The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Republicans close to the White House whisper about a possible joint campaign by Haley and Pence in 2020.

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&nbsp;

Rumours of a possible Haley-Pence ticket in the 2020 US Presidential polls also made the rounds after reports surfaced suggesting that Haley was not communicated about White House's change in course on Russia sanctions.

US ambassador to UN Nikki Haley recently shut down Trump administration over calling her "confused". US President Donald Trump was infuriated over Haley's remarks stating that Trump would call for fresh sanctions on Russia while he wasn't planning anything on those lines.

National Economics Adviser, Larry Kudlow called Haley's statement an outcome of her "confusion" to which she responded saying that, "With all due respect, I don't get confused".

While the incident made front-page headlines across the world, experts and political analysts got busy anticipating a possible rift between Trump and Haley.&nbsp;

Trump has already confirmed running for a second term in 2020. Haley's role at the United Nations, which initially raised eyebrows among diplomats, has been widely appreciated. She is often acknowledged for her political skills while her ambitions for a higher office is also speculated.

However, Haley on Wednesday smoothened-out speculations over her sour relationship with the US President calling it "perfect".&nbsp;

A senior administration official said that Haley had not been "freelancing" when she spoke about new Russian sanctions on Sunday. "The president just wanted to slow down the process after she spoke," the official said.

When asked on Wednesday if Trump should be worried about a Pence/Haley campaign, Haley smiled, shook her head and said: "No."

Pence's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Haley is often acknowledged for her political skills while her ambitions for a higher office is also speculated.

The New York Times reported on Tuesday that Republicans close to the White House whisper about a possible joint campaign by Haley and Pence in 2020. × Rumours of a possible Haley-Pence ticket in the 2020 US Presidential polls also made the rounds after reports surfaced suggesting that Haley was not communicated about White House's change in course on Russia sanctions. US ambassador to UN Nikki Haley recently shut down Trump administration over calling her "confused". US President Donald Trump was infuriated over Haley's remarks stating that Trump would call for fresh sanctions on Russia while he wasn't planning anything on those lines. National Economics Adviser, Larry Kudlow called Haley's statement an outcome of her "confusion" to which she responded saying that, "With all due respect, I don't get confused". While the incident made front-page headlines across the world, experts and political analysts got busy anticipating a possible rift between Trump and Haley. Trump has already confirmed running for a second term in 2020. Haley's role at the United Nations, which initially raised eyebrows among diplomats, has been widely appreciated. She is often acknowledged for her political skills while her ambitions for a higher office is also speculated. However, Haley on Wednesday smoothened-out speculations over her sour relationship with the US President calling it "perfect". A senior administration official said that Haley had not been "freelancing" when she spoke about new Russian sanctions on Sunday. "The president just wanted to slow down the process after she spoke," the official said. When asked on Wednesday if Trump should be worried about a Pence/Haley campaign, Haley smiled, shook her head and said: "No." Pence's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (With inputs from Reuters)

Haley for President in 2020? Trump, White House see red

US&nbsp;Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley fired back at White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Tuesday over his remarks that she may have been confused over Washington's plans to impose more sanctions on Russia.&nbsp;

"With all due respect, I don't get confused," Haley, a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet, told Fox News.

Haley said on Sunday that Washington was preparing new sanctions on Russia over its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, Trump delayed further action, according to a senior administration official.

Kudlow said of Haley on Tuesday: "She's doing a great job, she's a very effective ambassador. There might have been some momentary confusion about that."

"I think the issue here is we have a set of sanctions and additional sanctions are under consideration but have not been determined," Kudlow told a briefing at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump was meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for two days of talks.

He said there was no confusion in the White House approach toward Moscow.

A senior administration official said on Monday that Trump was unlikely to approve them unless Moscow carried out a new cyber attack or some other provocation.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Kudlow said of Haley on Tuesday: She's doing a great job, she's a very effective ambassador. There might have been some momentary confusion about that

US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley fired back at White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow on Tuesday over his remarks that she may have been confused over Washington's plans to impose more sanctions on Russia. "With all due respect, I don't get confused," Haley, a member of President Donald Trump's cabinet, told Fox News. Haley said on Sunday that Washington was preparing new sanctions on Russia over its support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, Trump delayed further action, according to a senior administration official. Kudlow said of Haley on Tuesday: "She's doing a great job, she's a very effective ambassador. There might have been some momentary confusion about that." "I think the issue here is we have a set of sanctions and additional sanctions are under consideration but have not been determined," Kudlow told a briefing at Mar-a-Lago, where Trump was meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for two days of talks. He said there was no confusion in the White House approach toward Moscow. A senior administration official said on Monday that Trump was unlikely to approve them unless Moscow carried out a new cyber attack or some other provocation.

I don't get confused: Nikki Haley fires back at Kudlow over Russia

Egypt said on Saturday it was deeply concerned over a military escalation in Syria which could affect the safety of Syrian people and threaten agreements to curb tension.

US, British and French forces struck Syria with more than 100 missiles on Saturday, targeting what they called chemical weapons sites in retaliation for a poison gas attack.&nbsp

The White House has accused Syria of being behind the toxic gas assault on April 7 that killed dozens of people in Douma, near Damascus.

Without specifically mentioning Saturday's missile strikes, Egypt's foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned "at the current military escalation in Syria". It also rejected the use of internationally banned weapons on Syrian territory and demanded a transparent international investigation.

"The Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its solidarity with the brotherly Syrian people in their aspirations to live in security and stability," the ministry said in a statement.&nbsp

It called for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian crisis and efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those affected by the conflict.&nbsp

The White House has accused Syria of being behind the toxic gas assault on April 7 that killed dozens of people in Douma, near Damascus

Egypt said on Saturday it was deeply concerned over a military escalation in Syria which could affect the safety of Syrian people and threaten agreements to curb tension. US, British and French forces struck Syria with more than 100 missiles on Saturday, targeting what they called chemical weapons sites in retaliation for a poison gas attack. The White House has accused Syria of being behind the toxic gas assault on April 7 that killed dozens of people in Douma, near Damascus. Without specifically mentioning Saturday's missile strikes, Egypt's foreign ministry said it was deeply concerned "at the current military escalation in Syria". It also rejected the use of internationally banned weapons on Syrian territory and demanded a transparent international investigation. "The Arab Republic of Egypt expresses its solidarity with the brotherly Syrian people in their aspirations to live in security and stability," the ministry said in a statement. It called for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian crisis and efforts to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those affected by the conflict.

Egypt says deeply concerned over military escalation in Syria

The White House said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump has not laid out a timetable for action in response to a suspected chemical attack in Syria, despite his note on Twitter that missiles "will be coming" and Russia should "get ready."

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump had a number of options, not just military, that all options were still on the table and he was assessing how to respond.

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Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/984022625440747520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
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She said Trump held Russia and Syria responsible for the chemical attack and denied that his Twitter comments had created any problem.

White House spokesperson said Trump held Russia and Syria responsible for the chemical attack and denied that his Twitter comments had created any problem.

The White House said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump has not laid out a timetable for action in response to a suspected chemical attack in Syria, despite his note on Twitter that missiles "will be coming" and Russia should "get ready." White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump had a number of options, not just military, that all options were still on the table and he was assessing how to respond. Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria. Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and “smart!” You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018 × She said Trump held Russia and Syria responsible for the chemical attack and denied that his Twitter comments had created any problem.

After Trump missile threats, White House says no timetable for action on Syria

The White House insisted Tuesday that Donald Trump has the power to fire special prosecutor Robert Mueller, stoking fears that the president may try to kill an investigation inching ever-closer to the Oval Office.

After months of denying Mueller's removal is under consideration, the change in tone came as Trump reacted furiously to an FBI raid of his private lawyer's offices on Monday.

Special counsel Mueller was appointed in May to investigate Russian efforts to tip the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor.

Over the last year, he has increasingly dug into evidence of alleged money laundering, fraud and obstruction of justice inside Trump's inner circle.

Four Trump aides -- including his 2016 campaign chair Paul Manafort and former national security advisor Michael Flynn -- have already been indicted or pleaded guilty.

Now, Trump's longtime lawyer Michael Cohen -- who holds secrets about many of the president's personal and financial dealings -- is in the crosshairs.

"We have been advised that the president certainly has the power to make that decision," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the possibility to remove Mueller.

"I think that the president has been clear that he thinks that this has gone too far."

Trump hunkered down at the White House, canceling a first trip to Latin America that was due to start Friday and stewing on a move that could throw America into a constitutional crisis.

At the same time, Trump faced a momentous decision about whether to carry out military strikes in Syria.

Total witch hunt

Trump has pledged to decide by the end of Tuesday how to respond to a suspected chemical weapons attack in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, blamed on the Syrian regime and its allies.

But while much of his national security team debated whether strikes would be effective in deterring future chemical attacks, and how to limit the risk of escalation, Trump met his lawyers Jay Sekulow and Ty Cobb to discuss the Cohen raid.&nbsp

His anger showed no signs of abating.

"A TOTAL WITCH HUNT!!!" the president blasted on Twitter amid news that FBI agents had seized documents pertaining to his dealings with Cohen. "Attorney–client privilege is dead!"

In a phone call with CNN, Cohen admitted the raid was "upsetting to say the least."

Asked if he was worried, Cohen said: "I would be lying to you if I told that I am not. Do I need this in my life? No. Do I want to be involved in this? No."

On Capitol Hill, Republican and Democratic lawmakers urged Trump to allow Mueller to do his work.

Democrats wanted to go one step further and pass legislation protecting the Republican former FBI director.

"If the president is thinking of using this raid to fire Special Counsel Mueller or otherwise interfere with the chain of command in the Russia probe, we Democrats have one simple message for him: don't," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said.

"The investigation is critical to the health of our democracy, and must be allowed to continue."

Trump's fellow Republicans said that would not be necessary, with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley stating it would be "suicide" for the president to fire Mueller.

The raid on Cohen's offices came amid allegations he paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before the election to keep a tryst with Trump quiet.

After months of silence, Trump last week offered a flat "no" when asked if he knew about the payment.

Plans dashed

Trump's decision to scrap his trip to Colombia and Peru surprised even some White House staff.

"The president will remain in the United States to oversee the American response to Syria and to monitor developments around the world," Sanders said.

Trump had already cut the visit short -- from five days, to three and, finally, to none.&nbsp

The combative US president had been expected in Peru for the Summit of the Americas, where he was likely to face protests and awkward meetings with leaders who have bristled at his repeated portrayal of Latino immigrants as rapists and thugs.

Vice President Mike Pence will represent the United States in Lima instead, his aide Jarrod Agen said, adding that he would also meet Venezuelan dissidents. &nbsp

Trump is still expected to travel to his Mar-a-Lago holiday home in Florida on Monday, where a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will go ahead.

&nbsp

'We have been advised that the president certainly has the power to make that decision,' White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the possibility to remove Mueller

The White House insisted Tuesday that Donald Trump has the power to fire special prosecutor Robert Mueller, stoking fears that the president may try to kill an investigation inching ever-closer to the Oval Office. After months of denying Mueller's removal is under consideration, the change in tone came as Trump reacted furiously to an FBI raid of his private lawyer's offices on Monday. Special counsel Mueller was appointed in May to investigate Russian efforts to tip the 2016 presidential election in Trump's favor. Over the last year, he has increasingly dug into evidence of alleged money laundering, fraud and obstruction of justice inside Trump's inner circle. Four Trump aides -- including his 2016 campaign chair Paul Manafort and former national security advisor Michael Flynn -- have already been indicted or pleaded guilty. Now, Trump's longtime lawyer Michael Cohen -- who holds secrets about many of the president's personal and financial dealings -- is in the crosshairs. "We have been advised that the president certainly has the power to make that decision," White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said of the possibility to remove Mueller. "I think that the president has been clear that he thinks that this has gone too far." Trump hunkered down at the White House, canceling a first trip to Latin America that was due to start Friday and stewing on a move that could throw America into a constitutional crisis. At the same time, Trump faced a momentous decision about whether to carry out military strikes in Syria. Total witch hunt Trump has pledged to decide by the end of Tuesday how to respond to a suspected chemical weapons attack in the rebel-held suburbs of Damascus, blamed on the Syrian regime and its allies. But while much of his national security team debated whether strikes would be effective in deterring future chemical attacks, and how to limit the risk of escalation, Trump met his lawyers Jay Sekulow and Ty Cobb to discuss the Cohen raid. His anger showed no signs of abating. "A TOTAL WITCH HUNT!!!" the president blasted on Twitter amid news that FBI agents had seized documents pertaining to his dealings with Cohen. "Attorney–client privilege is dead!" In a phone call with CNN, Cohen admitted the raid was "upsetting to say the least." Asked if he was worried, Cohen said: "I would be lying to you if I told that I am not. Do I need this in my life? No. Do I want to be involved in this? No." On Capitol Hill, Republican and Democratic lawmakers urged Trump to allow Mueller to do his work. Democrats wanted to go one step further and pass legislation protecting the Republican former FBI director. "If the president is thinking of using this raid to fire Special Counsel Mueller or otherwise interfere with the chain of command in the Russia probe, we Democrats have one simple message for him: don't," top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said. "The investigation is critical to the health of our democracy, and must be allowed to continue." Trump's fellow Republicans said that would not be necessary, with Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley stating it would be "suicide" for the president to fire Mueller. The raid on Cohen's offices came amid allegations he paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 shortly before the election to keep a tryst with Trump quiet. After months of silence, Trump last week offered a flat "no" when asked if he knew about the payment. Plans dashed Trump's decision to scrap his trip to Colombia and Peru surprised even some White House staff. "The president will remain in the United States to oversee the American response to Syria and to monitor developments around the world," Sanders said. Trump had already cut the visit short -- from five days, to three and, finally, to none. The combative US president had been expected in Peru for the Summit of the Americas, where he was likely to face protests and awkward meetings with leaders who have bristled at his repeated portrayal of Latino immigrants as rapists and thugs. Vice President Mike Pence will represent the United States in Lima instead, his aide Jarrod Agen said, adding that he would also meet Venezuelan dissidents. Trump is still expected to travel to his Mar-a-Lago holiday home in Florida on Monday, where a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will go ahead.

Trump can fire Russia prosecutor Mueller, says White House

A furious Donald Trump blasted the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller as a "disgrace" and a "witch hunt" Monday after FBI agents raided the New York offices of the president`s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen.

Agents seized files relating to Cohen's work, which included making a $130,000 payment before the 2016 election to an adult film actress who says she had a tryst with the Trump.&nbsp

Cohen's own attorney Stephen Ryan said agents were working in part on the request of Mueller, the independent prosecutor investigating links between Russia and the Trump campaign.

At the White House, Trump angrily denounced the raid on Cohen, whom he called "a good man."

"It's a disgraceful situation. It's a total witch-hunt, I have been saying it for a long time," he told reporters.

"It's an attack on our country in a true sense. It's an attack on what we all stand for," he said.

The raid came as Mueller's probe intensifies its focus on Trump's inner circle. Mueller's team is examining possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow, allegations of corrupt behavior by Trump campaign lieutenants, and of White House efforts to obstruct the investigation.

So far 19 people have been indicted, including the chairman of Trump's campaign and his former national security advisor.

Trump accused Mueller Monday of overseeing a biased investigation staffed by Democrats, "a pure and simple witch-hunt." After having turned over what he called a million pages of documents, Trump said the investigation is "now getting ridiculous. They found no collusion whatsoever with Russia."&nbsp

"This is the most biased group of people, these people have the biggest conflicts of interest I've ever seen. Democrats all, or just about all."

Asked if he wants to fire Mueller, Trump replied: "Many people have said you should fire him. Again they found nothing and in finding nothing that`s a big statement," he said. "So we'll see what happens."

The veteran prosecutor, a former FBI director, is seeking to interview Trump, but has not said the president is a target in the investigation.

The raid on Cohen though takes the probe close to the Oval Office. Cohen has been Trump's personal lawyer and confidant for years, helping him on real estate and personal matters, as well as informally advising him since he became president.

He is also known as a rough-and-tumble "fixer" for Trump, dedicated to protecting his boss's interests. US media said documents seized in the raid related to the surreptitious payment Cohen made to porn actress Stormy Daniels that, according to Daniels, aimed to keep her quiet about her earlier relationship with Trump.

The Washington Post reported that Cohen is under examination for possible bank fraud and campaign finance violations.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is one of several women who claim to have had affairs with Trump in the past and were pressured or paid to keep quiet about them.

Last month Daniels told 21 million TV watchers that she had unprotected sex with Trump after meeting with him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, California in July 2006. That was shortly after Trump`s wife Melania gave birth to their son.

Trump has skirted questions about the relationship, and last week denied any knowledge of Cohen's $130,000 payment, which was made to secure Daniels's signature in October 2016 on a secret agreement to not talk about the affair.&nbsp

But since then media reports have made it public, and last month she sued in a California court to have the hush deal annulled. Cohen countersued, demanding some $20 million in penalties for her violating the non-disclosure pact.

Cohen has said that neither the Trump Organization, the president`s real estate group, nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Daniels.

"Neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly," Cohen said.

After the raid Monday, Cohen`s attorney Ryan accused prosecutors of seizing privileged communications between Cohen and his clients.

"The decision by the US attorney`s office in New York to conduct their investigation using search warrants is completely inappropriate and unnecessary," Ryan said.

"It resulted in the unnecessary seizure of protected attorney-client communications between a lawyer and his clients."

A furious Donald Trump blasted the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller as a 'disgrace' and a 'witch hunt' Monday after FBI agents raided the New York offices of the president`s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen

A furious Donald Trump blasted the investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller as a "disgrace" and a "witch hunt" Monday after FBI agents raided the New York offices of the president`s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Agents seized files relating to Cohen's work, which included making a $130,000 payment before the 2016 election to an adult film actress who says she had a tryst with the Trump. Cohen's own attorney Stephen Ryan said agents were working in part on the request of Mueller, the independent prosecutor investigating links between Russia and the Trump campaign. At the White House, Trump angrily denounced the raid on Cohen, whom he called "a good man." "It's a disgraceful situation. It's a total witch-hunt, I have been saying it for a long time," he told reporters. "It's an attack on our country in a true sense. It's an attack on what we all stand for," he said. The raid came as Mueller's probe intensifies its focus on Trump's inner circle. Mueller's team is examining possible collusion between Trump's campaign and Moscow, allegations of corrupt behavior by Trump campaign lieutenants, and of White House efforts to obstruct the investigation. So far 19 people have been indicted, including the chairman of Trump's campaign and his former national security advisor. Trump accused Mueller Monday of overseeing a biased investigation staffed by Democrats, "a pure and simple witch-hunt." After having turned over what he called a million pages of documents, Trump said the investigation is "now getting ridiculous. They found no collusion whatsoever with Russia." "This is the most biased group of people, these people have the biggest conflicts of interest I've ever seen. Democrats all, or just about all." Asked if he wants to fire Mueller, Trump replied: "Many people have said you should fire him. Again they found nothing and in finding nothing that`s a big statement," he said. "So we'll see what happens." The veteran prosecutor, a former FBI director, is seeking to interview Trump, but has not said the president is a target in the investigation. The raid on Cohen though takes the probe close to the Oval Office. Cohen has been Trump's personal lawyer and confidant for years, helping him on real estate and personal matters, as well as informally advising him since he became president. He is also known as a rough-and-tumble "fixer" for Trump, dedicated to protecting his boss's interests. US media said documents seized in the raid related to the surreptitious payment Cohen made to porn actress Stormy Daniels that, according to Daniels, aimed to keep her quiet about her earlier relationship with Trump. The Washington Post reported that Cohen is under examination for possible bank fraud and campaign finance violations. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is one of several women who claim to have had affairs with Trump in the past and were pressured or paid to keep quiet about them. Last month Daniels told 21 million TV watchers that she had unprotected sex with Trump after meeting with him at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, California in July 2006. That was shortly after Trump`s wife Melania gave birth to their son. Trump has skirted questions about the relationship, and last week denied any knowledge of Cohen's $130,000 payment, which was made to secure Daniels's signature in October 2016 on a secret agreement to not talk about the affair. But since then media reports have made it public, and last month she sued in a California court to have the hush deal annulled. Cohen countersued, demanding some $20 million in penalties for her violating the non-disclosure pact. Cohen has said that neither the Trump Organization, the president`s real estate group, nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Daniels. "Neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly," Cohen said. After the raid Monday, Cohen`s attorney Ryan accused prosecutors of seizing privileged communications between Cohen and his clients. "The decision by the US attorney`s office in New York to conduct their investigation using search warrants is completely inappropriate and unnecessary," Ryan said. "It resulted in the unnecessary seizure of protected attorney-client communications between a lawyer and his clients."

FBI raids offices of Trump's personal lawyer

France president Emmanuel Macron has condemned the use of chemical weapons against civilians in a rebel-held Syrian town, Douma.

According to Elysee Palace, Macron was on a call with US president Donald Trump when he discussed the attack with him.

The official statement from the French presidency said, "strongly condemned the chemical attacks on April 7 against the population of Douma".&nbsp;

News agency AFP reported that the two leaders exchanged information allegedly confirming the use of chemical weapons and would coordinate their efforts at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday.

Dozens of people were killed in the chemical attack carried out on the rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta.

In earlier reports rebel groups of Syria accused Damascus of carrying out the attack however, Syrian state media denied such reports saying that eastern Ghouta of Douma is in a state of collapse and spreading false news.

Following the attack, nine UN Security Council members urged to have an emergency meeting to discuss reports about the chemical gas attack.

US State Department is also monitoring the situation closely.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-big-price-to-pay-for-syria-chemical-attack-129188">Also read: Trump says 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical attack</a>

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-condemns-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-douma-syria-129180">Also read: Turkey condemns </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-condemns-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-douma-syria-129180">use</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-condemns-use-of-chemical-weapons-in-douma-syria-129180"> of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria</a>

The official statement from the French presidency said, 'strongly condemned the chemical attacks on April 7 against the population of Douma'

France president Emmanuel Macron has condemned the use of chemical weapons against civilians in a rebel-held Syrian town, Douma. According to Elysee Palace, Macron was on a call with US president Donald Trump when he discussed the attack with him. The official statement from the French presidency said, "strongly condemned the chemical attacks on April 7 against the population of Douma". News agency AFP reported that the two leaders exchanged information allegedly confirming the use of chemical weapons and would coordinate their efforts at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council in New York on Monday. Dozens of people were killed in the chemical attack carried out on the rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta. In earlier reports rebel groups of Syria accused Damascus of carrying out the attack however, Syrian state media denied such reports saying that eastern Ghouta of Douma is in a state of collapse and spreading false news. Following the attack, nine UN Security Council members urged to have an emergency meeting to discuss reports about the chemical gas attack. US State Department is also monitoring the situation closely. Also read: Trump says 'big price to pay' for Syria chemical attack Also read: Turkey condemns use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syria

French president Emmanuel Macron condemns Syria 'chemical attacks'

The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump would host the United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, but did not specify a date.&nbsp

The news comes after Washington said Trump would host Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on April 10 in an effort to end a diplomatic spat that has riven America's Gulf allies.&nbsp

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar last year, accusing Doha of bankrolling Islamist extremists and fostering ties with Saudi arch-rival Iran.

The White House said Trump spoke on the phone with bin Zayed, his country's de facto ruler, "to discuss regional developments and opportunities for increasing cooperation on a range of security and economic issues."

A statement added: "The leaders agreed that all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) states can and should do more to increase coordination with each other and with the United States to ensure the peace and prosperity of the people in the region."

It said the pair "agreed on the importance of a united GCC," in what appeared to be a reference to the regional dispute, since the GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Trump had taken a hard line against Qatar, saying the country needed to scale back ties with Iran and stop funding extremism.

Aides -- mindful of the pivotal role that the Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha plays in US Middle East operations -- have since convinced him to take a more moderate approach.

The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump would host the United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, but did not specify a date

The White House said Friday that President Donald Trump would host the United Arab Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, but did not specify a date. The news comes after Washington said Trump would host Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on April 10 in an effort to end a diplomatic spat that has riven America's Gulf allies. Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE cut diplomatic and trade ties with Qatar last year, accusing Doha of bankrolling Islamist extremists and fostering ties with Saudi arch-rival Iran. The White House said Trump spoke on the phone with bin Zayed, his country's de facto ruler, "to discuss regional developments and opportunities for increasing cooperation on a range of security and economic issues." A statement added: "The leaders agreed that all GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) states can and should do more to increase coordination with each other and with the United States to ensure the peace and prosperity of the people in the region." It said the pair "agreed on the importance of a united GCC," in what appeared to be a reference to the regional dispute, since the GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Trump had taken a hard line against Qatar, saying the country needed to scale back ties with Iran and stop funding extremism. Aides -- mindful of the pivotal role that the Al Udeid Air Base outside Doha plays in US Middle East operations -- have since convinced him to take a more moderate approach.

Trump to host UAE Crown Prince, calls for Gulf unity

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, in his first public remarks about an intimate relationship he has been accused of having with an adult film star, said on Thursday he did not know about a $130,000 payment made by his lawyer to actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet.

The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006.

Asked why his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid the money if the allegations were untrue, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael's my attorney."

Asked if he knew about the payment to Daniels, Trump said "No."

Asked if he knew where the money came from to pay Daniels, Trump told reporters, "No, I don’t know."

Cohen has said he paid Daniels out of his own pocket.

Last month, Daniels sued Cohen to be released from the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000 payment from him.

Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Trump's admission that he did not know about the agreement bolstered his client's case to be released from the deal.

"Good (actually GREAT) things come to those who wait!!! The strength of our case just went up exponentially. You can't have an agreement when one party claims to know nothing about it," Avenatti said on Twitter.

Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump and Cohen about the agreement, which was signed the month before Trump was elected president.

"We very much look forward to testing the truthfulness of Mr. Trump's feigned lack of knowledge concerning the $130k payment as stated on Air Force One," Avenatti tweeted. "As history teaches us, it is one thing to deceive the press and quite another to do so under oath."

Last week, a federal judge said Avenatti's request to depose Trump and Cohen was premature.

Cohen wants to force Daniels to use arbitration, as opposed to open court, to settle the dispute over the agreement.

In an interview that aired last week, Daniels told CBS's "60 Minutes" programme that she and Trump had sexual relations only once, but he had kept in touch with her. She said she was not attracted to Trump, who was 60 at the time. Daniels was 27 in 2006.

In filings with the US&nbsp;Justice Department and Federal Election Commission, watchdog groups have said the payment amount may have exceeded campaign contribution limits and violated U.S. law.

A former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, has described having a 10-month affair with Trump, also starting in 2006, which the White House has said Trump denies.

The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006

US President Donald Trump, in his first public remarks about an intimate relationship he has been accused of having with an adult film star, said on Thursday he did not know about a $130,000 payment made by his lawyer to actress Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet. The White House has denied that Trump had sex with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. Daniels has said she and Trump had sex once in 2006. Asked why his lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid the money if the allegations were untrue, Trump told reporters on Air Force One, "You'll have to ask Michael Cohen. Michael's my attorney." Asked if he knew about the payment to Daniels, Trump said "No." Asked if he knew where the money came from to pay Daniels, Trump told reporters, "No, I don’t know." Cohen has said he paid Daniels out of his own pocket. Last month, Daniels sued Cohen to be released from the non-disclosure agreement she signed in October 2016 in exchange for the $130,000 payment from him. Daniels' attorney, Michael Avenatti, said Trump's admission that he did not know about the agreement bolstered his client's case to be released from the deal. "Good (actually GREAT) things come to those who wait!!! The strength of our case just went up exponentially. You can't have an agreement when one party claims to know nothing about it," Avenatti said on Twitter. Avenatti has said he wants to question Trump and Cohen about the agreement, which was signed the month before Trump was elected president. "We very much look forward to testing the truthfulness of Mr. Trump's feigned lack of knowledge concerning the $130k payment as stated on Air Force One," Avenatti tweeted. "As history teaches us, it is one thing to deceive the press and quite another to do so under oath." Last week, a federal judge said Avenatti's request to depose Trump and Cohen was premature. Cohen wants to force Daniels to use arbitration, as opposed to open court, to settle the dispute over the agreement. In an interview that aired last week, Daniels told CBS's "60 Minutes" programme that she and Trump had sexual relations only once, but he had kept in touch with her. She said she was not attracted to Trump, who was 60 at the time. Daniels was 27 in 2006. In filings with the US Justice Department and Federal Election Commission, watchdog groups have said the payment amount may have exceeded campaign contribution limits and violated U.S. law. A former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, has described having a 10-month affair with Trump, also starting in 2006, which the White House has said Trump denies.

Did not know about $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels: Trump

The United States today announced a proposed list of products imported from China that could be subject to additional tariffs of 25 per cent amounting to USD 50 billion.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) said the proposed list of products is based on extensive interagency economic analysis and would target products that benefit from China's industrial plans while minimizing the impact on the US economy.

Sectors subject to the proposed tariffs include industries such as aerospace, information and communication technology, robotics, and machinery.

The list covers approximately 1,300 separate tariff lines and will undergo further review in a public notice and comment process, including a hearing. After completion of this process, the USTR will issue a final determination on the products subject to the additional duties.

The total value of imports subject to the tariff increase is commensurate with an economic analysis of the harm caused by China's unreasonable technology transfer policies to the US economy, the USTR said.

China had said yesterday that its door for talks with the Trump administration is open but if there is a trade war it will "fight till the end". The comments came a day after Beijing imposed tariffs on 128 American products as a retaliation against US duties on steel and aluminium.

China had imposed tariffs on 128 US imports worth USD 3 billion, including meat, fruit and pork, as retaliation against taxes approved by US President Donald Trump on imported steel and aluminium.

Last month, Trump announced that the US will impose tariffs on approximately USD 50 billion worth of Chinese imports and take other actions in response to China's policies that coerce American companies into transferring their technology and intellectual property to domestic Chinese enterprises.

These policies bolster China's stated intention of seizing economic leadership in advanced technology as set forth in its industrial plans, such as "Made in China 2025".

Trump raked up the issue of trade gap with China once again, saying the US cannot afford to have a USD 500 billion a year trade deficit with Beijing.

"We have a problem with China. They've created a trade deficit, and I really blame our representatives and, frankly, our preceding presidents for this. They have a trade deficit of USD 500 billion a year.

It's not something we can live with," Trump told reporters during a media interaction with visiting Baltic leaders.

The theft of intellectual property alone, he said, is probably around USD 200-300 billion a year.

"The US has to do something on trade with certain countries. And obviously, China is the leader in terms of deficits. We've never had a situation where a country -- nor has there ever been in -- in history, a situation where a country has done that to another country," he said.

However several industry groups were quick to oppose Trump's proposal to impose tariff on some 1300 selected Chinese products.

"The Trump administration is right to push back against China's abuse of economic and trade policy, but imposing tariffs on producer goods will inadvertently hurt Americans through reduced capital investment and lower productivity growth.

"The list of tariffs that the USTR has proposed today would hurt companies in the US by raising the prices and reducing consumption of the capital equipment they rely on to produce their goods and services," Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) President Robert D Atkinson said.

Attempts to roll back Chinese innovation mercantilism should be more carefully targeted than this. The focus should be on things that will create the most leverage over China without raising prices and dampening investment in the kinds of machinery, equipment, and other technology that drives innovation and productivity across the economy, he said.

Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce said the administration is rightly focused on restoring equity and fairness in US trade relationship with China.

"However, imposing taxes on products used daily by American consumers and job creators is not the way to achieve those ends. The US Chamber looks forward to working with the administration throughout the comment period to make the business community's voice heard on the US-China economic relationship," he said.

But several US lawmakers supported Trump's move.

"Publishing this preliminary list is an important step that will allow US companies to evaluate the implications and convey their views about the effect of such tariffs on our economy. I'm confident that we can protect national security and minimize unfair trading practices while protecting American consumers and jobs," House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady said.

"We must address China's theft of technology and intellectual property belonging to American companies. It is a serious problem that requires action," said Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Chairman Dave Reichert.

Trump raked up the issue of trade gap with China once again, saying the US cannot afford to have a USD 500 billion a year trade deficit with Beijing

The United States today announced a proposed list of products imported from China that could be subject to additional tariffs of 25 per cent amounting to USD 50 billion. The US Trade Representative (USTR) said the proposed list of products is based on extensive interagency economic analysis and would target products that benefit from China's industrial plans while minimizing the impact on the US economy. Sectors subject to the proposed tariffs include industries such as aerospace, information and communication technology, robotics, and machinery. The list covers approximately 1,300 separate tariff lines and will undergo further review in a public notice and comment process, including a hearing. After completion of this process, the USTR will issue a final determination on the products subject to the additional duties. The total value of imports subject to the tariff increase is commensurate with an economic analysis of the harm caused by China's unreasonable technology transfer policies to the US economy, the USTR said. China had said yesterday that its door for talks with the Trump administration is open but if there is a trade war it will "fight till the end". The comments came a day after Beijing imposed tariffs on 128 American products as a retaliation against US duties on steel and aluminium. China had imposed tariffs on 128 US imports worth USD 3 billion, including meat, fruit and pork, as retaliation against taxes approved by US President Donald Trump on imported steel and aluminium. Last month, Trump announced that the US will impose tariffs on approximately USD 50 billion worth of Chinese imports and take other actions in response to China's policies that coerce American companies into transferring their technology and intellectual property to domestic Chinese enterprises. These policies bolster China's stated intention of seizing economic leadership in advanced technology as set forth in its industrial plans, such as "Made in China 2025". Trump raked up the issue of trade gap with China once again, saying the US cannot afford to have a USD 500 billion a year trade deficit with Beijing. "We have a problem with China. They've created a trade deficit, and I really blame our representatives and, frankly, our preceding presidents for this. They have a trade deficit of USD 500 billion a year. It's not something we can live with," Trump told reporters during a media interaction with visiting Baltic leaders. The theft of intellectual property alone, he said, is probably around USD 200-300 billion a year. "The US has to do something on trade with certain countries. And obviously, China is the leader in terms of deficits. We've never had a situation where a country -- nor has there ever been in -- in history, a situation where a country has done that to another country," he said. However several industry groups were quick to oppose Trump's proposal to impose tariff on some 1300 selected Chinese products. "The Trump administration is right to push back against China's abuse of economic and trade policy, but imposing tariffs on producer goods will inadvertently hurt Americans through reduced capital investment and lower productivity growth. "The list of tariffs that the USTR has proposed today would hurt companies in the US by raising the prices and reducing consumption of the capital equipment they rely on to produce their goods and services," Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) President Robert D Atkinson said. Attempts to roll back Chinese innovation mercantilism should be more carefully targeted than this. The focus should be on things that will create the most leverage over China without raising prices and dampening investment in the kinds of machinery, equipment, and other technology that drives innovation and productivity across the economy, he said. Myron Brilliant, executive vice president and head of International Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce said the administration is rightly focused on restoring equity and fairness in US trade relationship with China. "However, imposing taxes on products used daily by American consumers and job creators is not the way to achieve those ends. The US Chamber looks forward to working with the administration throughout the comment period to make the business community's voice heard on the US-China economic relationship," he said. But several US lawmakers supported Trump's move. "Publishing this preliminary list is an important step that will allow US companies to evaluate the implications and convey their views about the effect of such tariffs on our economy. I'm confident that we can protect national security and minimize unfair trading practices while protecting American consumers and jobs," House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady said. "We must address China's theft of technology and intellectual property belonging to American companies. It is a serious problem that requires action," said Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade Chairman Dave Reichert.

US proposes $50 billion tariffs on 1,300 Chinese products

Top US diplomat will be in Delhi today for the India-US-Japan trilateral meeting that will go on from Wednesday to Friday.&nbsp

US State Department official in-charge of the East Asia and Pacific affairs will be leading the delegation from Washington.

The Trump administration seeks to strengthen ties with India and Japan to counter China. Washington has an overhauled policy for the Indo-Pacific region in place.

Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Japan last week to co-chair the ninth India-Japan Strategic Dialogue.

The Trump administration seeks to strengthen ties with India and Japan to counter China

Top US diplomat will be in Delhi today for the India-US-Japan trilateral meeting that will go on from Wednesday to Friday. US State Department official in-charge of the East Asia and Pacific affairs will be leading the delegation from Washington. The Trump administration seeks to strengthen ties with India and Japan to counter China. Washington has an overhauled policy for the Indo-Pacific region in place. Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj visited Japan last week to co-chair the ninth India-Japan Strategic Dialogue.

US officials to reach India for trilateral meeting with Japan

The United States on Monday blasted as "unfair" Chinese tariffs imposed on 128 US imports worth $3 billion, including fruit and pork, in the latest tit-for-tat over US duties on steel and aluminium.

China's action, which was decided by the customs tariff commission of the State Council, followed weeks of rhetoric that has raised fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies.

President Donald Trump's administration had said its duties were aimed at steel and aluminium imports that it deemed a threat to US national security, but China's Commerce Ministry called that reasoning an "abuse" of World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines.

The US measures "are directed only at a few countries, seriously violating the principle of non-discrimination as a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, which seriously infringed the interests of the Chinese side," said a statement on the Commerce Ministry website.

Trump has repeatedly railed against China's massive trade surplus with the United States and promised during the election campaign to take steps to slash the US deficit.

His White House again pointed the finger at Beijing.

"China's subsidization and continued overcapacity is the root cause" of what deputy White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters called a crisis affecting steel.

"Instead of targeting fairly traded US exports, China needs to stop its unfair trading practices, which are harming US national security and distorting global markets," she said.

Beijing had warned last month that it was considering the tariffs of 15 percent and 25 percent on a range of products that also include wine, nuts and aluminium scrap. They came into force on Monday, Xinhua said, citing a government statement.

The levies are in response to tariffs of 10 percent on aluminium and 25 percent on steel that have also angered US allies.

"We hope that the United States can withdraw measures that violate WTO rules as soon as possible to put trade in the relevant products between China and the US back on a normal track," the Commerce Ministry statement said.

"Cooperation between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, is the only correct choice."

Trump has temporarily suspended the tariffs for the European Union as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea.

But the White House has unveiled plans to impose new tariffs on about $60 billion of Chinese imports over the "theft" of intellectual property.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the top economic official, told US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a phone call last month that the IP investigation violated international trade rules and Beijing was "ready to defend its national interests."

'Heavy blow'

But Beijing has so far held fire against major US imports such as soybeans or Boeing aircraft -- items that the state-run daily Global Times suggested should be targeted.

The nationalistic newspaper said in an editorial last week that China has "nearly completed its list of retaliatory tariffs on US products and will release it soon."

"The list will involve major Chinese imports from the US," the newspaper wrote, without saying which items were included.

"This will deal a heavy blow to Washington that aggressively wields the stick of trade war and will make the US pay a price for its radical trade policy toward China," the Global Times wrote.

Despite the rhetoric, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday suggested the new measures on intellectual property were a "prelude to&nbsp;a set of negotiations".

The United States ran a&nbsp;$375.2 billion deficit with China last year.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, held meetings with Chinese officials on Friday and Saturday, including Vice Premier Liu.

"With Vice Premier Liu He, I had an extensive discussion about how China's trade-distorting measures end up hurting American workers," Warren wrote on Twitter.

"I've long been skeptical of trade policy -– both at home and abroad -– that caters to big corporations instead of working families."

&nbsp;

Trump has repeatedly railed against China's massive trade surplus with the United States

The United States on Monday blasted as "unfair" Chinese tariffs imposed on 128 US imports worth $3 billion, including fruit and pork, in the latest tit-for-tat over US duties on steel and aluminium. China's action, which was decided by the customs tariff commission of the State Council, followed weeks of rhetoric that has raised fears of a trade war between the world's two biggest economies. President Donald Trump's administration had said its duties were aimed at steel and aluminium imports that it deemed a threat to US national security, but China's Commerce Ministry called that reasoning an "abuse" of World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines. The US measures "are directed only at a few countries, seriously violating the principle of non-discrimination as a cornerstone of the multilateral trading system, which seriously infringed the interests of the Chinese side," said a statement on the Commerce Ministry website. Trump has repeatedly railed against China's massive trade surplus with the United States and promised during the election campaign to take steps to slash the US deficit. His White House again pointed the finger at Beijing. "China's subsidization and continued overcapacity is the root cause" of what deputy White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters called a crisis affecting steel. "Instead of targeting fairly traded US exports, China needs to stop its unfair trading practices, which are harming US national security and distorting global markets," she said. Beijing had warned last month that it was considering the tariffs of 15 percent and 25 percent on a range of products that also include wine, nuts and aluminium scrap. They came into force on Monday, Xinhua said, citing a government statement. The levies are in response to tariffs of 10 percent on aluminium and 25 percent on steel that have also angered US allies. "We hope that the United States can withdraw measures that violate WTO rules as soon as possible to put trade in the relevant products between China and the US back on a normal track," the Commerce Ministry statement said. "Cooperation between China and the United States, the world's two largest economies, is the only correct choice." Trump has temporarily suspended the tariffs for the European Union as well as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and South Korea. But the White House has unveiled plans to impose new tariffs on about $60 billion of Chinese imports over the "theft" of intellectual property. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the top economic official, told US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a phone call last month that the IP investigation violated international trade rules and Beijing was "ready to defend its national interests." 'Heavy blow' But Beijing has so far held fire against major US imports such as soybeans or Boeing aircraft -- items that the state-run daily Global Times suggested should be targeted. The nationalistic newspaper said in an editorial last week that China has "nearly completed its list of retaliatory tariffs on US products and will release it soon." "The list will involve major Chinese imports from the US," the newspaper wrote, without saying which items were included. "This will deal a heavy blow to Washington that aggressively wields the stick of trade war and will make the US pay a price for its radical trade policy toward China," the Global Times wrote. Despite the rhetoric, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross on Thursday suggested the new measures on intellectual property were a "prelude to a set of negotiations". The United States ran a $375.2 billion deficit with China last year. US Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, held meetings with Chinese officials on Friday and Saturday, including Vice Premier Liu. "With Vice Premier Liu He, I had an extensive discussion about how China's trade-distorting measures end up hurting American workers," Warren wrote on Twitter. "I've long been skeptical of trade policy -– both at home and abroad -– that caters to big corporations instead of working families."

White House blasts $3 billion Chinese tariffs, calls them 'unfair'

President Donald Trump lashed out in fury Monday over immigration, an outburst triggered by images of a "caravan" of hundreds of Central American migrants headed toward the US border.

For the second straight day, Trump took to Twitter to attack Mexico for allowing the 1,500-strong group to march unimpeded toward the United States, their daily progress mapped out by US media.

He threatened to abrogate NAFTA, the US-Mexico-Canada free trade pact, and demanded Congress pass tougher immigration legislation and support his plan for a wall along the Mexican frontier.

He also declared he no longer supported a replacement for DACA, the program that had offered protection against deportation for about 700,000 undocumented immigrants, most of them Mexicans, who came to the US as children.

"Mexico has the absolute power not to let these large 'Caravans'&nbsp;of people enter their country," the president wrote.

"Mexico is making a fortune on NAFTA... They have very strong border laws -- ours are pathetic," he added.

"With all of the money they make from the US, hopefully they will stop people from coming through their country and into ours, at least until Congress changes our immigration laws!"

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto demanded that the United States respectfully pursue the trade negotiations, despite the disagreements over immigration.

"We have been conducting serious negotiations," he said, expressing hope that "this spirit of positivity, mutual respect and cordiality" will continue, while looking for areas "that really favor the development of the three countries."

Since taking office more than a year ago, Trump has focused on cracking down on legal and undocumented immigration.

He has repeatedly tried to link immigration with crime but immigrant defenders say many immigrants are fleeing poverty and violence.Mexico's Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete Prida rejected Trump's accusations.

"It is absolutely incorrect to say that Mexico is not making an effort" to control illegal migration, he told journalists.

"We have been following the course of this caravan, whose numbers have fallen significantly... Of course we will act, let me be clear, in strict compliance with our migration laws, without accepting pressure from any country or anyone."

Organized each of the past five years by activists of Pueblo Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, the 1,500 migrants say they have fled El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua because of poverty and widespread violence from criminal gangs.

They set off on March 25 from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas for the US border, where many hope to apply for asylum.

On Monday, they were passing through the mountainous southern Mexican state of Oaxaca.

Trump appears to have become aware of them over the weekend from a report on Fox News, which he regularly watches.

"Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the US. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA," he tweeted on Sunday.

He demanded Congress pass tougher immigration laws and give more support to building a wall along the border. Accusing the migrants of seeking to benefit from DACA, he declared no deal would be made to replace it.

A leader of the caravan countered that Trump is using it as a "pretext" to stop any deal on DACA that would provide those qualified -- as many as 1.8 million people -- a path to citizenship.

"This is just a pretense to lay the blame somewhere else. He's just using our movement, the caravan, as a pretext," caravan organizer Rodrigo Abeja told AFP.

Abeja said the Mexican government was in a difficult position with the caravan, given the growing publicity attached to its daily progress.&nbsp;

"The Mexican government is under a lot of pressure from the United States to show that it has control over its borders," he said.&nbsp;

A leader of the caravan countered that Trump is using it as a 'pretex' to stop any deal on DACA that would provide those qualified a path to citizenship

President Donald Trump lashed out in fury Monday over immigration, an outburst triggered by images of a "caravan" of hundreds of Central American migrants headed toward the US border. For the second straight day, Trump took to Twitter to attack Mexico for allowing the 1,500-strong group to march unimpeded toward the United States, their daily progress mapped out by US media. He threatened to abrogate NAFTA, the US-Mexico-Canada free trade pact, and demanded Congress pass tougher immigration legislation and support his plan for a wall along the Mexican frontier. He also declared he no longer supported a replacement for DACA, the program that had offered protection against deportation for about 700,000 undocumented immigrants, most of them Mexicans, who came to the US as children. "Mexico has the absolute power not to let these large 'Caravans' of people enter their country," the president wrote. "Mexico is making a fortune on NAFTA... They have very strong border laws -- ours are pathetic," he added. "With all of the money they make from the US, hopefully they will stop people from coming through their country and into ours, at least until Congress changes our immigration laws!" Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto demanded that the United States respectfully pursue the trade negotiations, despite the disagreements over immigration. "We have been conducting serious negotiations," he said, expressing hope that "this spirit of positivity, mutual respect and cordiality" will continue, while looking for areas "that really favor the development of the three countries." Since taking office more than a year ago, Trump has focused on cracking down on legal and undocumented immigration. He has repeatedly tried to link immigration with crime but immigrant defenders say many immigrants are fleeing poverty and violence.Mexico's Interior Minister Alfonso Navarrete Prida rejected Trump's accusations. "It is absolutely incorrect to say that Mexico is not making an effort" to control illegal migration, he told journalists. "We have been following the course of this caravan, whose numbers have fallen significantly... Of course we will act, let me be clear, in strict compliance with our migration laws, without accepting pressure from any country or anyone." Organized each of the past five years by activists of Pueblo Sin Fronteras, or People Without Borders, the 1,500 migrants say they have fled El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras or Nicaragua because of poverty and widespread violence from criminal gangs. They set off on March 25 from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas for the US border, where many hope to apply for asylum. On Monday, they were passing through the mountainous southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. Trump appears to have become aware of them over the weekend from a report on Fox News, which he regularly watches. "Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the US. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA," he tweeted on Sunday. He demanded Congress pass tougher immigration laws and give more support to building a wall along the border. Accusing the migrants of seeking to benefit from DACA, he declared no deal would be made to replace it. A leader of the caravan countered that Trump is using it as a "pretext" to stop any deal on DACA that would provide those qualified -- as many as 1.8 million people -- a path to citizenship. "This is just a pretense to lay the blame somewhere else. He's just using our movement, the caravan, as a pretext," caravan organizer Rodrigo Abeja told AFP. Abeja said the Mexican government was in a difficult position with the caravan, given the growing publicity attached to its daily progress. "The Mexican government is under a lot of pressure from the United States to show that it has control over its borders," he said.

Trump outraged over Mexico migrant 'caravan'

United States President Donald Trump defended the Border Patrol agents of the country for allowing the immigrants within the US territory while blaming the US policies including 'Catch and Release' and DACA for illegal immigration.

Trump took to his Twitter account on Sunday to say, "Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. "Caravans" coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!" he tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. “Caravans” coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980443810529533952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The Catch and Release is a term used by the US immigration enforcement agencies including the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection for a protocol as part of which people caught as illegal immigrants in the country are released while they are waiting for a hearing with an immigration judge.

As per reports the Catch and Release policy officially ended in 2006 under President George W. Bush and United States Department of Homeland Security though certain critics had mentioned that it is still followed as part of various US policies.

He further spoke against the infamous Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) deal according to which those who enter the US illegally as minors and remained there without any legal permission receive a renewable two-year period after which they shall face deportation to their native countries.

While terming the immigrants as 'caravans' Trump warned to use the Nuclear option as part of which the US Senate is allowed to override a rule in spite of no majority vote.

The nuclear option shall allow Trump to pass tougher laws with a simple majority instead of 60 votes.

As per the DACA, the immigrants are also entitled to a work permit within the US.

Further Trump blamed Mexico which shares a border with the United States to allow the immigrants in the country while pointing at DACA to be the cause of such activities.

He also threatened to revoke North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which provides financial aid to Canada and Mexico via the US in retaliation to movement of the migrants across its border.

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Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980451155548491777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S., They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flow, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!. These big flows of people are all trying to take advantage of DACA. They want in on the act!" he said in a series of tweet.

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These big flows of people are all trying to take advantage of DACA. They want in on the act!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/980451798606602241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier President Trump had vowed that he would keep pushing for the funding of an 'anti-migration' border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump took to his Twitter account on Sunday to say, "Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release

United States President Donald Trump defended the Border Patrol agents of the country for allowing the immigrants within the US territory while blaming the US policies including 'Catch and Release' and DACA for illegal immigration. Trump took to his Twitter account on Sunday to say, "Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. "Caravans" coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL!" he tweeted. Border Patrol Agents are not allowed to properly do their job at the Border because of ridiculous liberal (Democrat) laws like Catch & Release. Getting more dangerous. “Caravans” coming. Republicans must go to Nuclear Option to pass tough laws NOW. NO MORE DACA DEAL! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018 × The Catch and Release is a term used by the US immigration enforcement agencies including the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Customs and Border Protection for a protocol as part of which people caught as illegal immigrants in the country are released while they are waiting for a hearing with an immigration judge. As per reports the Catch and Release policy officially ended in 2006 under President George W. Bush and United States Department of Homeland Security though certain critics had mentioned that it is still followed as part of various US policies. He further spoke against the infamous Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) deal according to which those who enter the US illegally as minors and remained there without any legal permission receive a renewable two-year period after which they shall face deportation to their native countries. While terming the immigrants as 'caravans' Trump warned to use the Nuclear option as part of which the US Senate is allowed to override a rule in spite of no majority vote. The nuclear option shall allow Trump to pass tougher laws with a simple majority instead of 60 votes. As per the DACA, the immigrants are also entitled to a work permit within the US. Further Trump blamed Mexico which shares a border with the United States to allow the immigrants in the country while pointing at DACA to be the cause of such activities. He also threatened to revoke North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which provides financial aid to Canada and Mexico via the US in retaliation to movement of the migrants across its border. Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S. They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flows, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018 × "Mexico is doing very little, if not NOTHING, at stopping people from flowing into Mexico through their Southern Border, and then into the U.S., They laugh at our dumb immigration laws. They must stop the big drug and people flow, or I will stop their cash cow, NAFTA. NEED WALL!. These big flows of people are all trying to take advantage of DACA. They want in on the act!" he said in a series of tweet. These big flows of people are all trying to take advantage of DACA. They want in on the act! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 1, 2018 × Earlier President Trump had vowed that he would keep pushing for the funding of an 'anti-migration' border wall along the US-Mexico border.

Trump says 'ridiculous' laws making border patrol more dangerous

The process of filing petitions for H-1B, considered as the most sought-after work visa among highly skilled Indian professionals, begins tomorrow amidst unprecedented scrutiny by the Trump Administration.

A strong indication is coming from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency which is responsible to process all H-1B visas, that there will be zero tolerance by it for even minor errors.

Chatter at various social media platforms and groups indicate that immigration attorneys this time expect a much high rate of rejection.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.

The H1-B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the cap.

Days ahead of the start of the H-1B visa application process for the fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1 this year USCIS warned that all duplicate applications would be subject to rejection. In previous years filing of duplicate petitions, by companies, so that applicants could have a greater chance of getting through the lottery had become a normal practice.

USCIS has also said that it will reject H-1B petitions requesting an earlier employment start date or a start date of "As Soon As Possible" or "ASAP."

Expecting a huge rush of application beginning tomorrow and greater scrutiny of all petitions, which would require much more man hours, USCIS has also temporarily suspended premium processing.

"We will announce the start date for premium processing in the near future," USCIS said.

As of now, USCIS has not indicated if it plans to go for a computerised draw of lots as has been the case in previous years after receiving several times more than the Congressional mandated cap of H-1B visas.

"Complete all sections of the form accurately. The petitioner should include a copy of the beneficiary's valid passport," USCIS said.

If the applicant is seeking an extension of stay or change of status, he/she should include evidence to establish that the beneficiary will maintain a valid nonimmigrant status through the employment start date being requested, USCIS said in its filing tips.

Given the general campaign against highly skilled Indian professionals, the applications by Indian companies are likely to face a greater scrutiny of all these petitions.

As in the previous years, Indian companies would have to pay much more fee per application than those from other countries. On an average, they are required to pay USD 6,000 to the federal government per H-1B application.

And by then time the successful applicant appear before the American diplomatic missions -- embassies and consulates for a formal visa interview and stamping on their passport, they would have to be ready with details of the social media profile, emails and phone numbers in the last five years.

On Friday, the State Department issued a formal notification in this regard which would come into force after 90 days.

Ahead of the H-1B visa filing process, USCIS said this work visa should help US companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country.

"Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged. Employers who abuse the H-1B visa program may negatively affect US workers, decreasing wages and opportunities as they import more foreign workers," it said.

Protecting American workers by combating fraud in our employment-based immigration programs is a priority for USCIS, it said, adding that it is furthering its efforts by enhancing and increasing site visits, interviews, and investigations of petitioners who use the H-1B visa programme.

"These efforts will help assist in the prosecution of program violators and ensure that American workers are not overlooked or replaced in the process," USCIS said.

The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise

The process of filing petitions for H-1B, considered as the most sought-after work visa among highly skilled Indian professionals, begins tomorrow amidst unprecedented scrutiny by the Trump Administration. A strong indication is coming from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency which is responsible to process all H-1B visas, that there will be zero tolerance by it for even minor errors. Chatter at various social media platforms and groups indicate that immigration attorneys this time expect a much high rate of rejection. The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. The technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China. The H1-B visa has an annual numerical limit cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year as mandated by the Congress. The first 20,000 petitions filed on behalf of beneficiaries with a US master's degree or higher are exempt from the cap. Days ahead of the start of the H-1B visa application process for the fiscal year 2019, beginning October 1 this year USCIS warned that all duplicate applications would be subject to rejection. In previous years filing of duplicate petitions, by companies, so that applicants could have a greater chance of getting through the lottery had become a normal practice. USCIS has also said that it will reject H-1B petitions requesting an earlier employment start date or a start date of "As Soon As Possible" or "ASAP." Expecting a huge rush of application beginning tomorrow and greater scrutiny of all petitions, which would require much more man hours, USCIS has also temporarily suspended premium processing. "We will announce the start date for premium processing in the near future," USCIS said. As of now, USCIS has not indicated if it plans to go for a computerised draw of lots as has been the case in previous years after receiving several times more than the Congressional mandated cap of H-1B visas. "Complete all sections of the form accurately. The petitioner should include a copy of the beneficiary's valid passport," USCIS said. If the applicant is seeking an extension of stay or change of status, he/she should include evidence to establish that the beneficiary will maintain a valid nonimmigrant status through the employment start date being requested, USCIS said in its filing tips. Given the general campaign against highly skilled Indian professionals, the applications by Indian companies are likely to face a greater scrutiny of all these petitions. As in the previous years, Indian companies would have to pay much more fee per application than those from other countries. On an average, they are required to pay USD 6,000 to the federal government per H-1B application. And by then time the successful applicant appear before the American diplomatic missions -- embassies and consulates for a formal visa interview and stamping on their passport, they would have to be ready with details of the social media profile, emails and phone numbers in the last five years. On Friday, the State Department issued a formal notification in this regard which would come into force after 90 days. Ahead of the H-1B visa filing process, USCIS said this work visa should help US companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country. "Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged. Employers who abuse the H-1B visa program may negatively affect US workers, decreasing wages and opportunities as they import more foreign workers," it said. Protecting American workers by combating fraud in our employment-based immigration programs is a priority for USCIS, it said, adding that it is furthering its efforts by enhancing and increasing site visits, interviews, and investigations of petitioners who use the H-1B visa programme. "These efforts will help assist in the prosecution of program violators and ensure that American workers are not overlooked or replaced in the process," USCIS said.

H-1B application process begins tomorrow; likely to face unprecedented scrutiny

The United States and South Korea kicked off a low-key joint military drill Sunday as a diplomatic thaw over North Korea gathered pace.

Tension on the flashpoint peninsula has shown signs of easing in recent months after the isolated, nuclear-armed North proposed summits with the South and their "imperialist enemy" the US.

The annual Foal Eagle drill -- a series of field training exercises involving some 11,500 American and 290,000 South Korean troops -- began early Sunday, Seoul's defence ministry spokesman said.

The drill -- which was delayed to avoid clashing with February's Winter Olympics in the South -- will be held for a month in April, about half the time it usually lasts.

This year's drills feature fewer strategic weapons like a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Seoul army said earlier. The deployment of such powerful weapons at past drills has frequently drawn an angry response from the North.

The two allies are also set to stage the annual Key Resolve drill -- a tabletop exercise using mainly computer-based simulations -- for the usual duration of two weeks beginning late April.

Pyongyang, which habitually slams the joint army drills between the South and the US as a rehearsal for invasion, has remained relatively quiet on the issue in recent weeks.

The Foal Eagle drill started the same day as a historic concert by South Korean pop stars in Pyongyang, which will be staged late Sunday as a peace gesture ahead of this month's inter-Korea summit.

Eleven South Korean acts -- including popular K-pop girlband Red Velvet -- are set perform in the North Korean capital -- the first such concert for more than a decade.

The flurry of reconciliatory moves comes after the Pyeongchang Winter Games, which the North used to mount a charm offensive, sending athletes, cheerleaders and even leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister as a delegate.

Kim, who last week met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on his first overseas trip as leader, also met Olympics chief Thomas Bach in Pyongyang on Saturday, thanking him for helping to bring about a "dramatic thawing" of tensions on the peninsula.

Kim is set to hold a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 at the border truce village of Panmunjom -- the third time ever that any leaders of the two rivals have met.&nbsp

The two allies are also set to stage the annual Key Resolve drill

The United States and South Korea kicked off a low-key joint military drill Sunday as a diplomatic thaw over North Korea gathered pace. Tension on the flashpoint peninsula has shown signs of easing in recent months after the isolated, nuclear-armed North proposed summits with the South and their "imperialist enemy" the US. The annual Foal Eagle drill -- a series of field training exercises involving some 11,500 American and 290,000 South Korean troops -- began early Sunday, Seoul's defence ministry spokesman said. The drill -- which was delayed to avoid clashing with February's Winter Olympics in the South -- will be held for a month in April, about half the time it usually lasts. This year's drills feature fewer strategic weapons like a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Seoul army said earlier. The deployment of such powerful weapons at past drills has frequently drawn an angry response from the North. The two allies are also set to stage the annual Key Resolve drill -- a tabletop exercise using mainly computer-based simulations -- for the usual duration of two weeks beginning late April. Pyongyang, which habitually slams the joint army drills between the South and the US as a rehearsal for invasion, has remained relatively quiet on the issue in recent weeks. The Foal Eagle drill started the same day as a historic concert by South Korean pop stars in Pyongyang, which will be staged late Sunday as a peace gesture ahead of this month's inter-Korea summit. Eleven South Korean acts -- including popular K-pop girlband Red Velvet -- are set perform in the North Korean capital -- the first such concert for more than a decade. The flurry of reconciliatory moves comes after the Pyeongchang Winter Games, which the North used to mount a charm offensive, sending athletes, cheerleaders and even leader Kim Jong Un's powerful sister as a delegate. Kim, who last week met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on his first overseas trip as leader, also met Olympics chief Thomas Bach in Pyongyang on Saturday, thanking him for helping to bring about a "dramatic thawing" of tensions on the peninsula. Kim is set to hold a summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 27 at the border truce village of Panmunjom -- the third time ever that any leaders of the two rivals have met.

US, South Korea begin low-key army drills amid diplomatic thaw

The White House has instructed the State Department to freeze over $200 million in funds earmarked for "recovery efforts" in Syria, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

The report -- which came a day after Trump declared in a speech that the US would be quitting Syria "very soon" -- is another indication the president wants to disengage from the country.

Officials told AFP that Trump's aside in his speech was not a slip, but that for several weeks he had been pushing back against the idea of a long or medium term US commitment to stabilizing eastern Syria.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump called for the spending freeze after reading a news report that said the US had committed the funds for recovery efforts in Syria, which has been wracked by a more than seven-year civil war.

The US has more than 2,000 military personnel in eastern Syria as part of international efforts to defeat the Islamic State group, an extremist organization that once controlled swathes of Syria and neighboring Iraq.

Speaking in Ohio on Thursday, Trump indicated that with the war against IS winding down, he wants American involvement in Syria to do likewise.

"We'll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon. Let the other people take care of it now," he promised.

Trump did not say who the others were who might take care of Syria, but Russia and Iran have sizable forces in the country to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

His eagerness to quit the conflict flies in the face of a new US Syria strategy announced in January by then secretary of state Rex Tillerson -- who has since been sacked.

Tillerson argued that US forces must remain engaged in Syria to prevent IS and Al-Qaeda from returning and to deny Iran a chance "to further strengthen its position in Syria."

In a speech at Stanford University, he also warned that "a total withdrawal of American personnel at this time would restore Assad and continue his brutal treatment against his own people."

But Tillerson has gone after being dismissed in a tweet. And Trump, who increasingly makes foreign policy announcements without seeking the advice of US generals or diplomats, wants out.

"We spent $7 trillion in the Middle East. And you know what we have for it? Nothing," Trump declared, promising to focus future US spending on building jobs and infrastructure at home.

The report is another indication the president wants to disengage from the country

The White House has instructed the State Department to freeze over $200 million in funds earmarked for "recovery efforts" in Syria, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday. The report -- which came a day after Trump declared in a speech that the US would be quitting Syria "very soon" -- is another indication the president wants to disengage from the country. Officials told AFP that Trump's aside in his speech was not a slip, but that for several weeks he had been pushing back against the idea of a long or medium term US commitment to stabilizing eastern Syria. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump called for the spending freeze after reading a news report that said the US had committed the funds for recovery efforts in Syria, which has been wracked by a more than seven-year civil war. The US has more than 2,000 military personnel in eastern Syria as part of international efforts to defeat the Islamic State group, an extremist organization that once controlled swathes of Syria and neighboring Iraq. Speaking in Ohio on Thursday, Trump indicated that with the war against IS winding down, he wants American involvement in Syria to do likewise. "We'll be coming out of Syria, like, very soon. Let the other people take care of it now," he promised. Trump did not say who the others were who might take care of Syria, but Russia and Iran have sizable forces in the country to support President Bashar al-Assad's regime. His eagerness to quit the conflict flies in the face of a new US Syria strategy announced in January by then secretary of state Rex Tillerson -- who has since been sacked. Tillerson argued that US forces must remain engaged in Syria to prevent IS and Al-Qaeda from returning and to deny Iran a chance "to further strengthen its position in Syria." In a speech at Stanford University, he also warned that "a total withdrawal of American personnel at this time would restore Assad and continue his brutal treatment against his own people." But Tillerson has gone after being dismissed in a tweet. And Trump, who increasingly makes foreign policy announcements without seeking the advice of US generals or diplomats, wants out. "We spent $7 trillion in the Middle East. And you know what we have for it? Nothing," Trump declared, promising to focus future US spending on building jobs and infrastructure at home.

Trump freezes over $200 million allocated for Syria's 'recovery fund'

Kremlin&nbsp;on Friday said that it was not Russia that unleashed diplomatic war with the West following the mass expulsion of US envoys.

New agency AFP quoted President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling journalists that "Russia did not unleash any diplomatic war."

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/poisoned-former-russian-spy-skripals-daughter-is-no-longer-critical-hospital-127116">Poisoned former Russian spy Skripal's daughter is no longer critical&nbsp;</a>

A Kremlin spokesman said: "Russian President Vladimir Putin still favours mending ties with other countries, despite a decision to expel scores of Western diplomats."&nbsp;

The spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he disagreed with the US government's assessment that Russia's decision to expel 60 U.S. diplomats showed Moscow was not interested in diplomacy.

He also added,&nbsp;"Russia never initiated any exchange of sanctions."

Meanwhile, Russia expelled two Dutch diplomats over spy poisoning, Dutch envoy told Russian TASS news agency.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/russian-action-to-expel-60-us-diplomats-marks-further-deterioration-in-bilateral-ties-white-house-127156">White House </a>&nbsp;reacting to the mass expulsion had said that "Russia's decision to&nbsp;<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/russia-to-expel-60-american-diplomats-close-consulate-in-st-petersburg-foreign-minister-lavrov-127144">expel 60 American diplomats and order closer to the US Consulate</a>&nbsp;in St Petersburg marks a further deterioration in bilateral ties".

Russia on Thursday announced expulsion of 60 American diplomats and decided to close the consulate in Saint Petersburg in a retaliatory move&nbsp;against coordinated moves by Britain and its allies over spy poisoning in the&nbsp;UK.

Trump administration had announced last week that it has expelled 60 Russian diplomats and decided to shutdown the consulate in Seattle.

Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov said that the US ambassador had been informed of "retaliatory measures".

"They include the expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and our decision to withdraw permission for the functioning of the US consulate general in Saint Petersburg," Lavrov said.

"The measures would be reciprocal ... They include expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and they include our decision to withdraw our agreement to allow the United States' general consulate to operate in St. Petersburg," Lavrov added.

The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had earlier said the charges against Russia that it was behind the poisoning of an ex-spy in Salisbury, UK was "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/spy-poisoning-row-charges-politically-motivated-says-russia-127094">politically motivated</a>".

"We have answered all the questions raised by UK," the Russian foreign minister had said at a press conference in Moscow.

&nbsp;

<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwa3XoYI10s" width="560"></iframe>

President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists 'Russia did not unleash any diplomatic war' adding 'Russia never initiated any exchange of sanctions'

Kremlin on Friday said that it was not Russia that unleashed diplomatic war with the West following the mass expulsion of US envoys. New agency AFP quoted President Vladimir Putin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling journalists that "Russia did not unleash any diplomatic war." Also read: Poisoned former Russian spy Skripal's daughter is no longer critical A Kremlin spokesman said: "Russian President Vladimir Putin still favours mending ties with other countries, despite a decision to expel scores of Western diplomats." The spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said he disagreed with the US government's assessment that Russia's decision to expel 60 U.S. diplomats showed Moscow was not interested in diplomacy. He also added, "Russia never initiated any exchange of sanctions." Meanwhile, Russia expelled two Dutch diplomats over spy poisoning, Dutch envoy told Russian TASS news agency. The White House reacting to the mass expulsion had said that "Russia's decision to expel 60 American diplomats and order closer to the US Consulate in St Petersburg marks a further deterioration in bilateral ties". Russia on Thursday announced expulsion of 60 American diplomats and decided to close the consulate in Saint Petersburg in a retaliatory move against coordinated moves by Britain and its allies over spy poisoning in the UK. Trump administration had announced last week that it has expelled 60 Russian diplomats and decided to shutdown the consulate in Seattle. Russian ambassador Sergey Lavrov said that the US ambassador had been informed of "retaliatory measures". "They include the expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and our decision to withdraw permission for the functioning of the US consulate general in Saint Petersburg," Lavrov said. "The measures would be reciprocal ... They include expulsion of the equivalent number of diplomats and they include our decision to withdraw our agreement to allow the United States' general consulate to operate in St. Petersburg," Lavrov added. The Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova had earlier said the charges against Russia that it was behind the poisoning of an ex-spy in Salisbury, UK was "politically motivated". "We have answered all the questions raised by UK," the Russian foreign minister had said at a press conference in Moscow.

President Putin still favours mending ties with other countries despite expulsion of diplomats: Kremlin

US President Donald Trump took aim Wednesday at Amazon, claiming the US online giant pays too little in taxes and hurts other retailers.

"I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election," Trump tweeted.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/979326715272065024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the US), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!"

The comments came a day after a report by the news site Axios that Trump was "obsessed" with Amazon, believing the tech giant fails to pay enough taxes and gets preferential treatment from the US Postal Service.

The report said Trump's wealthy friends complain that Amazon is killing shopping malls and brick-and-mortar retailers.

Trump has long been at odds with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a vocal opponent of the Republican in the 2016 election campaign.

Bezos is also the owner of the Washington Post, a frequent target of Trump over its news coverage.

On Tuesday, a White House official declined to comment specifically on the report but commented that the president "has said he`s always looking to create a level playing field for all businesses."

US President Donald Trump took aim Wednesday at Amazon, claiming the US online giant pays too little in taxes and hurts other retailers

US President Donald Trump took aim Wednesday at Amazon, claiming the US online giant pays too little in taxes and hurts other retailers. "I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election," Trump tweeted. I have stated my concerns with Amazon long before the Election. Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the U.S.), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 29, 2018 × "Unlike others, they pay little or no taxes to state & local governments, use our Postal System as their Delivery Boy (causing tremendous loss to the US), and are putting many thousands of retailers out of business!" The comments came a day after a report by the news site Axios that Trump was "obsessed" with Amazon, believing the tech giant fails to pay enough taxes and gets preferential treatment from the US Postal Service. The report said Trump's wealthy friends complain that Amazon is killing shopping malls and brick-and-mortar retailers. Trump has long been at odds with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, a vocal opponent of the Republican in the 2016 election campaign. Bezos is also the owner of the Washington Post, a frequent target of Trump over its news coverage. On Tuesday, a White House official declined to comment specifically on the report but commented that the president "has said he`s always looking to create a level playing field for all businesses."

Trump assails Amazon on taxes, retail competition

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-wins-denuclearisation-pledge-from-north-koreas-kim-affirms-friendship-126678">China's Xi wins denuclearisation pledge from North Korea's Kim, affirms friendship</a>

China said on Wednesday it won a pledge from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearise the Korean peninsula during a meeting with President Xi Jinping, who pledged in return that China would uphold its friendship with its isolated neighbour.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/stormy-daniels-row-white-house-defends-trumps-silence-126679">Stormy Daniels row: White House defends Trump's silence</a>

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Tuesday defended United States President Donald Trump's silence on allegations levelled against him by porn star Stormy Daniels.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-hold-summit-with-us-kim-jong-un-126675">North Korea willing to hold </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-hold-summit-with-us-kim-jong-un-126675">summit</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-hold-summit-with-us-kim-jong-un-126675"> with </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-hold-summit-with-us-kim-jong-un-126675">US</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/north-korea-willing-to-hold-summit-with-us-kim-jong-un-126675">: Kim Jong Un</a>

North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un confirmed on Wednesday his willingness to hold a summit with Washington. Kim's statement came while he was on a surprise visit to China where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-to-testify-before-us-congress-source-126687">Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to testify before US Congress: Source</a>

Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg plans to testify before US Congress, a source briefed on the matter said on Tuesday, as he bows to pressure from lawmakers insisting he explains how 50 million users’ data ended up in the hands of a political consultancy.&nbsp;

<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-seven-russian-diplomats-limits-size-of-mission-126642">NATO expels seven Russian diplomats, limits </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-seven-russian-diplomats-limits-size-of-mission-126642">size</a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-seven-russian-diplomats-limits-size-of-mission-126642"> of </a><a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/world/nato-expels-seven-russian-diplomats-limits-size-of-mission-126642">mission</a>

NATO has expelled seven diplomats from Russia's mission to the alliance and blocked the appointment of three others over the nerve agent attack in Britain this month, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.

China's Xi wins denuclearisation pledge from North Korea's Kim, affirms friendship China said on Wednesday it won a pledge from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to denuclearise the Korean peninsula during a meeting with President Xi Jinping, who pledged in return that China would uphold its friendship with its isolated neighbour. Stormy Daniels row: White House defends Trump's silence White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Tuesday defended United States President Donald Trump's silence on allegations levelled against him by porn star Stormy Daniels. North Korea willing to hold summit with US: Kim Jong Un North Korea's supreme leader Kim Jong Un confirmed on Wednesday his willingness to hold a summit with Washington. Kim's statement came while he was on a surprise visit to China where he held talks with his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg to testify before US Congress: Source Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg plans to testify before US Congress, a source briefed on the matter said on Tuesday, as he bows to pressure from lawmakers insisting he explains how 50 million users’ data ended up in the hands of a political consultancy. NATO expels seven Russian diplomats, limits size of mission NATO has expelled seven diplomats from Russia's mission to the alliance and blocked the appointment of three others over the nerve agent attack in Britain this month, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday.

News brief: Read the five big stories of the day

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Tuesday defended United States President Donald Trump's silence on allegations levelled against him by porn star Stormy Daniels.

Sanders, while throwing light on Daniels branding Trump as a "counter-puncher", clarified that she didn't say he "punches back on every single topic". "If he did he would probably be addressing a lot of the stories that most of you write every single minute of every single day. He also has a country to run. And he is doing a great job with that. ... Sometimes he chooses to specifically engage and punch back and sometimes he doesn't," CNN reported Sanders, as saying to reporters.

According to the report, the President has been advised that "lashing out" on the Daniels story will only make it worse.

Daniels on Monday accused Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen for defamation, amending her lawsuit against the US President.

According to the lawsuit, it now claims that Cohen defamed Daniels by suggesting that she is lying about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump, The Hill reported.

Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford appeared on on CBS'&nbsp;"60 Minutes" where Anderson Cooper interviewed her over her alleged affair with Trump. The White House on Monday dismissed Daniel's claims in the CBS interview as "absolutely inaccurate and incoherent"

Trump has been advised that 'lashing out' on the Daniels story will only make it worse

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders on Tuesday defended United States President Donald Trump's silence on allegations levelled against him by porn star Stormy Daniels. Sanders, while throwing light on Daniels branding Trump as a "counter-puncher", clarified that she didn't say he "punches back on every single topic". "If he did he would probably be addressing a lot of the stories that most of you write every single minute of every single day. He also has a country to run. And he is doing a great job with that. ... Sometimes he chooses to specifically engage and punch back and sometimes he doesn't," CNN reported Sanders, as saying to reporters. According to the report, the President has been advised that "lashing out" on the Daniels story will only make it worse. Daniels on Monday accused Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen for defamation, amending her lawsuit against the US President. According to the lawsuit, it now claims that Cohen defamed Daniels by suggesting that she is lying about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump, The Hill reported. Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford appeared on on CBS' "60 Minutes" where Anderson Cooper interviewed her over her alleged affair with Trump. The White House on Monday dismissed Daniel's claims in the CBS interview as "absolutely inaccurate and incoherent"

Stormy Daniels row: White House defends Trump's silence

The White House on Monday dismissed adult star Stormy Daniels&#39&nbspclaims of having an alleged sexual affair with US President Donald Trump and being threatened to keep quiet in a TV interview on Sunday as "absolutely inaccurate and incoherent".

White House spokesman Raj Shah dismissed the entirety of Daniels&#39&nbspstory, aired Sunday on CBS&#39s "60 Minutes."

"The President strongly, clearly and has consistently denied these underlying claims. The only person who has been inconsistent is the one making the claims," Shah said in a statement.

"President Trump doesn&#39t believe that any of the claims that Ms Daniels made are accurate. There is nothing to corroborate her claim," he added.

In a highly-anticipated interview on CBS&#39s news magazine, hosted by American journalist Anderson Cooper, &#3960 Minutes&#39, Daniels on Sunday claimed that she was &#39threatened&#39 publicly by a man, who told her - "Leave Trump alone."

The adult star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recalled an encounter she said took place in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011.

Daniels was on her way to a fitness class with her infant daughter when she said she was approached by a man.

"A guy walked up on me and said to me, &#39Leave Trump alone. Forget the story. It was then at that point that the alleged threat of physical violence was made," Daniels recalled.

The adult star added that the man, whom she could not identify, leaned around and looked at my daughter and said, "That&#39s a beautiful little girl. It&#39d be a shame if something happened to her mom."

After such comments, the man disappeared from the scene, according to Daniels.

That alleged altercation occurred months after Daniels agreed to tell a sister publication of &#39In Touch magazine&#39 her story about the alleged affair in exchange for USD 15,000, The Hill reported.

When pressed specifically on the alleged threat, Shah clarified that President Trump "doesn&#39t believe any of her claims are accurate."

The "60 Minutes" interview breathed new life into Daniels&#39s story, which has dogged the US president for months. It drew 22 million viewers on Sunday night, the program&#39s highest ratings in a decade.

She acknowledged that she started her "intimate relationship" with President Trump at Lake Tahoe in 2006 and continued it in 2007 as well. Further, Daniels claimed that she had a sexual encounter with the US President "just once with consent".

With days to go before the November 2016 presidential election, Daniels signed the non-disclosure agreement in return for USD 130,000 in hush money arranged by the US President&#39s attorney Michael Cohen.

Daniels told CBS that she agreed to the gagging contract because "I was concerned for my family and their safety".

Daniels&#39 lawyer Michael Avenatti complained in the course of the 60 Minutes film that the veiled threat that was allegedly made against his client in 2011 was effectively repeated in the filing of a lawsuit earlier this month by Trump&#39s legal team claiming USD 20 million in damages against her with a further USD 1 million penalties for any further violation of the non-disclosure agreement.

Avenatti said the suit was a form of intimidation. "You threaten someone with a USD 20 million lawsuit, it&#39s a thuggish tactic. It&#39s no different than what happened in the parking lot in Las Vegas."

Daniels refused to answer a question from Cooper about whether she had handed over all digital images, email messages and text messages relating to Trump as part of the 2016 gagging contract. She then replied that her lawyer had advised her not to discuss "those things".

On Thursday, Avenatti posted a tweet that featured a picture of a digital disc in a safe deposit box with the words "If &#39a picture is worth a thousand words&#39, how many words is this worth?"

On March 6, Daniels filed a civil lawsuit against President Trump claiming the nondisclosure agreement, which contains details about her alleged nine-month affair with the latter is "invalid" because the US President had "never signed it."

In response, President Trump&#39s team sued Daniels, claiming that "she violated the agreement."

On Friday, former Playboy model named Karen McDougal in a CNN interview claimed that President Trump had tried to offer her money after they allegedly went intimate.

Further, McDougal expressed regret and apologised to Melania for her alleged encounter with the US President.

Both McDougal and Daniels claim that President Trump had allegedly had a sexual encounter, when the latter&#39s wife and First Lady Melania Trump, had given birth to his son, Barron.

Many women have in the past have alleged that they had allegedly gone intimate with the US President.

However, the White House has refuted claims that President Trump had affairs with other women, including Daniels and McDougal. (ANI)

The adult star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recalled an encounter she said took place in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011

The White House on Monday dismissed adult star Stormy Daniels'&nbspclaims of having an alleged sexual affair with US President Donald Trump and being threatened to keep quiet in a TV interview on Sunday as "absolutely inaccurate and incoherent". White House spokesman Raj Shah dismissed the entirety of Daniels'&nbspstory, aired Sunday on CBS's "60 Minutes." "The President strongly, clearly and has consistently denied these underlying claims. The only person who has been inconsistent is the one making the claims," Shah said in a statement. "President Trump doesn't believe that any of the claims that Ms Daniels made are accurate. There is nothing to corroborate her claim," he added. In a highly-anticipated interview on CBS's news magazine, hosted by American journalist Anderson Cooper, ླྀ Minutes', Daniels on Sunday claimed that she was 'threatened' publicly by a man, who told her - "Leave Trump alone." The adult star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, recalled an encounter she said took place in a Las Vegas parking lot in 2011. Daniels was on her way to a fitness class with her infant daughter when she said she was approached by a man. "A guy walked up on me and said to me, 'Leave Trump alone. Forget the story. It was then at that point that the alleged threat of physical violence was made," Daniels recalled. The adult star added that the man, whom she could not identify, leaned around and looked at my daughter and said, "That's a beautiful little girl. It'd be a shame if something happened to her mom." After such comments, the man disappeared from the scene, according to Daniels. That alleged altercation occurred months after Daniels agreed to tell a sister publication of 'In Touch magazine' her story about the alleged affair in exchange for USD 15,000, The Hill reported. When pressed specifically on the alleged threat, Shah clarified that President Trump "doesn't believe any of her claims are accurate." The "60 Minutes" interview breathed new life into Daniels's story, which has dogged the US president for months. It drew 22 million viewers on Sunday night, the program's highest ratings in a decade. She acknowledged that she started her "intimate relationship" with President Trump at Lake Tahoe in 2006 and continued it in 2007 as well. Further, Daniels claimed that she had a sexual encounter with the US President "just once with consent". With days to go before the November 2016 presidential election, Daniels signed the non-disclosure agreement in return for USD 130,000 in hush money arranged by the US President's attorney Michael Cohen. Daniels told CBS that she agreed to the gagging contract because "I was concerned for my family and their safety". Daniels' lawyer Michael Avenatti complained in the course of the 60 Minutes film that the veiled threat that was allegedly made against his client in 2011 was effectively repeated in the filing of a lawsuit earlier this month by Trump's legal team claiming USD 20 million in damages against her with a further USD 1 million penalties for any further violation of the non-disclosure agreement. Avenatti said the suit was a form of intimidation. "You threaten someone with a USD 20 million lawsuit, it's a thuggish tactic. It's no different than what happened in the parking lot in Las Vegas." Daniels refused to answer a question from Cooper about whether she had handed over all digital images, email messages and text messages relating to Trump as part of the 2016 gagging contract. She then replied that her lawyer had advised her not to discuss "those things". On Thursday, Avenatti posted a tweet that featured a picture of a digital disc in a safe deposit box with the words "If 'a picture is worth a thousand words', how many words is this worth?" On March 6, Daniels filed a civil lawsuit against President Trump claiming the nondisclosure agreement, which contains details about her alleged nine-month affair with the latter is "invalid" because the US President had "never signed it." In response, President Trump's team sued Daniels, claiming that "she violated the agreement." On Friday, former Playboy model named Karen McDougal in a CNN interview claimed that President Trump had tried to offer her money after they allegedly went intimate. Further, McDougal expressed regret and apologised to Melania for her alleged encounter with the US President. Both McDougal and Daniels claim that President Trump had allegedly had a sexual encounter, when the latter's wife and First Lady Melania Trump, had given birth to his son, Barron. Many women have in the past have alleged that they had allegedly gone intimate with the US President. However, the White House has refuted claims that President Trump had affairs with other women, including Daniels and McDougal. (ANI)

Stormy Daniels' claims absolutely 'inaccurate', says White House

US lawmakers advanced a critical $1.3 trillion federal spending bill Thursday, as Congress sprints to avoid a another embarrassing government shutdown ahead of a rapidly approaching funding deadline.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has given his blessing to the bipartisan deal that negotiators clinched the previous evening, even though the White House acknowledged it did not fulfill all of their wishes.

With a Friday midnight deadline looming, the catchall bill, known as an &quot;omnibus,&quot; comfortably passed the House of Representatives on a 256-167 vote.

&quot;The House just voted to rebuild our military, secure our borders, and give our service members their largest pay raise in eight years,&quot; House Speaker Paul Ryan said after the vote.&nbsp;

The bill now heads to the Senate for debate and final passage. It was introduced late Wednesday after weeks of haggling, leaving lawmakers mere hours to peruse and vote on a 2,232-page bill that will touch every aspect of American life.

&quot;Is the president going to sign the bill? The answer is yes,&quot; Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters.

&quot;Is it perfect? No. Is it exactly what we asked for? No.&quot;

It sets defense spending levels at $700 billion for the year, an increase of $61 billion over the 2017 cap, while non-defense domestic spending will reach $591 billion, an increase of about 10 percent.

It provides $1.6 billion -- far less than Trump wanted -- for border security and funds to construct or fix nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of border fencing and barriers, boosts infrastructure spending, and increases funds for school safety and student grants.

It leaves intact funding for women`s health provider Planned Parenthood, a target of relentless criticsm from pro-life Republicans.But in a major blow to Democrats, it fails to include protections for immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children, or language that would help prevent the president from firing Robert Mueller, the special counsel heading the investigation of Russia`s meddling in the 2016 elections.

And it leaves out a long-sought provision to stabilize the insurance market by funding subsidies that could lower insurance rates for low-income families by about 40 percent.

That health care negotiation apparently broke down over disputes over abortion-related language in the bill.

&quot;I`m extremely disappointed,&quot; the provision`s co-author, Senate Republican Susan Collins, told reporters.

Among the sensitive issues addressed in the bill is gun safety, which has been the focus of national attention in the aftermath of deadly school shootings.&nbsp;

Lawmakers said it includes a provision to strengthen compliance with background checks for firearm sales, and one that reverses what has essentially served as a ban on federal research on gun violence.

Even while professing his support, Trump lamented having to &quot;waste money&quot; on &quot;Dem giveaways&quot; to secure the military funding.

Timing over the next 36 hours is critical.&nbsp;

The Senate is now set to consider the measure, but any senator can slow down the process if he or she does not want to speed the bill through, dragging debate beyond the Friday deadline.&nbsp;

&quot;Clearly it`s a concern,&quot; Republican Senator Roger Wicker told AFP about the short timing. &quot;And it`s a very poor way to legislate.&quot;

US lawmakers advanced a critical $1.3 trillion federal spending bill Thursday, as Congress sprints to avoid another embarrassing government shutdown ahead of a rapidly approaching funding deadline

US lawmakers advanced a critical $1.3 trillion federal spending bill Thursday, as Congress sprints to avoid a another embarrassing government shutdown ahead of a rapidly approaching funding deadline. President Donald Trump has given his blessing to the bipartisan deal that negotiators clinched the previous evening, even though the White House acknowledged it did not fulfill all of their wishes. With a Friday midnight deadline looming, the catchall bill, known as an "omnibus," comfortably passed the House of Representatives on a 256-167 vote. "The House just voted to rebuild our military, secure our borders, and give our service members their largest pay raise in eight years," House Speaker Paul Ryan said after the vote. The bill now heads to the Senate for debate and final passage. It was introduced late Wednesday after weeks of haggling, leaving lawmakers mere hours to peruse and vote on a 2,232-page bill that will touch every aspect of American life. "Is the president going to sign the bill? The answer is yes," Mick Mulvaney, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters. "Is it perfect? No. Is it exactly what we asked for? No." It sets defense spending levels at $700 billion for the year, an increase of $61 billion over the 2017 cap, while non-defense domestic spending will reach $591 billion, an increase of about 10 percent. It provides $1.6 billion -- far less than Trump wanted -- for border security and funds to construct or fix nearly 100 miles (160 kilometers) of border fencing and barriers, boosts infrastructure spending, and increases funds for school safety and student grants. It leaves intact funding for women`s health provider Planned Parenthood, a target of relentless criticsm from pro-life Republicans.But in a major blow to Democrats, it fails to include protections for immigrants who arrived in the country illegally as children, or language that would help prevent the president from firing Robert Mueller, the special counsel heading the investigation of Russia`s meddling in the 2016 elections. And it leaves out a long-sought provision to stabilize the insurance market by funding subsidies that could lower insurance rates for low-income families by about 40 percent. That health care negotiation apparently broke down over disputes over abortion-related language in the bill. "I`m extremely disappointed," the provision`s co-author, Senate Republican Susan Collins, told reporters. Among the sensitive issues addressed in the bill is gun safety, which has been the focus of national attention in the aftermath of deadly school shootings. Lawmakers said it includes a provision to strengthen compliance with background checks for firearm sales, and one that reverses what has essentially served as a ban on federal research on gun violence. Even while professing his support, Trump lamented having to "waste money" on "Dem giveaways" to secure the military funding. Timing over the next 36 hours is critical. The Senate is now set to consider the measure, but any senator can slow down the process if he or she does not want to speed the bill through, dragging debate beyond the Friday deadline. "Clearly it`s a concern," Republican Senator Roger Wicker told AFP about the short timing. "And it`s a very poor way to legislate."

US spending bill passes House, heads to Senate as shutdown deadline looms

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, an administration official told Reuters without elaborating.

The White House planned to release a statement on their conversation on Tuesday, the official said.

Putin was re-elected on Sunday as Russia's president, extending his tenure for another six years.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday he hoped Putin's win would lead to a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, the RIA news agency reported.

Ryabkov was cited as saying he hoped the victory would persuade some American politicians to stop isolating Russia and said Moscow was open to dialogue with Washington.

The European Union's chief executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, published a letter of congratulations to Putin on Tuesday, saying Russia and Europe should "re-establish a cooperative pan-European security order."

With East-West ties at post-Cold War lows, Juncker's congratulatory letter followed the latest expression of concern about Russia from EU foreign ministers on Monday over the nerve

agent attack on a former Russian double agent on British soil. Russia denies involvement.

The White House planned to release a statement on their conversation on Tuesday, the official said

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, an administration official told Reuters without elaborating. The White House planned to release a statement on their conversation on Tuesday, the official said. Putin was re-elected on Sunday as Russia's president, extending his tenure for another six years. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Tuesday he hoped Putin's win would lead to a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations, the RIA news agency reported. Ryabkov was cited as saying he hoped the victory would persuade some American politicians to stop isolating Russia and said Moscow was open to dialogue with Washington. The European Union's chief executive, Jean-Claude Juncker, published a letter of congratulations to Putin on Tuesday, saying Russia and Europe should "re-establish a cooperative pan-European security order." With East-West ties at post-Cold War lows, Juncker's congratulatory letter followed the latest expression of concern about Russia from EU foreign ministers on Monday over the nerve agent attack on a former Russian double agent on British soil. Russia denies involvement.

Trump speaks with Putin after re-election victory in Russia

The Trump administration is expected to unveil up to $60 billion in new tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday, targeting technology, telecommunications and intellectual property, two officials briefed on the matter said Monday.

One business source, who has discussed the issue with the administration, said that the China tariffs may be subject to a public comment period, which would delay their effective date and allow industry groups and companies to lodge objections.

This would be considerably different from the quick implementation of the steel and aluminium tariffs, which are set to go into effect on March 23, just 15 days after President Donald Trump signed the proclamations.

A delayed approach could allow time for negotiations with Beijing to try to resolve trade issues related to the administration&#39;s &quot;Section 301&quot; probe into China&#39;s intellectual property practices before tariffs take effect.

The White House declined to comment Monday. China has vowed to take retaliatory measures in response.

Reuters first reported on the $60 billion in tariffs last week.

A source who had direct knowledge of the administration&#39;s thinking told Reuters last week that the tariffs, authorized under the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, would be chiefly targeted at information technology, consumer electronics and telecoms and other products benefiting from U.S. intellectual property. But they could be much broader and hit consumer products such as clothing and footwear, with a list eventually running to 100 products, this person said.

China runs a $375 billion trade surplus with the United States and when President Xi Jinping&#39;s top economic adviser visited Washington recently, the administration pressed him to come up with a way of reducing that number.

In January, Trump told Reuters he was considering a big &quot;fine&quot; as part of a probe into China&#39;s alleged theft of intellectual property. Trump said the Chinese government had forced U.S. companies to transfer their intellectual property to China as a cost of doing business there.

Expectations of the anti-China tariffs have alarmed dozens of U.S. business groups, who warned on Sunday they would raise prices for consumers, kill jobs and drive down financial markets.

The White House declined to comment on Monday. China has vowed to take retaliatory measures in response

The Trump administration is expected to unveil up to $60 billion in new tariffs on Chinese imports by Friday, targeting technology, telecommunications and intellectual property, two officials briefed on the matter said Monday. One business source, who has discussed the issue with the administration, said that the China tariffs may be subject to a public comment period, which would delay their effective date and allow industry groups and companies to lodge objections. This would be considerably different from the quick implementation of the steel and aluminium tariffs, which are set to go into effect on March 23, just 15 days after President Donald Trump signed the proclamations. A delayed approach could allow time for negotiations with Beijing to try to resolve trade issues related to the administration's "Section 301" probe into China's intellectual property practices before tariffs take effect. The White House declined to comment Monday. China has vowed to take retaliatory measures in response. Reuters first reported on the $60 billion in tariffs last week. A source who had direct knowledge of the administration's thinking told Reuters last week that the tariffs, authorized under the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, would be chiefly targeted at information technology, consumer electronics and telecoms and other products benefiting from U.S. intellectual property. But they could be much broader and hit consumer products such as clothing and footwear, with a list eventually running to 100 products, this person said. China runs a $375 billion trade surplus with the United States and when President Xi Jinping's top economic adviser visited Washington recently, the administration pressed him to come up with a way of reducing that number. In January, Trump told Reuters he was considering a big "fine" as part of a probe into China's alleged theft of intellectual property. Trump said the Chinese government had forced U.S. companies to transfer their intellectual property to China as a cost of doing business there. Expectations of the anti-China tariffs have alarmed dozens of U.S. business groups, who warned on Sunday they would raise prices for consumers, kill jobs and drive down financial markets.

US expected to hit China with $60 billion in new tariffs, say sources

President Donald Trump will unveil a plan on Monday to combat the opioid addiction crisis that includes seeking the death penalty for drug dealers and urging Congress to toughen sentencing laws for drug traffickers, White House officials said on Sunday.

The White House plan will also seek to cut opioid prescriptions by a third over the next three years by promoting practices that reduce overprescription of opioids in federal healthcare programs, officials told a news briefing.

Trump will outline his proposals at an event in New Hampshire, which has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic.

The rollout of the plan will be the latest White House action aimed at addressing a U.S. drug abuse crisis that is causing thousands of overdose deaths a year. Trump has said the United States will need &ldquo;toughness&rdquo; to reverse these trends.

&ldquo;The Department of Justice will seek the death penalty against drug traffickers when it&rsquo;s appropriate under the current law,&rdquo; said Andrew Bremberg, director of Trump&rsquo;s Domestic Policy Council, in the briefing detailing the plan.

The White House did not offer any specific examples of when it would be appropriate to seek the death penalty for drug dealers and referred further questions to the Justice Department.

The current federal law allows for the death penalty in certain drug cases including murder related to a drug trafficking offense and murder committed during a drug-related drive-by shooting, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit capital punishment monitor.

It is unclear how this new plan will affect federal prosecutions.

Trump raised the issue of using the death penalty for drug dealers at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. He has repeatedly said individual drug dealers are responsible for thousands of deaths.

The White House is also asking lawmakers to lower the amount of drug possession that triggers mandatory minimum sentences for certain opioids &ldquo;to match the new reality of drugs like fentanyl, which are lethal in much, much smaller doses,&rdquo; Bremberg said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2016, the latest year with publicly available data.

In addition to pursuing street dealers, the plan directs the Justice Department to aggressively go after criminally negligent doctors and pharmacies and to take criminal and civil actions against opioid manufacturers that break the law.

The proposals will also seek to help those addicted to opioids by expanding access to treatment facilities.

The White House did not offer any specific examples of when it would be appropriate to seek the death penalty for drug dealers and referred further questions to the Justice Department

President Donald Trump will unveil a plan on Monday to combat the opioid addiction crisis that includes seeking the death penalty for drug dealers and urging Congress to toughen sentencing laws for drug traffickers, White House officials said on Sunday. The White House plan will also seek to cut opioid prescriptions by a third over the next three years by promoting practices that reduce overprescription of opioids in federal healthcare programs, officials told a news briefing. Trump will outline his proposals at an event in New Hampshire, which has been hit hard by the opioid epidemic. The rollout of the plan will be the latest White House action aimed at addressing a U.S. drug abuse crisis that is causing thousands of overdose deaths a year. Trump has said the United States will need “toughness” to reverse these trends. “The Department of Justice will seek the death penalty against drug traffickers when it’s appropriate under the current law,” said Andrew Bremberg, director of Trump’s Domestic Policy Council, in the briefing detailing the plan. The White House did not offer any specific examples of when it would be appropriate to seek the death penalty for drug dealers and referred further questions to the Justice Department. The current federal law allows for the death penalty in certain drug cases including murder related to a drug trafficking offense and murder committed during a drug-related drive-by shooting, according to the Death Penalty Information Center, a nonprofit capital punishment monitor. It is unclear how this new plan will affect federal prosecutions. Trump raised the issue of using the death penalty for drug dealers at a rally in Pennsylvania earlier this month. He has repeatedly said individual drug dealers are responsible for thousands of deaths. The White House is also asking lawmakers to lower the amount of drug possession that triggers mandatory minimum sentences for certain opioids “to match the new reality of drugs like fentanyl, which are lethal in much, much smaller doses,” Bremberg said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42,000 people died from opioid overdoses in 2016, the latest year with publicly available data. In addition to pursuing street dealers, the plan directs the Justice Department to aggressively go after criminally negligent doctors and pharmacies and to take criminal and civil actions against opioid manufacturers that break the law. The proposals will also seek to help those addicted to opioids by expanding access to treatment facilities.

Trump to seek death penalty for drug dealers: White House officials

Trade is one aspect of India-US relationship that has the most friction, a senior White House official has said even as he underlined that the Trump Administration is looking for a &ldquo;free, fair and reciprocal&rdquo; trade with India.&nbsp;

The US government said that they are focused on increasing the &#39;strategic partnership&#39; but President Trump has publicly raised the issue of high import duty levied by India on high-end motorcycles at least three times in a month and threatened a reciprocal duty on Indian exports to the US.&nbsp;

&ldquo;The commitment to the relationship is very strong on both sides. If you had to point to a part of the relationship where you have the most friction, it certainly would be the trade side,&rdquo; a senior administration official said.

Trump said that they are &ldquo;getting nothing&rdquo; from New Delhi&rsquo;s recent announcement that it had slashed the duty on imported high-end motorcycles to 50%.

Insisting that the Trump Administration has been clear for a free, fair and reciprocal trade, the official said that there has been concerns raised about the trade deficit with India. But he quickly pointed that this trade deficit has actually come down slightly more recently, based largely on India&rsquo;s imports of US energy. &ldquo;This administration is looking for a free, fair and reciprocal trade with India. And so is seeking to see some of those tariffs such as on a Harley Davidson motorcycles that are there. The US is determined to find the opportunities to increase trade investment with India and does expect that there will be some sort of reciprocal dealings on the trade issues,&rdquo; the official said.

The senior administration official noted that Indian motorcycles that are imported into the US don&rsquo;t have any tariffs on them. &ldquo;And so the president has been clear that he&rsquo;s looking for a fairly reciprocal trade with India,&rdquo; the official said.

India is among a group of countries with whom the United States has a trade deficit. But the $30.8 billion deficit in 2016 is quite low compared to China&rsquo;s $385 billion, but enough to put it on Trump&rsquo;s radar, as a country responsible for the combined $800 billion trade deficit he has promised to wipe out.

Responding to a series of question, the official said the Trump Administration has been on constant talks with India on trade issues. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was in Washington DC this week met the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. At the same time, the official indicated that trade issues are unlikely to be part of the soon to be held two plus two dialogue between the two countries involving their respective foreign and defense ministers.

In the absence of the Secretary of State, the two-plus-two dialogue has now been delayed and is likely to be held later this year after Mike Pompeo is confirmed by the Senate. &ldquo;I think, it&rsquo;s an ongoing discussion that we&rsquo;re having on the trade issues. The two plus two is focused a great deal on a defense security cooperation, diplomatic political cooperation just by virtue of the Defense Minister and Defense Secretary and the External Affairs Minister and Secretary of State. The trade issues are more of an ongoing dialogue that we&rsquo;re having with India,&rdquo; the official said. 
&nbsp;

The comment from White House came after President Donald Trump publicly raised the issue of high import duty levied by India on high-end motorcycles at least three times in a month and threatened a reciprocal duty on Indian exports to the US

Trade is one aspect of India-US relationship that has the most friction, a senior White House official has said even as he underlined that the Trump Administration is looking for a “free, fair and reciprocal” trade with India. The US government said that they are focused on increasing the 'strategic partnership' but President Trump has publicly raised the issue of high import duty levied by India on high-end motorcycles at least three times in a month and threatened a reciprocal duty on Indian exports to the US. “The commitment to the relationship is very strong on both sides. If you had to point to a part of the relationship where you have the most friction, it certainly would be the trade side,” a senior administration official said. Trump said that they are “getting nothing” from New Delhi’s recent announcement that it had slashed the duty on imported high-end motorcycles to 50%. Insisting that the Trump Administration has been clear for a free, fair and reciprocal trade, the official said that there has been concerns raised about the trade deficit with India. But he quickly pointed that this trade deficit has actually come down slightly more recently, based largely on India’s imports of US energy. “This administration is looking for a free, fair and reciprocal trade with India. And so is seeking to see some of those tariffs such as on a Harley Davidson motorcycles that are there. The US is determined to find the opportunities to increase trade investment with India and does expect that there will be some sort of reciprocal dealings on the trade issues,” the official said. The senior administration official noted that Indian motorcycles that are imported into the US don’t have any tariffs on them. “And so the president has been clear that he’s looking for a fairly reciprocal trade with India,” the official said. India is among a group of countries with whom the United States has a trade deficit. But the $30.8 billion deficit in 2016 is quite low compared to China’s $385 billion, but enough to put it on Trump’s radar, as a country responsible for the combined $800 billion trade deficit he has promised to wipe out. Responding to a series of question, the official said the Trump Administration has been on constant talks with India on trade issues. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, who was in Washington DC this week met the US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. At the same time, the official indicated that trade issues are unlikely to be part of the soon to be held two plus two dialogue between the two countries involving their respective foreign and defense ministers. In the absence of the Secretary of State, the two-plus-two dialogue has now been delayed and is likely to be held later this year after Mike Pompeo is confirmed by the Senate. “I think, it’s an ongoing discussion that we’re having on the trade issues. The two plus two is focused a great deal on a defense security cooperation, diplomatic political cooperation just by virtue of the Defense Minister and Defense Secretary and the External Affairs Minister and Secretary of State. The trade issues are more of an ongoing dialogue that we’re having with India,” the official said.

India-US trade relationship has most friction, says White House

Porn star Stormy Daniels will go to court on July 12 in a bid to dissolve an agreement stopping her discussing an affair she says she had with President Donald Trump, according to court papers published Wednesday.

Lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a lawsuit on behalf of Daniels last week seeking to toss out the confidential settlement she signed just days before the November 2016 election.

The lawsuit alleges that Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, began an &quot;intimate relationship&quot; with Trump in the summer of 2006 that continued well into 2007.

A copy of the settlement filed in court shows that Daniels received the $130,000 from a company known as Essential Consultants LLC in return for her silence.

Later on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal published details of an arbitration document filed on February 22 in California and signed by Jill A. Martin, a Trump Organization lawyer.&nbsp;

The document, intended to stop Daniels from further discussing the alleged affair, represents the first link between Trump`s company and efforts to stop Daniels talking.

The White House has denied any sexual encounter between Trump and Daniels -- who has offered to return the $130,000 she received so that she can be free to &quot;speak openly and freely about her prior relationship with the president and the attempts to silence her.&quot;

She is also asking to be allowed to publish text messages, photos and videos relating to the president, Avenatti said in a letter to Trump`s lawyer Michael Cohen.

&quot;I think it`s time for her to tell her story and for the public to decide who`s telling the truth,&quot; Avenatti said last week.

Using the pseudonyms Peggy Peterson and David Dennison, Daniels and Trump were to sign the 2016 agreement, along with Essential Consultants.

But Trump never signed, providing the basis for Avenatti`s attempt to have it thrown out and release Daniels from her obligations.

Daniels is asking for presiding judge Elizabeth Feffer to be replaced, arguing that she has a conflict of interest because she is seeking an appointment to a seat in federal court.

Lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a lawsuit on behalf of Daniels last week seeking to toss out the confidential settlement she signed just days before the November 2016 election

Porn star Stormy Daniels will go to court on July 12 in a bid to dissolve an agreement stopping her discussing an affair she says she had with President Donald Trump, according to court papers published Wednesday. Lawyer Michael Avenatti filed a lawsuit on behalf of Daniels last week seeking to toss out the confidential settlement she signed just days before the November 2016 election. The lawsuit alleges that Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, began an "intimate relationship" with Trump in the summer of 2006 that continued well into 2007. A copy of the settlement filed in court shows that Daniels received the $130,000 from a company known as Essential Consultants LLC in return for her silence. Later on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal published details of an arbitration document filed on February 22 in California and signed by Jill A. Martin, a Trump Organization lawyer. The document, intended to stop Daniels from further discussing the alleged affair, represents the first link between Trump`s company and efforts to stop Daniels talking. The White House has denied any sexual encounter between Trump and Daniels -- who has offered to return the $130,000 she received so that she can be free to "speak openly and freely about her prior relationship with the president and the attempts to silence her." She is also asking to be allowed to publish text messages, photos and videos relating to the president, Avenatti said in a letter to Trump`s lawyer Michael Cohen. "I think it`s time for her to tell her story and for the public to decide who`s telling the truth," Avenatti said last week. Using the pseudonyms Peggy Peterson and David Dennison, Daniels and Trump were to sign the 2016 agreement, along with Essential Consultants. But Trump never signed, providing the basis for Avenatti`s attempt to have it thrown out and release Daniels from her obligations. Daniels is asking for presiding judge Elizabeth Feffer to be replaced, arguing that she has a conflict of interest because she is seeking an appointment to a seat in federal court.

Hearing date set for Trump showdown with porn star

From Washington to Los Angeles, students walked out of US classrooms Wednesday in the largest grassroots protest against gun violence seen in years, demanding action one month to the day after a deadly shooting rampage at a Florida high school.

Hundreds of teenagers from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House, holding up signs reading &quot;Books Not Bullets&quot; and &quot;Protect People Not Guns&quot; before marching on the US Capitol.

&quot;We want to show Congress and politicians we are not standing by, we are not silent anymore,&quot; said 17-year-old Brenna Levitan, who was at the protest with her mother.&nbsp;

&quot;Parkland is going to be the last school shooting.&quot;

Students in dozens of other cities in all 50 states staged similar demonstrations and observed a moment of silence to honor the 14 students and three adult staff killed a month ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

In Washington, several hours after the protests broke up, US lawmakers took their first significant step to address school gun violence since the Parkland shooting.

The House of Representatives voted 407-10 to fund violence prevention measures at schools including boosting security, mental health screening and creating anonymous reporting systems so students can report threats.

But Congress has yet to tackle the more controversial aspects of gun control demanded in the wake of the Parkland shooting.

These include expanded background checks for gun sales, a ban on assault weapons and raising the minimum age for some firearms purchases.

We want change

Dressed in the school&#39;s maroon colors, students at Stoneman Douglas visited memorials to their slain classmates and hugged and cried.

At a high school in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, students marched to the football field and assembled in a heart formation to pay tribute to the victims.

In Los Angeles and other cities, teenagers spelled out the protest slogan &quot;#ENOUGH&quot; by lying down on the ground on sports fields.

In Washington, students were joined by Democratic members of Congress at the Capitol.

Speakers denounced the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful US gun lobby, and demanded that Congress enact tougher laws on gun ownership.

&quot;You, the young people of this country, are leading the nation,&quot; Senator Bernie Sanders told the crowd.

&quot;People are sick and tired of gun violence and the time is now for all of us, together, to stand up to the NRA.&quot;

In New York, students -- many of whom wore orange, the color of gun control -- walked out from more than 50 schools.

&quot;We want change,&quot; and &quot;Am I next?&quot; they chanted.

The &quot;National School Walkout&quot; was intended to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim.

But tens of thousands of students around the country decided to skip school entirely and protest instead.

No guns in schools

At the White House, 17-year-old Farah Parmah, who goes to Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, said President Donald Trump&#39;s controversial proposal to arm and train teachers &quot;is just a bad, bad idea.&quot;

&quot;Gun violence has taken way too many lives this year,&quot; said Parmah, who is 17.

&quot;There should be no guns in schools.&quot;

White House spokesman Raj Shah said Trump &quot;shares the students&#39; concerns about school safety.&quot;

The nationwide protest was held one month to the day after Nikolas Cruz, a troubled 19-year-old former student at Stoneman Douglas, unleashed a hail of gunfire on his one-time classmates.

Cruz, dressed in a red prison jumpsuit, appeared in court in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.

His lawyers had said he would plead guilty in exchange for guarantees that he would not face execution, but prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty.

Next protest on March 24

The United States has more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually and Stoneman Douglas students have spearheaded a national gun control campaign, helping to force through a new law on age limits for gun purchasers in Florida.

The US public supports tougher gun laws, according to polls, but there is little backing for meaningful reforms in the Republican-controlled Congress.

Trump momentarily signaled support for curbing access to guns, notably by raising the age for purchases from 18 to 21, but now stands accused of bowing to the NRA.

He backed away from supporting age limits on gun purchases -- sending the proposal to a commission on school safety -- as well as from expanded background checks.

Such checks are currently only performed on people buying firearms from licensed gun dealers. Sales online and at gun shows are exempt.

According to the #ENOUGH&quot; campaign, students from more than 3,000 schools nationwide took part in Wednesday&#39;s demonstrations.

Another nationwide student-inspired protest, the March For Our Lives, is to be held on March 24.

Hundreds of teenagers from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House, holding up signs reading 'Books Not Bullets' and 'Protect People Not Guns' before marching on the US Capitol

From Washington to Los Angeles, students walked out of US classrooms Wednesday in the largest grassroots protest against gun violence seen in years, demanding action one month to the day after a deadly shooting rampage at a Florida high school. Hundreds of teenagers from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House, holding up signs reading "Books Not Bullets" and "Protect People Not Guns" before marching on the US Capitol. "We want to show Congress and politicians we are not standing by, we are not silent anymore," said 17-year-old Brenna Levitan, who was at the protest with her mother. "Parkland is going to be the last school shooting." Students in dozens of other cities in all 50 states staged similar demonstrations and observed a moment of silence to honor the 14 students and three adult staff killed a month ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In Washington, several hours after the protests broke up, US lawmakers took their first significant step to address school gun violence since the Parkland shooting. The House of Representatives voted 407-10 to fund violence prevention measures at schools including boosting security, mental health screening and creating anonymous reporting systems so students can report threats. But Congress has yet to tackle the more controversial aspects of gun control demanded in the wake of the Parkland shooting. These include expanded background checks for gun sales, a ban on assault weapons and raising the minimum age for some firearms purchases. We want change Dressed in the school's maroon colors, students at Stoneman Douglas visited memorials to their slain classmates and hugged and cried. At a high school in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, students marched to the football field and assembled in a heart formation to pay tribute to the victims. In Los Angeles and other cities, teenagers spelled out the protest slogan "#ENOUGH" by lying down on the ground on sports fields. In Washington, students were joined by Democratic members of Congress at the Capitol. Speakers denounced the National Rifle Association (NRA), the powerful US gun lobby, and demanded that Congress enact tougher laws on gun ownership. "You, the young people of this country, are leading the nation," Senator Bernie Sanders told the crowd. "People are sick and tired of gun violence and the time is now for all of us, together, to stand up to the NRA." In New York, students -- many of whom wore orange, the color of gun control -- walked out from more than 50 schools. "We want change," and "Am I next?" they chanted. The "National School Walkout" was intended to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim. But tens of thousands of students around the country decided to skip school entirely and protest instead. No guns in schools At the White House, 17-year-old Farah Parmah, who goes to Thomas Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, said President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to arm and train teachers "is just a bad, bad idea." "Gun violence has taken way too many lives this year," said Parmah, who is 17. "There should be no guns in schools." White House spokesman Raj Shah said Trump "shares the students' concerns about school safety." The nationwide protest was held one month to the day after Nikolas Cruz, a troubled 19-year-old former student at Stoneman Douglas, unleashed a hail of gunfire on his one-time classmates. Cruz, dressed in a red prison jumpsuit, appeared in court in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday and a judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. His lawyers had said he would plead guilty in exchange for guarantees that he would not face execution, but prosecutors say they will seek the death penalty. Next protest on March 24 The United States has more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually and Stoneman Douglas students have spearheaded a national gun control campaign, helping to force through a new law on age limits for gun purchasers in Florida. The US public supports tougher gun laws, according to polls, but there is little backing for meaningful reforms in the Republican-controlled Congress. Trump momentarily signaled support for curbing access to guns, notably by raising the age for purchases from 18 to 21, but now stands accused of bowing to the NRA. He backed away from supporting age limits on gun purchases -- sending the proposal to a commission on school safety -- as well as from expanded background checks. Such checks are currently only performed on people buying firearms from licensed gun dealers. Sales online and at gun shows are exempt. According to the #ENOUGH" campaign, students from more than 3,000 schools nationwide took part in Wednesday's demonstrations. Another nationwide student-inspired protest, the March For Our Lives, is to be held on March 24.

'#ENOUGH': US students stage walkout against gun violence

Global stocks mostly fell Wednesday as rising anxiety over the risk of a trade war took its toll on investor confidence.

The US announced it was taking action at the World Trade Organization against Indian export subsidies.

The White House is also considering slapping tariffs on billions of dollars in Chinese imports, particularly in the tech and telecommunications sector, in response to alleged improper practices involving American intellectual property.

The news follows last week&#39;s announcement of US tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and appeared to more than outweigh any positive investor sentiment associated with Trump&#39;s appointment of free-market economist Larry Kudlow to head the National Economic Council.

&quot;There&#39;s a lot of nervousness, especially related to trade issues,&quot; said Kate Warne, an investment strategist with Edward Jones.

&quot;All of it seems to be far more protectionist than investors expected a few weeks ago. The increase in protectionism raises worries about retaliation and how much it could hamper global growth.&quot;

The Dow opened higher, but veered into negative territory soon thereafter and finished 1.0 per cent lower.

Asian markets were also in retreat as traders took in news that Trump&#39;s moderate Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was being replaced by current CIA chief Mike Pompeo, who some on Wall Street fear may take a harsher line on trade.

&quot;While the game of revolving chairs in Washington plays on, there is more risk aversion creeping into play as geopolitical uncertainty ratchets higher with the more hawkish foreign policy leaning Mike Pompeo now the face of US foreign policy,&quot; said Stephen Innes, who heads Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA.

&quot;Equity investors remain extremely cautious about trade war escalations.&quot;

Both London and Paris suffered modest loses, while Frankfurt edged higher.

Frankfurt was lifted in part by an 11.2 per cent surge in Adidas, which reported higher profits in 2017 on worldwide sales growth and cost savings.

Spanish retail giant Inditex meanwhile climbed more than four per cent after the group posted rising annual profits -- outperforming its long-time Swedish rival H&amp;M.

In London, Prudential shot up more than five per cent after the insurer said it would split in two to better serve its regions of operation.

The US announced it was taking action at the World Trade Organization against Indian export subsidies

Global stocks mostly fell Wednesday as rising anxiety over the risk of a trade war took its toll on investor confidence. The US announced it was taking action at the World Trade Organization against Indian export subsidies. The White House is also considering slapping tariffs on billions of dollars in Chinese imports, particularly in the tech and telecommunications sector, in response to alleged improper practices involving American intellectual property. The news follows last week's announcement of US tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and appeared to more than outweigh any positive investor sentiment associated with Trump's appointment of free-market economist Larry Kudlow to head the National Economic Council. "There's a lot of nervousness, especially related to trade issues," said Kate Warne, an investment strategist with Edward Jones. "All of it seems to be far more protectionist than investors expected a few weeks ago. The increase in protectionism raises worries about retaliation and how much it could hamper global growth." The Dow opened higher, but veered into negative territory soon thereafter and finished 1.0 per cent lower. Asian markets were also in retreat as traders took in news that Trump's moderate Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was being replaced by current CIA chief Mike Pompeo, who some on Wall Street fear may take a harsher line on trade. "While the game of revolving chairs in Washington plays on, there is more risk aversion creeping into play as geopolitical uncertainty ratchets higher with the more hawkish foreign policy leaning Mike Pompeo now the face of US foreign policy," said Stephen Innes, who heads Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. "Equity investors remain extremely cautious about trade war escalations." Both London and Paris suffered modest loses, while Frankfurt edged higher. Frankfurt was lifted in part by an 11.2 per cent surge in Adidas, which reported higher profits in 2017 on worldwide sales growth and cost savings. Spanish retail giant Inditex meanwhile climbed more than four per cent after the group posted rising annual profits -- outperforming its long-time Swedish rival H&M. In London, Prudential shot up more than five per cent after the insurer said it would split in two to better serve its regions of operation.

Global stocks mostly fall as trade worries take their toll

Students across the United States walked out of classes on Wednesday in a nationwide call for action against gun violence following the shooting deaths last month at a Florida high school.

Hundreds of students from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House chanting &quot;Never again!&quot; and &quot;Enough is enough!&quot; and holding signs reading &quot;Protect People Not Guns.&quot;

At 10:00 am (1400 GMT), students in numerous cities held a moment of silence to honor the 14 students and three adult staff killed on Valentine&#39;s Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.&nbsp;

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The &quot;National School Walkout&quot; was intended to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim.

But it quickly became apparent that many students at schools on the East Coast decided not to go to classes at all and to demonstrate instead.

The nationwide protest is being held one month to the day after Nikolas Cruz, a troubled 19-year-old former student at Stoneman Douglas, unleashed a hail of gunfire on his former classmates.

The event to honor those slain at Stoneman Douglas is also an act of protest against the firearms violence plaguing the United States, which has more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually.

Organizers come from the same group behind the Women&#39;s March, which saw millions of demonstrators take to the streets in cities across the country in January 2017 to protest Donald Trump&#39;s White House inauguration.

Trump had momentarily signaled support for increasing restrictions on guns, but now stands accused of bowing to the powerful US gun lobby.

Hundreds of students from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House chanting 'Never again!' and 'Enough is enough!' and holding signs reading 'Protect People Not Guns'

Students across the United States walked out of classes on Wednesday in a nationwide call for action against gun violence following the shooting deaths last month at a Florida high school. Hundreds of students from Washington area schools gathered outside the White House chanting "Never again!" and "Enough is enough!" and holding signs reading "Protect People Not Guns." At 10:00 am (1400 GMT), students in numerous cities held a moment of silence to honor the 14 students and three adult staff killed on Valentine's Day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The 'National School Walkout' was intended to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim × The "National School Walkout" was intended to last for 17 minutes, one for each victim. But it quickly became apparent that many students at schools on the East Coast decided not to go to classes at all and to demonstrate instead. The nationwide protest is being held one month to the day after Nikolas Cruz, a troubled 19-year-old former student at Stoneman Douglas, unleashed a hail of gunfire on his former classmates. The event to honor those slain at Stoneman Douglas is also an act of protest against the firearms violence plaguing the United States, which has more than 30,000 gun-related deaths annually. Organizers come from the same group behind the Women's March, which saw millions of demonstrators take to the streets in cities across the country in January 2017 to protest Donald Trump's White House inauguration. Trump had momentarily signaled support for increasing restrictions on guns, but now stands accused of bowing to the powerful US gun lobby.

'Never again!': Students across US walk out of classrooms against gun violence

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