According to a US Senate Committee report, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-applauds-selfs-approach-towards-covid-calls-bidens-approach-anti-science-329852">Joe Biden's</a> son Hunter was paid $50,000 a month to serve as the board of Burisma which is a Ukrainian natural gas company with a corrupt owner while his father was the US vice president&nbsp;during the Obama administration.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fbi-chief-russia-targeting-joe-biden-in-us-election-2020-328437/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The report said the Treasury records accessed by Chairman Grassley and Chairman Johnson showed Hunter<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/us-election-2020-facebook-removes-fake-pages-created-in-china-targeting-trump-biden-329641"> Biden </a>and his family including his associates were involved in "potential criminal activity relating to transactions with Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh and Chinese nationals."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/if-biden-wins-china-wins-trump-at-election-rally-329313">Also Read: If Biden wins, China wins, says&nbsp;Trump at election rally</a>

The Senate Committee report claimed that that Hunter Biden and his family were involved in a "vast financial network that connected them to foreign nationals and foreign governments across the globe", while adding that Hunter and Archer formed "significant and consistent financial relationships with the corrupt oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky during their time working for Burisma and their firms made millions of dollars from that association while Joe Biden was the vice president."&nbsp;

"Rosemont Seneca Thornton, an investment firm co-founded by Hunter Biden received $3.5 million in wire transfer from Elena Baturina who allegedly received illegal construction contracts from her husband, the former mayor of Moscow," it said.

"In particular these documents show that Hunter Biden received millions of dollars from foreign sources as a result of business relationships that he built during the period when his father was the vice-president of US," the report claimed.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hunter-bidens-business-links-with-china-330056/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The report said Biden and Archer found "willing partners in Chinese nationals connected to the Communist regime", adding that "their work began in China in 2009 with the creation of Rosemont Seneca Partners with Heinz, the stepson of the then secretary of state John Kerry.

"Hunter Biden's connections and financial associations appear to have accelerated significantly after he associated himself with Ye Jianming who had deep connections with the Communist regime and PLA," it said.

The Senate report accused Hunter Biden of making "millions from the relationship".

According to a US Senate Committee report, Joe Biden's son Hunter was paid $50,000 a month to serve as the board of Burisma which is a Ukrainian natural gas company with a corrupt owner while his father was the US vice president during the Obama administration.

According to a US Senate Committee report, Joe Biden's son Hunter was paid $50,000 a month to serve as the board of Burisma which is a Ukrainian natural gas company with a corrupt owner while his father was the US vice president during the Obama administration. Watch: The report said the Treasury records accessed by Chairman Grassley and Chairman Johnson showed Hunter Biden and his family including his associates were involved in "potential criminal activity relating to transactions with Ukrainian, Russian, Kazakh and Chinese nationals." Also Read: If Biden wins, China wins, says Trump at election rally The Senate Committee report claimed that that Hunter Biden and his family were involved in a "vast financial network that connected them to foreign nationals and foreign governments across the globe", while adding that Hunter and Archer formed "significant and consistent financial relationships with the corrupt oligarch Mykola Zlochevsky during their time working for Burisma and their firms made millions of dollars from that association while Joe Biden was the vice president." "Rosemont Seneca Thornton, an investment firm co-founded by Hunter Biden received $3.5 million in wire transfer from Elena Baturina who allegedly received illegal construction contracts from her husband, the former mayor of Moscow," it said. "In particular these documents show that Hunter Biden received millions of dollars from foreign sources as a result of business relationships that he built during the period when his father was the vice-president of US," the report claimed. × The report said Biden and Archer found "willing partners in Chinese nationals connected to the Communist regime", adding that "their work began in China in 2009 with the creation of Rosemont Seneca Partners with Heinz, the stepson of the then secretary of state John Kerry. "Hunter Biden's connections and financial associations appear to have accelerated significantly after he associated himself with Ye Jianming who had deep connections with the Communist regime and PLA," it said. The Senate report accused Hunter Biden of making "millions from the relationship".

US Senate report reveals Joe Biden son Hunter's links with Chinese, Ukrainian firms

A handful of tight races around US will determine whether Republicans hold their 53-seat majority out of 100-seats in US Senate as 6 of the 35 US Senate seats are up for re-election this November.

Republicans hold 53 seat majority in Senate, Democrats need 4 seats to gain majority

A Republican-led Senate committee said&nbsp;on Tuesday that&nbsp;Russia used Republican political operative Paul Manafort and the&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;website to try to help now-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

WikiLeaks&nbsp;played a key role in Russia's effort to assist Republican Trump's campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton and likely knew it was helping Russian intelligence, said the 966-page report, which is likely to be the most definitive public account of the 2016 election controversy.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-releases-20000-emails-of-democratic-party-officials-working-against-bernie-sanders-3076">WikiLeaks releases 20,000 emails of Democratic party officials working against Bernie Sanders</a>

The report found President Vladimir Putin personally directed the Russian efforts to hack computer networks and accounts affiliated with the Democratic Party and leak information damaging to Clinton.

Asked about the report at an event in Yuma, Arizona, Trump said: "I don't know anything about it. I didn't read it. It's all a hoax," Trump told reporters.

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence alleged Manafort collaborated with Russians, including oligarch Oleg Deripaska and "Russian intelligence officer" Konstantin Kilimnik, before, during, and after the election.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wikileaks-vault-7-expose-cia-ignored-warning-signs-says-report-306409">Wikileaks 'Vault 7' expose: CIA ignored warning signs, says report</a>

The panel found Manafort's role and proximity to Trump created opportunities for Russian intelligence, saying his "high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services... represented a grave counterintelligence threat."

A lawyer for Manafort did not respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

It was not clear what effect, if any, the report might have on the current presidential campaign. Trump will face Democratic candidate Joe Biden on November&nbsp;3.

Russia's alleged election interference, which Moscow denies, sparked a two-year-long US&nbsp;investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

In a report released last year, Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. He cited 10 instances in which Trump may have tried to impede his probe but did not say if this constituted obstruction of justice.

Collusion?

Trump and his supporters have consistently bristled at suggestions foreign interference helped his upset 2016 victory. They have sought to discredit the intelligence agencies' findings as the politically charged work of a "deep state."

Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh on Tuesday said the report vindicated his stance that there was no "collusion" between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia.

Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said Trump had welcomed Russian assistance in 2016 "with open arms."

"Donald Trump may believe that the Russian government should have a say in our elections, but it is for the American people to decide," Bates said.

Founded by Julian Assange,&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;published thousands of emails hacked from Clinton's campaign and a top campaign aide in the weeks before the 2016 election, yielding a drumbeat of negative coverage about the Democrat.

As Russian military intelligence and&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;released the hacked documents, the report said Trump's campaign sought advance notice, devised messaging strategies to amplify them "and encouraged further theft of information and leaks."

"The Trump campaign publicly undermined the attribution of the hack-and-leak campaign to Russia and was indifferent to whether it and&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;were furthering a Russian election interference effort," the report added.

The report said Trump's campaign tried to get advance information about&nbsp;WikiLeaks' planned releases from his adviser Roger Stone, but the committee could not establish the extent to which Stone had inside access to&nbsp;WikiLeaks&nbsp;materials.

The panel said it had referred "potential criminal activity" it uncovered to law enforcement. An annex on the matter was fully redacted.

A Republican-led Senate committee said on Tuesday that Russia used Republican political operative Paul Manafort and the WikiLeaks website to try to help now-US President Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

A Republican-led Senate committee said on Tuesday that Russia used Republican political operative Paul Manafort and the WikiLeaks website to try to help now-US President Donald Trump win the 2016 election. WikiLeaks played a key role in Russia's effort to assist Republican Trump's campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton and likely knew it was helping Russian intelligence, said the 966-page report, which is likely to be the most definitive public account of the 2016 election controversy. Also read: WikiLeaks releases 20,000 emails of Democratic party officials working against Bernie Sanders The report found President Vladimir Putin personally directed the Russian efforts to hack computer networks and accounts affiliated with the Democratic Party and leak information damaging to Clinton. Asked about the report at an event in Yuma, Arizona, Trump said: "I don't know anything about it. I didn't read it. It's all a hoax," Trump told reporters. The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence alleged Manafort collaborated with Russians, including oligarch Oleg Deripaska and "Russian intelligence officer" Konstantin Kilimnik, before, during, and after the election. Also read: Wikileaks 'Vault 7' expose: CIA ignored warning signs, says report The panel found Manafort's role and proximity to Trump created opportunities for Russian intelligence, saying his "high-level access and willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with the Russian intelligence services... represented a grave counterintelligence threat." A lawyer for Manafort did not respond to a request for comment. WikiLeaks did not immediately reply to a request for comment. It was not clear what effect, if any, the report might have on the current presidential campaign. Trump will face Democratic candidate Joe Biden on November 3. Russia's alleged election interference, which Moscow denies, sparked a two-year-long US investigation headed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In a report released last year, Mueller found no conclusive evidence of coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. He cited 10 instances in which Trump may have tried to impede his probe but did not say if this constituted obstruction of justice. Collusion? Trump and his supporters have consistently bristled at suggestions foreign interference helped his upset 2016 victory. They have sought to discredit the intelligence agencies' findings as the politically charged work of a "deep state." Trump campaign spokesman Tim Murtaugh on Tuesday said the report vindicated his stance that there was no "collusion" between Trump's 2016 campaign and Russia. Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates said Trump had welcomed Russian assistance in 2016 "with open arms." "Donald Trump may believe that the Russian government should have a say in our elections, but it is for the American people to decide," Bates said. Founded by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks published thousands of emails hacked from Clinton's campaign and a top campaign aide in the weeks before the 2016 election, yielding a drumbeat of negative coverage about the Democrat. As Russian military intelligence and WikiLeaks released the hacked documents, the report said Trump's campaign sought advance notice, devised messaging strategies to amplify them "and encouraged further theft of information and leaks." "The Trump campaign publicly undermined the attribution of the hack-and-leak campaign to Russia and was indifferent to whether it and WikiLeaks were furthering a Russian election interference effort," the report added. The report said Trump's campaign tried to get advance information about WikiLeaks' planned releases from his adviser Roger Stone, but the committee could not establish the extent to which Stone had inside access to WikiLeaks materials. The panel said it had referred "potential criminal activity" it uncovered to law enforcement. An annex on the matter was fully redacted.

Senate report details links between Russia and Trump campaign in 2016

Joe Biden started his career in Delaware, represented his state in the US Senate. But the presumptive candidate for the democrats is a native of Pennsylvania. A state which he still calls home. Watch report.

Pennsylvania is Biden's native state: Biden's friend's recall time spent with him

A bipartisan group of two influential US senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution.

Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died.

The resolution was introduced by Senator John Cornyn, Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Thursday.

Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. The Senate resolution follows the passage of a similar resolution by the House of Representatives as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) last month.

"As a cofounder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the US and India. I commend India's commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression," Cornyn said.

The June 15 conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding Beijing's "provocative actions" in disputed territory, Warner said.

"This resolution condemns PRC's (People's Republic of China) actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," he said.

Warner said the US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values.

"That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. 
In a joint press statement, the two senators said the deadly conflict broke out on June 15 on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the LAC that separates China and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim.

The "lethal conflict" occurred in the Galwan Valley ? one of the sites of tension in recent weeks ? as the two sides were in the process of negotiating a mutual "disengagement" of forces. The last time the border conflict escalated to the point of casualties was in 1975, it noted.

The events leading up to the clashes included fistfights between Chinese and Indian soldiers stationed near Pangong Lake in India's Ladakh state, territorial advances by Chinese forces in Hot Springs and the Galwan Valley, and clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border near India's Sikkim state, the statement said.

Over the past several weeks, there has been outpouring of support from top American lawmakers, across the aisle, against Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories.

Support for India against China has come in the form of tweets, public speeches, House and Senate floor, letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Congressional resolutions.

Several lawmakers have also made a call to Sandhu to express their outrage against China.

Sandhu, who has been meeting top American lawmakers, virtually, on a daily basis has received multiple Congressmen and Senators expressing their strong support to India against China.

Senator Rick Scott last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commending the Indian government for the continued efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the boundary issue.

Congressmen George Holding and Brad Sherman, co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, alongwith several other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna, in July wrote a letter to Sandhu, expressing their disappointment by the events that took place in the Galwan Valley.

Led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and co-sponsored by several others, including Ro Khanna, the House of Representatives in July passed an amendment to the NDAA, which says that China should work toward de-escalating the situation along the LAC with India through existing diplomatic mechanisms and not through force.

In the same month, another NDAA amendment, moved by Congressman Steve Chabot along with Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera, noted US Congress' opposition to Chinese aggression against India in the Galwan Valley and expressed concern toward the growing territorial assertiveness of China.

A bipartisan group of two influential US senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution.

A bipartisan group of two influential US senators has introduced a resolution in the Senate, condemning Chinese military aggression to change the status quo at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India and calling for a diplomatic solution. Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in a bitter standoff in several areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh since May 5. The situation deteriorated after the June 15 Galwan Valley clashes in which 20 Indian Army personnel were killed and an unconfirmed number of Chinese soldiers died. The resolution was introduced by Senator John Cornyn, Republican Senate Majority Whip, and Senator Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, on Thursday. Cornyn and Warner are co-chairs of the Senate India Caucus. The Senate resolution follows the passage of a similar resolution by the House of Representatives as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) last month. "As a cofounder of the Senate India Caucus, I know firsthand the importance of a strong relationship between the US and India. I commend India's commitment to standing up to China and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is more important than ever that we support our Indian partners as they defend against Chinese aggression," Cornyn said. The June 15 conflict between China and India, resulting in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, should set off alarm bells regarding Beijing's "provocative actions" in disputed territory, Warner said. "This resolution condemns PRC's (People's Republic of China) actions to change the Line of Actual Control, especially in the midst of diplomatic negotiations between the two countries; and encourages the two nations to find a diplomatic resolution that restores the April 2020 status quo at the LAC," he said. Warner said the US has long enjoyed a partnership with India strengthened by shared democratic values. "That partnership only becomes more important as we work to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific," he said. In a joint press statement, the two senators said the deadly conflict broke out on June 15 on the China-India border following weeks of minor military confrontations along the LAC that separates China and the Indian regions of Ladakh and Sikkim. The "lethal conflict" occurred in the Galwan Valley ? one of the sites of tension in recent weeks ? as the two sides were in the process of negotiating a mutual "disengagement" of forces. The last time the border conflict escalated to the point of casualties was in 1975, it noted. The events leading up to the clashes included fistfights between Chinese and Indian soldiers stationed near Pangong Lake in India's Ladakh state, territorial advances by Chinese forces in Hot Springs and the Galwan Valley, and clashes between Chinese and Indian soldiers on the border near India's Sikkim state, the statement said. Over the past several weeks, there has been outpouring of support from top American lawmakers, across the aisle, against Chinese efforts to grab Indian territories. Support for India against China has come in the form of tweets, public speeches, House and Senate floor, letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Congressional resolutions. Several lawmakers have also made a call to Sandhu to express their outrage against China. Sandhu, who has been meeting top American lawmakers, virtually, on a daily basis has received multiple Congressmen and Senators expressing their strong support to India against China. Senator Rick Scott last month wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, commending the Indian government for the continued efforts to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the boundary issue. Congressmen George Holding and Brad Sherman, co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, alongwith several other lawmakers, including Indian-American Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Indian American Congressman Ro Khanna, in July wrote a letter to Sandhu, expressing their disappointment by the events that took place in the Galwan Valley. Led by Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and co-sponsored by several others, including Ro Khanna, the House of Representatives in July passed an amendment to the NDAA, which says that China should work toward de-escalating the situation along the LAC with India through existing diplomatic mechanisms and not through force. In the same month, another NDAA amendment, moved by Congressman Steve Chabot along with Indian-American lawmaker Ami Bera, noted US Congress' opposition to Chinese aggression against India in the Galwan Valley and expressed concern toward the growing territorial assertiveness of China.

Bipartisan resolution condemning Chinese aggression against India introduced in US Senate

Four most powerful men in the tech world will answer pointed questions from the US lawmakers in a crucial anti-trust hearing. Watch report.

Big Tech CEO's divided on China technology heft | US Congress | World News

WION Fineprint: US tech giants gird for tough hearing, Antitrust hearing in US

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app.

The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US.

The move comes with TikTok seeing strong momentum, especially among young smartphone users, even as US lawmakers and officials step up warnings about its links to China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-committee-approves-bill-banning-tiktok-for-federal-employees-315221">US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees</a>

Pappas said that with the fund, "our creators will be able to realize additional earnings that help reward the care and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that's inspired by their ideas."

The fund will be open in August to US applicants 18 years or older who have a platform following, and post original content in line with its community guidelines. 
The move could help ramp up interest in TikTok, which has seen its user base grow to an estimated one billion.

Until now, TikTok has been using the model of Facebook-owned Instagram, which allows creators to post sponsored videos but without direct remuneration from the platform.

TikTok said this week it plans to add some 10,000 US jobs over the next three years, as it battles complaints over its ties to China.

A unit of China-based holding ByteDance, TikTok has been banned in India and US officials have said they were looking at possible actions against the app.

The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs&nbsp;unanimously voted on Wednesday to approve a bill to ban federal employees from using China's video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices.&nbsp;

Amid reports of a possible spinoff or buyout of the app, TikTok has said the company's structure is under review.

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app. The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US.

TikTok unveiled plans for a $200 million "creator fund" to add content from emerging social media personalities to the fast-growing video-sharing app. The new US fund will "help support ambitious creators who are seeking opportunities to foster a livelihood through their innovative content," said Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok US. The move comes with TikTok seeing strong momentum, especially among young smartphone users, even as US lawmakers and officials step up warnings about its links to China. Also read: US Senate Committee approves bill banning TikTok for federal employees Pappas said that with the fund, "our creators will be able to realize additional earnings that help reward the care and dedication they put into creatively connecting with an audience that's inspired by their ideas." The fund will be open in August to US applicants 18 years or older who have a platform following, and post original content in line with its community guidelines. The move could help ramp up interest in TikTok, which has seen its user base grow to an estimated one billion. Until now, TikTok has been using the model of Facebook-owned Instagram, which allows creators to post sponsored videos but without direct remuneration from the platform. TikTok said this week it plans to add some 10,000 US jobs over the next three years, as it battles complaints over its ties to China. A unit of China-based holding ByteDance, TikTok has been banned in India and US officials have said they were looking at possible actions against the app. The US Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs unanimously voted on Wednesday to approve a bill to ban federal employees from using China's video-sharing app TikTok on government-issued devices. Amid reports of a possible spinoff or buyout of the app, TikTok has said the company's structure is under review.

TikTok launches $200 million fund for US creators despite Senate ban

TikTok, used to create short dance, lip-sync, comedy and talent videos, said last year about 60 percent of its 26.5 million monthly active US users are aged 16 to 24.

US Senate panel approves ban on using TikTok app on Govt devices

Slamming China's aggression over India, the US House of Representatives has unanimously passed an amendment to the National Defence Authorization Act. The amendment states that India and China should work against de-escalating the situation along the LAC. Watch report.

US lower house stands against China: Anti-US amendment passed against China

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The 58-page long report warns against China's ''mounting influence'' which will transform into "digital authoritarianism" and very soon it will ''write the rules of the Internet as a leading tech superpower if necessary steps are not taken to halt its progress.''

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-properties-have-imported-over-8-tonnes-of-goods-from-china-since-september-report-315020">Trump properties have imported tonnes of goods from China since Sep: Report</a>

“Three and a half years into the Trump administration, the United States is now on the precipice of losing the future of the cyber domain to China,'' the report states.

''If China continues to perfect the tools of digital authoritarianism and is able to effectively implement them both domestically and abroad, then China, not the United States and its allies, will shape the digital environment in which most of the world operates.''&nbsp;

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-us-china-relationship-took-a-turn-for-the-worse-314882">How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse</a>

The report which was published on Tuesday is the latest glaring sign of the distrust toward China that now runs rampant in Washington, across the entire political spectrum.

At present there is a growing shift in the Western world away from Chinese technology amid concerns about mounting privacy and security risks.

According to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the committee who commissioned the report, “If the United States fails to rally and lead the international community around our core founding principles, to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to create a new big brother, as this administration has so far failed to do, I am deeply concerned about what the future may hold,” he said when announcing the report.

He also warned of a “global dystopian future, dominated by a hi-tech, totalitarian state”.

The report highlighted China’s use of biometric and facial recognition technology,&nbsp;big data analytics, internet censorship and surveillance of digital communications.

It also explicates China's treatment of Uygurs Muslims and other ethnic minority groups and how their&nbsp;movements are tracked, communications monitored, and genetic data collected by the Chinese state.

The report comes as the Trump administration considers a ban on Chinese-owned apps like the video-sharing app TikTok and after Britain barred Huawei from its 5G networks.

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

United States and its allies have not taken sufficient measures to counter Beijing's efforts at mass surveillance and censorship, according to a report released Tuesday by the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The 58-page long report warns against China's ''mounting influence'' which will transform into "digital authoritarianism" and very soon it will ''write the rules of the Internet as a leading tech superpower if necessary steps are not taken to halt its progress.'' Also read:Trump properties have imported tonnes of goods from China since Sep: Report “Three and a half years into the Trump administration, the United States is now on the precipice of losing the future of the cyber domain to China,'' the report states. ''If China continues to perfect the tools of digital authoritarianism and is able to effectively implement them both domestically and abroad, then China, not the United States and its allies, will shape the digital environment in which most of the world operates.'' Also see: How US-China relationship took a turn for the worse The report which was published on Tuesday is the latest glaring sign of the distrust toward China that now runs rampant in Washington, across the entire political spectrum. At present there is a growing shift in the Western world away from Chinese technology amid concerns about mounting privacy and security risks. According to New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the committee who commissioned the report, “If the United States fails to rally and lead the international community around our core founding principles, to respond to the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to create a new big brother, as this administration has so far failed to do, I am deeply concerned about what the future may hold,” he said when announcing the report. He also warned of a “global dystopian future, dominated by a hi-tech, totalitarian state”. The report highlighted China’s use of biometric and facial recognition technology, big data analytics, internet censorship and surveillance of digital communications. It also explicates China's treatment of Uygurs Muslims and other ethnic minority groups and how their movements are tracked, communications monitored, and genetic data collected by the Chinese state. The report comes as the Trump administration considers a ban on Chinese-owned apps like the video-sharing app TikTok and after Britain barred Huawei from its 5G networks.

United States may lose ‘cyber domain’ to China, says Senate report

The US Senate on June 25 passed a bill by unanimous consent that would impose sanctions on China for its decision to implement the controversial national security law in Hong Kong. Watch report.

Bipartisan rebuke of China: US Senate's move to protest Hong Kong's autonomy

The US Senate passed legislation on Thursday that would impose mandatory sanctions on people or companies that back efforts by China to restrict Hong Kong’s autonomy, pushing back against Beijing’s new security law for the city.

The measure also includes secondary sanctions on banks that do business with anyone found to be backing any crackdown on the territory’s autonomy, potentially cutting them off from American counterparts and limiting access to US dollar transactions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-guilty-of-forced-labour-under-horrendous-conditions-on-bri-project-us-report-308661">Also read|&nbsp;China guilty of forced labour under 'horrendous conditions' on BRI project: US Report</a>

The “Hong Kong Autonomy Act” passed by unanimous consent. To become law, it must also pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump.

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, a lead sponsor, said in the Senate the legislation would send a clear message to Beijing that there would be consequences if it acts to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy.

The Hong Kong sanctions bill almost passed last week, Van Hollen said, but was blocked by Republican Senator Kevin Cramer - who had co-sponsored it - at the request of the Trump administration, which made a late request for technical corrections.

The delay underscored the complications of passing legislation pushing back on China, as the administration pursues a trade deal and the two powers grapple for international influence and clash over human rights.

US-China relations have worsened since the coronavirus pandemic, which began in China, hit the United States.

China’s security legislation prompted Trump to initiate a process to eliminate special economic treatment that has allowed Hong Kong to remain a global financial center.

China hawks in Congress have pushing for a strong US reaction to any clampdown in Hong Kong.

“This could be our last opportunity to stay Beijing’s hand before it destroys what is left of freedom in the city,” said Republican Senator Josh Hawley.

The Senate also passed a resolution, introduced by Hawley, condemning the proposed security law.

The US Senate passed legislation on Thursday that would impose mandatory sanctions on people or companies that back efforts by China to restrict Hong Kong’s autonomy, pushing back against Beijing’s new security law for the city.

The US Senate passed legislation on Thursday that would impose mandatory sanctions on people or companies that back efforts by China to restrict Hong Kong’s autonomy, pushing back against Beijing’s new security law for the city. The measure also includes secondary sanctions on banks that do business with anyone found to be backing any crackdown on the territory’s autonomy, potentially cutting them off from American counterparts and limiting access to US dollar transactions. Also read| China guilty of forced labour under 'horrendous conditions' on BRI project: US Report The “Hong Kong Autonomy Act” passed by unanimous consent. To become law, it must also pass the House of Representatives and be signed by President Donald Trump. Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, a lead sponsor, said in the Senate the legislation would send a clear message to Beijing that there would be consequences if it acts to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy. The Hong Kong sanctions bill almost passed last week, Van Hollen said, but was blocked by Republican Senator Kevin Cramer - who had co-sponsored it - at the request of the Trump administration, which made a late request for technical corrections. The delay underscored the complications of passing legislation pushing back on China, as the administration pursues a trade deal and the two powers grapple for international influence and clash over human rights. US-China relations have worsened since the coronavirus pandemic, which began in China, hit the United States. China’s security legislation prompted Trump to initiate a process to eliminate special economic treatment that has allowed Hong Kong to remain a global financial center. China hawks in Congress have pushing for a strong US reaction to any clampdown in Hong Kong. “This could be our last opportunity to stay Beijing’s hand before it destroys what is left of freedom in the city,” said Republican Senator Josh Hawley. The Senate also passed a resolution, introduced by Hawley, condemning the proposed security law.

US Senate backs bill to punish China over Hong Kong autonomy

US sanctions China over Hong Kong Security Law

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism.

Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past.

The toppling of a statue is not just a revolt against history. It is also-- the making of history and history -- is exactly -- what is being written right now. The world is rising against racism and attacking everything that stands for racism.

In 2003, the destruction of the Firdos Square statue of Saddam Hussein was an event in the invasion of Iraq that marked the symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad and the end of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship.

On June 4, 1989, in Beijing, &nbsp;the statue of the goddess of democracy was destroyed by soldiers clearing the protesters from Tiananmen square.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-imperial-statues-heritage-or-structures-of-hate-304951/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Structures built on the foundations of hate and slavery they are being taken down one after another.

In London, the statue of a slave trader was taken down. His name was Robert Milligan. He was a merchant who owned 526 slaves in Jamaica. Why was his statue standing tall outside a London museum in the first place? Because he helped in founding some of the key institutions of imperial Britain.&nbsp;

For the money that he paid, Milligan's links to slavery and his racist history — were whitewashed. Just like it was — in the case of Winston Churchill. Edward Colston — another slave trader. 
Both these statues were defaced in England.

This is a movement against racism. That is exposing skeletons of the past. Countries across the world are facing a difficult question today.&nbsp;

One of the most controversial statues under threat is the monument to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford University, where thousands will gather later today for a rally demanding its removal.

India is still living with the symbols of this dark era, 72 years after independence. The victoria memorial still celebrates the queen of England.

It is also a reminder of how Bengal and all of India suffered under her rule. Almost all the streets of Langford town in the city of Bengaluru are named after imperial leaders. Fort St George in Chennai is a reminder of the British raj.

These symbols of imperial pomp were imposed on India. Just like the British rule. Statues of rulers, generals and British civil servants were erected across India.&nbsp;

Many of them faced the wrath of angry Indians. In 1896, a statue of queen victoria was daubed in tar.

In 1908 another victoria statue was vandalised in Nagpur. In the 1930s, people demanded that a memorial to the black hole tragedy be removed. After independence people asked-- why should the symbols of the raj stay?

The Bombay municipal corporation adopted a resolution in 1947.

All busts and statues of imperial figures were to be replaced by those of Indians. In recent years many imperial structures have either been removed or placed in museums.

Some have also been sent abroad. But many remains as do colonial names. Today, Britons have spoken out against their queen. A statue of victoria has been attacked in the UK. And I am not justifying or promoting vandalism.

This is the right time for India to bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression.

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism. Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past.

The world is rocked by protests against racism and discrimination and in the line of fire are symbols of racism. Black Lives Matter protesters are turning their attention to memorials around the UK to demolish that celebrate the country’s imperialist past. The toppling of a statue is not just a revolt against history. It is also-- the making of history and history -- is exactly -- what is being written right now. The world is rising against racism and attacking everything that stands for racism. In 2003, the destruction of the Firdos Square statue of Saddam Hussein was an event in the invasion of Iraq that marked the symbolic end of the Battle of Baghdad and the end of Saddam Hussein's dictatorship. On June 4, 1989, in Beijing, the statue of the goddess of democracy was destroyed by soldiers clearing the protesters from Tiananmen square. Structures built on the foundations of hate and slavery they are being taken down one after another. In London, the statue of a slave trader was taken down. His name was Robert Milligan. He was a merchant who owned 526 slaves in Jamaica. Why was his statue standing tall outside a London museum in the first place? Because he helped in founding some of the key institutions of imperial Britain. For the money that he paid, Milligan's links to slavery and his racist history — were whitewashed. Just like it was — in the case of Winston Churchill. Edward Colston — another slave trader. Both these statues were defaced in England. This is a movement against racism. That is exposing skeletons of the past. Countries across the world are facing a difficult question today. One of the most controversial statues under threat is the monument to British colonialist Cecil Rhodes at Oriel College, Oxford University, where thousands will gather later today for a rally demanding its removal. India is still living with the symbols of this dark era, 72 years after independence. The victoria memorial still celebrates the queen of England. It is also a reminder of how Bengal and all of India suffered under her rule. Almost all the streets of Langford town in the city of Bengaluru are named after imperial leaders. Fort St George in Chennai is a reminder of the British raj. These symbols of imperial pomp were imposed on India. Just like the British rule. Statues of rulers, generals and British civil servants were erected across India. Many of them faced the wrath of angry Indians. In 1896, a statue of queen victoria was daubed in tar. In 1908 another victoria statue was vandalised in Nagpur. In the 1930s, people demanded that a memorial to the black hole tragedy be removed. After independence people asked-- why should the symbols of the raj stay? The Bombay municipal corporation adopted a resolution in 1947. All busts and statues of imperial figures were to be replaced by those of Indians. In recent years many imperial structures have either been removed or placed in museums. Some have also been sent abroad. But many remains as do colonial names. Today, Britons have spoken out against their queen. A statue of victoria has been attacked in the UK. And I am not justifying or promoting vandalism. This is the right time for India to bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression.

India should bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gen. Charles Brown Jr. as chief of staff of the United States Air Force, making him the first black officer to lead one of the nation's military services.

US: Senate confirms Gen. Charles Brown as new Air Force Chief

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously confirmed General Charles Brown Jr as chief of staff of the US Air Force, making him the first Black officer to lead one of the nation's military services.&nbsp;

Vice President Mike Pence took the unusual step of presiding over the vote, something he usually does to break ties. But Brown's confirmation, 98-0, was not close. Pence called the moment "historic".

Brown most recently served as the commander of US Pacific Air Forces. He is a fighter pilot, with more than 2,900 flying hours, including 130 in combat.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/world-dismantles-historical-artefacts-of-racism-monuments-become-sites-of-protest-304777" hreflang="en">World dismantles historical artefacts of racism, monuments become sites of protest</a>

He recounted his experiences in an emotional video, speaking of how during his Air Force career he was often the only African American in my squadron or, as a senior officer, the only African American in the room and of wearing the same flight suit with wings pinned on his chest as his squadron yet being asked if he was a pilot.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
What are you thinking about? Listen to Air Force General Charles Brown, he will share with you what he is thinking about. Just maybe maybe not you are having similar thoughts. Watch his video, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leadershipmatters?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#leadershipmatters</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/leadershipwhe?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#leadershipwhe</a>…<a href="https://t.co/aqMZRPVxL7">https://t.co/aqMZRPVxL7</a> <a href="https://t.co/nnuWTC8o0d">https://t.co/nnuWTC8o0d</a>
— Jeff Willie (@jeffwillie02) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffwillie02/status/1269372129369182209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

He expressed hope that his confirmation would make a positive difference after centuries of racism in the United States.

“I am thinking about how I can make improvements, personally, professionally and institutionally so that all airmen, both today and tomorrow, appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full potential,”&nbsp;Brown said.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/martyr-for-change-george-floyd-memorialised-in-his-hometown-houston-304771" hreflang="en">'Martyr for change': George Floyd memorialised in his hometown Houston</a>

The vote came as the Trump administration and the mostly white Senate Republican conference grapple with the&nbsp;aftermath&nbsp;of the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis.

Protests have convulsed the nation alongside the coronavirus pandemic, with racial discrimination being the common thread between them. The vote in Washington, DC overlapped with Floyd's&nbsp;funeral in Houston.

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously confirmed General Charles Brown Jr as chief of staff of the US Air Force, making him the first Black officer to lead one of the nation's military services.

The Senate on Tuesday unanimously confirmed General Charles Brown Jr as chief of staff of the US Air Force, making him the first Black officer to lead one of the nation's military services. Vice President Mike Pence took the unusual step of presiding over the vote, something he usually does to break ties. But Brown's confirmation, 98-0, was not close. Pence called the moment "historic". Brown most recently served as the commander of US Pacific Air Forces. He is a fighter pilot, with more than 2,900 flying hours, including 130 in combat. Also see: World dismantles historical artefacts of racism, monuments become sites of protest He recounted his experiences in an emotional video, speaking of how during his Air Force career he was often the only African American in my squadron or, as a senior officer, the only African American in the room and of wearing the same flight suit with wings pinned on his chest as his squadron yet being asked if he was a pilot. What are you thinking about? Listen to Air Force General Charles Brown, he will share with you what he is thinking about. Just maybe maybe not you are having similar thoughts. Watch his video, #leadershipmatters #leadershipwhe…https://t.co/aqMZRPVxL7 https://t.co/nnuWTC8o0d — Jeff Willie (@jeffwillie02) June 6, 2020 × He expressed hope that his confirmation would make a positive difference after centuries of racism in the United States. “I am thinking about how I can make improvements, personally, professionally and institutionally so that all airmen, both today and tomorrow, appreciate the value of diversity and can serve in an environment where they can reach their full potential,” Brown said. Also see: 'Martyr for change': George Floyd memorialised in his hometown Houston The vote came as the Trump administration and the mostly white Senate Republican conference grapple with the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Protests have convulsed the nation alongside the coronavirus pandemic, with racial discrimination being the common thread between them. The vote in Washington, DC overlapped with Floyd's funeral in Houston.

US Senate confirms first black Air Force chief of staff in 'historic' vote

The lead coronavirus expert of US Anthony&nbsp;Fauci&nbsp;will&nbsp;appear next week before a panel in the Republican-led Senate examining the country's coronavirus response, according to US President Donald Trump.

However, he hasn't been allowed to appear before the&nbsp;the Democratic-led House of Representatives.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump&nbsp;defended his decision to block the nation's top health expert&nbsp;from appearing before the House, saying he was being set up by Democrats who hate him and want to win back the White House in November's presidential election.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-will-witness-200000-cases-and-3000-deaths-per-day-by-june-1-reports-296832" hreflang="en">United States will witness 200,000 cases and 3,000 deaths per day by June 1: reports</a>

Fauci, who directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is scheduled to appear May 12 before the Senate Health, Education, and Labor and Pensions committee along with other top US&nbsp;health officials.

"The House they should be ashamed of themselves and, frankly, the Democrats should be ashamed because they don't want us to succeed. They want us to fail so they can win an election, which they're not going to win," the Republican president said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-treasury-expects-to-borrow-a-record-3-trillion-in-the-second-quarter-296721" hreflang="en">US treasury expects to borrow a record $3 trillion in the second quarter</a>

A House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees health programs had been seeking testimony from&nbsp;Fauci&nbsp;for a May 6 hearing, but the White House last week said his appearance would be "counterproductive."

Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir are also scheduled to appear before the Senate hearing next week focused on "safely getting back to work and ... school," according to the committee.

&nbsp;

The lead coronavirus expert of US Anthony Fauci will appear next week before a panel in the Republican-led Senate examining the country's coronavirus response, according to US President Donald Trump.

The lead coronavirus expert of US Anthony Fauci will appear next week before a panel in the Republican-led Senate examining the country's coronavirus response, according to US President Donald Trump. However, he hasn't been allowed to appear before the the Democratic-led House of Representatives. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump defended his decision to block the nation's top health expert from appearing before the House, saying he was being set up by Democrats who hate him and want to win back the White House in November's presidential election. Also read: United States will witness 200,000 cases and 3,000 deaths per day by June 1: reports Fauci, who directs the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and is part of the White House Coronavirus Task Force, is scheduled to appear May 12 before the Senate Health, Education, and Labor and Pensions committee along with other top US health officials. "The House they should be ashamed of themselves and, frankly, the Democrats should be ashamed because they don't want us to succeed. They want us to fail so they can win an election, which they're not going to win," the Republican president said. Also read: US treasury expects to borrow a record $3 trillion in the second quarter A House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees health programs had been seeking testimony from Fauci for a May 6 hearing, but the White House last week said his appearance would be "counterproductive." Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Stephen Hahn, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield, and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir are also scheduled to appear before the Senate hearing next week focused on "safely getting back to work and ... school," according to the committee.

US lead coronavirus expert to testify in Senate on country's COVID-19 response

The US&nbsp;Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill worth $2 trillion aimed at helping unemployed workers and industries hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as providing billions of dollars to buy urgently needed medical equipment.

By a vote of 96-0 the Senate passed the bill, sending it to the House of Representatives, which could vote sometime this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-coronavirus-cases-near-70000-more-than-1000-dead-288573" hreflang="en">US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead</a>

After bitter negotiations, the deeply divided&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;came together and passed the bill by a unanimous&nbsp;96-0 vote, which sent the massive stimulus&nbsp;package to the House of Representatives, which could vote sometime this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-requests-virus-test-kits-from-south-korea-seoul-288559" hreflang="en">Trump requests virus test kits from South Korea: Seoul</a>

President Donald Trump, whose top aides helped negotiate the bipartisan measure, promised to sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk.

The massive bill - which would be the largest economic stimulus&nbsp;measure ever passed by Congress - includes a $500 billion fund to help hard-hit industries and a comparable amount for direct payments of up to $3,000 apiece to millions of US&nbsp;families.

The package is intended to flood the economy with cash in a bid to stem the impact of an intensifying epidemic that has killed more than 900 people in the United States and infected at least 60,000.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The US Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill worth $2 trillion aimed at helping unemployed workers and industries hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as providing billions of dollars to buy urgently needed medical equipment.

The US Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a bill worth $2 trillion aimed at helping unemployed workers and industries hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, as well as providing billions of dollars to buy urgently needed medical equipment. By a vote of 96-0 the Senate passed the bill, sending it to the House of Representatives, which could vote sometime this week. Also read: US coronavirus cases near 70,000, more than 1,000 dead After bitter negotiations, the deeply divided Senate came together and passed the bill by a unanimous 96-0 vote, which sent the massive stimulus package to the House of Representatives, which could vote sometime this week. Also read: Trump requests virus test kits from South Korea: Seoul President Donald Trump, whose top aides helped negotiate the bipartisan measure, promised to sign it into law as soon as it reaches his desk. The massive bill - which would be the largest economic stimulus measure ever passed by Congress - includes a $500 billion fund to help hard-hit industries and a comparable amount for direct payments of up to $3,000 apiece to millions of US families. The package is intended to flood the economy with cash in a bid to stem the impact of an intensifying epidemic that has killed more than 900 people in the United States and infected at least 60,000. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Senate approves coronavirus relief bill worth $2 trillion

A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package remained stalled in the U.S. Senate on Monday as lawmakers haggled over its provisions, but the U.S. Treasury secretary voiced confidence a deal would be reached soon.

A far-reaching coronavirus economic stimulus package remained stalled in the U.S. Senate on Monday as lawmakers haggled over its provisions, but the U.S. Treasury secretary voiced confidence a deal would be reached soon. Democrats said the $2 trillion (1.72 trillion pounds) measure contained too little money for states and hospitals and not enough restrictions on a fund to help big businesses. A 49-46 vote fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, as the Republican-controlled chamber remained deadlocked for a second day. Only one Democrat, Senator Doug Jones, voted with Republicans to advance the bill. Congress has already passed two packages of legislation to blunt the economic toll of the pandemic, which has killed more than 550 people in the United States and sickened more than 43,800, thrown millions out of work and led state governors to order nearly a third of the nation's population to stay at home. Tempers frayed as Republicans accused Democrats of obstruction during a national emergency, but negotiators from both parties and Republican President Donald Trump's administration continued meeting in private rooms where they have spent days trying to agree on a relief package. "Why are the American people still waiting? Why are Democrats filibustering the bipartisan bill they helped write?" Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said. Democrats insisted it needed to include more oversight provisions for a $500 billion fund to help large businesses. Trump was asked at a White House briefing who would provide oversight of how the funds are used, and responded that he would. "I'll be the oversight," he told reporters. Democrats said they thought an agreement was close. "Take a deep breath. We're gonna pass this bill," Senator Dick Durbin, the chamber's No 2 Democrat, said.

Mnuchin expresses hope a deal is 'very close' on $2 trillion coronavirus aid package in US Senate

The U.S. Senate's drive to pass a $1-trillion-plus coronavirus response bill remained stymied late on Sunday, as Democrats held out for more money to help state and local governments and hospitals, while Republicans urged quick action to give financial markets a sign of encouragement.

The U.S. Senate's drive to pass a $1-trillion-plus coronavirus response bill remained stymied late on Sunday, as Democrats held out for more money to help state and local governments and hospitals, while Republicans urged quick action to give financial markets a sign of encouragement. Earlier on Sunday, the Senate failed to get the necessary 60 votes in the 100-member chamber to get the Republican plan over a procedural hurdle after days of negotiations, with 47 senators voting in favour and 47 opposed. Later on Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, announced he would hold a repeat vote early on Monday, only to be blocked by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. In response, McConnell accused Democrats of "reckless behaviour" that could further upset financial markets and delay much-needed aid to battle the coronavirus outbreak. But Democrats held their ground with Schumer calling the Republican plan "a giant, giant corporate bailout fund with no accountability." Amid the partisan attacks, Schumer said that private negotiations were making progress. White House legislative liaison Eric Ueland told reporters a "handful" of disagreements still had to be resolved. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin shuttled between the offices of the Republican leader and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer in search of a deal. At one point, Mnuchin also indicated to reporters that progress was being made. The negotiations marked Congress's third effort to blunt the economic toll of a disease that has killed at least 420 people in the United States and sickened more than 33,000, leading governors to order nearly a third of the nation's population to stay at home and putting much business activity on hold. Following two successful emergency aid bills, this latest effort includes financial aid for regular Americans, small businesses and critically affected industries, including airlines. Democrats raised objections to the Senate Republicans' bill throughout the day, with Schumer saying it had "many, many problems" and would benefit corporate interests at the expense of hospitals, healthcare workers, cities and states. The failure of the measure to move forward sent Democrats and Republicans back to the bargaining table. The speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, said that Democrats in that chamber will begin crafting an alternative bill. Schumer said more money was needed for community health centers, nursing homes, masks, ventilators, personal protective equipment and aid to state and local governments. On the Senate floor, a visibly angry McConnell accused Democrats of obstruction. "Even if Democrats reverse course tomorrow, the vote they cast today will almost certainly cause more Americans to lose their jobs and more seniors hard-earned retirement savings to literally evaporate," he said. Lawmakers were mindful that a failure to reach a deal on Sunday could batter already reeling financial markets on Monday. But Democratic Senator Joe Manchin said that would not rush Democrats into a deal they do not want. "Markets always come back," he said. In a sign of the disease's spread, Republican Senator Rand Paul on Sunday said he had tested positive. Republican Senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney said they would self-quarantine as a result. At a White House briefing on Sunday, President Donald Trump said he still had hope that a massive aid package could pass Congress swiftly. "They are very close to getting a deal done," Trump said. "So I'd be surprised if they didn't and if they don't, I think frankly the American people will be very upset with the Democrats because the Republicans are ready to approve a deal. The only reason a deal couldn't get done is pure politics." Vice President Mike Pence said 254,000 Americans have been tested for the virus and slightly more than 30,000 have tested positive. Trump said he had activated the National Guard in the three states hardest hit by the outbreak: California, New York and Washington. The Senate bill's controversial provisions included those aimed at helping corporations, rather than workers, as well as those allowing the government to delay disclosing what firms, states or municipalities had received aid for up to six months. Former Vice President Joe Biden, the leading Democratic candidate to challenge Trump in the November U.S. presidential election, blasted the president's handling of the crisis. "President Trump neglected, minimized, and lied about this virus," Biden said in a statement. "Stop lying and start acting. Use the full extent of your authorities, now, to ensure that we are producing all essential goods and delivering them." Mnuchin told "Fox News Sunday" the package would include loans for small businesses, direct deposits that could give an average family of four $3,000, and up to $4 trillion in liquidity for the U.S. Federal Reserve to help businesses get through the next 90 to 120 days. A Republican-drafted bill seen by Reuters gives the U.S. Treasury authority to provide up to $500 billion in loans, loan guarantees and other investments in eligible businesses, states and municipalities during the crisis. Of this, up to $50 billion could provide loans and loan guarantees for passenger airlines, $8 billion for cargo air carriers and $17 billion for businesses critical to national security. The remaining $425 billion would be available for loans, loan guarantees and other investments for the Fed to provide liquidity to help the financial system lend to businesses, states and municipalities.

Coronavirus relief bill slows in US Senate, talks continue

Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate on Saturday scrambled to complete a deal on a $1 trillion-plus bill aimed at stemming the coronavirus pandemic's economic fallout for workers, industries and small businesses.

Republicans and Democrats in the U.S. Senate on Saturday scrambled to complete a deal on a $1 trillion-plus bill aimed at stemming the coronavirus pandemic's economic fallout for workers, industries and small businesses. But after the second day of marathon closed-door negotiations, there was no sign of an overarching deal between negotiators, despite Republicans' claims of bipartisan agreement on specific issues including unemployment insurance and small business assistance. "The past two days of intense bipartisan talks are very close to a resolution," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who intends to hold a vote to pass the sprawling package on Monday. He said he has asked committee chairmen to produce final language for the bill by late Saturday. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow told reporters he expects the final legislative package to be worth $1.3 trillion to $1.4 trillion to combat the effects of a health crisis that many fear will lead to a spike in unemployment as businesses close and the economy falters. Combined with actions undertaken by the U.S. Federal Reserve and the administration, the prospective bill would have a $2 trillion net impact on a U.S. economy facing powerful headwind spawned by the outbreak, according to White House officials. Republican Senator Mike Crapo, who chairs the Senate Banking Committee, said the legislation could contain $300 billion to $500 billion in stabilization funds that the Federal Reserve could use as the basis for much larger infusions of liquidity for businesses of all sizes and configurations. Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who met twice on Saturday with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, agreed that progress was being made. "I'm optimistic we can get a deal. We're going to continue working through the night," the New York Democrat told reporters. Lawmakers from both sides said they were at or near agreement on proposals to provide $350 billion or more in assistance for small businesses and to enhance unemployment insurance coverage for people made jobless by the outbreak. Democrats pressed for all coronavirus-affected workers to receive full pay for four months. "We haven't dotted the i's and crossed the t's. But conceptually, I think we're there," Schumer told CNN. Democrats have also called for a $100 billion "Marshall Plan" for U.S. hospitals to pay for protective gear, equipment such as ventilators, beds and additional doctors and nurses. "I suspect that we'll have a bill by tomorrow that will have significant Democratic priorities, significant Republican priorities and hopefully we can pass the bill Monday morning," Republican Senator Lamar Alexander told reporters. Major U.S. airlines and their unions also called on Congress to include federal cash grants to support industry paychecks. But their plea did not appear to find support with senators or the administration. The prospective legislation already includes $58 billion in loans and loan guarantees for passenger airlines and air cargo carriers. Republican lawmakers said the bill will also include a funding response to the Trump administration's request for $45.8 billion in extra funding for the Department of Health and Human Services, the Veterans Administration and the Defense Department.

US Senate races to agree on massive coronavirus relief package

The US Senate has passed the Iran war powers resolution. The&nbsp;bill seeks to prevent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../US-President-Trump-to-visit-India-on-February -24-25-White-House">Donald Trump</a> from waging war with Iran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-us-senators-visit-ukraine-right-after-impeachment-280416">US Senators plan on visiting Ukraine after Trump impeachment trial</a>

During the session, 55 Senators supported the bill, while 45 opposed it. The Democrats are hailing it&nbsp;as a bipartisan victory.

Trump's Republican party holds a 53-seat majority in the Senate, however, during&nbsp;Thursday's vote eight&nbsp;Republicans joined the Democratic cause.

The result was a far cry from the partisan vote that acquitted Trump of his impeachment charges last week. Trump had warned Senators against passing the bill.

The US president had&nbsp;said the United States was doing well with Iran and that this was not a time to show "weakness".&nbsp;

The resolution requires Trump to remove troops deployed against Iran unless Congress declares war. It also defends American aggression in case of an imminent threat.

The bill will now go to the House of Representatives and then on to the President's desk wherein all likelihood it will be vetoed by President Trump.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/wion-dispatch-iranian-supreme-leader-hits-out-at-us-calls-trump-clown-274919/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

It's unlikely that two-thirds of the Senate will join hands and force the president's hand but&nbsp;the very fact that a Republican Senate passed a resolution rebuking Trump sends a strong political message to the President.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/house-votes-to-restrain-trumps-iran-war-powers-273285/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Even as America moved to curb its President's powers there were some major developments in Iran.&nbsp;Iran's revolutionary guard commander Hossein Salami issued a major threat.&nbsp;He vowed to strike both the US and Israel if there was even a small error from either of the two countries even as&nbsp;a&nbsp;US warship found a cache of suspected Iranian weapons in the Arabian Sea.

The USS Normandy seized 150 anti-tank missiles and&nbsp;three&nbsp;Iranian surface-to-air missiles and other weapons components believed to be manufactured in Iran.

The US Senate has passed the Iran war powers resolution. The bill seeks to prevent Donald Trump from waging war with Iran. Also read: US Senators plan on visiting Ukraine after Trump impeachment trial During the session, 55 Senators supported the bill, while 45 opposed it.

The US Senate has passed the Iran war powers resolution. The bill seeks to prevent Donald Trump from waging war with Iran. Also read: US Senators plan on visiting Ukraine after Trump impeachment trial During the session, 55 Senators supported the bill, while 45 opposed it. The Democrats are hailing it as a bipartisan victory. Trump's Republican party holds a 53-seat majority in the Senate, however, during Thursday's vote eight Republicans joined the Democratic cause. The result was a far cry from the partisan vote that acquitted Trump of his impeachment charges last week. Trump had warned Senators against passing the bill. The US president had said the United States was doing well with Iran and that this was not a time to show "weakness". The resolution requires Trump to remove troops deployed against Iran unless Congress declares war. It also defends American aggression in case of an imminent threat. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives and then on to the President's desk wherein all likelihood it will be vetoed by President Trump. × It's unlikely that two-thirds of the Senate will join hands and force the president's hand but the very fact that a Republican Senate passed a resolution rebuking Trump sends a strong political message to the President. × Even as America moved to curb its President's powers there were some major developments in Iran. Iran's revolutionary guard commander Hossein Salami issued a major threat. He vowed to strike both the US and Israel if there was even a small error from either of the two countries even as a US warship found a cache of suspected Iranian weapons in the Arabian Sea. The USS Normandy seized 150 anti-tank missiles and three Iranian surface-to-air missiles and other weapons components believed to be manufactured in Iran.

US Senate curbs Trump's ability to wage war with Iran

US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday (February 6) unleashed his fury over being charged in the impeachment trial and thanked his family for standing by him through it all. Trump said, 'I've always said they're lousy politicians, but they do two things. They're vicious and mean vicious.'

Donald Trump lashes out at the democrats

Highlights from Trump's reality-TV style State of the Union address

White House lawyers began presenting their defence of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-legal-team-to-begin-defence-arguments-at-us-senate-impeachment-trial-276533">Donald Trump at his historic Senate impeachment trial </a>on Saturday, saying the president had done nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 election.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone took the floor for opening arguments at a rare weekend session of the 100-member Senate, which will decide whether the 45th US president should be removed from office.

Democratic prosecutors from the House of Representatives, which impeached Trump on December 18, had not made their case that the president was guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Cipollone said at only the third impeachment trial in US history.

"We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do," he told a hushed Senate chamber. "In fact, we believe when you hear the facts... you will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong."

House prosecutors spent the previous three days laying out a detailed case that Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine to pressure his Ukrainian counterpart to open an investigation into political rival Joe Biden.

Cipollone said Democrats were asking the Senate to "overturn the results of the last election" and remove Trump from the ballot in the upcoming November vote.

"They're asking you to do something that no Senate has ever done," the White House counsel said.

"They're asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country," he said. "Take that decision away from the American people.

"They are here to perpetuate the most massive interference in an election in American history and we can't allow that to happen."

Insulting nicknames

Shortly before the defence began its presentation, Trump fired off a tweet with insulting nicknames for leading Democrats and told his supporters to tune in to the live television broadcast.

The Republican president also tweeted remarks from supporters lauding his achievements since taking office in January 2017.

Trump's lawyers will have 24 hours spread over three days to present their defence of the president to the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53 to 47 seat majority.

They plan to speak for up to three hours on Saturday and resume their presentation on Monday.

The short session will be welcome to four senators battling for the Democratic presidential nomination, allowing them to return to the campaign trail ahead of the February 3 caucuses in Iowa, which kick off the primary season.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet have been forced to remain in Washington for the hearings.

A two-thirds majority, or 67 senators, is required to remove a president from office and Democrats do not appear to have made any inroads in Trump's wall of Republican support.

"I don't believe anything they've said so far is impeachable," Senator Rick Scott told reporters after Democrats wrapped up their case Friday night.

'Trump first'

In his closing arguments, lead House prosecutor Adam Schiff warned that Trump would remain an "imminent threat" to American democracy if he stays in power.

"This is Trump first, not America first," Schiff said.

After the White House concludes its presentation, senators will have 16 hours to pose questions to both sides and consider whether they should subpoena witnesses, something Democrats have sought from the start.

If Democrats gain support for subpoenas, Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son Hunter to testify because their connections to Ukraine were at the heart of Trump's scheme to tarnish his election rival.

Democrats argued that Trump's refusal to allow top officials to testify and to supply subpoenaed documents to the House Ukraine investigation supported the second charge against him -- obstruction of Congress.

The questions from senators will be submitted in writing to US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial and will read them out loud.&nbsp;

Americans appear about evenly split on whether Trump should be impeached and removed, though several polls show a healthy majority want the Senate to subpoena witnesses for Trump's trial.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a prominent Trump defender, could bring the trial to a vote on the charges by late next week, and see Trump acquitted along party lines.

White House lawyers began presenting their defence of Donald Trump at his historic Senate impeachment trial on Saturday, saying the president had done nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 election.

White House lawyers began presenting their defence of Donald Trump at his historic Senate impeachment trial on Saturday, saying the president had done nothing wrong in his dealings with Ukraine and accusing Democrats of seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 election. White House counsel Pat Cipollone took the floor for opening arguments at a rare weekend session of the 100-member Senate, which will decide whether the 45th US president should be removed from office. Democratic prosecutors from the House of Representatives, which impeached Trump on December 18, had not made their case that the president was guilty of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, Cipollone said at only the third impeachment trial in US history. "We don't believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they're asking you to do," he told a hushed Senate chamber. "In fact, we believe when you hear the facts... you will find that the president did absolutely nothing wrong." House prosecutors spent the previous three days laying out a detailed case that Trump withheld military aid to Ukraine to pressure his Ukrainian counterpart to open an investigation into political rival Joe Biden. Cipollone said Democrats were asking the Senate to "overturn the results of the last election" and remove Trump from the ballot in the upcoming November vote. "They're asking you to do something that no Senate has ever done," the White House counsel said. "They're asking you to tear up all of the ballots across this country," he said. "Take that decision away from the American people. "They are here to perpetuate the most massive interference in an election in American history and we can't allow that to happen." Insulting nicknames Shortly before the defence began its presentation, Trump fired off a tweet with insulting nicknames for leading Democrats and told his supporters to tune in to the live television broadcast. The Republican president also tweeted remarks from supporters lauding his achievements since taking office in January 2017. Trump's lawyers will have 24 hours spread over three days to present their defence of the president to the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53 to 47 seat majority. They plan to speak for up to three hours on Saturday and resume their presentation on Monday. The short session will be welcome to four senators battling for the Democratic presidential nomination, allowing them to return to the campaign trail ahead of the February 3 caucuses in Iowa, which kick off the primary season. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Colorado Senator Michael Bennet have been forced to remain in Washington for the hearings. A two-thirds majority, or 67 senators, is required to remove a president from office and Democrats do not appear to have made any inroads in Trump's wall of Republican support. "I don't believe anything they've said so far is impeachable," Senator Rick Scott told reporters after Democrats wrapped up their case Friday night. 'Trump first' In his closing arguments, lead House prosecutor Adam Schiff warned that Trump would remain an "imminent threat" to American democracy if he stays in power. "This is Trump first, not America first," Schiff said. After the White House concludes its presentation, senators will have 16 hours to pose questions to both sides and consider whether they should subpoena witnesses, something Democrats have sought from the start. If Democrats gain support for subpoenas, Republicans have threatened to call Joe Biden and his son Hunter to testify because their connections to Ukraine were at the heart of Trump's scheme to tarnish his election rival. Democrats argued that Trump's refusal to allow top officials to testify and to supply subpoenaed documents to the House Ukraine investigation supported the second charge against him -- obstruction of Congress. The questions from senators will be submitted in writing to US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial and will read them out loud. Americans appear about evenly split on whether Trump should be impeached and removed, though several polls show a healthy majority want the Senate to subpoena witnesses for Trump's trial. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a prominent Trump defender, could bring the trial to a vote on the charges by late next week, and see Trump acquitted along party lines.

Trump did 'nothing wrong': White House opens Senate defence

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon.&nbsp;

The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress.

Trump's 116-page-long Trial Memorandum is his first official defence against the charges.

Watch:&nbsp;Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/senate-begins-trial-on-donald-trumps-impeachment-274877/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The Senate should reject the Articles of Impeachment and acquit the president immediately," the memo mentioned.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel had recently put forward rules to facilitate a quick impeachment trial, and offered no guarantee of admission of new witnesses and evidence.

<h6><img alt="oooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf4364d8-99c5-47fd-b3a9-bfcd2730cc3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_52.jpg" /> 
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (C) is handed a document while signing the articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The resolution could face a vote today, with Trump's lawyers intending to seek dismissal of all charges.

According to the proposal put forth by the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on whether the material collected by the House would be valid in the trial.

Trump is the fourth of 45 American presidents to face an impeachment hearing. Allegedly, Trump had approached Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden, and stopping an enquiry into his whataboutery.

The Democrats claim that by withholding US military aid to Ukraine, Trump abused his power. 
 
Additionally, he allegedly obstructed Congress by denying access to documents and withholding testimonies from administration officials, and this was after the House had already issued a subpoena.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6d6cb370-1219-4c8b-ad02-3d5b7dd1a69d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_59.jpg" /> 
US President Donald Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2020 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Trump's defence has reiterated that neither of the charges constitutes a crime or an impeachable offence, and that, as president, Trump has the rights to make foreign policy decisions as well as for deciding what information he gives to Congress. Additionally, his team called it a one-sided process.

Based on the defence memo, the theory of the abuse of power&nbsp;is not an impeachable offence and needs supplementary support from the US constitution's stature pertaining to ''Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours''.

The memo also referred to the obstruction of Congress charge as ''frivolous and dangerous''.

The discourse of Trump's innocence and a rigged process was the memo's highlight, which suggested that this was an attempt to overturn Trump's 2016 victory and undemocratic. 
 
It's imperative to note that the Senate is highly unlikely to remove Trump office.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-73-donald-trump-says-he-is-physically-strong-and-gets-more-exercise-than-people-think-275326">At 73, Donald Trump says he is 'physically strong' and gets 'more exercise than people think'</a>

(With inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

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

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

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

The US Senate on Thursday took formal steps to formally consider allegations of ousting US President Donald Trump, even abusing his power, even major issues such as witness his impeachment trial but will remain in the air.

Trump impeachment: Senate begins trial, all 100 senators sworn-in as jurors

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">impeachment trial of President Donald Trump</a>, saying there should be distance between the two.

The comments by the Alaska lawmaker come after Mitch&nbsp;McConnell, majority leader of the Republican-led Senate, said during an&nbsp;interview earlier this month that he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on the upcoming trial.

"To me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence," Murkowski said in comments aired late on Tuesday during an interview. "I heard what leader&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process."

&nbsp;

Also Watch: Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-impeachment-gets-mixed-reviews-269079/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Murkowski, who says she remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, cited the need for distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted.

Trump was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/so-unfair-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-delay-in-senate-269522">impeached</a> last week by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son. He has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">Senate</a>, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats in the chamber on trial rules.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;said the Senate could not take any action until it receives the articles.

Whether or not to call witnesses has been one of the main sticking points between the Democrats and the Republicans in drafting rules for the impeachment proceedings.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;on Monday said that Republicans had not ruled out hearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">witnesses</a> in the impeachment trial the Republican president.

However,&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;made clear he would not accede to a Democratic request for the Senate to agree ahead of time to take testimony during the trial.

There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

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

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

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

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refers-to-charges-of-impeachment-as-ridiculous-267524">president is impeached</a> as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday.

That would send the articles to a full vote by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">Democratic-led House of Representatives</a> as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history.

The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office.

Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-impeachment-saga-democrats-unveil-formal-charges-267581/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor.

Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members.

McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history."

"If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fineprint-us-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267533">articles of impeachment</a>, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial."

In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office.

Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election.

McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday. That would send the articles to a full vote by the Democratic-led House of Representatives as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history. The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office. Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges "A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor. Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members. McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history." "If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us articles of impeachment, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial." In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office. Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election. McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

Trump's impeachment trial 'first' priority in January: US Senate leader

us-senate

Us Senate, News on Us Senate, stories on Us Senate, articles on Us Senate, Us Senate stories at Wion, Us Senate news, Us Senate latest news

us senate

US Senate report reveals Joe Biden son Hunter's links with Chinese, Ukrainian firms

Republicans hold 53 seat majority in Senate, Democrats need 4 seats to gain majority

Senate report details links between Russia and Trump campaign in 2016

Pennsylvania is Biden's native state: Biden's friend's recall time spent with him

Pennsylvania is Biden's native state: Biden's friend's recall time spent with him

Bipartisan resolution condemning Chinese aggression against India introduced in US Senate

Big Tech CEO's divided on China technology heft | US Congress | World News

WION Fineprint: US tech giants gird for tough hearing, Antitrust hearing in US

TikTok launches $200 million fund for US creators despite Senate ban

US Senate panel approves ban on using TikTok app on Govt devices

US lower house stands against China: Anti-US amendment passed against China

United States may lose ‘cyber domain’ to China, says Senate report

Bipartisan rebuke of China: US Senate's move to protest Hong Kong's autonomy

Bipartisan rebuke of China: US Senate's move to protest Hong Kong's autonomy

US Senate backs bill to punish China over Hong Kong autonomy

US sanctions China over Hong Kong Security Law

India should bid goodbye to every symbol of racism and oppression

US: Senate confirms Gen. Charles Brown as new Air Force Chief

US Senate confirms first black Air Force chief of staff in 'historic' vote

US lead coronavirus expert to testify in Senate on country's COVID-19 response

US Senate approves coronavirus relief bill worth $2 trillion

Mnuchin expresses hope a deal is 'very close' on $2 trillion coronavirus aid package in US Senate

Coronavirus relief bill slows in US Senate, talks continue

US Senate races to agree on massive coronavirus relief package