4 people killed and 239 have been injured in the violent Venezuelan protests. Survivors of that violent protests share their stories. Watch full video to know more.

Survivors recount police brutality in Venezuela

The US President Donald Trump began the National Day of Prayer service offering his support to Venezuelans who have taken to the streets in an effort to oust President Maduro. Watch full video to know more.

Venezuela Crisis: US President Donald Trump offers prayers to Venezuelans

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-rejects-un-arms-trade-treaty-says-revoking-predecessors-signature-213808">US President Donald Trump</a>'s proposals on nuclear arms disarmament is "not serious," a Kremlin spokesman said on Saturday.

Trump has ordered his administration to prepare a push for new arms-control agreements with Russia and China citing the cost of the 21st-century nuclear arms race, The Washington Post reported on Thursday citing administration officials.

"It would be ideal to clean up the whole world from the nuclear weapon...but on the other hand we would have been deprived of the deterrent factor," Dmitry Peskov told reporters on the sidelines of a summit on China's Belt and Road plan. "Don't forget about the deterrent factor, about the deterrent parity," he said.

Peskov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held substantial talks and exchanged views on Syria, Venezuela and Libya when they met on Friday. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's proposals on nuclear arms disarmament is "not serious," a Kremlin spokesman said on Saturday. Trump has ordered his administration to prepare a push for new arms-control agreements with Russia and China citing the cost of the 21st-century nuclear arms race, The Washington Post reported on Thursday citing administration officials.

US President Donald Trump's proposals on nuclear arms disarmament is "not serious," a Kremlin spokesman said on Saturday. Trump has ordered his administration to prepare a push for new arms-control agreements with Russia and China citing the cost of the 21st-century nuclear arms race, The Washington Post reported on Thursday citing administration officials. "It would be ideal to clean up the whole world from the nuclear weapon...but on the other hand we would have been deprived of the deterrent factor," Dmitry Peskov told reporters on the sidelines of a summit on China's Belt and Road plan. "Don't forget about the deterrent factor, about the deterrent parity," he said. Peskov also said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping held substantial talks and exchanged views on Syria, Venezuela and Libya when they met on Friday.

Trump proposals on nuclear arms disarmament 'not serious': Russia

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/best-thing-ever-to-happen-to-twitter-is-trump-says-us-president-after-sites-profit-soars-212982">US President Donald Trump</a> met with Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey on Tuesday and spent a significant time questioning him about why he had lost some Twitter followers, a person briefed on the matter said.

The meeting, which was organised by the White House last week, came hours after Trump again attacked the social media company over his allegations it is biased against conservatives.

"Great meeting this afternoon at the @WhiteHouse with @Jack from @Twitter. Lots of subjects discussed regarding their platform, and the world of social media in general. Look forward to keeping an open dialogue!" Trump tweeted, posting a photo of Dorsey and others with him in the Oval Office.

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Great meeting this afternoon at the <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WhiteHouse</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jack</a> from <a href="https://twitter.com/Twitter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twitter</a>. Lots of subjects discussed regarding their platform, and the world of social media in general. Look forward to keeping an open dialogue! <a href="https://t.co/QnZi579eFb">pic.twitter.com/QnZi579eFb</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1120793199650463747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Dorsey, who had not previously met with Trump, replied in a tweet: "Thank you for the time. Twitter is here to serve the entire public conversation, and we intend to make it healthier and more civil. Thanks for the discussion about that."

The source, who was briefed on the meeting that included Twitter’s general counsel and public policy chief, said Dorsey explained in response to Trump’s concerns about losing followers that the company was working to remove fraudulent and spam accounts and that many famous people, including Dorsey himself, had lost followers as a result.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump suggested Twitter was biased against him, without providing evidence. He wrote on Twitter that the company does not "treat me well as a Republican. Very discriminatory."

Trump has been upset about losing followers. Trump lost 204,000, or 0.4 per cent, of his 53.4 million followers in July, according to social media data firm Keyhole, when Twitter started its purge of suspicious accounts after it and other social media services were used in misinformation campaigns attempting to influence voters in the 2016 US presidential race and other elections.

In October, Trump wrote that "Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join - they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all. A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?"

Shares in Twitter jumped 13 per cent on Tuesday after it reported quarterly revenue above analyst estimates, which executives said was the result of weeding out spam and abusive posts and targeting ads better.

Trump has one of the most-followed accounts on Twitter. But the president and Republicans in Congress have repeatedly criticized the company and its social media competitors for what they have called bias against conservatives, something Twitter denies.

Democratic US Senator Mazie Hirono said earlier this month: "We cannot allow the Republican party to harass tech companies into weakening content moderation policies that already fail to remove hateful, dangerous and misleading content."

Carlos Monje, Twitter’s public policy director, said at a Senate hearing earlier this month the site "does not use political viewpoints, perspectives or party affiliation to make any decisions, whether related to automatically ranking content on our service or how we develop or enforce our rules."

US President Donald Trump met with Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey on Tuesday and spent a significant time questioning him about why he had lost some Twitter followers, a person briefed on the matter said.

US President Donald Trump met with Twitter Inc Chief Executive Jack Dorsey on Tuesday and spent a significant time questioning him about why he had lost some Twitter followers, a person briefed on the matter said. The meeting, which was organised by the White House last week, came hours after Trump again attacked the social media company over his allegations it is biased against conservatives. "Great meeting this afternoon at the @WhiteHouse with @Jack from @Twitter. Lots of subjects discussed regarding their platform, and the world of social media in general. Look forward to keeping an open dialogue!" Trump tweeted, posting a photo of Dorsey and others with him in the Oval Office. Great meeting this afternoon at the @WhiteHouse with @Jack from @Twitter. Lots of subjects discussed regarding their platform, and the world of social media in general. Look forward to keeping an open dialogue! pic.twitter.com/QnZi579eFb — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 23, 2019 × Dorsey, who had not previously met with Trump, replied in a tweet: "Thank you for the time. Twitter is here to serve the entire public conversation, and we intend to make it healthier and more civil. Thanks for the discussion about that." The source, who was briefed on the meeting that included Twitter’s general counsel and public policy chief, said Dorsey explained in response to Trump’s concerns about losing followers that the company was working to remove fraudulent and spam accounts and that many famous people, including Dorsey himself, had lost followers as a result. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump suggested Twitter was biased against him, without providing evidence. He wrote on Twitter that the company does not "treat me well as a Republican. Very discriminatory." Trump has been upset about losing followers. Trump lost 204,000, or 0.4 per cent, of his 53.4 million followers in July, according to social media data firm Keyhole, when Twitter started its purge of suspicious accounts after it and other social media services were used in misinformation campaigns attempting to influence voters in the 2016 US presidential race and other elections. In October, Trump wrote that "Twitter has removed many people from my account and, more importantly, they have seemingly done something that makes it much harder to join - they have stifled growth to a point where it is obvious to all. A few weeks ago it was a Rocket Ship, now it is a Blimp! Total Bias?" Shares in Twitter jumped 13 per cent on Tuesday after it reported quarterly revenue above analyst estimates, which executives said was the result of weeding out spam and abusive posts and targeting ads better. Trump has one of the most-followed accounts on Twitter. But the president and Republicans in Congress have repeatedly criticized the company and its social media competitors for what they have called bias against conservatives, something Twitter denies. Democratic US Senator Mazie Hirono said earlier this month: "We cannot allow the Republican party to harass tech companies into weakening content moderation policies that already fail to remove hateful, dangerous and misleading content." Carlos Monje, Twitter’s public policy director, said at a Senate hearing earlier this month the site "does not use political viewpoints, perspectives or party affiliation to make any decisions, whether related to automatically ranking content on our service or how we develop or enforce our rules."

Trump complained to Twitter CEO about lost followers: Source

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/trumps-solidarity-message-on-sri-lanka-blasts-goes-wrong-tweets-out-heartfelt-condolences-on-death-of-138-million-people-212299">US President Donald Trump</a> called Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday to express condolences over the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-imposes-state-of-emergency-after-attacks-blamed-on-islamists-212724">killing of nearly 300 people in suicide bomb blasts</a> at churches and hotels.

The attacks on Easter Sunday, which Sri Lankan authorities believe were carried out by a local Islamist group, were "one of the deadliest terrorist events since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said.

At least four Americans were killed in the attacks, including a fifth grader (around 10 years old) who attended the private Sidwell Friends school in Washington.

"Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for the president's concern and updated him on the progress of the investigation," according to the White House.

Trump told the premier that he "pledged United States support to Sri Lanka in bringing the perpetrators to justice, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against global terrorism."

Washington has pledged investigative assistance and is sending FBI agents to help support Sri Lankan police in the probe, The Washington Post reported.&nbsp;

It said the FBI has also offered laboratory expertise for testing bomb evidence, while analysts are reviewing bureau databases for any useful information.

In a brief statement on Twitter, Trump said he had also spoken with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday.

He later deleted this statement and the White House could not be immediately reached for comment on why the president did so.

A State Department official said that at least four Americans were killed in the bombings.

US President Donald Trump called Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday to express condolences over the killing of nearly 300 people in suicide bomb blasts at churches and hotels.

US President Donald Trump called Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday to express condolences over the killing of nearly 300 people in suicide bomb blasts at churches and hotels. The attacks on Easter Sunday, which Sri Lankan authorities believe were carried out by a local Islamist group, were "one of the deadliest terrorist events since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States," White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said. At least four Americans were killed in the attacks, including a fifth grader (around 10 years old) who attended the private Sidwell Friends school in Washington. "Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation for the president's concern and updated him on the progress of the investigation," according to the White House. Trump told the premier that he "pledged United States support to Sri Lanka in bringing the perpetrators to justice, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against global terrorism." Washington has pledged investigative assistance and is sending FBI agents to help support Sri Lankan police in the probe, The Washington Post reported. It said the FBI has also offered laboratory expertise for testing bomb evidence, while analysts are reviewing bureau databases for any useful information. In a brief statement on Twitter, Trump said he had also spoken with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday. He later deleted this statement and the White House could not be immediately reached for comment on why the president did so. A State Department official said that at least four Americans were killed in the bombings.

Trump calls Sri Lanka PM Wickremsinghe to express condolences over attacks

Libya's unity government forces said they have launched a counter-attack against Khalifa Haftar's fighters on Saturday just south of the capital Tripoli.

"We have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground," said Mustafa al-Mejii, a spokesman for the military operation of the Government of National Accord.

Haftar launched an offensive on April 4 against Tripoli, where the UN-recognised GNA is based.

Around 2,000 people protested on Friday in Tripoli's central Martyrs' Square against Haftar's offensive.&nbsp;

The protest came after the White House announced that US President Donald Trump spoke to Haftar by phone.

Meanwhile, Libya's unity government had issued a warrant against Khalifa on Thursday. It was issued by the military prosecutor general and was published by the unity government's press office.

Libya's unity government forces said they have launched a counter-attack against Khalifa Haftar's fighters on Saturday just south of the capital Tripoli. "We have launched a new phase of attack.

Libya's unity government forces said they have launched a counter-attack against Khalifa Haftar's fighters on Saturday just south of the capital Tripoli. "We have launched a new phase of attack. Orders were given early this morning to advance and gain ground," said Mustafa al-Mejii, a spokesman for the military operation of the Government of National Accord. Haftar launched an offensive on April 4 against Tripoli, where the UN-recognised GNA is based. Around 2,000 people protested on Friday in Tripoli's central Martyrs' Square against Haftar's offensive. The protest came after the White House announced that US President Donald Trump spoke to Haftar by phone. Meanwhile, Libya's unity government had issued a warrant against Khalifa on Thursday. It was issued by the military prosecutor general and was published by the unity government's press office.

Libya's unity government forces launch counter-attack against Khalifa Haftar

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-22-dialogue-us-japan-discuss-enhancing-ties-with-india-212049">In 2+2 dialogue, US-Japan discuss enhancing ties with India</a>

As part of a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region, the US and Japan have agreed to grow ties with India, along with countries like Australia and South Korea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-envoys-meet-syrias-assad-discuss-post-war-efforts-trade-212033">Russian envoys meet Syria's Assad, discuss post-war efforts, trade</a>

Several Russian envoys met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and discussed a constitutional committee, trade, as well as the ways to improve Syria's relations with neighbouring Arab countries, Russia's Foreign Ministry said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-lawyers-reviewed-mueller-report-for-10-hours-before-it-was-made-public-211967">Trump lawyers reviewed Mueller report for 10 hours before it was made public</a>

US President Donald Trump's personal lawyers spent at least 10 hours reviewing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election before it was made public, two of the lawyers told on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-cant-wait-for-people-like-me-to-grow-up-and-be-the-ones-in-charge-climate-activist-greta-warns-212059">'We can't wait for people like me to grow up and be the ones in charge,' climate activist Greta warns</a>

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has a simple wish for the future, she just wants everything fixed.

Sixteen-year-old Thunberg spoke to Reuters underneath a stage in Rome's Piazza del Popolo on Friday before she addressed thousands of Italian youth on the climate crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-teenagers-held-after-killing-of-northern-irish-journalist-212030">Two teenagers held after killing of Northern Irish journalist</a>

Two teenagers have been arrested over the killing of a journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday, after a murder that has triggered international condemnation.

In 2+2 dialogue, US-Japan discuss enhancing ties with India As part of a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region, the US and Japan have agreed to grow ties with India, along with countries like Australia and South Korea.

In 2+2 dialogue, US-Japan discuss enhancing ties with India As part of a shared vision for the Indo-Pacific region, the US and Japan have agreed to grow ties with India, along with countries like Australia and South Korea. Russian envoys meet Syria's Assad, discuss post-war efforts, trade Several Russian envoys met Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and discussed a constitutional committee, trade, as well as the ways to improve Syria's relations with neighbouring Arab countries, Russia's Foreign Ministry said. Trump lawyers reviewed Mueller report for 10 hours before it was made public US President Donald Trump's personal lawyers spent at least 10 hours reviewing Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election before it was made public, two of the lawyers told on Friday. 'We can't wait for people like me to grow up and be the ones in charge,' climate activist Greta warns Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has a simple wish for the future, she just wants everything fixed. Sixteen-year-old Thunberg spoke to Reuters underneath a stage in Rome's Piazza del Popolo on Friday before she addressed thousands of Italian youth on the climate crisis. Two teenagers held after killing of Northern Irish journalist Two teenagers have been arrested over the killing of a journalist shot dead in Northern Ireland, police said Saturday, after a murder that has triggered international condemnation.

News brief: Big stories of the day

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that he is still in charge of the team negotiating with North Korea over its banned nuclear programme.

"Nothing has changed," Pompeo told a news conference after a meeting with Japan's foreign and defence ministers. "We continue to work."

"Still in charge of the team," he added.

North Korea on Thursday described <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-demands-pompeos-removal-from-us-nuclear-talks-211470">Pompeo as 'reckless' and immature</a> and demanded his removal from the talks.

"I am afraid that, if Pompeo engages in the talks again, the table will be lousy once again and the talks will become entangled," Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the ministry's Department of American Affairs said, according to the official KCNA news agency.

Pompeo has travelled to Pyongyang for four times in the last year.

US President Donald Trump has talked&nbsp;fondly about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Since the beginning of the thaw in relations between the US and North Korea, Pyongyang has been far happier to deal directly with Trump, who critics fear is too soft on the regime and is not sufficiently versed in diplomacy.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that he is still in charge of the team negotiating with North Korea over its banned nuclear programme. "Nothing has changed," Pompeo told a news conference after a meeting with Japan's foreign and defence ministers.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday that he is still in charge of the team negotiating with North Korea over its banned nuclear programme. "Nothing has changed," Pompeo told a news conference after a meeting with Japan's foreign and defence ministers. "We continue to work." "Still in charge of the team," he added. North Korea on Thursday described Pompeo as 'reckless' and immature and demanded his removal from the talks. "I am afraid that, if Pompeo engages in the talks again, the table will be lousy once again and the talks will become entangled," Kwon Jong Gun, director general of the ministry's Department of American Affairs said, according to the official KCNA news agency. Pompeo has travelled to Pyongyang for four times in the last year. US President Donald Trump has talked fondly about his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after their second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam. Since the beginning of the thaw in relations between the US and North Korea, Pyongyang has been far happier to deal directly with Trump, who critics fear is too soft on the regime and is not sufficiently versed in diplomacy.

Still in charge of North Korea negotiations: Pompeo

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-having-a-good-day-says-trump-after-mueller-report-release-211602">US President Donald Trump</a> reacted with dismay when told a special counsel had been appointed to look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tried-to-interfere-with-us-presidential-polls-trump-did-not-cooperate-says-attorney-general-william-barr-while-releasing-full-report-211580">Mueller report published on Thursday</a>.

Trump was informed on May 17, 2017, of the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel by then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, the report said.

"When Sessions told the president that a special counsel had been appointed, the President slumped back in his chair and said, 'Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm fucked,"&nbsp;the report said, citing notes from the meeting.

Trump then became angry at Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation because of his prior contacts with Russian officials, it said.

"The president became angry and lambasted the attorney general for his decision to recuse from the investigation, stating 'How could you let this happen, Jeff?'" the report said.

"Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency," Trump was quoted as saying. "It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything.

"This is the worst thing that ever happened to me," Trump added.

In addition to Trump's reaction to Mueller's appointment, the report also provided details of the president's efforts on several occasions to have the special counsel removed.

US President Donald Trump reacted with dismay when told a special counsel had been appointed to look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Mueller report published on Thursday.

US President Donald Trump reacted with dismay when told a special counsel had been appointed to look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Mueller report published on Thursday. Trump was informed on May 17, 2017, of the appointment of former FBI director Robert Mueller as special counsel by then-attorney general Jeff Sessions, the report said. "When Sessions told the president that a special counsel had been appointed, the President slumped back in his chair and said, 'Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my presidency. I'm fucked," the report said, citing notes from the meeting. Trump then became angry at Sessions for recusing himself from the Russia investigation because of his prior contacts with Russian officials, it said. "The president became angry and lambasted the attorney general for his decision to recuse from the investigation, stating 'How could you let this happen, Jeff?'" the report said. "Everyone tells me if you get one of these independent counsels it ruins your presidency," Trump was quoted as saying. "It takes years and years and I won't be able to do anything. "This is the worst thing that ever happened to me," Trump added. In addition to Trump's reaction to Mueller's appointment, the report also provided details of the president's efforts on several occasions to have the special counsel removed.

'End of my presidency': Trump said on special counsel appointment

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-having-a-good-day-says-trump-after-mueller-report-release-211602">US President Donald Trump</a> sought to have special counsel Robert Mueller removed nearly two years ago from the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, according to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tried-to-interfere-with-us-presidential-polls-trump-did-not-cooperate-says-attorney-general-william-barr-while-releasing-full-report-211580">Mueller report</a>.

Trump's efforts to remove the special counsel followed press reports that the president was under investigation for obstruction of justice, the report said.

It said that on June 17, 2017 Trump called White House counsel Don McGahn at home "and directed him to call the Acting Attorney General and say that the Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed."

"McGahn did not carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre," the report said.

The Saturday Night Massacre refers to an effort by US president Richard Nixon in 1973 to thwart the Watergate investigation.

US President Donald Trump sought to have special counsel Robert Mueller removed nearly two years ago from the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Mueller report.

US President Donald Trump sought to have special counsel Robert Mueller removed nearly two years ago from the probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, according to the Mueller report. Trump's efforts to remove the special counsel followed press reports that the president was under investigation for obstruction of justice, the report said. It said that on June 17, 2017 Trump called White House counsel Don McGahn at home "and directed him to call the Acting Attorney General and say that the Special Counsel had conflicts of interest and must be removed." "McGahn did not carry out the direction, however, deciding that he would resign rather than trigger what he regarded as a potential Saturday Night Massacre," the report said. The Saturday Night Massacre refers to an effort by US president Richard Nixon in 1973 to thwart the Watergate investigation.

Trump sought to have special counsel removed: Mueller report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-mueller-report-trump-lashes-greatest-political-hoax-211549">US President Donald Trump</a> on Thursday tweeted a Game of Thrones style picture of himself to announce ''Game Over'' in the 2016 US elections Russia meddling case.

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<a href="https://t.co/222atp7wuB">pic.twitter.com/222atp7wuB</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1118876219381026818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The tweet comes after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tried-to-interfere-with-us-presidential-polls-trump-did-not-cooperate-says-attorney-general-william-barr-while-releasing-full-report-211580">Attorney General Bill Barr released the 400-page report</a> at a press conference said the president did not obstruct justice. However, Barr said that Russians did try to interfere.

While celebrating Mueller report release Trump said he is having a good day.

"I'm having a good day," he said, declaring that the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found "no collusion, no obstruction."

Earlier before the release of Mueller's report, Trump tweeted,&nbsp;"The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats."

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The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1118845290721812480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Trump called the two-year-long probe into whether his campaign colluded with Russian agents interfering in the 2016 presidential election a "hoax" that "should never happen to another president again."

US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted a Game of Thrones style picture of himself to announce ''Game Over'' in the 2016 US elections Russia meddling case.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday tweeted a Game of Thrones style picture of himself to announce ''Game Over'' in the 2016 US elections Russia meddling case. pic.twitter.com/222atp7wuB — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2019 × The tweet comes after Attorney General Bill Barr released the 400-page report at a press conference said the president did not obstruct justice. However, Barr said that Russians did try to interfere. While celebrating Mueller report release Trump said he is having a good day. "I'm having a good day," he said, declaring that the report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller found "no collusion, no obstruction." Earlier before the release of Mueller's report, Trump tweeted, "The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats." The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2019 × Trump called the two-year-long probe into whether his campaign colluded with Russian agents interfering in the 2016 presidential election a "hoax" that "should never happen to another president again."

I'm having a good day, says Trump after Mueller report release

US President Donald Trump on Thursday complained of the "greatest political hoax of all time" hours before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/redacted-mueller-report-to-be-issued-by-us-attorney-general-today-211317">special counsel's report on Russian meddling</a> in the 2016 election was due to be made public.

"The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats," the president tweeted.&nbsp;

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The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1118845290721812480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Crooked" is Trump's nickname for election rival Hillary Clinton while he uses the phrase "dirty cops" to smear the members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team who conducted the probe.

The details of the redacted 400-page report -- which is expected to go to Congress mid-morning before being made publicly available -- could determine whether Democrats pursue impeachment of the president.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday complained of the "greatest political hoax of all time" hours before the special counsel's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election was due to be made public.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday complained of the "greatest political hoax of all time" hours before the special counsel's report on Russian meddling in the 2016 election was due to be made public. "The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats," the president tweeted. The Greatest Political Hoax of all time! Crimes were committed by Crooked, Dirty Cops and DNC/The Democrats. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2019 × "Crooked" is Trump's nickname for election rival Hillary Clinton while he uses the phrase "dirty cops" to smear the members of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's team who conducted the probe. The details of the redacted 400-page report -- which is expected to go to Congress mid-morning before being made publicly available -- could determine whether Democrats pursue impeachment of the president.

Ahead of Mueller report, Trump lashes 'greatest political hoax'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-oversees-new-guided-weapon-test-state-media-211283">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> will visit Russia in late April for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow said Thursday.

"Following an invitation from Vladimir Putin... Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in the second half of April," the Kremlin said in a statement on its website.

The announcement comes after North Korea announced it had tested a new tactical weapon with a "powerful warhead", as denuclearisation talks with Washington appear to stall.&nbsp;

The Kremlin did not provide details on the exact date or location of the meeting, but Russian, South Korean and Japanese media earlier reported it would be in Russia's Far East.

Putin has long expressed his readiness to meet with Kim.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier Thursday that Fiona Hill, an advisor to US President Donald Trump, had been in Moscow for talks with her Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov.

US special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun was also in Moscow, the State Department said.

A Pyongyang official was meanwhile seen inspecting a train station in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, near Russia's border with North Korea, Russian state media reported.

Russia has relatively warm ties with the reclusive regime and provides some food aid.

The last summit between a Russian and North Korean head of state came in 2011, when Kim's father Kim Jong Il travelled to Siberia to meet Dmitry Medvedev, then Russia's president.

Kim Jong Il, who died shortly after the visit, told Medvedev his state was prepared to renounce nuclear testing.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in late April for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow said Thursday. "Following an invitation from Vladimir Putin.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in late April for his first meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow said Thursday. "Following an invitation from Vladimir Putin... Kim Jong Un will visit Russia in the second half of April," the Kremlin said in a statement on its website. The announcement comes after North Korea announced it had tested a new tactical weapon with a "powerful warhead", as denuclearisation talks with Washington appear to stall. The Kremlin did not provide details on the exact date or location of the meeting, but Russian, South Korean and Japanese media earlier reported it would be in Russia's Far East. Putin has long expressed his readiness to meet with Kim. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier Thursday that Fiona Hill, an advisor to US President Donald Trump, had been in Moscow for talks with her Russian counterpart Yuri Ushakov. US special envoy for North Korea Stephen Biegun was also in Moscow, the State Department said. A Pyongyang official was meanwhile seen inspecting a train station in the Far Eastern city of Vladivostok, near Russia's border with North Korea, Russian state media reported. Russia has relatively warm ties with the reclusive regime and provides some food aid. The last summit between a Russian and North Korean head of state came in 2011, when Kim's father Kim Jong Il travelled to Siberia to meet Dmitry Medvedev, then Russia's president. Kim Jong Il, who died shortly after the visit, told Medvedev his state was prepared to renounce nuclear testing.

North Korea's Kim to meet Putin in Russia in late April

A redacted version of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-questions-why-democrats-should-get-mueller-report-210154">Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report</a> on the probe into the Russia links of US President Donald Trump's campaign team will be released Thursday, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

The release of the 400-page report will come more than three weeks after Attorney General Bill Barr's controversial summary allowed Trump to declare it "a complete and total exoneration" of him after 22 months of investigation.

Barr said Mueller found no evidence that Trump's 2016 campaign team conspired to collude with Moscow to influence the election, and found not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction of justice.

But Mueller himself took no stance on the weight of the evidence of obstruction, Barr noted, raising doubts over whether Trump had truly been exonerated by the report.

A redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on the probe into the Russia links of US President Donald Trump's campaign team will be released Thursday, the Department of Justice announced Monday.

A redacted version of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on the probe into the Russia links of US President Donald Trump's campaign team will be released Thursday, the Department of Justice announced Monday. The release of the 400-page report will come more than three weeks after Attorney General Bill Barr's controversial summary allowed Trump to declare it "a complete and total exoneration" of him after 22 months of investigation. Barr said Mueller found no evidence that Trump's 2016 campaign team conspired to collude with Moscow to influence the election, and found not enough evidence to charge Trump with obstruction of justice. But Mueller himself took no stance on the weight of the evidence of obstruction, Barr noted, raising doubts over whether Trump had truly been exonerated by the report.

Redacted Mueller report to be released Thursday: Department of Justice

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday.&nbsp;

"Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show.

"But the President is absolutely and should be calling out the congresswoman for her, not only one-time but the history of antisemitic comments," she added.

On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a US representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pelosi-hits-trump-over-use-of-911-images-to-criticise-muslim-lawmaker-210238">September 11 attacks</a>.

The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
WE WILL NEVER FORGET! <a href="https://t.co/VxrGFRFeJM">pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1116817144006750209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several lawmakers have&nbsp;criticised Trump for the Twitter post.

(With inputs from Reuters)

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday. "Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show.

US President Donald Trump does not wish any ill will or any kind of violence towards anyone, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said on Sunday. "Certainly President is wishing no ill will, certainly not violence towards anyone," Sanders told broadcaster ABC News' "This Week" show. "But the President is absolutely and should be calling out the congresswoman for her, not only one-time but the history of antisemitic comments," she added. On Friday, Trump tweeted a video suggesting that Omar, a US representative from Minnesota, was dismissive of the September 11 attacks. The video spliced news footage of 9/11 with a clip from a speech Omar gave last month in which she described the terror attack as "some people did something." WE WILL NEVER FORGET! pic.twitter.com/VxrGFRFeJM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 12, 2019 × US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several lawmakers have criticised Trump for the Twitter post. (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump wish no ill will, violence towards anyone: White House spokeswoman

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/no-direction-passed-on-whether-pilots-will-fly-from-midnight-due-to-non-payment-of-salaries-jet-airways-210338">No direction passed on whether pilots will fly from midnight due to non-payment of salaries: Jet Airways</a>

Jet Airways on Sunday issued a statement noting that Jet Airways' pilots body National Aviator's Guild (NAG) will be holding a meeting tomorrow "as no collective decision has been taken yet," news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/this-unprecedented-dangerous-move-will-have-consequences-iran-slams-us-step-against-revolutionary-guards-urges-countries-to-take-position-210284">This unprecedented, dangerous move will have consequences: Iran slams US step against Revolutionary Guards, urges countries to take position</a>

Iran will ask the international community to take a position on the US designation of its Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was cited as saying on Sunday.

Iran condemned US President Donald Trump’s step last week as illegal. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is a powerful elite force which controls much of the Iranian state and economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/canada-removes-reference-to-sikh-extremism-from-its-report-on-terrorist-threats-210309">Canada removes reference to 'Sikh extremism’ from its report on terrorist threats</a>

The Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might have given in to the domestic political pressure from the Sikh community as the government is reported to have removed eight references to Sikh extremism and six references to Khalistan in its 2018 public report on terrorist threats to the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-woman-who-went-to-pakistan-for-love-lands-up-in-captivity-210331">Indian woman who went to Pakistan for love lands up in captivity</a>

After Hamid Nehal and Uzma Ahmed, reports emerge of another Indian who fell in love and went to Pakistan but is now in captivity. Tina from Chandigarh had arrived in Pakistan last year on October 24 and allegedly converted to Islam to marry a Pakistani national.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-instagram-whatsapp-hit-by-outages-downdetector-210332">Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp hit by outages; users fume on Twitter</a>

Facebook social networking site, photo-sharing social network Instagram and messaging app WhatsApp were inaccessible to some users on Sunday.

As per the website Downdetector, which monitor global outages, there were more than 12,000 incidents of people reporting issues with Facebook at its peak, but that figure dropped to about 2,000 reports.

No direction passed on whether pilots will fly from midnight due to non-payment of salaries: Jet Airways Jet Airways on Sunday issued a statement noting that Jet Airways' pilots body National Aviator's Guild (NAG) will be holding a meeting tomorrow "as no collective decision has been taken yet," news agency ANI reported.

No direction passed on whether pilots will fly from midnight due to non-payment of salaries: Jet Airways Jet Airways on Sunday issued a statement noting that Jet Airways' pilots body National Aviator's Guild (NAG) will be holding a meeting tomorrow "as no collective decision has been taken yet," news agency ANI reported. This unprecedented, dangerous move will have consequences: Iran slams US step against Revolutionary Guards, urges countries to take position Iran will ask the international community to take a position on the US designation of its Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organisation, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif was cited as saying on Sunday. Iran condemned US President Donald Trump’s step last week as illegal. The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) is a powerful elite force which controls much of the Iranian state and economy. Canada removes reference to 'Sikh extremism’ from its report on terrorist threats The Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might have given in to the domestic political pressure from the Sikh community as the government is reported to have removed eight references to Sikh extremism and six references to Khalistan in its 2018 public report on terrorist threats to the country. Indian woman who went to Pakistan for love lands up in captivity After Hamid Nehal and Uzma Ahmed, reports emerge of another Indian who fell in love and went to Pakistan but is now in captivity. Tina from Chandigarh had arrived in Pakistan last year on October 24 and allegedly converted to Islam to marry a Pakistani national. Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp hit by outages; users fume on Twitter Facebook social networking site, photo-sharing social network Instagram and messaging app WhatsApp were inaccessible to some users on Sunday. As per the website Downdetector, which monitor global outages, there were more than 12,000 incidents of people reporting issues with Facebook at its peak, but that figure dropped to about 2,000 reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-could-send-migrants-to-sanctuary-cities-209995">US President Donald Trump</a> questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election.

Attorney General Bill Barr has indicated he will hand over a restricted copy of the 400-page report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that edits out "sensitive" details sometime next week.

"Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops?" Trump tweeted. "Attorney General Barr will make the decision!"

Trump had previously said the decision to release the report would be "totally up to" his attorney general, while his press secretary Sarah Sanders in March said, "I don't think the president has any problem" with its publication.

The president's latest comments come days after he called the probe an attempted "coup," while Barr promised to investigate FBI "spying" on Trump.

Trump has described former FBI officials who initially decided to investigate him as "dirty cops."

Three years on from his election victory, he is still railing against his former Democratic White House opponent Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server for government business and threatens to reopen an investigation into the matter.

US President Donald Trump questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election.

US President Donald Trump questioned Saturday whether Congressional Democrats should have access to a redacted version of the Mueller report that cleared him of conspiring to collude with Russia during the 2016 election. Attorney General Bill Barr has indicated he will hand over a restricted copy of the 400-page report by Special Counsel Robert Mueller that edits out "sensitive" details sometime next week. "Why should Radical Left Democrats in Congress have a right to retry and examine the $35,000,000 (two years in the making) No Collusion Mueller Report when the crime committed was by Crooked Hillary, the DNC and Dirty Cops?" Trump tweeted. "Attorney General Barr will make the decision!" Trump had previously said the decision to release the report would be "totally up to" his attorney general, while his press secretary Sarah Sanders in March said, "I don't think the president has any problem" with its publication. The president's latest comments come days after he called the probe an attempted "coup," while Barr promised to investigate FBI "spying" on Trump. Trump has described former FBI officials who initially decided to investigate him as "dirty cops." Three years on from his election victory, he is still railing against his former Democratic White House opponent Hillary Clinton over her use of a private email server for government business and threatens to reopen an investigation into the matter.

Trump questions why Democrats should get Mueller report

Pope Francis said on Saturday that political leaders who want walls and other barriers to keep migrants out "will end up enslaved within the walls ".

"Migrants are those who bring us richness, always. Europe has also been created by migrants", Pope said during his meeting in the Paul VI audience hall with the teachers and students of San Carlo institute of Milan.

Migration has risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries as well as in the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-expected-to-veto-lawmakers-measure-against-border-wall-203616">US President Donald Trump</a> has declared a national emergency to justify redirecting money earmarked for the military to pay for his promised US-Mexico border wall.

Pope Francis said on Saturday that political leaders who want walls and other barriers to keep migrants out "will end up enslaved within the walls ". "Migrants are those who bring us richness, always.

Pope Francis said on Saturday that political leaders who want walls and other barriers to keep migrants out "will end up enslaved within the walls ". "Migrants are those who bring us richness, always. Europe has also been created by migrants", Pope said during his meeting in the Paul VI audience hall with the teachers and students of San Carlo institute of Milan. Migration has risen to the fore of national political debates in a number of North African and European countries as well as in the United States. US President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to justify redirecting money earmarked for the military to pay for his promised US-Mexico border wall.

Whoever builds a wall, will end up enslaved within the walls he built: Pope

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-polls-see-netanyahu-ahead-but-many-still-undecided-208162">Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a> said he has told US President Donald Trump that Israel would not remove "even one person" from a settlement as part of a future peace plan.

"I said there shouldn't be the removal of even one settlement" from the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13 television in an interview broadcast Friday.

Washington is expected to unveil proposals for Israeli-Palestinian peace sometime after Tuesday's Israeli election in which Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term.

The Israeli prime minister was asked if he was familiar with the details of the US plan, replying he knew "what should be in it."

Along with settlements, "our ongoing control of all the territory west of the Jordan" River was a further condition set by the Israeli premier for any US-led peace initiative.

Netanyahu said he informed Trump not "even one person" would be evicted from a settlement, telling Channel 13 he doubted such a request would be made.

If such a measure is tabled, Israel would pull out of Washington's plan according to Netanyahu.

Settlements built on land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War are deemed illegal by the international community and their ongoing construction is seen as a major barrier to peace.

More than 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements, while a further 200,000 live in settlements in occupied east Jerusalem.

While Netanyahu has a close relationship with the US president, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas cut off relations with Washington after Trump declared the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital in December 2017.

The Palestinians say the US government's pro-Israel bias meant it could no longer lead peace negotiations between them and Israel, while US officials argue their plan will be fair.

Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts have been at a standstill since 2014, when a drive for a deal by Barack Obama's administration collapsed.

Netanyahu said Friday his position on settlers had also been relayed to the former US president.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has told US President Donald Trump that Israel would not remove "even one person" from a settlement as part of a future peace plan.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he has told US President Donald Trump that Israel would not remove "even one person" from a settlement as part of a future peace plan. "I said there shouldn't be the removal of even one settlement" from the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu told Israel's Channel 13 television in an interview broadcast Friday. Washington is expected to unveil proposals for Israeli-Palestinian peace sometime after Tuesday's Israeli election in which Netanyahu is seeking a fifth term. The Israeli prime minister was asked if he was familiar with the details of the US plan, replying he knew "what should be in it." Along with settlements, "our ongoing control of all the territory west of the Jordan" River was a further condition set by the Israeli premier for any US-led peace initiative. Netanyahu said he informed Trump not "even one person" would be evicted from a settlement, telling Channel 13 he doubted such a request would be made. If such a measure is tabled, Israel would pull out of Washington's plan according to Netanyahu. Settlements built on land occupied by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War are deemed illegal by the international community and their ongoing construction is seen as a major barrier to peace. More than 400,000 Israelis live in West Bank settlements, while a further 200,000 live in settlements in occupied east Jerusalem. While Netanyahu has a close relationship with the US president, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas cut off relations with Washington after Trump declared the disputed city of Jerusalem Israel's capital in December 2017. The Palestinians say the US government's pro-Israel bias meant it could no longer lead peace negotiations between them and Israel, while US officials argue their plan will be fair. Israeli-Palestinian peace efforts have been at a standstill since 2014, when a drive for a deal by Barack Obama's administration collapsed. Netanyahu said Friday his position on settlers had also been relayed to the former US president.

Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu won't move 'even one' settler for US peace plan

A Chinese woman carrying multiple cellphones and a thumb drive containing malware was arrested on Saturday at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-vote-on-healthcare-can-wait-until-after-2020-election-207350">US President Donald Trump</a>'s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while he was staying there, court documents revealed Tuesday.

An arrest document in the federal district court of Palm Beach, Florida said Zhang Yujing tried to gain entry into Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, first presenting herself as a member and saying she was headed to the pool -- despite not having a swimsuit. Then, she claimed to be attending a non-existent Chinese-American friendship event.&nbsp;

After she was detained, she offered an additional story: that she was asked by a Chinese friend named Charles to travel from Shanghai to attend the event and attempt to speak to a member of the president's family about US-China economic relations, the document said.

The woman carried two passports from the People's Republic of China, according to the US Secret Service which arrested her. The charge documents mistakenly identified them as being from the "Republic of China," the official name of Taiwan.

Secret Service agents at the scene found four cellphones, a laptop computer, an external hard drive and a thumb drive that "contained malicious software", according to the document.

Zhang was arrested and charged with making false statements to federal officers and knowingly entering a restricted building -- which Mar-a-Lago becomes while Trump is in residence.

Trump owns the luxurious beachside club in the wealthy Atlantic coast city of Palm Beach, and travels there frequently on weekends to play golf and meet friends.

He keeps a residence in a private area of the club, but was reportedly golfing at a nearby course around the time Zhang was there.

While Zhang's story of attending an event that was not on the club schedule raised suspicions, the Miami Herald reported that there might have been substance to it.

Two events had been recently advertised at Mar-a-Lago for March 30 by a local Chinese-American businesswoman, Cindy Yang, on Chinese language social media, the Herald said.

Yang is a Mar-a-Lago member who built and later sold a chain of massage parlours in Florida, which were recently raided by police over prostitution. In recent years she has promoted herself as a path of access to the US president, his family, and other decision-makers.

Yang's website featured pictures of her with Trump and other members of his family and senior administration officials.

The Herald also said that an event promoter who Yang worked with was named Charles Lee.

A Chinese woman carrying multiple cellphones and a thumb drive containing malware was arrested on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while he was staying there, court documents revealed Tuesday.

A Chinese woman carrying multiple cellphones and a thumb drive containing malware was arrested on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida while he was staying there, court documents revealed Tuesday. An arrest document in the federal district court of Palm Beach, Florida said Zhang Yujing tried to gain entry into Mar-a-Lago on Saturday, first presenting herself as a member and saying she was headed to the pool -- despite not having a swimsuit. Then, she claimed to be attending a non-existent Chinese-American friendship event. After she was detained, she offered an additional story: that she was asked by a Chinese friend named Charles to travel from Shanghai to attend the event and attempt to speak to a member of the president's family about US-China economic relations, the document said. The woman carried two passports from the People's Republic of China, according to the US Secret Service which arrested her. The charge documents mistakenly identified them as being from the "Republic of China," the official name of Taiwan. Secret Service agents at the scene found four cellphones, a laptop computer, an external hard drive and a thumb drive that "contained malicious software", according to the document. Zhang was arrested and charged with making false statements to federal officers and knowingly entering a restricted building -- which Mar-a-Lago becomes while Trump is in residence. Trump owns the luxurious beachside club in the wealthy Atlantic coast city of Palm Beach, and travels there frequently on weekends to play golf and meet friends. He keeps a residence in a private area of the club, but was reportedly golfing at a nearby course around the time Zhang was there. While Zhang's story of attending an event that was not on the club schedule raised suspicions, the Miami Herald reported that there might have been substance to it. Two events had been recently advertised at Mar-a-Lago for March 30 by a local Chinese-American businesswoman, Cindy Yang, on Chinese language social media, the Herald said. Yang is a Mar-a-Lago member who built and later sold a chain of massage parlours in Florida, which were recently raided by police over prostitution. In recent years she has promoted herself as a path of access to the US president, his family, and other decision-makers. Yang's website featured pictures of her with Trump and other members of his family and senior administration officials. The Herald also said that an event promoter who Yang worked with was named Charles Lee.

Chinese woman arrested at Trump's resort with malware on thumb drive

Mexico will help to regulate the flow of Central American migrants passing through its territory to the United States, but the root causes behind the phenomenon must be tackled, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday.

Speaking after US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to close the US southern border if Mexico did not halt illegal immigration immediately, Lopez Obrador said he would not have a confrontation with the United States.

"I prefer love and peace," Lopez Obrador told reporters at his regular morning news conference.

The leftist president has consistently refused to get drawn into a war of words with Trump over the border.

A senior Mexican trade official warned later that closing down the US-Mexico border would cause pain on "both sides."

Most of the people caught at the frontier trying to enter the United States illegally come from three violent and impoverished countries: Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Lopez Obrador has tried to persuade Trump to address the problem by fostering economic development in Central America. But on Saturday the US State Department said it was cutting off aid to those three countries.

Detentions at the US border have surged in recent months, angering Trump and putting pressure on Lopez Obrador to find a solution that will prevent a shutdown of the frontier to the market for 80 per cent of Mexico's exports.

Asked if it was time to put pressure on the Central American countries to do more to tackle the problem, Lopez Obrador said the causes of migration were "not being attended to" and that people needed to be offered more opportunities there.

"Obviously, we have to help because Central American migrants pass through our territory and we have to bring order to this migration, make sure it's legal," he said.

"That's what we're doing. But serenely, calmly, without a commotion and with great prudence and responsibility."

Mexico began issuing temporary humanitarian visas to some members of a migrant caravan in southern Mexico, giving priority to children and the elderly, the National Migration Institute said Monday. It said it would provide transport back to Central American countries, Cuba and Haiti, on a voluntary basis.

Earlier this year, Mexico handed out humanitarian visas liberally, but reined in the program after a surge in applications. The institute said from next month it was planning to encourage people to apply for visas in their home countries.

It was not immediately clear if the government was limiting the number of visas it issues.

US CONGRESSIONAL OBJECTIONS

It has quickly become clear that any plan to cut aid to Central America would face strong objections from members of the U.S. Congress, who must approve it.

One of Trump's fellow Republicans, Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said cutting aid would worsen the situation.

"If we cut all this funding ... I think it's going to make things tragically worse, not better," he said during a presentation at a think tank in Washington.

Putting a stop to aid to Central America made the job of stemming the flow of migrants tougher, said Senator Ben Cardin, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"And closing the border - that makes no sense at all," he told CNN. "We need Mexico's cooperation to work with us, and cutting off the border just tells Mexico: 'We're doing it alone'."

Following a meeting on Monday with Lopez Obrador at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, invited the Mexican president to visit the committee for a meeting in Washington, an aide to Engel said.

"Excellent meeting with President @lopezobrador_ on importance of US-#Mexico relationship. I emphasized need to partner in assisting Central America," Engel said on Twitter.

Mexico's Ambassador to the United States, Martha Barcena, said that the issues of "development cooperation, fighting corruption in Mexico, need for friendly and constructive bilateral relations" were discussed.

US Border Patrol projections are for over 90,000 apprehensions at the border during March, according to data provided to the Mexican government - a more than 140 per cent increase from March 2018, and a seven-fold jump from 2017.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was working with the Central American governments and Mexico and pointed to the numbers when asked why Trump had toughened his stance.

"Just look at the math," Pompeo told reporters outside the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. "How many folks are coming across. This is a crisis. We need to fix it."

Mexico will help to regulate the flow of Central American migrants passing through its territory to the United States, but the root causes behind the phenomenon must be tackled, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday.

Mexico will help to regulate the flow of Central American migrants passing through its territory to the United States, but the root causes behind the phenomenon must be tackled, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Monday. Speaking after US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to close the US southern border if Mexico did not halt illegal immigration immediately, Lopez Obrador said he would not have a confrontation with the United States. "I prefer love and peace," Lopez Obrador told reporters at his regular morning news conference. The leftist president has consistently refused to get drawn into a war of words with Trump over the border. A senior Mexican trade official warned later that closing down the US-Mexico border would cause pain on "both sides." Most of the people caught at the frontier trying to enter the United States illegally come from three violent and impoverished countries: Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Lopez Obrador has tried to persuade Trump to address the problem by fostering economic development in Central America. But on Saturday the US State Department said it was cutting off aid to those three countries. Detentions at the US border have surged in recent months, angering Trump and putting pressure on Lopez Obrador to find a solution that will prevent a shutdown of the frontier to the market for 80 per cent of Mexico's exports. Asked if it was time to put pressure on the Central American countries to do more to tackle the problem, Lopez Obrador said the causes of migration were "not being attended to" and that people needed to be offered more opportunities there. "Obviously, we have to help because Central American migrants pass through our territory and we have to bring order to this migration, make sure it's legal," he said. "That's what we're doing. But serenely, calmly, without a commotion and with great prudence and responsibility." Mexico began issuing temporary humanitarian visas to some members of a migrant caravan in southern Mexico, giving priority to children and the elderly, the National Migration Institute said Monday. It said it would provide transport back to Central American countries, Cuba and Haiti, on a voluntary basis. Earlier this year, Mexico handed out humanitarian visas liberally, but reined in the program after a surge in applications. The institute said from next month it was planning to encourage people to apply for visas in their home countries. It was not immediately clear if the government was limiting the number of visas it issues. US CONGRESSIONAL OBJECTIONS It has quickly become clear that any plan to cut aid to Central America would face strong objections from members of the U.S. Congress, who must approve it. One of Trump's fellow Republicans, Representative Mike McCaul, the top Republican on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, said cutting aid would worsen the situation. "If we cut all this funding ... I think it's going to make things tragically worse, not better," he said during a presentation at a think tank in Washington. Putting a stop to aid to Central America made the job of stemming the flow of migrants tougher, said Senator Ben Cardin, a senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "And closing the border - that makes no sense at all," he told CNN. "We need Mexico's cooperation to work with us, and cutting off the border just tells Mexico: 'We're doing it alone'." Following a meeting on Monday with Lopez Obrador at the Presidential Palace in Mexico City, the Democratic chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Eliot Engel, invited the Mexican president to visit the committee for a meeting in Washington, an aide to Engel said. "Excellent meeting with President @lopezobrador_ on importance of US-#Mexico relationship. I emphasized need to partner in assisting Central America," Engel said on Twitter. Mexico's Ambassador to the United States, Martha Barcena, said that the issues of "development cooperation, fighting corruption in Mexico, need for friendly and constructive bilateral relations" were discussed. US Border Patrol projections are for over 90,000 apprehensions at the border during March, according to data provided to the Mexican government - a more than 140 per cent increase from March 2018, and a seven-fold jump from 2017. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States was working with the Central American governments and Mexico and pointed to the numbers when asked why Trump had toughened his stance. "Just look at the math," Pompeo told reporters outside the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. "How many folks are coming across. This is a crisis. We need to fix it."

Mexican president wants to 'bring order' to Central American migration to US

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/grave-breaches-in-trump-white-house-security-clearances-whistleblower-to-congress-207305">US President Donald Trump</a> said on Monday he was willing to wait until after the 2020 presidential election to get Congress to vote on a new healthcare plan, giving Republicans time to develop a proposal to replace Obamacare.

Congressional Republicans have been unable thus far to draft a proposal to replace Democratic President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act despite frequent vows to do so in recent years.

Trump's vow last week that the Republican Party will be "the party of healthcare" caught his fellow Republicans off guard after the Justice Department backed a lawsuit intended to wipe out Obamacare, which has helped millions of Americans get health insurance.

In a series of tweets on Monday night, Trump said Republicans are developing "a really great HealthCare Plan with far lower premiums (cost) &amp; deductibles than Obamacare."

"In other words it will be far less expensive &amp; much more usable than ObamaCare. Vote will be taken right after the Election when Republicans hold the Senate &amp; win back the House," he said.

Trump's move suggests he is willing to debate the future of the US healthcare system during the 2020 presidential election campaign than try to reach agreement on a plan sooner.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was willing to wait until after the 2020 presidential election to get Congress to vote on a new healthcare plan, giving Republicans time to develop a proposal to replace Obamacare.

US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was willing to wait until after the 2020 presidential election to get Congress to vote on a new healthcare plan, giving Republicans time to develop a proposal to replace Obamacare. Congressional Republicans have been unable thus far to draft a proposal to replace Democratic President Barack Obama's signature Affordable Care Act despite frequent vows to do so in recent years. Trump's vow last week that the Republican Party will be "the party of healthcare" caught his fellow Republicans off guard after the Justice Department backed a lawsuit intended to wipe out Obamacare, which has helped millions of Americans get health insurance. In a series of tweets on Monday night, Trump said Republicans are developing "a really great HealthCare Plan with far lower premiums (cost) & deductibles than Obamacare." "In other words it will be far less expensive & much more usable than ObamaCare. Vote will be taken right after the Election when Republicans hold the Senate & win back the House," he said. Trump's move suggests he is willing to debate the future of the US healthcare system during the 2020 presidential election campaign than try to reach agreement on a plan sooner.

Trump says vote on healthcare can wait until after 2020 election

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-lawyer-charged-with-trying-to-extort-20-million-from-nike-205631">Attorney Michael Avenatti</a>, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

"For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said.

"I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added.

The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts.

He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

(With inputs from agencies)

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump said that he was confident he will succeed as he appeared in a court on Monday. "For nearly 20 years, I've represented Davids versus Goliaths as an attorney and during that entire time period, I've relied upon the justice system and judges in courthouses just like this," Avenatti said. "I will now spend the time in connection with this case and the case in New York relying on that same justice system that I have subjected myself to, and I am highly confident that when the process plays out that justice will be done," Avenatti added. The 48-year-old attorney was charged on March 25 with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike for over $20 million and is also accused of embezzling a client's funds from a $1.6 million settlement in order to pay his own expenses and debts. He was later released from jail on a $300,000 personal recognizance bond. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her. (With inputs from agencies)

Highly confident that justice will be done: Stormy Daniels' lawyer

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-stormy-daniels-hush-money-agreement-case-vs-trump-201920">adult film star Stormy Daniels</a> in her legal battles with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-signs-proclamation-recognising-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights-205595">US President Donald Trump</a>, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York.

A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders.

"When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing.

Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams.

The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos.

Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network.

According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million.

Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said.

A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches.

In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint.

Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago.

It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case.

"Old-fashioned shakedown''

The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike."

"A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference.

Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately.

Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business.

He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income.

Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York.

He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.

Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represented adult film star Stormy Daniels in her legal battles with US President Donald Trump, was charged on Monday with what prosecutors said was an attempt to "shakedown" Nike Inc for over $20 million. Avenatti, who was also hit with separate embezzlement and fraud charges in US District Court in Los Angeles, was arrested in New York. A federal magistrate judge ordered Avenatti released on $300,000 bond during a hearing in US District Court in New York. A subdued Avenatti, appeared in the courtroom wearing a dark grey suit, sitting with federal public defenders. "When due process occurs I will be fully exonerated and justice will prevail," Avenatti said outside the court following the hearing. Prosecutors said Avenatti and another lawyer, who was not named in court papers, met with Nike's attorneys on March 19 and told them they had a client, a former amateur coach, who had evidence Nike employees had bribed top high school players to play for Nike-sponsored college teams. The other lawyer, an unnamed co-conspirator, was identified by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, citing sources, as high-profile Los Angeles attorney and CNN contributor Mark Geragos. Geragos did not respond to a request by Reuters for comment. A spokeswoman for CNN said Geragos was no longer with the network. According to the criminal complaint, Avenatti told Nike he would go public unless it paid his client $1.5 million and hired him and the other lawyer to conduct an internal investigation for between $15 million and $25 million. Avenatti also offered to accept a $22.5 million payment for his silence, prosecutors said. A former executive at Nike rival athletic shoe maker Adidas was recently convicted in federal court in Manhattan of participating in a similar scheme, part of a sweeping probe by prosecutors of corruption surrounding the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The case has ensnared several prominent basketball coaches. In one call, Avenatti threatened, "I'll go take ten billion dollars off your client's market cap ... I'm not fucking around," according to the complaint. Geragos, who has represented celebrities such as Michael Jackson and Winona Ryder, is defending the actor Jussie Smollett, who is charged with falsely reporting he was the victim of a racially motivated attack in Chicago. It was not clear why Geragos has not been charged in the Nike case. "Old-fashioned shakedown'' The charges came shortly after Avenatti said on Twitter he would hold a news conference on Tuesday to reveal "a major high school/college basketball scandal" reaching "the highest levels of Nike." "A suit and tie does not mask the fact that, at its core, this was an old-fashioned shakedown," Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney in Manhattan, told a news conference. Nike said in a statement it "will not be extorted" and alerted investigators to Avenatti's demands immediately. Federal prosecutors in California unveiled separate charges against Avenatti on Monday, accusing him of misusing a client's $1.6 million settlement to pay for his own expenses as well as those for his coffee business. He was also charged with defrauding a Mississippi bank of $4.1 million in loans by submitting false tax returns for 2011-2013 that inflated his income. Avenatti faces up to 30 years in prison on the most serious charge in California and up to 20 years for the top charge in New York. He gained international notoriety for representing Daniels, the porn star whom Trump is accused of paying off during the 2016 presidential campaign to keep quiet about an alleged affair. Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels, 48, who is no longer represented by Avenatti, said she was "saddened but not shocked" by his arrest, adding she fired him after learning he had acted "dishonestly" with her.

Stormy Daniels' lawyer charged with trying to extort $20 million from Nike

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-2020-battleground-state-looming-robert-muellers-report-could-hold-dangers-for-democrats-201110">Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a> on Friday handed in a confidential report on his investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election and any potential wrongdoing by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-blasts-mueller-probe-at-cpac-says-opponents-trying-to-take-me-out-200813">US President Donald Trump</a>, setting off a clamour from lawmakers in both parties for the document's quick release.

Marking the end of his nearly two-year investigation that ensnared former Trump aides and Russian intelligence officers and cast a cloud over the Republican businessman's presidency, Mueller submitted the report to Attorney General William Barr, the Justice Department said.

It was not known if Mueller found criminal conduct by Trump or his campaign, beyond the charges already levelled against several aides. In all, Mueller brought charges against 34 people and three companies.

Mueller, a former FBI director, had been examining since May 2017 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.

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.

Mueller did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said, in a sign that there might be no more criminal charges against Trump associates arising from the investigation. But it was not immediately clear whether the special counsel had any sealed indictments that could later be disclosed.

The report was not immediately made public. Barr, the top US law enforcement officer and a Trump appointee, will have to decide how much of it to disclose. Barr told lawmakers in a letter he may be able to provide the "principal conclusions" of Mueller's findings to Congress as soon as this weekend and added that he was "committed to as much transparency as possible."

Under regulations governing special counsel investigations, the attorney general must share an outline of Mueller's report with Democratic and Republican leaders of the judiciary committees in Congress but it is largely up to him what to make public.

THE TRUMP QUESTION

The big question now is whether the report contains allegations of wrongdoing by Trump himself.

Key aides of Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, national security adviser Michael Flynn and personal lawyer Michael Cohen, have already either been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller.

Lawmakers from both parties called for prompt release of the report to key congressional committees and to the public.

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 focussed 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."

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."

The White House has not received or been briefed on the report, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.

"The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course," Sanders added.

When the Justice Department announced the arrival of the report, Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he met on Friday with a group of Caribbean leaders.

Staff members at the private club were setting up for a Lincoln Day dinner fundraiser for a local branch of the Republican Party. Programs for the event featured an image of a $5 bill with 19th century President Abraham Lincoln sporting a red Trump campaign hat with the slogan "Keep America Great" on it.

Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, posted a picture on Twitter of his family on a fishing trip. "Great day on the water with my little men for their spring break," he wrote.

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&nbsp;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.

Mueller's investigators have looked into a large number of contacts between people associated with Trump's campaign and Russia such as a meeting in New York's Trump Tower between members of the president's inner circle including his eldest son and a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer five months before the election.

Mueller sought to determine whether the campaign coordinated with Moscow, though it was not immediately clear whether the special counsel found evidence of a conspiracy.

QUESTIONS ABOUT OBSTRUCTION

Mueller also examined whether Trump committed obstruction of justice by trying to hinder the investigation, looking into acts such as urging FBI Director James Comey to drop a probe of Flynn's contacts with Russia, the subsequent firing of Comey, his attacks on the special counsel, dangling of pardons for former aides and the ouster of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Mueller's team already has signalled the direction of the investigation through indictments and hundreds of related court filings that have offered extensive details about Russian interference in the election.

Trump fired Flynn in February 2017 after it emerged he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about his dealings with the then-Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. In May 2017, he ousted Comey, whose agency had been leading the Russia investigation. Comey's firing led the Justice Department to appoint Mueller to take over the probe.

Congressional Democrats, who took over control of the US House of Representatives in January, have said they plan to push for a release of the full Mueller report and said they would subpoena it and file suit if necessary.

A small number of House Democrats have pushed for Congress to impeach Trump and remove him from office but the party's leadership including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has urged caution. No president has every been removed from office via impeachment.

Several House committees in the meantime are conducting aggressive investigations of Trump and people around him.

The last president to be impeached by the House, Democrat Bill Clinton, was acquitted by the Senate in 1999 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, meaning he was not removed from office.

In prosecuting Manafort, Mueller showed how the former campaign chairman made millions of dollars working for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine, while also exposing his ties to a consultant who the special counsel said was connected to Russian intelligence. Manafort in the two cases prosecuted by Mueller's team was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison.

The special counsel's case against Cohen revealed that Trump was negotiating to build a skyscraper in Moscow late into the 2016 campaign, contradicting statements from Trump at the time that he had nothing to do with the Russians.

The special counsel also indicted longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone, a Republican operative and a self-proclaimed political "dirty trickster." Stone is accused of telling members of Trump's campaign that he knew in advance of plans by the WikiLeaks website to release emails damaging to Clinton that were stolen by Russia.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday handed in a confidential report on his investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election and any potential wrongdoing by US President Donald Trump, setting off a clamour from lawmakers in both parties for the document's quick release.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller on Friday handed in a confidential report on his investigation into Russia's role in the 2016 presidential election and any potential wrongdoing by US President Donald Trump, setting off a clamour from lawmakers in both parties for the document's quick release. Marking the end of his nearly two-year investigation that ensnared former Trump aides and Russian intelligence officers and cast a cloud over the Republican businessman's presidency, Mueller submitted the report to Attorney General William Barr, the Justice Department said. It was not known if Mueller found criminal conduct by Trump or his campaign, beyond the charges already levelled against several aides. In all, Mueller brought charges against 34 people and three companies. Mueller, a former FBI director, had been examining since May 2017 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. 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. Mueller did not recommend any further indictments, a senior Justice Department official said, in a sign that there might be no more criminal charges against Trump associates arising from the investigation. But it was not immediately clear whether the special counsel had any sealed indictments that could later be disclosed. The report was not immediately made public. Barr, the top US law enforcement officer and a Trump appointee, will have to decide how much of it to disclose. Barr told lawmakers in a letter he may be able to provide the "principal conclusions" of Mueller's findings to Congress as soon as this weekend and added that he was "committed to as much transparency as possible." Under regulations governing special counsel investigations, the attorney general must share an outline of Mueller's report with Democratic and Republican leaders of the judiciary committees in Congress but it is largely up to him what to make public. THE TRUMP QUESTION The big question now is whether the report contains allegations of wrongdoing by Trump himself. Key aides of Trump, including his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort, national security adviser Michael Flynn and personal lawyer Michael Cohen, have already either been convicted or pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller. Lawmakers from both parties called for prompt release of the report to key congressional committees and to the public. 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 focussed 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." 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." The White House has not received or been briefed on the report, spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said. "The next steps are up to Attorney General Barr, and we look forward to the process taking its course," Sanders added. When the Justice Department announced the arrival of the report, Trump was at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where he met on Friday with a group of Caribbean leaders. Staff members at the private club were setting up for a Lincoln Day dinner fundraiser for a local branch of the Republican Party. Programs for the event featured an image of a $5 bill with 19th century President Abraham Lincoln sporting a red Trump campaign hat with the slogan "Keep America Great" on it. Donald Trump Jr., the president's eldest son, posted a picture on Twitter of his family on a fishing trip. "Great day on the water with my little men for their spring break," he wrote. 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. Mueller's investigators have looked into a large number of contacts between people associated with Trump's campaign and Russia such as a meeting in New York's Trump Tower between members of the president's inner circle including his eldest son and a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer five months before the election. Mueller sought to determine whether the campaign coordinated with Moscow, though it was not immediately clear whether the special counsel found evidence of a conspiracy. QUESTIONS ABOUT OBSTRUCTION Mueller also examined whether Trump committed obstruction of justice by trying to hinder the investigation, looking into acts such as urging FBI Director James Comey to drop a probe of Flynn's contacts with Russia, the subsequent firing of Comey, his attacks on the special counsel, dangling of pardons for former aides and the ouster of former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Mueller's team already has signalled the direction of the investigation through indictments and hundreds of related court filings that have offered extensive details about Russian interference in the election. Trump fired Flynn in February 2017 after it emerged he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and the FBI about his dealings with the then-Russian ambassador to the United States, Sergey Kislyak. In May 2017, he ousted Comey, whose agency had been leading the Russia investigation. Comey's firing led the Justice Department to appoint Mueller to take over the probe. Congressional Democrats, who took over control of the US House of Representatives in January, have said they plan to push for a release of the full Mueller report and said they would subpoena it and file suit if necessary. A small number of House Democrats have pushed for Congress to impeach Trump and remove him from office but the party's leadership including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has urged caution. No president has every been removed from office via impeachment. Several House committees in the meantime are conducting aggressive investigations of Trump and people around him. The last president to be impeached by the House, Democrat Bill Clinton, was acquitted by the Senate in 1999 on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, meaning he was not removed from office. In prosecuting Manafort, Mueller showed how the former campaign chairman made millions of dollars working for pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine, while also exposing his ties to a consultant who the special counsel said was connected to Russian intelligence. Manafort in the two cases prosecuted by Mueller's team was sentenced to 7-1/2 years in prison. The special counsel's case against Cohen revealed that Trump was negotiating to build a skyscraper in Moscow late into the 2016 campaign, contradicting statements from Trump at the time that he had nothing to do with the Russians. The special counsel also indicted longtime Trump adviser Roger Stone, a Republican operative and a self-proclaimed political "dirty trickster." Stone is accused of telling members of Trump's campaign that he knew in advance of plans by the WikiLeaks website to release emails damaging to Clinton that were stolen by Russia.

Mueller submits Trump-Russia report, clamour grows for its quick release

US President Donald Trump has "made history" with Golan move: Israeli Prime Minister

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-considering-to-suspend-nuclear-talks-with-us-report-203425">North Korea evade US</a> and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-time-for-us-to-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights-204736">US President Donald Trump</a> and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/some-time-may-pass-before-a-third-north-korea-summit-bolton-202420">summit collapsed last month</a>.

The US Treasury Department also issued an updated advisory that listed 67 vessels that it said had engaged in illicit transfers of refined petroleum with North Korean tankers or were believed to have exported North Korean coal.

The department identified the newly sanctioned firms as Dalian Haibo International Freight Co Ltd and Liaoning Danxing International Forwarding Co Ltd, both based in China.

The move prohibits US dealings with the designated companies and freezes any assets they have in the United States.

Washington announced the measures three weeks after a second meeting between Trump and Kim broke down over conflicting demands by North Korea for relief from sanctions and from the US side for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.

The United States has led international efforts to press North Korea through sanctions to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

"The United States and our like-minded partners remain committed to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearisation of North Korea and believe that the full implementation of North Korea-related UN Security Council resolutions is crucial to a successful outcome," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.

"Treasury will continue to enforce our sanctions, and we are making it explicitly clear that shipping companies employing deceptive tactics to mask illicit trade with North Korea expose themselves to great risk.”

The latest sanctions showed there was some “leakage” in North Korea sanctions enforcement by China, but Beijing was mostly abiding by UN resolutions, a senior US official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The official said that financial as well as shipping companies risked US action if they were found to be in violation of sanctions.

The official insisted, however, that Thursday's announcement was meant to maintain sanctions enforcement on North Korea rather than intensify the pressure.

While declining to say whether Washington was trying to send a post-summit message to Pyongyang, the official said Trump "has made clear that the door is wide open to continuing the dialogue with North Korea."

LIMBO

US-North Korean engagement has appeared to be in limbo since the February 27-28 summit in Hanoi, despite US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying on March 4 he was hopeful he could send a team to North Korea "in the next couple of weeks."

Washington has said it aims to re-engage with Kim, but North Korea has warned it is considering suspending talks and may rethink a freeze on missile and nuclear tests in place since 2017 unless Washington makes concessions.

On Monday, two senior US senators called for the Trump administration to correct a slowing pace of American sanctions designations on North Korea, saying there had been a marked decline in such actions during the past year of US diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang.

They pointed to a 2019 UN report that found that North Korea continued to defy UN sanctions with an increase in smuggling of petroleum products and coal and violation of bans on arms sales.

The Treasury statement said Dalian Haibo was targeted for dealings with Paeksol Trading Corp, a company previously designated by US sanctions on North Korea.

It said Dalian Haibo shipped cargo from Dalian, China, to Paeksol in Nampo, North Korea, in early 2018 aboard North Korean-flagged vessels.

The statement said Liaoning Danxing had "routinely used deceptive practices" to enable the work of North Korean procurement officials based in the European Union.

The Treasury statement said evasion tactics employed by North Korea included disabling or manipulating automated identification systems, physically altering vessels, transferring cargoes between ships and falsifying cargo documentation.

It said ports visited by vessels involved in ship-to-ship transfers included those in Taiwan, China, Russia and South Korea.

The Treasury Department said that in 2018, North Korean ports received at least 263 tanker deliveries of refined petroleum via UN-prohibited ship-to-ship transfers.

It said that if the tankers were fully laden, North Korea would have imported 3.78 million barrels - more than 7-1/2 times the 500,000 barrels a year allowed under a UN resolution.

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped North Korea evade US and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit collapsed last month.

The United States imposed sanctions on Thursday on two Chinese shipping companies it says helped North Korea evade US and international sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, the first such steps since US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's summit collapsed last month. The US Treasury Department also issued an updated advisory that listed 67 vessels that it said had engaged in illicit transfers of refined petroleum with North Korean tankers or were believed to have exported North Korean coal. The department identified the newly sanctioned firms as Dalian Haibo International Freight Co Ltd and Liaoning Danxing International Forwarding Co Ltd, both based in China. The move prohibits US dealings with the designated companies and freezes any assets they have in the United States. Washington announced the measures three weeks after a second meeting between Trump and Kim broke down over conflicting demands by North Korea for relief from sanctions and from the US side for North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. The United States has led international efforts to press North Korea through sanctions to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. "The United States and our like-minded partners remain committed to achieving the final, fully verified denuclearisation of North Korea and believe that the full implementation of North Korea-related UN Security Council resolutions is crucial to a successful outcome," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement. "Treasury will continue to enforce our sanctions, and we are making it explicitly clear that shipping companies employing deceptive tactics to mask illicit trade with North Korea expose themselves to great risk.” The latest sanctions showed there was some “leakage” in North Korea sanctions enforcement by China, but Beijing was mostly abiding by UN resolutions, a senior US official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The official said that financial as well as shipping companies risked US action if they were found to be in violation of sanctions. The official insisted, however, that Thursday's announcement was meant to maintain sanctions enforcement on North Korea rather than intensify the pressure. While declining to say whether Washington was trying to send a post-summit message to Pyongyang, the official said Trump "has made clear that the door is wide open to continuing the dialogue with North Korea." LIMBO US-North Korean engagement has appeared to be in limbo since the February 27-28 summit in Hanoi, despite US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo saying on March 4 he was hopeful he could send a team to North Korea "in the next couple of weeks." Washington has said it aims to re-engage with Kim, but North Korea has warned it is considering suspending talks and may rethink a freeze on missile and nuclear tests in place since 2017 unless Washington makes concessions. On Monday, two senior US senators called for the Trump administration to correct a slowing pace of American sanctions designations on North Korea, saying there had been a marked decline in such actions during the past year of US diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang. They pointed to a 2019 UN report that found that North Korea continued to defy UN sanctions with an increase in smuggling of petroleum products and coal and violation of bans on arms sales. The Treasury statement said Dalian Haibo was targeted for dealings with Paeksol Trading Corp, a company previously designated by US sanctions on North Korea. It said Dalian Haibo shipped cargo from Dalian, China, to Paeksol in Nampo, North Korea, in early 2018 aboard North Korean-flagged vessels. The statement said Liaoning Danxing had "routinely used deceptive practices" to enable the work of North Korean procurement officials based in the European Union. The Treasury statement said evasion tactics employed by North Korea included disabling or manipulating automated identification systems, physically altering vessels, transferring cargoes between ships and falsifying cargo documentation. It said ports visited by vessels involved in ship-to-ship transfers included those in Taiwan, China, Russia and South Korea. The Treasury Department said that in 2018, North Korean ports received at least 263 tanker deliveries of refined petroleum via UN-prohibited ship-to-ship transfers. It said that if the tankers were fully laden, North Korea would have imported 3.78 million barrels - more than 7-1/2 times the 500,000 barrels a year allowed under a UN resolution.

US announces first new North Korea sanctions since failed summit

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the government would file a legal case in Iran against US officials who imposed sanctions on the country as a precursor to action in international courts.

Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television that US sanctions had created difficulties including a weaker rial currency that has fed into higher inflation.

The United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran after US President Donald Trump chose last May to abandon Iran's 2015 nuclear accord, negotiated with five other world powers.

Rouhani said he had ordered the ministries of foreign affairs and justice "to file a legal case in Iranian courts against those in America who designed and imposed sanctions on Iran". "These sanctions are crime against humanity," he added.

If the Iranian court finds against the US officials, Iran will pursue the case in international courts of justice, the president said.

Iranian complaints about sanctions in the international courts have occasionally succeeded. In October, judges at the International Court Of Justice (ICJ) ordered the United States to ensure sanctions do not affect humanitarian aid or civil aviation safety, a small victory for Tehran.

"The Americans have only one goal: they want to come back to Iran and rule the nation again," Rouhani said, reiterating Tehran's view that US sanctions are aimed at overthrowing the government and ushering in one more aligned with US policies.

Rouhani said the government had managed to "put a brake on the fall of rial" but that balance has not yet returned to the foreign currency market.

The rial was trading at 131,500 per US dollar on Monday on the unofficial market, almost three times weaker than a year ago, but off record lows around 190,000 hit in late September.

Iranian central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati also accused Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other US officials on Monday of waging a "psychological war" to stir panic in the currency market.

Hemmati was quoted as saying by state media that "the central bank is in full control of the market".

The US sanctions permit trade in humanitarian goods such as food and pharmaceuticals but measures imposed on banks, and trade restrictions, could make such items more expensive as well as more difficult to pay for.

Trump said when he pulled out of the landmark 2015 deal that lifted international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities that it failed to rein in Iran's missile programme or curb its regional meddling.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the government would file a legal case in Iran against US officials who imposed sanctions on the country as a precursor to action in international courts.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that the government would file a legal case in Iran against US officials who imposed sanctions on the country as a precursor to action in international courts. Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television that US sanctions had created difficulties including a weaker rial currency that has fed into higher inflation. The United States reimposed sanctions on Tehran after US President Donald Trump chose last May to abandon Iran's 2015 nuclear accord, negotiated with five other world powers. Rouhani said he had ordered the ministries of foreign affairs and justice "to file a legal case in Iranian courts against those in America who designed and imposed sanctions on Iran". "These sanctions are crime against humanity," he added. If the Iranian court finds against the US officials, Iran will pursue the case in international courts of justice, the president said. Iranian complaints about sanctions in the international courts have occasionally succeeded. In October, judges at the International Court Of Justice (ICJ) ordered the United States to ensure sanctions do not affect humanitarian aid or civil aviation safety, a small victory for Tehran. "The Americans have only one goal: they want to come back to Iran and rule the nation again," Rouhani said, reiterating Tehran's view that US sanctions are aimed at overthrowing the government and ushering in one more aligned with US policies. Rouhani said the government had managed to "put a brake on the fall of rial" but that balance has not yet returned to the foreign currency market. The rial was trading at 131,500 per US dollar on Monday on the unofficial market, almost three times weaker than a year ago, but off record lows around 190,000 hit in late September. Iranian central bank governor Abdolnaser Hemmati also accused Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other US officials on Monday of waging a "psychological war" to stir panic in the currency market. Hemmati was quoted as saying by state media that "the central bank is in full control of the market". The US sanctions permit trade in humanitarian goods such as food and pharmaceuticals but measures imposed on banks, and trade restrictions, could make such items more expensive as well as more difficult to pay for. Trump said when he pulled out of the landmark 2015 deal that lifted international sanctions against Iran in exchange for restrictions on its atomic activities that it failed to rein in Iran's missile programme or curb its regional meddling.

Iran will file legal case against US for sanctions: Hassan Rouhani

<a href="http://cms.wionews.com/world/trump-eyes-large-scale-trade-deal-with-uk-203343">US President Donald Trump</a> said Thursday that a new Brexit referendum -- touted by many in Britain who say the first vote to leave the European Union led to political chaos -- would be unfair.

"I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to people who have won" in the initial referendum to quit the European Union, he said in the White House.

Trump also said he was "surprised to see how badly it has all gone" in the attempt to disentangle Britain from the EU.

"I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly," he said, calling the shambolic situation a "shame."

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new Brexit referendum -- touted by many in Britain who say the first vote to leave the European Union led to political chaos -- would be unfair.

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that a new Brexit referendum -- touted by many in Britain who say the first vote to leave the European Union led to political chaos -- would be unfair. "I don't think another vote would be possible because it would be very unfair to people who have won" in the initial referendum to quit the European Union, he said in the White House. Trump also said he was "surprised to see how badly it has all gone" in the attempt to disentangle Britain from the EU. "I think it could have been negotiated in a different manner, frankly," he said, calling the shambolic situation a "shame."

Second Brexit referendum would be 'very unfair': Trump

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-second-brexit-referendum-would-be-very-unfair-203380">US President Donald Trump</a> warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks.

The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war.

Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard.

Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminium.

"The European Union treats us very, very unfairly," Trump told reporters at the White House.&nbsp;

"They're willing to talk to us. If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in."

But he added, "It will probably work out. They're negotiating."

Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States.

While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused.

Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening."

France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26.

US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war.

US President Donald Trump warned the European Union on Thursday of consequences that will be "severe economically" if Brussels fails to enter trade talks. The comments came after the European Parliament on Thursday failed to back the launch of trade talks with Washington, dealing an unexpected blow to efforts to avert a trade war. Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on auto imports, which would hit German carmakers especially hard. Pursuing a trade deal was the central part of a truce agreed in July when Trump and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker pledged no new tariffs following the US tariffs on steel and aluminium. "The European Union treats us very, very unfairly," Trump told reporters at the White House. "They're willing to talk to us. If they don't talk to us we'll do something that will be severe economically. We'll tariff a lot of their products coming in." But he added, "It will probably work out. They're negotiating." Juncker is working with the European Council on the parameters for negotiations with the United States. While the parliament only has an advisory role, the setback underlines deep transatlantic divisions: Washington insists the talks include agriculture, but the EU has steadfastly refused. Powerful Germany deeply wants the deal in order to placate Trump and avoid the auto tariffs that would punish the country's cherished exports, a prospect Chancellor Angela Merkel has labelled "frightening." France is dragging its feet, fearing that entering trade negotiations with Trump could fire up domestic opposition just months ahead of European elections, set for May 22 to 26.

Trump warns of 'severe' consequences if EU won't hold trade talks

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-rushing-to-have-trade-deal-with-china-trump-203203">US President Donald Trump</a> on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay.

Britain's break from the European Union would upend its trade relationships as it exits the bloc and is forced to go to the negotiating table to broker its own trade pacts with other countries, including the United States.

"My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" Trump tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1106153554518130688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The US Trade Representative's office had said it would launch talks with Britain after its planned exit from the EU on March 29. Last month it laid out its objectives for a deal that included reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers for US industrial and agricultural goods.

Trump has made the US economy and trade a cornerstone of his presidency in line with his "America First" campaign and has sought to renegotiate pacts with China, Canada and Mexico as well as the EU.

With a little more than two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union with no firm agreement yet in place, Britain's parliament was due to vote on Thursday on seeking a last-minute Brexit delay after UK lawmakers twice rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he anticipated a "large scale" trade agreement with the United Kingdom, as the British government grapples with its Brexit deal with Europe and a possible delay. Britain's break from the European Union would upend its trade relationships as it exits the bloc and is forced to go to the negotiating table to broker its own trade pacts with other countries, including the United States. "My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited!" Trump tweeted. My Administration looks forward to negotiating a large scale Trade Deal with the United Kingdom. The potential is unlimited! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019 × The US Trade Representative's office had said it would launch talks with Britain after its planned exit from the EU on March 29. Last month it laid out its objectives for a deal that included reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers for US industrial and agricultural goods. Trump has made the US economy and trade a cornerstone of his presidency in line with his "America First" campaign and has sought to renegotiate pacts with China, Canada and Mexico as well as the EU. With a little more than two weeks before Britain is due to leave the European Union with no firm agreement yet in place, Britain's parliament was due to vote on Thursday on seeking a last-minute Brexit delay after UK lawmakers twice rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's EU divorce deal.

As Britain grapples with Brexit, Trump eyes 'large scale' trade deal

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