Investigators probing President Donald Trump&#39;s team for possible connections to Russia have asked the White House to hand over records for what is believed to be the first time, the New York Times said Friday.

Members of the sweeping federal investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller requested the White House submit documents linked to Trump&#39;s former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to the paper, citing authorities close to the investigation.

The document request, while not a formal subpoena, was the latest signal that the probe is gathering pace.

The news came one day after reports revealed that Mueller -- a former FBI director -- has empanelled a grand jury to investigate Russia&#39;s interference in the 2016 presidential election.

Flynn -- who was ousted mere weeks after being named Trump&#39;s national security adviser over mischaracterizing contacts with Russian officials -- is at the centre of the Russia controversy plaguing the White House.

Asked for comment on the story presidential lawyer Ty Cobb said the White House would not discuss &quot;specific communications&quot; with Mueller but would &quot;continue to fully cooperate with the Special Counsel.&quot;

Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of collusion, saying he is the victim of a political &quot;witch hunt&quot; and &quot;fake news.&quot;

Investigators had also questioned witnesses over whether Flynn received secret payments from the Turkish government at the end of the 2016 presidential campaign -- suggesting the probe&#39;s scope has widened to examine Flynn&#39;s financial dealings.

US media has reported that Mueller is also said to be investigating Trump&#39;s financial records unrelated to Russia or the election.

Trump has publicly warned Mueller that his financial dealings should be out of bounds and investigating them would cross a red line.

The document request, while not a formal subpoena, was the latest signal that the probe is gathering pace

Investigators probing President Donald Trump's team for possible connections to Russia have asked the White House to hand over records for what is believed to be the first time, the New York Times said Friday. Members of the sweeping federal investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller requested the White House submit documents linked to Trump's former national security adviser Michael Flynn, according to the paper, citing authorities close to the investigation. The document request, while not a formal subpoena, was the latest signal that the probe is gathering pace. The news came one day after reports revealed that Mueller -- a former FBI director -- has empanelled a grand jury to investigate Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. Flynn -- who was ousted mere weeks after being named Trump's national security adviser over mischaracterizing contacts with Russian officials -- is at the centre of the Russia controversy plaguing the White House. Asked for comment on the story presidential lawyer Ty Cobb said the White House would not discuss "specific communications" with Mueller but would "continue to fully cooperate with the Special Counsel." Trump has repeatedly denied allegations of collusion, saying he is the victim of a political "witch hunt" and "fake news." Investigators had also questioned witnesses over whether Flynn received secret payments from the Turkish government at the end of the 2016 presidential campaign -- suggesting the probe's scope has widened to examine Flynn's financial dealings. US media has reported that Mueller is also said to be investigating Trump's financial records unrelated to Russia or the election. Trump has publicly warned Mueller that his financial dealings should be out of bounds and investigating them would cross a red line.

Russia probe team asks White House for records: Report

Sean Spicer resigned from his job as the White House press secretary on Friday reportedly because he was unhappy with the choice of Anthony Scaramucci as the new the director of communications.

Spicer&rsquo;s term at the White House was turbulent for part -- to be fair, being Donald Trump&#39;s spokesman is arguably the toughest job in the world -- provoking the ire of reporters.&nbsp;

He lasted six months.&nbsp;

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This is how I&#39;ll always remember <a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec">@PressSec</a> Sean Spicer. <a href="https://t.co/KdrP5sTgGa">https://t.co/KdrP5sTgGa</a> <a href="https://t.co/BhlBhKB9Eh">pic.twitter.com/BhlBhKB9Eh</a>
&mdash; Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattwilstein/status/888430237117054976">July 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Spicer burst on to the scene in January 2017 with a rant at reporters, in which he scolded them for deliberately under-reporting the size of President Trump&rsquo;s Inauguration Day crowd.&nbsp;

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There were 1.5 million people at the inauguration. Just 1.25 million of them had their invisibility cloaks on.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spicerfacts?src=hash">#spicerfacts</a> <a href="https://t.co/MxsRRXhcY2">pic.twitter.com/MxsRRXhcY2</a>
&mdash; Ben (@BenPatz) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenPatz/status/823075222463057920">January 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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His friction with the media prompted NBC&rsquo;s Saturday Night Live to caricature him.

Melissa McCarthy played &quot;Spicey&quot;, a character who swallowed gum and drove a motorised lectern into reporters who asked hard questions.

Two months into his term at the White House, Spicer was accused of racism by an Indian-origin woman.&nbsp;

&ldquo;How does it feel to work for a fascist?&rdquo; Shree Chauhan had asked him at an Apple store in Washington.

&ldquo;&ldquo;Such a great country that allows you to be here,&rdquo; Spicer replied.&nbsp;

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White House press secretary Sean Spicer has been accused of racism by an Indian-American woman. Here&#39;s more to this story (WION)
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Then there was the comparison of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Hitler in April.&nbsp;

&quot;You had someone as despicable as Hitler who didn&#39;t even sink to using chemical weapons,&quot; Spicer said.&nbsp;

Obviously, considering the Nazis gas chambers, a furore ensued.&nbsp;

Spicer&#39;s live televised briefings drew big audiences, and he found himself the butt of social media jokes and memes,&nbsp;

Here are a few:&nbsp;

When he refused to take questions from the press and reporters kept calling his name in unison:&nbsp;

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SEAAAAAAAAN <a href="https://t.co/LZ1iTPg4x7">pic.twitter.com/LZ1iTPg4x7</a>
&mdash; Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) <a href="https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/859478879320383489">May 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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When Twitterati couldn&#39;t get over&nbsp;his past as an Easter bunny:&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/neverforget?src=hash">#neverforget</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhiteHousebunny?src=hash">#WhiteHousebunny</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/seanspicer">@seanspicer</a> <a href="https://t.co/Fi134UjYYJ">pic.twitter.com/Fi134UjYYJ</a>
&mdash; Olivier Knox (@OKnox) <a href="https://twitter.com/OKnox/status/714454998952910848">March 28, 2016</a></blockquote>
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The memes did not stop after his resignation.

Like this one inspired by the time he and his staff huddled behind bushes on the White House complex trying to come up answers to reporters&#39; questions on former FBI director James Comey&#39;s firing:&nbsp;

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SEAN SPICER OUT <a href="https://t.co/vCG58VVjV7">pic.twitter.com/vCG58VVjV7</a>
&mdash; Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) <a href="https://twitter.com/margaretcho/status/888430888396046336">July 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Reuters reported Spicer was spotted around the White House complex after his resignation. He was described by colleagues as being in a good mood and feeling he had made the right decision.

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Sean Spicer seen leaving The White House after resignation 
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&mdash; Chris Smith (@Lilyachttty) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lilyachttty/status/888448664229756929">July 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Sarah Huckabee Sanders has taken up Spicer&#39;s job. She is the new White House press secretary.&nbsp;

Sanders is former Arkansas governor Mick Huckabee&#39;s daughter.&nbsp;

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In picture: Sarah Sanders and Anthony Scaramucci arrive at the White House. (Reuters)
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There had been reports earlier that Trump had not been happy with Spicer. That he thought Spicer wasn&#39;t doing a good enough job of speaking for (read protecting) him.&nbsp;

The reports speculated that a change was in the offing.&nbsp;

Now, some people are asking why it took so long to come.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Spicer, who resigned his job Friday, lasted six months as White House press secretary

Sean Spicer resigned from his job as the White House press secretary on Friday reportedly because he was unhappy with the choice of Anthony Scaramucci as the new the director of communications. Spicer’s term at the White House was turbulent for part -- to be fair, being Donald Trump's spokesman is arguably the toughest job in the world -- provoking the ire of reporters. He lasted six months. This is how I'll always remember @PressSec Sean Spicer. https://t.co/KdrP5sTgGa pic.twitter.com/BhlBhKB9Eh — Matt Wilstein (@mattwilstein) July 21, 2017 × Spicer burst on to the scene in January 2017 with a rant at reporters, in which he scolded them for deliberately under-reporting the size of President Trump’s Inauguration Day crowd. × There were 1.5 million people at the inauguration. Just 1.25 million of them had their invisibility cloaks on.#spicerfacts pic.twitter.com/MxsRRXhcY2 — Ben (@BenPatz) January 22, 2017 × His friction with the media prompted NBC’s Saturday Night Live to caricature him. Melissa McCarthy played "Spicey", a character who swallowed gum and drove a motorised lectern into reporters who asked hard questions. Two months into his term at the White House, Spicer was accused of racism by an Indian-origin woman. “How does it feel to work for a fascist?” Shree Chauhan had asked him at an Apple store in Washington. ““Such a great country that allows you to be here,” Spicer replied. White House press secretary Sean Spicer has been accused of racism by an Indian-American woman. Here's more to this story (WION) × Then there was the comparison of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to Hitler in April. "You had someone as despicable as Hitler who didn't even sink to using chemical weapons," Spicer said. Obviously, considering the Nazis gas chambers, a furore ensued. Spicer's live televised briefings drew big audiences, and he found himself the butt of social media jokes and memes, Here are a few: When he refused to take questions from the press and reporters kept calling his name in unison: SEAAAAAAAAN pic.twitter.com/LZ1iTPg4x7 — Lachlan Markay (@lachlan) May 2, 2017 × When Twitterati couldn't get over his past as an Easter bunny: #neverforget #WhiteHousebunny @seanspicer pic.twitter.com/Fi134UjYYJ — Olivier Knox (@OKnox) March 28, 2016 × The memes did not stop after his resignation. Like this one inspired by the time he and his staff huddled behind bushes on the White House complex trying to come up answers to reporters' questions on former FBI director James Comey's firing: SEAN SPICER OUT pic.twitter.com/vCG58VVjV7 — Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) July 21, 2017 × Reuters reported Spicer was spotted around the White House complex after his resignation. He was described by colleagues as being in a good mood and feeling he had made the right decision. Sean Spicer seen leaving The White House after resignation pic.twitter.com/iGEnf9POyV — Chris Smith (@Lilyachttty) July 21, 2017 × Sarah Huckabee Sanders has taken up Spicer's job. She is the new White House press secretary. Sanders is former Arkansas governor Mick Huckabee's daughter. In picture: Sarah Sanders and Anthony Scaramucci arrive at the White House. (Reuters) × There had been reports earlier that Trump had not been happy with Spicer. That he thought Spicer wasn't doing a good enough job of speaking for (read protecting) him. The reports speculated that a change was in the offing. Now, some people are asking why it took so long to come.

A brief history of Sean Spicer

The White House on Monday alleged that Democrats colluded with Ukraine during the 2016 election, turning the tables on its accusers amid an all-engulfing scandal over Trump&#39;s contacts with Russia.

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer repeated allegations that a Democratic operative had met with Ukrainian embassy officials during the campaign.

Spicer referred to several recent reports by conservative media outlets, alleging the Democratic operative sought dirt on then Trump campaign director Paul Manafort.

The allegations first came to light in a Politico story in January.

&quot;Obviously, there&#39;s been a lot more interest in recent days with respect to what the DNC (Democratic National Convention) did in coordination with the Ukrainian government to try to collude,&quot; Spicer said.

The White House spokesperson&nbsp;alleged that the Democratic National Committee collusion took place to &quot;achieve a goal of having someone removed, which ultimately did happen.&quot;

Manafort left his post in August 2016, as Trump&#39;s general election prospects looked dim and details of his own business dealings with pro-Kremlin leaders in Ukraine emerged.

Spicer was asked by a pro-Trump media representative whether the issue was raised when Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited the White House in June.

Spicer said he did not know, but claimed that &quot;the DNC&#39;s collusion with the Ukrainian government has definitely gotten a lot more attention since that meeting.&quot;

Adrienne Watson of the DNC accused the White House of deflecting.

&quot;The White House has been pushing this narrative to distract from the Trump campaign&#39;s willingness to work with a hostile foreign government to interfere in our election. No one is buying it.&quot;

The comments come as the White House reeled from Donald Trump Jr&#39;s confession that he and two other Trump senior aides knowingly met Kremlin-connected operatives to get incriminating information on rival presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

That admission, after months of denials, has prompted some Republicans to openly criticise the White House and venture that Donald Trump Jr may have broken the law.

US intelligence agencies believe that President Vladimir Putin ordered a vast influence operation to tilt the 2016 election in Trump&#39;s favor.

Trump himself has responded by describing his son&#39;s meeting as business as usual.

&quot;Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That&#39;s politics!&quot; he tweeted on Monday.

Spicer seemed to contradict his boss, by saying the meeting was actually about adoption.

In a statement, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington denied allegations it had &quot;colluded&quot; with Democrats against the Trump campaign.

The embassy &quot;neither coordinated with the DNC on opposition research nor taken any actions to undermine campaign efforts,&quot; the statement read.

&quot;While some politicians who are not part of the Ukrainian government might have taken sides or made comments during last year&#39;s election, the Embassy and the government of Ukraine did not.&quot;

&quot;We highly appreciate US administration support to Ukraine and the progress achieved in recent months in our bilateral relations.&quot;

White House spokesperson Sean Spicer repeated allegations that a Democratic operative had met with Ukrainian embassy officials during the 2016 campaign

The White House on Monday alleged that Democrats colluded with Ukraine during the 2016 election, turning the tables on its accusers amid an all-engulfing scandal over Trump's contacts with Russia. White House spokesperson Sean Spicer repeated allegations that a Democratic operative had met with Ukrainian embassy officials during the campaign. Spicer referred to several recent reports by conservative media outlets, alleging the Democratic operative sought dirt on then Trump campaign director Paul Manafort. The allegations first came to light in a Politico story in January. "Obviously, there's been a lot more interest in recent days with respect to what the DNC (Democratic National Convention) did in coordination with the Ukrainian government to try to collude," Spicer said. The White House spokesperson alleged that the Democratic National Committee collusion took place to "achieve a goal of having someone removed, which ultimately did happen." Manafort left his post in August 2016, as Trump's general election prospects looked dim and details of his own business dealings with pro-Kremlin leaders in Ukraine emerged. Spicer was asked by a pro-Trump media representative whether the issue was raised when Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko visited the White House in June. Spicer said he did not know, but claimed that "the DNC's collusion with the Ukrainian government has definitely gotten a lot more attention since that meeting." Adrienne Watson of the DNC accused the White House of deflecting. "The White House has been pushing this narrative to distract from the Trump campaign's willingness to work with a hostile foreign government to interfere in our election. No one is buying it." The comments come as the White House reeled from Donald Trump Jr's confession that he and two other Trump senior aides knowingly met Kremlin-connected operatives to get incriminating information on rival presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. That admission, after months of denials, has prompted some Republicans to openly criticise the White House and venture that Donald Trump Jr may have broken the law. US intelligence agencies believe that President Vladimir Putin ordered a vast influence operation to tilt the 2016 election in Trump's favor. Trump himself has responded by describing his son's meeting as business as usual. "Most politicians would have gone to a meeting like the one Don jr attended in order to get info on an opponent. That's politics!" he tweeted on Monday. Spicer seemed to contradict his boss, by saying the meeting was actually about adoption. In a statement, the Ukrainian embassy in Washington denied allegations it had "colluded" with Democrats against the Trump campaign. The embassy "neither coordinated with the DNC on opposition research nor taken any actions to undermine campaign efforts," the statement read. "While some politicians who are not part of the Ukrainian government might have taken sides or made comments during last year's election, the Embassy and the government of Ukraine did not." "We highly appreciate US administration support to Ukraine and the progress achieved in recent months in our bilateral relations."

White House accuses Democrats, Ukraine of 'collusion' during presidential elections

&quot;We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism,&quot; US President Donald Trump made his agenda clear while delivering the joint press statement&nbsp;at the&nbsp;White House&nbsp;in Washington DC&nbsp;today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp;Both the leaders affirmed their commitment to fighting terror in their societies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

PM Narendra Modi&nbsp;told the gathered media that&nbsp;terrorism and extremism&nbsp;were&nbsp;on top of the agenda&nbsp;for&nbsp;the meeting between him and&nbsp;US President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and the two administrations.&nbsp;The two leaders made the statement in the Rose Garden on a sunny day with US First Lady Melania Trump present dressed in a yellow ensemble.&nbsp;

&quot;Fighting terror and destroying terror safe havens is our common goal. We will increase intelligence sharing on terror,&quot; PM Modi said in his address.&nbsp;

&quot;The protection of our&nbsp;societies&nbsp;is the topmost priority for me and President Trump. The common empowerment of the two biggest democracies in the world is our focus,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

On his part, President Trump&nbsp;stressed the common link of democracy between the American and Indian people.&nbsp;

&quot;Both the Indian and American Constitution&nbsp;begin with&nbsp;three&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;words -&nbsp;&quot;We the people&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Regional crises also figured between the two leaders with the instability in Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific region being the prominent points of concern.&nbsp;

President Trump also lauded the tax overhaul to be&nbsp;undertaken&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Indian government&nbsp;and the&nbsp;economic&nbsp;growth rate of India.&nbsp;

&quot;In two weeks, you are going to begin one of the largest tax&nbsp;overhaul&nbsp;in&nbsp;your country&#39;s history. We are also doing this by the way,&quot; Trump said&nbsp;to Modi as a part of his address.&nbsp;

On the trade between the two countries, Trump said that it is important that the barriers be removed for the export of US goods to India.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country,&quot; he said.

President Trump also highlighted India&#39;s contribution to the&nbsp;American economy&nbsp;by mentioning an Indian&nbsp;Airlines&nbsp;order for&nbsp;100&nbsp;aircraft that he said will generate &quot;many American jobs&quot;.&nbsp;

President Trump further welcomed further India&#39;s contribution to promoting democracy and security in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Both leaders committed to continue close consultations and cooperation in support of Afghanistan&rsquo;s future.

Trump brought a touch of&nbsp;humour&nbsp;and informality&nbsp;to the normally dry official proceeding with several off-the-cuff remarks. &quot;PM Modi and I are world leaders in social media,&quot; Trump said to laughter, even as he explained&nbsp;that this gave &quot;citizens of our countries the opportunity&nbsp;to hear directly from the elected officials&quot;.&nbsp;

President Trump also informed the media that PM Modi had invited his daughter Ivanka Trump to lead the American delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in India. &quot;And I believe she has accepted,&quot; he&nbsp;added.&nbsp;

The full text of their speeches, published by the White House, is reproduced below:&nbsp;

PRESIDENT TRUMP: &nbsp;Thank you very much. &nbsp;Prime Minister Modi, thank you for being here with us today. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s a great honor to welcome the leader of the world&rsquo;s largest democracy to the White House.

I have always had a deep admiration for your country and for its people, and a profound appreciation for your rich culture, heritage and traditions. &nbsp;This summer, India will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its independence, and on behalf of the United States, I want to congratulate the Indian people on this magnificent milestone in the life of your very, very incredible nation.

During my campaign, I pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. &nbsp;And that is now exactly what you have -- a true friend. &nbsp;The friendship between the United States and India is built on shared values, including our shared commitment to democracy. &nbsp;Not many people know it, but both American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: &nbsp;We the people.

The Prime Minister and I both understand the crucial importance of those words, which helps to form the foundation of cooperation between our two countries. &nbsp;Relations between countries are strongest when they are devoted to the interests of the people we serve. &nbsp;And after our meetings today, I will say that the relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, has never been better.

I&rsquo;m proud to announce to the media, to the American people, and to the Indian people, that Prime Minister Modi and I are world leaders in social media -- (laughter) -- we&rsquo;re believers -- giving the citizens of our countries the opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials, and for us to hear directly from them. &nbsp;I guess it&rsquo;s worked very well in both cases.

I am thrilled to salute you, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian people for all that you are accomplishing together. &nbsp;Your accomplishments have been vast. &nbsp;India has the fastest growing economy in the world. &nbsp;We hope we&rsquo;re going to be catching you very soon in terms of percentage increase, I have to tell you that. &nbsp;We&rsquo;re working on it. &nbsp;

In just two weeks, you will begin to implement the largest tax overhaul in your country&rsquo;s history -- we&rsquo;re doing that also, by the way -- creating great new opportunities for your citizens. &nbsp;You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy.

Together, our countries can help chart an optimistic path into the future, one that unleashes the power of new technology, new infrastructure, and the enthusiasm and excitement of very hardworking and very dynamic people.

I look forward to working with you, Mr. Prime Minister, to create jobs in our countries, to grow our economies, and to create a trading relationship that is fair and reciprocal. &nbsp;It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets, and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country. &nbsp;

I was pleased to learn about an Indian Airlines recent order of 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which will support thousands and thousands of American jobs. &nbsp;We&rsquo;re also looking forward to exporting more American energy to India as your economy grows, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. &nbsp;Trying to get the price up a little bit.

To further our economic partnership, I&rsquo;m excited to report that the Prime Minister has invited my daughter, Ivanka, to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall. &nbsp;And I believe she has accepted. &nbsp;

Finally, the security partnership between the United States and India is incredibly important. &nbsp;Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism, and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them. &nbsp;We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism. &nbsp;Our militaries are working every day to enhance cooperation between our military forces. &nbsp;And next month, they will join together with the Japanese navy to take place in the largest maritime exercise ever conducted in the vast Indian Ocean.

I also thank the Indian people for their contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime. &nbsp;The North Korean regime is causing tremendous problems and is something that has to be dealt with, and probably dealt with rapidly.

Working together, I truly believe our two countries can set an example for many other nations, make great strides in defeating common threats, and make great progress in unleashing amazing prosperity and growth.

Prime Minister Modi, thank you again for joining me today, and for visiting our country and our wonderful White House and Oval Office. &nbsp;I enjoyed our very productive conversation this afternoon, and look forward to its continuation tonight at dinner. &nbsp;The future of our partnership has never looked brighter. &nbsp;India and the United States will always be tied together in friendship and respect.

Prime Minister Modi, thank you very much. &nbsp;Thank you. &nbsp;Thank you. &nbsp;(Applause.) &nbsp;

PRIME MINISTER MODI: &nbsp;(As interpreted.) &nbsp;President Donald Trump and First Lady, Vice President, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen of the media: &nbsp;Right from the opening tweet to the end of our talks, President Trump&#39;s welcome, which was filled with friendliness, his warm welcome to the White House by himself and the First Lady, I would like to thank both of you from the bottom of my heart for this warm welcome.

I would also like to give a special thanks to you, President Trump, for having spent so much time with me, for having spoken such kind words about me and my country. &nbsp;And I would like to tell you that I&#39;m eager to welcome your daughter to India for the Entrepreneurship Summit. &nbsp;

President Trump, I&#39;d once again like to thank you for the time that you have spent with me. &nbsp;I&#39;d like to give you special thanks for that.

My visit and our talks today will mark a very important page in the history of the collaboration and cooperation between our two nations. &nbsp;The talks between his Excellency, President Trump, and myself today have been extremely important from all points of view, for several reasons: &nbsp;Because they were based on mutual trust; because of the convergence and similarities they revealed in our values, and our priorities, and in our concerns and interests; because they focused on the highest levels of achievement in our cooperation, and mutual support, and partnership; because our two countries are global engines of growth; because the all-around or comprehensive economic growth and joint progress of both countries and both societies is the main objective for both the President and myself, and will remain so; because the top priority for both President Trump and myself is to protect our society from global challenges like terrorism; and because our aim is the strengthening of India and the USA -- two great democracies in the world -- friends.

Our robust strategic partnership is such that it touches upon almost all areas of human endeavor. &nbsp;In our conversation today, President Trump and I have discussed all dimensions of India-U.S. relations at length. &nbsp;Both nations are committed to a bilateral architecture that will take our strategic partnership to new heights.

In this relationship, in both countries, increased productivity, growth, job creation, and breakthrough technologies -- an engagement towards all these are, and will remain, strong drivers of our cooperation, and will give further momentum to our relationship.

We consider the USA as our primary partner for India&#39;s social and economic transformation in all our flagship programs and schemes. &nbsp;I am sure that the convergence between my vision for a &quot;new India and President Trump&#39;s vision for &quot;making America great again&quot; will add new dimensions to our cooperation.

I am very clear about the fact that India&#39;s interests lie in a strong, and prosperous, and successful America. &nbsp;In the same way, India&#39;s development and its growing role at the international level are in the USA&#39;s interest. &nbsp;

One of our common priorities will be the development of trade, commerce, and investment links. &nbsp;And in this regard, in the technology, innovation, and knowledge-economy sectors, the expansion and deepening of cooperation is also among our priorities. &nbsp;Towards this end, we shall take steps to further strengthen our successful digital partnership. &nbsp;

Friends, we are not just partners by chance. &nbsp;We are also partners in dealing with current and future challenges that we may be faced with. &nbsp;Today, during our meeting, we discussed the serious challenges of terrorism, extremism, and radicalization, which are the major challenges facing the world today. &nbsp;And we have agreed to enhance our cooperation in fighting against these scourges. Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation.

With respect to our common concerns on terrorism, we will also enhance our sharing of intelligence, and exchange information to deepen and expand our policy coordination as far as possible. &nbsp;

We also spoke at length on regional issues. &nbsp;The increasing instability, due to terrorism, in Afghanistan is one of our common concerns. &nbsp;Both India and America have played an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan and ensuring its security. &nbsp;In order to attain our objectives for peace and stability in Afghanistan, we will maintain close consultation and communication with the U.S. to enhance coordination between our two nations.

In the Indo-Pacific region, in order to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, this is also another objective of our strategic cooperation in this area. &nbsp;The increasing possibilities for enhancing cooperation in order to protect our strategic interests will continue to determine the dimensions of our partnership. &nbsp;We will continue to work with the USA in this region.

With regard to security-related challenges, our enhanced and growing defense and security cooperation is extremely important. &nbsp;We have spoken at length on this subject as well. &nbsp;

The strengthening of India&rsquo;s defense capabilities, with the help of USA, is something that we truly appreciate. &nbsp;We have also decided to enhance maritime security cooperation between the two nations. &nbsp;President Trump and I have also spoken about strengthening bilateral defense technology and our trade and manufacturing partnership, which we believe will be mutually beneficial to us.

We also discussed international issues and our common strategic interests. &nbsp;In this context, we are extremely grateful for the continued support of the United States for India&rsquo;s membership of international institutions and regimes. &nbsp;We truly appreciate the support, because this is also in the interest of both our nations.

President Trump, I thank you for your feelings of friendship towards India and myself. &nbsp;I deeply appreciate your strong commitment to the enhancement of our bilateral relations. &nbsp;I am sure that under your leadership, our mutually beneficial strategic partnership will gain new strength, new positivity, and will reach new heights, and that your vast and successful experience in the business world will lend an aggressive and forward-looking agenda to our relations. &nbsp;

In this journey of India-America relations, I think I would like to thank you for providing great leadership. &nbsp;Be assured that in this joint journey of our two nations towards development, growth and prosperity, I will remain a driven, determined, and decisive partner.&nbsp;

Excellency, my visit today and the extensive talks I have held with you have been very successful, very fruitful. &nbsp;And before leaving this mic, I would like to invite you to India, along with your family. And I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India. &nbsp;

And at the end, once again, I&rsquo;d like to thank you for the warm welcome extended by you and the First Lady to myself and my delegation, from the bottom of my heart. &nbsp;Thank you. &nbsp;(Applause.) &nbsp;&nbsp;

PRESIDENT TRUMP: &nbsp;Thank you very much, everybody. &nbsp;I appreciate it. &nbsp;Thank you.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also asserted that fighting terror was a priority for both India and US

"We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism," US President Donald Trump made his agenda clear while delivering the joint press statement at the White House in Washington DC today with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both the leaders affirmed their commitment to fighting terror in their societies. PM Narendra Modi told the gathered media that terrorism and extremism were on top of the agenda for the meeting between him and US President Trump and the two administrations. The two leaders made the statement in the Rose Garden on a sunny day with US First Lady Melania Trump present dressed in a yellow ensemble. "Fighting terror and destroying terror safe havens is our common goal. We will increase intelligence sharing on terror," PM Modi said in his address. "The protection of our societies is the topmost priority for me and President Trump. The common empowerment of the two biggest democracies in the world is our focus," he added. On his part, President Trump stressed the common link of democracy between the American and Indian people. "Both the Indian and American Constitution begin with three beautiful words - "We the people". Regional crises also figured between the two leaders with the instability in Afghanistan and Indo-Pacific region being the prominent points of concern. President Trump also lauded the tax overhaul to be undertaken by the Indian government and the economic growth rate of India. "In two weeks, you are going to begin one of the largest tax overhaul in your country's history. We are also doing this by the way," Trump said to Modi as a part of his address. On the trade between the two countries, Trump said that it is important that the barriers be removed for the export of US goods to India. "It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country," he said. President Trump also highlighted India's contribution to the American economy by mentioning an Indian Airlines order for 100 aircraft that he said will generate "many American jobs". President Trump further welcomed further India's contribution to promoting democracy and security in Afghanistan. Both leaders committed to continue close consultations and cooperation in support of Afghanistan’s future. Trump brought a touch of humour and informality to the normally dry official proceeding with several off-the-cuff remarks. "PM Modi and I are world leaders in social media," Trump said to laughter, even as he explained that this gave "citizens of our countries the opportunity to hear directly from the elected officials". President Trump also informed the media that PM Modi had invited his daughter Ivanka Trump to lead the American delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit to be held in India. "And I believe she has accepted," he added. The full text of their speeches, published by the White House, is reproduced below: PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much. Prime Minister Modi, thank you for being here with us today. It’s a great honor to welcome the leader of the world’s largest democracy to the White House. I have always had a deep admiration for your country and for its people, and a profound appreciation for your rich culture, heritage and traditions. This summer, India will celebrate the 70th anniversary of its independence, and on behalf of the United States, I want to congratulate the Indian people on this magnificent milestone in the life of your very, very incredible nation. During my campaign, I pledged that if elected, India would have a true friend in the White House. And that is now exactly what you have -- a true friend. The friendship between the United States and India is built on shared values, including our shared commitment to democracy. Not many people know it, but both American and the Indian constitutions begin with the same three very beautiful words: We the people. The Prime Minister and I both understand the crucial importance of those words, which helps to form the foundation of cooperation between our two countries. Relations between countries are strongest when they are devoted to the interests of the people we serve. And after our meetings today, I will say that the relationship between India and the United States has never been stronger, has never been better. I’m proud to announce to the media, to the American people, and to the Indian people, that Prime Minister Modi and I are world leaders in social media -- (laughter) -- we’re believers -- giving the citizens of our countries the opportunity to hear directly from their elected officials, and for us to hear directly from them. I guess it’s worked very well in both cases. I am thrilled to salute you, Prime Minister Modi, and the Indian people for all that you are accomplishing together. Your accomplishments have been vast. India has the fastest growing economy in the world. We hope we’re going to be catching you very soon in terms of percentage increase, I have to tell you that. We’re working on it. In just two weeks, you will begin to implement the largest tax overhaul in your country’s history -- we’re doing that also, by the way -- creating great new opportunities for your citizens. You have a big vision for improving infrastructure, and you are fighting government corruption, which is always a grave threat to democracy. Together, our countries can help chart an optimistic path into the future, one that unleashes the power of new technology, new infrastructure, and the enthusiasm and excitement of very hardworking and very dynamic people. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Prime Minister, to create jobs in our countries, to grow our economies, and to create a trading relationship that is fair and reciprocal. It is important that barriers be removed to the export of U.S. goods into your markets, and that we reduce our trade deficit with your country. I was pleased to learn about an Indian Airlines recent order of 100 new American planes, one of the largest orders of its kind, which will support thousands and thousands of American jobs. We’re also looking forward to exporting more American energy to India as your economy grows, including major long-term contracts to purchase American natural gas, which are right now being negotiated, and we will sign them. Trying to get the price up a little bit. To further our economic partnership, I’m excited to report that the Prime Minister has invited my daughter, Ivanka, to lead the U.S. delegation to the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India this fall. And I believe she has accepted. Finally, the security partnership between the United States and India is incredibly important. Both our nations have been struck by the evils of terrorism, and we are both determined to destroy terrorist organizations and the radical ideology that drives them. We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism. Our militaries are working every day to enhance cooperation between our military forces. And next month, they will join together with the Japanese navy to take place in the largest maritime exercise ever conducted in the vast Indian Ocean. I also thank the Indian people for their contributions to the effort in Afghanistan, and for joining us in applying new sanctions against the North Korean regime. The North Korean regime is causing tremendous problems and is something that has to be dealt with, and probably dealt with rapidly. Working together, I truly believe our two countries can set an example for many other nations, make great strides in defeating common threats, and make great progress in unleashing amazing prosperity and growth. Prime Minister Modi, thank you again for joining me today, and for visiting our country and our wonderful White House and Oval Office. I enjoyed our very productive conversation this afternoon, and look forward to its continuation tonight at dinner. The future of our partnership has never looked brighter. India and the United States will always be tied together in friendship and respect. Prime Minister Modi, thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) PRIME MINISTER MODI: (As interpreted.) President Donald Trump and First Lady, Vice President, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen of the media: Right from the opening tweet to the end of our talks, President Trump's welcome, which was filled with friendliness, his warm welcome to the White House by himself and the First Lady, I would like to thank both of you from the bottom of my heart for this warm welcome. I would also like to give a special thanks to you, President Trump, for having spent so much time with me, for having spoken such kind words about me and my country. And I would like to tell you that I'm eager to welcome your daughter to India for the Entrepreneurship Summit. President Trump, I'd once again like to thank you for the time that you have spent with me. I'd like to give you special thanks for that. My visit and our talks today will mark a very important page in the history of the collaboration and cooperation between our two nations. The talks between his Excellency, President Trump, and myself today have been extremely important from all points of view, for several reasons: Because they were based on mutual trust; because of the convergence and similarities they revealed in our values, and our priorities, and in our concerns and interests; because they focused on the highest levels of achievement in our cooperation, and mutual support, and partnership; because our two countries are global engines of growth; because the all-around or comprehensive economic growth and joint progress of both countries and both societies is the main objective for both the President and myself, and will remain so; because the top priority for both President Trump and myself is to protect our society from global challenges like terrorism; and because our aim is the strengthening of India and the USA -- two great democracies in the world -- friends. Our robust strategic partnership is such that it touches upon almost all areas of human endeavor. In our conversation today, President Trump and I have discussed all dimensions of India-U.S. relations at length. Both nations are committed to a bilateral architecture that will take our strategic partnership to new heights. In this relationship, in both countries, increased productivity, growth, job creation, and breakthrough technologies -- an engagement towards all these are, and will remain, strong drivers of our cooperation, and will give further momentum to our relationship. We consider the USA as our primary partner for India's social and economic transformation in all our flagship programs and schemes. I am sure that the convergence between my vision for a "new India and President Trump's vision for "making America great again" will add new dimensions to our cooperation. I am very clear about the fact that India's interests lie in a strong, and prosperous, and successful America. In the same way, India's development and its growing role at the international level are in the USA's interest. One of our common priorities will be the development of trade, commerce, and investment links. And in this regard, in the technology, innovation, and knowledge-economy sectors, the expansion and deepening of cooperation is also among our priorities. Towards this end, we shall take steps to further strengthen our successful digital partnership. Friends, we are not just partners by chance. We are also partners in dealing with current and future challenges that we may be faced with. Today, during our meeting, we discussed the serious challenges of terrorism, extremism, and radicalization, which are the major challenges facing the world today. And we have agreed to enhance our cooperation in fighting against these scourges. Fighting terrorism and doing away with the safe shelters, sanctuaries, and safe havens will be an important part of our cooperation. With respect to our common concerns on terrorism, we will also enhance our sharing of intelligence, and exchange information to deepen and expand our policy coordination as far as possible. We also spoke at length on regional issues. The increasing instability, due to terrorism, in Afghanistan is one of our common concerns. Both India and America have played an important role in rebuilding Afghanistan and ensuring its security. In order to attain our objectives for peace and stability in Afghanistan, we will maintain close consultation and communication with the U.S. to enhance coordination between our two nations. In the Indo-Pacific region, in order to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, this is also another objective of our strategic cooperation in this area. The increasing possibilities for enhancing cooperation in order to protect our strategic interests will continue to determine the dimensions of our partnership. We will continue to work with the USA in this region. With regard to security-related challenges, our enhanced and growing defense and security cooperation is extremely important. We have spoken at length on this subject as well. The strengthening of India’s defense capabilities, with the help of USA, is something that we truly appreciate. We have also decided to enhance maritime security cooperation between the two nations. President Trump and I have also spoken about strengthening bilateral defense technology and our trade and manufacturing partnership, which we believe will be mutually beneficial to us. We also discussed international issues and our common strategic interests. In this context, we are extremely grateful for the continued support of the United States for India’s membership of international institutions and regimes. We truly appreciate the support, because this is also in the interest of both our nations. President Trump, I thank you for your feelings of friendship towards India and myself. I deeply appreciate your strong commitment to the enhancement of our bilateral relations. I am sure that under your leadership, our mutually beneficial strategic partnership will gain new strength, new positivity, and will reach new heights, and that your vast and successful experience in the business world will lend an aggressive and forward-looking agenda to our relations. In this journey of India-America relations, I think I would like to thank you for providing great leadership. Be assured that in this joint journey of our two nations towards development, growth and prosperity, I will remain a driven, determined, and decisive partner. Excellency, my visit today and the extensive talks I have held with you have been very successful, very fruitful. And before leaving this mic, I would like to invite you to India, along with your family. And I hope that you will give me the opportunity to welcome you and host you in India. And at the end, once again, I’d like to thank you for the warm welcome extended by you and the First Lady to myself and my delegation, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you. (Applause.) PRESIDENT TRUMP: Thank you very much, everybody. I appreciate it. Thank you.

India-US joint statement: 'We will destroy radical Islamic terrorism,' says US President Trump

In a break from tradition, US President Donald Trump did not host&nbsp;Eid celebrations at the White House this year.

The White House has traditionally hosted an Eid al-Fitr feast every year since Bill Clinton&#39;s presidency.

President Trump said in a statement, &quot;On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to Muslims as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramzan to focus on acts of faith and charity. During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values. Eid Mubarak.&quot;

In a brief statement, Rex Tillerson sent his &quot;best wishes to all Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr&quot;.

In May, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson turned down a request from the State Department&#39;s Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host an Eid al-Fitr reception, Reuters reported quoting two US officials.

An April 6 memo seen by Reuters, the state department recommended that Tillerson hold an Eid al-Fitr reception.

Republican and Democratic secretaries of state have almost always hosted either an iftar dinner to break the day&#39;s fast during Ramzan or a reception marking the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the month, at the State Department. The event is usually attended by members of Congress, Muslim civil society and community leaders, diplomats from Muslim countries and senior US officials usually attend the State Department Ramzan&nbsp;event.

The first presidential Iftar dinner was hosted by Thomas Jefferson in 1805 for a Tunisian envoy.

It became an annual tradition ever since then first lady Hillary Clinton revived the idea of hosting the dinner in 1996.

President Donald Trump&#39;s administration is accused of having an unfriendly attitude toward Islam, especially after his travel ban on citizens of six Muslim-majority countries forbidding Muslim citizens from entering the country. The ban has been stayed by US courts.

The Trump administration maintains that while it strongly opposes Islamist militants, it has no quarrel with Islam. As evidence, his aides have drawn attention to Trump&#39;s May visit to Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam where he addressed the leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries.

The White House has traditionally hosted an Eid al-Fitr feast every year since Bill Clinton's presidency.

In a break from tradition, US President Donald Trump did not host Eid celebrations at the White House this year. The White House has traditionally hosted an Eid al-Fitr feast every year since Bill Clinton's presidency. President Trump said in a statement, "On behalf of the American people, Melania and I send our warm greetings to Muslims as they celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Muslims in the United States joined those around the world during the holy month of Ramzan to focus on acts of faith and charity. During this holiday, we are reminded of the importance of mercy, compassion, and goodwill. With Muslims around the world, the United States renews our commitment to honor these values. Eid Mubarak." In a brief statement, Rex Tillerson sent his "best wishes to all Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr". In May, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson turned down a request from the State Department's Office of Religion and Global Affairs to host an Eid al-Fitr reception, Reuters reported quoting two US officials. An April 6 memo seen by Reuters, the state department recommended that Tillerson hold an Eid al-Fitr reception. Republican and Democratic secretaries of state have almost always hosted either an iftar dinner to break the day's fast during Ramzan or a reception marking the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the month, at the State Department. The event is usually attended by members of Congress, Muslim civil society and community leaders, diplomats from Muslim countries and senior US officials usually attend the State Department Ramzan event. The first presidential Iftar dinner was hosted by Thomas Jefferson in 1805 for a Tunisian envoy. It became an annual tradition ever since then first lady Hillary Clinton revived the idea of hosting the dinner in 1996. President Donald Trump's administration is accused of having an unfriendly attitude toward Islam, especially after his travel ban on citizens of six Muslim-majority countries forbidding Muslim citizens from entering the country. The ban has been stayed by US courts. The Trump administration maintains that while it strongly opposes Islamist militants, it has no quarrel with Islam. As evidence, his aides have drawn attention to Trump's May visit to Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam where he addressed the leaders of more than 50 Muslim countries.

Donald Trump breaks tradition, skips Eid celebrations at White House

The United States is looking forward to strengthen ties with India, the Trump Administration has said, ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump next week.

&quot;We&#39;re looking forward to strengthening ties between the United States and India,&quot; State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference.

&quot;We have a lot of areas of mutual cooperation, fighting terrorism, we have a lot of people-to-people ties, strong people-to-people ties; so we&#39;re looking forward to that visit,&quot; she said.

Modi and Trump are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday. This would be the first meeting between the two leaders.

After Trump won the presidential elections last November, the two leaders have spoken over phone three times, the last being Trump&#39;s congratulatory phone calls after Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

'We're looking forward to strengthening ties between the United States and India,' said a State Department spokesperson

The United States is looking forward to strengthen ties with India, the Trump Administration has said, ahead of the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump next week. "We're looking forward to strengthening ties between the United States and India," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at her daily news conference. "We have a lot of areas of mutual cooperation, fighting terrorism, we have a lot of people-to-people ties, strong people-to-people ties; so we're looking forward to that visit," she said. Modi and Trump are scheduled to meet at the White House on Monday. This would be the first meeting between the two leaders. After Trump won the presidential elections last November, the two leaders have spoken over phone three times, the last being Trump's congratulatory phone calls after Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.

Looking forward to Trump-Modi first meeting: White House

Former National Basketball Association star Dennis Rodman is expected to arrive in North Korea on Tuesday for a trip the State Department said was not an official US&nbsp;visit, CNN reported on Monday.

Rodman, who met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on previous trips to Pyongyang and has called him &quot;an awesome kid,&quot; declined to answer questions when he was seen by CNN reporters at Beijing International Airport, the network said.

Tensions have heightened on the Korean peninsula over Pyongyang&#39;s nuclear and missile tests and its vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US&nbsp;mainland.

Four Americans are also being held in North Korea, including 22-year-old student Otto Warmbier, who was detained in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years&#39; hard labour for attempting to steal a propaganda banner.

Representatives for Rodman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Rodman has defended his travels, saying in an interview with CNN in 2014 they would help &quot;open the door&quot; to the reclusive state.

CNN, citing two unnamed North Korean officials, said Rodman was expected to arrive in Pyongyang on Tuesday, but gave no additional details on the purpose of the trip.

Fox News, citing a senior Trump administration official, reported that Rodman was travelling to North Korea as a &quot;private citizen&quot;.

The White House and State Department did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Here is video footage from North Korean&nbsp;TV of Rodman during his last trip in the totalitarian communist country. In it, he meets Kim Jung Un, and sings a strange rendition of Happy Birthday.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ViRdxGjEu2Y" width="560"></iframe>

The basketball Hall of Famer has faced ridicule and criticism for his trips to North Korea, which some US&nbsp;politicians and activists view as serving only as fodder for North Korean propaganda.

Rodman, 56, nicknamed &quot;The Worm&quot; during his playing career and known for his tattoos, body piercings and multi-coloured hair, is considered one of the best defensive players and rebounders in NBA history.

He won five league championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The Hall of Famer has faced ridicule and criticism for his trips to North Korea, which some feel serves only as fodder for North Korean propaganda

Former National Basketball Association star Dennis Rodman is expected to arrive in North Korea on Tuesday for a trip the State Department said was not an official US visit, CNN reported on Monday. Rodman, who met with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on previous trips to Pyongyang and has called him "an awesome kid," declined to answer questions when he was seen by CNN reporters at Beijing International Airport, the network said. Tensions have heightened on the Korean peninsula over Pyongyang's nuclear and missile tests and its vow to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the US mainland. Four Americans are also being held in North Korea, including 22-year-old student Otto Warmbier, who was detained in January 2016 and sentenced to 15 years' hard labour for attempting to steal a propaganda banner. Representatives for Rodman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Rodman has defended his travels, saying in an interview with CNN in 2014 they would help "open the door" to the reclusive state. CNN, citing two unnamed North Korean officials, said Rodman was expected to arrive in Pyongyang on Tuesday, but gave no additional details on the purpose of the trip. Fox News, citing a senior Trump administration official, reported that Rodman was travelling to North Korea as a "private citizen". The White House and State Department did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Here is video footage from North Korean TV of Rodman during his last trip in the totalitarian communist country. In it, he meets Kim Jung Un, and sings a strange rendition of Happy Birthday. The basketball Hall of Famer has faced ridicule and criticism for his trips to North Korea, which some US politicians and activists view as serving only as fodder for North Korean propaganda. Rodman, 56, nicknamed "The Worm" during his playing career and known for his tattoos, body piercings and multi-coloured hair, is considered one of the best defensive players and rebounders in NBA history. He won five league championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls. (With inputs from Reuters)

Dennis Rodman, Ex-NBA star, expected to arrive in North Korea Tuesday: CNN

Ex-prosecutor Preet Bharara told ABC news that he was fired after refusing to pick up Donald Trump&#39;s&nbsp;phone calls.

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Former US Attorney <a href="https://twitter.com/PreetBharara">@PreetBharara</a> recounts &quot;very unusual&quot; calls with Trump: &quot;There has to be some kind of arms-length relationship.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eviG27YT53">pic.twitter.com/eviG27YT53</a>
&mdash; ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/873893311353823232">June 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Bharara watched the Comey testimony and said&nbsp;he feels &quot;there is absolutely&nbsp;evidence to begin a case&quot; of&nbsp;obstruction of justice against&nbsp;the US president.

&quot;I think it&#39;s very important for all sorts of armchair speculators in the law to be clear that no one knows right now whether there is a&nbsp;provable&nbsp;case for obstruction. It&#39;s also true, I think, from based on what I see as a third party and out of government that there&#39;s no basis to say there&#39;s&nbsp;no&nbsp;obstruction.&quot;

Why Bharara says he&nbsp;was fired

Bharara&nbsp;says that President Trump&nbsp;tried to &quot;cultivate a relationship&quot; with him.&nbsp;Trump had asked him to stay on as&nbsp;the chief federal law enforcement officer, where Bharara&nbsp;had&nbsp;jurisdiction to investigate business interests in New York. Trump&#39;s business empire is based in New York.&nbsp;

Trump made&nbsp;two phone calls to Bharara while president-elect, &quot;sensibly, just to shoot the breeze&quot;, Bharara says,&nbsp;then a final call after he became president. Bharara says he didn&#39;t return this call, then he was fired.&nbsp;

Watch the above clip and watch Bharara&nbsp;describe how he thought the president&#39;s conduct was inappropriate.

Bharara&#39;s statement comes days after ex-FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he told lawmakers that he believed Trump was trying to pressure him to drop the investigation into the former head of national security Michael&nbsp;Flynn, which was a part of&nbsp;the probe into Russia&#39;s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election.

Comey says Trump asked for &quot;loyalty&quot;, and instead Comey said he would give the president&nbsp;&quot;honest loyalty&quot;. Trump later fired Comey.

&nbsp;

Preet Bharara wouldn't take the president's phone call, trying to keep an 'arms-length' relationship, then Trump fired him

Ex-prosecutor Preet Bharara told ABC news that he was fired after refusing to pick up Donald Trump's phone calls. Former US Attorney @PreetBharara recounts "very unusual" calls with Trump: "There has to be some kind of arms-length relationship." pic.twitter.com/eviG27YT53 — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 11, 2017 × Bharara watched the Comey testimony and said he feels "there is absolutely evidence to begin a case" of obstruction of justice against the US president. "I think it's very important for all sorts of armchair speculators in the law to be clear that no one knows right now whether there is a provable case for obstruction. It's also true, I think, from based on what I see as a third party and out of government that there's no basis to say there's no obstruction." Why Bharara says he was fired Bharara says that President Trump tried to "cultivate a relationship" with him. Trump had asked him to stay on as the chief federal law enforcement officer, where Bharara had jurisdiction to investigate business interests in New York. Trump's business empire is based in New York. Trump made two phone calls to Bharara while president-elect, "sensibly, just to shoot the breeze", Bharara says, then a final call after he became president. Bharara says he didn't return this call, then he was fired. Watch the above clip and watch Bharara describe how he thought the president's conduct was inappropriate. Bharara's statement comes days after ex-FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he told lawmakers that he believed Trump was trying to pressure him to drop the investigation into the former head of national security Michael Flynn, which was a part of the probe into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election. Comey says Trump asked for "loyalty", and instead Comey said he would give the president "honest loyalty". Trump later fired Comey.

'Absolute evidence' to start obstruction of justice case against Trump: Ex-prosecutor Preet Bharara

Ex-prosecutor Preet Bharara told ABC News today that he was fired after refusing to pick up Donald Trump&#39;s&nbsp;phone calls.

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Former US Attorney <a href="https://twitter.com/PreetBharara">@PreetBharara</a> recounts &quot;very unusual&quot; calls with Trump: &quot;There has to be some kind of arms-length relationship.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/eviG27YT53">pic.twitter.com/eviG27YT53</a>
&mdash; ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) <a href="https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/873893311353823232">June 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Bharara&nbsp;says that President Trump&nbsp;tried to &quot;cultivate a relationship&quot; with him.&nbsp;Trump had asked him to stay on as&nbsp;the chief federal law enforcement officer, where Bharara&nbsp;had&nbsp;jurisdiction to investigate business interests in New York. Trump&#39;s business empire is based in New York.&nbsp;

Trump made&nbsp;two phone calls to Bharara while president-elect, &quot;sensibly, just to shoot the breeze&quot;, Bharara says,&nbsp;then a final call after he became president. Bharara says he didn&#39;t return this call, then he was fired.&nbsp;

Watch the above clip and watch Bharara&nbsp;describe how he thought the president&#39;s conduct was inappropriate.

Bharara&#39;s statement comes days after ex-FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he told lawmakers that he believed Trump was trying to pressure him to drop the investigation into the former head of national security Michael&nbsp;Flynn, which was a part of&nbsp;the probe into Russia&#39;s efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election.

Comey says Trump asked for &quot;loyalty&quot;, and instead Comey said he would give the president&nbsp;&quot;honest loyalty&quot;.&nbsp;

Trump fired Comey.

Preet Bharara wanted to keep an 'arms-length relationship' with the President. Then, apparently for this, he got sacked

Ex-prosecutor Preet Bharara told ABC News today that he was fired after refusing to pick up Donald Trump's phone calls. Former US Attorney @PreetBharara recounts "very unusual" calls with Trump: "There has to be some kind of arms-length relationship." pic.twitter.com/eviG27YT53 — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 11, 2017 × Bharara says that President Trump tried to "cultivate a relationship" with him. Trump had asked him to stay on as the chief federal law enforcement officer, where Bharara had jurisdiction to investigate business interests in New York. Trump's business empire is based in New York. Trump made two phone calls to Bharara while president-elect, "sensibly, just to shoot the breeze", Bharara says, then a final call after he became president. Bharara says he didn't return this call, then he was fired. Watch the above clip and watch Bharara describe how he thought the president's conduct was inappropriate. Bharara's statement comes days after ex-FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee, where he told lawmakers that he believed Trump was trying to pressure him to drop the investigation into the former head of national security Michael Flynn, which was a part of the probe into Russia's efforts to interfere in the 2016 US election. Comey says Trump asked for "loyalty", and instead Comey said he would give the president "honest loyalty". Trump fired Comey.

Ex-prosecutor wouldn't take Trump's phone call, fired next day

The White House has two new occupants: US First Lady Melania Trump and her 11-year-old son Barron have finally moved in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Six months after President Donald Trump arrived, the Slovenia-born former model and the couple&#39;s 11-year-old son joined him last night, an aide to the First Lady told AFP.

The pair had previously stayed in New York so that Barron could complete the school year. <a href="http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/326356-petition-calls-for-melania-trump-to-move-to-white-house-or-pay" target="_blank">Reports </a>peg the taxpayer&nbsp;cost of their secret service protection at&nbsp;$127,000 a day.&nbsp;

After arriving at the White House Melania tweeted a picture from a window looking on to the South Lawn and the Washington Monument.&nbsp;

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Looking forward to the memories we&#39;ll make in our new home! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Movingday?src=hash">#Movingday</a> <a href="https://t.co/R5DtdV1Hnv">pic.twitter.com/R5DtdV1Hnv</a>
&mdash; Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/874061401995608065">June 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Melania is the first First Lady in modern history to delay her arrival in Washington after an election win.

A number of cool public displays between the President Trump and his wife have fuelled public speculation about their closeness.

Melania appeared to swat away an outreached presidential hand as the couple walked along a red carpet upon arriving in Israel last month.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="giphy-embed" frameborder="0" height="247" src="https://giphy.com/embed/3o7btUQsATH7RakJvG" width="480"></iframe>

<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/donald-trump-melania-hand-swat-3o7btUQsATH7RakJvG">via GIPHY</a>

Here is the First Lady and President Trump during his presidential inauguration.

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<a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/trump-melania-se9DzCuIcELYY">via GIPHY</a>

There have been more&nbsp;awkward moments between Melania Trump and her family.

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U2RnHf_gFCE" width="560"></iframe>

During the week at least, President Trump had been living alone in the vast, private quarters of the White House as he fends off the flood of reporting over Russia having allegedly meddled in the 2016 US election with the aim of helping him defeat Hillary Clinton.

The first lady has mostly kept a low profile since her real estate mogul husband became president.

(With inputs from AFP)

Melania is the first First Lady in modern history to delay her arrival in Washington after an election win

The White House has two new occupants: US First Lady Melania Trump and her 11-year-old son Barron have finally moved in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Six months after President Donald Trump arrived, the Slovenia-born former model and the couple's 11-year-old son joined him last night, an aide to the First Lady told AFP. The pair had previously stayed in New York so that Barron could complete the school year. Reports peg the taxpayer cost of their secret service protection at $127,000 a day. After arriving at the White House Melania tweeted a picture from a window looking on to the South Lawn and the Washington Monument. Looking forward to the memories we'll make in our new home! #Movingday pic.twitter.com/R5DtdV1Hnv — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) June 12, 2017 × Melania is the first First Lady in modern history to delay her arrival in Washington after an election win. A number of cool public displays between the President Trump and his wife have fuelled public speculation about their closeness. Melania appeared to swat away an outreached presidential hand as the couple walked along a red carpet upon arriving in Israel last month. via GIPHY Here is the First Lady and President Trump during his presidential inauguration. via GIPHY There have been more awkward moments between Melania Trump and her family. During the week at least, President Trump had been living alone in the vast, private quarters of the White House as he fends off the flood of reporting over Russia having allegedly meddled in the 2016 US election with the aim of helping him defeat Hillary Clinton. The first lady has mostly kept a low profile since her real estate mogul husband became president. (With inputs from AFP)

Melania, Barron finally move into White House

US President Donald Trump&#39;s actions have &quot;weakened&quot; the West, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Monday, while also charging that Trump&#39;s &quot;short-sighted&quot; policies hurt EU interests.

&quot;Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk,&quot; Gabriel said.&nbsp;

&quot;The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union,&quot; he said, adding that &quot;the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker&quot;.

(AFP)

He accused Trump of accelerating climate change by weakening environmental protections and selling arms in conflict zones

US President Donald Trump's actions have "weakened" the West, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said Monday, while also charging that Trump's "short-sighted" policies hurt EU interests. "Anyone who accelerates climate change by weakening environmental protection, who sells more weapons in conflict zones and who does not want to politically resolve religious conflicts is putting peace in Europe at risk," Gabriel said. "The short-sighted policies of the American government stand against the interests of the European Union," he said, adding that "the West has become smaller, at least it has become weaker". (AFP)

Trump has 'weakened' the West, hurt EU interests: German FM

Tens of thousands of people turned out in cities across the United States and beyond on Saturday for Earth Day events billed as a &quot;celebration of science&quot; to counter what organisers say is a growing disregard for evidence-based knowledge in Washington.

In hundreds of &quot;March for Science&quot; events from Boston to Sydney, Australia, engineers, researchers and teachers took a break from the lab to apply their ingenuity to colourful protest placards.

Demonstrators carried signs like &quot;There Is No Planet B,&quot; &quot;No One Is Above Peer Review,&quot; &quot;Revenge of the Nerds&quot; and &quot;Make Science Great Again,&quot; a play on US&nbsp;President Donald Trump&#39;s campaign promise to &quot;Make America Great Again.&quot; Other signs featured mathematical formulas in a display of geek humour.

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PhD in Organic Chemistry, Roxanne Kunz of Santa Monica, waits in Pershing Square before the March for Science Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California April 22, 2017. (Reuters)
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While the events were non-partisan according to organisers, many marchers were in effect protesting Trump&#39;s proposal to sharply cut federal science and research budgets and his administration&#39;s skepticism about climate change and the need to slow global warming.

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SO proud of the MASSIVE TURNOUT of our science community repping <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheResistance?src=hash">#TheResistance</a> at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sciencemarchdc?src=hash">#sciencemarchdc</a> today, on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EarthDay?src=hash">#EarthDay</a>. 
Take THAT, trump. <a href="https://t.co/J6yvNZmJgU">pic.twitter.com/J6yvNZmJgU</a>
&mdash; BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) <a href="https://twitter.com/mmpadellan/status/855947345275629574">April 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The marches put a new twist on the traditional Earth Day activities, the aim of which was to reaffirm &quot;the vital role science plays in our democracy,&quot; according to the march&#39;s website.

Festivities at one of the largest events on Washington&#39;s National Mall included scientific &quot;teach-ins&quot; and musical performances.

&quot;It&#39;s important to show this administration that we care about facts,&quot; said Chris Taylor, 24, who was part of an early crowd of about 15,000 who gathered on Washington&#39;s Mall for teach-ins on topics like climate change, water quality and sustainable food.

&quot;It just seems like they&#39;re not really concerned about economic growth or creating new technologies, just catering to massive corporations,&quot; said Taylor, who is earning a PhD in robotics at George Mason University in Virginia.

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Protesters hold placards and banners as they participate in the March for Science rally on Earth Day, in central Sydney, Australia April 22, 2017. (Reuters)
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In Los Angeles, at least 12,000 people joined the March for Science, police said. Some demonstrators walked in lab coats while others shaded themselves under umbrellas and signs as temperatures neared 90 Fahrenheit (32 Celsius).

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TRUMP: The protesters are paid. These marches are small. 
 
Well, here&#39;s Chicago today: <a href="https://t.co/iyfVfmFy8O">pic.twitter.com/iyfVfmFy8O</a>
&mdash; Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mikel_Jollett/status/855888338535948288">April 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

TRUMP SUPPORTS &#39;RIGOROUS SCIENCE&#39;

A fervent but good-natured anti-Trump tone was evident on San Francisco&#39;s waterfront, where thousands gathered near The Exploratorium science museum ahead of a march to city hall.

Many carried signs emblazoned with slogans such as &quot;Pruitt Plus Trump Equals Bad Chemistry,&quot; a reference to Scott Pruitt, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who has questioned the scientific consensus on global warming.

March for Science is the latest in a series of national demonstrations staged since Trump&#39;s inauguration nearly 100 days ago. Previous marches and protests have focused on a range of partisan issues, from abortion rights to immigration policy.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday&#39;s marches, but Trump released a statement on his approach to environmental issues.

&quot;My administration is reducing unnecessary burdens on American workers and American companies, while being mindful that our actions must also protect the environment,&quot; Trump said.

&quot;Rigorous science is critical to my administration&#39;s efforts to achieve the twin goals of economic growth and environmental protection,&quot; said the president, who passed dozens of protesters as his motorcade made its way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington.

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Demonstrators march to the US Capitol during the March for Science in Washington, US, April 22, 2017. (Reuters)
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&nbsp;

TUSSLE OVER CLIMATE CHANGE

In the past, Trump has said climate change was a hoax that was stifling policies to foster economic growth.

His administration is considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, a global accord aimed at reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Last year the United States, under President Barack Obama, joined more than 190 other countries in signing the pact.

Trump&#39;s proposed 2018 budget calls for deep spending cuts by government science agencies, including a 31 per cent reduction for the Environmental Protection Agency.

The scientific community&#39;s direct involvement in a national policy debate has stirred some criticism about whether scientists should get involved in politics. But organisers have defended the march as crucial because of the threat posed by discrediting scientific consensus and restricting research.

&quot;As scientists, as human beings, our mandate is clear - it&#39;s to stand up for what we know to be true,&quot; said Kellan Baker, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and one of the speakers on the National Mall.

That theme was echoed by many who showed up in Washington for teach-ins, which organisers said were a centerpiece of the initial Earth Day held in 1970 to call attention to the environment.

&quot;Science isn&#39;t respected and it needs to be,&quot; said Sarah Binkow, 22, a civil engineer who traveled from Michigan to attend the Washington rally.

&quot;Being here definitely gives me hope that there&#39;s this overwhelming population that supports science and supports scientific theory,&quot; she said.

In Washington, speakers included Bill Nye, an educator and television personality known as &quot;the Science Guy,&quot; and Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and public health advocate who first called attention to the high levels of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan.

&quot;Flint is what happens when we dismiss science,&quot; she said, referring to the ongoing water&nbsp;crisis in Flint, Michigan that began in 2014.

(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The demonstrations countered what organisers say is a growing disregard for evidence-based knowledge in Washington under President Trump

Tens of thousands of people turned out in cities across the United States and beyond on Saturday for Earth Day events billed as a "celebration of science" to counter what organisers say is a growing disregard for evidence-based knowledge in Washington. In hundreds of "March for Science" events from Boston to Sydney, Australia, engineers, researchers and teachers took a break from the lab to apply their ingenuity to colourful protest placards. Demonstrators carried signs like "There Is No Planet B," "No One Is Above Peer Review," "Revenge of the Nerds" and "Make Science Great Again," a play on US President Donald Trump's campaign promise to "Make America Great Again." Other signs featured mathematical formulas in a display of geek humour. PhD in Organic Chemistry, Roxanne Kunz of Santa Monica, waits in Pershing Square before the March for Science Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California April 22, 2017. (Reuters) × While the events were non-partisan according to organisers, many marchers were in effect protesting Trump's proposal to sharply cut federal science and research budgets and his administration's skepticism about climate change and the need to slow global warming. SO proud of the MASSIVE TURNOUT of our science community repping #TheResistance at #sciencemarchdc today, on #EarthDay. Take THAT, trump. pic.twitter.com/J6yvNZmJgU — BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) April 23, 2017 × The marches put a new twist on the traditional Earth Day activities, the aim of which was to reaffirm "the vital role science plays in our democracy," according to the march's website. Festivities at one of the largest events on Washington's National Mall included scientific "teach-ins" and musical performances. "It's important to show this administration that we care about facts," said Chris Taylor, 24, who was part of an early crowd of about 15,000 who gathered on Washington's Mall for teach-ins on topics like climate change, water quality and sustainable food. "It just seems like they're not really concerned about economic growth or creating new technologies, just catering to massive corporations," said Taylor, who is earning a PhD in robotics at George Mason University in Virginia. Protesters hold placards and banners as they participate in the March for Science rally on Earth Day, in central Sydney, Australia April 22, 2017. (Reuters) × In Los Angeles, at least 12,000 people joined the March for Science, police said. Some demonstrators walked in lab coats while others shaded themselves under umbrellas and signs as temperatures neared 90 Fahrenheit (32 Celsius). TRUMP: The protesters are paid. These marches are small. Well, here's Chicago today: pic.twitter.com/iyfVfmFy8O — Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) April 22, 2017 × TRUMP SUPPORTS 'RIGOROUS SCIENCE' A fervent but good-natured anti-Trump tone was evident on San Francisco's waterfront, where thousands gathered near The Exploratorium science museum ahead of a march to city hall. Many carried signs emblazoned with slogans such as "Pruitt Plus Trump Equals Bad Chemistry," a reference to Scott Pruitt, the new head of the Environmental Protection Agency, who has questioned the scientific consensus on global warming. March for Science is the latest in a series of national demonstrations staged since Trump's inauguration nearly 100 days ago. Previous marches and protests have focused on a range of partisan issues, from abortion rights to immigration policy. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on Saturday's marches, but Trump released a statement on his approach to environmental issues. "My administration is reducing unnecessary burdens on American workers and American companies, while being mindful that our actions must also protect the environment," Trump said. "Rigorous science is critical to my administration's efforts to achieve the twin goals of economic growth and environmental protection," said the president, who passed dozens of protesters as his motorcade made its way to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington. Demonstrators march to the US Capitol during the March for Science in Washington, US, April 22, 2017. (Reuters) × TUSSLE OVER CLIMATE CHANGE In the past, Trump has said climate change was a hoax that was stifling policies to foster economic growth. His administration is considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, a global accord aimed at reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Last year the United States, under President Barack Obama, joined more than 190 other countries in signing the pact. Trump's proposed 2018 budget calls for deep spending cuts by government science agencies, including a 31 per cent reduction for the Environmental Protection Agency. The scientific community's direct involvement in a national policy debate has stirred some criticism about whether scientists should get involved in politics. But organisers have defended the march as crucial because of the threat posed by discrediting scientific consensus and restricting research. "As scientists, as human beings, our mandate is clear - it's to stand up for what we know to be true," said Kellan Baker, a senior fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and one of the speakers on the National Mall. That theme was echoed by many who showed up in Washington for teach-ins, which organisers said were a centerpiece of the initial Earth Day held in 1970 to call attention to the environment. "Science isn't respected and it needs to be," said Sarah Binkow, 22, a civil engineer who traveled from Michigan to attend the Washington rally. "Being here definitely gives me hope that there's this overwhelming population that supports science and supports scientific theory," she said. In Washington, speakers included Bill Nye, an educator and television personality known as "the Science Guy," and Mona Hanna-Attisha, a pediatrician and public health advocate who first called attention to the high levels of lead in the drinking water of Flint, Michigan. "Flint is what happens when we dismiss science," she said, referring to the ongoing water crisis in Flint, Michigan that began in 2014. (Reuters)

Earth Day: March for Science draws big crowds across US and beyond

First daughter Ivanka Trump is about to take on another title as an unpaid adviser to her father President Donald Trump, the White House announced on Wednesday.

Ivanka, whose husband Jared Kushner also works as a senior aide to the president, will not receive a salary for her work as a federal employee. Kushner, a real estate developer, is also unpaid.

Both are the children of billionaire real estate tycoons, and neither of them have ever held a position in politics before becoming top White House advisers.

Trump once tried to squash early rumours, from after he won the election but before he took office in January 2017,&nbsp;that he was trying to get top-level security clearance for his children, calling it a &quot;typically false news story&quot;.

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I am not trying to get &quot;top level security clearance&quot; for my children. This was a typically false news story.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/798850338384023552">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

&quot;We are pleased that Ivanka Trump has chosen to take this step in her unprecedented role as first daughter and in support of the president,&quot; a White House statement said.

&quot;Ivanka&#39;s service as an unpaid employee furthers our commitment to ethics, transparency, and compliance and affords her increased opportunities to lead initiatives driving real policy benefits for the American public that would not have been available to her previously.&quot;

In the couple of months since her father became president Ivanka, 35, has been a regular presence at the White House, where she already has an office.

She was present when her father received Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in January, and earlier this month took part in a round-table discussion with President Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel during the German leader&#39;s visit to the White House.

Her involvement with her father&#39;s official duties has raised eyebrows in some quarters over possible conflicts of interest.

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Ivanka Trump will now become an official federal employee. This is both illegal nepotism and a conflict of interest with her brand!
&mdash; Laura (@SheWhoVotes) <a href="https://twitter.com/SheWhoVotes/status/847186123533066240">March 29, 2017</a></blockquote>
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But Ivanka, who was part of her father&#39;s business empire and ran an eponymous fashion line, said those qualms are unfounded.

&quot;I have heard the concerns some have with my advising the president in my personal capacity while voluntarily complying with all ethics rules, and I will instead serve as an unpaid employee in the White House Office, subject to all of the same rules as other federal employees,&quot; she said in a statement.

&quot;Throughout this process I have been working closely and in good faith with the White House Counsel and my personal counsel to address the unprecedented nature of my role,&quot; she said.

The first daughter&#39;s formal title will be assistant to the president. Her husband&#39;s title is senior adviser to the president.&nbsp;

It is unclear why Ivanka Trump characterised her new position as an official federal employee merely as working a &quot;personal capacity&quot;, especially since she will be&nbsp;occupying one of Washington&#39;s highest ranking jobs.

Also unclear is why she called ethics rules &quot;voluntary&quot;.&nbsp;

Nor has Ivanka Trump or the White House&nbsp;provided any&nbsp;evidence of having satisfied ethics rules.

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

The President once promised 'I am not trying to get "top-level security clearance" for my children'

First daughter Ivanka Trump is about to take on another title as an unpaid adviser to her father President Donald Trump, the White House announced on Wednesday. Ivanka, whose husband Jared Kushner also works as a senior aide to the president, will not receive a salary for her work as a federal employee. Kushner, a real estate developer, is also unpaid. Both are the children of billionaire real estate tycoons, and neither of them have ever held a position in politics before becoming top White House advisers. Trump once tried to squash early rumours, from after he won the election but before he took office in January 2017, that he was trying to get top-level security clearance for his children, calling it a "typically false news story". I am not trying to get "top level security clearance" for my children. This was a typically false news story. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016 × "We are pleased that Ivanka Trump has chosen to take this step in her unprecedented role as first daughter and in support of the president," a White House statement said. "Ivanka's service as an unpaid employee furthers our commitment to ethics, transparency, and compliance and affords her increased opportunities to lead initiatives driving real policy benefits for the American public that would not have been available to her previously." In the couple of months since her father became president Ivanka, 35, has been a regular presence at the White House, where she already has an office. She was present when her father received Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in January, and earlier this month took part in a round-table discussion with President Trump and Chancellor Angela Merkel during the German leader's visit to the White House. Her involvement with her father's official duties has raised eyebrows in some quarters over possible conflicts of interest. Ivanka Trump will now become an official federal employee. This is both illegal nepotism and a conflict of interest with her brand! — Laura (@SheWhoVotes) March 29, 2017 × But Ivanka, who was part of her father's business empire and ran an eponymous fashion line, said those qualms are unfounded. "I have heard the concerns some have with my advising the president in my personal capacity while voluntarily complying with all ethics rules, and I will instead serve as an unpaid employee in the White House Office, subject to all of the same rules as other federal employees," she said in a statement. "Throughout this process I have been working closely and in good faith with the White House Counsel and my personal counsel to address the unprecedented nature of my role," she said. The first daughter's formal title will be assistant to the president. Her husband's title is senior adviser to the president. It is unclear why Ivanka Trump characterised her new position as an official federal employee merely as working a "personal capacity", especially since she will be occupying one of Washington's highest ranking jobs. Also unclear is why she called ethics rules "voluntary". Nor has Ivanka Trump or the White House provided any evidence of having satisfied ethics rules. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Ivanka Trump to become unpaid White House adviser

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and said he looked forward to playing host to a visit by Modi to Washington later this year.

The White House said Trump spoke with Modi to congratulate him on the outcome of recent state-level elections. Trump expressed support for Modi&#39;s economic reform agenda.

&quot;President Trump also said he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in Washington later this year,&quot; the White House said in a statement. No date for the visit was mentioned.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Trump invited Modi when he called to congratulate him on the BJP's recent state election wins

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and said he looked forward to playing host to a visit by Modi to Washington later this year. The White House said Trump spoke with Modi to congratulate him on the outcome of recent state-level elections. Trump expressed support for Modi's economic reform agenda. "President Trump also said he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Modi in Washington later this year," the White House said in a statement. No date for the visit was mentioned. (Reuters)

Trump invites Modi to Washington this year, date not fixed yet

A suspicious package near the White House grounds has put the building on lockdown, reports say.

Secret Service has&nbsp;detained a man with a package outside the White House, an&nbsp;official told AFP.

The US Secret Service detained a male suspect carrying a package and making &quot;suspicious comments&quot; near the White House, newswire AFP reported.

According to an official, he was taken into custody and explosives experts were deployed.&nbsp;

A Secret Service official said the man had approached uniformed officers near 15th and Pennsylvania at around 10:15 am, a block from the White House.&nbsp;

The man was separated from the package and detained in a police vehicle, a security perimeter was established and &quot;the package is now in Secret Service custody,&quot; the official said, asking not to be named, AFP said.&nbsp;

&nbsp;A Secret Service spokeswoman had earlier said, &quot;We separated the individual and the package. He is now in Secret Service custody.&quot;

The unidentified man was taken into custody and explosive disposal teams were on the scene, Secret Service spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan told reporters in the White House briefing room.

According to reports, the package was found near the White House&nbsp;and the north lawn was immediately&nbsp;closed. Roads around the White House were also closed.

The US Secret Service in a tweet said it was investigating the incident.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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According to reports, the package was found near the White House and the north lawn has been closed. Roads around the White House have also been closed (WION)
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Suspicious package investigation continues; suspect in custody! <a href="https://t.co/O25gr5B72f">pic.twitter.com/O25gr5B72f</a>
&mdash; U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService/status/846751351262646277">March 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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USSS is investigating suspicious package; security perimeter established &amp; members of the public &amp; media are being moved to safe a distance
&mdash; U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService/status/846738231077064704">March 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService">@SecretService</a> investigating suspicious package near <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse">@WhiteHouse</a> grounds. Road closures in effect.
&mdash; U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecretService/status/846734327794819073">March 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
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(WION with Agency inputs) 
&nbsp;

According to reports, the package was found near the White House?and the north lawn has been closed

A suspicious package near the White House grounds has put the building on lockdown, reports say. Secret Service has detained a man with a package outside the White House, an official told AFP. The US Secret Service detained a male suspect carrying a package and making "suspicious comments" near the White House, newswire AFP reported. According to an official, he was taken into custody and explosives experts were deployed. A Secret Service official said the man had approached uniformed officers near 15th and Pennsylvania at around 10:15 am, a block from the White House. The man was separated from the package and detained in a police vehicle, a security perimeter was established and "the package is now in Secret Service custody," the official said, asking not to be named, AFP said. A Secret Service spokeswoman had earlier said, "We separated the individual and the package. He is now in Secret Service custody." The unidentified man was taken into custody and explosive disposal teams were on the scene, Secret Service spokeswoman Cathy Milhoan told reporters in the White House briefing room. According to reports, the package was found near the White House and the north lawn was immediately closed. Roads around the White House were also closed. The US Secret Service in a tweet said it was investigating the incident. According to reports, the package was found near the White House and the north lawn has been closed. Roads around the White House have also been closed (WION) × Suspicious package investigation continues; suspect in custody! pic.twitter.com/O25gr5B72f — U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) March 28, 2017 × USSS is investigating suspicious package; security perimeter established & members of the public & media are being moved to safe a distance — U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) March 28, 2017 × .@SecretService investigating suspicious package near @WhiteHouse grounds. Road closures in effect. — U.S. Secret Service (@SecretService) March 28, 2017 × (WION with Agency inputs)

White House under lockdown after suspicious package found, US Secret Service detains one person

US&nbsp;lawmakers from both parties said on Sunday they had seen no proof to support the claim by Republican President Donald Trump that his predecessor Barack Obama had wiretapped him last year, adding pressure on Trump to explain or back off his repeated assertion.

Several Republicans last week urged Trump to apologise for the allegations he made in a series of tweets on March 4.

The maelstrom also caused tension with key US&nbsp;allies and threatens to distract Republicans from campaign promises on health care and taxes.

&quot;I don&#39;t know the basis for President Trump`s assertion,&quot; US&nbsp;Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, said on NBC&#39;s &quot;Meet the Press.&quot; &quot;I do believe he owes us that explanation.&quot;

Collins said she supported Trump as president, but she wouldn&#39;t side with him if he &quot;misstated what the facts are.&quot;&nbsp;

FBI Director James Comey is expected to be asked about Trump&#39;s claims when he testifies at a rare public hearing on Monday about alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

Russia has denied the assertion it was involved in hacked emails and other attempts to influence the race.

Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee holding the hearing, called Trump&#39;s claims &quot;patently false&quot; and said he expected Comey to say as much on Monday.

The Justice Department on Friday delivered documents to congressional committees to help clear up whether the Obama administration spied on Trump.

Republican Representative Devin Nunes, who leads the House intelligence panel, said after receiving the material, he saw no evidence of wiretapping.

But Nunes, who served on Trump&#39;s transition team, joined the White House in seeking to shift attention away from the controversies by calling for investigations of leaks to the news media.&nbsp;

Nunes said on &quot;Fox News Sunday&quot; that leaks to reporters about former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn were criminal and that his panel was probing whether other names were leaked.

Trump has been dogged by allegations that his associates had ties to Russian officials.

He fired Flynn last month after reports he had discussed sanctions with Russia&#39;s ambassador before Trump took office, without telling other White House officials.

&quot;The one crime we know that&#39;s been committed is that one: the leaking of someone&#39;s name,&quot; Nunes said. &quot;Were there any other names that were ... leaked out?&quot;

Nunes also said ahead of Monday&#39;s hearing he had seen &quot;no evidence&quot; of collusion between Russia and Trump`s team. But Schiff, the panel`s top Democrat, said there was enough &quot;circumstantial evidence&quot; that he still had questions.

Not Backing Down

Meanwhile, the White House has not backed down on Trump&#39;s surveillance claims.&nbsp;

The administration was forced to reassure key ally Britain after White House press secretary Sean Spicer repeated a Fox News analyst&#39;s claim that a British intelligence agency helped Obama wiretap Trump.

The British government strongly denied it.

The issue led to an awkward moment on Friday at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel when Trump was asked about the wiretap claims by a German reporter.

Trump said he and Merkel had &quot;something in common,&quot; apparently referring to reports during the Obama administration that Merkel&#39;s phone was bugged. The quip left the German leader looking bewildered.

Senior Republican Representative Tom Cole told reporters on Friday that Trump owed Obama an apology. Representatives Charlie Dent and Will Hurd, also Republicans, made similar comments.

&quot;I see no indication that that&#39;s true,&quot; Cole said of the wiretapping charge.&nbsp;

Unless Trump produces convincing proof, Cole added, &quot;President Obama is owed an apology.&quot;

(Reuters)

&nbsp;

The maelstrom has?caused tension with key US?allies and threatens to distract Republicans from campaign promises on healthcare and taxes

US lawmakers from both parties said on Sunday they had seen no proof to support the claim by Republican President Donald Trump that his predecessor Barack Obama had wiretapped him last year, adding pressure on Trump to explain or back off his repeated assertion. Several Republicans last week urged Trump to apologise for the allegations he made in a series of tweets on March 4. The maelstrom also caused tension with key US allies and threatens to distract Republicans from campaign promises on health care and taxes. "I don't know the basis for President Trump`s assertion," US Senator Susan Collins, a Republican, said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I do believe he owes us that explanation." Collins said she supported Trump as president, but she wouldn't side with him if he "misstated what the facts are." FBI Director James Comey is expected to be asked about Trump's claims when he testifies at a rare public hearing on Monday about alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Russia has denied the assertion it was involved in hacked emails and other attempts to influence the race. Representative Adam Schiff, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee holding the hearing, called Trump's claims "patently false" and said he expected Comey to say as much on Monday. The Justice Department on Friday delivered documents to congressional committees to help clear up whether the Obama administration spied on Trump. Republican Representative Devin Nunes, who leads the House intelligence panel, said after receiving the material, he saw no evidence of wiretapping. But Nunes, who served on Trump's transition team, joined the White House in seeking to shift attention away from the controversies by calling for investigations of leaks to the news media. Nunes said on "Fox News Sunday" that leaks to reporters about former Trump national security adviser Michael Flynn were criminal and that his panel was probing whether other names were leaked. Trump has been dogged by allegations that his associates had ties to Russian officials. He fired Flynn last month after reports he had discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador before Trump took office, without telling other White House officials. "The one crime we know that's been committed is that one: the leaking of someone's name," Nunes said. "Were there any other names that were ... leaked out?" Nunes also said ahead of Monday's hearing he had seen "no evidence" of collusion between Russia and Trump`s team. But Schiff, the panel`s top Democrat, said there was enough "circumstantial evidence" that he still had questions. Not Backing Down Meanwhile, the White House has not backed down on Trump's surveillance claims. The administration was forced to reassure key ally Britain after White House press secretary Sean Spicer repeated a Fox News analyst's claim that a British intelligence agency helped Obama wiretap Trump. The British government strongly denied it. The issue led to an awkward moment on Friday at a joint press conference with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel when Trump was asked about the wiretap claims by a German reporter. Trump said he and Merkel had "something in common," apparently referring to reports during the Obama administration that Merkel's phone was bugged. The quip left the German leader looking bewildered. Senior Republican Representative Tom Cole told reporters on Friday that Trump owed Obama an apology. Representatives Charlie Dent and Will Hurd, also Republicans, made similar comments. "I see no indication that that's true," Cole said of the wiretapping charge. Unless Trump produces convincing proof, Cole added, "President Obama is owed an apology." (Reuters)

Pressure builds on Trump to take back wiretap accusation

After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the US&nbsp;Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone.

World financial markets will be scrutinising the 9 pm&nbsp;(0200 GMT Wednesday) address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify regulations he says are harming business.

White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency.

An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 per cent, low for a new president.

Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan&nbsp;20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to &ldquo;American carnage&rdquo;, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism.

In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the &quot;Fox &amp; Friends&quot; television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that &quot;maybe it&#39;s my fault&quot; the administration&#39;s goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively.

He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan&nbsp;27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country.

Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. &quot;I think I get an A in terms of what I&#39;ve actually done, but in terms of messaging, I&#39;d give myself a C or a C+.&quot;

Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, &quot;Maybe I change it during the speech.&quot;

Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterised by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments.

The president&#39;s party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress.

Details needed

Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama&#39;s signature healthcare law have not been released. Republican efforts to find a way to repeal and replace Obamacare have encountered resistance from party conservatives who say draft legislation emerging in the House will not reduce the cost of healthcare.

Trump has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding US&nbsp;roads and bridges.

His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead.

Trump seeks a big increase in defence spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defence federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. US&nbsp;Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would not back slashing State Department funding as the administration is expected to propose.

Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not immediately to citizenship, for illegal immigrants, CNN reported, citing a senior White House official. It said Trump may refer to the idea in his speech.

Trump&#39;s lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them.

With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination.

George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb&nbsp;5, 1993.

Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days.

Democratic displeasure

Trump&#39;s travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday.

Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations.

Stocks on major markets dipped along with the US&nbsp;dollar and US Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump&#39;s address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda.&nbsp;

&quot;If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move,&quot; said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at JP&nbsp;Morgan Private Bank.

Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump&#39;s best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language.

&quot;Despite those at home or in the audience, he&rsquo;s going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president,&quot; he said. &quot;As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window.&quot;

Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches.

(Reuters)

White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election

After a turbulent start to his presidency, Donald Trump goes before the US Congress on Tuesday night to give a speech that will be closely watched for details of his plans for the economy and whether he can strike a more conciliatory tone. World financial markets will be scrutinising the 9 pm (0200 GMT Wednesday) address in the House of Representatives for specifics of how the Republican president aims to make good on promises to tackle tax reform, boost infrastructure spending and simplify regulations he says are harming business. White House officials say the speech will include some gestures toward unifying a country polarised by a bitterly fought election and divided in the early days of his presidency. An average of recent polls by Real Clear Politics put his approval rating at about 44 per cent, low for a new president. Trump, whose inauguration speech on Jan 20 painted a dark picture of the United States and referred to “American carnage”, told Reuters last week that his address would be a speech of optimism. In a rare show of self-criticism, Trump told the "Fox & Friends" television program in an interview broadcast on Tuesday that "maybe it's my fault" the administration's goals on immigration may not have been communicated effectively. He was referring to the troubled rollout of his Jan 27 order to temporarily ban people from seven Muslim-majority nations from entering the country. Overall, Trump said he had performed well in the Oval Office so far. "I think I get an A in terms of what I've actually done, but in terms of messaging, I'd give myself a C or a C+." Invited to say how he would change the messaging, the businessman and former reality TV star said, "Maybe I change it during the speech." Trump has signed a flurry of executive orders, pulled the United States out of a Pacific trade deal and nominated a conservative judge, Neil Gorsuch, to fill a vacant position on the Supreme Court. But his first month has been characterised by missteps, internal dramas and acrimonious disputes with the news media, and he has yet to score any legislative accomplishments. The president's party controls both the House and Senate, giving him a chance to reshape the economy with lawmakers. He faces a host of questions going into his first speech before a joint session of Congress. Details needed Specifics of his plan to overhaul former President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law have not been released. Republican efforts to find a way to repeal and replace Obamacare have encountered resistance from party conservatives who say draft legislation emerging in the House will not reduce the cost of healthcare. Trump has yet to describe how to pay for a sharp increase in planned spending on rebuilding US roads and bridges. His proposals to cut taxes for millions of people and corporations have not been sketched out. His strategy for renegotiating international trade deals remains unclear. He took delivery on Monday of a Pentagon proposal for fighting Islamic State militants and must decide on it in the days ahead. Trump seeks a big increase in defence spending but that plan includes a demand that non-defence federal agencies cut funds to offset the cost, painful reductions likely to face opposition in Congress. US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday he would not back slashing State Department funding as the administration is expected to propose. Trump is considering introducing legislation to provide a pathway to legal status, but not immediately to citizenship, for illegal immigrants, CNN reported, citing a senior White House official. It said Trump may refer to the idea in his speech. Trump's lack of legislative success so far contrasts with most of his recent predecessors, though not all of them. With the country facing a financial crisis, Obama laid out an economic stimulus plan days after his January 2009 swearing-in and it was approved in mid-February. In early February Obama signed two other bills into law: one providing federally funded healthcare to children and another making it easier for employees to sue employers for wage-based discrimination. George W. Bush sent a sweeping tax cut proposal to Congress less than three weeks after taking office in January 2001. It was enacted four months later. Bill Clinton fulfilled a central campaign promise in his first weeks in office when he enacted a family-leave bill on Feb 5, 1993. Ronald Reagan sent dozens of detailed budget cut plans to Congress less than a month after his 1981 swearing in but George H.W. Bush accomplished little of note in his first 100 days. Democratic displeasure Trump's travel ban, which he says was needed for national security reasons, caused wide disruption at airports, sparked protests and was blocked by a federal court. He is expected to sign a replacement order on Wednesday. Only three weeks into his term, Trump fired his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, after disclosures surfaced that Flynn had discussed US sanctions on Russia with the Russian ambassador to the United States before Trump took office and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about the conversations. Stocks on major markets dipped along with the US dollar and US Treasury yields on Tuesday as investors waited for clues in Trump's address on how he aims to implement his economic agenda. "If he gives minimal detail this evening, then perhaps we might get a little bit wind out of the sails on this recent equity move," said Erik Wytenus, global investment specialist at JP Morgan Private Bank. Tim Albrecht, a Republican strategist in Iowa, said the speech was Trump's best opportunity to date to explain where he wants to take the country. Albrecht doubted there would be much in the way of conciliatory language. "Despite those at home or in the audience, he’s going to put forward what he believes needs to be done just as he did in the two years he ran for president," he said. "As with everything in Trump land, conventional wisdom is thrown out the window." Democratic lawmakers plan to attend the speech. But at least one, Representative Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, has said he will protest Trump by refusing to applaud or give him a standing ovation, as is a custom at presidential speeches. (Reuters)

Policy details and tone will be key in Trump speech to Congress

The White House excluded several major US news organisations, including some it has openly criticised, from an off-camera briefing held by the White House press secretary on Friday, representatives of the organisations said.

Reporters for CNN, The New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed were not allowed into the session in the office of press secretary Sean Spicer.

Spicer&#39;s off-camera briefing, or &quot;gaggle,&quot; replaced the usual televised daily news briefing on Friday in the White House briefing room. He did not say why those particular news organizations were excluded, a decision which drew strong protests.

Here is&nbsp;Sean Spicer in December 2016 on video saying that the White House would not ban specific media outlets, because &quot;that&#39;s what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship&quot;.

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FLASHBACK: <a href="https://twitter.com/seanspicer">@seanspicer</a> in Dec. says Trump WH won&#39;t ban specific media outlets. &quot;That&#39;s what makes a democracy a democracy vs a dictatorship&quot; <a href="https://t.co/qYd6xE4IwN">pic.twitter.com/qYd6xE4IwN</a>
&mdash; Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) <a href="https://twitter.com/kenvogel/status/835219520541364225">February 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Reuters was included in the session, along with about 10 other news organizations, including Bloomberg and CBS.

Spicer said his team decided to have a gaggle in his office instead of a full briefing in the larger White House briefing room.

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<h5>Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties,&#39; Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement</h5>
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&quot;Our job is to make sure that we&#39;re responsive to folks in media. We want to make sure we answer your questions, but we don&#39;t need to do everything on camera every day,&rdquo; he said.

Reporters at the Associated Press and Time magazine walked out of the briefing when hearing that others had been barred from the session.

Off-camera gaggles are not unusual. The White House often invites handpicked outlets in for briefings, typically for specific topics. But briefings and gaggles in the White House are usually open to all outlets and they are free to ask anything.

A pool reporter from Hearst Newspapers was included in the gaggle on Friday, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said, and was preparing a pool report for distribution to the entire press corps. Media outlets allowed into the gaggle also shared their audio with others.

President Donald Trump has regularly attacked the media. Earlier on Friday, at a gathering of conservative activists, he heaped criticism on news organizations that he said provide &quot;fake news&quot; and called them an &quot;enemy&quot; of the American people.

Protests

Spicer&#39;s decision drew a sharp response from some of the media outlets that were excluded.

&quot;Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties,&quot; Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement.

&quot;We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest.&quot;

The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested.

&quot;The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today&#39;s gaggle is being handled by the White House,&quot; said Jeff Mason, president of the association and a Reuters reporter.

Trump says some news organizations lie and on Friday denounced their use of anonymous sources. Critics say Trump&#39;s attacks endanger press freedoms.

During the election campaign last year, Trump&#39;s team banned a few news organizations, including The Washington Post and BuzzFeed, from covering his campaign rallies for a period of time to protest their coverage.

CNN posted a Twitter message on Friday afternoon saying: &quot;This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don&rsquo;t like. We&rsquo;ll keep reporting regardless.&rdquo;

Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, said in a statement: &quot;While we strongly object to the White House&#39;s apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won&#39;t let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively.&quot;

(Reuters)

The New York Times, CNN, Politico, the Los Angeles Times, & BuzzFeed were not allowed into an off-camera briefing held by Sean Spicer

The White House excluded several major US news organisations, including some it has openly criticised, from an off-camera briefing held by the White House press secretary on Friday, representatives of the organisations said. Reporters for CNN, The New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed were not allowed into the session in the office of press secretary Sean Spicer. Spicer's off-camera briefing, or "gaggle," replaced the usual televised daily news briefing on Friday in the White House briefing room. He did not say why those particular news organizations were excluded, a decision which drew strong protests. Here is Sean Spicer in December 2016 on video saying that the White House would not ban specific media outlets, because "that's what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship". FLASHBACK: @seanspicer in Dec. says Trump WH won't ban specific media outlets. "That's what makes a democracy a democracy vs a dictatorship" pic.twitter.com/qYd6xE4IwN — Kenneth P. Vogel (@kenvogel) February 24, 2017 × Reuters was included in the session, along with about 10 other news organizations, including Bloomberg and CBS. Spicer said his team decided to have a gaggle in his office instead of a full briefing in the larger White House briefing room. Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties,' Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement × "Our job is to make sure that we're responsive to folks in media. We want to make sure we answer your questions, but we don't need to do everything on camera every day,” he said. Reporters at the Associated Press and Time magazine walked out of the briefing when hearing that others had been barred from the session. Off-camera gaggles are not unusual. The White House often invites handpicked outlets in for briefings, typically for specific topics. But briefings and gaggles in the White House are usually open to all outlets and they are free to ask anything. A pool reporter from Hearst Newspapers was included in the gaggle on Friday, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said, and was preparing a pool report for distribution to the entire press corps. Media outlets allowed into the gaggle also shared their audio with others. President Donald Trump has regularly attacked the media. Earlier on Friday, at a gathering of conservative activists, he heaped criticism on news organizations that he said provide "fake news" and called them an "enemy" of the American people. Protests Spicer's decision drew a sharp response from some of the media outlets that were excluded. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," said Jeff Mason, president of the association and a Reuters reporter. Trump says some news organizations lie and on Friday denounced their use of anonymous sources. Critics say Trump's attacks endanger press freedoms. During the election campaign last year, Trump's team banned a few news organizations, including The Washington Post and BuzzFeed, from covering his campaign rallies for a period of time to protest their coverage. CNN posted a Twitter message on Friday afternoon saying: "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don’t like. We’ll keep reporting regardless.” Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, said in a statement: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." (Reuters)

White House bars media it does not like from briefing

On the campaign trail and in office, Donald Trump has made attacking the press one of his political trademarks. But by restricting the access of certain media, his White House took things one step further, triggering an outcry.

The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Politico -- a string of major US media were denied access Friday to the daily White House briefing, while smaller outlets that have provided favourable coverage of the Trump administration, such as Breitbart and One America News, received a green light to attend.

For once, the event was not held on-camera in the main White House briefing room, but instead in the office of the president&#39;s spokesman Sean Spicer -- and for a select group of handpicked media.

The White House Correspondents Association said it was &quot;protesting strongly&quot; against the decision, and would bring it up with the administration, while several of the media affected have pushed back hard against the administration&#39;s move.

The New York Times described the White House decision as &quot;an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals,&quot; while a CNN statement called it &quot;an unacceptable development.&quot;

In an editorial, the Los Angeles Times warned that the incident had &quot;ratcheted up the White House&#39;s war on the free press&quot; to a new level.

&quot;Trump has betrayed some alarmingly authoritarian notions of the presidency over the past two years, and punishing organisations that run stories critical of the president falls right into that category,&quot; the paper wrote.

Friday&#39;s incident took on a particular resonance coming just hours after the Republican leader renewed his assault on the &quot;fake&quot; media, accusing major news outlets of fabricating sources and stories, and branding them &quot;the enemy of the people.&quot;

&quot;They say that we can&#39;t criticize their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment,&quot; he told Republican supporters during a keynote speech.

Trump built his campaign on criticizing the mainstream US press -- most of which overtly opposed his election -- as biased, and has intensified his rhetoric since taking office, routinely accusing the media of overstating his setbacks and downplaying his accomplishments.

A week ago, at his first solo news conference, the 70-year-old launched a long diatribe at the dozens of journalists present, blaming their &quot;dishonesty&quot; for the troubles of his month-old administration.

Trump&#39;s chief strategist Steve Bannon, a former head of the right-wing news site Breitbart, predicted Thursday that relations with the media -- which he dubs &quot;the opposition&quot; -- would only get worse as the president rolls out his agenda.

&#39;Unwise&#39;

It is not uncommon for Republican and Democratic administrations to brief a limited number of select reporters on specific themes.

However, Friday&#39;s event was initially billed as a regular briefing open to credentialed media before it was reconfigured as a closed briefing for the cherry-picked group of participants.

A number of outlets that regularly cover the White House, including newswires Reuters and Bloomberg, attended. They are part of what is known as the &quot;pool,&quot; a small group of journalists who have access to certain events and share the contents with other media.

The Associated Press boycotted the event in protest at the exclusion of certain colleagues. AFP was not included despite being part of the &quot;pool.&quot; Its journalist protested, and attended the briefing uninvited.

During the off-camera briefing, Spicer said that the White House has shown an &quot;abundance of accessibility... making ourselves, our team and our briefing room more accessible than probably any previous administration.&quot;

He did not give an explanation for the selection made on Friday.

As protests erupted over the incident, a December interview re-emerged in which Spicer told Politico that the Trump White House would never ban a news outlet. &quot;Conservative, liberal or otherwise, I think that&#39;s what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship,&quot; he said.

Ari Fleischer, a former spokesman for George W&nbsp;Bush, said he viewed the White House&#39;s stance as &quot;unwise and counterproductive,&quot; but also argued for the incident to be kept in perspective -- pushing back against the suggestion that it threatened the constitutional First Amendment on press freedom.

&quot;Press secretaries need to meet with whole press,&quot; he told CNN. &quot;But beyond that, there is nothing unusual about presidents meeting with selected reporters, and White House staffs do it all the time too.&quot;

(AFP)

The Los Angeles Times warned that the incident had 'ratcheted up the White House's war on the free press' to a new level

On the campaign trail and in office, Donald Trump has made attacking the press one of his political trademarks. But by restricting the access of certain media, his White House took things one step further, triggering an outcry. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Politico -- a string of major US media were denied access Friday to the daily White House briefing, while smaller outlets that have provided favourable coverage of the Trump administration, such as Breitbart and One America News, received a green light to attend. For once, the event was not held on-camera in the main White House briefing room, but instead in the office of the president's spokesman Sean Spicer -- and for a select group of handpicked media. The White House Correspondents Association said it was "protesting strongly" against the decision, and would bring it up with the administration, while several of the media affected have pushed back hard against the administration's move. The New York Times described the White House decision as "an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals," while a CNN statement called it "an unacceptable development." In an editorial, the Los Angeles Times warned that the incident had "ratcheted up the White House's war on the free press" to a new level. "Trump has betrayed some alarmingly authoritarian notions of the presidency over the past two years, and punishing organisations that run stories critical of the president falls right into that category," the paper wrote. Friday's incident took on a particular resonance coming just hours after the Republican leader renewed his assault on the "fake" media, accusing major news outlets of fabricating sources and stories, and branding them "the enemy of the people." "They say that we can't criticize their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment," he told Republican supporters during a keynote speech. Trump built his campaign on criticizing the mainstream US press -- most of which overtly opposed his election -- as biased, and has intensified his rhetoric since taking office, routinely accusing the media of overstating his setbacks and downplaying his accomplishments. A week ago, at his first solo news conference, the 70-year-old launched a long diatribe at the dozens of journalists present, blaming their "dishonesty" for the troubles of his month-old administration. Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon, a former head of the right-wing news site Breitbart, predicted Thursday that relations with the media -- which he dubs "the opposition" -- would only get worse as the president rolls out his agenda. 'Unwise' It is not uncommon for Republican and Democratic administrations to brief a limited number of select reporters on specific themes. However, Friday's event was initially billed as a regular briefing open to credentialed media before it was reconfigured as a closed briefing for the cherry-picked group of participants. A number of outlets that regularly cover the White House, including newswires Reuters and Bloomberg, attended. They are part of what is known as the "pool," a small group of journalists who have access to certain events and share the contents with other media. The Associated Press boycotted the event in protest at the exclusion of certain colleagues. AFP was not included despite being part of the "pool." Its journalist protested, and attended the briefing uninvited. During the off-camera briefing, Spicer said that the White House has shown an "abundance of accessibility... making ourselves, our team and our briefing room more accessible than probably any previous administration." He did not give an explanation for the selection made on Friday. As protests erupted over the incident, a December interview re-emerged in which Spicer told Politico that the Trump White House would never ban a news outlet. "Conservative, liberal or otherwise, I think that's what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship," he said. Ari Fleischer, a former spokesman for George W Bush, said he viewed the White House's stance as "unwise and counterproductive," but also argued for the incident to be kept in perspective -- pushing back against the suggestion that it threatened the constitutional First Amendment on press freedom. "Press secretaries need to meet with whole press," he told CNN. "But beyond that, there is nothing unusual about presidents meeting with selected reporters, and White House staffs do it all the time too." (AFP)

White House restrictions on media trigger outcry

The unusually elaborate lifestyle of America&rsquo;s new first family is straining the US Secret Service and security officials, stirring financial and logistical concerns in several local communities, and costing far more than past presidents, with only a month into the Trump presidency.

On Monday, President Donald Trump returned to Washington from his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where he spent his last three weekends for a working getaway.

These three trips to Mar-a-Lago have cost the federal treasury approximately $10 million, based on figures used in an October government report analysing White House travel, including money for coast guard units to patrol the exposed shoreline and other military, security and staffing expenses associated with moving the apparatus of the presidency, the Washington Post reported.

As a result, the bills have racked up outside the club. Palm Beach County Sheriff, Ric Bradshaw said Trump&rsquo;s 25 days in the county since the election have cost local taxpayers about $60,000 a day in overtime police payments.

According to The Hill, Trump&rsquo;s decision to spend three consecutive weekends at his &ldquo;southern White House&rdquo; stands in contrast to what he promised during the election campaign -- that he would rarely leave the White House because there would be a lot of work to be done.

The three Mar-a-Lago getaways, combined with his adult sons&rsquo; two international trips with their Secret Service protection to promote their father&rsquo;s business cost taxpayers about $11.3 million over the first month of Trump&rsquo;s presidency. President Obama, by contrast, spent an average of $12.1 million on travel each year, the Washington Post reported.

Trump&rsquo;s frequent travel opposes his criticism of Obama as a &ldquo;habitual vacationer&rdquo; enjoying taxpayer-funded golf getaways.

As the First Lady Melania Trump has decided to continue living in New York City, the New York police estimate the annual cost of guarding Trump Tower could be as high as $183 million.

The Defense Department and Secret Service is forced to rent space in Trump Tower at a taxpayer cost estimated to be $1.5 million annually to have constant access to the commander-in-chief.

Meanwhile on Sunday, Trump, who repeatedly criticised Obama for playing golf while president, enjoyed his sixth golf outing in Florida during his first month as president.

This month, Secret Service and US Embassy staffers paid nearly $100,000 in hotel room bills to support Eric Trump&rsquo;s trip to promote a Trump-brand condo tower in Uruguay, The Post reported.

Agents are now tasked with guarding multiple homes and protecting Trump&rsquo;s four adult children, including the globe-trotting sons running the family business and daughter Ivanka, whose family recently moved into a Northwest Washington neighbourhood, the Washington Post reported.

In advance of Trump&rsquo;s Super Bowl weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago, the Secret Service paid for a bevvy of security costs, including more than $12,000 for tents, portable toilets, light towers and golf carts, purchase orders show.

A report by Washington Post states that the overseas travel by Trump&rsquo;s adult sons is adding to the burden on taxpayers.

While Trump spent millions of taxpayer dollars on travel during his first month in office, his team put together a budget proposal that would cut cultural institutions and important services for poor people.

The proposal would eliminate &ldquo;longstanding conservative targets like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Legal Services Corporation, AmeriCorps and the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities,&rdquo; the New York Times reported.&nbsp;

&ldquo;Most of the programs cost under $500 million annually, a pittance for a government that is projected to spend about $4 trillion this year,&rdquo; it adds.&nbsp;

(WION)

While Obama spent an average of $12.1 mn on travel each year, Trump's travels cost taxpayers $11.3 mn over the first month of his presidency

The unusually elaborate lifestyle of America’s new first family is straining the US Secret Service and security officials, stirring financial and logistical concerns in several local communities, and costing far more than past presidents, with only a month into the Trump presidency. On Monday, President Donald Trump returned to Washington from his private Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, where he spent his last three weekends for a working getaway. These three trips to Mar-a-Lago have cost the federal treasury approximately $10 million, based on figures used in an October government report analysing White House travel, including money for coast guard units to patrol the exposed shoreline and other military, security and staffing expenses associated with moving the apparatus of the presidency, the Washington Post reported. As a result, the bills have racked up outside the club. Palm Beach County Sheriff, Ric Bradshaw said Trump’s 25 days in the county since the election have cost local taxpayers about $60,000 a day in overtime police payments. According to The Hill, Trump’s decision to spend three consecutive weekends at his “southern White House” stands in contrast to what he promised during the election campaign -- that he would rarely leave the White House because there would be a lot of work to be done. The three Mar-a-Lago getaways, combined with his adult sons’ two international trips with their Secret Service protection to promote their father’s business cost taxpayers about $11.3 million over the first month of Trump’s presidency. President Obama, by contrast, spent an average of $12.1 million on travel each year, the Washington Post reported. Trump’s frequent travel opposes his criticism of Obama as a “habitual vacationer” enjoying taxpayer-funded golf getaways. As the First Lady Melania Trump has decided to continue living in New York City, the New York police estimate the annual cost of guarding Trump Tower could be as high as $183 million. The Defense Department and Secret Service is forced to rent space in Trump Tower at a taxpayer cost estimated to be $1.5 million annually to have constant access to the commander-in-chief. Meanwhile on Sunday, Trump, who repeatedly criticised Obama for playing golf while president, enjoyed his sixth golf outing in Florida during his first month as president. This month, Secret Service and US Embassy staffers paid nearly $100,000 in hotel room bills to support Eric Trump’s trip to promote a Trump-brand condo tower in Uruguay, The Post reported. Agents are now tasked with guarding multiple homes and protecting Trump’s four adult children, including the globe-trotting sons running the family business and daughter Ivanka, whose family recently moved into a Northwest Washington neighbourhood, the Washington Post reported. In advance of Trump’s Super Bowl weekend trip to Mar-a-Lago, the Secret Service paid for a bevvy of security costs, including more than $12,000 for tents, portable toilets, light towers and golf carts, purchase orders show. A report by Washington Post states that the overseas travel by Trump’s adult sons is adding to the burden on taxpayers. While Trump spent millions of taxpayer dollars on travel during his first month in office, his team put together a budget proposal that would cut cultural institutions and important services for poor people. The proposal would eliminate “longstanding conservative targets like the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Legal Services Corporation, AmeriCorps and the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities,” the New York Times reported. “Most of the programs cost under $500 million annually, a pittance for a government that is projected to spend about $4 trillion this year,” it adds. (WION)

Trump family's elaborate lifestyle burdens US taxpayers

President Donald Trump&#39;s next pick for national security adviser will have autonomy over staffing and key decisions, the White House said on Sunday as it scrambles to fill the post following the turbulent departure of Michael Flynn.

Trump fired Flynn, a retired US&nbsp;Army general, on Monday after it was revealed that he discussed US&nbsp;sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador in Washington ahead of Trump&#39;s inauguration and later misled vice president Mike Pence about the conversations.

His first choice to fill the job, Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned it down citing family and financial reasons. Another potential choice, David Petraeus, a retired general and former CIA chief who resigned in 2012 over an extramarital affair, is also no longer on the president&#39;s short list.

Sources familiar with the candidates&#39;&nbsp;thinking said they both wanted control over staffing of their team, and Trump was reluctant to grant that authority.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus denied the reports that Harward and Petraeus wanted more control than Trump was prepared to give, and said in an interview on `Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace` that the new adviser &quot;can do whatever he or she wants to do with the staffing&quot;.

He said the issue never came up in discussions with Harward and they &quot;hadn&#39;t really gone down the road&quot; with Petraeus.

The national security adviser is an independent aide to the president and does not require confirmation by the US&nbsp;Senate. The role has varied from administration to administration but the adviser attends National Security Council meetings along with the heads of the State Department, the Department of Defense and key security agencies.&nbsp;

Trump has added Steve Bannon, his chief White House strategist, as a regular attendee of NSC meetings. Political strategists have not typically been among NSC participants and Bannon`s addition has drawn sharp criticism due his previous role heading right-wing website Breitbart News.

Trump is set to interview four national security adviser candidates on Sunday from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Acting adviser Keith Kellogg, former US&nbsp;ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, Lieutenant General HR&nbsp;McMaster and Lieutenant General Robert Caslen are currently on the president`s list.

McMaster holds a senior post with the US&nbsp;Army Training and Doctrine Command. Caslen is superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

&quot;I&#39;ll make a decision over the next couple of days,&quot; Trump told reporters Saturday on Air Force One.

&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Trump is set to interview four national security adviser candidates on Sunday from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida

President Donald Trump's next pick for national security adviser will have autonomy over staffing and key decisions, the White House said on Sunday as it scrambles to fill the post following the turbulent departure of Michael Flynn. Trump fired Flynn, a retired US Army general, on Monday after it was revealed that he discussed US sanctions against Russia with the Russian ambassador in Washington ahead of Trump's inauguration and later misled vice president Mike Pence about the conversations. His first choice to fill the job, Vice Admiral Robert Harward, turned it down citing family and financial reasons. Another potential choice, David Petraeus, a retired general and former CIA chief who resigned in 2012 over an extramarital affair, is also no longer on the president's short list. Sources familiar with the candidates' thinking said they both wanted control over staffing of their team, and Trump was reluctant to grant that authority. White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus denied the reports that Harward and Petraeus wanted more control than Trump was prepared to give, and said in an interview on `Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace` that the new adviser "can do whatever he or she wants to do with the staffing". He said the issue never came up in discussions with Harward and they "hadn't really gone down the road" with Petraeus. The national security adviser is an independent aide to the president and does not require confirmation by the US Senate. The role has varied from administration to administration but the adviser attends National Security Council meetings along with the heads of the State Department, the Department of Defense and key security agencies. Trump has added Steve Bannon, his chief White House strategist, as a regular attendee of NSC meetings. Political strategists have not typically been among NSC participants and Bannon`s addition has drawn sharp criticism due his previous role heading right-wing website Breitbart News. Trump is set to interview four national security adviser candidates on Sunday from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. Acting adviser Keith Kellogg, former US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton, Lieutenant General HR McMaster and Lieutenant General Robert Caslen are currently on the president`s list. McMaster holds a senior post with the US Army Training and Doctrine Command. Caslen is superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. "I'll make a decision over the next couple of days," Trump told reporters Saturday on Air Force One. (Reuters)

Trump's national security candidates promised autonomy as hunt continues

Chicago&#39;s ethics board voted unanimously to fine Uber Technologies Inc&#39;s former strategist, David Plouffe, $90,000 for illegally lobbying in the city.

The ethics board said that Plouffe, who helped Uber combat onerous regulations and opposition from the taxi industry, violated the Governmental Ethics Ordinance by lobbying city officials and failing to register as a lobbyist.

Plouffe, who served as campaign manager and White House adviser to President Barack Obama, joined Uber in August 2014 and served as its senior vice president of policy and strategy.

The San Francisco-based company sent a letter to the ethics board objecting to the size of the fine, Chicago officials said in a statement on Thursday after the board&#39;s February&nbsp;15 decision was made public.

Uber argued that Plouffe should be fined a maximum of $1,000 for the violation, the statement said. However, the ethics board said that Plouffe lobbied Chicago city officials on November 20, 2015 on behalf of the company without registering until April 13, 2016, culminating in the $90,000 fine.

The ethics board also fined the ride-hailing service $2,000 for the violation. Plouffe and Uber officials were not immediately available to comment outside US&nbsp;business hours.

Plouffe now works for Mark Zuckerberg&#39;s philanthropy organisation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

(Reuters)

David Plouffe, a former adviser to Uber who was previously in Obama's White House, failed to register as a lobbyist for five months

Chicago's ethics board voted unanimously to fine Uber Technologies Inc's former strategist, David Plouffe, $90,000 for illegally lobbying in the city. The ethics board said that Plouffe, who helped Uber combat onerous regulations and opposition from the taxi industry, violated the Governmental Ethics Ordinance by lobbying city officials and failing to register as a lobbyist. Plouffe, who served as campaign manager and White House adviser to President Barack Obama, joined Uber in August 2014 and served as its senior vice president of policy and strategy. The San Francisco-based company sent a letter to the ethics board objecting to the size of the fine, Chicago officials said in a statement on Thursday after the board's February 15 decision was made public. Uber argued that Plouffe should be fined a maximum of $1,000 for the violation, the statement said. However, the ethics board said that Plouffe lobbied Chicago city officials on November 20, 2015 on behalf of the company without registering until April 13, 2016, culminating in the $90,000 fine. The ethics board also fined the ride-hailing service $2,000 for the violation. Plouffe and Uber officials were not immediately available to comment outside US business hours. Plouffe now works for Mark Zuckerberg's philanthropy organisation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. (Reuters)

Uber's former strategist fined $90,000 for violating lobbying law

In a blow to President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for labour secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed.

Puzder&#39;s decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Monday night&#39;s abrupt resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job.

Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, which primarily franchises fast-food chains including Hardee&#39;s and Carl&#39;s Jr, has been at the centre of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts.

He admitted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper. He faced a flurry of complaints and legal cases brought in recent weeks and months by workers against his business and its franchisees.

Most recently, a decades-old Oprah Winfrey tape raising allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife resurfaced, though those allegations had been withdrawn.

&ldquo;After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor,&quot; Puzder said in a statement. Puzder&#39;s withdrawal came one day before his scheduled confirmation hearing.

At least seven Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, declined to publicly back Puzder in advance of the confirmation hearing.

For weeks now, Republican senators have been telling Senator John Cornyn, the second-highest ranking Republican, that they believed some of their colleagues would join Collins and Murkowski in opposing Puzder, according to a senior Senate Republican aide.

The Labour Department oversees compliance with federal laws that mandate safe working conditions, a minimum hourly wage, overtime wages and prohibit employment discrimination.

As labour secretary, Puzder would have shaped the department&rsquo;s approach to these issues, including whether to defend an Obama administration rule expanding overtime pay to millions of workers that has been challenged in the courts.

Earlier this month, Puzder admitted he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper and had to pay back taxes as a result. Workers at some of CKE&#39;s restaurants have filed claims in recent weeks alleging they were victims of wage theft or victims of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Another possible problem were allegations dating back to 1986 that Puzder had physically abused his now ex-wife, Lisa Henning, now known as Lisa Fierstein.

Fierstein filed for divorce in 1987 and later retracted her allegations, but not before appearing anonymously as a victim of domestic abuse on &quot;The Oprah Winfrey Show&quot;.

Last week, the OWN Network released a copy of that tape to the Senate committee so both Democratic and Republican members could view it, according to an aide. &quot;From the start, it&rsquo;s been clear that Puzder is uniquely unqualified to serve as secretary of labour,&quot; said Patty Murray, the ranking member of the US&nbsp;Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

(Reuters)

His decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Flynn's resignation on Monday

In a blow to President Donald Trump as he tries to assemble his administration, his nominee for labour secretary, Andrew Puzder, withdrew his name from consideration on Wednesday amid concerns that he could not garner enough Senate votes to be confirmed. Puzder's decision to withdraw is yet another setback this week for a White House still grappling with fallout from Monday night's abrupt resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, after less than a month in the job. Puzder, the chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants Inc, which primarily franchises fast-food chains including Hardee's and Carl's Jr, has been at the centre of a swirl of controversies, complaints and potential conflicts. He admitted earlier this month that he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper. He faced a flurry of complaints and legal cases brought in recent weeks and months by workers against his business and its franchisees. Most recently, a decades-old Oprah Winfrey tape raising allegations of domestic abuse by his ex-wife resurfaced, though those allegations had been withdrawn. “After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my nomination for Secretary of Labor," Puzder said in a statement. Puzder's withdrawal came one day before his scheduled confirmation hearing. At least seven Republican senators, including Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, declined to publicly back Puzder in advance of the confirmation hearing. For weeks now, Republican senators have been telling Senator John Cornyn, the second-highest ranking Republican, that they believed some of their colleagues would join Collins and Murkowski in opposing Puzder, according to a senior Senate Republican aide. The Labour Department oversees compliance with federal laws that mandate safe working conditions, a minimum hourly wage, overtime wages and prohibit employment discrimination. As labour secretary, Puzder would have shaped the department’s approach to these issues, including whether to defend an Obama administration rule expanding overtime pay to millions of workers that has been challenged in the courts. Earlier this month, Puzder admitted he and his wife had employed an undocumented person as a housekeeper and had to pay back taxes as a result. Workers at some of CKE's restaurants have filed claims in recent weeks alleging they were victims of wage theft or victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. Another possible problem were allegations dating back to 1986 that Puzder had physically abused his now ex-wife, Lisa Henning, now known as Lisa Fierstein. Fierstein filed for divorce in 1987 and later retracted her allegations, but not before appearing anonymously as a victim of domestic abuse on "The Oprah Winfrey Show". Last week, the OWN Network released a copy of that tape to the Senate committee so both Democratic and Republican members could view it, according to an aide. "From the start, it’s been clear that Puzder is uniquely unqualified to serve as secretary of labour," said Patty Murray, the ranking member of the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. (Reuters)

Trump's labour secretary pick Andrew Puzder withdraws nomination

The White House signalled a sharp break with decades of support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Tuesday, on the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu&#39;s visit to the White House.

A senior White House official said the United States would no longer seek to dictate the terms of any eventual peace settlement&nbsp;but would support what the two sides agree to together.

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<h5>Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday and is expected to express his desire to help broker a solution to the conflict</h5>
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&quot;A two-state solution that doesn&#39;t bring peace is not a goal that anybody wants to achieve,&quot; the official said on condition of anonymity.

&quot;Peace is the goal, whether that comes in the form of a two-state solution if that&#39;s what the parties want, or something else if that&#39;s what the parties want.&quot;

&quot;That&#39;s going to be up to them, we are not going to dictate what the terms of peace are going to be,&quot; said the official.

President Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday and is expected to express his desire to help broker a solution to the conflict.

He has already tapped son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer Jason Greenblatt to lead his peace drive.

But major questions remain about how Trump will achieve that goal.

For the better part of half a century, successive US governments -- both Republican and Democrat -- have backed a two-state solution. It was the basis of peace talks at Oslo and Camp David.

But since coming to office in late January, Trump has sought to show that the United States is an unwavering ally of Israel and tried to draw a contrast with the policies of President Barack Obama.

Netanyahu won re-election in 2015 by insisting he would not accept the creation of a Palestinian state, a vow that considerably soured relations with the Obama White House. &nbsp;

Obama often warned that Israeli settlement construction could make a two-state solution impossible&nbsp;and that a one state solution would put the future of the Jewish state in question.

Trump has shied away from criticising Netanyahu&#39;s settlement policies as an impediment to peace, instead offering Israel some scope to build on land already under development.

&quot;The construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal,&quot; the White House said in a statement earlier this month.

Saeb Erakat, a senior Palestinian official, said it was not enough for Trump to say settlements were &quot;unhelpful&quot; but he must order an end to new building.

Friendly visit

Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday, dined with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday and after his White House talks with Trump on Wednesday will meet lawmakers.

Aside from winning support for policies that will help him at home, the Israeli leader will also want to get the measure of Trump&#39;s appetite for better relations with Russia.

Trump has signalled his willingness to work with Russia to defeat the Islamic State group in Syria.

That could de facto mean furthering the goals of Russian allies Bashar al-Assad and Iran.

Israel sees Iran and its Lebanese ally the Hezbollah militia as its greatest existential threat, a view shared by the leaders of the main Sunni Arab states of the region.

Dennis Ross, a US diplomat who worked on Middle East policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations, said Netanyahu&#39;s diplomatic goals would at first be modest.

Israel wouldn&#39;t oppose a rapprochement with Moscow in itself&nbsp;but would urge Washington to use this as leverage to push Russia away from Iran.

&quot;What he&#39;d like to see is a distancing of Russia from Iran within Syria, maybe more of a move towards Turkey and less towards Iran in Syria,&quot; Ross told reporters on Monday.

Trump appears to have back-pedaled on a campaign threat to tear up Obama&#39;s Iran nuclear deal, which Israel bitterly opposed, but his administration has &quot;put Iran on notice.&quot;

This appears to mean a more robust stance against military provocations and a determination to impose tough sanctions on Iran&#39;s missile program and covert support for militants.&nbsp;

Observers expect Trump and Netanyahu to get on well in public. Both have much to gain politically from marking a clean break from the Obama years.

But, personal chemistry aside, the pair will only make the relationship a success if it overcomes the disagreement that poisoned ties under Obama.

(AFP)

A senior White House official said the United States would no longer seek to dictate the terms of any eventual peace settlement

The White House signalled a sharp break with decades of support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Tuesday, on the eve of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the White House. A senior White House official said the United States would no longer seek to dictate the terms of any eventual peace settlement but would support what the two sides agree to together. Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday and is expected to express his desire to help broker a solution to the conflict × "A two-state solution that doesn't bring peace is not a goal that anybody wants to achieve," the official said on condition of anonymity. "Peace is the goal, whether that comes in the form of a two-state solution if that's what the parties want, or something else if that's what the parties want." "That's going to be up to them, we are not going to dictate what the terms of peace are going to be," said the official. President Trump hosts Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday and is expected to express his desire to help broker a solution to the conflict. He has already tapped son-in-law Jared Kushner and lawyer Jason Greenblatt to lead his peace drive. But major questions remain about how Trump will achieve that goal. For the better part of half a century, successive US governments -- both Republican and Democrat -- have backed a two-state solution. It was the basis of peace talks at Oslo and Camp David. But since coming to office in late January, Trump has sought to show that the United States is an unwavering ally of Israel and tried to draw a contrast with the policies of President Barack Obama. Netanyahu won re-election in 2015 by insisting he would not accept the creation of a Palestinian state, a vow that considerably soured relations with the Obama White House. Obama often warned that Israeli settlement construction could make a two-state solution impossible and that a one state solution would put the future of the Jewish state in question. Trump has shied away from criticising Netanyahu's settlement policies as an impediment to peace, instead offering Israel some scope to build on land already under development. "The construction of new settlements or the expansion of existing settlements beyond their current borders may not be helpful in achieving that goal," the White House said in a statement earlier this month. Saeb Erakat, a senior Palestinian official, said it was not enough for Trump to say settlements were "unhelpful" but he must order an end to new building. Friendly visit Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday, dined with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Tuesday and after his White House talks with Trump on Wednesday will meet lawmakers. Aside from winning support for policies that will help him at home, the Israeli leader will also want to get the measure of Trump's appetite for better relations with Russia. Trump has signalled his willingness to work with Russia to defeat the Islamic State group in Syria. That could de facto mean furthering the goals of Russian allies Bashar al-Assad and Iran. Israel sees Iran and its Lebanese ally the Hezbollah militia as its greatest existential threat, a view shared by the leaders of the main Sunni Arab states of the region. Dennis Ross, a US diplomat who worked on Middle East policy under both Republican and Democratic administrations, said Netanyahu's diplomatic goals would at first be modest. Israel wouldn't oppose a rapprochement with Moscow in itself but would urge Washington to use this as leverage to push Russia away from Iran. "What he'd like to see is a distancing of Russia from Iran within Syria, maybe more of a move towards Turkey and less towards Iran in Syria," Ross told reporters on Monday. Trump appears to have back-pedaled on a campaign threat to tear up Obama's Iran nuclear deal, which Israel bitterly opposed, but his administration has "put Iran on notice." This appears to mean a more robust stance against military provocations and a determination to impose tough sanctions on Iran's missile program and covert support for militants. Observers expect Trump and Netanyahu to get on well in public. Both have much to gain politically from marking a clean break from the Obama years. But, personal chemistry aside, the pair will only make the relationship a success if it overcomes the disagreement that poisoned ties under Obama. (AFP)

US will no longer insist on two-state solution in Middle East

The White House battled Tuesday to insulate Donald Trump from a scandal over his top aide&#39;s contacts with Russia, as it emerged that the president was aware of the problem for weeks before acting.

With calls for an independent investigation gathering pace, the White House admitted that Trump was told three weeks ago that national security advisor Michael Flynn may have misled colleagues about his Kremlin contacts.

The retired three-star general and former head of US defence intelligence initially denied discussing sanctions strategy with Russia&#39;s ambassador Sergey Kislyak before taking office.

That may have breached US law on negotiating with foreign powers, and at minimum was a significant break with the norm that incoming administrations accept the US has &quot;one government at a time.&quot;&nbsp;

Flynn was asked to resign on Monday, after what the White House said were weeks of internal investigation that turned up no evidence of wrongdoing but &quot;eroded&quot; trust.

Law enforcement and intelligence agents intercepted calls and obtained phone records showing that members of Trump&#39;s 2016 presidential campaign and other aides had repeated contacts with top Russian intelligence officials in the year that preceded the November 8 presidential election, The New York Times reported.

After finding evidence that Russia was seeking to disrupt the election, US intelligence agencies tried to determine whether the Trump campaign was cooperating with Moscow on hacking and other related efforts, according to the Times.

However, the newspaper said, the current and former US officials it cited have not yet found evidence of such collusion.

Paul Manafort, a former Trump advisor who was among those campaign officials picked up on the calls, dismissed the claims as &quot;absurd&quot; in an interview with the Times.

Misleading the vice president

The White House had painted Trump&#39;s final decision as based on Flynn having misled Vice President Mike Pence.

But it emerged Tuesday that Trump kept his deputy, who publicly defended Flynn and repeated his claims, in the dark for two weeks.

Spokesman Marc Lotter said Pence only became aware of the issue on Thursday, in media reports.

Flynn is the third Trump aide to step back amid questions about his ties to Russia since the mogul began his improbable White House bid.&nbsp;

His departure follows those of Manafort and Carter Page, an early foreign policy advisor to the candidate.

The unprecedented early resignation of a key member of staff has rocked an administration already buffeted by leaks, infighting and legal defeats.

Amid the tumult, the White House denied that Trump had instructed Flynn to discuss the possibility that Obama-era sanctions would be rolled back.

&quot;No, absolutely not. No, no, no,&quot; said White House spokesman Sean Spicer, when asked whether such a conversation took place.

&#39;Eroding trust&#39;

When first informed, on January 26, that Flynn may have made misleading statements about his talks with Russia&#39;s envoy, Spicer said the president &quot;instinctively thought that General Flynn did not do anything wrong.&quot;

&quot;The White House counsel&#39;s review corroborated that,&quot; Spicer said, and &quot;determined that there is not an illegal issue, but rather a trust issue.&quot;

&quot;The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable instances is what led the president to ask for General Flynn&#39;s resignation.&quot;

Trump took to Twitter to insist that &quot;The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?&quot;

The White House also insisted that Trump -- despite repeatedly professing admiration for Vladimir Putin and suggesting sanctions could be lifted -- &quot;has been incredibly tough on Russia.&quot;

In a new hardening of the US line on Russia, Spicer added that &quot;President Trump has made it very clear he expects the Russian government to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea.&quot;

The State Department, meanwhile, expressed concern that Russia is in breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, after reports that Moscow had deployed an operational ground-launched cruise missile unit.

Inquiries and missteps

The White House&#39;s efforts are likely to do little to assuage concerns on Capitol Hill about Russia&#39;s influence in US politics.

Republicans and Democrats in Congress have now called for an investigation into what occurred, although they differ sharply on the scope and powers.

&quot;This. Is. Not. Normal.&quot; said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, insisting &quot;Trump owes Americans a full account&quot; of his administration&#39;s dealings with Moscow before and after the 2016 election.

The US Senate&#39;s top Republican Mitch McConnell said it was &quot;highly likely&quot; that Flynn would have to testify before an intelligence panel, potentially heaping pressure on Trump.

The New York Times also reported that the FBI had interviewed Flynn on his calls with the Russian diplomat days into his job.

The CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies have already investigated Moscow&#39;s influence over the 2016 vote, concluding the Kremlin tried to sway it in Trump&#39;s favour.

Various committees in the Republican-controlled Congress are looking into Russia&#39;s election-related hacking and the Trump campaign&#39;s links to Moscow.

Potential permanent Flynn replacements reportedly include three retired military brass: lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, who is filling in temporarily; retired general and former CIA director David Petraeus; and former vice admiral Robert Harward.

Spicer said Trump hoped to make the new appointment by the end of the week.

(AFP)

Flynn had misled the White House over his Russia contacts. It has now emerged that Trump knew for weeks

The White House battled Tuesday to insulate Donald Trump from a scandal over his top aide's contacts with Russia, as it emerged that the president was aware of the problem for weeks before acting. With calls for an independent investigation gathering pace, the White House admitted that Trump was told three weeks ago that national security advisor Michael Flynn may have misled colleagues about his Kremlin contacts. The retired three-star general and former head of US defence intelligence initially denied discussing sanctions strategy with Russia's ambassador Sergey Kislyak before taking office. That may have breached US law on negotiating with foreign powers, and at minimum was a significant break with the norm that incoming administrations accept the US has "one government at a time." Flynn was asked to resign on Monday, after what the White House said were weeks of internal investigation that turned up no evidence of wrongdoing but "eroded" trust. Law enforcement and intelligence agents intercepted calls and obtained phone records showing that members of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and other aides had repeated contacts with top Russian intelligence officials in the year that preceded the November 8 presidential election, The New York Times reported. After finding evidence that Russia was seeking to disrupt the election, US intelligence agencies tried to determine whether the Trump campaign was cooperating with Moscow on hacking and other related efforts, according to the Times. However, the newspaper said, the current and former US officials it cited have not yet found evidence of such collusion. Paul Manafort, a former Trump advisor who was among those campaign officials picked up on the calls, dismissed the claims as "absurd" in an interview with the Times. Misleading the vice president The White House had painted Trump's final decision as based on Flynn having misled Vice President Mike Pence. But it emerged Tuesday that Trump kept his deputy, who publicly defended Flynn and repeated his claims, in the dark for two weeks. Spokesman Marc Lotter said Pence only became aware of the issue on Thursday, in media reports. Flynn is the third Trump aide to step back amid questions about his ties to Russia since the mogul began his improbable White House bid. His departure follows those of Manafort and Carter Page, an early foreign policy advisor to the candidate. The unprecedented early resignation of a key member of staff has rocked an administration already buffeted by leaks, infighting and legal defeats. Amid the tumult, the White House denied that Trump had instructed Flynn to discuss the possibility that Obama-era sanctions would be rolled back. "No, absolutely not. No, no, no," said White House spokesman Sean Spicer, when asked whether such a conversation took place. 'Eroding trust' When first informed, on January 26, that Flynn may have made misleading statements about his talks with Russia's envoy, Spicer said the president "instinctively thought that General Flynn did not do anything wrong." "The White House counsel's review corroborated that," Spicer said, and "determined that there is not an illegal issue, but rather a trust issue." "The evolving and eroding level of trust as a result of this situation and a series of other questionable instances is what led the president to ask for General Flynn's resignation." Trump took to Twitter to insist that "The real story here is why are there so many illegal leaks coming out of Washington?" The White House also insisted that Trump -- despite repeatedly professing admiration for Vladimir Putin and suggesting sanctions could be lifted -- "has been incredibly tough on Russia." In a new hardening of the US line on Russia, Spicer added that "President Trump has made it very clear he expects the Russian government to de-escalate violence in the Ukraine and return Crimea." The State Department, meanwhile, expressed concern that Russia is in breach of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, after reports that Moscow had deployed an operational ground-launched cruise missile unit. Inquiries and missteps The White House's efforts are likely to do little to assuage concerns on Capitol Hill about Russia's influence in US politics. Republicans and Democrats in Congress have now called for an investigation into what occurred, although they differ sharply on the scope and powers. "This. Is. Not. Normal." said Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, insisting "Trump owes Americans a full account" of his administration's dealings with Moscow before and after the 2016 election. The US Senate's top Republican Mitch McConnell said it was "highly likely" that Flynn would have to testify before an intelligence panel, potentially heaping pressure on Trump. The New York Times also reported that the FBI had interviewed Flynn on his calls with the Russian diplomat days into his job. The CIA, FBI and other intelligence agencies have already investigated Moscow's influence over the 2016 vote, concluding the Kremlin tried to sway it in Trump's favour. Various committees in the Republican-controlled Congress are looking into Russia's election-related hacking and the Trump campaign's links to Moscow. Potential permanent Flynn replacements reportedly include three retired military brass: lieutenant general Keith Kellogg, who is filling in temporarily; retired general and former CIA director David Petraeus; and former vice admiral Robert Harward. Spicer said Trump hoped to make the new appointment by the end of the week. (AFP)

White House battles to insulate Trump from Flynn fallout

Comedienne Rosie O&#39;Donnell says that if asked she will be onboard to play US President Donald Trump&#39;s chief strategist Steve Bannon on &quot;Saturday Night Live&quot; (SNL).

SNL is a decades-old late night comedy show that airs on Saturday nights. It&#39;s a fixture of mainstream&nbsp;American late night&nbsp;television and pop culture.

In a series of tweets, the 54-year-old actress rose up to the task to play the said character if situation arises. &quot;...I am here to serve - Alec has Trump - Melissa has Spice - I would need a few days to prepare - so if called - I will be ready,&quot; Rosie tweeted.

She also wrote, &quot;#BannoninChief&quot; and later tweeted, &quot;available ? if called I will serve!!!&quot;

This development took place after one of the users asked her if she would be ready for it, after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/life-fun/melissa-mccarthy-steals-show-on-snl-impersonating-white-house-press-secretary-12077" target="_blank">Melissa McCarthy</a> playing White House press secretary, Sean Spicer to the T.

Bannon is currently being portrayed as the Grim Reaper on SNL.

Donald Trump has had an ongoing feud with Rosie O&#39;Donnell for years. She has, correctly, said that <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/08/07/politics/donald-trump-rosie-odonnell-feud/" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a> is &quot;not a self-made man&quot;, and called him a &quot;snake oil salesman.&quot; She has&nbsp;claimed, also correctly, that he went bankrupt.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Responding to the claims of bankruptcy,&nbsp;Trump said: &quot;I&#39;ll most likely sue her for making those false statements -- and it&#39;ll be fun. Rosie&#39;s a loser. A real loser. I look forward to taking lots of money from my nice fat little Rosie.&quot;

<a href="https://newrepublic.com/minutes/140437/president-steve-bannon-starting-get-donald-trumps-nerves">Amid reports</a> in Western media that Steve Bannon is controlling President Trump, and that Trump is &quot;rattled&quot; to be perceived as not fully in charge, Bannon being played by sworn enemy O&#39;Donnell has real pontential to anger Donald Trump.

Trump has criticised&nbsp;SNL repeatedly in Tweets, especially Alec Baldwin&#39;s impersonation&nbsp;of Trump.&nbsp;

Trump was blasted for being a misogynist and a sexual predator after an audio clip emerged of him bragging about grabbing women &quot;by the pussy&quot;, and women around the world have taken a prominent role in protesting against him. The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/womens-march-see-more-than-a-million-people-protest-against-trump-177" target="_blank">Women&#39;s March</a> was attended by millions of people around the world.

There were reports that the Melissa McCarthy impression didn&#39;t just anger Trump because of the way it depicted Spicer, but because <a href="http://www.salon.com/2017/02/07/president-trump-disliked-melissa-mccarthys-sean-spicer-performance-on-snl-because-shes-a-woman/" target="_blank">McCarthy is a woman</a>. This&nbsp;is giving people on social media ideas.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/CheriJacobus">@CheriJacobus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Rosie">@Rosie</a> <a href="https://t.co/qXNxFFGkhM">pic.twitter.com/qXNxFFGkhM</a>
&mdash; President Bannon (@IM_Prez_Bannon) <a href="https://twitter.com/IM_Prez_Bannon/status/828814393395838976">February 7, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

You know that if Rosie O&#39;Donnell does play Steve Bannon, Trump and millions of other people will be watching that episode.

(With inputs from PTI)

Trump would watch this episode. He is rattled that Bannon is perceived to be controlling the White House, and also hates O'Donnell and 'SNL'

Comedienne Rosie O'Donnell says that if asked she will be onboard to play US President Donald Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon on "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). SNL is a decades-old late night comedy show that airs on Saturday nights. It's a fixture of mainstream American late night television and pop culture. In a series of tweets, the 54-year-old actress rose up to the task to play the said character if situation arises. "...I am here to serve - Alec has Trump - Melissa has Spice - I would need a few days to prepare - so if called - I will be ready," Rosie tweeted. She also wrote, "#BannoninChief" and later tweeted, "available ? if called I will serve!!!" This development took place after one of the users asked her if she would be ready for it, after Melissa McCarthy playing White House press secretary, Sean Spicer to the T. Bannon is currently being portrayed as the Grim Reaper on SNL. Donald Trump has had an ongoing feud with Rosie O'Donnell for years. She has, correctly, said that Donald Trump is "not a self-made man", and called him a "snake oil salesman." She has claimed, also correctly, that he went bankrupt. Responding to the claims of bankruptcy, Trump said: "I'll most likely sue her for making those false statements -- and it'll be fun. Rosie's a loser. A real loser. I look forward to taking lots of money from my nice fat little Rosie." Amid reports in Western media that Steve Bannon is controlling President Trump, and that Trump is "rattled" to be perceived as not fully in charge, Bannon being played by sworn enemy O'Donnell has real pontential to anger Donald Trump. Trump has criticised SNL repeatedly in Tweets, especially Alec Baldwin's impersonation of Trump. Trump was blasted for being a misogynist and a sexual predator after an audio clip emerged of him bragging about grabbing women "by the pussy", and women around the world have taken a prominent role in protesting against him. The Women's March was attended by millions of people around the world. There were reports that the Melissa McCarthy impression didn't just anger Trump because of the way it depicted Spicer, but because McCarthy is a woman. This is giving people on social media ideas. @CheriJacobus @Rosie pic.twitter.com/qXNxFFGkhM — President Bannon (@IM_Prez_Bannon) February 7, 2017 × You know that if Rosie O'Donnell does play Steve Bannon, Trump and millions of other people will be watching that episode. (With inputs from PTI)

Rosie O'Donnell wants to appear as Steve Bannon on 'SNL'

Yesterday the White House officially released a list of 78 terrorist attacks&nbsp;carried out by Islamic State (IS) supporters--in the US&nbsp;and abroad, between September 2014 to December 2016--claiming that these attacks were not&nbsp;reported, or were&nbsp;under-reported, in the media. Why did the White House publish such a document?

The list was&nbsp;distributed hours after Trump&nbsp;had accused the media of downplaying terrorist attacks, <a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/318190-cnn-gets-wh-list-of-terror-attacks-media-ignored" target="_blank">The Hill</a> reports.&nbsp;&quot;And in many cases, the very, very dishonest press doesn&#39;t want to report it,&quot; Trump said. He&nbsp;suggested that the media buried stories of terrorist&nbsp;attacks for ulterior motives. &quot;They have their own reasons, and you understand that,&quot; he said, without providing&nbsp;evidence.&nbsp;

Some of the attacks on the White House list have received major&nbsp;coverage in America, despite Trump&#39;s claim. But also included on the list were&nbsp;smaller strikes&nbsp;overseas that got less.

&nbsp;

Justifying the Muslim ban

The list comes as Trump has been panned, by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-speaker-opposes-letting-trump-address-parliament-12121" target="_blank">lawmakers </a>and by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/womens-march-protesters-flood-washington-to-protest-trump-administration-11544" target="_blank">millions</a>&nbsp;around the world,&nbsp;for a severe&nbsp;&quot;travel ban&quot; imposed on seven majority Muslim countries. Rudy Giulianni went on live TV to explain that Trump himself originally called this executive order a &quot;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rudy-giuliani-told-trump-how-to-make-muslim-ban-legal-11841" target="_blank">Muslim ban</a>&quot;, even as his administration publicly contests that nomenclature. But presumably the White House is publishing this list to make it appear like the Muslim ban is founded on rationale, not prejudice. The list is also aimed&nbsp;normalising Trump&#39;s&nbsp;world view.

Publishing a catalogue of Islamic terrorism&nbsp;is parallel to an earlier&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;pledge to&nbsp;publish a weekly list of crimes committed by <a href="http://www.salon.com/2017/01/26/trump-plans-to-shame-sanctuary-cities-by-publishing-a-weekly-list-of-crimes-committed-by-undocumented-immigrants/" target="_blank">undocumented immigrants</a>&nbsp;in sanctuary cities. <a href="http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/26/trump-crimes-committed-immigrants-nazi" target="_blank">Critics </a>pointed out that this bore a resemblance to the list of crimes commited by Jewish people, kept&nbsp;by&nbsp;the Institute for Reseach on the Jewish Question in <a href="http://www.thefader.com/2017/01/26/trump-crimes-committed-immigrants-nazi" target="_blank">Nazi Germany</a>.

Highlighting the criminality of minorities is not designed to improve public safety, but to falsely create this&nbsp;appearance.&nbsp;Further, it is designed to make people hate and fear minorities, and to make it appear like fear and hate are sensible.

&nbsp;

Trump&#39;s silence speaks loudly

Last week, Alexandre Bissonnette,&nbsp;a 27-year-old caucasian Francophone&nbsp;from Quebec City, murdered six Muslims&nbsp;and injured eight more in a shooting spree inside a mosque.&nbsp;Canadians&nbsp;of all persuasions were shocked and saddened, but Trump sent condolences to &quot;the Prime Minister and people of Canada&quot;, rather than single out Muslims&nbsp;for support in a time of grief and fear. But the man for whom wishing&nbsp;&quot;Happy holidays&quot; instead of &quot;Merry Christmas&quot; is a sin warranting multiple twitter rants was unusually silent on social media. Initially there were murmurs that&nbsp;the killer was heard saying &quot;Allah Akbar!&quot; before unleashing carnage. This did not happen. Actually, far from this, Bissonnette liked &quot;Donald Trump&quot; on Facebook, and now former classmates say he&nbsp;&quot;really like Trump and had a permanent grudge against the left&quot;.

More, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said: &quot;We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms...It&#39;s a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant and why the president is taking steps to be pro-active, rather re-active, when it comes to our nation&#39;s safety and security.&quot; Thus,&nbsp;mass murder perpetrated by a white French-Canadian&nbsp;against Muslim Canadians&nbsp;is warped and recast as evidence supposedly supporting the need to ban Muslims from entering America. Spicer&#39;s response, which is essentially articulating&nbsp;Trump&#39;s world view,&nbsp;is&nbsp;objectively incoherent.

&nbsp;

Stigmatising Muslims amid&nbsp;general disinformation from&nbsp;White House 

The Trump administration&#39;s Islamophobia&nbsp;also comes amid a torrent from them&nbsp;of general disinformation.&nbsp;White House spokesperson Kellyanne Conway was broadly criticised&nbsp;for coining&nbsp;the Orwellian term &quot;alternative facts&quot;&nbsp;to justify Sean Spicer&#39;s palpably false claim&nbsp;that the media&nbsp;misrepresented the crowd size at Trump&#39;s presidential inauguration.&nbsp;Reports are emerging&nbsp;of the White House shutting down a range of ordinary&nbsp;communication for various&nbsp;imporant agencies.&nbsp;Trump just recently&nbsp;dismissed as &quot;Fake News&quot; any poll that reflects <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/06/media/donald-trump-poll-denialism/" target="_blank">negatively </a>against&nbsp;him.

That the White House is actively&nbsp;dissemenating lies and shutting down open communication does not mean the media covering Trump is perfect!&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/democrats-confront-lefty-fake-news?utm_term=.oeBZJy8ZA#.ro6GLr7GM" target="_blank">BuzzFeed </a>published criticism of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/democrats-confront-lefty-fake-news" target="_blank">Fake News</a> with a liberal bent, as some Trump critics sensationalise half-truths,&nbsp;publish factually wrong information or outright fabrications.&nbsp;But the White House&#39;s criticism of the media seems to exist independently of media errors, and is designed to&nbsp;accomplish at least two goals. The first is to create fear by both&nbsp;stigmatising&nbsp;minorities and to paint the state of the country as being in&nbsp;&quot;<a href="http://www.vox.com/a/president-trump-inauguration-speech-transcript-annotations" target="_blank">carnage</a>&quot; that requires&nbsp;a strongman leader to fix.&nbsp;The second is to discredit the media, not because they are sometimes inaccurate, but specifically because&nbsp;they are&nbsp;accurate.

&nbsp;

The White House&#39;s bias

The White House&nbsp;publishing a&nbsp;list of terrorism attacks is hardly the first time politicians have tried to manipulate the media into getting&nbsp;headlines they desire. The criticism is not merely that they&#39;re shaping the story, it&#39;s that their framing is biased: It stigmatises&nbsp;Muslim citizens by associating Muslims in general with terrorism, and ignores terrorism&nbsp;committed by white people.

A 2015 article by&nbsp;<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/06/18/white_extremist_murders_killed_at_least_60_in_u_s_since_1995.html" target="_blank">Ben Mathis-Lilley at Slate</a>&nbsp;corrects&nbsp;this record by publishing a&nbsp;list of terrorist attacks&nbsp;committed by white Americans on&nbsp;United States soil.<a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/06/18/white_extremist_murders_killed_at_least_60_in_u_s_since_1995.html" target="_blank"> &quot;White extremists&quot;</a> have killed at least 60 people in 23 deadly attacks since the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Trump claims that any&nbsp;failure to utter<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72SbL2SJt-4" target="_blank">&nbsp;</a>&quot;Radical Islamist terrorism&quot; is&nbsp;dangerous&nbsp;political correctness. Esssentially&nbsp;Trump,&nbsp;and he&#39;s far from alone in this, believes that liberals are so overeagerly tolerant&nbsp;that in their misguided&nbsp;effort to be inclusive&nbsp;that they ignore flagrant,&nbsp;fatal&nbsp;threats in their midst.

This mindset presupposes that Muslims are uniquely and inherently dangerous, a bogus presumption which leads to two negative outcomes:&nbsp;A&nbsp;hostile environment for millions of peaceful Muslims, and a society unguarded against the&nbsp;real but officially unacknowledged&nbsp;danger of white terrorism, swallowed up as it is in the hysteria surounding a&nbsp;real but exaggerated threat&nbsp;posed by&nbsp;Islamic terrorism.

It also fails to take into account what should be a unifying and heartening truth,&nbsp;that&nbsp;people of every religion and skin colour actually agree:&nbsp;Islamic terrorism is very bad! Muslims are disproportionately the victims of terrorism. Islamic State is in predominantly Muslim countries&nbsp;killing thousands of people, destroying&nbsp;ancient sites&nbsp;and committing various other atrocities. Most of the people&nbsp;fighting against Islamic State are&nbsp;Muslims. Nobody likes Islamic State!

If Trump&#39;s only&nbsp;interest is keeping Americans safe, why is he silent about the threat posed by white terrorists? Trump says that if a leader is unwilling to&nbsp;say &quot;Radical Islamist terrorism&quot; aloud,&nbsp;they are incapable of protecting their society. They are soft on terror.&nbsp;But there is a class of terrorism about which Trump&nbsp;is glaringly,&nbsp;hypocritically silent.&nbsp;Trump&#39;s&nbsp;silence is both dividing Americans and putting them&nbsp;at risk.

Who he systematically criticises and systematically ignores reveals much.

As a private citizen Trump was free to tweet how he liked,&nbsp;but he is issuing&nbsp;official White House communications now. His pledge to put America&nbsp;first must apply equally for&nbsp;all Americans. This balance is required both&nbsp;when keeping Americans safe&nbsp;and when condemning American murderers, too.&nbsp;

(WION)

Trump is actively stigmatising Muslims and vilifying the media, and in the process ignoring many real threats to America

Yesterday the White House officially released a list of 78 terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic State (IS) supporters--in the US and abroad, between September 2014 to December 2016--claiming that these attacks were not reported, or were under-reported, in the media. Why did the White House publish such a document? The list was distributed hours after Trump had accused the media of downplaying terrorist attacks, The Hill reports. "And in many cases, the very, very dishonest press doesn't want to report it," Trump said. He suggested that the media buried stories of terrorist attacks for ulterior motives. "They have their own reasons, and you understand that," he said, without providing evidence. Some of the attacks on the White House list have received major coverage in America, despite Trump's claim. But also included on the list were smaller strikes overseas that got less. Justifying the Muslim ban The list comes as Trump has been panned, by lawmakers and by millions around the world, for a severe "travel ban" imposed on seven majority Muslim countries. Rudy Giulianni went on live TV to explain that Trump himself originally called this executive order a "Muslim ban", even as his administration publicly contests that nomenclature. But presumably the White House is publishing this list to make it appear like the Muslim ban is founded on rationale, not prejudice. The list is also aimed normalising Trump's world view. Publishing a catalogue of Islamic terrorism is parallel to an earlier Trump pledge to publish a weekly list of crimes committed by undocumented immigrants in sanctuary cities. Critics pointed out that this bore a resemblance to the list of crimes commited by Jewish people, kept by the Institute for Reseach on the Jewish Question in Nazi Germany. Highlighting the criminality of minorities is not designed to improve public safety, but to falsely create this appearance. Further, it is designed to make people hate and fear minorities, and to make it appear like fear and hate are sensible. Trump's silence speaks loudly Last week, Alexandre Bissonnette, a 27-year-old caucasian Francophone from Quebec City, murdered six Muslims and injured eight more in a shooting spree inside a mosque. Canadians of all persuasions were shocked and saddened, but Trump sent condolences to "the Prime Minister and people of Canada", rather than single out Muslims for support in a time of grief and fear. But the man for whom wishing "Happy holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" is a sin warranting multiple twitter rants was unusually silent on social media. Initially there were murmurs that the killer was heard saying "Allah Akbar!" before unleashing carnage. This did not happen. Actually, far from this, Bissonnette liked "Donald Trump" on Facebook, and now former classmates say he "really like Trump and had a permanent grudge against the left". More, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said: "We condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms...It's a terrible reminder of why we must remain vigilant and why the president is taking steps to be pro-active, rather re-active, when it comes to our nation's safety and security." Thus, mass murder perpetrated by a white French-Canadian against Muslim Canadians is warped and recast as evidence supposedly supporting the need to ban Muslims from entering America. Spicer's response, which is essentially articulating Trump's world view, is objectively incoherent. Stigmatising Muslims amid general disinformation from White House The Trump administration's Islamophobia also comes amid a torrent from them of general disinformation. White House spokesperson Kellyanne Conway was broadly criticised for coining the Orwellian term "alternative facts" to justify Sean Spicer's palpably false claim that the media misrepresented the crowd size at Trump's presidential inauguration. Reports are emerging of the White House shutting down a range of ordinary communication for various imporant agencies. Trump just recently dismissed as "Fake News" any poll that reflects negatively against him. That the White House is actively dissemenating lies and shutting down open communication does not mean the media covering Trump is perfect! BuzzFeed published criticism of Fake News with a liberal bent, as some Trump critics sensationalise half-truths, publish factually wrong information or outright fabrications. But the White House's criticism of the media seems to exist independently of media errors, and is designed to accomplish at least two goals. The first is to create fear by both stigmatising minorities and to paint the state of the country as being in "carnage" that requires a strongman leader to fix. The second is to discredit the media, not because they are sometimes inaccurate, but specifically because they are accurate. The White House's bias The White House publishing a list of terrorism attacks is hardly the first time politicians have tried to manipulate the media into getting headlines they desire. The criticism is not merely that they're shaping the story, it's that their framing is biased: It stigmatises Muslim citizens by associating Muslims in general with terrorism, and ignores terrorism committed by white people. A 2015 article by Ben Mathis-Lilley at Slate corrects this record by publishing a list of terrorist attacks committed by white Americans on United States soil. "White extremists" have killed at least 60 people in 23 deadly attacks since the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. Trump claims that any failure to utter "Radical Islamist terrorism" is dangerous political correctness. Esssentially Trump, and he's far from alone in this, believes that liberals are so overeagerly tolerant that in their misguided effort to be inclusive that they ignore flagrant, fatal threats in their midst. This mindset presupposes that Muslims are uniquely and inherently dangerous, a bogus presumption which leads to two negative outcomes: A hostile environment for millions of peaceful Muslims, and a society unguarded against the real but officially unacknowledged danger of white terrorism, swallowed up as it is in the hysteria surounding a real but exaggerated threat posed by Islamic terrorism. It also fails to take into account what should be a unifying and heartening truth, that people of every religion and skin colour actually agree: Islamic terrorism is very bad! Muslims are disproportionately the victims of terrorism. Islamic State is in predominantly Muslim countries killing thousands of people, destroying ancient sites and committing various other atrocities. Most of the people fighting against Islamic State are Muslims. Nobody likes Islamic State! If Trump's only interest is keeping Americans safe, why is he silent about the threat posed by white terrorists? Trump says that if a leader is unwilling to say "Radical Islamist terrorism" aloud, they are incapable of protecting their society. They are soft on terror. But there is a class of terrorism about which Trump is glaringly, hypocritically silent. Trump's silence is both dividing Americans and putting them at risk. Who he systematically criticises and systematically ignores reveals much. As a private citizen Trump was free to tweet how he liked, but he is issuing official White House communications now. His pledge to put America first must apply equally for all Americans. This balance is required both when keeping Americans safe and when condemning American murderers, too. (WION)

OPINION: White House list of 78 terrorist attacks it claims media ignored ignores terrorism by white people

US President Donald Trump spent his first full day in office by attacking the media, falsely accusing reporters of downplaying the turnout at his inauguration.&nbsp;

Trump asserted without evidence that 1.5 million people attended his Friday swearing-in ceremony.

&quot;I made a speech. I looked out, the field was, it looked like a million, million and a half people,&quot; he told CIA staff.

&quot;They showed a field where there were practically nobody standing there. And they said, Donald Trump did not draw well,&quot; he added.

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&quot;The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.&quot; 
-- George Orwell, 1984 <a href="https://t.co/So9fR7mnkY">pic.twitter.com/So9fR7mnkY</a>
&mdash; Jon Dalphe (@Memorablelabia) <a href="https://twitter.com/Memorablelabia/status/823180990067527681">January 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The media did not show &quot;a field&quot;, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/01/22/row-size-crowd-trump-inauguration-escalates-press-secretary/?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">they showed the exact same location</a>, the National Mall, where all presidential inaugurations are held.

Trump said one agency, without saying which one, estimated the turnout at 250,000. &quot;Now, that&#39;s not bad. But it&#39;s a lie,&quot; Trump said. He claimed that&nbsp;crowds stretched till the Washington Monument, twenty blocks from the Capitol, where he spoke.&nbsp;&quot;So we caught them and we caught them in a beauty and I think they&#39;re going to pay a big price,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

The President&#39;s thoughts&nbsp;were repeated&nbsp;by&nbsp;White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, who, without evidence, scolded reporters for&nbsp;&quot;deliberately false reporting&quot; on crowd size.

&quot;This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period!&quot; Spicer said.&nbsp;&quot;These attempts to lessen the enthusiasm of the inauguration are shameful and wrong.&quot; He left, refusing to&nbsp;take&nbsp;any questions.&nbsp;

Sean Spicer was mocked on social media with the hashtag #SpicerFacts.

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Guess the number of jelly beans. 
 
Me: 87 
Wife: 134 
Sean Spicer: 1.5 million <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spicerfacts?src=hash">#spicerfacts</a> <a href="https://t.co/dq7MmhgG3H">pic.twitter.com/dq7MmhgG3H</a>
&mdash; Mark Zohar (@markzohar) <a href="https://twitter.com/markzohar/status/823016081061187584">January 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Many observed that the Women&#39;s March, an anti-Trump protest,&nbsp;had&nbsp;a visibly larger attendance than Trump&#39;s presidential rally.

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DC Cam captures crowd comparison of inauguration and <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WomensMarch?src=hash">#WomensMarch</a> <a href="https://t.co/aa5DrxY3vi">https://t.co/aa5DrxY3vi</a> <a href="https://t.co/jiQqPYY9it">pic.twitter.com/jiQqPYY9it</a>
&mdash; The Hill (@thehill) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehill/status/823032731877732352">January 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Many also&nbsp;compared the turnout between former president Barack Obama&#39;s inaugural&nbsp;ceremony and that of Trump on January 21.&nbsp;Aerial photos taken on January 20, 2009 and Friday clearly show that the crowd fell short in the latter&#39;s ceremony.&nbsp;Television footage also showed the crowd did not stretch as far as the Washington Monument like Trump claimed.&nbsp;

&nbsp;About 1.8 million people assembled at the National Mall area in 2009 when Barack Obama took oath as President. Washington authorities had predicted 800,000 to 900,000 would attend Trump&#39;s inauguration Friday, about half of the 2009 crowd.

Trump&#39;s comments came in during a visit to the&nbsp;Central&nbsp;Intelligence Agency headquarters in&nbsp;Langley, Virginia, a move to mend ties with Intelligence agencies, when he cast doubt on their assessment of Russia meddling in the November 8 election.

He stood in front of a wall sacred to the CIA, honouring employees killed during service, and told the employees he fully supported the agency in a speech that mostly focused on criticising the media.

<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/21/us/politics/trump-white-house-briefing-inauguration-crowd-size.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=a-lede-package-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news">The New York Times</a> said that Trump&#39;s speech set off a &quot;fierce reaction&quot; among many in the CIA, with John O Brennan, the CIA director who resigned Friday, saying &quot;Trump should be ashamed of himself&quot;, according to Brennan&#39;s former chief of staff, Nick Shapiro.

Trump has disagreed with US intelligence agencies in recent weeks&nbsp;about their conclusion that Russia interfered in the US election on his behalf. After a dossier with unverified facts leaked to the public, Trump accused the intelligence agencies of allowing the leak.&nbsp;&quot;Are we living in Nazi Germany?&quot; Trump asked on Twitter.&nbsp;

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Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to &quot;leak&quot; into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany?
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/819164172781060096">January 11, 2017</a></blockquote>
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On Saturday Trump suggested that the media is to blame for any suggestion that he does not fully support the work of US intelligence agencies.

&quot;I love you, I respect you, there&#39;s nobody I respect more,&quot; he told them.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

He insisted, contrary to evidence, that 1.5 million people attended. Obama's inauguration had a visibly larger crowd

US President Donald Trump spent his first full day in office by attacking the media, falsely accusing reporters of downplaying the turnout at his inauguration. Trump asserted without evidence that 1.5 million people attended his Friday swearing-in ceremony. "I made a speech. I looked out, the field was, it looked like a million, million and a half people," he told CIA staff. "They showed a field where there were practically nobody standing there. And they said, Donald Trump did not draw well," he added. "The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." -- George Orwell, 1984 pic.twitter.com/So9fR7mnkY — Jon Dalphe (@Memorablelabia) January 22, 2017 × The media did not show "a field", they showed the exact same location, the National Mall, where all presidential inaugurations are held. Trump said one agency, without saying which one, estimated the turnout at 250,000. "Now, that's not bad. But it's a lie," Trump said. He claimed that crowds stretched till the Washington Monument, twenty blocks from the Capitol, where he spoke. "So we caught them and we caught them in a beauty and I think they're going to pay a big price," he added. The President's thoughts were repeated by White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, who, without evidence, scolded reporters for "deliberately false reporting" on crowd size. "This was the largest audience to ever witness an inauguration, period!" Spicer said. "These attempts to lessen the enthusiasm of the inauguration are shameful and wrong." He left, refusing to take any questions. Sean Spicer was mocked on social media with the hashtag #SpicerFacts. Guess the number of jelly beans. Me: 87 Wife: 134 Sean Spicer: 1.5 million #spicerfacts pic.twitter.com/dq7MmhgG3H — Mark Zohar (@markzohar) January 22, 2017 × Many observed that the Women's March, an anti-Trump protest, had a visibly larger attendance than Trump's presidential rally. DC Cam captures crowd comparison of inauguration and #WomensMarch https://t.co/aa5DrxY3vi pic.twitter.com/jiQqPYY9it — The Hill (@thehill) January 22, 2017 × Many also compared the turnout between former president Barack Obama's inaugural ceremony and that of Trump on January 21. Aerial photos taken on January 20, 2009 and Friday clearly show that the crowd fell short in the latter's ceremony. Television footage also showed the crowd did not stretch as far as the Washington Monument like Trump claimed. About 1.8 million people assembled at the National Mall area in 2009 when Barack Obama took oath as President. Washington authorities had predicted 800,000 to 900,000 would attend Trump's inauguration Friday, about half of the 2009 crowd. Trump's comments came in during a visit to the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a move to mend ties with Intelligence agencies, when he cast doubt on their assessment of Russia meddling in the November 8 election. He stood in front of a wall sacred to the CIA, honouring employees killed during service, and told the employees he fully supported the agency in a speech that mostly focused on criticising the media. The New York Times said that Trump's speech set off a "fierce reaction" among many in the CIA, with John O Brennan, the CIA director who resigned Friday, saying "Trump should be ashamed of himself", according to Brennan's former chief of staff, Nick Shapiro. Trump has disagreed with US intelligence agencies in recent weeks about their conclusion that Russia interfered in the US election on his behalf. After a dossier with unverified facts leaked to the public, Trump accused the intelligence agencies of allowing the leak. "Are we living in Nazi Germany?" Trump asked on Twitter. Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017 × On Saturday Trump suggested that the media is to blame for any suggestion that he does not fully support the work of US intelligence agencies. "I love you, I respect you, there's nobody I respect more," he told them. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Trump falsely accuses media of downplaying crowd at his inauguration

The United States will ease some financial sanctions against Sudan on Friday for efforts to help fight terrorism, although it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP.

Washington is set to announce that it will &quot;ease some US sanctions on trade and investment&quot;, one of the officials from the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama said Thursday.

&quot;We are taking these actions in recognition of positive steps the government of Sudan has taken,&quot; the second official said.

However, the decision &quot;doesn&#39;t affect (President Omar) al-Bashir&#39;s war crimes nor does it lift the state sponsor of terror&quot; designation, which also includes Syria and Iran, the official added.

Washington in November extended sanctions against Sudan for a year, saying it could lift them at any time if the African country were to do more to tackle terror.

Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 for its alleged support for Islamist groups. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was based in Khartoum from 1992 to 1996.

In recent years, the government&#39;s scorched earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur have been cited as a reason not to lift the sanctions.

But relations have improved lately, with Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with his Sudanese counterpart twice, while the US envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, visiting Khartoum several times.

That prompted speculation about possible sanctions relief.

Still, the Darfur conflict -- which has killed 300,000 people and displaced some 2.5 million since it began in 2003, according to the UN -- has continued to dog relations.

Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and genocide related to the conflict. He denies the charges.

Washington refused Bashir a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in 2015, citing the ICC arrest warrant.

(AFP)

However it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP

The United States will ease some financial sanctions against Sudan on Friday for efforts to help fight terrorism, although it will remain on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, two White House officials told AFP. Washington is set to announce that it will "ease some US sanctions on trade and investment", one of the officials from the outgoing administration of President Barack Obama said Thursday. "We are taking these actions in recognition of positive steps the government of Sudan has taken," the second official said. However, the decision "doesn't affect (President Omar) al-Bashir's war crimes nor does it lift the state sponsor of terror" designation, which also includes Syria and Iran, the official added. Washington in November extended sanctions against Sudan for a year, saying it could lift them at any time if the African country were to do more to tackle terror. Sudan has been subject to a US trade embargo since 1997 for its alleged support for Islamist groups. Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was based in Khartoum from 1992 to 1996. In recent years, the government's scorched earth tactics against ethnic minority rebels in Darfur have been cited as a reason not to lift the sanctions. But relations have improved lately, with Secretary of State John Kerry meeting with his Sudanese counterpart twice, while the US envoy for Sudan and South Sudan, Donald Booth, visiting Khartoum several times. That prompted speculation about possible sanctions relief. Still, the Darfur conflict -- which has killed 300,000 people and displaced some 2.5 million since it began in 2003, according to the UN -- has continued to dog relations. Al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes and genocide related to the conflict. He denies the charges. Washington refused Bashir a visa to attend the UN General Assembly in 2015, citing the ICC arrest warrant. (AFP)

US to lift some sanctions against Sudan: Officials

As the Obamas ready to leave the White House, America&#39;s first family has given away Sasha and Malia&#39;s swing and playset that sat outside the window of the Oval Office.

&quot;The playset was donated to a local organization serving those in need,&quot; an administration official said.

Like images of John F Kennedy&#39;s kids running around the Oval Office, images of the two youngest Obamas, aged 10 and seven when he took office, playing on the set became emblematic of a more youthful White House.

(AFP)

The swing-set sat outside the window of Oval Office

As the Obamas ready to leave the White House, America's first family has given away Sasha and Malia's swing and playset that sat outside the window of the Oval Office. "The playset was donated to a local organization serving those in need," an administration official said. Like images of John F Kennedy's kids running around the Oval Office, images of the two youngest Obamas, aged 10 and seven when he took office, playing on the set became emblematic of a more youthful White House. (AFP)

Obamas donate daughters' swing-set

It was only an abstention, but it was a long time coming. With just weeks left in office, Barack Obama finally gave vent to his frustration with Israel.

The White House said Obama had decided to allow the UN Security Council to pass a motion condemning Israeli settlement building just hours before the vote.

But officials confirmed they had been watching draft resolutions in circulation for a least a year and were ready to take a stand when one made it to the table.

Critics of Obama&#39;s Middle East policy allege that he has long been manoeuvring to engineer an opportunity to isolate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

White House aides, however, insist they had simply run out of ways to convince Israel that its building on Palestinian land is sabotaging hopes for peace.

Either way, Friday&#39;s UN vote ordering a halt to Israel&#39;s settlement building will stand as the final word from Obama before Donald Trump takes power.

&quot;Prime Minister Netanyahu had the opportunity to pursue policies that would have led to a different outcome today,&quot; Obama adviser Ben Rhodes said.

&quot;The fact that this is happening towards the end of our eighth year indicates that it is not our preferred course of action.

&quot;If it was an outcome that we sought, then we would have done it long ago.&quot;

For months, Washington has been warning in increasingly strident tones that Israel&#39;s accelerating settlement program is destroying hopes for a two-state peace deal.

This month, Secretary of State John Kerry told a US-Israeli forum in Washington that right-wing members of Netanyahu&#39;s government are deliberately working to that end.

After Friday&#39;s UN vote, the US special envoy to the peace process, Frank Lowenstein, said Kerry would in the coming days make a speech laying out ideas to revive it.

&#39;Grudge match&#39;

The White House insists the UN resolution, which Israel wasted no time in rejecting, simply reflects the consensus view of the international community on Israeli settlements.

But Obama&#39;s abstention came under withering criticism from across Washington -- with both Democrats and Republicans accusing the outgoing president of colluding with a biased world body to betray an ally.

President-elect Trump, who had earlier convinced Egypt to postpone the vote from Thursday, implied in a Tweet that he would punish the United Nations.

Democratic senator Chuck Schumer, who had lobbied the administration until the last minute, called the decision to let the vote pass &quot;extremely frustrating, disappointing and confounding.&quot; &nbsp;

And AIPAC, the largest pro-Israel lobby group in Washington, said: &quot;By adopting this resolution, the United Nations has once again served as an open forum to isolate and delegitimize Israel.&quot;

And many suggested Obama&#39;s decision, made while the president was on a Christmas break in Hawaii, had as much to do with his bad blood with Netanyahu as with diplomacy.

Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of Washington think-tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, dubbed the relationship a &quot;grudge match.&quot;

Netanyahu made no secret of his friendship with Obama&#39;s 2012 election opponent Mitt Romney, and last year broke protocol to go behind the US president&#39;s back and address Congress to oppose the Iran nuclear deal.

The two men have never hit it off, and the White House has never hidden its frustration with the bellicose rhetoric of Israel&#39;s right-wing coalition.

Schanzer suggested that if Hillary Clinton had won last month&#39;s presidential election, Obama would have deferred to her desire to rebuild warmer ties with Israel and held off on UN action.

But, faced with an incoming Trump presidency that may support settlement building, he opted for a binding Security Council vote that will weaken Israel&#39;s position in any future peace talks.

&quot;You can&#39;t unring this bell,&quot; Schanzer said.

(AFP)

The White House said Obama had decided to allow the UN to pass a motion condemning Israeli settlement building just hours before the vote

It was only an abstention, but it was a long time coming. With just weeks left in office, Barack Obama finally gave vent to his frustration with Israel. The White House said Obama had decided to allow the UN Security Council to pass a motion condemning Israeli settlement building just hours before the vote. But officials confirmed they had been watching draft resolutions in circulation for a least a year and were ready to take a stand when one made it to the table. Critics of Obama's Middle East policy allege that he has long been manoeuvring to engineer an opportunity to isolate Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. White House aides, however, insist they had simply run out of ways to convince Israel that its building on Palestinian land is sabotaging hopes for peace. Either way, Friday's UN vote ordering a halt to Israel's settlement building will stand as the final word from Obama before Donald Trump takes power. "Prime Minister Netanyahu had the opportunity to pursue policies that would have led to a different outcome today," Obama adviser Ben Rhodes said. "The fact that this is happening towards the end of our eighth year indicates that it is not our preferred course of action. "If it was an outcome that we sought, then we would have done it long ago." For months, Washington has been warning in increasingly strident tones that Israel's accelerating settlement program is destroying hopes for a two-state peace deal. This month, Secretary of State John Kerry told a US-Israeli forum in Washington that right-wing members of Netanyahu's government are deliberately working to that end. After Friday's UN vote, the US special envoy to the peace process, Frank Lowenstein, said Kerry would in the coming days make a speech laying out ideas to revive it. 'Grudge match' The White House insists the UN resolution, which Israel wasted no time in rejecting, simply reflects the consensus view of the international community on Israeli settlements. But Obama's abstention came under withering criticism from across Washington -- with both Democrats and Republicans accusing the outgoing president of colluding with a biased world body to betray an ally. President-elect Trump, who had earlier convinced Egypt to postpone the vote from Thursday, implied in a Tweet that he would punish the United Nations. Democratic senator Chuck Schumer, who had lobbied the administration until the last minute, called the decision to let the vote pass "extremely frustrating, disappointing and confounding." And AIPAC, the largest pro-Israel lobby group in Washington, said: "By adopting this resolution, the United Nations has once again served as an open forum to isolate and delegitimize Israel." And many suggested Obama's decision, made while the president was on a Christmas break in Hawaii, had as much to do with his bad blood with Netanyahu as with diplomacy. Jonathan Schanzer, vice president of Washington think-tank the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, dubbed the relationship a "grudge match." Netanyahu made no secret of his friendship with Obama's 2012 election opponent Mitt Romney, and last year broke protocol to go behind the US president's back and address Congress to oppose the Iran nuclear deal. The two men have never hit it off, and the White House has never hidden its frustration with the bellicose rhetoric of Israel's right-wing coalition. Schanzer suggested that if Hillary Clinton had won last month's presidential election, Obama would have deferred to her desire to rebuild warmer ties with Israel and held off on UN action. But, faced with an incoming Trump presidency that may support settlement building, he opted for a binding Security Council vote that will weaken Israel's position in any future peace talks. "You can't unring this bell," Schanzer said. (AFP)

After eight years, Obama lets Israel frustration show

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