Donald Trump signs controversial $738bn defence bill

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has signed into law a $738 billion defense bill which includes controversial provisions calling for sanctions against Russia and Turkey.

Trump approved the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which will increase the US military spending by about $20 billion, or about 2.8 percent, on Friday night at a signing ceremony held at the Joint Base Andrews near Washington, reports Xinhua news agency.

The sprawling legislation has stirred up opposition overseas as it contains punitive provisions against Russia, Turkey, and other countries. The bill notes that the "(NDAA) protects European energy security by imposing sanctions related to Russian energy pipelines Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream".

Despite facing potential sanctions, Russia and Germany have reaffirmed their commitments to complete the Nord Stream 2 project and put it into operation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last week in Washington that "neither Nord Stream 2 nor TurkStream will stop". (IANS)

Also Read: US House votes on historic President Donald Trump impeachment

Also Watch: AATASU staged protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. 2019 in Golaghat