RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks to podium

2. Cutaway of reporter

3 . SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is directing an interagency review of the deal to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes up, and we'll have more. But, right now we're undergoing a 90 day review, and I think the statement the secretary of state made to Congress clearly stated that the president is directing the National Security Council to lead an interagency review of the plan and evaluate whether suspension sanctions related to Iran, pursuant to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) are in the vital interest of our national security. The letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do to make sure they are living up to their agreement."

4. Reverse angle of Spicer at podium

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "Is the president concerned that Iran may be cheating on the JCPOA? David Albright, the noted weapons inspector, says they're developing a new centrifuge which he thinks could be a violation.")

"And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't, if he thought everything was fine, he would have allowed this to move forward. He's doing the prudent thing by asking for a review of the current deal and what's happening."

6. Cutaway of reporter

7. Wide of Spicer at the podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

(Reporter, off-camera: "The president has said that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with Iran. How specifically does he plan to get a new deal? Is that something he still wants to do?")

"Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it in the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal. So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

9. Cutaway of reporters

10. Wide of Spicer speaking to reporters

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"While we're on the topic of upcoming events, I'd like to note the president will welcome Palestinian President Abbas for a visit to Washington on May 3rd. They will use the visit to affirm the commitment of the United States and the Palestinian leadership to pursuing and ultimately concluding a conflict-ending settlement between the Palestinians and Israel.

12. Spicer exiting briefing room

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said on Wednesday that the US administration is "doing the prudent thing" by conducting a 90-day interagency review of the Iran nuclear deal to make sure Iran is living up to its side of the agreement.

"Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal," Spicer said. "So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

The Trump administration has notified Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, and says the U.S. has extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

However, in a letter sent late Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The certification of Iran's compliance, which must be sent to Congress every 90 days, is the first issued by the Trump administration.

The deadline for this certification was midnight.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump was an outspoken critic of the deal but had offered conflicting opinions on whether he would try to scrap it, modify it or keep it in place with more strenuous enforcement.

Tuesday's determination suggested that while Trump agreed with findings by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is keeping to its end of the bargain, he is looking for another way to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

Spicer also told reporters at the briefing that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was scheduled to visit Washington early in May and hold talks with Trump.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

US President Donald Trump said he's decided to withdraw support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said on Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He said America was "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back".

Trump made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The US signed the treaty in 2013 but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights, and I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North), I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment. We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries."

8. Mid Trump showing signature to audience

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty to anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

4. Cutaway audience applauding

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I'm impressed. I didn't think too many of you would really know what it is. You know what it is?  A big, big factor. But I see a couple of very happy faces from the NRA over there. And I am officially announcing today that the United States will be revoking the effect of America's signature from this badly misguided treatment.  We're taking our signature back."

6. Pan from Trump to audience

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"I will sign right now, in front of a lot of witnesses. Like, a lot of witnesses, a message asking the Senate to discontinue the treaty ratification process and to return the now rejected treaty right back to me in the Oval Office, where I will dispose of it. By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

8. Mid, Trump showing signature to audience

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus116058

President Donald Trump says the U.S. has decided to withdraw its support for a treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade.

It's the latest example of the Trump administration's dislike of international pacts.

Trump said Friday that he has decided to revoke the United States' status as a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty regulating international trade in conventional weapons, including small arms, battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships.

He says America is "rejecting this treaty" and "taking our signature back."

He made the announcement during a speech in Indianapolis, Indiana, to the National Rifle Association, which claims the treaty poses a threat to the Second Amendment.

The U.S. signed the treaty in 2013, but never ratified it.

POOL

Indianapolis - 26 April 2019

1. Close-up US President Donald Trump saluting then walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"Today I'm proud to announce another historic step to protect your Second Amendment rights. And I didn't tell Chris (Cox) and Wayne (LaPierre) and Oliver (North) I didn't even tell them about it. So, they are listening in this big room someplace and they are saying, 'I wonder what he's going to do.' The good thing with me you never know, never know. So in the last administration President Obama signed the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty and in its waning days in office he sent the treaty to the Senate to begin the ratification process. This treaty threatened your subjugate ... again and you know exactly what's going on here, your rights. And your constitutional and international rules and restrictions and regulations. Under my administration we will never surrender American sovereignty. To anyone. We will never allow foreign bureaucrats to trample on your Second Amendment freedom. And that is why my administration will never ratify the UN Arms Trade Treaty. I hope you are happy."

3. Cutaway audience applauding

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President:

"We're taking our signature back."

5. Pan from Trump to audience

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, U.S. President: ++SOUNDBITE PARTIALLY OVERLAID++

"By taking these acts we are reaffirming that American liberty is sacred and that American citizens live by American laws, not the laws of foreign countries. "

7. Mid, Trump signing and then showing signature to audience

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo was speaking at a Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) gathering in Orlando, Florida on Monday.

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spent more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy.

Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persian Gulf and the Pacific region.  

And he said U.S. relations with Israel were "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court.

Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim (Jong Un) on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American, now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

Speaking to a VFW gathering in Orlando, Fla., Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended President Donald Trump's "America First" foreign policy, saying the president is "not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves."

Pompeo said the U.S. is maintaining pressure on North Korea while "keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy."

He also got a laugh when he said he thinks that he's spen more time with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un than any other American, "now surpassing Dennis Rodman."

Pompeo also announced the U.S. is imposing sanctions on Zhuhai Zhenrong (ZHOO-hi ZHEN-wrong) Limited and its chief executive for violating restrictions on Iran's oil industry.

The U.S. sanctions are part of the Trump administration's effort to increase pressure on Iran by starving its economy. Oil exports are Iran's largest source of foreign income and the U.S. campaign has raised tensions between the two countries.

China has continued to import Iranian oil as other countries have stopped out of fear of U.S. penalties.

Pompeo also insisted that "America First does not mean America alone."

Despite tensions between the U.S. and traditional allies over NATO funding, the Iran nuclear deal and international trade, he said that relations are strong between the U.S. and allies in Eastern Europe, the Persion Gulf and the Pacific region.  And he said U.S. relations with Israel is "unequalled."

He also promised that the administration would keep as a top priority getting the remains of any fallen soldiers returned to the U.S.

Finally, Pompeo briefly touched on the administration's effort to protect U.S. service personnel from prosecution by the International Criminal Court. Earlier this year, Pompeo announced the U.S. would repeal or deny visas to any ICC staff trying to investigate Americans in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room, or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces," he said.

POOL

Orlando, Florida - 22 July 2019

1. Wide of US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"President Trump is unafraid. He's not afraid to try to diplomatic tactics where the old ones were simply not getting the outcomes that America needs and deserves. You've seen this. You've seen this on North Korea where we came into office and found that appeasement wasn't working and neither did neglect. So we're maintaining pressure on the North Korean regime while keeping an outstretched hand for diplomacy. I had the chance to meet with Chairman Kim on multiple occasions. Indeed I think I've spent more time with Chairman Kim than any other American now surpassing Dennis Rodman (laughter)."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"And on the Islamic Republic of Iran, the nuclear deal. It only made the machine regime more aggressive. So we've re-engaged with allies to exert pressure on that regime. All we ask of them is all America ever asked. We just want them to behave like a normal nation. And today, as part of that maximum pressure campaign, I'm announcing that the United States is imposing sanctions on the Chinese entity Zhuhai Zhenrong and its chief executive, Youmin Li. They violated U.S. law by accepting crude oil. We've said all along that any sanction will indeed be enforced. We can't tolerate more money going to the Ayatollah, putting American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and putting their lives at risk. It's too important."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"America first does not mean America alone. Indeed, other nations are rolling up their sleeves to work alongside of us. We're restoring friendships that were neglected for a long, long time. From Eastern Europe, to our partners in the Gulf, to the Pacific Islands. And of course our relationship with Israel is unequalled. It's a democracy. It stands for the same things that we do here in America. That relationship is stronger than it's ever been. We're very proud of that."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I remember sitting in the room negotiating with my my counterpart as a former senior North Korean general. And I remember talking to him and I think he was perplexed that we put this as the first among the items we wanted to talk about. Every one of you understands why we put that first, and why we'll continue to work on this. We will not stop working on this until every one of our fallen heroes and their remains have been returned to the United States of America."

+++BLACK FRAMES+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State:

"I want to mention, too, there is a threat that some of you know about. There are rogue courts international courts that have threatened to bring American soldiers, sailors and marines to dock, to bring them to justice. This is wrong. This administration has moved heaven and earth to prevent them from wrongfully prosecuting anyone in this room or anyone other who has served in the United States armed forces."

7. Wide of Pompeo shaking hands with vets after speech

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is directing an interagency review of the deal to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes up, and we'll have more. But, right now we're undergoing a 90 day review, and I think the statement the secretary of state made to Congress clearly stated that the president is directing the National Security Council to lead an interagency review of the plan and evaluate whether suspension sanctions related to Iran, pursuant to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) are in the vital interest of our national security. The letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do make sure they are living up to their agreement."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"(Reporter) Is the president concerned that Iran may be cheating on the JCPOA? David Albright, the noted weapons inspector, says they're developing a new centrifuge which he says could be a violation.

(Spicer) And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't and he thought everything was fine, he would have allowed this to move forward. He's doing the prudent thing by asking for a review of the current deal and what's happening."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"(Reporter) The president has said that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with Iran. How specifically does he plan to get a new deal? Is that something he still wants to do?

(Spicer) Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal. So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says the administration is "doing the prudent thing" by conducting a 90-day interagency review of the Iran nuclear deal to make sure Iran is living up to its side of the agreement.

"Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal," Spicer said. "So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

The Trump administration has notified Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, and says the U.S. has extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

However, in a letter sent late Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The certification of Iran's compliance, which must be sent to Congress every 90 days, is the first issued by the Trump administration. The deadline for this certification was midnight.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Trump was an outspoken critic of the deal but had offered conflicting opinions on whether he would try to scrap it, modify it or keep it in place with more strenuous enforcement.

Tuesday's determination suggested that while Trump agreed with findings by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is keeping to its end of the bargain, he is looking for another way to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

RESTRICTION SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST:

ASSOCIATED PRESS - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Washington, DC - 19 April 2017

1. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer walks to podium

2. Cutaway of reporter

3 . SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is directing an interagency review of the deal to review that, and we have 90 days before the next one comes up, and we'll have more. But, right now we're undergoing a 90 day review, and I think the statement the secretary of state made to Congress clearly stated that the president is directing the National Security Council to lead an interagency review of the plan and evaluate whether suspension sanctions related to Iran, pursuant to the JCPOA (Iran nuclear deal) are in the vital interest of our national security. The letter clearly lays out what the president is going to do make sure they are living up to their agreement."

4. Reverse angle of Spicer at podium

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"(Reporter, off-camera Is the president concerned that Iran may be cheating on the JCPOA? David Albright, the noted weapons inspector, says they're developing a new centrifuge which he says could be a violation.)

And I think that's why he's asking for this review. If he didn't and he thought everything was fine, he would have allowed this to move forward. He's doing the prudent thing by asking for a review of the current deal and what's happening."

6. Cutaway of reporter

7. Wide of Spicer at the podium

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"(Reporter, off-camera: The president has said that he would like to see the nuclear deal renegotiated with Iran. How specifically does he plan to get a new deal? Is that something he still wants to do?)

Well, again, that's why we're undergoing this interagency review. Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal. So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

9. Cutaway of reporters

10. Wide of Spicer speaking to reporters

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"While we're on the topic of upcoming events, I'd like to note the president will welcome Palestinian President Abbas for a visit on May 3rd. They will use the visit to affirm the commitment of the United States and the Palestinian leadership to pursuing and ultimately concluding a conflict-ending settlement between the Palestinians and Israel.

12. Spicer exiting briefing room

STORYLINE:

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer says the administration is "doing the prudent thing" by conducting a 90-day interagency review of the Iran nuclear deal to make sure Iran is living up to its side of the agreement.

"Part of this is to get the entire team to look at it the next 90 days, review that is required under the deal," Spicer said. "So we will have recommendations presented to the president on where the deal stands and how to act further."

The Trump administration has notified Congress that Iran is complying with the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal negotiated by former President Barack Obama, and says the U.S. has extended the sanctions relief given to the Islamic republic in exchange for curbs on its atomic program.

However, in a letter sent late Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the administration has undertaken a full review of the agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

The certification of Iran's compliance, which must be sent to Congress every 90 days, is the first issued by the Trump administration. The deadline for this certification was midnight.

As a candidate in the 2016 presidential election, Trump was an outspoken critic of the deal but had offered conflicting opinions on whether he would try to scrap it, modify it or keep it in place with more strenuous enforcement.

Tuesday's determination suggested that while Trump agreed with findings by the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, that Iran is keeping to its end of the bargain, he is looking for another way to ratchet up pressure on Tehran.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus060069

Republican Donald Trump received an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticized Democrats and vowed to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump told veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++WHITE FLASHES BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same."

+++WHITE FLASH+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi, a disaster, or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

STORY

On January 12th 2017 President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to run the CIA says Russian meddling in the president election was an aggressive action taken by senior Russian leaders. At his confirmation hearing on Thursday, congressman Mike Pompeo of Kansas says it's pretty clear Russia worked to hack information and to have an impact on American democracy. Trump has voiced scepticism that Russia was behind hacking of political sites. But he said Wednesday for the first time that he believes Russia was responsible for the hacking. Pompeo also said he expected to be able to present the incoming administration with intelligence that is sound and that the leadership would make decisions based on that intelligence. US President Donald Trump said in his speech on January 20th that he will govern the country by putting America first. Trump said as president that "from this day forward it's going to be only America first". He said that every decision he makes, on issues from trade to taxes to immigration and foreign affairs, will be made to benefit American workers and families. "We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries" taking American jobs, Trump said. US President Donald Trump signed his first executive order on January 20th, ordering federal agencies to ease the burden of former President Barrack Obama's sweeping health care law. No details were given on what the order contained. Trump was joined in the Oval Office by Vice President Mike Pence, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus and other top advisers as he signed the executive order on the so-called "Obamacare" law that he opposed throughout his campaign. Trump also formally signed the commissions of incoming Defence Secretary James Mattis and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. Pence later swore them in at a separate ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where the vice president's suite of offices is located. On January 26th White House press secretary Sean Spicer said US President Donald Trump will seek a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a proposed border wall. The wall is part of Trump's plan to halt illegal immigration to the U.S., and he has long insisted that Mexico will pay. Mexican President Pena Nieto insists his country will not. On the flight back to Washington, Spicer told reporters travelling with the president that Trump will seek to impose a 20 percent tax on Mexican imports to pay for the wall. Congressional approval would be needed for such a step. Trump's brief trip to Philadelphia to speak with Congressional Republicans at their policy retreat, marked his first flight on Air Force One, the familiar blue and white government plane that has long ferried presidents around the country and the world. Trump spoke to reporters on board the plane, describing Air Force One as a "beautiful, great plane." On January 27th President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May were seen holding hands for a brief period of time as they walked along the colonnade at the White House, before Trump tapped on May's hand and they let go. The two appeared to be in conversation following joint remarks made earlier at a news conference. May's meeting with the US president in Washington, D.C. is being hailed by the British government as a sign that the tarns-Atlantic "special relationship" is valued by the new US administration. On January 29th protests have erupted for the second day after US President Donald Trump issued an executive order to temporarily bar refugees and citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the US. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the White House, while a smaller group protested outside an airport in Morrisville, North Carolina, holding banners in support of refugees and immigrants and chanting anti-Trump slogans. Several thousand people gathered near Prime Minister Theresa May's London residence on January 30th to protest against a planned state visit by US President Donald Trump. Protesters held signs and placards, some branding May "shameless", and chanted "No state visit!" Many said they were protesting to express their anger over Trump's immigration ban. January 30th's protest near 10 Downing Street was the largest of a series of protests across the country, including in Oxford, Manchester, Newcastle, Cardiff and Glasgow. An online petition opposing Trump's state visit has more than 1.5 million signatures. Any petition with more than 100,000 signatures must be considered for a debate in Parliament, though not a binding vote. US President Donald Trump fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates on January 31st after she announced she would not defend his controversial immigration order. He is naming Dana Boente, US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, to serve in her place. The White House press office said in a statement that Yates "has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States." The statement calls Yates an Obama administration appointee "who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration." Trump's order from Friday temporarily suspends the US refugee programme and bars immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries - Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump has picked Senator Jeff Sessions to lead the Justice Department, but he has yet to be confirmed by the Senate. US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly on January 31st defended President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. Kelly said that the order is "not a travel ban. This is a temporary pause that allows us to better review the existing refugee and visa vetting system." Nordstrom says it will stop selling Ivanka Trump clothing and accessories, creating some questions about the future of the brand elsewhere. The Seattle-based department store chain said the decision was based on the sales performance of the first daughter's brand. Neiman Marcus may be the next one to pull back on the label, as the branded jewellery is nowhere to be seen on the up scale retailer's website as of 3rd February. "We've said all along we make buying decisions based on performance," said Nordstrom in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. "We've got thousands of brands” more than 2,000 offered on the site alone. Reviewing their merit and making edits is part of the regular rhythm of our business." Nordstrom said that each year the chain cuts about 10 percent and refreshes its assortment with about the same amount. "In this case, based on the brand's performance we've decided not to buy it for this season," Nordstrom added. Lord & Taylor only said it continues to carry the brand. Neiman Marcus, Macy's and Dillard's, which also carry the label, didn't immediately reply to AP's query. The move by Nordstrom Inc. comes amid a social media campaign called "Grab Your Wallet," urging a boycott of stores that stock Ivanka Trump or Donald Trump products. In a statement emailed to The Associated Press late Friday, Rosemary K. Young, senior director of marketing at Ivanka Trump, said that the brand continues to expand across all categories and distribution, resulting in "significant" revenue growth last year compared to the previous year. "We believe that the strength of a brand is measured not only by the profits it generates, but the integrity it maintains," said Young in the statement. "The women behind the brand represent a diverse group of professionals and we are proud to say that the Ivanka Trump brand continues to embody the principles upon which it was founded." An unnamed spokesperson for the brand contradicted Nordstrom's statement, saying that Nordstrom did order both shoes and clothing for spring and moved forward with the purchase of clothing. Wendy Liebmann, CEO of WSL Strategic Retail, says that retailers walk a tight rope when it comes to celebrity brands but given the politics surrounding the Ivanka Trump brand, that only adds extra controversy, particularly given such a politically divisive climate. Liebmann noted a decision of whether to pull a brand is politically loaded even if it's based on poor sales performance. "The brand is vulnerable," Liebmann said. "Retailers view their role as having the right products for the right consumer, not being pulled in a political situation." She noted that some shoppers may not want to wear the Ivanka Trump brand because they may want to avoid making a political statement. Ivanka Trump announced earlier this month that she would take a leave of absence from her clothing and accessories business as well as the Trump organization. US President Donald Trump's embattled national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned late on February 13th, following reports that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about his contacts with Russia. His departure upends Trump's senior team after less than one month in office. In a resignation letter, Flynn said he gave Pence and others "incomplete information" about his calls with Russia's ambassador to the US. The vice president, apparently relying on information from Flynn, initially said the national security adviser hadn't discussed sanctions with the Russian envoy, though Flynn later conceded the issue may have come up. Trump named retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as the acting national security adviser. Kellogg had previously been appointed the National Security Council chief of staff and advised Trump during the campaign. Trump is also considering former CIA Director David Petraeus and Vice Admiral Robert Harward, a US Navy SEAL, for the post, according to a senior administration official. The Trump team's account of Flynn's discussions with the Russian envoy changed repeatedly over several weeks, including the number of contacts, the dates of those contacts and ultimately, the content of the conversations. Late in January, the Justice Department warned the White House that Flynn could be in a compromised position as a result of the contradictions between the public depictions of the calls and what intelligence officials knew to be true based on recordings of the conversations, which were picked up as part of routine monitoring of foreign officials communications in the US. A US official told The Associated Press that Flynn was in frequent contact with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak on the day the Obama administration slapped sanctions on Russia for election-related hacking, as well as at other times during the transition. US President Donald Trump on February 16th said his ousted national security adviser was a "fine person" after offering his resignation amid reports of contact with Russian officials. Trump was recounting why he asked Michael Flynn for his resignation. The president said at a news conference that he was "not happy" with how information about Flynn's phone call to a Russian diplomat was relayed to Vice President Mike Pence. But Trump says what Flynn did "wasn't wrong" - and called attention to what he described as "classified information that was given illegally." Dakota Access pipeline protesters are ceremonially burning some of their living structures ahead of the closure of a long-standing camp in North Dakota. About 200 to 300 protesters remain at the camp near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The Army Corps of Engineers has ordered the camp closed at 2 p.m. February 22nd, citing the potential for spring flooding. Those left in camp milled about peacefully Wednesday, many in prayer. At least four wooden structures were being burned in what protesters say is part of the ceremony of leaving. Authorities in North Dakota are offering assistance and services to Dakota Access pipeline protesters as they close a long-standing encampment near the Standing Rock Sioux reservation. A White House spokeswoman said March 3rd that Vice President Mike Pence "did everything to the letter of the law" after public records revealed that he used a private email account to conduct public business as Indiana's governor. The Indianapolis Star reported that emails provided through a public records request show that Pence communicated with advisers through his personal AOL account on homeland security matters and security at the governor's residence during his four years as governor. The governor also faced email security issues. Pence's AOL account was subjected to a phishing scheme last spring, before he was chosen by Donald Trump to join the GOP presidential ticket. Pence's contacts were sent an email falsely claiming that the governor and his wife were stranded in the Philippines and needed money. As Trump's running mate, Pence frequently criticized rival Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server as President Barrack Obama's secretary of state, accusing her of purposely keeping her emails out of public reach and shielding her from scrutiny. Hours before it was to take effect, President Donald Trump's revised travel ban was put on hold March 15th by a federal judge in Hawaii who questioned whether the administration was motivated by national security concerns. U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson also said Hawaii would suffer financially if the executive order blocked the flow of students and tourists to the state, and he concluded that Hawaii was likely to succeed on a claim that the ban violates First Amendment protections against religious discrimination. A federal judge in Greenbelt, Maryland, has blocked US President Donald Trump's revised travel ban targeting six predominantly Muslim countries. Judge Theodore Chuang ruled on Thursday in a case brought near the nation's capital by the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and other groups representing immigrants, refugees and their families. It was the latest ruling against Trump's revised travel ban. On March 15th, a federal judge in Hawaii blocked Trump's revised travel ban hours before it was to take effect, marking the second time courts have thwarted Trump's efforts to freeze immigration by refugees and citizens of some predominantly Muslim nations. Government lawyers argued that the ban was substantially revised from an earlier version signed in January that was later blocked by a federal judge in Washington state. They said the ban was ordered in the interest of national security to protect the US from "radical Islamic terrorism." During his campaign as a Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump called for a "total and complete shut-down of Muslims entering the United States." Trump's campaign said in a statement that such a ban should stand "until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on." It said the proposal comes in response to a level of hatred among "large segments of the Muslim population" toward US citizens. At an evening rally in South Carolina in December 2015, Trump supporters cheered and shouted in support as he read his statement. An earlier version of the executive order, issued in late January, was blocked by a judge in Seattle, sparking harsh criticism from the president of both the judge and his decision. Trump said at the time that the court fight over his refugee and immigration executive order could end up in the Supreme Court. Speaking to reporters on 7 February 2017, Trump said he was going to take his fight to uphold the directive "through the system." A federal appeals court refused to reinstate President Donald Trump's ban on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim nations, dealing another legal setback to the new administration's immigration policy. In a unanimous decision, the panel of three judges from the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block a lower-court ruling that suspended the ban and allowed previously barred travellers to enter the US. Moments after the ruling was released, Trump tweeted, "SEE YOU IN COURT," adding that "THE SECURITY OF OUR NATION IS AT STAKE!" Declaring "the start of a new era" in energy production, President Donald Trump signed an executive order March 28th that he said would revive the coal industry and create jobs. The move makes good on his campaign pledge to unravel former President Barrack Obama's plan to curb global warming. The order seeks to suspend, rescind or flag for review more than a half-dozen measures in an effort to boost domestic energy production in the form of fossil fuels. Environmental activists, including former Vice President Al Gore, denounced the plan. But Trump said the effort would allow workers to "succeed on a level playing field for the first time in a long time." "That is what this is all about: bringing back our jobs, bringing back our dreams and making America wealthy again," Trump said, during a ceremony at the Environmental Protection Agency headquarters, attended by a number of coal miners. In addition to pulling back from the Clean Power Plan, the administration will also lift a 14-month-old moratorium on new coal leases on federal lands.

SHOWS

(HD version available in \\Source_Clips\Newsroom Failures)

Pompeo: Russia aimed to influence US election

4075583

POOL

Washington DC - 12 January 2017

1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Marco Rubio, (R) Florida:

"In your personal opinion, is Vladimir Putin and the Russians looking at all this and saying 'we did a really good job of creating chaos, division, instability in the American political process?"

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rep. Mike Pompeo, CIA Director Nominee:

"I have no doubt that the discourse that's been taking place is something that Vladimir Puttin would look at and say, 'Wow, that was among the objectives that I have."

00:20:23

Trump to govern by putting America first

4076960

POOL

Washington, DC - 20 January 2017

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President: ++INCLUDES SHOTS OF CROWDS++

" From this day forward a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it's going to be only America First, America First." (++Crowds clapping)

00:39:22

Trump signs executive orders in Oval Office

4077026

POOL

Washington DC - 20 January 2017

4. US President Donald Trump signing commission allowing General James Mattis to be sworn in as Defence Secretary

00:46:24

Spicer: Trump Seeks 20% Tax on Mexican Imports

4078053

POOL

On Board Air Force One - 26 January 2017

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sean Spicer, White House Press Secretary:

"If you tax that $50 billion at 20 percent of imports - which is by the way a practice that 160 other countries do - right now our country's policy is to tax exports and let imports flow freely in, which is ridiculous."

01:02:06

Trump, May hold hands outside White House

4078211

AP TELEVISION

Washington,D.C. - 27 January 2017

6. Tracking shot of British Prime Minister Theresa May and President Donald Trump walking outside White House, holding hands for a few seconds

01:10:09

US protests against Trump's immigration ban

4078426

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC/Morrisville - 29 January 2017

7. Protesters on ground gathering outside White House, holding banners and chanting slogans in support of refugees

01:21:12

UK protest against Trump's state visit

4078640

AP TELEVISION

London - 30 January 2017

++NIGHT SHOTS++

8. Protesters standing in front of Downing Street with signs and posters

9. Close of sign that reads (English) "Shameless May, Fascist Tyrant"

10. Close of sign that reads (English) "No to racism, no to Trump"

01:46:12

Trump fires Attorney General Sally Yates

4078666

POOL

FILE: Washington, DC - 28 June 2016

11. Various of Sally Yates, now former acting US Attorney General speaking at briefing while serving as Deputy Attorney General

01:54:19

US Homeland Security chief defends travel ban

4078785

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC - 31 January 2017

12. SOUNDBITE (English): John Kelly, Secretary of Homeland Security:

" It is important to understand that there are terrorists and other bad actors who are seeking to infiltrate our homeland every single day."

02:02:13

Nordstrom will stop selling Ivanka Trump clothing and accessories

4079404

AP Entertainment

New York, 29 June 2012

13. Medium of Ivanka Trump talking and showing her clothing line

AP Entertainment

New York, 14 April 2015

14. Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner arriving at the Vanity Fair Tribeca Film Festival party

02:17:16

US National Security Adviser Flynn resigns and Kellogg takes over as acting US National Security Adviser

4080946

US POOL

Washington DC - Recent/File

Washington DC - 20 January 2017

15. Michael Flynn arrives at inauguration

New York - 7 October 2016

16. General Kellogg, sitting next to Trump, speaking

02:30:06

Trump: Russia links reports are "fake news"

4081499

AP TELEVISION

Washington DC - 16 February 2017

17. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"I can tell you from speaking for myself, I own nothing in Russia, I have no loans in Russia, I don't have any deals in Russia. (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin called me up very nicely to congratulate me on the win of the election, he then called me up extremely nicely to congratulate me on the inauguration which was terrific, but so did many other leaders, almost all other leaders from almost all other countries, so that's the extent. Russia is fake news, this is fake news put out by the media."

03:03:24

Pipeline Protesters Set Fires to Close Camp

4082450

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Near Cannon Ball - 22 February 2017

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

18. Wide pan of area with protesters and fire

03:16:18

Pence responds to use of private email account

4084169

POOL

Janesville, Wisconsin - 3 March 2017

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Mike Pence, Vice President:

(Reporter question off camera: "Why did you decide to use your private email accounts to deal with some public business?")

"I did. We issued a statement on that. I am very confident that our email practices were in full compliance with all of Indiana's laws. And in my service as a vice president will continue, will continue that practice."

03:31:02

Federal judge in Hawaii puts travel ban on hold

4086131

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Honolulu - 15 March 2017

20. Wide of press conference beginning

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Doug Chin, Hawaii Attorney General

" It showed that they were trying even harder to mask what was a religious animus."

03:42:17

Trump suffers second travel ban defeat

4086216

POOL

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina - 7 December 2015

22. Donald Trump walking to podium

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, Republican Presidential Candidate:

"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what the hell is going on. We have no choice."

04:07:09

Trump signs roll-back on Obama era climate plans

4088397

POOL

Washington DC - 28 March 2017

24. US President Donald Trump signing executive order

HD version available in \\Source_Clips\Newsroom Failures

Congressional leaders are receiving a classified briefing on Iran as members of both parties demand more information on the White House's claims of rising threats in the Middle East.

The briefing Thursday with the so-called Gang of Eight comes after Democratic lawmakers warned President Donald Trump against war with Iran.

Republicans and Democrats criticized the White House for not keeping Congress informed of the rising threat in the Middle East.

Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal last year and has reimposed sanctions on Tehran that are crippling its economy.

U.S. officials are reporting heightened threats in the region from Iran and have sent military assets there to protect U.S. troops and the interests of both America and its allies.

State Department officials said threats in the region were credible and based on intelligence showing Iranian-backed militias had been moving personnel and weaponry as well as stepping up surveillance of U.S. and U.S.-affiliated facilities in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.

The officials were not authorized to comment publicly by name and spoke only on condition of anonymity.

Sky News is reporting that the U.K. has raised the threat level for British personnel in Iraq because of a heightened risk from Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, when asked by the change in the threat level expressed his frustration about not having received a briefing yet on the issue.

"I'm not going to comment on something I don't know about and I will tell the administration, you should pick up the phone you call members of Congress so that we don't have a microphone put in our face, ask us about why you're doing something when we have no clue," said Graham.  

The full Senate is expected to receive a classified briefing on Iran on Tuesday

Washington - 16 May 2019

1. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks to classified briefing on Iran

2. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi walks to briefing

3. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer walks into briefing

4. Sen. Dick Durbin walks through senate office building

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois:

"Unfortunately the only briefing that they're promising is next week. I'm hoping it's not too late, literally. I don't know if someone in the White House is waiting for a Gulf of Tonkin moment here to initiate military action against Iran. That would be a serious mistake and under our Constitution this president has to seek the authority to do that from Congress. That's a reminder that the Constitution was written so that no president is unaccountable. Accountability should be through the American people. It would be a serious mistake, first, to withdraw from the treaty that stopped the development of nuclear weapons in Iran and then to see the situation escalate to the point where this president is even considering military action."

6. Sen. Lindsey Graham walks through hall

7. Reporter asks Graham question in basement of senate office building on UK decision to increase alert level in Iraq

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Well, number one I'm a United States senator in charge of foreign assistance, State Department funding. I'm in charge of making sure that they're adequately secured in Iraq and other places. I have not been briefed about why we withdrew people from the consulate and the embassy. That's disappointing and unacceptable. So I'm not going to comment on something I don't know about and I will tell the administration, you should pick up the phone you call members of Congress so that we don't have a microphone put in our face, ask us about why you're doing something when we have no clue."

9. Sens. Mark Warner and Richard Burr walk into classified briefing on Iran

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut:

"The confusion coming from our allies simply shows the need for the White House and the Pentagon to brief Congress and to come clean with the American people. The American people have been kept in the dark. It is disgraceful and despicable that we're on the verge of war and the American people are given this kind of confused and chaotic picture of what the situation is on the ground. We are supposedly going to have a briefing on Tuesday. We're hearing it may be too late because hostilities may have begun or there may be an escalation of the military situation. That is absolutely petrifying. It should be frightening for the American people."

11. Rep. Devin Nunes walks to briefing

12. Rep. Adam Schiff walks to briefing

Congressional leaders are receiving a classified briefing on Iran as members of both parties demand more information on the White House's claims of rising threats in the Middle East.

The briefing Thursday with the so-called Gang of Eight comes after Democratic lawmakers warned President Donald Trump against war with Iran.

Republicans and Democrats criticized the White House for not keeping Congress informed of the rising threat in the Middle East.

Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal last year and has reimposed sanctions on Tehran that are crippling its economy.

U.S. officials are reporting heightened threats in the region from Iran and have sent military assets there to protect U.S. troops and the interests of both America and its allies.

State Department officials said threats in the region were credible and based on intelligence showing Iranian-backed militias had been moving personnel and weaponry as well as stepping up surveillance of U.S. and U.S.-affiliated facilities in Iraq and other parts of the Middle East.

The officials were not authorized to comment publicly by name and spoke only on condition of anonymity.

Sky News is reporting that the U.K. has raised the threat level for British personnel in Iraq because of a heightened risk from Iran.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, when asked by the change in the threat level expressed his frustration about not having received a briefing yet on the issue.

"I'm not going to comment on something I don't know about and I will tell the administration, you should pick up the phone you call members of Congress so that we don't have a microphone put in our face, ask us about why you're doing something when we have no clue," said Graham.  

The full Senate is expected to receive a classified briefing on Iran on Tuesday

Washington - 16 May 2019

1. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell walks to classified briefing on Iran

2. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi walks to briefing

3. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer walks into briefing

4. Sen. Dick Durbin walks through senate office building

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Dick Durbin, (D) Illinois:

"Unfortunately the only briefing that they're promising is next week. I'm hoping it's not too late, literally. I don't know if someone in the White House is waiting for a Gulf of Tonkin moment here to initiate military action against Iran. That would be a serious mistake and under our Constitution this president has to seek the authority to do that from Congress. That's a reminder that the Constitution was written so that no president is unaccountable. Accountability should be through the American people. It would be a serious mistake, first, to withdraw from the treaty that stopped the development of nuclear weapons in Iran and then to see the situation escalate to the point where this president is even considering military action."

6. Sen. Lindsey Graham walks through hall

7. Reporter asks Graham question in basement of senate office building on UK decision to increase alert level in Iraq

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina:

"Well, number one I'm a United States senator in charge of foreign assistance, State Department funding. I'm in charge of making sure that they're adequately secured in Iraq and other places. I have not been briefed about why we withdrew people from the consulate and the embassy. That's disappointing and unacceptable. So I'm not going to comment on something I don't know about and I will tell the administration, you should pick up the phone you call members of Congress so that we don't have a microphone put in our face, ask us about why you're doing something when we have no clue."

9. Sens. Mark Warner and Richard Burr walk into classified briefing on Iran

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D) Connecticut:

"The confusion coming from our allies simply shows the need for the White House and the Pentagon to brief Congress and to come clean with the American people. The American people have been kept in the dark. It is disgraceful and despicable that we're on the verge of war and the American people are given this kind of confused and chaotic picture of what the situation is on the ground. We are supposedly going to have a briefing on Tuesday. We're hearing it may be too late because hostilities may have begun or there may be an escalation of the military situation. That is absolutely petrifying. It should be frightening for the American people."

11. Rep. Devin Nunes walks to briefing

12. Rep. Adam Schiff walks to briefing

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

Republican Donald Trump is receiving an enthusiastic response from veterans as he criticizes Democrats and vows to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Trump is telling veterans gathered at the annual convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Charlotte that: "Our politicians have totally failed you."

Trump offered a 10-step fix for the VA healthcare system, including asking Congress to pass legislation giving the VA secretary more authority to remove poor employees, plus increasing outreach and the number of mental health care professionals in the system.

Clinton on Monday spoke at the same gathering and offered a scathing critique of Trump's foreign policy, casting him as too reckless to serve as the country's commander in chief.

But when Trump mentioned Clinton's name on Tuesday, it was met with shouts of "Lock her up!"

Trump jokes, "I guess she didn't do very well" with the crowd.

POOL

Charlotte, North Carolina - 26 July 2016

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK BETWEEN SOUNDBITES+++

1. Mid of Donald Trump walking to podium

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The veterans health system will remain a public system because it is a public trust, but never again will we allow any veteran to suffer or die waiting for care. That means veterans will have the right to go to a VA facility, or the right to see a private doctor, or clinic of their choice whatever is fastest and best for the veteran."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"There will be no more five-day waits in line. If you are waiting in line, you're going to go to a private doctor across the street, a private or public hospital across the street or nearby and you are going to be taken care of quickly and efficiently. People are waiting in line five days, six days, seven days and many are dying. With a simple procedure they would live and they're dying because they can't even get to see their doctor. So there's not going to be anymore of that, and we will pick up the bill."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"The other candidate in this race, you know her name, Crooked Hillary Clinton, and believe me folks, she is crooked, has a much different view. She recently said of the VA (Veterans Administration) scandal that it's not as widespread as it's been purported to be. It's like she's trying to sweep it under the rug, which by the way politicians have done for years and years and years. It's going to be four more years of the same if she ever got in. But that's not going to happen."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We know how she takes care of the veterans. Just look at her invasion of Libya, and her handling of Benghazi. A disaster. Or look at her emails, which put America's entire national security at risk.(Audience members "Lock her up, lock her up.")

"And to think she was here yesterday. I guess she didn't do very well."

+++1 SECOND OF BLACK+++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, (R) Presidential Nominee:

"We're going to bring honesty back to government, and that starts with fixing the Veterans Administration. We will fix it."

7. Mid of Trump shaking hands after speech

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the US.

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about to be able to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Iranian lawmakers burned a US flag at the nation's parliament on Wednesday after President Donald Trump's nuclear deal pullout, shouting, "Death to America!"

Lawmakers held the impromptu demonstration the day after Trump's decision, also burning a piece of paper representing the nuclear deal.

The chant "Death to America" has long has been used in Iran since its 1979 Islamic Revolution.

It also has been common to hear it within parliament.

However, Wednesday's demonstration reflected public anger in Iran after Trump's decision.

Iran's 2015 nuclear deal imposed restrictions on its nuclear program in return for the lifting of most US and international sanctions.

However, the deal came with time limits and did not address Iran's ballistic missile program or its regional policies in Syria and elsewhere.

Trump has repeatedly pointed to those omissions in referring to the accord as the "worst deal ever."

Proponents of the deal have said those time limits were meant to encourage more discussion with Iran in the future that could eventually address other concerns.

++ Associated Press is adhering to Iranian law that stipulates all media are banned from providing BBC Persian, VOA Persian or Manoto 1 any coverage from Iran, and under this law if any media violate this ban the Iranian authorities can immediately shut down that organization in Tehran.++

ASSOCIATED PRESS - NO ACCESS BBC PERSIAN / NO ACCESS VOA PERSIAN / NO ACCESS MANOTO TV

Tehran - 9 May 2018

1. Iranian lawmakers set fire to paper US flag and copy of the nuclear deal on parliament floor, pull out to MPs shouting, zoom in to lawmakers shouting,

UPSOUND (Farsi) "Death to America" with lawmakers stamping on burning flag

2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Larijani, Iranian Parliament Speaker:

"If Europe and important countries like Russia and China fill this international vacuum (in the deal), perhaps there will be a way to continue. Otherwise, the Islamic Republic of Iran will bring them (US) to their senses with its nuclear actions. They have to know that under such circumstances, Iran has no commitment to remain in the nuclear position it was in before."

3. MPs shouting UPSOUND (Farsi) "Death to America"

4. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Larijani, Iranian Parliament Speaker:

"It is necessary that Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation be fully prepared to resume all aspects of our nuclear activities and after the Foreign Ministry announces the results of its negotiations with Europe, it should take reciprocal action in accordance with the law."

5. Wide of MPs shouting UPSOUND (Farsi) "Death to America"

6. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Ali Larijani, Iranian Parliament Speaker:

"The period (the weeks that Iran negotiates with the EU over continuation of the nuclear deal) is only a window in which the EU can prove if it has enough weight in settling international issues."

7. Wide interior of parliament

China said Tuesday it rejects human rights as a reason to interfere in its internal affairs after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres raised the issue of work camps for Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang during his recent trip to Beijing.

Geng Shuang, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said in a media briefing that the anti-extremism measures China was taking in Xinjiang were "totally legitimate" and had "wide support from the people in Xinjiang".

Geng also commented on an international arms-trade treaty from which US President Donald Trump has said he'll withdraw.

He said China was studying the possibility of signing up to the treaty, saying that "China supports the international community to take necessary measures to regulate international arms trade activities and combat illegal arms transfer and trafficking."

Asked about the details of six foreigners being sentenced by a court in southern China for drug offences, including a Canadian given the death penalty, Geng didn't respond directly.

Beijing – 30 April 2019

1. Wide of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang walking towards podium

2. Wide of journalists

3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry:

"China is willing to discuss human rights issues with others on the basis of equality and mutual respect. In the meantime, we strongly oppose any interference in China's internal affairs that uses human rights as an excuse. Secondly, the situation in Xinjiang is part of China's internal affairs. Terrorism and extremism are trampling on fundamental human rights. China's preventative anti-terrorism measures and the eradication of extremism in Xinjiang are totally legitimate. The measures respect and protect human rights and have won wide support from the people in Xinjiang."

4. Wide of journalists

5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry:

"We hope that the relevant countries could do more to help consolidate the international arms control mechanism and maintain international and regional peace and stability. China attaches great importance to the problems caused by the illicit transfer of conventional weapons, especially small and light weapons. China supports the international community to take necessary measures to regulate international arms trade activities and combat illegal arms transfer and trafficking."

6. Wide of journalists

7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry:

"China conducts strict controls over arms trade and participated in the negotiation of the arms trade treaty with a constructive role. China supports the purpose of the treaty and joined the relevant meetings as an observer. China has been studying the issues of accession to the treaty."

8. Wide of journalists

9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Geng Shuang, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry:

"The Jiangmen Intermediate People's Court of Guangdong Province has issued a very detailed announcement. According to my understanding, in the announcement, there are very clear explanations about who was sentenced to death, who was sentenced to death with a suspended execution, and who was sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment. I suggest you read it carefully again."

10. Wide of journalist

11. End of press conference

Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Friday defended his country's plan to take further steps away from the 2015 nuclear accord with world powers.

He said this was justified because it was in response to American sanctions.

"The measures that we have taken have been prescribed in the JCPOA (nuclear accord), in paragraph 36 of the JCPOA, as remedies for the United States' withdrawal, its reimposition of illegal restrictions on Iran, which we call economic terrorism," he said.  

Zarif was speaking in Jakarta after talks with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.

The meeting came hours after Iran's state-run IRNA news agency reported that Iran would halt its commitments on research and development as a third step to move away from the nuclear deal.

The accord has been unravelling for the past year, following Washington's decision to withdraw from it.

Iran has yet to say officially what exact steps it will take as a deadline it gave Europeans to salvage the deal is to expire Friday.

However, centrifuges that speed enrichment would further shorten the time Tehran would need to have enough material available to build a nuclear weapon - if it chose to do so.

++QUALITY AS INCOMING++

Jakarta - 6 September 2019  

1. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Indonesian counterpart, Retno Marsudi

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran foreign minister

"I explained to her how Iran has been trying to safeguard this agreement which constitutes an achievement of diplomacy. The measures that we have taken have been prescribed in the JCPOA (nuclear accord), in paragraph 36 of the JCPOA, as remedies for the United States' withdrawal, its reimposition of illegal restrictions on Iran, which we call economic terrorism because they target ordinary Iranian citizens. President Trump calls them warfare. We call them terrorism because they target the citizens, the civilians of Iran and also the failure of the Europeans to implement their part of the bargain."

++BLACK++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran foreign minister

"We have said repeatedly that the minute they come back into compliance we are prepared to reverse the measures, the temporary measures that we have taken in order to remedy the non-compliance that they've had with the JCPOA. And we also, like our Indonesian friends, call on everybody to fully implement JCPOA and Security Council resolution 2231 which rest on two premises: Iran's nuclear program remaining peaceful, and normalization of economic relations with Iran."

++BLACK++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran foreign minister

"Unfortunately the United States not only does it (not) normalize its own economic relations with Iran but punishes others for normalizing economic relations with Iran, which is totally unacceptable."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

President Donald Trump will hold meetings with a long list of world leaders during his trip to Argentina for the G-20 later this week, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and China's Xi Jinping.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called the trip an opportunity for the president to cement relations with other world leaders and advance a global economic system based on "free, fair and reciprocal trade."

Sanders made the comments at a White House press briefing Tuesday, the first since October.

Sanders also said she is unaware of any conversations about a potential pardon for former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Prosecutors with special counsel Robert Mueller's office accused Manafort on Monday of lying to them and said he had violated a plea agreement struck in September.

Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani has previously suggested Manafort and others could be eligible for pardons at the end of Mueller's Russia investigation.

Regarding the use of tear gas against Central American migrants in Mexico over the weekend, Sanders defended the action of U.S. border agents, saying the White House "would never want children to be in harm's way in any capacity whatsoever."  But she added, that's why the administration continues to "encourage people to follow the law and go to ports of entry."

Sanders said law enforcement used "appropriate non-lethal force to protect themselves."

The press secretary also defended President Donald Trump's comments that he doesn't believe a key finding of a climate change report issued by his own administration, insisting the report "is based on the most extreme model scenario which contradicts long established trends."

Sanders went on to say that modeling the climate "is an extremely complicated science that is never exact."  She said Trump and the US are continuing to lead the world "on what matters most in this process and that's on having clean air, clean water."

Washington, DC - 27 November 2018

1. Sarah Sanders walks into briefing room

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Good afternoon. Later this week the president and first lady will travel to Argentina for the G20 summit. President Trump's participation in the G20 summit is a key opportunity to reiterate his commitment to domestic and global economic growth and prosperity, cement relations with other world leaders and advance a global economic system that is based on fair economic competition and free, fair and reciprocal trade. While at the G20, the president and the delegation will interact with many leaders including bilateral meetings with the president of Argentina, the president of Russia, Prime Minister of Japan and the chancellor of Germany in a working dinner with the president of China."

3. UPSOUND: Reporter cutaways and question:

"Sarah, given that the president said this morning that Robert Mueller is ruining people's lives, is he considering a pardon for Paul Manafort or for others who are prosecuted or have been prosecuted?"

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"I'm not aware of any conversations for anyone's pardon involving this process.

(Reporter: And if I can follow up, he also said this morning Mueller is doing tremendous damage to the criminal justice system. If that's true, is he considering picking up the phone, calling his acting attorney general and saying fire Robert Mueller?)

Look, I think that the president has had Robert Mueller doing his job for the last two years. And he could have taken action at any point and he hasn't. So, I'll let that speak for itself. He has no intent to do anything."

5. Cutaway of reporter asking question on migrants and tear gas

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"Certainly the White House would never want children to be in harm's way in any capacity whatsoever. However, that is why we are continuing to encourage people to follow the law and go to ports of entry. Law enforcement officials have used appropriate non-lethal force to protect themselves and prevent an illegal rush across the border. And let's also not forget that this isn't the first time that non-lethal force like this has been used. In fact, tear gas was used on average of once a month during the Obama administration for very similar circumstances. In fact they were actually for far less circumstances because they didn't have the same numbers in the mass rush that we're seeing in this caravan take place. Certainly no one wants women or children or any individuals to have this happen, which is why we've encouraged them to actually follow the law and go to ports of entry."

7. Cutaway of reporter asking question

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Sanders, White House Press Secretary:

"The president is certainly leading on what matters most in this process and that's on having clean air, clean water. In fact, the United States continues to be a leader on that front. Even Obama's undersecretary for science didn't believe the radical conclusions of the report that was released and you have to look at the fact that this report is based on the most extreme model scenario which contradicts long established trends. Modeling the climate is an extremely complicated science that is never exact. The biggest thing that we can do is focus on how to make sure we have the cleanest air, the cleanest water, and the president is certainly doing that and certainly leaning on that front."

9. Wide cutaway of Sanders at podium