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Obama Allowed Hezbollah to Smuggle Drugs Into the US to Protect the Iran Nuke Deal

A bombshell report from Politico Sunday revealed that the Obama administration let Hezbollah�s

money-laundering and drug-trafficking operations slide in order to protect the Iran nuclear

deal from collapsing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration led a campaign dubbed Project Cassandra that reportedly

targeted the criminal activities of the militant group.

However, Justice and Treasury Department officials reportedly delayed or outright rejected the

DEA�s requests for investigations, sanctions and prosecutions against members of Hezbollah.

According to Josh Meyer of Politico, these players included: �Hezbollah�s high-profile

envoy to Iran, a Lebanese bank that allegedly laundered billions in alleged drug profits,

and a central player in a U.S.-based cell of the Iranian paramilitary Quds force.�

In December 2011, U.S. attorney Preet Bharara filed a civil money laundering lawsuit against

�Lebanese Financial Institutions That Facilitated a Hizballah-Related Money Laundering Scheme.�

The lawsuit claimed that �Lebanese Financial Institutions, Including Institutions Linked

to Hizballah, Allegedly Wired Over $300 Million into the United States for the Purchase and

Shipment of Used Cars to West Africa as Part of Money Laundering Scheme.�

The suit added that �Proceeds from Car Sales and Narcotics Trafficking Allegedly Were Funneled

Back to Lebanon Through Hizballah-Controlled Money Laundering Channels.�

While Bharara originally sought over $480 million in the suit, it was eventually settled

in 2013 for $102 million.

Another example of the Obama administration hindering DEA progress against Hezbollah was

its decision to refrain from pressuring the Czech government from extraditing Lebanese

arms dealer Ali Fayad back to the U.S. amid U.S. courts indicting him on charges involving

attempts to acquire anti-aircraft missiles, attempts to provide material support to a

terror cell and plans to kill U.S. government employees.

As reported by Politico, U.S. officials believe Fayad is now helping to weaponize Syrian militants.

Perhaps most surprisingly, members of Project Cassandra claim that officials in the Obama

administration undermined the DEA�s efforts to take down of one of Hezbollah�s top operatives,

a man named �Ghost,� � one of the world�s largest cocaine smugglers, including to the

U.S.

Four former DEA officials with direct access to these cases say that the Justice Department

also refused to investigate Abdallah Saffiedine, overseer of the Hezbollah�s �Business

Affairs Component,� which involved international drug trafficking.

According to Defense of Department illicit finance analyst David Asher, these blockades

set forth by the Obama administration, as well as other instances such as the DOJ�s

refusal to charge the militant group�s military wing as an ongoing criminal syndicate, �was

a policy decision, it was a systematic decision.�

�They serially ripped apart this entire effort that was very well supported and resourced,

and it was done from the top down,� he added, referring to the Obama administration�s

actions in handling the DEA�s requests for investigating Hezbollah.

In February, a Treasury official from the Obama-era, Katherine Bauer, stated in a written

testimony, �under the Obama administration � these (Hezbollah-related) investigations

were tamped down for fear of rocking the boat with Iran and jeopardizing the nuclear deal.�

However, former administration officials have countered these claims, stating that the decisions

made during Obama�s tenure were not done out of politics.

�There has been a consistent pattern of actions taken against Hezbollah, both through

tough sanctions and law enforcement actions before and after the Iran deal,� said Kevin

Lewis, an official who worked at the Justice Department and White House during the Obama

administration.

Fox News detailed that after announcement of the deal in January 2016, Project Cassandra

members were given other assignments unrelated to the Hezbollah investigation.

The Lebanese militant group is one of the world�s largest cocaine traffickers and

supplies chemical and conventional weapons to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad � weapons

the dictator has reportedly used on his own people.

As reported by Fox News, Hezbollah was formed in 1982 by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard

in order to combat Israel�s invasion of Beirut.

Under direction of a new leader in 1992, the group�s motive shifted from trying to implement

an Islamic republic in Lebanon to fighting against Israel.

For more infomation >> Obama Allowed Hezbollah to Smuggle Drugs Into the US to Protect - Duration: 5:36.

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President Moon suggests postponing S. Korea-U.S. joint military exercise ahead of Olympics - Duration: 2:20.

We begin this lunchtime with a rare proposal by South Korea's liberal leader...

President Moon Jae-in had a sitdown interview with a U.S. broadcaster on Tuesday, in which

he said says he's willing to postpone the annual joint military exercise with the United

States during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.

Our Blue House correspondent Hwang Hojun starts us off.

It depends on how North Korea behaves,.. but according to the South Korean President...

(KOREAN) "It is possible for South Korea and the U.S.

to review the possibility of postponing the exercises.

I have made such a suggestion to the U.S. and the U.S is currently reviewing it."

( . )

President Moon says such a move is to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the

upcoming PyeongChang Winter Olympics,... as well as to invite North Korea to the Games.

These comments were made during an exclusive interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC News while

President Moon was on board on the new KTX high-speed rail line... which allows visitors

to travel from Incheon International Airport to the Olympics site in a couple of hours.

While the President has mentioned potentially reducing the size of the joint exercises in

order to bring Pyongyang to the table for dialogue, this is the first time he actually

asked Washington to consider the possibility.

Normally, the biggest of the joint exercises are held each spring, known as Key Resolve

and Foal Eagle,... involving more than 300-thousand U.S. and South Korean soldiers.

And this year, it will likely overlap with the Paralympics, which will be held from March

9th to the 18th.

President Moon said North Korea stopping its provocations leading up to the Pyeongchang

Olympics will greatly help in holding a safe Games.

He also said it will help in creating a conducive atmosphere towards inter-Korean as well as

U.S.-North Korean dialogue.

President Moon was optimistic on the idea of North Korea eventually showing up at the

quadrennial event.

He also emphasized he doesn't believe the regime will try to disrupt the Olympics, guaranteeing

the safety of those taking part in the games.

Hwang Hojun, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> President Moon suggests postponing S. Korea-U.S. joint military exercise ahead of Olympics - Duration: 2:20.

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India a leading global power, says new US - Duration: 4:25.

For more infomation >> India a leading global power, says new US - Duration: 4:25.

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Top U.S. officials again raising pressure on North Korea - Duration: 2:21.

While tensions between the Washington and Pyongyang died down significantly, the fundamental

problem still exists.

Authorities in Washington are again trying to pressure the regime to return to dialogue,

emphasizing it won't recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.

Lee Ji-won has the full story.

Top U.S. officials are once again raising the pressure on North Korea.

Speaking in Ottawa Tuesday after a meeting with Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland,...

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said talks with North Korea will not be possible

unless the regime shows it's *ready to talk.

He said the U.S. is waiting for a sign of that, and that the pressure campaign will

continue until the regime is willing to give up its nuclear weapons and allow for verification.

(English) "The White House supports diplomatic talks.

The observation that's being made-- and I would agree with the observation -- is we're

waiting on North Korea to come to that conclusion.

And until they do, the pressure campaign will only intensify."

Tillerson added that the international community seeks to send Pyongyang a unified message

that it will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state -- and that it shares one goal

-- the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

And as part of the effort, the two diplomats agreed to co-host a meeting of foreign ministers

in Vancouver next month.

White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster also added on to the pressure in

an interview Tuesday with the BBC.

He said that the U.S. has to "be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearization

of North Korea" even without their cooperation.

Though the U.S. wants the resolution to be peaceful,... McMaster echoed President Donald

Trump, saying that all options are on the table.

McMaster also made the case for a denuclearized Korean peninsula in an interview with CBS

on Tuesday, saying that the U.S. cannot tolerate the risk of coexisting with a nuclear Pyongyang.

He said there's no time to repeat the failed pattern of the past -- that now is not the

time to talk... and that Washington will continue its policy of putting military, economic,

and diplomatic pressure on the regime.

Lee Ji-won Arirang News.

For more infomation >> Top U.S. officials again raising pressure on North Korea - Duration: 2:21.

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U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 1:41.

The United States has officially accused North Korea of being behind the massive 'WannaCry'

cyberattack... that crippled hundreds of thousands of computers around the world... in May.

Park Ji-won has more.

During a briefing at the White House on Tuesday,... the White House homeland security adviser

said the U.S. has formally asserted that North Korea is the culprit of the so-called WannaCry

ransomware attack in May,... and other countries like Britain, Canada and Japan have agreed

with the U.S. conclusion.

"After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive WannaCry

cyberattack to North Korea.

We did not make this allegation lightly, we do so with evidence and we do so with partners."

The official said the finding is based on evidence.

He also said major U.S. tech companies, including Microsoft and Facebook, acted last week to

disable a number of further North Korean cyber attacks,... adding that the Trump administration

will cooperate with private companies to prevent attacks in the future.

"We applaud our corporate partners Microsoft and Facebook especially for acting on their

own initiative last week without any direction by the U.S. government coordination to disrupt

the activities of North Korean hackers."

The announcement came,... as the international community is seeking effective ways to pressure

the North Korean regime to end its nuclear and missile programs.

The WannaCry ransomware infected hundreds of thousands of computers around the world,...

causing disruption mainly to public services in May.

Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 1:41.

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U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 1:01.

Moving on to the U.S., the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the

most sweeping overhaul of the American tax system in more 30 years.

The vote, largely along party lines, was 227-203, bringing President Trump one step closer to

achieving a major legislative accomplishment after a year of congressional stumbles and

non-starters.

The bill will need to go through a Senate vote later Tuesday, but it's widely expected

to pass.

However, the House will need to re-vote on the bill on Wednesday morning to take out

some technical provisions before Trump's planned signing into law.

This is just a small hiccup and the timing of the Senate vote will go head as scheduled.

The plan provides steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest tax cuts

for middle- and low-income families.

Critics warn the plan will push America's debt even higher, but Republicans argue it

will boost economic growth.

For more infomation >> U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 1:01.

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U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 0:56.

The United States has officially accused North Korea of being behind a massive cyberattack

that crippled hundreds of thousands of computers around the world in May.

During a briefing at the White House on Tuesday,... Thomas Bossert, assistant to President Trump

for homeland security and counterterrorism, said Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

and Japan agreed with the U.S. conclusion and joined it in denouncing North Korea for

the WannaCry ransomware attack.

Asked what the U.S. planned to do in response,... Bossert admitted there wasn't much room left

to apply pressure to change the regime's behavior.

The official said it was a reckless attack meant to cause havoc and destruction, but

it probably didn't make Pyongyang much money.

The WannaCry ransomware targeted computers running Microsoft Windows and users with infected

files were asked to pay a ransom.

For more infomation >> U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 0:56.

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Top U.S. officials again raising pressure on North Korea - Duration: 2:25.

The tensions between the U.S. and North Korea have died down considerably since a few months

ago.

But the fundamental problem of the North's weapons of mass destruction... isn't going

away.

The authorities in Washington are again trying to pressure Pyongyang into coming back to

the negotiating table... adamant... that they won't accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons

state.

Lee Ji-won has more.

Top U.S. officials are once again raising the pressure on North Korea.

Speaking in Ottawa Tuesday after a meeting with Canadian foreign minister Chrystia Freeland,...

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said talks with North Korea will not be possible

unless the regime shows it's *ready to talk.

He said the U.S. is waiting for a sign of that, and that the pressure campaign will

continue until the regime is willing to give up its nuclear weapons and allow for verification.

(English) "The White House supports diplomatic talks.

The observation that's being made-- and I would agree with the observation -- is we're

waiting on North Korea to come to that conclusion.

And until they do, the pressure campaign will only intensify."

Tillerson added that the international community seeks to send Pyongyang a unified message

that it will not accept North Korea as a nuclear weapons state -- and that it shares one goal

-- the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

And as part of the effort, the two diplomats agreed to co-host a meeting of foreign ministers

in Vancouver next month.

White House National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster also added on to the pressure in

an interview Tuesday with the BBC.

He said that the U.S. has to "be prepared, if necessary, to compel the denuclearization

of North Korea" even without their cooperation.

Though the U.S. wants the resolution to be peaceful,... McMaster echoed President Donald

Trump, saying that all options are on the table.

McMaster also made the case for a denuclearized Korean peninsula in an interview with CBS

on Tuesday, saying that the U.S. cannot tolerate the risk of coexisting with a nuclear Pyongyang.

He said there's no time to repeat the failed pattern of the past -- that now is not the

time to talk... and that Washington will continue its policy of putting military, economic,

and diplomatic pressure on the regime.

Lee Ji-won Arirang News.

For more infomation >> Top U.S. officials again raising pressure on North Korea - Duration: 2:25.

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U.S. Senate passes tax reform legislation - Duration: 0:38.

The U.S. Senate approved the Republicans' tax reform bill.

It passed Wednesday morning, local time, in a party-line vote 51 to 48.

It will now be sent back to the House of Representatives for a vote on some technical matters.... and

then to the White House for President Trump to sign his administration's first major legislative

victory into law.

With the tax code in place, corporations will see their tax rate slashed from 35 percent

to 21 percent.

The plan will also provide relatively modest tax cuts for middle and low income families.

It also partially repeals the Obamacare health program.

For more infomation >> U.S. Senate passes tax reform legislation - Duration: 0:38.

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U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 0:55.

The United States has officially accused North Korea of being behind a massive cyberattack

that crippled hundreds of thousands of computers around the world in May.

During a briefing at the White House on Tuesday,... Thomas Bossert, assistant to President Trump

for homeland security and counterterrorism, said Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

and Japan agreed with the U.S. conclusion and joined it in denouncing North Korea for

the WannaCry ransomware attack.

Asked what the U.S. planned to do in response,... Bossert admitted there wasn't much room left

to apply pressure to change the regime's behavior.

The official said it was a reckless attack meant to cause havoc and destruction, but

it probably didn't make Pyongyang much money.

The WannaCry ransomware targeted computers running Microsoft Windows and users with infected

files were asked to pay a ransom.

For more infomation >> U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 0:55.

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U S now leads the industrialized world in infant mortality due - Duration: 7:47.

U.S. now leads the industrialized world in infant mortality due to toxic vaccinations

Out of the top thirty industrialized nations in the world, the United States tops the list

when it comes to infant mortality on the first day of life.

With so much modern medical technology available, it�s hard to understand why there are so

many sudden infant deaths, but it all becomes clear when one begins to recognize the burden

of toxicity that vaccines impose on such vulnerable, developing babies.

Did you know a Hepatitis B vaccine (dogmatically given to infants on their first day of life)

has been shown to cause a 700 percent increase in heart attacks than those who do not take

the vaccine?

For every 100,000 pregnancies, about 26 end tragically on the first day in the U.S.

This adds up to 11,300 newborn deaths per year.

This does not account for the number of spontaneous abortions that occur during pregnancy, which

is when the fetus cannot survive in a toxic environment.

This also does not account for the growing number of resuscitation emergencies that occur

on the infant�s first day of life (following vaccination) or the astronomical amount of

C-section emergency deliveries that are conducted to save both mother and child.

A rigorous vaccine protocol for pregnant mothers is harming both the mother and her unborn

child, causing complications for a healthy, normal delivery.

Hasty vaccination at birth with both the synthetic vitamin K shot and the Hepatitis B vaccine

is burdening infant�s bodies on their very first day of life.

The onslaught of heavy metals and synthetic chemicals in the womb and immediately after

birth combined with poor prenatal nutrition is causing health issues in infants leading

to an alarming number of premature deaths.

In most hospital settings in the U.S., birth is mischaracterized as a medical emergency

from the start.

Once the newborn arrives, the umbilical cord is usually cut prematurely, not allowing all

the remaining blood, nutrients and healthy bacteria a chance to make its way to the newborn.

Instead, the newborn is separated from the beating heart of their mother, only to be

injected with a synthetic vitamin K shot that is intended to force their blood to clot.

Regardless of its intentions, this synthetic brew shocks the infant�s system, fills their

blood with chemicals, burdens their liver and therefore causes bilirubin levels to shoot

upand symptoms of jaundice to appear.

It is imperative that the newborn immediately receive skin-to-skin contact with the mother

and begin breastfeeding to receive the all-important immunoglobulins through the mother�s colostrum.

In a hospital setting, pediatricians try to force the parents to get their newborn vaccinated

with the first round of hepatitis B vaccine.

This erroneous procedure assumes that the infant will be sharing needles with a Hep-B

positive prostitute or drug dealer.

Hep-B vaccine administration at birth is an insult to mothers and fathers alike.

Even though the immune system of the child is not developed in the first year of life,

the medical establishment agrees that infant�s bodies should be forcibly injected over and

over again with multiple doses of substances such as brain-damaging aluminum, which is

designed to augment and force an immune response where there is no complete immune system.

The foreign DNA that is injected, including diseased cow and pig blood, monkey cells and

aborted fetal tissue, is introduced to an infant�s body through an abnormal route,

over and over again.

These toxins are injected and not allowed to be processed through their gastrointestinal

tract, liver and kidneys first.

The influx of vaccine toxins at such a vulnerable age is the concealed factor behind many cases

of sudden infant death syndrome.

A mother�s breast milk, with all its nutrients, healthy fats, and immunoglobulins, is the

only healthy way to build an infant�s immune system and brain.

As documented extensively by the late Dr. Andrew Moulden, every vaccine dose produces

harm to neurological development and natural immunity because of its toxic contents and

unnatural route of exposure.

The diseases that these vaccines are intended to prevent can be faced naturally, to confer

lifelong immunity that also contributes to better herd immunity rates to protect infants

and the immune-compromised.

There�s no need to sacrifice a newborn or infant�s body to a vaccine complication

all for the alleged protection that these vaccines promise and still cannot prove.

The most courageous measures we could take to improve infant mortality rates include:

Restore rule of law and undo legal protections for pharmaceutical companies granted to them

under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act.

Enacted in 1986, this law gives vaccine makers legal immunity from prosecution when their

vaccines cause damage, creating a steady payout system only to select families damaged by

vaccines.

The law created a gold rush for new vaccines and ensured a constant supply of vaccines

while providing NO scientific studies on the risks of compounding vaccination.

Undoing this law would force pharmaceutical companies to clean up their vaccines and take

seriously the tens of thousands of cases of vaccine damage that go ignored in the Vaccine

Adverse Event Reporting System.

Declare compulsory vaccination laws a violation of informed consent and personal and parental

rights.

This measure should also hold accountable the arrogant pediatricians and nurses who

coerce parents into vaccinating their newborns.

Provide more sane routes of immune system care, which include making vitamin D supplements,

selenium, and chromium readily available and encouraged for pregnant women.

Remove the Hep-B vaccine campaign for newborns from hospitals� standard protocol and the

CDC�s obnoxious vaccine schedule.

Remove the flu shot and TDAP vaccine campaigns targeting pregnant women.

Share vaccine inserts, vaccine risks, and be open about adverse events.

Discuss the individual disease these vaccines are supposed to prevent and how easy they

are to treat or overcome with a nutritious diet and substances such as colloidal silver

and oregano oil.

Allow midwifery wisdom to guide modern medical birthing practices for safer, more natural

deliveries that don�t rely on pain medication, antibiotics, vaccines, and surgery.

Delay cord clamping and encourage skin-to-skin contact with the mother first.

Provide breastfeeding support, including wet nurse availability, breast milk banks, and

over-the-counter herbal galactagogues.

Provide top of the line, prenatal and postnatal nutrition support, making available trace

minerals, whole food vitamins, folate, and healthy fats for proper fetal development.

In conclusion, there are many courageous steps we can take as families and as a medical system

to improve on the dismal state of infant mortality in the US.

This begins with understanding the toxic nature of vaccines and their unnecessary use on an

infant�s first day of life and in the womb.

For more infomation >> U S now leads the industrialized world in infant mortality due - Duration: 7:47.

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U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 1:42.

The United States has officially accused North Korea of being behind the massive 'WannaCry'

cyberattack... that crippled hundreds of thousands of computers around the world in May.

Park Ji-won has more.

During a briefing at the White House on Tuesday,... the White House homeland security adviser

said the U.S. has formally asserted that North Korea is the culprit of the so-called WannaCry

ransomware attack in May,... and other countries like Britain, Canada and Japan have agreed

with the U.S. conclusion.

"After careful investigation, the United States is publicly attributing the massive WannaCry

cyberattack to North Korea.

We did not make this allegation lightly, we do so with evidence and we do so with partners."

The official said the finding is based on evidence.

He also said major U.S. tech companies, including Microsoft and Facebook, acted last week to

disable a number of further North Korean cyber attacks,... adding that the Trump administration

will cooperate with private companies to prevent attacks in the future.

"We applaud our corporate partners Microsoft and Facebook especially for acting on their

own initiative last week without any direction by the U.S. government coordination to disrupt

the activities of North Korean hackers."

The announcement came,... as the international community is seeking effective ways to pressure

the North Korean regime to end its nuclear and missile programs.

The WannaCry ransomware infected hundreds of thousands of computers around the world,...

causing disruption mainly to public services in May.

Park Ji-won, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> U.S. blames North Korea for WannaCry ransomware attack in May - Duration: 1:42.

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U.S. to continue pressure campaign on North Korea until they are ready for talks - Duration: 0:49.

U.S. Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, says talks with North Korea will not be possible

unless the regime shows it's ready to talk.

Speaking in Ottowa after a meeting with the Canadian foreign minister, Tillerson said

the pressure campaign on North Korea will continue until the regime is willing to give

up its nuclear weapons, and allow verification as such.

However, he also stressed that the aim of sanctions and pressure was ultimately to lead

North Korea to talks.

Tillerson and his Canadian counterpart also announced that the U.S. and Canada will co-host

a foreign ministers meeting in Vancouver next month, to further discuss the North Korea

nuclear issue.

It will include countries that were involved in the Korean War, such as South Korea and

the U.S., and other traditional 'sending countries' such as India and Sweden.

For more infomation >> U.S. to continue pressure campaign on North Korea until they are ready for talks - Duration: 0:49.

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US Vetoes UN Resolution on Status of Jerusalem - Duration: 0:59.

For more infomation >> US Vetoes UN Resolution on Status of Jerusalem - Duration: 0:59.

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U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 1:04.

Moving on to the U.S., the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the

most sweeping overhaul of the American tax system in more 30 years.

The vote, largely along party lines, was 227-203, bringing President Trump one step closer to

achieving a major legislative accomplishment after a year of congressional stumbles and

non-starters.

The bill will need to go through a Senate vote later Tuesday, but it's widely expected

to pass.

However, the House will need to re-vote on the bill on Wednesday morning to take out

some technical provisions before Trump's planned signing into law.

This is just a small hiccup and the timing of the Senate vote will go head as scheduled.

The plan provides steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest tax cuts

for middle- and low-income families.

Critics warn the plan will push America's debt even higher, but Republicans argue it

will boost economic growth.

For more infomation >> U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 1:04.

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U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 0:57.

Moving on to the U.S., the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the

most sweeping overhaul of the American tax system in more 30 years.

The vote, largely along party lines, was 227-203, bringing President Trump one step closer to

achieving a major legislative accomplishment after a year of congressional stumbles and

non-starters.

The bill will need to go through a Senate vote later Tuesday, but it's widely expected

to pass.

However, the House will need to re-vote on the bill on Wednesday morning to take out

some technical provisions before Trump's planned signing into law.

This is just a small hiccup and the timing of the Senate vote will go head as scheduled.

The plan provides steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest tax cuts

for middle- and low-income families.

Critics warn the plan will push America's debt even higher, but Republicans argue it

will boost economic growth.

For more infomation >> U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 0:57.

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Trump nominates Susan Thornton as new U.S. top diplomat for East Asia - Duration: 0:41.

U.S. President Donald Trump has nominated a career foreign service member, Susan Thornton,...

as top U.S. diplomat for East Asia.

Thornton has been nominated for the post of Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian

and Pacific Affairs,... a role that she has already been serving in an acting capacity

since the previous secretary Daniel Russel left the position in March.

Thornton's responsibilities include North Korea's nuclear weapons development... as

well as U.S. relations with China.

Her appointment needs the Senate's confirmation.

She joined the State Department in 1991 and has worked in China and Turkmenistan.

For more infomation >> Trump nominates Susan Thornton as new U.S. top diplomat for East Asia - Duration: 0:41.

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U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 0:58.

Moving on to the U.S., the Republican-controlled House of Representatives has approved the

most sweeping overhaul of the American tax system in more 30 years.

The vote, largely along party lines, was 227-203, bringing President Trump one step closer to

achieving a major legislative accomplishment after a year of congressional stumbles and

non-starters.

The bill will need to go through a Senate vote later Tuesday, but it's widely expected

to pass.

The plan provides steep tax cuts for businesses and the wealthy, and more modest tax cuts

for middle- and low-income families.

Critics warn the plan will push America's debt even higher, but Republicans argue it

will boost economic growth.

For more infomation >> U.S. Senate vote looms on massive tax overhaul - Duration: 0:58.

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Military authorities of S. Korea, U.S. discussing possible delay of joint drills - Duration: 2:30.

Moon's gesture to the North is raising expectations next year's winter olympics could bring forth

a positive change in inter-Korean ties.

But will the drills be postponed,... and will Pyongyang respond?

Oh Jung-hee helps gauge the possibilities.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in reached out his hand to North Korea.

If the North halts its provocations until after the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics,...

then South Korea and the U.S. could consider postponing their joint exercises next spring.

The two countries' military authorities are discussing the matter... and their Combined

Forces Command said Wednesday... that it's committed to South Korea's decision on the

exercises.

But of course, this is to happen only if the North halts its provocations.

The Presidential Office of Cheong Wa Dae says... if Pyongyang carries out additional provocations,...

then that could worsen the international sentiment toward the regime and lead to additional UN

resolutions.

And that's why this proposal becomes a strong message to the North... that additional provocations

shouldn't take place.

(Korean) (3:13~4:01 + 6:00~6:44) "I believe the South Korean government is

trying to take the initiative... to reduce tensions and concerns of a possible war through

the Olympics.

The delay of the joint drills just applies for the duration of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter

Olympics... but if this becomes a good opportunity to open up communications between the North

and the U.S., then maybe we could see more dialogue."

But whether North Korea will show a positive response, or any response at all, to this

proposal is another question... and experts' views vary.

Some say the government can't expect a response from North Korea,... so it's still uncertain

whether the drills will be postponed.

But this expert sees a response from the North as a possibility.

(Korean) (1:04~1:20 + 2:02~2:22) "Pyongyang has declared it has completed its

nuclear development, so there's a low possibility that it will carry out nuclear or missile

tests in the near future.

As Pyongyang is feeling the need for dialogue, it may even announce its participation in

the Games.

It's getting tired of economic sanctions and military pressure."

What's currently under review is only the delay of the drills,... not the downsizing.

And the government left it as 'uncertain' whether the drills could be further postponed,...

even after the Winter Olympics are held peacefully.

Oh Jung-hee, Arirang News.

For more infomation >> Military authorities of S. Korea, U.S. discussing possible delay of joint drills - Duration: 2:30.

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Trump Embraces Corruption By Pulling US Out Of Global Anti-Corruption Pact - Duration: 2:48.

Donald Trump is trying to make it as clear as humanly possible to the American public

that not only does he not have a problem with corruption, but that he wants the United States

to engage in even more corruption all around the globe.

Recently, Donald Trump announced that he was pulling the United States out of the Extractive

Industries Transparency Initiative, which is also known as the Anti-Corruption Pact.

This is a pact that started in 2002 by former UK prime minister Tony Blair, and 52 other

countries have signed on to this pact.

It basically, here's what it says.

It says that if you are an extraction company, like Exxon Mobil or any other oil extraction

company in the planet, if you go to another country and you bribe foreign officials with

money or gifts or whatever it is, you have to disclose that to the public in that area

and the rest of the world so that the people can make an informed choice on whether or

not they even want you in their country so that the public gets a say, or at least is

informed, about the corruption that's taking place in their country.

Donald Trump recently decided that that's no good.

The United States doesn't want to take part of that.

We don't care if companies like Exxon or Chevron are going to other countries, bribing government

officials, kicking indigenous people off their lands to extract some oil, things that have

happened in the last decade.

We don't care about that.

We want these extraction companies to just make more and more money.

To hell with everybody else.

To hell with this Anti-Corruption Pact.

It is absolutely insane that this particular story has flown under the radar here in the

United States.

The president literally pulled us out of something called the Anti-Corruption Pact because he

wants to help boost the profits of fossil fuel companies all over the planet.

Now, I'm sure Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State and former CEO of Exxon Mobil had absolutely

no problem with this.

Unfortunately for him, he's going to be the guy that has to go around all these other

countries and explain why the United States suddenly decided that corruption is just fine

in our book.