has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">Senate</a>, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats in the chamber on trial rules.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;said the Senate could not take any action until it receives the articles.

Whether or not to call witnesses has been one of the main sticking points between the Democrats and the Republicans in drafting rules for the impeachment proceedings.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;on Monday said that Republicans had not ruled out hearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">witnesses</a> in the impeachment trial the Republican president.

However,&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;made clear he would not accede to a Democratic request for the Senate to agree ahead of time to take testimony during the trial.

There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, saying there should be distance between the two.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, saying there should be distance between the two. The comments by the Alaska lawmaker come after Mitch McConnell, majority leader of the Republican-led Senate, said during an interview earlier this month that he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on the upcoming trial. "To me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence," Murkowski said in comments aired late on Tuesday during an interview. "I heard what leader McConnell had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process." Also Watch: Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews × Murkowski, who says she remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, cited the need for distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted. Trump was impeached last week by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son. He has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation. Trump has said he did nothing wrong. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats in the chamber on trial rules. McConnell said the Senate could not take any action until it receives the articles. Whether or not to call witnesses has been one of the main sticking points between the Democrats and the Republicans in drafting rules for the impeachment proceedings. McConnell on Monday said that Republicans had not ruled out hearing witnesses in the impeachment trial the Republican president. However, McConnell made clear he would not accede to a Democratic request for the Senate to agree ahead of time to take testimony during the trial. There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

Republican senator 'disturbed' by McConnell's work with White House on impeachment trial

As the impeachment process against U.S. President Donald Trump unfolds, voting on the second article of impeachment takes place. Watch to know more.

Voting on second article of impeachment takes place

Will Joe Biden and Hunter Biden needed to testify in the impeachment trial? Watch to know more.

Will Joe Biden and Hunter Biden needed to testify in future?

Nancy Pelosi plays a pivotal role as she tries to keep things together during the impeachment process. Watch to know more.

Nancy Pelosi's balancing act in impeachment process

President Donald Trump is likely to talk on the impeachment process in a rally in Michigan. Watch to know more.

Donald Trump to hold a rally in Michigan

Opinion polls on impeachment gets mixed reviews as some are supportive of impeachment while a majority is not. Watch to know more.

Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews

President Donald Trump impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress. Watch to know more

Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi called President Donald Trump an ongoing threat to American democracy as the bitterly divided chamber engaged in an impeachment debate before historic votes on two charges accusing the Republican president of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.

Pelosi calls Trump threat to U.S. in House debate before impeachment vote

Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump condemned the Democratic-led impeachment vote against him at a rally in Battle Creek, Michigan on Thursday (December 18).

'It's shameful' - supporters back Trump at rally after impeachment vote

A White House budget official walked into a closed session of the US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump on Saturday, where he testified about the holdup of military aid to Ukraine.

Mark Sandy, a career official of the Office of Management and Budget, is the first person from OMB to testify before the inquiry after three political appointees defied congressional subpoenas to appear.

Sandy complied with a subpoena issued to compel his testimony, an official working on the impeachment inquiry said.

Trump's pressure on Ukraine is at the heart of the Democratic-led inquiry into whether the Republican president misused US foreign policy to undermine former Vice President Joe Biden, one of his potential opponents in the 2020 election.

On Friday, Trump launched a Twitter attack on a former US ambassador to Ukraine while she was testifying to an impeachment hearing in Congress, in an extraordinary moment that Democrats said amounted to witness intimidation.

Trump blasted Marie Yovanovitch, a career diplomat, as she explained on the second day of televised impeachment hearings how she had fought corruption in Ukraine and how the Trump administration abruptly removed her from her post earlier this year.

While Yovanovitch's testimony dominated headlines on Friday, closed-door deposition lawmakers held later in the day with David Holmes, an US embassy official in Kiev, could prove more consequential.

Holmes told lawmakers he overheard a phone call between Trump and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, in which the president inquired about Ukraine's willingness to carry out investigations of Biden and his son, Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.

The phone call occurred one day after the now-infamous July 25 phone conversation between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart at the heart of the impeachment probe.

"So, he's gonna do the investigation?" Trump asked Sondland, referring to Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskiy, according to Holmes' testimony.

"He's gonna do it," replied Sondland, adding the Ukrainian president would do "anything you ask him to," according to Holmes.

The testimony by Holmes, an aide to top US diplomat in Ukraine Bill Taylor, ties Trump more directly to the pressure campaign in Ukraine to investigate the Bidens led Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

Holmes' statement appears to contradict Sondland's previous sworn testimony about his interactions with Trump, in which he did not mention the July 26 phone call with the president.

Sondland, who has already revised his testimony once, is scheduled to testify publicly on November 20.

Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters on Saturday that House leaders were considering bringing Holmes in for a public hearing.

"In that (Holmes) statement that was released there was a lot to be concerned about, particularly that more witnesses described the president's obsession with investigating his political opponents," Swalwell said.

A White House budget official walked into a closed session of the US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump on Saturday, where he testified about the holdup of military aid to Ukraine.

A White House budget official walked into a closed session of the US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry of President Donald Trump on Saturday, where he testified about the holdup of military aid to Ukraine. Mark Sandy, a career official of the Office of Management and Budget, is the first person from OMB to testify before the inquiry after three political appointees defied congressional subpoenas to appear. Sandy complied with a subpoena issued to compel his testimony, an official working on the impeachment inquiry said. Trump's pressure on Ukraine is at the heart of the Democratic-led inquiry into whether the Republican president misused US foreign policy to undermine former Vice President Joe Biden, one of his potential opponents in the 2020 election. On Friday, Trump launched a Twitter attack on a former US ambassador to Ukraine while she was testifying to an impeachment hearing in Congress, in an extraordinary moment that Democrats said amounted to witness intimidation. Trump blasted Marie Yovanovitch, a career diplomat, as she explained on the second day of televised impeachment hearings how she had fought corruption in Ukraine and how the Trump administration abruptly removed her from her post earlier this year. While Yovanovitch's testimony dominated headlines on Friday, closed-door deposition lawmakers held later in the day with David Holmes, an US embassy official in Kiev, could prove more consequential. Holmes told lawmakers he overheard a phone call between Trump and Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, in which the president inquired about Ukraine's willingness to carry out investigations of Biden and his son, Hunter, who sat on the board of a Ukrainian energy company. The phone call occurred one day after the now-infamous July 25 phone conversation between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart at the heart of the impeachment probe. "So, he's gonna do the investigation?" Trump asked Sondland, referring to Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskiy, according to Holmes' testimony. "He's gonna do it," replied Sondland, adding the Ukrainian president would do "anything you ask him to," according to Holmes. The testimony by Holmes, an aide to top US diplomat in Ukraine Bill Taylor, ties Trump more directly to the pressure campaign in Ukraine to investigate the Bidens led Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Holmes' statement appears to contradict Sondland's previous sworn testimony about his interactions with Trump, in which he did not mention the July 26 phone call with the president. Sondland, who has already revised his testimony once, is scheduled to testify publicly on November 20. Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told reporters on Saturday that House leaders were considering bringing Holmes in for a public hearing. "In that (Holmes) statement that was released there was a lot to be concerned about, particularly that more witnesses described the president's obsession with investigating his political opponents," Swalwell said.

Trump impeachment hearing: In closed door session, White House budget official testifies on military aid to Ukraine

The second day of televised impeachment hearings opened on Friday in the US House of Representatives with the spotlight on Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine branded "bad news" by President Donald Trump before he fired her.

The session before the House Intelligence Committee is part of the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry that threatens Trump's presidency even as he seeks re-election in November 2020.

Yovanovitch was removed from her post as ambassador to Kiev in May after coming under attack by Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, at a time when he was working to persuade Ukraine to carry out two investigations that would benefit the Republican president politically.

Giuliani was trying to engineer Ukrainian investigations of Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and the former US vice president's son Hunter, who had served as a board member for the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory embraced by some Trump allies that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 US election.

The focus of the impeachment inquiry is a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was elected in May, to open the investigations.

Democrats are looking into whether Trump abused his power by withholding $391 million in US security aid to Ukraine as leverage to pressure Kiev. The money, approved by the US Congress to help a US ally combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country, was later provided to Ukraine.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and calls the impeachment probe a sham.

"The powers of the presidency are immense, but they are not absolute and cannot be used for a corrupt purpose. The American people expect their President to use the authority they grant him in the service of the nation, not to destroy others to advance his personal or political interests," Democratic committee chairman Adam Schiff said in his opening statement.

Yovanovitch, who has worked for both Republican and Democratic administrations, told lawmakers behind closed doors on Oct. 11 that Trump ousted her based on "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives" after she came under attack by Giuliani. She also denied allegations by Trump allies that she was disloyal to him and said she did not know what Giuliani's motivations were for attacking her.

Yovanovitch said Giuliani's associates "may well have believed that their personal financial ambitions were stymied by our anti-corruption policy in Ukraine."

Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news" in the phone call to Zelenskiy and added that "she's going to go through some things," according to a White House summary of the call. Zelenskiy told Trump: "I agree with you 100 per cent" that she was a "bad ambassador."

'Go big or go home'

In her private testimony to lawmakers, Yovanovitch also described how Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, had urged her to use Twitter to express support for Trump to save her job. "He said, you know, you need to go big or go home. You need to, you know, tweet out there that you support the president," she said.

Three more public hearings are scheduled for next week.

The hearings may pave the way for the Democratic-led House to approve articles of impeachment - formal charges - against Trump. That would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. Republicans control the Senate and have shown little support for Trump's removal.

Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Intelligence Committee member, said he hoped that Republican lawmakers treat Yovanovitch fairly.

"I hope that they treat her with the dignity she deserves, the respect that she deserves. By all accounts, she was an excellent member of the foreign service," Krishnamoorthi told Reuters.

Krishnamoorthi said the evidence suggested she was removed to make way for the Trump administration's "irregular channel" of diplomacy in crafting Ukraine policy personally beneficial to Trump in which Giuliani played a central role along with diplomats Sondland and Kurt Volker, as well as Energy Secretary Rick Perry.

The hearing comes a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that Trump already had admitted to bribery in the Ukraine scandal.

"The bribe is to grant or withhold military assistance in return for a public statement of a fake investigation into the elections," Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told a news conference.

Pelosi's comments could offer a preview of articles of impeachment Democrats might put forward.

Two other career U.S. diplomats, William Taylor and George Kent, testified on Wednesday in the first public hearing, expressing alarm over the pressure tactics on Ukraine by Giuliani for investigations that would benefit Trump politically.

Taylor is acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. His aide David Holmes, who Taylor said overheard a July 26 telephone conversation in which Trump asked Sondland about progress in getting the Ukrainians to do the investigations, is due to appear before lawmakers in a private session on Friday. 
&nbsp;

The second day of televised impeachment hearings opened on Friday in the US House of Representatives with the spotlight on Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine branded "bad news" by President Donald Trump before he fired her.

The second day of televised impeachment hearings opened on Friday in the US House of Representatives with the spotlight on Marie Yovanovitch, the former US ambassador to Ukraine branded "bad news" by President Donald Trump before he fired her. The session before the House Intelligence Committee is part of the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry that threatens Trump's presidency even as he seeks re-election in November 2020. Yovanovitch was removed from her post as ambassador to Kiev in May after coming under attack by Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, at a time when he was working to persuade Ukraine to carry out two investigations that would benefit the Republican president politically. Giuliani was trying to engineer Ukrainian investigations of Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden and the former US vice president's son Hunter, who had served as a board member for the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, as well as a debunked conspiracy theory embraced by some Trump allies that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 US election. The focus of the impeachment inquiry is a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who was elected in May, to open the investigations. Democrats are looking into whether Trump abused his power by withholding $391 million in US security aid to Ukraine as leverage to pressure Kiev. The money, approved by the US Congress to help a US ally combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country, was later provided to Ukraine. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and calls the impeachment probe a sham. "The powers of the presidency are immense, but they are not absolute and cannot be used for a corrupt purpose. The American people expect their President to use the authority they grant him in the service of the nation, not to destroy others to advance his personal or political interests," Democratic committee chairman Adam Schiff said in his opening statement. Yovanovitch, who has worked for both Republican and Democratic administrations, told lawmakers behind closed doors on Oct. 11 that Trump ousted her based on "unfounded and false claims by people with clearly questionable motives" after she came under attack by Giuliani. She also denied allegations by Trump allies that she was disloyal to him and said she did not know what Giuliani's motivations were for attacking her. Yovanovitch said Giuliani's associates "may well have believed that their personal financial ambitions were stymied by our anti-corruption policy in Ukraine." Trump called Yovanovitch "bad news" in the phone call to Zelenskiy and added that "she's going to go through some things," according to a White House summary of the call. Zelenskiy told Trump: "I agree with you 100 per cent" that she was a "bad ambassador." 'Go big or go home' In her private testimony to lawmakers, Yovanovitch also described how Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, had urged her to use Twitter to express support for Trump to save her job. "He said, you know, you need to go big or go home. You need to, you know, tweet out there that you support the president," she said. Three more public hearings are scheduled for next week. The hearings may pave the way for the Democratic-led House to approve articles of impeachment - formal charges - against Trump. That would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. Republicans control the Senate and have shown little support for Trump's removal. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, an Intelligence Committee member, said he hoped that Republican lawmakers treat Yovanovitch fairly. "I hope that they treat her with the dignity she deserves, the respect that she deserves. By all accounts, she was an excellent member of the foreign service," Krishnamoorthi told Reuters. Krishnamoorthi said the evidence suggested she was removed to make way for the Trump administration's "irregular channel" of diplomacy in crafting Ukraine policy personally beneficial to Trump in which Giuliani played a central role along with diplomats Sondland and Kurt Volker, as well as Energy Secretary Rick Perry. The hearing comes a day after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters that Trump already had admitted to bribery in the Ukraine scandal. "The bribe is to grant or withhold military assistance in return for a public statement of a fake investigation into the elections," Pelosi, the top Democrat in Congress, told a news conference. Pelosi's comments could offer a preview of articles of impeachment Democrats might put forward. Two other career U.S. diplomats, William Taylor and George Kent, testified on Wednesday in the first public hearing, expressing alarm over the pressure tactics on Ukraine by Giuliani for investigations that would benefit Trump politically. Taylor is acting U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. His aide David Holmes, who Taylor said overheard a July 26 telephone conversation in which Trump asked Sondland about progress in getting the Ukrainians to do the investigations, is due to appear before lawmakers in a private session on Friday.

At impeachment hearing, Democrat Schiff asks if Trump used power 'for corrupt purpose'

A US House of Representatives panel on Friday demanded internal emails, detailed financial information and other company records from Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, and Alphabet Inc's Google as its antitrust probe of Big Tech widens.

The committees' letters seek by October 14 internal emails over the last decade from Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebooks-libra-has-to-build-anti-money-laundering-anti-terror-financing-design-us-treasury-248861">Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg</a> and Alphabet CEO Larry Page, among others, about acquisitions.

Apple shares fell about 1.8% after the market opened. While Apple had been mentioned as a potential target, the House letter offered the first concrete evidence of a wide-ranging antitrust investigation of the company.

Apple has faced criticism that its policies and algorithms in its App Store support its own products and stifle third-party applications.

The letters come days after the Texas attorney general led a group of 50 attorneys general from US states and territories in a probe of whether Google abuses its market power in advertising.

Apple and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Amazon did not immediately comment. Google referred to a blog post issued this week that said its services "create choice for consumers."

The committee requested information from the companies' executives on market share, competitors, their largest customers for specific products and documents from other investigations.

It asked Apple for information on the company's decision to remove some parental control apps from its App Store and its policy regarding whether iPhone users can set non-Apple apps as defaults, among other concerns about its App Store.

The US Justice Department said in July it is investigating "whether and how" large tech companies in "search, social media, and some retail services online" are engaging in anticompetitive behaviour, an apparent reference to the same companies named by the House panel on Friday.

A US House of Representatives panel on Friday demanded internal emails, detailed financial information and other company records from Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, and Alphabet Inc's Google as its antitrust probe of Big Tech widens.

A US House of Representatives panel on Friday demanded internal emails, detailed financial information and other company records from Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc, Apple Inc, and Alphabet Inc's Google as its antitrust probe of Big Tech widens. The committees' letters seek by October 14 internal emails over the last decade from Apple CEO Tim Cook, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet CEO Larry Page, among others, about acquisitions. Apple shares fell about 1.8% after the market opened. While Apple had been mentioned as a potential target, the House letter offered the first concrete evidence of a wide-ranging antitrust investigation of the company. Apple has faced criticism that its policies and algorithms in its App Store support its own products and stifle third-party applications. The letters come days after the Texas attorney general led a group of 50 attorneys general from US states and territories in a probe of whether Google abuses its market power in advertising. Apple and Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Amazon did not immediately comment. Google referred to a blog post issued this week that said its services "create choice for consumers." The committee requested information from the companies' executives on market share, competitors, their largest customers for specific products and documents from other investigations. It asked Apple for information on the company's decision to remove some parental control apps from its App Store and its policy regarding whether iPhone users can set non-Apple apps as defaults, among other concerns about its App Store. The US Justice Department said in July it is investigating "whether and how" large tech companies in "search, social media, and some retail services online" are engaging in anticompetitive behaviour, an apparent reference to the same companies named by the House panel on Friday.

US House panel demands tech company emails in antitrust investigation

US President Donald Trump was hit with new accusations of racism Saturday after he attacked a prominent African-American lawmaker and branded the majority-black city of Baltimore an "infested mess."

Trump's outburst came in a series of sharply worded tweets aimed at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings -- a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of Baltimore.

"Cumming (sic) District is a disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess," the president wrote, calling it "the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States."

"No human being would want to live there," he said -- in an attack ostensibly provoked by Cummings' criticism of the harsh conditions facing would-be asylum seekers at the Mexican border.

"Rep. Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully, shouting and screaming at the great men &amp; women of Border Patrol about conditions at the Southern Border, when actually his Baltimore district is FAR WORSE and more dangerous," Trump charged.

The president's morning diatribe ignited a storm of criticism, less than two weeks after the US House of Representatives condemned him for "racist" comments targeting a Somali-born lawmaker.

The top Democrat in Congress, Nancy Pelosi -- whose father served as mayor of Baltimore -- accused Trump of a "racist" attack.

"@RepCummings is a champion in the Congress and the country for civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague," Pelosi wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

"We all reject racist attacks against him and support his steadfast leadership."

The Democratic mayor of Baltimore Bernard "Jack" Young &nbsp;-- who is black -- rejected Trump's rhetoric as "hurtful and dangerous."

"It's completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack US Representative Elijah Cummings," Young wrote in a statement.

Prominent Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, tweeted that she was "proud" to have her 2020 campaign headquarters in the Cummings district.&nbsp;

"It's disgraceful the president has chosen to start his morning disparaging this great American city," said Harris, one of two leading black candidates in the race to succeed Trump.

Cummings himself tweeted: "Mr President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbours. It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents."

As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Cummings -- one of the most prominent African Americans in Congress -- has launched investigations into Trump administration policies, including reports of poor treatment at migrant detention centres.&nbsp;

Trump's attack was reminiscent of his recent, racially-charged criticism of four young Democratic lawmakers, all women of colour, who he suggested should "go back" to the "crime infested" places they came from. In fact, three were born in the US and all four are American citizens.

Baltimore, a historic port city, presents a mixed picture, with both handsome and affluent neighbourhoods and large poverty-stricken districts. It has one of the country's highest murder rates.&nbsp;

Cummings' district is more than 50 per cent black -- and the city of Baltimore as whole more than 60 per cent.

US President Donald Trump was hit with new accusations of racism Saturday after he attacked a prominent African-American lawmaker and branded the majority-black city of Baltimore an "infested mess.

US President Donald Trump was hit with new accusations of racism Saturday after he attacked a prominent African-American lawmaker and branded the majority-black city of Baltimore an "infested mess." Trump's outburst came in a series of sharply worded tweets aimed at Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings -- a high-profile critic of Trump's administration whose district covers much of Baltimore. "Cumming (sic) District is a disgusting, rat and rodent-infested mess," the president wrote, calling it "the worst run and most dangerous anywhere in the United States." "No human being would want to live there," he said -- in an attack ostensibly provoked by Cummings' criticism of the harsh conditions facing would-be asylum seekers at the Mexican border. "Rep. Elijah Cummings has been a brutal bully, shouting and screaming at the great men & women of Border Patrol about conditions at the Southern Border, when actually his Baltimore district is FAR WORSE and more dangerous," Trump charged. The president's morning diatribe ignited a storm of criticism, less than two weeks after the US House of Representatives condemned him for "racist" comments targeting a Somali-born lawmaker. The top Democrat in Congress, Nancy Pelosi -- whose father served as mayor of Baltimore -- accused Trump of a "racist" attack. "@RepCummings is a champion in the Congress and the country for civil rights and economic justice, a beloved leader in Baltimore, and deeply valued colleague," Pelosi wrote on Twitter. "We all reject racist attacks against him and support his steadfast leadership." The Democratic mayor of Baltimore Bernard "Jack" Young -- who is black -- rejected Trump's rhetoric as "hurtful and dangerous." "It's completely unacceptable for the political leader of our country to denigrate a vibrant American City like Baltimore, and to viciously attack US Representative Elijah Cummings," Young wrote in a statement. Prominent Democratic presidential candidate, Kamala Harris, tweeted that she was "proud" to have her 2020 campaign headquarters in the Cummings district. "It's disgraceful the president has chosen to start his morning disparaging this great American city," said Harris, one of two leading black candidates in the race to succeed Trump. Cummings himself tweeted: "Mr President, I go home to my district daily. Each morning, I wake up, and I go and fight for my neighbours. It is my constitutional duty to conduct oversight of the Executive Branch. But it is my moral duty to fight for my constituents." As chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Cummings -- one of the most prominent African Americans in Congress -- has launched investigations into Trump administration policies, including reports of poor treatment at migrant detention centres. Trump's attack was reminiscent of his recent, racially-charged criticism of four young Democratic lawmakers, all women of colour, who he suggested should "go back" to the "crime infested" places they came from. In fact, three were born in the US and all four are American citizens. Baltimore, a historic port city, presents a mixed picture, with both handsome and affluent neighbourhoods and large poverty-stricken districts. It has one of the country's highest murder rates. Cummings' district is more than 50 per cent black -- and the city of Baltimore as whole more than 60 per cent.

Outrage as Donald Trump brands mostly-black Baltimore 'infested mess'

A dark cloud of impeachment has threatened President <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-democratic-congresswoman-should-apologize-to-america-237518&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi2z5WmuMjjAhXN63MBHTx7BTE4ChAWMAN6BAgOEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw0hPftQsY_ekxSVDPZWQJZy">Donald Trump</a> for many months, with Democrats in the US House of Representatives, where any such effort to remove him from office would begin, divided about whether to proceed.

In American politics, few procedures are as arduous or as divisive as the Constitution's carefully balanced law for ousting a chief executive found to be unfit to serve.

No president has ever been removed as a direct result of it. One, President Richard Nixon, resigned before he could be&nbsp;removed. Two, presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, were impeached by the House, but not convicted by the Senate.

Since he took office in January 2017, Trump has been under investigation. A turning point came in mid-April with the release of a redacted version of a long-awaited report from former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

On Wednesday, Mueller will testify before two House committees about his report, with Democrats planning to focus the proceedings on Trump's conduct. The strategy, described by Democratic congressional aides, is intended to build support among Americans for Democrats' investigative agenda, possibly leading to impeachment proceedings.

The 448-page Mueller report explored an effort by Moscow to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election to help Trump win. It described contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians but found insufficient evidence to establish that the Trump campaign and the Kremlin engaged in a criminal conspiracy.

The Mueller report also described numerous attempts by Trump and his advisers to impede Mueller's investigation but offered no conclusion on whether obstruction of justice was committed.

Trump has attacked Mueller, called his probe a "witch hunt" and scorned talk of impeachment as "dirty, filthy, disgusting."

Some lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House favour starting the impeachment process, but their leaders have resisted these demands. Last week, an impeachment resolution came to a vote on the House floor and was killed.

The Senate is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, meaning that any impeachment proceedings that might begin in the House would likely die in the Republican-controlled Senate, unless public sentiment was to shift dramatically in favour of removing the president.

About 45 per cent of Americans said Trump should be impeached in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May, up from 40 per cent in April.

WATCH:&nbsp;Somalis on Trump telling congresswomen 'go back'

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Here is how the impeachment process works.

Why impeachment? 
The founders of the United States created the office of the presidency and feared that its powers could be abused. So they included impeachment as a central part of the Constitution.

They gave the House "the sole power of impeachment;" the Senate, "the sole power to try all impeachments" and the chief justice of the Supreme Court the duty of presiding over impeachment trials in the Senate.

The president, under the Constitution, can be removed from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." What exactly that means is unclear. Historically, it can encompass corruption and other abuses, including trying to obstruct judicial proceedings.

How does it work? 
Impeachment begins in the House, which debates and votes on whether to bring charges against the president via approval of an impeachment resolution, or "articles of impeachment," by a simple majority of the House's 435 members.

If the House approves such a resolution, a trial is then held in the Senate. House members act as the prosecutors; the senators as jurors; the chief justice presides. A two-thirds majority vote is required in the 100-member Senate to convict and remove a president. This has never happened.

Can the Supreme Court overturn? 
No. Trump has said on Twitter that he would ask the Supreme Court to intervene if Democrats tried to impeach him. But the founders explicitly rejected making a Senate conviction appealable to the federal judiciary.

Party breakdown in Congress? 
The House has 235 Democrats, 197 Republicans, one independent and two vacant seats. As a result, the Democrats could impeach Trump with no Republican support.

In 1998, when Republicans had a House majority, the chamber voted largely along party lines to impeach Clinton, a Democrat.

The Senate now has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents who usually vote with the Democrats. Conviction and removal of a president would require 67 votes. So, for Trump to be impeached, at least 20 Republicans and all the Democrats and independents would have to vote against him.

Who becomes President if Trump is removed? 
In the unlikely event the Senate convicted Trump, Vice President Mike Pence would become president for the remainder of Trump's term, which ends on January 20, 2021.

A dark cloud of impeachment has threatened President Donald Trump for many months, with Democrats in the US House of Representatives, where any such effort to remove him from office would begin, divided about whether to proceed.

A dark cloud of impeachment has threatened President Donald Trump for many months, with Democrats in the US House of Representatives, where any such effort to remove him from office would begin, divided about whether to proceed. In American politics, few procedures are as arduous or as divisive as the Constitution's carefully balanced law for ousting a chief executive found to be unfit to serve. No president has ever been removed as a direct result of it. One, President Richard Nixon, resigned before he could be removed. Two, presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, were impeached by the House, but not convicted by the Senate. Since he took office in January 2017, Trump has been under investigation. A turning point came in mid-April with the release of a redacted version of a long-awaited report from former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller. On Wednesday, Mueller will testify before two House committees about his report, with Democrats planning to focus the proceedings on Trump's conduct. The strategy, described by Democratic congressional aides, is intended to build support among Americans for Democrats' investigative agenda, possibly leading to impeachment proceedings. The 448-page Mueller report explored an effort by Moscow to interfere in the 2016 US presidential election to help Trump win. It described contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russians but found insufficient evidence to establish that the Trump campaign and the Kremlin engaged in a criminal conspiracy. The Mueller report also described numerous attempts by Trump and his advisers to impede Mueller's investigation but offered no conclusion on whether obstruction of justice was committed. Trump has attacked Mueller, called his probe a "witch hunt" and scorned talk of impeachment as "dirty, filthy, disgusting." Some lawmakers in the Democratic-controlled House favour starting the impeachment process, but their leaders have resisted these demands. Last week, an impeachment resolution came to a vote on the House floor and was killed. The Senate is controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, meaning that any impeachment proceedings that might begin in the House would likely die in the Republican-controlled Senate, unless public sentiment was to shift dramatically in favour of removing the president. About 45 per cent of Americans said Trump should be impeached in a Reuters/Ipsos poll in May, up from 40 per cent in April. WATCH: Somalis on Trump telling congresswomen 'go back' × Here is how the impeachment process works. Why impeachment? The founders of the United States created the office of the presidency and feared that its powers could be abused. So they included impeachment as a central part of the Constitution. They gave the House "the sole power of impeachment;" the Senate, "the sole power to try all impeachments" and the chief justice of the Supreme Court the duty of presiding over impeachment trials in the Senate. The president, under the Constitution, can be removed from office for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." What exactly that means is unclear. Historically, it can encompass corruption and other abuses, including trying to obstruct judicial proceedings. How does it work? Impeachment begins in the House, which debates and votes on whether to bring charges against the president via approval of an impeachment resolution, or "articles of impeachment," by a simple majority of the House's 435 members. If the House approves such a resolution, a trial is then held in the Senate. House members act as the prosecutors; the senators as jurors; the chief justice presides. A two-thirds majority vote is required in the 100-member Senate to convict and remove a president. This has never happened. Can the Supreme Court overturn? No. Trump has said on Twitter that he would ask the Supreme Court to intervene if Democrats tried to impeach him. But the founders explicitly rejected making a Senate conviction appealable to the federal judiciary. Party breakdown in Congress? The House has 235 Democrats, 197 Republicans, one independent and two vacant seats. As a result, the Democrats could impeach Trump with no Republican support. In 1998, when Republicans had a House majority, the chamber voted largely along party lines to impeach Clinton, a Democrat. The Senate now has 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents who usually vote with the Democrats. Conviction and removal of a president would require 67 votes. So, for Trump to be impeached, at least 20 Republicans and all the Democrats and independents would have to vote against him. Who becomes President if Trump is removed? In the unlikely event the Senate convicted Trump, Vice President Mike Pence would become president for the remainder of Trump's term, which ends on January 20, 2021.

What it would take for US Congress to impeach Trump?

The US House of Representatives backed resolutions on Wednesday to block the sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sending them to the White House, where President Donald Trump has promised a veto.

Nearly a month after the Senate supported 22 resolutions disapproving of Trump's plan for billions of dollars in weapons sales despite Congress' objections, the House passed three of the 22, two on a vote of 238-190 and the third by a 237-190 margin, largely along party lines.

The three resolutions would block the sale of Raytheon Co precision-guided munitions and related equipment to the two countries. The House's Democratic leaders opted to take up those three before the others because the PGMs could be delivered quickly, aides said. Some lawmakers also suspect that the PGMs have been used against civilians in Yemen's civil war

Many members of Congress, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, have been frustrated by what they see as Trump's embrace of Saudi Arabia.

The Senate's backing of the resolutions of disapproval was one of the few times the Republican-led chamber has opposed his foreign policy.

Lawmakers want Washington to push the kingdom to improve its human rights record and do more to avoid civilian casualties in the four-year-long war in Yemen, where the Saudis and UAE are leading an air campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

Frustration grew after the murder at a Saudi consulate in Turkey last year of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident.

"This is a strong message, I think, that our values must guide our foreign policy," said Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urging support for the resolutions before the vote.

Trump wants to retain close ties to Riyadh, which he considers an important partner in the Middle East and counterweight to the influence of Iran.

Trump also views foreign military sales as a way to generate U.S. jobs. Officials from his administration had been unhappy with Democrats in Congress who blocked the planned sales, in some cases for more than a year, over civilian casualties in Yemen.

Trump announced in May that he would sidestep congressional review of the military deals, worth more than $8 billion, by declaring that the threat from Iran constituted an emergency.

Tensions with Iran have decreased since then, and administration officials have acknowledged that the military equipment has not been delivered.

Several Republicans joined Democrats in condemning that decision and voting for the resolutions. However, they would have to attract far more support in both the Republican-led Senate and House to garner the two-thirds majorities needed to override Trump's vetoes.

But lawmakers from both parties are not dropping the matter. Several pieces of legislation making their way through Congress include Saudi-related provisions.

And the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is due to vote on two Saudi-related bills on Tuesday. One, sponsored by seven Republican and Democratic senators, includes sanctions to support a peaceful resolution of the Yemen war, address the humanitarian crisis and hold perpetrators responsible for murdering Khashoggi.

The other would mandate an in-depth review of U.S.-Saudi policy and bar travel to the United States by many members of the Saudi royal family. [L2N24B0JQ]

The US House of Representatives backed resolutions on Wednesday to block the sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sending them to the White House, where President Donald Trump has promised a veto.

The US House of Representatives backed resolutions on Wednesday to block the sale of precision-guided munitions to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sending them to the White House, where President Donald Trump has promised a veto. Nearly a month after the Senate supported 22 resolutions disapproving of Trump's plan for billions of dollars in weapons sales despite Congress' objections, the House passed three of the 22, two on a vote of 238-190 and the third by a 237-190 margin, largely along party lines. The three resolutions would block the sale of Raytheon Co precision-guided munitions and related equipment to the two countries. The House's Democratic leaders opted to take up those three before the others because the PGMs could be delivered quickly, aides said. Some lawmakers also suspect that the PGMs have been used against civilians in Yemen's civil war Many members of Congress, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans as well as Democrats, have been frustrated by what they see as Trump's embrace of Saudi Arabia. The Senate's backing of the resolutions of disapproval was one of the few times the Republican-led chamber has opposed his foreign policy. Lawmakers want Washington to push the kingdom to improve its human rights record and do more to avoid civilian casualties in the four-year-long war in Yemen, where the Saudis and UAE are leading an air campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Frustration grew after the murder at a Saudi consulate in Turkey last year of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a U.S. resident. "This is a strong message, I think, that our values must guide our foreign policy," said Representative Eliot Engel, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, urging support for the resolutions before the vote. Trump wants to retain close ties to Riyadh, which he considers an important partner in the Middle East and counterweight to the influence of Iran. Trump also views foreign military sales as a way to generate U.S. jobs. Officials from his administration had been unhappy with Democrats in Congress who blocked the planned sales, in some cases for more than a year, over civilian casualties in Yemen. Trump announced in May that he would sidestep congressional review of the military deals, worth more than $8 billion, by declaring that the threat from Iran constituted an emergency. Tensions with Iran have decreased since then, and administration officials have acknowledged that the military equipment has not been delivered. Several Republicans joined Democrats in condemning that decision and voting for the resolutions. However, they would have to attract far more support in both the Republican-led Senate and House to garner the two-thirds majorities needed to override Trump's vetoes. But lawmakers from both parties are not dropping the matter. Several pieces of legislation making their way through Congress include Saudi-related provisions. And the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is due to vote on two Saudi-related bills on Tuesday. One, sponsored by seven Republican and Democratic senators, includes sanctions to support a peaceful resolution of the Yemen war, address the humanitarian crisis and hold perpetrators responsible for murdering Khashoggi. The other would mandate an in-depth review of U.S.-Saudi policy and bar travel to the United States by many members of the Saudi royal family. [L2N24B0JQ]

US House rejects Saudi weapons sales; Trump to veto

Boeing Co said on Wednesday it will dedicate half of a $100 million fund it created after two crashes of its 737 MAX planes to provide payments to families of those killed, with veteran US compensation expert Ken Feinberg hired by the world's largest plane maker to oversee the distribution.

The announcement of Feinberg's hiring came minutes before a US House of Representatives hearing featuring dramatic testimony by Paul Njoroge, a father who lost three children, his wife and mother-in-law in a 737 MAX Ethiopian Air crash in March.

Feinberg told Reuters his team will "start immediately drafting a claims protocol for those eligible," with the first meeting with officials from Chicago-based Boeing later this week in Washington. Feinberg has administered many compensation funds including for victims of Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, General Motors ignition switch crashes, and numerous school shootings.

The 737 MAX, Boeing's best-selling jet, was grounded globally in March following the Ethiopian Airlines crash after a similar Lion Air disaster in Indonesia in October. The two crashes killed 346 people.

Njoroge, 35, told reporters after he testified he did not think the public would trust <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/american-airlines-extends-boeing-737-max-cancellations-for-fourth-time-236054&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjHxNOjnL7jAhXk6nMBHVP0B_YQFjACegQIEBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0dYuY323zoRH-ru_mwOQiO">Boeing</a> going forward. "Do you want to fly in those planes? Do you want your children to fly in those planes?" Njoroge asked. "I don't have any more children."

Njoroge told a House subcommittee he still has "nightmares about how (his children) must have clung to their mother crying" during the doomed flight.

Njoroge, who was born in Kenya and lives in Canada, said Boeing has blamed "innocent pilots who had no knowledge and were given no information on the new and flawed MCAS system that could overpower pilots."

Boeing did not address specific questions raised by Njoroge but said in a statement "we truly regret the loss of lives in both of these accidents and we are deeply sorry for the impact on the families and loved ones of those on board."

A Boeing official told Reuters last month that after a new software flaw emerged the company will not submit an MCAS software upgrade and training revision until September, which means the planes will not resume flying until November at the earliest. U.S. airlines have cancelled flights through early November as a result of the 737 MAX's grounding.

Boeing shares closed up 1.9% on Wednesday.

Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell told Fox Business Network on Wednesday that the agency has made a lot of progress since the plane's grounding.

"We have discovered some anomalies and then we have directed Boeing to mitigate those anomalies," Elwell said, declining to set any timetable for returning the plane to service.

"The 737 MAX is not going to fly until it passes the most thorough and intense look," said Elwell, adding that he had spent several hours with Njoroge during a recent meeting.

Boeing said on July 3 it would give $100 million over multiple years to local governments and non-profit organizations to help families and communities affected by the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

Feinberg, who will jointly administer the fund with lawyer Camille Biros, said the other $50 million in the fund was earmarked for government and community projects.

Boeing reiterated on Wednesday that the money distributed through the fund would be independent of the outcome of any lawsuits. The company is facing a slew of litigation from the families of victims of both crashes.

"Through our partnership with Feinberg and Biros, we hope affected families receive needed assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible," Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement.

Boeing's initial announcement of the $100 million funds was met with anger by some victims' families, who described the offer as a publicity stunt.

At the hearing in Washington, Representative Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he would call Boeing officials to testify at a hearing. DeFazio said the committee was in the middle of an in-depth investigation and had just received a "trove" of documents that panel investigators were reviewing.

Boeing Co said on Wednesday it will dedicate half of a $100 million fund it created after two crashes of its 737 MAX planes to provide payments to families of those killed, with veteran US compensation expert Ken Feinberg hired by the world's largest plane maker to oversee the distribution.

Boeing Co said on Wednesday it will dedicate half of a $100 million fund it created after two crashes of its 737 MAX planes to provide payments to families of those killed, with veteran US compensation expert Ken Feinberg hired by the world's largest plane maker to oversee the distribution. The announcement of Feinberg's hiring came minutes before a US House of Representatives hearing featuring dramatic testimony by Paul Njoroge, a father who lost three children, his wife and mother-in-law in a 737 MAX Ethiopian Air crash in March. Feinberg told Reuters his team will "start immediately drafting a claims protocol for those eligible," with the first meeting with officials from Chicago-based Boeing later this week in Washington. Feinberg has administered many compensation funds including for victims of Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, General Motors ignition switch crashes, and numerous school shootings. The 737 MAX, Boeing's best-selling jet, was grounded globally in March following the Ethiopian Airlines crash after a similar Lion Air disaster in Indonesia in October. The two crashes killed 346 people. Njoroge, 35, told reporters after he testified he did not think the public would trust Boeing going forward. "Do you want to fly in those planes? Do you want your children to fly in those planes?" Njoroge asked. "I don't have any more children." Njoroge told a House subcommittee he still has "nightmares about how (his children) must have clung to their mother crying" during the doomed flight. Njoroge, who was born in Kenya and lives in Canada, said Boeing has blamed "innocent pilots who had no knowledge and were given no information on the new and flawed MCAS system that could overpower pilots." Boeing did not address specific questions raised by Njoroge but said in a statement "we truly regret the loss of lives in both of these accidents and we are deeply sorry for the impact on the families and loved ones of those on board." A Boeing official told Reuters last month that after a new software flaw emerged the company will not submit an MCAS software upgrade and training revision until September, which means the planes will not resume flying until November at the earliest. U.S. airlines have cancelled flights through early November as a result of the 737 MAX's grounding. Boeing shares closed up 1.9% on Wednesday. Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell told Fox Business Network on Wednesday that the agency has made a lot of progress since the plane's grounding. "We have discovered some anomalies and then we have directed Boeing to mitigate those anomalies," Elwell said, declining to set any timetable for returning the plane to service. "The 737 MAX is not going to fly until it passes the most thorough and intense look," said Elwell, adding that he had spent several hours with Njoroge during a recent meeting. Boeing said on July 3 it would give $100 million over multiple years to local governments and non-profit organizations to help families and communities affected by the crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Feinberg, who will jointly administer the fund with lawyer Camille Biros, said the other $50 million in the fund was earmarked for government and community projects. Boeing reiterated on Wednesday that the money distributed through the fund would be independent of the outcome of any lawsuits. The company is facing a slew of litigation from the families of victims of both crashes. "Through our partnership with Feinberg and Biros, we hope affected families receive needed assistance as quickly and efficiently as possible," Boeing Chief Executive Dennis Muilenburg said in a statement. Boeing's initial announcement of the $100 million funds was met with anger by some victims' families, who described the offer as a publicity stunt. At the hearing in Washington, Representative Peter DeFazio, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, said he would call Boeing officials to testify at a hearing. DeFazio said the committee was in the middle of an in-depth investigation and had just received a "trove" of documents that panel investigators were reviewing.

Boeing to make $50 million in payments to 737 MAX crash victims' families

The US House of Representatives formally condemned Donald Trump on Tuesday for xenophobic attacks on four minority Democratic lawmakers and hostile language targeting immigrants, as the president pushed back at accusations of racism.

Top Republican leaders rallied around Trump, but four members of the president's party voted with the 235 Democrats to condemn him for "racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of colour."

One independent lawmaker also supported the measure, which takes aim at Trump's weekend tweets telling a group of progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour to "go back" to other countries.

The resolution also takes the president to task for "referring to immigrants and asylum seekers as 'invaders.'"&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;has a long history of political pandering to white suspicions about other ethnic groups, and the resolution criticizes him for "saying that Members of Congress who are immigrants (or those of our colleagues who are wrongly assumed to be immigrants) do not belong in Congress or in the United States of America."

Democrats hold a majority in the 435-member House but are outnumbered by Republicans in the Senate, where the resolution is unlikely to be considered.

The four congresswomen -- all but one of whom were born in the US -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent.

Trump stuck by the provocative comments Monday and again Tuesday.&nbsp; 
"Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!" the president tweeted.

Democratic leaders denounced Trump's remarks and rallied round the lawmakers -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.

Omar is the only one born outside the United States.

Slamming the "so-called vote" as a "Democrat con game," Trump urged his fellow Republicans not to "show 'weakness' and fall into their trap." 
"Those Tweets were NOT Racist. I don't have a Racist bone in my body!" Trump said.

"This should be a vote on the filthy language, statements and lies told by the Democrat Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our Country," the president wrote.

"Nancy Pelosi tried to push them away, but now they are forever wedded to the Democrat Party," Trump added, in a jab at the House speaker who has had a tenuous relationship with the four left-leaning first-term congresswomen.

Speaking on the House floor prior to the vote, Pelosi said: "Every single member of this institution, Democratic and Republican, should join us in condemning the president's racist tweets.

"To do anything less would be a shocking rejection of our values and a shameful abdication of our oath of office to protect the American people." 
- 'All about politics' -

Trump's repeated attacks appear to be aimed at galvanizing his mostly white electoral base ahead of the 2020 presidential vote -- while also stoking divisions among his political opponents.

"See you in 2020!" said Trump, who before becoming president pushed the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States.

Ocasio-Cortez responded on Twitter to Trump's denial that he is a racist. 
"You're right, Mr. President -- you don't have a racist bone in your body," she said. "You have a racist mind in your head, and a racist heart in your chest."

While some Republican members of Congress have condemned Trump's remarks, House Republican leaders closed ranks behind the president. 
"This is all about politics," said House Republican minority leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Republican majority in the Senate, said: "the president is not a racist."&nbsp;

"From the president to the speaker, to the freshmen members of the House, all of us have a responsibility to elevate the public discourse," McConnell said. "Our words do matter."

Immediately after the House vote a Democratic congressman, Al Green of Texas, filed articles of impeachment against Trump.

Dozens of other Democratic members of the House have reportedly called for an impeachment inquiry to be opened against the president but Pelosi, the House speaker, has said she does not favour such a move at the moment.

The US House of Representatives formally condemned Donald Trump on Tuesday for xenophobic attacks on four minority Democratic lawmakers and hostile language targeting immigrants, as the president pushed back at accusations of racism.

The US House of Representatives formally condemned Donald Trump on Tuesday for xenophobic attacks on four minority Democratic lawmakers and hostile language targeting immigrants, as the president pushed back at accusations of racism. Top Republican leaders rallied around Trump, but four members of the president's party voted with the 235 Democrats to condemn him for "racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of colour." One independent lawmaker also supported the measure, which takes aim at Trump's weekend tweets telling a group of progressive Democratic congresswomen of colour to "go back" to other countries. The resolution also takes the president to task for "referring to immigrants and asylum seekers as 'invaders.'" Trump has a long history of political pandering to white suspicions about other ethnic groups, and the resolution criticizes him for "saying that Members of Congress who are immigrants (or those of our colleagues who are wrongly assumed to be immigrants) do not belong in Congress or in the United States of America." Democrats hold a majority in the 435-member House but are outnumbered by Republicans in the Senate, where the resolution is unlikely to be considered. The four congresswomen -- all but one of whom were born in the US -- are of Hispanic, Arab, Somali and African-American descent. Trump stuck by the provocative comments Monday and again Tuesday. "Our Country is Free, Beautiful and Very Successful. If you hate our Country, or if you are not happy here, you can leave!" the president tweeted. Democratic leaders denounced Trump's remarks and rallied round the lawmakers -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley. Omar is the only one born outside the United States. Slamming the "so-called vote" as a "Democrat con game," Trump urged his fellow Republicans not to "show 'weakness' and fall into their trap." "Those Tweets were NOT Racist. I don't have a Racist bone in my body!" Trump said. "This should be a vote on the filthy language, statements and lies told by the Democrat Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our Country," the president wrote. "Nancy Pelosi tried to push them away, but now they are forever wedded to the Democrat Party," Trump added, in a jab at the House speaker who has had a tenuous relationship with the four left-leaning first-term congresswomen. Speaking on the House floor prior to the vote, Pelosi said: "Every single member of this institution, Democratic and Republican, should join us in condemning the president's racist tweets. "To do anything less would be a shocking rejection of our values and a shameful abdication of our oath of office to protect the American people." - 'All about politics' - Trump's repeated attacks appear to be aimed at galvanizing his mostly white electoral base ahead of the 2020 presidential vote -- while also stoking divisions among his political opponents. "See you in 2020!" said Trump, who before becoming president pushed the racist "birther" conspiracy theory that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Ocasio-Cortez responded on Twitter to Trump's denial that he is a racist. "You're right, Mr. President -- you don't have a racist bone in your body," she said. "You have a racist mind in your head, and a racist heart in your chest." While some Republican members of Congress have condemned Trump's remarks, House Republican leaders closed ranks behind the president. "This is all about politics," said House Republican minority leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California. Senator Mitch McConnell, the leader of the Republican majority in the Senate, said: "the president is not a racist." "From the president to the speaker, to the freshmen members of the House, all of us have a responsibility to elevate the public discourse," McConnell said. "Our words do matter." Immediately after the House vote a Democratic congressman, Al Green of Texas, filed articles of impeachment against Trump. Dozens of other Democratic members of the House have reportedly called for an impeachment inquiry to be opened against the president but Pelosi, the House speaker, has said she does not favour such a move at the moment.

US House votes to condemn Trump's 'racist comments'

Almost 300,000 Indians living in the US are expected to benefit from the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act or HR1044 that was passed by the US House of Representatives yesterday. The act seeks to lift the seven per cent country cap on Greencards and INdians would be the biggest beneficiaries of such a move.

Good news for Indian IT professionals, US House passes Bill removing country cap on Green Cards

Concluding D-Day celebrations on Juno beach, with birds singing in the background, French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Thursday made a plea for global peace and understanding.

Trudeau, Philippe address Juno Beach ceremony

US President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-vote-on-healthcare-can-wait-until-after-2020-election-207350"> Donald&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;campaign</a>&nbsp;believes he can turn Republicans' biggest liability from last year's congressional elections - the debate about the future of&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;in America - into a winning issue for his reelection.

That would have appeared highly unlikely just months ago when Democrats seized upon the issue of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions to capture control of the US House of Representatives.

Since then, the&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Democratic presidential field has been locked in a debate about how far to go to transform the US healthcare&nbsp;system. Some candidates have suggested abolishing private insurance in favour of a single government-run plan, sometimes referred to as "Medicare for All," while others favour more modest reforms.

Trump's&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;is betting that whoever emerges with the Democratic nomination next year will have been forced to embrace a sweeping&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;reform proposal that may spook moderate voters.

"The president has taken the issue back," Tim Murtaugh,&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;communications director, told Reuters in an interview. "(Democrats are) taking the Blue Cross (private insurance) card out of your wallet and making it worthless."

About half of the dozen top-tier of Democratic hopefuls vying for the nomination have endorsed some form of Medicare for All, according to a Reuters analysis of&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;positions.

Democrats could end up ceding political ground if they nominate a candidate who advocates for universal&nbsp;healthcare, said Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-partisan&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;advocacy group.

"The polls show very clearly that the Democrats have a very substantial advantage on health and all the health issues," Altman said. "If the Democrat is a candidate who is a big advocate for Medicare for All, it will play a little differently."

Some voters will be leery of losing their private insurance, but Democrats are still likely to win over those concerned about pre-existing conditions and abortion access, Altman said.

TOUTING REFORMS

Trump&nbsp;has yet to set forth his long-promised&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;reform plan.

But he is speaking about&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;more frequently. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;repeated his promise to keep protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

He also is likely to tout what the White House and his&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;say are meaningful changes the administration has made to help small businesses and to try to reduce the price of prescription drugs for US&nbsp;consumers. His administration recently mandated pharmaceutical companies include list prices of drugs in television ads in a bid to get them to lower prices.

His administration argued in a report released in February that it has made&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;markets more efficient by de-regulating some aspects of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

Those included doing away with the law's mandate to purchase health insurance and expanding coverage options through association plans, which allow small businesses to band together to purchase insurance.

"The president can point to real results on&nbsp;healthcare," Murtaugh said.

But&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;also has provided Democrats with fodder they are likely to use to challenge his&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;claims, and they are sure to argue that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;will cost millions of Americans their coverage.

The president already backed a proposal in Congress that would have reduced protections for pre-existing conditions - despite his continued insistence that he does not want to eliminate those rules. And he has proposed reductions to Medicaid and Medicare funding.

His&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;will be forced to navigate those decisions as well as dispel voters' worry that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;wants to gut the existing Obamacare framework with no effective replacement.

Trump&nbsp;said in a local media interview in Pennsylvania this week he would roll out a new&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;plan soon. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the timing.

Providing such a plan will be critical to winning over voters next year, said Michael Steel, a former top aide to former Republican House Speaker John Boehner.

Steel said that while he thinks Democrats are "overreaching" on the issue, "we'll need our own conservative cost-containment plan to truly go on offence. And we don't have that yet."

WORRIED VOTERS

Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist and former chief of staff to Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate from West Virginia,&nbsp;

said&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;campaign&nbsp;underestimates the depth of voter anxiety over&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;costs and coverage.

Branding Democratic proposals as "socialist" will not be persuasive, he said.

"They're wrong if they think they can win this as an ideological debate," Kofinis said, adding that his own work with voter groups has shown some appetite for a large-scale overhaul of the US&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;system.

Kofinis warned that Democrats risk losing their edge on the issue, however, if they fail to heed the lesson of the 2018 midterm elections and instead become preoccupied with investigations of&nbsp;Trump.

Last year, Democrats took 40 seats to regain the House, a victory largely fueled by voter concerns over losing coverage if Republicans dismantled Obamacare.

Murtaugh believes that Democrats did not act quickly enough to turn their electoral victories into action.

"The big conversation was about&nbsp;healthcare&nbsp;and what are they talking about? Impeachment," Murtaugh said. "They won the election, but they haven't done a damn thing with it."

US President Donald Trump's campaign believes he can turn Republicans' biggest liability from last year's congressional elections - the debate about the future of healthcare in America - into a winning issue for his reelection.

US President Donald Trump's campaign believes he can turn Republicans' biggest liability from last year's congressional elections - the debate about the future of healthcare in America - into a winning issue for his reelection. That would have appeared highly unlikely just months ago when Democrats seized upon the issue of coverage for pre-existing medical conditions to capture control of the US House of Representatives. Since then, the 2020 Democratic presidential field has been locked in a debate about how far to go to transform the US healthcare system. Some candidates have suggested abolishing private insurance in favour of a single government-run plan, sometimes referred to as "Medicare for All," while others favour more modest reforms. Trump's campaign is betting that whoever emerges with the Democratic nomination next year will have been forced to embrace a sweeping healthcare reform proposal that may spook moderate voters. "The president has taken the issue back," Tim Murtaugh, Trump's campaign communications director, told Reuters in an interview. "(Democrats are) taking the Blue Cross (private insurance) card out of your wallet and making it worthless." About half of the dozen top-tier of Democratic hopefuls vying for the nomination have endorsed some form of Medicare for All, according to a Reuters analysis of campaign positions. Democrats could end up ceding political ground if they nominate a candidate who advocates for universal healthcare, said Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-partisan healthcare advocacy group. "The polls show very clearly that the Democrats have a very substantial advantage on health and all the health issues," Altman said. "If the Democrat is a candidate who is a big advocate for Medicare for All, it will play a little differently." Some voters will be leery of losing their private insurance, but Democrats are still likely to win over those concerned about pre-existing conditions and abortion access, Altman said. TOUTING REFORMS Trump has yet to set forth his long-promised healthcare reform plan. But he is speaking about healthcare more frequently. At a rally in Pennsylvania on Monday, Trump repeated his promise to keep protections for people with pre-existing conditions. He also is likely to tout what the White House and his campaign say are meaningful changes the administration has made to help small businesses and to try to reduce the price of prescription drugs for US consumers. His administration recently mandated pharmaceutical companies include list prices of drugs in television ads in a bid to get them to lower prices. His administration argued in a report released in February that it has made healthcare markets more efficient by de-regulating some aspects of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Those included doing away with the law's mandate to purchase health insurance and expanding coverage options through association plans, which allow small businesses to band together to purchase insurance. "The president can point to real results on healthcare," Murtaugh said. But Trump also has provided Democrats with fodder they are likely to use to challenge his healthcare claims, and they are sure to argue that Trump will cost millions of Americans their coverage. The president already backed a proposal in Congress that would have reduced protections for pre-existing conditions - despite his continued insistence that he does not want to eliminate those rules. And he has proposed reductions to Medicaid and Medicare funding. His campaign will be forced to navigate those decisions as well as dispel voters' worry that Trump wants to gut the existing Obamacare framework with no effective replacement. Trump said in a local media interview in Pennsylvania this week he would roll out a new healthcare plan soon. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the timing. Providing such a plan will be critical to winning over voters next year, said Michael Steel, a former top aide to former Republican House Speaker John Boehner. Steel said that while he thinks Democrats are "overreaching" on the issue, "we'll need our own conservative cost-containment plan to truly go on offence. And we don't have that yet." WORRIED VOTERS Chris Kofinis, a Democratic strategist and former chief of staff to Senator Joe Manchin, a moderate from West Virginia, said Trump's campaign underestimates the depth of voter anxiety over healthcare costs and coverage. Branding Democratic proposals as "socialist" will not be persuasive, he said. "They're wrong if they think they can win this as an ideological debate," Kofinis said, adding that his own work with voter groups has shown some appetite for a large-scale overhaul of the US healthcare system. Kofinis warned that Democrats risk losing their edge on the issue, however, if they fail to heed the lesson of the 2018 midterm elections and instead become preoccupied with investigations of Trump. Last year, Democrats took 40 seats to regain the House, a victory largely fueled by voter concerns over losing coverage if Republicans dismantled Obamacare. Murtaugh believes that Democrats did not act quickly enough to turn their electoral victories into action. "The big conversation was about healthcare and what are they talking about? Impeachment," Murtaugh said. "They won the election, but they haven't done a damn thing with it."

Trump campaign views healthcare as a 2020 campaign weapon

The main findings could be released as early as Saturday of a 22-month<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/could-witch-hunt-mueller-report-turn-into-trump-victory-204986"> investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller </a>into Russia's role in the 2016 US election and any potential wrongdoing by President Donald Trump, whose legal woes go beyond the end of the inquiry.

US Attorney General William Barr, who received a report on Friday from Mueller, told lawmakers in a letter that he may be able to inform them of Mueller's "principal conclusions as soon as this weekend."

Under Department of Justice regulations, Barr is empowered to decide how much to disclose publicly and he said in the letter that he is "committed to as much transparency as possible."

Barr arrived at the department building in Washington shortly before 10 am (1400 GMT) on Saturday. He was reviewing the report, a Justice Department official said.

Democrats on the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee scheduled a 2 pm (1800 GMT) conference call to talk about next steps and messaging, congressional aides said. The 235 members of the Democratic caucus in the House have scheduled a 3 pm (1900 GMT) call, a senior Democratic aide said.

Trump, who is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, has not commented to reporters or taken to Twitter, one of his favourite ways of communicating, on the completion of the investigation that has cast a shadow over the Republican's two years in the White House.

Trump had no public events scheduled on Saturday and was at his golf course in the morning. A large pro-Trump float pulled on a flatbed truck parked at the golf course about an hour after he arrived, adorned with American flags and "Trump 2020" signs. Political analysts expect the Mueller report to have an impact on how Democrats campaign to prevent Republican Trump being reelected.

The big question is whether the report contains allegations of wrongdoing by Trump or exonerates him. Mueller investigated whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow to try to influence the election and whether the Republican president later unlawfully tried to obstruct his investigation.

Mueller did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said, signalling there might be no more criminal charges against Trump associates arising from the investigation. Mueller brought charges against 34 people and three companies over the course of his investigation, with prison sentences for some of Trump's former aides.

Trump's convicted former personal lawyer Michael Cohen implicated the president in his guilty plea on campaign finance violations in a separate prosecution brought by federal prosecutors in New York.

Barr, who took office in February, was appointed by Trump after the president fired his predecessor Jeff Sessions in November. The White House has not received or been briefed on the report, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Friday, adding that "we look forward to the process taking its course."

Civil liberties privacy group the Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a Freedom of Information Request lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the report.

By handing over the long-awaited report to Barr, Mueller marked the end of his work, with his spokesman saying the 74-year-old former FBI director would conclude his service in the coming days.

Trump has denied collusion and obstruction. Russia has denied election interference. Trump has sought to discredit the investigation, calling it a "witch hunt" and accusing Mueller of conflicts of interest. But he said on Wednesday he does not mind if the public is allowed to see the report.

Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, national security adviser Michael Flynn and personal lawyer Cohen, have already either been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller.

None of those charges, however, directly related to the question of collusion between the campaign and Moscow. The Justice Department has a policy that sitting presidents cannot face criminal charges.

House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, the two top Democrats in Congress, said it was "imperative" the full report be made public, that Barr not give Trump and his team a "sneak preview" of the findings, and that the White House not be allowed to interfere in decisions about what parts are made public.

They said the investigation focused on questions that "go to the integrity of our democracy itself: whether foreign powers corruptly interfered in our elections, and whether unlawful means were used to hinder that investigation."

'Openness and transparency'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, said, "The attorney general has said he intends to provide as much information as possible. As I have said previously, I sincerely hope he will do so as soon as he can, and with as much openness and transparency as possible."

Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican and a strong ally of the president, expressed confidence the report would not find collusion with Russia.

"The reports that there will be no new indictments confirm what we've known all along: there was never any collusion with Russia. The only collusion was between Democrats and many in the media who peddled this lie because they continue to refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election," Scalise said.

Even if the Mueller report exonerates Trump, that may not spell the end to his legal troubles. Cohen pleaded guilty in August to campaign finance violations in a case overseen by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who said in court filings that Cohen carried out the crimes at the direction of Trump.

The US Attorney's Office in Manhattan is also looking at the spending of Trump's inaugural committee and business practices at the Trump Organization, the family's company.

US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow meddled in the election with a campaign of email hacking and online propaganda aimed at sowing discord in the United States, hurting Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and helping Trump.

A small number of House Democrats have pushed for Congress to impeach Trump and remove him from office but the party's leadership including Pelosi has urged caution. No president has ever been removed from office via impeachment.

Several House committees in the meantime are conducting aggressive investigations of Trump and people around him.

The main findings could be released as early as Saturday of a 22-month investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's role in the 2016 US election and any potential wrongdoing by President Donald Trump, whose legal woes go beyond the end of the inquiry.

The main findings could be released as early as Saturday of a 22-month investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller into Russia's role in the 2016 US election and any potential wrongdoing by President Donald Trump, whose legal woes go beyond the end of the inquiry. US Attorney General William Barr, who received a report on Friday from Mueller, told lawmakers in a letter that he may be able to inform them of Mueller's "principal conclusions as soon as this weekend." Under Department of Justice regulations, Barr is empowered to decide how much to disclose publicly and he said in the letter that he is "committed to as much transparency as possible." Barr arrived at the department building in Washington shortly before 10 am (1400 GMT) on Saturday. He was reviewing the report, a Justice Department official said. Democrats on the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee scheduled a 2 pm (1800 GMT) conference call to talk about next steps and messaging, congressional aides said. The 235 members of the Democratic caucus in the House have scheduled a 3 pm (1900 GMT) call, a senior Democratic aide said. Trump, who is spending the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, has not commented to reporters or taken to Twitter, one of his favourite ways of communicating, on the completion of the investigation that has cast a shadow over the Republican's two years in the White House. Trump had no public events scheduled on Saturday and was at his golf course in the morning. A large pro-Trump float pulled on a flatbed truck parked at the golf course about an hour after he arrived, adorned with American flags and "Trump 2020" signs. Political analysts expect the Mueller report to have an impact on how Democrats campaign to prevent Republican Trump being reelected. The big question is whether the report contains allegations of wrongdoing by Trump or exonerates him. Mueller investigated whether Trump's campaign conspired with Moscow to try to influence the election and whether the Republican president later unlawfully tried to obstruct his investigation. Mueller did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said, signalling there might be no more criminal charges against Trump associates arising from the investigation. Mueller brought charges against 34 people and three companies over the course of his investigation, with prison sentences for some of Trump's former aides. Trump's convicted former personal lawyer Michael Cohen implicated the president in his guilty plea on campaign finance violations in a separate prosecution brought by federal prosecutors in New York. Barr, who took office in February, was appointed by Trump after the president fired his predecessor Jeff Sessions in November. The White House has not received or been briefed on the report, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Friday, adding that "we look forward to the process taking its course." Civil liberties privacy group the Electronic Privacy Information Center filed a Freedom of Information Request lawsuit against the Justice Department to obtain the report. By handing over the long-awaited report to Barr, Mueller marked the end of his work, with his spokesman saying the 74-year-old former FBI director would conclude his service in the coming days. Trump has denied collusion and obstruction. Russia has denied election interference. Trump has sought to discredit the investigation, calling it a "witch hunt" and accusing Mueller of conflicts of interest. But he said on Wednesday he does not mind if the public is allowed to see the report. Trump aides, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, national security adviser Michael Flynn and personal lawyer Cohen, have already either been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller. None of those charges, however, directly related to the question of collusion between the campaign and Moscow. The Justice Department has a policy that sitting presidents cannot face criminal charges. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, the two top Democrats in Congress, said it was "imperative" the full report be made public, that Barr not give Trump and his team a "sneak preview" of the findings, and that the White House not be allowed to interfere in decisions about what parts are made public. They said the investigation focused on questions that "go to the integrity of our democracy itself: whether foreign powers corruptly interfered in our elections, and whether unlawful means were used to hinder that investigation." 'Openness and transparency' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in Congress, said, "The attorney general has said he intends to provide as much information as possible. As I have said previously, I sincerely hope he will do so as soon as he can, and with as much openness and transparency as possible." Representative Steve Scalise, the No. 2 House Republican and a strong ally of the president, expressed confidence the report would not find collusion with Russia. "The reports that there will be no new indictments confirm what we've known all along: there was never any collusion with Russia. The only collusion was between Democrats and many in the media who peddled this lie because they continue to refuse to accept the results of the 2016 election," Scalise said. Even if the Mueller report exonerates Trump, that may not spell the end to his legal troubles. Cohen pleaded guilty in August to campaign finance violations in a case overseen by federal prosecutors in Manhattan, who said in court filings that Cohen carried out the crimes at the direction of Trump. The US Attorney's Office in Manhattan is also looking at the spending of Trump's inaugural committee and business practices at the Trump Organization, the family's company. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow meddled in the election with a campaign of email hacking and online propaganda aimed at sowing discord in the United States, hurting Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and helping Trump. A small number of House Democrats have pushed for Congress to impeach Trump and remove him from office but the party's leadership including Pelosi has urged caution. No president has ever been removed from office via impeachment. Several House committees in the meantime are conducting aggressive investigations of Trump and people around him.

Trump-Russia report main findings awaited, US lawmakers seek quick public release

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.

The bill, unveiled by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the US healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank.

It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote.

"Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market."

Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care.

It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy.

The idea of Medicare for All was first proposed by Independent Bernie Sanders in 2017 as a single-payer system that would largely replace private insurance. It gained traction among Democrats running for congressional office in 2018, and is now a central campaign issue for party members vying for the 2020 presidential nomination.

A Reuters/IPSOS poll in August found that 70 per cent of Americans supports some sort of single-payer system.

The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group.

"This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system."

The House proposal unveiled on Tuesday would not eliminate private health insurance entirely, as it would allow patients to purchase supplemental coverage. Many Americans under the age of 65 rely on private insurance provided by their employer.

A single-payer system is variously understood as one in which the government pays for healthcare for more people or one where the governments own health services providers and manage all aspects of care, such as in the United Kingdom.

Several US Democratic lawmakers have introduced different versions of expanded Medicare, such as allowing people aged 50 and older to buy into the program.

The new House proposal would cover most aspects of patients' care, including primary care, hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, audiology, women's reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care.

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020.

US House of Representatives unveiled an ambitious proposal on Tuesday to move all Americans into the government's Medicare health insurance program, tapping into public frustration over the rising cost of healthcare that has become a key issue for the party as it seeks to gain control of Congress and the White House in 2020. The bill, unveiled by Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal from Washington state, would transition the US healthcare system to a single-payer "Medicare for All" program funded by the government in two years. The legislation is the party's most high-profile and ambitious single-payer proposal in the new Congress and has more than 100 co-sponsors, many from the party's progressive flank. It is unlikely to gain the support of any Republicans in the House or the Senate, who have derided single-payer healthcare as a socialist policy and oppose government interference in healthcare. It also remains unclear whether Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will bring the legislation up for a vote. "Americans are literally dying because they can't afford insulin or they can't get the cancer treatment they need," Jayapal said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. "There are some things that should not be provided through the for-profit market." Medicare currently serves about 60 million Americans who are age 65 or older, or disabled. Jayapal's legislation would eliminate the age threshold. The new Medicare would not require any beneficiaries to pay premiums or deductibles and would not charge patients co-pays or out-of-pocket costs after receiving care. It does not include new or increased taxes or other additional revenues to pay for the healthcare overhaul. Jayapal said possible ways to pay for the bill include a tax on millionaires and billionaires, employer premiums and closing tax loopholes for the wealthy. The idea of Medicare for All was first proposed by Independent Bernie Sanders in 2017 as a single-payer system that would largely replace private insurance. It gained traction among Democrats running for congressional office in 2018, and is now a central campaign issue for party members vying for the 2020 presidential nomination. A Reuters/IPSOS poll in August found that 70 per cent of Americans supports some sort of single-payer system. The health industry has opposed single-payer proposals, saying they would ultimately lead to less access to care. Critics include the American Hospital Association and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the health insurance industry's biggest trade group. "This bill will hurt patients, consumers, and taxpayers: Americans will pay more, to wait longer, for worse care," AHIP said in a statement. "Let’s focus on real solutions that deliver real results, not a one-size-fits-all government system." The House proposal unveiled on Tuesday would not eliminate private health insurance entirely, as it would allow patients to purchase supplemental coverage. Many Americans under the age of 65 rely on private insurance provided by their employer. A single-payer system is variously understood as one in which the government pays for healthcare for more people or one where the governments own health services providers and manage all aspects of care, such as in the United Kingdom. Several US Democratic lawmakers have introduced different versions of expanded Medicare, such as allowing people aged 50 and older to buy into the program. The new House proposal would cover most aspects of patients' care, including primary care, hospital and outpatient services, prescription drugs, dental, vision, audiology, women's reproductive health services, maternity and newborn care.

US House Democrats introduce sweeping 'Medicare for All' bill

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