Innocence is something we may fast be losing in this connected, digital world. But there is hope. Not everything has become mechanical. An 8-year-old boy in the UK, Monti, was concerned about Santa Claus contracting coronavirus. He did not just wonder, he took action and wrote a letter to UK PM Boris Johnson and urged him to take steps to ensure Santa's safety.

Here's what he has written.

'Dear Mr Johnson

I am 8 years old and was wondering if you and the government thought about Santa coming this Christmas. If we leave hand sanitiser by the cookies will he come? or will he wash his hands. I understand you are very busy but can you and the scientists please talk about this?'

<img alt="Monti Sanata Claus Boris Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="375067ad-7c7a-4357-9b3e-193c7f238880" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/monti.jpg" />

It's easy to conjure an image of Monti truly being worried about Santa's health and writing directly to the country's premier.

Johnson gave a reply and thanked Monti for raising an 'important question'. Johnson assured him that despite coronavirus pandemic, Santa Claus will be able to deliver presents this year.

"I have put a call to the North Pole and I can tell you Father Christmas is ready and raring to go, as are Rudolph and all the other reindeer," reads Johnson's reply.

Herer is the full reply from Boris Johnson

<img alt="Boris Johnson Santa Clause reply" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ac309c49-b113-4aac-8e49-3cf491f35af8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/reply.jpg" /> 
&nbsp;

Boris Johnson even tweeted this sweet exchange from his Twitter handle.

"Monti (aged 8) wrote to me asking if Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year Santa ClausWrapped presentChristmas tree 
&nbsp; 
I've had lots of letters about this, so I have spoken with experts and can assure you that Father Christmas will be packing his sleigh and delivering presents this Christmas!" read the tweet.

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Monti (aged 8) wrote to me asking if Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year 🎅🎁🎄 
 
I've had lots of letters about this, so I have spoken with experts and can assure you that Father Christmas will be packing his sleigh and delivering presents this Christmas! <a href="https://t.co/pXwcjHSxZg">pic.twitter.com/pXwcjHSxZg</a>
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1331537117084856320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Innocence is something we may fast be losing in this connected, digital world. But there is hope. Not everything has become mechanical. An 8-year-old boy in the UK, Monti, was concerned about Santa Claus contracting coronavirus.

Innocence is something we may fast be losing in this connected, digital world. But there is hope. Not everything has become mechanical. An 8-year-old boy in the UK, Monti, was concerned about Santa Claus contracting coronavirus. He did not just wonder, he took action and wrote a letter to UK PM Boris Johnson and urged him to take steps to ensure Santa's safety. Here's what he has written. 'Dear Mr Johnson I am 8 years old and was wondering if you and the government thought about Santa coming this Christmas. If we leave hand sanitiser by the cookies will he come? or will he wash his hands. I understand you are very busy but can you and the scientists please talk about this?' It's easy to conjure an image of Monti truly being worried about Santa's health and writing directly to the country's premier. Johnson gave a reply and thanked Monti for raising an 'important question'. Johnson assured him that despite coronavirus pandemic, Santa Claus will be able to deliver presents this year. "I have put a call to the North Pole and I can tell you Father Christmas is ready and raring to go, as are Rudolph and all the other reindeer," reads Johnson's reply. Herer is the full reply from Boris Johnson Boris Johnson even tweeted this sweet exchange from his Twitter handle. "Monti (aged 8) wrote to me asking if Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year Santa ClausWrapped presentChristmas tree I've had lots of letters about this, so I have spoken with experts and can assure you that Father Christmas will be packing his sleigh and delivering presents this Christmas!" read the tweet. Monti (aged 8) wrote to me asking if Father Christmas will be able to deliver presents this year 🎅🎁🎄 I've had lots of letters about this, so I have spoken with experts and can assure you that Father Christmas will be packing his sleigh and delivering presents this Christmas! pic.twitter.com/pXwcjHSxZg — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 25, 2020 ×

Will Santa use hand sanitiser? Worried 8-year-old writes to UK PM Boris Johnson

After days of uncertainty, Chinese President Xi Jinping has finally congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden. Meanwhile, China is fuming because of fresh ban on Chinese apps in India. Coronabirus vaccination is likely to start in th EU by December. Read this and much more!

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-xi-congratulates-president-elect-joe-biden-on-us-election-victory-345342">President Xi congratulates president-elect Joe Biden on US election victory</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-xi-congratulates-president-elect-joe-biden-on-us-election-victory-345342"><img alt="Xi Jinping" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52732a06-7ab5-4a9d-a2a9-67c87e910c11" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Xi.JPG" /></a> 
 
Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had said: “We respect the choice of the American people.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-firmly-oppose-indias-move-to-block-more-mobile-apps-china-345287">We firmly oppose India's move to block more mobile apps: China</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/we-firmly-oppose-indias-move-to-block-more-mobile-apps-china-345287"><img alt="China app" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dc2f26ed-1dd4-4b69-ac28-1022f84d4920" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chinese%20app.JPG" /></a> 
 
Yesterday, The India government announced that it has banned 43 more Chinese mobile apps.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uae-halts-new-visas-to-citizens-of-13-countries-including-pakistan-over-security-concern-345321">UAE halts new visas to citizens of 13 countries including Pakistan over security concern</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/uae-halts-new-visas-to-citizens-of-13-countries-including-pakistan-over-security-concern-345321"><img alt="UAE" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="94437e6d-f122-40e3-82a4-5b052a1cedbb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pakistan.JPG" /></a> 
The UAE had temporarily stopped issuing new visas to Afghans, Pakistanis and citizens of several other countries over security concerns.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-european-commission-president-ursula-von-der-leyen-says-first-european-citizen-might-be-vaccinated-before-end-december-345336">'Light at the end of the tunnel': European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says first European citizen might be vaccinated before end December</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-european-commission-president-ursula-von-der-leyen-says-first-european-citizen-might-be-vaccinated-before-end-december-345336"><img alt="EU vaccine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d470e88c-0613-4fd1-aab5-6a9ef6f7f515" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/vaccine_0.JPG" /></a> 
The European Commission president &nbsp;Ursula von der Leyen warned that member countries should prepare their logistical chains for the rollout of millions of doses vaccines.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-police-revive-controversial-royal-defamation-law-ahead-of-protest-345279">Thai police revive controversial royal defamation law ahead of protest</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thai-police-revive-controversial-royal-defamation-law-ahead-of-protest-345279"><img alt="Thailand" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="49c83495-a87d-49fc-a792-6c72bd96719c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Thailand_0.JPG" /></a> 
 
Thailand has for months been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, reform of the untouchable monarchy, and for Prayut to resign.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/back-from-dead-zombie-minks-rise-from-graves-to-exact-revenge-after-being-culled-345356">Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled</a>

<img alt="Zombie mink" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="72605721-0f3c-4e95-9a0b-8dfd77b13543" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/mink.JPG" />

 
Hordes of carcasses of dead minks resurfaced from the grave after mass culling, leading to speculation that they have returned as zombies to 'exact revenge'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-santa-use-hand-sanitiser-worried-8-year-old-writes-to-uk-pm-boris-johnson-345331">Will Santa use hand sanitiser? worried 8-year-old writes to UK PM Boris Johnson</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-santa-use-hand-sanitiser-worried-8-year-old-writes-to-uk-pm-boris-johnson-345331"><img alt="Johnson" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4c882551-e2c1-45f7-a29c-2dc73141f17b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/johnson.JPG" /></a> 
Johnson gave a reply and thanked Monti for raising an 'important question'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-37-killed-as-bus-truck-collide-in-brazil-345357">At least 37 killed as bus, truck collide in Brazil</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-37-killed-as-bus-truck-collide-in-brazil-345357"><img alt="Brazil" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3a6ca1b8-a922-45c6-99eb-3d170727280f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/brazil.JPG" /></a> 
 
The bus was reportedly carrying workers at a textile factory when the crash occurred.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-chancellor-angela-merkel-approves-compensation-for-past-military-anti-gay-discrimination-345332">German Chancellor Angela Merkel approves compensation for past military anti-gay discrimination</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/german-chancellor-angela-merkel-approves-compensation-for-past-military-anti-gay-discrimination-345332"><img alt="Germany" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="67c608e9-fda0-4431-83ef-5f29be5f9eb6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Chancellor.JPG" /></a> 
The compensation would apply to soldiers from the Bundeswehr, which was created in West Germany in 1955, and to troops from former East Germany's National People's Army, founded in 1956

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-cut-overseas-aid-malala-yousafzai-urges-uk-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-345320">Don't cut overseas aid, Malala Yousafzai urges UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-cut-overseas-aid-malala-yousafzai-urges-uk-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-345320"><img alt="Malala" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ad42e5a-ce12-4252-ac1d-634942aeafb1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/malala.JPG" /></a> 
In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto

After days of uncertainty, Chinese President Xi Jinping has finally congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden. Meanwhile, China is fuming because of fresh ban on Chinese apps in India.

After days of uncertainty, Chinese President Xi Jinping has finally congratulated US President-elect Joe Biden. Meanwhile, China is fuming because of fresh ban on Chinese apps in India. Coronabirus vaccination is likely to start in th EU by December. Read this and much more! President Xi congratulates president-elect Joe Biden on US election victory Earlier, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin had said: “We respect the choice of the American people. We firmly oppose India's move to block more mobile apps: China Yesterday, The India government announced that it has banned 43 more Chinese mobile apps. UAE halts new visas to citizens of 13 countries including Pakistan over security concern The UAE had temporarily stopped issuing new visas to Afghans, Pakistanis and citizens of several other countries over security concerns. 'Light at the end of the tunnel': European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says first European citizen might be vaccinated before end December The European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen warned that member countries should prepare their logistical chains for the rollout of millions of doses vaccines. Thai police revive controversial royal defamation law ahead of protest Thailand has for months been rocked by youth-led protests demanding a new constitution, reform of the untouchable monarchy, and for Prayut to resign. Back from dead? Zombie minks rise from graves to 'exact revenge' after being culled Hordes of carcasses of dead minks resurfaced from the grave after mass culling, leading to speculation that they have returned as zombies to 'exact revenge' Will Santa use hand sanitiser? worried 8-year-old writes to UK PM Boris Johnson Johnson gave a reply and thanked Monti for raising an 'important question' At least 37 killed as bus, truck collide in Brazil The bus was reportedly carrying workers at a textile factory when the crash occurred. German Chancellor Angela Merkel approves compensation for past military anti-gay discrimination The compensation would apply to soldiers from the Bundeswehr, which was created in West Germany in 1955, and to troops from former East Germany's National People's Army, founded in 1956 Don't cut overseas aid, Malala Yousafzai urges UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto

Top 10 World news: Xi congratulates Biden, COVID-19 vaccination in EU, and more!

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid. He is expected to suspend legal commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross income on international development.

As per reports, Sunak will cut the aid to 0.5 per cent as the government seeks to support the coronavirus-ravaged economy and looks for savings from an aid budget worth £15 billion ($20 billion, €17 billion).

In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto.

"When you announce spending priorities... I hope you'll deliver on that promise," she wrote.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
130 million girls were already out of school before <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a>. Now 20 million more might not return.<a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BorisJohnson</a> - a generation of girls is counting on our support. Now is not the time to back out of commitments to education. <a href="https://t.co/Kp91byysUz">https://t.co/Kp91byysUz</a>
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalalaFund/status/1330965119409467395?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The Pakistani education campaigner wrote that leaders must "prioritise education" as "Covid-19 could force 20 million more girls out of school".

Her plea came as five former prime ministers also opposed the planned cut.

Among them was former Conservative leader John Major, quoted by The Times newspaper on Wednesday as saying the spending cut was "morally wrong and politically unwise".

Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said on Saturday that Britain's overseas aid budget had an impact "measured literally in millions of lives".

David Cameron, whose coalition government enshrined the 0.7 percent in law, has said abandoning it would be a "moral, strategic and political mistake".

Johnson's government has repeatedly committed to maintaining the spending and his Conservatives made it a key plank of the election manifesto last year.

The government also promised not to grab ring-fenced aid money when it merged the foreign and development ministries earlier this year.

But Sunak on Sunday told Sky News the UK was under "enormous pressure and stress" and faced an "economic shock".

Any cut -- even a temporary one -- is likely to trigger a battle with Conservative MPs.

Tom Tugendhat, who chairs parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote in The Times: "If we cut aid we'll fall behind."

He retweeted Yousafzai's message, saying the UK needs "others to join us" as other G7 nations spend less on foreign aid.

The leaders of 187 charities including Save the Children, Greenpeace UK and Christian Aid on Friday urged Johnson not to cut the aid budget.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid.

Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai on Wednesday, urged Britain against cutting overseas aid. UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make major announcement on the country's overseas aid. He is expected to suspend legal commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of gross income on international development. As per reports, Sunak will cut the aid to 0.5 per cent as the government seeks to support the coronavirus-ravaged economy and looks for savings from an aid budget worth £15 billion ($20 billion, €17 billion). In a tweet late on Tuesday, Yousafzai reminded Sunak and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of the 0.7 percent pledge, renewed in last year's Conservative election manifesto. "When you announce spending priorities... I hope you'll deliver on that promise," she wrote. 130 million girls were already out of school before #COVID19. Now 20 million more might not return.@BorisJohnson - a generation of girls is counting on our support. Now is not the time to back out of commitments to education. https://t.co/Kp91byysUz — Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) November 23, 2020 × The Pakistani education campaigner wrote that leaders must "prioritise education" as "Covid-19 could force 20 million more girls out of school". Her plea came as five former prime ministers also opposed the planned cut. Among them was former Conservative leader John Major, quoted by The Times newspaper on Wednesday as saying the spending cut was "morally wrong and politically unwise". Former Labour prime minister Tony Blair said on Saturday that Britain's overseas aid budget had an impact "measured literally in millions of lives". David Cameron, whose coalition government enshrined the 0.7 percent in law, has said abandoning it would be a "moral, strategic and political mistake". Johnson's government has repeatedly committed to maintaining the spending and his Conservatives made it a key plank of the election manifesto last year. The government also promised not to grab ring-fenced aid money when it merged the foreign and development ministries earlier this year. But Sunak on Sunday told Sky News the UK was under "enormous pressure and stress" and faced an "economic shock". Any cut -- even a temporary one -- is likely to trigger a battle with Conservative MPs. Tom Tugendhat, who chairs parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote in The Times: "If we cut aid we'll fall behind." He retweeted Yousafzai's message, saying the UK needs "others to join us" as other G7 nations spend less on foreign aid. The leaders of 187 charities including Save the Children, Greenpeace UK and Christian Aid on Friday urged Johnson not to cut the aid budget.

Don't cut overseas aid, Malala Yousafzai urges UK Finance Minister Rishi Sunak

US President-elect Joe Biden is due to make a speech on Wednesday on coronavirus pandemic in the country. He will address the issue as Thanksgiving holiday approaches. He is likely to appeal Americans to spend the holiday indoors. He himself will be spending the holiday with his family.

The address is meant to encourage Americans and focus on the sacrifices they are making during the holiday season, his office said.

The number of patients being treated for coronavirus infections in U.S. hospitals surpassed 86,000, an all-time high, on Tuesday. The death toll has passed 257,000.

Biden has begun a formal transition to the White House. On Tuesday, he introdcued his foreign policy and national security team.

The soaring coronavirus caseload has taxed healthcare providers and further strained medical resources as 171,000 Americans test positive and another 1,500 or more perish from COVID-19 every day, on average.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/markets-throw-a-welcome-party-of-sorts-for-biden-345285">Markets throw a welcome party of sorts for Biden</a>

Not everyone appears to be heeding the warnings against travel. Millions of Americans have flocked to airports and highways in the days leading to Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, leading to the busiest U.S. travel period since the early days of the pandemic in March, though well before pre-pandemic holiday levels.

Biden, who plans to spend Thanksgiving at home in Delaware with a few family members, said on Tuesday his team has been able to coordinate with the Trump administration on the pandemic, vaccine distribution plans and national security since getting the green light on Monday for formal transition efforts.

The White House also gave the go-ahead for Biden to start receiving the president's daily intelligence briefing.

"It's been offered," Biden told reporters on Tuesday. "I did not have it today. We're going to do it on a regular basis."

Trump has waged a failing legal battle to overturn the election results, falsely claiming it was stolen through widespread voting fraud. Critics have said Trump's refusal to accept the results undercut Biden's ability to combat the coronavirus pandemic and deal with national security threats.

BIDEN BUILDS CABINET

Biden has moved swiftly to fill some top jobs in his administration. In introducing his foreign policy team, he signaled he intended after taking office on Jan. 20 to steer the United States away from the unilateralist nationalism pursued by Trump and work together with the nation's allies.

He said the team, which includes trusted aide Antony Blinken as his nominee for U.S. secretary of state, would shed "old thinking and unchanged habits" in its approach to foreign relations.

"It's a team that reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it, once again sit at the head of the table, ready to confront our adversaries and not reject our allies, ready to stand up for our values," Biden said at a news briefing in Wilmington, Delaware.

Biden also signaled that two former, more liberal, rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, were not under consideration for Cabinet appointments, saying he needed their votes in the closely divided Senate.

Asked by NBC News about possibly nominating Sanders or Warren to his Cabinet, Biden said nothing was off the table but signaled they might be more needed in the Senate, where the party in power will govern by a razor-thin margin.

Two runoffs in Georgia on Jan. 5 will determine which party has a Senate majority. Democrats also saw their majority in the House of Representatives narrow in the Nov. 3 election.

"Taking someone out of the Senate, taking someone out of the House, particularly a person of consequence, is really a difficult decision," Biden said. "I have a very ambitious, very progressive agenda, and it's going to take really strong leaders in the House and Senate to get it done."

Trump has told allies he plans to pardon his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.

The source said Trump could still change his mind on the planned pardon, which was first reported by Axios.

US President-elect Joe Biden is due to make a speech on Wednesday on coronavirus pandemic in the country. He will address the issue as Thanksgiving holiday approaches.

US President-elect Joe Biden is due to make a speech on Wednesday on coronavirus pandemic in the country. He will address the issue as Thanksgiving holiday approaches. He is likely to appeal Americans to spend the holiday indoors. He himself will be spending the holiday with his family. The address is meant to encourage Americans and focus on the sacrifices they are making during the holiday season, his office said. The number of patients being treated for coronavirus infections in U.S. hospitals surpassed 86,000, an all-time high, on Tuesday. The death toll has passed 257,000. Biden has begun a formal transition to the White House. On Tuesday, he introdcued his foreign policy and national security team. The soaring coronavirus caseload has taxed healthcare providers and further strained medical resources as 171,000 Americans test positive and another 1,500 or more perish from COVID-19 every day, on average. Also Read | Markets throw a welcome party of sorts for Biden Not everyone appears to be heeding the warnings against travel. Millions of Americans have flocked to airports and highways in the days leading to Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, leading to the busiest U.S. travel period since the early days of the pandemic in March, though well before pre-pandemic holiday levels. Biden, who plans to spend Thanksgiving at home in Delaware with a few family members, said on Tuesday his team has been able to coordinate with the Trump administration on the pandemic, vaccine distribution plans and national security since getting the green light on Monday for formal transition efforts. The White House also gave the go-ahead for Biden to start receiving the president's daily intelligence briefing. "It's been offered," Biden told reporters on Tuesday. "I did not have it today. We're going to do it on a regular basis." Trump has waged a failing legal battle to overturn the election results, falsely claiming it was stolen through widespread voting fraud. Critics have said Trump's refusal to accept the results undercut Biden's ability to combat the coronavirus pandemic and deal with national security threats. BIDEN BUILDS CABINET Biden has moved swiftly to fill some top jobs in his administration. In introducing his foreign policy team, he signaled he intended after taking office on Jan. 20 to steer the United States away from the unilateralist nationalism pursued by Trump and work together with the nation's allies. He said the team, which includes trusted aide Antony Blinken as his nominee for U.S. secretary of state, would shed "old thinking and unchanged habits" in its approach to foreign relations. "It's a team that reflects the fact that America is back, ready to lead the world, not retreat from it, once again sit at the head of the table, ready to confront our adversaries and not reject our allies, ready to stand up for our values," Biden said at a news briefing in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden also signaled that two former, more liberal, rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, were not under consideration for Cabinet appointments, saying he needed their votes in the closely divided Senate. Asked by NBC News about possibly nominating Sanders or Warren to his Cabinet, Biden said nothing was off the table but signaled they might be more needed in the Senate, where the party in power will govern by a razor-thin margin. Two runoffs in Georgia on Jan. 5 will determine which party has a Senate majority. Democrats also saw their majority in the House of Representatives narrow in the Nov. 3 election. "Taking someone out of the Senate, taking someone out of the House, particularly a person of consequence, is really a difficult decision," Biden said. "I have a very ambitious, very progressive agenda, and it's going to take really strong leaders in the House and Senate to get it done." Trump has told allies he plans to pardon his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who had pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI during the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday. The source said Trump could still change his mind on the planned pardon, which was first reported by Axios.

Joe Biden to speak on coronavirus pandemic as Thanksgiving approaches

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proposed on Sunday that two G-20 Summits should be held each year in future. He said that one of the summits can be held virtually mid-year while the second will be held in-person at the end of the year.

Speaking on the last day of the summit, the prince said the G20 presidency will issue its final communique and also a separate statement from Turkey detailing Ankara’s views towards that communique. He gave no more details about the statement.

On Sunday, G-20 nations pledged to spare 'no effort' to ensure fair distribution of coronavirus vaccine takes place in times ahead.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-leaders-seek-to-help-poorest-nations-in-post-covid-world-344637">G20 leaders seek to help poorest nations in post-COVID world</a> 
 
Saudi Arabia's King Salman said that the "spirit of cooperation" was needed now "more than ever to face the impact of the pandemic and create a prosperous future for the people of the whole world".

"We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people," said the countries in the statement.

While richer nations plan their vaccination programmes, with the US expecting to launch in early December, experts warn that developing countries face hurdles that could deny billions the first proven protection against the virus.

Calls are mounting for the G20 to help plug a $4.5-billion funding gap in the so-called ACT-Accelerator, a mechanism led by the World Health Organization that aims to ensure access to tests, treatments and vaccines for all.

(With agency inputs)

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proposed on Sunday that two G-20 Summits should be held each year in future. He said that one of the summits can be held virtually mid-year while the second will be held in-person at the end of the year.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman proposed on Sunday that two G-20 Summits should be held each year in future. He said that one of the summits can be held virtually mid-year while the second will be held in-person at the end of the year. Speaking on the last day of the summit, the prince said the G20 presidency will issue its final communique and also a separate statement from Turkey detailing Ankara’s views towards that communique. He gave no more details about the statement. On Sunday, G-20 nations pledged to spare 'no effort' to ensure fair distribution of coronavirus vaccine takes place in times ahead. Also Read | G20 leaders seek to help poorest nations in post-COVID world Saudi Arabia's King Salman said that the "spirit of cooperation" was needed now "more than ever to face the impact of the pandemic and create a prosperous future for the people of the whole world". "We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people," said the countries in the statement. While richer nations plan their vaccination programmes, with the US expecting to launch in early December, experts warn that developing countries face hurdles that could deny billions the first proven protection against the virus. Calls are mounting for the G20 to help plug a $4.5-billion funding gap in the so-called ACT-Accelerator, a mechanism led by the World Health Organization that aims to ensure access to tests, treatments and vaccines for all. (With agency inputs)

Saudi Arabia Crown Prince proposes two G-20 summits in a year

Head of US government's coronavirus vaccine effort said on Sunday that the country hopes to begin a sweeping vaccination in early December. If such an effort takes place, it will mark first mass vaccination against coronavirus and will also be a decisive step against the global Covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than a million people worldwide. The number of active cases worldwide is more than 15 million at present.

"Our plan is to be able to ship vaccines to the immunization sites within 24 hours of approval" by the US Food and Drug Administration, Moncef Slaoui told CNN.&nbsp;

"So I expect maybe on Day Two of the approval, on the 11th or the 12th of December."

Citing reports, AFP said that FDA vaccine advisors will meet between December 8 and 10 to discuss approval of vaccines. Pfizer and Moderna have said that their vaccines against COVID-19 are at least 95 per cent effective.

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Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed on Friday (December 20) that they had applied to US health regulators for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world. The companies have said that they are prepared to ship vaccines as soon as they get a go-ahead from the government.

USA is the worst affected country in the world. It has had more than 12,000,000 coronavirus cases so far. The death tally is fast approaching 300 thousand. Nearly 5 million people are still affected due to coronavirus.

(With agency&nbsp;inputs)

Head of US government's coronavirus vaccine effort said on Sunday that the country hopes to begin a sweeping vaccination in early December. If such an effort takes place, it will mark first mass vaccination against coronavirus and will also be a decisive step against the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Head of US government's coronavirus vaccine effort said on Sunday that the country hopes to begin a sweeping vaccination in early December. If such an effort takes place, it will mark first mass vaccination against coronavirus and will also be a decisive step against the global Covid-19 pandemic. The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than a million people worldwide. The number of active cases worldwide is more than 15 million at present. "Our plan is to be able to ship vaccines to the immunization sites within 24 hours of approval" by the US Food and Drug Administration, Moncef Slaoui told CNN. "So I expect maybe on Day Two of the approval, on the 11th or the 12th of December." Citing reports, AFP said that FDA vaccine advisors will meet between December 8 and 10 to discuss approval of vaccines. Pfizer and Moderna have said that their vaccines against COVID-19 are at least 95 per cent effective. Also Read | Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding Pfizer and its partner BioNTech confirmed on Friday (December 20) that they had applied to US health regulators for emergency use authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first to do so in the US as the pandemic rages around the world. The companies have said that they are prepared to ship vaccines as soon as they get a go-ahead from the government. USA is the worst affected country in the world. It has had more than 12,000,000 coronavirus cases so far. The death tally is fast approaching 300 thousand. Nearly 5 million people are still affected due to coronavirus. (With agency inputs)

Covid-19 vaccination may start in early December in US: Top official

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic. In Syria, 14 pro-Iran militia fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike, said a report. Afghan Vice President has vowed to track those behind Kabul terror attack. Read this and more.

 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-lies-france-asks-pakistan-to-withdraw-comments-that-compared-macron-to-nazis-344721">'Blatant lies': France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blatant-lies-france-asks-pakistan-to-withdraw-comments-that-compared-macron-to-nazis-344721"><img alt="Macron" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c4e9d647-a320-469a-8747-119dd530c7fb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/macron%20main.JPG" /></a>

France's foreign ministry said that the remarks by the minister were 'hateful' and 'blatant lies', demanding Pakistan to 'rectify' the statements

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-normal-christmas-this-year-says-britains-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-344710">No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-normal-christmas-this-year-says-britains-finance-minister-rishi-sunak-344710"><img alt="Sunak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c751cb90-aabf-4050-851c-97086bef6644" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rishi%20Sunak.JPG" /></a> 
 
Sunak's comments came after the government affirmed that there will be a tougher set of restrictions after the current lockdown ends on December 2

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-14-pro-iran-fighters-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-says-report-344707">Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-14-pro-iran-fighters-killed-in-israeli-airstrikes-says-report-344707"><img alt="Syria" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="89266dc5-793d-4af9-93ba-ef4dde32b534" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Syria%20airstrikes.JPG" /></a> 
 
More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-warns-israel-over-its-role-in-syria-344713">Iran warns Israel over its role in Syria</a>

<img alt="Syria airstrike" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7353cbde-ae26-45ad-935e-105480354190" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Syria.JPG" />

Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699">Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-vp-vows-to-track-those-behind-kabul-terror-attack-344699"><img alt="Afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="85bd4a6f-a280-4a81-8ae6-6d03fe75ea81" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghanistan_1.JPG" /></a> 
 
The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone.

 
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<img alt="Coronavirus nasal spray" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="37fe87de-3dc0-463b-a22b-ef764f1406c3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/nasal%20spray.JPG" />

 
If the technology turns out successful, other than coronavirus, infections like common cold and influenza can also be dealt with

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-who-killed-afghan-official-with-promises-of-sex-released-with-taliban-prisoners-344648">Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-who-killed-afghan-official-with-promises-of-sex-released-with-taliban-prisoners-344648"><img alt="Woman afghanistan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0bb8bf47-db32-4506-92b3-7b302cf0df36" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/woman.JPG" /></a> 
The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dutch-cull-almost-200000-chickens-after-bird-flu-outbreak-344695">Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dutch-cull-almost-200000-chickens-after-bird-flu-outbreak-344695"><img alt="Dutch chickens" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e86f610a-a98e-4597-8e5a-2e481b549bd9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/dutch.JPG" /></a> 
 
Seasonal bird flu has been detected at various farms around the Netherlands since October, blamed mainly on migratory birds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/couple-collects-5000-gifts-for-donations-this-christmas-344704">Couple collects 5,000 gifts for donations this Christmas</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/couple-collects-5000-gifts-for-donations-this-christmas-344704"><img alt="Christmas" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f542f1df-59a4-4d07-850c-55c6152ccaf8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Christmas.JPG" /></a> 
 
The couple, who run the popular TikTok channel The Smithy Family, initially decided to buy 60 gifts for Christmas for needy people but were surprised to see how people supported their efforts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-annual-taiwan-protest-anger-focussed-on-us-pork-344692">Thousands join annual Taiwan protest, anger focussed on US pork</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-annual-taiwan-protest-anger-focussed-on-us-pork-344692"><img alt="Taiwan pork" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7ba1e039-c607-4643-a3e9-079ebbf1f4af" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/taiwan_2.JPG" /></a> 
 
Taiwan`s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) rallied its supporters to join in the march for the first time, having mounted an increasingly strident campaign against the pork move, which it says threatens food safety.

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic.

France has asked Pakistan to take back comments that compared President Emmanuel Macron to Nazis. The comment was made by a Pakistani minister. British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak said that Christmas this year will not be 'normal' in light of coronavirus pandemic. In Syria, 14 pro-Iran militia fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike, said a report. Afghan Vice President has vowed to track those behind Kabul terror attack. Read this and more. 'Blatant lies': France asks Pakistan to withdraw comments that compared Macron to Nazis France's foreign ministry said that the remarks by the minister were 'hateful' and 'blatant lies', demanding Pakistan to 'rectify' the statements No 'normal' Christmas this year, says Britain's Finance Minister Rishi Sunak Sunak's comments came after the government affirmed that there will be a tougher set of restrictions after the current lockdown ends on December 2 Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal Iran warns Israel over its role in Syria Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012 Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone. Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding If the technology turns out successful, other than coronavirus, infections like common cold and influenza can also be dealt with Women who killed Afghan official with promises of sex, released with Taliban prisoners The two were also infamous for brutal murders, other than their 'honeytrap' killings Dutch cull almost 200,000 chickens after bird flu outbreak Seasonal bird flu has been detected at various farms around the Netherlands since October, blamed mainly on migratory birds. Couple collects 5,000 gifts for donations this Christmas The couple, who run the popular TikTok channel The Smithy Family, initially decided to buy 60 gifts for Christmas for needy people but were surprised to see how people supported their efforts Thousands join annual Taiwan protest, anger focussed on US pork Taiwan`s main opposition party the Kuomintang (KMT) rallied its supporters to join in the march for the first time, having mounted an increasingly strident campaign against the pork move, which it says threatens food safety.

Top 10 World news: Macron fumes over 'Nazi' jibe, Iran warns Israel, and more!

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack was initially blamed on Taliban but the outfit denied having any hand in the attck.

The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone.

"We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials (rockets) used in the attack," Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials. Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded. Several buildings were damaged, including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex.

The attack took place just hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government in Qatar, amid signs of progress in talks between the two warring groups.

It was the third attack in the capital claimed by IS in less than a month. Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people, mostly students.

The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12, but violence on the ground continues unabated.

In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, the interior ministry said this week.

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afghanistan Vice-President Amrullah Saleh vowed on Sunday to track down people responsible for rocket attack in Kabul. The attack has killed at least 10 people. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack was initially blamed on Taliban but the outfit denied having any hand in the attck. The attack that took place on Saturday saw rockets being fired in densely populated areas of Kabul, including in and around the heavily fortified Green Zone. "We will find out the networks who facilitated in transporting the materials (rockets) used in the attack," Saleh said on his Facebook page after a meeting with security officials. Saleh said the attack left 10 people dead and another 51 wounded. Several buildings were damaged, including the Iranian embassy and a medical complex. The attack took place just hours before US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was to meet with negotiators from the Taliban and Afghan government in Qatar, amid signs of progress in talks between the two warring groups. It was the third attack in the capital claimed by IS in less than a month. Two previous attacks targeted educational centres and killed nearly 50 people, mostly students. The Taliban and Afghan government have been engaged in peace talks in Doha since September 12, but violence on the ground continues unabated. In the past six months the Taliban have carried out 53 suicide attacks and detonated 1,250 explosive devices that have left 1,210 civilians dead and 2,500 wounded, the interior ministry said this week.

Afghan VP vows to track those behind Kabul terror attack

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult.

Trump has spent the last two weeks hunkered down in the White House, raging about a “stolen” election and refusing to accept the reality of his loss. But in other ways he is acting as if he knows he will be departing soon and showing none of the deference that presidents traditionally give their successors in their final days in office.

During the past four years Trump has not spent much time thinking about policy, but he has shown a penchant for striking back at his adversaries. And with his encouragement, top officials are racing against the clock to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, secure oil drilling leases in Alaska, punish China, carry out executions and thwart any plans Biden might have to reestablish the Iran nuclear deal.

In some cases, like the executions and the oil leases, Trump’s government plans to act just days — or even hours — before Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20.

At a wide range of departments and agencies, Trump’s political appointees are going to extraordinary lengths to try to prevent Biden from rolling back the president’s legacy. They are filling vacancies on scientific panels, pushing to complete rules that weaken environmental standards, nominating judges and rushing their confirmations through the Senate, and trying to eliminate health care regulations that have been in place for years.

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In the latest instance, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to extend key emergency lending programs that the Federal Reserve had been using to help keep credit flowing to businesses, state and local governments and other parts of the financial system. He also moved to claw back much of the money that supports them, hindering Biden’s ability to use the central bank’s vast powers to cushion the economic fallout from the virus.

Terry Sullivan, a professor of political science and the executive director of the White House Transition Project, a nonpartisan group which has studied presidential transitions for decades, said Trump was not behaving like past presidents who cared about how their final days in office shaped their legacy.

“They are upping tension in Iran, which could lead to a confrontation. The economy is tanking, and they are not doing anything about unemployment benefits,” he said.

It is one final norm shattered by Trump — and a stark contrast to the last Republican president who handed over power to a Democrat.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-mulling-joining-trade-pact-dumped-by-trump-344669">China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump</a> 
 
Former President George W. Bush consciously left it to his successor, Barack Obama, to decide how to rescue the auto industry and whether to approve Afghan troop increases. And when Congress demanded negotiations over the bank bailouts, Bush stepped aside and let Obama cut a deal with lawmakers even before he was inaugurated.

Aides to Bush said the outgoing president wanted to leave Obama with a range of policy options as he began his presidency, a mindset clearly reflected in a 2008 email about negotiations over the status of U.S. forces in Iraq from Joshua Bolten, Bush’s chief of staff at the time, to John Podesta, who ran Obama’s transition, just a week after the election.

“We believe we have negotiated an agreement that provides President-Elect Obama the authorities and protections he needs to exercise the full prerogatives as commander in chief,” Bolten wrote to Podesta on November 11, 2008, in an email later made public by WikiLeaks. “We would like to offer, at your earliest convenience, a full briefing to you and your staff.”

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That has not been Trump’s approach.

The president has continued to deny Biden briefings and access to agency officials — delays that the president-elect has said threatened to undermine the country’s response to the pandemic. And far from seeking to help Biden’s team, Trump has spent more than two weeks actively seeking to undermine the legitimacy of his victory.

Biden and his top aides have not publicly criticized the president’s policy actions at home or abroad, abiding by the tradition that there is only one president at a time. But the president-elect has vowed to move quickly to undo many of Trump’s domestic and foreign policies.

That will most likely start with a blitz of executive actions in his first days in office as well as an aggressive legislative agenda during his first year.

Some of Trump’s advisers make no attempt to hide the fact that their actions are aimed at deliberately hamstringing Biden’s policy options even before he begins.

One administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of not being authorized to talk publicly, said that in the coming days there would be more announcements made related in particular to China, with whom Trump advisers believe that Biden would try to improve relations.

Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, defended the administration’s actions, saying the president was elected because voters were “tired of the same old business-as-usual politicians who always pledged to change Washington but never did.” Trump, he said, had rolled back regulations and brought accountability to agencies and “remains focused on that important work.”

Some previous transitions have also been rancorous. Incoming Bush administration officials accused the exiting Clinton White House of minor mischief, last-minute pardons to friends and delays because of the disputed 2000 election.

Trump has long alleged that after his election, he faced a stealth effort to undermine his transition because of the investigations that were underway into his campaign’s possible connections to Russia. And there were documented instances of Obama officials making last-ditch efforts to put roadblocks in the way of what they expected would be Trump’s policy reversals on immigration and other issues.

Still, in his inauguration speech, Trump said Obama and his wife had been “magnificent” in carrying out an orderly transition and thanked them for their “gracious aid” throughout the period.

And rarely in modern times have a president and his allies been as deliberate in their desire to hobble the incoming administration as Trump has been toward Biden.

“It’s not consistent with anything we experienced,” said Denis McDonough, who served as Obama’s chief of staff and was part of Obama’s team during the transition from Bush’s administration. He said Trump’s actions in the final days of his administration were foreshadowed by his determination to sever agreements Obama had reached on climate change and Iran’s nuclear program — something presidents rarely do.

“It’s a breach of that norm,” McDonough said.

Some of Trump’s actions are all but permanent, like the nomination of judges with lifetime appointments or the naming of his supporters to government panels with terms that stretch beyond Biden’s likely time in office. Once done, there is little that the new president can do to reverse them.

But they are not the only nominees administration officials are trying to rush through.

Among the others are two nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, who would serve until 2024 and 2030 respectively; a trio of possible members to the Federal Election Commission to serve six-year terms; and nominees to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who, if confirmed, would prevent Biden from installing majorities on those bodies until well into 2021.

Other actions may be possible to reverse but are designed to exact a political price for doing so.

Since the election, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Afghanistan, where Trump aims to halve an already pared-down force of 4,500 by the time he leaves office, defying the advice of some top generals.

Biden’s vision for U.S. troop deployments is not radically different. He has said that he supports only small numbers of combat forces, mainly tasked with fighting terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But Trump’s last-minute withdrawals could force Biden into an unwanted confrontation with Democrats in Congress if he decides he needs to return to the modest preelection status quo.

Analysts say that Trump’s withdrawal of troops also deprives the United States of any leverage in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Afghan government, potentially allowing the Taliban to make important military gains.

Trump officials are also working to impose new sanctions on Iran that may be difficult for Biden to reverse, out of a fear of opening himself up to charges that he is soft on one of the country’s most dangerous adversaries.

The sanctions could also undermine any move by Biden to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that would require providing Iran with economic breathing room after years of Trump’s constrictions.

“I think you’re going to see a pretty rapid clip of new actions before Jan. 20,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who often consults with the Trump administration on Iran.

In an Oval Office meeting last week, Trump also asked his senior advisers what military options were available to him in response to Iran’s stockpiling of nuclear material, although he was dissuaded from pursuing the idea. Any military action would undermine attempts by Biden to reset U.S. policy.

Similarly, Trump officials continue to take punitive actions against China that are likely to further strain the tense relationship with Beijing that Biden will inherit. Last week, Trump issued an executive order barring Americans from investing in Chinese companies with ties to China’s military. Administration officials say more steps are in the works.

Mnuchin’s shutdown of emergency lending programs this past week could also have long-lasting implications for Biden as the new president struggles to contain the economic fallout from the pandemic. The pandemic-era programs are run by the Fed but use Treasury money to insure against losses.

Mnuchin defended his decision Friday, insisting that he was following the intent of Congress in calling for the Fed to return unused money to the Treasury. But it will be Biden who will be left to deal with the consequences. And restoring the programs would require new negotiations with a Congress that is already deadlocked over COVID relief.

In the summer of 2008, officials in Bush’s White House sent a memo to agency officials warning them to wrap up new regulations — and not to try to rush new ones in right before the next president. Trump is doing the opposite.

The Environmental Protection Agency is rushing to try to complete work on a new rule that will change the way the federal government counts costs and benefits, an adjustment that could make it harder for Biden to expand certain air or water pollution regulations.

At Health and Human Services, the agency moved just after Election Day to adopt a rule that would automatically suspend thousands of agency regulations if they are not individually confirmed to be “still needed” and “having appropriate impacts.” The agency itself called the plan radical — realizing it would tie the hands of the next administration.

Brian Harrison, the agency’s chief of staff, called it “the boldest and most significant regulatory reform effort ever undertaken by HHS.”

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult.

Voters have decided that President-elect Joe Biden should guide the country through the next four years. But on issues of war, the environment, criminal justice, trade, the economy and more, President Donald Trump and top administration officials are doing what they can to make changing direction more difficult. Trump has spent the last two weeks hunkered down in the White House, raging about a “stolen” election and refusing to accept the reality of his loss. But in other ways he is acting as if he knows he will be departing soon and showing none of the deference that presidents traditionally give their successors in their final days in office. During the past four years Trump has not spent much time thinking about policy, but he has shown a penchant for striking back at his adversaries. And with his encouragement, top officials are racing against the clock to withdraw troops from Afghanistan, secure oil drilling leases in Alaska, punish China, carry out executions and thwart any plans Biden might have to reestablish the Iran nuclear deal. In some cases, like the executions and the oil leases, Trump’s government plans to act just days — or even hours — before Biden is inaugurated Jan. 20. At a wide range of departments and agencies, Trump’s political appointees are going to extraordinary lengths to try to prevent Biden from rolling back the president’s legacy. They are filling vacancies on scientific panels, pushing to complete rules that weaken environmental standards, nominating judges and rushing their confirmations through the Senate, and trying to eliminate health care regulations that have been in place for years. Also Read | Saudi confident of 'friendly' ties with Biden: official In the latest instance, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin declined to extend key emergency lending programs that the Federal Reserve had been using to help keep credit flowing to businesses, state and local governments and other parts of the financial system. He also moved to claw back much of the money that supports them, hindering Biden’s ability to use the central bank’s vast powers to cushion the economic fallout from the virus. Terry Sullivan, a professor of political science and the executive director of the White House Transition Project, a nonpartisan group which has studied presidential transitions for decades, said Trump was not behaving like past presidents who cared about how their final days in office shaped their legacy. “They are upping tension in Iran, which could lead to a confrontation. The economy is tanking, and they are not doing anything about unemployment benefits,” he said. It is one final norm shattered by Trump — and a stark contrast to the last Republican president who handed over power to a Democrat. Also Read | China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump Former President George W. Bush consciously left it to his successor, Barack Obama, to decide how to rescue the auto industry and whether to approve Afghan troop increases. And when Congress demanded negotiations over the bank bailouts, Bush stepped aside and let Obama cut a deal with lawmakers even before he was inaugurated. Aides to Bush said the outgoing president wanted to leave Obama with a range of policy options as he began his presidency, a mindset clearly reflected in a 2008 email about negotiations over the status of U.S. forces in Iraq from Joshua Bolten, Bush’s chief of staff at the time, to John Podesta, who ran Obama’s transition, just a week after the election. “We believe we have negotiated an agreement that provides President-Elect Obama the authorities and protections he needs to exercise the full prerogatives as commander in chief,” Bolten wrote to Podesta on November 11, 2008, in an email later made public by WikiLeaks. “We would like to offer, at your earliest convenience, a full briefing to you and your staff.” × That has not been Trump’s approach. The president has continued to deny Biden briefings and access to agency officials — delays that the president-elect has said threatened to undermine the country’s response to the pandemic. And far from seeking to help Biden’s team, Trump has spent more than two weeks actively seeking to undermine the legitimacy of his victory. Biden and his top aides have not publicly criticized the president’s policy actions at home or abroad, abiding by the tradition that there is only one president at a time. But the president-elect has vowed to move quickly to undo many of Trump’s domestic and foreign policies. That will most likely start with a blitz of executive actions in his first days in office as well as an aggressive legislative agenda during his first year. Some of Trump’s advisers make no attempt to hide the fact that their actions are aimed at deliberately hamstringing Biden’s policy options even before he begins. One administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of not being authorized to talk publicly, said that in the coming days there would be more announcements made related in particular to China, with whom Trump advisers believe that Biden would try to improve relations. Judd Deere, a White House spokesperson, defended the administration’s actions, saying the president was elected because voters were “tired of the same old business-as-usual politicians who always pledged to change Washington but never did.” Trump, he said, had rolled back regulations and brought accountability to agencies and “remains focused on that important work.” Some previous transitions have also been rancorous. Incoming Bush administration officials accused the exiting Clinton White House of minor mischief, last-minute pardons to friends and delays because of the disputed 2000 election. Trump has long alleged that after his election, he faced a stealth effort to undermine his transition because of the investigations that were underway into his campaign’s possible connections to Russia. And there were documented instances of Obama officials making last-ditch efforts to put roadblocks in the way of what they expected would be Trump’s policy reversals on immigration and other issues. Still, in his inauguration speech, Trump said Obama and his wife had been “magnificent” in carrying out an orderly transition and thanked them for their “gracious aid” throughout the period. And rarely in modern times have a president and his allies been as deliberate in their desire to hobble the incoming administration as Trump has been toward Biden. “It’s not consistent with anything we experienced,” said Denis McDonough, who served as Obama’s chief of staff and was part of Obama’s team during the transition from Bush’s administration. He said Trump’s actions in the final days of his administration were foreshadowed by his determination to sever agreements Obama had reached on climate change and Iran’s nuclear program — something presidents rarely do. “It’s a breach of that norm,” McDonough said. Some of Trump’s actions are all but permanent, like the nomination of judges with lifetime appointments or the naming of his supporters to government panels with terms that stretch beyond Biden’s likely time in office. Once done, there is little that the new president can do to reverse them. But they are not the only nominees administration officials are trying to rush through. Among the others are two nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, who would serve until 2024 and 2030 respectively; a trio of possible members to the Federal Election Commission to serve six-year terms; and nominees to the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, who, if confirmed, would prevent Biden from installing majorities on those bodies until well into 2021. Other actions may be possible to reverse but are designed to exact a political price for doing so. Since the election, Trump has ordered the withdrawal of thousands of troops from Afghanistan, where Trump aims to halve an already pared-down force of 4,500 by the time he leaves office, defying the advice of some top generals. Biden’s vision for U.S. troop deployments is not radically different. He has said that he supports only small numbers of combat forces, mainly tasked with fighting terrorist groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. But Trump’s last-minute withdrawals could force Biden into an unwanted confrontation with Democrats in Congress if he decides he needs to return to the modest preelection status quo. Analysts say that Trump’s withdrawal of troops also deprives the United States of any leverage in the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan between the Taliban and the Afghan government, potentially allowing the Taliban to make important military gains. Trump officials are also working to impose new sanctions on Iran that may be difficult for Biden to reverse, out of a fear of opening himself up to charges that he is soft on one of the country’s most dangerous adversaries. The sanctions could also undermine any move by Biden to return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, a step that would require providing Iran with economic breathing room after years of Trump’s constrictions. “I think you’re going to see a pretty rapid clip of new actions before Jan. 20,” said Mark Dubowitz, chief executive of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, who often consults with the Trump administration on Iran. In an Oval Office meeting last week, Trump also asked his senior advisers what military options were available to him in response to Iran’s stockpiling of nuclear material, although he was dissuaded from pursuing the idea. Any military action would undermine attempts by Biden to reset U.S. policy. Similarly, Trump officials continue to take punitive actions against China that are likely to further strain the tense relationship with Beijing that Biden will inherit. Last week, Trump issued an executive order barring Americans from investing in Chinese companies with ties to China’s military. Administration officials say more steps are in the works. Mnuchin’s shutdown of emergency lending programs this past week could also have long-lasting implications for Biden as the new president struggles to contain the economic fallout from the pandemic. The pandemic-era programs are run by the Fed but use Treasury money to insure against losses. Mnuchin defended his decision Friday, insisting that he was following the intent of Congress in calling for the Fed to return unused money to the Treasury. But it will be Biden who will be left to deal with the consequences. And restoring the programs would require new negotiations with a Congress that is already deadlocked over COVID relief. In the summer of 2008, officials in Bush’s White House sent a memo to agency officials warning them to wrap up new regulations — and not to try to rush new ones in right before the next president. Trump is doing the opposite. The Environmental Protection Agency is rushing to try to complete work on a new rule that will change the way the federal government counts costs and benefits, an adjustment that could make it harder for Biden to expand certain air or water pollution regulations. At Health and Human Services, the agency moved just after Election Day to adopt a rule that would automatically suspend thousands of agency regulations if they are not individually confirmed to be “still needed” and “having appropriate impacts.” The agency itself called the plan radical — realizing it would tie the hands of the next administration. Brian Harrison, the agency’s chief of staff, called it “the boldest and most significant regulatory reform effort ever undertaken by HHS.”

Trump using last days to lock in policies and make Biden’s task more difficult

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night. The Observatory said that the airstrikes were carried out by Israeli warplanes. The attacks have killed 8 Iraqis and 6 Afghan fighters.

Israeli army said it doesn't comment on foreign reports, as per AFP.

More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal, according to the war monitor.

The attacks also destroyed two bases as well as several military vehicles, the Observatory added.

Iran-backed fighters are heavily deployed in a stretch of territory between the Syrian towns of Albu Kamal and Mayadeen, both former strongholds of the Islamic State group.

Along with Russia, Iran has been a key backer of the Damascus regime in its nine-year-long civil war.

Israel has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as government troops.

The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual strikes.

Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

(With AFP inputs)

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night.

At least 14 pro-Iran fighters from Afghanistan and Iraq were killed in airstrikes in eastern Syria, said Syrian Observatory of Human Rights. The airstrikes were carried out in the border province of Deir Ezzor on Saturday night. The Observatory said that the airstrikes were carried out by Israeli warplanes. The attacks have killed 8 Iraqis and 6 Afghan fighters. Israeli army said it doesn't comment on foreign reports, as per AFP. More than 10 strikes hit positions of Iran-backed militias outside the border town of Albu Kamal, according to the war monitor. The attacks also destroyed two bases as well as several military vehicles, the Observatory added. Iran-backed fighters are heavily deployed in a stretch of territory between the Syrian towns of Albu Kamal and Mayadeen, both former strongholds of the Islamic State group. Along with Russia, Iran has been a key backer of the Damascus regime in its nine-year-long civil war. Israel has carried out hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syria since the civil war broke out in 2011, targeting Iranian and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as government troops. The Israeli army rarely acknowledges individual strikes. Syria's war has killed more than 380,000 people and displaced millions more since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests. (With AFP inputs)

Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report

Iran on Sunday had strong words for Israel over its role in Syria. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said that era of 'hit and run' was over. His words came on the same day when Syrian Obeservatory of Human Rights said that Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran backed militia fighters in Syria.

“The Zionist regime (Israel) is well aware that the era of hit and run is over and therefore they are very cautious,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khateebzadeh in a virtual news conference. He was quoted by Reuters.

Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syria-14-pro-iran-fighters-killed-in-airstrikes-says-report-344707">Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report</a>

Iran denies having military forces in Syria and says it has sent commandos to the country as military advisers. Tehran says it will provide military advisers to Syria for as long as necessary.

“Iran’s presence in Syria is advisory and naturally if anyone disrupts this advisory presence, our response will be a crushing one,” Khatibzadeh said.

Khatibzadeh refused to confirm deaths of Iranian forces in Syria.

(With Reuters inputs)

Iran on Sunday had strong words for Israel over its role in Syria. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said that era of 'hit and run' was over. His words came on the same day when Syrian Obeservatory of Human Rights said that Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran backed militia fighters in Syria.

Iran on Sunday had strong words for Israel over its role in Syria. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson said that era of 'hit and run' was over. His words came on the same day when Syrian Obeservatory of Human Rights said that Israel carried out airstrikes against Iran backed militia fighters in Syria. “The Zionist regime (Israel) is well aware that the era of hit and run is over and therefore they are very cautious,” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Saeed Khateebzadeh in a virtual news conference. He was quoted by Reuters. Israel, which views Tehran as its biggest security threat, has repeatedly attacked Iranian targets and those of allied militia in Syria, where Tehran has backed President Bashar al-Assad and his forces against rebels and militants since 2012. Also Read | Syria: 14 pro-Iran fighters killed in Israeli airstrikes, says report Iran denies having military forces in Syria and says it has sent commandos to the country as military advisers. Tehran says it will provide military advisers to Syria for as long as necessary. “Iran’s presence in Syria is advisory and naturally if anyone disrupts this advisory presence, our response will be a crushing one,” Khatibzadeh said. Khatibzadeh refused to confirm deaths of Iranian forces in Syria. (With Reuters inputs)

Iran warns Israel over its role in Syria

In USA, the presidential transition will be complete in 61 days from now. Joe Biden will take oath as 46th President of the United States on January 20 2021. Donald Trump is expected to leave the White House on the same day. However, Trump's lawyers are trying hard to prove that he has won US Elections 2020. They are leaving no stone unturned in challenging the result of this election. And at the same time, they are preparing to fight some legal battles that involve the trump family.

Meanwhile, Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani has made a bizarre claim. He said that Joe Biden won due to a Venezuelan election technology owned by men who were allies of Hugo Chavez.

"The company counting our vote with control over our vote is owned by two Venezuelans who were allies of Chavez, are present allies of Maduro with a company whose chairman is a close associate and business partner of George Soros, the biggest donor to the democrat party, the biggest donor to antifa and the biggest donor to Black Lives Matter. My goodness, what do we have to do to get you to give our people the truth?" said Rudy Giuliani 
&nbsp; 
The claims and efforts of Trump camp do not seem to be working as the election lawsuits filed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia have been rejected. The rulings came within a few hours from each other.

In Arizona, a state judge dismissed the lawsuit calling it prejudiced. In Pennsylvania, another state judge rejected the lawsuit saying there was no evidence of any fraud or misconduct.

And in Georgia, a federal judge appointed by Mr Trump himself rejected a Republican Party lawsuit saying there was no case at all.

Trump's legal team is suffering one setback after another.

There's trouble brewing for the Trump family as well.

New york's Attorney General has sent a subpoena to the Trump organization. This is over records related to consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump as part of an investigation into the president's business dealings.

In September this year, The New York Times released an explosive report on trump's tax filings. The report revealed that the president had reduced his company's Income Tax liability for several years. He did so by deducting 26 million dollars in consulting fees as a business expense.

The NYT report said that more than 700 thousand dollars of these fees had been paid to Ivanka Trump. Less than two months since the report was released in public domain, the law seems to be catching up with the Trump family.

Trump's legal team may perhaps want to shift its focus away from proving the elections were fraudulent to saving his business empire.

Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York, has been leading Donald Trump's legal battle to invalidate the 2020 presidential election results.

But what's generating more interest than mr. Guiliani's claims is his hair dye.

 
Giuliani appears to sweat off his hair dye at a press conference

<img alt="Rudy Giuliani" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="624f0766-ea02-4df9-bb43-6659ef72741e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Rudy%20Giuliani.JPG" />

Wiping away sweat and dye, Giuliani answered questions posed by the journalists. The streaks were observed by social media users and Twitter was soon abuzz with Giuliani's hair-dye malfunction.

In USA, the presidential transition will be complete in 61 days from now. Joe Biden will take oath as 46th President of the United States on January 20 2021. Donald Trump is expected to leave the White House on the same day.

In USA, the presidential transition will be complete in 61 days from now. Joe Biden will take oath as 46th President of the United States on January 20 2021. Donald Trump is expected to leave the White House on the same day. However, Trump's lawyers are trying hard to prove that he has won US Elections 2020. They are leaving no stone unturned in challenging the result of this election. And at the same time, they are preparing to fight some legal battles that involve the trump family. Meanwhile, Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani has made a bizarre claim. He said that Joe Biden won due to a Venezuelan election technology owned by men who were allies of Hugo Chavez. "The company counting our vote with control over our vote is owned by two Venezuelans who were allies of Chavez, are present allies of Maduro with a company whose chairman is a close associate and business partner of George Soros, the biggest donor to the democrat party, the biggest donor to antifa and the biggest donor to Black Lives Matter. My goodness, what do we have to do to get you to give our people the truth?" said Rudy Giuliani The claims and efforts of Trump camp do not seem to be working as the election lawsuits filed in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia have been rejected. The rulings came within a few hours from each other. In Arizona, a state judge dismissed the lawsuit calling it prejudiced. In Pennsylvania, another state judge rejected the lawsuit saying there was no evidence of any fraud or misconduct. And in Georgia, a federal judge appointed by Mr Trump himself rejected a Republican Party lawsuit saying there was no case at all. Trump's legal team is suffering one setback after another. There's trouble brewing for the Trump family as well. New york's Attorney General has sent a subpoena to the Trump organization. This is over records related to consulting fees paid to Ivanka Trump as part of an investigation into the president's business dealings. In September this year, The New York Times released an explosive report on trump's tax filings. The report revealed that the president had reduced his company's Income Tax liability for several years. He did so by deducting 26 million dollars in consulting fees as a business expense. The NYT report said that more than 700 thousand dollars of these fees had been paid to Ivanka Trump. Less than two months since the report was released in public domain, the law seems to be catching up with the Trump family. Trump's legal team may perhaps want to shift its focus away from proving the elections were fraudulent to saving his business empire. Rudy Giuliani, the former Mayor of New York, has been leading Donald Trump's legal battle to invalidate the 2020 presidential election results. But what's generating more interest than mr. Guiliani's claims is his hair dye. Giuliani appears to sweat off his hair dye at a press conference Wiping away sweat and dye, Giuliani answered questions posed by the journalists. The streaks were observed by social media users and Twitter was soon abuzz with Giuliani's hair-dye malfunction.

Rudy Guiliani makes bizarre claim about Joe Biden's victory

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