US&nbsp;stocks opened lower on Monday as investors around the world sought safe-haven assets such as gold and US&nbsp;Treasuries in response to the protectionist sentiments expressed by President Donald Trump in his inauguration speech.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 27.99 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 19,799.26, the S&amp;P 500 was down 3.94 points, or 0.173468 per cent, at 2,267.37 and the Nasdaq composite was down 7.63 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 5,547.70.

The dollar slid broadly on Monday after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump struck a protectionist tone in his inauguration speech, undermining optimism over the US&nbsp;economy spurred by his promises of tax cuts and other stimulus.

Japan&#39;s Nikkei dropped 1.1 per cent while shares in Australia dropped 0.8 per cent after the Trump administration, on its first day in office, declared its intention to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a 12-nation trade pact that Japan and Australia also have signed up for.

US&nbsp;stock futures dipped 0.3 per cent, erasing gains made on Friday.

European shares were expected to fall, too, with spread-betters looking to a drop of 0.4 per cent in Britain&#39;s FTSE and 0.3 per cent in Germany&#39;s DAX.

Other Asian shares were more resilient, however, in part due to the dollar&#39;s weakness and a relief that there was no negative surprises, with Trump refraining from labelling China as a currency manipulator, for now, an accusation he made while campaigning.

&quot;At least, there was no negative news this weekend, like a border tax or the currency manipulator, even though they could come up in the future,&quot; said Yukino Yamada, senior strategist at Daiwa Securities.

MSCI&#39;s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent, with Taiwan shares leading the gains and coming just shy of 1-1/2-year highs.

In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to end what he called an &quot;American carnage&quot; of rusted factories and vowed to put &quot;America first&quot;, laying out two simple rules - buy American and hire American.

Trump also said on Sunday he plans talks soon with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

&quot;The market is getting nervous about the possibility that the world&#39;s trade might shrink,&quot; said Koichi Yoshikawa, executive director of financial markets at Standard Chartered Bank in Tokyo.

&quot;Many of his policies, including tax cuts and infrastructure spending, need approval from the Senate and that (may not be) easy,&quot; he said. &quot;The markets that had been led by expectations on his policy since the election are now the dragged down by the reality.&quot;

The dollar had soared late last year on expectations that Trump&#39;s pledges to cut taxes and hike infrastructure spending would boost the US&nbsp;economy, spurring inflation and higher interest rates.

But optimism is starting to fade as details of his tax policies remained sketchy. It is not clear if the Congress will agree to any plan that could drastically increase budget deficits.

&quot;If all of Trump&#39;s tax proposals would be implemented, that alone would increase the deficit by more than two percentage points of GDP. It&#39;s questionable if the Republicans will agree to that. Any fiscal stimulus will be a mild one,&quot; said Hiroko Iwaki, senior strategist at Mizuho Securities.

The dollar fell as much as 1.2 per cent against the yen to 113.26 Yen, edging towards its seven-week low of 112.57 Yen touched on Wednesday.

The Euro gained 0.5 per cent to $1.0754, its highest level since December 8.

Emerging market currencies gained, with South African rand gaining 0.8 per cent.

The Mexican peso, which has weakened the most on Trump&#39;s protectionist and anti-immigration stance, rose 0.8 per cent to a two-week high of 21.415 per dollar.

The rise came after its 1.7 per cent gains on Friday, its biggest in two months.

Gold hit a two-month high of $1,219.3 per ounce.

The 10-year US&nbsp;Treasuries yield fell to 2.435 per cent, after having risen briefly on Friday to 2.513 per cent, its highest since January 3.

The two-year yield, which is more sensitive to the Fed&#39;s policy outlook, dropped sharply to 1.180 per cent from Thursday&#39;s three-week high of 1.250 per cent, giving back much of gains made after Wednesday&#39;s upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.

Oil steadied after Friday&#39;s gains, as support from statements over the weekend from OPEC and other producers that they have been successfully in implementing output cuts were offset by a surge in US&nbsp;drilling.

International benchmark Brent crude futures stood at $55.47 per barrel, little changed after Friday&#39;s 2.5 per cent gains.

(Reuters)

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 27.99 points at 19,799.26 and the S&P 500 was down 3.94 points at 2,267.37

US stocks opened lower on Monday as investors around the world sought safe-haven assets such as gold and US Treasuries in response to the protectionist sentiments expressed by President Donald Trump in his inauguration speech. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 27.99 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 19,799.26, the S&P 500 was down 3.94 points, or 0.173468 per cent, at 2,267.37 and the Nasdaq composite was down 7.63 points, or 0.14 per cent, at 5,547.70. The dollar slid broadly on Monday after US President Donald Trump struck a protectionist tone in his inauguration speech, undermining optimism over the US economy spurred by his promises of tax cuts and other stimulus. Japan's Nikkei dropped 1.1 per cent while shares in Australia dropped 0.8 per cent after the Trump administration, on its first day in office, declared its intention to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a 12-nation trade pact that Japan and Australia also have signed up for. US stock futures dipped 0.3 per cent, erasing gains made on Friday. European shares were expected to fall, too, with spread-betters looking to a drop of 0.4 per cent in Britain's FTSE and 0.3 per cent in Germany's DAX. Other Asian shares were more resilient, however, in part due to the dollar's weakness and a relief that there was no negative surprises, with Trump refraining from labelling China as a currency manipulator, for now, an accusation he made while campaigning. "At least, there was no negative news this weekend, like a border tax or the currency manipulator, even though they could come up in the future," said Yukino Yamada, senior strategist at Daiwa Securities. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.3 per cent, with Taiwan shares leading the gains and coming just shy of 1-1/2-year highs. In his inaugural address, Trump pledged to end what he called an "American carnage" of rusted factories and vowed to put "America first", laying out two simple rules - buy American and hire American. Trump also said on Sunday he plans talks soon with the leaders of Canada and Mexico to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "The market is getting nervous about the possibility that the world's trade might shrink," said Koichi Yoshikawa, executive director of financial markets at Standard Chartered Bank in Tokyo. "Many of his policies, including tax cuts and infrastructure spending, need approval from the Senate and that (may not be) easy," he said. "The markets that had been led by expectations on his policy since the election are now the dragged down by the reality." The dollar had soared late last year on expectations that Trump's pledges to cut taxes and hike infrastructure spending would boost the US economy, spurring inflation and higher interest rates. But optimism is starting to fade as details of his tax policies remained sketchy. It is not clear if the Congress will agree to any plan that could drastically increase budget deficits. "If all of Trump's tax proposals would be implemented, that alone would increase the deficit by more than two percentage points of GDP. It's questionable if the Republicans will agree to that. Any fiscal stimulus will be a mild one," said Hiroko Iwaki, senior strategist at Mizuho Securities. The dollar fell as much as 1.2 per cent against the yen to 113.26 Yen, edging towards its seven-week low of 112.57 Yen touched on Wednesday. The Euro gained 0.5 per cent to $1.0754, its highest level since December 8. Emerging market currencies gained, with South African rand gaining 0.8 per cent. The Mexican peso, which has weakened the most on Trump's protectionist and anti-immigration stance, rose 0.8 per cent to a two-week high of 21.415 per dollar. The rise came after its 1.7 per cent gains on Friday, its biggest in two months. Gold hit a two-month high of $1,219.3 per ounce. The 10-year US Treasuries yield fell to 2.435 per cent, after having risen briefly on Friday to 2.513 per cent, its highest since January 3. The two-year yield, which is more sensitive to the Fed's policy outlook, dropped sharply to 1.180 per cent from Thursday's three-week high of 1.250 per cent, giving back much of gains made after Wednesday's upbeat comments from Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. Oil steadied after Friday's gains, as support from statements over the weekend from OPEC and other producers that they have been successfully in implementing output cuts were offset by a surge in US drilling. International benchmark Brent crude futures stood at $55.47 per barrel, little changed after Friday's 2.5 per cent gains. (Reuters)

Wall Street opens lower, global shares wobbly after Trump's protectionist address

US President Donald Trump pledged Sunday to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement in upcoming talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.

&quot;We&#39;re meeting with the prime minister of Canada and we will be meeting with the president of Mexico, who I know, and we&#39;re going to start some negotiations having to do with NAFTA,&quot; Trump said while addressing White House staff on his second full day in office.

Trump will receive his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto on January 31. No date has been given for a meeting with Canada&#39;s Justin Trudeau, but it is expected &quot;soon,&quot; according to a readout from a call between the two leaders on Saturday.

Trump praised the Mexican leader, saying: &quot;The president has been really very amazing and I think we are going to have a very good result for Mexico, for the United States, for everybody involved. It&#39;s very important.&quot;

The White House website was updated immediately after Trump&#39;s swearing-in to reflect his campaign commitment to renegotiate the free trade agreement that has linked Canada, the United States and Mexico since 1994.

On the campaign trail, Trump called NAFTA the worst trade deal the United States has ever signed and vowed to renegotiate or rip it up.

The rules governing the free trade agreement allow any country to withdraw simply by notifying other parties. This would start a 180-day clock to allow for new negotiations.&nbsp;

If no new deal is reached by then, the accord would be dissolved.

Since Trump&#39;s November victory, both Canada and Mexico have announced that they are willing to sit down with the new US administration to reexamine the free trade agreement.

Canada has said it expects to keep its 1989 bilateral free trade agreement with the US even if Trump withdraws from NAFTA.

(AFP)

The White House website was updated immediately after Trump's swearing-in to reflect his campaign commitment to renegotiate the agreement

US President Donald Trump pledged Sunday to begin renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement in upcoming talks with the leaders of Mexico and Canada. "We're meeting with the prime minister of Canada and we will be meeting with the president of Mexico, who I know, and we're going to start some negotiations having to do with NAFTA," Trump said while addressing White House staff on his second full day in office. Trump will receive his Mexican counterpart Enrique Pena Nieto on January 31. No date has been given for a meeting with Canada's Justin Trudeau, but it is expected "soon," according to a readout from a call between the two leaders on Saturday. Trump praised the Mexican leader, saying: "The president has been really very amazing and I think we are going to have a very good result for Mexico, for the United States, for everybody involved. It's very important." The White House website was updated immediately after Trump's swearing-in to reflect his campaign commitment to renegotiate the free trade agreement that has linked Canada, the United States and Mexico since 1994. On the campaign trail, Trump called NAFTA the worst trade deal the United States has ever signed and vowed to renegotiate or rip it up. The rules governing the free trade agreement allow any country to withdraw simply by notifying other parties. This would start a 180-day clock to allow for new negotiations. If no new deal is reached by then, the accord would be dissolved. Since Trump's November victory, both Canada and Mexico have announced that they are willing to sit down with the new US administration to reexamine the free trade agreement. Canada has said it expects to keep its 1989 bilateral free trade agreement with the US even if Trump withdraws from NAFTA. (AFP)

Trump vows to 'start renegotiating' NAFTA with Mexico, Canada

US President Donald Trump signaled a sharp break on energy and the environment policy Friday, announcing plans to undo climate policies and promote domestic energy development as part of his &quot;America First&quot; agenda.

A statement on the White House website, posted shortly after Trump took the oath of office, said he was &quot;committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan&quot; advocated by his predecessor Barack Obama.

Trump also will focus on removing hurdles to domestic energy development that he argues will make the US independent of foreign oil.

&quot;The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans,&quot; the statement said.

&quot;President Trump is committed to achieving energy independence from the OPEC cartel and any nations hostile to our interests. At the same time, we will work with our Gulf allies to develop a positive energy relationship as part of our anti-terrorism strategy.&quot;

Trump also aims to &quot;revive America&#39;s coal industry, which has been hurting for too long,&quot; the statement said.

The website makeover was part of the transition of power to the new administration.

During his two terms, Obama made the environment a cornerstone of his policies, including the landmark Paris climate agreement in December 2015 signed by nearly 200 countries, and policies to encourage renewable energy through actions to limit emissions and promote investment in new technology.

Trump during the campaign dismissed climate change as a &quot;hoax&quot; perpetrated by China. But since the election he and his cabinet designees have sent mixed signals on climate policies and the Paris accord.

The White House acknowledged that protecting the environment also was a priority and said the administration would &quot;refocus&quot; the Environmental Protection Agency on &quot;its essential mission of protecting our air and water.&quot;

The statement drew sharp criticism from the environmental group Friends of the Earth.

&quot;This is just the beginning. Trump has announced his intentions. If we let him get away with it, what&#39;s next? Gutting the EPA? Drilling for oil on our public lands in the Arctic?&quot;

(AFP)

A statement on White House website said he was 'committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan'

US President Donald Trump signaled a sharp break on energy and the environment policy Friday, announcing plans to undo climate policies and promote domestic energy development as part of his "America First" agenda. A statement on the White House website, posted shortly after Trump took the oath of office, said he was "committed to eliminating harmful and unnecessary policies such as the Climate Action Plan" advocated by his predecessor Barack Obama. Trump also will focus on removing hurdles to domestic energy development that he argues will make the US independent of foreign oil. "The Trump Administration will embrace the shale oil and gas revolution to bring jobs and prosperity to millions of Americans," the statement said. "President Trump is committed to achieving energy independence from the OPEC cartel and any nations hostile to our interests. At the same time, we will work with our Gulf allies to develop a positive energy relationship as part of our anti-terrorism strategy." Trump also aims to "revive America's coal industry, which has been hurting for too long," the statement said. The website makeover was part of the transition of power to the new administration. During his two terms, Obama made the environment a cornerstone of his policies, including the landmark Paris climate agreement in December 2015 signed by nearly 200 countries, and policies to encourage renewable energy through actions to limit emissions and promote investment in new technology. Trump during the campaign dismissed climate change as a "hoax" perpetrated by China. But since the election he and his cabinet designees have sent mixed signals on climate policies and the Paris accord. The White House acknowledged that protecting the environment also was a priority and said the administration would "refocus" the Environmental Protection Agency on "its essential mission of protecting our air and water." The statement drew sharp criticism from the environmental group Friends of the Earth. "This is just the beginning. Trump has announced his intentions. If we let him get away with it, what's next? Gutting the EPA? Drilling for oil on our public lands in the Arctic?" (AFP)

Trump signals big shift on energy, climate policies

With grey clouds hanging over the famous white dome of the US&nbsp;Capitol building, Donald Trump made his inaugural address to the American people as their new president.

&quot;January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again,&quot; said Trump from his podium overlooking the crowds gathered on the National Mall.

&quot;The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer,&quot; he added.

An estimated 800,000 people had crushed into the centre of Washington, DC&nbsp;for the 58th US&nbsp;Presidential Inauguration, sheltering from the drizzle under raincoats and ponchos.

A steel ring of security encircled the centre of the city, with roads blocked off and police on every corner.

But tight security and showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Trump&#39;s supporters.

&quot;Trump is going to &#39;Make America Great Again&#39; and undo the wreckage of Obama,&quot; said Joe Smith, 69, from Tampa, Florida.

&quot;I believe that the enemies of this country have been allowed to fester for too long, and Donald Trump is going to change that,&quot; said Nick Graham, 20, from Pasadena, Maryland.

Crammed in next to Trump&#39;s supporters, Clinton voters looked on solemnly while protestors chanted.

&quot;We came today to show that we are not giving our consent for this presidency,&quot; Erica West, 21, from Arlington, Virginia.

&quot;Donald Trump stands for hatred, racism and misogyny. That&#39;s against everything that I stand for as a citizen of this country,&quot; said Kevin Cannell, 31, from New Orleans.

At a Black Lives Matter demonstration in a small park just off the National Mall, impromptu arguments broke out between protesters and passing Trump supporters in &quot;Make America Great Again&quot; hats.

As the hour of the inauguration ceremony approached, demonstrators linked arms to block the route to the viewing area.

They chanted &quot;this checkpoint is closed, go home&quot; as police tried to break up the line to allow spectators through.

&quot;Criminal-in-Chief,&quot; read one protestor&#39;s placard.

&quot;The power of the people is stronger than the people in power,&quot; proclaimed another.

As news of Trump taking the oath at the US&nbsp;Capitol spread, cheers and booing broke out spontaneously in the streets.

With the traditional parade to the White House underway, protestors also clashed with police along the route.

8 years after Barack Obama swept into power riding a message of hope, Donald Trump is taking charge of a divided America.

The wounds from a bitter election were still fresh for many on his Inauguration Day.&nbsp;

But Trump says he can bring the country together again.

&quot;We are one nation...we share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny,&quot; said Trump in his inaugural address.

But just hours before the handover of power, a Fox News survey put Trump&#39;s approval ratings at 37 per cent.

54 per cent&nbsp;say they do not approve of the country&#39;s new president.

With historically low ratings for a first-time president, Trump&#39;s first 100 days could define his time in office.

The fractious atmosphere at his inauguration shows that the fervour of his supporters is matched by the anger of his opponents.

(WION)

As scattered protests erupted elsewhere in Washington,?Trump?raised his right hand and put his left on a Bible used by Abraham Lincoln

With grey clouds hanging over the famous white dome of the US Capitol building, Donald Trump made his inaugural address to the American people as their new president. "January 20th, 2017, will be remembered as the day the people became the rulers of this nation again," said Trump from his podium overlooking the crowds gathered on the National Mall. "The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer," he added. An estimated 800,000 people had crushed into the centre of Washington, DC for the 58th US Presidential Inauguration, sheltering from the drizzle under raincoats and ponchos. A steel ring of security encircled the centre of the city, with roads blocked off and police on every corner. But tight security and showers failed to dampen the enthusiasm of Trump's supporters. "Trump is going to 'Make America Great Again' and undo the wreckage of Obama," said Joe Smith, 69, from Tampa, Florida. "I believe that the enemies of this country have been allowed to fester for too long, and Donald Trump is going to change that," said Nick Graham, 20, from Pasadena, Maryland. Crammed in next to Trump's supporters, Clinton voters looked on solemnly while protestors chanted. "We came today to show that we are not giving our consent for this presidency," Erica West, 21, from Arlington, Virginia. "Donald Trump stands for hatred, racism and misogyny. That's against everything that I stand for as a citizen of this country," said Kevin Cannell, 31, from New Orleans. At a Black Lives Matter demonstration in a small park just off the National Mall, impromptu arguments broke out between protesters and passing Trump supporters in "Make America Great Again" hats. As the hour of the inauguration ceremony approached, demonstrators linked arms to block the route to the viewing area. They chanted "this checkpoint is closed, go home" as police tried to break up the line to allow spectators through. "Criminal-in-Chief," read one protestor's placard. "The power of the people is stronger than the people in power," proclaimed another. As news of Trump taking the oath at the US Capitol spread, cheers and booing broke out spontaneously in the streets. With the traditional parade to the White House underway, protestors also clashed with police along the route. 8 years after Barack Obama swept into power riding a message of hope, Donald Trump is taking charge of a divided America. The wounds from a bitter election were still fresh for many on his Inauguration Day. But Trump says he can bring the country together again. "We are one nation...we share one heart, one home, and one glorious destiny," said Trump in his inaugural address. But just hours before the handover of power, a Fox News survey put Trump's approval ratings at 37 per cent. 54 per cent say they do not approve of the country's new president. With historically low ratings for a first-time president, Trump's first 100 days could define his time in office. The fractious atmosphere at his inauguration shows that the fervour of his supporters is matched by the anger of his opponents. (WION)

Donald Trump proclaims start of new era under grey skies

President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as U.S. president saying he would like to strengthen ties, but that sovereignty, national interest and protection of Mexicans would be paramount.

Pena Nieto, criticized for meeting Trump last year even after the New York businessman had insulted Mexicans in the election campaign, said on Twitter he would seek &quot;respectful&quot; dialogue with the new US&nbsp;government.

Trump is expected to take executive action on renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that underpins Mexico&#39;s economy &quot;very shortly,&quot; his spokesman said on Thursday.

&quot;Sovereignty, national interest and protection of Mexicans, will guide relations with the new government of the United States,&quot; Pena Nieto said.

In his campaign, Trump derided Mexicans as rapists and murderers and vowed to build a wall along the US&nbsp;southern border to keep them out.

There were subdued protests across Mexico on Friday as Republican Trump was inaugurated and Democrat Barack Obama left office after eight years in the White House.

One political activist held up a banner on Mexico City&#39;s main thoroughfare that read &quot;Racist, gringo Trump...son of Satan, you are a danger to the world.&quot;

More than three quarters of Mexicans have a bad or very bad opinion of the US&nbsp;President, according to a poll of 600 people conducted earlier this month by Gabinete de Comunicacion Estrategica.

&quot;Trump if you are Christian, don&#39;t crucify Mexicans,&quot; Sergio Tamay wrote on a fuschia-colored sign at a migrant protest in the northern city of Mexicali on the border with the US&nbsp;state of California.

Mexico&#39;s peso was the strongest performing among the top 10 most-traded currencies after Trump&#39;s speech in Washington made no mention of the country. It was up more than 1.6 per cent at 21.582 per dollar in the early afternoon.

(Reuters)

He congratulated Trump, but cautioned that the sovereignty, national interest and protection of Mexicans would be paramount

President Enrique Pena Nieto on Friday congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as U.S. president saying he would like to strengthen ties, but that sovereignty, national interest and protection of Mexicans would be paramount. Pena Nieto, criticized for meeting Trump last year even after the New York businessman had insulted Mexicans in the election campaign, said on Twitter he would seek "respectful" dialogue with the new US government. Trump is expected to take executive action on renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that underpins Mexico's economy "very shortly," his spokesman said on Thursday. "Sovereignty, national interest and protection of Mexicans, will guide relations with the new government of the United States," Pena Nieto said. In his campaign, Trump derided Mexicans as rapists and murderers and vowed to build a wall along the US southern border to keep them out. There were subdued protests across Mexico on Friday as Republican Trump was inaugurated and Democrat Barack Obama left office after eight years in the White House. One political activist held up a banner on Mexico City's main thoroughfare that read "Racist, gringo Trump...son of Satan, you are a danger to the world." More than three quarters of Mexicans have a bad or very bad opinion of the US President, according to a poll of 600 people conducted earlier this month by Gabinete de Comunicacion Estrategica. "Trump if you are Christian, don't crucify Mexicans," Sergio Tamay wrote on a fuschia-colored sign at a migrant protest in the northern city of Mexicali on the border with the US state of California. Mexico's peso was the strongest performing among the top 10 most-traded currencies after Trump's speech in Washington made no mention of the country. It was up more than 1.6 per cent at 21.582 per dollar in the early afternoon. (Reuters)

Mexico: President Enrique Pena Nieto vows to protect Mexicans as he seeks close ties with Trump

Black-clad activists angry about US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s inauguration smashed store and car windows in Washington on Friday and fought with police in riot gear who responded with pepper spray and stun grenades.

About 500 people, some wearing masks and kerchiefs over their faces, marched through the city&#39;s downtown, breaking the windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald&#39;s outlet and a Starbucks shop, all symbols of the American capitalist system.

The crowd chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried at least one sign reading &quot;Make Racists Afraid Again,&quot; a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician&#39;s &quot;Make America Great Again&quot; campaign slogan.

They also vandalized several cars and hurled trash cans and newspaper vending boxes into the streets before being largely dispersed by police about 90 minutes before Trump was sworn in at the Capitol a mile and a half (2.4 km) away.

&quot;The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests,&quot; said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who was part of the protest but did not participate in the violence.

Not far from the White House, protesters scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at an outdoor caf&eacute;. A member of the &quot;Bikers for Trump&quot; group in town to celebrate the inauguration was struck in the face when he tried to intervene.

&quot;I know, law and order and all that. We need more order. This ain&#39;t right,&quot; said Bob Hrifko, who was bleeding from a cut under his eye.

Two Washington DC&nbsp;police officers were injured in altercations with protesters, a local ABC television affiliate reported. Police detained about 50 people a few blocks away, as a crowd chanted &quot;Let them go.&quot;

The number of people who turned out to view the midday swearing-in, on a gray day threatened by rain, appeared to be significantly smaller than the estimated 2 million who turned out for President Barack Obama&#39;s first inauguration in 2009.

Overhead video of the National Mall showed sections of the white matting laid down to protect the grass were largely empty.

More people were expected to be on hand when Trump and his entourage travel along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House later Friday afternoon.

Earlier, liberal activists with a separate group called Disrupt J20 intermittently blocked multiple security checkpoints leading to the largest public viewing area for the inauguration. Several were led away by police.

Disrupt J20 protest organizer Alli McCracken, 28, of Washington, said the group was voicing its displeasure over Trump&#39;s controversial comments about women, illegal immigrants and Muslims.

&quot;We have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds who are against US&nbsp;imperialism and we feel Trump will continue that legacy,&quot; McCracken said.

Tensions were high on the streets of Washington ahead of the inauguration, with occasional scuffles breaking out.

Trump supporters Chris and Karen Korthaus, who carried a life-size cardboard cutout of the former reality TV star, crossed paths with an anti-Trump crowd.

&quot;A protester came over and ripped off the Don&#39;s head,&quot; Karen Korthaus said as she showed a reporter a video of the incident. &quot;We ran to a pizza shop and taped his head back on&quot;.

Carl Beams, 36, from Howell, New Jersey, stood in line with thousands of other Trump supporters waiting to enter the National Mall to view the inauguration.

&quot;This is a great moment in history. I wanted to be able to say I was here firsthand,&quot; said Beams, who runs a martial-arts school.

While Washington was the focal point of the anti-Trump protests, there were sympathy rallies around the nation and world.

Activists in London hung a banner reading &quot;Build bridges not walls&quot; on the city&#39;s iconic Tower Bridge, a reference to Trump&#39;s signature campaign promise of building a wall on the US-Mexican border.

By far the largest protest is expected to be Saturday&#39;s Women&#39;s March on Washington, which some 200,000 people from around the country are expected to attend.

The US&nbsp;Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies had about 28,000 officers in place to secure a roughly three-square-mile area of downtown Washington.

(Reuters)

About 500 people marched through the city's downtown smashing stores and car windows

Black-clad activists angry about US President Donald Trump's inauguration smashed store and car windows in Washington on Friday and fought with police in riot gear who responded with pepper spray and stun grenades. About 500 people, some wearing masks and kerchiefs over their faces, marched through the city's downtown, breaking the windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's outlet and a Starbucks shop, all symbols of the American capitalist system. The crowd chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried at least one sign reading "Make Racists Afraid Again," a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan. They also vandalized several cars and hurled trash cans and newspaper vending boxes into the streets before being largely dispersed by police about 90 minutes before Trump was sworn in at the Capitol a mile and a half (2.4 km) away. "The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who was part of the protest but did not participate in the violence. Not far from the White House, protesters scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at an outdoor café. A member of the "Bikers for Trump" group in town to celebrate the inauguration was struck in the face when he tried to intervene. "I know, law and order and all that. We need more order. This ain't right," said Bob Hrifko, who was bleeding from a cut under his eye. Two Washington DC police officers were injured in altercations with protesters, a local ABC television affiliate reported. Police detained about 50 people a few blocks away, as a crowd chanted "Let them go." The number of people who turned out to view the midday swearing-in, on a gray day threatened by rain, appeared to be significantly smaller than the estimated 2 million who turned out for President Barack Obama's first inauguration in 2009. Overhead video of the National Mall showed sections of the white matting laid down to protect the grass were largely empty. More people were expected to be on hand when Trump and his entourage travel along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House later Friday afternoon. Earlier, liberal activists with a separate group called Disrupt J20 intermittently blocked multiple security checkpoints leading to the largest public viewing area for the inauguration. Several were led away by police. Disrupt J20 protest organizer Alli McCracken, 28, of Washington, said the group was voicing its displeasure over Trump's controversial comments about women, illegal immigrants and Muslims. "We have a lot of people of diverse backgrounds who are against US imperialism and we feel Trump will continue that legacy," McCracken said. Tensions were high on the streets of Washington ahead of the inauguration, with occasional scuffles breaking out. Trump supporters Chris and Karen Korthaus, who carried a life-size cardboard cutout of the former reality TV star, crossed paths with an anti-Trump crowd. "A protester came over and ripped off the Don's head," Karen Korthaus said as she showed a reporter a video of the incident. "We ran to a pizza shop and taped his head back on". Carl Beams, 36, from Howell, New Jersey, stood in line with thousands of other Trump supporters waiting to enter the National Mall to view the inauguration. "This is a great moment in history. I wanted to be able to say I was here firsthand," said Beams, who runs a martial-arts school. While Washington was the focal point of the anti-Trump protests, there were sympathy rallies around the nation and world. Activists in London hung a banner reading "Build bridges not walls" on the city's iconic Tower Bridge, a reference to Trump's signature campaign promise of building a wall on the US-Mexican border. By far the largest protest is expected to be Saturday's Women's March on Washington, which some 200,000 people from around the country are expected to attend. The US Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies had about 28,000 officers in place to secure a roughly three-square-mile area of downtown Washington. (Reuters)

Washington protests turn violent as Trump assumes presidency

America&#39;s new First Lady Melania Trump won rave reviews Friday for donning an elegant Ralph Lauren powder blue suit to her husband&#39;s inauguration in a look channeling Jacqueline Kennedy.

Her cashmere turtleneck dress fell to her knee, paired with a cross-over jacket cropped to the waist and matching suede gloves. In a break from the past, Melania wore her hair swept up with diamond stud earrings.

The look won gushing praise online and earned comparisons with Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of Democratic president John F. Kennedy and considered one of America&#39;s most stylish first ladies.

A Ralph Lauren spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Trump was wearing a custom-made Ralph Lauren collection dress, jacket and gloves.

The 46-year-old former model originally from Slovenia, is America&#39;s only second foreign-born first lady since England&#39;s Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825 to 1829.

Ralph Lauren is perhaps America&#39;s most iconic living designer, a 77-year-old master inspired by European sensibilities but whose clothes define a uniquely American sense of elegance.

A string of designers have refused to work with Trump because of her husband&#39;s politics, making her sartorial debut as first lady -- hot on the heels of the much-loved Michelle Obama -- closely scrutinized.

Despite being criticized for previously favoring high-end European clothes and foregoing Obama&#39;s winning combination of US high street meets high fashion, Trump is proving herself an adroit dresser.

On Friday she picked a little-known New York designer of Hispanic descent and daughter of a wounded veteran to design her military-inspired, black coat to visit the National Arlington Cemetery.

While commentators griped about her heavy sunglasses and grumpy demeanor, in the evening she donned a stunning golden gown from Reem Acra, a Lebanese-born American designer, for a candlelight dinner.

Vogue said her choice &quot;went the route of classic glamour&quot; similar to former Republican first ladies Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush.

Her looks have not only been appropriate to the moment but given a nod toward inclusivity at a time when her husband is under attack for divisive rhetoric and threat to deport up to three million illegal immigrants.

But Trump will have to work hard to keep up with 35-year-old stepdaughter Ivanka, widely feted for her elegance and who unlike Melania is moving straight to Washington with her husband, an incoming White House advisor.

(AFP)

A Ralph Lauren spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Trump was wearing a custom-made Ralph Lauren collection dress, jacket and gloves

America's new First Lady Melania Trump won rave reviews Friday for donning an elegant Ralph Lauren powder blue suit to her husband's inauguration in a look channeling Jacqueline Kennedy. Her cashmere turtleneck dress fell to her knee, paired with a cross-over jacket cropped to the waist and matching suede gloves. In a break from the past, Melania wore her hair swept up with diamond stud earrings. The look won gushing praise online and earned comparisons with Jacqueline Kennedy, wife of Democratic president John F. Kennedy and considered one of America's most stylish first ladies. A Ralph Lauren spokeswoman confirmed to AFP that Trump was wearing a custom-made Ralph Lauren collection dress, jacket and gloves. The 46-year-old former model originally from Slovenia, is America's only second foreign-born first lady since England's Louisa Adams, wife of John Quincy Adams, who was president from 1825 to 1829. Ralph Lauren is perhaps America's most iconic living designer, a 77-year-old master inspired by European sensibilities but whose clothes define a uniquely American sense of elegance. A string of designers have refused to work with Trump because of her husband's politics, making her sartorial debut as first lady -- hot on the heels of the much-loved Michelle Obama -- closely scrutinized. Despite being criticized for previously favoring high-end European clothes and foregoing Obama's winning combination of US high street meets high fashion, Trump is proving herself an adroit dresser. On Friday she picked a little-known New York designer of Hispanic descent and daughter of a wounded veteran to design her military-inspired, black coat to visit the National Arlington Cemetery. While commentators griped about her heavy sunglasses and grumpy demeanor, in the evening she donned a stunning golden gown from Reem Acra, a Lebanese-born American designer, for a candlelight dinner. Vogue said her choice "went the route of classic glamour" similar to former Republican first ladies Nancy Reagan and Laura Bush. Her looks have not only been appropriate to the moment but given a nod toward inclusivity at a time when her husband is under attack for divisive rhetoric and threat to deport up to three million illegal immigrants. But Trump will have to work hard to keep up with 35-year-old stepdaughter Ivanka, widely feted for her elegance and who unlike Melania is moving straight to Washington with her husband, an incoming White House advisor. (AFP)

Melania Trump channels Jackie Kennedy in Ralph Lauren

The American rock group Green Day has released a video to accompany their new single, Troubled Times. The lyrics and images in the video are heavily critical of President-elect Donald Trump. The video was released just&nbsp;days before Trump is set to become the president of the United States.

The song depicts&nbsp;today&#39;s political climate&nbsp;as a bleak landscape filled with &quot;racism, Islamophobia and war&quot;,&nbsp;which is embodied ultimately&nbsp;by Donald Trump. Images of votes cast into the garbage are set against the rise of&nbsp;Trump.

Trump&#39;s face is juxtaposed against&nbsp;Nazi swastikas and the hoods of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), an ultra-violent hate group whose <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/11/01/the-kkks-official-newspaper-has-endorsed-donald-trump-for-president/?utm_term=.18079e64ce25">newspaper openly praised</a>&nbsp;Trump.&nbsp;

Watch the video for Troubled&nbsp;Times:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9cVJr3eQfXc" width="560"></iframe>

Green Day has criticised Donald Trump before. At the American Music Awards, lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong&nbsp;started a chant from the stage: &quot;No Trump,&nbsp;No KKK,&nbsp;No Fascist USA!&quot;

They also inserted Donald Trump&#39;s name in their 2004&nbsp;hit song, &quot;American Idiot&quot; when they sang it&nbsp;on November 7, a day before the US election, at the MTV EMA&nbsp;awards show.

(WION)

Watch the video linking Donald Trump to imagery of the Nazi swastika and the hoods of the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan

The American rock group Green Day has released a video to accompany their new single, Troubled Times. The lyrics and images in the video are heavily critical of President-elect Donald Trump. The video was released just days before Trump is set to become the president of the United States. The song depicts today's political climate as a bleak landscape filled with "racism, Islamophobia and war", which is embodied ultimately by Donald Trump. Images of votes cast into the garbage are set against the rise of Trump. Trump's face is juxtaposed against Nazi swastikas and the hoods of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK), an ultra-violent hate group whose newspaper openly praised Trump. Watch the video for Troubled Times: Green Day has criticised Donald Trump before. At the American Music Awards, lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong started a chant from the stage: "No Trump, No KKK, No Fascist USA!" They also inserted Donald Trump's name in their 2004 hit song, "American Idiot" when they sang it on November 7, a day before the US election, at the MTV EMA awards show. (WION)

Green Day releases anti-Trump video for new single, Troubled Times

US President Barack Obama awarded vice president Joe Biden America&#39;s highest civilian honour on Thursday, in an emotional surprise ceremony at the White House.

Biden was reduced to tears as the president in his last days in office surprised him by announcing he would be awarding the 74-year-old the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

In remarks billed as a joint farewell to family, friends and staff before they leave the White House next week, Obama described Biden as &quot;the finest vice-president we have ever seen&quot; and a &quot;lion of American history&quot;.&nbsp;

&quot;So, Joe, for your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations, I&#39;d like to ask the military aid to join us on stage. For the final time as president, I am pleased to award our nation&#39;s highest civilian honour, the presidential Medal of Freedom.&quot;

Biden&#39;s jaw dropped, he rolled his head back and turned his face away from the audience to wipe away the tears.

After composing himself and receiving the medal, Biden stepped up to the dais and looked around the room in search of his chief of staff -- and fired him, in jest, for not giving him an&nbsp;early warning.

&quot;I had no inkling,&quot; Biden said.

&quot;Mr President, I&#39;m indebted to you. I&#39;m indebted to your friendship. I&#39;m indebted to your family,&quot; he said.

(AFP)

Biden's jaw dropped, he rolled his head back and turned his face away from the audience to wipe away the tears

US President Barack Obama awarded vice president Joe Biden America's highest civilian honour on Thursday, in an emotional surprise ceremony at the White House. Biden was reduced to tears as the president in his last days in office surprised him by announcing he would be awarding the 74-year-old the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In remarks billed as a joint farewell to family, friends and staff before they leave the White House next week, Obama described Biden as "the finest vice-president we have ever seen" and a "lion of American history". "So, Joe, for your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations, I'd like to ask the military aid to join us on stage. For the final time as president, I am pleased to award our nation's highest civilian honour, the presidential Medal of Freedom." Biden's jaw dropped, he rolled his head back and turned his face away from the audience to wipe away the tears. After composing himself and receiving the medal, Biden stepped up to the dais and looked around the room in search of his chief of staff -- and fired him, in jest, for not giving him an early warning. "I had no inkling," Biden said. "Mr President, I'm indebted to you. I'm indebted to your friendship. I'm indebted to your family," he said. (AFP)

Obama surprises Biden with Medal of Freedom

President Barack Obama addressed America and the world for the final time as president Tuesday, in a speech that was both a tearful goodbye and a call to arms.

Capping his eight years in the White House, Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his &quot;yes we can&quot; campaign credo as &quot;yes we did&quot;.

Listing landmarks of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- much of the speech was dedicated to lifting up supporters shaken by Donald Trump&#39;s shock election. Obama called on them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new &quot;social compact&quot;.

&quot;For all our outward differences, we are all in this together,&quot; he said warning that partisanship, racism, and inequality all threatened democracy. &quot;We rise or fall as one.&quot;

&quot;All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions.&quot;

The incoming Republican president has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama&#39;s legacy and hurled personal insults left and right, while in a virtually unprecedented move US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of seeking to tip the election in Trump&#39;s favour.

Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup.

Obama painted the task ahead as a generational challenge.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Emotional finale&nbsp;

&quot;A faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might&quot; he said, had allowed the United States to &quot;resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies&quot;.

In comments that resonate as Americans ponder whether Russia helped to put Trump in the White House, Obama said &quot;that order is now being challenged&quot;.

&quot;First by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets, open democracies, and civil society itself as a threat to their power.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile.&quot;

Obama&#39;s last trip on Air Force One was a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he addressed a sell-out crowd of some 18,000 not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago.

Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- braved Chicago&#39;s frigid winter to collect free tickets, which were selling for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist.

They were joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill -- who the president described as &quot;family&quot; in an emotional finale to his speech. Wiping a tear from his eye, Obama paid poignant tribute to his own family, his daughter Malia who was present and Sasha who was not, and the first lady who he addressed as his best friend.

&quot;You took on a role you didn&#39;t ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor,&quot; he said. &quot;A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You&#39;ve made me proud. You&#39;ve made the country proud.&quot;

&nbsp;

Life after White House

With an approval rating hovering around 55 per cent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, Obama still carries considerable political weight.

Some 51 per cent of Americans polled believe that Trump is doing a bad job as president-elect. Trump&#39;s unorthodox politics have thrown the 55-year-old Obama&#39;s transition and post-presidency plans into flux.

Having vowed a smooth handover of power, Obama has found himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents.

Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama&#39;s second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman.

Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama&#39;s foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life.

(AFP)

Capping his eight years in office, Obama returned to Chicago to recast his 'yes we can' campaign credo as 'yes we did'

President Barack Obama addressed America and the world for the final time as president Tuesday, in a speech that was both a tearful goodbye and a call to arms. Capping his eight years in the White House, Obama returned to his adoptive hometown of Chicago to recast his "yes we can" campaign credo as "yes we did". Listing landmarks of his presidency -- from the Iran nuclear deal to reforming healthcare -- much of the speech was dedicated to lifting up supporters shaken by Donald Trump's shock election. Obama called on them to pick up the torch, fight for democracy and forge a new "social compact". "For all our outward differences, we are all in this together," he said warning that partisanship, racism, and inequality all threatened democracy. "We rise or fall as one." "All of us, regardless of party, should throw ourselves into the task of rebuilding our democratic institutions." The incoming Republican president has smashed conventions, vowed to efface Obama's legacy and hurled personal insults left and right, while in a virtually unprecedented move US intelligence has accused the Kremlin of seeking to tip the election in Trump's favour. Democrats, cast into the political wilderness with the loss of the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives plus a majority of statehouses, are struggling to regroup. Obama painted the task ahead as a generational challenge. Emotional finale "A faith in reason, and enterprise, and the primacy of right over might" he said, had allowed the United States to "resist the lure of fascism and tyranny during the Great Depression, and build a post-World War II order with other democracies". In comments that resonate as Americans ponder whether Russia helped to put Trump in the White House, Obama said "that order is now being challenged". "First by violent fanatics who claim to speak for Islam; more recently by autocrats in foreign capitals who see free markets, open democracies, and civil society itself as a threat to their power." "The peril each poses to our democracy is more far-reaching than a car bomb or a missile." Obama's last trip on Air Force One was a pilgrimage to his adoptive hometown, where he addressed a sell-out crowd of some 18,000 not far from where he delivered his victory speech eight years ago. Diehard fans -- many African Americans -- braved Chicago's frigid winter to collect free tickets, which were selling for upwards of $1,000 a piece on Craigslist. They were joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill -- who the president described as "family" in an emotional finale to his speech. Wiping a tear from his eye, Obama paid poignant tribute to his own family, his daughter Malia who was present and Sasha who was not, and the first lady who he addressed as his best friend. "You took on a role you didn't ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor," he said. "A new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You've made me proud. You've made the country proud." Life after White House With an approval rating hovering around 55 per cent, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, Obama still carries considerable political weight. Some 51 per cent of Americans polled believe that Trump is doing a bad job as president-elect. Trump's unorthodox politics have thrown the 55-year-old Obama's transition and post-presidency plans into flux. Having vowed a smooth handover of power, Obama has found himself being increasingly critical of Trump as he prepares to leave office on January 20. After that there will still be a holiday and an autobiography, but Obama could find himself being dragged backed into the political fray if Trump were to enact a Muslim registry or deport adults brought to the United States years ago by their parents. Having vowed to take a backseat in politics, Obama's second act could yet be as politically engaged as Jimmy Carter -- whose post-presidency has remade his image as an elder statesman. Many Obama aides who had planned to take exotic holidays or launch coffer-replenishing forays into the private sector are also reassessing their future and mulling a return to the political trenches. Obama's foundation is already gearing up for a quasi-political role -- funneling idealistic youngsters into public life. (AFP)

Obama's farewell address: 'We rise or fall as one'

&quot;It&#39;s a tax code that says you should pay lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, New York.&rdquo; That was Barack Obama for you in May 2009. &#39;Say no to Bangalore and yes to Buffalo,&#39; or so went the slogan at the time, intended to discourage outsourcing of jobs away from American cities such as Buffalo to Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, in India. But, by the end of October of the same year, Obama, the first Black president in the history of the United States, had already become the first American president ever to personally celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, at the White House.

For an American president whose two consecutive terms in office straddled two governments in India, one led by Manmohan Singh and the other by Narendra Modi, Obama struck a rapport with both the Indian leaders. He held the elderly Manmohan Singh in respect for his sagacity and economic insights while he considered the relatively younger Narendra Modi as a good friend, to quote White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz. This, for someone, who, until then, had remained persona non grata for successive American administrations. And Modi reciprocated in equal measure, investing in personalised diplomacy with Obama, and meeting him on at least eight occasions since he came to power in India in 2014. Commentators couldn&#39;t stop gushing about a bromance when Obama visited India as the chief guest for India&#39;s 66th Republic Day celebrations; Modi dropped all honorifics to refer to Obama as Barack.

Obama&#39;s wooing of India, and Indians, continued through his presidency, except on occasions when he got on the wrong side of India. For instance, barely a few weeks after celebrating Diwali at the White House, Obama visited China where he agreed to a joint statement which read, &quot;... two sides welcomed all efforts conducive to peace, stability and development in South Asia. They support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan.&quot; It was a red rag for New Delhi, which opposed the implicit recognition of China as a regional hegemon or a Group of Two (G2) comprising the US and China.

That was not all. Before his China visit, Obama became the first US president not to welcome Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama to the White House, in deference to his Chinese hosts. But the bonhomie would diminish soon, as subsequent developments suggest, including Obama&#39;s pivot, which was subsequently renamed as rebalance, to Asia and the Hague verdict on the&nbsp;South China Sea. And, to boot, Obama hosted the Dalai Lama on at least four occasions at the White House, most recently in June 2016, drawing vehement protests from Beijing. The Americans defended it by saying that the Dalai Lama was received for a personal meeting with Obama in the Map Room of the White House, and not the Oval Office, which generally is reserved for heads of state or government.

In fact, even before he was sworn in as the 44th president of the US in January 2009, Obama raised New Delhi&#39;s hackles by talking about Kashmir and how he wanted to appoint someone such as former US president Bill Clinton to mediate between India and Pakistan. India also vociferously protested any move by the US to appoint a special envoy for the India-Pakistan-Afghanistan region. Obama has the distinction of introducing Af-Pak into the lexicon, when he appointed the late Richard Holbrooke as the first special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.&nbsp;

The &quot;breakthrough understanding&quot; reached between Obama and Modi was another milestone in India-US relations under Obama. It accelerated the process of allowing nuclear contracts to be signed between US firms and India. This, in spite of the fact that Obama, when he was a Senator, had raised potential non-proliferation consequences of this deal and pushed two amendments that changed the terms of the agreement.

An indication of the deepening strategic ties between India and the US can be had from Obama&#39;s description of the bilateral relationship as &quot;one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century&quot;. And it manifested itself in Obama&#39;s becoming the first US president to visit India twice while in office. Towards the end of his second term, Obama approved a legislation that designated India as a &quot;major defence partner&quot;, a definition the US has not used for any other country.

Modi best summed up the blossoming of the India-US relations under Obama when he told the US Congress, &quot;Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations.&quot;

(WION)

For an American president whose two terms in office straddled two governments in India, Obama struck a rapport with both the Indian leaders

"It's a tax code that says you should pay lower taxes if you create a job in Bangalore, India, than if you create one in Buffalo, New York.” That was Barack Obama for you in May 2009. 'Say no to Bangalore and yes to Buffalo,' or so went the slogan at the time, intended to discourage outsourcing of jobs away from American cities such as Buffalo to Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, in India. But, by the end of October of the same year, Obama, the first Black president in the history of the United States, had already become the first American president ever to personally celebrate Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, at the White House. For an American president whose two consecutive terms in office straddled two governments in India, one led by Manmohan Singh and the other by Narendra Modi, Obama struck a rapport with both the Indian leaders. He held the elderly Manmohan Singh in respect for his sagacity and economic insights while he considered the relatively younger Narendra Modi as a good friend, to quote White House Deputy Press Secretary Eric Schultz. This, for someone, who, until then, had remained persona non grata for successive American administrations. And Modi reciprocated in equal measure, investing in personalised diplomacy with Obama, and meeting him on at least eight occasions since he came to power in India in 2014. Commentators couldn't stop gushing about a bromance when Obama visited India as the chief guest for India's 66th Republic Day celebrations; Modi dropped all honorifics to refer to Obama as Barack. Obama's wooing of India, and Indians, continued through his presidency, except on occasions when he got on the wrong side of India. For instance, barely a few weeks after celebrating Diwali at the White House, Obama visited China where he agreed to a joint statement which read, "... two sides welcomed all efforts conducive to peace, stability and development in South Asia. They support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan." It was a red rag for New Delhi, which opposed the implicit recognition of China as a regional hegemon or a Group of Two (G2) comprising the US and China. That was not all. Before his China visit, Obama became the first US president not to welcome Tibetan spiritual leader and Nobel laureate the Dalai Lama to the White House, in deference to his Chinese hosts. But the bonhomie would diminish soon, as subsequent developments suggest, including Obama's pivot, which was subsequently renamed as rebalance, to Asia and the Hague verdict on the South China Sea. And, to boot, Obama hosted the Dalai Lama on at least four occasions at the White House, most recently in June 2016, drawing vehement protests from Beijing. The Americans defended it by saying that the Dalai Lama was received for a personal meeting with Obama in the Map Room of the White House, and not the Oval Office, which generally is reserved for heads of state or government. In fact, even before he was sworn in as the 44th president of the US in January 2009, Obama raised New Delhi's hackles by talking about Kashmir and how he wanted to appoint someone such as former US president Bill Clinton to mediate between India and Pakistan. India also vociferously protested any move by the US to appoint a special envoy for the India-Pakistan-Afghanistan region. Obama has the distinction of introducing Af-Pak into the lexicon, when he appointed the late Richard Holbrooke as the first special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan. The "breakthrough understanding" reached between Obama and Modi was another milestone in India-US relations under Obama. It accelerated the process of allowing nuclear contracts to be signed between US firms and India. This, in spite of the fact that Obama, when he was a Senator, had raised potential non-proliferation consequences of this deal and pushed two amendments that changed the terms of the agreement. An indication of the deepening strategic ties between India and the US can be had from Obama's description of the bilateral relationship as "one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century". And it manifested itself in Obama's becoming the first US president to visit India twice while in office. Towards the end of his second term, Obama approved a legislation that designated India as a "major defence partner", a definition the US has not used for any other country. Modi best summed up the blossoming of the India-US relations under Obama when he told the US Congress, "Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations." (WION)

A new symphony in play

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump&#39;s choice for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, will have to explain his relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at his confirmation hearing, senior Republican senator John McCain said on Thursday.

McCain, who is chairman of the US&nbsp;Senate Armed Services Committee, also called President Putin &quot;a thug and a murderer&quot;.

Speaking on a tour of the Baltic states, where there is widespread concern that Moscow wants to reassert its power across the region, McCain said he had concerns about Tillerson, who opposed sanctions on Russia after its annexation of Crimea.

&quot;I and several of my colleagues have concerns about Mr Tillerson, and some of his past activities, specifically his relationship with Vladimir Putin,&quot; McCain told reporters.

&quot;I have concerns but at the same time I&#39;m certain we will give Mr Tillerson an opportunity to make his case about why he is qualified to be Secretary of State.&quot;

Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Tillerson could face a rocky confirmation process, given worries among both Democrats and Republicans about his connections with Russia and possible conflicts of interest related to his business ties.

Tillerson owns approximately $218 million in ExxonMobil stock, and a&nbsp;pension worth about&nbsp;$70 million, the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/profits-are-down-at-exxonmobil-but-dont-cry-for-ceo-rex-tillerson/2016/04/29/d6401e0c-0d60-11e6-a6b6-2e6de3695b0e_story.html?utm_term=.1bbbfc675e44">Washington Post reports.</a>&nbsp;

When&nbsp;Obama administation slapped sanctions on Russia after Putin annexed Crimea, Tillerson voiced opposition--Exxon had just discovered an enormous reserve of oil in the Kara Sea, and Obama&#39;s sanctions prevented the company from making an enormous profit.

Assuming the senate confirms the appointment&nbsp;and he does become&nbsp;Trump&#39;s secretary of state, Tillerson, a man who&nbsp;personally received the &quot;Russian Order of Friendship award&quot; from Vladimir Putin himself, would&nbsp;be in a position to decide whether or not to continue sanctions against Putin&#39;s Russia.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated following Russia&#39;s annexation of the Crimea in 2014, with the two nations also at loggerheads over Syria.

The Obama administration also plans a series of retaliatory measures against Russia for hacking into US&nbsp;political institutions and individuals and leaking information.

Trump, who before he won the election complained for weeks that it was rigged and when pressed on the issue refused to say that he would accept its result, has now said&nbsp;that the United States should move on from the controversy.

McCain, however, said the United States needed to reassure voters there and abroad that elections would not be influenced by foreign powers.

&quot;I agree with president elect that we need to get on of our lives - without having elections being affected by any outside influence, especially Vladimir Putin, who is a thug and a murderer,&quot; he said.

Fellow Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who is travelling with McCain, called for sanctions against Russia to be widened to target areas like energy and to be directly aimed at Putin.

&quot;I think the sanctions need to go beyond what it is today, they need to name Putin as an individual and his inner circle because nothing happens in Russia without his knowledge and approval,&quot; Graham said.

Graham has also stated that &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/99-senators-believe-russia-interfered-in-us-elections-republican-senator-graham-10642">99&nbsp;per cent</a>&quot; of US&nbsp;Senators&nbsp;believe&nbsp;Russia interfered in the election. He never named the one per cent who apparently disagrees.

(With inputs from Reuters)

He, and many Democrats and Republicans, are wary of Tillerson's personal and business connections to Vladimir Putin

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's choice for Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, will have to explain his relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at his confirmation hearing, senior Republican senator John McCain said on Thursday. McCain, who is chairman of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, also called President Putin "a thug and a murderer". Speaking on a tour of the Baltic states, where there is widespread concern that Moscow wants to reassert its power across the region, McCain said he had concerns about Tillerson, who opposed sanctions on Russia after its annexation of Crimea. "I and several of my colleagues have concerns about Mr Tillerson, and some of his past activities, specifically his relationship with Vladimir Putin," McCain told reporters. "I have concerns but at the same time I'm certain we will give Mr Tillerson an opportunity to make his case about why he is qualified to be Secretary of State." Exxon Mobil Chief Executive Tillerson could face a rocky confirmation process, given worries among both Democrats and Republicans about his connections with Russia and possible conflicts of interest related to his business ties. Tillerson owns approximately $218 million in ExxonMobil stock, and a pension worth about $70 million, the Washington Post reports. When Obama administation slapped sanctions on Russia after Putin annexed Crimea, Tillerson voiced opposition--Exxon had just discovered an enormous reserve of oil in the Kara Sea, and Obama's sanctions prevented the company from making an enormous profit. Assuming the senate confirms the appointment and he does become Trump's secretary of state, Tillerson, a man who personally received the "Russian Order of Friendship award" from Vladimir Putin himself, would be in a position to decide whether or not to continue sanctions against Putin's Russia. Relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated following Russia's annexation of the Crimea in 2014, with the two nations also at loggerheads over Syria. The Obama administration also plans a series of retaliatory measures against Russia for hacking into US political institutions and individuals and leaking information. Trump, who before he won the election complained for weeks that it was rigged and when pressed on the issue refused to say that he would accept its result, has now said that the United States should move on from the controversy. McCain, however, said the United States needed to reassure voters there and abroad that elections would not be influenced by foreign powers. "I agree with president elect that we need to get on of our lives - without having elections being affected by any outside influence, especially Vladimir Putin, who is a thug and a murderer," he said. Fellow Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who is travelling with McCain, called for sanctions against Russia to be widened to target areas like energy and to be directly aimed at Putin. "I think the sanctions need to go beyond what it is today, they need to name Putin as an individual and his inner circle because nothing happens in Russia without his knowledge and approval," Graham said. Graham has also stated that "99 per cent" of US Senators believe Russia interfered in the election. He never named the one per cent who apparently disagrees. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Senator McCain has 'concerns' about Tillerson nomination

President Barack Obama said in an interview aired on Monday that he could have won his third re-election and that the nation still supports his political vision despite president-elect Trump&#39;s victory in the November 8 election.

The leader made his remarks in a podcast called &quot;The Axe Files&quot; produced by CNN and the University of Chicago.

&quot;I am confident in this vision because I&#39;m confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could&#39;ve mobilised a majority of the American people to rally behind it,&quot; Obama tells the interviewer, his former senior adviser David Axelrod.

He told political strategist&nbsp;that the &quot;public humiliation&quot; of losing should never be underestimated.

&quot;Losing&#39;s never fun,&quot; he said. &quot;I&#39;m proud that I have tried to conduct myself in office to do what I think is right rather than what is popular, I always tell people don&#39;t underestimate the public humiliation of losing in politics.&quot;

&quot;It&#39;s unlike what most people experience as adults, this sense of rejection,&quot; Obama said.

He said he was proud of the progress he has made in his two terms as president, thanks to the &quot;spirit of America&quot;.

&quot;That spirit of America has still been there in all sorts of ways. It manifests itself in communities all across the country,&quot; Obama said.

&quot;We see it in this younger generation that is smarter, more tolerant, more innovative, more creative, more entrepreneurial, would not even think about, you know, discriminating somebody against for example because of their sexual orientation,&quot; the president said.

Donald Trump, however, took to Twitter to reject Obama&#39;s supposition.

&quot;President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY! - jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc.&quot;

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President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY! - jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/813498739923054593">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from AFP)

He said he believes the American public still supports his progressive vision, despite having voted for president-elect Trump

President Barack Obama said in an interview aired on Monday that he could have won his third re-election and that the nation still supports his political vision despite president-elect Trump's victory in the November 8 election. The leader made his remarks in a podcast called "The Axe Files" produced by CNN and the University of Chicago. "I am confident in this vision because I'm confident that if I had run again and articulated it, I think I could've mobilised a majority of the American people to rally behind it," Obama tells the interviewer, his former senior adviser David Axelrod. He told political strategist that the "public humiliation" of losing should never be underestimated. "Losing's never fun," he said. "I'm proud that I have tried to conduct myself in office to do what I think is right rather than what is popular, I always tell people don't underestimate the public humiliation of losing in politics." "It's unlike what most people experience as adults, this sense of rejection," Obama said. He said he was proud of the progress he has made in his two terms as president, thanks to the "spirit of America". "That spirit of America has still been there in all sorts of ways. It manifests itself in communities all across the country," Obama said. "We see it in this younger generation that is smarter, more tolerant, more innovative, more creative, more entrepreneurial, would not even think about, you know, discriminating somebody against for example because of their sexual orientation," the president said. Donald Trump, however, took to Twitter to reject Obama's supposition. "President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY! - jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc." President Obama said that he thinks he would have won against me. He should say that but I say NO WAY! - jobs leaving, ISIS, OCare, etc. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2016 × (With inputs from AFP)

Could have been re-elected for third term: Obama

US President-elect Donald Trump appointed Republican party chairman Reince Priebus as his new chief of staff and his campaign CEO Steve Bannon as senior counsellor.

&quot;Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory,&quot; Trump said in a statement.

Representative Adam Schiff criticised Trump&#39;s decision in a tweet.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Selection of Steve Bannon for senior WH role unsurprising but alarming. &nbsp;His alt-right, anti-Semitic &amp; misogynistic views don&#39;t belong in WH
&mdash; Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/797944790746796032">November 13, 2016</a></blockquote>

Priebus is a longtime Wisconsin political operative who was credited with marshaling party resources for Trump&#39;s White House bid, news agency Reuters said.

The campaign statement referred to the two men as &quot;equal partners,&quot; CNN reported. &quot;Bannon and Priebus will continue the effective leadership team they formed during the campaign, working as equal partners to transform the federal government, making it much more efficient, effective and productive,&quot; it said.

Priebus, who is close to House speaker Paul Ryan, may help bridge the gap between the Republican Party and Trump. &ldquo;I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,&rdquo; Trump said.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.&rdquo; 
Bannon and Priebus will work with vice president-elect Mike Pence through the transition process.&nbsp;

In his first interview with US broadcaster CBS after winning the elections, Trump said he would soon deport about 3 million immigrants. The president-elect has also been seeking quick ways to withdraw the United States from a global accord to combat climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying broad international backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Priebus, who is close to House speaker Paul Ryan, could help bridge the gap between the Republican Party and Donald Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump appointed Republican party chairman Reince Priebus as his new chief of staff and his campaign CEO Steve Bannon as senior counsellor. "Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory," Trump said in a statement. Representative Adam Schiff criticised Trump's decision in a tweet. Selection of Steve Bannon for senior WH role unsurprising but alarming. His alt-right, anti-Semitic & misogynistic views don't belong in WH — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) November 13, 2016 Priebus is a longtime Wisconsin political operative who was credited with marshaling party resources for Trump's White House bid, news agency Reuters said. The campaign statement referred to the two men as "equal partners," CNN reported. "Bannon and Priebus will continue the effective leadership team they formed during the campaign, working as equal partners to transform the federal government, making it much more efficient, effective and productive," it said. Priebus, who is close to House speaker Paul Ryan, may help bridge the gap between the Republican Party and Trump. “I am thrilled to have my very successful team continue with me in leading our country,” Trump said. “Steve and Reince are highly qualified leaders who worked well together on our campaign and led us to a historic victory. Now I will have them both with me in the White House as we work to make America great again.” Bannon and Priebus will work with vice president-elect Mike Pence through the transition process. In his first interview with US broadcaster CBS after winning the elections, Trump said he would soon deport about 3 million immigrants. The president-elect has also been seeking quick ways to withdraw the United States from a global accord to combat climate change, a source on his transition team said, defying broad international backing for the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump names Priebus White House chief of staff, Bannon chief strategist

The British and French foreign ministers are to miss special talks with their EU counterparts on Sunday to discuss Donald Trump&#39;s stunning US election win in a sign of divisions over how to deal with the new president.

European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini summoned the ministers for dinner in Brussels after Republican Trump stormed to victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton on a platform which questioned America&#39;s commitment to Europe.

But British foreign minister Boris Johnson will not attend the meeting which is seen in some quarters as unnecessarily casting doubt on the result of an election in the country that has been closely allied to Europe for decades.

&quot;We do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the US election timetable is long established,&quot; a British foreign office spokesman said, adding that Johnson would attend a scheduled full meeting of ministers on Monday.

&quot;An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain.&quot;

Britain will be seeking the incoming Trump administration&#39;s backing as it negotiates its exit from the EU following June&#39;s Brexit referendum vote.

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will meanwhile be &quot;absent for agenda reasons&quot;, a French source told AFP, although his absence from a crucial meeting called by the EU&#39;s own foreign policy chief will also raise questions.&nbsp;

Britain and France will instead be represented by their ambassadors to the EU.

Trump&#39;s victory has already been greeted coolly by a bloc shaken by Brexit and other crises, with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warning the billionaire president-elect he must get up to speed quickly on transatlantic ties. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Mr Trump, during his campaign, said that Belgium was a village somewhere in Europe,&quot; Juncker said Friday. &quot;I believe we&#39;ll have two years of wasted time while Mr Trump tours a world he doesn&#39;t know.&quot;

Juncker also said that Trump had called NATO into question, which could have &quot;harmful consequences&quot; because it is the model of Europe&#39;s defence.

Trump&#39;s lack of solid foreign policy priorities has however kept everyone guessing.

One European diplomat said: &quot;I have not had anyone teary on my shoulder - but everyone is saying &#39;what does it mean&#39; and everyone is trying to interpret it.&quot;

&#39;Warning sign&#39;

Trump has also sought to reach out to US allies since his election win, with phone calls to British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Francois Hollande among others.

But in a sign of the concern that Trump&#39;s victory has caused in Europe, outgoing US President Barack Obama is himself set to meet Merkel, May and Hollande in the wake of Trump&#39;s victory.

Trump&#39;s coolness on Europe and accusations of sexism and racism during the campaign have caused nervousness throughout a bloc dealing with the migration crisis, a stalled economy and a resurgent Russia on its eastern border.

Donald Tusk, the EU president and former Polish premier, warned this week that the events of 2016 were a &quot;warning sign for all who believe in liberal democracy&quot;, and urged Europe to &quot;finally get our act together&quot;.&nbsp;

But Trump&#39;s win is also being seen by some in the European Union as a chance to push ahead with projects of its own in a bid to build unity in the wake of the shock of Brexit.

On Monday, the foreign ministers will discuss plans to boost defence cooperation - a move that Britain had long blocked - including a controversial proposal for a European military headquarters.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Boris Johnson and Jean-Marc Ayrault's decision to not attend the EU meeting is a sign of concern that Trump's victory has caused in Europe

The British and French foreign ministers are to miss special talks with their EU counterparts on Sunday to discuss Donald Trump's stunning US election win in a sign of divisions over how to deal with the new president. European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini summoned the ministers for dinner in Brussels after Republican Trump stormed to victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton on a platform which questioned America's commitment to Europe. But British foreign minister Boris Johnson will not attend the meeting which is seen in some quarters as unnecessarily casting doubt on the result of an election in the country that has been closely allied to Europe for decades. "We do not see the need for an additional meeting on Sunday because the US election timetable is long established," a British foreign office spokesman said, adding that Johnson would attend a scheduled full meeting of ministers on Monday. "An act of democracy has taken place, there is a transition period and we will work with the current and future administrations to ensure the best outcomes for Britain." Britain will be seeking the incoming Trump administration's backing as it negotiates its exit from the EU following June's Brexit referendum vote. French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault will meanwhile be "absent for agenda reasons", a French source told AFP, although his absence from a crucial meeting called by the EU's own foreign policy chief will also raise questions. Britain and France will instead be represented by their ambassadors to the EU. Trump's victory has already been greeted coolly by a bloc shaken by Brexit and other crises, with European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warning the billionaire president-elect he must get up to speed quickly on transatlantic ties. "Mr Trump, during his campaign, said that Belgium was a village somewhere in Europe," Juncker said Friday. "I believe we'll have two years of wasted time while Mr Trump tours a world he doesn't know." Juncker also said that Trump had called NATO into question, which could have "harmful consequences" because it is the model of Europe's defence. Trump's lack of solid foreign policy priorities has however kept everyone guessing. One European diplomat said: "I have not had anyone teary on my shoulder - but everyone is saying 'what does it mean' and everyone is trying to interpret it." 'Warning sign' Trump has also sought to reach out to US allies since his election win, with phone calls to British Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Francois Hollande among others. But in a sign of the concern that Trump's victory has caused in Europe, outgoing US President Barack Obama is himself set to meet Merkel, May and Hollande in the wake of Trump's victory. Trump's coolness on Europe and accusations of sexism and racism during the campaign have caused nervousness throughout a bloc dealing with the migration crisis, a stalled economy and a resurgent Russia on its eastern border. Donald Tusk, the EU president and former Polish premier, warned this week that the events of 2016 were a "warning sign for all who believe in liberal democracy", and urged Europe to "finally get our act together". But Trump's win is also being seen by some in the European Union as a chance to push ahead with projects of its own in a bid to build unity in the wake of the shock of Brexit. On Monday, the foreign ministers will discuss plans to boost defence cooperation - a move that Britain had long blocked - including a controversial proposal for a European military headquarters. (AFP)

British, French ministers snub EU talks on Trump

One protester was shot on Saturday in Portland, Oregon as thousands of Americans took to streets on Friday and Saturday in several cities to demonstrate against Donald Trump&#39;s election as the next US president.

The unidentified man was found on Portland&#39;s Morrison Bridge.

A man came out of his vehicle on the bridge, confronted and then shot a protester, police said in a statement, news agency AFP reported. The suspect is still at large, police added.

The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The same night, Portland police responded to protesters with pepper spray and flash-bang devices. The demonstrators had blocked traffic and threw objects at police dressed in riot gear.

At one point, police pushed protesters back and appeared to take at least one person into custody, according to footage on a local NBC affiliate, reported AFP.

Protesters chanted &quot;We reject the president-elect&quot; and &quot;Whose streets? Our Streets&quot; as they marched through the streets of Los Angeles.&nbsp;

Several thousand activists blocked traffic as they marched through downtown Miami, with a few hundred making their way onto a highway.

Demonstrators gathered in Washington Square Park and by Trump Tower, where the Republican president-elect lives.

&quot;Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!&quot; Trump said on Twitter.

Anti-Trump protesters say that Trump&#39;s presidency would infringe on Americans&#39; civil and human rights. Their concerns are based on Trump&#39;s&nbsp;campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims.&nbsp;Civil rights advocacy groups reported a spike of attacks on minorities following Trump&#39;s victory on Tuesday.

A group calling itself &quot;#NotMyPresident&quot; has scheduled an anti-Trump rally for Washington on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, when the New York real-estate developer formally succeeds President Barack Obama, AFP reported.

White supremacist groups including the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) have praised Trump&#39;s election, reported AFP, but he&nbsp;has rejected the KKK&#39;s support.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Friday&nbsp;said anti-Trump protesters have to accept the election results.

(With inputs&nbsp;from AFP)

Claiming that Trump's presidency would infringe on Americans' civil & human rights, thousands protested in Los Angeles

One protester was shot on Saturday in Portland, Oregon as thousands of Americans took to streets on Friday and Saturday in several cities to demonstrate against Donald Trump's election as the next US president. The unidentified man was found on Portland's Morrison Bridge. A man came out of his vehicle on the bridge, confronted and then shot a protester, police said in a statement, news agency AFP reported. The suspect is still at large, police added. The victim was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The same night, Portland police responded to protesters with pepper spray and flash-bang devices. The demonstrators had blocked traffic and threw objects at police dressed in riot gear. At one point, police pushed protesters back and appeared to take at least one person into custody, according to footage on a local NBC affiliate, reported AFP. Protesters chanted "We reject the president-elect" and "Whose streets? Our Streets" as they marched through the streets of Los Angeles. Several thousand activists blocked traffic as they marched through downtown Miami, with a few hundred making their way onto a highway. Demonstrators gathered in Washington Square Park and by Trump Tower, where the Republican president-elect lives. "Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud!" Trump said on Twitter. Anti-Trump protesters say that Trump's presidency would infringe on Americans' civil and human rights. Their concerns are based on Trump's campaign promises to restrict immigration and register Muslims. Civil rights advocacy groups reported a spike of attacks on minorities following Trump's victory on Tuesday. A group calling itself "#NotMyPresident" has scheduled an anti-Trump rally for Washington on Jan. 20, Inauguration Day, when the New York real-estate developer formally succeeds President Barack Obama, AFP reported. White supremacist groups including the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) have praised Trump's election, reported AFP, but he has rejected the KKK's support. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus on Friday said anti-Trump protesters have to accept the election results. (With inputs from AFP)

Anti-Trump protesters gather for third night, one shot in Portland

Mexico said on Wednesday it would work with Donald Trump for the benefit of both nations after his surprise US&nbsp;election win, but reiterated it would not pay for his planned border wall, which stirred up deep resentment during a fraught presidential campaign.

As Trump strode toward victory, the peso plunged 13 per cent in its biggest fall since the Tequila Crisis devaluation 22 years ago, before paring losses to trade down 8.7 per cent at 19.91 per dollar. Still, officials held back from taking action to support the peso despite it hitting lifetime lows overnight.

Trump&#39;s threats to dump the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreement with Mexico and Canada, and to tax money sent home by migrants to pay for the controversial wall on the southern border, have made the peso particularly vulnerable to events in the US&nbsp;presidential race.

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&nbsp;

Still, President Enrique Pena Nieto said he called to congratulate Trump, and had agreed to meet the New Yorker during the transition phase to discuss joint cooperation, which he hopes would strengthen the competitiveness of North America.

Welcoming Trump&#39;s victory speech pledge to seek &quot;common ground&quot; and partnership with other countries, Pena Nieto said in a televised statement that Mexico shared the same vision.

&quot;Dialogue to make agreements is still the best route for Mexico, and my government will seek opportunities that benefit both nations in this new phase of bilateral relations,&quot; he said.

Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu reiterated that Mexico would not pay for Trump&#39;s proposed wall. The vow to make Mexico pay for the barrier was a key feature of his stump speeches.

Ratings agency Fitch said Trump&#39;s victory may add downside risks to Mexico&#39;s economic growth, while Moody&#39;s warned the government may not meet its goals of cutting its budget deficit if flows of trade or foreign investment wilt under Trump.

Growth worry

Both Moody&#39;s and Standard &amp; Poor&#39;s rating agencies put Mexico&#39;s credit rating on a negative view earlier this year.

Gabriel Casillas, an economist at Banorte, predicted Trump&#39;s victory will shave 0.3 percentage point from 2016 economic growth, and said the peso could suffer for months as the market tries to figure out what Trump could do in office.

&quot;Because of the uncertainty of what Trump could do, consumers will postpone purchases, companies will postpone investments,&quot; Casillas said, but added that he thought Trump&#39;s actual policies will fall short of his rhetoric, not least because unwinding trade with Mexico is easier said than done.&quot;I don&#39;t think Trump will do a lot of the things he said he will do,&quot; he said.

Others were more pessimistic.

Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note that the fallout from a Trump presidency would have &quot;deep ramifications&quot; for the equity market and that foreign investment could stall.

&quot;Risks of a hard landing in Mexico have clearly risen,&quot; the bank&#39;s analysts said.

But for now the market pulled back from its initial panic. The peso recovered from its low after Trump took a measured tone in his victory speech and did not invoke any of his threats against Mexico, analysts said.

Mexico&#39;s benchmark IPC stock index &lt;.MXX&gt; fell more than 3.0 percent initially, but pared losses and closed down 2.23 percent.

&quot;The market has calmed down a bit and given the benefit of doubt to a more conciliatory Trump,&quot; said Marco Oviedo, an economist at Barclays in Mexico City.

Mexican-based economists had expected a snap interest rate rise, but central bank Governor Agustin Carstens told a news conference on Wednesday morning the bank would take any necessary measures pending market conditions.

He said it would hold a monetary policy meeting as scheduled on Nov. 17, but did not announce any immediate steps to support the currency. Mexico has already raised its benchmark interest rate three times this year to support the peso.

Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade said authorities were monitoring the situation and would act if needed.

The central bank hiked its key interest rate in September by 50 basis points to 4.75 percent to anchor inflation expectations following the peso&#39;s creeping depreciation.

Mexico has more than $175 billion in foreign reserves, and Carstens said last month he would consider using a $90 billion International Monetary Fund flexible credit line &quot;in the event of an external shock.

(Reuters)

Instead, President Enrique Pena Nieto urged the newly-elected Donald Trump to 'work together' for the development of North America

Mexico said on Wednesday it would work with Donald Trump for the benefit of both nations after his surprise US election win, but reiterated it would not pay for his planned border wall, which stirred up deep resentment during a fraught presidential campaign. As Trump strode toward victory, the peso plunged 13 per cent in its biggest fall since the Tequila Crisis devaluation 22 years ago, before paring losses to trade down 8.7 per cent at 19.91 per dollar. Still, officials held back from taking action to support the peso despite it hitting lifetime lows overnight. Trump's threats to dump the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) agreement with Mexico and Canada, and to tax money sent home by migrants to pay for the controversial wall on the southern border, have made the peso particularly vulnerable to events in the US presidential race. 'Very hard times are coming to Mexico,' said analyst Gabriela Siller of Mexican bank BASE × Still, President Enrique Pena Nieto said he called to congratulate Trump, and had agreed to meet the New Yorker during the transition phase to discuss joint cooperation, which he hopes would strengthen the competitiveness of North America. Welcoming Trump's victory speech pledge to seek "common ground" and partnership with other countries, Pena Nieto said in a televised statement that Mexico shared the same vision. "Dialogue to make agreements is still the best route for Mexico, and my government will seek opportunities that benefit both nations in this new phase of bilateral relations," he said. Nevertheless, Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu reiterated that Mexico would not pay for Trump's proposed wall. The vow to make Mexico pay for the barrier was a key feature of his stump speeches. Ratings agency Fitch said Trump's victory may add downside risks to Mexico's economic growth, while Moody's warned the government may not meet its goals of cutting its budget deficit if flows of trade or foreign investment wilt under Trump. Growth worry Both Moody's and Standard & Poor's rating agencies put Mexico's credit rating on a negative view earlier this year. Gabriel Casillas, an economist at Banorte, predicted Trump's victory will shave 0.3 percentage point from 2016 economic growth, and said the peso could suffer for months as the market tries to figure out what Trump could do in office. "Because of the uncertainty of what Trump could do, consumers will postpone purchases, companies will postpone investments," Casillas said, but added that he thought Trump's actual policies will fall short of his rhetoric, not least because unwinding trade with Mexico is easier said than done."I don't think Trump will do a lot of the things he said he will do," he said. Others were more pessimistic. Morgan Stanley analysts said in a note that the fallout from a Trump presidency would have "deep ramifications" for the equity market and that foreign investment could stall. "Risks of a hard landing in Mexico have clearly risen," the bank's analysts said. But for now the market pulled back from its initial panic. The peso recovered from its low after Trump took a measured tone in his victory speech and did not invoke any of his threats against Mexico, analysts said. Mexico's benchmark IPC stock index <.MXX> fell more than 3.0 percent initially, but pared losses and closed down 2.23 percent. "The market has calmed down a bit and given the benefit of doubt to a more conciliatory Trump," said Marco Oviedo, an economist at Barclays in Mexico City. Mexican-based economists had expected a snap interest rate rise, but central bank Governor Agustin Carstens told a news conference on Wednesday morning the bank would take any necessary measures pending market conditions. He said it would hold a monetary policy meeting as scheduled on Nov. 17, but did not announce any immediate steps to support the currency. Mexico has already raised its benchmark interest rate three times this year to support the peso. Finance Minister Jose Antonio Meade said authorities were monitoring the situation and would act if needed. The central bank hiked its key interest rate in September by 50 basis points to 4.75 percent to anchor inflation expectations following the peso's creeping depreciation. Mexico has more than $175 billion in foreign reserves, and Carstens said last month he would consider using a $90 billion International Monetary Fund flexible credit line "in the event of an external shock. (Reuters)

We will not pay for border wall, Mexico reiterates

A far-right Hindu group which has been one of Donald Trump&#39;s most avid overseas cheerleaders began celebrating in New Delhi on Wednesday as the Republican pulled off a shock US presidential election victory.

Vishnu Gupta, chief of the ultra-nationalist &#39;Hindu Sena&#39; outfit, said supporters had taken to the streets to bang traditional drums even before Trump claimed victory and would also distribute celebratory sweets.

Trump&#39;s hardline rhetoric towards Muslims has found favour in some quarters in India, the world&#39;s largest democracy which has had its fair share of tensions between the majority Hindu population and its Muslim minority.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was before his 2014 election regarded as an international pariah after deadly communal riots broke out in the state of Gujarat more than a decade ago when he was chief minister. Most of the victims were Muslims.

Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States and Gupta said his message had wide resonance.

&quot;We predicted that he would win five days ago --- there is a huge support for him, his ideas, and we could see that,&quot; Gupta told AFP.

&quot;Now terrorists will be hunted everywhere in the world, even if they go and hide in a cave. Now only God can help Pakistan. India will now have the support of the US in our efforts against terrorists. We will be together in this.

&quot;Donald Trump will do what no other US president has been able to do before. We are happy. All terrorists should now run and hide.&quot;

Gupta&#39;s group held a special prayer session for Trump in New Delhi back in May when he was seen as a long shot for the presidency, hailing him as a &quot;fighter and a saviour of humanity&quot;.

They also celebrated his birthday in June with a cake, balloons and posters.

(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Supporters took to the streets banging on drums and would also distribute celebratory sweets

A far-right Hindu group which has been one of Donald Trump's most avid overseas cheerleaders began celebrating in New Delhi on Wednesday as the Republican pulled off a shock US presidential election victory. Vishnu Gupta, chief of the ultra-nationalist 'Hindu Sena' outfit, said supporters had taken to the streets to bang traditional drums even before Trump claimed victory and would also distribute celebratory sweets. Trump's hardline rhetoric towards Muslims has found favour in some quarters in India, the world's largest democracy which has had its fair share of tensions between the majority Hindu population and its Muslim minority. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was before his 2014 election regarded as an international pariah after deadly communal riots broke out in the state of Gujarat more than a decade ago when he was chief minister. Most of the victims were Muslims. Trump has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the United States and Gupta said his message had wide resonance. "We predicted that he would win five days ago --- there is a huge support for him, his ideas, and we could see that," Gupta told AFP. "Now terrorists will be hunted everywhere in the world, even if they go and hide in a cave. Now only God can help Pakistan. India will now have the support of the US in our efforts against terrorists. We will be together in this. "Donald Trump will do what no other US president has been able to do before. We are happy. All terrorists should now run and hide." Gupta's group held a special prayer session for Trump in New Delhi back in May when he was seen as a long shot for the presidency, hailing him as a "fighter and a saviour of humanity". They also celebrated his birthday in June with a cake, balloons and posters. (AFP)

US Election 2016: Trump's unlikely Indian fan club celebrates victory

&quot;I&#39;m very afraid, will there be more wars? Will America attack Muslim countries again?&quot; asked Indonesian activist Alijah Diete as Donald Trump headed to&nbsp;victory in the US election.

Muslims across Asia were struggling Wednesday to accept the news that the populist politician who has made fiery anti-Islamic rhetoric a key part of his campaign was likely to become president of the world&#39;s greatest power.

He made his most controversial remarks about Islam in December last year, sparking anger among the world&#39;s 1.5 billion followers of Islam when he called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States after a mass shooting in California.

&ldquo;Americans have just screwed the world yet again,&rdquo; said Syed Tashfin Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi who has several close friends in the US. Thousands in the country watched in shock as the results rolled in and Facebook lit up with horrified reactions.

A senior Pakistani government official, speaking anonymously, called the news &quot;absolutely atrocious and horrifying&quot; while others in the country also lamented the results.

&quot;I am disappointed to see Donald Trump winning because Hillary Clinton is a good woman, she is good for Pakistan and Muslims all over the world,&quot; said Ishaq Khan, 32, speaking at an Islamabad market.

&quot;She was talking about world peace --- but Trump was talking about fighting against Muslims.&quot;

&#39;Muslims are foreigners to him&#39;&nbsp;

In Indonesia, the world&#39;s most populous Muslim-majority country, there was growing nervousness about how the relationship with traditional ally the United States would shape up, and how a Trump presidency would affect relations between America and the Muslim world.

&quot;I am very concerned that the relationship between the US and Muslim countries will become tense again,&quot; said the female Muslim activist Diete, 47.&nbsp;

Nikken Suardini, who works for a law firm in the capital Jakarta, was concerned about the proposed Muslim ban. &quot;If he is elected president he will block Muslims from entering the US --- well, that&#39;s just not fair.&quot;

There was also concern that tough anti-Islamic policies under Trump could fan Muslim extremism globally at a time when the world is struggling with a growing threat of Islamic militancy.

&quot;When the United States uses hard power, extremists gain a momentum,&quot; said Zuhairi Misrawi, an Islamic scholar from moderate Indonesian Islamic organisation Nahdlatul Ulama.&nbsp;

&quot;Those who will be the happiest when Trump wins are ISIS,&quot; he said, referring by another name to the Islamic State group, which is struggling to hold onto its territory in Iraq and Syria in the face of a fierce military onslaught.

Some observers were more sanguine as the 70-year-old maverick appeared heading for the White House, hoping that his populist rhetoric was aimed at winning votes and would not be translated into tough xenophobic policies if he enters the White House.

&quot;We hope that Trump&#39;s remarks against Muslims were only to boost his campaign and he will realise that Muslims are a large population in the US,&quot; said Tahir Ashrafi, a senior Pakistani government cleric.&nbsp;

Others echoed the concerns that his policies would likely discriminate against American Muslims.

&quot;His policies against Muslims will be discriminative,&quot; said Munarman, a spokesman for Indonesian hardline group the Islamic Defenders&#39; Front. &quot;Muslims are foreigners to him.&quot;&nbsp;

(AFP)

'Will there be more wars? Will America attack Muslim countries again?' asked Indonesian activist Alijah Diete

"I'm very afraid, will there be more wars? Will America attack Muslim countries again?" asked Indonesian activist Alijah Diete as Donald Trump headed to victory in the US election. Muslims across Asia were struggling Wednesday to accept the news that the populist politician who has made fiery anti-Islamic rhetoric a key part of his campaign was likely to become president of the world's greatest power. He made his most controversial remarks about Islam in December last year, sparking anger among the world's 1.5 billion followers of Islam when he called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States after a mass shooting in California. “Americans have just screwed the world yet again,” said Syed Tashfin Chowdhury, a Bangladeshi who has several close friends in the US. Thousands in the country watched in shock as the results rolled in and Facebook lit up with horrified reactions. A senior Pakistani government official, speaking anonymously, called the news "absolutely atrocious and horrifying" while others in the country also lamented the results. "I am disappointed to see Donald Trump winning because Hillary Clinton is a good woman, she is good for Pakistan and Muslims all over the world," said Ishaq Khan, 32, speaking at an Islamabad market. "She was talking about world peace --- but Trump was talking about fighting against Muslims." 'Muslims are foreigners to him' In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, there was growing nervousness about how the relationship with traditional ally the United States would shape up, and how a Trump presidency would affect relations between America and the Muslim world. "I am very concerned that the relationship between the US and Muslim countries will become tense again," said the female Muslim activist Diete, 47. Nikken Suardini, who works for a law firm in the capital Jakarta, was concerned about the proposed Muslim ban. "If he is elected president he will block Muslims from entering the US --- well, that's just not fair." There was also concern that tough anti-Islamic policies under Trump could fan Muslim extremism globally at a time when the world is struggling with a growing threat of Islamic militancy. "When the United States uses hard power, extremists gain a momentum," said Zuhairi Misrawi, an Islamic scholar from moderate Indonesian Islamic organisation Nahdlatul Ulama. "Those who will be the happiest when Trump wins are ISIS," he said, referring by another name to the Islamic State group, which is struggling to hold onto its territory in Iraq and Syria in the face of a fierce military onslaught. Some observers were more sanguine as the 70-year-old maverick appeared heading for the White House, hoping that his populist rhetoric was aimed at winning votes and would not be translated into tough xenophobic policies if he enters the White House. "We hope that Trump's remarks against Muslims were only to boost his campaign and he will realise that Muslims are a large population in the US," said Tahir Ashrafi, a senior Pakistani government cleric. Others echoed the concerns that his policies would likely discriminate against American Muslims. "His policies against Muslims will be discriminative," said Munarman, a spokesman for Indonesian hardline group the Islamic Defenders' Front. "Muslims are foreigners to him." (AFP)

US Election 2016: Shock and fear among Asian Muslims over Trump win

Donald Trump has become the 45th President of the United States of America, pulling off a stunning victory against his rival Hillary Clinton who a day before the election was said to have a 70 per cent chance of winning.

Trump made his victory speech at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York.&nbsp;

&quot;I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for every American. And that is very important to me,&quot; Donald Trump told a jubilant crowd.&nbsp;

&quot;For those that have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I&#39;m reaching out to you for your guidance and you help so we can work together and unify our great country.&quot;

He was gracious to his rival, saying, &quot;Hillary has worked very hard and very hard over a very long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to this country.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division.&quot;

Local media reports said Hillary Clinton had called Trump to concede the presidency but that she would not be making a concession speech Wednesday

A stunning victory

Trump won Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire -- states that were considered to be swing states -- while his rival Hillary Clinton faltered in these key states.

Trump won Florida by 130,000 votes, which imply that third-party&nbsp;votes harmed Clinton in her bid to win&nbsp;the crucial state. Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein won 260,000 votes in the state.

The win in the Sunshine state provided a major impetus for Trump during his stunning success.

The final blow to Clinton came when Trump won Pennsylvania well past midnight in New York.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Well, Trump is winning in a lot of places that Republicans don&#39;t usually win.
&mdash; (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) <a href="https://twitter.com/ForecasterEnten/status/796179642969362432">November 9, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Trump&#39;s early numbers&nbsp;put Clinton on the backfoot.

Clinton won in Virginia and banked on upper Midwestern states to shore up her numbers. She managed to stay in the race with California&#39;s 55 electoral seats.&nbsp;

Clinton also won three out of four electoral votes in Maine. &nbsp;

Hillary Clinton&#39;s campaign chairman, John Podesta thanked Hillary&#39;s supporters and asked them to go home. She would not be saying anything&nbsp;tonight. . &nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/uselection2016/">Click here for detailed coverage of the US election &gt;&gt;</a>

The other states won by&nbsp;Clinton are New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Trump has won Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. But none of these are battleground states.

South Carolina caused a minor flutter in the Trump camp as early data showed Clinton to be in the lead. However, he later surged ahead to win the state, which has traditionally been a Republican firewall.&nbsp;

Trump&nbsp;also won Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, whereas Clinton has scooped New York.

&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col">No.</th>
			<th scope="col" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;States &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</th>
			<th scope="col" style="text-align: center;">Electoral Votes &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</th>
			<th scope="col">Winner &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Alabama</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">2</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Alaska &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Arizona&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Arkansas</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; California &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">55</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Colorado</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Connecticut</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Delaware &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Florida &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">29</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Georgia &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hawaii &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Idaho &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">13</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Illinois&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">20</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">14</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Indiana &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">15</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Iowa &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Kansas &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">17</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Kentucky &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">18</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Louisiana&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">8</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">19</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Maine&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">20</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Maryland</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">21</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Massachusetts</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">22</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Michigan</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">16</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">23</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Minnesota&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">24</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Mississippi &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">25</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Missouri &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">26</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Montana &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">27</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Nebraska &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">28</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Nevada&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">29</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">New Hampshire</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">30</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">New Jersey&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">14</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">31</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">New Mexico</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">32</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">New York &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">29</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">33</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">North Carolina</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">15</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">34</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">North Dakota</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">35</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Ohio &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">18</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">36</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Oklahoma &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">37</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Oregon &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">7</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">38</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Pennsylvania</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">20</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">39</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Rhode Island</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">4</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">40</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">South Carolina</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">9</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">41</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">South Dakota&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">42</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Tennessee&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">11</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">43</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Texas &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">38</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">44</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Utah&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">6</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">45</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Vermont &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">46</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Virginia&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">13</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">47</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Washington &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">12</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">48</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">West Virginia&nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">5</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">49</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Wisconsin &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">10</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td style="text-align: center;">50</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Wyoming &nbsp;</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;3</td>
			<td style="text-align: center;">Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

&nbsp;

What were the battleground states and why did they matter

In US presidential elections, a battleground state has no clear favourite&nbsp;and can gravitate towards either candidate. US presidential nominees campaign hard in these states as they are crucial in winning the presidential race.

In the 2016 US election, the swing states are Ohio, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, Nevada and Colorado.&nbsp;

Since 2000, whichever candidate has gained ground in Ohio has won the election.&nbsp;

Oil prices slide as election numbers come in

Oil prices turned downhill on Wednesday as early counting shows&nbsp;Trump was doing better than expected in several crucial battleground states.

As vote counting advanced, trading activity shot up and prices became highly volatile.

(WION)

Trump won the presidential race on the back of major wins in battleground states

Donald Trump has become the 45th President of the United States of America, pulling off a stunning victory against his rival Hillary Clinton who a day before the election was said to have a 70 per cent chance of winning. Trump made his victory speech at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York. "I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for every American. And that is very important to me," Donald Trump told a jubilant crowd. "For those that have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and you help so we can work together and unify our great country." He was gracious to his rival, saying, "Hillary has worked very hard and very hard over a very long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to this country." "Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division." Local media reports said Hillary Clinton had called Trump to concede the presidency but that she would not be making a concession speech Wednesday A stunning victory Trump won Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire -- states that were considered to be swing states -- while his rival Hillary Clinton faltered in these key states. Trump won Florida by 130,000 votes, which imply that third-party votes harmed Clinton in her bid to win the crucial state. Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein won 260,000 votes in the state. The win in the Sunshine state provided a major impetus for Trump during his stunning success. The final blow to Clinton came when Trump won Pennsylvania well past midnight in New York. Well, Trump is winning in a lot of places that Republicans don't usually win. — (((Harry Enten))) (@ForecasterEnten) November 9, 2016 × Trump's early numbers put Clinton on the backfoot. Clinton won in Virginia and banked on upper Midwestern states to shore up her numbers. She managed to stay in the race with California's 55 electoral seats. Clinton also won three out of four electoral votes in Maine. Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta thanked Hillary's supporters and asked them to go home. She would not be saying anything tonight. . Click here for detailed coverage of the US election >> The other states won by Clinton are New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Trump has won Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. But none of these are battleground states. South Carolina caused a minor flutter in the Trump camp as early data showed Clinton to be in the lead. However, he later surged ahead to win the state, which has traditionally been a Republican firewall. Trump also won Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, whereas Clinton has scooped New York. No. States Electoral Votes Winner 1 Alabama 9 Donald Trump 2 Alaska 3 Donald Trump 3 Arizona 11 awaiting 4 Arkansas 6 Donald Trump 5 California 55 Hillary Clinton 6 Colorado 9 Hillary Clinton 7 Connecticut 7 Hillary Clinton 8 Delaware 3 Hillary Clinton 9 Florida 29 Donald Trump 10 Georgia 16 Donald Trump 11 Hawaii 4 Hillary Clinton 12 Idaho 4 Donald Trump 13 Illinois 20 Hillary Clinton 14 Indiana 11 Donald Trump 15 Iowa 6 Donald Trump 16 Kansas 6 Donald Trump 17 Kentucky 8 Donald Trump 18 Louisiana 8 Donald Trump 19 Maine 4 Hillary Clinton 20 Maryland 10 Hillary Clinton 21 Massachusetts 11 Hillary Clinton 22 Michigan 16 Donald Trump 23 Minnesota 10 Awaiting 24 Mississippi 6 Donald Trump 25 Missouri 10 Donald Trump 26 Montana 3 Donald Trump 27 Nebraska 5 Donald Trump 28 Nevada 6 Hillary Clinton 29 New Hampshire 4 Awaiting 30 New Jersey 14 Hillary Clinton 31 New Mexico 5 Hillary Clinton 32 New York 29 Hillary Clinton 33 North Carolina 15 Donald Trump 34 North Dakota 3 Donald Trump 35 Ohio 18 Donald Trump 36 Oklahoma 7 Donald Trump 37 Oregon 7 Hillary Clinton 38 Pennsylvania 20 Donald Trump 39 Rhode Island 4 Hillary Clinton 40 South Carolina 9 Donald Trump 41 South Dakota 3 Donald Trump 42 Tennessee 11 Donald Trump 43 Texas 38 Donald Trump 44 Utah 6 Donald Trump 45 Vermont 3 Hillary Clinton 46 Virginia 13 Hillary Clinton 47 Washington 12 Hillary Clinton 48 West Virginia 5 Donald Trump 49 Wisconsin 10 Donald Trump 50 Wyoming 3 Donald Trump What were the battleground states and why did they matter In US presidential elections, a battleground state has no clear favourite and can gravitate towards either candidate. US presidential nominees campaign hard in these states as they are crucial in winning the presidential race. In the 2016 US election, the swing states are Ohio, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, Nevada and Colorado. Since 2000, whichever candidate has gained ground in Ohio has won the election. Oil prices slide as election numbers come in Oil prices turned downhill on Wednesday as early counting shows Trump was doing better than expected in several crucial battleground states. As vote counting advanced, trading activity shot up and prices became highly volatile. (WION)

US election 2016: Donald Trump next US President

After a crushing defeat for the Democrats at the hands of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America, the current US President Barack Obama congratulated his newly-elected successor.

Obama called Trump to congratulate him on pulling off a stunning victory against his rival Hillary Clinton, who a day before the election was said to have a 70 per cent chance of winning.&nbsp;

The President&#39;s office said Obama invited Trump to the White House for talks on Thursday and is due to make a statement later Wednesday about the election results.

He also called Hillary Clinton, his one-time secretary of state and fellow Democrat, to express his &quot;admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country,&quot; White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, Trump made his victory speech at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York.&nbsp;

&quot;I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for every American. And that is very important to me,&quot; Donald Trump told a jubilant crowd.&nbsp;

&quot;For those that have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I&#39;m reaching out to you for your guidance and you help so we can work together and unify our great country.&quot;

He was gracious to his rival, saying, &quot;Hillary has worked very hard and very hard over a very long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to this country.&quot;&nbsp;

&quot;Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division.&quot;

Local media reports said Hillary Clinton had called Trump to concede the presidency but that she would not be making a concession speech on Wednesday. 
&nbsp;

<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
	<thead>
		<tr>
			<th scope="col">No.</th>
			<th scope="col">&nbsp;States &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</th>
			<th scope="col">Electoral Votes &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</th>
			<th scope="col">Winner &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</th>
		</tr>
	</thead>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>1</td>
			<td>Alabama</td>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2</td>
			<td>Alaska &nbsp;</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Arizona&nbsp;</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>Awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Arkansas</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>California &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td>55</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Colorado</td>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>Connecticut</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>Delaware &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>Florida &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>29</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>Georgia &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>16</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>Hawaii &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>12</td>
			<td>Idaho &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>13</td>
			<td>Illinois&nbsp;</td>
			<td>20</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>14</td>
			<td>Indiana &nbsp;</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15</td>
			<td>Iowa &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>16</td>
			<td>Kansas &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>17</td>
			<td>Kentucky &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>18</td>
			<td>Louisiana&nbsp;</td>
			<td>8</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>19</td>
			<td>Maine&nbsp;</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>20</td>
			<td>Maryland</td>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>21</td>
			<td>Massachusetts</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>22</td>
			<td>Michigan</td>
			<td>16</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>23</td>
			<td>Minnesota&nbsp;</td>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>Awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24</td>
			<td>Mississippi &nbsp;</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>25</td>
			<td>Missouri &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>26</td>
			<td>Montana &nbsp;</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>27</td>
			<td>Nebraska &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>28</td>
			<td>Nevada&nbsp;</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>29</td>
			<td>New Hampshire</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Awaiting</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>30</td>
			<td>New Jersey&nbsp;</td>
			<td>14</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>31</td>
			<td>New Mexico</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>32</td>
			<td>New York &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</td>
			<td>29</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>33</td>
			<td>North Carolina</td>
			<td>15</td>
			<td>Donald Trump&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>34</td>
			<td>North Dakota</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>35</td>
			<td>Ohio &nbsp;</td>
			<td>18</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>36</td>
			<td>Oklahoma &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>37</td>
			<td>Oregon &nbsp;</td>
			<td>7</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>38</td>
			<td>Pennsylvania</td>
			<td>20</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>39</td>
			<td>Rhode Island</td>
			<td>4</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>40</td>
			<td>South Carolina</td>
			<td>9</td>
			<td>Donald Trump&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>41</td>
			<td>South Dakota&nbsp;</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>42</td>
			<td>Tennessee&nbsp;</td>
			<td>11</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>43</td>
			<td>Texas &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>38</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>44</td>
			<td>Utah&nbsp;</td>
			<td>6</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>45</td>
			<td>Vermont &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>3</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>46</td>
			<td>Virginia&nbsp;</td>
			<td>13</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>47</td>
			<td>Washington &nbsp;&nbsp;</td>
			<td>12</td>
			<td>Hillary Clinton</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>48</td>
			<td>West Virginia&nbsp;</td>
			<td>5</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>49</td>
			<td>Wisconsin &nbsp;</td>
			<td>10</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50</td>
			<td>Wyoming &nbsp;</td>
			<td>&nbsp;3</td>
			<td>Donald Trump</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

&nbsp;

A stunning victory

Trump won Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire -- states that were considered to be swing states -- while his rival Hillary Clinton faltered in these key states.

Trump won Florida by 130,000 votes, which imply that third-party votes harmed Clinton in her bid to win the crucial state. Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein won 260,000 votes in the state.

The win in the Sunshine state provided a major impetus for Trump during his stunning success.

The final blow to Clinton came when Trump won Pennsylvania well past midnight in New York.

Trump&#39;s early numbers put Clinton on the backfoot.

Clinton won in Virginia and banked on upper Midwestern states to shore up her numbers. She managed to stay in the race with California&#39;s 55 electoral seats.&nbsp;

Clinton also won three out of four electoral votes in Maine. &nbsp;

Hillary Clinton&#39;s campaign chairman, John Podesta thanked Hillary&#39;s supporters and asked them to go home. She would not be saying anything tonight.

The other states won by Clinton are New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Trump has won Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. But none of these are battleground states.

South Carolina caused a minor flutter in the Trump camp as early data showed Clinton to be in the lead. However, he later surged ahead to win the state, which has traditionally been a Republican firewall.&nbsp;

Trump also won Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, whereas Clinton has scooped New York.

(WION)

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In a huge setback for Democrat Hillary Clinton, Trump won the presidential race after securing major wins in the battleground states

After a crushing defeat for the Democrats at the hands of Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States of America, the current US President Barack Obama congratulated his newly-elected successor. Obama called Trump to congratulate him on pulling off a stunning victory against his rival Hillary Clinton, who a day before the election was said to have a 70 per cent chance of winning. The President's office said Obama invited Trump to the White House for talks on Thursday and is due to make a statement later Wednesday about the election results. He also called Hillary Clinton, his one-time secretary of state and fellow Democrat, to express his "admiration for the strong campaign she waged throughout the country," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a statement. Earlier in the day, Trump made his victory speech at the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, New York. "I pledge to every citizen of our land that I will be president for every American. And that is very important to me," Donald Trump told a jubilant crowd. "For those that have chosen not to support me in the past, of which there were a few people, I'm reaching out to you for your guidance and you help so we can work together and unify our great country." He was gracious to his rival, saying, "Hillary has worked very hard and very hard over a very long period of time and we owe her a major debt of gratitude for her service to this country." "Now it is time for America to bind the wounds of division." Local media reports said Hillary Clinton had called Trump to concede the presidency but that she would not be making a concession speech on Wednesday. No. States Electoral Votes Winner 1 Alabama 9 Donald Trump 2 Alaska 3 Donald Trump 3 Arizona 11 Awaiting 4 Arkansas 6 Donald Trump 5 California 55 Hillary Clinton 6 Colorado 9 Hillary Clinton 7 Connecticut 7 Hillary Clinton 8 Delaware 3 Hillary Clinton 9 Florida 29 Donald Trump 10 Georgia 16 Donald Trump 11 Hawaii 4 Hillary Clinton 12 Idaho 4 Donald Trump 13 Illinois 20 Hillary Clinton 14 Indiana 11 Donald Trump 15 Iowa 6 Donald Trump 16 Kansas 6 Donald Trump 17 Kentucky 8 Donald Trump 18 Louisiana 8 Donald Trump 19 Maine 4 Hillary Clinton 20 Maryland 10 Hillary Clinton 21 Massachusetts 11 Hillary Clinton 22 Michigan 16 Donald Trump 23 Minnesota 10 Awaiting 24 Mississippi 6 Donald Trump 25 Missouri 10 Donald Trump 26 Montana 3 Donald Trump 27 Nebraska 5 Donald Trump 28 Nevada 6 Hillary Clinton 29 New Hampshire 4 Awaiting 30 New Jersey 14 Hillary Clinton 31 New Mexico 5 Hillary Clinton 32 New York 29 Hillary Clinton 33 North Carolina 15 Donald Trump 34 North Dakota 3 Donald Trump 35 Ohio 18 Donald Trump 36 Oklahoma 7 Donald Trump 37 Oregon 7 Hillary Clinton 38 Pennsylvania 20 Donald Trump 39 Rhode Island 4 Hillary Clinton 40 South Carolina 9 Donald Trump 41 South Dakota 3 Donald Trump 42 Tennessee 11 Donald Trump 43 Texas 38 Donald Trump 44 Utah 6 Donald Trump 45 Vermont 3 Hillary Clinton 46 Virginia 13 Hillary Clinton 47 Washington 12 Hillary Clinton 48 West Virginia 5 Donald Trump 49 Wisconsin 10 Donald Trump 50 Wyoming 3 Donald Trump A stunning victory Trump won Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa and New Hampshire -- states that were considered to be swing states -- while his rival Hillary Clinton faltered in these key states. Trump won Florida by 130,000 votes, which imply that third-party votes harmed Clinton in her bid to win the crucial state. Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Jill Stein won 260,000 votes in the state. The win in the Sunshine state provided a major impetus for Trump during his stunning success. The final blow to Clinton came when Trump won Pennsylvania well past midnight in New York. Trump's early numbers put Clinton on the backfoot. Clinton won in Virginia and banked on upper Midwestern states to shore up her numbers. She managed to stay in the race with California's 55 electoral seats. Clinton also won three out of four electoral votes in Maine. Hillary Clinton's campaign chairman, John Podesta thanked Hillary's supporters and asked them to go home. She would not be saying anything tonight. The other states won by Clinton are New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware and the District of Columbia. Trump has won Missouri, Nebraska, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee and West Virginia. But none of these are battleground states. South Carolina caused a minor flutter in the Trump camp as early data showed Clinton to be in the lead. However, he later surged ahead to win the state, which has traditionally been a Republican firewall. Trump also won Texas, Wyoming, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, whereas Clinton has scooped New York. (WION)

US election 2016: US President Obama invites successor Donald Trump to White House

Barack Obama is set to begin his last trip to Asia as US President on Saturday and he will aim to seal his signature policy shift towards the Pacific. But the post-Brexit crisis and the battle against IS will be a distraction. 
 
Obama will attend the G20 summit in China and his meeting with the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping will determine the course for his successor, set to be elected in November. 
 
Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton who has served as Obama&rsquo;s former secretary of state and was a co-architect of his Asia strategy, opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, raising concerns from partners in the 12-country pact. 
 
Clinton&rsquo;s Republican rival Donald Trump has shocked &nbsp;allies like Japan and South Korea by suggesting &nbsp;they should pay more for their security and develop their own nuclear weapons to protect against the threat posed by North Korea. 
 
&quot;In Asia, one of the challenges the US has had throughout Obama&rsquo;s presidency is one of reassurance: that we actually say what we mean what we say when we say we intend to rebalance to Asia,&quot; said Derek Chollet, a former defence adviser to Obama told Reuters. 
 
&quot;Asia partners are suspicious that even if we really mean it, that we&rsquo;re easily sidetracked,&quot; said Chollet 
 
Obama and Xi Jinping&nbsp;have cooperated on combating climate change and curbing Iran&#39;s nuclear drive but have failed to clear their countries&rsquo; main differences. 
 
The US has made several &nbsp;accusations of cyber hacking by the Chinese and there are disputes over trade, topped by Beijing&#39;s contested claims in the South China Sea. 
 
Michael Green, Asia adviser to former Republican president George W. Bush, said he did not expect the Obama-Xi meeting to yield much. &quot;No grand joint declaration as we saw early in the administration, no celebration - perhaps some agreements on climate change - but a pretty rough and scratchy relationship,&quot; Green told Reuters. 
 
Obama will also hold talks with NATO ally Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan but the talks will be clouded by strained relations over the strategy on Syrian civil war and war and concerns about Erdogan&#39;s crackdown on opponents after the failed coup in July. 
 
(WION with inputs from Reuters)
&nbsp;

He will attend the G20 summit in China and hold talks with NATO ally Turkish President Erdogan

Barack Obama is set to begin his last trip to Asia as US President on Saturday and he will aim to seal his signature policy shift towards the Pacific. But the post-Brexit crisis and the battle against IS will be a distraction. Obama will attend the G20 summit in China and his meeting with the Chinese Premier Xi Jinping will determine the course for his successor, set to be elected in November. Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton who has served as Obama’s former secretary of state and was a co-architect of his Asia strategy, opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, raising concerns from partners in the 12-country pact. Clinton’s Republican rival Donald Trump has shocked allies like Japan and South Korea by suggesting they should pay more for their security and develop their own nuclear weapons to protect against the threat posed by North Korea. "In Asia, one of the challenges the US has had throughout Obama’s presidency is one of reassurance: that we actually say what we mean what we say when we say we intend to rebalance to Asia," said Derek Chollet, a former defence adviser to Obama told Reuters. "Asia partners are suspicious that even if we really mean it, that we’re easily sidetracked," said Chollet Obama and Xi Jinping have cooperated on combating climate change and curbing Iran's nuclear drive but have failed to clear their countries’ main differences. The US has made several accusations of cyber hacking by the Chinese and there are disputes over trade, topped by Beijing's contested claims in the South China Sea. Michael Green, Asia adviser to former Republican president George W. Bush, said he did not expect the Obama-Xi meeting to yield much. "No grand joint declaration as we saw early in the administration, no celebration - perhaps some agreements on climate change - but a pretty rough and scratchy relationship," Green told Reuters. Obama will also hold talks with NATO ally Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan but the talks will be clouded by strained relations over the strategy on Syrian civil war and war and concerns about Erdogan's crackdown on opponents after the failed coup in July. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Obama to begin complicated last trip to Asia as President

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki today as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underscored the nation&#39;s nuclear non-proliferation stance, while a city official called for other national leaders to follow in the footsteps of United States (US) President Barack Obama who visited Hiroshima earlier this year. 
 
&quot;As the only country to be bombed by atomic bombs during wartime, I will strongly advocate the importance of maintaining and strengthening the stance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, while maintaining the three non-nuclear principles,&quot; Abe said, as hundreds of visitors at the Nagasaki Peace Park attended the annual peace memorial. 
 
&quot;With a new sense of commitment, I will continue to make the effort to call leaders of nations to visit the atomic bombing sites, and to tell the stories of the reality of the bombings,&quot; said Masanao Maiguma, the head of Nagasaki city municipal assembly. 
 
Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. 
 
The US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. 
 
US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

US dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and three days later another bomb was dropped on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki today as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underscored the nation's nuclear non-proliferation stance, while a city official called for other national leaders to follow in the footsteps of United States (US) President Barack Obama who visited Hiroshima earlier this year. "As the only country to be bombed by atomic bombs during wartime, I will strongly advocate the importance of maintaining and strengthening the stance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, while maintaining the three non-nuclear principles," Abe said, as hundreds of visitors at the Nagasaki Peace Park attended the annual peace memorial. "With a new sense of commitment, I will continue to make the effort to call leaders of nations to visit the atomic bombing sites, and to tell the stories of the reality of the bombings," said Masanao Maiguma, the head of Nagasaki city municipal assembly. Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. The US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later. (Reuters)

Japan marks 71st anniversary of Nagasaki atomic bombing

US&nbsp;President Barack Obama on Sunday called for national unity after the killing of three police officers in Baton Rouge, and warned against using the deadly event to inflame political fighting during a charged political campaign.

Three police officers were shot to death and three others wounded in Baton Rouge on Sunday, less than two weeks after a black man was killed by police in the Louisiana capital, sparking nationwide protests.

&quot;Five days ago I traveled to Dallas for the memorial service of the officers who were slain there. I said that that killer would not be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other nor will today&#39;s killer. It remains up to us to make sure that they fail. That decision is all of ours. The decision to make sure that our best selves are reflected across America, not our worst. That&#39;s up to us,&quot; Obama said, in reference to the ambush-style killing of five police officers in Dallas earlier this month.

&quot;This has happened far too often. And I&#39;ve spent a lot of time with law enforcement this past week. I&#39;m surrounded by the best of the best every single day and I know whenever this happens, wherever this happens, you feel it. You families feel it. But what I want you to know today is the respect and the gratitude of the American people for everything that you do for us,&quot; Obama said.

He added the US&nbsp;has its &quot;divisions&quot; but said it is important the nation focuses on &quot;words and actions that can unite this country further.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

US president: Today's killer will not be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other

US President Barack Obama on Sunday called for national unity after the killing of three police officers in Baton Rouge, and warned against using the deadly event to inflame political fighting during a charged political campaign. Three police officers were shot to death and three others wounded in Baton Rouge on Sunday, less than two weeks after a black man was killed by police in the Louisiana capital, sparking nationwide protests. "Five days ago I traveled to Dallas for the memorial service of the officers who were slain there. I said that that killer would not be the last person who tries to make us turn on each other nor will today's killer. It remains up to us to make sure that they fail. That decision is all of ours. The decision to make sure that our best selves are reflected across America, not our worst. That's up to us," Obama said, in reference to the ambush-style killing of five police officers in Dallas earlier this month. "This has happened far too often. And I've spent a lot of time with law enforcement this past week. I'm surrounded by the best of the best every single day and I know whenever this happens, wherever this happens, you feel it. You families feel it. But what I want you to know today is the respect and the gratitude of the American people for everything that you do for us," Obama said. He added the US has its "divisions" but said it is important the nation focuses on "words and actions that can unite this country further." (Reuters)

Obama calls for national unity after Baton Rouge shooting

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told US President George W Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq &quot;I will be with you, whatever&quot;, and relied on flawed intelligence and unsatisfactory legal advice, a seven-year inquiry concluded today. 
 
In a scathing critique of Blair&#39;s leadership, the inquiry said the threat posed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein&#39;s supposed weapons of mass destruction had been over-hyped and the planning for the aftermath of war had been inadequate. 
 
More than 13 years since the invasion, the war remains a deeply emotive issue for Britons. There are many who want Blair to face criminal action over his decision to take the military action that led to the deaths of 179 British soldiers and more than 150,000 Iraqi civilians over the following six years. 
 
Critics also say it fuelled a deep distrust in politicians and the ruling establishment. The report was issued 13 days after Britons delivered a stunning blow to their political leaders by voting to leave the European Union. 
 
In a lengthy and passionate defence lasting almost two hours, Blair justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the United States in March 2003, at a time when the inquiry said peace options had not been exhausted and Saddam posed no imminent threat. 
 
&quot;I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception,&quot; the former prime minister told reporters, looking gaunt and strained but growing animated as he responded to questions. 
 
&quot;But there was a decision, and it was a controversial decision ... to remove Saddam and to be with America. I believe I made the right decision and the world is better and safer as a result of it.&quot; 
 
The only Labour prime minister to win three general elections, Blair was in office for 10 years until 2007 and was hugely popular in his heyday, but Iraq has severely tarnished his reputation and legacy. 
 
Families of slain British soldiers said they were considering whether to take legal action against him. 
 
Blair said he would take the same decisions again, and that he did not see that action as the cause of terrorism today, in the Middle East or elsewhere. However, he acknowledged mistakes had been made. 
 
&quot;The intelligence assessments made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong. The aftermath turned out to be more hostile, protracted and bloody than ever we imagined,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;For all of this, I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you will ever know.&quot; 
 
&quot;I WILL BE WITH YOU&quot; 
 
The inquiry report, running to 2.6 million words or more than four times the length of &quot;War and Peace&quot;, shed light on the interaction between Blair and Bush in the months leading up to the invasion, which has long been the subject of speculation about secret deals and pledges. 
 
In a memo dated July 28, 2002, eight months before the invasion, Blair told Bush: &quot;I will be with you, whatever. But this is the moment to assess bluntly the difficulties.&quot; 
 
Outside the building where John Chilcot, the inquiry&#39;s chairman, delivered his findings, protesters chanted &quot;Tony Blair, war criminal&quot;. But the report itself stopped short of saying the war was illegal. 
 
&quot;We have, however, concluded that the circumstances in which it was decided that there was a legal basis for military action were far from satisfactory,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
Reg Keys, whose son, 20-year-old Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, was killed in Iraq, said: &quot;We all know who the key players are ... who took part in this most shambolic episode in British politics. We would like to see all those key players face some form of accountability.&quot; 
 
He added: &quot;If that&#39;s through the legal channels, then we will look at that and see what&#39;s viable and appropriate. It has been passed over to lawyers.&quot; 
 
&#39;UNJUSTIFIED CERTAINTY&#39; 
 
Chilcot said Blair had sought to influence Bush&rsquo;s decisions, offering Britain&#39;s support while suggesting possible adjustments to the U.S. position. But the British leader had over-estimated his ability to influence U.S. decisions on Iraq. 
 
His report also said there was no imminent threat from Saddam at the time of the invasion in March 2003, and the chaos in Iraq and the region which followed should have been foreseen. 
 
Britain had joined the invasion without exhausting peaceful options, and thereby undermined the authority of the United Nations Security Council. 
 
&quot;It is now clear that policy on Iraq was made on the basis of flawed intelligence and assessments. They were not challenged and they should have been,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
He also said that Blair&#39;s government&#39;s judgements about the threat posed by Iraq&#39;s weapons of mass destruction were &quot;presented with unjustified certainty&quot;. 
 
No such weapons were discovered after the war. 
 
Chilcot, who said decisions were often taken without other senior ministers being consulted, said Blair changed his case for war from focusing on Iraq&#39;s alleged &quot;vast stocks&quot; of illegal weapons to Saddam having the intent to obtain such weapons and being in breach of U.N. resolutions. 
 
&quot;That was not, however, the explanation for military action he had given before the conflict,&quot; Chilcot said. 
 
Iraq remains in chaos to this day, with large areas under the control of Islamic State. On Saturday, 250 people were killed in Baghdad&#39;s worst car bombing since the U.S.-led invasion. 
 
&quot;I wish Saddam would return; he executed many of my family but he is still better than these politicians and clerics who got Iraq to the way it is,&quot; said Kadhim Hassan al-Jabouri, an Iraqi who was filmed attacking Saddam&#39;s statue with a sledgehammer after the invasion. 
 
Others said they were grateful to Washington and London for ending his dictatorship. 
 
The purpose of the inquiry was not to point fingers but for the British government to learn lessons from the invasion and occupation that followed. 
 
&quot;We cannot turn the clock back but we can ensure that lessons are learned and acted on,&quot; Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament. 
 
&quot;It is crucial to good decision-making that a prime minister establishes a climate in which it&#39;s safe for officials and other experts to challenge existing policy and question the views of ministers and the prime minister without fear or favour.&quot; 
 
Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of Blair&#39;s Labour Party and a fervent pacifist, told parliament that the war was an act of aggression based on a false pretext that had fuelled and spread terrorism across the Middle East. 
 
(Reuters)

In a defence lasting almost two hours, the former UK PM justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the US in March 2003

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair told US President George W Bush eight months before the 2003 invasion of Iraq "I will be with you, whatever", and relied on flawed intelligence and unsatisfactory legal advice, a seven-year inquiry concluded today. In a scathing critique of Blair's leadership, the inquiry said the threat posed by Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's supposed weapons of mass destruction had been over-hyped and the planning for the aftermath of war had been inadequate. More than 13 years since the invasion, the war remains a deeply emotive issue for Britons. There are many who want Blair to face criminal action over his decision to take the military action that led to the deaths of 179 British soldiers and more than 150,000 Iraqi civilians over the following six years. Critics also say it fuelled a deep distrust in politicians and the ruling establishment. The report was issued 13 days after Britons delivered a stunning blow to their political leaders by voting to leave the European Union. In a lengthy and passionate defence lasting almost two hours, Blair justified his decision to back Bush and go to war alongside the United States in March 2003, at a time when the inquiry said peace options had not been exhausted and Saddam posed no imminent threat. "I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception," the former prime minister told reporters, looking gaunt and strained but growing animated as he responded to questions. "But there was a decision, and it was a controversial decision ... to remove Saddam and to be with America. I believe I made the right decision and the world is better and safer as a result of it." The only Labour prime minister to win three general elections, Blair was in office for 10 years until 2007 and was hugely popular in his heyday, but Iraq has severely tarnished his reputation and legacy. Families of slain British soldiers said they were considering whether to take legal action against him. Blair said he would take the same decisions again, and that he did not see that action as the cause of terrorism today, in the Middle East or elsewhere. However, he acknowledged mistakes had been made. "The intelligence assessments made at the time of going to war turned out to be wrong. The aftermath turned out to be more hostile, protracted and bloody than ever we imagined," he said. "For all of this, I express more sorrow, regret and apology than you will ever know." "I WILL BE WITH YOU" The inquiry report, running to 2.6 million words or more than four times the length of "War and Peace", shed light on the interaction between Blair and Bush in the months leading up to the invasion, which has long been the subject of speculation about secret deals and pledges. In a memo dated July 28, 2002, eight months before the invasion, Blair told Bush: "I will be with you, whatever. But this is the moment to assess bluntly the difficulties." Outside the building where John Chilcot, the inquiry's chairman, delivered his findings, protesters chanted "Tony Blair, war criminal". But the report itself stopped short of saying the war was illegal. "We have, however, concluded that the circumstances in which it was decided that there was a legal basis for military action were far from satisfactory," Chilcot said. Reg Keys, whose son, 20-year-old Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, was killed in Iraq, said: "We all know who the key players are ... who took part in this most shambolic episode in British politics. We would like to see all those key players face some form of accountability." He added: "If that's through the legal channels, then we will look at that and see what's viable and appropriate. It has been passed over to lawyers." 'UNJUSTIFIED CERTAINTY' Chilcot said Blair had sought to influence Bush’s decisions, offering Britain's support while suggesting possible adjustments to the U.S. position. But the British leader had over-estimated his ability to influence U.S. decisions on Iraq. His report also said there was no imminent threat from Saddam at the time of the invasion in March 2003, and the chaos in Iraq and the region which followed should have been foreseen. Britain had joined the invasion without exhausting peaceful options, and thereby undermined the authority of the United Nations Security Council. "It is now clear that policy on Iraq was made on the basis of flawed intelligence and assessments. They were not challenged and they should have been," Chilcot said. He also said that Blair's government's judgements about the threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction were "presented with unjustified certainty". No such weapons were discovered after the war. Chilcot, who said decisions were often taken without other senior ministers being consulted, said Blair changed his case for war from focusing on Iraq's alleged "vast stocks" of illegal weapons to Saddam having the intent to obtain such weapons and being in breach of U.N. resolutions. "That was not, however, the explanation for military action he had given before the conflict," Chilcot said. Iraq remains in chaos to this day, with large areas under the control of Islamic State. On Saturday, 250 people were killed in Baghdad's worst car bombing since the U.S.-led invasion. "I wish Saddam would return; he executed many of my family but he is still better than these politicians and clerics who got Iraq to the way it is," said Kadhim Hassan al-Jabouri, an Iraqi who was filmed attacking Saddam's statue with a sledgehammer after the invasion. Others said they were grateful to Washington and London for ending his dictatorship. The purpose of the inquiry was not to point fingers but for the British government to learn lessons from the invasion and occupation that followed. "We cannot turn the clock back but we can ensure that lessons are learned and acted on," Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron told parliament. "It is crucial to good decision-making that a prime minister establishes a climate in which it's safe for officials and other experts to challenge existing policy and question the views of ministers and the prime minister without fear or favour." Jeremy Corbyn, the current leader of Blair's Labour Party and a fervent pacifist, told parliament that the war was an act of aggression based on a false pretext that had fuelled and spread terrorism across the Middle East. (Reuters)

'I did not mislead this country. There were no lies, there was no deceit, there was no deception,' says Blair

Heavy fighting between Islamic State (IS) militants and government security forces has claimed dozens of lives in eastern Afghanistan, officials said today. 
 
In recent months insurgents claiming allegiance to Islamic State had largely appeared to be bottled up in a mountainous area along the border with Pakistan under threat of US air strikes. 
 
The latest attacks indicate the group remains a potent threat to a government already battling an insurgency dominated by the rival Taliban. 
 
At least a dozen Afghan security forces and civilians had been killed, with another 18 wounded, Nangarhar province governor Saleem Khan Kunduzi said in a statement. 
 
Local officials claimed more than 100 Islamic State fighters had been killed in fighting in Nangarhar over the past three days, even though exact figures varied and could not be independently verified. 
 
&quot;There is no doubt that Daesh (IS) do not respect anyone,&quot; Kunduzi said, using a common term for Islamic State. &quot;They kill people, regardless of whether they&#39;re a child or a woman. They burn down madrasas, mosques and schools.&quot; 
 
As many as 25 homes had been burned down in Kowt district, and five civilians were reported kidnapped, Nangarhar officials said. 
 
Hundreds of police and soldiers are engaged in the area with reinforcements on the way, provincial police chief Zarawar Zahid said. 
 
At a small event today in Kabul, the head of Afghanistan&#39;s civil society federation, Sediq Ansari, blamed local leaders for being negligent in the face of Islamic State threats and called on them to be suspended. 
 
&quot;They should be accountable for every drop of blood that has been shed in Nangarhar so it becomes a lesson to other officials,&quot; he told gathered reporters. 
 
Militants linked to Islamic State have not made as much progress in Afghanistan as in Syria and Iraq, where the group seized major cities and wide swaths of territory and attracted thousands of recruits. 
 
In Afghanistan, the group is thought to consist mostly of disaffected members of other insurgent movements, including the Taliban, who have often battled Islamic State for control of areas in Nangarhar. 
 
In January, US President Barack Obama gave US forces in Afghanistan more freedom to attack Islamic State targets, leading to a spike in air strikes and other operations, especially in Nangarhar. 
 
No coalition forces have been involved in the latest fighting, spokesman Commander Ron Flesvig said. 
 
(Reuters)

According to local officials, more than 100 Islamic State fighters had been killed in fighting in Nangarhar over the past three days

Heavy fighting between Islamic State (IS) militants and government security forces has claimed dozens of lives in eastern Afghanistan, officials said today. In recent months insurgents claiming allegiance to Islamic State had largely appeared to be bottled up in a mountainous area along the border with Pakistan under threat of US air strikes. The latest attacks indicate the group remains a potent threat to a government already battling an insurgency dominated by the rival Taliban. At least a dozen Afghan security forces and civilians had been killed, with another 18 wounded, Nangarhar province governor Saleem Khan Kunduzi said in a statement. Local officials claimed more than 100 Islamic State fighters had been killed in fighting in Nangarhar over the past three days, even though exact figures varied and could not be independently verified. "There is no doubt that Daesh (IS) do not respect anyone," Kunduzi said, using a common term for Islamic State. "They kill people, regardless of whether they're a child or a woman. They burn down madrasas, mosques and schools." As many as 25 homes had been burned down in Kowt district, and five civilians were reported kidnapped, Nangarhar officials said. Hundreds of police and soldiers are engaged in the area with reinforcements on the way, provincial police chief Zarawar Zahid said. At a small event today in Kabul, the head of Afghanistan's civil society federation, Sediq Ansari, blamed local leaders for being negligent in the face of Islamic State threats and called on them to be suspended. "They should be accountable for every drop of blood that has been shed in Nangarhar so it becomes a lesson to other officials," he told gathered reporters. Militants linked to Islamic State have not made as much progress in Afghanistan as in Syria and Iraq, where the group seized major cities and wide swaths of territory and attracted thousands of recruits. In Afghanistan, the group is thought to consist mostly of disaffected members of other insurgent movements, including the Taliban, who have often battled Islamic State for control of areas in Nangarhar. In January, US President Barack Obama gave US forces in Afghanistan more freedom to attack Islamic State targets, leading to a spike in air strikes and other operations, especially in Nangarhar. No coalition forces have been involved in the latest fighting, spokesman Commander Ron Flesvig said. (Reuters)

Islamic State militants launch new attacks in eastern Afghanistan

A heroin &quot;epidemic&quot; is gripping the United States, where cheap supply has helped push the number of users to a 20-year high, increasing drug-related deaths, the United Nations said today. 
 
According to the U.N.&#39;s World Drug Report 2016, the number of heroin users in the United States reached around one million in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2003. Heroin-related deaths there have increased five-fold since 2000. 
 
&quot;There is really a huge epidemic (of) heroin in the U.S.,&quot; said Angela Me, the chief researcher for the report which released today. 
 
&quot;It is the highest definitely in the last 20 years,&quot; Me said, adding that the trend was continuing. 
 
The rise could be linked to U.S. legislation introduced in recent years which makes it harder to abuse prescription opioids such as oxicodone, a powerful painkiller that can have similar effects to heroin, Me said. 
 
The law meant the texture of the pills was changed to make it more difficult to crush them and inject them into the blood stream, Me said. 
 
&quot;This has caused a partial shift from the misuse of these prescription opioids to heroin.&quot; 
 
Another reason for the increase in the use of heroin, which in the United States mainly comes from Mexico and Colombia, is greater supply that has depressed prices in recent years, Me said. 
 
The United States has also seen a spike in deaths related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more so than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 
 
Fentanyl has been named as the drug that killed pop singer Prince this year. 
 
At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increasing sharply also over the last two years, according to the Vienna-based U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 
 
&quot;Heroin continues to be the drug that kills the most people and this resurgence must be addressed urgently,&quot; Yury Fedotov, the executive director of the UNODC, said. 
 
U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this year asked Congress for $1.1 billion in new funding over two years to expand treatment for users of heroin and prescription painkillers. 
 
(Reuters)

At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increased in last two years

A heroin "epidemic" is gripping the United States, where cheap supply has helped push the number of users to a 20-year high, increasing drug-related deaths, the United Nations said today. According to the U.N.'s World Drug Report 2016, the number of heroin users in the United States reached around one million in 2014, almost three times as many as in 2003. Heroin-related deaths there have increased five-fold since 2000. "There is really a huge epidemic (of) heroin in the U.S.," said Angela Me, the chief researcher for the report which released today. "It is the highest definitely in the last 20 years," Me said, adding that the trend was continuing. The rise could be linked to U.S. legislation introduced in recent years which makes it harder to abuse prescription opioids such as oxicodone, a powerful painkiller that can have similar effects to heroin, Me said. The law meant the texture of the pills was changed to make it more difficult to crush them and inject them into the blood stream, Me said. "This has caused a partial shift from the misuse of these prescription opioids to heroin." Another reason for the increase in the use of heroin, which in the United States mainly comes from Mexico and Colombia, is greater supply that has depressed prices in recent years, Me said. The United States has also seen a spike in deaths related to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more so than morphine, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fentanyl has been named as the drug that killed pop singer Prince this year. At least 207,000 deaths globally were drug-related in 2014, with heroin use and overdose-related deaths increasing sharply also over the last two years, according to the Vienna-based U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). "Heroin continues to be the drug that kills the most people and this resurgence must be addressed urgently," Yury Fedotov, the executive director of the UNODC, said. U.S. President Barack Obama earlier this year asked Congress for $1.1 billion in new funding over two years to expand treatment for users of heroin and prescription painkillers. (Reuters)

Heroin use at 20-year high in U.S. drug "epidemic", U.N. says

Speaker of the US House of Representatives,&nbsp;Paul Ryan, has said that the Indian government is going to be America&#39;s &quot;great ally&quot;, and there is a need to nurture this relationship.
In a major foreign policy speech in which he was highly critical of President Barack Obama&#39;s policies, the US-India relationship was the only aspect of it which was appreciated by Ryan.
&quot;I think you need, in particular, specifically under Modi&#39;s leadership, and he and I have discussed this at great length yesterday, (US-India) have a great potential for the future. Particularly with the seas, in the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean, making sure that we help police the global commons and international order. Namely China building, you know, runways on islands in contested areas,&quot; Ryan said.

He said this in the speech at the Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress at his invitation.
Modi was the first foreign leader to be invited to address a joint sitting of the Congress under Ryan&#39;s speakership.&nbsp;On Wednesday, Modi and Ryan had a one-on-one interaction before the Prime Minister&#39;s address. Ryan also hosted a lunch for the visiting leader.

A day later, Ryan was all in praise for Modi.&nbsp;&quot;I think the Indian (government), the new Indian government, is going to be a great ally of ours and we have better security cooperation with them. That&#39;s one thing that we need to nurture and grow,&quot; Ryan told the audience at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think tank.

&quot;And those of us who are fans of Modi, you know, he&#39;s a conservative who wants, who embraces, free enterprise. He&#39;s bringing needed reform to the country,&quot; Ryan said, according to the remarks released by his office.

&quot;That&#39;s the kind of an alliance that we need to forge and build upon. That stands in stark contrast, I would argue, to the Obama foreign policy of the last eight years where we have neglected our allies and we have basically rewarded our enemies, our adversaries,&quot; said the Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

Except for his comments on India, Ryan slammed Obama&#39;s foreign policy.&nbsp;&quot;We know that this new Obama foreign policy concept, leading from behind, can now be declared an unambiguous failure. It is making us unprepared. It is reducing our military capability and strength,&quot; he alleged.

Though Ryan, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, criticised most of Obama's policies, he appreciated the US-India relationship

Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Paul Ryan, has said that the Indian government is going to be America's "great ally", and there is a need to nurture this relationship. In a major foreign policy speech in which he was highly critical of President Barack Obama's policies, the US-India relationship was the only aspect of it which was appreciated by Ryan. "I think you need, in particular, specifically under Modi's leadership, and he and I have discussed this at great length yesterday, (US-India) have a great potential for the future. Particularly with the seas, in the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean, making sure that we help police the global commons and international order. Namely China building, you know, runways on islands in contested areas," Ryan said. He said this in the speech at the Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a joint meeting of the US Congress at his invitation. Modi was the first foreign leader to be invited to address a joint sitting of the Congress under Ryan's speakership. On Wednesday, Modi and Ryan had a one-on-one interaction before the Prime Minister's address. Ryan also hosted a lunch for the visiting leader. A day later, Ryan was all in praise for Modi. "I think the Indian (government), the new Indian government, is going to be a great ally of ours and we have better security cooperation with them. That's one thing that we need to nurture and grow," Ryan told the audience at the Council on Foreign Relations, a top American think tank. "And those of us who are fans of Modi, you know, he's a conservative who wants, who embraces, free enterprise. He's bringing needed reform to the country," Ryan said, according to the remarks released by his office. "That's the kind of an alliance that we need to forge and build upon. That stands in stark contrast, I would argue, to the Obama foreign policy of the last eight years where we have neglected our allies and we have basically rewarded our enemies, our adversaries," said the Speaker of the US House of Representatives. Except for his comments on India, Ryan slammed Obama's foreign policy. "We know that this new Obama foreign policy concept, leading from behind, can now be declared an unambiguous failure. It is making us unprepared. It is reducing our military capability and strength," he alleged.

Paul Ryan believes Indian government is going to be America's 'great ally'

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