Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said that if he wins the US elections later this year, boosting ties with India will be a high priority for his government and called New Delhi, Washington's "natural partner".&nbsp;

"India needs to be a partner in the region for our safety's sake and quite frankly for theirs," Biden said when asked about the relations between both countries during a virtual fundraiser event, reported PTI.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-of-george-w-bush-administration-officials-to-back-biden-says-report-309882">Hundreds of George W Bush administration officials to back Biden, says report</a>

Calling India and US "natural partners", the former vice president also said that their strategic partnership was "high priority in the Obama-Biden administration and will be a high priority if I''m elected president". &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/joe-biden-campaign-names-indian-american-as-digital-chief-of-staff-309835">Joe Biden campaign names Indian-American as digital chief of staff</a>

On the US elections, Biden added that it would be the most important poll of a lifetime, saying that country's character is at stake.

Biden also slammed US President Donald Trump for his response to the coronavirus crisis, saying that he ignored warnings when the outbreak started and failed to protect the country.&nbsp;

He said that Trump, throughout his tenure, undermined the "very core pillars of ours, what I would argue, moral and economic strength".

"I really do believe that our country is crying out for leadership and maybe even more important, some healing. Today, we have an enormous opportunity not only to rebuild but to build back better than before. To build a better future. That's what America does," Biden added.&nbsp;

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said that if he wins the US elections later this year, boosting ties with India will be a high priority for his government and called New Delhi, Washington's "natural partner".

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday said that if he wins the US elections later this year, boosting ties with India will be a high priority for his government and called New Delhi, Washington's "natural partner". "India needs to be a partner in the region for our safety's sake and quite frankly for theirs," Biden said when asked about the relations between both countries during a virtual fundraiser event, reported PTI. Also read | Hundreds of George W Bush administration officials to back Biden, says report Calling India and US "natural partners", the former vice president also said that their strategic partnership was "high priority in the Obama-Biden administration and will be a high priority if I''m elected president". Also read | Joe Biden campaign names Indian-American as digital chief of staff On the US elections, Biden added that it would be the most important poll of a lifetime, saying that country's character is at stake. Biden also slammed US President Donald Trump for his response to the coronavirus crisis, saying that he ignored warnings when the outbreak started and failed to protect the country. He said that Trump, throughout his tenure, undermined the "very core pillars of ours, what I would argue, moral and economic strength". "I really do believe that our country is crying out for leadership and maybe even more important, some healing. Today, we have an enormous opportunity not only to rebuild but to build back better than before. To build a better future. That's what America does," Biden added.

India-US 'natural partners', boosting ties will be 'high priority' if voted to power: Joe Biden

United States President Donald Trump has reportedly said he would lose the presidential election to be held in November due to falling poll numbers as Joe Biden takes the lead.

Trump acknowledged his failure due to his falling ratings, catalysed by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in his nation, the Black Lives Matter movement and the recent New York Times report -- that said a Russian military intelligence unit had offered bounties for US and allied soldiers and that he received a written briefing on the matter in February.

After Trump initially said he was not briefed on the matter, the White House said Trump was not “personally” briefed but did not address whether he had received a written report or read it, and why he had not responded more aggressively if so.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-trump-lose-2020-presidential-elections-310042/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

And to add to this was a controversial, tell-all book by his niece -- which reportedly reveals Trump's tax plans and other details of his family. A US judge has, however, temporarily stopped the publication of the book.

Taking all this into consideration, the approval rating of Trump over his handling of coronavirus recently dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, given the resurgence of virus across major American cities.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed the newly record low numbers, especially in the backdrop of Trump recently suggesting to “slow down testing” to control the number of cases.

But the real question is -- is Trump really set to lose?

Because this looks like a repeat of what happened in 2016. Trump was the underdog and Hillary Clinton was poised to win the election.

The opposite happened.

The world is witnessing a similar turn of events yet again, and what can be only said right now is clear -- Trump may be down, but he is surely not out.

United States President Donald Trump has reportedly said he would lose the presidential election to be held in November due to falling poll numbers as Joe Biden takes the lead.

United States President Donald Trump has reportedly said he would lose the presidential election to be held in November due to falling poll numbers as Joe Biden takes the lead. Trump acknowledged his failure due to his falling ratings, catalysed by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic in his nation, the Black Lives Matter movement and the recent New York Times report -- that said a Russian military intelligence unit had offered bounties for US and allied soldiers and that he received a written briefing on the matter in February. After Trump initially said he was not briefed on the matter, the White House said Trump was not “personally” briefed but did not address whether he had received a written report or read it, and why he had not responded more aggressively if so. And to add to this was a controversial, tell-all book by his niece -- which reportedly reveals Trump's tax plans and other details of his family. A US judge has, however, temporarily stopped the publication of the book. Taking all this into consideration, the approval rating of Trump over his handling of coronavirus recently dropped to its lowest level ever recorded, given the resurgence of virus across major American cities. A Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed the newly record low numbers, especially in the backdrop of Trump recently suggesting to “slow down testing” to control the number of cases. But the real question is -- is Trump really set to lose? Because this looks like a repeat of what happened in 2016. Trump was the underdog and Hillary Clinton was poised to win the election. The opposite happened. The world is witnessing a similar turn of events yet again, and what can be only said right now is clear -- Trump may be down, but he is surely not out.

Trump may be down. But he's definitely not out

President Donald Trump was not verbally briefed on a reported Russian effort to pay the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan because the allegations were not corroborated at the time, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said on Wednesday.

O’Brien, however, declined to say whether the intelligence, which U.S. ally Britain has said it was aware of, had been included in a written presidential briefing earlier this year.

“The president’s career CIA briefer decided not to brief him because it was unverified intelligence,” O’Brien said on Fox News. He said the CIA briefer was an outstanding officer and he supported her decision.

The Republican president has faced a barrage of criticism after New York Times reports that a Russian military intelligence unit had offered bounties for U.S. and allied soldiers and that Trump received a written briefing on the matter in February.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-wasnt-briefed-on-russia-taliban-bounty-intelligence-309193">Also read |&nbsp;Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence</a>

After Trump initially said he was not briefed on the matter, the White House said Trump was not “personally” briefed but did not address whether he had received a written report or read it, and why he had not responded more aggressively if so.

O’Brien told reporters later that Trump has now been briefed on the Russian bounty reports.

“The president’s been fully briefed,” O’Brien said outside the White House, “We don’t get into written classified documents.”

Democrats on Tuesday called on Trump to consider imposing new economic sanctions on Russia if the information was confirmed.

Trump has tried to deflect criticism by saying the intelligence was not conclusive enough to be brought to his attention, and by calling news reports “fake news.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-all-about-him-john-bolton-criticises-trumps-statement-on-russian-bounties-309243">Also read |&nbsp;It's all about him: John Bolton criticises Trump's statement on Russian bounties</a>

“I was never briefed because any info that they may have had did not rise to that level,” he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

Democratic lawmakers have asked for more in-depth briefings on the issue. O’Brien said the Gang of Eight - congressional leaders and intelligence committee lawmakers - would be briefed by intelligence officials, possibly on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump was not verbally briefed on a reported Russian effort to pay the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan because the allegations were not corroborated at the time, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump was not verbally briefed on a reported Russian effort to pay the Taliban to kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan because the allegations were not corroborated at the time, White House national security adviser Robert O’Brien said on Wednesday. O’Brien, however, declined to say whether the intelligence, which U.S. ally Britain has said it was aware of, had been included in a written presidential briefing earlier this year. “The president’s career CIA briefer decided not to brief him because it was unverified intelligence,” O’Brien said on Fox News. He said the CIA briefer was an outstanding officer and he supported her decision. The Republican president has faced a barrage of criticism after New York Times reports that a Russian military intelligence unit had offered bounties for U.S. and allied soldiers and that Trump received a written briefing on the matter in February. Also read | Trump says he wasn't briefed on Russia-Taliban bounty intelligence After Trump initially said he was not briefed on the matter, the White House said Trump was not “personally” briefed but did not address whether he had received a written report or read it, and why he had not responded more aggressively if so. O’Brien told reporters later that Trump has now been briefed on the Russian bounty reports. “The president’s been fully briefed,” O’Brien said outside the White House, “We don’t get into written classified documents.” Democrats on Tuesday called on Trump to consider imposing new economic sanctions on Russia if the information was confirmed. Trump has tried to deflect criticism by saying the intelligence was not conclusive enough to be brought to his attention, and by calling news reports “fake news.” Also read | It's all about him: John Bolton criticises Trump's statement on Russian bounties “I was never briefed because any info that they may have had did not rise to that level,” he wrote on Twitter on Wednesday. Democratic lawmakers have asked for more in-depth briefings on the issue. O’Brien said the Gang of Eight - congressional leaders and intelligence committee lawmakers - would be briefed by intelligence officials, possibly on Wednesday.

Trump not briefed because Russia bounty reports uncorroborated: White House

The United States has told Japan that it wants to organise an in-person Group of Seven leaders’ summit in late August, according to a Reuters report.

In response, Japan told the United States that its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would be willing to attend the summit if it were to be held in late August.

US President Donald Trump decided in May to postpone the summit to September or later expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India.

Although it is not clear why the event would be held earlier than September, opinion polls show clear signs of erosion of Trump’s electoral support since the coronavirus outbreak.

The G7 groups the United States, Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Italy and Canada, and the European Union also attends.

The United States has told Japan that it wants to organise an in-person Group of Seven leaders’ summit in late August, according to a Reuters report. In response, Japan told the United States that its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would be willing to attend the summit if it were to be held in late August.

The United States has told Japan that it wants to organise an in-person Group of Seven leaders’ summit in late August, according to a Reuters report. In response, Japan told the United States that its Prime Minister Shinzo Abe would be willing to attend the summit if it were to be held in late August. US President Donald Trump decided in May to postpone the summit to September or later expand the list of invitees to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India. Although it is not clear why the event would be held earlier than September, opinion polls show clear signs of erosion of Trump’s electoral support since the coronavirus outbreak. The G7 groups the United States, Britain, France, Japan, Germany, Italy and Canada, and the European Union also attends.

US is hoping for an in-person G7 summit in late August, say Japanese sources

More than half a million people have lost their lives due to coronavirus, according to the figures by Johns Hopkins University on Monday.&nbsp;

According to the tracker, the United States accounts for over one-fourth of the total deaths worldwide, with 125,763 fatalities, followed by Brazil with 57,070, and 43,634 in the UK.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-australia-witnesses-record-spike-in-months-amid-fears-of-second-wave-309265">COVID-19: Australia witnesses record spike in months amid fears of second wave</a>

The overall infections have surpassed 10 million-mark, with the US having 2.5 million cases alone.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-records-259105-covid-19-infections-in-seven-days-309282">Brazil records 259,105 COVID-19 infections in seven days</a>

The number of infections is surging in Brazil and India, with over 1.3 million and 5 million cases respectively.&nbsp;

Europe, which was earlier an epicentre of the virus, has over 2.6 million cases, but the daily figures have come down significantly.&nbsp;

The US, which was on its way to reopening its economy, is also seeing a jump in new infections in big states such as Florida and California.&nbsp;

California had earlier asked some areas to reimpose stay-at-home orders and now ordered bars in Los Angeles and six other counties to shut down.&nbsp;

Florida Governor said there had been an "explosion" in new cases after the state notched a record 9,585 infections in 24 hours.

China, from where the virus originated, has imposed a strict lockdown, impacting half a million people, in a province near capital Beijing after a cluster leading to a surge in cases.&nbsp;

(With agency inputs) 
&nbsp;

More than half a million people have lost their lives due to coronavirus, according to the figures by Johns Hopkins University on Monday. According to the tracker, the United States accounts for over one-fourth of the total deaths worldwide, with 125,763 fatalities, followed by Brazil with 57,070, and 43,634 in the UK.

More than half a million people have lost their lives due to coronavirus, according to the figures by Johns Hopkins University on Monday. According to the tracker, the United States accounts for over one-fourth of the total deaths worldwide, with 125,763 fatalities, followed by Brazil with 57,070, and 43,634 in the UK. Also read | COVID-19: Australia witnesses record spike in months amid fears of second wave The overall infections have surpassed 10 million-mark, with the US having 2.5 million cases alone. Also read | Brazil records 259,105 COVID-19 infections in seven days The number of infections is surging in Brazil and India, with over 1.3 million and 5 million cases respectively. Europe, which was earlier an epicentre of the virus, has over 2.6 million cases, but the daily figures have come down significantly. The US, which was on its way to reopening its economy, is also seeing a jump in new infections in big states such as Florida and California. California had earlier asked some areas to reimpose stay-at-home orders and now ordered bars in Los Angeles and six other counties to shut down. Florida Governor said there had been an "explosion" in new cases after the state notched a record 9,585 infections in 24 hours. China, from where the virus originated, has imposed a strict lockdown, impacting half a million people, in a province near capital Beijing after a cluster leading to a surge in cases. (With agency inputs)

More than 500,000 dead from coronavirus; one-fourth in US

Vice President Mike Pence has described the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as a political agenda of "radical left", saying that it intends to defund the police and bringing down monuments.&nbsp;

"What I see in the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement is a political agenda of the radical left that would defund the police, that would tear down monuments, that would press a radical left agenda," Pence said in an interview to CBS.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tweets-then-deletes-video-of-a-man-chanting-white-power-wh-defends-309218">Trump tweets, then deletes, video of a man chanting 'white power'; WH defends</a>

Highlighting that "all lives matter", he also added that George Floyd's death was inexcusable.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-issues-wanted-poster-for-people-who-vandalized-statues-308903">Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues</a>

The vice president said that he cherishes "the progress that we have made toward a more perfect union for African Americans throughout our history". Pence said that African American leaders have made it clear to the US administration "they want law and order" and "peace in our streets".&nbsp;

Black Lives Matter movement has gained prominence first in the US and then worldwide after the death of George Floyd, an African American, in Minneapolis, US after a police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes.&nbsp;

Vice President Mike Pence has described the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as a political agenda of "radical left", saying that it intends to defund the police and bringing down monuments.

Vice President Mike Pence has described the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as a political agenda of "radical left", saying that it intends to defund the police and bringing down monuments. "What I see in the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement is a political agenda of the radical left that would defund the police, that would tear down monuments, that would press a radical left agenda," Pence said in an interview to CBS. Also read | Trump tweets, then deletes, video of a man chanting 'white power'; WH defends Highlighting that "all lives matter", he also added that George Floyd's death was inexcusable. Also read | Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues The vice president said that he cherishes "the progress that we have made toward a more perfect union for African Americans throughout our history". Pence said that African American leaders have made it clear to the US administration "they want law and order" and "peace in our streets". Black Lives Matter movement has gained prominence first in the US and then worldwide after the death of George Floyd, an African American, in Minneapolis, US after a police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes.

Black Lives Matter political agenda of radical left: Mike Pence

US intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Friday.

The purported bounties gave incentives to the guerrillas to target US forces, just as President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops and end America's longest war.

The newspaper, citing anonymous officials, said that Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond.

It said that militants were believed to have collected bounty money, but that it was unclear whether specific killings of US troops were under suspicion.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wife-of-kidnapped-afghan-sikh-writes-to-pm-modi-calls-for-granting-indian-citizenship-308766">Also read|&nbsp;Wife of kidnapped Afghan Sikh writes to PM Modi; calls for granting Indian citizenship</a>

The newspaper quoted a Kremlin spokesman saying only that Russia was unaware of the accusations.

Russia has a tortured history in Afghanistan, where the former Soviet Union in its final years was bogged down in a devastating fight against Islamic guerrillas, then backed by Washington.

But Russia has more recently been accused by the United States of quietly providing small arms to the Taliban.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-killed-42-civilians-last-week-and-injured-over-100-people-308070">Also watch|&nbsp;Taliban killed 42 civilians last week and injured over 100 people</a>

The New York Times said there were different theories on why Russia would support Taliban attacks, including a desire to keep the United States bogged down in war.

It said that the Russian unit may also be seeking revenge over the US killing of Russian mercenaries in Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad.

According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by a unit known as the G.R.U., which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal.

US intelligence concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election in a bid to assist Trump, including through manipulation of social media.

Trump has scoffed at the findings and sought a warmer relationship with President Vladimir Putin, even as his administration keeps imposing sanctions over Russia over its actions on Ukraine.

US intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Friday.

US intelligence has concluded that a Russian unit offered rewards to Taliban-linked militants to kill troops of the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, The New York Times reported Friday. The purported bounties gave incentives to the guerrillas to target US forces, just as President Donald Trump tries to withdraw troops and end America's longest war. The newspaper, citing anonymous officials, said that Trump was briefed on the findings in March, but has not decided how to respond. It said that militants were believed to have collected bounty money, but that it was unclear whether specific killings of US troops were under suspicion. Also read| Wife of kidnapped Afghan Sikh writes to PM Modi; calls for granting Indian citizenship The newspaper quoted a Kremlin spokesman saying only that Russia was unaware of the accusations. Russia has a tortured history in Afghanistan, where the former Soviet Union in its final years was bogged down in a devastating fight against Islamic guerrillas, then backed by Washington. But Russia has more recently been accused by the United States of quietly providing small arms to the Taliban. Also watch| Taliban killed 42 civilians last week and injured over 100 people The New York Times said there were different theories on why Russia would support Taliban attacks, including a desire to keep the United States bogged down in war. It said that the Russian unit may also be seeking revenge over the US killing of Russian mercenaries in Syria, where Moscow backs President Bashar al-Assad. According to the newspaper, the Taliban operation was led by a unit known as the G.R.U., which has been blamed in numerous international incidents including a 2018 chemical weapons attack in Britain that nearly killed Russian-born double agent Sergei Skripal. US intelligence concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 presidential election in a bid to assist Trump, including through manipulation of social media. Trump has scoffed at the findings and sought a warmer relationship with President Vladimir Putin, even as his administration keeps imposing sanctions over Russia over its actions on Ukraine.

Russia offered Taliban-linked militants bounties to kill US troops in Afghanistan: Report

Here's a glimpse of post-COVID movie experience as US plans to reopen theatres

Donald Trump's bungled coronavirus response and crackdowns on protesters have thrust Joe Biden into the driver's seat of the US presidential election, but the Democratic challenger must decide when to start campaigning in earnest and battle his opponent head on.

Polls show American voters have little faith in Trump's ability to defeat the pandemic, and 130 days out from November's election Biden has surged into a commanding lead despite holding few in-person events since mid-March.

But with campaign inflection points fast approaching -- notably his pick of a running mate, expected in early August, and the Democratic National Convention later that month -- Biden must consider how to balance adhering to coronavirus safety measures and appearing as more than just a virtual candidate.

Hurling criticism at the president from his Delaware home is not a viable long-term strategy for Biden, common sense and experts dictate.

"I don't see how that's sustainable through the fall election," professor&nbsp;Barry Burden, director of the Election Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told AFP.

"There will come a point where Biden will need to be a physical presence on the campaign trail, if only to reassure voters he is a real person, in good health and ready to serve."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-attacks-trump-health-policy-as-cruel-in-election-battleground-state-308752">Also read |&nbsp;Biden attacks Trump health policy as 'cruel' in election battleground state</a>

That coming out should occur in July, Burden said, so Biden can start honing his public messaging before sharing a stage with his new vice presidential pick.&nbsp;

Biden must be wary of appearing contradictory if he were to hold crowded rallies after warning such gatherings are dangerous.

Mocked by Team Trump for repeatedly broadcasting from his basement studio, Biden appears to be making a gradual shift toward in-person events.

On Thursday he travelled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he wore a mask and sat with families in a brick-lined garden to discuss health care.

In a speech minutes later, he savaged Trump for seeking to dismantle Obamacare.

"We've seen that same callousness in his handling of the coronavirus," Biden said, evoking Trump's refusal to heed the advice of his own scientists and wear a mask, calling the disease the "kung flu," and saying he would like to&nbsp; "slow" down virus testing.&nbsp;

"He's like a child who can't believe this has happened to him," Biden said.

"His job isn't to whine about it, his job is to do something about it."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-to-invalidate-affordable-care-act-308713">Also read |&nbsp;Trump administration asks Supreme Court to invalidate Affordable Care Act</a>

IMPORTANT CONTRAST

Trump is adrift in troubling waters.&nbsp;Scientists say his coronavirus strategy has largely failed, and his former national security advisor John Bolton just accused him of being unfit for office.

The president was rebuked twice last week by a conservative-leaning Supreme Court on closely watched cases regarding immigration and gay rights.

And criticism has poured in over his handling of coast-to-coast protests against racial injustice, and how his toxic rhetoric served to stoke divisions.

He has scorned Biden as a "puppet of the radical left" and said China wants Biden to win so they can manipulate a pliant Democrat.

The attacks have fallen flat, largely because Biden is not out on the stump engaging in campaign combat.

Trump is increasingly turning to the economy as a potential re-election saviour.

A mild turnaround before the election could help the president and complicate Biden's message, according to Burden.

"Even if the economy is not doing well, if it's improved, then he will be able to tell a story about bringing America back," the professor said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-lashes-out-at-new-york-mayor-black-lives-matter-leader-308850">Also read |&nbsp;Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader</a>

Meanwhile the parties' official nominating conventions near. While Trump is demanding a massive crowd at the Republican event, Biden is opting for safety, as the Democratic Party said this week it will hold a largely virtual convention.

Biden can no longer count on a traditional overgrown spectacle, but opportunity exists, insists Amy Dacey, a Democratic strategist.

The Biden campaign is "reaching people where they are and not always asking them to come to where he is," Dacey said. "That's a really important contrast."

Another is Biden's human touch, but the pandemic may erase that advantage. He can still be a consoling presence, however, a distinction from Trump who is often seen as insensitive to people's concerns.

Trump is not widely popular, but if anything he has proven resilient.

Suffering in the sharp media glare, he is annoyed that his opponent avoids it.

Trump's campaign has taken to ridiculing Biden for remaining in the shadows, Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics wrote in a recent newsletter.

"They need to draw Biden out and hope he makes mistakes, so Trump can make himself look better by comparison."

Donald Trump's bungled coronavirus response and crackdowns on protesters have thrust Joe Biden into the driver's seat of the US presidential election, but the Democratic challenger must decide when to start campaigning in earnest and battle his opponent head on.

Donald Trump's bungled coronavirus response and crackdowns on protesters have thrust Joe Biden into the driver's seat of the US presidential election, but the Democratic challenger must decide when to start campaigning in earnest and battle his opponent head on. Polls show American voters have little faith in Trump's ability to defeat the pandemic, and 130 days out from November's election Biden has surged into a commanding lead despite holding few in-person events since mid-March. But with campaign inflection points fast approaching -- notably his pick of a running mate, expected in early August, and the Democratic National Convention later that month -- Biden must consider how to balance adhering to coronavirus safety measures and appearing as more than just a virtual candidate. Hurling criticism at the president from his Delaware home is not a viable long-term strategy for Biden, common sense and experts dictate. "I don't see how that's sustainable through the fall election," professor Barry Burden, director of the Election Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, told AFP. "There will come a point where Biden will need to be a physical presence on the campaign trail, if only to reassure voters he is a real person, in good health and ready to serve." Also read | Biden attacks Trump health policy as 'cruel' in election battleground state That coming out should occur in July, Burden said, so Biden can start honing his public messaging before sharing a stage with his new vice presidential pick. Biden must be wary of appearing contradictory if he were to hold crowded rallies after warning such gatherings are dangerous. Mocked by Team Trump for repeatedly broadcasting from his basement studio, Biden appears to be making a gradual shift toward in-person events. On Thursday he travelled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he wore a mask and sat with families in a brick-lined garden to discuss health care. In a speech minutes later, he savaged Trump for seeking to dismantle Obamacare. "We've seen that same callousness in his handling of the coronavirus," Biden said, evoking Trump's refusal to heed the advice of his own scientists and wear a mask, calling the disease the "kung flu," and saying he would like to "slow" down virus testing. "He's like a child who can't believe this has happened to him," Biden said. "His job isn't to whine about it, his job is to do something about it." Also read | Trump administration asks Supreme Court to invalidate Affordable Care Act IMPORTANT CONTRAST Trump is adrift in troubling waters. Scientists say his coronavirus strategy has largely failed, and his former national security advisor John Bolton just accused him of being unfit for office. The president was rebuked twice last week by a conservative-leaning Supreme Court on closely watched cases regarding immigration and gay rights. And criticism has poured in over his handling of coast-to-coast protests against racial injustice, and how his toxic rhetoric served to stoke divisions. He has scorned Biden as a "puppet of the radical left" and said China wants Biden to win so they can manipulate a pliant Democrat. The attacks have fallen flat, largely because Biden is not out on the stump engaging in campaign combat. Trump is increasingly turning to the economy as a potential re-election saviour. A mild turnaround before the election could help the president and complicate Biden's message, according to Burden. "Even if the economy is not doing well, if it's improved, then he will be able to tell a story about bringing America back," the professor said. Also read | Trump lashes out at New York mayor, Black Lives Matter leader Meanwhile the parties' official nominating conventions near. While Trump is demanding a massive crowd at the Republican event, Biden is opting for safety, as the Democratic Party said this week it will hold a largely virtual convention. Biden can no longer count on a traditional overgrown spectacle, but opportunity exists, insists Amy Dacey, a Democratic strategist. The Biden campaign is "reaching people where they are and not always asking them to come to where he is," Dacey said. "That's a really important contrast." Another is Biden's human touch, but the pandemic may erase that advantage. He can still be a consoling presence, however, a distinction from Trump who is often seen as insensitive to people's concerns. Trump is not widely popular, but if anything he has proven resilient. Suffering in the sharp media glare, he is annoyed that his opponent avoids it. Trump's campaign has taken to ridiculing Biden for remaining in the shadows, Kyle Kondik of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics wrote in a recent newsletter. "They need to draw Biden out and hope he makes mistakes, so Trump can make himself look better by comparison."

Biden's low-key strategy vexes Trump, but in-person campaigning beckons

Quintez Brown took to the streets in Kentucky to join many Americans in protesting against racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody last month.

The 19-year-old student at the University of Louisville, who is Black, also texted voters in support of Charles Booker, a Black Democratic state lawmaker running for the U.S. Senate.

“The protests showed the importance of having someone in a political office who can actually advocate for us and make a change,” Brown said, adding it was his first time working on a political campaign.

The uprising after Floyd’s death under the knee of a white police officer on May 25 has helped fuel a groundswell of political energy, spurring new voter registrations, record turnout in Georgia and Kentucky primaries and a string of victories for a younger generation of candidates of color in Tuesday’s elections.

Democrats hope the enthusiasm can be sustained until the Nov. 3 general election, when former Vice President Joe Biden will challenge Republican President Donald Trump in a race that could hinge on the turnout of voters of color and young people.

Biden, whose foundering campaign was rescued by mostly older Black voters in South Carolina’s primary in February, wants their strong support against Trump. It will be crucial in battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, particularly after the first dip in Black voter turnout in 20 years contributed to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-go-ahead-with-new-jersey-trip-despite-quarantine-warning-308632">Also read |&nbsp;Trump to go ahead with New Jersey trip despite quarantine warning</a>

Biden also hopes to boost turnout among young voters, who often participate at lower rates than other ages. In 2016, voters between 18 and 29 had a turnout of just 46%, compared to 71% for those 65 years and older, Census figures show. That figure dropped from 2008’s historic election, when younger voters had a 51% turnout.

“There is not a part of the Democratic electorate that is not activated right now. And that energy is going to spill over into the general election,” said Matt Erwin, a Kentucky-based Democratic strategist.

Some groups that work to register voters have seen signs of that energy. Voto Latino, which looks to boost turnout for young Hispanics, said it has registered 94,513 voters so far in June, compared to 10,548 voters in May. About 78% of new registrants were between the ages of 18 and 34, the group said.

Rock the Vote, which works to boost the political power of young people, said it had more than 183,000 new registrations so far in June. Four years ago this month, it had fewer than 35,000.

Jesse Moore, a Rock the Vote board member, said a new generation of voters is asking about their district attorneys and police chiefs.

“People are jaded about the presidency, but the changes they are demanding are almost completely driven by local officials,” Moore said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-to-invalidate-affordable-care-act-308713">Also read |&nbsp;Trump administration asks Supreme Court to invalidate Affordable Care Act</a>

Whether that energy will transform into Biden support remains to be seen. He is considering a Black running mate and has backed police reforms, including a ban on chokeholds.

Biden was also criticised during the Democratic primary campaign for his role as a U.S. senator in writing the 1994 crime bill, which critics say led to high incarceration rates that unfairly hit minorities, and some activists have pushed him to offer a broader criminal justice plan in the wake of the protests.

“Up-ballot candidates can benefit from this energy and movement, but only if they align&nbsp;themselves with what the movement has demanded - bold change,” said Victoria Burton-Harris, a Black Democrat who is running for prosecutor in Wayne County, Michigan, an important battleground state.

Still, Democrats are hopeful that rising political activism from young and minority voters will help Biden. According to a June 10-16 Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden led Trump by 58 percentage points among African Americans, 23 points among Hispanics, and 20 points among people between 18-34 years of age. Nationally, he had a 13-point lead over Trump, the poll showed.

“I think they are looking for someone who is going to hear them, but also who is going to exhibit the leadership they want at this moment. We would argue that’s Joe Biden,” said Symone Sanders, a senior Biden campaign advisor.

Courtney Parella, a Trump campaign spokeswoman, said Biden was “trying to avoid an examination of his nearly five-decade long political career, a record that undoubtably failed to support minority communities and is now failing to defend our men and women in blue.”

<h3>RECORD TURNOUT</h3>

Democrats have been heartened by strong turnout in Georgia’s June 9 elections, where the party broke the primary record set in 2008 despite a host of problems with voting machines, fewer polling places and long lines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-attacks-trump-health-policy-as-cruel-in-election-battleground-state-308752">Also read |&nbsp;Biden attacks Trump health policy as 'cruel' in election battleground state</a>

Kentucky’s elections on Tuesday also set a primary turnout record, helped by a competitive race between Booker and well-funded establishment favorite Amy McGrath for the right to challenge Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in November. The race is too close to call with absentee ballots pending.

A wave of other young candidates of color have scored primary victories this year. In New York, Jamaal Bowman, a Black school principal running in his first political campaign, beat 31-year veteran Democratic Representative Eliot Engel on Tuesday.

“People finally understand that if we want to change the laws, we have to change the lawmakers,” said Quentin James, founder of the Collective PAC, a group working for the election of progressive Black officials.

Jecorey Arthur, 28, a Black musician and educator running for the Louisville Metro Council, said when he announced his campaign late last year he was told “don’t talk about race so much, people aren’t ready to have that conversation.”

A few months later, once the street protests for racial justice began, he heard a different tune.

“It was like the alarm was going off and you couldn’t press snooze no matter what,” Arthur said. “I went from beating that racial justice drum by myself to being in a marching band.”

Quintez Brown took to the streets in Kentucky to join many Americans in protesting against racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody last month.

Quintez Brown took to the streets in Kentucky to join many Americans in protesting against racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, a Black man in police custody last month. The 19-year-old student at the University of Louisville, who is Black, also texted voters in support of Charles Booker, a Black Democratic state lawmaker running for the U.S. Senate. “The protests showed the importance of having someone in a political office who can actually advocate for us and make a change,” Brown said, adding it was his first time working on a political campaign. The uprising after Floyd’s death under the knee of a white police officer on May 25 has helped fuel a groundswell of political energy, spurring new voter registrations, record turnout in Georgia and Kentucky primaries and a string of victories for a younger generation of candidates of color in Tuesday’s elections. Democrats hope the enthusiasm can be sustained until the Nov. 3 general election, when former Vice President Joe Biden will challenge Republican President Donald Trump in a race that could hinge on the turnout of voters of color and young people. Biden, whose foundering campaign was rescued by mostly older Black voters in South Carolina’s primary in February, wants their strong support against Trump. It will be crucial in battleground states such as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, particularly after the first dip in Black voter turnout in 20 years contributed to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s loss to Trump in 2016. Also read | Trump to go ahead with New Jersey trip despite quarantine warning Biden also hopes to boost turnout among young voters, who often participate at lower rates than other ages. In 2016, voters between 18 and 29 had a turnout of just 46%, compared to 71% for those 65 years and older, Census figures show. That figure dropped from 2008’s historic election, when younger voters had a 51% turnout. “There is not a part of the Democratic electorate that is not activated right now. And that energy is going to spill over into the general election,” said Matt Erwin, a Kentucky-based Democratic strategist. Some groups that work to register voters have seen signs of that energy. Voto Latino, which looks to boost turnout for young Hispanics, said it has registered 94,513 voters so far in June, compared to 10,548 voters in May. About 78% of new registrants were between the ages of 18 and 34, the group said. Rock the Vote, which works to boost the political power of young people, said it had more than 183,000 new registrations so far in June. Four years ago this month, it had fewer than 35,000. Jesse Moore, a Rock the Vote board member, said a new generation of voters is asking about their district attorneys and police chiefs. “People are jaded about the presidency, but the changes they are demanding are almost completely driven by local officials,” Moore said. Also read | Trump administration asks Supreme Court to invalidate Affordable Care Act Whether that energy will transform into Biden support remains to be seen. He is considering a Black running mate and has backed police reforms, including a ban on chokeholds. Biden was also criticised during the Democratic primary campaign for his role as a U.S. senator in writing the 1994 crime bill, which critics say led to high incarceration rates that unfairly hit minorities, and some activists have pushed him to offer a broader criminal justice plan in the wake of the protests. “Up-ballot candidates can benefit from this energy and movement, but only if they align themselves with what the movement has demanded - bold change,” said Victoria Burton-Harris, a Black Democrat who is running for prosecutor in Wayne County, Michigan, an important battleground state. Still, Democrats are hopeful that rising political activism from young and minority voters will help Biden. According to a June 10-16 Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden led Trump by 58 percentage points among African Americans, 23 points among Hispanics, and 20 points among people between 18-34 years of age. Nationally, he had a 13-point lead over Trump, the poll showed. “I think they are looking for someone who is going to hear them, but also who is going to exhibit the leadership they want at this moment. We would argue that’s Joe Biden,” said Symone Sanders, a senior Biden campaign advisor. Courtney Parella, a Trump campaign spokeswoman, said Biden was “trying to avoid an examination of his nearly five-decade long political career, a record that undoubtably failed to support minority communities and is now failing to defend our men and women in blue.” RECORD TURNOUT Democrats have been heartened by strong turnout in Georgia’s June 9 elections, where the party broke the primary record set in 2008 despite a host of problems with voting machines, fewer polling places and long lines. Also read | Biden attacks Trump health policy as 'cruel' in election battleground state Kentucky’s elections on Tuesday also set a primary turnout record, helped by a competitive race between Booker and well-funded establishment favorite Amy McGrath for the right to challenge Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell in November. The race is too close to call with absentee ballots pending. A wave of other young candidates of color have scored primary victories this year. In New York, Jamaal Bowman, a Black school principal running in his first political campaign, beat 31-year veteran Democratic Representative Eliot Engel on Tuesday. “People finally understand that if we want to change the laws, we have to change the lawmakers,” said Quentin James, founder of the Collective PAC, a group working for the election of progressive Black officials. Jecorey Arthur, 28, a Black musician and educator running for the Louisville Metro Council, said when he announced his campaign late last year he was told “don’t talk about race so much, people aren’t ready to have that conversation.” A few months later, once the street protests for racial justice began, he heard a different tune. “It was like the alarm was going off and you couldn’t press snooze no matter what,” Arthur said. “I went from beating that racial justice drum by myself to being in a marching band.”

Young Americans turn out to protest. Democrats hope they will vote, too

Washington, DC -- four decades after launching its drive for US statehood -- was poised to take a step toward becoming the 51st state as the House of Representatives on Friday is expected to approve its admission.

Though the initiative was likely to pass handily in the House, where Democrats hold the majority, Republicans for years have actively opposed creating a state that they predict would elect Democrats to Congress.

If it became a state, Washington would likely only have one lawmaker, not five.

The state would be named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, after George Washington, the first US president, and Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person turned famed abolitionist.

It would include the district’s current 700,000 residents, but not major federal buildings, the National Mall, memorials and the museums, which would be housed in a federal enclave.

Proponents say Washington’s inhabitants have no voice in the federal government, despite paying federal taxes.

Local anger over the district’s status flared up most recently during the coronavirus pandemic. Washington received $500 million for its pandemic response, compared to the $1.2 billion the federal government accorded to each of the 50 states.

Amid nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an African American man who died after a police officer kneeled against Floyd’s neck, Trump sent National Guard troops from 10 states, over the objection of the district’s mayor, to quell protests against racism and police brutality in the district.

To this end, Mayor Muriel Bowser at a press conference said, "Not only do we not have voting senators and our congresswoman not have the right to vote, the whims of a federal government can encroach on our even limited autonomy."

The last time the United States expanded was 1959, when Congress approved admitting Alaska and Hawaii as the 49th and 50th states, respectively, following congressional votes and the support of the president.

Washington, DC -- four decades after launching its drive for US statehood -- was poised to take a step toward becoming the 51st state as the House of Representatives on Friday is expected to approve its admission.

Washington, DC -- four decades after launching its drive for US statehood -- was poised to take a step toward becoming the 51st state as the House of Representatives on Friday is expected to approve its admission. Though the initiative was likely to pass handily in the House, where Democrats hold the majority, Republicans for years have actively opposed creating a state that they predict would elect Democrats to Congress. If it became a state, Washington would likely only have one lawmaker, not five. The state would be named Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, after George Washington, the first US president, and Frederick Douglass, a former enslaved person turned famed abolitionist. It would include the district’s current 700,000 residents, but not major federal buildings, the National Mall, memorials and the museums, which would be housed in a federal enclave. Proponents say Washington’s inhabitants have no voice in the federal government, despite paying federal taxes. Local anger over the district’s status flared up most recently during the coronavirus pandemic. Washington received $500 million for its pandemic response, compared to the $1.2 billion the federal government accorded to each of the 50 states. Amid nationwide protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd, an African American man who died after a police officer kneeled against Floyd’s neck, Trump sent National Guard troops from 10 states, over the objection of the district’s mayor, to quell protests against racism and police brutality in the district. To this end, Mayor Muriel Bowser at a press conference said, "Not only do we not have voting senators and our congresswoman not have the right to vote, the whims of a federal government can encroach on our even limited autonomy." The last time the United States expanded was 1959, when Congress approved admitting Alaska and Hawaii as the 49th and 50th states, respectively, following congressional votes and the support of the president.

US House expected to pass DC statehood bill in historic vote

By Amitrajeet A Batabyal&nbsp;

Trade tensions and mistrust are escalating between the US and China. Soon after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that China recommitted to its January trade deal obligations after a face-to-face meeting with Beijing’s top diplomat on June 17, he upbraided the country for using disinformation to drive a wedge between Europe and the US President Trump, meanwhile, is attempting to use his tough stance with Beijing as a foreign policy selling point.

Behind the headlines and politics, a basic question remains: How much benefit is the US getting out of its trade relationship with China? As a scholar in international trade theory and policy, I believe that answer must be looked at through a wider lens than just economics – one that includes national security.

A model where both countries benefit

Economists have long agreed that free international trade can benefit countries when it is based on the principle of comparative advantage. Popularised by the English economist David Ricardo, this means that countries should export goods they can make more efficiently and less expensively to other countries, and import goods the other country can make more efficiently.

Free trade theory states that such trade, as opposed to trade that uses tariffs and quotas, makes nations better off. That’s because it creates overall benefits for countries. There may still be individual losers in certain industries, but overall, all nations are deemed winners.

It is, in theory, possible to take some of the winners’ gains in a nation and give it to that country’s losers, and still have some surplus left over. The “losers” are typically the industries that compete with imports and its workers.

The practical problem with this line of reasoning is that the US typically either does not make compensatory payments to the losers from the trade or, when it does, the payments are puny. Uncle Sam provides assistance to those who lose out from free trade via the Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

As long as workers displaced by international trade enrol in a job training programme, the adjustment assistance provides relocation assistance, subsidised health insurance and extended unemployment benefits. However, the program has been severely criticized by workers themselves, even earning the nickname “burial insurance,” as in arriving just in time to bury the victims.

Credible statistics are hard to come by to show the true monetary gains from trade. However, the economists Arnaud Costinot and Andres Rodriguez-Clare have shed valuable light on this question. Their research shows that the share of spending on imports in the US is smaller than other countries. That is in large part because the US is a large country, and most trade occurs within the nation.

Costinot and Rodriguez-Clare point out that about 8 cents out of every dollar spent in the US is spent on imports.

We can now ask: How much would it cost US consumers if the country stopped trade with other nations? The answer to this question is known as the welfare cost of zero trade or, equivalently, the welfare gains from trade.

Because the US doesn’t trade that much, the welfare gains from international trade in the US are smaller than in many other countries. Costinot and Rodriguez-Clare estimate these gains from all trade for the US range from 2 per cent to 8 per cent of gross domestic product.

For a large and diversified nation such as the US, this is relatively small. The reason is that the share of all US spending that goes to imports is around 6 per cent-8 per cent. Put differently, the US&nbsp;is a lot less reliant on imports than many other more trade-reliant countries. To compare, Belgium – a much smaller but more trade-reliant nation – spends 30 per cent&nbsp;&nbsp;on imports.

If the US were to move to economic self-sufficiency by stopping all trade with other nations, then it would be worse off, but based on the previous research, not dramatically so.

While that may not be practical overall, it is worth looking at it through the lens of US-China trade specifically.

What COVID-19 shows us 
 
To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Chinese government closed large numbers of factories and ports. Entire cities and even provinces were locked down. These stringent measures have caused significant disruptions to US firms with China-only supply chains. Even more significant is the extent to which the US&nbsp;is dependent on China for vital goods such as medicines.

More generally, in 2018, China supplied about 42 per cent&nbsp;of the world’s exports of personal protective equipment. Almost 75 per cent&nbsp;of Italy’s imported blood thinners came from China, and so did 60% of the ingredients for antibiotics imported by Japan.

This dependence poses a national security threat. For example, if relations with China were to deteriorate further, then China could hold back shipping on, for instance, vital pharmaceutical ingredients. China has been known to abuse its market power.

Most standard economic analyses about the gains and losses from trade typically do not take national security issues into account. However, some research exists on how to intervene in an economy to attain “noneconomic objectives.” The fact that trade can be weaponized was alluded to by the economist Adam Smith, who observed in 1776 that national security can trump free trade concerns.

This is because if certain goods are necessary for national security, then free trade in these goods may reduce a nation’s capacity to produce the goods, thereby making them scarce should a national emergency arise.

Given the increasing tensions and complexities around trade with China, I believe it may be time to selectively retreat from trading with the Chinese over supplies critical to national security. Such a retreat will have to involve, among other controls, setting procurement rules so that health care providers buy US products, reducing and ideally eliminating the dependence on China-only supply chains, and monitoring cross-border mergers and acquisitions. In other words, we would still have globalisation, but with diminished Chinese influence.

This will be difficult to implement on a practical level given the close relationships the US&nbsp;markets have with China – and the roughly $539.5 billion in goods it imports each year. But short-term pain from the transition may well result in long-term gain from protecting national security.

(Amitrajeet A Batabyal is Arthur J Gosnell Professor of Economics, Rochester Institute of Technology)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-selective-retreat-from-trade-with-china-makes-sense-for-the-united-states-141110">Read the original article</a>) &nbsp;

By Amitrajeet A Batabyal Trade tensions and mistrust are escalating between the US and China. Soon after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that China recommitted to its January trade deal obligations after a face-to-face meeting with Beijing’s top diplomat on June 17, he upbraided the country for using disinformation to drive a wedge between Europe and the US President Trump, meanwhile, is attempting to use his tough stance with Beijing as a foreign policy selling point.

By Amitrajeet A Batabyal Trade tensions and mistrust are escalating between the US and China. Soon after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that China recommitted to its January trade deal obligations after a face-to-face meeting with Beijing’s top diplomat on June 17, he upbraided the country for using disinformation to drive a wedge between Europe and the US President Trump, meanwhile, is attempting to use his tough stance with Beijing as a foreign policy selling point. Behind the headlines and politics, a basic question remains: How much benefit is the US getting out of its trade relationship with China? As a scholar in international trade theory and policy, I believe that answer must be looked at through a wider lens than just economics – one that includes national security. A model where both countries benefit Economists have long agreed that free international trade can benefit countries when it is based on the principle of comparative advantage. Popularised by the English economist David Ricardo, this means that countries should export goods they can make more efficiently and less expensively to other countries, and import goods the other country can make more efficiently. Free trade theory states that such trade, as opposed to trade that uses tariffs and quotas, makes nations better off. That’s because it creates overall benefits for countries. There may still be individual losers in certain industries, but overall, all nations are deemed winners. It is, in theory, possible to take some of the winners’ gains in a nation and give it to that country’s losers, and still have some surplus left over. The “losers” are typically the industries that compete with imports and its workers. The practical problem with this line of reasoning is that the US typically either does not make compensatory payments to the losers from the trade or, when it does, the payments are puny. Uncle Sam provides assistance to those who lose out from free trade via the Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance program. As long as workers displaced by international trade enrol in a job training programme, the adjustment assistance provides relocation assistance, subsidised health insurance and extended unemployment benefits. However, the program has been severely criticized by workers themselves, even earning the nickname “burial insurance,” as in arriving just in time to bury the victims. Credible statistics are hard to come by to show the true monetary gains from trade. However, the economists Arnaud Costinot and Andres Rodriguez-Clare have shed valuable light on this question. Their research shows that the share of spending on imports in the US is smaller than other countries. That is in large part because the US is a large country, and most trade occurs within the nation. Costinot and Rodriguez-Clare point out that about 8 cents out of every dollar spent in the US is spent on imports. We can now ask: How much would it cost US consumers if the country stopped trade with other nations? The answer to this question is known as the welfare cost of zero trade or, equivalently, the welfare gains from trade. Because the US doesn’t trade that much, the welfare gains from international trade in the US are smaller than in many other countries. Costinot and Rodriguez-Clare estimate these gains from all trade for the US range from 2 per cent to 8 per cent of gross domestic product. For a large and diversified nation such as the US, this is relatively small. The reason is that the share of all US spending that goes to imports is around 6 per cent-8 per cent. Put differently, the US is a lot less reliant on imports than many other more trade-reliant countries. To compare, Belgium – a much smaller but more trade-reliant nation – spends 30 per cent on imports. If the US were to move to economic self-sufficiency by stopping all trade with other nations, then it would be worse off, but based on the previous research, not dramatically so. While that may not be practical overall, it is worth looking at it through the lens of US-China trade specifically. What COVID-19 shows us To manage the outbreak of the coronavirus, the Chinese government closed large numbers of factories and ports. Entire cities and even provinces were locked down. These stringent measures have caused significant disruptions to US firms with China-only supply chains. Even more significant is the extent to which the US is dependent on China for vital goods such as medicines. More generally, in 2018, China supplied about 42 per cent of the world’s exports of personal protective equipment. Almost 75 per cent of Italy’s imported blood thinners came from China, and so did 60% of the ingredients for antibiotics imported by Japan. This dependence poses a national security threat. For example, if relations with China were to deteriorate further, then China could hold back shipping on, for instance, vital pharmaceutical ingredients. China has been known to abuse its market power. Most standard economic analyses about the gains and losses from trade typically do not take national security issues into account. However, some research exists on how to intervene in an economy to attain “noneconomic objectives.” The fact that trade can be weaponized was alluded to by the economist Adam Smith, who observed in 1776 that national security can trump free trade concerns. This is because if certain goods are necessary for national security, then free trade in these goods may reduce a nation’s capacity to produce the goods, thereby making them scarce should a national emergency arise. Given the increasing tensions and complexities around trade with China, I believe it may be time to selectively retreat from trading with the Chinese over supplies critical to national security. Such a retreat will have to involve, among other controls, setting procurement rules so that health care providers buy US products, reducing and ideally eliminating the dependence on China-only supply chains, and monitoring cross-border mergers and acquisitions. In other words, we would still have globalisation, but with diminished Chinese influence. This will be difficult to implement on a practical level given the close relationships the US markets have with China – and the roughly $539.5 billion in goods it imports each year. But short-term pain from the transition may well result in long-term gain from protecting national security. (Amitrajeet A Batabyal is Arthur J Gosnell Professor of Economics, Rochester Institute of Technology) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article)

A selective retreat from trade with China makes sense for the United States

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to suspend issuing of green cards till the end of the year, saying it was needed to give jobs to Americans.

Through an executive order, Donald Trump, in April, had suspended issuing of green cards for 90 days. On Monday, he issued a proclamation which extended the suspension till December 31, 2020.

"So, we want to give jobs to Americans right now. Right now, we want jobs going to Americans," Trump told reporters in San Luis, Arizona on Tuesday when asked by reporters to explain the suspension order.

Trump, seeking another term in the White House in the November 3 presidential election, on Monday said the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-protesters-at-phoenix-rally-visits-border-wall-in-arizona-308132">Also read |&nbsp;Trump slams protesters at Phoenix rally, visits border wall in Arizona</a>

Donald Trump said that the overall unemployment rate in the country nearly quadrupled between February and May of 2020 - producing some of the most extreme unemployment rates ever recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While the rate of 13.3 per cent unemployment in May reflects a marked decline from April, millions of Americans remain out of work.

With the current suspension in effect, the wait time for Indian technology professionals to get legal permanent residency in the US is now running into decades.

The US every year allocates only 1,40,000 green cards for all employment-preference immigrants, including accompanying family members.

Currently, there is a backlog of almost 10 lakh foreign nationals and accompanying family members lawfully residing in the United States. These applicants have been approved but are yet to receive employment green cards.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-threatens-force-against-dc-protesters-to-issue-order-on-us-monuments-308072">Also read |&nbsp;Trump threatens force against DC protesters, to issue order on US monuments</a>

The backlog is projected to increase each year because the number of foreign workers who self-sponsor or are sponsored by their US employers for green cards each year exceeds the annual allocation.

In addition to this numerical limit, there is a statutory seven per cent per country ceiling applied to each preference category, which prevents the monopolisation of employment-based green cards by foreign nationals from a single country.

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to suspend issuing of green cards till the end of the year, saying it was needed to give jobs to Americans. Through an executive order, Donald Trump, in April, had suspended issuing of green cards for 90 days.

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to suspend issuing of green cards till the end of the year, saying it was needed to give jobs to Americans. Through an executive order, Donald Trump, in April, had suspended issuing of green cards for 90 days. On Monday, he issued a proclamation which extended the suspension till December 31, 2020. "So, we want to give jobs to Americans right now. Right now, we want jobs going to Americans," Trump told reporters in San Luis, Arizona on Tuesday when asked by reporters to explain the suspension order. Trump, seeking another term in the White House in the November 3 presidential election, on Monday said the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Also read | Trump slams protesters at Phoenix rally, visits border wall in Arizona Donald Trump said that the overall unemployment rate in the country nearly quadrupled between February and May of 2020 - producing some of the most extreme unemployment rates ever recorded by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the rate of 13.3 per cent unemployment in May reflects a marked decline from April, millions of Americans remain out of work. With the current suspension in effect, the wait time for Indian technology professionals to get legal permanent residency in the US is now running into decades. The US every year allocates only 1,40,000 green cards for all employment-preference immigrants, including accompanying family members. Currently, there is a backlog of almost 10 lakh foreign nationals and accompanying family members lawfully residing in the United States. These applicants have been approved but are yet to receive employment green cards. Also read | Trump threatens force against DC protesters, to issue order on US monuments The backlog is projected to increase each year because the number of foreign workers who self-sponsor or are sponsored by their US employers for green cards each year exceeds the annual allocation. In addition to this numerical limit, there is a statutory seven per cent per country ceiling applied to each preference category, which prevents the monopolisation of employment-based green cards by foreign nationals from a single country.

Trump defends suspending green card applications till December 31

An Indian restaurant in the Sante Fe City of New Mexico, owned by a Sikh, was broken into and vandalised with hate messages scrawled on its walls.

The damage caused to India Palace restaurant is estimated to be worth USD 100,000, local Santa Fe Reporter said.

The vandalisation is being investigated by local police and the FBI.

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has condemned the incident.

According to the local daily, tables were overturned, glassware was smashed into piles on the floor, wine racks were emptied, a statue of a goddess was beheaded and computers were stolen.

The vandals also turned over and destroyed food warmers while the front desk area was devastated, plates smashed and the kitchen rendered completely unusable.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-indian-origin-family-members-found-dead-in-backyard-pool-in-us-report-308236">Also read | Three Indian-origin family members found dead in backyard pool in US: Report&nbsp;</a>

"White power," "Trump 2020," "go home," and far worse were spray-painted on walls, doors, counters and any other available surface.

SALDEF said that it has seen an unprecedented rise in hate crimes including the April 29 incident wherein a Sikh American Lakhwant Singh was brutally attacked by a man identified as Eric Breeman in Lakewood, Colorado.

Lakhwant Singh was told to "go back to your country," while being attacked. No formal hate crime charges have been brought against the attacker.

(with inputs from PTI)

An Indian restaurant in the Sante Fe City of New Mexico, owned by a Sikh, was broken into and vandalised with hate messages scrawled on its walls. The damage caused to India Palace restaurant is estimated to be worth USD 100,000, local Santa Fe Reporter said.

An Indian restaurant in the Sante Fe City of New Mexico, owned by a Sikh, was broken into and vandalised with hate messages scrawled on its walls. The damage caused to India Palace restaurant is estimated to be worth USD 100,000, local Santa Fe Reporter said. The vandalisation is being investigated by local police and the FBI. Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) has condemned the incident. According to the local daily, tables were overturned, glassware was smashed into piles on the floor, wine racks were emptied, a statue of a goddess was beheaded and computers were stolen. The vandals also turned over and destroyed food warmers while the front desk area was devastated, plates smashed and the kitchen rendered completely unusable. Also read | Three Indian-origin family members found dead in backyard pool in US: Report "White power," "Trump 2020," "go home," and far worse were spray-painted on walls, doors, counters and any other available surface. SALDEF said that it has seen an unprecedented rise in hate crimes including the April 29 incident wherein a Sikh American Lakhwant Singh was brutally attacked by a man identified as Eric Breeman in Lakewood, Colorado. Lakhwant Singh was told to "go back to your country," while being attacked. No formal hate crime charges have been brought against the attacker. (with inputs from PTI)

Indian restaurant vandalised in US with hate messages scrawled on walls

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year.

This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now.

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&nbsp;

H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff.

L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/how-will-h1-b-visa-suspension-impact-indian-companies-307963">Also Read:&nbsp;How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies</a>

After visa curbs, the Trump administration slapped restrictions on India's Vande Bharat Mission as well. Air India flights sent to America to bring back Indians have been restricted by the US, accusing India of "unfair and discriminatory practices" by barring American airlines from operating similar flights.

The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India."&nbsp;

The US President recently kicked off his re-election campaign. Last week, he held a rally amid the coronavirus fear and called his voter base 'warriors', for stepping out of their homes.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-signs-executive-order-to-suspend-h-1b-visas-307833">Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas</a>

"We begin our campaign and you just want to thank all of you, you are warriors. I've been watching, I've been watching the fake news for weeks now and everything is negative: 'Don't go. don't come. don't do anything.' Today it was like I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anything like it. You are warriors. Thank You."

Trump's immigration bans have been a hallmark of his presidency and now, his curbs on skilled Indian professionals has brought the immigration debate on the election agenda.

Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, major US businesses have slammed the new orders. Trump's critics say he is using the pandemic to push his long-delayed immigration overhaul. To add to that, President Trump, with his erratic policies and the latest proclamations, has also damaged America's relationship with India.

&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year. This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now.

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order to stop the issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year. This move will not impact existing visa holders, but doors to the American dream for new applications are shut for now. × H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Also Read: How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies After visa curbs, the Trump administration slapped restrictions on India's Vande Bharat Mission as well. Air India flights sent to America to bring back Indians have been restricted by the US, accusing India of "unfair and discriminatory practices" by barring American airlines from operating similar flights. The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India." The US President recently kicked off his re-election campaign. Last week, he held a rally amid the coronavirus fear and called his voter base 'warriors', for stepping out of their homes. Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas "We begin our campaign and you just want to thank all of you, you are warriors. I've been watching, I've been watching the fake news for weeks now and everything is negative: 'Don't go. don't come. don't do anything.' Today it was like I've never seen anything like it. I've never seen anything like it. You are warriors. Thank You." Trump's immigration bans have been a hallmark of his presidency and now, his curbs on skilled Indian professionals has brought the immigration debate on the election agenda. Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, major US businesses have slammed the new orders. Trump's critics say he is using the pandemic to push his long-delayed immigration overhaul. To add to that, President Trump, with his erratic policies and the latest proclamations, has also damaged America's relationship with India.

Trump administration targets foreign workers, places restrictions on Vande Bharat Mission

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey.

The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records.

Bharat Patel, 62, his 33-year old daughter-in-law Nisha Patel and her 8-year-old daughter, drowned accidentally in the above-ground pool in East Brunswick on Monday, police was quoted as saying by the NJ.com.

Authorities had been investigating if Bharat, Nisha and her daughter had been electrocuted in the pool, but ruled that out on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Post reported.

According to news agency PTI, law-enforcement sources said the pool varied in depth, with a deep end or a section in the middle that was several feet.

Investigators have not yet determined how all three family members drowned, but were seeking to determine if they were not strong swimmers and panicked when reaching deeper water.

Neighbours recalled hearing screaming from the backyard on Monday.

Police attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but pronounced the three victims dead at the scene, authorities said.

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey. The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records.

Three Indian-origin family members, including an 8-year-old girl, were found dead in the backyard pool of their recently purchased home in New Jersey. The three lived in the house on Clearview Road, which the family bought in April this year for USD 451,000, according to public records. Bharat Patel, 62, his 33-year old daughter-in-law Nisha Patel and her 8-year-old daughter, drowned accidentally in the above-ground pool in East Brunswick on Monday, police was quoted as saying by the NJ.com. Authorities had been investigating if Bharat, Nisha and her daughter had been electrocuted in the pool, but ruled that out on Tuesday afternoon, the New York Post reported. According to news agency PTI, law-enforcement sources said the pool varied in depth, with a deep end or a section in the middle that was several feet. Investigators have not yet determined how all three family members drowned, but were seeking to determine if they were not strong swimmers and panicked when reaching deeper water. Neighbours recalled hearing screaming from the backyard on Monday. Police attempted cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but pronounced the three victims dead at the scene, authorities said.

Three Indian-origin family members found dead in backyard pool in US: Report

Twitter has decided to give its US employees off on presidential election voting day in November. It has also decided to offer global workforce paid time off to vote in national elections in their respective countries.

This comes in the wake of the social media firm being at loggerheads with US President Donald Trump over his controversial tweets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/coronapalooza-twitter-users-give-another-name-to-trumps-tulsa-rally-307206">Also read | Coronapalooza: Twitter users give another name to Trump's Tulsa rally</a>

According to a CNBC report on Wednesday citing an internal Twitter memo, Election Day takes place on a Tuesday in November, making it difficult for people to vote.

"Given the importance of voting, going forward all national election voting days that take place on a weekday will be a paid day off. Since the US presidential election falls on a work day (November 3), we will plan to close all US offices on that day," the company told employees in an internal memo.

"For all other elections, if you do not have enough time outside of working hours to vote or your country doesn't already have a process in place to address this, you should take the time you need to do so and you will be compensated for the time off," the memo added.

Teams responsible for work related to elections, including the security of Twitter's services, will however continue to work.

Twitter on Tuesday flagged a tweet from US President Donald Trump which promoted violence by saying if protesters tried to set up an "autonomous zone" in Washington, DC they would be met with "serious force".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-hides-trumps-tweet-targeting-protestors-in-washington-dc-labels-it-as-abusive-content-308136">Also read | Twitter hides Trump's tweet targeting protestors in Washington DC; labels it as 'abusive content'</a>

It was the fourth time Twitter flagged a Trump tweet in the recent days. 
&nbsp;

Twitter has decided to give its US employees off on presidential election voting day in November. It has also decided to offer global workforce paid time off to vote in national elections in their respective countries.

Twitter has decided to give its US employees off on presidential election voting day in November. It has also decided to offer global workforce paid time off to vote in national elections in their respective countries. This comes in the wake of the social media firm being at loggerheads with US President Donald Trump over his controversial tweets. Also read | Coronapalooza: Twitter users give another name to Trump's Tulsa rally According to a CNBC report on Wednesday citing an internal Twitter memo, Election Day takes place on a Tuesday in November, making it difficult for people to vote. "Given the importance of voting, going forward all national election voting days that take place on a weekday will be a paid day off. Since the US presidential election falls on a work day (November 3), we will plan to close all US offices on that day," the company told employees in an internal memo. "For all other elections, if you do not have enough time outside of working hours to vote or your country doesn't already have a process in place to address this, you should take the time you need to do so and you will be compensated for the time off," the memo added. Teams responsible for work related to elections, including the security of Twitter's services, will however continue to work. Twitter on Tuesday flagged a tweet from US President Donald Trump which promoted violence by saying if protesters tried to set up an "autonomous zone" in Washington, DC they would be met with "serious force". Also read | Twitter hides Trump's tweet targeting protestors in Washington DC; labels it as 'abusive content' It was the fourth time Twitter flagged a Trump tweet in the recent days.

Twitter gives employees paid off on US presidential election day globally: Report

EU countries have started to reopen their borders for neighbouring countries. However with the recent spike in number of cases in U.S. experts in Europe have advised against internation travel.

EU Countries reopening borders | Attempt to revive tourism | WION

By George Rennie

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint.

Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him.

Using the most common metrics available to political scientists, there are signs the United States is failing.

Until very recently, this idea was extraordinary, unthinkable to all but the most radical critics. But, the US is increasingly performing poorly on key predictors of state failure: ethnic and class conflict, democratic and institutional backsliding, and other socioeconomic indicators including healthcare and inequality.

Ethnic and class conflict

Comparative politics pays great attention to the role of ethnic conflict as a predictor of state failure. Those who study African countries, where most of the flare-ups are currently taking place, often observe that ethnic conflicts are closely correlated with battles to secure key resources, such as water and arable land. This closely relates the study of so-called “grievance studies”, which typically regards deep-seated inequalities as causing resource conflicts.

However, it would be a mistake to think this is because of different ethnic groups per se. It is more to do with how inequality and poverty exacerbate perceived racial and cultural fissures. The US reflects this problem, where the experience of many black Americans is telling: they feel “criminalised at birth”, and when this perception reaches a critical mass among a large enough population, states fail.

The global conflict zones that political scientists largely focus on are where groups are fighting for basic resources. These include water, mineral, and other basic economic rights.

So, areas that are deeply impoverished, such as Flint, Michigan, or almost any other recent area of profound socio-economic distress, are highly analogous to failed countries. They have also been some of the biggest challenges to the “united” part of the United States.

Signs of increased economic inequality 
 
Yet, the economic indicators are not only dire for minority groups. America’s economy has grown at a good clip for decades, but the wealth has been taken up almost entirely by the wealthiest. For example, CEOs’ pay went from 20 times the average workers’ salary in 1965 to 278 times their salary in 2018.

In real terms, only college graduates have seen their pay increase as a group since 1979, and this occurs while 21 per cent&nbsp;of American children live in poverty. Moreover, health outcomes for Americans are very poor compared to other OECD countries, despite having the highest per capita healthcare costs in the world.

Disproportionately, this is a problem affecting black Americans. This might go some way to explaining recent riots, but is far from a complete picture. All poor Americans are getting relatively poorer, which may also explain why poor white Americans seem increasingly likely to fight against the perceived injustices of other ethnic groups. They do this by pitting themselves against similarly politically and economically disenfranchised groups, rather than the power system that keeps them dispossessed.

Adding to this, a major historical study by Thomas Piketty showed the disconnect between the poorest and wealthiest Americans is getting exponentially worse, the middle class is shrinking, and the wealth of the top 1% is taking up an increasing share of the pie.

Is there a democratic deficit? 
 
This wealth disconnect is increasingly represented as a deficit in democracy. As one study showed, America’s democracy is being seriously undermined.

In fact, “undermined” is putting it mildly: after a rigorous analysis of voting from 1982 to 2002, Gilens and Page showed the preferences of the top 10% routinely trumped those of average voters.

It would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of these findings. As analyses of the 2016 general election showed, the US states that flipped from Democrat to Republican (supposedly part of Hillary Clinton’s “firewall”) were almost exclusively part of the so called “rust belt”. Once part of America’s all-powerful manufacturing base, they are now people who feel forgotten, and increasingly angry.

The black and white, racial narrative of America’s woes misses an important, but even more consequential point: while there is no doubt black Americans are disproportionately suffering, an increasing majority is losing out, regardless of race.

American hope 
 
The American revolution centred on the very sensible idea there should be no taxation without representation. Yet, there is now significant evidence that a majority of citizens are not being represented.

The US has one advantage: for all of its flaws, it remains an at least semi-functional democracy. This may well mean blame for state failure can exist with individuals or parties, rather than the entire system.

However, the democratic institutions of the United States continue to break down, and successive governments have proved unable to respond and listen to their citizens. Bizarrely, by the most important indicators available to political scientists, the United States is failing.

Even among its most ardent critics, few would consider America’s failure to be anything other than a catastrophe. The domestic deterioration of the world’s biggest nuclear and military superpower would prove unprecedented and frightening beyond rational analysis — rhetoric suggesting this is merely the new “fall of Rome” is almost glib.

The challenge now is whether the world’s oldest continuous democracy can live up to its own ideals.

(George Rennie os Lecturer in Politics, University of Melbourne)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

(This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-america-a-failing-state-how-a-superpower-has-been-brought-to-the-brink-139680">the original article</a>) &nbsp;

By George Rennie After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint. Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him.

By George Rennie After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there was a sense history had ended, and that the United States represented a supreme endpoint. Today, the US is not dominant, it is in crisis: convulsed by riots and protest, riven by a virus that has galloped away from those charged with overseeing it, and heading into a presidential election led by a man that has possibly divided the nation like no other before him. Using the most common metrics available to political scientists, there are signs the United States is failing. Until very recently, this idea was extraordinary, unthinkable to all but the most radical critics. But, the US is increasingly performing poorly on key predictors of state failure: ethnic and class conflict, democratic and institutional backsliding, and other socioeconomic indicators including healthcare and inequality. Ethnic and class conflict Comparative politics pays great attention to the role of ethnic conflict as a predictor of state failure. Those who study African countries, where most of the flare-ups are currently taking place, often observe that ethnic conflicts are closely correlated with battles to secure key resources, such as water and arable land. This closely relates the study of so-called “grievance studies”, which typically regards deep-seated inequalities as causing resource conflicts. However, it would be a mistake to think this is because of different ethnic groups per se. It is more to do with how inequality and poverty exacerbate perceived racial and cultural fissures. The US reflects this problem, where the experience of many black Americans is telling: they feel “criminalised at birth”, and when this perception reaches a critical mass among a large enough population, states fail. The global conflict zones that political scientists largely focus on are where groups are fighting for basic resources. These include water, mineral, and other basic economic rights. So, areas that are deeply impoverished, such as Flint, Michigan, or almost any other recent area of profound socio-economic distress, are highly analogous to failed countries. They have also been some of the biggest challenges to the “united” part of the United States. Signs of increased economic inequality Yet, the economic indicators are not only dire for minority groups. America’s economy has grown at a good clip for decades, but the wealth has been taken up almost entirely by the wealthiest. For example, CEOs’ pay went from 20 times the average workers’ salary in 1965 to 278 times their salary in 2018. In real terms, only college graduates have seen their pay increase as a group since 1979, and this occurs while 21 per cent of American children live in poverty. Moreover, health outcomes for Americans are very poor compared to other OECD countries, despite having the highest per capita healthcare costs in the world. Disproportionately, this is a problem affecting black Americans. This might go some way to explaining recent riots, but is far from a complete picture. All poor Americans are getting relatively poorer, which may also explain why poor white Americans seem increasingly likely to fight against the perceived injustices of other ethnic groups. They do this by pitting themselves against similarly politically and economically disenfranchised groups, rather than the power system that keeps them dispossessed. Adding to this, a major historical study by Thomas Piketty showed the disconnect between the poorest and wealthiest Americans is getting exponentially worse, the middle class is shrinking, and the wealth of the top 1% is taking up an increasing share of the pie. Is there a democratic deficit? This wealth disconnect is increasingly represented as a deficit in democracy. As one study showed, America’s democracy is being seriously undermined. In fact, “undermined” is putting it mildly: after a rigorous analysis of voting from 1982 to 2002, Gilens and Page showed the preferences of the top 10% routinely trumped those of average voters. It would be a mistake to underestimate the importance of these findings. As analyses of the 2016 general election showed, the US states that flipped from Democrat to Republican (supposedly part of Hillary Clinton’s “firewall”) were almost exclusively part of the so called “rust belt”. Once part of America’s all-powerful manufacturing base, they are now people who feel forgotten, and increasingly angry. The black and white, racial narrative of America’s woes misses an important, but even more consequential point: while there is no doubt black Americans are disproportionately suffering, an increasing majority is losing out, regardless of race. American hope The American revolution centred on the very sensible idea there should be no taxation without representation. Yet, there is now significant evidence that a majority of citizens are not being represented. The US has one advantage: for all of its flaws, it remains an at least semi-functional democracy. This may well mean blame for state failure can exist with individuals or parties, rather than the entire system. However, the democratic institutions of the United States continue to break down, and successive governments have proved unable to respond and listen to their citizens. Bizarrely, by the most important indicators available to political scientists, the United States is failing. Even among its most ardent critics, few would consider America’s failure to be anything other than a catastrophe. The domestic deterioration of the world’s biggest nuclear and military superpower would prove unprecedented and frightening beyond rational analysis — rhetoric suggesting this is merely the new “fall of Rome” is almost glib. The challenge now is whether the world’s oldest continuous democracy can live up to its own ideals. (George Rennie os Lecturer in Politics, University of Melbourne) Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) (This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article)

Is America a ‘failing state’? How a superpower has been brought to the brink

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would issue an executive order regarding historical monuments in the country, as the movement to remove memorials that activists consider racist gained momentum.

Many statues and monuments targetted by crowds in recent weeks pay homage to the rebel Confederacy from the nation's Civil War. Critics say such symbols wrongly honour those who perpetuated slavery. Calls to take them down follow a wave of protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in police custody.

"They're not taking down our monuments," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I will have an executive order very shortly and all it's going to really do is reinforce what's already there, but in a more uniform way."

Trump also on Tuesday announced an authorisation "effective immediately" to arrest anyone caught hurting a commemoration to an armed services member on federal land and threatened to use force on protesters in Washington.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-announces-authorisation-for-arrests-after-statue-targetted-near-white-house-307996">Also read |&nbsp;Trump announces authorisation for arrests after statue targetted near White House</a>

The federal government, though, has had the power to jail or fine anyone vandalising or destroying a memorial for 17 years under the Veterans Memorial Act.

Late on Monday, protesters tried to topple a statue of former President Andrew Jackson near the White House. Jackson enslaved Black people as a plantation owner and is remembered for the Trail of Tears, a forced removal of Native Americans from the South that killed thousands.

Trump told reporters Tuesday "numerous people" were in jail for the Jackson statue attempt and the federal government is "looking at long-term sentences."

Protesters on Monday also declared a Black House Autonomous Zone - referencing a Seattle area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone - near the White House in front of St. John's Church, which had a small basement fire during earlier protests.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-likened-his-relationship-with-north-koreas-kim-to-dating-wanted-to-be-the-one-to-break-up-308053">Also read |&nbsp;Trump likened his relationship with North Korea's Kim to 'dating', 'wanted to be the one to break-up'</a>

To this end, Trump tweeted "there will never be an 'Autonomous Zone' in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!"

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would issue an executive order regarding historical monuments in the country, as the movement to remove memorials that activists consider racist gained momentum.

United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would issue an executive order regarding historical monuments in the country, as the movement to remove memorials that activists consider racist gained momentum. Many statues and monuments targetted by crowds in recent weeks pay homage to the rebel Confederacy from the nation's Civil War. Critics say such symbols wrongly honour those who perpetuated slavery. Calls to take them down follow a wave of protests sparked by the May 25 death of George Floyd, a Black man killed in police custody. "They're not taking down our monuments," Trump told reporters at the White House. "I will have an executive order very shortly and all it's going to really do is reinforce what's already there, but in a more uniform way." Trump also on Tuesday announced an authorisation "effective immediately" to arrest anyone caught hurting a commemoration to an armed services member on federal land and threatened to use force on protesters in Washington. Also read | Trump announces authorisation for arrests after statue targetted near White House The federal government, though, has had the power to jail or fine anyone vandalising or destroying a memorial for 17 years under the Veterans Memorial Act. Late on Monday, protesters tried to topple a statue of former President Andrew Jackson near the White House. Jackson enslaved Black people as a plantation owner and is remembered for the Trail of Tears, a forced removal of Native Americans from the South that killed thousands. Trump told reporters Tuesday "numerous people" were in jail for the Jackson statue attempt and the federal government is "looking at long-term sentences." Protesters on Monday also declared a Black House Autonomous Zone - referencing a Seattle area known as the Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone or the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone - near the White House in front of St. John's Church, which had a small basement fire during earlier protests. Also read | Trump likened his relationship with North Korea's Kim to 'dating', 'wanted to be the one to break-up' To this end, Trump tweeted "there will never be an 'Autonomous Zone' in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!"

Trump threatens force against DC protesters, to issue order on US monuments

US President Donald Trump's move&nbsp;to stop issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year may hurt the Indian IT industry's margins.

The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24, is expected to impact Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.

A Goldman Sachs Equity Research report said that Indian IT outsourcing companies have been consistently working towards reducing their reliance on H-1B/L1 visas since 2017, and focusing on the locally hired workforce to create more jobs in the US economy.

The Goldman Sachs report said local hires account for as much as 45-70 per cent of the employees in the US for the top 5 Indian IT service firms, reducing the dependence on H1-B visas. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-donald-trump-signs-executive-order-to-suspend-h-1b-visas-307833">Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas</a>

Meanwhile, industry body Nasscom has termed the proclamation as "misguided" and "harmful to the US economy" and said this could possibly force more work to be performed offshore since the local talent is not available in the country.&nbsp;

H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff.

L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reform-h-1b-visa-system-move-towards-merit-based-immigration-trump-to-officials-307865">Also Read: Reform H-1B visa system; move towards merit-based immigration: Trump to officials</a>

Sundar Pichai, Indian-American CEO of Google, expressed disappointment over the proclamation, saying that immigration has contributed immensely to America''s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google, the company it is today.

Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the H-1B programme, in particular, plays a crucial role in addressing the dangerous shortage of health care professionals while also providing other key sectors of our economy with talent from around the world to not only fill jobs, but create new ones.

Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump's move to stop issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year may hurt the Indian IT industry's margins. The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24, is expected to impact Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1.

US President Donald Trump's move to stop issuing of H-1B visa and other work visas for the rest of the year may hurt the Indian IT industry's margins. The proclamation that comes into effect on June 24, is expected to impact Indian IT professionals and several American and Indian companies who were issued H-1B visas by the US government for the fiscal year 2021 beginning October 1. A Goldman Sachs Equity Research report said that Indian IT outsourcing companies have been consistently working towards reducing their reliance on H-1B/L1 visas since 2017, and focusing on the locally hired workforce to create more jobs in the US economy. The Goldman Sachs report said local hires account for as much as 45-70 per cent of the employees in the US for the top 5 Indian IT service firms, reducing the dependence on H1-B visas. Also Read: President Donald Trump signs executive order to suspend H-1B visas Meanwhile, industry body Nasscom has termed the proclamation as "misguided" and "harmful to the US economy" and said this could possibly force more work to be performed offshore since the local talent is not available in the country. H-1B visas are designed for certain skilled workers such as those employed in science, engineering, and information technology fields, while H-2B visas are given to seasonal workers such as hotel and construction staff. L-1 visas are meant for executives who work for large corporations and J-1 visas are issued to research scholars, professors and other cultural and work-exchange programs. Also Read: Reform H-1B visa system; move towards merit-based immigration: Trump to officials Sundar Pichai, Indian-American CEO of Google, expressed disappointment over the proclamation, saying that immigration has contributed immensely to America''s economic success, making it a global leader in tech, and also Google, the company it is today. Meanwhile, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said the H-1B programme, in particular, plays a crucial role in addressing the dangerous shortage of health care professionals while also providing other key sectors of our economy with talent from around the world to not only fill jobs, but create new ones. Trump said that the step was essential to help millions of Americans who have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. (With inputs from PTI)

How will H1-B visa suspension impact Indian companies?

A top US federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, on Friday refused to step down after the administration abruptly said it was replacing him.

The dramatic standoff comes as Trump seeks to purge officials perceived as not fully supporting him. In recent weeks he has fired a series of agency watchdogs, including one who played a key role in Trump's impeachment earlier this year.

It also marks the latest in series of unusual actions by Attorney General William Barr that critics say are meant to benefit Trump politically and undermine the independence of the Justice Department.

Earlier in a surprise late-night announcement, Barr said the US Attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was stepping down and that he would nominate Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to take Berman's spot.

Berman, who leads a powerful office known for prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases, Wall Street financial crimes and government corruption, said he first learned of the move from Barr's press release and would not go quietly.

Berman said he had no intention of resigning.

Since being appointed in January 2018, Berman has not shied from taking on figures in Trump's orbit. His office oversaw the prosecution of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, indicted two Giuliani associates and launched a probe into Giuliani in connection with his efforts to dig up dirt on Trump's political adversaries in Ukraine. 
Prosecutors have not accused Giuliani of wrongdoing.

Berman's abrupt attempted dismissal came as the Justice Department asks a federal court to block publication of a book by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, whose claims include an allegation Trump tried to interfere with a probe overseen by Berman's office.

Berman replaced Preet Bharara, who was himself fired as US Attorney in early 2017 soon after Trump became president.

While the Senate considers Clayton's nomination, Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, as the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Barr said in his statement.

But it was not clear whether Barr can force Berman out.

Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, the usual process for appointing US Attorneys, and was instead appointed by the judges of the district in accordance with a US law that says he can serve until the vacancy is filled.

(with inputs from Reuters)

A top US federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, on Friday refused to step down after the administration abruptly said it was replacing him.

A top US federal prosecutor whose office has been investigating President Donald Trump's personal lawyer, Rudolph Giuliani, on Friday refused to step down after the administration abruptly said it was replacing him. The dramatic standoff comes as Trump seeks to purge officials perceived as not fully supporting him. In recent weeks he has fired a series of agency watchdogs, including one who played a key role in Trump's impeachment earlier this year. It also marks the latest in series of unusual actions by Attorney General William Barr that critics say are meant to benefit Trump politically and undermine the independence of the Justice Department. Earlier in a surprise late-night announcement, Barr said the US Attorney in Manhattan, Geoffrey Berman, was stepping down and that he would nominate Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton to take Berman's spot. Berman, who leads a powerful office known for prosecuting high-profile terrorism cases, Wall Street financial crimes and government corruption, said he first learned of the move from Barr's press release and would not go quietly. Berman said he had no intention of resigning. Since being appointed in January 2018, Berman has not shied from taking on figures in Trump's orbit. His office oversaw the prosecution of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal lawyer, indicted two Giuliani associates and launched a probe into Giuliani in connection with his efforts to dig up dirt on Trump's political adversaries in Ukraine. Prosecutors have not accused Giuliani of wrongdoing. Berman's abrupt attempted dismissal came as the Justice Department asks a federal court to block publication of a book by former National Security Adviser John Bolton, whose claims include an allegation Trump tried to interfere with a probe overseen by Berman's office. Berman replaced Preet Bharara, who was himself fired as US Attorney in early 2017 soon after Trump became president. While the Senate considers Clayton's nomination, Trump has appointed Craig Carpenito, the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, as the acting US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Barr said in his statement. But it was not clear whether Barr can force Berman out. Berman was never confirmed by the Senate, the usual process for appointing US Attorneys, and was instead appointed by the judges of the district in accordance with a US law that says he can serve until the vacancy is filled. (with inputs from Reuters)

US prosecutor who has investigated Trump lawyer refuses to resign

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened unspecified action against any protesters at his weekend Tulsa, Oklahoma, re-election rally in a warning that his campaign said was not directed at peaceful demonstrators.

"Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" Trump tweeted.

Marc Lotter, a spokesman for Trump's campaign, said Trump was referring to agitators and not peaceful protesters.

"The president supports peaceful protests and people who are exercising their First Amendment rights," Lotter told MSNBC in an interview following the tweet. "If we see what we've seen in other cities with rioting, looting, setting buildings on fire and physical violence, then that's going to be something that's going to be met by police."

The rally is Trump's first major re-election event in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic that shuttered much of the country and comes amid weeks of civil unrest over the treatment of African Americans and growing protests over racism and policing.

Trump faced sharp backlash over a tweet during protests following the recent death of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minneapolis, that said "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." The phrase evoked a white segregationist who was Miami mayor in the 1960s, though the president later said he was unaware of its origins.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist who was scheduled to keynote a Juneteenth event in Tulsa later on Friday, called Trump's tweet "provocative" and "disrespectful," especially following the recent deaths of Floyd and another African-American man, Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta.

"To have a threat like that you're provoking an incident, and you're provoking an interaction that is unnecessary," Sharpton told MSNBC in a separate interview.

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened unspecified action against any protesters at his weekend Tulsa, Oklahoma, re-election rally in a warning that his campaign said was not directed at peaceful demonstrators.

US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened unspecified action against any protesters at his weekend Tulsa, Oklahoma, re-election rally in a warning that his campaign said was not directed at peaceful demonstrators. "Any protesters, anarchists, agitators, looters or lowlifes who are going to Oklahoma please understand, you will not be treated like you have been in New York, Seattle, or Minneapolis. It will be a much different scene!" Trump tweeted. Marc Lotter, a spokesman for Trump's campaign, said Trump was referring to agitators and not peaceful protesters. "The president supports peaceful protests and people who are exercising their First Amendment rights," Lotter told MSNBC in an interview following the tweet. "If we see what we've seen in other cities with rioting, looting, setting buildings on fire and physical violence, then that's going to be something that's going to be met by police." The rally is Trump's first major re-election event in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic that shuttered much of the country and comes amid weeks of civil unrest over the treatment of African Americans and growing protests over racism and policing. Trump faced sharp backlash over a tweet during protests following the recent death of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minneapolis, that said "when the looting starts, the shooting starts." The phrase evoked a white segregationist who was Miami mayor in the 1960s, though the president later said he was unaware of its origins. The Rev. Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist who was scheduled to keynote a Juneteenth event in Tulsa later on Friday, called Trump's tweet "provocative" and "disrespectful," especially following the recent deaths of Floyd and another African-American man, Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta. "To have a threat like that you're provoking an incident, and you're provoking an interaction that is unnecessary," Sharpton told MSNBC in a separate interview.

Trump warns protesters to face 'different scene' at his Oklahoma rally

The United States in the last 24 hours witnessed 840 deaths from the novel coronavirus, according to the data from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, the seventh consecutive day where the daily death toll was below 1,000.&nbsp;

Despite this encouraging fall in deaths, the number of new cases continues to remain around 20,000 on a daily basis, with six states recording their highest number of coronavirus infections.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-wave-of-coronavirus-in-the-us-six-states-record-most-cases-ever-306544">Second-wave of coronavirus in the US? Six states record most cases ever!</a>

The outbreak has moved from the previous epicentre New York and the northeast and spread widely in the south and the west.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/12-per-cent-of-americans-may-not-need-coronavirus-vaccine-us-officials-306411">12 per cent of Americans may not need coronavirus vaccine: US officials</a>

However, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the country would not close businesses again, saying "we won't have to do that," in an interview with Fox News Channel.

Trump also is going ahead with his plans to hold a large election rally in Oklahoma, which is among the six states witnessing record cases.

The US still remains the worst-affected country with COVID-19 by a large margin, with more than 117,000 deaths and 2.1 million positive cases.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, America's top health expert, Anthony Fauci said that the nation is "still in the first wave" of coronavirus cases and deaths, adding that he would not personally visit Trump's political rally in Oklahoma.&nbsp;

The United States in the last 24 hours witnessed 840 deaths from the novel coronavirus, according to the data from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, the seventh consecutive day where the daily death toll was below 1,000.

The United States in the last 24 hours witnessed 840 deaths from the novel coronavirus, according to the data from Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, the seventh consecutive day where the daily death toll was below 1,000. Despite this encouraging fall in deaths, the number of new cases continues to remain around 20,000 on a daily basis, with six states recording their highest number of coronavirus infections. Also read | Second-wave of coronavirus in the US? Six states record most cases ever! The outbreak has moved from the previous epicentre New York and the northeast and spread widely in the south and the west. Also read | 12 per cent of Americans may not need coronavirus vaccine: US officials However, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the country would not close businesses again, saying "we won't have to do that," in an interview with Fox News Channel. Trump also is going ahead with his plans to hold a large election rally in Oklahoma, which is among the six states witnessing record cases. The US still remains the worst-affected country with COVID-19 by a large margin, with more than 117,000 deaths and 2.1 million positive cases. Meanwhile, America's top health expert, Anthony Fauci said that the nation is "still in the first wave" of coronavirus cases and deaths, adding that he would not personally visit Trump's political rally in Oklahoma.

Coronavirus: US records less than 1,000 deaths for seventh day in a row

As many as 687 people died of the novel coronavirus in the United States in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0030 GMT) on Thursday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

With the latest figures, the death toll stands at 118,381 out of 2,187,876 overall cases in the US, which is the hardest-hit by the pandemic.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-model-predicts-200000-coronavirus-deaths-in-us-306716">White House model predicts 200,000 coronavirus deaths in US</a>

The latest tally suggests that this is the eighth day in which the daily coronavirus deaths in the country have been fewer than 1,000.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-witnesses-shortage-of-coins-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-306688">United States witnesses shortage of coins amid coronavirus pandemic</a>

However, nearly 20 states in the country are seeing a surge in coronavirus cases as the epicentre has now moved from New York and the country's Northeast to the South and West.&nbsp;

But the country's top infectious expert, Anthony Fauci on Thursday said that lockdown would not be necessary on states which are reporting a large number of cases.&nbsp;

"I don't think we're going to be talking about going back to lockdown," Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, said.

"I think we're going to be talking about trying to better control those areas of the country that seem to be having a surge of cases."

As many as 687 people died of the novel coronavirus in the United States in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0030 GMT) on Thursday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

As many as 687 people died of the novel coronavirus in the United States in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0030 GMT) on Thursday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. With the latest figures, the death toll stands at 118,381 out of 2,187,876 overall cases in the US, which is the hardest-hit by the pandemic. Also read | White House model predicts 200,000 coronavirus deaths in US The latest tally suggests that this is the eighth day in which the daily coronavirus deaths in the country have been fewer than 1,000. Also read | United States witnesses shortage of coins amid coronavirus pandemic However, nearly 20 states in the country are seeing a surge in coronavirus cases as the epicentre has now moved from New York and the country's Northeast to the South and West. But the country's top infectious expert, Anthony Fauci on Thursday said that lockdown would not be necessary on states which are reporting a large number of cases. "I don't think we're going to be talking about going back to lockdown," Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health, said. "I think we're going to be talking about trying to better control those areas of the country that seem to be having a surge of cases."

US: Nearly 700 died from coronavirus in last 24 hours

Paying their tributes to Indian soldiers who were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, the US Embassy on Friday said that the bravery of military personnel would not be forgotten.

"The US Mission in India sends our heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were lost at Galwan. Their bravery and courage will not be forgotten," US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said in a tweet.

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The U.S. Mission in India sends our heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were lost at Galwan. Their bravery and courage will not be forgotten. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USIndia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USIndia</a> <a href="https://t.co/gtGR4gSxoG">https://t.co/gtGR4gSxoG</a>
— Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbIndia/status/1273853571465801728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/new-delhis-message-to-china-indicates-a-change-in-the-strategy-307046">New Delhi's message to China indicates a change in the strategy</a>&nbsp;

As many as 20 members of the Indian Army were killed in the Galwan Valley late on Monday, the biggest military confrontation in more than five decades, which escalated the tensions between both the countries.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/what-should-india-do-now-to-fight-chinas-provocations-306750">What should India do now to fight China's provocations?</a>

Meanwhile, on Thursday, superior military officers of both the countries held a dialogue for the third consecutive day on the disegngagement of troops as well as restoring normalcy in the region part of the dispute.

The incident in Galwan Valley is the biggest face-off between both the two countries after the 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost nearly 80 soldiers while over 300 troops of China were killed.&nbsp;

The border situation between both the countries deteriorated in the beginning of May when nearly 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the banks of Pangong Tso in Ladakh. A similar clash followed in north Sikkim on May 9.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Paying their tributes to Indian soldiers who were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, the US Embassy on Friday said that the bravery of military personnel would not be forgotten.

Paying their tributes to Indian soldiers who were killed in a violent face-off with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh, the US Embassy on Friday said that the bravery of military personnel would not be forgotten. "The US Mission in India sends our heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were lost at Galwan. Their bravery and courage will not be forgotten," US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster said in a tweet. The U.S. Mission in India sends our heartfelt condolences to the families of the soldiers who were lost at Galwan. Their bravery and courage will not be forgotten. #USIndia https://t.co/gtGR4gSxoG — Ken Juster (@USAmbIndia) June 19, 2020 × Also read | New Delhi's message to China indicates a change in the strategy As many as 20 members of the Indian Army were killed in the Galwan Valley late on Monday, the biggest military confrontation in more than five decades, which escalated the tensions between both the countries. Also read | What should India do now to fight China's provocations? Meanwhile, on Thursday, superior military officers of both the countries held a dialogue for the third consecutive day on the disegngagement of troops as well as restoring normalcy in the region part of the dispute. The incident in Galwan Valley is the biggest face-off between both the two countries after the 1967 clashes in Nathu La when India lost nearly 80 soldiers while over 300 troops of China were killed. The border situation between both the countries deteriorated in the beginning of May when nearly 250 Chinese and Indian soldiers were engaged in a violent face-off on the banks of Pangong Tso in Ladakh. A similar clash followed in north Sikkim on May 9.

Indian soldiers bravery and courage will not be forgotten: US

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

"What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-freed-taliban-prisoners-seek-return-to-battlefield-304988">Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield</a>

"We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now."&nbsp;

Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July.

The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington.&nbsp;

McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional.

It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan."

"We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group.

"What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words."&nbsp;

"And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out."&nbsp;

President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday.

The United States has reduced its military presence in Afghanistan to the level negotiated with the Taliban, around 8,600 troops, the top US commander for the region said Thursday. "What I would tell you now is we have met our part of the agreement," General Kenneth McKenzie, the head of US Central Command, told a panel discussion hosted by the Aspen Institute. Also read | Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield "We agreed to go to the mid-8,000 range within 135 days," McKenzie said. "We're at that number now." Under the February deal reached with the Taliban, the United States agreed to reduce its forces in Afghanistan from 12,000 troops to 8,600 by mid-July. The agreement calls for all US and foreign troops to quit Afghanistan by mid-2021, nearly 20 years after Washington invaded the country following the September 11 attacks by al-Qaeda on New York and Washington. McKenzie stressed that while the goal of a complete withdrawal by May 2021 was "aspirational," it was also conditional. It is a "conditions-based approach," the general said, and "conditions would have to be met that satisfy us -- that attacks against our homeland are not going to be generated from Afghanistan." "We all know already that (the Taliban) are no friends of ISIS," McKenzie said of the Islamic State group. "What we need to see is what they're going to do against al-Qaeda," he said of the group responsible for 9/11. "And we need to see that in deeds and not words." "And so we're very focused on what the Taliban is doing, how they're participating in these negotiations as we go forward," he said. "The jury is still very much out." President Donald Trump, who is running for re-election in November, has said repeatedly that he wants US troops out of Afghanistan as soon as possible.

We have met our part of commitment with Taliban: Top US commander

The US administration is continuing its efforts to block the release of ex-national security advisor John Bolton's book, the latest being US Justice Department filing an emergency order on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The justice department said that Bolton moved forward with the book's release ahead of the completion of the national security review process, and "plans to disseminate classified information as he sees fit in order to profit from his book."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sought-jinpings-help-for-2020-re-election-says-ex-nsa-john-bolton-306644">Trump sought Jinping's help for 2020 re-election, says ex-NSA John Bolton</a>

On Wednesday too, Trump made similar claims, accusing the ex-NSA of breaking the law by divulging "highly classified information".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-government-files-lawsuit-to-prevent-publication-of-boltons-book-306373">Trump government files lawsuit to prevent publication of Bolton's book</a> 
&nbsp; 
Bolton's new book has made stunning claims about Trump and excerpts of it are leaked in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal.

One of the highlights of these claims was that Trump pleaded to China to help him win re-election.&nbsp;

The ex-NSA mentioned the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump last June, in which the former "stunningly turned the conversation to the US presidential election, alluding to China's economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns, pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win".&nbsp;

The leaks also said that the US president favoured dictators and praised Xi for China's internment camps.&nbsp;

Bolton was a part of Trump administration but resigned from the office of NSA last September after spending 17 months due to his disagreements with Trump.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The US administration is continuing its efforts to block the release of ex-national security advisor John Bolton's book, the latest being US Justice Department filing an emergency order on Wednesday.

The US administration is continuing its efforts to block the release of ex-national security advisor John Bolton's book, the latest being US Justice Department filing an emergency order on Wednesday. The justice department said that Bolton moved forward with the book's release ahead of the completion of the national security review process, and "plans to disseminate classified information as he sees fit in order to profit from his book." Also read | Trump sought Jinping's help for 2020 re-election, says ex-NSA John Bolton On Wednesday too, Trump made similar claims, accusing the ex-NSA of breaking the law by divulging "highly classified information". Also read | Trump government files lawsuit to prevent publication of Bolton's book Bolton's new book has made stunning claims about Trump and excerpts of it are leaked in the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. One of the highlights of these claims was that Trump pleaded to China to help him win re-election. The ex-NSA mentioned the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump last June, in which the former "stunningly turned the conversation to the US presidential election, alluding to China's economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns, pleading with Xi to ensure he'd win". The leaks also said that the US president favoured dictators and praised Xi for China's internment camps. Bolton was a part of Trump administration but resigned from the office of NSA last September after spending 17 months due to his disagreements with Trump.

Trump administration files emergency order to block release of John Bolton's book

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group.

Seuxis Hernandez and Luciano Marin, best known by their respective noms de guerre Jesus Santrich and Ivan Marquez, had originally supported the 2016 peace accord between Colombia's government and the Marxist-led Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But both later rejected the deal.

The two "have a long history of involvement in drug trafficking activities, which resulted in their criminal indictments," the US State Department said in a statement.

The Colombian government, in a separate statement, said the capture of the men would contribute to the stability of the peace process.

Marquez, a FARC commander who was one of the negotiators of the peace accord, disappeared in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and bundled off to the United States.

Santrich had been set to serve in one of 10 congressional seats granted to former rebels under the deal. But he was indicted by the United States for drug trafficking that allegedly occurred in 2017, after the peace deal. The indictment sparked months of legal wrangling, including his arrest, before he too disappeared in mid-2019.

Both men reappeared in August 2019 in a video they said was filmed in the Amazon announcing a new offensive against the government.

The announcement was condemned at the time by President Ivan Duque's government, the United Nations and the FARC political party, whose leadership said the majority of former rebels remain committed to peace.

Implementation of the accord has been hampered by the murder of hundreds of former guerrillas and human rights activists. Delays in funding to create more economic opportunities for former combatants have also set back the peace process amid deep political polarization in the South American country.

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group.

The United States on Thursday said it was offering rewards of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrest or conviction of two former leaders of Colombia's FARC rebel group. Seuxis Hernandez and Luciano Marin, best known by their respective noms de guerre Jesus Santrich and Ivan Marquez, had originally supported the 2016 peace accord between Colombia's government and the Marxist-led Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). But both later rejected the deal. The two "have a long history of involvement in drug trafficking activities, which resulted in their criminal indictments," the US State Department said in a statement. The Colombian government, in a separate statement, said the capture of the men would contribute to the stability of the peace process. Marquez, a FARC commander who was one of the negotiators of the peace accord, disappeared in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and bundled off to the United States. Santrich had been set to serve in one of 10 congressional seats granted to former rebels under the deal. But he was indicted by the United States for drug trafficking that allegedly occurred in 2017, after the peace deal. The indictment sparked months of legal wrangling, including his arrest, before he too disappeared in mid-2019. Both men reappeared in August 2019 in a video they said was filmed in the Amazon announcing a new offensive against the government. The announcement was condemned at the time by President Ivan Duque's government, the United Nations and the FARC political party, whose leadership said the majority of former rebels remain committed to peace. Implementation of the accord has been hampered by the murder of hundreds of former guerrillas and human rights activists. Delays in funding to create more economic opportunities for former combatants have also set back the peace process amid deep political polarization in the South American country.

US offers $10 million reward for capture of former Colombian rebels

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

These immigrants are dubbed as "Dreamers," who entered the United States illegally as children.

The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld the lower court rulings that found Trump's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, was unlawful.

The bench found that the administrations actions were "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act.

The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants, mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries, currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits.

The ruling does not prevent Trump from trying again to end the programme. But his administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office.

Trump's administration has argued that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action, bypassing Congress.

A collection of states including California and New York, people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump's plan to end the programme. Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place, finding that his move to revoke the programme violated a US law called the Administrative Procedure Act.

Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border, a central part of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants.

The US Supreme Court on Thursday dealt President Donald Trump a major setback on his hardline immigration policies, ruling against his bid to end a programme that protects from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants. These immigrants are dubbed as "Dreamers," who entered the United States illegally as children. The justices on a 5-4 vote upheld the lower court rulings that found Trump's 2017 move to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, created in 2012 by his Democratic predecessor Barack Obama, was unlawful. The bench found that the administrations actions were "arbitrary and capricious" under a federal law called the Administrative Procedure Act. The ruling means that the roughly 649,000 immigrants, mostly young Hispanic adults born in Mexico and other Latin American countries, currently enrolled in DACA will remain protected from deportation and eligible to obtain renewable two-year work permits. The ruling does not prevent Trump from trying again to end the programme. But his administration is unlikely to be able to end DACA before the Nov. 3 election in which Trump is seeking a second four-year term in office. Trump's administration has argued that Obama exceeded his constitutional powers when he created DACA by executive action, bypassing Congress. A collection of states including California and New York, people currently enrolled in DACA and civil rights groups all filed suit to block Trump's plan to end the programme. Lower courts in California, New York and the District of Columbia ruled against Trump and left DACA in place, finding that his move to revoke the programme violated a US law called the Administrative Procedure Act. Trump has made his crackdown on legal and illegal immigration, including pursuing construction of a wall along the US-Mexican border, a central part of his presidency and his 2020 re-election campaign. (with inputs from Reuters)

US Supreme Court blocks Trump bid to end DACA

Amid the escalating tensions between India and China on the border, the Trump administration has said that the US president is aware of it and Washington is monitoring the situation.&nbsp;

"The president is aware of it. We're monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters, as quoted by PTI.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-galwan-valley-has-become-the-flashpoint-in-india-china-conflict-once-again-306607">Why Galwan Valley has become the flashpoint in India-China conflict once again?</a>

"We have seen the Indian Army statement that 20 Indian soldiers died as a result of the confrontation today, and we extend our deepest condolences on that."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-china-border-dispute-what-happened-in-nathu-la-in-1967-306590">India-China border dispute: What happened in Nathu La in 1967</a>

As many as 20 Indian Army personnel were killed following a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley late on Monday.&nbsp;

The situation remains on the boil as this was the first time after the war in 1962 that soldiers of two Asian giants were killed in clashes on the India-China border in Ladakh.&nbsp;

The White House official also rejected the idea of the US acting as a mediator, which US President Donald Trump intended a few weeks ago.&nbsp;

"No formal plans on that beyond what I already said in expressing our absolute condolences to the Indian soldiers that died as a result of today's confrontation. We extend our deepest condolences there," McEnany said. 
&nbsp;

Amid the escalating tensions between India and China on the border, the Trump administration has said that the US president is aware of it and Washington is monitoring the situation.

Amid the escalating tensions between India and China on the border, the Trump administration has said that the US president is aware of it and Washington is monitoring the situation. "The president is aware of it. We're monitoring the situation between Indian and Chinese forces along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh," White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters, as quoted by PTI. Also read | Why Galwan Valley has become the flashpoint in India-China conflict once again? "We have seen the Indian Army statement that 20 Indian soldiers died as a result of the confrontation today, and we extend our deepest condolences on that." Also read | India-China border dispute: What happened in Nathu La in 1967 As many as 20 Indian Army personnel were killed following a clash with Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley late on Monday. The situation remains on the boil as this was the first time after the war in 1962 that soldiers of two Asian giants were killed in clashes on the India-China border in Ladakh. The White House official also rejected the idea of the US acting as a mediator, which US President Donald Trump intended a few weeks ago. "No formal plans on that beyond what I already said in expressing our absolute condolences to the Indian soldiers that died as a result of today's confrontation. We extend our deepest condolences there," McEnany said.

Donald Trump aware of India-China face-off: White House

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