Turning to US politics now. US president Donald Trump is making more headlines over the investigation into possible Russian meddling in the 2016 election. The Special Counsel heading the probe was reportedly almost fired by the president a month "after" Trump fired the FBI director. CGTN's Jim Spellman reports.  

In June last year, U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly attempted to fire Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating alleged Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election. According to the New York Times and other U.S. media organizations, Trump ordered White House lawyer Don McGahn to instruct the Justice Department to fire Mueller, but McGahn refused and threatened to quit if Trump went through with the firing. Trump denied the report when asked about it at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Fake news, folks. Fake news. Typical New York Times, fake stories."

According to the New York Times, Trump based his decision on several conflicts he said he had with Mueller that disqualified him: Mueller had worked for a law firm that represented Trump's son-in-law. Trump also claims Mueller had a dispute with a Trump-owned golf course over fees and the day before he was named special counsel in May, Mueller interviewed for the FBI director job. Last August, Trump denied even considering firing Mueller.

DONALD TRUMP US PRESIDENT "I haven't given it any thought. I mean, I've been reading about it from you people. You say, 'Oh, I'm going to dismiss him.' No, I'm not dismissing anybody."

Mueller is investigating alleged Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election, and potential obstruction of justice related to the investigation. The probe is looking at Trump's decision in May to fire then FBI director James Comey who was investigating the president. Firing Mueller could have raised more concerns about obstruction of justice.

JIM HIMES US CONGRESSMAN "If the president is being investigated, if anybody is being investigated, the investigation should be allowed to play out. Obviously in this case, firing Robert Mueller would be a massive political problem, as his lawyer recognized, if the story is to be believed, would be a couple of very big steps towards obstruction of justice. "

JIM SPELLMAN WASHINGTON "Ultimately, Trump became convinced that firing Mueller would do more harm than good. Some members of both parties on Capitol Hill are now calling for a law that would prevent the firing of Mueller without judicial review. Jim Spellman, CGTN, Washington."