US authorities plan to start arresting immigrants eligible for deportation in 10 cities this weekend, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, adding that he was not concerned about the advance notice.

Trump warned last month about the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-want-the-press-to-go-and-see-migrant-detention-centres-trump-233876">planned deportations</a>, which were earlier reported by the New York Times.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was not concerned that plans of the arrests have become publicly known, saying the deportations were not a secret.

"If the word gets out, it gets out," he said.

At least 2,000 immigrant families are <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-says-planned-immigration-sweep-delayed-for-two-weeks-229648">eligible for deportation</a> and will be targeted in the raids, the Times reported, citing former and current officials.

"We'll focus on criminals as much as we can," Trump added.

Mayors of a number of cities expected to be targeted have said they will not cooperate with deportations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Immigrant advocates have said advance word of the raids could help some of those targeted evade arrest.

US authorities plan to start arresting immigrants eligible for deportation in 10 cities this weekend, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, adding that he was not concerned about the advance notice.

US authorities plan to start arresting immigrants eligible for deportation in 10 cities this weekend, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, adding that he was not concerned about the advance notice. Trump warned last month about the planned deportations, which were earlier reported by the New York Times. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he was not concerned that plans of the arrests have become publicly known, saying the deportations were not a secret. "If the word gets out, it gets out," he said. At least 2,000 immigrant families are eligible for deportation and will be targeted in the raids, the Times reported, citing former and current officials. "We'll focus on criminals as much as we can," Trump added. Mayors of a number of cities expected to be targeted have said they will not cooperate with deportations carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Immigrant advocates have said advance word of the raids could help some of those targeted evade arrest.

Trump says immigrant deportations to start this weekend in 10 cities

US President Donald Trump backed down Thursday from a push to force a controversial question on citizenship onto the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worried-about-undercount-states-and-cities-spend-promote-2020-census-168774">2020 census</a> following a backlash by civil rights campaigners.

Critics said the administration wanted to add the question to suppress participation by immigrant communities in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lawmaker-aims-to-get-citizenship-question-removed-from-us-census-181537">once-a-decade survey</a> that helps officials determine where to allocate federal resources.&nbsp;

"We are pursuing a new option to ensure a complete and timely count of the non-citizen population," the president told a news conference at the White House.

Two weeks ago, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-supreme-court-blocks-trumps-census-citizenship-question-for-now-230965">Supreme Court seemingly ended a legal and political battle</a> over the issue. It concluded that the Trump administration's stated reasons for including the question were "contrived," and blocked the move.

Stung by the conservative-majority high court's 5-4 decision, Trump raised the possibility of forcing the issue with an executive order or even postponing the census.

The stakes are immense,&nbsp;the census helps determine the disbursement of $675 billion in federal subsidies and the number of seats in the US House of Representatives allocated to each state.

A question on citizenship, which was dropped more than 60 years ago, could stop between 1.6 and 6.5 million immigrants from participating or answering truthfully, according to census officials.

Immigrants living in the country illegally would especially be reticent, out of fear that they would be identified for deportation.

As he announced the U-turn, Trump said he would sign an executive order requiring federal agencies to provide the Commerce Department with immigration information from their existing databases.

"It is essential that we have a clear breakdown of the number of citizens and non-citizens that make up the US population. Imperative," he said.

Rights groups and Democrats hailed Trump's climb-down.

"President @realDonaldTrump's census defeat is a significant victory for democracy and fair representation. Every person must be counted, and no one should be intimidated by the president and his capricious behaviour," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter.&nbsp;

"His retreat on adding the misguided citizen question to the census was long overdue."

The American Civil Liberties Union added that it will continue to monitor the Trump administration's efforts to count immigrants.

"When the details of Trump's new plan to compile citizenship data outside of the census come out -- and his plans for using that data -- we will scrutinise them closely and assess their legality."

US President Donald Trump backed down Thursday from a push to force a controversial question on citizenship onto the 2020 census following a backlash by civil rights campaigners.

US President Donald Trump backed down Thursday from a push to force a controversial question on citizenship onto the 2020 census following a backlash by civil rights campaigners. Critics said the administration wanted to add the question to suppress participation by immigrant communities in the once-a-decade survey that helps officials determine where to allocate federal resources. "We are pursuing a new option to ensure a complete and timely count of the non-citizen population," the president told a news conference at the White House. Two weeks ago, the Supreme Court seemingly ended a legal and political battle over the issue. It concluded that the Trump administration's stated reasons for including the question were "contrived," and blocked the move. Stung by the conservative-majority high court's 5-4 decision, Trump raised the possibility of forcing the issue with an executive order or even postponing the census. The stakes are immense, the census helps determine the disbursement of $675 billion in federal subsidies and the number of seats in the US House of Representatives allocated to each state. A question on citizenship, which was dropped more than 60 years ago, could stop between 1.6 and 6.5 million immigrants from participating or answering truthfully, according to census officials. Immigrants living in the country illegally would especially be reticent, out of fear that they would be identified for deportation. As he announced the U-turn, Trump said he would sign an executive order requiring federal agencies to provide the Commerce Department with immigration information from their existing databases. "It is essential that we have a clear breakdown of the number of citizens and non-citizens that make up the US population. Imperative," he said. Rights groups and Democrats hailed Trump's climb-down. "President @realDonaldTrump's census defeat is a significant victory for democracy and fair representation. Every person must be counted, and no one should be intimidated by the president and his capricious behaviour," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "His retreat on adding the misguided citizen question to the census was long overdue." The American Civil Liberties Union added that it will continue to monitor the Trump administration's efforts to count immigrants. "When the details of Trump's new plan to compile citizenship data outside of the census come out -- and his plans for using that data -- we will scrutinise them closely and assess their legality."

Donald Trump backs down on including citizenship question in 2020 census

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">US President Donald Trump</a> violated the Constitution by blocking people whose views he disliked from his Twitter account, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

In a 3-0 decision, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the First Amendment forbids Trump from using Twitter's "blocking" function to limit access to his account, which has 61.8 million followers.

"The First Amendment does not permit a public official who utilizes a social media account for all manner of official purposes to exclude persons from an otherwise-open online dialogue because they expressed views with which the official disagrees," wrote Circuit Judge Barrington Parker, citing several Supreme Court decisions.

Kelly Laco, a spokeswoman for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-introduce-bipartisan-bills-targeting-chinas-huawei-and-zte-190862">US Department of Justice</a>, which argued the appeal, said: "We are disappointed with the court's decision and are exploring possible next steps."

The White House declined to comment. White House social media director Dan Scavino was also a defendant. Twitter &lt;TWTR.N&gt; declined to comment.

Trump has made his @RealDonaldTrump account, which he opened in 2009, a central and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda and to attack critics.

His blocking of critics was challenged by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, as well as seven Twitter users he had blocked.

"The decision will help ensure the integrity and vitality of digital spaces that are increasingly important to our democracy," said Jameel Jaffer, Knight's executive director.

Tuesday's decision upheld a May 2018 ruling by US District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan, which prompted Trump to unblock some accounts.

The Justice Department had called her ruling "fundamentally misconceived," saying Trump used Twitter to express his views, not to offer a public forum for discussion.

Parker, however, said Trump's account bears "all the trappings of an official, state-run account" and is "one of the White House's main vehicles for conducting official business."

He said Trump and his aides have characterized the president's tweets as official statements, and that even the National Archives considers them official records.

Parker also found it ironic that Trump censored speech at a time the conduct of the US government and its officials is subject to intense, passionate and wide-open debate.

"This debate, as uncomfortable and as unpleasant as it frequently may be, is nonetheless a good thing," he wrote. "We remind the litigants and the public that if the First Amendment means anything, it means that the best response to a disfavoured speech on matters of public concern is more speech, not less."

The case is Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University et al v Trump et al, 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-1691.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump violated the Constitution by blocking people whose views he disliked from his Twitter account, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump violated the Constitution by blocking people whose views he disliked from his Twitter account, a federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday. In a 3-0 decision, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said the First Amendment forbids Trump from using Twitter's "blocking" function to limit access to his account, which has 61.8 million followers. "The First Amendment does not permit a public official who utilizes a social media account for all manner of official purposes to exclude persons from an otherwise-open online dialogue because they expressed views with which the official disagrees," wrote Circuit Judge Barrington Parker, citing several Supreme Court decisions. Kelly Laco, a spokeswoman for the US Department of Justice, which argued the appeal, said: "We are disappointed with the court's decision and are exploring possible next steps." The White House declined to comment. White House social media director Dan Scavino was also a defendant. Twitter <TWTR.N> declined to comment. Trump has made his @RealDonaldTrump account, which he opened in 2009, a central and controversial part of his presidency, using it to promote his agenda and to attack critics. His blocking of critics was challenged by the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, as well as seven Twitter users he had blocked. "The decision will help ensure the integrity and vitality of digital spaces that are increasingly important to our democracy," said Jameel Jaffer, Knight's executive director. Tuesday's decision upheld a May 2018 ruling by US District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald in Manhattan, which prompted Trump to unblock some accounts. The Justice Department had called her ruling "fundamentally misconceived," saying Trump used Twitter to express his views, not to offer a public forum for discussion. Parker, however, said Trump's account bears "all the trappings of an official, state-run account" and is "one of the White House's main vehicles for conducting official business." He said Trump and his aides have characterized the president's tweets as official statements, and that even the National Archives considers them official records. Parker also found it ironic that Trump censored speech at a time the conduct of the US government and its officials is subject to intense, passionate and wide-open debate. "This debate, as uncomfortable and as unpleasant as it frequently may be, is nonetheless a good thing," he wrote. "We remind the litigants and the public that if the First Amendment means anything, it means that the best response to a disfavoured speech on matters of public concern is more speech, not less." The case is Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University et al v Trump et al, 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 18-1691.

Donald Trump's blocking of Twitter critics unconstitutional:  US appeals court

Asian shares pulled ahead on Wednesday while rising Treasury yields lifted the dollar as investors waited anxiously to hear if the world's most powerful central banker would confirm or confound expectations for US easing this month.

MSCI's broadest index of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/asian-shares-fall-as-bets-off-on-sharp-us-rate-cuts-233889">Asia-Pacific shares</a> outside Japan advanced 0.4 per cent,&nbsp;after three sessions of losses.

South Korea edged up 0.4%, but Japan's Nikkei lagged with a loss of 0.1 per cent&nbsp;E-Mini futures for the S&amp;P 500 were flat, while EURO STOXX and FTSE futures pointed to small opening gains in Europe.

Chinese blue chips barely budged as data showed inflation remained stubbornly subdued despite a spike in pork prices.

A worrying lack of inflation globally is one reason investors are counting on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to sound suitably dovish when testifying to Congress on Wednesday.

Futures are still fully priced for a 25-basis-point cut at the Fed's July 30-31 meeting but have abandoned wagers on a half-point move. They had implied a 25% probability of an aggressive cut before Friday's upbeat jobs report.

"We still think the odds favour a 25 bps 'insurance' cut," said Kevin Cummins, a senior US economist at NatWest Markets.

"The Fed's consideration of rate cuts is not only about growth but also about inflation, which remains well below target, and inflation expectations, which were breaking to the downside before the Fed signalled the likelihood of cuts."

Overnight, Atlanta Fed bank president Raphael Bostic let nothing out of the bag by saying the central bank was debating the risks and benefits of letting the US economy run "a little hotter."

Lurking in the background, the US and Chinese trade officials held "constructive" talks on trade by phone on Tuesday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.

Wall Street had been duly circumspect on Tuesday, with the Dow ending down 0.08%, while the S&amp;P 500 added 0.12% and the Nasdaq 0.54%.

A little More Yield

The cooling in US rate fever has seen bonds give back just a little of their huge rally, with yields on two-year Treasuries rising to 1.917% from the recent trough of 1.696%.

That, in turn, has helped the dollar bounce on a basket of currencies to 97.500 from a June low of 95.843.

The dollar also firmed to 108.90 yen, while the euro faded to $1.1206 having been as high as $1.1412 just a couple of weeks ago.

The Mexican peso was nursing a few bruises after sliding on Tuesday when the country's moderate Finance Minister Carlos Urzua suddenly resigned, citing "extremism" in economic policy.

The Canadian dollar was on the defensive ahead of a rate meeting by the Bank of Canada in case policymakers tried to slow the currency's recent rally.

The dollar's gains took the shine off gold, which eased 0.3 per cent to $1,393.68 per ounce.

Oil prices were supported by Middle East tensions and news that US stockpiles fell for a fourth week in a row, easing concerns about oversupply.

Brent crude futures rose 64 cents to $64.80, while US crude gained 82 cents to $58.65 a barrel.

Asian shares pulled ahead on Wednesday while rising Treasury yields lifted the dollar as investors waited anxiously to hear if the world's most powerful central banker would confirm or confound expectations for US easing this month.

Asian shares pulled ahead on Wednesday while rising Treasury yields lifted the dollar as investors waited anxiously to hear if the world's most powerful central banker would confirm or confound expectations for US easing this month. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan advanced 0.4 per cent, after three sessions of losses. South Korea edged up 0.4%, but Japan's Nikkei lagged with a loss of 0.1 per cent E-Mini futures for the S&P 500 were flat, while EURO STOXX and FTSE futures pointed to small opening gains in Europe. Chinese blue chips barely budged as data showed inflation remained stubbornly subdued despite a spike in pork prices. A worrying lack of inflation globally is one reason investors are counting on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to sound suitably dovish when testifying to Congress on Wednesday. Futures are still fully priced for a 25-basis-point cut at the Fed's July 30-31 meeting but have abandoned wagers on a half-point move. They had implied a 25% probability of an aggressive cut before Friday's upbeat jobs report. "We still think the odds favour a 25 bps 'insurance' cut," said Kevin Cummins, a senior US economist at NatWest Markets. "The Fed's consideration of rate cuts is not only about growth but also about inflation, which remains well below target, and inflation expectations, which were breaking to the downside before the Fed signalled the likelihood of cuts." Overnight, Atlanta Fed bank president Raphael Bostic let nothing out of the bag by saying the central bank was debating the risks and benefits of letting the US economy run "a little hotter." Lurking in the background, the US and Chinese trade officials held "constructive" talks on trade by phone on Tuesday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said. Wall Street had been duly circumspect on Tuesday, with the Dow ending down 0.08%, while the S&P 500 added 0.12% and the Nasdaq 0.54%. A little More Yield The cooling in US rate fever has seen bonds give back just a little of their huge rally, with yields on two-year Treasuries rising to 1.917% from the recent trough of 1.696%. That, in turn, has helped the dollar bounce on a basket of currencies to 97.500 from a June low of 95.843. The dollar also firmed to 108.90 yen, while the euro faded to $1.1206 having been as high as $1.1412 just a couple of weeks ago. The Mexican peso was nursing a few bruises after sliding on Tuesday when the country's moderate Finance Minister Carlos Urzua suddenly resigned, citing "extremism" in economic policy. The Canadian dollar was on the defensive ahead of a rate meeting by the Bank of Canada in case policymakers tried to slow the currency's recent rally. The dollar's gains took the shine off gold, which eased 0.3 per cent to $1,393.68 per ounce. Oil prices were supported by Middle East tensions and news that US stockpiles fell for a fourth week in a row, easing concerns about oversupply. Brent crude futures rose 64 cents to $64.80, while US crude gained 82 cents to $58.65 a barrel.

Asia shares rise as US dollar moves up

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-offers-full-support-to-us-ambassador-trump-lashes-out-at-theresa-may-after-leak-of-damning-cables-234128">US President Donald Trump</a> discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-president-emmanuel-macrons-advisor-heads-to-iran-to-calm-nuclear-tensions-234122">Emmanuel Macron</a> on Monday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-held-up-my-end-of-the-bargain-dont-want-to-go-to-the-white-house-rapinoe-after-winning-womens-world-cup-234154">White House</a> said.

The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-strongly-urges-iran-to-stop-nuclear-enrichment-234076">Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon</a> and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,'&nbsp;the White House said in a statement.

Iran on Monday breached a uranium enrichment cap set by a 2015 nuclear deal that the Trump administration abandoned last year.

Washington has imposed punishing sanctions on Tehran, and tensions between the two sides have risen further amid Iran's downing of an American drone and attacks on tanker ships the US has blamed on the Islamic republic.

Iran -- which also passed a 300-kilogram limit on enriched uranium reserves this month -- says it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord.

US President Donald Trump discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, the White House said. The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,' the White House said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump discussed the standoff over Iran's nuclear program with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Monday, the White House said. The two leaders 'discussed ongoing efforts to ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon and to end Iran's destabilizing behaviour in the Middle East,' the White House said in a statement. Iran on Monday breached a uranium enrichment cap set by a 2015 nuclear deal that the Trump administration abandoned last year. Washington has imposed punishing sanctions on Tehran, and tensions between the two sides have risen further amid Iran's downing of an American drone and attacks on tanker ships the US has blamed on the Islamic republic. Iran -- which also passed a 300-kilogram limit on enriched uranium reserves this month -- says it is not violating the deal, citing terms of the agreement allowing one side to temporarily abandon some commitments if it deems the other side is not respecting its part of the accord.

US President Donald Trump has discussed Iran nuclear standoff with Macron: White House

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-spat-with-soccer-star-rapinoe-trump-may-invite-us-womens-world-cup-winning-team-to-white-house-233888">US soccer star&nbsp;Megan Rapinoe</a> waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday.

"I held up my end of the bargain for sure. We did it all, we won it all," Rapinoe said, adding, "I think everybody is with me. We don't want to go to the White House."

"So I figured that's why the invitation hasn't come, may be sent by mail and it's just sort of slowly to get here. But I doubt it. But I think we will at some point be going to Washington," she told reporters after arriving in the US.

Rapinoe was engulfed in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-us-womens-soccer-star-rapinoe-not-to-disrespect-country-230684">controversy with President Trump </a>after she declared that even if the US won the World Cup she won't be going to the White House to meet the US president. Trump shot back on Twitter saying she shouldn't "disrespect the country, White House or the flag".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1147946170293071872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2019</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>

In the same series of tweets, Trump had announced he was inviting the US women's team to the White House and had added: "I am a big fan."

Rapinoe had said: "I'm not going to the fucking White House," the US co-captain exclaimed in the clip on Eight by Eight, a football magazine. "No. I'm not going to the White House."

On asked by reporters that Senator Chuck Schumer had invited her to Capitol Hill, Rapinoe added enthusiastically: "That's great. I love that. Interesting to see what McConnell (US&nbsp;Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell) does. Thank you, Chuck Schumer, for inviting us out. We are very happy to accept your invitation to come."

However, on Trump and the White House visit, Rapinoe appeared to stick to her guns. The World Cup star was backed by her teammate Alex Morgan who said she didn't believe in a lot of things that President Trump had put in place.

"There's a lot of things that President Trump, you know, has put in place that I don't stand for," Morgan said while holding the World Cup trophy.&nbsp;

"I don't feel necessarily welcome there(at the White House) and so I don't believe that I will be individually attending. I think, you know, in the past we've all decided as a team so we'll have to see that in the future," she added.

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, US soccer star Megan Rapinoe waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday.

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, US soccer star Megan Rapinoe waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday. "I held up my end of the bargain for sure. We did it all, we won it all," Rapinoe said, adding, "I think everybody is with me. We don't want to go to the White House." "So I figured that's why the invitation hasn't come, may be sent by mail and it's just sort of slowly to get here. But I doubt it. But I think we will at some point be going to Washington," she told reporters after arriving in the US. Rapinoe was engulfed in a controversy with President Trump after she declared that even if the US won the World Cup she won't be going to the White House to meet the US president. Trump shot back on Twitter saying she shouldn't "disrespect the country, White House or the flag". Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2019 × In the same series of tweets, Trump had announced he was inviting the US women's team to the White House and had added: "I am a big fan." Rapinoe had said: "I'm not going to the fucking White House," the US co-captain exclaimed in the clip on Eight by Eight, a football magazine. "No. I'm not going to the White House." On asked by reporters that Senator Chuck Schumer had invited her to Capitol Hill, Rapinoe added enthusiastically: "That's great. I love that. Interesting to see what McConnell (US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell) does. Thank you, Chuck Schumer, for inviting us out. We are very happy to accept your invitation to come." However, on Trump and the White House visit, Rapinoe appeared to stick to her guns. The World Cup star was backed by her teammate Alex Morgan who said she didn't believe in a lot of things that President Trump had put in place. "There's a lot of things that President Trump, you know, has put in place that I don't stand for," Morgan said while holding the World Cup trophy. "I don't feel necessarily welcome there(at the White House) and so I don't believe that I will be individually attending. I think, you know, in the past we've all decided as a team so we'll have to see that in the future," she added.

I held up my end of the bargain, don't want to go to the White House: Rapinoe after winning women's World Cup

Driving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-cup-overcast-clouds-rain-expected-at-manchester-ahead-of-india-vs-new-zealand-semi-final-234185">rains</a> flooded parts of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/4th-july-celebrations-battle-tanks-arrive-in-washington-trump-promises-incredible-flyovers-biggest-ever-fireworks-232578">Washington, D.C.,</a> on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Seek higher ground now!" the National Weather Service warned amid torrential <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/railway-services-resume-in-mumbai-amid-heavy-rains-no-water-logging-reported-234162">rains</a> that dropped 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) at Reagan National Airport from 9 a.m. through 10 a.m. ET (1200-1300 GMT), shattering in one hour the previous record of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) set in 1958.

It was the seventh-wettest July day since record-keeping began in 1871, said NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard.

"They broke their daily record in an hour," he said.

Even more, rainfall was recorded further northwest, in Arlington, Virginia, where about 5 inches (12.7 cm) fell from 9 to 10 a.m., Chenard said.

The rains eased by late morning and were expected to end by midday, Chenard said.

Torrents of water streamed through the ceiling of Metro stations, and major arteries serving Washington's top museums and memorials shut down due to high water as local emergency personnel reported rescuing several people from cars. By midday, DC Fire and EMS said it had saved 15 drivers.

Firefighters used yellow rubber lifeboats to rescue those trapped by the flood waters.

Twitter images showed a photograph of a very wet floor beneath office chairs and desks on the basement level of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"White House is leaking," CNN journalist Betsy Klein tweeted with the picture.

Driving rains flooded parts of Washington, D.C., on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House.

Driving rains flooded parts of Washington, D.C., on Monday, shattering a daily record in just an hour, forcing 15 swift-water rescues from stranded cars and causing an undeniable leak in the White House. "This is a life-threatening situation. Seek higher ground now!" the National Weather Service warned amid torrential rains that dropped 3.3 inches (8.4 cm) at Reagan National Airport from 9 a.m. through 10 a.m. ET (1200-1300 GMT), shattering in one hour the previous record of 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) set in 1958. It was the seventh-wettest July day since record-keeping began in 1871, said NWS meteorologist Marc Chenard. "They broke their daily record in an hour," he said. Even more, rainfall was recorded further northwest, in Arlington, Virginia, where about 5 inches (12.7 cm) fell from 9 to 10 a.m., Chenard said. The rains eased by late morning and were expected to end by midday, Chenard said. Torrents of water streamed through the ceiling of Metro stations, and major arteries serving Washington's top museums and memorials shut down due to high water as local emergency personnel reported rescuing several people from cars. By midday, DC Fire and EMS said it had saved 15 drivers. Firefighters used yellow rubber lifeboats to rescue those trapped by the flood waters. Twitter images showed a photograph of a very wet floor beneath office chairs and desks on the basement level of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. "White House is leaking," CNN journalist Betsy Klein tweeted with the picture.

Life-threatening rains pound US capital; White House basement offices leak

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said leaked memos about US President Donald Trump and his administration reflected the "personal view" of the UK's ambassador and not that of the government.

Trump memos: UK ambassador's opinion 'personal', says Jeremy Hunt

In a bid to cut costs with a struggling economy back home, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-quotes-russian-philosopher-links-it-to-pakistans-current-situation-233922">Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan</a> has expressed his wish to stay at the ambassador's residence during his visit to the US capital later this month.&nbsp;

Pakistan local media reported the news while adding that the US Secret Service, which is responsible for the security of all visiting dignitaries, is not "very receptive" towards the idea.&nbsp;

Local authorities, who are responsible for the smooth flow of Washington traffic during a foreign dignitary`s visit, have not expressed their keenness either.&nbsp;

Visiting leaders usually stay at one of the hotels which are a stone's throw away from the White House, including the Four Seasons in Georgetown, Ritz Carlton, and Willard Inter-continental.&nbsp;

The Pakistan Ambassador's house, on the other hand, is located in Washington's diplomatic enclave.&nbsp;

It is located right off the bustling Massachusetts Avenue. If Khan stays at the envoy's house, the road may face closures when his entourage travels to hold meetings with other leaders and officials.&nbsp;

This may lead to traffic snarls right up to downtown, which houses hundreds of offices. Hotels usually have all arrangements for VVIPs, including halls to hold community events and space for meetings with other dignitaries.

They also include separate elevators, exit and entry points which ease the US Secret Service`s job in protecting the visiting leader.

&nbsp;In the face of this, another option that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-to-meet-trump-for-talks-on-improving-ties-233041">Pakistani Prime Minister</a> has is to stay with an affluent Pakistani-American in DC's suburbs. However, this option too entails travelling to Washington every morning to hold meetings at the Pakistan Embassy.

In a bid to cut costs with a struggling economy back home, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his wish to stay at the ambassador's residence during his visit to the US capital later this month.

In a bid to cut costs with a struggling economy back home, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his wish to stay at the ambassador's residence during his visit to the US capital later this month. Pakistan local media reported the news while adding that the US Secret Service, which is responsible for the security of all visiting dignitaries, is not "very receptive" towards the idea. Local authorities, who are responsible for the smooth flow of Washington traffic during a foreign dignitary`s visit, have not expressed their keenness either. Visiting leaders usually stay at one of the hotels which are a stone's throw away from the White House, including the Four Seasons in Georgetown, Ritz Carlton, and Willard Inter-continental. The Pakistan Ambassador's house, on the other hand, is located in Washington's diplomatic enclave. It is located right off the bustling Massachusetts Avenue. If Khan stays at the envoy's house, the road may face closures when his entourage travels to hold meetings with other leaders and officials. This may lead to traffic snarls right up to downtown, which houses hundreds of offices. Hotels usually have all arrangements for VVIPs, including halls to hold community events and space for meetings with other dignitaries. They also include separate elevators, exit and entry points which ease the US Secret Service`s job in protecting the visiting leader. In the face of this, another option that the Pakistani Prime Minister has is to stay with an affluent Pakistani-American in DC's suburbs. However, this option too entails travelling to Washington every morning to hold meetings at the Pakistan Embassy.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan expresses wish to stay at Ambassador's home during US visit

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-seeks-to-override-supreme-court-ruling-on-census-233448">US President Donald Trump</a> on Friday said his administration is working on an executive order to reduce US drug prices to match the lowest in the world.

"We're working on a favoured nations law where we pay whatever the lowest nation's price is," Trump told reporters from the White House South Lawn.

"As you know, for years and years other nations paid less for drugs than we do, sometimes by 60 per cent, 70 per cent," he said.

The president accused pharmaceutical companies of having "taken advantage of the system for a long time," with US drug prices often exceeding those in neighbouring Canada and Mexico as well as Europe.

"Why should other nations like Canada -- why should other nations pay much less than us?" Trump said, declaring that he would handle the matter "in the form of an executive order."

Beginning this month the United States will require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the price of their drugs during television commercials, a measure which Trump has praised for its "historic transparency."

About half of Americans have health insurance with a high deductible which can reach thousands of dollars a year, in many cases more than $5,000 or $6,000 annually.

Many have to pay the full drug price until they have spent their annual deductible amount.

Despite pressure from the president, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in January increased the price of 41 drugs, which represents 10 per cent of its drug portfolio.

As with other pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer is facing the loss of patents for some of its biggest blockbuster drugs. Manufacturers are justifying a hike in prices saying they need to pay for research and development.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration is working on an executive order to reduce US drug prices to match the lowest in the world. "We're working on a favoured nations law where we pay whatever the lowest nation's price is," Trump told reporters from the White House South Lawn.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said his administration is working on an executive order to reduce US drug prices to match the lowest in the world. "We're working on a favoured nations law where we pay whatever the lowest nation's price is," Trump told reporters from the White House South Lawn. "As you know, for years and years other nations paid less for drugs than we do, sometimes by 60 per cent, 70 per cent," he said. The president accused pharmaceutical companies of having "taken advantage of the system for a long time," with US drug prices often exceeding those in neighbouring Canada and Mexico as well as Europe. "Why should other nations like Canada -- why should other nations pay much less than us?" Trump said, declaring that he would handle the matter "in the form of an executive order." Beginning this month the United States will require pharmaceutical companies to disclose the price of their drugs during television commercials, a measure which Trump has praised for its "historic transparency." About half of Americans have health insurance with a high deductible which can reach thousands of dollars a year, in many cases more than $5,000 or $6,000 annually. Many have to pay the full drug price until they have spent their annual deductible amount. Despite pressure from the president, US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer in January increased the price of 41 drugs, which represents 10 per cent of its drug portfolio. As with other pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer is facing the loss of patents for some of its biggest blockbuster drugs. Manufacturers are justifying a hike in prices saying they need to pay for research and development.

Trump promises to reduce US drug prices to world's lowest

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-decision-excellent-supertanker-was-laden-with-iran-oil-bound-for-syria-us-233122">UK's decision excellent, supertanker was laden with Iran oil bound for Syria: US</a>

As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton applauded the interception by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/union-budget-2019-sitharaman-expected-to-announce-slew-of-measures-to-boost-economy-pronounce-relief-to-tax-payers-233129">Budget 2019: Slew of measures to boost economy, relief to tax payers likely in Sitharaman's maiden budget today</a>

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be unveiling Modi-government 2.0's first Union Budget on Friday. As the finance minister, this will be Sitharaman's maiden budget.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/salute-to-america-trump-praises-us-military-in-july-4-speech-233094">Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before: Trump in Independence Day</a>

President Donald Trump sang the praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries Thursday as he skirted politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-california-rocked-by-powerful-64-magnitude-earthquake-in-two-decades-233096">6.4-magnitude earthquake hits southern California; no casualties</a>

Southern California was rocked by its largest earthquake in two decades on Thursday, but the 6.4-magnitude tremblor caused only "minor" injuries.

The shallow quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks, struck in a sparsely populated portion of the Mojave Desert, 10 kilometres from the city of Ridgecrest at 10:33 am.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-registers-100000-new-tax-filers-amid-financial-crisis-233112">Pakistan registers 100,000 new tax filers amid financial crisis</a>

Pakistan's government, struggling to lift revenues and cut ballooning public debt, registered around 100,000 new tax filers and expects to have raised about $450 million from a tax amnesty on hidden assets, the finance chief said on Thursday.

UK's decision excellent, supertanker was laden with Iran oil bound for Syria: US As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton applauded the interception by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions.

UK's decision excellent, supertanker was laden with Iran oil bound for Syria: US As Iran condemmed the detention of supertanker, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton applauded the interception by Britain's Gibraltar Thursday of a supertanker believed to be carrying Iranian crude oil to Syria, saying the ship was breaking international sanctions. Budget 2019: Slew of measures to boost economy, relief to tax payers likely in Sitharaman's maiden budget today Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be unveiling Modi-government 2.0's first Union Budget on Friday. As the finance minister, this will be Sitharaman's maiden budget. Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before: Trump in Independence Day President Donald Trump sang the praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries Thursday as he skirted politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington. 6.4-magnitude earthquake hits southern California; no casualties Southern California was rocked by its largest earthquake in two decades on Thursday, but the 6.4-magnitude tremblor caused only "minor" injuries. The shallow quake, which was followed by dozens of aftershocks, struck in a sparsely populated portion of the Mojave Desert, 10 kilometres from the city of Ridgecrest at 10:33 am. Pakistan registers 100,000 new tax filers amid financial crisis Pakistan's government, struggling to lift revenues and cut ballooning public debt, registered around 100,000 new tax filers and expects to have raised about $450 million from a tax amnesty on hidden assets, the finance chief said on Thursday.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Donald Trump sang the praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries Thursday as he skirted politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington.

"What a great country," Trump exclaimed in an address saturated with patriotism and exceptionalism.

"For Americans, nothing is impossible."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
A great crowd of tremendous Patriots this evening, all the way back to the Washington Monument! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaluteToAmerica?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaluteToAmerica</a>🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/nJghdfqIhX">pic.twitter.com/nJghdfqIhX</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1146938775689412608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2019</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>

As combat aircraft, including the rarely seen B2 stealth bomber flew overhead, Trump scrolled through myriad events of US history, from groundbreaking inventions to battlefield victories, drawing cheers of "USA! USA!" from an enthusiastic rain-soaked audience of tens of thousands on the National Mall in Washington.

'The most exceptional nation'

In front of a massive statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln, the heroic 19th century president, Trump used the traditionally politics-free holiday to deliver shoutouts to each arm of the military, as well as singling out first responders and the controversial Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies that have been criticized for their treatment of migrants.

Wath:&nbsp;US military parade -&nbsp;Why the criticism?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-military-parade-why-the-criticism-233090/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But he disappointed critics who had warned that Trump, the first president in decades to make a keynote speech on the July 4 holiday, was hijacking the celebration to bolster his own political standing and attack Democratic rivals.

Instead, in a trickling rain, he repeatedly ascribed singular greatness to the country, declaring it "the most exceptional nation in the history of the world."

"Today, we come together as one nation with this very special Salute to America. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag -- the brave men and women of the United States military!" he said.

"Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. It is its strongest now," he said.

Patriotic fervour

Surrounded by the top officers of the Pentagon, and a panoply of invited Republican officials and VIP donors, the event allowed Trump to stake a strong claim to patriotic fervour 16 months ahead of a presidential election with polls showing his potential Democratic rivals holding a significant edge over him.

Trump originally wanted a grand military parade for the holiday, ostensibly inspired by France's rollout of its military might on its own national day.

But instead, he got a scaled-back version, with some US armoured vehicles parked for display and a flyover by the president's own Air Force One jet, the B2 bomber, attack helicopters, and the Navy's Blue Angels flying team.

It was a military show that has been absent from the US capital for decades, and Trump's foes blasted it ahead of time as a show of militarism.

"What, I wonder, will Donald Trump say this evening when he speaks to the nation at an event designed more to stroke his ego than celebrate American ideals?" said leading Democratic White House contender Joe Biden in a speech in Iowa earlier Thursday.

President Donald Trump sang the praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries Thursday as he skirted politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington.

President Donald Trump sang the praises of the US military and American heroes of the past two and a half centuries Thursday as he skirted politics in a rousing Independence Day speech in Washington. "What a great country," Trump exclaimed in an address saturated with patriotism and exceptionalism. "For Americans, nothing is impossible." A great crowd of tremendous Patriots this evening, all the way back to the Washington Monument! #SaluteToAmerica🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/nJghdfqIhX — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 5, 2019 × As combat aircraft, including the rarely seen B2 stealth bomber flew overhead, Trump scrolled through myriad events of US history, from groundbreaking inventions to battlefield victories, drawing cheers of "USA! USA!" from an enthusiastic rain-soaked audience of tens of thousands on the National Mall in Washington. 'The most exceptional nation' In front of a massive statue of a seated Abraham Lincoln, the heroic 19th century president, Trump used the traditionally politics-free holiday to deliver shoutouts to each arm of the military, as well as singling out first responders and the controversial Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies that have been criticized for their treatment of migrants. Wath: US military parade - Why the criticism? But he disappointed critics who had warned that Trump, the first president in decades to make a keynote speech on the July 4 holiday, was hijacking the celebration to bolster his own political standing and attack Democratic rivals. Instead, in a trickling rain, he repeatedly ascribed singular greatness to the country, declaring it "the most exceptional nation in the history of the world." "Today, we come together as one nation with this very special Salute to America. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag -- the brave men and women of the United States military!" he said. "Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. It is its strongest now," he said. Patriotic fervour Surrounded by the top officers of the Pentagon, and a panoply of invited Republican officials and VIP donors, the event allowed Trump to stake a strong claim to patriotic fervour 16 months ahead of a presidential election with polls showing his potential Democratic rivals holding a significant edge over him. Trump originally wanted a grand military parade for the holiday, ostensibly inspired by France's rollout of its military might on its own national day. But instead, he got a scaled-back version, with some US armoured vehicles parked for display and a flyover by the president's own Air Force One jet, the B2 bomber, attack helicopters, and the Navy's Blue Angels flying team. It was a military show that has been absent from the US capital for decades, and Trump's foes blasted it ahead of time as a show of militarism. "What, I wonder, will Donald Trump say this evening when he speaks to the nation at an event designed more to stroke his ego than celebrate American ideals?" said leading Democratic White House contender Joe Biden in a speech in Iowa earlier Thursday.

Our nation is stronger today than it ever was before: Trump in Independence Day

Top aides in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-angry-about-khashoggi-murder-but-says-no-one-blames-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-231433">President Donald Trump's</a> White House, including his daughter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-calls-daughter-ivanka-and-pompeo-beautiful-couple-beauty-and-the-beast-231774">Ivanka Trump </a>and son-in-law, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/economic-plan-necessary-pre-condition-for-middle-east-peace-kushner-230435">Jared Kushner</a>, will come under increased scrutiny for their use of personal emails and other unofficial messaging to conduct government affairs, a congressional oversight chairman said on Monday.

US Representative Elijah Cummings, the Democratic chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said the panel would begin its own review of emails and other communications by the White House that he said violated federal records law.

"The purpose of this investigation is to determine why White House officials used non-official email accounts, texting services and encrypted applications for official business," Cummings wrote to White House Counsel Pat Cipollone.

Lawmakers will look at why records sent or received by non-official accounts were not forwarded to official accounts within 20 days as legally required, as well as whether there was a topic White House officials wanted to conceal, he said.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump pilloried his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 presidential campaign for her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. He continues to refer to her emails in speeches and on Twitter.

The Republican leaders of the oversight panel had also sought information on the use of non-official messaging by White House staff in 2017 and 2018. Democrats took over the panel after winning the House of Representatives in 2018 elections.

Cummings said the White House had not produced any documents in response to those requests or his own previous requests, saying it was conducting an internal investigation.

In March, Cummings wrote to the White House counsel with "more troubling information" about apparent violations by Kushner, Ivanka Trump and former advisers Steve Bannon and K.T. McFarland.

Cummings said Kushner's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, had told lawmakers that Kushner used WhatsApp for official duties and that his wife, Ivanka, continued to use a personal email account for her White House business.

Lowell, in a reply to Cummings, denied telling lawmakers that Kushner had communicated through any app with foreign "leaders" or "officials" but said Kushner had used such apps for communicating with "some people," who were not specified.

CNN reported last year that Kushner communicated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via the Facebook Inc-owned WhatsApp messaging application. 
&nbsp;

Top aides in President Donald Trump's White House, including his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will come under increased scrutiny for their use of personal emails and other unofficial messaging to conduct government affairs, a congressional oversight chairman said on Monday.

Top aides in President Donald Trump's White House, including his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, will come under increased scrutiny for their use of personal emails and other unofficial messaging to conduct government affairs, a congressional oversight chairman said on Monday. US Representative Elijah Cummings, the Democratic chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, said the panel would begin its own review of emails and other communications by the White House that he said violated federal records law. "The purpose of this investigation is to determine why White House officials used non-official email accounts, texting services and encrypted applications for official business," Cummings wrote to White House Counsel Pat Cipollone. Lawmakers will look at why records sent or received by non-official accounts were not forwarded to official accounts within 20 days as legally required, as well as whether there was a topic White House officials wanted to conceal, he said. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump pilloried his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, in the 2016 presidential campaign for her use of a private email server when she was secretary of state. He continues to refer to her emails in speeches and on Twitter. The Republican leaders of the oversight panel had also sought information on the use of non-official messaging by White House staff in 2017 and 2018. Democrats took over the panel after winning the House of Representatives in 2018 elections. Cummings said the White House had not produced any documents in response to those requests or his own previous requests, saying it was conducting an internal investigation. In March, Cummings wrote to the White House counsel with "more troubling information" about apparent violations by Kushner, Ivanka Trump and former advisers Steve Bannon and K.T. McFarland. Cummings said Kushner's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, had told lawmakers that Kushner used WhatsApp for official duties and that his wife, Ivanka, continued to use a personal email account for her White House business. Lowell, in a reply to Cummings, denied telling lawmakers that Kushner had communicated through any app with foreign "leaders" or "officials" but said Kushner had used such apps for communicating with "some people," who were not specified. CNN reported last year that Kushner communicated with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman via the Facebook Inc-owned WhatsApp messaging application.

United States Congress expands probe of White House personal email use

Iran rejected on Tuesday a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-playing-with-fire-on-nuclear-deal-trump-232172">White House accusation that Tehran</a> was long violating the terms of its nuclear deal with world powers, after the Islamic Republic said it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under the accord.

"Seriously?" foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message on social network Twitter, after a statement by White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham that said, "There is little doubt that even before the deal’s existence, Iran was violating its terms."

Tehran's announcement drew a warning from President Donald Trump that Tehran was "playing with fire."

The move marked Iran's first major step beyond the terms of the pact since the United States pulled out of it more than a year ago. However, Zarif said the move was not a violation of the accord, arguing that Tehran was exercising its right to respond to the US&nbsp;walkout.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/international-atomic-energy-agency-confirms-irans-breach-of-uranium-232180/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

The step, however, could have far-reaching consequences for diplomacy at a time when European countries are trying to pull the United States and Iran back from confrontation. It comes less than two weeks after Trump said he ordered air strikes on Iran, only to cancel them minutes before impact.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile has now passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the deal.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA), which monitors Iran's nuclear programme under the deal, confirmed in Vienna that Tehran had breached the limit.

Trump, asked if he had a message for Iran, said, "No message to Iran. They know what they're doing. They know what they'replaying with, and I think they're playing with fire. So, no message to Iran whatsoever."

European powers, which remain party to the accord and have tried to keep it in place, urged Iran not to take further steps that would violate it. But they held off on declaring the agreement void or announcing sanctions of their own.

The White House charge that Iran probably was in violation of the nuclear deal before and after it was reached in 2015 sharply contrasts with CIA Director Gina Haspel’s testimony in January to the Senate Intelligence Committee saying, "At the moment, technically, they are in compliance."

Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, said the White House charge was "illogical".

He pointed out that at the time the nuclear deal was concluded, Tehran and the IAEA agreed on a "roadmap" through which Iran is addressing the nuclear watchdog’s unanswered questions about the nuclear weapons research program that the IAEA and the US intelligence community assessed ended in 2003.

"The process is still underway," he said.

He also said there was no international standard prohibiting Iran from enriching uranium, as asserted by Pompeo. "That is not the case. That is an American position," he said.

The six UN Security Council resolutions that Pompeo asserted established that standard were superseded by Resolution 2231 enshrining the nuclear deal and allowing Iran to enrich uranium within the agreement's restrictions.

While Iran announced on Monday that it breached the deal's restriction on storing more than 300 kg (661 lb) of low-enriched uranium, Kimball said the issue would be adjudicated through the accord’s dispute resolution mechanism.

It was the United States, he said, that first violated the deal when Trump withdrew from it while Iran still was in compliance and then re-imposed harsh U.S. sanctions that had been suspended by the nuclear agreement.

Iran’s breach, he said, does not affect the deal’s central target of extending to a year the time in which Iran could "breakout" and produce enough highly enriched uranium for a warhead.

The breach is a political move aimed at pressuring the European Union, China and Russia to compensate Iran for the serious damage to its economy from US&nbsp;sanctions, he said.

Iran rejected on Tuesday a White House accusation that Tehran was long violating the terms of its nuclear deal with world powers, after the Islamic Republic said it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under the accord.

Iran rejected on Tuesday a White House accusation that Tehran was long violating the terms of its nuclear deal with world powers, after the Islamic Republic said it had amassed more low-enriched uranium than permitted under the accord. "Seriously?" foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in a message on social network Twitter, after a statement by White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham that said, "There is little doubt that even before the deal’s existence, Iran was violating its terms." Tehran's announcement drew a warning from President Donald Trump that Tehran was "playing with fire." The move marked Iran's first major step beyond the terms of the pact since the United States pulled out of it more than a year ago. However, Zarif said the move was not a violation of the accord, arguing that Tehran was exercising its right to respond to the US walkout. The step, however, could have far-reaching consequences for diplomacy at a time when European countries are trying to pull the United States and Iran back from confrontation. It comes less than two weeks after Trump said he ordered air strikes on Iran, only to cancel them minutes before impact. Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported that the country's enriched uranium stockpile has now passed the 300-kg(661 lb) limit allowed under the deal. The UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA), which monitors Iran's nuclear programme under the deal, confirmed in Vienna that Tehran had breached the limit. Trump, asked if he had a message for Iran, said, "No message to Iran. They know what they're doing. They know what they'replaying with, and I think they're playing with fire. So, no message to Iran whatsoever." European powers, which remain party to the accord and have tried to keep it in place, urged Iran not to take further steps that would violate it. But they held off on declaring the agreement void or announcing sanctions of their own. The White House charge that Iran probably was in violation of the nuclear deal before and after it was reached in 2015 sharply contrasts with CIA Director Gina Haspel’s testimony in January to the Senate Intelligence Committee saying, "At the moment, technically, they are in compliance." Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, said the White House charge was "illogical". He pointed out that at the time the nuclear deal was concluded, Tehran and the IAEA agreed on a "roadmap" through which Iran is addressing the nuclear watchdog’s unanswered questions about the nuclear weapons research program that the IAEA and the US intelligence community assessed ended in 2003. "The process is still underway," he said. He also said there was no international standard prohibiting Iran from enriching uranium, as asserted by Pompeo. "That is not the case. That is an American position," he said. The six UN Security Council resolutions that Pompeo asserted established that standard were superseded by Resolution 2231 enshrining the nuclear deal and allowing Iran to enrich uranium within the agreement's restrictions. While Iran announced on Monday that it breached the deal's restriction on storing more than 300 kg (661 lb) of low-enriched uranium, Kimball said the issue would be adjudicated through the accord’s dispute resolution mechanism. It was the United States, he said, that first violated the deal when Trump withdrew from it while Iran still was in compliance and then re-imposed harsh U.S. sanctions that had been suspended by the nuclear agreement. Iran’s breach, he said, does not affect the deal’s central target of extending to a year the time in which Iran could "breakout" and produce enough highly enriched uranium for a warhead. The breach is a political move aimed at pressuring the European Union, China and Russia to compensate Iran for the serious damage to its economy from US sanctions, he said.

Even before nuclear deal, Iran was violating terms: White House

The new White House press secretary, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stephanie-grisham-to-be-new-white-house-press-secretary-230441">Stephanie Grisham</a>, got into a brawl with North Korean officials on Sunday outside a meeting room where US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/donald-trump-meets-kim-jong-un-becomes-first-sitting-united-states-president-to-set-foot-in-north-korea-231748">Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un</a> were talking privately in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Sunday.

CNN reported citing a source at the scene saying, Grisham got in "an all-out brawl" with North Korean officials.&nbsp;

Grisham was bruised a bit in the scuffle, the source added.

Trump met Kim in the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, making him the first sitting US president to set foot in the former enemy territory.

"This is a historic moment," said Kim after Trump entered North Korea, crossing the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas.

"Stepping across that line was a great honour," Trump said, adding that his and Kim`s was a "great friendship," CNN reported.

After a handshake with Kim, Trump walked 20 steps into North Korea. He also invited Kim to the White House.

It may be noted that no North Korean leader has visited the US so far.

"I`ll invite him to the White House right now," Trump said, shortly after becoming the first sitting US President to cross into North Korea.

"It`s good to see you again. I didn`t expect to meet you at this place," said Kim.

This was the third time this year that the two leaders are coming face to face, the last meeting being in May at Hanoi.

The new White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, got into a brawl with North Korean officials on Sunday outside a meeting room where US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were talking privately in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Sunday.

The new White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, got into a brawl with North Korean officials on Sunday outside a meeting room where US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un were talking privately in the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea on Sunday. CNN reported citing a source at the scene saying, Grisham got in "an all-out brawl" with North Korean officials. Grisham was bruised a bit in the scuffle, the source added. Trump met Kim in the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, making him the first sitting US president to set foot in the former enemy territory. "This is a historic moment," said Kim after Trump entered North Korea, crossing the military demarcation line separating the two Koreas. "Stepping across that line was a great honour," Trump said, adding that his and Kim`s was a "great friendship," CNN reported. After a handshake with Kim, Trump walked 20 steps into North Korea. He also invited Kim to the White House. It may be noted that no North Korean leader has visited the US so far. "I`ll invite him to the White House right now," Trump said, shortly after becoming the first sitting US President to cross into North Korea. "It`s good to see you again. I didn`t expect to meet you at this place," said Kim. This was the third time this year that the two leaders are coming face to face, the last meeting being in May at Hanoi.

White House press secretary left all bruised after brawl with North Korea officials

White House advisor and US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump termed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-have-become-great-friends-well-work-together-in-many-ways-including-military-trump-to-pm-modi-at-g20-231285">US president's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> as a ''subsequent productive conversation.''

"We are here at the G20 in Osaka and Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe just concluded a meeting with the President talking about 5G technology, particularly with a focus on its security implication," said Ivanka Trump, in a video tweeted by the White House.

"A subsequent productive conversation, a one-on-one meeting between the President and Prime Minister Modi (was held) where the same issues were covered, of course, 5G, as well as trade relations between the United States and India, a critical trading partner, a critical security partner and a critical ally. So it was a productive discussion, everything from Iran to national security was covered by the President and the US delegation with their Indian counterparts," added the US President's daughter, who is a part of his delegation at the G-20 Summit in Osaka, Japan.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
More from President Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Modi: <a href="https://t.co/GoKa9Q4Uje">pic.twitter.com/GoKa9Q4Uje</a>
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1144673869686616064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2019</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>

Trump and PM Modi held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Summit in Osaka.

During the meeting, Trump had agreed to resolve trade issues which have been bone of contention between New Delhi-Washington ties.

"We have become great friends and our countries have never been closer...We'll work together in many ways including military," Trump said.

No discussions took place on the Indo-Russia S-400 missile defence deal, on which Washington has been raising concerns to India.

White House advisor and US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump termed US president's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ''subsequent productive conversation.

White House advisor and US President Donald Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump termed US president's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a ''subsequent productive conversation.'' "We are here at the G20 in Osaka and Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Abe just concluded a meeting with the President talking about 5G technology, particularly with a focus on its security implication," said Ivanka Trump, in a video tweeted by the White House. "A subsequent productive conversation, a one-on-one meeting between the President and Prime Minister Modi (was held) where the same issues were covered, of course, 5G, as well as trade relations between the United States and India, a critical trading partner, a critical security partner and a critical ally. So it was a productive discussion, everything from Iran to national security was covered by the President and the US delegation with their Indian counterparts," added the US President's daughter, who is a part of his delegation at the G-20 Summit in Osaka, Japan. More from President Trump's meeting with Prime Minister Modi: pic.twitter.com/GoKa9Q4Uje — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 28, 2019 × Trump and PM Modi held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Summit in Osaka. During the meeting, Trump had agreed to resolve trade issues which have been bone of contention between New Delhi-Washington ties. "We have become great friends and our countries have never been closer...We'll work together in many ways including military," Trump said. No discussions took place on the Indo-Russia S-400 missile defence deal, on which Washington has been raising concerns to India.

White House advisor Ivanka terms Trump-Modi meet as 'productive'

US President Donald Trump is set to hold much-anticipated trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Osaka at 11:30 am&nbsp;(0230 GMT) on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday quoting a&nbsp;White House spokesman.

The bilateral meeting between the head of two world's largest economy&nbsp;is likely to be the most closely watched event at the G20 summit, hosted by Japan.

The talk is&nbsp;aimed at heading off a ratcheting up of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-trade-deal-possible-with-chinas-xi-tariffs-could-be-lower-230699">US tariffs on imports</a> of consumer and other goods from China.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-donald-trump-hints-at-more-tariffs-on-chinese-goods-230715/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Trump - known for preferring one-on-one deal-making over multilateral discussions - is set to hold a total of nine bilateral meetings during his time in Japan, including one with Russian President Vladimir Putin at 2 pm&nbsp;on Friday (0500 GMT), the report added quoting&nbsp;White House spokesman Hogan Gidley who was traveling with Trump to the G20 summit.

The meetings are set to begin on Thursday when Trump lands and has dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the report added quoting Gidley.

On Friday, Trump will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and then with Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before meeting separately with Modi.

Trump also added a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday to his schedule.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump is set to hold much-anticipated trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Osaka at 11:30 am (0230 GMT) on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday quoting a White House spokesman.

US President Donald Trump is set to hold much-anticipated trade talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Osaka at 11:30 am (0230 GMT) on Saturday, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday quoting a White House spokesman. The bilateral meeting between the head of two world's largest economy is likely to be the most closely watched event at the G20 summit, hosted by Japan. The talk is aimed at heading off a ratcheting up of US tariffs on imports of consumer and other goods from China. × Trump - known for preferring one-on-one deal-making over multilateral discussions - is set to hold a total of nine bilateral meetings during his time in Japan, including one with Russian President Vladimir Putin at 2 pm on Friday (0500 GMT), the report added quoting White House spokesman Hogan Gidley who was traveling with Trump to the G20 summit. The meetings are set to begin on Thursday when Trump lands and has dinner with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, the report added quoting Gidley. On Friday, Trump will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and then with Abe and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, before meeting separately with Modi. Trump also added a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday to his schedule. (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump-Xi to hold trade talks on Saturday morning in Osaka: White House

The White House on Saturday unveiled a USD 50 billion Palestinian investment and infrastructure proposal intended to be the economic engine to power its much-anticipated but still unreleased "deal of the century" Middle East peace plan.

White House proposes $50bn Middle East peace plan in Bahrain

President Donald Trump's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kellyanne-conways-husband-says-trump-suffers-from-narcissistic-personality-disorder-204200">senior adviser Kellyanne Conway</a> will not testify before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-launches-probe-into-possible-obstruction-by-trump-200941">House of Representatives</a> Oversight Committee this week on her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, the White House told the panel's chairman on Monday.

"In accordance with long-standing precedent, we respectfully decline the invitation to make Ms Conway available for testimony before the Committee," White House legal counsel Pat Cipollone told Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings in a letter.

The 1939 Hatch Act prohibits executive branch employees from engaging in some political activities.

The Oversight Committee has said it would vote on a potential subpoena if Conway does not testify before lawmakers on Wednesday.

The hearing was scheduled after the Office of Special Counsel, a US government watchdog agency, earlier this month recommended Conway be fired for repeatedly violating the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media.

Trump has said he would not fire Conway, 52, a former political pollster who became Trump's campaign manager in 2016 and the first woman to oversee a winning US presidential campaign.

If Conway does not testify at the hearing, the Oversight Committee plans to hold a business meeting to consider authorizing a subpoena for the White House adviser for "testimony in connection with her failure to comply with the Hatch Act and ethics laws," Cummings wrote in a letter to committee members dated Friday.

House Democrats have been frustrated by the Trump administration's stonewalling of their efforts to hold senior officials to account. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Attorney General William Barr and other officials have defied subpoena requests from Democratic-led House panels in recent months.

President Donald Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway will not testify before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee this week on her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, the White House told the panel's chairman on Monday.

President Donald Trump's senior adviser Kellyanne Conway will not testify before the House of Representatives Oversight Committee this week on her alleged violations of the Hatch Act, the White House told the panel's chairman on Monday. "In accordance with long-standing precedent, we respectfully decline the invitation to make Ms Conway available for testimony before the Committee," White House legal counsel Pat Cipollone told Democratic Representative Elijah Cummings in a letter. The 1939 Hatch Act prohibits executive branch employees from engaging in some political activities. The Oversight Committee has said it would vote on a potential subpoena if Conway does not testify before lawmakers on Wednesday. The hearing was scheduled after the Office of Special Counsel, a US government watchdog agency, earlier this month recommended Conway be fired for repeatedly violating the Hatch Act by disparaging Democratic presidential candidates while speaking in her official capacity during television interviews and on social media. Trump has said he would not fire Conway, 52, a former political pollster who became Trump's campaign manager in 2016 and the first woman to oversee a winning US presidential campaign. If Conway does not testify at the hearing, the Oversight Committee plans to hold a business meeting to consider authorizing a subpoena for the White House adviser for "testimony in connection with her failure to comply with the Hatch Act and ethics laws," Cummings wrote in a letter to committee members dated Friday. House Democrats have been frustrated by the Trump administration's stonewalling of their efforts to hold senior officials to account. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Attorney General William Barr and other officials have defied subpoena requests from Democratic-led House panels in recent months.

Donald Trump aide Kellyanne Conway will not testify before Congress: White House

The first stage of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-economy-first-approach-to-mideast-peace-built-on-big-money-projects-229587">Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan</a> will be launched on Tuesday at a conference the White House touts as a bid to begin drumming up $50 billion in investment but which Palestinians deride as an "economy first" approach doomed to fail.

The two-day international meeting in Bahrain, led by Trump’s son-in-law, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jared-kushner-visits-middle-east-to-press-us-peace-plan-222381">Jared Kushner</a>, has been billed as the first part of Washington's long-delayed broader political blueprint to revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which will be unveiled at a later date.

But neither the Israeli nor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/even-if-netanyahu-goes-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-will-continue-204653">Palestinian governments</a> will attend the curtain-raising event in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

There will be close scrutiny as to whether attendees such as Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf Arab states show any interest in making actual donations to a US plan that has already elicited bitter criticism from Palestinians and many others in the Arab world.

Bahrain, a close American ally and home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has been making preparations for weeks.

Although the conference is supposed to focus on economics, Gulf Arab states hope their presence will also show their solidarity with the Trump administration over its hardline against Iran, a senior Gulf diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

Under the plan, donor nations and investors would contribute about $50 billion over 10 years, with $28 billion going to the Palestinian territories - the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip - as well as $7.5 billion to Jordan, $9 billion to Egypt and $6 billion for Lebanon.

Among 179 proposed infrastructure and business, projects is a $5 billion transport corridor to connect the West Bank and Gaza.

"I laugh when they attack this as the ‘deal of the century,’" Kushner told Reuters, referring to the lofty nickname that Trump’s peace plan has assumed over the past two years.

"This is going to be the ‘opportunity of the century’ if they have the courage to pursue it."

Kushner, a senior Trump adviser who like his father-in-law comes from the world of New York real estate, is presenting his plan in a pair of pamphlets filled with graphs and statistics that resemble an investment prospectus.

But pushing back against critics who accuse Kushner of trying to forge a strictly “economic peace,” he told Reuters last week: “A lot of past attempts have failed. Calm down ... and keep an open mind.”

Peace to Prosperity

Even so, expectations for success are low. The Trump team concedes that the economic plan - billed "Peace to Prosperity" - will be implemented only if a political solution to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts is reached.

Any such solution would have to settle long-standing issues such as the status of Jerusalem, mutually agreed borders, satisfying Israel's security concerns and Palestinian demands for statehood, and the fate of Israel's settlements and military presence in territory Palestinians want to build that state.

In an interview with Al Jazeera set to air on Tuesday, Kushner offered a rare glimpse into the possible political contours of the plan, saying a deal would not adhere to the Arab Peace Initiative, a Saudi-led plan that has been the Arab consensus on the necessary elements for a Palestinian deal since 2002.

"I think we all have to recognise that if there ever is a deal, it's not going to be along the lines of the Arab Peace Initiative. It will be somewhere between the Arab Peace Initiative and between the Israeli position," Kushner told Al Jazeera.

The Arab Peace Initiative offers Israel normal ties with the Arab world in exchange for a Palestinian state drawn along borders that predate Israel's capture of territory in a 1967 war and a fair solution for Palestinian refugees. Israel has rejected some of the initiative's main provisions.

Hanging over the entire initiative are persistent questions about whether the Trump team plans to abandon the "two-state solution," a long-standing principle of Middle East peacemaking that involves the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

But the Trump team has consistently refused to commit to it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close Trump ally, has his own domestic problems, facing an election, and possible corruption charges after a long-running police investigation. He denies any wrongdoing.

"We'll hear the American proposition, hear it fairly and with openness," Netanyahu said on Sunday. Although no Israeli government ministers will attend, an Israeli business delegation is expected.

Palestinian leaders have boycotted the workshop, and are refusing to engage with the White House - accusing it of pro-Israel bias after a series of recent Trump decisions. Kushner told Reuters that "some" Palestinian businessmen would be present.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was scathing about its prospects of success.

"Money is important. The economy is important. But politics are more important. The political solution is more important," he said.

Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, has found itself in rare agreement with its arch-rival Abbas. "The Palestinian people only and no one else can represent the Palestinian cause," Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said.

Kushner insists, however, that the economic plan is intended to help draw Palestinians back to the negotiating table by showcasing the benefits a peace deal could bring.

Kushner said that even without the Israeli and Palestinian governments represented, the presence of Israeli business executives and journalists with their Arab counterparts would be significant at a time of rising tensions with Iran.

"People realize that the real threat to that region is Iran and their aggression, and Israel and a lot of the other Arab states have a lot more in common today than they did before," he said.

David Makovsky, a Washington-based Middle East expert, agreed that although the principal focus of the event was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "Iran is higher on the chain of interest right now."

However, Makovsky, whom the White House has invited as an observer, said of the Trump-Kushner plan: "No one believes you can solve this thing economically without addressing the political issues."

The first stage of President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan will be launched on Tuesday at a conference the White House touts as a bid to begin drumming up $50 billion in investment but which Palestinians deride as an "economy first" approach doomed to fail.

The first stage of President Donald Trump's Middle East peace plan will be launched on Tuesday at a conference the White House touts as a bid to begin drumming up $50 billion in investment but which Palestinians deride as an "economy first" approach doomed to fail. The two-day international meeting in Bahrain, led by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has been billed as the first part of Washington's long-delayed broader political blueprint to revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, which will be unveiled at a later date. But neither the Israeli nor Palestinian governments will attend the curtain-raising event in the Bahraini capital, Manama. There will be close scrutiny as to whether attendees such as Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf Arab states show any interest in making actual donations to a US plan that has already elicited bitter criticism from Palestinians and many others in the Arab world. Bahrain, a close American ally and home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, has been making preparations for weeks. Although the conference is supposed to focus on economics, Gulf Arab states hope their presence will also show their solidarity with the Trump administration over its hardline against Iran, a senior Gulf diplomat said on condition of anonymity. Under the plan, donor nations and investors would contribute about $50 billion over 10 years, with $28 billion going to the Palestinian territories - the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip - as well as $7.5 billion to Jordan, $9 billion to Egypt and $6 billion for Lebanon. Among 179 proposed infrastructure and business, projects is a $5 billion transport corridor to connect the West Bank and Gaza. "I laugh when they attack this as the ‘deal of the century,’" Kushner told Reuters, referring to the lofty nickname that Trump’s peace plan has assumed over the past two years. "This is going to be the ‘opportunity of the century’ if they have the courage to pursue it." Kushner, a senior Trump adviser who like his father-in-law comes from the world of New York real estate, is presenting his plan in a pair of pamphlets filled with graphs and statistics that resemble an investment prospectus. But pushing back against critics who accuse Kushner of trying to forge a strictly “economic peace,” he told Reuters last week: “A lot of past attempts have failed. Calm down ... and keep an open mind.” Peace to Prosperity Even so, expectations for success are low. The Trump team concedes that the economic plan - billed "Peace to Prosperity" - will be implemented only if a political solution to one of the world’s most intractable conflicts is reached. Any such solution would have to settle long-standing issues such as the status of Jerusalem, mutually agreed borders, satisfying Israel's security concerns and Palestinian demands for statehood, and the fate of Israel's settlements and military presence in territory Palestinians want to build that state. In an interview with Al Jazeera set to air on Tuesday, Kushner offered a rare glimpse into the possible political contours of the plan, saying a deal would not adhere to the Arab Peace Initiative, a Saudi-led plan that has been the Arab consensus on the necessary elements for a Palestinian deal since 2002. "I think we all have to recognise that if there ever is a deal, it's not going to be along the lines of the Arab Peace Initiative. It will be somewhere between the Arab Peace Initiative and between the Israeli position," Kushner told Al Jazeera. The Arab Peace Initiative offers Israel normal ties with the Arab world in exchange for a Palestinian state drawn along borders that predate Israel's capture of territory in a 1967 war and a fair solution for Palestinian refugees. Israel has rejected some of the initiative's main provisions. Hanging over the entire initiative are persistent questions about whether the Trump team plans to abandon the "two-state solution," a long-standing principle of Middle East peacemaking that involves the creation of an independent Palestinian state. But the Trump team has consistently refused to commit to it. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close Trump ally, has his own domestic problems, facing an election, and possible corruption charges after a long-running police investigation. He denies any wrongdoing. "We'll hear the American proposition, hear it fairly and with openness," Netanyahu said on Sunday. Although no Israeli government ministers will attend, an Israeli business delegation is expected. Palestinian leaders have boycotted the workshop, and are refusing to engage with the White House - accusing it of pro-Israel bias after a series of recent Trump decisions. Kushner told Reuters that "some" Palestinian businessmen would be present. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, was scathing about its prospects of success. "Money is important. The economy is important. But politics are more important. The political solution is more important," he said. Hamas, the Islamist militant group that controls Gaza, has found itself in rare agreement with its arch-rival Abbas. "The Palestinian people only and no one else can represent the Palestinian cause," Hamas official Mushir al-Masri said. Kushner insists, however, that the economic plan is intended to help draw Palestinians back to the negotiating table by showcasing the benefits a peace deal could bring. Kushner said that even without the Israeli and Palestinian governments represented, the presence of Israeli business executives and journalists with their Arab counterparts would be significant at a time of rising tensions with Iran. "People realize that the real threat to that region is Iran and their aggression, and Israel and a lot of the other Arab states have a lot more in common today than they did before," he said. David Makovsky, a Washington-based Middle East expert, agreed that although the principal focus of the event was the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, "Iran is higher on the chain of interest right now." However, Makovsky, whom the White House has invited as an observer, said of the Trump-Kushner plan: "No one believes you can solve this thing economically without addressing the political issues."

In Bahrain, United States to launch economic part of Mideast peace plan amid skepticism

One nominee was flagged for his relationship with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-russia-election-probe-amounted-to-treason-206153">Russia</a>, another for his alleged ties to white supremacist groups, and several others for criticizing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-rally-trump-says-russia-probe-backers-tried-to-steal-power-illegally-206396">Donald Trump</a> before he became US president.

These are the revelations from a trove of vetting documents published by the news site Axios on Sunday that examine the backgrounds of people considered for, and whom in some cases received, appointments to Trump's administration after his 2017 inauguration.

The documents show that the Trump administration was well aware of allegations of inappropriate relationships that dogged some of his initial cabinet members, many of whom have since resigned or been forced out.

Energy executive Rex Tillerson's relationship with Russia was said to "go deep," but he was nonetheless made Secretary of State, a position he held until Trump fired him last year.

And the administration was well aware of the "allegations of cosiness with big energy companies" surrounding former Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, but Trump still named him chief of the Environmental Protection Agency.&nbsp;

Pruitt resigned last July following a series of ethics scandals.

Axios did not publish the dossiers in full but described them as "political vetting forms" that were standard for top White House officials.

The trove also includes the dossiers of a host of people who didn't get the jobs they were considered for but nonetheless stayed close to Trump.

A document on the "foreign entanglements" of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, compiled as part of his vetting for Secretary of State, ran 25 pages. He didn't get the job but is now Trump's personal lawyer.

Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach had "white supremacy" flagged as a vulnerability when he was being vetted for homeland security chief based on allegations from political opponents.&nbsp;

Trump didn't end up nominating him for that job but later tasked Kobach with investigating alleged voter fraud.

While he's well-known for hitting back at his critics, the documents show that Trump also hired people who had previously made critical comments about him.

Mick Mulvaney once called Trump "not a very good person," but today he is the White House's chief of staff.

One nominee was flagged for his relationship with Russia, another for his alleged ties to white supremacist groups, and several others for criticizing Donald Trump before he became US president.

One nominee was flagged for his relationship with Russia, another for his alleged ties to white supremacist groups, and several others for criticizing Donald Trump before he became US president. These are the revelations from a trove of vetting documents published by the news site Axios on Sunday that examine the backgrounds of people considered for, and whom in some cases received, appointments to Trump's administration after his 2017 inauguration. The documents show that the Trump administration was well aware of allegations of inappropriate relationships that dogged some of his initial cabinet members, many of whom have since resigned or been forced out. Energy executive Rex Tillerson's relationship with Russia was said to "go deep," but he was nonetheless made Secretary of State, a position he held until Trump fired him last year. And the administration was well aware of the "allegations of cosiness with big energy companies" surrounding former Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, but Trump still named him chief of the Environmental Protection Agency. Pruitt resigned last July following a series of ethics scandals. Axios did not publish the dossiers in full but described them as "political vetting forms" that were standard for top White House officials. The trove also includes the dossiers of a host of people who didn't get the jobs they were considered for but nonetheless stayed close to Trump. A document on the "foreign entanglements" of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, compiled as part of his vetting for Secretary of State, ran 25 pages. He didn't get the job but is now Trump's personal lawyer. Former Kansas secretary of state Kris Kobach had "white supremacy" flagged as a vulnerability when he was being vetted for homeland security chief based on allegations from political opponents. Trump didn't end up nominating him for that job but later tasked Kobach with investigating alleged voter fraud. While he's well-known for hitting back at his critics, the documents show that Trump also hired people who had previously made critical comments about him. Mick Mulvaney once called Trump "not a very good person," but today he is the White House's chief of staff.

Leaked documents show 'red flags' of Donald Trump officials

An advice columnist for Elle fashion magazine said in an account published Friday that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-a-dozen-women-publicly-detail-sexual-allegations-against-president-trump-26536">Donald Trump sexually assaulted her</a> in the dressing room of a New York department store more than two decades ago.

Trump reacted with a statement saying he'd never met his accuser, E. Jean Carroll, and that the incident "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-denies-accusations-of-sexual-misconduct-attacks-democrats-26585">never happened</a>."

According to Carroll, the rape occurred in either 1995 or 1996, when Trump was a prominent real estate developer and she was a well-known magazine writer and host of a television show.

The account, revealed in an excerpt of Carroll's latest book and published Friday by New York magazine, makes her at least the 16th woman to have accused Trump of sexual misconduct before he became president.

Carroll, 75, says she ran into Trump at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan while they were both shopping.

She says that in an initially friendly encounter, Trump asked her for advice on buying a piece of lingerie for an unnamed woman. Then jokingly, they each suggested that the other should try it on.

"The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips," Carroll wrote.

Pinning her against the wall, Carroll says, Trump proceeded to pull down her tights, unzip his pants and penetrate her -- all while himself fully dressed -- until she finally managed to push him out and run from the dressing room.

Carroll never went to the police because, she said, she was afraid of repercussions.

Carroll wrote that she did not come forward sooner because she was afraid of "receiving death threats, being driven from my home, being dismissed, being dragged through the mud."

"Joining the 15 women who've come forward with credible stories about how the man grabbed, badgered, belittled, mauled, molested and assaulted them, only to see the man turn it around, deny, threaten, and attack them, never sounded like much fun," she wrote.

Trump shot back that Carroll was an attention seeker.

"I've never met this person in my life. She is trying to sell a new book --that should indicate her motivation," he said in a statement. "It should be sold in the fiction section."

He also said that New York magazine is a "dying publication" and had tried to "prop itself up by peddling fake news."

The magazine quoted a senior White House official saying that the accusation "was created simply to make the president look bad," while Trump asked if Carroll had links to his opponents in the Democratic party.

An advice columnist for Elle fashion magazine said in an account published Friday that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a New York department store more than two decades ago.

An advice columnist for Elle fashion magazine said in an account published Friday that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a New York department store more than two decades ago. Trump reacted with a statement saying he'd never met his accuser, E. Jean Carroll, and that the incident "never happened." According to Carroll, the rape occurred in either 1995 or 1996, when Trump was a prominent real estate developer and she was a well-known magazine writer and host of a television show. The account, revealed in an excerpt of Carroll's latest book and published Friday by New York magazine, makes her at least the 16th woman to have accused Trump of sexual misconduct before he became president. Carroll, 75, says she ran into Trump at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan while they were both shopping. She says that in an initially friendly encounter, Trump asked her for advice on buying a piece of lingerie for an unnamed woman. Then jokingly, they each suggested that the other should try it on. "The moment the dressing-room door is closed, he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips," Carroll wrote. Pinning her against the wall, Carroll says, Trump proceeded to pull down her tights, unzip his pants and penetrate her -- all while himself fully dressed -- until she finally managed to push him out and run from the dressing room. Carroll never went to the police because, she said, she was afraid of repercussions. Carroll wrote that she did not come forward sooner because she was afraid of "receiving death threats, being driven from my home, being dismissed, being dragged through the mud." "Joining the 15 women who've come forward with credible stories about how the man grabbed, badgered, belittled, mauled, molested and assaulted them, only to see the man turn it around, deny, threaten, and attack them, never sounded like much fun," she wrote. Trump shot back that Carroll was an attention seeker. "I've never met this person in my life. She is trying to sell a new book --that should indicate her motivation," he said in a statement. "It should be sold in the fiction section." He also said that New York magazine is a "dying publication" and had tried to "prop itself up by peddling fake news." The magazine quoted a senior White House official saying that the accusation "was created simply to make the president look bad," while Trump asked if Carroll had links to his opponents in the Democratic party.

US writer says Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in mid-1990s

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported.

Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/patrick-shanahan-withdraws-from-consideration-to-be-us-defence-secretary-228501">Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration</a> for the role this week, citing family concerns.

Trump also said he plans to nominate David Norquist, who currently serves as the Pentagon's comptroller, to be deputy defence secretary.

Esper, who is yet to be confirmed by the Senate, is the third man to lead the Pentagon in last six months.&nbsp;

He replaces Shanahan who was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump.&nbsp;

Unlike Shanahan, who had no military experience, 55-year-old Esper served in the 1991 Gulf War as part of the famous 101st Airborne Division of the US Army.

Esper had been a senior executive at the Raytheon defence firm for seven years when he was tapped by Trump to be Army Secretary in 2017.

Meanwhile, as acting Secretary&nbsp;Esper will make his international debut as he&nbsp;will travel to the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels later this week.

"The focus of his meetings will be reinforcing the US commitment to strengthening the NATO alliance, ensuring more equitable burden sharing, bolstering NATO readiness and addressing regional security issues," the statement said.

The meeting comes as NATO grapples with a dispute between alliance members the United States and Turkey over Ankara's decision to purchase a Russian air defence system.

(With inputs from agencies)

 
&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported. Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration for the role this week, citing family concerns.

The United States President Donald Trump has nominated Mark Esper to be the Secretary of Defence, the White House said late Friday, news agency AFP reported. Esper, who is Secretary of the Army, was named acting Pentagon chief after Patrick Shanahan withdrew his name from consideration for the role this week, citing family concerns. Trump also said he plans to nominate David Norquist, who currently serves as the Pentagon's comptroller, to be deputy defence secretary. Esper, who is yet to be confirmed by the Senate, is the third man to lead the Pentagon in last six months. He replaces Shanahan who was thrust into the role in an acting capacity in January after Jim Mattis abruptly resigned over policy differences with Trump. Unlike Shanahan, who had no military experience, 55-year-old Esper served in the 1991 Gulf War as part of the famous 101st Airborne Division of the US Army. Esper had been a senior executive at the Raytheon defence firm for seven years when he was tapped by Trump to be Army Secretary in 2017. Meanwhile, as acting Secretary Esper will make his international debut as he will travel to the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting in Brussels later this week. "The focus of his meetings will be reinforcing the US commitment to strengthening the NATO alliance, ensuring more equitable burden sharing, bolstering NATO readiness and addressing regional security issues," the statement said. The meeting comes as NATO grapples with a dispute between alliance members the United States and Turkey over Ankara's decision to purchase a Russian air defence system. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump nominates Mark Esper as Secretary of Defence: White House

Last-minute Iran strike reversal showcases Trump's confusion on war

Amidst new peace overtures from the Imran Khan government after the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has made it clear to Pakistan that the onus for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mike-pompeo-discusses-indo-pak-situation-with-british-national-security-advisor-202169">sustained peace in South Asia</a> was on it by putting the terror groups out of business.

Khan has <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistans-imran-khan-writes-to-pm-modi-seeks-to-maintain-peaceful-neighbourhood-225327">written a second letter to Prime Minister Modi</a> after his re-election, saying that Pakistan wants talks with India to resolve all differences, including on the Kashmir issue.

The Pakistani premier said talks between the two nations were the only solution to help both countries' people overcome poverty and that it was important to work together for regional development.

However, India has rejected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/strengthen-security-along-indo-pak-border-ahead-of-amarnath-yatra-dgp-dilbag-singh-224044">Pakistan's offer of talks</a>, maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together and said that no bilateral meeting has been planned between the two premiers on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on June 13-14.

What the United States is really looking for in Pakistan are arrests and prosecutions and not allowing these groups to operate and move around freely, acquire weapons, cross into India, carry out attacks, a senior White House official told this week.

The United States is looking for sustained and irreversible steps that shut down their operations, asserted the official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Until these groups are put out of business, it's going to be very difficult for India and Pakistan to achieve a sustained peace. So the onus is on Pakistan to ensure that they crack down on these groups, said the White House official responding to a question on the US assessment of the Indo-Pak tension.

A senior State Department official said that in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack, the US has seen Pakistan taking some initial actions against designated terrorist organisations and more steps to enhance counter terrorism financing measures.

We welcome those steps, the official said.

We have always agreed that the underlying causes of the tensions between India and Pakistan needed to be addressed and the underlying tension has been the role of terrorist forces that have sanctuary on Pakistani soil. So we certainly encourage the creation of an environment that will lead to a dialogue, the official said.

Pakistan needs to take practical steps to demonstrate that it is countering terrorist financing and extremists that are located on their territory, a senior State Department Official told reporters last week.

Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups.

In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).&nbsp;

Amidst new peace overtures from the Imran Khan government after the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has made it clear to Pakistan that the onus for sustained peace in South Asia was on it by putting the terror groups out of business.

Amidst new peace overtures from the Imran Khan government after the re-election of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House has made it clear to Pakistan that the onus for sustained peace in South Asia was on it by putting the terror groups out of business. Khan has written a second letter to Prime Minister Modi after his re-election, saying that Pakistan wants talks with India to resolve all differences, including on the Kashmir issue. The Pakistani premier said talks between the two nations were the only solution to help both countries' people overcome poverty and that it was important to work together for regional development. However, India has rejected Pakistan's offer of talks, maintaining that terror and talks cannot go together and said that no bilateral meeting has been planned between the two premiers on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek on June 13-14. What the United States is really looking for in Pakistan are arrests and prosecutions and not allowing these groups to operate and move around freely, acquire weapons, cross into India, carry out attacks, a senior White House official told this week. The United States is looking for sustained and irreversible steps that shut down their operations, asserted the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Until these groups are put out of business, it's going to be very difficult for India and Pakistan to achieve a sustained peace. So the onus is on Pakistan to ensure that they crack down on these groups, said the White House official responding to a question on the US assessment of the Indo-Pak tension. A senior State Department official said that in the wake of the Pulwama terrorist attack, the US has seen Pakistan taking some initial actions against designated terrorist organisations and more steps to enhance counter terrorism financing measures. We welcome those steps, the official said. We have always agreed that the underlying causes of the tensions between India and Pakistan needed to be addressed and the underlying tension has been the role of terrorist forces that have sanctuary on Pakistani soil. So we certainly encourage the creation of an environment that will lead to a dialogue, the official said. Pakistan needs to take practical steps to demonstrate that it is countering terrorist financing and extremists that are located on their territory, a senior State Department Official told reporters last week. Paris-based international terror financing watchdog FATF in June last year placed Pakistan onto its watch list in a bid to push the country to halt support for militant groups. In February, the FATF decided to continue the 'Grey' listing of Pakistan for its failure to stop funding of terrorist groups such as the JeM, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

Onus for Indo-Pak peace on Pakistan: White House

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with President Donald Trump next month as the country continues to endure the two-year economic squeeze from its US-backed Gulf Arab rivals, the White House announced Friday.

The emir will meet Trump in Washington on July 9 for talks on regional politics, security and counterterrorism cooperation, according to the announcement, amid a US effort to build pressure on Gulf power Iran.

"The visit will build on the longstanding partnership between the United States and Qatar and further strengthen our already substantial economic and security ties," the White House said.

Washington has sought to keep up relations with Qatar, an oil-and-gas-rich state which has maintained cordial relations with Tehran even as other Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia have cooperated with Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran.

For two years Saudi Arabia and its allies the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have barred Qatari flights from their airports and airspace, banned most Qatari visitors, cut trade and shipping links, and closed their borders, unhappy about Doha's insistence on maintaining its own approach to regional relations.

Washington was less than enthusiastic about the embargo on Qatar, which hosts two US military bases and the forward headquarters of the US Central Command, which oversees the Pentagon's operations across the Middle East.

Qatar is also slated to take part in the June 25-26 Bahrain conference on the Trump administration's Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative, where Washington hopes to raise financial pledges to support the Palestinian economy.

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with President Donald Trump next month as the country continues to endure the two-year economic squeeze from its US-backed Gulf Arab rivals, the White House announced Friday.

Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will meet with President Donald Trump next month as the country continues to endure the two-year economic squeeze from its US-backed Gulf Arab rivals, the White House announced Friday. The emir will meet Trump in Washington on July 9 for talks on regional politics, security and counterterrorism cooperation, according to the announcement, amid a US effort to build pressure on Gulf power Iran. "The visit will build on the longstanding partnership between the United States and Qatar and further strengthen our already substantial economic and security ties," the White House said. Washington has sought to keep up relations with Qatar, an oil-and-gas-rich state which has maintained cordial relations with Tehran even as other Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia have cooperated with Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran. For two years Saudi Arabia and its allies the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt have barred Qatari flights from their airports and airspace, banned most Qatari visitors, cut trade and shipping links, and closed their borders, unhappy about Doha's insistence on maintaining its own approach to regional relations. Washington was less than enthusiastic about the embargo on Qatar, which hosts two US military bases and the forward headquarters of the US Central Command, which oversees the Pentagon's operations across the Middle East. Qatar is also slated to take part in the June 25-26 Bahrain conference on the Trump administration's Israeli-Palestinian peace initiative, where Washington hopes to raise financial pledges to support the Palestinian economy.

Qatar emir to visit White House amid Gulf tensions

The United States intends to apply punitive <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-mulling-over-declaring-new-emergency-for-imposing-tariffs-on-mexico-225116">tariffs on imports from Mexico</a> on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday.

"Our position hasn't changed," Sanders told reporters heading on Air Force One to Shannon, Ireland, as President Donald Trump wrapped up a week-long trip to Europe.

"They've made a lot of progress," she said. "The meetings have gone well, but as of now we're still on track for tariffs on Monday."

Sanders' comments came after two days of crunch talks in Washington by top officials from both countries to head off the tariffs, which could deal a stunning blow to the Mexican economy.

The Trump administration has demanded Mexico take tough action to halt the flow of hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants towards the United States, insisting it down its border with Guatemala and agree to let asylum seekers register their claims inside Mexico.

Last week Trump announced that starting from Monday, June 10, a five per cent tariff would be applied to all goods from export-dependent Mexico, rising by five percentage points each month to a high of 25 per cent, until US demands on migrant controls were satisfied.

On Thursday Mexico scrambled to appease Washington, agreeing to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops to its southern border, blocking a new migrant caravan and freezing the bank accounts of suspected human traffickers.

But it appeared there was no agreement between Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and US negotiators led by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the asylum question.

"We have been working this afternoon, we still do not have an agreement," Ebrard said Thursday as talks wrapped for the day.&nbsp;

"Tomorrow we have another session in the morning and we will continue forward."

The United States intends to apply punitive tariffs on imports from Mexico on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday.

The United States intends to apply punitive tariffs on imports from Mexico on Monday despite progress in talks on stemming migration, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Friday. "Our position hasn't changed," Sanders told reporters heading on Air Force One to Shannon, Ireland, as President Donald Trump wrapped up a week-long trip to Europe. "They've made a lot of progress," she said. "The meetings have gone well, but as of now we're still on track for tariffs on Monday." Sanders' comments came after two days of crunch talks in Washington by top officials from both countries to head off the tariffs, which could deal a stunning blow to the Mexican economy. The Trump administration has demanded Mexico take tough action to halt the flow of hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants towards the United States, insisting it down its border with Guatemala and agree to let asylum seekers register their claims inside Mexico. Last week Trump announced that starting from Monday, June 10, a five per cent tariff would be applied to all goods from export-dependent Mexico, rising by five percentage points each month to a high of 25 per cent, until US demands on migrant controls were satisfied. On Thursday Mexico scrambled to appease Washington, agreeing to deploy 6,000 National Guard troops to its southern border, blocking a new migrant caravan and freezing the bank accounts of suspected human traffickers. But it appeared there was no agreement between Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard and US negotiators led by Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on the asylum question. "We have been working this afternoon, we still do not have an agreement," Ebrard said Thursday as talks wrapped for the day. "Tomorrow we have another session in the morning and we will continue forward."

Mexico tariffs on track to take effect Monday: White House

"America&nbsp;First&nbsp;is a fallacy," <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-more-white-collar-theft-mexico-orders-end-to-corporate-tax-breaks-220257">Mexican&nbsp;President&nbsp;Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador </a>told US&nbsp;President&nbsp;Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in a letter on Thursday, responding to a White House announced it was imposing a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-plans-5-tariff-on-mexican-imports-over-illegal-immigration-222998"> blanket 5%&nbsp;tariff&nbsp;on all goods from Mexico</a> from June 10.

Lopez Obrador said he wanted to avoid confrontation with the United States, and that ideals such as justice and universal brotherhood were more important than borders.

The Mexican&nbsp;president&nbsp;also ordered his foreign minister to travel to Washington on Friday.

US President Donald Trump, struggling to stem a surge of illegal immigrants across the southern border, vowed on Thursday to impose a tariff on all goods coming from Mexico starting at 5 per cent&nbsp;and ratcheting higher until the flow of border-crossers ceases.

Trump said in a statement that the tariffs would start at 5 per cent&nbsp;on June 10 then go to 10 per cent&nbsp;on July 1, 15 per cent&nbsp;on August&nbsp;1, 20 per cent&nbsp;on September&nbsp;1 and go up to 25 per cent&nbsp;on October&nbsp;1 unless Mexico takes steps to stop the surge.

Trump's move was a dramatic escalation of his battle to control a tide of illegal immigrants that has increased despite his efforts to build a border wall and take other steps.

The US&nbsp;officials said 80,000 people are being held in custody with an average of 4,500 arriving daily.

"If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the tariffs will be removed," Trump said.

"America First is a fallacy," Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told US President Donald Trump in a letter on Thursday, responding to a White House announced it was imposing a blanket 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico from June 10.

"America First is a fallacy," Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told US President Donald Trump in a letter on Thursday, responding to a White House announced it was imposing a blanket 5% tariff on all goods from Mexico from June 10. Lopez Obrador said he wanted to avoid confrontation with the United States, and that ideals such as justice and universal brotherhood were more important than borders. The Mexican president also ordered his foreign minister to travel to Washington on Friday. US President Donald Trump, struggling to stem a surge of illegal immigrants across the southern border, vowed on Thursday to impose a tariff on all goods coming from Mexico starting at 5 per cent and ratcheting higher until the flow of border-crossers ceases. Trump said in a statement that the tariffs would start at 5 per cent on June 10 then go to 10 per cent on July 1, 15 per cent on August 1, 20 per cent on September 1 and go up to 25 per cent on October 1 unless Mexico takes steps to stop the surge. Trump's move was a dramatic escalation of his battle to control a tide of illegal immigrants that has increased despite his efforts to build a border wall and take other steps. The US officials said 80,000 people are being held in custody with an average of 4,500 arriving daily. "If the illegal migration crisis is alleviated through effective actions taken by Mexico, to be determined in our sole discretion and judgment, the tariffs will be removed," Trump said.

'America First is a fallacy,' Mexico's president responds to Trump tariff

Qatar said on Friday that economic development needed for Israeli-Palestinian peace could not be achieved without "fair political solutions" acceptable to Palestinians, referring to a US plan set to be unveiled next month.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kushner-hopes-israel-will-look-at-peace-plan-before-any-west-bank-moves-215573">White House </a>will lay out the first part of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-team-prepares-mideast-plan-palestinians-face-financial-crisis-215034">President Donald Trump's </a>long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June.

The plan, touted by Trump as the "deal of the century," is expected to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Arab donor countries before grappling with thorny political issues at the heart of the conflict.

Palestinian officials have rebuked the US&nbsp;effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favour of Israel.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, commented on the upcoming conference,&nbsp;&nbsp;"Tackling these challenges requires sincerity of intent, concerted efforts from regional and international players and appropriate political conditions for economic prosperity."

"These conditions would not be achieved without fair political solutions to the issues of the peoples of the region, especially the Palestinian issue, in accordance with a framework acceptable to the brotherly Palestinian people," the statement said.

Qatar, a close US ally and home to its largest Middle East air base, has poured millions of dollars into the impoverished Gaza strip over the past year to boost its ailing economy, and this month pledged an additional $480 million to support both Gaza and the West Bank.

The tiny Gulf state has not said whether it will attend the June 25-26 conference in Manama, which is expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers.

Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war.

Trump's Middle East team, led by his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that are widely endorsed internationally.

Qatar said on Friday that economic development needed for Israeli-Palestinian peace could not be achieved without "fair political solutions" acceptable to Palestinians, referring to a US plan set to be unveiled next month.

Qatar said on Friday that economic development needed for Israeli-Palestinian peace could not be achieved without "fair political solutions" acceptable to Palestinians, referring to a US plan set to be unveiled next month. The White House will lay out the first part of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June. The plan, touted by Trump as the "deal of the century," is expected to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip by Arab donor countries before grappling with thorny political issues at the heart of the conflict. Palestinian officials have rebuked the US effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favour of Israel. Qatar's Foreign Ministry, in a statement, commented on the upcoming conference, "Tackling these challenges requires sincerity of intent, concerted efforts from regional and international players and appropriate political conditions for economic prosperity." "These conditions would not be achieved without fair political solutions to the issues of the peoples of the region, especially the Palestinian issue, in accordance with a framework acceptable to the brotherly Palestinian people," the statement said. Qatar, a close US ally and home to its largest Middle East air base, has poured millions of dollars into the impoverished Gaza strip over the past year to boost its ailing economy, and this month pledged an additional $480 million to support both Gaza and the West Bank. The tiny Gulf state has not said whether it will attend the June 25-26 conference in Manama, which is expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers. Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Trump's Middle East team, led by his senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that are widely endorsed internationally.

Qatar says economic conditions for Israeli-Palestinian peace require 'fair political solutions'

The Trump administration must temporarily halt the use of some Defence Department funds for a border wall with Mexico, a judge ruled on Friday, because the money was not specifically authorised by Congress for construction of the barrier.

The order blocks the use of $1 billion from the Department of Defence in Arizona and Texas, out of $6.7 billion that Trump administration said it planned to direct toward building the wall.

"The position that when Congress declines the Executive's request to appropriate funds, the Executive nonetheless may simply find a way to spend those funds 'without Congress' does not square with the fundamental separation of powers principles dating back to the earliest days of our Republic," Haywood Gilliam Jr, a US judge in California, wrote in the order.

Separately, Gilliam denied a preliminary injunction against the border wall sought by a coalition of sixteen states but said they could move forward with their case.

Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security, Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump has said the wall is needed to address a crisis of drugs and crime flowing across the border into the United States.

The ruling adds to Trump's frustrations with federal court orders blocking his initiatives for cutting illegal immigration, a policy area he will focus on in his 2020 re-election bid.

In February, after a protracted political battle and a government shutdown, Congress approved $1.38 billion for construction of "primary pedestrian fencing" along the border in southeastern Texas, well short of Trump's demands.

To obtain the additional money, Trump declared a national emergency and his administration said it planned to divert $601 million from a Treasury Department forfeiture fund, $2.5 billion earmarked for Department of Defense counternarcotics programs and $3.6 billion from military construction projects.

The House of Representatives, more than a dozen states and two advocacy groups asked US District Court Judge Haywood Gilliam in Oakland, California to block the transfer of funds to prevent the wall construction.

They argue the administration cannot use funds Congress has specifically denied and cannot construct a barrier that was not authorized, nor can the administration work outside the geographic area identified by Congress.

"This is a win for our system of checks and balances, the rule of law, and border communities," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted.

The wall funding faced another court challenge on Thursday, in a case brought by the House of Representatives in a federal court in the District of Columbia. The lawmakers have said the diversion of $6.1 billion in Defense Department funds violates the separation of powers doctrine laid out in the US Constitution.

The Trump administration must temporarily halt the use of some Defence Department funds for a border wall with Mexico, a judge ruled on Friday, because the money was not specifically authorised by Congress for construction of the barrier.

The Trump administration must temporarily halt the use of some Defence Department funds for a border wall with Mexico, a judge ruled on Friday, because the money was not specifically authorised by Congress for construction of the barrier. The order blocks the use of $1 billion from the Department of Defence in Arizona and Texas, out of $6.7 billion that Trump administration said it planned to direct toward building the wall. "The position that when Congress declines the Executive's request to appropriate funds, the Executive nonetheless may simply find a way to spend those funds 'without Congress' does not square with the fundamental separation of powers principles dating back to the earliest days of our Republic," Haywood Gilliam Jr, a US judge in California, wrote in the order. Separately, Gilliam denied a preliminary injunction against the border wall sought by a coalition of sixteen states but said they could move forward with their case. Spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security, Pentagon and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trump has said the wall is needed to address a crisis of drugs and crime flowing across the border into the United States. The ruling adds to Trump's frustrations with federal court orders blocking his initiatives for cutting illegal immigration, a policy area he will focus on in his 2020 re-election bid. In February, after a protracted political battle and a government shutdown, Congress approved $1.38 billion for construction of "primary pedestrian fencing" along the border in southeastern Texas, well short of Trump's demands. To obtain the additional money, Trump declared a national emergency and his administration said it planned to divert $601 million from a Treasury Department forfeiture fund, $2.5 billion earmarked for Department of Defense counternarcotics programs and $3.6 billion from military construction projects. The House of Representatives, more than a dozen states and two advocacy groups asked US District Court Judge Haywood Gilliam in Oakland, California to block the transfer of funds to prevent the wall construction. They argue the administration cannot use funds Congress has specifically denied and cannot construct a barrier that was not authorized, nor can the administration work outside the geographic area identified by Congress. "This is a win for our system of checks and balances, the rule of law, and border communities," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted. The wall funding faced another court challenge on Thursday, in a case brought by the House of Representatives in a federal court in the District of Columbia. The lawmakers have said the diversion of $6.1 billion in Defense Department funds violates the separation of powers doctrine laid out in the US Constitution.

Judge blocks some funds Trump sought for US-Mexico border wall

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly."

Trump told reporters at the White House that he has not decided yet on the cases, but may wait until the accused military servicemen stand trial before deciding whether to grant them pardons.

"Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard, long. You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometime, they get really treated very unfairly," Trump said.

He did not identify which cases he was reviewing.

The New York Times on May 18 reported Trump had asked the Justice Department for paperwork on several high-profile war crimes cases in preparation for possible pardons to be announced on or around the US Memorial Day holiday honouring fallen troops. This year's holiday is to be observed on May 27.

One request according to the Times report was for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher, a decorated US Navy SEAL court-martialed on charges he fatally stabbed a helpless, wounded Islamic State fighter in his custody, and shot two unarmed civilians from a sniper's perch during his 2017 deployment to Iraq.

The 39-year-old combat veteran and platoon leader has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defence lawyers say the allegations against him were fabricated by subordinate SEAL team members disgruntled with his leadership style and seeking to force his ouster.

Gallagher's trial was delayed this week until June 10 at the earliest. His lawyer told Reuters he had not asked for a pardon, and Gallagher declined to comment on the possibility of presidential clemency when asked by reporters in court.

But the prospect of Trump offering Gallagher a pardon seemed heightened by this week's appointment to his defence team of former federal prosecutor Marc Mukasey, one of Trump's personal lawyers and an associate of fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani.

Another associate of former New York City Mayor Giuliani, ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik - who served three years in prison in a federal corruption case - is an investigator on Gallagher's defence team.

Mukasey, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, dismissed the notion of seeking a pardon for Gallagher.

"I have a job to do in the courtroom. I have no clue whether anything else is going on," he said.

Gallagher's lead civilian attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told reporters on Wednesday following a hearing at Naval Base San Diego: "If the president decides to step in, that's what the commander does."

Trump first weighed in on the Gallagher case publicly in March, ordering the defendant moved to less restrictive pre-trial confinement "in honour of his past service to our country."

A number of conservative commentators have urged him to pardon Gallagher. Critics say it would pre-empt justice, undermine military discipline and send a message that battlefield atrocities will be tolerated.

The overwhelming majority of pardons are granted to people who have already been convicted and served time for a federal offence, as when Trump earlier this month pardoned former Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who served five years in prison for killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008.

But presidents have occasionally granted pardons preemptively to individuals accused of or suspected of a crime.

The most famous such case was the blanket pardon President Gerald Ford bestowed on his predecessor, Richard Nixon, following Nixon's resignation during the Watergate scandal.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he is considering pardons for "two or three" American soldiers charged with war crimes, a move he also said would be controversial but justified because they had been treated "unfairly." Trump told reporters at the White House that he has not decided yet on the cases, but may wait until the accused military servicemen stand trial before deciding whether to grant them pardons. "Some of these soldiers are people that have fought hard, long. You know, we teach them how to be great fighters, and then when they fight sometime, they get really treated very unfairly," Trump said. He did not identify which cases he was reviewing. The New York Times on May 18 reported Trump had asked the Justice Department for paperwork on several high-profile war crimes cases in preparation for possible pardons to be announced on or around the US Memorial Day holiday honouring fallen troops. This year's holiday is to be observed on May 27. One request according to the Times report was for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher, a decorated US Navy SEAL court-martialed on charges he fatally stabbed a helpless, wounded Islamic State fighter in his custody, and shot two unarmed civilians from a sniper's perch during his 2017 deployment to Iraq. The 39-year-old combat veteran and platoon leader has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Defence lawyers say the allegations against him were fabricated by subordinate SEAL team members disgruntled with his leadership style and seeking to force his ouster. Gallagher's trial was delayed this week until June 10 at the earliest. His lawyer told Reuters he had not asked for a pardon, and Gallagher declined to comment on the possibility of presidential clemency when asked by reporters in court. But the prospect of Trump offering Gallagher a pardon seemed heightened by this week's appointment to his defence team of former federal prosecutor Marc Mukasey, one of Trump's personal lawyers and an associate of fellow Trump attorney Rudolph Giuliani. Another associate of former New York City Mayor Giuliani, ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik - who served three years in prison in a federal corruption case - is an investigator on Gallagher's defence team. Mukasey, in an interview with Reuters on Thursday, dismissed the notion of seeking a pardon for Gallagher. "I have a job to do in the courtroom. I have no clue whether anything else is going on," he said. Gallagher's lead civilian attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told reporters on Wednesday following a hearing at Naval Base San Diego: "If the president decides to step in, that's what the commander does." Trump first weighed in on the Gallagher case publicly in March, ordering the defendant moved to less restrictive pre-trial confinement "in honour of his past service to our country." A number of conservative commentators have urged him to pardon Gallagher. Critics say it would pre-empt justice, undermine military discipline and send a message that battlefield atrocities will be tolerated. The overwhelming majority of pardons are granted to people who have already been convicted and served time for a federal offence, as when Trump earlier this month pardoned former Army Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who served five years in prison for killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008. But presidents have occasionally granted pardons preemptively to individuals accused of or suspected of a crime. The most famous such case was the blanket pardon President Gerald Ford bestowed on his predecessor, Richard Nixon, following Nixon's resignation during the Watergate scandal.

Trump says to consider pardons for some US soldiers accused of war crimes

white-house

White House, News on White House, stories on White House, articles on White House, White House stories at Wion, White House news, White House latest news

white house