France said a US decision to quit global talks on how to tax big digital firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook was a "provocation" and the European Union said it could impose taxes even if no deal was reached by year-end.

The latest transatlantic trade row was ignited after the Washington said on Wednesday it was withdrawing from negotiations with European countries over new international tax rules on digital firms, saying talks had made no progress.

Nearly 140 countries are involved in the talks organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the first major rewrite of global tax rules in a generation to bring them up to date for the digital era.

The talks aim to reach a deal by the end of 2020, but that deadline is now slipping out of reach with Washington's latest move and the US presidential election in November.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said France, Britain, Italy and Spain had jointly responded on Thursday to a letter from US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announcing the pullout.

"This letter is a provocation. It's a provocation towards all the partners at the OECD when we were centimetres away from a deal on the taxation of digital giants," Le Maire said on France Inter radio.

A Spanish government spokeswoman said Madrid and other European countries would not accept "any type of threat from another country" over the digital tax dispute.

European countries says tech firms pay too little tax in countries where they do business because they can shift profits around the globe with little physical infrastructure. Washington has resisted any new unilateral taxes on Silicon Valley companies in the absence of an OECD deal.

CHAMPAGNE AND HANDBAGS

"The European Commission wants a global solution to bring corporate taxation into the 21st century," European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said.

"But if that proves impossible this year, we have been clear that we will come forward with a new proposal at EU level," he said, saying taxes could be introduced even without a global deal.

France, one of several European countries which has enacted new taxes to collect more revenue from digital companies, had agreed to suspend collection of its levy while talks were under way on a global approach.

Le Maire said France would impose its digital services tax this year, whether or not Washington returned to negotiations.

"No one can accept that the digital giants can make profits from their 450 million European clients and not pay taxes where they are," he said.

The French tax applies a 3% levy on revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with revenues of more than 25 million euros ($28 million) in France and 750 million euros worldwide.

Washington has threatened to impose trade tariffs on French Champagne, handbags and other goods in response.

The United States opened trade investigations this month into digital taxes in Britain, Italy, Spain and other countries over concerns that they unfairly target US companies.

President Donald Trump threatened this month to impose tariffs on EU cars if the bloc did not drop its tariff on American lobsters.

Efforts to reach even a limited US-EU trade deal have foundered and sources on both sides see little chance of progress with a US presidential election barely four months away.

A finance ministry spokesperson in Britain, which is seeking trade deals with Brussels and Washington after it left the EU, said that London's "preference is for a global solution to the tax challenges posed by digitalisation, and we’ll continue to work with our international partners to achieve that objective."

France said a US decision to quit global talks on how to tax big digital firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook was a "provocation" and the European Union said it could impose taxes even if no deal was reached by year-end.

France said a US decision to quit global talks on how to tax big digital firms such as Google, Amazon and Facebook was a "provocation" and the European Union said it could impose taxes even if no deal was reached by year-end. The latest transatlantic trade row was ignited after the Washington said on Wednesday it was withdrawing from negotiations with European countries over new international tax rules on digital firms, saying talks had made no progress. Nearly 140 countries are involved in the talks organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on the first major rewrite of global tax rules in a generation to bring them up to date for the digital era. The talks aim to reach a deal by the end of 2020, but that deadline is now slipping out of reach with Washington's latest move and the US presidential election in November. Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said France, Britain, Italy and Spain had jointly responded on Thursday to a letter from US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announcing the pullout. "This letter is a provocation. It's a provocation towards all the partners at the OECD when we were centimetres away from a deal on the taxation of digital giants," Le Maire said on France Inter radio. A Spanish government spokeswoman said Madrid and other European countries would not accept "any type of threat from another country" over the digital tax dispute. European countries says tech firms pay too little tax in countries where they do business because they can shift profits around the globe with little physical infrastructure. Washington has resisted any new unilateral taxes on Silicon Valley companies in the absence of an OECD deal. CHAMPAGNE AND HANDBAGS "The European Commission wants a global solution to bring corporate taxation into the 21st century," European Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said. "But if that proves impossible this year, we have been clear that we will come forward with a new proposal at EU level," he said, saying taxes could be introduced even without a global deal. France, one of several European countries which has enacted new taxes to collect more revenue from digital companies, had agreed to suspend collection of its levy while talks were under way on a global approach. Le Maire said France would impose its digital services tax this year, whether or not Washington returned to negotiations. "No one can accept that the digital giants can make profits from their 450 million European clients and not pay taxes where they are," he said. The French tax applies a 3% levy on revenue from digital services earned in France by companies with revenues of more than 25 million euros ($28 million) in France and 750 million euros worldwide. Washington has threatened to impose trade tariffs on French Champagne, handbags and other goods in response. The United States opened trade investigations this month into digital taxes in Britain, Italy, Spain and other countries over concerns that they unfairly target US companies. President Donald Trump threatened this month to impose tariffs on EU cars if the bloc did not drop its tariff on American lobsters. Efforts to reach even a limited US-EU trade deal have foundered and sources on both sides see little chance of progress with a US presidential election barely four months away. A finance ministry spokesperson in Britain, which is seeking trade deals with Brussels and Washington after it left the EU, said that London's "preference is for a global solution to the tax challenges posed by digitalisation, and we’ll continue to work with our international partners to achieve that objective."

Europe threatens digital taxes without global deal, after US quits talks

The temporary fences that separated protesters from the White House have come down. But its occupant, President Donald Trump, appears to be more isolated than ever.

Recent opinion surveys, including a poll from Reuters/Ipsos this week, continue to show Trump trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden significantly with just over four months until the Nov. 3 election.

But more revealingly, they show a president increasingly disconnected from the American electorate whose views have changed rapidly following the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in Minneapolis police custody.

The lightning-quick shift in public opinion has caused the National Football League and NASCAR to embrace athletes protesting racial injustice, and some companies to rename brands criticized for racial stereotypes, such as PepsiCo Inc's Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup.

Trump takes the less-popular side of issues that Americans right now say matter, such as the coronavirus pandemic and police reform, according to an analysis of Reuters/Ipsos polling data since March.

It also shows him steadily bleeding support among a broad swath of voters, even ones that have been most loyal to him such as rural Americans and white evangelicals.

Biden now has a 13-point lead over Trump, the biggest recorded by the Reuters/Ipsos poll since Democrats began their state nominating contests earlier this year, powered by substantial gains among suburban residents, independents and high-income earners.

Even traditionally Republican-leaning groups - men, white suburban women and those older than 55 - have recently flipped for Biden, the polling analysis shows. Trump led elderly voters until May.

Several former White House officials said the president needed to demonstrate more that he understood black people’s challenges in the United States.

"He does need to be more open to (the) legitimate concerns that a lot of minorities and African Americans are facing," one official said, asking not to be named to speak freely. 
Trump's supporters said there was plenty of time to turn things around, and a likely economic rebound would bolster his re-election bid just in time for November.

Record upside surprises in US economic data in recent weeks have raised expectations for a “V” shaped recovery from the COVID-19 recession that sent unemployment soaring. 
But Trump's apparent reluctance to try to unite a country convulsed by multiple crises, instead endearing himself further to his base of hardcore supporters, would leave him with the economy as his last saving grace, experts say.

In one silver lining for the president, 43% of registered voters in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll said they thought Trump would be a better steward of the economy than Biden, while 38% said Biden would be better.&nbsp;

“His continued focus on his base is costing him among a handful of moderate Republicans and independents,” said John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University who reviewed the polling data. “If this trend continues, this election could end up being very lopsided against the incumbent.”

The Trump campaign did not respond to the poll findings. But Trump has insisted on Twitter he is aligned with the nation's values, saying his supporters are part of a "silent majority" - a phrase used by Republican President Richard Nixon 50 years ago during a similar period of social unrest.

AGAINST THE GRAIN

The numbers tell a different story.

While polls show nearly two thirds of respondents sympathize with the protesters over police brutality, Trump has openly flirted with deploying the military to "dominate" them. Earlier this month, police in Washington forcibly removed peaceful protesters so that Trump could pose for photographs in front of a church near the White House.

Trump has also rejected growing calls for sweeping police reform proposals in the aftermath of Floyd's killing. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows 82% of Americans want to ban police from using chokeholds, 83% want to ban racial profiling, 92% want federal police to be required to wear body cameras and 91% support allowing independent investigations of police departments that show patterns of misconduct.

None of those measures were included in a police reform measure Trump signed this week. 
Trump dismissed the threat of the coronavirus early on, and sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread. He will resume his signature rallies on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as new COVID-19 cases are spiking in the state and 76% of Americans remain concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll.

A fresh reminder of Trump’s disconnect came on Monday, when his handpicked choice for the Supreme Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch, penned a landmark decision that granted protection against workplace discrimination to gay and transgender workers. Just last week, Trump's administration moved to strip healthcare protections from transgender patients.

LOSING RELEVANCE?

Trump has always walked the razor’s edge as a candidate. "His presidency has never been in tune with majority opinion in this country,” Geer said.

But Trump was able to position himself in 2016 as an anti-establishment insurgent, stoking the fears of white working-class voters about jobs leaving the country and an influx of immigrants. That helped him win the state-based Electoral College count, which determines the presidency, even though he lost the popular vote.

Trump's long-standing pledge to crack down on immigration has been pushed off center stage, however, as the coronavirus and the economy became chief concerns. Even among Republicans, only 8% say immigration is their top concern in the latest poll, a big drop from January 2019, when 34% of Republicans listed it as the most important problem facing the country.

Analysts also say that kind of grievance-centered politics geared toward white Americans may have lost relevance amid a reckoning over the injustices faced by African Americans - and that as president, Trump has struggled to find others to blame for the state of the nation. 
Between April and June, Trump's approval rating among white evangelicals dropped 11 percentage points. Approval among rural voters tumbled 14 points over the past month, with more than half saying they are sympathetic to the Black Lives Matter protesters.

Alex Conant, a Republican strategist, said that the party was bracing for a "very bad" year in 2020, with Trump's poll numbers affecting other key races in the Senate and down the ballot. But he added that November was not a foregone conclusion.

"Five months is a long time in politics," he said.

The temporary fences that separated protesters from the White House have come down. But its occupant, President Donald Trump, appears to be more isolated than ever.

The temporary fences that separated protesters from the White House have come down. But its occupant, President Donald Trump, appears to be more isolated than ever. Recent opinion surveys, including a poll from Reuters/Ipsos this week, continue to show Trump trailing Democratic challenger Joe Biden significantly with just over four months until the Nov. 3 election. But more revealingly, they show a president increasingly disconnected from the American electorate whose views have changed rapidly following the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in Minneapolis police custody. The lightning-quick shift in public opinion has caused the National Football League and NASCAR to embrace athletes protesting racial injustice, and some companies to rename brands criticized for racial stereotypes, such as PepsiCo Inc's Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup. Trump takes the less-popular side of issues that Americans right now say matter, such as the coronavirus pandemic and police reform, according to an analysis of Reuters/Ipsos polling data since March. It also shows him steadily bleeding support among a broad swath of voters, even ones that have been most loyal to him such as rural Americans and white evangelicals. Biden now has a 13-point lead over Trump, the biggest recorded by the Reuters/Ipsos poll since Democrats began their state nominating contests earlier this year, powered by substantial gains among suburban residents, independents and high-income earners. Even traditionally Republican-leaning groups - men, white suburban women and those older than 55 - have recently flipped for Biden, the polling analysis shows. Trump led elderly voters until May. Several former White House officials said the president needed to demonstrate more that he understood black people’s challenges in the United States. "He does need to be more open to (the) legitimate concerns that a lot of minorities and African Americans are facing," one official said, asking not to be named to speak freely. Trump's supporters said there was plenty of time to turn things around, and a likely economic rebound would bolster his re-election bid just in time for November. Record upside surprises in US economic data in recent weeks have raised expectations for a “V” shaped recovery from the COVID-19 recession that sent unemployment soaring. But Trump's apparent reluctance to try to unite a country convulsed by multiple crises, instead endearing himself further to his base of hardcore supporters, would leave him with the economy as his last saving grace, experts say. In one silver lining for the president, 43% of registered voters in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll said they thought Trump would be a better steward of the economy than Biden, while 38% said Biden would be better. “His continued focus on his base is costing him among a handful of moderate Republicans and independents,” said John Geer, a political science professor at Vanderbilt University who reviewed the polling data. “If this trend continues, this election could end up being very lopsided against the incumbent.” The Trump campaign did not respond to the poll findings. But Trump has insisted on Twitter he is aligned with the nation's values, saying his supporters are part of a "silent majority" - a phrase used by Republican President Richard Nixon 50 years ago during a similar period of social unrest. AGAINST THE GRAIN The numbers tell a different story. While polls show nearly two thirds of respondents sympathize with the protesters over police brutality, Trump has openly flirted with deploying the military to "dominate" them. Earlier this month, police in Washington forcibly removed peaceful protesters so that Trump could pose for photographs in front of a church near the White House. Trump has also rejected growing calls for sweeping police reform proposals in the aftermath of Floyd's killing. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows 82% of Americans want to ban police from using chokeholds, 83% want to ban racial profiling, 92% want federal police to be required to wear body cameras and 91% support allowing independent investigations of police departments that show patterns of misconduct. None of those measures were included in a police reform measure Trump signed this week. Trump dismissed the threat of the coronavirus early on, and sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread. He will resume his signature rallies on Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as new COVID-19 cases are spiking in the state and 76% of Americans remain concerned about the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll. A fresh reminder of Trump’s disconnect came on Monday, when his handpicked choice for the Supreme Court, Justice Neil Gorsuch, penned a landmark decision that granted protection against workplace discrimination to gay and transgender workers. Just last week, Trump's administration moved to strip healthcare protections from transgender patients. LOSING RELEVANCE? Trump has always walked the razor’s edge as a candidate. "His presidency has never been in tune with majority opinion in this country,” Geer said. But Trump was able to position himself in 2016 as an anti-establishment insurgent, stoking the fears of white working-class voters about jobs leaving the country and an influx of immigrants. That helped him win the state-based Electoral College count, which determines the presidency, even though he lost the popular vote. Trump's long-standing pledge to crack down on immigration has been pushed off center stage, however, as the coronavirus and the economy became chief concerns. Even among Republicans, only 8% say immigration is their top concern in the latest poll, a big drop from January 2019, when 34% of Republicans listed it as the most important problem facing the country. Analysts also say that kind of grievance-centered politics geared toward white Americans may have lost relevance amid a reckoning over the injustices faced by African Americans - and that as president, Trump has struggled to find others to blame for the state of the nation. Between April and June, Trump's approval rating among white evangelicals dropped 11 percentage points. Approval among rural voters tumbled 14 points over the past month, with more than half saying they are sympathetic to the Black Lives Matter protesters. Alex Conant, a Republican strategist, said that the party was bracing for a "very bad" year in 2020, with Trump's poll numbers affecting other key races in the Senate and down the ballot. But he added that November was not a foregone conclusion. "Five months is a long time in politics," he said.

Months before election, Trump finds himself at odds with most Americans' views

After former US NSA John Bolton's sensational claims on his latest book, China on Thursday clarified it has no intention to interfere in the US elections.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made these remarks when he was asked about Bolton's claims, excerpts of which were leaked in the New York Times.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-files-emergency-order-to-block-release-of-john-boltons-book-306708">Trump administration files emergency order to block release of John Bolton's book</a>

The former NSA has said that US President Donald Trump pleaded to China to help him in his re-election when he met his Chinese counterpart last year in June.

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>

Trump "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", one of the excerpts of the book said.&nbsp;

Earlier today, the US filed an emergency order to block the release of the book, claiming that Bolton "plans to disseminate classified information as he sees fit in order to profit from his book."

The book also claimed that Trump favoured dictators and backed Xi for China's internment camps.&nbsp;

Bolton, who was a part of the Trump administration for 17 months, resigned from the office of NSA last September due to his disagreements with the US president.&nbsp;

After former US NSA John Bolton's sensational claims on his latest book, China on Thursday clarified it has no intention to interfere in the US elections. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made these remarks when he was asked about Bolton's claims, excerpts of which were leaked in the New York Times.

After former US NSA John Bolton's sensational claims on his latest book, China on Thursday clarified it has no intention to interfere in the US elections. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian made these remarks when he was asked about Bolton's claims, excerpts of which were leaked in the New York Times. Also read | Trump administration files emergency order to block release of John Bolton's book The former NSA has said that US President Donald Trump pleaded to China to help him in his re-election when he met his Chinese counterpart last year in June. Also read | Trump sought Jinping's help for 2020 re-election, says ex-NSA John Bolton Trump "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", one of the excerpts of the book said. Earlier today, the US filed an emergency order to block the release of the book, claiming that Bolton "plans to disseminate classified information as he sees fit in order to profit from his book." The book also claimed that Trump favoured dictators and backed Xi for China's internment camps. Bolton, who was a part of the Trump administration for 17 months, resigned from the office of NSA last September due to his disagreements with the US president.

China has no intention to interfere in US election

The anti-China trade mood has reached US kitchens, where a battle is being waged over competing visions of where and how cabinets should be made.

On one side are America's traditional cabinet companies, employing an estimated 100,000 people in factories across the country, often in small towns close to forests supplying the wood. On the other is a new breed of "ready-to-assemble" firms that grabbed a hefty slice of the business over the last five years by importing disassembled cabinets from China in flat boxes and selling them at unbeatable prices.

In March, the International Trade Commission ruled unanimously in favor of a coalition of 50 US firms fighting to stop the influx. The ITC concluded the imports charged unfairly low prices and slapped on big anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties that will last five years.

"We did this for the American worker," said Mark Trexler, chief operating officer of Cabinetworks Group, the nation's second-largest cabinet maker and a member of the coalition.

While cast as a Chinese cabinet invasion, the ready-to-assemble rise was driven largely by domestic companies, including some of the biggest US players who invented the niche and went to China to source products. Chinese companies have jumped into the business, to be sure, but ready-to-assemble was an American idea. The upshot for Americans from the trade case is likely to be higher cabinet prices.

And Trexler's assertion notwithstanding, jobs are not coming back to US shores because of tariffs. Even as the case was being fought, ready-to-assemble firms like CNC Cabinetry, a privately held company in South Plainfield, New Jersey, were getting out of China - by shifting work to other low-cost countries.

Robert Hunter, CNC's chief operating officer, said no domestic companies will make the disassembled product for him to replace the Chinese supplies - at least not at a competitive price. So he shifted sourcing to Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia and is hunting for a low-cost option in Eastern Europe to have many options for sourcing at a time of spreading trade battles.

SPEED IS ESSENTIAL

CNC was founded in 1992 as a traditional cabinetmaker but shifted to ready-to-assemble after the 2007-2009 recession. At a sprawling facility just outside New York City, rather than making cabinets from scratch, most of the space is devoted to shelves of flat boxes. The key is to have a ready supply of a limited range of sizes and styles, Hunter said.

When a customer calls, Hunter can ship the boxes containing all the parts needed for a cabinet immediately or have his small staff of 50 craftsmen assemble it so the cabinets are ready to install when delivered. The New Jersey facility also makes countertops, which aren't imported, to finish off a kitchen package.

"If you call me today in the morning, I'm shipping tomorrow night," said Hunter.

CNC sells mostly to builders outfitting multiple kitchens and house flippers looking for low prices. Traditional cabinet companies can take weeks or longer to deliver cabinets.

Ready-to-assemble's rapid growth sparked the trade case, say manufacturers, importers and trade attorneys for both sides interviewed by Reuters. The US cabinet industry sells about $10 billion worth of goods a year, and while the two sides dispute how big ready-to-assemble has grown, the ITC noted Chinese imports of cabinets, vanities, and cabinet parts totaled about $4.4 billion in 2018.

Many domestic firms feared they were following the path of America's furniture industry, which began selectively importing Chinese products in the 1990s and was eventually swamped by direct competition from Chinese producers entering the US market. Parts of North Carolina are still dotted with empty furniture factories as a result.

Ready-to-assemble cabinets were depressing prices for everyone, according to domestic firms. They were also coming equipped with features for which US producers had always charged extra, like self-closing drawers.

"History shows the Chinese aren't satisfied until they have the whole industry," said Stephen Wellborn, co-owner of Wellborn Cabinet Inc in Ashland, Alabama. He said the political climate was favorable, given President Donald Trump's commitment to helping domestic manufacturing, but he said they would have brought the trade case anyway.

One irony is that the largest US cabinetmaker, Fortune Brands Home &amp; Security Inc's Masterbrand Cabinet unit, helped develop the ready-to-assemble business in China before deciding it posed a risk to its much larger domestic operations. Masterbrand's US sales were $2.5 billion last year, and it has 10,000 US employees in 20 factories fed mostly by US suppliers.

Masterbrand said it stopped buying from China after the case was filed. But it did not bring those jobs home either. The company now obtains ready-to-assemble cabinets from Vietnam. Cabinets made in Vietnam are 30-40% pricier than China, according to industry sources.

Back at CNC, Hunter said he was also anticipating more trade issues. If shipments grow too much from another country, such as Vietnam, the United States could crack down with duties on those imports as well, he said.

"That's why I want to find sources in five countries, minimum," said Hunter, "because you don't know what comes next." 
&nbsp;

The anti-China trade mood has reached US kitchens, where a battle is being waged over competing visions of where and how cabinets should be made. On one side are America's traditional cabinet companies, employing an estimated 100,000 people in factories across the country, often in small towns close to forests supplying the wood.

The anti-China trade mood has reached US kitchens, where a battle is being waged over competing visions of where and how cabinets should be made. On one side are America's traditional cabinet companies, employing an estimated 100,000 people in factories across the country, often in small towns close to forests supplying the wood. On the other is a new breed of "ready-to-assemble" firms that grabbed a hefty slice of the business over the last five years by importing disassembled cabinets from China in flat boxes and selling them at unbeatable prices. In March, the International Trade Commission ruled unanimously in favor of a coalition of 50 US firms fighting to stop the influx. The ITC concluded the imports charged unfairly low prices and slapped on big anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties that will last five years. "We did this for the American worker," said Mark Trexler, chief operating officer of Cabinetworks Group, the nation's second-largest cabinet maker and a member of the coalition. While cast as a Chinese cabinet invasion, the ready-to-assemble rise was driven largely by domestic companies, including some of the biggest US players who invented the niche and went to China to source products. Chinese companies have jumped into the business, to be sure, but ready-to-assemble was an American idea. The upshot for Americans from the trade case is likely to be higher cabinet prices. And Trexler's assertion notwithstanding, jobs are not coming back to US shores because of tariffs. Even as the case was being fought, ready-to-assemble firms like CNC Cabinetry, a privately held company in South Plainfield, New Jersey, were getting out of China - by shifting work to other low-cost countries. Robert Hunter, CNC's chief operating officer, said no domestic companies will make the disassembled product for him to replace the Chinese supplies - at least not at a competitive price. So he shifted sourcing to Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia and is hunting for a low-cost option in Eastern Europe to have many options for sourcing at a time of spreading trade battles. SPEED IS ESSENTIAL CNC was founded in 1992 as a traditional cabinetmaker but shifted to ready-to-assemble after the 2007-2009 recession. At a sprawling facility just outside New York City, rather than making cabinets from scratch, most of the space is devoted to shelves of flat boxes. The key is to have a ready supply of a limited range of sizes and styles, Hunter said. When a customer calls, Hunter can ship the boxes containing all the parts needed for a cabinet immediately or have his small staff of 50 craftsmen assemble it so the cabinets are ready to install when delivered. The New Jersey facility also makes countertops, which aren't imported, to finish off a kitchen package. "If you call me today in the morning, I'm shipping tomorrow night," said Hunter. CNC sells mostly to builders outfitting multiple kitchens and house flippers looking for low prices. Traditional cabinet companies can take weeks or longer to deliver cabinets. Ready-to-assemble's rapid growth sparked the trade case, say manufacturers, importers and trade attorneys for both sides interviewed by Reuters. The US cabinet industry sells about $10 billion worth of goods a year, and while the two sides dispute how big ready-to-assemble has grown, the ITC noted Chinese imports of cabinets, vanities, and cabinet parts totaled about $4.4 billion in 2018. Many domestic firms feared they were following the path of America's furniture industry, which began selectively importing Chinese products in the 1990s and was eventually swamped by direct competition from Chinese producers entering the US market. Parts of North Carolina are still dotted with empty furniture factories as a result. Ready-to-assemble cabinets were depressing prices for everyone, according to domestic firms. They were also coming equipped with features for which US producers had always charged extra, like self-closing drawers. "History shows the Chinese aren't satisfied until they have the whole industry," said Stephen Wellborn, co-owner of Wellborn Cabinet Inc in Ashland, Alabama. He said the political climate was favorable, given President Donald Trump's commitment to helping domestic manufacturing, but he said they would have brought the trade case anyway. One irony is that the largest US cabinetmaker, Fortune Brands Home & Security Inc's Masterbrand Cabinet unit, helped develop the ready-to-assemble business in China before deciding it posed a risk to its much larger domestic operations. Masterbrand's US sales were $2.5 billion last year, and it has 10,000 US employees in 20 factories fed mostly by US suppliers. Masterbrand said it stopped buying from China after the case was filed. But it did not bring those jobs home either. The company now obtains ready-to-assemble cabinets from Vietnam. Cabinets made in Vietnam are 30-40% pricier than China, according to industry sources. Back at CNC, Hunter said he was also anticipating more trade issues. If shipments grow too much from another country, such as Vietnam, the United States could crack down with duties on those imports as well, he said. "That's why I want to find sources in five countries, minimum," said Hunter, "because you don't know what comes next."

Trade war? US battle over kitchen cabinets really a domestic dispute

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has opened up a 13-point lead over President Donald Trump - the widest margin this year - according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll as Americans grow more critical of Trump over the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality.

In the June 10-16 poll, 48% of registered voters said they would back Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the Nov. 3 election, while 35% said they would support Trump.

Biden's advantage is the biggest recorded by the Reuters/Ipsos poll since Democrats began their state nominating contests this year to pick their party's nominee to challenge Trump in November. A similar CNN poll from earlier this month showed Biden with a 14-point lead over Trump among registered voters.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed that 57% of US adults disapproved of Trump's performance in office, while just 38% approved, marking Trump's lowest approval rating since November, when Congress was conducting its impeachment inquiry into the Republican president.

In a clear warning sign for Trump, his own support base appears to be eroding. Republicans' net approval of Trump is down 13 points from March to June, declining every month in that span.

The shift in opinion comes as Americans are whipsawed by the coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing economic collapse and the outpouring of anger and frustration following numerous deadly confrontations between police and African Americans, including the death last month of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody.

Trump, who dismissed the threat of the coronavirus early on, sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread and has pushed authorities to allow businesses to reopen despite warnings from health experts about increasing risks of transmission.

More than 116,000 people in the United States have died from the virus and more than 2.1 million people have been infected, by far the most in the world. Some states that have reopened such as Florida, Arizona and Texas are seeing a jump in cases.

Altogether, 55% of Americans said they disapproved of Trump's handling of the coronavirus, while 40% approved, which is the lowest net approval for the president on the subject since Reuters/Ipsos started tracking the question in early March.

TRUMP EDGE ON ECONOMY

The president also has been criticised for the way he has responded to the protests that were sparked by Floyd's killing.

While nearly two thirds of respondents sympathised with the protesters, according to the poll, Trump has openly flirted with deploying the military to "dominate" them. Earlier this month, police in Washington forcibly removed peaceful protesters so that Trump could pose for photographs in front of a church near the White House.

As businesses shuttered across the country because of coronavirus lockdowns, Americans have increasingly turned their focus to the economy and jobs as a top concern.

In that area, Trump still has the upper hand over Biden. Forty-three percent of registered voters said they thought Trump would be a better steward of the economy than Biden, while 38% said Biden would be better.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, in English, throughout the United States. The poll gathered responses from 4,426 American adults, including 2,047 Democrats and 1,593 Republicans. The poll had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has opened up a 13-point lead over President Donald Trump - the widest margin this year - according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll as Americans grow more critical of Trump over the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has opened up a 13-point lead over President Donald Trump - the widest margin this year - according to the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll as Americans grow more critical of Trump over the coronavirus pandemic and protests against police brutality. In the June 10-16 poll, 48% of registered voters said they would back Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, in the Nov. 3 election, while 35% said they would support Trump. Biden's advantage is the biggest recorded by the Reuters/Ipsos poll since Democrats began their state nominating contests this year to pick their party's nominee to challenge Trump in November. A similar CNN poll from earlier this month showed Biden with a 14-point lead over Trump among registered voters. The Reuters/Ipsos poll also showed that 57% of US adults disapproved of Trump's performance in office, while just 38% approved, marking Trump's lowest approval rating since November, when Congress was conducting its impeachment inquiry into the Republican president. In a clear warning sign for Trump, his own support base appears to be eroding. Republicans' net approval of Trump is down 13 points from March to June, declining every month in that span. The shift in opinion comes as Americans are whipsawed by the coronavirus pandemic, the ensuing economic collapse and the outpouring of anger and frustration following numerous deadly confrontations between police and African Americans, including the death last month of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody. Trump, who dismissed the threat of the coronavirus early on, sparred with state governors as they tried to slow its spread and has pushed authorities to allow businesses to reopen despite warnings from health experts about increasing risks of transmission. More than 116,000 people in the United States have died from the virus and more than 2.1 million people have been infected, by far the most in the world. Some states that have reopened such as Florida, Arizona and Texas are seeing a jump in cases. Altogether, 55% of Americans said they disapproved of Trump's handling of the coronavirus, while 40% approved, which is the lowest net approval for the president on the subject since Reuters/Ipsos started tracking the question in early March. TRUMP EDGE ON ECONOMY The president also has been criticised for the way he has responded to the protests that were sparked by Floyd's killing. While nearly two thirds of respondents sympathised with the protesters, according to the poll, Trump has openly flirted with deploying the military to "dominate" them. Earlier this month, police in Washington forcibly removed peaceful protesters so that Trump could pose for photographs in front of a church near the White House. As businesses shuttered across the country because of coronavirus lockdowns, Americans have increasingly turned their focus to the economy and jobs as a top concern. In that area, Trump still has the upper hand over Biden. Forty-three percent of registered voters said they thought Trump would be a better steward of the economy than Biden, while 38% said Biden would be better. The Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted online, in English, throughout the United States. The poll gathered responses from 4,426 American adults, including 2,047 Democrats and 1,593 Republicans. The poll had a credibility interval, a measure of precision, of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Trump popularity drops to seven-month low; Biden opens 13-point advantage

With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

Normally, before the US Presidential election, there would be a considerable wrangle about the choice of Presidential candidate by both the principal parties. However, this time, the Democratic party chose Biden as it’s a candidate without much of debate and Republican party too decided in favour of Trump as its candidate without much of debate. The usual excitement that would be associated with the nomination of a Presidential candidate has been missing this time, causing disappointment for the curious observers.

Even before the last Presidential election, the section of print and visual media in the US&nbsp;carried out vituperative criticism against Donald Trump and the severity of such criticism has not tapered down during the Presidency of Trump. Therefore, people in the US&nbsp;are aware of the views and prejudices of the section of media against Trump and, therefore, continued criticism&nbsp;against Trump may not have a significant impact on the results of the forthcoming US Presidential election.

Two recent unhappy events namely COVID-19 crisis and the death of George Floyd by white policeman are bound to become an electoral issue in the coming election, with the opposition parties, a section of media and sworn critics holding Trump responsible for these two unhappy problems confronting the US.

However, the discerning observers amongst citizens who do not hold any particular view for or against Trump would introspect deeper before casting their votes. The votes of these unprejudiced citizens are likely to be the deciding factor in the choice of next US President.

Many impartial observers refuse to blame President Trump for COVID-19 crisis in the US&nbsp;and any criticism that Trump did not take preventive steps to avoid COVID-19 crisis cannot stand independent scrutiny. No country in the world anticipated such magnitude of the COVID-19 problem and the fact that China concealed the information to the world when it occurred in Wuhan and WHO colluded with China in concealing the information is believed by many people to be correct.

President Trump left it to the Governors to handle the COVID-19 crisis and this is what it should be. It is true that Trump underestimated the seriousness of COVID-19 crisis earlier, which is a matter of judgement and the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. Several governments in Europe and other countries reacted in the same way as the US did.

In the case of George Floyd's death, it would be extremely unfair to blame President Trump for this and he lost no time in condemning it. When the violent prone protestors took law into their own hands and destroyed public properties, President Trump had no alternative other than issuing a&nbsp;warning&nbsp;to put down such violence by force. No government can afford to remain as a spectator when the protestors indulge in violence, whatever may be the cause.

The critics and opposition party exploiting the above two unhappy events to discredit President Trump and spoil his public image may not cut ice amongst many discerning people.

&nbsp;

The basic approach of President Trump in defending the American business interests and stating clearly “America first” is certainly recognised and applauded by many people. His decision to confront China is a matter of absolute need and he has taken the bull by the horn in dealing with China, &nbsp;with no other US President having done so before.

The fact that the American economy has done reasonably well during Trump’s tenure and the steps he has taken to revive the economy after the COVID-19 crisis will not go unnoticed even by the worst critics.

Many would wonder whether the Democratic party candidate would go soft on China if he were to be the next President. &nbsp;No American would want this.

Former President Obama campaigning for Biden may not help his electoral prospects significantly. Many people would still remember that President Obama suddenly visited a mosque and asked the African Americans to defend their rights before the last Presidential election, which inevitably gave an impression that Obama was trying to please a section of people by appeasing them for the sake of votes. Considering the fact that Obama himself is not a white person, many may ask as to what he did to enhance the status of blacks in America during his Presidentship.

Obama was not tough against China and this became very clear when he received the respected Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama through the backdoors of White House so that Chinese government would not be annoyed by his entertaining the Dalai Lama. &nbsp;By this process, many think that Obama insulted the Dalai Lama.

As of now, the US Presidential election campaigning is still open and it would become more bitter as the days go on. But, the discerning observers amongst US citizens would not be guided by rhetorics and media views. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

With the US Presidential election only a few months away, a substantial section of US citizens must have made up their mind now about casting their vote in favour of Joe Biden or Donald Trump. Normally, before the US Presidential election, there would be a considerable wrangle about the choice of Presidential candidate by both the principal parties. However, this time, the Democratic party chose Biden as it’s a candidate without much of debate and Republican party too decided in favour of Trump as its candidate without much of debate. The usual excitement that would be associated with the nomination of a Presidential candidate has been missing this time, causing disappointment for the curious observers. Even before the last Presidential election, the section of print and visual media in the US carried out vituperative criticism against Donald Trump and the severity of such criticism has not tapered down during the Presidency of Trump. Therefore, people in the US are aware of the views and prejudices of the section of media against Trump and, therefore, continued criticism against Trump may not have a significant impact on the results of the forthcoming US Presidential election. Two recent unhappy events namely COVID-19 crisis and the death of George Floyd by white policeman are bound to become an electoral issue in the coming election, with the opposition parties, a section of media and sworn critics holding Trump responsible for these two unhappy problems confronting the US. However, the discerning observers amongst citizens who do not hold any particular view for or against Trump would introspect deeper before casting their votes. The votes of these unprejudiced citizens are likely to be the deciding factor in the choice of next US President. Many impartial observers refuse to blame President Trump for COVID-19 crisis in the US and any criticism that Trump did not take preventive steps to avoid COVID-19 crisis cannot stand independent scrutiny. No country in the world anticipated such magnitude of the COVID-19 problem and the fact that China concealed the information to the world when it occurred in Wuhan and WHO colluded with China in concealing the information is believed by many people to be correct. President Trump left it to the Governors to handle the COVID-19 crisis and this is what it should be. It is true that Trump underestimated the seriousness of COVID-19 crisis earlier, which is a matter of judgement and the benefit of the doubt should be given to him. Several governments in Europe and other countries reacted in the same way as the US did. In the case of George Floyd's death, it would be extremely unfair to blame President Trump for this and he lost no time in condemning it. When the violent prone protestors took law into their own hands and destroyed public properties, President Trump had no alternative other than issuing a warning to put down such violence by force. No government can afford to remain as a spectator when the protestors indulge in violence, whatever may be the cause. The critics and opposition party exploiting the above two unhappy events to discredit President Trump and spoil his public image may not cut ice amongst many discerning people. The basic approach of President Trump in defending the American business interests and stating clearly “America first” is certainly recognised and applauded by many people. His decision to confront China is a matter of absolute need and he has taken the bull by the horn in dealing with China, with no other US President having done so before. The fact that the American economy has done reasonably well during Trump’s tenure and the steps he has taken to revive the economy after the COVID-19 crisis will not go unnoticed even by the worst critics. Many would wonder whether the Democratic party candidate would go soft on China if he were to be the next President. No American would want this. Former President Obama campaigning for Biden may not help his electoral prospects significantly. Many people would still remember that President Obama suddenly visited a mosque and asked the African Americans to defend their rights before the last Presidential election, which inevitably gave an impression that Obama was trying to please a section of people by appeasing them for the sake of votes. Considering the fact that Obama himself is not a white person, many may ask as to what he did to enhance the status of blacks in America during his Presidentship. Obama was not tough against China and this became very clear when he received the respected Tibetan leader the Dalai Lama through the backdoors of White House so that Chinese government would not be annoyed by his entertaining the Dalai Lama. By this process, many think that Obama insulted the Dalai Lama. As of now, the US Presidential election campaigning is still open and it would become more bitter as the days go on. But, the discerning observers amongst US citizens would not be guided by rhetorics and media views. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Is change of leadership in the US necessary?

The world is already experiencing new and interesting trends coming up in what is often-described as COVID-era. And in several countries, especially in the United States, one such trend that is being observed is cycling.&nbsp;

In the US, bicycle stocks in the stores of Walmart and Target are getting emptied, and independent sellers are also seeing a huge spike in sales.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hybrid-cars-produce-more-co2-than-older-vehicles-in-uk-study-283365">Hybrid cars produce more CO2 than older vehicles in UK: Study</a>

In the last two months, bicycle sales in the US saw its biggest jump since the oil crisis in the 1970s, said Jay Townley, who observes cycling industry trends at Human Powered Solutions, reported AP.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-wants-petrol-diesel-vehicles-out-by-2035-proposes-switching-to-hybrid-vehicles-278805">UK wants petrol &amp; diesel vehicles out by 2035, proposes switching to hybrid vehicles</a> 
&nbsp; 
"People quite frankly have panicked, and they’re buying bikes like toilet paper," he added, referring to the panic buying witnessed during the start of the pandemic.&nbsp;

Countries around the world witnessed this trend as public transport remains a threat, increasing coronavirus transmissions.&nbsp;

In Manila and Rome, several bike lanes were installed to accommodate rising interest in cycling, while in London, authorities are seeking a ban on cars from some central thoroughfares.

Bike shop owners in the Philippine capital say demand is more than it was at Christmas. Bicycle sales are booming in Italy due to government incentives, which includes a 500-euro ($575) "bici bonus", offering rebate for up to 60% of the cost of a bike. &nbsp;

However, Townley added that the surging demand has also caused a shortage in the stock as 90 per cent&nbsp;of its cycles come from China, which witnessed a production hit due to the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

Experts believe a boom in the sale of cycles can be because of multiple reasons, which include restrictions on public transport, a fitness alternative due to the shutdown of gyms, and keeping children due to stay-at-home orders.

Not just traditional cycles, electric cycles are also getting popular in the times of coronavirus.&nbsp;

Taco Carlier, co-founder of VanMoof, a Dutch e-bike manufacturer, said that since the pandemic began, he is seeing an "unlimited demand", leading to a 10-week order backlog for its commuter electric bikes, which generally used to take a day's time for delivery.&nbsp;

VanMoof's sales rose by 138 per cent in the US and 184 per cent in Britain in the February-April period compared to last year, with significant gains in other European countries.&nbsp;

Carlier said that they have increased their production, but adds, that they still would require two-three months to meet the demand.&nbsp;

The world is already experiencing new and interesting trends coming up in what is often-described as COVID-era. And in several countries, especially in the United States, one such trend that is being observed is cycling.

The world is already experiencing new and interesting trends coming up in what is often-described as COVID-era. And in several countries, especially in the United States, one such trend that is being observed is cycling. In the US, bicycle stocks in the stores of Walmart and Target are getting emptied, and independent sellers are also seeing a huge spike in sales. Also read | Hybrid cars produce more CO2 than older vehicles in UK: Study In the last two months, bicycle sales in the US saw its biggest jump since the oil crisis in the 1970s, said Jay Townley, who observes cycling industry trends at Human Powered Solutions, reported AP. Also read | UK wants petrol & diesel vehicles out by 2035, proposes switching to hybrid vehicles "People quite frankly have panicked, and they’re buying bikes like toilet paper," he added, referring to the panic buying witnessed during the start of the pandemic. Countries around the world witnessed this trend as public transport remains a threat, increasing coronavirus transmissions. In Manila and Rome, several bike lanes were installed to accommodate rising interest in cycling, while in London, authorities are seeking a ban on cars from some central thoroughfares. Bike shop owners in the Philippine capital say demand is more than it was at Christmas. Bicycle sales are booming in Italy due to government incentives, which includes a 500-euro ($575) "bici bonus", offering rebate for up to 60% of the cost of a bike. However, Townley added that the surging demand has also caused a shortage in the stock as 90 per cent of its cycles come from China, which witnessed a production hit due to the coronavirus pandemic. Experts believe a boom in the sale of cycles can be because of multiple reasons, which include restrictions on public transport, a fitness alternative due to the shutdown of gyms, and keeping children due to stay-at-home orders. Not just traditional cycles, electric cycles are also getting popular in the times of coronavirus. Taco Carlier, co-founder of VanMoof, a Dutch e-bike manufacturer, said that since the pandemic began, he is seeing an "unlimited demand", leading to a 10-week order backlog for its commuter electric bikes, which generally used to take a day's time for delivery. VanMoof's sales rose by 138 per cent in the US and 184 per cent in Britain in the February-April period compared to last year, with significant gains in other European countries. Carlier said that they have increased their production, but adds, that they still would require two-three months to meet the demand.

'Buying bikes like toilet paper': Coronavirus causes a surge in bicycle sales

An elderly man who battled coronavirus for 62 days at a hospital in the US has been handed over a whopping 181-page bill of $1.1 million.

Michael Flor, 70, also became the longest-hospitalised Covid-19 patient -- at Swedish Medical Center in Issaquah, a city in King County, Washington state, and survived.

Once, while hospitalised, a nurse had held a phone to his ear while his wife and kids said their final goodbyes, reports The Seattle Times.

Recovering at his home in West Seattle, Flor said his heart almost failed for the second time when he saw the hospital bill.

His ICU room was billed at $9,736 per day and the total cost came to $408,912 only for his stay in the ICU.

The mechanical ventilator was billed for 29 days for a total of $82,215. About a quarter of the bill is drug costs.

For two days when his heart, kidneys and lungs were all failing, the bill was nearly $1,00,000 as doctors "were throwing everything at me they could think of," Flor was quoted as saying.

In all, there are nearly 3,000 itemised hospital charges, about 50 per day.

Since Flor had insurance including Medicare, he won't have to pay the vast majority of it, the report added.

"I feel guilty about surviving. Looking at the incredible cost of it all definitely adds to that survivor's guilt," Flor said.

According to the latest reports, coronavirus cases in the US have surged past 21,00,00. So far, 1,16,831 people have died due to COVID-19 in the country.

An elderly man who battled coronavirus for 62 days at a hospital in the US has been handed over a whopping 181-page bill of $1.1 million. Michael Flor, 70, also became the longest-hospitalised Covid-19 patient -- at Swedish Medical Center in Issaquah, a city in King County, Washington state, and survived.

An elderly man who battled coronavirus for 62 days at a hospital in the US has been handed over a whopping 181-page bill of $1.1 million. Michael Flor, 70, also became the longest-hospitalised Covid-19 patient -- at Swedish Medical Center in Issaquah, a city in King County, Washington state, and survived. Once, while hospitalised, a nurse had held a phone to his ear while his wife and kids said their final goodbyes, reports The Seattle Times. Recovering at his home in West Seattle, Flor said his heart almost failed for the second time when he saw the hospital bill. His ICU room was billed at $9,736 per day and the total cost came to $408,912 only for his stay in the ICU. The mechanical ventilator was billed for 29 days for a total of $82,215. About a quarter of the bill is drug costs. For two days when his heart, kidneys and lungs were all failing, the bill was nearly $1,00,000 as doctors "were throwing everything at me they could think of," Flor was quoted as saying. In all, there are nearly 3,000 itemised hospital charges, about 50 per day. Since Flor had insurance including Medicare, he won't have to pay the vast majority of it, the report added. "I feel guilty about surviving. Looking at the incredible cost of it all definitely adds to that survivor's guilt," Flor said. According to the latest reports, coronavirus cases in the US have surged past 21,00,00. So far, 1,16,831 people have died due to COVID-19 in the country.

US man survives COVID-19, gets a $1.1 million hospital bill

US President Donald Trump has sought to dismiss fears that he might not leave office willingly if he lost the election in November, but said if he failed to get reelected, it would be a "bad thing" for the country. His comments aired on Friday appear to be the first time he has publically committed to doing so. "Certainly, if I don't win, I don't win," Trump told Fox News in an interview that was aired on Friday. If he does not win the election scheduled for November 3, Trump continued, "you go on, do other things."

Donald Trump says he'll leave peacefully if he loses election in November

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media.

The footage was recorded on Wednesday by a young woman in the coastal city of Torrance and has been&nbsp;viewed thousands of times online.

"Get the f*** out of this world, get the f*** out of this state and go back to whatever f****** Asian country you belong in," the woman says in the video.

The clip captures part of the encounter with an unidentified older woman, who is seen yelling at the younger Filipino American woman for allegedly blocking stairs to exercise.

"You're going to get your a** kicked by my family," the older woman says in the video.&nbsp;

"This is not your place! This is not your home! We do not want you here."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-know-if-her-life-needed-to-be-torn-apart-what-mr-cooper-thinks-of-his-now-famous-racist-encounter-with-a-white-lady-301647">Also read |&nbsp;'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady</a> 
​ 
The encounter comes in the wake of anti-racism protests following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a black man.

"I was minding my own business," the Filipino American woman said.&nbsp;

"I thought this would never happen to me. I thought if you just mind your business, nothing could happen."

"I don't feel safe here now," she said. "It was somewhere I called home because it reminds me of Hawaii, where I was born and raised, and now I just don't even want to go out."

"So, I was working out -- I like to jump on the stairs and just go side to side, so I was just doing that -- and all of a sudden I see her and she goes around another Asian lady doing Tai Chi and then walks down those stairs and then goes up my stairs and then comes back down and kind of like nudges me on my left shoulder, and that's when I said, 'Oh Jesus,'" she said.

"And then she went back up on to the stairs and started yelling at me," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-residents-in-north-carolina-wash-black-preists-feet-during-prayers-for-george-floyd-304362">Also read |&nbsp;White residents in North Carolina wash black preists' feet during prayers for George Floyd</a>

The woman filed a criminal threat report on Thursday and an investigation is underway.

According to census data, 36.6% of Torrance's population identifies as Asian. It is the second largest racial group in the city, which is home to one of the largest Japanese American populations in the United States.

(with inputs from CNN)

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media.

A woman has been caught on video harassing a Filipino American woman as she exercised at a Southern California park, the latest in a string of racist incidents widely shared on social media. The footage was recorded on Wednesday by a young woman in the coastal city of Torrance and has been viewed thousands of times online. "Get the f*** out of this world, get the f*** out of this state and go back to whatever f****** Asian country you belong in," the woman says in the video. The clip captures part of the encounter with an unidentified older woman, who is seen yelling at the younger Filipino American woman for allegedly blocking stairs to exercise. "You're going to get your a** kicked by my family," the older woman says in the video. "This is not your place! This is not your home! We do not want you here." Also read | 'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady The encounter comes in the wake of anti-racism protests following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, a black man. "I was minding my own business," the Filipino American woman said. "I thought this would never happen to me. I thought if you just mind your business, nothing could happen." "I don't feel safe here now," she said. "It was somewhere I called home because it reminds me of Hawaii, where I was born and raised, and now I just don't even want to go out." "So, I was working out -- I like to jump on the stairs and just go side to side, so I was just doing that -- and all of a sudden I see her and she goes around another Asian lady doing Tai Chi and then walks down those stairs and then goes up my stairs and then comes back down and kind of like nudges me on my left shoulder, and that's when I said, 'Oh Jesus,'" she said. "And then she went back up on to the stairs and started yelling at me," she said. Also read | White residents in North Carolina wash black preists' feet during prayers for George Floyd The woman filed a criminal threat report on Thursday and an investigation is underway. According to census data, 36.6% of Torrance's population identifies as Asian. It is the second largest racial group in the city, which is home to one of the largest Japanese American populations in the United States. (with inputs from CNN)

Another American captured on video harassing a non-white woman exercising in a park

US President Donald Trump has sought to dismiss fears that he might not leave office willingly if he lost the election in November, but said if he failed to get reelected, it would be a "bad thing" for the country.

His comments aired on Friday appear to be the first time he has publically committed to doing so.

"Certainly, if I don't win, I don't win," Trump told Fox News in an interview that was aired on Friday. If he does not win the election scheduled for November 3, Trump continued, "you go on, do other things."

Trump went on to say that if he loses the election: "I think it would be a very bad thing for our country."

In the presidential election, Trump, a Republican, is expected to face the Democratic Party's presumptive candidate and former vice president Joe Biden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-delays-oklahoma-rally-after-decry-of-massacre-on-juneteenth-305547">Also read |&nbsp;Trump delays Oklahoma rally after decry of massacre on Juneteenth</a>

After three years of relative peace and prosperity, Trump is in danger of being overwhelmed by cascading disasters: the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken more than 100,000 lives, an economic slump that has cost 40 million jobs, and rising social unrest after the custodial killing of African-American George Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old man died after a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking widespread protests across the US and several other countries.

The protests against racial injustice have quickly spread deep into white, small-town America, notably throughout parts of the US that delivered the presidency for Trump.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-says-police-generally-should-not-use-choke-holds-305497">Also read |&nbsp;US President Trump says police generally should not use choke holds</a>

US President Donald Trump has sought to dismiss fears that he might not leave office willingly if he lost the election in November, but said if he failed to get reelected, it would be a "bad thing" for the country.

US President Donald Trump has sought to dismiss fears that he might not leave office willingly if he lost the election in November, but said if he failed to get reelected, it would be a "bad thing" for the country. His comments aired on Friday appear to be the first time he has publically committed to doing so. "Certainly, if I don't win, I don't win," Trump told Fox News in an interview that was aired on Friday. If he does not win the election scheduled for November 3, Trump continued, "you go on, do other things." Trump went on to say that if he loses the election: "I think it would be a very bad thing for our country." In the presidential election, Trump, a Republican, is expected to face the Democratic Party's presumptive candidate and former vice president Joe Biden. Also read | Trump delays Oklahoma rally after decry of massacre on Juneteenth After three years of relative peace and prosperity, Trump is in danger of being overwhelmed by cascading disasters: the coronavirus pandemic, which has taken more than 100,000 lives, an economic slump that has cost 40 million jobs, and rising social unrest after the custodial killing of African-American George Floyd. Floyd, a 46-year-old man died after a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis on May 25, sparking widespread protests across the US and several other countries. The protests against racial injustice have quickly spread deep into white, small-town America, notably throughout parts of the US that delivered the presidency for Trump. Also read | US President Trump says police generally should not use choke holds

Trump says he'll leave peacefully if he loses election in November, but it'll be 'bad' for US

A Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant agreed in 2017 has widened splits in the Nepal Communist Party.

The party led by PM KP Sharma Oli is divided over a US promise of aid since it risks damaging ties with China.&nbsp;

The opponents of the MCC argue that the aid from the United States is part of a US Indo-Pacific Strategy to limit Chinese influence in the region. They say accepting the MCC would undermine Nepalese sovereignty by drawing country into Washington’s orbit, and anger China.

And this comes in the aftermath of the country becoming involved with India over the disputed territory of Kalapani. Kathmandu had continued its cartographic aggression and currently shows areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura under Nepalese administration.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-how-china-is-creating-a-rift-between-us-nepal-305492/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It's being believed that the controversy displays Beijing’s increasing clout through its Belt and Road Initiative and diminishing US influence in Nepal.

The US committed to $500 million against a $130 million contribution from Nepal for a 400 kilovolt power transmission line and the upgrade of 300km of roads in the Himalayan country's southeast.&nbsp;

So the moral of the story is Nepal would have to sacrifice infrastructure to please China.

To counter the US aid, when China President Xi Jinping visited Nepal last year, he promised an aid of $50 million.

But can Nepal afford this? Nepal's economy is already stressed. Remittances and tourist dollars have dried up because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In times like these, the last thing one would want to do is put all your eggs in one basket.

But Nepal is doing exactly that.

Consider this -- before China President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal, its leaders attended a training programme on the former's thinking.

It was an induction of sorts.

But the issue here is the constitutions of the two countries do not match at all. Neither does their political orientation.

Nepal is burning bridges with democratic nations -- to move into the orbit of an authoritarian regime.

And Prime Minister Oli is mistaken if he thinks he can trust China. Because China did not even spare its all-weather ally Pakistan.

China stole power worth $630 million from Pakistan through BRI projects.

Guess Nepal should just realise what's right for it before it's too late.

A Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant agreed in 2017 has widened splits in the Nepal Communist Party. The party led by PM KP Sharma Oli is divided over a US promise of aid since it risks damaging ties with China.

A Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant agreed in 2017 has widened splits in the Nepal Communist Party. The party led by PM KP Sharma Oli is divided over a US promise of aid since it risks damaging ties with China. The opponents of the MCC argue that the aid from the United States is part of a US Indo-Pacific Strategy to limit Chinese influence in the region. They say accepting the MCC would undermine Nepalese sovereignty by drawing country into Washington’s orbit, and anger China. And this comes in the aftermath of the country becoming involved with India over the disputed territory of Kalapani. Kathmandu had continued its cartographic aggression and currently shows areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura under Nepalese administration. It's being believed that the controversy displays Beijing’s increasing clout through its Belt and Road Initiative and diminishing US influence in Nepal. The US committed to $500 million against a $130 million contribution from Nepal for a 400 kilovolt power transmission line and the upgrade of 300km of roads in the Himalayan country's southeast. So the moral of the story is Nepal would have to sacrifice infrastructure to please China. To counter the US aid, when China President Xi Jinping visited Nepal last year, he promised an aid of $50 million. But can Nepal afford this? Nepal's economy is already stressed. Remittances and tourist dollars have dried up because of the coronavirus pandemic. In times like these, the last thing one would want to do is put all your eggs in one basket. But Nepal is doing exactly that. Consider this -- before China President Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal, its leaders attended a training programme on the former's thinking. It was an induction of sorts. But the issue here is the constitutions of the two countries do not match at all. Neither does their political orientation. Nepal is burning bridges with democratic nations -- to move into the orbit of an authoritarian regime. And Prime Minister Oli is mistaken if he thinks he can trust China. Because China did not even spare its all-weather ally Pakistan. China stole power worth $630 million from Pakistan through BRI projects. Guess Nepal should just realise what's right for it before it's too late.

After India, Nepal risks severing ties with US for China

Nepal's brinkmanship is becoming more dangerous. Anti-India sentiments have been running high in the country, the prime minister of Nepal the man of mottos is himself fueling these sentiments has repeatedly blamed Indians for bringing the Wuhan virus to his country.

Nepal PM Oli says 85% of coronavirus cases in Nepal came from India. Today we saw the result of such dangerous rhetoric an Indian citizen has lost his life. He was killed by the armed police force of Nepal. This happened at the Lal mandi Janki Nagar border in the Sitamarhi district of Bihar.

Nepalese forces say a group of Indians was forcefully trying to enter their country so they resorted to firing India says this version is being investigated. A day before Nepal's parliament holds a special session to vote on a constitutional amendment for its new map house meeting has been scheduled for Saturday as per the parliament's notice. The constitution amendment bill is on top of the agenda the Nepal govt is busy altering maps in the middle of a pandemic. The youth of Nepal is up in arms against its govt's misplaced priorities there have been largescale protests on Thursday. Thousands hit the streets of Kathmandu for a peaceful demonstration this was the second protest in a week these people are demanding financial transparency.

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They are demanding better management of the pandemic Prime Minister KP Oli's attempts at blaming India for the Wuhan virus is not working I want to focus on the border crisis India has repeatedly conveyed its openness to dialogue but Nepal seems to be in a hurry why has a border dispute with a friendly neighbour become so politically charged in Nepal? What are its reasons? What could be the possible factors that escalated this dispute? Is domestic politics the reason.

Kalapani-Lipulekh Border Dispute

India has not only controlled this territory but it has invested in infrastructure projects under its administration on what basis is Nepal laying claim on it then?

Based on a census the Nepal govt conducted there in the 1950s. Kathmandu also refers to the 1815 Sugauli treat to legitimize its claims these facts give way to another question is Nepal acting at China's behest?

China is known to use India's neighbours as proxies young &amp; unstable democracies in political transition are an easy target for the dragon to add to that. India altered its foreign investment laws to hinder hostile takeover by Chinese companies. One cannot rule out how Beijing may have encouraged Nepal to take a bolder stance against India in response to China. After all, has a history of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs the Chinese ambassador is said to have mediated between the warring factions of the ruling Nepal communist party. Beijing has also put pressure on critical reporting by the Nepalese media. The Nepal govt did not even protest we did.&nbsp;

China's political influence has definitely grown in Nepal and India is aware of this.

New Delhi has expressed its displeasure over Nepal's actions. But it has largely remained silent on the issue. The silence is turning out to be a cause of concern.

We haven't seen any significant de-escalatory move by both sides it’s been more than a month. The sooner India settles this dispute the lesser chances of Nepal bowing down to the dragons will.

Nepal's brinkmanship is becoming more dangerous. Anti-India sentiments have been running high in the country, the prime minister of Nepal the man of mottos is himself fueling these sentiments has repeatedly blamed Indians for bringing the Wuhan virus to his country.

Nepal's brinkmanship is becoming more dangerous. Anti-India sentiments have been running high in the country, the prime minister of Nepal the man of mottos is himself fueling these sentiments has repeatedly blamed Indians for bringing the Wuhan virus to his country. Nepal PM Oli says 85% of coronavirus cases in Nepal came from India. Today we saw the result of such dangerous rhetoric an Indian citizen has lost his life. He was killed by the armed police force of Nepal. This happened at the Lal mandi Janki Nagar border in the Sitamarhi district of Bihar. Nepalese forces say a group of Indians was forcefully trying to enter their country so they resorted to firing India says this version is being investigated. A day before Nepal's parliament holds a special session to vote on a constitutional amendment for its new map house meeting has been scheduled for Saturday as per the parliament's notice. The constitution amendment bill is on top of the agenda the Nepal govt is busy altering maps in the middle of a pandemic. The youth of Nepal is up in arms against its govt's misplaced priorities there have been largescale protests on Thursday. Thousands hit the streets of Kathmandu for a peaceful demonstration this was the second protest in a week these people are demanding financial transparency. They are demanding better management of the pandemic Prime Minister KP Oli's attempts at blaming India for the Wuhan virus is not working I want to focus on the border crisis India has repeatedly conveyed its openness to dialogue but Nepal seems to be in a hurry why has a border dispute with a friendly neighbour become so politically charged in Nepal? What are its reasons? What could be the possible factors that escalated this dispute? Is domestic politics the reason. Kalapani-Lipulekh Border Dispute India has not only controlled this territory but it has invested in infrastructure projects under its administration on what basis is Nepal laying claim on it then? Based on a census the Nepal govt conducted there in the 1950s. Kathmandu also refers to the 1815 Sugauli treat to legitimize its claims these facts give way to another question is Nepal acting at China's behest? China is known to use India's neighbours as proxies young & unstable democracies in political transition are an easy target for the dragon to add to that. India altered its foreign investment laws to hinder hostile takeover by Chinese companies. One cannot rule out how Beijing may have encouraged Nepal to take a bolder stance against India in response to China. After all, has a history of meddling in Nepal's internal affairs the Chinese ambassador is said to have mediated between the warring factions of the ruling Nepal communist party. Beijing has also put pressure on critical reporting by the Nepalese media. The Nepal govt did not even protest we did. China's political influence has definitely grown in Nepal and India is aware of this. New Delhi has expressed its displeasure over Nepal's actions. But it has largely remained silent on the issue. The silence is turning out to be a cause of concern. We haven't seen any significant de-escalatory move by both sides it’s been more than a month. The sooner India settles this dispute the lesser chances of Nepal bowing down to the dragons will.

India-Nepal border dispute and China's growing footprint in the Himalayan nation

A gunman shot and wounded eight people outside a bar in San Antonio, Texas on late Friday night, but there were no fatalities.

San Antonio Police Chief told an early morning news briefing that a group of people were denied entry to the bar around midnight.

A man in the group went to a vehicle, got a rifle, walked across the street and started shooting people.

The gunman fled the scene.

The victims included five women and three men, between the ages of 23 to 41. All were listed in stable conditions at local hospitals. Neither the alleged shooter nor the victims were identified.

There have been numerous mass shooting in the United States recently, including a shooting outside a Walmart at the border town El Paso in August 2019, that left 22 people dead.

(with inputs from Reuters)

A gunman shot and wounded eight people outside a bar in San Antonio, Texas on late Friday night, but there were no fatalities. San Antonio Police Chief told an early morning news briefing that a group of people were denied entry to the bar around midnight.

A gunman shot and wounded eight people outside a bar in San Antonio, Texas on late Friday night, but there were no fatalities. San Antonio Police Chief told an early morning news briefing that a group of people were denied entry to the bar around midnight. A man in the group went to a vehicle, got a rifle, walked across the street and started shooting people. The gunman fled the scene. The victims included five women and three men, between the ages of 23 to 41. All were listed in stable conditions at local hospitals. Neither the alleged shooter nor the victims were identified. There have been numerous mass shooting in the United States recently, including a shooting outside a Walmart at the border town El Paso in August 2019, that left 22 people dead. (with inputs from Reuters)

Eight people wounded in shooting outside bar in Texas

Afghanistan's government will soon complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to the launch of peace talks with the insurgents, President Ashraf Ghani said Thursday.

Under the terms of a US-Taliban deal signed in February, Kabul has pledged to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners in a swap that would see the insurgents release 1,000 Afghan security force captives.

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>

Once the swap is done, the two sides have pledged to begin peace talks that could end nearly 19 years of war.

Kabul has already released 3,000 prisoners, with the remainder due to be freed shortly, Ghani said.

"The remaining commitment -- my colleagues and I have made the decision to release an additional 2,000 prisoners within a very short period. We will announce the date soon," Ghani said in a video interview with a Washington think tank.&nbsp;

Ghani, who this year started his second term after a bitterly contested election that was marred with fraud claims, complained that the Taliban had not been transparent about how many Afghan soldiers they still hold.&nbsp;

"The number keeps shifting. We need clarity regarding the fate of those that are with them and assurance that the last person remaining with them is released," Ghani told the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center and the US Institute for Peace.&nbsp;

Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Twitter the prisoner release so far was "a positive step" and marked "good progress".

Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator on Afghanistan, also called the latest developments "very positive" and said that intra-Afghan talks appeared closer than ever.

"All sides must work to get to the negotiations table ASAP and prevent spoilers from undermining the process and betraying the hopes and yearning of Afghan people for peace," he wrote on Twitter.

The Taliban and Afghan security forces observed a three-day ceasefire last month and have generally reduced violence across Afghanistan since then in an attempt to set the stage for peace talks.

Ghani said he would elaborate the next steps in the peace process next week and called for a "humanitarian ceasefire" to provide food and medical assistance during the coronavirus crisis.

"In terms of reduction of violence, there has been (one) but the casualty figures still average around 60-70 a day. The number of fatalities unfortunately are averaging 30," he said.

Ghani did not say if the casualties were civilians, fighters or a combination.

Ghani said women would form an important part of eventual peace negotiating teams.

Under the US-Taliban deal, American and foreign forces are scheduled to leave Afghanistan over the coming months.

Afghanistan's government will soon complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to the launch of peace talks with the insurgents, President Ashraf Ghani said Thursday.

Afghanistan's government will soon complete a Taliban prisoner release that is a key condition to the launch of peace talks with the insurgents, President Ashraf Ghani said Thursday. Under the terms of a US-Taliban deal signed in February, Kabul has pledged to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners in a swap that would see the insurgents release 1,000 Afghan security force captives. Also read | Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield Once the swap is done, the two sides have pledged to begin peace talks that could end nearly 19 years of war. Kabul has already released 3,000 prisoners, with the remainder due to be freed shortly, Ghani said. "The remaining commitment -- my colleagues and I have made the decision to release an additional 2,000 prisoners within a very short period. We will announce the date soon," Ghani said in a video interview with a Washington think tank. Ghani, who this year started his second term after a bitterly contested election that was marred with fraud claims, complained that the Taliban had not been transparent about how many Afghan soldiers they still hold. "The number keeps shifting. We need clarity regarding the fate of those that are with them and assurance that the last person remaining with them is released," Ghani told the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center and the US Institute for Peace. Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen said on Twitter the prisoner release so far was "a positive step" and marked "good progress". Zalmay Khalilzad, the US negotiator on Afghanistan, also called the latest developments "very positive" and said that intra-Afghan talks appeared closer than ever. "All sides must work to get to the negotiations table ASAP and prevent spoilers from undermining the process and betraying the hopes and yearning of Afghan people for peace," he wrote on Twitter. The Taliban and Afghan security forces observed a three-day ceasefire last month and have generally reduced violence across Afghanistan since then in an attempt to set the stage for peace talks. Ghani said he would elaborate the next steps in the peace process next week and called for a "humanitarian ceasefire" to provide food and medical assistance during the coronavirus crisis. "In terms of reduction of violence, there has been (one) but the casualty figures still average around 60-70 a day. The number of fatalities unfortunately are averaging 30," he said. Ghani did not say if the casualties were civilians, fighters or a combination. Ghani said women would form an important part of eventual peace negotiating teams. Under the US-Taliban deal, American and foreign forces are scheduled to leave Afghanistan over the coming months.

Afghan President says Taliban prisoner release to be completed soon

The United States on Thursday vowed that in the coming months it would withdraw troops from Iraq. &nbsp;

"The two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq," a joint statement said.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqs-new-government-completed-as-remaining-ministries-filled-303869">Iraq's new government completed as remaining ministries filled</a>

The statement further said that Washington does not intend to establish "permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-soldiers-unlikely-to-be-prosecuted-over-iraq-war-crimes-302601">British soldiers unlikely to be prosecuted over Iraq war crimes</a>

Iraq, on its part, committed to protecting bases housing US troops after several rocket attacks blamed on pro-Iranian paramilitary groups.&nbsp;

Earlier, David Schenker, the top US diplomat in the Arab denied any talks of troop withdrawal in the initial talks and added that Iraq promised of protecting US diplomatic and military facilities. &nbsp;

The announcement comes after both the countries on Thursday held their first strategic dialogue in more than a decade, months after Iraqi lawmakers pushed for the removal of US forces from the region in the wake of a US drone strike which killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis.

The killing of Soleimani, a much-revered commander both in Iran and Iraq, worsened relations between Iran and the US. &nbsp;

The United States on Thursday vowed that in the coming months it would withdraw troops from Iraq. "The two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq," a joint statement said.

The United States on Thursday vowed that in the coming months it would withdraw troops from Iraq. "The two countries recognized that in light of significant progress towards eliminating the ISIS threat, over the coming months the US would continue reducing forces from Iraq," a joint statement said. Also read | Iraq's new government completed as remaining ministries filled The statement further said that Washington does not intend to establish "permanent bases or a permanent military presence in Iraq." Also read | British soldiers unlikely to be prosecuted over Iraq war crimes Iraq, on its part, committed to protecting bases housing US troops after several rocket attacks blamed on pro-Iranian paramilitary groups. Earlier, David Schenker, the top US diplomat in the Arab denied any talks of troop withdrawal in the initial talks and added that Iraq promised of protecting US diplomatic and military facilities. The announcement comes after both the countries on Thursday held their first strategic dialogue in more than a decade, months after Iraqi lawmakers pushed for the removal of US forces from the region in the wake of a US drone strike which killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The killing of Soleimani, a much-revered commander both in Iran and Iraq, worsened relations between Iran and the US.

US vows to reduce troops from Iraq in coming months

Russians got a taste of open-air cinema under balmy twilit skies on Thursday when a Moscow drive-in movie theatre re-opened for business after the city's coronavirus lockdown ended. 
 
On the bill was 'My Spy', a U.S. action-comedy and, with regular cinemas still closed three days after the two-month lockdown was lifted, scores of moviegoers parked up to watch.

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"I want to go out in the open air. This is a great opportunity to watch a movie with friends under the sky," said one, who gave his name only as Pavel. 
 
Olga Zinyakova, president of Karo, the movie chain that is running the 100-vehicle-capacity site in northwest Moscow, said it would be exploring how it could open more drive-in theatres even after all coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted.

In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/shows-that-went-off-air-amid-anti-racism-protests-305075" hreflang="en">Shows that went off-air amid anti-racism protests</a> 
 
"We feel that this format has undeservedly been forgotten," she said. Even if regular movie theatres reopen as planned next month, Karo estimates that revenues across Russia`s cinema chains will fall between 35% and 40% this year. 
 
According to recommendations by the country's consumer health watchdog, theatre audience members will have remain at least 1.5 metres (five feet) apart and employees will have to disinfect cinemas between screenings.

Russians got a taste of open-air cinema under balmy twilit skies on Thursday when a Moscow drive-in movie theatre re-opened for business after the city's coronavirus lockdown ended.

Russians got a taste of open-air cinema under balmy twilit skies on Thursday when a Moscow drive-in movie theatre re-opened for business after the city's coronavirus lockdown ended. On the bill was 'My Spy', a U.S. action-comedy and, with regular cinemas still closed three days after the two-month lockdown was lifted, scores of moviegoers parked up to watch. Also read: Singer Kelly Clarkson files for divorce from husband Brandon Blackstock "I want to go out in the open air. This is a great opportunity to watch a movie with friends under the sky," said one, who gave his name only as Pavel. Olga Zinyakova, president of Karo, the movie chain that is running the 100-vehicle-capacity site in northwest Moscow, said it would be exploring how it could open more drive-in theatres even after all coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted. In pics: Shows that went off-air amid anti-racism protests "We feel that this format has undeservedly been forgotten," she said. Even if regular movie theatres reopen as planned next month, Karo estimates that revenues across Russia`s cinema chains will fall between 35% and 40% this year. According to recommendations by the country's consumer health watchdog, theatre audience members will have remain at least 1.5 metres (five feet) apart and employees will have to disinfect cinemas between screenings.

With US spy comedy on bill, Moscow drive-in cinema re-opens

After US President Donald Trump threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) of sanctions if they carry out investigations against US troops, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed his support for this move on Thursday.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"This court is politicised and obsessed with carrying out a headhunt against Israel and the United States as well as other democratic countries that respect human rights, but turns a blind eye to the world's worst human rights offenders, including the terrorist regime in Iran," Netanyahu said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-authorises-sanctions-over-icc-afghanistan-war-crimes-case-305171">Trump authorises sanctions over ICC Afghanistan war crimes case</a>

Earlier on Thursday, Trump passed an executive order to block all property and assets in the US of anyone involved in investigating or prosecuting American forces.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US administration would not let its forces be "threatened by a kangaroo court".

The Trump administration has been furious with ICC over its probe into alleged atrocities in Afghanistan, the longest-running war of the US.&nbsp;

In December 2019, when Hague-based court's chief prosecutor said of opening a full probe into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian regions, sharp reactions were seen from Israel and the US.

Both the US and Israel, its main Middle East ally, have refused to sign up to the ICC since its formation in 2002.&nbsp;

(With inputs from AFP)

After US President Donald Trump threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) of sanctions if they carry out investigations against US troops, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed his support for this move on Thursday.

After US President Donald Trump threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC) of sanctions if they carry out investigations against US troops, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed his support for this move on Thursday. Watch | "This court is politicised and obsessed with carrying out a headhunt against Israel and the United States as well as other democratic countries that respect human rights, but turns a blind eye to the world's worst human rights offenders, including the terrorist regime in Iran," Netanyahu said. Also read | Trump authorises sanctions over ICC Afghanistan war crimes case Earlier on Thursday, Trump passed an executive order to block all property and assets in the US of anyone involved in investigating or prosecuting American forces. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US administration would not let its forces be "threatened by a kangaroo court". The Trump administration has been furious with ICC over its probe into alleged atrocities in Afghanistan, the longest-running war of the US. In December 2019, when Hague-based court's chief prosecutor said of opening a full probe into alleged war crimes in the Palestinian regions, sharp reactions were seen from Israel and the US. Both the US and Israel, its main Middle East ally, have refused to sign up to the ICC since its formation in 2002. (With inputs from AFP)

Benjamin Netanyahu backs Donald Trump's threat to impose sanctions on ICC

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign published an open letter to Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, calling for the company to fact-check politicians' ads in the two weeks ahead of the US presidential election in November.

The letter's other demands included that Facebook promptly remove false, viral information and that there be clear rules "applied to everyone, including Donald Trump — that prohibit threatening behavior and lies about how to participate in the election."

The move adds to pressure faced by Facebook, which exempts politicians' content from its third-party fact-checking program, to alter its policies on political ads and speech.

Zuckerberg last week promised a review of its content policies after the company faced backlash over taking no action on a post by Republican President Trump that were labeled by Twitter Inc for violating the smaller rival's rules. Twitter also for the first time last month used a fact-checking label on a tweet by Trump about mail-in ballots.

The Biden campaign also emailed supporters asking them to sign a petition for Facebook to crack down on misinformation in ads. Materials on its website used the hashtag #MOVEFASTFIXIT, a play on Facebook's early "move fast and break things" motto.

In a blog post, Facebook said it would continue to protect political speech.

"We live in a democracy, where the elected officials decide the rules around campaigns," the company said.

"Two weeks ago the President of the United States issued an executive order directing Federal agencies to prevent social media sites from engaging in activities like fact-checking political statements. This week, the Democratic candidate for President started a petition calling on us to do the exact opposite," it said, referring to an executive order signed by Trump.

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign published an open letter to Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, calling for the company to fact-check politicians' ads in the two weeks ahead of the US presidential election in November.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden's campaign published an open letter to Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday, calling for the company to fact-check politicians' ads in the two weeks ahead of the US presidential election in November. The letter's other demands included that Facebook promptly remove false, viral information and that there be clear rules "applied to everyone, including Donald Trump — that prohibit threatening behavior and lies about how to participate in the election." The move adds to pressure faced by Facebook, which exempts politicians' content from its third-party fact-checking program, to alter its policies on political ads and speech. Zuckerberg last week promised a review of its content policies after the company faced backlash over taking no action on a post by Republican President Trump that were labeled by Twitter Inc for violating the smaller rival's rules. Twitter also for the first time last month used a fact-checking label on a tweet by Trump about mail-in ballots. The Biden campaign also emailed supporters asking them to sign a petition for Facebook to crack down on misinformation in ads. Materials on its website used the hashtag #MOVEFASTFIXIT, a play on Facebook's early "move fast and break things" motto. In a blog post, Facebook said it would continue to protect political speech. "We live in a democracy, where the elected officials decide the rules around campaigns," the company said. "Two weeks ago the President of the United States issued an executive order directing Federal agencies to prevent social media sites from engaging in activities like fact-checking political statements. This week, the Democratic candidate for President started a petition calling on us to do the exact opposite," it said, referring to an executive order signed by Trump. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

US Democratic candidate Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules

The coronavirus infections in the United States topped two million on Wednesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

With over 1,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, the latest figures also revealed that more than 112,900 people died in the country of COVID-19.

Watch |&nbsp;

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The US continues to witness nearly 20,000 new cases of COVID-19 every day, and is finding it hard to lower this number.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-hold-first-campaign-rally-since-covid-19-outbreak-in-us-304970">Trump to hold first campaign rally since COVID-19 outbreak in US</a>

The US is the worst-hit country from coronavirus and a leading health expert on Wednesday said that if appropriate actions are not taken, the death toll in the country could exceed 200,000 by September.&nbsp;

"Even if we don’t have increasing cases, even if we keep things flat, it’s reasonable to expect that we’re going to hit 200,000 deaths sometime during the month of September," Ashish Jha, the head of Harvard’s Global Health Institute, told CNN, in an interview.&nbsp;

All the 50 US states have begun taking steps to open up and resume normal activities, however, 21 states have reported an uptick in the new cases, according to The New York Times.

Also, since Memorial Day (May 25), nine states have reported an increase in the number of patients hospitalised.&nbsp;

In Texas and North Carolina, there are presently more coronavirus patients hospitalised than there were a month ago.&nbsp;

The coronavirus infections in the United States topped two million on Wednesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. With over 1,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, the latest figures also revealed that more than 112,900 people died in the country of COVID-19.

The coronavirus infections in the United States topped two million on Wednesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. With over 1,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, the latest figures also revealed that more than 112,900 people died in the country of COVID-19. Watch | The US continues to witness nearly 20,000 new cases of COVID-19 every day, and is finding it hard to lower this number. Also read | Trump to hold first campaign rally since COVID-19 outbreak in US The US is the worst-hit country from coronavirus and a leading health expert on Wednesday said that if appropriate actions are not taken, the death toll in the country could exceed 200,000 by September. "Even if we don’t have increasing cases, even if we keep things flat, it’s reasonable to expect that we’re going to hit 200,000 deaths sometime during the month of September," Ashish Jha, the head of Harvard’s Global Health Institute, told CNN, in an interview. All the 50 US states have begun taking steps to open up and resume normal activities, however, 21 states have reported an uptick in the new cases, according to The New York Times. Also, since Memorial Day (May 25), nine states have reported an increase in the number of patients hospitalised. In Texas and North Carolina, there are presently more coronavirus patients hospitalised than there were a month ago.

Over 2 million now infected with coronavirus in US

Afghan authorities are opening prison doors for thousands of Taliban inmates in a high-risk gambit to ensure the insurgent group begins peace talks with Kabul.

Security concerns are mounting as several of the newly liberated fighters say they are ready to resume their holy war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-taliban-struggles-to-control-coronavirus-spread-despite-earlier-boast-303204">Afghanistan: Taliban struggles to control coronavirus spread despite earlier boast</a>

"If the Americans do not pull out, we will continue our jihad, because they have killed many Afghans in their operations," said Mohamed Daud, who was freed from Bagram jail north of Kabul last month.

"We do not want foreign forces in our country anymore," he told AFP, dressed in a traditional shalwar kameez, before taking a taxi back to his village with a cash handout from authorities worth $65.

US forces arrested Daud, 28, in the northwest province of Faryab nine years ago.

Afghan authorities accelerated the planned release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners, including Daud, as a "goodwill gesture" after the insurgents called a three-day ceasefire to mark the Eid holiday.

A security official said those flagged by the Taliban for release include aspiring suicide bombers, suicide vest makers, kidnappers and even foreign fighters.

The move is part of a larger prisoner swap agreed as a precursor to the start of peace talks.

Before their release, inmates were required to sign a pledge that they would not pick up arms again. It is increasingly clear such commitments mean little.

A Taliban commander in Pakistan told AFP there should be "no ambiguity" that the released men will eventually be deployed to Afghanistan's front lines.

"It's an ongoing jihad, and will continue until and unless we reach some sort of agreement with the Kabul government," he said.

A Taliban spokesman who represents insurgent fighting forces did not respond to a request for comment, but the group's political spokesman Suhail Shaheen rejected claims prisoners would rejoin the fight, saying the Taliban had enough "active and reserve forces".

"We do not need any manpower in the battlefield, because we are entering the intra-Afghan negotiations," Shaheen told AFP.

Win-win situation?&nbsp;

Several freed insurgents say they remain angry at US troops, but under a US-Taliban deal signed in February, the insurgents committed to stop attacking American and foreign forces as they withdraw from the country by next year.

The immediate enemy is instead the struggling Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), with whom no such pledge has been made.

A key concession Washington extracted from the Taliban during negotiations was the requirement to begin peace talks with Kabul.

In return, the Afghan government must release 5,000 insurgent inmates while the Taliban pledged to free 1,000 security force prisoners.

Since the swap started, Afghan authorities have freed 3,000 Taliban inmates while the insurgents have released more than 750 government prisoners, officials said.

It could represent a boost of up to 10 percent for the Taliban, with estimates on the number of insurgents ranging between 50,000 and 100,000.

Afghan security officials said the US did not consult them before Washington and the Taliban finalised the prisoner swap.

More than the fighters, "those that worry us are the brains", a senior security official said, adding that one of the freed Taliban inmates had already joined the insurgents' military squad while another had committed a murder.

The Taliban heralded the US deal as proof they had defeated America in its longest war, and the bluster has only grown in recent months.

"Politics and negotiations should not be taken to mean that we will neglect jihadi affairs and the strengthening and development of our jihadi military force," Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani said in a recent broadcast.

The Taliban now find themselves in a win-win situation -- even if peace talks with Kabul fail.

With its key donor calling the shots, the Afghan government had no choice but to yield to Washington's demand to proceed with the exchange.

Still, some observers hold out hope for successful peace talks that would bring an end to Afghanistan's 19-year-old war.

"These talks hold a better hope for a lasting ceasefire than any other current approach," said Andrew Watkins, an analyst with International Crisis Group.

"Swift initiation of talks is the best way to eliminate that threat."

No start date has been set for the talks.

Afghan authorities are opening prison doors for thousands of Taliban inmates in a high-risk gambit to ensure the insurgent group begins peace talks with Kabul. Security concerns are mounting as several of the newly liberated fighters say they are ready to resume their holy war.

Afghan authorities are opening prison doors for thousands of Taliban inmates in a high-risk gambit to ensure the insurgent group begins peace talks with Kabul. Security concerns are mounting as several of the newly liberated fighters say they are ready to resume their holy war. Also read | Afghanistan: Taliban struggles to control coronavirus spread despite earlier boast "If the Americans do not pull out, we will continue our jihad, because they have killed many Afghans in their operations," said Mohamed Daud, who was freed from Bagram jail north of Kabul last month. "We do not want foreign forces in our country anymore," he told AFP, dressed in a traditional shalwar kameez, before taking a taxi back to his village with a cash handout from authorities worth $65. US forces arrested Daud, 28, in the northwest province of Faryab nine years ago. Afghan authorities accelerated the planned release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners, including Daud, as a "goodwill gesture" after the insurgents called a three-day ceasefire to mark the Eid holiday. A security official said those flagged by the Taliban for release include aspiring suicide bombers, suicide vest makers, kidnappers and even foreign fighters. The move is part of a larger prisoner swap agreed as a precursor to the start of peace talks. Before their release, inmates were required to sign a pledge that they would not pick up arms again. It is increasingly clear such commitments mean little. A Taliban commander in Pakistan told AFP there should be "no ambiguity" that the released men will eventually be deployed to Afghanistan's front lines. "It's an ongoing jihad, and will continue until and unless we reach some sort of agreement with the Kabul government," he said. A Taliban spokesman who represents insurgent fighting forces did not respond to a request for comment, but the group's political spokesman Suhail Shaheen rejected claims prisoners would rejoin the fight, saying the Taliban had enough "active and reserve forces". "We do not need any manpower in the battlefield, because we are entering the intra-Afghan negotiations," Shaheen told AFP. Win-win situation? Several freed insurgents say they remain angry at US troops, but under a US-Taliban deal signed in February, the insurgents committed to stop attacking American and foreign forces as they withdraw from the country by next year. The immediate enemy is instead the struggling Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF), with whom no such pledge has been made. A key concession Washington extracted from the Taliban during negotiations was the requirement to begin peace talks with Kabul. In return, the Afghan government must release 5,000 insurgent inmates while the Taliban pledged to free 1,000 security force prisoners. Since the swap started, Afghan authorities have freed 3,000 Taliban inmates while the insurgents have released more than 750 government prisoners, officials said. It could represent a boost of up to 10 percent for the Taliban, with estimates on the number of insurgents ranging between 50,000 and 100,000. Afghan security officials said the US did not consult them before Washington and the Taliban finalised the prisoner swap. More than the fighters, "those that worry us are the brains", a senior security official said, adding that one of the freed Taliban inmates had already joined the insurgents' military squad while another had committed a murder. The Taliban heralded the US deal as proof they had defeated America in its longest war, and the bluster has only grown in recent months. "Politics and negotiations should not be taken to mean that we will neglect jihadi affairs and the strengthening and development of our jihadi military force," Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani said in a recent broadcast. The Taliban now find themselves in a win-win situation -- even if peace talks with Kabul fail. With its key donor calling the shots, the Afghan government had no choice but to yield to Washington's demand to proceed with the exchange. Still, some observers hold out hope for successful peace talks that would bring an end to Afghanistan's 19-year-old war. "These talks hold a better hope for a lasting ceasefire than any other current approach," said Andrew Watkins, an analyst with International Crisis Group. "Swift initiation of talks is the best way to eliminate that threat." No start date has been set for the talks.

Afghanistan: Freed Taliban prisoners seek return to battlefield

A US report on religious freedom has voiced concerns over the treatment of minorities in China, especially to Uighurs of northwest Xinjiang province, Christians, Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners.

The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report, released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that in China people have the freedom to practice a faith of their choice, but the state protection is limited to "normal religious activities" and it does not define "normal."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/religious-freedom-severely-restricted-in-pakistan-uscirf-report-296733">Religious freedom severely restricted in Pakistan: USCIRF report</a> 
&nbsp; 
It further said that the government of Xi Jinping "continued to exercise control over religion and restrict the activities and personal freedom of religious adherents that is perceived as threatening state or CCP interests", according to religious groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international media reports.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-slams-uscirf-which-accused-india-of-violating-religious-freedom-295662">India slams USCIRF which accused India of violating religious freedom</a>&nbsp;

Since 2017, Beijing has detained over a million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Hui, and members of other Islamic groups, as well as Uighur Christians, and sent them to in specially built or converted internment camps in Xinjiang, the report said.&nbsp;

In a lengthy section explaining China’s record, the State Department cited instances of people being arrested, sent to psychiatric wards, and physically abused because of their religious beliefs.&nbsp;

"The Chinese Communist Party is now ordering religious organizations to obey CCP leadership and infused communist doctrine into the teachings and practice of their faith," Pompeo said, in the press conference held to mark the report's release. &nbsp;

"The mass detentions of Uighurs in Xinjiang continues. So does the repression of Tibetans and Buddhists and Falun Gong and Christians."

This&nbsp;annual report has placed China under "country of particular concern"&nbsp;on religion since 1999.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A US report on religious freedom has voiced concerns over the treatment of minorities in China, especially to Uighurs of northwest Xinjiang province, Christians, Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners.

A US report on religious freedom has voiced concerns over the treatment of minorities in China, especially to Uighurs of northwest Xinjiang province, Christians, Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners. The International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report, released by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, said that in China people have the freedom to practice a faith of their choice, but the state protection is limited to "normal religious activities" and it does not define "normal." Also read | Religious freedom severely restricted in Pakistan: USCIRF report It further said that the government of Xi Jinping "continued to exercise control over religion and restrict the activities and personal freedom of religious adherents that is perceived as threatening state or CCP interests", according to religious groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international media reports. Also read | India slams USCIRF which accused India of violating religious freedom Since 2017, Beijing has detained over a million Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, Hui, and members of other Islamic groups, as well as Uighur Christians, and sent them to in specially built or converted internment camps in Xinjiang, the report said. In a lengthy section explaining China’s record, the State Department cited instances of people being arrested, sent to psychiatric wards, and physically abused because of their religious beliefs. "The Chinese Communist Party is now ordering religious organizations to obey CCP leadership and infused communist doctrine into the teachings and practice of their faith," Pompeo said, in the press conference held to mark the report's release. "The mass detentions of Uighurs in Xinjiang continues. So does the repression of Tibetans and Buddhists and Falun Gong and Christians." This annual report has placed China under "country of particular concern" on religion since 1999.

US report voices concerns over minorities treatment in China

Amid much criticism on handling coronavirus crisis and ongoing protests in the United States, President Donald Trump witnessed a sharp drop in his approval ratings as support for prospective Democratic candidate Joe Biden rose considerably, according to the latest CNN poll.

According to the latest survey, Biden's support grew to 55 per cent, while only 41 per cent of voters backing Trump.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-a-threat-to-american-democracy-colin-powell-picks-biden-304124">Trump is a threat to American democracy: Colin Powell picks Biden</a>

This is a 14 per cent lead for Biden, who in the last poll was ahead by 7 per cent.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-formally-clinches-us-democratic-nomination-303760">Joe Biden formally clinches US Democratic nomination|</a>

After the results were out, Trump once again slammed CNN, calling their polls "fake" in a tweet.&nbsp;

"CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America," Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1269974605059555328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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He later tweeted that he has 96 per cent approval ratings in the Republic party.

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96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1269978005931282433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The poll also found that only 38 per cent of respondents approved the way Trump handled the presidency, while a majority of these participants, 57 per cent, disapproved.&nbsp;

In May, Trump's approval ratings according to CNN stood at 45 per cent.&nbsp;

Recently, the US president was slammed by several US celebrities, politicians, including his former defense secretary, who accused Trump of trying to "divide" Americans.&nbsp;

Colin Powell, who served as US's chief military officer and top diplomat under Republican presidents, on Sunday said that he would vote for Biden.&nbsp;

Retired military officials remain tight-lipped generally but the breaking point was broken when Trump threatened to use the active-duty military to silence protests in cities across the US. &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Amid much criticism on handling coronavirus crisis and ongoing protests in the United States, President Donald Trump witnessed a sharp drop in his approval ratings as support for prospective Democratic candidate Joe Biden rose considerably, according to the latest CNN poll.

Amid much criticism on handling coronavirus crisis and ongoing protests in the United States, President Donald Trump witnessed a sharp drop in his approval ratings as support for prospective Democratic candidate Joe Biden rose considerably, according to the latest CNN poll. According to the latest survey, Biden's support grew to 55 per cent, while only 41 per cent of voters backing Trump. Also read | Trump is a threat to American democracy: Colin Powell picks Biden This is a 14 per cent lead for Biden, who in the last poll was ahead by 7 per cent. Also read | Joe Biden formally clinches US Democratic nomination| After the results were out, Trump once again slammed CNN, calling their polls "fake" in a tweet. "CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America," Trump tweeted. CNN Polls are as Fake as their Reporting. Same numbers, and worse, against Crooked Hillary. The Dems would destroy America! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020 × He later tweeted that he has 96 per cent approval ratings in the Republic party. 96% Approval Rating in the Republican Party. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 8, 2020 × The poll also found that only 38 per cent of respondents approved the way Trump handled the presidency, while a majority of these participants, 57 per cent, disapproved. In May, Trump's approval ratings according to CNN stood at 45 per cent. Recently, the US president was slammed by several US celebrities, politicians, including his former defense secretary, who accused Trump of trying to "divide" Americans. Colin Powell, who served as US's chief military officer and top diplomat under Republican presidents, on Sunday said that he would vote for Biden. Retired military officials remain tight-lipped generally but the breaking point was broken when Trump threatened to use the active-duty military to silence protests in cities across the US.

Joe Biden extends lead over Donald Trump as 55% Americans back him for presidency: Survey

Tropical Storm Cristobal advanced toward the US Gulf Coast on early Saturday, bringing with it the heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides in Mexico and Central America.

It is expected to arrive on the US soil on late Sunday but would not grow into a hurricane.

The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said in its 7 am advisory on Saturday that the storm was expected to slowly strengthen until it makes a landfall, expected Sunday night along the US Gulf Coast.

Tropical storm-force winds could arrive as early as Saturday evening.

Cristobal's maximum sustained winds had strengthened to 50 mph (85 kph) by early Saturday and it was moving north at 12 mph (19 kph). The storm was centered about 310 miles (500 kilometers) south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River.

The storm is expected to cause heavy rains from East Texas to Florida this weekend and into early next week.&nbsp;

Cristobal formed this week in the Bay of Campeche from the remnants of Tropical Storm Amanda, which had sprung up last weekend in the eastern Pacific and hit Central America. The two storms combined to soak the region with as much as 89 centimetres of rain in some areas over the past week.

At least 30 deaths have been attributed to the two storms.

Tropical Storm Cristobal advanced toward the US Gulf Coast on early Saturday, bringing with it the heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides in Mexico and Central America.

Tropical Storm Cristobal advanced toward the US Gulf Coast on early Saturday, bringing with it the heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides in Mexico and Central America. It is expected to arrive on the US soil on late Sunday but would not grow into a hurricane. The National Hurricane Centre in Miami said in its 7 am advisory on Saturday that the storm was expected to slowly strengthen until it makes a landfall, expected Sunday night along the US Gulf Coast. Tropical storm-force winds could arrive as early as Saturday evening. Cristobal's maximum sustained winds had strengthened to 50 mph (85 kph) by early Saturday and it was moving north at 12 mph (19 kph). The storm was centered about 310 miles (500 kilometers) south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The storm is expected to cause heavy rains from East Texas to Florida this weekend and into early next week. Cristobal formed this week in the Bay of Campeche from the remnants of Tropical Storm Amanda, which had sprung up last weekend in the eastern Pacific and hit Central America. The two storms combined to soak the region with as much as 89 centimetres of rain in some areas over the past week. At least 30 deaths have been attributed to the two storms.

Tropical Storm Cristobal advances toward US Gulf Coast

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground.

The demonstrators in Buffalo were, like those across the country, calling for racial justice after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.

Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, who surrendered on Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault. They were released without bail.

McCabe and Torgalski shoved the man down hard enough for him to fall backward and hit his head on the sidewalk.

The video taken by a reporter from local public radio station WBFO and posted on its website and Twitter account shows the white-haired man approaching a line of officers in riot gear. One officer pushes him with a baton and a second one with his hand. The sound of a crack is heard and then blood trickles from the man's head. The man was identified as long-time activist Martin Gugino.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/video-shows-police-in-buffalo-new-york-shoving-75-year-old-man-to-ground-303477">Also read | Video shows police in Buffalo, New York, shoving 75-year-old man to ground</a>

The man's identity, Martin Gugino, was confirmed by Cuomo's office. Gugino is hospitalised in serious but stable condition, authorities said.

The officers had been suspended without pay. If convicted of the felony assault charge, they face up to seven years in prison.

The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest racial injustice sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes.

But at least 57 Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers' suspensions stepped down from the department's crowd control unit Friday. 
The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/buffalo-officers-quit-special-team-after-two-suspended-for-shoving-75-year-old-to-ground-303743">Also read | Buffalo officers quit special team after two suspended for shoving 75-year old to ground</a>

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground.

Two Buffalo police officers were charged with assault, after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protestor in recent demonstrations over the death of George Floyd to the ground. The demonstrators in Buffalo were, like those across the country, calling for racial justice after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, who surrendered on Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault. They were released without bail. McCabe and Torgalski shoved the man down hard enough for him to fall backward and hit his head on the sidewalk. The video taken by a reporter from local public radio station WBFO and posted on its website and Twitter account shows the white-haired man approaching a line of officers in riot gear. One officer pushes him with a baton and a second one with his hand. The sound of a crack is heard and then blood trickles from the man's head. The man was identified as long-time activist Martin Gugino. Also read | Video shows police in Buffalo, New York, shoving 75-year-old man to ground The man's identity, Martin Gugino, was confirmed by Cuomo's office. Gugino is hospitalised in serious but stable condition, authorities said. The officers had been suspended without pay. If convicted of the felony assault charge, they face up to seven years in prison. The video of the encounter sparked outrage online as demonstrators take to cities across the country to protest racial injustice sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer pressed a knee into his neck for several minutes. But at least 57 Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers' suspensions stepped down from the department's crowd control unit Friday. The resigning officers did not leave their jobs altogether. Also read | Buffalo officers quit special team after two suspended for shoving 75-year old to ground

Two Buffalo police officers charged with assault in shoving 75-year old to ground

About a 100 protestors gathered at US President Donald Trump's golf resort just outside Miami, on Saturday, in solidarity with the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.

The protest was organised by Latinos -- in which many carried signs that said 'Vote Him Out'.

A separate sign -- 'Don't Be A Bunker Boy' -- was a reference to reports that Trump went into the White House bunker when protests in Washington got more violent.

Several hundred people also gathered in downtown Miami for a march with plans for a bigger rally later in the day. The march was peaceful and led by a pastor who read Bible verses before everyone set out.

George Floyd's death on May 25 -- at the hands of a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes -- has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3.

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised protestors who resorted to kneeling down during the national anthem, after NFL quarterback Drew Brees apologised for remarks he made about the practice.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-kneeling-trump-criticises-anti-racism-protests-during-us-anthem-303755">Also read | 'NO KNEELING': Trump criticises anti-racism protests during US anthem</a>

The kneeling pose, popularised by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has become a symbol of the fight for racial justice in the United States.

Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for various nightclubs, was unarmed when taken into custody outside a corner market where an employee had reported to police that a man matching his description tried to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit bill.

The protests have since reached other countries and continents.

In the United States on Friday, prominent Democratic politicians adopted the slogans of the protests and announced reforms, as tensions remained high in major cities after days of largely peaceful protests that saw sporadic violence.

Protestors in Canada chanted "Stand up to Trump!" to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he joined thousands at an anti-racism rally on Friday and knelt alongside them thrice -- a gesture used to protest against police brutality and the treatment of African-Americans by police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stand-up-to-trump-canada-protestors-shout-to-trudeau-at-anti-racism-rally-303734">Also read | 'Stand up to Trump!' Canada protestors shout to Trudeau at anti-racism rally</a>

Thousands took to the streets across Australia on Saturday, as did hundreds in Japan and South Korea to support US protests against police brutality.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-europe-and-asia-embrace-black-lives-matter-movement-303834">Also read | Australia, Europe and Asia embrace 'Black Lives Matter' movement</a>

Asia-Pacific demonstrations, however, were limited by social-distancing curbs aiming at stopping the novel coronavirus pandemic.

About a 100 protestors gathered at US President Donald Trump's golf resort just outside Miami, on Saturday, in solidarity with the 'Black Lives Matter' movement.

About a 100 protestors gathered at US President Donald Trump's golf resort just outside Miami, on Saturday, in solidarity with the 'Black Lives Matter' movement. The protest was organised by Latinos -- in which many carried signs that said 'Vote Him Out'. A separate sign -- 'Don't Be A Bunker Boy' -- was a reference to reports that Trump went into the White House bunker when protests in Washington got more violent. Several hundred people also gathered in downtown Miami for a march with plans for a bigger rally later in the day. The march was peaceful and led by a pastor who read Bible verses before everyone set out. George Floyd's death on May 25 -- at the hands of a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes -- has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3. US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised protestors who resorted to kneeling down during the national anthem, after NFL quarterback Drew Brees apologised for remarks he made about the practice. Also read | 'NO KNEELING': Trump criticises anti-racism protests during US anthem The kneeling pose, popularised by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has become a symbol of the fight for racial justice in the United States. Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for various nightclubs, was unarmed when taken into custody outside a corner market where an employee had reported to police that a man matching his description tried to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit bill. The protests have since reached other countries and continents. In the United States on Friday, prominent Democratic politicians adopted the slogans of the protests and announced reforms, as tensions remained high in major cities after days of largely peaceful protests that saw sporadic violence. Protestors in Canada chanted "Stand up to Trump!" to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he joined thousands at an anti-racism rally on Friday and knelt alongside them thrice -- a gesture used to protest against police brutality and the treatment of African-Americans by police. Also read | 'Stand up to Trump!' Canada protestors shout to Trudeau at anti-racism rally Thousands took to the streets across Australia on Saturday, as did hundreds in Japan and South Korea to support US protests against police brutality. Also read | Australia, Europe and Asia embrace 'Black Lives Matter' movement Asia-Pacific demonstrations, however, were limited by social-distancing curbs aiming at stopping the novel coronavirus pandemic.

'Black Lives Matter' protestors rally at Trump golf resort in Florida

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Washington and other cities in the United States on Saturday to demand an end to racism and brutality by US law enforcement as protests over the killing of a black man by Minneapolis police entered a 12th day.

George Floyd, the black man, died on May 25 after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His killing, recorded in excruciating detail on a bystander's cellphone, has led to a wave of protests and national soul-searching over the country's legacy of violence and mistreatment of African Americans and other minorities.

As in previous days, the protests in cities from California to New York and Washington involved a series of loosely organised marches.

A second memorial service for Floyd was held in a North Carolina town where he was born. Hundreds lined up at a church in Raeford to pay their respects during a public viewing, and a private service for the family was conducted later in the day.

Floyd's first memorial was held on Friday in Minneapolis. His funeral is scheduled on Tuesday in Houston.

WASHINGTON

The protest in the nation's capital was shaping up as the largest of the marches seen this week in cities and smaller towns nationwide, as well as in countries around the world. It coincided with a second memorial service for George Floyd.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anti-racism-protestors-clash-with-mounted-police-in-britain-303913">Also read |&nbsp;Anti-racism protestors clash with mounted police in Britain</a>

As many as six buses unloaded hundreds of uniformed military personnel, most wearing body armour and carrying shields, at the White House grounds. Military Humvees were parked on tree-lined city streets.

Uniformed officers were out in smaller numbers than earlier in the week and generally assumed a more relaxed posture, wearing patrol uniforms rather than body armor and helmets.

Local media has forecast that tens of thousands would turn out in the US capital, despite the risks still posed by the coronavirus, which ravaged the country over the past two months and still presents a deadly threat.

Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial and elsewhere before converging on the White House. A moving throng of people marched past the George Washington University Hospital chanting "Hands up, Don't shoot!" "We March for hope, not for hate," and "I can't breathe!"

That last chant echoed protests from New York in 2014, when Eric Garner died in police custody after an officer used a banned chokehold on him. Garner and Floyd are part of a long line of black men and women killed by white officers.

Demonstrators in Washington appeared to be from diverse backgrounds and were dressed for the 90 degree heat. A group wore hospital worker's clothing and held signs with slogans including "White Coats 4 Black Lives" and "I Love Being Black."

Protesters assembled on H Street NW and the newly rechristened Black Lives Matter Plaza, a strip leading up to the White House where the city painted "Black Lives Matter" in huge yellow letters on the pavement on Friday in defiance of President Donald Trump.

It was near the spot where US Park Police triggered outrage on Monday evening by firing smoke grenades and chemical irritant "pepper balls" before charging into peaceful protesters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-across-the-world-join-black-lives-matter-movement-303918">Also read |&nbsp;Thousands across the world join 'Black Lives Matter' movement</a>

Afterward, Trump walked from the White House to the front of a nearby church and posed holding a Bible, a gesture criticized by many Democrats and even some members of Trump's Republican Party.

On Saturday, the area had an atmosphere akin to a block party before the crowd marched toward downtown. People coloured in giant tributes to Floyd, while songs such as "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar blared through speakers. 
The demonstrators included families and people of all ages carrying signs saying "Fed up," "All lives do not matter until black lives do," and "My black son matters."

NEW YORK

In New York, a large crowd of protestors crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, marching up a deserted Broadway, where many of the shops were boarded up, according to social media posts.

Thousands of others gathered in Harlem near the northwest corner of Central Park to march downtown, about 100 blocks, to the city's Washington Square Park.

SAN FRANCISCO

A diverse crowd of thousands of demonstrators tied up the iconic Golden Gate Bridge with the acquiescence of authorities on Saturday.

Tow trucks held off car traffic in both directions, and police directed vehicles caught in the middle of the bridge to go around protesters who eventually moved off the roadway peacefully.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-lives-matter-protestors-rally-at-trump-golf-resort-in-florida-303905">Also read |&nbsp;'Black Lives Matter' protestors rally at Trump golf resort in Florida</a>

LOS ANGELES

Protestors organised by Refuse Fascism LA took over Hollywood Boulevard, chanting “Revolution, nothing less!” And in San Diego, more than 3,000 people marched downtown while a caravan of 300 cars moved past the state university there.

PHILADELPHIA

In Philadelphia, demonstrators gathered on the steps of Philadelphia Art Museum steps chanting, "No justice, No peace." Others marched along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, through John F Kennedy Plaza, and around Philadelphia City Hall.

CALIFORNIA

In California, the country's most populous state, demonstrations occurred in many cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco, where protesters briefly blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge as motorists honked in solidarity.

PORTLAND

Police in Portland, Oregon, became the latest city to order a tactical change -- it won't use tear gas on the protestors -- amid the ongoing nationwide movement against police brutality.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler directed the city's police chief to stop using tear gas "unless there is a serious and immediate threat to life safety, and there is no other viable alternative for dispersal."

(with inputs from agencies)

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Washington and other cities in the United States on Saturday to demand an end to racism and brutality by US law enforcement as protests over the killing of a black man by Minneapolis police entered a 12th day.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in Washington and other cities in the United States on Saturday to demand an end to racism and brutality by US law enforcement as protests over the killing of a black man by Minneapolis police entered a 12th day. George Floyd, the black man, died on May 25 after a Minneapolis policeman knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. His killing, recorded in excruciating detail on a bystander's cellphone, has led to a wave of protests and national soul-searching over the country's legacy of violence and mistreatment of African Americans and other minorities. As in previous days, the protests in cities from California to New York and Washington involved a series of loosely organised marches. A second memorial service for Floyd was held in a North Carolina town where he was born. Hundreds lined up at a church in Raeford to pay their respects during a public viewing, and a private service for the family was conducted later in the day. Floyd's first memorial was held on Friday in Minneapolis. His funeral is scheduled on Tuesday in Houston. WASHINGTON The protest in the nation's capital was shaping up as the largest of the marches seen this week in cities and smaller towns nationwide, as well as in countries around the world. It coincided with a second memorial service for George Floyd. Also read | Anti-racism protestors clash with mounted police in Britain As many as six buses unloaded hundreds of uniformed military personnel, most wearing body armour and carrying shields, at the White House grounds. Military Humvees were parked on tree-lined city streets. Uniformed officers were out in smaller numbers than earlier in the week and generally assumed a more relaxed posture, wearing patrol uniforms rather than body armor and helmets. Local media has forecast that tens of thousands would turn out in the US capital, despite the risks still posed by the coronavirus, which ravaged the country over the past two months and still presents a deadly threat. Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial and elsewhere before converging on the White House. A moving throng of people marched past the George Washington University Hospital chanting "Hands up, Don't shoot!" "We March for hope, not for hate," and "I can't breathe!" That last chant echoed protests from New York in 2014, when Eric Garner died in police custody after an officer used a banned chokehold on him. Garner and Floyd are part of a long line of black men and women killed by white officers. Demonstrators in Washington appeared to be from diverse backgrounds and were dressed for the 90 degree heat. A group wore hospital worker's clothing and held signs with slogans including "White Coats 4 Black Lives" and "I Love Being Black." Protesters assembled on H Street NW and the newly rechristened Black Lives Matter Plaza, a strip leading up to the White House where the city painted "Black Lives Matter" in huge yellow letters on the pavement on Friday in defiance of President Donald Trump. It was near the spot where US Park Police triggered outrage on Monday evening by firing smoke grenades and chemical irritant "pepper balls" before charging into peaceful protesters. Also read | Thousands across the world join 'Black Lives Matter' movement Afterward, Trump walked from the White House to the front of a nearby church and posed holding a Bible, a gesture criticized by many Democrats and even some members of Trump's Republican Party. On Saturday, the area had an atmosphere akin to a block party before the crowd marched toward downtown. People coloured in giant tributes to Floyd, while songs such as "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond and "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar blared through speakers. The demonstrators included families and people of all ages carrying signs saying "Fed up," "All lives do not matter until black lives do," and "My black son matters." NEW YORK In New York, a large crowd of protestors crossed the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan on Saturday afternoon, marching up a deserted Broadway, where many of the shops were boarded up, according to social media posts. Thousands of others gathered in Harlem near the northwest corner of Central Park to march downtown, about 100 blocks, to the city's Washington Square Park. SAN FRANCISCO A diverse crowd of thousands of demonstrators tied up the iconic Golden Gate Bridge with the acquiescence of authorities on Saturday. Tow trucks held off car traffic in both directions, and police directed vehicles caught in the middle of the bridge to go around protesters who eventually moved off the roadway peacefully. Also read | 'Black Lives Matter' protestors rally at Trump golf resort in Florida LOS ANGELES Protestors organised by Refuse Fascism LA took over Hollywood Boulevard, chanting “Revolution, nothing less!” And in San Diego, more than 3,000 people marched downtown while a caravan of 300 cars moved past the state university there. PHILADELPHIA In Philadelphia, demonstrators gathered on the steps of Philadelphia Art Museum steps chanting, "No justice, No peace." Others marched along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, through John F Kennedy Plaza, and around Philadelphia City Hall. CALIFORNIA In California, the country's most populous state, demonstrations occurred in many cities including Los Angeles and San Francisco, where protesters briefly blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge as motorists honked in solidarity. PORTLAND Police in Portland, Oregon, became the latest city to order a tactical change -- it won't use tear gas on the protestors -- amid the ongoing nationwide movement against police brutality. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler directed the city's police chief to stop using tear gas "unless there is a serious and immediate threat to life safety, and there is no other viable alternative for dispersal." (with inputs from agencies)

Uniformed military personnel deployed at WH grounds as anti-racism protests in US enter Day 12

The Trump administration has ordered Marriott International to wind down hotel operations in Communist-run Cuba, a company spokeswoman said.

Starwood Hotels, now owned by Marriott, four years ago became the first US hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution amid the normalisation of relations pursued by former president Barack Obama.

But the administration of President Donald Trump has said it wants to pressure the island into democratic reform and to stop supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The approach could help Trump bolster support in the large Cuban-American community in Florida, a state considered vital to his re-election chances in November.

The US Treasury Department had earlier ordered the company to shut down its operation of the Four Points Sheraton in Havana by August 31. It would also not be allowed to open other hotels it had been preparing to run.

The Four Points Sheraton in Havana, like swaths of the tourism sector and economy at large, is controlled by the commercial arm of the Cuban military.

The news comes two days after the US State Department expanded its list of Cuban entities with which Americans are banned from doing business to include the military-owned financial corporation that handles US remittances to Cuba.

US sanctions have further crippled an economy already struggling with a decline in aid from leftist ally Venezuela and the end of hard-currency generating Cuban medical missions in Brazil and elsewhere.

Philip Peters who runs the FocusCuba business consultancy and has advised Marriott, said no good had come from a lifetime of US sanctions that separated the US and Cuban peoples, harmed Cuba’s economy, and limited American influence in Cuba.

(with inputs from Reuters)

The Trump administration has ordered Marriott International to wind down hotel operations in Communist-run Cuba, a company spokeswoman said. Starwood Hotels, now owned by Marriott, four years ago became the first US hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution amid the normalisation of relations pursued by former president Barack Obama.

The Trump administration has ordered Marriott International to wind down hotel operations in Communist-run Cuba, a company spokeswoman said. Starwood Hotels, now owned by Marriott, four years ago became the first US hotel company to sign a deal with Cuba since the 1959 revolution amid the normalisation of relations pursued by former president Barack Obama. But the administration of President Donald Trump has said it wants to pressure the island into democratic reform and to stop supporting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The approach could help Trump bolster support in the large Cuban-American community in Florida, a state considered vital to his re-election chances in November. The US Treasury Department had earlier ordered the company to shut down its operation of the Four Points Sheraton in Havana by August 31. It would also not be allowed to open other hotels it had been preparing to run. The Four Points Sheraton in Havana, like swaths of the tourism sector and economy at large, is controlled by the commercial arm of the Cuban military. The news comes two days after the US State Department expanded its list of Cuban entities with which Americans are banned from doing business to include the military-owned financial corporation that handles US remittances to Cuba. US sanctions have further crippled an economy already struggling with a decline in aid from leftist ally Venezuela and the end of hard-currency generating Cuban medical missions in Brazil and elsewhere. Philip Peters who runs the FocusCuba business consultancy and has advised Marriott, said no good had come from a lifetime of US sanctions that separated the US and Cuban peoples, harmed Cuba’s economy, and limited American influence in Cuba. (with inputs from Reuters)

Marriott ceases Cuban operations after new Trump sanctions

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised protestors who resorted to kneeling down during the national anthem, after NFL quarterback Drew Brees apologised for remarks he made about the practice.

George Floyd's death on May 25 -- at the hands of a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes -- has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3.

To this end, the kneeling pose, popularised by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has become a symbol of the fight for racial justice in the United States.

Brees said this week he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag," referring to the possibility of players kneeling during the "Star-Spangled Banner" in the upcoming NFL season. Brees apologised on Thursday, saying his words "lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy."

Trump tweeted on Friday that Brees "should not have taken back his original stance."

"We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart," Trump wrote. "There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!"

The kneeling pose has been seen at protests in cities across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stand-up-to-trump-canada-protestors-shout-to-trudeau-at-anti-racism-rally-303734">Also read | 'Stand up to Trump!' Canada protestors shout to Trudeau at anti-racism rally</a>

Brees' initial remarks angered top athletes, who objected to the equating of the protest with disrespecting the American flag.

"You literally still don't understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee??" NBA great LeBron James posted on Twitter earlier this week. "Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of Flag of United States and our soldiers(men and women)."

Kaepernick popularised the move in 2016, appearing on NFL sidelines first sitting, and later kneeling, during the customary pre-game airing of the US national anthem.

Trump was an early critic of the protest, and in 2017 Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game between the 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts when some of the players knelt on the sidelines during the anthem.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-its-a-great-day-for-george-floyd-in-an-unprepared-address-303748">Also read | Trump says it's a 'great day' for George Floyd in an unprepared address</a>

Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for various nightclubs, was unarmed when taken into custody outside a corner market where an employee had reported to police that a man matching his description tried to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit bill.

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised protestors who resorted to kneeling down during the national anthem, after NFL quarterback Drew Brees apologised for remarks he made about the practice.

US President Donald Trump on Friday criticised protestors who resorted to kneeling down during the national anthem, after NFL quarterback Drew Brees apologised for remarks he made about the practice. George Floyd's death on May 25 -- at the hands of a white police officer who knelt on his neck for almost nine minutes -- has become the latest flashpoint for rage over police brutality against African Americans, propelling the issue of race to the top of the political agenda ahead of the US presidential election on November 3. To this end, the kneeling pose, popularised by NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, has become a symbol of the fight for racial justice in the United States. Brees said this week he would "never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag," referring to the possibility of players kneeling during the "Star-Spangled Banner" in the upcoming NFL season. Brees apologised on Thursday, saying his words "lacked awareness and any type of compassion or empathy." Trump tweeted on Friday that Brees "should not have taken back his original stance." "We should be standing up straight and tall, ideally with a salute, or a hand on heart," Trump wrote. "There are other things you can protest, but not our Great American Flag - NO KNEELING!" The kneeling pose has been seen at protests in cities across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis. Also read | 'Stand up to Trump!' Canada protestors shout to Trudeau at anti-racism rally Brees' initial remarks angered top athletes, who objected to the equating of the protest with disrespecting the American flag. "You literally still don't understand why Kap was kneeling on one knee??" NBA great LeBron James posted on Twitter earlier this week. "Has absolute nothing to do with the disrespect of Flag of United States and our soldiers(men and women)." Kaepernick popularised the move in 2016, appearing on NFL sidelines first sitting, and later kneeling, during the customary pre-game airing of the US national anthem. Trump was an early critic of the protest, and in 2017 Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game between the 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts when some of the players knelt on the sidelines during the anthem. Also read | Trump says it's a 'great day' for George Floyd in an unprepared address Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for various nightclubs, was unarmed when taken into custody outside a corner market where an employee had reported to police that a man matching his description tried to pay for cigarettes with a counterfeit bill.

'NO KNEELING': Trump criticises anti-racism protests during US anthem

World's Oldest Democracy is the often-used adjective for the United States of America, a country where freedom of expression is one of the strongest pillars.&nbsp;

However, what happens to this freedom when Americans express their protest against racial killing? These protesters are branded as&nbsp;terrorists. The same word is used for people like Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/horrible-pandemic-largely-through-weve-made-every-decision-correctly-says-trump-303695">Horrible pandemic largely through, we've made every decision correctly, says Trump</a>

Trump retweeted a letter from John Dowd, his former attorney. It was addressed to Trump's first defense secretary Jim Mattis, and said: "The phony protesters near Lafayette Park were not peaceful and are not real".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I thought this letter from respected retired Marine and Super Star lawyer, John Dowd, would be of interest to the American People. Read it! <a href="https://t.co/I5tjysckZh">pic.twitter.com/I5tjysckZh</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1268675068814659584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"They are terrorists using idle hate filled students to burn and destroy."

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-world-environment-day-5-videos-you-cannot-miss-303724/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It went on to say that the protesters were "abusing and disrespecting the police when the police were preparing for the area for the 1900 curfew".&nbsp;

For the unversed, protesters were violently dispersed from the park near the White House in Washington, US on Monday. &nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Trump's tweets and retweets are a story in itself, but here's a fact-check.&nbsp;

Many videos from Monday's protest show two things: firstly, there was tension and secondly, no violence was reported.&nbsp;

Protesters recently across the country have turned violent, where there were many incidents of arson and looting, all of which require condemning.&nbsp;

However, the Monday protests near the WH park were not among the violent ones until police entered the scene. Protesters were hit by rubber bullets, sprayed tear gas shells, and journalists were attacked.&nbsp;

All of this happened at 6:30 pm local time, thirty minutes before the curfew was imposed. &nbsp;

It was a perfect photo-op for Trump with a Bible. US President was to visit a church and that is why protesters were shooed away from the park.&nbsp;

Earlier this week too, Trump made a reference to the word terror.&nbsp;

"Here in the nation's capital, the Lincoln Memorial and the World War Two Memorial have been vandalized. One of our most historic churches was set ablaze. A federal officer in California, an African-American enforcement hero, was shot and killed. These are not acts of peaceful protests. These are acts of domestic terror. The destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity and a crime against God," Trump had said on Tuesday.

Nothing justifies vandalism and the ones committed this must be brought to books just as the murderers of Geroge Floyd.&nbsp;

However, calling protesters as terrorists is also not justified.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

World's Oldest Democracy is the often-used adjective for the United States of America, a country where freedom of expression is one of the strongest pillars. However, what happens to this freedom when Americans express their protest against racial killing?

World's Oldest Democracy is the often-used adjective for the United States of America, a country where freedom of expression is one of the strongest pillars. However, what happens to this freedom when Americans express their protest against racial killing? These protesters are branded as terrorists. The same word is used for people like Osama bin Laden and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Also read | Horrible pandemic largely through, we've made every decision correctly, says Trump Trump retweeted a letter from John Dowd, his former attorney. It was addressed to Trump's first defense secretary Jim Mattis, and said: "The phony protesters near Lafayette Park were not peaceful and are not real". I thought this letter from respected retired Marine and Super Star lawyer, John Dowd, would be of interest to the American People. Read it! pic.twitter.com/I5tjysckZh — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2020 × "They are terrorists using idle hate filled students to burn and destroy." Watch | It went on to say that the protesters were "abusing and disrespecting the police when the police were preparing for the area for the 1900 curfew". For the unversed, protesters were violently dispersed from the park near the White House in Washington, US on Monday. Trump's tweets and retweets are a story in itself, but here's a fact-check. Many videos from Monday's protest show two things: firstly, there was tension and secondly, no violence was reported. Protesters recently across the country have turned violent, where there were many incidents of arson and looting, all of which require condemning. However, the Monday protests near the WH park were not among the violent ones until police entered the scene. Protesters were hit by rubber bullets, sprayed tear gas shells, and journalists were attacked. All of this happened at 6:30 pm local time, thirty minutes before the curfew was imposed. It was a perfect photo-op for Trump with a Bible. US President was to visit a church and that is why protesters were shooed away from the park. Earlier this week too, Trump made a reference to the word terror. "Here in the nation's capital, the Lincoln Memorial and the World War Two Memorial have been vandalized. One of our most historic churches was set ablaze. A federal officer in California, an African-American enforcement hero, was shot and killed. These are not acts of peaceful protests. These are acts of domestic terror. The destruction of innocent life and the spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity and a crime against God," Trump had said on Tuesday. Nothing justifies vandalism and the ones committed this must be brought to books just as the murderers of Geroge Floyd. However, calling protesters as terrorists is also not justified.

Can Donald Trump justify branding protesters as terrorists?

A clinical trial considered the "gold standard" for clinical investigation has concluded that "no benefit" of hydroxychloroquine was found on patients hospitalised with the coronavirus, researchers said on Friday.

"We have concluded that there is no beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients hospitalised with COVID-19," the statement from the chief investigators in the Recovery trial said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-study-says-trump-backed-hydroxychloroquine-no-better-than-placebo-303250">New study says Trump-backed hydroxychloroquine no better than placebo</a>

The statement added that this trial that was run by the University of Oxford would stop "with immediate effect".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-temporary-pause-who-to-resume-hydroxychloroquine-trials-303045">After 'temporary pause', WHO to resume hydroxychloroquine trials</a>

Hydroxychloroquine, a drug to treat malaria and was backed consistently by US President Donald Trump, with White House recently announcing that Trump took the drugs without complaining of any side-effects.&nbsp;

The study included 1,542 patients who were randomly given hydroxychloroquine. Their data was compared with 3,132 patients who were given standard hospital care.&nbsp;

The researchers said, "no significant difference" in mortality was noticed after 28 days between the two groups.

Also, no evidence suggested that the anti-malarial drug would shorten the hospitalisation period.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, the &nbsp;World Health Organization (WHO) restarted its trials that were temporarily stopped because of a now-retracted study in The Lancet medical journal.

(With inputs from AFP)

A clinical trial considered the "gold standard" for clinical investigation has concluded that "no benefit" of hydroxychloroquine was found on patients hospitalised with the coronavirus, researchers said on Friday.

A clinical trial considered the "gold standard" for clinical investigation has concluded that "no benefit" of hydroxychloroquine was found on patients hospitalised with the coronavirus, researchers said on Friday. "We have concluded that there is no beneficial effect of hydroxychloroquine in patients hospitalised with COVID-19," the statement from the chief investigators in the Recovery trial said. Also read | New study says Trump-backed hydroxychloroquine no better than placebo The statement added that this trial that was run by the University of Oxford would stop "with immediate effect". Also read | After 'temporary pause', WHO to resume hydroxychloroquine trials Hydroxychloroquine, a drug to treat malaria and was backed consistently by US President Donald Trump, with White House recently announcing that Trump took the drugs without complaining of any side-effects. The study included 1,542 patients who were randomly given hydroxychloroquine. Their data was compared with 3,132 patients who were given standard hospital care. The researchers said, "no significant difference" in mortality was noticed after 28 days between the two groups. Also, no evidence suggested that the anti-malarial drug would shorten the hospitalisation period. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) restarted its trials that were temporarily stopped because of a now-retracted study in The Lancet medical journal. (With inputs from AFP)

Major trial says 'no benefit' of Trump-backed hydroxychloroquine

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