Qatar's three-year-old dispute with Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries has reached a breakthrough, as per a senior Trump administration official.

The development is the latest in a series of Middle East deals sought by Washington,&nbsp;the others involving Israel and Arab states,&nbsp;aimed at building a united front against Iran.

Earlier, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah said that Saudi Arabia is reopening its land and sea borders with Qatar ending a diplomatic crisis in the Gulf after almost three and a half years.

Saudi state agency SPA quoted Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying the annual gathering of Gulf leaders would unite Gulf ranks "in the face of challenges facing the region".

Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, will attend, the royal court said. The US&nbsp;official said the Saudi crown prince and Qatari emir would sign the deal.

Qatar's only land border has been mostly closed since mid-2017, when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a blockade against the tiny Gulf state, accusing it of supporting Islamist groups in the region and of having warm ties with Iran.&nbsp;Qatar denies it and says the embargo aims to undermine its sovereignty.

While Saudi Arabia made clear it intended to lift the blockade, the other three countries did not do so immediately, but the Trump official said: "it's our expectation" they would also join in lifting the blockade. Under the emerging agreement, Qatar will suspend lawsuits related to the blockade, the official said.

All of the countries involved in the deals are US&nbsp;allies. Qatar hosts the region’s largest US&nbsp;military base, Bahrain is home to the US&nbsp;Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and Saudi Arabia and the UAE host US&nbsp;troops.

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, assigned to work on the dispute by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump, helped negotiate the deal and was working the phones on it until the wee hours of Monday morning, the official said.

When in December Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said a resolution to the dispute seemed within reach, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a Twitter post said he hoped Gulf reconciliation “contributes to the stability and political and economic development for all peoples of our region.”

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a Twitter post that Tuesday's summit would restore Gulf unity and that "more work lies ahead and we are moving in the right direction".&nbsp;

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نحن أمام قمة تاريخية بامتياز في العلا نعيد من خلالها اللحمة الخليجية ونحرص عبرها أن يكون أمن وإستقرار وإزدهار دولنا وشعوبنا الأولوية الأولى، أمامنا المزيد من العمل ونحن في الإتجاه الصحيح.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnwarGargash/status/1346183467340599298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the move by Saudi Arabia and called it an important step towards resolving the dispute.

“Our hope is that this dispute reaches a comprehensive and lasting resolution based on mutual respect for the countries’ sovereignty and that other sanctions against the people of Qatar are lifted as soon as possible,” it said, adding that Turkey supported all efforts to bring stability to the Gulf region.

Kushner, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and Brian Hook, a special State Department adviser, were flying to the Saudi Arabian city of al-Ula to attend the ceremony, the US&nbsp;official said.

If the deal holds, the Gulf dispute will be added to a string of diplomatic achievements of the Kushner team, a list that includes normalization deals last year between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Kushner, who is also Trump's son-in-law, has been working on more normalization deals between Israel and Arab countries but may run out of time with President-elect Joe Biden due to take over the presidency on Jan. 20.

"It's just a massive breakthrough," the US&nbsp;official said. "The blockade will be lifted. It will allow for travel amongst the countries as well as goods. It will lead to more stability in the region."

Diplomats in the region have said that Saudi Arabia was keen by pushing a deal to resolve the dispute to demonstrate to Biden that they are peacemakers and open to dialogue.

The United States has about 10,000 troops in Qatar, which is home to Al Udeid Air Base. There are thousands of more troops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Qatar's three-year-old dispute with Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries has reached a breakthrough, as per a senior Trump administration official. The development is the latest in a series of Middle East deals sought by Washington, the others involving Israel and Arab states, aimed at building a united front against Iran.

Qatar's three-year-old dispute with Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries has reached a breakthrough, as per a senior Trump administration official. The development is the latest in a series of Middle East deals sought by Washington, the others involving Israel and Arab states, aimed at building a united front against Iran. Earlier, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah said that Saudi Arabia is reopening its land and sea borders with Qatar ending a diplomatic crisis in the Gulf after almost three and a half years. Saudi state agency SPA quoted Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as saying the annual gathering of Gulf leaders would unite Gulf ranks "in the face of challenges facing the region". Qatar's ruler, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, will attend, the royal court said. The US official said the Saudi crown prince and Qatari emir would sign the deal. Qatar's only land border has been mostly closed since mid-2017, when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a blockade against the tiny Gulf state, accusing it of supporting Islamist groups in the region and of having warm ties with Iran. Qatar denies it and says the embargo aims to undermine its sovereignty. While Saudi Arabia made clear it intended to lift the blockade, the other three countries did not do so immediately, but the Trump official said: "it's our expectation" they would also join in lifting the blockade. Under the emerging agreement, Qatar will suspend lawsuits related to the blockade, the official said. All of the countries involved in the deals are US allies. Qatar hosts the region’s largest US military base, Bahrain is home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, and Saudi Arabia and the UAE host US troops. White House senior adviser Jared Kushner, assigned to work on the dispute by US President Donald Trump, helped negotiate the deal and was working the phones on it until the wee hours of Monday morning, the official said. When in December Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said a resolution to the dispute seemed within reach, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a Twitter post said he hoped Gulf reconciliation “contributes to the stability and political and economic development for all peoples of our region.” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said in a Twitter post that Tuesday's summit would restore Gulf unity and that "more work lies ahead and we are moving in the right direction". نحن أمام قمة تاريخية بامتياز في العلا نعيد من خلالها اللحمة الخليجية ونحرص عبرها أن يكون أمن وإستقرار وإزدهار دولنا وشعوبنا الأولوية الأولى، أمامنا المزيد من العمل ونحن في الإتجاه الصحيح. — د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) January 4, 2021 × On Monday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomed the move by Saudi Arabia and called it an important step towards resolving the dispute. “Our hope is that this dispute reaches a comprehensive and lasting resolution based on mutual respect for the countries’ sovereignty and that other sanctions against the people of Qatar are lifted as soon as possible,” it said, adding that Turkey supported all efforts to bring stability to the Gulf region. Kushner, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and Brian Hook, a special State Department adviser, were flying to the Saudi Arabian city of al-Ula to attend the ceremony, the US official said. If the deal holds, the Gulf dispute will be added to a string of diplomatic achievements of the Kushner team, a list that includes normalization deals last year between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. Kushner, who is also Trump's son-in-law, has been working on more normalization deals between Israel and Arab countries but may run out of time with President-elect Joe Biden due to take over the presidency on Jan. 20. "It's just a massive breakthrough," the US official said. "The blockade will be lifted. It will allow for travel amongst the countries as well as goods. It will lead to more stability in the region." Diplomats in the region have said that Saudi Arabia was keen by pushing a deal to resolve the dispute to demonstrate to Biden that they are peacemakers and open to dialogue. The United States has about 10,000 troops in Qatar, which is home to Al Udeid Air Base. There are thousands of more troops in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

'Breakthrough': Saudi Arabia, Qatar to sign US-brokered deal to ease Gulf crisis

The owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain has set a record by paying more than $3 million for a bluefin tuna in the year’s first auction at Tokyo’s new fish market, exceeding his own record price of 2013.

However, according to Toyosu staff, the price of the highest-selling tuna went&nbsp;was around only 10 per cent&nbsp;of the highest-selling tuna price of 2020, in which a bluefin tuna was sold at 193 million yen ($1.87 million), the second-highest price in history.

For this year's auction, fish wholesalers wore masks and sanitised their hands as they examined the texture of tail meat from fresh and frozen&nbsp;tuna&nbsp;by touching, smelling and sometimes tasting pieces of it.

Spectators were not allowed to attend the event, now held at a market called Toyosu after the city's world-famous fish market relocated there from its old site, Tsukiji, in 2018.&nbsp;

Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, paid 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for the 278-kg (613-lb) fish caught off the coast of northern Japan’s Aomori prefecture, or double what he had paid six years ago.

“The tuna looks so tasty and very fresh, but I think I did too much,” Kimura told reporters outside the market later.

“I expected it would be between 30 million and 50 million yen or 60 million yen at the highest, but it ended up five times more.”

Last year, Kimura paid $1.8 million for a 276-kilogram (608-pound) bluefin, and in 2019 he paid a record $3.1 million for a 278-kilogram (613-pound) fish.

Saturday’s event was the first New Year auction of the Toyosu market after the famed Tsukiji fish market shut last year to provide temporary parking for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

One major bidder that owns a number of popular restaurant chains, Kiyomura Corp, said that they intentionally refrained from bidding high this year out of fear that large numbers of customers would be inspired to flock to their restaurants since high bids for high-quality tuna usually get a lot of attention in the press.

Kimura usually uses his purchases to secure national news coverage for himself and his successful sushi chain.&nbsp;

Normally, after winning the annual bidding war and taking his expensive investment back to one of his restaurants, he fillets the fish with a sword-like blade, creates sushi out of it and serves it to customers at no extra charge, all in front of an army of television cameras.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a dramatic slump in demand for tuna, as Tuna prices dropped 8.4 per cent&nbsp;in July 2020 from a year earlier,&nbsp;Japanese government data showed.&nbsp;Japan's tuna imports fell 18 per cent&nbsp;in the first six months of 2020 from a year earlier, according to finance ministry data.

As of Tuesday,&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;has reported 249,246 cases of coronavirus and 3,693 deaths.&nbsp;Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that a state of emergency declaration for Tokyo and the surrounding area would be decided on Thursday, local media reported.

The owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain has set a record by paying more than $3 million for a bluefin tuna in the year’s first auction at Tokyo’s new fish market, exceeding his own record price of 2013.

The owner of a Japanese sushi restaurant chain has set a record by paying more than $3 million for a bluefin tuna in the year’s first auction at Tokyo’s new fish market, exceeding his own record price of 2013. However, according to Toyosu staff, the price of the highest-selling tuna went was around only 10 per cent of the highest-selling tuna price of 2020, in which a bluefin tuna was sold at 193 million yen ($1.87 million), the second-highest price in history. For this year's auction, fish wholesalers wore masks and sanitised their hands as they examined the texture of tail meat from fresh and frozen tuna by touching, smelling and sometimes tasting pieces of it. Spectators were not allowed to attend the event, now held at a market called Toyosu after the city's world-famous fish market relocated there from its old site, Tsukiji, in 2018. Kiyoshi Kimura, who owns the Sushizanmai chain, paid 333.6 million yen ($3.1 million) for the 278-kg (613-lb) fish caught off the coast of northern Japan’s Aomori prefecture, or double what he had paid six years ago. “The tuna looks so tasty and very fresh, but I think I did too much,” Kimura told reporters outside the market later. “I expected it would be between 30 million and 50 million yen or 60 million yen at the highest, but it ended up five times more.” Last year, Kimura paid $1.8 million for a 276-kilogram (608-pound) bluefin, and in 2019 he paid a record $3.1 million for a 278-kilogram (613-pound) fish. Saturday’s event was the first New Year auction of the Toyosu market after the famed Tsukiji fish market shut last year to provide temporary parking for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics. One major bidder that owns a number of popular restaurant chains, Kiyomura Corp, said that they intentionally refrained from bidding high this year out of fear that large numbers of customers would be inspired to flock to their restaurants since high bids for high-quality tuna usually get a lot of attention in the press. Kimura usually uses his purchases to secure national news coverage for himself and his successful sushi chain. Normally, after winning the annual bidding war and taking his expensive investment back to one of his restaurants, he fillets the fish with a sword-like blade, creates sushi out of it and serves it to customers at no extra charge, all in front of an army of television cameras. The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a dramatic slump in demand for tuna, as Tuna prices dropped 8.4 per cent in July 2020 from a year earlier, Japanese government data showed. Japan's tuna imports fell 18 per cent in the first six months of 2020 from a year earlier, according to finance ministry data. As of Tuesday, Japan has reported 249,246 cases of coronavirus and 3,693 deaths. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said that a state of emergency declaration for Tokyo and the surrounding area would be decided on Thursday, local media reported.

Tuna sells for record $3 million in Japan's New Year tuna auction

Taiwan on Tuesday said that Chinese jets had&nbsp;made a record 380 incursions into its&nbsp;defence zone last year, warning&nbsp;tensions were now at their highest since the mid-1990s.

Taiwan has spent almost $900 million last&nbsp;year on scrambling its air force against Chinese incursions, the island’s defence minister said on earlier, describing the pressure they are facing as “great”.

In the past few weeks, Chinese fighter jets have crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, which normally serves as an unofficial buffer zone, and flown multiple missions into Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-trying-to-wear-out-taiwans-air-force-by-incursions-says-defence-minister-334046">China is trying to wear out Taiwan's Air Force by incursions, says defence minister</a>

Speaking at parliament, Taiwan Defence Minister Yen De-fa said to the air force had scrambled 2,972 times against Chinese aircraft in 2020&nbsp;at a cost of T$25.5 billion ($886.49 million).

Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day, by force if necessary.

Beijing's animosity has increased dramatically since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen won election in 2016, as she rejects the idea that the island is part of "one China".

But the sabre-rattling reached new peaks last year as Beijing sent jets, bombers and surveillance planes into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at an unprecedented rate.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-announces-another-arms-sale-to-taiwan-china-threatens-countermeasures-348352">Trump administration announces another arms sale to Taiwan; China threatens 'countermeasures'</a>

Defence ministry spokesman Shih Shun-wen said, "The 380 incursions into our southwest ADIZ in 2020 are a lot more frequent than the past."

Chinese aircraft targeted the area "to test our military's response, to exert pressure on our aerial defence and to squeeze the aerial space for our activities", he added.

The figures came as the military-affiliated Institute for National Defence and Security Research warned in an annual report on the People's Liberation Army that "the Chinese military threat was the highest since the 1996 missile crisis in Taiwan Strait".&nbsp;

That year Beijing fired missiles into the strait in a bid to deter voters in the island's first democratic presidential election, prompting Washington to send warships to the area.&nbsp;

Jeremy Hung, a co-author of the report, said Chinese jets flew closer to Taiwan and frequently into its defence zone on at least 110 days last year.

This compared with just six long-distance training missions around Taiwan in 2016, and 20 in 2017.

Beijing's increased military actions were meant as "a warning to Taiwan not to cross the red line" amid warming relations with the United States, Hung said.

Chinese jets also crossed over the so-called "median line" of the Taiwan Strait during two high-level visits by US officials.

The median line is unofficial but, until now, largely adhered to border running down the narrow strait separating Taiwan from the mainland.&nbsp;

Last year a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman declared the line did not exist.

Beijing has also been angered by the increasingly warm ties Taiwan built with Washington during outgoing President Donald Trump's tenure.&nbsp;

On top of the high-level visits, his administration approved some $18 billion worth of arms sales to Taipei, while US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait 13 times last year, according to local media.

Taiwan on Tuesday said that Chinese jets had made a record 380 incursions into its defence zone last year, warning tensions were now at their highest since the mid-1990s.

Taiwan on Tuesday said that Chinese jets had made a record 380 incursions into its defence zone last year, warning tensions were now at their highest since the mid-1990s. Taiwan has spent almost $900 million last year on scrambling its air force against Chinese incursions, the island’s defence minister said on earlier, describing the pressure they are facing as “great”. In the past few weeks, Chinese fighter jets have crossed the midline of the Taiwan Strait, which normally serves as an unofficial buffer zone, and flown multiple missions into Taiwan’s southwestern air defence identification zone. Also read: China is trying to wear out Taiwan's Air Force by incursions, says defence minister Speaking at parliament, Taiwan Defence Minister Yen De-fa said to the air force had scrambled 2,972 times against Chinese aircraft in 2020 at a cost of T$25.5 billion ($886.49 million). Democratic and self-ruled Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by authoritarian China, which views the island as its own territory and has vowed to seize it one day, by force if necessary. Beijing's animosity has increased dramatically since Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen won election in 2016, as she rejects the idea that the island is part of "one China". But the sabre-rattling reached new peaks last year as Beijing sent jets, bombers and surveillance planes into Taiwan's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) at an unprecedented rate. Also read| Trump administration announces another arms sale to Taiwan; China threatens 'countermeasures' Defence ministry spokesman Shih Shun-wen said, "The 380 incursions into our southwest ADIZ in 2020 are a lot more frequent than the past." Chinese aircraft targeted the area "to test our military's response, to exert pressure on our aerial defence and to squeeze the aerial space for our activities", he added. The figures came as the military-affiliated Institute for National Defence and Security Research warned in an annual report on the People's Liberation Army that "the Chinese military threat was the highest since the 1996 missile crisis in Taiwan Strait". That year Beijing fired missiles into the strait in a bid to deter voters in the island's first democratic presidential election, prompting Washington to send warships to the area. Jeremy Hung, a co-author of the report, said Chinese jets flew closer to Taiwan and frequently into its defence zone on at least 110 days last year. This compared with just six long-distance training missions around Taiwan in 2016, and 20 in 2017. Beijing's increased military actions were meant as "a warning to Taiwan not to cross the red line" amid warming relations with the United States, Hung said. Chinese jets also crossed over the so-called "median line" of the Taiwan Strait during two high-level visits by US officials. The median line is unofficial but, until now, largely adhered to border running down the narrow strait separating Taiwan from the mainland. Last year a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman declared the line did not exist. Beijing has also been angered by the increasingly warm ties Taiwan built with Washington during outgoing President Donald Trump's tenure. On top of the high-level visits, his administration approved some $18 billion worth of arms sales to Taipei, while US warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait 13 times last year, according to local media.

'Tensions are now at their highest': Chinese jets made record 380 incursions in Taiwan

An Australian advertisement of a man-eating a bat sandwich is being investigated by its advertising watchdog.

The advertisement shows footage of an Australian family fishing and&nbsp;camping and a coronavirus joke is made about eating a bat sandwich, censored on television.

The joke refers to the belief that the coronavirus pandemic originated from China due to the consumption of bats as a delicacy, and jumping to humans in a wet market at Wuhan&nbsp;in late 2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-virology-institute-had-three-live-bat-coronaviruses-chinese-state-media-300714">Wuhan virology institute had three live bat coronaviruses: Chinese state media</a>

Many viewers have asked watchdog Ad Standards to ban the commercial&nbsp;made by&nbsp;Australian campaign retailer Boating Camping Fishing store (BCF).&nbsp;

Ad Standards said several&nbsp;complaints were lodged against the&nbsp;advertisement which&nbsp;has already received over 25,000 views on YouTube.

A spokesman of the watchdog said, "Ad Standards has received a number of complaints about the BCF summer campaign commercial and is in the process of assessing these complaints to see if they raise an issue."

It also issued an explanation saying its intention was not to joke about the pandemic in its lighthearted commercial.

"Of course we understand the severity of the pandemic and spread of Covid-19 but it is clear that this ad is framed in the same spirit."

However, the Australian outdoor equipment retailer is no stranger to the advertising watchdog, making the list of most complained about advertisements in 2018 and 2016.

Interestingly, out of the 3400 complaints received by&nbsp;Ad Standards only 18 per cent of the cases upheld.

Strained relations

Experts believe that relations between Australia and China have deteriorated last year to their worst in the decade.

Australia’s ties with top trade partner China soured in 2018 when it became the first country to publicly ban China’s Huawei from its 5G network, and worsened after Canberra called for an enquiry into the origins of the coronavirus.

Tit-for-tat diplomatic reprisals have since followed, including raids on the homes of Chinese journalists in Australia, evacuation of some Australian journalists from China and a raft of trade measures imposed by China on Australian exports.

An Australian advertisement of a man-eating a bat sandwich is being investigated by its advertising watchdog. The advertisement shows footage of an Australian family fishing and camping and a coronavirus joke is made about eating a bat sandwich, censored on television.

An Australian advertisement of a man-eating a bat sandwich is being investigated by its advertising watchdog. The advertisement shows footage of an Australian family fishing and camping and a coronavirus joke is made about eating a bat sandwich, censored on television. The joke refers to the belief that the coronavirus pandemic originated from China due to the consumption of bats as a delicacy, and jumping to humans in a wet market at Wuhan in late 2019. Also read: Wuhan virology institute had three live bat coronaviruses: Chinese state media Many viewers have asked watchdog Ad Standards to ban the commercial made by Australian campaign retailer Boating Camping Fishing store (BCF). Ad Standards said several complaints were lodged against the advertisement which has already received over 25,000 views on YouTube. A spokesman of the watchdog said, "Ad Standards has received a number of complaints about the BCF summer campaign commercial and is in the process of assessing these complaints to see if they raise an issue." It also issued an explanation saying its intention was not to joke about the pandemic in its lighthearted commercial. "Of course we understand the severity of the pandemic and spread of Covid-19 but it is clear that this ad is framed in the same spirit." However, the Australian outdoor equipment retailer is no stranger to the advertising watchdog, making the list of most complained about advertisements in 2018 and 2016. Interestingly, out of the 3400 complaints received by Ad Standards only 18 per cent of the cases upheld. Strained relations Experts believe that relations between Australia and China have deteriorated last year to their worst in the decade. Australia’s ties with top trade partner China soured in 2018 when it became the first country to publicly ban China’s Huawei from its 5G network, and worsened after Canberra called for an enquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Tit-for-tat diplomatic reprisals have since followed, including raids on the homes of Chinese journalists in Australia, evacuation of some Australian journalists from China and a raft of trade measures imposed by China on Australian exports.

Advertisement of man eating bat sandwich being investigated in Australia

Electric vehicle-maker&nbsp;Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company fell just shy of delivering its global target of half a million vehicles after the company's lone US plant was&nbsp;shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Silicon Valley carmaker said it had&nbsp;delivered 499,550 vehicles during 2020, above Wall Street estimates of 481,261 vehicles, according to Refinitiv data,&nbsp;but 450 units shy of Musk's target.

Musk shared a post on social networking platform Twitter saying&nbsp;"At the start of&nbsp;Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10 per cent&nbsp;chance of surviving at all."

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So proud of the Tesla team for achieving this major milestone! At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of surviving at all. <a href="https://t.co/xCqTL5TGlE">https://t.co/xCqTL5TGlE</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1345382294966571008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Tesla's entry-level Model 3 and its crossover Model Y accounted for nearly 86 percent of deliveries, with the balance split between the luxury Model S sedan and the Model X SUV.

Tesla's previous record was 139,300 vehicles delivered in the third quarter of 2020.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tesla-2020-deliveries-beat-estimates-but-fall-just-short-of-musks-target-354299/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Twitter, congratulations from supporters and bullish investors poured in, lauding the electric vehicle maker for its stellar year, which has defied wider auto industry trends of slumping sales, quarterly losses and global supply chain disruptions.

Tesla's share price has risen more than 700 per cent&nbsp;over the last year, the company has reported five consecutive quarterly profits and in December it was included in the S&amp;P 500 index.

But some online investor accounts criticised&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;for saying it had achieved its guidance.

Tesla&nbsp;at the start of 2020 said it would "comfortably exceed 500,000 units" for the year, a target it has left unchanged despite the pandemic. Chief Financial Officer Zachary Kirkhorn in October said&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;was "aiming to achieve (its) original 2020 guidance."

Tesla&nbsp;has pinned hopes on new markets such as Europe and Asia, with competition intensifying in its home turf as legacy automakers double down on their investments in the booming EV space.

Tesla's delivery push has been supported by its new <a href="https://ir.tesla.com/press-release/tesla-q4-2020-vehicle-production-deliveries">Shanghai</a> factory, the only plant currently producing vehicles outside California. The carmaker said Model Y production in Shanghai has begun, with deliveries expected shortly.

Palo Alto, California-based&nbsp;Tesla&nbsp;said it delivered 180,570 vehicles during the fourth quarter, a quarterly record for the electric carmaker, beating estimates of 163,628 vehicles.

Tesla has long aimed to manufacture electric cars for the masses and in September Musk, the world's second richest person, said developments in battery technology meant the firm was looking at fielding a $25,000 model in around three years' time.

Though its car production is modest compared with rivals, Tesla's growth prospects have spurred investors to push up its value so that it is now worth more than General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Volkswagen combined.&nbsp;

Electric vehicle-maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company fell just shy of delivering its global target of half a million vehicles after the company's lone US plant was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Electric vehicle-maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company fell just shy of delivering its global target of half a million vehicles after the company's lone US plant was shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Silicon Valley carmaker said it had delivered 499,550 vehicles during 2020, above Wall Street estimates of 481,261 vehicles, according to Refinitiv data, but 450 units shy of Musk's target. Musk shared a post on social networking platform Twitter saying "At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10 per cent chance of surviving at all." So proud of the Tesla team for achieving this major milestone! At the start of Tesla, I thought we had (optimistically) a 10% chance of surviving at all. https://t.co/xCqTL5TGlE — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 2, 2021 × Tesla's entry-level Model 3 and its crossover Model Y accounted for nearly 86 percent of deliveries, with the balance split between the luxury Model S sedan and the Model X SUV. Tesla's previous record was 139,300 vehicles delivered in the third quarter of 2020. On Twitter, congratulations from supporters and bullish investors poured in, lauding the electric vehicle maker for its stellar year, which has defied wider auto industry trends of slumping sales, quarterly losses and global supply chain disruptions. Tesla's share price has risen more than 700 per cent over the last year, the company has reported five consecutive quarterly profits and in December it was included in the S&P 500 index. But some online investor accounts criticised Tesla for saying it had achieved its guidance. Tesla at the start of 2020 said it would "comfortably exceed 500,000 units" for the year, a target it has left unchanged despite the pandemic. Chief Financial Officer Zachary Kirkhorn in October said Tesla was "aiming to achieve (its) original 2020 guidance." Tesla has pinned hopes on new markets such as Europe and Asia, with competition intensifying in its home turf as legacy automakers double down on their investments in the booming EV space. Tesla's delivery push has been supported by its new Shanghai factory, the only plant currently producing vehicles outside California. The carmaker said Model Y production in Shanghai has begun, with deliveries expected shortly. Palo Alto, California-based Tesla said it delivered 180,570 vehicles during the fourth quarter, a quarterly record for the electric carmaker, beating estimates of 163,628 vehicles. Tesla has long aimed to manufacture electric cars for the masses and in September Musk, the world's second richest person, said developments in battery technology meant the firm was looking at fielding a $25,000 model in around three years' time. Though its car production is modest compared with rivals, Tesla's growth prospects have spurred investors to push up its value so that it is now worth more than General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Volkswagen combined.

'Just shy of target': Elon Musk steers Tesla to record deliveries

The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday has&nbsp;uncovered evidence suggesting the suspected bomber believed in aliens and lizard people, according to a senior law enforcement source.

A man received a package on New Year's Day by the prime suspect&nbsp;Anthony Warmer,&nbsp;postmarked two days before the blast, containing at least nine typed pages and two thumb drives, as per&nbsp;News Channel 5&nbsp;Nashville.

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In a note inside the package, Warmer said&nbsp;"The knowledge I have gained is immeasurable. I now understand everything, and I mean everything from who/what we really are, to what the known universe really is."

While the package did not have a return address, the contents of the letter referenced various conspiracy theories, including that aliens have launched attacks on earth, which indicated it was likely from Warner.

Warner's writings also indicate he believed reptilians and lizard people controlled the earth and had altered human DNA.

Calling on anyone who had received such packages to contact the FBI,&nbsp;Special Agent Jason Pack said in a statement "We're aware the suspect sent materials which espoused his viewpoints to several acquaintances throughout the country."

The bombing took place in the early morning when there was little activity in the city, and an automated message emanating from the vehicle warning of a bomb allowed the police to evacuate people. More than 40 businesses were damaged in the explosion. Warner is the only known death.

In addition to the warning, the audio on Warner's recreational vehicle played a recording of Petula Clark's 1964 hit "Downtown" before the blast.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday has uncovered evidence suggesting the suspected bomber believed in aliens and lizard people, according to a senior law enforcement source.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation on Monday has uncovered evidence suggesting the suspected bomber believed in aliens and lizard people, according to a senior law enforcement source. A man received a package on New Year's Day by the prime suspect Anthony Warmer, postmarked two days before the blast, containing at least nine typed pages and two thumb drives, as per News Channel 5 Nashville. In a note inside the package, Warmer said "The knowledge I have gained is immeasurable. I now understand everything, and I mean everything from who/what we really are, to what the known universe really is." While the package did not have a return address, the contents of the letter referenced various conspiracy theories, including that aliens have launched attacks on earth, which indicated it was likely from Warner. Warner's writings also indicate he believed reptilians and lizard people controlled the earth and had altered human DNA. Calling on anyone who had received such packages to contact the FBI, Special Agent Jason Pack said in a statement "We're aware the suspect sent materials which espoused his viewpoints to several acquaintances throughout the country." The bombing took place in the early morning when there was little activity in the city, and an automated message emanating from the vehicle warning of a bomb allowed the police to evacuate people. More than 40 businesses were damaged in the explosion. Warner is the only known death. In addition to the warning, the audio on Warner's recreational vehicle played a recording of Petula Clark's 1964 hit "Downtown" before the blast.

Nashville bomber's bizarre writings reveal he believed in lizard people, aliens

India on Monday recorded 16,504 fresh cases, while 214 more people succumbed to the virus in 24 hours, pushing the overall tally to 1,03,40,469 and toll to 1,49,649 since the outbreak in January, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 
 
This is the third time that daily count has remained within the 16,000 bracket after June 23 and December 28. 
 
The total active cases in the country is 2,43,953. The total recovery stands at 99,46,867. 
 
While the fatality rate stands at 1.45 as per cent, the recovery rate stands at 96.16 per cent. 
 
Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state till date. The maximum mnumber of cases are from Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh among others. 
 
Five states, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh contribute 62 per cent of the total active cases. 
 
On Sunday, the Central Licensing Authority granted permission to Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech to manufacture `Covaxin` for sale and distribution, after the indigenous coronavirus vaccine received regulatory approval for emergency use. 
 
On Sunday, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) V.G. Somani announced that Bharat Biotech`s `Covaxin` has been approved for "restricted use in emergency situation". 
 
The approval has also been given to Serum Institute of India`s `Covishield` vaccine. 
 
The Centre plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of drive. The vaccine will be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with two crore frontline and essential workers and 27 crore elderly, mostly above the age of 50 years with comorbidities. 
&nbsp;

India on Monday recorded 16,504 fresh cases, while 214 more people succumbed to the virus in 24 hours, pushing the overall tally to 1,03,40,469 and toll to 1,49,649 since the outbreak in January, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

India on Monday recorded 16,504 fresh cases, while 214 more people succumbed to the virus in 24 hours, pushing the overall tally to 1,03,40,469 and toll to 1,49,649 since the outbreak in January, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This is the third time that daily count has remained within the 16,000 bracket after June 23 and December 28. The total active cases in the country is 2,43,953. The total recovery stands at 99,46,867. While the fatality rate stands at 1.45 as per cent, the recovery rate stands at 96.16 per cent. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state till date. The maximum mnumber of cases are from Kerala, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh among others. Five states, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh contribute 62 per cent of the total active cases. On Sunday, the Central Licensing Authority granted permission to Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech to manufacture `Covaxin` for sale and distribution, after the indigenous coronavirus vaccine received regulatory approval for emergency use. On Sunday, Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) V.G. Somani announced that Bharat Biotech`s `Covaxin` has been approved for "restricted use in emergency situation". The approval has also been given to Serum Institute of India`s `Covishield` vaccine. The Centre plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of drive. The vaccine will be offered to one crore healthcare workers, along with two crore frontline and essential workers and 27 crore elderly, mostly above the age of 50 years with comorbidities.

India reports 16,504 new COVID-19 cases, total tally reaches 1,03,40,469

One hundred people were killed on Saturday in attacks on two villages in western&nbsp;Niger, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said following one of the deadliest days in recent memory for a country ravaged by Islamist violence.

Rafini announced the death toll in remarks broadcast on national television on Sunday from a visit to the zone, near the border with Mali. He did not say who was responsible.

Security sources said on Saturday that at least 70 civilians had been killed in simultaneous raids by suspected Islamist militants on the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye.

Niger&nbsp;has suffered repeated attacks by militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State near its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. The violence is part of a wider security crisis in West Africa's Sahel region that has unnerved Western allies like France, who have poured troops and resources into the region.

Niger&nbsp;has also seen tit-for-tat killings between rival ethnic communities that have been stoked by the jihadist violence and competition for scarce resources.

Saturday's attacks came on the same day that the electoral commission announced the results from the first round of the election to replace President Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after a decade in power.

Ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum, who finished in first, expressed his condolences on Sunday to the victims.

The attacks, he said in a video he posted on social media, "remind us that terrorist groups constitute a grave threat to cohesion within communities unlike any other".

Bazoum will face former President Mahamane Ousmane in a second-round run-off expected on February&nbsp;21.

One hundred people were killed on Saturday in attacks on two villages in western Niger, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said following one of the deadliest days in recent memory for a country ravaged by Islamist violence.

One hundred people were killed on Saturday in attacks on two villages in western Niger, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said following one of the deadliest days in recent memory for a country ravaged by Islamist violence. Rafini announced the death toll in remarks broadcast on national television on Sunday from a visit to the zone, near the border with Mali. He did not say who was responsible. Security sources said on Saturday that at least 70 civilians had been killed in simultaneous raids by suspected Islamist militants on the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye. Niger has suffered repeated attacks by militants linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State near its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso. The violence is part of a wider security crisis in West Africa's Sahel region that has unnerved Western allies like France, who have poured troops and resources into the region. Niger has also seen tit-for-tat killings between rival ethnic communities that have been stoked by the jihadist violence and competition for scarce resources. Saturday's attacks came on the same day that the electoral commission announced the results from the first round of the election to replace President Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down after a decade in power. Ruling party candidate Mohamed Bazoum, who finished in first, expressed his condolences on Sunday to the victims. The attacks, he said in a video he posted on social media, "remind us that terrorist groups constitute a grave threat to cohesion within communities unlike any other". Bazoum will face former President Mahamane Ousmane in a second-round run-off expected on February 21.

Niger village attacks killed 100, says prime minister

Pakistan's intelligence agency and terror groups are now carrying out recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir using applications in cyber and mobile space as direct physical interactions have become difficult due to the security forces' hawk-eyed vigil, officials said on Sunday.

Fake videos of alleged atrocities committed by the security forces and building a false narrative are now often used by the ISI handlers from Pakistan to whip up emotions among the new recruits, they said, citing intelligence reports and technical surveillance.

Earlier, terrorist sympathisers used to establish physical contact with the prospective recruits to bring them into a terror group's rank and files. However, after security agencies cracked down on such sympathisers, they changed their modus operandi.

In 2020, over two dozen terror modules were busted by security agencies leading to the arrest of over 40 such sympathisers.

Two surrendered terrorists, Tawar Waghey and Amir Ahmed Mir, who laid down their arms before 34 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army late last month, had given an insight into their joining of terror modules that showed that cyber recruitment was being carried out on a large scale.

Both the terrorists had come in contact with a Pakistan-based handler via Facebook who indoctrinated them before handing them over to a recruiter code-named Khalid and Mohammed Abbas Sheikh.

The two terrorists were provided training online using various links available on public platforms like YouTube and both of them had met their local contact only once in Shopian in south Kashmir, the officials said.

This, according to the officials, is done to avoid exposure of sleeper cells created by Pakistan's ISI within the valley. Security agencies have busted several modules following intelligence inputs provided by local residents.

The two terrorists, after being recruited into The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be a shadow outfit of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, were receiving orders as well as religious teachings from Pakistan-based Burhan Hamza.

The officials said there were around 40 such cases where the recruitment was done and indoctrination carried out through social media, especially in south Kashmir. The new recruits were awaiting orders from across the border.

Terror groups are definitely facing a shortage of arms and that is one of the reasons why Pakistan-based terror outfits are more focused on sending more arms and less manpower, the officials said.

They gave an example of last month's encounter on the outskirts of Jammu city where a valley-bound group of four terrorists was carrying 11 assault rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition.

The death of a 22-year-old local terrorist Amir Siraj in north Kashmir late last month was yet another case of cyber recruitment, the officials said.

A final year graduation student from Khawaja Gilgat in Sopore, Siraj was staying with his maternal uncle in Adipora in north Kashmir and would spend most of his afternoons playing football in the local ground.

He went missing on the afternoon of June 24, 2020. Later, it was found that he had been recruited by terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed from across the border via social media, the officials said.

The local terrorist had expressed his desire to surrender but was threatened by his accomplice that he and his family would be killed if he were to act on it, they said.&nbsp;

Pakistan's intelligence agency and terror groups are now carrying out recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir using applications in cyber and mobile space as direct physical interactions have become difficult due to the security forces' hawk-eyed vigil, officials said on Sunday.

Pakistan's intelligence agency and terror groups are now carrying out recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir using applications in cyber and mobile space as direct physical interactions have become difficult due to the security forces' hawk-eyed vigil, officials said on Sunday. Fake videos of alleged atrocities committed by the security forces and building a false narrative are now often used by the ISI handlers from Pakistan to whip up emotions among the new recruits, they said, citing intelligence reports and technical surveillance. Earlier, terrorist sympathisers used to establish physical contact with the prospective recruits to bring them into a terror group's rank and files. However, after security agencies cracked down on such sympathisers, they changed their modus operandi. In 2020, over two dozen terror modules were busted by security agencies leading to the arrest of over 40 such sympathisers. Two surrendered terrorists, Tawar Waghey and Amir Ahmed Mir, who laid down their arms before 34 Rashtriya Rifles of the Army late last month, had given an insight into their joining of terror modules that showed that cyber recruitment was being carried out on a large scale. Both the terrorists had come in contact with a Pakistan-based handler via Facebook who indoctrinated them before handing them over to a recruiter code-named Khalid and Mohammed Abbas Sheikh. The two terrorists were provided training online using various links available on public platforms like YouTube and both of them had met their local contact only once in Shopian in south Kashmir, the officials said. This, according to the officials, is done to avoid exposure of sleeper cells created by Pakistan's ISI within the valley. Security agencies have busted several modules following intelligence inputs provided by local residents. The two terrorists, after being recruited into The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be a shadow outfit of banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, were receiving orders as well as religious teachings from Pakistan-based Burhan Hamza. The officials said there were around 40 such cases where the recruitment was done and indoctrination carried out through social media, especially in south Kashmir. The new recruits were awaiting orders from across the border. Terror groups are definitely facing a shortage of arms and that is one of the reasons why Pakistan-based terror outfits are more focused on sending more arms and less manpower, the officials said. They gave an example of last month's encounter on the outskirts of Jammu city where a valley-bound group of four terrorists was carrying 11 assault rifles and a huge quantity of ammunition. The death of a 22-year-old local terrorist Amir Siraj in north Kashmir late last month was yet another case of cyber recruitment, the officials said. A final year graduation student from Khawaja Gilgat in Sopore, Siraj was staying with his maternal uncle in Adipora in north Kashmir and would spend most of his afternoons playing football in the local ground. He went missing on the afternoon of June 24, 2020. Later, it was found that he had been recruited by terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed from across the border via social media, the officials said. The local terrorist had expressed his desire to surrender but was threatened by his accomplice that he and his family would be killed if he were to act on it, they said.

As security forces tighten noose, Pak-based terror groups resort to cyber recruitment in Jammu and Kashmir: Reports

A 33-metre artwork depicting a concrete vagina has drawn the backlash of ring-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's government in Brazil.

Supporters of Bolsonaro's government are criticising the explicit handmade artwork called 'Diva' as ''problematic representation of gender''.

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Passei a tarde pensando sobre essa obra da Juliana Notari. Uma escultura de vulva que ela descreve como um ato de resistência artística e problematização de gênero, mas que pra ser criada usou praticamente só mão de obra de homens negros 
 
uma sátira do feminismo branco? <a href="https://t.co/V0zcq6sUpf">pic.twitter.com/V0zcq6sUpf</a>
— jess (@ladygrisa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ladygrisa/status/1345112395233034240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The sculpture was installed in a rural&nbsp;park near a sugar mill in&nbsp;Pernambuco, one of Brazil's most culturally vibrant city.

According to artist&nbsp;Juliana Notari, the creator of the&nbsp;'concrete vagina'&nbsp;is a&nbsp;“question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric western society”.

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Em meio a tantas rochas no meio do caminho desse ano distópico, finalmente termino o ano com a obra Diva pronta!! Foi um...
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.notari">Juliana Notari</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/juliana.notari/posts/10219401789651753">Wednesday, December 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Several art critics took to social media to critise the ''obscene'' and ''transphobic'' sculpture.&nbsp;

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A white woman named Juliana Notari used a bunch of Black men to create a vagina on a hill. 
 
Not only is this transphobic, but what is it with white feminists equating on their body parts with their womanhood. It's fucking creepy. <a href="https://t.co/nJeUegqfI2">pic.twitter.com/nJeUegqfI2</a>
— Dr. Chesya Burke (@ChesyaBurkePhD) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChesyaBurkePhD/status/1345036217000341504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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However, trans cartoonist&nbsp;Laerte Coutinho celebrated the sculpture saying&nbsp;“There’s a lot to think about in this work.”

Even&nbsp;Pernambuco-based filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho praised the artwork saying&nbsp;“The reactions to your work are a mirror [of society], a success.”&nbsp;

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Juliana devia publicar em livro coffee-table as reações à Diva, inclusive várias desse meu post. No futuro, vai virar documento da época em que o Brasil virou um bong gigante.
— Kleber Mendonça Filho (@kmendoncafilho) <a href="https://twitter.com/kmendoncafilho/status/1345753473208508427?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Since taking office in 2019, Bolsonaro's conservative right-wing government has slammed liberal artists as ''decadent spongers who milk public funds to peddle communist garbage.''

A 33-metre artwork depicting a concrete vagina has drawn the backlash of ring-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's government in Brazil. Supporters of Bolsonaro's government are criticising the explicit handmade artwork called 'Diva' as ''problematic representation of gender''.

A 33-metre artwork depicting a concrete vagina has drawn the backlash of ring-wing President Jair Bolsonaro's government in Brazil. Supporters of Bolsonaro's government are criticising the explicit handmade artwork called 'Diva' as ''problematic representation of gender''. Passei a tarde pensando sobre essa obra da Juliana Notari. Uma escultura de vulva que ela descreve como um ato de resistência artística e problematização de gênero, mas que pra ser criada usou praticamente só mão de obra de homens negros uma sátira do feminismo branco? pic.twitter.com/V0zcq6sUpf — jess (@ladygrisa) January 1, 2021 × The sculpture was installed in a rural park near a sugar mill in Pernambuco, one of Brazil's most culturally vibrant city. According to artist Juliana Notari, the creator of the 'concrete vagina' is a “question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric western society”. Em meio a tantas rochas no meio do caminho desse ano distópico, finalmente termino o ano com a obra Diva pronta!! Foi um... Posted by Juliana Notari on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 × Several art critics took to social media to critise the ''obscene'' and ''transphobic'' sculpture. A white woman named Juliana Notari used a bunch of Black men to create a vagina on a hill. Not only is this transphobic, but what is it with white feminists equating on their body parts with their womanhood. It's fucking creepy. pic.twitter.com/nJeUegqfI2 — Dr. Chesya Burke (@ChesyaBurkePhD) January 1, 2021 × However, trans cartoonist Laerte Coutinho celebrated the sculpture saying “There’s a lot to think about in this work.” Even Pernambuco-based filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho praised the artwork saying “The reactions to your work are a mirror [of society], a success.” Juliana devia publicar em livro coffee-table as reações à Diva, inclusive várias desse meu post. No futuro, vai virar documento da época em que o Brasil virou um bong gigante. — Kleber Mendonça Filho (@kmendoncafilho) January 3, 2021 × Since taking office in 2019, Bolsonaro's conservative right-wing government has slammed liberal artists as ''decadent spongers who milk public funds to peddle communist garbage.''

Artwork depicting vagina draws Bolsonaro's ire in Brazil

Democrat Nancy Pelosi on Sunday was&nbsp;re-elected as the&nbsp;United States Speaker of the House with a slim majority in a deeply divided new Congress that convened in the final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency.

Pelosi was&nbsp;reinstated after the House&nbsp;voted 216-209&nbsp;after Democrats lost 11 seats in the November elections to command a narrower 222-212 majority.

She&nbsp;faced a scare when five fellow Democrats defected and voted "present" or for someone else during the floor vote.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nancy-pelosis-house-vandalised-with-graffiti-and-pigs-head-353988">Nancy Pelosi's house vandalised with graffiti and pig's head</a>

"As we are sworn in today, we accept responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced. We begin the new Congress during a time of extraordinary difficulty,"&nbsp;Pelosi&nbsp;said in a floor speech that noted the deaths of more than 350,000 Americans from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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As we are sworn in today, we accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced. 
 
Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus - and defeat it, we will! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/117thCongress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#117thCongress</a> <a href="https://t.co/HD5w1OUfx3">pic.twitter.com/HD5w1OUfx3</a>
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1345893278500212742?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, we will," she added, pledging that further aid would follow the latest $892 billion package that Congress passed in December.

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Our work <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForThePeople?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForThePeople</a> continues, even in the face of this unprecedented national crisis. Tune in as I swear in Members of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/117thCongress?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#117thCongress</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ATx5aPEaWa">https://t.co/ATx5aPEaWa</a>
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1345857232437727234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The Senate remains Republican-run ahead of twin elections in Georgia on Tuesday, giving its members a platform to again air President Donald Trump's baseless claims that his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden was the result of fraud.

Multiple state and federal reviews have found no evidence of the sort of widespread fraud Trump claims, but Republican senators and House members plan to challenge the election result when Congress certifies it on Wednesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nancy-pelosi-wants-a-commission-to-evaluate-trumps-mental-and-physical-health-333817">Nancy Pelosi wants a commission to evaluate Trump's mental and physical health</a>

Pelosi, 80, the only woman to serve as US Speaker of the House,&nbsp;has been Trump's chief nemesis in Congress, and the two clashed bitterly over the past two years, particularly as she levelled impeachment charges against the president.

Trump was impeached in December 2019, but the Senate acquitted him early in 2020. His successor, Joe Biden, takes office on January 20.

With Pelosi scrambling to keep her post, it was a handful of progressive lawmakers and members-elect who have been critical of her leadership but ultimately voted for her on Sunday.

Among them was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most high-profile Democrats in Washington, and incoming lawmaker Cori Bush, who is the first African-American woman to represent Missouri in Congress.

There are normally 435 members of the House, but just 427 votes were cast Sunday as a few congressmen-elect are in quarantine due to Covid-19 and a tight House race in New York has yet to be formally decided.

One congressman-elect from Louisiana, Luke Letlow, died of complications from Covid-19 last week, days before he was due to be sworn in.

That leaves Democrats with one of the slimmest House majorities in two decades, 222 to 211 with two vacancies, as they navigate the remaining few weeks of Trump and carry into the Biden presidency.

On a day that was anything but conventional, Republican Chip Roy interrupted the swearing-in process to ask that the delegations from the six swing states where Trump has contested the election results not be seated Sunday as House members.

Pelosi dispensed with the effort by holding a vote that affirmed her right to swear in all members.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi on Sunday was re-elected as the United States Speaker of the House with a slim majority in a deeply divided new Congress that convened in the final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi on Sunday was re-elected as the United States Speaker of the House with a slim majority in a deeply divided new Congress that convened in the final weeks of Donald Trump's presidency. Pelosi was reinstated after the House voted 216-209 after Democrats lost 11 seats in the November elections to command a narrower 222-212 majority. She faced a scare when five fellow Democrats defected and voted "present" or for someone else during the floor vote. Also read: Nancy Pelosi's house vandalised with graffiti and pig's head "As we are sworn in today, we accept responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced. We begin the new Congress during a time of extraordinary difficulty," Pelosi said in a floor speech that noted the deaths of more than 350,000 Americans from the COVID-19 pandemic. As we are sworn in today, we accept a responsibility as daunting and demanding as any that previous generations of leadership have faced. Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus - and defeat it, we will! #117thCongress pic.twitter.com/HD5w1OUfx3 — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 4, 2021 × "Our most urgent priority will continue to be defeating the coronavirus. And defeat it, we will," she added, pledging that further aid would follow the latest $892 billion package that Congress passed in December. Our work #ForThePeople continues, even in the face of this unprecedented national crisis. Tune in as I swear in Members of the #117thCongress. https://t.co/ATx5aPEaWa — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 3, 2021 × The Senate remains Republican-run ahead of twin elections in Georgia on Tuesday, giving its members a platform to again air President Donald Trump's baseless claims that his loss to Democratic President-elect Joe Biden was the result of fraud. Multiple state and federal reviews have found no evidence of the sort of widespread fraud Trump claims, but Republican senators and House members plan to challenge the election result when Congress certifies it on Wednesday. Also read: Nancy Pelosi wants a commission to evaluate Trump's mental and physical health Pelosi, 80, the only woman to serve as US Speaker of the House, has been Trump's chief nemesis in Congress, and the two clashed bitterly over the past two years, particularly as she levelled impeachment charges against the president. Trump was impeached in December 2019, but the Senate acquitted him early in 2020. His successor, Joe Biden, takes office on January 20. With Pelosi scrambling to keep her post, it was a handful of progressive lawmakers and members-elect who have been critical of her leadership but ultimately voted for her on Sunday. Among them was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most high-profile Democrats in Washington, and incoming lawmaker Cori Bush, who is the first African-American woman to represent Missouri in Congress. There are normally 435 members of the House, but just 427 votes were cast Sunday as a few congressmen-elect are in quarantine due to Covid-19 and a tight House race in New York has yet to be formally decided. One congressman-elect from Louisiana, Luke Letlow, died of complications from Covid-19 last week, days before he was due to be sworn in. That leaves Democrats with one of the slimmest House majorities in two decades, 222 to 211 with two vacancies, as they navigate the remaining few weeks of Trump and carry into the Biden presidency. On a day that was anything but conventional, Republican Chip Roy interrupted the swearing-in process to ask that the delegations from the six swing states where Trump has contested the election results not be seated Sunday as House members. Pelosi dispensed with the effort by holding a vote that affirmed her right to swear in all members.

Democrat Nancy Pelosi wins re-election as US Speaker of the House with slim majority

Vice President-elect Kamala&nbsp;Harris lambasted US President Donald Trump's for his "bold abuse of power" on a recorded phone call in which he pressured the Georgia secretary of state to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the Southern US state.

Harris took the stage during a drive-through rally in Georgia where she&nbsp;rallied supporters on Sunday&nbsp;for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock ahead of Tuesday's consequential run-off election.

The soon-to-be-sworn-in Vice President Harris called&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;words "the voice of desperation" and "a bald-faced, bold abuse of power."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-leaked-audio-tape-reveals-he-wanted-to-find-votes-to-win-us-election-354264" hreflang="en">Donald Trump's leaked audio tape reveals he wanted to 'find' votes</a>

The release on Sunday by US media of a stunning audiotape in which President Donald Trump pressured Georgia's secretary of state to "find" enough votes to overturn his election defeat there to Democrat Joe Biden sent shockwaves across Washington.

The tape, a rebel push by scores of Republican lawmakers to challenge Biden's electoral win later this week, a pair of runoffs in Georgia to decide control of the US Senate and expected pro-Trump protests in Washington are combining to set the stage for a fiery week in American politics.

Lawmakers got back to work Sunday on Capitol Hill, where Democrat Nancy Pelosi was narrowly re-elected as speaker of the House of Representatives, but the real political fireworks were to come later in the week.

Following the release of the recording, Democrats and a few Republicans heaped scorn on the outgoing president, who fired off a tweetstorm of unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the November 3 election.

The taped conversation between Trump and fellow Republican Brad Raffensperger, first obtained by the Washington Post, includes vague threats by Trump that Raffensperger and another official could face "a big risk" if they failed to take moves toward overturning Biden's victory.

"There's nothing wrong with saying, you know, um, that you've recalculated" the vote tally, Trump is heard saying on the tape. &nbsp;"You're off by hundreds of thousands of votes."

Raffensperger is heard responding: "Well, Mr. President, the challenge that you have is, the data you have is wrong."

Biden won the long Republican-leaning state by fewer than 12,000 votes -- a narrow margin but one that has remained unchanged through a series of recounts and audits.

"The current margin is only 11,779. Brad, I think you agree with that, right?" Trump says. "So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes."

Making Trump's call more surprising is the fact that even a hypothetical reversal in Georgia, which has 16 Electoral College votes, would not overturn victory by Biden, who won by a margin of 306 to 232.

Ahead of the release of the audio, Trump tweeted about the call, saying that Raffensperger "was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the 'ballots under table' scam, ballot destruction, out of state 'voters', dead voters, and more."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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I spoke to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the “ballots under table” scam, ballot destruction, out of state “voters”, dead voters, and more. He has no clue!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1345731043861659650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Raffensperger tweeted back, also ahead of the release of the audio, saying: "Respectfully, President Trump: What you're saying is not true. The truth will come out."

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Respectfully, President Trump: What you're saying is not true. The truth will come out <a href="https://t.co/ViYjTSeRcC">https://t.co/ViYjTSeRcC</a>
— GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaSecofState/status/1345753643593687040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Trump's relentless attacks since the November&nbsp;3 election included an accusation that Raffensperger hid tens of thousands of illegal votes, ensuring Biden's victory. Georgia's Republican incumbent senators - David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler -- have called on Raffensperger to resign.

Perdue and Loeffler themselves are locked in tight campaigns with Ossoff and Warnock ahead of Tuesday run-off elections that will determine which party controls the US&nbsp;Senate

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris lambasted US President Donald Trump's for his "bold abuse of power" on a recorded phone call in which he pressured the Georgia secretary of state to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the Southern US state.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris lambasted US President Donald Trump's for his "bold abuse of power" on a recorded phone call in which he pressured the Georgia secretary of state to "find" enough votes to overturn Joe Biden's victory in the Southern US state. Harris took the stage during a drive-through rally in Georgia where she rallied supporters on Sunday for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock ahead of Tuesday's consequential run-off election. The soon-to-be-sworn-in Vice President Harris called Trump's words "the voice of desperation" and "a bald-faced, bold abuse of power." Also read: Donald Trump's leaked audio tape reveals he wanted to 'find' votes The release on Sunday by US media of a stunning audiotape in which President Donald Trump pressured Georgia's secretary of state to "find" enough votes to overturn his election defeat there to Democrat Joe Biden sent shockwaves across Washington. The tape, a rebel push by scores of Republican lawmakers to challenge Biden's electoral win later this week, a pair of runoffs in Georgia to decide control of the US Senate and expected pro-Trump protests in Washington are combining to set the stage for a fiery week in American politics. Lawmakers got back to work Sunday on Capitol Hill, where Democrat Nancy Pelosi was narrowly re-elected as speaker of the House of Representatives, but the real political fireworks were to come later in the week. Following the release of the recording, Democrats and a few Republicans heaped scorn on the outgoing president, who fired off a tweetstorm of unsubstantiated claims of fraud in the November 3 election. The taped conversation between Trump and fellow Republican Brad Raffensperger, first obtained by the Washington Post, includes vague threats by Trump that Raffensperger and another official could face "a big risk" if they failed to take moves toward overturning Biden's victory. "There's nothing wrong with saying, you know, um, that you've recalculated" the vote tally, Trump is heard saying on the tape. "You're off by hundreds of thousands of votes." Raffensperger is heard responding: "Well, Mr. President, the challenge that you have is, the data you have is wrong." Biden won the long Republican-leaning state by fewer than 12,000 votes -- a narrow margin but one that has remained unchanged through a series of recounts and audits. "The current margin is only 11,779. Brad, I think you agree with that, right?" Trump says. "So look. All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes." Making Trump's call more surprising is the fact that even a hypothetical reversal in Georgia, which has 16 Electoral College votes, would not overturn victory by Biden, who won by a margin of 306 to 232. Ahead of the release of the audio, Trump tweeted about the call, saying that Raffensperger "was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the 'ballots under table' scam, ballot destruction, out of state 'voters', dead voters, and more." I spoke to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the “ballots under table” scam, ballot destruction, out of state “voters”, dead voters, and more. He has no clue! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3, 2021 × Raffensperger tweeted back, also ahead of the release of the audio, saying: "Respectfully, President Trump: What you're saying is not true. The truth will come out." Respectfully, President Trump: What you're saying is not true. The truth will come out https://t.co/ViYjTSeRcC — GA Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (@GaSecofState) January 3, 2021 × Trump's relentless attacks since the November 3 election included an accusation that Raffensperger hid tens of thousands of illegal votes, ensuring Biden's victory. Georgia's Republican incumbent senators - David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler -- have called on Raffensperger to resign. Perdue and Loeffler themselves are locked in tight campaigns with Ossoff and Warnock ahead of Tuesday run-off elections that will determine which party controls the US Senate

Kamala Harris lambasts Trump's Georgia phone call as 'abuse of power'

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