Amid heightened tensions president of the world's two largest economies, the United States and China Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are meeting virtually. The highly anticipated summit is expected to be one of the most extensive meetings under the Biden administration, Washington is hopeful of setting the agenda.

Virtual meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping amid rising economic, military tensions

Amid heightened tensions president of the world's two largest economies, the United States and China Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are meeting virtually.

High stakes meet between Joe Biden, Xi Jinping

US President Joe Biden held a virtual meeting with Xi Jinping. In this meeting, both the countries discussed common issues, strategic issues including mutual relations. Taiwan and human rights violations were Biden's top focus. During this meeting, Chinese President Xi said that America and China should respect each other.

Joe Biden, Xi Jinping hold crucial meeting; Taiwan and Human Rights violations top focus

Joe Biden tells Xi Jinping not to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty

Joe Biden raises concerns of human right abuses

Presidents of the world's two largest economies, the United States and China, Joe Biden and Xi Jinping are set to meet virtually. The highly anticipated summit is expected to be one of the most extensive meetings under the Biden administration, Washington is hopeful of setting the agenda.

Biden-Xi summit: Presidents of world's two largest economies to meet, Chinese aggression in focus

Amid heightened tensions, leaders of the world's two largest economies, Xi Jinping and US president Joe Biden are set to meet virtually. The most anticipated meet is expected to be one of the most extensive ones under the Biden administration.

What to expect from Joe Biden- Xi Jinping's virtual summit?

Amid heightened tensions, leaders of the world's two largest leaders Xi Jinping and US prez Joe Biden are set to meet virtually. The most anticipated meet is expected to be one of the most extensive ones under the Biden administration.

Ahead of Joe Biden and Xi Jinping's virtual meet, China warns US on Taiwan support

A coalition of conservative religious groups is waging an intensive lobbying effort to remove a nondiscrimination provision from President Joe Biden’s ambitious prekindergarten and child care plans, fearing it would disqualify their programs from receiving a huge new infusion of federal money.

The fight could have major consequences for a central component of Biden’s $1.85 trillion social policy bill, which the House is to consider as soon as this week. It could go a long way toward determining which programs, neighbourhoods and families can benefit from the landmark early-childhood benefits established in the legislation, given that child care centres and preschools affiliated with religious organisations make up a substantial share of those offered in the United States — serving as many as 53 per cent of families, according to a survey last year by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/liberals-dig-in-against-infrastructure-bill-as-party-divisions-persist-416842">Liberals dig in against infrastructure bill as party divisions persist</a>

The provision at issue is a standard one in many federal laws, which would mandate that all providers comply with federal nondiscrimination statutes. Religious organisations, whose child care programs are currently exempt from some such laws, argue that it would effectively block many of their providers from participating, while civil rights advocates contend it is long past time for such institutions to comply.

Some of the faith groups are pressing lawmakers to scrap or modify the nondiscrimination language, asserting that it would essentially shut them out of the new federal program unless they made major changes to the way they operate. For instance, it could bar federal funds from going to programs that refused to hire a gay employee, gave preference to applicants of their faith or failed to renovate their facilities to accommodate students with disabilities.

The organisations argue that the rules would force them to choose between participating in the child care initiative and continuing to teach religious content, convene all-boys or all-girls programs, or give preferences in hiring or admissions to people of their religion. Congressional staff members working on the bill do not believe it prohibits religious organisations from teaching religious content.

The groups — including the US&nbsp;leaders of the Catholic Church and one of the country’s largest Orthodox Jewish groups — contend that unless the bill is rewritten, they will be forced to turn away families that want to use benefits from the bill to send children to their centres.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/key-to-bidens-climate-agenda-likely-to-be-cut-because-of-manchin-opposition-421381">Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition</a>

“It will be detrimental to our ability to participate,” said Jennifer Daniels, the associate director for public policy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “It would impact our ability to stick with our Catholic mission in a variety of ways. We’ve worked really hard to make our concerns known.”

Their efforts appear to have gained some traction in the Senate, where Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a key swing vote on the social policy bill, has privately told Democrats, he wants to ensure that religious programs can fully participate in the child care initiative.

But in the House, Democrats are just as adamant that the provision be retained in order to prevent federal money from flowing to any organisation that discriminates. Defenders include the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Va. and the chair of the Education and Labor Committee, who wrote it into the social policy legislation.

The fight over preschool and child care programs is among the major conflicts that remain to be resolved before the social policy legislation can clear Congress and be signed into law by Biden.

“The Build Back Better Act must not allow government-funded discrimination — in employment or in the provision of services to participants — in publicly funded programs,” Scott and Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio and the chair of the Black Caucus wrote in a previously undisclosed letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“We believe that allowing such discrimination financed with public funds collected from all taxpayers is wrong,” the lawmakers wrote. “We are asking you to oppose any effort to remove or change the nondiscrimination provisions included in the child care and universal preschool provisions of the Build Back Better Act.”

The bill would provide nearly $400 billion to help states build universal prekindergarten and affordable child care programs over six years. It is intended to ensure that the vast majority of families — those with four-person households earning up to $300,000 — spend no more than 7 per cent of their income on child care. Families that earn less than 75 per cent of the state’s median income would pay nothing.

It explicitly includes religious organisations.

“Nothing in this section shall preclude the use of such certificates for sectarian child care services if freely chosen by the parent,” it says. “For the purposes of this section, child care certificates shall be considered federal financial assistance to the provider.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaffe-prone-us-leaders-do-it-again-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-mistakes-obama-for-biden-416891">Gaffe-prone US leaders do it again: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mistakes Obama for Biden</a>

At issue is what’s arguably a major change the bill would make in how the federal government treats institutions that receive aid for the care of small children. For decades, low-income families have received funds from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program that they may use at a variety of child care centres. But since those centres are not necessarily considered direct recipients of federal funds, they are not bound by some nondiscrimination laws.

A similar situation exists for religious elementary schools that receive money through local school systems to educate low-income students.

Scott’s legislation would categorize any prekindergarten or child care centre that participates in the new program as a federal financial recipient, requiring it to either comply with nondiscrimination laws or turn away families, the conservative religious organisations argue.

“Religious providers are absolutely eligible to participate in the program — including receiving certificate funding, which is not considered direct federal financial assistance,” an aide to the Senate’s education committee said. “We are working with concerned organisations to ensure this distinction is clear.”

The bill would also prohibit any child care provider from using the funds to perform work on “buildings or facilities that are used primarily for sectarian instruction or religious worship.”

Senate Democrats say they are working to accommodate the religious organisations that object but will not agree to anything that would allow religious providers to discriminate against families that want to enrol children in their facilities. They note that some religious organisations — particularly those with a less conservative worldview — have no problem with the bill, including a few that signed a letter urging its passage.

And civil rights groups have pushed back hard at the efforts to remove the nondiscrimination provision, saying that any institution that wants to receive federal funds must submit to such laws.

“Who do they want to shut out? Is it the lesbian mom you want to shut out?” said Liz King, the director of the Education Equity Program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “Is it the children with autism you want to shut out? Since at least 1964, the law and basic principle has been that federal funds cannot be used to discriminate. No one should have to subsidize their own discrimination.”

But religious organisations that have spent decades successfully steering clear of federal mandates say the legislation could be crippling to their educational programs.

“As a general rule, Catholic schools and most nonpublic schools purposefully avoid federal financial recipient status, because it triggers a whole host of federal regulatory obligations with which nonpublic schools are not currently required to comply,” Michael B. Sheedy, the executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote in a letter last week to Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. “The provisions of most obvious concern include nondiscrimination provisions related to sexual orientation and gender identity that could create religious freedom issues for religious providers.”

Manchin raised the issue at a recent closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats, emphasizing that the church and other faith-based organisations play a crucial role in helping care for many families in West Virginia, according to a person familiar with his comments.

Watch |&nbsp;US House expected to vote on Biden's social spending &amp; climate change bill

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-house-expected-to-vote-on-bidens-social-spending-climate-change-bill-426857/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Manchin argued that a little bit of funding would go a long way in helping religiously affiliated institutions provide a quality education for pre-K children, the person said, and he insisted they be eligible for any funds that are available. His position found widespread agreement among the other Democratic senators in the room, said two people familiar with the private discussion who described it on the condition of anonymity. Democrats did not get into the finer details of the dispute during their discussion, they said.

The debate is the latest skirmish in the battle over the role of religious organisations in participating in government programs — and how to include them while ensuring federal nondiscrimination protections that may conflict with their practices and beliefs.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against someone because of the “individual’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin.” It exempted church groups and faith-based organisations, but the act made no mention of whether such provisions could be applied if the groups were to accept federal funding.

Former President George W. Bush, through a series of executive orders, made it easier for churches and other faith-based organisations to receive federal money while circumventing certain anti-discrimination laws.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Orthodox Union want those practices to stay in place. In recent days, they have made the case to members of Congress that they could not accept money to run preschool or child care programs unless the bill expressly exempts them from anti-discrimination laws, such as Title IX, which protects against discrimination by sex, and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which they argue could require costly upgrades to old buildings, including houses of worship.

“We appreciate that key Senate Democrats have told us that they agree that churches and synagogues must be included, but the devil is indeed in the details,” said Nathan J. Diament, the public policy director at the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. “Right now, the way the bill text is drafted, there are details that will deter, if not make it impossible for, faith-based providers to participate.”

A coalition of conservative religious groups is waging an intensive lobbying effort to remove a nondiscrimination provision from President Joe Biden’s ambitious prekindergarten and child care plans, fearing it would disqualify their programs from receiving a huge new infusion of federal money.

A coalition of conservative religious groups is waging an intensive lobbying effort to remove a nondiscrimination provision from President Joe Biden’s ambitious prekindergarten and child care plans, fearing it would disqualify their programs from receiving a huge new infusion of federal money. The fight could have major consequences for a central component of Biden’s $1.85 trillion social policy bill, which the House is to consider as soon as this week. It could go a long way toward determining which programs, neighbourhoods and families can benefit from the landmark early-childhood benefits established in the legislation, given that child care centres and preschools affiliated with religious organisations make up a substantial share of those offered in the United States — serving as many as 53 per cent of families, according to a survey last year by the Bipartisan Policy Center. Also read | Liberals dig in against infrastructure bill as party divisions persist The provision at issue is a standard one in many federal laws, which would mandate that all providers comply with federal nondiscrimination statutes. Religious organisations, whose child care programs are currently exempt from some such laws, argue that it would effectively block many of their providers from participating, while civil rights advocates contend it is long past time for such institutions to comply. Some of the faith groups are pressing lawmakers to scrap or modify the nondiscrimination language, asserting that it would essentially shut them out of the new federal program unless they made major changes to the way they operate. For instance, it could bar federal funds from going to programs that refused to hire a gay employee, gave preference to applicants of their faith or failed to renovate their facilities to accommodate students with disabilities. The organisations argue that the rules would force them to choose between participating in the child care initiative and continuing to teach religious content, convene all-boys or all-girls programs, or give preferences in hiring or admissions to people of their religion. Congressional staff members working on the bill do not believe it prohibits religious organisations from teaching religious content. The groups — including the US leaders of the Catholic Church and one of the country’s largest Orthodox Jewish groups — contend that unless the bill is rewritten, they will be forced to turn away families that want to use benefits from the bill to send children to their centres. Also read | Key to Biden’s climate agenda likely to be cut because of Manchin opposition “It will be detrimental to our ability to participate,” said Jennifer Daniels, the associate director for public policy at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “It would impact our ability to stick with our Catholic mission in a variety of ways. We’ve worked really hard to make our concerns known.” Their efforts appear to have gained some traction in the Senate, where Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a key swing vote on the social policy bill, has privately told Democrats, he wants to ensure that religious programs can fully participate in the child care initiative. But in the House, Democrats are just as adamant that the provision be retained in order to prevent federal money from flowing to any organisation that discriminates. Defenders include the Congressional Black Caucus and Rep. Robert C. Scott, D-Va. and the chair of the Education and Labor Committee, who wrote it into the social policy legislation. The fight over preschool and child care programs is among the major conflicts that remain to be resolved before the social policy legislation can clear Congress and be signed into law by Biden. “The Build Back Better Act must not allow government-funded discrimination — in employment or in the provision of services to participants — in publicly funded programs,” Scott and Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio and the chair of the Black Caucus wrote in a previously undisclosed letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “We believe that allowing such discrimination financed with public funds collected from all taxpayers is wrong,” the lawmakers wrote. “We are asking you to oppose any effort to remove or change the nondiscrimination provisions included in the child care and universal preschool provisions of the Build Back Better Act.” The bill would provide nearly $400 billion to help states build universal prekindergarten and affordable child care programs over six years. It is intended to ensure that the vast majority of families — those with four-person households earning up to $300,000 — spend no more than 7 per cent of their income on child care. Families that earn less than 75 per cent of the state’s median income would pay nothing. It explicitly includes religious organisations. “Nothing in this section shall preclude the use of such certificates for sectarian child care services if freely chosen by the parent,” it says. “For the purposes of this section, child care certificates shall be considered federal financial assistance to the provider.” Also read | Gaffe-prone US leaders do it again: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mistakes Obama for Biden At issue is what’s arguably a major change the bill would make in how the federal government treats institutions that receive aid for the care of small children. For decades, low-income families have received funds from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program that they may use at a variety of child care centres. But since those centres are not necessarily considered direct recipients of federal funds, they are not bound by some nondiscrimination laws. A similar situation exists for religious elementary schools that receive money through local school systems to educate low-income students. Scott’s legislation would categorize any prekindergarten or child care centre that participates in the new program as a federal financial recipient, requiring it to either comply with nondiscrimination laws or turn away families, the conservative religious organisations argue. “Religious providers are absolutely eligible to participate in the program — including receiving certificate funding, which is not considered direct federal financial assistance,” an aide to the Senate’s education committee said. “We are working with concerned organisations to ensure this distinction is clear.” The bill would also prohibit any child care provider from using the funds to perform work on “buildings or facilities that are used primarily for sectarian instruction or religious worship.” Senate Democrats say they are working to accommodate the religious organisations that object but will not agree to anything that would allow religious providers to discriminate against families that want to enrol children in their facilities. They note that some religious organisations — particularly those with a less conservative worldview — have no problem with the bill, including a few that signed a letter urging its passage. And civil rights groups have pushed back hard at the efforts to remove the nondiscrimination provision, saying that any institution that wants to receive federal funds must submit to such laws. “Who do they want to shut out? Is it the lesbian mom you want to shut out?” said Liz King, the director of the Education Equity Program at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “Is it the children with autism you want to shut out? Since at least 1964, the law and basic principle has been that federal funds cannot be used to discriminate. No one should have to subsidize their own discrimination.” But religious organisations that have spent decades successfully steering clear of federal mandates say the legislation could be crippling to their educational programs. “As a general rule, Catholic schools and most nonpublic schools purposefully avoid federal financial recipient status, because it triggers a whole host of federal regulatory obligations with which nonpublic schools are not currently required to comply,” Michael B. Sheedy, the executive director of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote in a letter last week to Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. “The provisions of most obvious concern include nondiscrimination provisions related to sexual orientation and gender identity that could create religious freedom issues for religious providers.” Manchin raised the issue at a recent closed-door meeting with Senate Democrats, emphasizing that the church and other faith-based organisations play a crucial role in helping care for many families in West Virginia, according to a person familiar with his comments. Watch | US House expected to vote on Biden's social spending & climate change bill Manchin argued that a little bit of funding would go a long way in helping religiously affiliated institutions provide a quality education for pre-K children, the person said, and he insisted they be eligible for any funds that are available. His position found widespread agreement among the other Democratic senators in the room, said two people familiar with the private discussion who described it on the condition of anonymity. Democrats did not get into the finer details of the dispute during their discussion, they said. The debate is the latest skirmish in the battle over the role of religious organisations in participating in government programs — and how to include them while ensuring federal nondiscrimination protections that may conflict with their practices and beliefs. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 made it unlawful for an employer to discriminate against someone because of the “individual’s race, color, religion, sex or national origin.” It exempted church groups and faith-based organisations, but the act made no mention of whether such provisions could be applied if the groups were to accept federal funding. Former President George W. Bush, through a series of executive orders, made it easier for churches and other faith-based organisations to receive federal money while circumventing certain anti-discrimination laws. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Orthodox Union want those practices to stay in place. In recent days, they have made the case to members of Congress that they could not accept money to run preschool or child care programs unless the bill expressly exempts them from anti-discrimination laws, such as Title IX, which protects against discrimination by sex, and the Americans With Disabilities Act, which they argue could require costly upgrades to old buildings, including houses of worship. “We appreciate that key Senate Democrats have told us that they agree that churches and synagogues must be included, but the devil is indeed in the details,” said Nathan J. Diament, the public policy director at the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America. “Right now, the way the bill text is drafted, there are details that will deter, if not make it impossible for, faith-based providers to participate.”

Faith groups push to scrap mandates in Biden’s child care plan

Barack Obama's performance at COP26 has left many wondering who the real U.S. President is. Is it Joe Biden? Or is it still Obama? Here's what Palki Sharma has to say.

Gravitas: Obama outshines Biden at COP26 Climate Summit

Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin met in Geneva in June this year, the focus of the world was on this summit; the two leaders may meet for talks in person in early 2022.

Putin, Biden may meet for talks in 2022, Geneva summit agreements to be discussed

It has been twenty years since the start of a global war on terror by the united states of America. U.S. President Joe Biden promised the world to end 'relentless war' and start 'relentless diplomacy' after he was seated in the white house. A new U.S. Intelligence report suggests that there are plenty of concerns for the Biden administration even after their chaotic withdrawal in Afghanistan.

New US Intelligence report suggests plenty of concerns for Biden administration

The US has approved a $650 million weapon sale to Saudi Arabia. After setbacks in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US faces a crisis of credibility in West Asia. Palki Sharma tells you how the Biden administration is trying to rebuild trust with allies in West Asia.

Gravitas: Biden faces a crisis of credibility in West Asia

Days before it became clear that Republican Glenn Youngkin would win Virginia’s gubernatorial race, pollsters, pundits and political strategists were trying to explain why a race that was the Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s to lose was on its way to being lost.

Some explanations were more convincing than others.

Least convincing was the suggestion that Youngkin, a former private equity executive, won by dogwhistling Dixie. The pro-McAuliffe Lincoln Project even tried to troll a Youngkin event in Charlottesville with tiki-torch bearers, but they were exposed. That theory fails to explain why Youngkin ever would have thought he could win by moving to the hard right in a state where no Republican has won statewide office in a dozen years, and which Joe Biden won last year by 10 points.

Another explanation is that early political reversals for an incumbent party are normal. Republican Chris Christie of New Jersey won a similar bellwether gubernatorial election in 2009, almost a year into Barack Obama’s first term. That win anticipated the GOP’s historic 63-seat gain in the 2010 House elections, but it did not keep Obama from getting his signature legislation enacted, much less from being reelected.

Then there is the fact that McAuliffe ran a lousy campaign. State races are about state issues. McAuliffe’s focus was to paint Youngkin as a Trumpkin, going so far as to invent a fictional Youngkin-Trump joint campaign event. Youngkin focused on issues like cutting taxes on groceries and giving parents more of a say in their kids’ education. Voters typically want governors to solve problems, not serve as moral avatars.

Finally, there’s Joe Biden. He is manifestly inept. He cannot get his party to pass a popular infrastructure bill. On inflation, Afghanistan and the southern border, he has offered benign assurances that have been summarily contradicted by events. No president elected after World War II lost more public support in his first few months of office than he has, according to Gallup. Biden’s losses are particularly steep among independents. If Biden doesn’t recover, this is bound to have down-ballot effects.

The last three explanations are true as far as they go. But they don’t sufficiently capture the Democrats’ deeper problem, which is the persistent and justified perception of a party too often composed of fake moderates and dissembling radicals. Middle-of-the-road voters — the kind who still decide elections in purplish places like Virginia — sense they’ve been bamboozled.

Who’s a fake moderate? Biden campaigned as the most centrist Democrat in last year’s primary field. He is trying to govern as the most socially transformational president since Lyndon B. Johnson. Attorney General Merrick Garland looks like a fake moderate, too willing to cite the power of the federal government after angry parents at school board meetings were labeled domestic terrorists. Whatever happened to Democrats as civil libertarians?

As for dissembling radicals, note the way in which the controversy over critical race theory is treated by much of the left as either much ado about an obscure scholarly discipline or, alternatively, a beneficent and necessary set of teachings about the past and present of systemic racism in America.

But CRT is neither obscure nor anodyne. It is, according to many of its leading theoreticians, a “politically committed movement” that often explicitly rejects notions of merit, objectivity, colorblindness and neutrality of law among other classically liberal concepts.

That’s no reason to ban teaching it or any other way of looking at the world. But it is dishonest to argue that it is anything less than ideologically radical, intensely racialized and deliberately polarizing. It is even more dishonest to suggest that it exists only in academic cloisters. We live in an era of ubiquitous race-based “affinity groups,” incessant allegations of white supremacy, and pervasive censorship and self-censorship in everything from words that can be said and documentaries that can be watched, to jokes that can be laughed at.

No wonder the debate over CRT-influenced pedagogies in public schools — which liberals insist don’t even exist in the state’s public schools, although they clearly do — had such a galvanic effect on the Virginia race. It exposed the myth that the illiberal currents at play in the United States today are solely a Republican phenomenon. They are not.

It’s fair to debate which kind of illiberalism is worse. But the Democrats’ political problem is either dishonesty about the kind of country they want, a lack of self-awareness, or some combination of both. An America in which group identity takes precedence over individual merit, racial categories become moral categories, success based on achievement is denigrated as “privilege” based on ancestry, blind justice is attacked as systemically biased, and independent thinking risks being treated as heresy, will eventually cease to be a free, fair and just country.

Many liberals who have tasted the progressive moonshine get the point. But too many still feel obligated to take sides against Trumpism when the real enemy is illiberalism writ large, whatever the source. The tragedy of the Republican Party is that too few conservatives had the nerve to fight the enemy within. Voters penalized the party in 2018 by losing the House, and in 2020 by losing the presidency.

The tragedy of the Democratic Party may yet be its own loss of nerve against its in-house extremists. Whether it’s this week or next year, the political penalties are likely to be steep.

Days before it became clear that Republican Glenn Youngkin would win Virginia’s gubernatorial race, pollsters, pundits and political strategists were trying to explain why a race that was the Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s to lose was on its way to being lost.

Days before it became clear that Republican Glenn Youngkin would win Virginia’s gubernatorial race, pollsters, pundits and political strategists were trying to explain why a race that was the Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s to lose was on its way to being lost. Some explanations were more convincing than others. Least convincing was the suggestion that Youngkin, a former private equity executive, won by dogwhistling Dixie. The pro-McAuliffe Lincoln Project even tried to troll a Youngkin event in Charlottesville with tiki-torch bearers, but they were exposed. That theory fails to explain why Youngkin ever would have thought he could win by moving to the hard right in a state where no Republican has won statewide office in a dozen years, and which Joe Biden won last year by 10 points. Another explanation is that early political reversals for an incumbent party are normal. Republican Chris Christie of New Jersey won a similar bellwether gubernatorial election in 2009, almost a year into Barack Obama’s first term. That win anticipated the GOP’s historic 63-seat gain in the 2010 House elections, but it did not keep Obama from getting his signature legislation enacted, much less from being reelected. Then there is the fact that McAuliffe ran a lousy campaign. State races are about state issues. McAuliffe’s focus was to paint Youngkin as a Trumpkin, going so far as to invent a fictional Youngkin-Trump joint campaign event. Youngkin focused on issues like cutting taxes on groceries and giving parents more of a say in their kids’ education. Voters typically want governors to solve problems, not serve as moral avatars. Finally, there’s Joe Biden. He is manifestly inept. He cannot get his party to pass a popular infrastructure bill. On inflation, Afghanistan and the southern border, he has offered benign assurances that have been summarily contradicted by events. No president elected after World War II lost more public support in his first few months of office than he has, according to Gallup. Biden’s losses are particularly steep among independents. If Biden doesn’t recover, this is bound to have down-ballot effects. The last three explanations are true as far as they go. But they don’t sufficiently capture the Democrats’ deeper problem, which is the persistent and justified perception of a party too often composed of fake moderates and dissembling radicals. Middle-of-the-road voters — the kind who still decide elections in purplish places like Virginia — sense they’ve been bamboozled. Who’s a fake moderate? Biden campaigned as the most centrist Democrat in last year’s primary field. He is trying to govern as the most socially transformational president since Lyndon B. Johnson. Attorney General Merrick Garland looks like a fake moderate, too willing to cite the power of the federal government after angry parents at school board meetings were labeled domestic terrorists. Whatever happened to Democrats as civil libertarians? As for dissembling radicals, note the way in which the controversy over critical race theory is treated by much of the left as either much ado about an obscure scholarly discipline or, alternatively, a beneficent and necessary set of teachings about the past and present of systemic racism in America. But CRT is neither obscure nor anodyne. It is, according to many of its leading theoreticians, a “politically committed movement” that often explicitly rejects notions of merit, objectivity, colorblindness and neutrality of law among other classically liberal concepts. That’s no reason to ban teaching it or any other way of looking at the world. But it is dishonest to argue that it is anything less than ideologically radical, intensely racialized and deliberately polarizing. It is even more dishonest to suggest that it exists only in academic cloisters. We live in an era of ubiquitous race-based “affinity groups,” incessant allegations of white supremacy, and pervasive censorship and self-censorship in everything from words that can be said and documentaries that can be watched, to jokes that can be laughed at. No wonder the debate over CRT-influenced pedagogies in public schools — which liberals insist don’t even exist in the state’s public schools, although they clearly do — had such a galvanic effect on the Virginia race. It exposed the myth that the illiberal currents at play in the United States today are solely a Republican phenomenon. They are not. It’s fair to debate which kind of illiberalism is worse. But the Democrats’ political problem is either dishonesty about the kind of country they want, a lack of self-awareness, or some combination of both. An America in which group identity takes precedence over individual merit, racial categories become moral categories, success based on achievement is denigrated as “privilege” based on ancestry, blind justice is attacked as systemically biased, and independent thinking risks being treated as heresy, will eventually cease to be a free, fair and just country. Many liberals who have tasted the progressive moonshine get the point. But too many still feel obligated to take sides against Trumpism when the real enemy is illiberalism writ large, whatever the source. The tragedy of the Republican Party is that too few conservatives had the nerve to fight the enemy within. Voters penalized the party in 2018 by losing the House, and in 2020 by losing the presidency. The tragedy of the Democratic Party may yet be its own loss of nerve against its in-house extremists. Whether it’s this week or next year, the political penalties are likely to be steep.

Opinion: Why Democrats are in trouble

&nbsp;Negotiations to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers will fail unless US&nbsp;President Joe Biden can guarantee that Washington will not again abandon the pact, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Wednesday.

"The US&nbsp;President, lacking authority, is not ready to give guarantees. If the current status quo continues, the result of negotiations is clear," Ali Shamkhani said in a tweet.

Iran is expected to give an exact date this week for the resumption of talks with the powers, scheduled for end of November according to Iranian top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri-Kani.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-declares-nationwide-emergency-as-insurgents-threaten-the-capital-426337">Ethiopia declares nationwide emergency as insurgents threaten the capital</a>

In April, Iran and six powers started talks in Vienna to reinstate the deal, which then-US&nbsp;President Donald Trump ditched three years ago before reimposing sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

However, the talks were put on hold after Iran`s presidential election in June that brought anti-Western hardliner Ebrahim Raisi to power.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-doubts-alleged-us-determination-to-revive-nuke-deal-fm-425894">Also read |&nbsp;Iran doubts alleged US determination to revive nuke deal: FM</a>

A main disagreement in Vienna has been over Iran's requirement for the United States to give guarantees that it would not renege on the nuclear agreement in the future.

The United States and European powers have urged Iran to return to negotiations, warning that time is running out as the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment programme is advancing well beyond the limits set by the nuclear pact.

In reaction to Trump's reimposition of sanctions, Tehran breached the deal by rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output.

&nbsp;

Negotiations to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers will fail unless US President Joe Biden can guarantee that Washington will not again abandon the pact, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Wednesday.

Negotiations to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers will fail unless US President Joe Biden can guarantee that Washington will not again abandon the pact, the head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council said on Wednesday. "The US President, lacking authority, is not ready to give guarantees. If the current status quo continues, the result of negotiations is clear," Ali Shamkhani said in a tweet. Iran is expected to give an exact date this week for the resumption of talks with the powers, scheduled for end of November according to Iranian top nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri-Kani. Also Read | Ethiopia declares nationwide emergency as insurgents threaten the capital In April, Iran and six powers started talks in Vienna to reinstate the deal, which then-US President Donald Trump ditched three years ago before reimposing sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy. However, the talks were put on hold after Iran`s presidential election in June that brought anti-Western hardliner Ebrahim Raisi to power. Also read | Iran doubts alleged US determination to revive nuke deal: FM A main disagreement in Vienna has been over Iran's requirement for the United States to give guarantees that it would not renege on the nuclear agreement in the future. The United States and European powers have urged Iran to return to negotiations, warning that time is running out as the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment programme is advancing well beyond the limits set by the nuclear pact. In reaction to Trump's reimposition of sanctions, Tehran breached the deal by rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output.

Iran warns nuclear talks would fail unless Biden provides guarantees

While the leaders of the world's major economies made a number of environmental promises, Biden voiced his "disappointment" that the Russian and Chinese heads of state did not attend the meeting in person.&nbsp;

In response to a query about why NGOs thought the summit's climate promises were "underwhelming," Biden pointed to Russia and China's absence.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/developed-nations-enjoyed-fruits-of-energy-must-reduce-their-emissions-india-425696">Also read | Developed nations enjoyed fruits of energy, must reduce their emissions: India</a>

"The disappointment relates to the fact that" Russia and China, "basically didn't show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change," Biden said.

"I found it disappointing myself. But what we did do, we passed a number of things here to end the subsidization of coal, we made commitments here from across the board, all of us, in terms of what we're going to bring to" Cop26. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pay-much-higher-price-later-italian-pm-draghi-warns-world-leaders-on-climate-change-425579">Also Read:&nbsp;&nbsp;Italian PM Draghi warns world leaders on climate change</a>

"You’re going to see we’ve made significant progress, and more has to be done, but it’s going to require us to continue to focus on what China’s not doing, what Russia is not doing and what Saudi Arabia is not doing," he added. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-era-eu-us-decide-to-end-dispute-over-steel-and-aluminum-425621">Also Read:&nbsp;'New era': EU, US decide to end dispute over steel and aluminum</a>

President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General António Guterres were among the world leaders who expressed concern on Sunday at the G20 summit in Rome over the mediocre progress achieved in addressing the climate problem ahead of the United Nations climate conference COP26 in Glasgow.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

While the leaders of the world's major economies made a number of environmental promises, Biden voiced his "disappointment" that the Russian and Chinese heads of state did not attend the meeting in person.

While the leaders of the world's major economies made a number of environmental promises, Biden voiced his "disappointment" that the Russian and Chinese heads of state did not attend the meeting in person. In response to a query about why NGOs thought the summit's climate promises were "underwhelming," Biden pointed to Russia and China's absence. Also read | Developed nations enjoyed fruits of energy, must reduce their emissions: India "The disappointment relates to the fact that" Russia and China, "basically didn't show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change," Biden said. "I found it disappointing myself. But what we did do, we passed a number of things here to end the subsidization of coal, we made commitments here from across the board, all of us, in terms of what we're going to bring to" Cop26. Also Read: Italian PM Draghi warns world leaders on climate change "You’re going to see we’ve made significant progress, and more has to be done, but it’s going to require us to continue to focus on what China’s not doing, what Russia is not doing and what Saudi Arabia is not doing," he added. Also Read: 'New era': EU, US decide to end dispute over steel and aluminum President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General António Guterres were among the world leaders who expressed concern on Sunday at the G20 summit in Rome over the mediocre progress achieved in addressing the climate problem ahead of the United Nations climate conference COP26 in Glasgow. (With inputs from agencies)

G20 Summit: Biden expresses ‘disappointment’ at China and Russia’s absence

President Joe Biden while addressing the UN climate change summit also known as COP26 said that the US will be able to meet&nbsp;the emissions target set at the climate summit in April.

"Glasgow must be the kick-off of decades and decades of our shared ambition," the US president told the leaders present at the summit while adding, "This is a decisive stage in which we can prove ourselves."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eco-hypocrite-leaders-businessmen-arrive-in-fuel-guzzling-private-jets-at-cop26-425903">Also Read:&nbsp;Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26</a>

The US president said his administration is ready to help developing countries accelerate their clean energy transition.

"US will be able to meet ambitious target I set in the Leaders' Summit on Climate back in April of reducing US emissions by 50-52 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030," Biden informed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/cop26-why-the-world-is-worried-about-china-and-co2-levels-425836">Also Read:&nbsp;Why the world is worried about China and CO2 levels</a>

"We will demonstrate to the world that the US is not only back at the table but, hopefully, lead by the power of our example," Biden added.

"I know it has not been a case, that is why my administration is working overtime to show our climate commitments in actions, not words," he said.

Earlier in the day, UK PM Boris Johnson had warned world leaders that "anger and the impatience of the world will be uncontainable" if the world failed to meet climate objectives.

"If the leaders fluff our lines or miss our cue generations as-yet-unborn will not forgive us", the British prime minister said.

(With inputs from Agencies)

President Joe Biden while addressing the UN climate change summit also known as COP26 said that the US will be able to meet the emissions target set at the climate summit in April.

President Joe Biden while addressing the UN climate change summit also known as COP26 said that the US will be able to meet the emissions target set at the climate summit in April. "Glasgow must be the kick-off of decades and decades of our shared ambition," the US president told the leaders present at the summit while adding, "This is a decisive stage in which we can prove ourselves." Also Read: Leaders, businessmen arrive in fuel-guzzling private jets at COP26 The US president said his administration is ready to help developing countries accelerate their clean energy transition. "US will be able to meet ambitious target I set in the Leaders' Summit on Climate back in April of reducing US emissions by 50-52 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030," Biden informed. Also Read: Why the world is worried about China and CO2 levels "We will demonstrate to the world that the US is not only back at the table but, hopefully, lead by the power of our example," Biden added. "I know it has not been a case, that is why my administration is working overtime to show our climate commitments in actions, not words," he said. Earlier in the day, UK PM Boris Johnson had warned world leaders that "anger and the impatience of the world will be uncontainable" if the world failed to meet climate objectives. "If the leaders fluff our lines or miss our cue generations as-yet-unborn will not forgive us", the British prime minister said. (With inputs from Agencies)

US will reduce emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, says Biden at COP26

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has cast doubts on US President Joe Biden's alleged determination to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal.

"Mr. Biden postures as anti-Trump, but when he wants to talk about Iran, he is still carrying the same sanctions record with him, and so far he has not taken any practical steps to lift the sanctions," Xinhua news agency quoted Amir Abdollahian as saying in an interview.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nuclear-powered-submarines-for-australia-maybe-not-so-fast-424997">&nbsp;Nuclear-powered submarines for Australia? Maybe not so fast.</a>

On Saturday evening, Biden, along with the leaders of Germany, France and the UK, issued a joint statement after a meeting at the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome, pointing to the American President's "clearly demonstrated commitment to return the US. to full compliance" with the nuclear agreement, formally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

The statement also affirmed Biden's commitment "to stay in full compliance, so long as Iran does the same", and called upon Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to "seize this opportunity and return to a good faith effort to conclude our negotiations as a matter of urgency".

"The problem is that we hear this will and intention from the Americans in their messages, but we do not see it in their behaviour," said Amir Abdollahian.

Biden, the Iranian Minister said, could immediately issue an executive order to take the US back to the point where his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018.

Amir Abdollahian also criticised Europeans for exerting pressure on Iran and demanding its return to the negotiating table while staying "inactive" and not pressuring the US to comply with its commitments under the deal.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-biden-macron-merkel-johnson-discuss-iran-deal-on-sidelines-425373">G20 Summit: Biden, Macron, Merkel, Johnson discuss Iran deal on sidelines</a>

In the interview, the Iranian top diplomatic chief reiterated ties with Iran's neighbours and Asian countries including China and Russia, as the priorities of the current Iranian government's foreign policy.

"We have explicitly stated that we will not tie the destiny of the people and the country to JCPOA or to any country in an absolute manner," the Minister noted.

Since the US abandoned the JCPOA, Iran`s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has consistently urged government officials not to tie the solution of Iran`s economic difficulties to Washington`s will to lift the sanctions as stipulated by the deal.

Since May 2019, Iran has gradually stopped performing restrictions on its nuclear program, arguing that its reactions are allowed in the JCPOA in case of the counterparts'&nbsp;non-compliance and it would return to full compliance when sanctions are lifted.

After Biden took office in late January, Iran and the JCPOA Joint Commission held six rounds of talks in Austria's capital Vienna to revive the agreement between April and June, but the process was interrupted by the Iranian presidential election in June and subsequent transition of government.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has cast doubts on US President Joe Biden's alleged determination to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. "Mr.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian has cast doubts on US President Joe Biden's alleged determination to revive the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. "Mr. Biden postures as anti-Trump, but when he wants to talk about Iran, he is still carrying the same sanctions record with him, and so far he has not taken any practical steps to lift the sanctions," Xinhua news agency quoted Amir Abdollahian as saying in an interview. Also Read | Nuclear-powered submarines for Australia? Maybe not so fast. On Saturday evening, Biden, along with the leaders of Germany, France and the UK, issued a joint statement after a meeting at the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome, pointing to the American President's "clearly demonstrated commitment to return the US. to full compliance" with the nuclear agreement, formally known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The statement also affirmed Biden's commitment "to stay in full compliance, so long as Iran does the same", and called upon Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to "seize this opportunity and return to a good faith effort to conclude our negotiations as a matter of urgency". "The problem is that we hear this will and intention from the Americans in their messages, but we do not see it in their behaviour," said Amir Abdollahian. Biden, the Iranian Minister said, could immediately issue an executive order to take the US back to the point where his predecessor Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in May 2018. Amir Abdollahian also criticised Europeans for exerting pressure on Iran and demanding its return to the negotiating table while staying "inactive" and not pressuring the US to comply with its commitments under the deal. Also Read | G20 Summit: Biden, Macron, Merkel, Johnson discuss Iran deal on sidelines In the interview, the Iranian top diplomatic chief reiterated ties with Iran's neighbours and Asian countries including China and Russia, as the priorities of the current Iranian government's foreign policy. "We have explicitly stated that we will not tie the destiny of the people and the country to JCPOA or to any country in an absolute manner," the Minister noted. Since the US abandoned the JCPOA, Iran`s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has consistently urged government officials not to tie the solution of Iran`s economic difficulties to Washington`s will to lift the sanctions as stipulated by the deal. Since May 2019, Iran has gradually stopped performing restrictions on its nuclear program, arguing that its reactions are allowed in the JCPOA in case of the counterparts' non-compliance and it would return to full compliance when sanctions are lifted. After Biden took office in late January, Iran and the JCPOA Joint Commission held six rounds of talks in Austria's capital Vienna to revive the agreement between April and June, but the process was interrupted by the Iranian presidential election in June and subsequent transition of government.

Iran doubts alleged US determination to revive nuke deal: FM

In what can be called a ‘scary news' on Halloween, a new NBC News poll seems to have suggested the Americans have lost confidence in US President Joe Biden and their optimism for the country. &nbsp;

The moderator of ‘Meet the Press’, Chuck Todd, shared the findings of the latest poll on Sunday. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-urges-world-leaders-to-help-address-global-supply-chain-issue-425672" hreflang="en">Biden urges world leaders to help address global supply-chain issue</a>

This development comes days ahead of the off-year November election, which&nbsp;includes the governor's race in Virginia and one year out from the midterm elections. &nbsp;

"We have a brand-new NBC News poll out this morning that's filled with some scary news for the Democrats. The overarching message: Americans have lost their confidence in President Biden and their optimism for the country. At least, they have right now," Todd said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-dead-9-injured-as-gunman-opens-fire-at-halloween-party-in-texas-425650">One dead, 9 injured as gunman opens fire at Halloween party in Texas</a>

"Just 22% of adults say we're headed in the right direction. A shocking 71% say we're on the wrong track and that includes a near majority of Democrats, who are saying that. President Biden's approval rating stands at a dismal 42%, versus 54% who disapprove," the moderator said. &nbsp;

As per NBC News, around 1,000 adults, 650 of whom were reached only by cellphone, were included in the survey between October 23 and 26. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In what can be called a ‘scary news' on Halloween, a new NBC News poll seems to have suggested the Americans have lost confidence in US President Joe Biden and their optimism for the country.

In what can be called a ‘scary news' on Halloween, a new NBC News poll seems to have suggested the Americans have lost confidence in US President Joe Biden and their optimism for the country. The moderator of ‘Meet the Press’, Chuck Todd, shared the findings of the latest poll on Sunday. Also Read: Biden urges world leaders to help address global supply-chain issue This development comes days ahead of the off-year November election, which includes the governor's race in Virginia and one year out from the midterm elections. "We have a brand-new NBC News poll out this morning that's filled with some scary news for the Democrats. The overarching message: Americans have lost their confidence in President Biden and their optimism for the country. At least, they have right now," Todd said. Also Read: One dead, 9 injured as gunman opens fire at Halloween party in Texas "Just 22% of adults say we're headed in the right direction. A shocking 71% say we're on the wrong track and that includes a near majority of Democrats, who are saying that. President Biden's approval rating stands at a dismal 42%, versus 54% who disapprove," the moderator said. As per NBC News, around 1,000 adults, 650 of whom were reached only by cellphone, were included in the survey between October 23 and 26. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Scary News' on Halloween? New poll says Americans lose confidence in US President Joe Biden

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US&nbsp;official said on Saturday.

Erdogan earlier this month ordered 10 envoys, including the US&nbsp;ambassador, to be declared "persona non grata" for seeking the release of jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, though he later withdrew the threat to expel them.

"Certainly the president will indicate that we need to find a way to avoid crises like that one going forward and precipitous action is not going to benefit the US-Turkey partnership and alliance," the US&nbsp;official told reporters.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fatf-puts-turkey-on-grey-list-pakistan-to-remain-on-grey-list-422766">FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list'</a>

The official said a meeting between the two leaders may not have happened if Erdogan had expelled the US&nbsp;ambassador. But the issue had been resolved, for the moment at least, he said.

Biden, who is in Rome for the G20 summit, will also discuss Turkey's request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, its defence relationship with the United States and a range of regional issues such as Syria and Libya.

US&nbsp;lawmakers have urged the Biden administration not to sell F-16s to Turkey and threatened to block any such exports on the grounds that Turkey had purchased Russian missile defence systems and "behaved like an adversary".

Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.

The alliance between the United States and Turkey, both members of NATO, has come under strain in recent years over policy differences on Syria, Turkey's Russian S-400 missile defence purchase, and human rights.

US President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US official said on Saturday.

US President Joe Biden will warn Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a meeting on Sunday that any precipitous actions would not benefit US-Turkish relations and that crises should be avoided, a US official said on Saturday. Erdogan earlier this month ordered 10 envoys, including the US ambassador, to be declared "persona non grata" for seeking the release of jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala, though he later withdrew the threat to expel them. "Certainly the president will indicate that we need to find a way to avoid crises like that one going forward and precipitous action is not going to benefit the US-Turkey partnership and alliance," the US official told reporters. Also Read | FATF puts Turkey on 'grey list'; Pakistan to remain on 'grey list' The official said a meeting between the two leaders may not have happened if Erdogan had expelled the US ambassador. But the issue had been resolved, for the moment at least, he said. Biden, who is in Rome for the G20 summit, will also discuss Turkey's request to purchase F-16 fighter jets, its defence relationship with the United States and a range of regional issues such as Syria and Libya. US lawmakers have urged the Biden administration not to sell F-16s to Turkey and threatened to block any such exports on the grounds that Turkey had purchased Russian missile defence systems and "behaved like an adversary". Reuters reported earlier this month that Turkey had made a request to the United States to buy 40 Lockheed Martin-made F-16s and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. The alliance between the United States and Turkey, both members of NATO, has come under strain in recent years over policy differences on Syria, Turkey's Russian S-400 missile defence purchase, and human rights.

Biden to talk to Turkey's Erdogan over threat to expel western nations' envoys

US President Joe Biden urged world leaders to take action to reduce supply-chain problems and prevent them from happening in the future. While speaking to fellow leaders gathered for the G20 summit in Rome, Biden also laid out new steps his administration is taking to address the issue at home.

US President Joe Biden urged world leaders to take action to reduce supply-chain problems and prevent them from happening in the future. While speaking to fellow leaders gathered for the G20 summit in Rome, Biden also laid out new steps his administration is taking to address the issue at home. As the coronavirus pandemic took over the world at the beginning of 2019, all kinds of transportation came to a halt. This has negatively impacted the industry and companies have had to bear massive losses, thus affecting the global supply chain. Earlier in September, the transport industry urged global leaders and the United Nations (UN) to pay attention to their worsening situation. IRU, the world road transport organisation, IATA, the International Air Transport Association, ICS, the International Chamber of Shipping, and ITF, the International Transport Workers' Federation came together to draft a letter and make an urgent plea on behalf of the whole transport industry. Also read | UK's Johnson warns on COP26: 'If Glasgow fails, the whole thing fails' "Our collective industries account for more than $20 trillion of world trade annually, and represent 65 million global transport workers, and over 3.5 million road freight and airline companies, as well as more than 80% of the world merchant shipping fleet," the chiefs said in a joint letter. The joint open letter by the global transport chiefs blamed world leaders for not offering them enough support in these difficult times. "Transport workers keep the world running and are vital for the free movement of products, including vaccines and PPE, but have been continually failed by governments and taken for granted by their officials," the letter reads.

Biden urges world leaders to help address global supply-chain issue

Ahead of a crucial United Nations summit on climate change, US President Joe Biden has contributed immensely towards carbon emissions when he went to meet Pope Francis in an&nbsp;85-vehicle motorcade. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Friday, Biden travelled in a massive motorcade on his way to meet Pope Francis. The motorcade was caught on camera. &nbsp; &nbsp;

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Biden arriving at the Vatican. His motorcade is lonnnnnng. <a href="https://t.co/fDzAH2ENsk">pic.twitter.com/fDzAH2ENsk</a>
— Chico Harlan (@chicoharlan) <a href="https://twitter.com/chicoharlan/status/1454025249889079296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Due to a Covid restrictions in Italy, the number of passengers in each vehicle was limited. Usually, a motorcade for the president includes a dozen vehicles, plus some cars to block traffic. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-delegate-applications-for-six-afghans-rejected-days-before-event-425289" hreflang="en">COP26: Delegate applications for six Afghans rejected days before event</a>

The motorcade was filled with security personnel, a dozen associates for meeting and press. &nbsp;

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Is this necessary? I mean really necessary? <a href="https://t.co/cuf5wVIDIB">https://t.co/cuf5wVIDIB</a>
— E Brolly (@Ebrolly1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ebrolly1/status/1454514097584803844?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The president’s trip seems to have left a massive carbon footprint as the vehicles were not environment-friendly. It includes the 244-horsepower vehicle ‘The Beast’ in which the president travels. Most vehicles were SUVs, vans, etc, which have low gas mileage. &nbsp;

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Biden's contribution to fighting climate change. 
 
- 85-car motorcade in Rome 
- His own 244-horsepower car "the Beast" 
- Each car generates 10x the normal amount CO2 
- 10,000 mile return trip on Air Force One 
- 2.2 million pounds of carbon total 
 
They're taking the piss.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cop26?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cop26</a>
— Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) <a href="https://twitter.com/PrisonPlanet/status/1454373356673847305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In Glasgow on the weekend, the world leaders will be converging for UN's "COP26" climate summit to come up with a vital climate change solution for securing the survival of the world by conserving Earth. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-leaders-face-tough-climate-talks-on-second-day-of-summit-425445">G20 leaders face tough climate talks on second day of summit</a>

The gathering will be attended by almost 200 countries in Scotland, where most G20 leaders will fly directly from Rome. &nbsp;

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Saving the planet one motorcade at a time <a href="https://t.co/SlQ5A4M51j">https://t.co/SlQ5A4M51j</a>
— OutRun Legend (@legend_out) <a href="https://twitter.com/legend_out/status/1454486597798354950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Currently, the heads of world's 20 biggest economies have gathered in Rome for two-day G20 Summit. The leaders are focusing on Covid, economy and climate issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Ahead of a crucial United Nations summit on climate change, US President Joe Biden has contributed immensely towards carbon emissions when he went to meet Pope Francis in an 85-vehicle motorcade.

Ahead of a crucial United Nations summit on climate change, US President Joe Biden has contributed immensely towards carbon emissions when he went to meet Pope Francis in an 85-vehicle motorcade. On Friday, Biden travelled in a massive motorcade on his way to meet Pope Francis. The motorcade was caught on camera. Biden arriving at the Vatican. His motorcade is lonnnnnng. pic.twitter.com/fDzAH2ENsk — Chico Harlan (@chicoharlan) October 29, 2021 × Due to a Covid restrictions in Italy, the number of passengers in each vehicle was limited. Usually, a motorcade for the president includes a dozen vehicles, plus some cars to block traffic. Also Read | COP26: Delegate applications for six Afghans rejected days before event The motorcade was filled with security personnel, a dozen associates for meeting and press. Is this necessary? I mean really necessary? https://t.co/cuf5wVIDIB — E Brolly (@Ebrolly1) October 30, 2021 × The president’s trip seems to have left a massive carbon footprint as the vehicles were not environment-friendly. It includes the 244-horsepower vehicle ‘The Beast’ in which the president travels. Most vehicles were SUVs, vans, etc, which have low gas mileage. Biden's contribution to fighting climate change. - 85-car motorcade in Rome - His own 244-horsepower car "the Beast" - Each car generates 10x the normal amount CO2 - 10,000 mile return trip on Air Force One - 2.2 million pounds of carbon total They're taking the piss.#Cop26 — Paul Joseph Watson (@PrisonPlanet) October 30, 2021 × In Glasgow on the weekend, the world leaders will be converging for UN's "COP26" climate summit to come up with a vital climate change solution for securing the survival of the world by conserving Earth. Also Read: G20 leaders face tough climate talks on second day of summit The gathering will be attended by almost 200 countries in Scotland, where most G20 leaders will fly directly from Rome. Saving the planet one motorcade at a time https://t.co/SlQ5A4M51j — OutRun Legend (@legend_out) October 30, 2021 × Currently, the heads of world's 20 biggest economies have gathered in Rome for two-day G20 Summit. The leaders are focusing on Covid, economy and climate issues. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Ahead of COP26 summit, US President Biden's 85-vehicle motorcade raises emissions' concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said.

Briefing press on Modi’s schedule on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “PM Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on ‘Supply Chain&nbsp;Resilience’ and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.”&nbsp;

PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-leaders-agree-on-historic-corporate-tax-deal-425387">G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal</a>

"The PM also brought out the fact that despite challenges of the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains," Shringla told the special briefing in Rome on Saturday.

The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by India, Japan and Australia, in April, will help in promoting trade facilitation by identifying supply chain risks and mapping out the complementarities.

The SCRI, first&nbsp;proposed by Japan, aims to reduce dependence on China&nbsp;amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, the prime minister is also expected to have a meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G20 Summit apart from participating in discussions on “Climate Change and Environment and Sustainable Development”.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-rome-modi-pitches-one-earth-one-health-vision-says-ready-to-produce-5-billion-covid-vaccines-425443">&nbsp;At Rome, Modi pitches ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, says ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccines</a>

Apart from the ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event, a hectic schedule is lined up for PM Modi on Sunday.

He will begin the day in Rome by visiting the historical centre - the Trevi Fountain. The historical Trevi Fountain has drawn many filmmakers to it who have popularised the Baroque art-styled monument as the epitome of a place of romance.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/vaccine-access-one-of-major-themes-of-summit-g20-summit-425407/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Later in the day, Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and also meet outgoing Chancellor of Germany Angela Markel.

The PM is also slated to attend a session to discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030 that has its own set of 17 targets and 244 indicators&nbsp;to provide&nbsp;a worldwide accepted framework of development.

Following that, PM Modi will also be travelling to Glasgow in the United Kingdom from November 1-2 at the invitation of his British counterpart Boris Johnson.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on “Supply Chain Resilience” on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rome on Sunday, officials have said. Briefing press on Modi’s schedule on Sunday, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said, “PM Modi will attend an event hosted by US President Joe Biden on ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ and hold other bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome.” PM Modi invited G20 countries to make India their partner in economic recovery and supply chain diversification. He also brought out the fact that despite challenges posed by the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains, Shringla said. Also read | G20 leaders agree on historic corporate tax deal "The PM also brought out the fact that despite challenges of the pandemic, India continued to be a trusted partner in the context of reliable supply chains," Shringla told the special briefing in Rome on Saturday. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by India, Japan and Australia, in April, will help in promoting trade facilitation by identifying supply chain risks and mapping out the complementarities. The SCRI, first proposed by Japan, aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, the prime minister is also expected to have a meeting with Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G20 Summit apart from participating in discussions on “Climate Change and Environment and Sustainable Development”. Also read | At Rome, Modi pitches ‘One Earth, One Health’ vision, says ready to produce 5 billion Covid vaccines Apart from the ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event, a hectic schedule is lined up for PM Modi on Sunday. He will begin the day in Rome by visiting the historical centre - the Trevi Fountain. The historical Trevi Fountain has drawn many filmmakers to it who have popularised the Baroque art-styled monument as the epitome of a place of romance. Watch Later in the day, Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and also meet outgoing Chancellor of Germany Angela Markel. The PM is also slated to attend a session to discuss Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under Agenda 2030 that has its own set of 17 targets and 244 indicators to provide a worldwide accepted framework of development. Following that, PM Modi will also be travelling to Glasgow in the United Kingdom from November 1-2 at the invitation of his British counterpart Boris Johnson. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi to attend ‘Supply Chain Resilience’ event hosted by US President Joe Biden in Rome

After US President Joe Biden met Pope Francis, the former gave an unusual answer on Friday on being asked whether abortion was discussed in their 90-minute meeting at the Vatican. &nbsp;

When asked if "the issue of abortion [came] up at all" during the meeting, Biden told reporters, “No, it didn’t. It came up. We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic, and I should keep receiving communion."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-settle-us-charges-of-tax-evasion-russian-billionaire-pays-500-million-425174">To settle US charges of tax evasion, Russian billionaire pays $500 million</a>&nbsp;

In the United States, the president’s pro-abortion rights stance has irked some Catholics. It includes 168 bishops, who are trying to block the president from receiving communion. In June, the Vatican shot down the suggestion. Pope Francis has still not publicly commented on the subject. &nbsp;

During the meeting, US reporters, photographers and television crews, who are traveling with the president, were barred. The Vatican supplied a heavily edited video of the event. The meeting was described as lighthearted by senior administration officials. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/prince-andrew-asks-us-court-to-dismiss-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-425176">Prince Andrew asks US court to dismiss sexual harassment lawsuit</a>

"The engagement between the two was very warm when the delegation arrived in the room. There was laughter and clear rapport between President Biden and Pope Francis," said a White House official. &nbsp;

"President Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution. He also lauded Pope Francis’ leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery," noted the White House's readout of the meeting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After US President Joe Biden met Pope Francis, the former gave an unusual answer on Friday on being asked whether abortion was discussed in their 90-minute meeting at the Vatican.

After US President Joe Biden met Pope Francis, the former gave an unusual answer on Friday on being asked whether abortion was discussed in their 90-minute meeting at the Vatican. When asked if "the issue of abortion [came] up at all" during the meeting, Biden told reporters, “No, it didn’t. It came up. We just talked about the fact he was happy that I was a good Catholic, and I should keep receiving communion." Also Read: To settle US charges of tax evasion, Russian billionaire pays $500 million In the United States, the president’s pro-abortion rights stance has irked some Catholics. It includes 168 bishops, who are trying to block the president from receiving communion. In June, the Vatican shot down the suggestion. Pope Francis has still not publicly commented on the subject. During the meeting, US reporters, photographers and television crews, who are traveling with the president, were barred. The Vatican supplied a heavily edited video of the event. The meeting was described as lighthearted by senior administration officials. Also Read: Prince Andrew asks US court to dismiss sexual harassment lawsuit "The engagement between the two was very warm when the delegation arrived in the room. There was laughter and clear rapport between President Biden and Pope Francis," said a White House official. "President Biden thanked His Holiness for his advocacy for the world’s poor and those suffering from hunger, conflict, and persecution. He also lauded Pope Francis’ leadership in fighting the climate crisis, as well as his advocacy to ensure the pandemic ends for everyone through vaccine sharing and an equitable global economic recovery," noted the White House's readout of the meeting. (With inputs from agencies)

After meeting with pope, US President Joe Biden gives bizarre answer on abortion

US President Joe Biden’s aggressive vaccine mandate has sparked a backlash from the Republicans.&nbsp;Various states in the US have filed a lawsuit against Biden's vaccine mandate as they have argued that the requirement violates federal law. These states include Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia.

The states have asked a federal judge to block Biden's mandate that requires all employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19. They argue that the mandate violates federal procurement law.&nbsp;

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, in a statement, said, "If the federal government attempts to unconstitutionally exert its will and force federal contractors to mandate vaccinations, the workforce and businesses could be decimated, further exacerbating the supply chain and workforce crises."

"The federal government should not be mandating vaccinations, and that's why we filed suit today – to halt this illegal, unconstitutional action.”&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turn-the-tide-biden-announces-new-vaccine-mandates-in-covid-19-battle-411974">Also read |&nbsp;'Turn the tide': Biden announces new vaccine mandates in COVID-19 battle</a>

As a response, Biden has said that the vaccine mandate will help in curbing the spread of the virus. However, the Republicans nationwide have opposed the vaccination requirements. Also, they have threatened to bring similar legal challenges.

Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees.

Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive. Earlier, Biden had said that ''we can and we will turn the tide of COVID-19.''&nbsp;

''It’ll take a lot of hard work and it’s going to take some time. Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated even though the vaccine is safe, effective and free,'' he added.

US President Joe Biden’s aggressive vaccine mandate has sparked a backlash from the Republicans. Various states in the US have filed a lawsuit against Biden's vaccine mandate as they have argued that the requirement violates federal law.

US President Joe Biden’s aggressive vaccine mandate has sparked a backlash from the Republicans. Various states in the US have filed a lawsuit against Biden's vaccine mandate as they have argued that the requirement violates federal law. These states include Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia. The states have asked a federal judge to block Biden's mandate that requires all employees of federal contractors to be vaccinated against the deadly COVID-19. They argue that the mandate violates federal procurement law. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, in a statement, said, "If the federal government attempts to unconstitutionally exert its will and force federal contractors to mandate vaccinations, the workforce and businesses could be decimated, further exacerbating the supply chain and workforce crises." "The federal government should not be mandating vaccinations, and that's why we filed suit today – to halt this illegal, unconstitutional action.” Also read | 'Turn the tide': Biden announces new vaccine mandates in COVID-19 battle As a response, Biden has said that the vaccine mandate will help in curbing the spread of the virus. However, the Republicans nationwide have opposed the vaccination requirements. Also, they have threatened to bring similar legal challenges. Biden’s plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not adhere to the directive. Earlier, Biden had said that ''we can and we will turn the tide of COVID-19.'' ''It’ll take a lot of hard work and it’s going to take some time. Many of us are frustrated with the nearly 80 million Americans who are still not vaccinated even though the vaccine is safe, effective and free,'' he added.

'To halt illegal action': US states sue Biden administration over vaccine mandate

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden on Saturday will urge major G20 energy producers with spare capacity to boost production to ensure a stronger global economic recovery, a senior administration official said ahead of a summit bringing together leaders of the world's largest economies.

Biden and other Group of 20 leaders are slated to discuss efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic and agree on a new task force to improve coordination and planning to prevent the next one. They also expect to endorse an agreement backed by more than 130 countries to establish a new global minimum tax.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-youth-show-their-support-for-bold-climate-action-un-poll-423953">G20 youth show their support for bold climate action: UN poll</a>

But members are divided on other issues. With oil and gas prices surging, some energy-producing countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have not boosted output enough to satisfy countries that are largely consumers of energy and worry about energy shortages and inflation.

Biden's top advisers have voiced concerns about energy suppliers not boosting production enough to meet surging demand.

Rocketing natural gas prices, with the European benchmark up almost 600 per cent&nbsp;this year, have been fuelled by low inventories and surging demand as economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised similar issues&nbsp;during a visit to Brussels this month, singling out Russia for its "history of using energy as a tool of coercion, as a political weapon."

Russia, a major natural gas supplier to Europe, and its energy giant Gazprom are being urged to do more to ease prices in the spot market.

Watch |&nbsp;US prez Joe Biden meets French counterpart Emmanuel Macron ahead of G20 summit

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-prez-joe-biden-meets-french-counterpart-emmanuel-macron-ahead-of-g20-summit-425152/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"It's a delicate time in the global economy, and what's important is that global energy supplies keep up with global energy demand," the senior administration official said.

"There are major energy producers that have spare capacity, and we're encouraging them to use to ensure a stronger, more sustainable recovery across the world," the official said, without naming any specific countries.

The official said G20 leaders would not specifically target the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which includes Saudi Arabia, or set any targets for energy production. 
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit in person, but is expected to participate virtually.

Comments from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak earlier this month sparked fresh tensions over the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline, which Washington has long opposed and which is now awaiting clearance from a German regulator.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-split-over-coal-15-degree-climate-limit-ahead-of-rome-summit-report-422972">G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit: Report</a>

Novak said clearing the pipeline could help ease shortfalls, sparking concerns that Russia has failed to boost its production of gas - now delivered via land-based pipelines - precisely to put pressure on Europe to approve Nord Stream 2.

During their talks on the economy, G20 leaders will also back an agreement reached by more than 130 countries on a global minimum corporate tax of 15 per cent&nbsp;that will reshape the world economy and could result in some $60 billion in additional tax revenues per year for the United States alone, the official said.

"The deal is a testament to American diplomacy and leadership," the official said, noting that Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had worked hard to secure the agreement.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday will urge major G20 energy producers with spare capacity to boost production to ensure a stronger global economic recovery, a senior administration official said ahead of a summit bringing together leaders of the world's largest economies.

US President Joe Biden on Saturday will urge major G20 energy producers with spare capacity to boost production to ensure a stronger global economic recovery, a senior administration official said ahead of a summit bringing together leaders of the world's largest economies. Biden and other Group of 20 leaders are slated to discuss efforts to end the COVID-19 pandemic and agree on a new task force to improve coordination and planning to prevent the next one. They also expect to endorse an agreement backed by more than 130 countries to establish a new global minimum tax. Also Read | G20 youth show their support for bold climate action: UN poll But members are divided on other issues. With oil and gas prices surging, some energy-producing countries such as Russia and Saudi Arabia have not boosted output enough to satisfy countries that are largely consumers of energy and worry about energy shortages and inflation. Biden's top advisers have voiced concerns about energy suppliers not boosting production enough to meet surging demand. Rocketing natural gas prices, with the European benchmark up almost 600 per cent this year, have been fuelled by low inventories and surging demand as economies recover from the COVID-19 crisis. Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan raised similar issues during a visit to Brussels this month, singling out Russia for its "history of using energy as a tool of coercion, as a political weapon." Russia, a major natural gas supplier to Europe, and its energy giant Gazprom are being urged to do more to ease prices in the spot market. Watch | US prez Joe Biden meets French counterpart Emmanuel Macron ahead of G20 summit "It's a delicate time in the global economy, and what's important is that global energy supplies keep up with global energy demand," the senior administration official said. "There are major energy producers that have spare capacity, and we're encouraging them to use to ensure a stronger, more sustainable recovery across the world," the official said, without naming any specific countries. The official said G20 leaders would not specifically target the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which includes Saudi Arabia, or set any targets for energy production. Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the summit in person, but is expected to participate virtually. Comments from Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak earlier this month sparked fresh tensions over the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline, which Washington has long opposed and which is now awaiting clearance from a German regulator. Also Read | G20 split over coal, 1.5 degree climate limit ahead of Rome summit: Report Novak said clearing the pipeline could help ease shortfalls, sparking concerns that Russia has failed to boost its production of gas - now delivered via land-based pipelines - precisely to put pressure on Europe to approve Nord Stream 2. During their talks on the economy, G20 leaders will also back an agreement reached by more than 130 countries on a global minimum corporate tax of 15 per cent that will reshape the world economy and could result in some $60 billion in additional tax revenues per year for the United States alone, the official said. "The deal is a testament to American diplomacy and leadership," the official said, noting that Biden and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen had worked hard to secure the agreement.

Biden to push G20 energy producers to boost capacity, ease price pressures

US president Joe Biden is in Rome for the G20 summit and he is meeting with Italy's prime minister Mario Draghi, it is one of the many meetings that the US prez is scheduled to have which will be watched by people around the world.

Joe Biden meets Italy's prime minister Mario Draghi ahead of the G20 summit

US President Joe Biden is looking for a political victory. Before he departed for Rome, he unveiled a revised build back better plan. Biden is hoping that the new 1.75 trillion dollar bill will win the support of Democrats.

US President Joe Biden unveiled a revised build back better plan

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders.

“After months of tough and thoughtful negotiations, I think we have — I know we have — a historic economic framework,” the president said. “This framework includes historic investments in our nation, and in our people.”

Biden delivered his remarks from the White House after returning from Capitol Hill, where he pleaded with Democratic lawmakers to put aside their differences and vote for both measures as a way of advancing their common agenda.

He did not explicitly say that the Democrats on Capitol Hill had all agreed to back his new framework, and several key lawmakers in his party issued statements that pointedly did not say they were promising to vote for it.

Biden was pushing to convince liberal members that a final compromise was close enough to allow them to support a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has already passed the Senate, and House leaders were pressing Democrats to vote for the public works legislation later Thursday.

At the Capitol, Biden framed the success of his push as crucial, saying its fate would help determine that of his presidency and his party’s hold on Congress, and could restore the nation’s standing on the world stage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/methane-lowest-hanging-fruit-eu-warns-countries-on-climate-change-424798">Also read |&nbsp;'Methane lowest hanging fruit': EU warns countries on climate change</a>

But liberals were still not satisfied with a plan that was clearly still unfinished even as Biden hailed its components.

“What I would say is you have the outline of a very significant piece of legislation — I want us to make it better,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chair.

It remains unclear how quickly votes could take place, and there remains deep mistrust between progressives in the House and Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, two centrist holdouts who have forced deep cuts in the president’s proposals.

Biden expressed confidence Thursday that those differences had been ironed out after several months of intensive negotiations, as well as last-minute discussions that stretched into the night Wednesday.

“No one got everything they wanted, including me,” he said. “But that’s what compromise is. That’s consensus. And that’s what I ran on.”

In a statement, Sinema stopped substantially short of promising support, although she sounded an upbeat note on the talks.

“After months of productive, good-faith negotiations with President Biden and the White House, we have made significant progress on the proposed budget reconciliation package,” she said.

Manchin did not commit to supporting it either, saying only, “It’s in the hands of the House.”

But one person close to both senators said they had privately indicated that they support Biden’s framework, even as key details remained to be worked out.

The package is considerably more modest than the cradle-to-grave expansion of the safety net that the president initially envisioned. But the provisions for young children would offer a significant boost to middle-class families that have struggled for decades with economic uncertainty. They include universal preschool for more than 6 million 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidies for child care that would limit costs to no more than 7% of income for most families. Funding for both of those provisions would last for six years.

It includes about $555 billion for programs to move Americans to electric vehicles and entice utilities away from natural gas and coal, representing what would be the largest federal investment in combating climate change.

Democratic leaders were keen to hand the president a victory before he departed for Europe this week. The president planned to attend a climate summit on Sunday in Scotland, where he hoped to point to the deal as evidence of the United States’ commitment to tackling climate change.

“When the president gets off that plane, we want him to have a vote of confidence from this Congress,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats during the meeting, according to the person familiar with the session.

Democrats also hoped the agreement would be enough to persuade the House’s most liberal members that Congress was on the verge of passing a truly progressive package and that those liberals, in turn, would join more moderate and conservative Democrats to send the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to Biden for his signature.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-shuts-mosque-in-allonnes-set-to-close-seven-mosques-over-radicalism-424820">Also read |&nbsp;France shuts mosque in Allonnes; set to close seven mosques over 'radicalism'</a>

Liberal members of the House and Senate had plenty to lament. The center piece of Biden’s climate policy, a measure to reward utilities for switching to renewable energy and to punish those that will not was stripped out at Manchin’s insistence. One of the biggest social policies in the original package, a $500 billion federal paid family and medical leave benefit, is also gone.

An anticipated expansion of Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing care was down to just hearing. A proposed tax on the wealth of billionaires was also out, in favor of a surtax on multimillionaires that would hit income but not their mountains of wealth.

The promise of two years of free community college would go unfulfilled, and the expanded child tax credit, passed in March to give most families a $300-per-child monthly income support, would be extended only into 2023, not made permanent.

Among the provisions that survived were federal programs for home health care and community care for older Americans and people with disabilities. The framework also contains $150 billion for rental assistance, homebuying help, public housing repairs and other affordable housing programs.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders.

President Joe Biden announced Thursday a revised framework to try to pass a $1.85 trillion social safety net bill and a $1 trillion infrastructure measure, just hours before he leaves for a six-day European trip to meet with world leaders. “After months of tough and thoughtful negotiations, I think we have — I know we have — a historic economic framework,” the president said. “This framework includes historic investments in our nation, and in our people.” Biden delivered his remarks from the White House after returning from Capitol Hill, where he pleaded with Democratic lawmakers to put aside their differences and vote for both measures as a way of advancing their common agenda. He did not explicitly say that the Democrats on Capitol Hill had all agreed to back his new framework, and several key lawmakers in his party issued statements that pointedly did not say they were promising to vote for it. Biden was pushing to convince liberal members that a final compromise was close enough to allow them to support a separate $1 trillion infrastructure bill that has already passed the Senate, and House leaders were pressing Democrats to vote for the public works legislation later Thursday. At the Capitol, Biden framed the success of his push as crucial, saying its fate would help determine that of his presidency and his party’s hold on Congress, and could restore the nation’s standing on the world stage. Also read | 'Methane lowest hanging fruit': EU warns countries on climate change But liberals were still not satisfied with a plan that was clearly still unfinished even as Biden hailed its components. “What I would say is you have the outline of a very significant piece of legislation — I want us to make it better,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., the Budget Committee chair. It remains unclear how quickly votes could take place, and there remains deep mistrust between progressives in the House and Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, two centrist holdouts who have forced deep cuts in the president’s proposals. Biden expressed confidence Thursday that those differences had been ironed out after several months of intensive negotiations, as well as last-minute discussions that stretched into the night Wednesday. “No one got everything they wanted, including me,” he said. “But that’s what compromise is. That’s consensus. And that’s what I ran on.” In a statement, Sinema stopped substantially short of promising support, although she sounded an upbeat note on the talks. “After months of productive, good-faith negotiations with President Biden and the White House, we have made significant progress on the proposed budget reconciliation package,” she said. Manchin did not commit to supporting it either, saying only, “It’s in the hands of the House.” But one person close to both senators said they had privately indicated that they support Biden’s framework, even as key details remained to be worked out. The package is considerably more modest than the cradle-to-grave expansion of the safety net that the president initially envisioned. But the provisions for young children would offer a significant boost to middle-class families that have struggled for decades with economic uncertainty. They include universal preschool for more than 6 million 3- and 4-year-olds and subsidies for child care that would limit costs to no more than 7% of income for most families. Funding for both of those provisions would last for six years. It includes about $555 billion for programs to move Americans to electric vehicles and entice utilities away from natural gas and coal, representing what would be the largest federal investment in combating climate change. Democratic leaders were keen to hand the president a victory before he departed for Europe this week. The president planned to attend a climate summit on Sunday in Scotland, where he hoped to point to the deal as evidence of the United States’ commitment to tackling climate change. “When the president gets off that plane, we want him to have a vote of confidence from this Congress,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats during the meeting, according to the person familiar with the session. Democrats also hoped the agreement would be enough to persuade the House’s most liberal members that Congress was on the verge of passing a truly progressive package and that those liberals, in turn, would join more moderate and conservative Democrats to send the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill to Biden for his signature. Also read | France shuts mosque in Allonnes; set to close seven mosques over 'radicalism' Liberal members of the House and Senate had plenty to lament. The center piece of Biden’s climate policy, a measure to reward utilities for switching to renewable energy and to punish those that will not was stripped out at Manchin’s insistence. One of the biggest social policies in the original package, a $500 billion federal paid family and medical leave benefit, is also gone. An anticipated expansion of Medicare to cover vision, dental and hearing care was down to just hearing. A proposed tax on the wealth of billionaires was also out, in favor of a surtax on multimillionaires that would hit income but not their mountains of wealth. The promise of two years of free community college would go unfulfilled, and the expanded child tax credit, passed in March to give most families a $300-per-child monthly income support, would be extended only into 2023, not made permanent. Among the provisions that survived were federal programs for home health care and community care for older Americans and people with disabilities. The framework also contains $150 billion for rental assistance, homebuying help, public housing repairs and other affordable housing programs.

Biden announces $1.85 trillion framework for climate and safety net plan

Two US&nbsp;senators have urged President Joe Biden to waive sanctions against India over its purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system, saying such a punitive measure would endanger growing cooperation.

India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five of the surface-to-air missile systems for defence against long-time adversary Pakistan and China, with which it is locked in a standoff on their disputed border.

But the proposed transfer has caused friction with the United States, which passed a law in 2017 under which any country engaged with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors could face sanctions.

Republican Senator John Corny and Democrat Senator Mark Warner wrote a letter to Biden on Tuesday calling for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation.

"We believe there is a national security imperative to waiving sanctions," the senators said in their letter which they issued in a press release.

They said they were concerned the transfer of the Russian systems would trigger sanctions against India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was enacted to hold Russia accountable for interfering in US&nbsp;elections, cyber hacking and bullying Ukraine.

India has made a down payment on the S-400 air defence systems and the first set of missile batteries is expected to begin deployment later this year.

Alos Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/abraham-accords-dividend-india-us-uae-israel-foreign-ministers-to-hold-meeting-421701">Abraham Accords dividend: India, US, UAE &amp; Israel foreign ministers to hold meeting</a>

The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey for buying the same equipment last year.

Cornyn and Warner, who are co-chairs of a Senate India Caucus, said they shared the administration's concerns about Russia but they warned of damage to cooperation with India if sanctions were to be imposed.

"We believe that the application of CAATSA sanctions could have a deleterious effect on a strategic partnership with India, while at the same time, not achieve the intended purpose of deterring Russian arms sales," they wrote.

India has been cutting back on purchases of military equipment from Russia, which for years was its main source, with a 53 per cent&nbsp;drop in Russian arms exports to India from 2016 to 2020 compared with the preceding five-year period.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-asks-facebook-ceo-to-retain-documents-linked-to-testimony-420277">US senator asks Facebook CEO to retain documents linked to testimony</a>

India's defence deals with the United States, on the other hand, have been increasing with sales at $3.4 billion in 2020 financial year. These are positive trends, the senators said.

"Imposing sanctions at this time could derail deepening cooperation with India across all aspects of our bilateral relationship – from vaccines to defence cooperation, from energy strategy to technology sharing."

Two US senators have urged President Joe Biden to waive sanctions against India over its purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system, saying such a punitive measure would endanger growing cooperation.

Two US senators have urged President Joe Biden to waive sanctions against India over its purchase of Russia's S-400 air defence system, saying such a punitive measure would endanger growing cooperation. India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five of the surface-to-air missile systems for defence against long-time adversary Pakistan and China, with which it is locked in a standoff on their disputed border. But the proposed transfer has caused friction with the United States, which passed a law in 2017 under which any country engaged with Russia's defence and intelligence sectors could face sanctions. Republican Senator John Corny and Democrat Senator Mark Warner wrote a letter to Biden on Tuesday calling for a waiver on the grounds of national security and broader cooperation. "We believe there is a national security imperative to waiving sanctions," the senators said in their letter which they issued in a press release. They said they were concerned the transfer of the Russian systems would trigger sanctions against India under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA), which was enacted to hold Russia accountable for interfering in US elections, cyber hacking and bullying Ukraine. India has made a down payment on the S-400 air defence systems and the first set of missile batteries is expected to begin deployment later this year. Alos Read | Abraham Accords dividend: India, US, UAE & Israel foreign ministers to hold meeting The United States imposed sanctions on Turkey for buying the same equipment last year. Cornyn and Warner, who are co-chairs of a Senate India Caucus, said they shared the administration's concerns about Russia but they warned of damage to cooperation with India if sanctions were to be imposed. "We believe that the application of CAATSA sanctions could have a deleterious effect on a strategic partnership with India, while at the same time, not achieve the intended purpose of deterring Russian arms sales," they wrote. India has been cutting back on purchases of military equipment from Russia, which for years was its main source, with a 53 per cent drop in Russian arms exports to India from 2016 to 2020 compared with the preceding five-year period. Also Read | US senator asks Facebook CEO to retain documents linked to testimony India's defence deals with the United States, on the other hand, have been increasing with sales at $3.4 billion in 2020 financial year. These are positive trends, the senators said. "Imposing sanctions at this time could derail deepening cooperation with India across all aspects of our bilateral relationship – from vaccines to defence cooperation, from energy strategy to technology sharing."

US senators urge Biden to avoid India sanctions over Russian deal

According to a recent Gallup survey, US President Joe Biden's popularity rating has dropped more than any other US president since 1945 in his first nine months in office.

The Telegraph published the survey findings on Saturday, which reveal that Biden's popularity has dropped by 11.3 percentage points (from 56 per cent during his first three months of presidency to 44.7 per cent in the last three months).

This is a worse drop than previous US President Barack Obama's popularity rating, which dropped by 10.1 percentage points in the first nine months of his term.&nbsp;

In comparison, previous US President Donald Trump's popularity dropped by only 4.4 percentage points in the first nine months of his term, whereas Jimmy Carter's approval rating dropped by 8.9 percentage points at the start of his presidency (1977-1981).

According to The Telegraph, Biden's popularity began to plummet in July, when coronavirus cases were on the increase, and his approval rating plummeted even more when the US withdrew from Afghanistan in a disorderly manner at the end of August.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to a recent Gallup survey, US President Joe Biden's popularity rating has dropped more than any other US president since 1945 in his first nine months in office.

According to a recent Gallup survey, US President Joe Biden's popularity rating has dropped more than any other US president since 1945 in his first nine months in office. The Telegraph published the survey findings on Saturday, which reveal that Biden's popularity has dropped by 11.3 percentage points (from 56 per cent during his first three months of presidency to 44.7 per cent in the last three months). This is a worse drop than previous US President Barack Obama's popularity rating, which dropped by 10.1 percentage points in the first nine months of his term. In comparison, previous US President Donald Trump's popularity dropped by only 4.4 percentage points in the first nine months of his term, whereas Jimmy Carter's approval rating dropped by 8.9 percentage points at the start of his presidency (1977-1981). According to The Telegraph, Biden's popularity began to plummet in July, when coronavirus cases were on the increase, and his approval rating plummeted even more when the US withdrew from Afghanistan in a disorderly manner at the end of August. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden’s popularity drops more than that of any other US leader since end of WWII: Poll

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