US lawmakers will introduce legislation on Wednesday urging a stronger response by the Trump administration to China’s crackdown on minority Muslims, including possible sanctions against a regional Communist Party chief and other officials accused of human rights abuses.

The legislation will also ask President Donald Trump to condemn China’s actions in the Xinjiang region, call for a new “special coordinator” of US policy on the issue and press for consideration of a ban on export of US technology that Beijing could use in surveillance and mass detention of ethnic Uighurs, according to a copy of the measure seen by Reuters.

The lawmakers want the Trump administration to consider human rights-related sanctions against Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, who is also a member of the powerful politburo, and other officials “credibly alleged to be responsible” for the security crackdown, the measure will say.

“Chinese government officials should be held accountable for their complicity in this evil and US businesses should be barred from helping China create a high-tech police state in Xinjiang," said Republican US Representative Chris Smith, one of the sponsors of the bipartisan legislation that will be presented in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

The White House and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the bill, which is also being put forth by Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Bob Menendez

Trump’s senior aides recently have become more vocal in their criticism of China’s treatment of its minority Muslims in Xinjiang, which has sparked an international outcry. Any sanctions, however, would be a rare move on human rights grounds by the Trump administration against China, with which it is engaged in a bitter trade war.

Beijing has dismissed accusations of abuses in Xinjiang, urging the United States and other countries to stay out of its internal affairs.

China’s top diplomat said earlier on Tuesday that the world should ignore "gossip" about developments in Xinjiang and trust authorities there, when asked if Beijing would allow international observers to inspect camps holding Muslims there.

Western countries including Canada, France, Germany, and the United States have urged China to shut down camps in Xinjiang, where activists say as many as 1 million members of the Uighur minority and other Muslims are being detained. Far western Xinjiang faces a threat from Islamist militants and separatists, China has said in the past.

Rubio said in a statement that some Chinese officials were responsible for "possible crimes against humanity."

The Trump administration for several months has been weighing sanctions against Chinese officials and companies operating in Xinjiang, US officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The new bill calls for consideration of measures under the Global Magnitsky Act, which hits rights violators with freezes on US assets, US travel bans, and prohibitions on Americans doing business with them, and also under a federal law to target those involved in religious repression around the world.

It will urge the administration to report back to Congress on Chinese companies involved in the camps and ask the FBI to take action against any Chinese government efforts to intimidate Uighurs living in the United States. 
&nbsp;

US lawmakers will introduce legislation on Wednesday urging a stronger response by the Trump administration to China’s crackdown on minority Muslims, including possible sanctions against a regional Communist Party chief and other officials accused of human rights abuses.

US lawmakers will introduce legislation on Wednesday urging a stronger response by the Trump administration to China’s crackdown on minority Muslims, including possible sanctions against a regional Communist Party chief and other officials accused of human rights abuses. The legislation will also ask President Donald Trump to condemn China’s actions in the Xinjiang region, call for a new “special coordinator” of US policy on the issue and press for consideration of a ban on export of US technology that Beijing could use in surveillance and mass detention of ethnic Uighurs, according to a copy of the measure seen by Reuters. The lawmakers want the Trump administration to consider human rights-related sanctions against Xinjiang Party Secretary Chen Quanguo, who is also a member of the powerful politburo, and other officials “credibly alleged to be responsible” for the security crackdown, the measure will say. “Chinese government officials should be held accountable for their complicity in this evil and US businesses should be barred from helping China create a high-tech police state in Xinjiang," said Republican US Representative Chris Smith, one of the sponsors of the bipartisan legislation that will be presented in both the Senate and House of Representatives. The White House and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the bill, which is also being put forth by Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Democratic Senator Bob Menendez Trump’s senior aides recently have become more vocal in their criticism of China’s treatment of its minority Muslims in Xinjiang, which has sparked an international outcry. Any sanctions, however, would be a rare move on human rights grounds by the Trump administration against China, with which it is engaged in a bitter trade war. Beijing has dismissed accusations of abuses in Xinjiang, urging the United States and other countries to stay out of its internal affairs. China’s top diplomat said earlier on Tuesday that the world should ignore "gossip" about developments in Xinjiang and trust authorities there, when asked if Beijing would allow international observers to inspect camps holding Muslims there. Western countries including Canada, France, Germany, and the United States have urged China to shut down camps in Xinjiang, where activists say as many as 1 million members of the Uighur minority and other Muslims are being detained. Far western Xinjiang faces a threat from Islamist militants and separatists, China has said in the past. Rubio said in a statement that some Chinese officials were responsible for "possible crimes against humanity." The Trump administration for several months has been weighing sanctions against Chinese officials and companies operating in Xinjiang, US officials have said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The new bill calls for consideration of measures under the Global Magnitsky Act, which hits rights violators with freezes on US assets, US travel bans, and prohibitions on Americans doing business with them, and also under a federal law to target those involved in religious repression around the world. It will urge the administration to report back to Congress on Chinese companies involved in the camps and ask the FBI to take action against any Chinese government efforts to intimidate Uighurs living in the United States.

US to introduce legislation to urge possible China sanctions over Xinjiang crackdown

French President <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-brushes-dandruff-off-perfect-macron-132660">Emmanuel Macron received a standing </a>ovation by US lawmakers as he addressed the joint session of the US Congress urging&nbsp;the Trump administration to help "preserve and reinvent multilateralism".

The French president spoke on various issues including the "new" Iran deal, climate change and trade wars.

Macron was given a three-minute standing ovation in the US Congress as he started his speech, the French president said: "Our objective is clear, Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapons. Not now. Not in five years. Not in 10 years. Never."

Macron who is on a three-day visit to the US, said: "The United States' involvement as your role was decisive for creating and guarding today's free world. The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to help preserve and reinvent it."

"Whatever the decision of the United States will be, we will not leave the floor to the actions of rogues. We will not leave the floor to this conflict of powers in the Middle East," Macron told the Congress.

"I think we can work together to build this comprehensive deal for the whole region, for our people, because I think it fairly addresses our concerns," he said.

On the contentious issue of climate change, Macron said: "Let us face it. There is no Planet B."

"We have disagreements between the United States and France. It may happen, like in all families," he said -- but such differences would be short-term," he insisted.

"We're just citizens of the same planet," Macron said.

The French president said that free and fair trade was the need of the hour.

"We need a free and fair trade, for sure," Macron said.

"A commercial war opposing allies is not consistent with our mission, with our history, with our current commitments for global security," he added.

The French president spoke on various issues including the "new" Iran deal, climate change and trade wars.

French President Emmanuel Macron received a standing ovation by US lawmakers as he addressed the joint session of the US Congress urging the Trump administration to help "preserve and reinvent multilateralism". The French president spoke on various issues including the "new" Iran deal, climate change and trade wars. Macron was given a three-minute standing ovation in the US Congress as he started his speech, the French president said: "Our objective is clear, Iran shall never possess any nuclear weapons. Not now. Not in five years. Not in 10 years. Never." Macron who is on a three-day visit to the US, said: "The United States' involvement as your role was decisive for creating and guarding today's free world. The United States is the one who invented this multilateralism. You are the one now who has to help preserve and reinvent it." "Whatever the decision of the United States will be, we will not leave the floor to the actions of rogues. We will not leave the floor to this conflict of powers in the Middle East," Macron told the Congress. "I think we can work together to build this comprehensive deal for the whole region, for our people, because I think it fairly addresses our concerns," he said. On the contentious issue of climate change, Macron said: "Let us face it. There is no Planet B." "We have disagreements between the United States and France. It may happen, like in all families," he said -- but such differences would be short-term," he insisted. "We're just citizens of the same planet," Macron said. The French president said that free and fair trade was the need of the hour. "We need a free and fair trade, for sure," Macron said. "A commercial war opposing allies is not consistent with our mission, with our history, with our current commitments for global security," he added.

US should help preserve and reinvent  multilateralism: Macron to US lawmakers

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/zuckerbergs-testimony-before-congress-5-questions-facebook-chief-may-face-129671">Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg</a> appeared before US lawmakers Tuesday to apologize for how his company has handled the growing furor over online privacy, to promise change, and explain the social media giant's policies.

The wide-ranging questions -- including about <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-ceo-mark-zuckerberg-to-accept-mistake-at-us-hearing-for-data-leak-129658">Cambridge Analytica, which used data scraped from 87 million Facebook </a>users to target political ads ahead of the 2016 US election -- put the 33-year-old billionaire under a microscope for several hours at a joint Senate committee hearing.

Here are top quotes from Zuckerberg, and some of the dozens of senators who grilled him. "We didn`t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And it was my mistake, and I`m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I`m responsible for what happens here."

"When we heard back from Cambridge Analytica that they had told us that they weren`t using the data and deleted it, we considered it a closed case. In retrospect, that was clearly a mistake. We shouldn`t have taken their word for it. We`ve updated our policy to make sure we don`t make that mistake again."

"It will take some time to work through all the changes we need to make across the company. I`m committed to getting this right. This includes the basic responsibility of protecting people`s information, which we failed to do with Cambridge Analytica."

"We`re investigating every single app that had access to a large amount of information in the past. And if we find that someone improperly used data, we`re going to ban them from Facebook and tell everyone affected."One of my greatest regrets in running the company is that we were slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016."

"There are people in Russia whose job it is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems.... So this is an arms race. They`re going to keep getting better and we need to invest in getting better at this too."

Asked if Facebook executives have been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the US election: "Our work with the special counsel is confidential.... I actually am not aware of a subpoena. I believe there may be, but I know we`re working with them."

"I know we did help out the Trump campaign overall in sales support in the same way we do with other campaigns."There will always be a version of Facebook that is free."

"We need to take a more active view in policing the ecosystem and watching and looking out and making sure that all the members in our community are using these tools in a way that`s going to be good and healthy."

Asked if he believes the social media giant, with over two billion users worldwide, amounts to a monopoly: "It certainly doesn`t feel like that to me."Senator Dick Durbin: "Would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night? If you messaged anybody this week, would you share with us the names of the people you`ve messaged?"

Zuckerberg: "Senator, no I would probably not choose to do that publicly here."

Durbin: "I think that may be what this is all about: your right to privacy, the limits of your right to privacy, and how much you give away in modern America in the name of connecting people around the world."Senator John Thune: "This should be a wake-up call for the tech community.... We`re listening, America is listening, and quite possibly the world is listening too."

Senator Bill Nelson: "Let me just cut to the chase. If you and other social media companies do not get your act in order, none of us are going to have any privacy anymore."

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg appeared before US lawmakers Tuesday to apologize for how his company has handled the growing furor over online privacy, to promise change, and explain the social media giant's policies

Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg appeared before US lawmakers Tuesday to apologize for how his company has handled the growing furor over online privacy, to promise change, and explain the social media giant's policies. The wide-ranging questions -- including about Cambridge Analytica, which used data scraped from 87 million Facebook users to target political ads ahead of the 2016 US election -- put the 33-year-old billionaire under a microscope for several hours at a joint Senate committee hearing. Here are top quotes from Zuckerberg, and some of the dozens of senators who grilled him. "We didn`t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And it was my mistake, and I`m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I`m responsible for what happens here." "When we heard back from Cambridge Analytica that they had told us that they weren`t using the data and deleted it, we considered it a closed case. In retrospect, that was clearly a mistake. We shouldn`t have taken their word for it. We`ve updated our policy to make sure we don`t make that mistake again." "It will take some time to work through all the changes we need to make across the company. I`m committed to getting this right. This includes the basic responsibility of protecting people`s information, which we failed to do with Cambridge Analytica." "We`re investigating every single app that had access to a large amount of information in the past. And if we find that someone improperly used data, we`re going to ban them from Facebook and tell everyone affected."One of my greatest regrets in running the company is that we were slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016." "There are people in Russia whose job it is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems.... So this is an arms race. They`re going to keep getting better and we need to invest in getting better at this too." Asked if Facebook executives have been interviewed by special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating Russian interference in the US election: "Our work with the special counsel is confidential.... I actually am not aware of a subpoena. I believe there may be, but I know we`re working with them." "I know we did help out the Trump campaign overall in sales support in the same way we do with other campaigns."There will always be a version of Facebook that is free." "We need to take a more active view in policing the ecosystem and watching and looking out and making sure that all the members in our community are using these tools in a way that`s going to be good and healthy." Asked if he believes the social media giant, with over two billion users worldwide, amounts to a monopoly: "It certainly doesn`t feel like that to me."Senator Dick Durbin: "Would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night? If you messaged anybody this week, would you share with us the names of the people you`ve messaged?" Zuckerberg: "Senator, no I would probably not choose to do that publicly here." Durbin: "I think that may be what this is all about: your right to privacy, the limits of your right to privacy, and how much you give away in modern America in the name of connecting people around the world."Senator John Thune: "This should be a wake-up call for the tech community.... We`re listening, America is listening, and quite possibly the world is listening too." Senator Bill Nelson: "Let me just cut to the chase. If you and other social media companies do not get your act in order, none of us are going to have any privacy anymore."

'I started Facebook, I run it, and I'm responsible for what happens here': Zuckerberg at joint Senate committee hearing

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg will strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday in testimony before Congress in an attempt to blunt possible regulatory fallout from the privacy scandal engulfing his social network.

The 33-year-old internet mogul is scheduled to appear at 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) before a joint hearing of the US&nbsp;Senate's Commerce and Judiciary committees.

Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in his Harvard University dorm room in 2004, is fighting to demonstrate to critics that he is the right person to go on leading what has grown into one of the world's largest companies.

Facebook faces a mushrooming crisis of confidence among users, advertisers, employees and investors after acknowledging that up to 87 million people, mostly in the United States, had their personal information harvested from the site by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted US&nbsp;President Donald Trump among its clients.

Zuckerberg, who has never testified in a congressional hearing, said in written testimony on Monday that he had made mistakes and had held too narrow a view of the social network's role in society.

"Now we have to go through every part of our relationship with people and make sure we're taking a broad enough view of our responsibility," he said.

Facebook hired several outside consultants to help coach Zuckerberg, even holding mock sessions to prepare him for questions from lawmakers.

In an olive branch on Friday, Zuckerberg threw his support behind proposed legislation requiring social media sites to disclose the identities of buyers of online political campaign ads.

US&nbsp;lawmakers have discussed legislation that would strengthen data privacy protections and enforcement. Tighter regulation of how Facebook uses its members' data could affect its ability to attract advertising revenue, its lifeblood.

Some 40 senators out of the 100-member Senate sit on the two committees holding Tuesday's hearing, setting up a possibly marathon hearing.

To ease the way, Zuckerberg on Monday met some lawmakers privately, listening to their concerns before they will have a chance to interrogate him in public.

Zuckerberg appeared willing "to turn things around where he sees mistakes that have been made," Senator Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, said after meeting with the CEO.

For hearings last year about Russia's alleged use of social media to influence American politics, Facebook, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google sent lawyers, angering lawmakers.

Facebook's previous emissary "was a silver-tongued devil" who "said nothing," Republican Senator John Kennedy said on CNBC on Monday. Kennedy said he planned to ask Zuckerberg about antitrust enforcement and its acquisition of rivals.

Zuckerberg will get a second dose of questioning on Wednesday from the US&nbsp;House Energy and Commerce Committee.

His perch atop Facebook is assured as long as he wants it, given that he remains its controlling shareholder.

But his reputation has suffered as television comedians have mocked his perceived robotic speaking patterns and allegedly cavalier attitude toward privacy.

Shares in Facebook are down more than 14 percent since the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke last month.

Zuckerberg said in written testimony on Monday that he had made mistakes and had held too narrow a view of the social network's role in society

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg will strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday in testimony before Congress in an attempt to blunt possible regulatory fallout from the privacy scandal engulfing his social network. The 33-year-old internet mogul is scheduled to appear at 2:15 p.m. (1815 GMT) before a joint hearing of the US Senate's Commerce and Judiciary committees. Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook in his Harvard University dorm room in 2004, is fighting to demonstrate to critics that he is the right person to go on leading what has grown into one of the world's largest companies. Facebook faces a mushrooming crisis of confidence among users, advertisers, employees and investors after acknowledging that up to 87 million people, mostly in the United States, had their personal information harvested from the site by Cambridge Analytica, a political consultancy that has counted US President Donald Trump among its clients. Zuckerberg, who has never testified in a congressional hearing, said in written testimony on Monday that he had made mistakes and had held too narrow a view of the social network's role in society. "Now we have to go through every part of our relationship with people and make sure we're taking a broad enough view of our responsibility," he said. Facebook hired several outside consultants to help coach Zuckerberg, even holding mock sessions to prepare him for questions from lawmakers. In an olive branch on Friday, Zuckerberg threw his support behind proposed legislation requiring social media sites to disclose the identities of buyers of online political campaign ads. US lawmakers have discussed legislation that would strengthen data privacy protections and enforcement. Tighter regulation of how Facebook uses its members' data could affect its ability to attract advertising revenue, its lifeblood. Some 40 senators out of the 100-member Senate sit on the two committees holding Tuesday's hearing, setting up a possibly marathon hearing. To ease the way, Zuckerberg on Monday met some lawmakers privately, listening to their concerns before they will have a chance to interrogate him in public. Zuckerberg appeared willing "to turn things around where he sees mistakes that have been made," Senator Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, said after meeting with the CEO. For hearings last year about Russia's alleged use of social media to influence American politics, Facebook, Twitter Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google sent lawyers, angering lawmakers. Facebook's previous emissary "was a silver-tongued devil" who "said nothing," Republican Senator John Kennedy said on CNBC on Monday. Kennedy said he planned to ask Zuckerberg about antitrust enforcement and its acquisition of rivals. Zuckerberg will get a second dose of questioning on Wednesday from the US House Energy and Commerce Committee. His perch atop Facebook is assured as long as he wants it, given that he remains its controlling shareholder. But his reputation has suffered as television comedians have mocked his perceived robotic speaking patterns and allegedly cavalier attitude toward privacy. Shares in Facebook are down more than 14 percent since the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke last month.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to pacify US lawmakers

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg will hold meetings with some US&nbsplawmakers on Monday, a day before he is due to appear at Congressional hearings over a political consultancy's use of customer data, two congressional aides said on Sunday.

The planned meetings at Capitol Hill are expected to continue through Monday afternoon and include some lawmakers from committees before whom Zuckerberg is due to testify, said the aides, who asked not to be identified because the meetings have not been made public.

Facebook declined to comment.

Zuckerberg is scheduled to appear before a joint hearing of the US&nbspSenate Judiciary and Commerce committees on Tuesday and the US&nbspHouse Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday.

Facebook has come under fire in recent weeks after it said that the personal information of up to 87 million users, mostly in the United States, may have been improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.

A Facebook spokesman said on Sunday that the company plans to begin telling affected users on Monday.

London-based Cambridge Analytica, which has counted US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's 2016 campaign among its clients, has disputed Facebook's estimate of the number of affected users.

Zuckerberg is expected in his testimony to recognize a need to take responsibility and acknowledge an initial failure to understand how many people were affected, a person briefed on the matter, who asked for anonymity, said on Sunday.

Zuckerberg said in a conference call with reporters last week that he accepted blame for the data leak, which has angered users, advertisers and lawmakers, while also saying he was still the right person to head the company he founded.

On Friday, Facebook backed proposed legislation requiring social media sites to disclose the identities of buyers of online political campaign ads and introduced a new verification process for people buying "issue" ads.

The steps are designed to deter the kind of election meddling and online information warfare that US&nbspauthorities have accused Russia of pursuing, Zuckerberg said on Friday. Moscow has denied the allegations.

In February, US&nbspSpecial Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with interfering in the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election by sowing discord on social media.

Zuckerberg, on the call with reporters, said Facebook should have done more to audit and oversee third-party app developers like the one hired by Cambridge Analytica in 2014.

The planned meetings at Capitol Hill are expected to continue through Monday afternoon and include some lawmakers from committees before whom Zuckerberg is due to testify

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg will hold meetings with some US&nbsplawmakers on Monday, a day before he is due to appear at Congressional hearings over a political consultancy's use of customer data, two congressional aides said on Sunday. The planned meetings at Capitol Hill are expected to continue through Monday afternoon and include some lawmakers from committees before whom Zuckerberg is due to testify, said the aides, who asked not to be identified because the meetings have not been made public. Facebook declined to comment. Zuckerberg is scheduled to appear before a joint hearing of the US&nbspSenate Judiciary and Commerce committees on Tuesday and the US&nbspHouse Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesday. Facebook has come under fire in recent weeks after it said that the personal information of up to 87 million users, mostly in the United States, may have been improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica. A Facebook spokesman said on Sunday that the company plans to begin telling affected users on Monday. London-based Cambridge Analytica, which has counted US&nbspPresident Donald Trump's 2016 campaign among its clients, has disputed Facebook's estimate of the number of affected users. Zuckerberg is expected in his testimony to recognize a need to take responsibility and acknowledge an initial failure to understand how many people were affected, a person briefed on the matter, who asked for anonymity, said on Sunday. Zuckerberg said in a conference call with reporters last week that he accepted blame for the data leak, which has angered users, advertisers and lawmakers, while also saying he was still the right person to head the company he founded. On Friday, Facebook backed proposed legislation requiring social media sites to disclose the identities of buyers of online political campaign ads and introduced a new verification process for people buying "issue" ads. The steps are designed to deter the kind of election meddling and online information warfare that US&nbspauthorities have accused Russia of pursuing, Zuckerberg said on Friday. Moscow has denied the allegations. In February, US&nbspSpecial Counsel Robert Mueller charged 13 Russians and three Russian companies with interfering in the 2016 US&nbsppresidential election by sowing discord on social media. Zuckerberg, on the call with reporters, said Facebook should have done more to audit and oversee third-party app developers like the one hired by Cambridge Analytica in 2014.

Facebook's Zuckerberg to meet with US lawmakers Monday: Reports

The number of women and girls now known to have been abused by Larry Nassar has risen to 265, a Michigan judge told a final sentencing hearing Wednesday where the former USA Gymnastics doctor faced his accusers once again.

At least 65 of Nassar&#39;s victims were to speak out over several days at the last of three sentencing hearings for the disgraced doctor who molested his patients for two decades under the guise of medical treatment.

The 54-year-old Nassar was sentenced last week to 40 to 175 years for molesting girls at his Michigan State University (MSU) clinic, in addition to a prior sentence of 60 years for possessing child pornography.&nbsp;

The poignant accounts of abuse suffered by more than 150 young women and girls, who took the stand over the past two weeks, have had profound repercussions for the US sporting world, with resignations, retirements and new investigations announced at a rapid pace.

Under pressure, the entire board of USA Gymnastics has stepped down as of Wednesday.

As the final hearings got under way, star gymnast Simone Biles slammed the US Olympic Committee for failing to reach out to her after she revealed this month she had been molested by Nassar.&nbsp;

She revealed she was initially in denial -- and broke down when she realized she had been abused.&nbsp;

&quot;I remember just bawling my eyes out,&quot; the four-time Olympic gold medal winner told NBC News. &quot;It feels like he took a part of me that I can&#39;t get back.&quot;

Biles, along with fellow gold-medalists Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, have all identified themselves as Nassar victims, along with scores of female athletes in gymnastics and others who sought medical treatment at Michigan State. &nbsp;

Criminal of the worst kind

The small courtroom in Charlotte, Michigan filled up early in the morning, long before Nassar was brought in for hearings that were expected stretch into early next week.

&quot;We have over 265 identified victims and an infinite number of victims in the state, in the country, and all over the world,&quot; Judge Janice Cunningham said.&nbsp;

&quot;As a result, by allowing live streaming and tweeting, all individuals are able to participate in this process.&quot;&nbsp;

Jessica Thomashow, 17, who had also testified at Nassar&#39;s previous sentencing hearing, urged the judge to impose the maximum allowable sentence.&nbsp;

&quot;Larry Nassar is evil,&quot; she said. &quot;Larry Nassar is a criminal of the worst kind.&quot;&nbsp;

Under a plea agreement, Nassar could get a minimum 25 to 40 years in prison, in addition to his prior sentences.&nbsp;

Best friends

Gymnast Madison Bonofiglio testified against Larry Nassar in March 2017, when molestation charges were initially brought. She said she knew of at least 10 other victims who have not come forward.&nbsp;

&quot;This really makes me sad that some of my best friends think because they were only assaulted by Nassar five to 10 times, that it doesn&#39;t matter,&quot; she said.&nbsp;

The latest hearing relates to abuse that took place at the Twistars gymnastics training facility. Approximately 30 statements were read Wednesday, and another 35 expected when court resumes Friday.&nbsp;

The victims&#39; courtroom revelations have sent shockwaves through the sport.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation of the Karolyi Ranch -- until recently the training ground for America&#39;s top gymnasts, where victims said they were abused. &nbsp;

USA Gymnastics severed ties with the ranch and three board members resigned, but that failed to quell the furor. The US Olympics Committee demanded all USA Gymnastics board members resign, and they complied Wednesday.

&quot;USA Gymnastics embraces not only the changes necessary,&quot; it said in a statement, &quot;but we also will hold the organization to the highest standards of care and safety.&quot;

US lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bipartisan bill mandating reporting of all sexual assault allegations in amateur sports.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the fallout from the Nassar case may yet grow, with the US Olympic Committee, MSU and USA Gymnastics all facing investigations in what victims see as a belated push to establish who knew about Nassar&#39;s conduct, and what could have been done to stop him.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bipartisan bill mandating reporting of all sexual assault allegations in amateur sports

The number of women and girls now known to have been abused by Larry Nassar has risen to 265, a Michigan judge told a final sentencing hearing Wednesday where the former USA Gymnastics doctor faced his accusers once again. At least 65 of Nassar's victims were to speak out over several days at the last of three sentencing hearings for the disgraced doctor who molested his patients for two decades under the guise of medical treatment. The 54-year-old Nassar was sentenced last week to 40 to 175 years for molesting girls at his Michigan State University (MSU) clinic, in addition to a prior sentence of 60 years for possessing child pornography. The poignant accounts of abuse suffered by more than 150 young women and girls, who took the stand over the past two weeks, have had profound repercussions for the US sporting world, with resignations, retirements and new investigations announced at a rapid pace. Under pressure, the entire board of USA Gymnastics has stepped down as of Wednesday. As the final hearings got under way, star gymnast Simone Biles slammed the US Olympic Committee for failing to reach out to her after she revealed this month she had been molested by Nassar. She revealed she was initially in denial -- and broke down when she realized she had been abused. "I remember just bawling my eyes out," the four-time Olympic gold medal winner told NBC News. "It feels like he took a part of me that I can't get back." Biles, along with fellow gold-medalists Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, have all identified themselves as Nassar victims, along with scores of female athletes in gymnastics and others who sought medical treatment at Michigan State. Criminal of the worst kind The small courtroom in Charlotte, Michigan filled up early in the morning, long before Nassar was brought in for hearings that were expected stretch into early next week. "We have over 265 identified victims and an infinite number of victims in the state, in the country, and all over the world," Judge Janice Cunningham said. "As a result, by allowing live streaming and tweeting, all individuals are able to participate in this process." Jessica Thomashow, 17, who had also testified at Nassar's previous sentencing hearing, urged the judge to impose the maximum allowable sentence. "Larry Nassar is evil," she said. "Larry Nassar is a criminal of the worst kind." Under a plea agreement, Nassar could get a minimum 25 to 40 years in prison, in addition to his prior sentences. Best friends Gymnast Madison Bonofiglio testified against Larry Nassar in March 2017, when molestation charges were initially brought. She said she knew of at least 10 other victims who have not come forward. "This really makes me sad that some of my best friends think because they were only assaulted by Nassar five to 10 times, that it doesn't matter," she said. The latest hearing relates to abuse that took place at the Twistars gymnastics training facility. Approximately 30 statements were read Wednesday, and another 35 expected when court resumes Friday. The victims' courtroom revelations have sent shockwaves through the sport. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered an investigation of the Karolyi Ranch -- until recently the training ground for America's top gymnasts, where victims said they were abused. USA Gymnastics severed ties with the ranch and three board members resigned, but that failed to quell the furor. The US Olympics Committee demanded all USA Gymnastics board members resign, and they complied Wednesday. "USA Gymnastics embraces not only the changes necessary," it said in a statement, "but we also will hold the organization to the highest standards of care and safety." US lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bipartisan bill mandating reporting of all sexual assault allegations in amateur sports. Meanwhile, the fallout from the Nassar case may yet grow, with the US Olympic Committee, MSU and USA Gymnastics all facing investigations in what victims see as a belated push to establish who knew about Nassar's conduct, and what could have been done to stop him.

USA Gymnastics doctor abused at least 265 women and girls, court told

The US House of Representatives has condemned Iran&#39;s crackdown on the recent anti-government protests.

US lawmakers adopted a resolution and voted in support of anti-government Iranian protesters by a vote of 415 to two.&nbsp;

The House &quot;stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime,&quot; and condemns the government&#39;s &quot;serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people,&quot; the resolution stated.

Iran&#39;s capital Tehran and other areas witnessed <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/protests-hit-tehran-as-government-warns-against-illegal-gatherings-28138">violent protests against the government</a> over alleged corruption and economic crisis.&nbsp;

Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple people injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media.

The government had warned the protestors stating that those who go against the law <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-said-protesters-should-pay-a-high-price-if-they-break-the-law-28170">will pay the price</a>.

&nbsp;The Trump administration may also issue new sanctions on Iran&#39;s human rights violators.&nbsp;

The White House has already imposed sanctions on five Iranian firms who were alleged to have been involved in an illegal ballistic missile program.

The US lawmakers also clarified that they stand firm in support of Iranian people and target the &quot;oppressive, destabilizing regime, not the people of Iran.&quot;

&quot;In standing with the Iranian people, we must explain that they are not the target of our sanctions,&quot; House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said.

Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media

The US House of Representatives has condemned Iran's crackdown on the recent anti-government protests. US lawmakers adopted a resolution and voted in support of anti-government Iranian protesters by a vote of 415 to two. The House "stands with the people of Iran that are engaged in legitimate and peaceful protests against an oppressive, corrupt regime," and condemns the government's "serious human rights abuses against the Iranian people," the resolution stated. Iran's capital Tehran and other areas witnessed violent protests against the government over alleged corruption and economic crisis. Close to 21 people were reported dead with multiple people injured in clashes that prompted the Iranian regime to temporarily block access to social media. The government had warned the protestors stating that those who go against the law will pay the price. The Trump administration may also issue new sanctions on Iran's human rights violators. The White House has already imposed sanctions on five Iranian firms who were alleged to have been involved in an illegal ballistic missile program. The US lawmakers also clarified that they stand firm in support of Iranian people and target the "oppressive, destabilizing regime, not the people of Iran." "In standing with the Iranian people, we must explain that they are not the target of our sanctions," House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Ed Royce said.

US lawmakers condemn Iran's crackdown on protesters

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