The son and namesake of the Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday he took a cocaine test after President Rodrigo Duterte accused an unnamed presidential candidate of using the illegal drug.

Marcos Jr, who is among the frontrunners seeking to succeed Duterte in 2022, said in a statement he was tested Monday and had submitted the result to three police agencies.

He told a local broadcaster he had tested negative.

"I really don't feel that I am the one being alluded to," said Marcos Jr, popularly known as "Bongbong".

"In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure my fellow Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs. This is why I took a cocaine test yesterday."

Duterte, who has waged a deadly war on drugs that has killed thousands of people, has not identified the candidate he claims uses cocaine.

At times he has referred to them using male pronouns.

"There's a candidate who was using cocaine -- you can ask the rich people," Duterte said Monday.

"Why did I not arrest that person? You don't know the rich, they go on a yacht or in the air, that's where they snort."

A leaked survey conducted in October by respected polling outfit Social Weather Stations reportedly showed Marcos Jr as the top preference for president with 47 percent of voter support.

He was followed by incumbent vice president and leading opposition candidate Leni Robredo (18 percent) and celebrity mayor Francisco Domagoso (13 percent).

Retired boxing champion and senator Manny Pacquiao was fourth with nine percent, followed by Senator Panfilo Lacson with five percent.

Lacson said Tuesday he and his vice presidential running mate, Senator Vicente Sotto, had voluntarily undergone "multi-drug testing" on Monday. He said they had "passed".

Pacquiao, who has admitted using marijuana and crystal meth in his youth, said he supported mandatory drug testing for those seeking a government post.

"Although I'm not in a position to judge anyone on this issue, I am willing to undergo a drug test anytime and anywhere," Pacquiao said Friday, suggesting a hair follicle test offered "better results".

Domagoso on Friday also denied using drugs.

Duterte has been an ally of the controversial Marcos family, which had gone into exile in the United States after the patriarch's humiliating downfall in 1986.

But recently Duterte has been publicly critical of Marcos Jr, describing him as a "weak leader... saddled with baggage".

Sara Duterte, his daughter, had been widely expected to run for president, and potentially protect him from criminal charges in the Philippines and International Criminal Court prosecutors over his deadly drug war.

But she has filed her candidacy for vice president, a position which holds very little power, and formed an alliance with Marcos Jr.

In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately.

Sara told a rally of supporters Sunday "we need to protect our candidate. Let us protect BBM ('Bongbong' Marcos)".

Duterte's chosen successor is now his close aide Senator Christopher Go, who made a last-minute entry into the race on November 13.

Many analysts consider Go unlikely to win.

The son and namesake of the Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday he took a cocaine test after President Rodrigo Duterte accused an unnamed presidential candidate of using the illegal drug.

The son and namesake of the Philippines' former dictator Ferdinand Marcos said Tuesday he took a cocaine test after President Rodrigo Duterte accused an unnamed presidential candidate of using the illegal drug. Marcos Jr, who is among the frontrunners seeking to succeed Duterte in 2022, said in a statement he was tested Monday and had submitted the result to three police agencies. He told a local broadcaster he had tested negative. "I really don't feel that I am the one being alluded to," said Marcos Jr, popularly known as "Bongbong". "In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure my fellow Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs. This is why I took a cocaine test yesterday." Duterte, who has waged a deadly war on drugs that has killed thousands of people, has not identified the candidate he claims uses cocaine. At times he has referred to them using male pronouns. "There's a candidate who was using cocaine -- you can ask the rich people," Duterte said Monday. "Why did I not arrest that person? You don't know the rich, they go on a yacht or in the air, that's where they snort." A leaked survey conducted in October by respected polling outfit Social Weather Stations reportedly showed Marcos Jr as the top preference for president with 47 percent of voter support. He was followed by incumbent vice president and leading opposition candidate Leni Robredo (18 percent) and celebrity mayor Francisco Domagoso (13 percent). Retired boxing champion and senator Manny Pacquiao was fourth with nine percent, followed by Senator Panfilo Lacson with five percent. Lacson said Tuesday he and his vice presidential running mate, Senator Vicente Sotto, had voluntarily undergone "multi-drug testing" on Monday. He said they had "passed". Pacquiao, who has admitted using marijuana and crystal meth in his youth, said he supported mandatory drug testing for those seeking a government post. "Although I'm not in a position to judge anyone on this issue, I am willing to undergo a drug test anytime and anywhere," Pacquiao said Friday, suggesting a hair follicle test offered "better results". Domagoso on Friday also denied using drugs. Duterte has been an ally of the controversial Marcos family, which had gone into exile in the United States after the patriarch's humiliating downfall in 1986. But recently Duterte has been publicly critical of Marcos Jr, describing him as a "weak leader... saddled with baggage". Sara Duterte, his daughter, had been widely expected to run for president, and potentially protect him from criminal charges in the Philippines and International Criminal Court prosecutors over his deadly drug war. But she has filed her candidacy for vice president, a position which holds very little power, and formed an alliance with Marcos Jr. In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected separately. Sara told a rally of supporters Sunday "we need to protect our candidate. Let us protect BBM ('Bongbong' Marcos)". Duterte's chosen successor is now his close aide Senator Christopher Go, who made a last-minute entry into the race on November 13. Many analysts consider Go unlikely to win.

Philippine presidential aspirant Marcos Jr tested for cocaine

The merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is on track and “in the final stages of stitching up”, said Punit Goenka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD &amp; CEO) of ZEEL.&nbsp;

Delivering a keynote address at APOS India Summit on Tuesday, Goenka said that the merger will generate great value to all the stakeholders and benefit the industry overall, the Economic Times reported.

“ZEE and Sony will form the largest media entertainment player in the country. Our revenues on a standalone basis combined will be close to $2 billion, and the capital that Sony is going to infuse in the merged entity ($1.575 billion) will give us the opportunity to invest in premium content, including sports. We will be able to generate great value for our stakeholders," he said.

Goenka further said that the merged entity will focus on sports in view of the greater monetisation opportunities.&nbsp;

“The opportunity is great. The digital landscape has opened up new opportunities for monetisation, which did not exist five years ago. Certainly, sports will become an area of interest,” he said.

“The merged entity will focus on sports. We just finished non-compete on sports with Sony and it's coming full circle,” he added.&nbsp;

Goenka said that before the pandemic, no one thought 4-5 crore people would pay for content.

"They may not be paying a great deal of money, but they are willing to pay. That number will exponentially grow. the Indian subscription video on demand (SVOD) market will grow to 20 crores in the next five years," he said.

The merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is on track and “in the final stages of stitching up”, said Punit Goenka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of ZEEL.

The merger of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL) and Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) is on track and “in the final stages of stitching up”, said Punit Goenka, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of ZEEL. Delivering a keynote address at APOS India Summit on Tuesday, Goenka said that the merger will generate great value to all the stakeholders and benefit the industry overall, the Economic Times reported. “ZEE and Sony will form the largest media entertainment player in the country. Our revenues on a standalone basis combined will be close to $2 billion, and the capital that Sony is going to infuse in the merged entity ($1.575 billion) will give us the opportunity to invest in premium content, including sports. We will be able to generate great value for our stakeholders," he said. Goenka further said that the merged entity will focus on sports in view of the greater monetisation opportunities. “The opportunity is great. The digital landscape has opened up new opportunities for monetisation, which did not exist five years ago. Certainly, sports will become an area of interest,” he said. “The merged entity will focus on sports. We just finished non-compete on sports with Sony and it's coming full circle,” he added. Goenka said that before the pandemic, no one thought 4-5 crore people would pay for content. "They may not be paying a great deal of money, but they are willing to pay. That number will exponentially grow. the Indian subscription video on demand (SVOD) market will grow to 20 crores in the next five years," he said.

ZEEL-Sony merger in final stages of stitching up: ZEEL MD & CEO Punit Goenka

In a significant development, Narendra Modi-led Government of India has listed a cryptocurrency bill for upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. The bill reportedly seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies with certain exceptions in India. In other news, a US warship passed through sensitive waterway of Taiwan Straits. Read this and more in Top 10 World News.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cryptocurrency-bill-listed-for-upcoming-winter-session-of-indias-parliament-431454">Cryptocurrency Bill listed for upcoming winter session of India's Parliament</a> 
 
The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to take place on November 29.

<img alt="Crypto" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5bcc6227-69f8-4ed2-a4c4-6066f11761a0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Crypto.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinese-army-conducts-live-fire-drills-with-high-altitude-weapons-near-indias-border-431417">Chinese Army conducts live-fire drills with high-altitude weapons near India's border</a> 
 
A report had claimed China had moved its H-6K bomber along India's border. The bomber was reportedly posted at Kashgar near Xinjiang which belongs to PLA's Western Theatre Command.

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="71760e08-086c-4258-8187-e25d3a3d68fe" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_22.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-navy-warship-passes-through-tense-taiwan-strait-431408">US Navy warship passes through tense Taiwan Strait</a> 
 
A US warship has sailed through already sensitive Taiwan Strait again. The development is highly likely to attract sharp reaction from China, who believes Washington is trying to stir tensions in the region. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" through international waters, the US Navy said.

<img alt="USA" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8ff4b18a-6189-4c49-acba-f121d7cbcbfa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/US%20Navy.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/conservative-mps-question-uk-pm-johnsons-competence-after-rambling-speech-431407">Conservative MPs question UK PM Johnson’s ‘competence’ after ‘rambling’ speech</a> 
 
During that speech, it was said that Johnson imitated the sound of an accelerating car with sounds like “arum arum aaaaaaaaag”. He also compared himself to Moses over his plan to help businesses invest in tackling climate change.

<img alt="Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="818f63b1-eddf-4f4c-b974-8260b1de743c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Johnson_1.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ludicrous-and-nonsensical-vir-chakra-for-iafs-abhinandan-varthaman-riles-pakistan-431390">'Ludicrous and nonsensical': Vir Chakra for IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman riles Pakistan</a> 
 
Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was involved in a dogfight with a Pakistani F-16, a day after Indian jets blew up JeM terror camps at Balakot on February 26, 2019.

<img alt="Abhinandan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a58ec3da-6af4-4ffc-920d-c883ee0255c6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Abhinandan.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-black-men-wrongly-convicted-in-70-year-old-rape-case-get-exonerated-431447">Four black men wrongly convicted in 70-year-old rape case get exonerated</a> 
 
The 'crime' committed by them occurred in 1949 when these men were accused of sexually assaulting a white woman.

<img alt="Gavel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="27aaa029-428e-4e99-8a83-743958031332" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hammer.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-chinese-cyber-regulators-to-monitor-celebrity-information-431459">Now, Chinese cyber regulators to monitor celebrity information</a> 
 
Reports say fan groups will also be regulated as they would be managed by celebrity agents. The move is reportedly aimed at tackling 'fandom'.

<img alt="Chinese" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ea17de8-c10c-4f77-9e99-6e8ed56313ca" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chinas.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-prime-minister-jean-castex-tests-positive-for-covid-19-431422">France's Prime Minister Jean Castex tests positive for COVID-19 &nbsp;&nbsp;</a> 
 
Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This comes as the leader returned from a visit to neighbouring Belgium. For the next 10 days, the French prime minister will carry out activities in isolation. One of the Castex's daughters has also tested positive

<img alt="Castex" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8370bb0e-d86c-436f-9d75-6ae7d935c390" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Jean.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-flags-iran-uav-bases-offers-to-co-operate-with-arab-allies-431414">Israel flags Iran UAV bases, offers to co-operate with Arab allies</a> 
 
Israel has sharpened rhetoric against Iran just when resupmtion of talks to revive Iran nuclear deal is around the corner.

<img alt="Israel" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b0fc88ee-6505-47db-a11a-1668385edcb2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Bennett.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-honoured-with-black-belt-in-taekwondo-despite-not-playing-the-sport-431382">Donald Trump honoured with black belt in taekwondo despite not playing the sport</a> 
 
He was given the honourary ninth dan certificate, the highest level in the martial arts by Kukkiwon, the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Academy, at Trump’s home in Florida.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52415a41-1edb-4c8e-a07d-6509f93d9b4e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Trump_17.JPG" /> 
&nbsp;

In a significant development, Narendra Modi-led Government of India has listed a cryptocurrency bill for upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. The bill reportedly seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies with certain exceptions in India.

In a significant development, Narendra Modi-led Government of India has listed a cryptocurrency bill for upcoming Winter Session of the Parliament. The bill reportedly seeks to prohibit all private cryptocurrencies with certain exceptions in India. In other news, a US warship passed through sensitive waterway of Taiwan Straits. Read this and more in Top 10 World News. Cryptocurrency Bill listed for upcoming winter session of India's Parliament The winter session of Parliament is scheduled to take place on November 29. Chinese Army conducts live-fire drills with high-altitude weapons near India's border A report had claimed China had moved its H-6K bomber along India's border. The bomber was reportedly posted at Kashgar near Xinjiang which belongs to PLA's Western Theatre Command. US Navy warship passes through tense Taiwan Strait A US warship has sailed through already sensitive Taiwan Strait again. The development is highly likely to attract sharp reaction from China, who believes Washington is trying to stir tensions in the region. The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Milius conducted a "routine Taiwan Strait transit" through international waters, the US Navy said. Conservative MPs question UK PM Johnson’s ‘competence’ after ‘rambling’ speech During that speech, it was said that Johnson imitated the sound of an accelerating car with sounds like “arum arum aaaaaaaaag”. He also compared himself to Moses over his plan to help businesses invest in tackling climate change. 'Ludicrous and nonsensical': Vir Chakra for IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman riles Pakistan Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was involved in a dogfight with a Pakistani F-16, a day after Indian jets blew up JeM terror camps at Balakot on February 26, 2019. Four black men wrongly convicted in 70-year-old rape case get exonerated The 'crime' committed by them occurred in 1949 when these men were accused of sexually assaulting a white woman. Now, Chinese cyber regulators to monitor celebrity information Reports say fan groups will also be regulated as they would be managed by celebrity agents. The move is reportedly aimed at tackling 'fandom'. France's Prime Minister Jean Castex tests positive for COVID-19 Prime Minister Jean Castex tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. This comes as the leader returned from a visit to neighbouring Belgium. For the next 10 days, the French prime minister will carry out activities in isolation. One of the Castex's daughters has also tested positive Israel flags Iran UAV bases, offers to co-operate with Arab allies Israel has sharpened rhetoric against Iran just when resupmtion of talks to revive Iran nuclear deal is around the corner. Donald Trump honoured with black belt in taekwondo despite not playing the sport He was given the honourary ninth dan certificate, the highest level in the martial arts by Kukkiwon, the headquarters of the World Taekwondo Academy, at Trump’s home in Florida.

Top 10 world news: India to discuss crypto, US warship in Taiwan Straits, more

State of Florida in the US on Tuesday officially cleared the names of four black men who had been wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting a white woman in the state. The 'crime' had been committed in 1949. The case is recognised as one of those involving gross misacrriage of justice in the US.

At the time of indictment and conviction of Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Charles Greenlee and Walter Irvin there was no evidence against them but in Jim Crow-era Florida the men were convicted nonetheless. None of the men are alive today.

On Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Heidi Davis in Lake County, Florida granted the State's motion to posthumously dismiss the indictments and convictions.

At the time of their conviction, the four men had come to be known as the "Groveland four" and were accused of sexually assaulting Norma Padgett in Groveland, Florida.

"I would not hate, but I will love and embrace all of those who did not know at the time that my father was a caring and loving and compassionate person that did not rape anybody. I stand here today to say thank you," said Carol Greenlee, daughter of Charles Greenlee in a press conference.

"For 72 years the families have been living with this and traveling with this journey waiting for today," said Bill Gladson, the state attorney. He was quoted by CNN.

State of Florida in the US on Tuesday officially cleared the names of four black men who had been wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting a white woman in the state.

State of Florida in the US on Tuesday officially cleared the names of four black men who had been wrongly convicted of sexually assaulting a white woman in the state. The 'crime' had been committed in 1949. The case is recognised as one of those involving gross misacrriage of justice in the US. At the time of indictment and conviction of Ernest Thomas, Samuel Shepherd, Charles Greenlee and Walter Irvin there was no evidence against them but in Jim Crow-era Florida the men were convicted nonetheless. None of the men are alive today. On Tuesday, Circuit Court Judge Heidi Davis in Lake County, Florida granted the State's motion to posthumously dismiss the indictments and convictions. At the time of their conviction, the four men had come to be known as the "Groveland four" and were accused of sexually assaulting Norma Padgett in Groveland, Florida. "I would not hate, but I will love and embrace all of those who did not know at the time that my father was a caring and loving and compassionate person that did not rape anybody. I stand here today to say thank you," said Carol Greenlee, daughter of Charles Greenlee in a press conference. "For 72 years the families have been living with this and traveling with this journey waiting for today," said Bill Gladson, the state attorney. He was quoted by CNN.

Four black men wrongly convicted in 70-year-old rape case get exonerated

The Taliban on Tuesday said that they have expanded their interim cabinet by adding 27 new members.Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the interim government, said the appointments had been made in compliance with orders from Taliban`s supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, reported Pajhwok Afghan News.

More than two dozen high-level officials, including ministers and deputy ministers, were named.Maulvi Shahabuddin Delawar has been appointed as acting minister of mines and petroleum and Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund as acting minister of disaster management.

Twenty-five others have been appointed as deputy ministers, corps commanders and heads of independent departments, according to a list released by Mujahid, reported Pajhwok Afghan News.

The new names in the interim cabinet of Islamic Emirate include -&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Maulvi Shahabuddin Delavar, acting minister of mines and petroleum;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Haji Mullah Mohammad Esa Akhund, deputy minister of mines and petroleum;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund, acting minister of disaster management;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Sharafuddin, deputy minister of disaster management;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Enayatullah, deputy minister of disaster management;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Hamdullah Zahed, procurement director;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sheikh Abdul Rahim, deputy director of procurement;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Qudratullah Jamal, Supreme Audit Office head;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Ezatullah, deputy chief of the Supreme Audit Office;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Mohammad Yousef Mastari, acting director of prisons;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mullah Habibullah Fazli, deputy director of prisons;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Keramatullah Akhundzadah, head of the Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Ahmad Taha, deputy minister of border and tribal affairs;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Gul Zarin, head of Kochi affairs at the Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Sheikh Maulvi Abdul Hakim, deputy minister of martyr and disabled affairs;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Saeed Ahmad Shahidkhel, deputy minister of education;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Abdul Rahman Halim, deputy minister of rural rehabilitation and development;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Atiqullah Azizi, deputy minister of finance and administration at the Ministry of Information and Culture;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mullah Faizullah Akhund, deputy minister of youth affairs at the Ministry of Information and Culture;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Saifuddin Tayeb, deputy minister of communications;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Fathullah Mansour, head of Kandahar airport;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mohammad Ismail, executive commander of the Military Court;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Esmatullah Asim, deputy head of the Red Cross;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Rahimullah Mahmoud, deputy commander of the Al-Badar Corps in Kandahar;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Abdul Samad, deputy commander of Azam Corps in Helmand;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Mullah Nasser Akhund, deputy minister of finance;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Maulvi Arefullah Aref, deputy minister of energy and water.</li>
</ul>

The Taliban in early September formed the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and had appointed 33 more cabinet ministers that neither have women nor mainstream politicians from previous regimes rather it appointed the world`s most dreaded and wanted cabinet ministers.In September, the Taliban announced a new list of 17 more ministers in the caretaker Afghanistan Cabinet.The latest list of 27 new members in the cabinet too excludes any women representation.

The Taliban on Tuesday said that they have expanded their interim cabinet by adding 27 new members.Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the interim government, said the appointments had been made in compliance with orders from Taliban`s supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, reported Pajhwok Afghan News.

The Taliban on Tuesday said that they have expanded their interim cabinet by adding 27 new members.Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the interim government, said the appointments had been made in compliance with orders from Taliban`s supreme leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, reported Pajhwok Afghan News. More than two dozen high-level officials, including ministers and deputy ministers, were named.Maulvi Shahabuddin Delawar has been appointed as acting minister of mines and petroleum and Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund as acting minister of disaster management. Twenty-five others have been appointed as deputy ministers, corps commanders and heads of independent departments, according to a list released by Mujahid, reported Pajhwok Afghan News. The new names in the interim cabinet of Islamic Emirate include - Maulvi Shahabuddin Delavar, acting minister of mines and petroleum; Haji Mullah Mohammad Esa Akhund, deputy minister of mines and petroleum; Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund, acting minister of disaster management; Maulvi Sharafuddin, deputy minister of disaster management; Maulvi Enayatullah, deputy minister of disaster management; Maulvi Hamdullah Zahed, procurement director; Sheikh Abdul Rahim, deputy director of procurement; Maulvi Qudratullah Jamal, Supreme Audit Office head; Maulvi Ezatullah, deputy chief of the Supreme Audit Office; Maulvi Mohammad Yousef Mastari, acting director of prisons; Mullah Habibullah Fazli, deputy director of prisons; Maulvi Keramatullah Akhundzadah, head of the Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission; Maulvi Ahmad Taha, deputy minister of border and tribal affairs; Maulvi Gul Zarin, head of Kochi affairs at the Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs; Sheikh Maulvi Abdul Hakim, deputy minister of martyr and disabled affairs; Maulvi Saeed Ahmad Shahidkhel, deputy minister of education; Maulvi Abdul Rahman Halim, deputy minister of rural rehabilitation and development; Maulvi Atiqullah Azizi, deputy minister of finance and administration at the Ministry of Information and Culture; Mullah Faizullah Akhund, deputy minister of youth affairs at the Ministry of Information and Culture; Maulvi Saifuddin Tayeb, deputy minister of communications; Maulvi Fathullah Mansour, head of Kandahar airport; Mohammad Ismail, executive commander of the Military Court; Maulvi Esmatullah Asim, deputy head of the Red Cross; Maulvi Rahimullah Mahmoud, deputy commander of the Al-Badar Corps in Kandahar; Maulvi Abdul Samad, deputy commander of Azam Corps in Helmand; Mullah Nasser Akhund, deputy minister of finance; Maulvi Arefullah Aref, deputy minister of energy and water. The Taliban in early September formed the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) and had appointed 33 more cabinet ministers that neither have women nor mainstream politicians from previous regimes rather it appointed the world`s most dreaded and wanted cabinet ministers.In September, the Taliban announced a new list of 17 more ministers in the caretaker Afghanistan Cabinet.The latest list of 27 new members in the cabinet too excludes any women representation.

Taliban expand interim cabinet, 27 new members named

Sharpening rhetoric against Iran, Israel on Tuesday disclosed what it said were two bases used to carry out maritime attacks. Israel also offered to cooperate with Arab partners on counter-measures.

Gulf Arab countries share Israeli concerns about such drones, seeing the hand of Iran or its allies in aerial attacks on shipping or on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. Tehran has often denied such allegations.

"Today I reveal to you two central bases in the area of Chabahar and Qeshm island in south Iran, from which operations in the maritime arena were launched, and where today, too, advanced Shahed attack drones are deployed," Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz told a televised security conference.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israels-defence-minister-gantzs-household-staffer-accused-of-iran-linked-espionage-431346">Israel's defence minister Gantz's household staffer accused of Iran-linked espionage</a>

Separately, the chief of Israel's air force proposed working with Arab partners - such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with which Israel formalised ties last year - against the drone threat.

"It think that this is a great opportunity to create contacts and to build a defence plan for all the countries that have a common interest in protecting themselves," Major-General Amikam Norkin told the conference, hosted by Reichman University.

"We can help significantly (against drones), whether in terms of intelligence, detection or interception."

(With inputs from agencies)

Sharpening rhetoric against Iran, Israel on Tuesday disclosed what it said were two bases used to carry out maritime attacks. Israel also offered to cooperate with Arab partners on counter-measures.

Sharpening rhetoric against Iran, Israel on Tuesday disclosed what it said were two bases used to carry out maritime attacks. Israel also offered to cooperate with Arab partners on counter-measures. Gulf Arab countries share Israeli concerns about such drones, seeing the hand of Iran or its allies in aerial attacks on shipping or on energy facilities in Saudi Arabia. Tehran has often denied such allegations. "Today I reveal to you two central bases in the area of Chabahar and Qeshm island in south Iran, from which operations in the maritime arena were launched, and where today, too, advanced Shahed attack drones are deployed," Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz told a televised security conference. Also Read | Israel's defence minister Gantz's household staffer accused of Iran-linked espionage Separately, the chief of Israel's air force proposed working with Arab partners - such as the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, with which Israel formalised ties last year - against the drone threat. "It think that this is a great opportunity to create contacts and to build a defence plan for all the countries that have a common interest in protecting themselves," Major-General Amikam Norkin told the conference, hosted by Reichman University. "We can help significantly (against drones), whether in terms of intelligence, detection or interception." (With inputs from agencies)

Israel flags Iran UAV bases, offers to co-operate with Arab allies

A UK report has concluded that crabs, octopuses and lobsters are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. This has led to addition of these animals in the list of sentient beings which will be protected under new animal protection law.

The report was commissioned by the UK government. Experts at the London School of Economics looked at 300 scientific studies to evaluate of sentience.

Sentience is defined as the quality of being able to experience feelings. Humans are sentient beings. In new animal welfare legislation being debated in UK, vertebrates, or animals with backbone have already been classified as sentient.

The study by LSE experts has concluded that cephalopods ( like squids, octopuses and cuttlefish) and decapods (crabs and other animals) are sentient. The report recommends that lobsters and crabs shouldn't be boiled alive as they are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. The report has also suggested best practices.

"The Animal Welfare Sentience Bill provides a crucial assurance that animal wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws. The science is now clear that decapods and cephalopods can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation," said Animal Welfare Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith in a statement published on UK government website.

The legislation is not yet a law. When the law comes to effect, it will establish an Animal Sentience Committee

This committee will observe and make reports on to what extent government would have taken into account sentient animal welfare.

A UK report has concluded that crabs, octopuses and lobsters are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. This has led to addition of these animals in the list of sentient beings which will be protected under new animal protection law.

A UK report has concluded that crabs, octopuses and lobsters are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. This has led to addition of these animals in the list of sentient beings which will be protected under new animal protection law. The report was commissioned by the UK government. Experts at the London School of Economics looked at 300 scientific studies to evaluate of sentience. Sentience is defined as the quality of being able to experience feelings. Humans are sentient beings. In new animal welfare legislation being debated in UK, vertebrates, or animals with backbone have already been classified as sentient. The study by LSE experts has concluded that cephalopods ( like squids, octopuses and cuttlefish) and decapods (crabs and other animals) are sentient. The report recommends that lobsters and crabs shouldn't be boiled alive as they are sentient beings capable of feeling pain. The report has also suggested best practices. "The Animal Welfare Sentience Bill provides a crucial assurance that animal wellbeing is rightly considered when developing new laws. The science is now clear that decapods and cephalopods can feel pain and therefore it is only right they are covered by this vital piece of legislation," said Animal Welfare Minister Lord Zac Goldsmith in a statement published on UK government website. The legislation is not yet a law. When the law comes to effect, it will establish an Animal Sentience Committee This committee will observe and make reports on to what extent government would have taken into account sentient animal welfare.

Crabs and lobsters are sentient beings, don't boil them alive: UK report

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday decided to allow Indian wheat to reach Afghanistan through Pakistan. Pakistan government made the decision public in a press release and via tweet on Monday.

The release said 50,000 metric tonnes of Indian wheat will go to Afghanistan a humanitarian help.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
He also announced Pakistan’s decision to allow the 50,000 MT of wheat India has offered to provide Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance to go through Pakistan as soon as modalities are finalized with the Indian side.
— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/PakPMO/status/1462767679438266370?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Khan also vowed to facilitate the return of Afghan patients who had gone to India for medical treatment.

"Pakistan will also facilitate the return of Afghan patients who had gone to India for medical treatment and are stuck there," announced Pakistan Prime Minister.

Khan today visited the newly established Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC), where he chaired the first Apex Committee meeting of AICC. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousaf and senior civil and military officers, tweeted Pakistan PMO.At the meeting, Khan instructed all ministries to facilitate Afghans to the maximum.&nbsp;

He ordered the immediate shipment of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs 5 billion, which will comprise food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.Along with it, Khan also approved in-principle tariff and sales tax reduction on key Afghan exports to Pakistan.

"The PM also ordered that the facility of free COVID vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders be continued. Pakistan initiated free vaccination of Afghans on 13th November," tweeted Pakistan`s PMO.

Khan further ordered that capacity of border staff should be enhanced further and instructed that no arbitrary closures of borders for trade should be allowed.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also ordered that bus service between Peshawar and Jalalabad should be revived to facilitate travellers on both sides.The Pakistan PMO informed that to further facilitate Afghans, the visa duration will be relaxed such that visas are granted within three weeks at the most.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday decided to allow Indian wheat to reach Afghanistan through Pakistan. Pakistan government made the decision public in a press release and via tweet on Monday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday decided to allow Indian wheat to reach Afghanistan through Pakistan. Pakistan government made the decision public in a press release and via tweet on Monday. The release said 50,000 metric tonnes of Indian wheat will go to Afghanistan a humanitarian help. He also announced Pakistan’s decision to allow the 50,000 MT of wheat India has offered to provide Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance to go through Pakistan as soon as modalities are finalized with the Indian side. — Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) November 22, 2021 × Khan also vowed to facilitate the return of Afghan patients who had gone to India for medical treatment. "Pakistan will also facilitate the return of Afghan patients who had gone to India for medical treatment and are stuck there," announced Pakistan Prime Minister. Khan today visited the newly established Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC), where he chaired the first Apex Committee meeting of AICC. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yousaf and senior civil and military officers, tweeted Pakistan PMO.At the meeting, Khan instructed all ministries to facilitate Afghans to the maximum. He ordered the immediate shipment of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs 5 billion, which will comprise food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.Along with it, Khan also approved in-principle tariff and sales tax reduction on key Afghan exports to Pakistan. "The PM also ordered that the facility of free COVID vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders be continued. Pakistan initiated free vaccination of Afghans on 13th November," tweeted Pakistan`s PMO. Khan further ordered that capacity of border staff should be enhanced further and instructed that no arbitrary closures of borders for trade should be allowed. The Prime Minister also ordered that bus service between Peshawar and Jalalabad should be revived to facilitate travellers on both sides.The Pakistan PMO informed that to further facilitate Afghans, the visa duration will be relaxed such that visas are granted within three weeks at the most. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan to allow Indian wheat to reach Afghanistan

In what can be a warning sign for Asia and the world, 94 out of 100 most polluted cities in the world were located in India, Pakistan and China with India making up for largest chunk of the total.

As per IQAir's 2020 air quality index, India had 46 of the world 100 most polluted cities. This was followed by China (42), Pakistan (6), Bangladesh (4). It's worth noting that almost all of these countries are in South Asian region.

As per the rankings, Ghaziabad was the most polluted city in India. The Chinese city of Hotan was the most polluted city for China while in Pakistan, Lahore grabbed the top spot. Lahore often features in the list of most polluted cities in the world.

China and India are some of the world's biggest carbon emitters but air pollution has worsened in Pakistan as well, in recent years.

"Children are experiencing breathing diseases... for God's sake, find a solution," labourer Muhammad Saeed told AFP.

"We are poor people, can't even afford a doctor's charges," shopkeeper Ikram Ahmed told AFP.

"We can only plead with them to control the pollution. I am not a literate person, but I have read that Lahore has the worst air quality and then comes India's Delhi. If it continues like this, we will die."

"Before, I used to come (for a walk) with my children but now I don't bring them out with me," Saeed the labourer said.

"There are factories and small industries operating here, either shift them somewhere else, give them compensation or provide them with modern technology, so we can get rid of this smog."

(With inputs from agencies)

In what can be a warning sign for Asia and the world, 94 out of 100 most polluted cities in the world were located in India, Pakistan and China with India making up for largest chunk of the total.

In what can be a warning sign for Asia and the world, 94 out of 100 most polluted cities in the world were located in India, Pakistan and China with India making up for largest chunk of the total. As per IQAir's 2020 air quality index, India had 46 of the world 100 most polluted cities. This was followed by China (42), Pakistan (6), Bangladesh (4). It's worth noting that almost all of these countries are in South Asian region. As per the rankings, Ghaziabad was the most polluted city in India. The Chinese city of Hotan was the most polluted city for China while in Pakistan, Lahore grabbed the top spot. Lahore often features in the list of most polluted cities in the world. China and India are some of the world's biggest carbon emitters but air pollution has worsened in Pakistan as well, in recent years. "Children are experiencing breathing diseases... for God's sake, find a solution," labourer Muhammad Saeed told AFP. "We are poor people, can't even afford a doctor's charges," shopkeeper Ikram Ahmed told AFP. "We can only plead with them to control the pollution. I am not a literate person, but I have read that Lahore has the worst air quality and then comes India's Delhi. If it continues like this, we will die." "Before, I used to come (for a walk) with my children but now I don't bring them out with me," Saeed the labourer said. "There are factories and small industries operating here, either shift them somewhere else, give them compensation or provide them with modern technology, so we can get rid of this smog." (With inputs from agencies)

Ninety-four out of top 100 most polluted global cities are in India, Pakistan and China

Chinese President Xi Jinping, while speaking at ASEAN conference said that China will "not bully the small" and that it "resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics". Meanwhile in US, an SUV ran over a crowd at a parade in Wisconsin. In other news, Pakistan minister tweeted a clip suggesting that the controversial audio file purportedly featuring voice of Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar was doctored. Read this and more in Top 10 world news. 
&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-will-not-seek-hegemony-or-bully-the-small-president-xi-to-asean-431225">China will not seek hegemony or bully the small: President Xi to ASEAN</a> 
 
China has been at loggerheads with several countries over its stance on the South China Sea islands including Taiwan which it considers a breakaway province.

<img alt="China" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a9a85ec-51a5-456f-9f8b-1506e44fa6a7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/China_21.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-5-dead-40-injured-after-suv-runs-over-crowd-at-a-parade-in-wisconsin-suspect-taken-into-custody-431086">At least 5 dead, 40 injured after SUV runs over crowd at a parade in Wisconsin; suspect taken into custody</a> 
 
The incident took place at around 4:39 pm, when an SUV went through a barricade at Gasper Avenue and Main Street and then drove into the crowd that gathered for the parade.

<img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="757b9dfe-1e9b-48fc-93ba-197651429529" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/US_1.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-minister-tweets-video-suggests-leaked-recording-of-pak-cj-is-fake-431218">Pakistan minister tweets video, suggests leaked recording of Pak CJ is fake</a> 
 
A leaked audio file purportedly containing a recorded conversation of Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has kicked off a political controversy in Pakistan.

<img alt="Pakistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c3100f1e-80f7-4179-bf64-822177ffbbdd" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pakistan_4.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-taiwan-acquires-us-jets-china-commissions-advanced-fighter-aircraft-431216">After Taiwan acquires US jets, China commissions advanced fighter aircraft</a> 
 
Tensions between China and Taiwan escalated last month as the Chinese Air Force repeatedly sent fighter jets into Taipei's air defence zone.

<img alt="Taiwan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="417f52b3-0422-4793-856c-80a522fb9825" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Taiwan_6.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-gwadar-protesters-threaten-to-stop-cpec-work-if-govt-fails-to-fulfil-their-demands-431227">Exclusive: Gwadar protesters threaten to stop CPEC work if govt fails to fulfil their demands</a> 
 
Talking to WION exclusively, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, head of the ‘Give rights to Gwadars’ rally, said that they have been agitating for over a week, seeking justice and jobs for their people. He the Pakistan government of being hand-in-glove with the Chinese trawlers who are threatening their livelihood by illegally fishing in the southwestern Makran coast.

<img alt="Pak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e2b5f223-bf74-4dee-97a1-2f07f919bfba" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pak.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-suggests-russia-plans-to-invade-ukraine-reports-431149">US intel suggests Russia plans to invade Ukraine: Reports</a> 
 
The American assessment suggests that Putin is considering an invasion of Ukraine next year 
Half of the VAT levied would be used to fund the bonds issued to build the city. Also, the other half would pay for services such as garbage collection

<img alt="Ukraine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1ad515e2-0e5e-43ce-abc1-a56fc7d43637" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Ukraine_1.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/everyone-in-germany-will-be-vaccinated-cured-or-dead-europe-battles-virus-surge-as-austria-enters-lockdown-431250">'Everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead': Europe battles virus surge as Austria enters lockdown</a> 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the current coronavirus curbs are 'not enough' as the country battles the fourth wave.

<img alt="Germany" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="53b277a2-3c2d-4fb2-a543-48fd0663cc54" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Germany_5.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italian-island-vulcano-orders-evacuation-of-over-200-people-due-to-increased-volcanic-activity-431191">Italian island Vulcano orders evacuation of over 200 people due to increased volcanic activity</a> 
 
Data by Italian National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology revealed that carbon dioxide levels around the volcanic island have risen from 80 tons to 480 tons.

<img alt="Vulcano" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9f6493ab-3bb4-48e5-b58c-543467384aa6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Vulcano.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-can-and-we-did-ann-arbor-becomes-first-us-city-to-offer-free-menstrual-products-in-public-bathrooms-431176">'We can and we did': Ann Arbor becomes first US city to offer free menstrual products in public bathrooms</a> 
 
The ordinance will go into effect from January 1, 2020. Any sort of violation can result in a $100 fine.

<img alt="Ann arbor" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8e861be8-beec-4b2d-81b5-85df040bf680" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Ann%20arbor.JPG" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/44-americans-dont-want-children-say-the-world-is-too-bleak-431121">44% Americans don't want children, say the world is too 'bleak'</a> 
 
More than 50 per cent of these people say they 'just don't want to have children,' while 43 per cent give other reasons, with medical and finances highest at 19 and 17 per cent.

<img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1580a30-9147-4796-b2c6-ed96ca39f204" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/US%20CHILD.JPG" />

 
&nbsp;

Chinese President Xi Jinping, while speaking at ASEAN conference said that China will "not bully the small" and that it "resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics".

Chinese President Xi Jinping, while speaking at ASEAN conference said that China will "not bully the small" and that it "resolutely opposes hegemonism and power politics". Meanwhile in US, an SUV ran over a crowd at a parade in Wisconsin. In other news, Pakistan minister tweeted a clip suggesting that the controversial audio file purportedly featuring voice of Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar was doctored. Read this and more in Top 10 world news. China will not seek hegemony or bully the small: President Xi to ASEAN China has been at loggerheads with several countries over its stance on the South China Sea islands including Taiwan which it considers a breakaway province. At least 5 dead, 40 injured after SUV runs over crowd at a parade in Wisconsin; suspect taken into custody The incident took place at around 4:39 pm, when an SUV went through a barricade at Gasper Avenue and Main Street and then drove into the crowd that gathered for the parade. Pakistan minister tweets video, suggests leaked recording of Pak CJ is fake A leaked audio file purportedly containing a recorded conversation of Pakistan Chief Justice Saqib Nisar has kicked off a political controversy in Pakistan. After Taiwan acquires US jets, China commissions advanced fighter aircraft Tensions between China and Taiwan escalated last month as the Chinese Air Force repeatedly sent fighter jets into Taipei's air defence zone. Exclusive: Gwadar protesters threaten to stop CPEC work if govt fails to fulfil their demands Talking to WION exclusively, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, head of the ‘Give rights to Gwadars’ rally, said that they have been agitating for over a week, seeking justice and jobs for their people. He the Pakistan government of being hand-in-glove with the Chinese trawlers who are threatening their livelihood by illegally fishing in the southwestern Makran coast. US intel suggests Russia plans to invade Ukraine: Reports The American assessment suggests that Putin is considering an invasion of Ukraine next year Half of the VAT levied would be used to fund the bonds issued to build the city. Also, the other half would pay for services such as garbage collection 'Everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead': Europe battles virus surge as Austria enters lockdown German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the current coronavirus curbs are 'not enough' as the country battles the fourth wave. Italian island Vulcano orders evacuation of over 200 people due to increased volcanic activity Data by Italian National Institute for Geophysics and Volcanology revealed that carbon dioxide levels around the volcanic island have risen from 80 tons to 480 tons. 'We can and we did': Ann Arbor becomes first US city to offer free menstrual products in public bathrooms The ordinance will go into effect from January 1, 2020. Any sort of violation can result in a $100 fine. 44% Americans don't want children, say the world is too 'bleak' More than 50 per cent of these people say they 'just don't want to have children,' while 43 per cent give other reasons, with medical and finances highest at 19 and 17 per cent.

Top 10 world news: Jinping at ASEAN, political controversy in Pakistan, more

The choreography has been exquisite. President Biden spent his first nine months in office trying to gain leverage over China: He patched up trade disputes with America’s allies. He hosted the first-ever in-person meeting of leaders of “The Quad,” which forged deeper ties between the United States, India, Japan and Australia, all of which sit on the periphery of Chinese power. He convinced NATO, for the first time in its history, to describe China as a challenge to “alliance security.” He cajoled Congress into spending a trillion dollars to rebuild U.S. infrastructure, which he pitched, in part, as a way to counter China. Then, earlier this week, on the very day he signed the infrastructure bill into law, he held his first formal meeting with President Xi Jinping. The message was unmistakable: The United States will work with China to address common challenges while competing from a position of strength.

The strategy is clear, the execution — a few hiccups aside — impressive. But there’s a problem: Mr. Biden is trying to have it both ways. His aides insist there’s no tradeoff between treating China as an adversary and as a partner. Or, as a State Department spokesperson put it, “We can walk and chew gum at the same time.” That’s wishful thinking; the two goals collide. And for all the recent talk of better relations between Washington and Beijing, the Biden administration is still not prioritizing cooperation — although it is only through far deeper cooperation that the United States can address what menaces Americans most.

Take climate change, the single greatest long-term danger to life in the United States — and everywhere else. It should be the Biden administration’s top priority when it comes to China. But it’s not. Although the U.S. climate envoy, John Kerry, and his Chinese counterpart made headlines by signing a joint declaration on “enhancing climate action” earlier this month in Glasgow, the document was weaker than a joint statement the two governments signed seven years earlier, before U.S.-China relations nose-dived.

America’s hard line toward China undermines the fight against climate disaster in less obvious ways, too. To reduce carbon emissions, the United States must rapidly switch to cleaner energy sources like solar. The cheapest place to get solar cells is China. But the Biden administration has defended the Trump administration’s tariffs on solar technology. Some Chinese solar producers are based in Xinjiang, where Beijing brutally represses Uyghurs and other Muslims, and are thus subject to U.S. sanctions for using forced labor. But the solar tariffs are not restricted to Xinjiang. Why? Because the Biden team wants to weaken China’s hold over a prized industry. In so doing, however, it is making solar energy more expensive for Americans, which delays the United States’ transition away from fossil fuels.

It’s not just solar panels. Many green technologies will advance faster if American and Chinese researchers collaborate. But the Biden administration has maintained Trump administration visa restrictions that prevent students who attended Chinese universities with military ties from doing graduate work in the United States — even if there’s no evidence those students ever worked for the Chinese military themselves. The Biden administration is working to counter China’s mammoth Belt and Road infrastructure program when the two superpowers could more effectively fight global warming by jointly financing clean energy in poor countries. And by depicting China as a threat, Mr. Biden justifies higher Pentagon budgets — which, given the U.S. military’s status as the world’s largest institutional producer of greenhouse gasses, constitutes a climate disaster in and of itself.

If climate change constitutes the greatest security threat facing the United States, pandemics like Covid — which has killed more Americans than World War I, World War II, and the wars in Vietnam and Korea combined — come in second. There is ample evidence that U.S.-Chinese cooperation on public health saves American lives. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped China build an influenza surveillance system, which proved crucial to containing the H1N1 flu in 2009 and H7N9 flu in 2013. American public health experts went to work inside China’s own C.D.C. headquarters, which gave the United States greater insight into potential Chinese outbreaks. In 2016, Washington and Beijing even agreed to jointly fund a surveillance system in Africa to help the continent’s governments better combat viruses like Ebola.

Such cooperation might seem fanciful now given the sharp divergence between Washington and Beijing on issues from Taiwan to the South China Sea to China’s abominable record on human rights. But these disputes existed when George W. Bush and Barack Obama held office, too, and those presidents elevated cooperation on public health, nonetheless. They could do so because the U.S.-China relationship was less hostile overall. It was Donald Trump who pulled U.S. medical and scientific officials out of China and then used the Covid pandemic as an opportunity to further sever ties. By declaring, as one of Mr. Biden’s top China aides did, that “the period that was broadly described as engagement has come to an end,” this administration has signaled that it does not consider a return to pre-Trump levels of U.S. public health cooperation possible, or even desirable. That’s exactly the wrong response to a pandemic that originated in China and has taken three-quarters of a million U.S. lives.

Mr. Biden deserves credit for trying to establish a “guardrail” so the United States and China avoid war. But guardrails aren’t enough. The inconvenient truths of today’s world require far greater cooperation between Washington and Beijing. And that greater cooperation isn’t compatible with growing antagonism because, as more than 200 experts on U.S.-China relations wrote in a public letter in 2019, while there are figures in China who support working more closely with the United States, “Washington’s adversarial stance toward Beijing weakens the influence of those voices in favor of assertive nationalists.”

The Biden administration cannot afford to triangulate between hawks who want to treat China as an enemy and progressives desperate for dramatic action to prevent climate and public health catastrophes. It needs to choose what it values most. Pretending not to choose is a choice, too.

The choreography has been exquisite. President Biden spent his first nine months in office trying to gain leverage over China: He patched up trade disputes with America’s allies.

The choreography has been exquisite. President Biden spent his first nine months in office trying to gain leverage over China: He patched up trade disputes with America’s allies. He hosted the first-ever in-person meeting of leaders of “The Quad,” which forged deeper ties between the United States, India, Japan and Australia, all of which sit on the periphery of Chinese power. He convinced NATO, for the first time in its history, to describe China as a challenge to “alliance security.” He cajoled Congress into spending a trillion dollars to rebuild U.S. infrastructure, which he pitched, in part, as a way to counter China. Then, earlier this week, on the very day he signed the infrastructure bill into law, he held his first formal meeting with President Xi Jinping. The message was unmistakable: The United States will work with China to address common challenges while competing from a position of strength. The strategy is clear, the execution — a few hiccups aside — impressive. But there’s a problem: Mr. Biden is trying to have it both ways. His aides insist there’s no tradeoff between treating China as an adversary and as a partner. Or, as a State Department spokesperson put it, “We can walk and chew gum at the same time.” That’s wishful thinking; the two goals collide. And for all the recent talk of better relations between Washington and Beijing, the Biden administration is still not prioritizing cooperation — although it is only through far deeper cooperation that the United States can address what menaces Americans most. Take climate change, the single greatest long-term danger to life in the United States — and everywhere else. It should be the Biden administration’s top priority when it comes to China. But it’s not. Although the U.S. climate envoy, John Kerry, and his Chinese counterpart made headlines by signing a joint declaration on “enhancing climate action” earlier this month in Glasgow, the document was weaker than a joint statement the two governments signed seven years earlier, before U.S.-China relations nose-dived. America’s hard line toward China undermines the fight against climate disaster in less obvious ways, too. To reduce carbon emissions, the United States must rapidly switch to cleaner energy sources like solar. The cheapest place to get solar cells is China. But the Biden administration has defended the Trump administration’s tariffs on solar technology. Some Chinese solar producers are based in Xinjiang, where Beijing brutally represses Uyghurs and other Muslims, and are thus subject to U.S. sanctions for using forced labor. But the solar tariffs are not restricted to Xinjiang. Why? Because the Biden team wants to weaken China’s hold over a prized industry. In so doing, however, it is making solar energy more expensive for Americans, which delays the United States’ transition away from fossil fuels. It’s not just solar panels. Many green technologies will advance faster if American and Chinese researchers collaborate. But the Biden administration has maintained Trump administration visa restrictions that prevent students who attended Chinese universities with military ties from doing graduate work in the United States — even if there’s no evidence those students ever worked for the Chinese military themselves. The Biden administration is working to counter China’s mammoth Belt and Road infrastructure program when the two superpowers could more effectively fight global warming by jointly financing clean energy in poor countries. And by depicting China as a threat, Mr. Biden justifies higher Pentagon budgets — which, given the U.S. military’s status as the world’s largest institutional producer of greenhouse gasses, constitutes a climate disaster in and of itself. If climate change constitutes the greatest security threat facing the United States, pandemics like Covid — which has killed more Americans than World War I, World War II, and the wars in Vietnam and Korea combined — come in second. There is ample evidence that U.S.-Chinese cooperation on public health saves American lives. In 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention helped China build an influenza surveillance system, which proved crucial to containing the H1N1 flu in 2009 and H7N9 flu in 2013. American public health experts went to work inside China’s own C.D.C. headquarters, which gave the United States greater insight into potential Chinese outbreaks. In 2016, Washington and Beijing even agreed to jointly fund a surveillance system in Africa to help the continent’s governments better combat viruses like Ebola. Such cooperation might seem fanciful now given the sharp divergence between Washington and Beijing on issues from Taiwan to the South China Sea to China’s abominable record on human rights. But these disputes existed when George W. Bush and Barack Obama held office, too, and those presidents elevated cooperation on public health, nonetheless. They could do so because the U.S.-China relationship was less hostile overall. It was Donald Trump who pulled U.S. medical and scientific officials out of China and then used the Covid pandemic as an opportunity to further sever ties. By declaring, as one of Mr. Biden’s top China aides did, that “the period that was broadly described as engagement has come to an end,” this administration has signaled that it does not consider a return to pre-Trump levels of U.S. public health cooperation possible, or even desirable. That’s exactly the wrong response to a pandemic that originated in China and has taken three-quarters of a million U.S. lives. Mr. Biden deserves credit for trying to establish a “guardrail” so the United States and China avoid war. But guardrails aren’t enough. The inconvenient truths of today’s world require far greater cooperation between Washington and Beijing. And that greater cooperation isn’t compatible with growing antagonism because, as more than 200 experts on U.S.-China relations wrote in a public letter in 2019, while there are figures in China who support working more closely with the United States, “Washington’s adversarial stance toward Beijing weakens the influence of those voices in favor of assertive nationalists.” The Biden administration cannot afford to triangulate between hawks who want to treat China as an enemy and progressives desperate for dramatic action to prevent climate and public health catastrophes. It needs to choose what it values most. Pretending not to choose is a choice, too.

Biden thinks he can have it both ways on China. He's wrong

On a Wednesday night in September, while President Joe Biden backslapped in the Republican dugout during the annual congressional baseball game, Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat nearby, sober-faced and wagging her finger while speaking into her cellphone, toiling to salvage her party’s top legislative priority as it teetered on the brink of collapse.

On the other end of the line was Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a crucial swing vote on Biden’s sweeping social policy bill, and Pelosi, seated in the VIP section behind the dugout at Nationals Park, was trying to persuade him to embrace $2.1 trillion in spending and climate change provisions she considered essential for the legislation.

In a moment captured by C-SPAN cameras that went viral, Pelosi appeared to grow agitated as Manchin, according to sources apprised of the call, told her that he could not accept more than $1.5 trillion — and was prepared to provide a document clearly laying out his parameters for the package, bench marks that House Democrats had been clamoring to see.

The call reflected how Pelosi’s pivotal role in shepherding Biden’s agenda on Capitol Hill has reached far beyond the House that is her primary responsibility and into the Senate, where she has engaged in quiet and little-noticed talks with key lawmakers who have the power to kill the package or propel it into law.

Her efforts — fraught with challenges and littered with near-death experiences for the bill — finally paid off Friday with House passage of the $2.2 trillion social policy and climate change package.

Along the way, Pelosi, who is known for delivering legislative victories in tough circumstances, was forced repeatedly to pull back from a floor showdown on the bill as she labored to unite the feuding liberal and moderate factions in her caucus. A crucial but less-seen part of her task was sounding out and cajoling a pair of Democratic holdouts in the Senate, Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who were opposed to major elements of Biden’s plan and had the power to upend whatever delicate deal Pelosi was able to strike.

It was only after her call with Manchin at the baseball game that Pelosi discovered that the West Virginian’s demands were contained in a sort of makeshift contract he had delivered to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the majority leader, in late July. The document, which was signed by both men, had been kept secret — including from her — for months.

“I would have liked to have known that,” Pelosi said Friday, recounting how she felt blindsided. “However, it was what it was.”

Manchin’s insistence on holding down the cost of the package threw a wrench into Pelosi’s plan to quickly advance the monumental social policy bill, sending it instead through a series of tortuous twists and turns until Friday morning, when she finally managed to pass it.

She is still not done, with the Senate now getting a chance to reshape the measure in the hope of eventually sending it back for final House approval and Biden’s signature. Manchin is still demanding major changes, such as the jettisoning of a new four-week paid family and medical leave program that Pelosi has made a top priority.

But in the weeks since their call, Manchin has privately expressed an openness to embracing a costlier plan than the one he initially insisted upon, and the speaker now says she is confident that the measure approved by the House will reemerge from the Senate mostly intact.

“They may want to hone or sharpen this or that, and that’s a negotiation,” Pelosi said of the Senate. “But 90-some percent of that bill is what it is.”

Initial approval of the legislation in the House was a considerable achievement in itself, considering unanimous Republican opposition and the deep Democratic divisions over the package. And it came despite whispers in the corridors of the Capitol that lawmakers no longer feared Pelosi as much as they had in the past, since she is believed to be nearing the end of her tenure.

In the end, as she did with the financial bailout in 2008, the Obama-era stimulus plan in 2009 and the Affordable Care Act in 2010, among others, Pelosi found a way to win when it appeared she could lose. This time, she did so with a bill that contains history-making initiatives for the environment and substantial health care, child care, family leave and educational programs that she and her Democratic colleagues have sought for decades.

Pelosi, 81, acknowledged Friday that it was a legacy piece of legislation, even if she was not willing to entertain questions about her own future.

“We must pass it, and then we have to see it for me to have an almost religious experience of appreciating what it is,” Pelosi said in her Capitol office, not long after the vote to approve the bill, which was delayed until Friday morning by an angry eight-hour stemwinder from Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader. “But it’s a big deal.”

While her main responsibility was wrangling the House, Pelosi devoted considerable time to Manchin and Sinema, both of whom hold the power to scuttle the deal in the evenly divided Senate if they balk.

Pelosi has ties to both. She has bonded with Manchin, who like Pelosi grew up in a political family, over their shared Italian heritage and Catholicism and her work on health and pension benefits for coal miners, represented in her office by a statue of a miner gifted to her by Manchin.

When Pelosi wanted to send a message to Manchin about voting rights this year, she had it delivered on a literal silver platter given to her by Robert C. Byrd, the former Senate leader from West Virginia whom Manchin often cites as a guiding star. The tray, which is warmly inscribed in appreciation for Pelosi’s fundraising work on delivering a Democratic Senate majority in 1987, was a reminder for Manchin of the speaker’s past relationship with his predecessor.

“I thought he should see it,” Pelosi said with a chuckle.

Pelosi knew Sinema as an activist in Arizona even before she was elected to the House, where they developed a mutual respect and rapport. It was warning signs from Sinema in late September that led Pelosi to begin the delicate task of separating the social policy bill from a bipartisan infrastructure measure that had already passed the Senate with Sinema as a main author.

Progressives were adamant that they would only back the public works bill after they were assured that Senate Democrats, notably Manchin and Sinema, were committed to voting for the social policy bill — an assurance that did not, and still does not, exist.

With the deadline for a vote approaching, Pelosi opened a back channel to Sinema through former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a friend of Sinema’s who entered the House with her in 2013.

He reported back that Sinema was ready to abandon the social spending bill entirely if she did not quickly see the House developing a path forward on the public works measure. In response, Pelosi sent a letter to her colleagues Sept. 26 saying the House would take up the infrastructure bill the next day, a plan that drew vehement opposition from progressives and led to a stalemate for weeks.

As for Manchin, Pelosi intensified her outreach to him following a Sept. 16 video conference call she had with Biden and Schumer. The three Democrats, who have been friends and colleagues for decades, deepened their bond during the talks, ribbing and encouraging each other in their vastly varying styles.

During that particular call, according to people with direct knowledge of it, Biden told the two congressional leaders that he had been encouraged by his discussions with Sinema and Manchin, though they agreed it might be to their benefit to have Pelosi talk to Manchin as well.

“I’m with ya,” Biden told Pelosi and Schumer of their plans.

“Put an F-word in front of that,” Schumer said enthusiastically.

“Now that you’ve resorted to that language, I’m going to thank you, Mr. President,” retorted the speaker, who frowns on profanity.

“Nancy does not allow me to curse,” Schumer responded. “I try to curb my foul mouth in front of her, with some degree of success.”

“Every time I look at Nancy, I think of myself as some altar boy,” said the president.

When she went back to Manchin, he had a reassuring message.

“There is a place we can come together,” he told Pelosi, according to people with knowledge of the conversation. “I feel quite certain. I always want to make a deal.”

As attention now pivots to the Senate, Pelosi said Manchin should embrace the reductions he had already won in the social spending plan rather than pursue additional ones.

“Take pride in what you have already done,” she said she had advised Manchin, then quickly pivoted to the argument she has been making to Democrats who wanted a more generous bill: “It’s still a gigantic number.”

In reaching for such an ambitious measure, Republican critics charge that Pelosi is placing Democrats in political peril — “marching them right off a cliff,” in the words of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader — as she prepares to leave Congress. Pelosi dismissed the criticism, but refused to address her own plans.

“The first to ask is the last to know,” she warned.

Pelosi credits Biden with the vision and persistence to pursue the social safety net and climate legislation, and he gave her and her colleagues credit of their own when he called Friday to congratulate her after the vote.

He ended the conversation with what has become a routine expression of his regard for Pelosi, according to people with knowledge of the exchange.

“All right, love you,” Biden told her.

“Love you, too,” Pelosi responded.

On a Wednesday night in September, while President Joe Biden backslapped in the Republican dugout during the annual congressional baseball game, Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat nearby, sober-faced and wagging her finger while speaking into her cellphone, toiling to salvage her party’s top legislative priority as it teetered on the brink of collapse.

On a Wednesday night in September, while President Joe Biden backslapped in the Republican dugout during the annual congressional baseball game, Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat nearby, sober-faced and wagging her finger while speaking into her cellphone, toiling to salvage her party’s top legislative priority as it teetered on the brink of collapse. On the other end of the line was Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a crucial swing vote on Biden’s sweeping social policy bill, and Pelosi, seated in the VIP section behind the dugout at Nationals Park, was trying to persuade him to embrace $2.1 trillion in spending and climate change provisions she considered essential for the legislation. In a moment captured by C-SPAN cameras that went viral, Pelosi appeared to grow agitated as Manchin, according to sources apprised of the call, told her that he could not accept more than $1.5 trillion — and was prepared to provide a document clearly laying out his parameters for the package, bench marks that House Democrats had been clamoring to see. The call reflected how Pelosi’s pivotal role in shepherding Biden’s agenda on Capitol Hill has reached far beyond the House that is her primary responsibility and into the Senate, where she has engaged in quiet and little-noticed talks with key lawmakers who have the power to kill the package or propel it into law. Her efforts — fraught with challenges and littered with near-death experiences for the bill — finally paid off Friday with House passage of the $2.2 trillion social policy and climate change package. Along the way, Pelosi, who is known for delivering legislative victories in tough circumstances, was forced repeatedly to pull back from a floor showdown on the bill as she labored to unite the feuding liberal and moderate factions in her caucus. A crucial but less-seen part of her task was sounding out and cajoling a pair of Democratic holdouts in the Senate, Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, who were opposed to major elements of Biden’s plan and had the power to upend whatever delicate deal Pelosi was able to strike. It was only after her call with Manchin at the baseball game that Pelosi discovered that the West Virginian’s demands were contained in a sort of makeshift contract he had delivered to Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the majority leader, in late July. The document, which was signed by both men, had been kept secret — including from her — for months. “I would have liked to have known that,” Pelosi said Friday, recounting how she felt blindsided. “However, it was what it was.” Manchin’s insistence on holding down the cost of the package threw a wrench into Pelosi’s plan to quickly advance the monumental social policy bill, sending it instead through a series of tortuous twists and turns until Friday morning, when she finally managed to pass it. She is still not done, with the Senate now getting a chance to reshape the measure in the hope of eventually sending it back for final House approval and Biden’s signature. Manchin is still demanding major changes, such as the jettisoning of a new four-week paid family and medical leave program that Pelosi has made a top priority. But in the weeks since their call, Manchin has privately expressed an openness to embracing a costlier plan than the one he initially insisted upon, and the speaker now says she is confident that the measure approved by the House will reemerge from the Senate mostly intact. “They may want to hone or sharpen this or that, and that’s a negotiation,” Pelosi said of the Senate. “But 90-some percent of that bill is what it is.” Initial approval of the legislation in the House was a considerable achievement in itself, considering unanimous Republican opposition and the deep Democratic divisions over the package. And it came despite whispers in the corridors of the Capitol that lawmakers no longer feared Pelosi as much as they had in the past, since she is believed to be nearing the end of her tenure. In the end, as she did with the financial bailout in 2008, the Obama-era stimulus plan in 2009 and the Affordable Care Act in 2010, among others, Pelosi found a way to win when it appeared she could lose. This time, she did so with a bill that contains history-making initiatives for the environment and substantial health care, child care, family leave and educational programs that she and her Democratic colleagues have sought for decades. Pelosi, 81, acknowledged Friday that it was a legacy piece of legislation, even if she was not willing to entertain questions about her own future. “We must pass it, and then we have to see it for me to have an almost religious experience of appreciating what it is,” Pelosi said in her Capitol office, not long after the vote to approve the bill, which was delayed until Friday morning by an angry eight-hour stemwinder from Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader. “But it’s a big deal.” While her main responsibility was wrangling the House, Pelosi devoted considerable time to Manchin and Sinema, both of whom hold the power to scuttle the deal in the evenly divided Senate if they balk. Pelosi has ties to both. She has bonded with Manchin, who like Pelosi grew up in a political family, over their shared Italian heritage and Catholicism and her work on health and pension benefits for coal miners, represented in her office by a statue of a miner gifted to her by Manchin. When Pelosi wanted to send a message to Manchin about voting rights this year, she had it delivered on a literal silver platter given to her by Robert C. Byrd, the former Senate leader from West Virginia whom Manchin often cites as a guiding star. The tray, which is warmly inscribed in appreciation for Pelosi’s fundraising work on delivering a Democratic Senate majority in 1987, was a reminder for Manchin of the speaker’s past relationship with his predecessor. “I thought he should see it,” Pelosi said with a chuckle. Pelosi knew Sinema as an activist in Arizona even before she was elected to the House, where they developed a mutual respect and rapport. It was warning signs from Sinema in late September that led Pelosi to begin the delicate task of separating the social policy bill from a bipartisan infrastructure measure that had already passed the Senate with Sinema as a main author. Progressives were adamant that they would only back the public works bill after they were assured that Senate Democrats, notably Manchin and Sinema, were committed to voting for the social policy bill — an assurance that did not, and still does not, exist. With the deadline for a vote approaching, Pelosi opened a back channel to Sinema through former Rep. Joe Kennedy III, a friend of Sinema’s who entered the House with her in 2013. He reported back that Sinema was ready to abandon the social spending bill entirely if she did not quickly see the House developing a path forward on the public works measure. In response, Pelosi sent a letter to her colleagues Sept. 26 saying the House would take up the infrastructure bill the next day, a plan that drew vehement opposition from progressives and led to a stalemate for weeks. As for Manchin, Pelosi intensified her outreach to him following a Sept. 16 video conference call she had with Biden and Schumer. The three Democrats, who have been friends and colleagues for decades, deepened their bond during the talks, ribbing and encouraging each other in their vastly varying styles. During that particular call, according to people with direct knowledge of it, Biden told the two congressional leaders that he had been encouraged by his discussions with Sinema and Manchin, though they agreed it might be to their benefit to have Pelosi talk to Manchin as well. “I’m with ya,” Biden told Pelosi and Schumer of their plans. “Put an F-word in front of that,” Schumer said enthusiastically. “Now that you’ve resorted to that language, I’m going to thank you, Mr. President,” retorted the speaker, who frowns on profanity. “Nancy does not allow me to curse,” Schumer responded. “I try to curb my foul mouth in front of her, with some degree of success.” “Every time I look at Nancy, I think of myself as some altar boy,” said the president. When she went back to Manchin, he had a reassuring message. “There is a place we can come together,” he told Pelosi, according to people with knowledge of the conversation. “I feel quite certain. I always want to make a deal.” As attention now pivots to the Senate, Pelosi said Manchin should embrace the reductions he had already won in the social spending plan rather than pursue additional ones. “Take pride in what you have already done,” she said she had advised Manchin, then quickly pivoted to the argument she has been making to Democrats who wanted a more generous bill: “It’s still a gigantic number.” In reaching for such an ambitious measure, Republican critics charge that Pelosi is placing Democrats in political peril — “marching them right off a cliff,” in the words of Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the minority leader — as she prepares to leave Congress. Pelosi dismissed the criticism, but refused to address her own plans. “The first to ask is the last to know,” she warned. Pelosi credits Biden with the vision and persistence to pursue the social safety net and climate legislation, and he gave her and her colleagues credit of their own when he called Friday to congratulate her after the vote. He ended the conversation with what has become a routine expression of his regard for Pelosi, according to people with knowledge of the exchange. “All right, love you,” Biden told her. “Love you, too,” Pelosi responded.

In the House and the Senate, Nancy Pelosi Gets Democrats to Play ball

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Manas Joshi

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.