US President Joe Biden's administration has waived sanctions on Iran's civilian nuclear programme.

The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran's civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation.

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It was rescinded by the United States in 2019 and 2020 under former President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the nuclear agreement.

The move is a technical step necessary to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement as per the US State Department.

“We did NOT provide sanctions relief for Iran and WILL NOT until/unless Tehran returns to its commitments under the JCPOA,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted, using the acronym for the official name of the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

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We did NOT provide sanctions relief for Iran and WILL NOT until/unless Tehran returns to its commitments under the JCPOA. We did precisely what the last Administration did: permit our international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran.
— Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) <a href="https://twitter.com/StateDeptSpox/status/1489748587051425800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“We did precisely what the last administration did: permit our international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran,” Price said.

In response, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said "The lifting of some sanctions can, in the true sense of the word, translate into their good will. Americans talk about it, but it should be known that what happens on paper is good but not enough."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-nuclear-talks-us-hopeful-of-building-on-negotiations-progress-this-week-442369">Also read |&nbsp;Iran nuclear talks: US hopeful of building on negotiations progress this week</a>

Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that one of the "main issues" in the talks is obtaining guarantees that the US will not withdraw from the 2015 deal again.

“We demand guarantees in the political, legal and economic spheres. Certain agreements have already been reached,” he added.

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on Twitter: "Iran's legal right to continue research and development and maintain its peaceful nuclear capabilities and achievements, side by side with its security ... cannot be curbed by any agreement."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>'s legal right to continue research and development and to maintain its peaceful nuclear capabilities and achievements, along with its security against supported evils, cannot be restricted by any agreement.
— علی شمخانی (@alishamkhani_ir) <a href="https://twitter.com/alishamkhani_ir/status/1489854417704820739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 5, 2022</a></blockquote>
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It comes as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran enter the final stretch. Both countries have held eight rounds of indirect talks in Vienna since April aimed at reinstating the pact.

There has been no formal announcement on when the ninth round would start, but expectations intensified that it could be next week.

After Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions, Iran gradually started violating the pact's nuclear curbs. Western diplomats now worry that its nuclear advancement leaves a very narrow window to return to the deal.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden's administration has waived sanctions on Iran's civilian nuclear programme. The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran's civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation.

US President Joe Biden's administration has waived sanctions on Iran's civilian nuclear programme. The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran's civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation. It was rescinded by the United States in 2019 and 2020 under former President Donald Trump, who pulled out of the nuclear agreement. The move is a technical step necessary to return to the 2015 nuclear agreement as per the US State Department. “We did NOT provide sanctions relief for Iran and WILL NOT until/unless Tehran returns to its commitments under the JCPOA,” State Department spokesman Ned Price tweeted, using the acronym for the official name of the nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. We did NOT provide sanctions relief for Iran and WILL NOT until/unless Tehran returns to its commitments under the JCPOA. We did precisely what the last Administration did: permit our international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran. — Ned Price (@StateDeptSpox) February 4, 2022 × “We did precisely what the last administration did: permit our international partners to address growing nuclear nonproliferation and safety risks in Iran,” Price said. In response, Iran's foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said "The lifting of some sanctions can, in the true sense of the word, translate into their good will. Americans talk about it, but it should be known that what happens on paper is good but not enough." Also read | Iran nuclear talks: US hopeful of building on negotiations progress this week Amir-Abdollahian reiterated that one of the "main issues" in the talks is obtaining guarantees that the US will not withdraw from the 2015 deal again. “We demand guarantees in the political, legal and economic spheres. Certain agreements have already been reached,” he added. Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on Twitter: "Iran's legal right to continue research and development and maintain its peaceful nuclear capabilities and achievements, side by side with its security ... cannot be curbed by any agreement." #Iran's legal right to continue research and development and to maintain its peaceful nuclear capabilities and achievements, along with its security against supported evils, cannot be restricted by any agreement. — علی شمخانی (@alishamkhani_ir) February 5, 2022 × It comes as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal with Tehran enter the final stretch. Both countries have held eight rounds of indirect talks in Vienna since April aimed at reinstating the pact. There has been no formal announcement on when the ninth round would start, but expectations intensified that it could be next week. After Trump pulled the United States out of the deal in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions, Iran gradually started violating the pact's nuclear curbs. Western diplomats now worry that its nuclear advancement leaves a very narrow window to return to the deal. (With inputs from agencies)

United States waives sanctions on Iran's civilian nuclear programme

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review.

The large drop in funding versus the previous two-year period arose from cuts decided by former US President Donald Trump that reveal for the first time the scale of the Trump administration's retreat from the UN&nbsp;body.

US funds are set to go up again in the&nbsp;WHO's next two-year budget following new pledges in December including $280 million by President Joe Biden's administration. However, the Biden administration has also raised doubts about Washington's future support to the global organisation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-navalny-a-terrorist-russia-adds-kremlin-critic-allies-to-terrorists-list-us-eu-condemn-the-move-447614" hreflang="en">Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move</a>

The UN&nbsp;agency did with over $200 million less from the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to provisional&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;data contained in a budget document reviewed by Reuters that has not yet been made public, though it managed to raise more funds from other donors which enabled an increase of its total budget.

Washington paid $672 million to the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;for its latest two-year budget, down from $893 million in 2018-19, the provisional data showed.

As a result, the United States is no longer the&nbsp;WHO's top donor, with Germany having replaced it gradually through transfers of more than a billion dollars over the last two years.

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Graphic:&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;funding (Source:Reuters)

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;spokesperson did not immediately provide an official comment.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the third largest donor to the&nbsp;WHO, with $584 million in 2020-21, largely spent on a global programme to eradicate polio. The foundation did not immediately reply for a request for comment.

Over the past two years, US funds went down mostly in 2020 - Trump's last full year in the White House - amid a sharp fall in so-called voluntary contributions.

Funding doubled in 2021 when Biden took over, but the increase was not enough to fully restore the US financing level compared to previous periods.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-winter-olympics-over-25-of-us-diplomats-may-leave-china-find-out-why-447604" hreflang="en">Ahead of Winter Olympics, over 25% of US diplomats may leave China. Find out why</a>

Trump cut funding and moved to withdraw the United States from the&nbsp;WHO, accusing it of being too close to China and having mismanaged the first phase of the pandemic - accusations that the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;has denied.

The Biden administration brought Washington back into the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;and vowed to restore funding but has also voiced doubts about the&nbsp;WHO's ability to tackle new challenges, including from China.

Inflexible funding

Part of the US financial contributions were delayed by the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;to next year. But even factoring this in, the fall in US funds was still about 20 per cent,&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;data show.

About one-third of US funds were mandatory membership fees, which remained stable compared to past years at around $230 million per biennium.

This is considered by the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;the best funding because it allows higher flexibility in spending and permits the agency to channel the money to where it is most needed.

But the majority of funding went to areas selected by the US government.

This is part of a wider trend, with the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;having received in total just less than 20 per cent of its funding in recent years from these mandatory contributions, without strings attached.

Watch |&nbsp;Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO's prominent figure remains unopposed in top post race

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The&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;document showed that one of the areas underfunded as of Dec. 21 was country preparation for health emergencies, such as the current pandemic, which is only 73 per cent funded.

WHO&nbsp;Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Tuesday that the current funding structure was restrictive.

"The problem is still whatever we have done is mainly an earmarked budget, so it's not really flexible enough," he told the&nbsp;WHO's Executive Board during a public debate, saying that the current financing model was unsustainable.

The United States is opposing a plan to raise mandatory fees, or assessed contributions, to 50 per cent of the&nbsp;WHO's budget in coming years.

"The US seeks to better understand the current funding mechanisms, efficiencies and decision-making before considering an increase in assessed contributions," US health official Mara Burr told the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;board on Tuesday, noting Washington supported efforts to address gaps in financing for preparedness.

By far the largest part of the&nbsp;WHO's funding comes from voluntary contributions from states or private donors&nbsp;who&nbsp;decide the sectors or even the projects where they should be used.

This is one factor that has led the Geneva-based agency to delay the use of some of the funds since they could not all immediately be devoted to fighting the pandemic.

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review.

US financial contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO) have fallen by 25 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic, provisional data show, with Washington's future support to the United Nations agency under review. The large drop in funding versus the previous two-year period arose from cuts decided by former US President Donald Trump that reveal for the first time the scale of the Trump administration's retreat from the UN body. US funds are set to go up again in the WHO's next two-year budget following new pledges in December including $280 million by President Joe Biden's administration. However, the Biden administration has also raised doubts about Washington's future support to the global organisation. Also read | Is Navalny a terrorist? Russia adds Kremlin critic, allies to 'terrorists' list; US, EU condemn the move The UN agency did with over $200 million less from the United States in 2020 and 2021, according to provisional WHO data contained in a budget document reviewed by Reuters that has not yet been made public, though it managed to raise more funds from other donors which enabled an increase of its total budget. Washington paid $672 million to the WHO for its latest two-year budget, down from $893 million in 2018-19, the provisional data showed. As a result, the United States is no longer the WHO's top donor, with Germany having replaced it gradually through transfers of more than a billion dollars over the last two years. Graphic: WHO funding (Source:Reuters) The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A WHO spokesperson did not immediately provide an official comment. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the third largest donor to the WHO, with $584 million in 2020-21, largely spent on a global programme to eradicate polio. The foundation did not immediately reply for a request for comment. Over the past two years, US funds went down mostly in 2020 - Trump's last full year in the White House - amid a sharp fall in so-called voluntary contributions. Funding doubled in 2021 when Biden took over, but the increase was not enough to fully restore the US financing level compared to previous periods. Also read | Ahead of Winter Olympics, over 25% of US diplomats may leave China. Find out why Trump cut funding and moved to withdraw the United States from the WHO, accusing it of being too close to China and having mismanaged the first phase of the pandemic - accusations that the WHO has denied. The Biden administration brought Washington back into the WHO and vowed to restore funding but has also voiced doubts about the WHO's ability to tackle new challenges, including from China. Inflexible funding Part of the US financial contributions were delayed by the WHO to next year. But even factoring this in, the fall in US funds was still about 20 per cent, WHO data show. About one-third of US funds were mandatory membership fees, which remained stable compared to past years at around $230 million per biennium. This is considered by the WHO the best funding because it allows higher flexibility in spending and permits the agency to channel the money to where it is most needed. But the majority of funding went to areas selected by the US government. This is part of a wider trend, with the WHO having received in total just less than 20 per cent of its funding in recent years from these mandatory contributions, without strings attached. Watch | Tedros Ghebreyesus, WHO's prominent figure remains unopposed in top post race The WHO document showed that one of the areas underfunded as of Dec. 21 was country preparation for health emergencies, such as the current pandemic, which is only 73 per cent funded. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reiterated on Tuesday that the current funding structure was restrictive. "The problem is still whatever we have done is mainly an earmarked budget, so it's not really flexible enough," he told the WHO's Executive Board during a public debate, saying that the current financing model was unsustainable. The United States is opposing a plan to raise mandatory fees, or assessed contributions, to 50 per cent of the WHO's budget in coming years. "The US seeks to better understand the current funding mechanisms, efficiencies and decision-making before considering an increase in assessed contributions," US health official Mara Burr told the WHO board on Tuesday, noting Washington supported efforts to address gaps in financing for preparedness. By far the largest part of the WHO's funding comes from voluntary contributions from states or private donors who decide the sectors or even the projects where they should be used. This is one factor that has led the Geneva-based agency to delay the use of some of the funds since they could not all immediately be devoted to fighting the pandemic.

US funding to WHO fell by 25% during the pandemic: Report

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by Donald Trump that sought to block Congress from obtaining his tax returns, ruling that the law gives a House committee chairman broad authority to request them despite Trump’s status as a former president.

In a 45-page opinion, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, held that the Treasury Department can provide the tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, which could vote to publish them. McFadden, however, stayed his ruling for 10 days to give Trump time to file an appeal, which he is very likely to do.

Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, first requested copies of Trump’s tax returns in early 2019, after Democrats took over the House. A federal law gives the chairman of that panel broad authority to request any person’s tax returns.

The Trump administration refused to comply, however, and the House eventually filed a lawsuit. After Trump left office this year, Neal issued a fresh request for the ex-president’s tax returns from 2015 to 2020 and the Biden administration issued a Justice Department memorandum saying he was entitled to receive them.

Trump’s lawyers, however, sought an injunction to block the request, saying that it served no legitimate purpose and that the real motive was to expose Trump’s financial information for political gain. Lawyers for the House said there were legislative reasons to seek the returns, including studying whether changes are needed to an Internal Revenue Service program that audits presidents.

Even though many House Democrats have expressed a desire to expose Trump’s tax documents without mentioning the IRS program, that rationale was sufficient under the law, McFadden wrote.

“Even if the former president is right on the facts, he is wrong on the law,” wrote McFadden. “A long line of Supreme Court cases requires great deference to facially valid congressional inquiries. Even the special solicitude accorded former presidents does not alter the outcome. The court will therefore dismiss this case.”

In a statement, Neal called the ruling “no surprise.”

“The law is clearly on the committee’s side,” he said. “I am pleased that we’re now one step closer to being able to conduct more thorough oversight of the IRS’ mandatory presidential audit program.”

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But a member of his legal team has previously vowed to fight the congressional effort “tooth and nail.”

The case traces back to Trump’s decision — first as a presidential candidate in the 2016 election and then in office — to break with modern precedent by refusing to make his tax returns public.

When Democrats won control of the House, they began trying to investigate his finances using congressional oversight powers. Among other things, they heard testimony from Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who said that Trump had boasted about inflating the value of assets when it served him, and undervaluing them when it helped to lower his taxes.

As prosecutors in Manhattan weigh whether to charge Trump with fraud, they have zeroed in on financial documents that he used to obtain loans and boast about his wealth, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The same federal law that empowered Neal to request Trump’s tax returns from the Treasury Department also would permit House Democrats to publish them in the Congressional Record, although that power has rarely been used, McFadden wrote.

Writing that the case put the country in “uncharted territory,” the judge — a 2017 appointee of Trump — warned that he did not think it would be wise for Congress to use its authority to publish Trump’s tax returns.

“Anyone can see that publishing confidential tax information of a political rival is the type of move that will return to plague the inventor,” the judge wrote. But he added: “It might not be right or wise to publish the returns, but it is the chairman’s right to do so.”

In his ruling, McFadden also weighed and rejected a series of other arguments put forward by Trump’s legal team as inadequate. Among them, he ruled that the case should be evaluated based on Neal’s 2021 request — after Trump was no longer president — rather than his 2019 one.

And he rejected the lawyers’ argument that allowing Congress to obtain — and potentially expose — a former president’s tax returns would be unconstitutional as a matter of separation of powers, reasoning that the “threat” of such later exposure would have “minimal” impact on how presidents perform their duties.

But while McFadden ultimately ruled for Congress, his handling of the case illustrated the success of Trump’s strategy of using the slow pace of litigation to run out the clock on congressional oversight efforts. The House filed the case in early July 2019, and nearly 2 1/2 years had elapsed by the time McFadden issued his ruling on Tuesday.

House Democrats have been pursuing a parallel lawsuit to enforce a subpoena of Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, seeking to obtain a broader set of his financial records. In 2020, the Supreme Court sent the Mazars case back down to be reconsidered using a tighter legal standard. An appeals court heard oral arguments in that matter on Monday.

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by Donald Trump that sought to block Congress from obtaining his tax returns, ruling that the law gives a House committee chairman broad authority to request them despite Trump’s status as a former president.

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit by Donald Trump that sought to block Congress from obtaining his tax returns, ruling that the law gives a House committee chairman broad authority to request them despite Trump’s status as a former president. In a 45-page opinion, Judge Trevor McFadden of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, held that the Treasury Department can provide the tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee, which could vote to publish them. McFadden, however, stayed his ruling for 10 days to give Trump time to file an appeal, which he is very likely to do. Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, first requested copies of Trump’s tax returns in early 2019, after Democrats took over the House. A federal law gives the chairman of that panel broad authority to request any person’s tax returns. The Trump administration refused to comply, however, and the House eventually filed a lawsuit. After Trump left office this year, Neal issued a fresh request for the ex-president’s tax returns from 2015 to 2020 and the Biden administration issued a Justice Department memorandum saying he was entitled to receive them. Trump’s lawyers, however, sought an injunction to block the request, saying that it served no legitimate purpose and that the real motive was to expose Trump’s financial information for political gain. Lawyers for the House said there were legislative reasons to seek the returns, including studying whether changes are needed to an Internal Revenue Service program that audits presidents. Even though many House Democrats have expressed a desire to expose Trump’s tax documents without mentioning the IRS program, that rationale was sufficient under the law, McFadden wrote. “Even if the former president is right on the facts, he is wrong on the law,” wrote McFadden. “A long line of Supreme Court cases requires great deference to facially valid congressional inquiries. Even the special solicitude accorded former presidents does not alter the outcome. The court will therefore dismiss this case.” In a statement, Neal called the ruling “no surprise.” “The law is clearly on the committee’s side,” he said. “I am pleased that we’re now one step closer to being able to conduct more thorough oversight of the IRS’ mandatory presidential audit program.” Lawyers for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But a member of his legal team has previously vowed to fight the congressional effort “tooth and nail.” The case traces back to Trump’s decision — first as a presidential candidate in the 2016 election and then in office — to break with modern precedent by refusing to make his tax returns public. When Democrats won control of the House, they began trying to investigate his finances using congressional oversight powers. Among other things, they heard testimony from Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who said that Trump had boasted about inflating the value of assets when it served him, and undervaluing them when it helped to lower his taxes. As prosecutors in Manhattan weigh whether to charge Trump with fraud, they have zeroed in on financial documents that he used to obtain loans and boast about his wealth, according to people with knowledge of the matter. The same federal law that empowered Neal to request Trump’s tax returns from the Treasury Department also would permit House Democrats to publish them in the Congressional Record, although that power has rarely been used, McFadden wrote. Writing that the case put the country in “uncharted territory,” the judge — a 2017 appointee of Trump — warned that he did not think it would be wise for Congress to use its authority to publish Trump’s tax returns. “Anyone can see that publishing confidential tax information of a political rival is the type of move that will return to plague the inventor,” the judge wrote. But he added: “It might not be right or wise to publish the returns, but it is the chairman’s right to do so.” In his ruling, McFadden also weighed and rejected a series of other arguments put forward by Trump’s legal team as inadequate. Among them, he ruled that the case should be evaluated based on Neal’s 2021 request — after Trump was no longer president — rather than his 2019 one. And he rejected the lawyers’ argument that allowing Congress to obtain — and potentially expose — a former president’s tax returns would be unconstitutional as a matter of separation of powers, reasoning that the “threat” of such later exposure would have “minimal” impact on how presidents perform their duties. But while McFadden ultimately ruled for Congress, his handling of the case illustrated the success of Trump’s strategy of using the slow pace of litigation to run out the clock on congressional oversight efforts. The House filed the case in early July 2019, and nearly 2 1/2 years had elapsed by the time McFadden issued his ruling on Tuesday. House Democrats have been pursuing a parallel lawsuit to enforce a subpoena of Trump’s accounting firm, Mazars USA, seeking to obtain a broader set of his financial records. In 2020, the Supreme Court sent the Mazars case back down to be reconsidered using a tighter legal standard. An appeals court heard oral arguments in that matter on Monday.

Judge dismisses Trump's bid to keep his taxes from Congress

Legislators investigating the deadly attack on the US Capitol on January 6 have now slapped subpoenas on top Donald Trump aides charged with plotting to overturn the defeat in a 'war room' at a luxury Washington hotel.&nbsp;

One of the advisors summoned is lawyer John Eastman. His role in the talks at the Willard InterContinental during the storming of Congress to stop certification of Democratic Candidate Joe Biden's election victory has been questioned

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sues-us-committee-investigating-jan-6-capitol-hill-riots-to-block-release-of-white-house-records-421934">Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records</a>

Eastman is alleged to have written a memo advising Trump that his vice president Mike Pence has the authority to reject the election results in certain states and thereby deny Biden's victory.

On January 2, he also reportedly spoke to around 300 state lawmakers about fixing "this egregious conduct" and ensuring that "we're not putting in the White House some guy that didn't get elected."

"Your documents and testimony are directly relevant to the select committee's investigation, as you appear to have been instrumental in advising President Trump that Vice President Pence could determine which electors were recognized on January 6, a view that many of those who attacked the Capitol apparently also shared," the committee told Eastman in its subpoena.&nbsp;

Also read&nbsp;|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/melania-trump-refused-to-condemn-capitol-hill-attack-despite-a-chance-413024">&nbsp;Melania Trump refused to condemn Capitol Hill attack despite a chance</a>

During the days leading up to the attack, Eastman is reported to have attended a January 5 "war room" meeting at the Willard and spoken at a rally near the White House.&nbsp;

He reportedly emailed Pence's lawyer during the siege, saying that it had taken place "because YOU and your boss did not do what was necessary to allow this to be aired in a public way."

The other subpoenas target mostly Trump's reelection campaign staff, officials or aides.&nbsp;

They include former NYPD chief Bernard Kerik and former campaign advisor Jason Miller, who were both reportedly present at the "war room" on January 5.

Watch |&nbsp;Capitol riots: US panel holds Steve Bannon in contempt

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/capitol-riots-us-panel-holds-steve-bannon-in-contempt-422280/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the panel, these individuals promoted his false claim that the presidential election was rigged.&nbsp;

Re-election campaign manager William Stepien and executive assistant Angela McCallum were also summoned along with disgraced former national security advisor Mike Flynn.

"The select committee needs to know every detail about their efforts to overturn the election, including who they were talking to in the White House and in Congress, what connections they had with rallies that escalated into a riot, and who paid for it all," panel chairman Bennie Thompson said in a statement.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-riot-us-committee-votes-to-hold-criminal-contempt-charge-against-trumps-ex-aide-steve-bannon-422167">Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon</a>

This is the first time the committee has issued subpoenas since it asked the Justice Department to file criminal contempt charges against Trump ally Steve Bannon after he defied a congressional order to appear.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Legislators investigating the deadly attack on the US Capitol on January 6 have now slapped subpoenas on top Donald Trump aides charged with plotting to overturn the defeat in a 'war room' at a luxury Washington hotel.

Legislators investigating the deadly attack on the US Capitol on January 6 have now slapped subpoenas on top Donald Trump aides charged with plotting to overturn the defeat in a 'war room' at a luxury Washington hotel. One of the advisors summoned is lawyer John Eastman. His role in the talks at the Willard InterContinental during the storming of Congress to stop certification of Democratic Candidate Joe Biden's election victory has been questioned Also read | Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records Eastman is alleged to have written a memo advising Trump that his vice president Mike Pence has the authority to reject the election results in certain states and thereby deny Biden's victory. On January 2, he also reportedly spoke to around 300 state lawmakers about fixing "this egregious conduct" and ensuring that "we're not putting in the White House some guy that didn't get elected." "Your documents and testimony are directly relevant to the select committee's investigation, as you appear to have been instrumental in advising President Trump that Vice President Pence could determine which electors were recognized on January 6, a view that many of those who attacked the Capitol apparently also shared," the committee told Eastman in its subpoena. Also read | Melania Trump refused to condemn Capitol Hill attack despite a chance During the days leading up to the attack, Eastman is reported to have attended a January 5 "war room" meeting at the Willard and spoken at a rally near the White House. He reportedly emailed Pence's lawyer during the siege, saying that it had taken place "because YOU and your boss did not do what was necessary to allow this to be aired in a public way." The other subpoenas target mostly Trump's reelection campaign staff, officials or aides. They include former NYPD chief Bernard Kerik and former campaign advisor Jason Miller, who were both reportedly present at the "war room" on January 5. Watch | Capitol riots: US panel holds Steve Bannon in contempt According to the panel, these individuals promoted his false claim that the presidential election was rigged. Re-election campaign manager William Stepien and executive assistant Angela McCallum were also summoned along with disgraced former national security advisor Mike Flynn. "The select committee needs to know every detail about their efforts to overturn the election, including who they were talking to in the White House and in Congress, what connections they had with rallies that escalated into a riot, and who paid for it all," panel chairman Bennie Thompson said in a statement. Also read | Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon This is the first time the committee has issued subpoenas since it asked the Justice Department to file criminal contempt charges against Trump ally Steve Bannon after he defied a congressional order to appear. (With inputs from agencies)

Capitol Hill violence: Investigation committee issues subpoenas to top Trump lieutenants

Former US President Donald Trump is not in a mood to spare actor Alec Baldwin, it seems. Trump has claimed that the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' set might not necessarily have been an accident. 
Trump and Baldwin's bitter relation is well-known, largely based on the actor's lampooning impersonation of him on 'Saturday Night Live'. 
 
Trump addressed the 'Rust' incident and Baldwin's role in it on Thursday on conservative radio host Chris Stigall's podcast. 
 
"He's a troubled guy. There's something wrong with him. I've watched him for years. He gets into fistfights with reporters," Trump said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-alec-baldwin-engage-in-twitter-war-34532">Donald Trump, Alec Baldwin engage in Twitter war</a> 
 
"He's a cuckoo-bird. He's a nutjob. And usually, when there's somebody like that, you know, in my opinion, he had something to do with it," he added. 
 
Baldwin has maintained the shooting was a "tragic accident" and claimed that he was told the gun used in the shooting was not loaded. Trump said that he thought Baldwin should not have pointed the gun at a crew member, loaded or not. 
 
"But if nothing else, how do you take a gun and just, whether it's loaded or not loaded, how do you take a gun, point it at somebody that's not even in the movie and just point it at this person and pull the trigger and now she's dead?" Trump said. 
 
He added that if he had been handed a gun, he would fire it into the air first."It's weird. Who would take a gun and point it at a cinematographer and pull the trigger, and she's dead?" he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/donald-trump-jr-sells-t-shirts-mocking-alec-baldwins-shooting-accident-424445">Donald Trump Jr sells t-shirts mocking Alec Baldwin's shooting accident</a> 
 
He went on to question how the gun was loaded with live ammunition."As bad as it may have been kept, meaning you know the people that take care of the equipment and the guns and everything else... But even if it was loaded, and that's a weird thing-- maybe he loaded it," he said. 
 
Asked about Baldwin's 'SNL' impersonations, Trump claimed they were "terrible". 
 
"There's something wrong with him. He's a sick guy. I mean, I've seen him for years because he did. I thought a poor job of imitating me," he stated.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-hollywood-to-ban-live-weapons-on-film-tv-sets-after-alec-baldwins-mishap-424224">Hollywood to ban 'live' weapons on film/TV sets after Alec Baldwin's mishap?</a>

Former US President Donald Trump is not in a mood to spare actor Alec Baldwin, it seems. Trump has claimed that the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' set might not necessarily have been an accident.

Former US President Donald Trump is not in a mood to spare actor Alec Baldwin, it seems. Trump has claimed that the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the 'Rust' set might not necessarily have been an accident. Trump and Baldwin's bitter relation is well-known, largely based on the actor's lampooning impersonation of him on 'Saturday Night Live'. Trump addressed the 'Rust' incident and Baldwin's role in it on Thursday on conservative radio host Chris Stigall's podcast. "He's a troubled guy. There's something wrong with him. I've watched him for years. He gets into fistfights with reporters," Trump said. Donald Trump, Alec Baldwin engage in Twitter war "He's a cuckoo-bird. He's a nutjob. And usually, when there's somebody like that, you know, in my opinion, he had something to do with it," he added. Baldwin has maintained the shooting was a "tragic accident" and claimed that he was told the gun used in the shooting was not loaded. Trump said that he thought Baldwin should not have pointed the gun at a crew member, loaded or not. "But if nothing else, how do you take a gun and just, whether it's loaded or not loaded, how do you take a gun, point it at somebody that's not even in the movie and just point it at this person and pull the trigger and now she's dead?" Trump said. He added that if he had been handed a gun, he would fire it into the air first."It's weird. Who would take a gun and point it at a cinematographer and pull the trigger, and she's dead?" he said. Donald Trump Jr sells t-shirts mocking Alec Baldwin's shooting accident He went on to question how the gun was loaded with live ammunition."As bad as it may have been kept, meaning you know the people that take care of the equipment and the guns and everything else... But even if it was loaded, and that's a weird thing-- maybe he loaded it," he said. Asked about Baldwin's 'SNL' impersonations, Trump claimed they were "terrible". "There's something wrong with him. He's a sick guy. I mean, I've seen him for years because he did. I thought a poor job of imitating me," he stated. Also read | Hollywood to ban 'live' weapons on film/TV sets after Alec Baldwin's mishap?

Donald Trump claims Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' shooting incident may not have been an accident

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.”

The platform will be owned by Trump Media &amp; Technology Group (TMTG), which also intends to launch a subscription video on demand service that will feature “non-woke” entertainment programming, the group said in a statement.

“I am excited to send out my first TRUTH on TRUTH Social very soon. TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.

Trump said that Truth Social would “stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech”. The platform will be available through an app on the Apple Store as a beta version for trial by “invited guests” in November and the company expects a full rollout in the first quarter of 2022.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2024-poll-shows-80-republicans-want-donald-trump-to-run-422257">US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run</a>

“We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable,” he continued.&nbsp;

The Trump Media &amp; Technology Group will merge with blank check company Digital Acquisition Corp to make TMTG a publicly-listed company, the statement said.&nbsp;

“The transaction values Trump Media &amp; Technology Group at an initial enterprise value of $875 Million, with a potential additional earnout of $825 Million in additional shares (at the valuation they are granted) for a cumulative valuation of up to $1.7 Billion depending on the performance of the stock price post-business combination,” it stated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-riot-us-committee-votes-to-hold-criminal-contempt-charge-against-trumps-ex-aide-steve-bannon-422167">Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon</a>

Trump was banned from the many social media platforms— Twitter, Facebook and YouTube— after his supporters stormed the Capitol earlier this year—over concerns that he might further incite the mob with his continued presence on social media.

YouTube said its ban would be lifted after the “risk of violence” decreases, Facebook said Trump could come back to the platform at the soonest in 2023 and Twitter said its ban would be permanent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-sues-us-committee-investigating-jan-6-capitol-hill-riots-to-block-release-of-white-house-records-421934">Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records</a>

Since then, Trump has been trying to reclaim his space on social networking sites.

In May he launched a blog called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,” which was touted as a major new outlet.

But Trump, who was also banned from Instagram, and Snapchat, cancelled the blog just a month later.&nbsp;

He has been communicating&nbsp; through a constant stream of press releases with tweet-like statements to the media and supporters.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.

Ten months since being banned by social medial companies following the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, former US president Donald Trump has now decided to launch his own social networking platform called “TRUTH Social.” The platform will be owned by Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), which also intends to launch a subscription video on demand service that will feature “non-woke” entertainment programming, the group said in a statement. “I am excited to send out my first TRUTH on TRUTH Social very soon. TMTG was founded with a mission to give a voice to all,” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday. Trump said that Truth Social would “stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech”. The platform will be available through an app on the Apple Store as a beta version for trial by “invited guests” in November and the company expects a full rollout in the first quarter of 2022. Also read | US election 2024: Poll shows 80% Republicans want Donald Trump to run “We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced. This is unacceptable,” he continued. The Trump Media & Technology Group will merge with blank check company Digital Acquisition Corp to make TMTG a publicly-listed company, the statement said. “The transaction values Trump Media & Technology Group at an initial enterprise value of $875 Million, with a potential additional earnout of $825 Million in additional shares (at the valuation they are granted) for a cumulative valuation of up to $1.7 Billion depending on the performance of the stock price post-business combination,” it stated. Also read | Capitol riot: US committee votes to hold criminal contempt charge against Trump’s ex-aide Steve Bannon Trump was banned from the many social media platforms— Twitter, Facebook and YouTube— after his supporters stormed the Capitol earlier this year—over concerns that he might further incite the mob with his continued presence on social media. YouTube said its ban would be lifted after the “risk of violence” decreases, Facebook said Trump could come back to the platform at the soonest in 2023 and Twitter said its ban would be permanent. Also read | Trump sues US committee investigating Jan 6 Capitol Hill riots to block release of White House records Since then, Trump has been trying to reclaim his space on social networking sites. In May he launched a blog called “From the Desk of Donald J. Trump,” which was touted as a major new outlet. But Trump, who was also banned from Instagram, and Snapchat, cancelled the blog just a month later. He has been communicating through a constant stream of press releases with tweet-like statements to the media and supporters. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump, banned on Twitter and FB, to launch his own social network

With all the subtlety of a bullhorn, former President Donald Trump has been hinting that he plans to run for office again in 2024.

And Republicans are so far treating him with the deference they displayed while he was in the White House as they wait to see if he makes his move.

On Saturday afternoon, Trump heads to Iowa for a rally at the state fairgrounds, a perennial stop on the presidential campaign circuit. Joining him will be several of the state’s top Republicans, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Charles E. Grassley and the chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, Jeff Kaufmann — a testament to the former president’s enduring dominance.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-former-aides-to-defy-subpoenas-from-jan-6-panel-419184">Trump tells former aides to defy subpoenas from Jan. 6 panel</a>

Trump’s unwillingness to cede the spotlight has cast doubt on the political futures of an entire group of Republican politicians who have suggested that they might someday want to run for president. And while they — like the rest of the country — can’t be sure what the notoriously fickle former president might do, some of them are trying to stake their claims as leaders in the party.

That requires a good deal of delicacy on their part. And it got a little awkward this week for two of them.

First there was former Vice President Mike Pence, whose refusal to interfere with the counting of the electoral votes on Jan. 6 deeply angered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Trump</a> and helped precipitate the deadly assault on the Capitol that day. Pence gave an interview this week to Sean Hannity of Fox News and sounded at times an awful lot like someone who wants to be president.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-disagreements-over-january-6-pence-still-close-to-trump-418444">Despite disagreements over January 6, Pence still 'close to' Trump</a>

He attacked President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> for withdrawing US&nbsp;forces from Afghanistan. He also criticized the president’s approach to domestic affairs — for “lecturing the American people about vaccine mandates” and promoting what Pence called a “massive, big-government, socialist bill” before Congress that would widen the social safety net and address problems like climate change.

But when Hannity broached the subject of Pence’s reportedly frayed relationship with Trump, the former vice president tried to deflect by accusing the news media of blowing the events of Jan. 6 out of proportion, referring to it obliquely at one point as “one day in January.”

“They want to use that one day to try and demean the character and intentions of 74 million Americans who believe we could be strong again and prosperous again and supported our administration,” Pence said.

He did not address the fact that numerous rioters at the Capitol called for his execution during the attack, demanding that he be hanged for not carrying out Trump’s wishes. And Hannity didn’t bring it up.

Then there was a speech by Nikki Haley, another former Trump administration official whose relationship with Trump was damaged because she had declared herself “disgusted” with him after Jan. 6 and predicted that he’d “lost any sort of political viability.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-drops-off-forbes-list-amid-pandemic-downturn-418624">Now, Trump drops off Forbes list amid pandemic downturn</a>

But Haley, who served as governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations, praised Trump in an appearance at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. She criticized Trump’s political opponents for accusing him of being compromised by the Russians, and said that Biden’s posture toward Russia was weaker by comparison.

Separately, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, she lauded Trump’s ability to “get strong people elected” and insisted, “I don’t want us to go back to the days before Trump.”

At the moment, that doesn’t seem like an option for Haley or anyone else who wants to have a bright future in the Republican Party. Trump continues to attack Republicans who broke with him after Jan. 6 and supported his impeachment, such as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming.

His first rally since the day of the Capitol riot was in June outside Cleveland. He endorsed a local Republican who was challenging Rep. Anthony Gonzalez in next year’s primary election. Gonzalez, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for his role in inciting the riot, announced last month that he was leaving Congress rather than staying to face his Trump-approved challenger.

Also read |&nbsp;​​​​​​​<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-airs-old-election-grievances-at-campaign-style-rally-394254">Trump airs old election grievances at campaign-style rally</a>

Polls taken over the course of the year have shown that Trump remains the overwhelming favorite for Republican voters, suggesting that he would be difficult to beat in a primary if he did indeed run. Though his popularity suffered somewhat in the immediate aftermath of Jan. 6, most Republicans seem to have moved on. A Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday found that two-thirds of Republicans say Trump should continue to be a major national figure, an increase of 10 percentage points from January. Forty-four percent of Republicans or Republican-leaning voters want him to run again.

The Pew poll also found little tolerance for dissent. Asked whether their party should accept politicians who openly criticize Trump, 63 per cent&nbsp;said no.

With all the subtlety of a bullhorn, former President Donald Trump has been hinting that he plans to run for office again in 2024. And Republicans are so far treating him with the deference they displayed while he was in the White House as they wait to see if he makes his move.

With all the subtlety of a bullhorn, former President Donald Trump has been hinting that he plans to run for office again in 2024. And Republicans are so far treating him with the deference they displayed while he was in the White House as they wait to see if he makes his move. On Saturday afternoon, Trump heads to Iowa for a rally at the state fairgrounds, a perennial stop on the presidential campaign circuit. Joining him will be several of the state’s top Republicans, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sen. Charles E. Grassley and the chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, Jeff Kaufmann — a testament to the former president’s enduring dominance. Also read | Trump tells former aides to defy subpoenas from Jan. 6 panel Trump’s unwillingness to cede the spotlight has cast doubt on the political futures of an entire group of Republican politicians who have suggested that they might someday want to run for president. And while they — like the rest of the country — can’t be sure what the notoriously fickle former president might do, some of them are trying to stake their claims as leaders in the party. That requires a good deal of delicacy on their part. And it got a little awkward this week for two of them. First there was former Vice President Mike Pence, whose refusal to interfere with the counting of the electoral votes on Jan. 6 deeply angered Trump and helped precipitate the deadly assault on the Capitol that day. Pence gave an interview this week to Sean Hannity of Fox News and sounded at times an awful lot like someone who wants to be president. Also read | Despite disagreements over January 6, Pence still 'close to' Trump He attacked President Joe Biden for withdrawing US forces from Afghanistan. He also criticized the president’s approach to domestic affairs — for “lecturing the American people about vaccine mandates” and promoting what Pence called a “massive, big-government, socialist bill” before Congress that would widen the social safety net and address problems like climate change. But when Hannity broached the subject of Pence’s reportedly frayed relationship with Trump, the former vice president tried to deflect by accusing the news media of blowing the events of Jan. 6 out of proportion, referring to it obliquely at one point as “one day in January.” “They want to use that one day to try and demean the character and intentions of 74 million Americans who believe we could be strong again and prosperous again and supported our administration,” Pence said. He did not address the fact that numerous rioters at the Capitol called for his execution during the attack, demanding that he be hanged for not carrying out Trump’s wishes. And Hannity didn’t bring it up. Then there was a speech by Nikki Haley, another former Trump administration official whose relationship with Trump was damaged because she had declared herself “disgusted” with him after Jan. 6 and predicted that he’d “lost any sort of political viability.” Also read | Now, Trump drops off Forbes list amid pandemic downturn But Haley, who served as governor of South Carolina and ambassador to the United Nations, praised Trump in an appearance at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. She criticized Trump’s political opponents for accusing him of being compromised by the Russians, and said that Biden’s posture toward Russia was weaker by comparison. Separately, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, she lauded Trump’s ability to “get strong people elected” and insisted, “I don’t want us to go back to the days before Trump.” At the moment, that doesn’t seem like an option for Haley or anyone else who wants to have a bright future in the Republican Party. Trump continues to attack Republicans who broke with him after Jan. 6 and supported his impeachment, such as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. His first rally since the day of the Capitol riot was in June outside Cleveland. He endorsed a local Republican who was challenging Rep. Anthony Gonzalez in next year’s primary election. Gonzalez, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for his role in inciting the riot, announced last month that he was leaving Congress rather than staying to face his Trump-approved challenger. Also read | Trump airs old election grievances at campaign-style rally Polls taken over the course of the year have shown that Trump remains the overwhelming favorite for Republican voters, suggesting that he would be difficult to beat in a primary if he did indeed run. Though his popularity suffered somewhat in the immediate aftermath of Jan. 6, most Republicans seem to have moved on. A Pew Research Center poll released Wednesday found that two-thirds of Republicans say Trump should continue to be a major national figure, an increase of 10 percentage points from January. Forty-four percent of Republicans or Republican-leaning voters want him to run again. The Pew poll also found little tolerance for dissent. Asked whether their party should accept politicians who openly criticize Trump, 63 per cent said no.

Trump may run in 2024. So might they. It’s getting awkward.

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars.

Basing its findings on the declaration made by the US that it launched at least 91,340 strikes across seven major conflict zones, including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Libya, the London-based group sought to find the number of civilian casualties linked to the ‘forever wars’, spanning two decades of conflict which formally ended on August 31 with the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.

Based on that total, Airwars concluded “US actions likely killed at least 22,679 civilians, with that number potentially as high as 48,308”.

According to research compiled by Airwars, the deadliest year in the past two decades for civilian victims of US airstrikes was 2003 when a minimum of 5,529 civilians were reported to have been killed, almost all during the invasion of Iraq that year.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-911-a-day-or-is-it-an-era-411151">&nbsp;Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era?</a>

The next deadliest year was 2017 when at least 4,931 civilians were likely killed, the vast majority in coalition&nbsp;bombing of Iraq and Syria.

Since taking the office, Joe Biden—the fourth to manage the “forever wars” after his predecessors George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump—promised to reduce US reliance on airstrikes amid a formal review of the government's drone policy.&nbsp;

“The threat from terrorism continues, but it’s changed. Our strategy needs to change too,” Biden said, vowing action against the Daesh branch in Afghanistan (Daesh-K) after the group claimed responsibility for the August 26 attack at Kabul airport that killed over 160 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members.

The US military has not provided the official estimates of civilian deaths nor have they published such findings. Airwaves cited&nbsp;its data from sources like the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Iraq Body Count NGO and The Nation.

(With&nbsp;inputs from agencies)

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars.

At least 22,000 civilians— and potentially over 40,000 civilians—have been killed by US-led drone and airstrikes across West Asia and Africa since the 9/11 terror attacks, according to an analysis done by UK-based monitoring group, Airwars. Basing its findings on the declaration made by the US that it launched at least 91,340 strikes across seven major conflict zones, including Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan and Libya, the London-based group sought to find the number of civilian casualties linked to the ‘forever wars’, spanning two decades of conflict which formally ended on August 31 with the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Based on that total, Airwars concluded “US actions likely killed at least 22,679 civilians, with that number potentially as high as 48,308”. According to research compiled by Airwars, the deadliest year in the past two decades for civilian victims of US airstrikes was 2003 when a minimum of 5,529 civilians were reported to have been killed, almost all during the invasion of Iraq that year. Also read | Is 9/11 a day, or is it an Era? The next deadliest year was 2017 when at least 4,931 civilians were likely killed, the vast majority in coalition bombing of Iraq and Syria. Since taking the office, Joe Biden—the fourth to manage the “forever wars” after his predecessors George W Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump—promised to reduce US reliance on airstrikes amid a formal review of the government's drone policy. “The threat from terrorism continues, but it’s changed. Our strategy needs to change too,” Biden said, vowing action against the Daesh branch in Afghanistan (Daesh-K) after the group claimed responsibility for the August 26 attack at Kabul airport that killed over 160 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members. The US military has not provided the official estimates of civilian deaths nor have they published such findings. Airwaves cited its data from sources like the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Iraq Body Count NGO and The Nation. (With inputs from agencies)

US airstrikes potentially killed over 40,000 civilians since 9/11, says report

Former US President Donald Trump called for his successor Joe Biden to resign over the swift takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban militants, as US troops withdrew from the country after nearly 20 years on the ground.

Trump calls on Biden to resign over unfolding crisis in Afghanistan

The US Senate approved <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a> historic $1.2 trillion&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;plan on Tuesday, paving the way for a major victory to the president if it wins final passage in the lower chamber&nbsp;of Congress.

Some seven weeks after the Democratic leader stood with senators from both parties hailing a preliminary agreement to fix the nation's roads, bridges, ports and internet connections, the deal arrived on the Senate floor needing just a simple majority to pass.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-backed-12-trillion-infrastructure-bill-passes-key-hurdle-404062">Biden-backed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passes key hurdle</a>

In the event, the package received rare bipartisan support among Washington's highly-polarized political elite, passing by 69 votes to 30 after winning the backing of a third of Republicans.

The measure now faces a make-or-break vote in the House of Representatives in the coming weeks, where its future is less certain as divisions have sprung up in the Democratic majority.

Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer credited Biden for winning approval of "the first major&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;package in over a decade on a bipartisan basis" after just seven months in office.

"It's been a long and winding road, but we have persisted," Schumer said. "The American people will now see the most robust injection of funds into&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;in decades."

The ambitious plan provides for $550 billion in new federal spending on transport&nbsp;infrastructure, but also for high-speed internet and efforts to fight climate change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-senate-in-rare-saturday-session-on-1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-402098">US Senate in rare Saturday session on $1 trillion infrastructure bill</a>

The total price tag of the package, the equivalent of Spain's 2020 gross domestic product,&nbsp;relies on other public funds that already have been appropriated.

The passage looks less certain in the House of Representatives, however, where rifts have emerged within the narrow Democratic majority between the progressive and moderate wings.&nbsp;

Negotiations are likely to be drawn out, and a final vote in Congress may not come until the fall.

In a deeply divided Washington, the&nbsp;bill's approval would mark a resounding victory for Biden, a former senator who touts his ability to reach across the aisle.&nbsp;

Sweeping domestic agenda&nbsp;

The package is a primary element of Biden's sweeping domestic agenda aimed at transforming the United States with more than $4 trillion in federal spending.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/acknowledging-disagreements-biden-and-merkel-signal-warmer-us-german-ties-398544">Acknowledging disagreements, Biden and Merkel signal warmer US-German ties</a>

Democrats now are working on the next stage: a go-it-alone, $3.5 trillion budget framework that includes major investments in health, education, tackling climate change and expanding social welfare programs.

The budget resolution "will be the most consequential piece of legislation for working people, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor since (president Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and the New Deal of the 1930s," independent Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Budget Committee, said this week.&nbsp;

Democratic leaders intend to use a fast-track process known as reconciliation that allows budget-related legislation to pass by simple majority.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-senate-agrees-on-trillion-dollar-infrastructure-package-401313/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

With Republicans united against the broader budget&nbsp;bill, every Senate Democrat would need to support the package.

Biden has urged Congress to deliver on his priorities, saying in July that "we can't afford not to make these investments."

Making a last-minute plea for passage of the bipartisan&nbsp;bill&nbsp;over the weekend, the president tweeted that it represented a "historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's&nbsp;infrastructure."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure. It will create good-paying, union jobs repairing our roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, and building energy transmission lines. 
 
We can’t afford not to do it.
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1424025037829464068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Former Republican president Donald Trump however called it a "disgrace," noting the victory it would hand Biden, and threatened political reprisals against Republicans who voted for it.

In the wake of that threat, three Republican senators who participated in the&nbsp;infrastructure&nbsp;negotiations announced they would not vote to support for the plan, one of whom was absent from the session.&nbsp;

But top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell voted for it, aware of the program's huge popularity among voters tired of historic neglect of the nation's highways.&nbsp;

The US Senate approved Joe Biden's historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan on Tuesday, paving the way for a major victory to the president if it wins final passage in the lower chamber of Congress.

The US Senate approved Joe Biden's historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan on Tuesday, paving the way for a major victory to the president if it wins final passage in the lower chamber of Congress. Some seven weeks after the Democratic leader stood with senators from both parties hailing a preliminary agreement to fix the nation's roads, bridges, ports and internet connections, the deal arrived on the Senate floor needing just a simple majority to pass. Also read | Biden-backed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passes key hurdle In the event, the package received rare bipartisan support among Washington's highly-polarized political elite, passing by 69 votes to 30 after winning the backing of a third of Republicans. The measure now faces a make-or-break vote in the House of Representatives in the coming weeks, where its future is less certain as divisions have sprung up in the Democratic majority. Democratic Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer credited Biden for winning approval of "the first major infrastructure package in over a decade on a bipartisan basis" after just seven months in office. "It's been a long and winding road, but we have persisted," Schumer said. "The American people will now see the most robust injection of funds into infrastructure in decades." The ambitious plan provides for $550 billion in new federal spending on transport infrastructure, but also for high-speed internet and efforts to fight climate change. Also read | US Senate in rare Saturday session on $1 trillion infrastructure bill The total price tag of the package, the equivalent of Spain's 2020 gross domestic product, relies on other public funds that already have been appropriated. The passage looks less certain in the House of Representatives, however, where rifts have emerged within the narrow Democratic majority between the progressive and moderate wings. Negotiations are likely to be drawn out, and a final vote in Congress may not come until the fall. In a deeply divided Washington, the bill's approval would mark a resounding victory for Biden, a former senator who touts his ability to reach across the aisle. Sweeping domestic agenda The package is a primary element of Biden's sweeping domestic agenda aimed at transforming the United States with more than $4 trillion in federal spending. Also read | Acknowledging disagreements, Biden and Merkel signal warmer US-German ties Democrats now are working on the next stage: a go-it-alone, $3.5 trillion budget framework that includes major investments in health, education, tackling climate change and expanding social welfare programs. The budget resolution "will be the most consequential piece of legislation for working people, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor since (president Franklin Delano Roosevelt) and the New Deal of the 1930s," independent Senator Bernie Sanders, chairman of the Budget Committee, said this week. Democratic leaders intend to use a fast-track process known as reconciliation that allows budget-related legislation to pass by simple majority. With Republicans united against the broader budget bill, every Senate Democrat would need to support the package. Biden has urged Congress to deliver on his priorities, saying in July that "we can't afford not to make these investments." Making a last-minute plea for passage of the bipartisan bill over the weekend, the president tweeted that it represented a "historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure." The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure. It will create good-paying, union jobs repairing our roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, and building energy transmission lines. We can’t afford not to do it. — President Biden (@POTUS) August 7, 2021 × Former Republican president Donald Trump however called it a "disgrace," noting the victory it would hand Biden, and threatened political reprisals against Republicans who voted for it. In the wake of that threat, three Republican senators who participated in the infrastructure negotiations announced they would not vote to support for the plan, one of whom was absent from the session. But top Republican Senator Mitch McConnell voted for it, aware of the program's huge popularity among voters tired of historic neglect of the nation's highways.

US Senate passes Biden's massive infrastructure bill

In a rare example of bipartisanship in Washington, a $1.2 trillion bill aimed at improving the US' roads, highways, bridges, and high-speed internet gained the support of 18 Republican senators and 49 Democratic senators.

With the addition of Republican senators to Democrats, on Saturday, the&nbsp;massive infrastructure bill&nbsp;passed a key procedural hurdle, ensuring its final passage in the upper chamber.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-senate-in-rare-saturday-session-on-1-trillion-infrastructure-bill-402098">US Senate in rare Saturday session on $1 trillion infrastructure bill</a>

Republicans including Mitch McConnell, the party's Senate leader, supported the measure which was&nbsp;deemed historic by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">US President Joe Biden</a>.

The bill needs 51 votes to clear senate passage. So, Saturday's vote greatly boosts its chances for passage, although fierce amendment arguments continue.

A second procedural step must be fulfilled before the bill can go to a final vote. The timing of this remained uncertain on Saturday evening, with the vote to be picked up again on Sunday.&nbsp;

The bill, which has been in development for months, calls for $550 billion in new federal spending to help the nation's ageing infrastructure, as well as to address climate change.

Totalling $1.2 trillion, the price tag equates to the 2020 GDP of Spain. This includes funds already approved but not yet spent.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/acknowledging-disagreements-biden-and-merkel-signal-warmer-us-german-ties-398544">Acknowledging disagreements, Biden and Merkel signal warmer US-German ties</a>

Making a last-minute plea for passage, Biden tweeted Saturday that the bill represented a "historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure."&nbsp;

"We can't afford not to do it," he added.&nbsp;

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The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure. It will create good-paying, union jobs repairing our roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, and building energy transmission lines. 
 
We can’t afford not to do it.
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1424025037829464068?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Vice President Kamala Harris was also dispatched by Biden to Capitol Hill to shore up support for the bill.

The plan will move forward if approved by the Senate.&nbsp;

Next, it will go to the House of Representatives, where it is not guaranteed to pass. Democrats hold a slim majority there, and the liberal and centrist wings of the party have clashed over the bill's content.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/on-infrastructure-biden-tests-the-limits-of-having-it-both-ways-393986">On infrastructure, Biden tests the limits of having it both ways</a>

Final passage by both houses would represent a major victory for the Democratic president, who has been betting his political legacy on economic recovery,&nbsp;as well as fighting the destruction caused by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>.

The Republican predecessor of Biden, Donald Trump, called the legislation "a disgrace" in a statement on Saturday.

While in office, Trump was unable to bring an infrastructure bill to passage. He&nbsp;stated that it was "very hard" for him to "endorse anyone foolish enough to vote in favor of this deal."&nbsp;&nbsp;

His position could make a final vote more problematic for Republicans looking ahead to the 2022 midterm elections.

In light of the 2022 midterm elections, his position could prove to be problematic during the final vote.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-lawmakers-strike-deal-on-infrastructure-393877">White House, lawmakers strike deal on infrastructure</a>

Despite this, Republicans know that the spending contained in the bill is very popular with voters.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a rare example of bipartisanship in Washington, a $1.2 trillion bill aimed at improving the US' roads, highways, bridges, and high-speed internet gained the support of 18 Republican senators and 49 Democratic senators.

In a rare example of bipartisanship in Washington, a $1.2 trillion bill aimed at improving the US' roads, highways, bridges, and high-speed internet gained the support of 18 Republican senators and 49 Democratic senators. With the addition of Republican senators to Democrats, on Saturday, the massive infrastructure bill passed a key procedural hurdle, ensuring its final passage in the upper chamber. Also read | US Senate in rare Saturday session on $1 trillion infrastructure bill Republicans including Mitch McConnell, the party's Senate leader, supported the measure which was deemed historic by US President Joe Biden. The bill needs 51 votes to clear senate passage. So, Saturday's vote greatly boosts its chances for passage, although fierce amendment arguments continue. A second procedural step must be fulfilled before the bill can go to a final vote. The timing of this remained uncertain on Saturday evening, with the vote to be picked up again on Sunday. The bill, which has been in development for months, calls for $550 billion in new federal spending to help the nation's ageing infrastructure, as well as to address climate change. Totalling $1.2 trillion, the price tag equates to the 2020 GDP of Spain. This includes funds already approved but not yet spent. Also read | Acknowledging disagreements, Biden and Merkel signal warmer US-German ties Making a last-minute plea for passage, Biden tweeted Saturday that the bill represented a "historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure." "We can't afford not to do it," he added. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure. It will create good-paying, union jobs repairing our roads and bridges, replacing lead pipes, and building energy transmission lines. We can’t afford not to do it. — President Biden (@POTUS) August 7, 2021 × Vice President Kamala Harris was also dispatched by Biden to Capitol Hill to shore up support for the bill. The plan will move forward if approved by the Senate. Next, it will go to the House of Representatives, where it is not guaranteed to pass. Democrats hold a slim majority there, and the liberal and centrist wings of the party have clashed over the bill's content. Also read | On infrastructure, Biden tests the limits of having it both ways Final passage by both houses would represent a major victory for the Democratic president, who has been betting his political legacy on economic recovery, as well as fighting the destruction caused by COVID-19. The Republican predecessor of Biden, Donald Trump, called the legislation "a disgrace" in a statement on Saturday. While in office, Trump was unable to bring an infrastructure bill to passage. He stated that it was "very hard" for him to "endorse anyone foolish enough to vote in favor of this deal." His position could make a final vote more problematic for Republicans looking ahead to the 2022 midterm elections. In light of the 2022 midterm elections, his position could prove to be problematic during the final vote. Also read | White House, lawmakers strike deal on infrastructure Despite this, Republicans know that the spending contained in the bill is very popular with voters. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden-backed $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passes key hurdle

Donald Trump seems to be on a roll nowadays as his political organisation has raised nearly $102 million in cash reserves, a CNN report said.&nbsp;

This unprecedented war chest is huge at this stage in the election cycle for a former president. The new figures also mean that Trump is again refusing to step down, but just in a different sense this time. &nbsp;

The fundraising haul shows his continued ability to raise money from small-dollar donors online. Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud last year also continue though.&nbsp;

According to the former US president’s team, 3.2 million contributions flowed into the Trump's political committees in first six months of the year.&nbsp;

Complaining of a 'stolen' election again, Trump, in a statement, has cited the donations to be a sign that millions of Americans "share my outrage and want me to continue to fight for the truth."&nbsp;

The fundraising apparatus of Trump comprises two political action committees, namely, ‘Save America’ leadership PAC and the ‘Make America Great Again’ PAC, along with a separate joint fundraising committee.&nbsp;

New filings show that most Trump's cash reserves are stockpiled in ‘Save America’ leadership PAC. It has around $90 million in its accounts as of June 30.&nbsp;

Donald Trump seems to be on a roll nowadays as his political organisation has raised nearly $102 million in cash reserves, a CNN report said. This unprecedented war chest is huge at this stage in the election cycle for a former president.

Donald Trump seems to be on a roll nowadays as his political organisation has raised nearly $102 million in cash reserves, a CNN report said. This unprecedented war chest is huge at this stage in the election cycle for a former president. The new figures also mean that Trump is again refusing to step down, but just in a different sense this time. The fundraising haul shows his continued ability to raise money from small-dollar donors online. Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud last year also continue though. According to the former US president’s team, 3.2 million contributions flowed into the Trump's political committees in first six months of the year. Complaining of a 'stolen' election again, Trump, in a statement, has cited the donations to be a sign that millions of Americans "share my outrage and want me to continue to fight for the truth." The fundraising apparatus of Trump comprises two political action committees, namely, ‘Save America’ leadership PAC and the ‘Make America Great Again’ PAC, along with a separate joint fundraising committee. New filings show that most Trump's cash reserves are stockpiled in ‘Save America’ leadership PAC. It has around $90 million in its accounts as of June 30.

Former US president Donald Trump's fundraising initiatives raise $100 million  

Former US President Donald Trump’s&nbsp;longtime aide&nbsp;Tom Barrack,&nbsp;who was indicted&nbsp;on charges of illegal foreign lobbying&nbsp;earlier this week,&nbsp;was&nbsp;released from jail pending trial,&nbsp;after&nbsp;an&nbsp;order&nbsp;of&nbsp;a federal magistrate judge on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He was&nbsp;freed&nbsp;on a bail package, which&nbsp;includes a $250 million bond secured by $5 million in cash.&nbsp;

Barrack was&nbsp;also ordered to wear a GPS location monitoring bracelet by the&nbsp;judge.&nbsp;He&nbsp;has also been&nbsp;barred from transferring any funds overseas.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The&nbsp;judge also&nbsp;restricted his travel to parts of Southern California and New York. He will have a curfew to be determined by pretrial services.&nbsp;

Barrack&nbsp;must appear in&nbsp;Brooklyn&nbsp;federal court on Monday, where he will be arraigned.&nbsp;He intends to plead not guilty, a spokesman has said.&nbsp;

Thomas Barrack, a billionaire friend of Donald Trump who chaired the former president's inaugural fund, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with illegally lobbying the Trump administration on behalf of the United Arab Emirates.&nbsp;

Barrack and two other defendants are accused of failing to register as lobbyists and using their influence to advance the UAE's foreign policy goals in the United States.&nbsp;

"The defendants repeatedly&nbsp;capitalised&nbsp;on Barrack's friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected president, high-ranking campaign and government officials, and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances," US Department of Justice official Mark Lesko in a press release.&nbsp;

Barrack is also alleged to have repeatedly lied during an FBI interview about his dealings with the UAE.&nbsp;He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;

Barrack, 74, is a longtime Trump ally and founder of the large private equity firm Colony Capital. Barrack stepped down as Colony Capital's chief executive in 2020. In April, he resigned as executive chairman of the firm.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former US President Donald Trump’s longtime aide Tom Barrack, who was indicted on charges of illegal foreign lobbying earlier this week, was released from jail pending trial, after an order of a federal magistrate judge on Friday.

Former US President Donald Trump’s longtime aide Tom Barrack, who was indicted on charges of illegal foreign lobbying earlier this week, was released from jail pending trial, after an order of a federal magistrate judge on Friday. He was freed on a bail package, which includes a $250 million bond secured by $5 million in cash. Barrack was also ordered to wear a GPS location monitoring bracelet by the judge. He has also been barred from transferring any funds overseas. The judge also restricted his travel to parts of Southern California and New York. He will have a curfew to be determined by pretrial services. Barrack must appear in Brooklyn federal court on Monday, where he will be arraigned. He intends to plead not guilty, a spokesman has said. Thomas Barrack, a billionaire friend of Donald Trump who chaired the former president's inaugural fund, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with illegally lobbying the Trump administration on behalf of the United Arab Emirates. Barrack and two other defendants are accused of failing to register as lobbyists and using their influence to advance the UAE's foreign policy goals in the United States. "The defendants repeatedly capitalised on Barrack's friendships and access to a candidate who was eventually elected president, high-ranking campaign and government officials, and the American media to advance the policy goals of a foreign government without disclosing their true allegiances," US Department of Justice official Mark Lesko in a press release. Barrack is also alleged to have repeatedly lied during an FBI interview about his dealings with the UAE. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Barrack, 74, is a longtime Trump ally and founder of the large private equity firm Colony Capital. Barrack stepped down as Colony Capital's chief executive in 2020. In April, he resigned as executive chairman of the firm. (With inputs from agencies)

$250 million bail deal helps Trump’s ally Tom Barrack get out of jail 

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia.

It was Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, who came to office in 2017, with promises of quitting Afghanistan, calling the war there a "mess" and a "waste."

The 9/11 attacks shook up the US security establishment, forcing the government into launching a "War on Terror."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-do-not-trust-the-taliban-biden-declares-august-31-as-final-date-to-end-us-military-mission-in-afghanistan-396836">'I do not trust the Taliban': Biden declares August 31 as final date to end US military mission in Afghanistan</a>

Since then US security establishment has been occupied with combating stateless terror groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which has cost the country trillions of dollars in expenditures.

Conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq have been characterized by almost endless troop deployments, perpetually high levels of violence, and an inability to end the conflict, defeat the enemy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How did the endless war start?

Following the 9/11 attacks, the US and NATO allies invaded Afghanistan, with one aim; to get rid of Al-Qaeda's protectors, the Taliban government.&nbsp;

The then&nbsp;George W. Bush&nbsp;took advantage of that, to invade Iraq as well, hoping to topple Saddam Hussein and snuff out a wider threat in the middle east.

Both the attacks proved to be large successes, Al-Qaeda stood weakened, and on the run, Saddam unseated and captured in Iraq.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-wideangle-afghan-women-whats-next-397164/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, even after these initial successes, the troops had to stay on the ground. Thousands stood deployed in the two countries, hoping to rebuild them,&nbsp;

The initial assaults largely succeeded quickly, with Al-Qaeda fractured and on the run in Afghanistan, and Saddam taken down and captured in Iraq.

But in both cases, the United States and its allies remained on the ground, hoping to rebuild each country, and unable to withdraw with the risk of a return to the pre-9/11 situation hanging in the air.&nbsp;

The end of 'Forever wars'

As of 2020, Trump had overcome resistance and established the groundwork for removing the troops, leaving only 2,500 troops in each country.&nbsp;

Then came Biden. The new President accepted his predecessor's trajectory and promised that the withdrawal will be concluded by August 31, stating that rather than sacrificing another generation of Americans in an unwinnable conflict, the Afghan people must decide their own future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-achieved-its-goals-afghans-must-decide-own-future-president-joe-biden-396867">US achieved its goals, Afghans must decide own future: President Joe Biden</a>

What changed in the 20 years?

After Xi Jinping's aggressive military expansion, US security leaders began rethinking their views in 2013.

To counter and surpass US military power, China has started building armed bases around the world, including one in Djibouti and several in Asia and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine's Crimea and backed insurgents in eastern Ukraine. Two years later Moscow waged a campaign to influence the US presidential election.

At the same time, Kim Jong Un in North Korea was embarking on the quest to create nuclear weapons capable of threatening the United States.&nbsp;

A pivot was confirmed by Trump's 2017 National Security Strategy and carried forward by Biden.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/staring-at-civil-war-how-bad-is-the-situation-in-afghanistan-397134">Staring at civil war: How bad is the situation in Afghanistan?</a>

"China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it said.&nbsp;

"They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence."

In the Pentagon's view, counterterrorism doesn't end when the US pulls out of Afghanistan. Although it is turning more toward remote-directed attacks, using air and missile strikes from ships and bases in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda still operates.

According to Biden, the US is just revising its counterterrorism posture and repositioning resources to meet the threats where they are now.

(With inputs from agencies)

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia.

The speed of Joe Biden's pullout from Afghanistan has stunned many, however, it's been four years since Washington gave up on forever wars and turned its attention to the traditional great power rivalries with China and Russia. It was Biden's predecessor Donald Trump, who came to office in 2017, with promises of quitting Afghanistan, calling the war there a "mess" and a "waste." The 9/11 attacks shook up the US security establishment, forcing the government into launching a "War on Terror." Also read | 'I do not trust the Taliban': Biden declares August 31 as final date to end US military mission in Afghanistan Since then US security establishment has been occupied with combating stateless terror groups like Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which has cost the country trillions of dollars in expenditures. Conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq have been characterized by almost endless troop deployments, perpetually high levels of violence, and an inability to end the conflict, defeat the enemy. How did the endless war start? Following the 9/11 attacks, the US and NATO allies invaded Afghanistan, with one aim; to get rid of Al-Qaeda's protectors, the Taliban government. The then George W. Bush took advantage of that, to invade Iraq as well, hoping to topple Saddam Hussein and snuff out a wider threat in the middle east. Both the attacks proved to be large successes, Al-Qaeda stood weakened, and on the run, Saddam unseated and captured in Iraq. However, even after these initial successes, the troops had to stay on the ground. Thousands stood deployed in the two countries, hoping to rebuild them, The initial assaults largely succeeded quickly, with Al-Qaeda fractured and on the run in Afghanistan, and Saddam taken down and captured in Iraq. But in both cases, the United States and its allies remained on the ground, hoping to rebuild each country, and unable to withdraw with the risk of a return to the pre-9/11 situation hanging in the air. The end of 'Forever wars' As of 2020, Trump had overcome resistance and established the groundwork for removing the troops, leaving only 2,500 troops in each country. Then came Biden. The new President accepted his predecessor's trajectory and promised that the withdrawal will be concluded by August 31, stating that rather than sacrificing another generation of Americans in an unwinnable conflict, the Afghan people must decide their own future. Also read | US achieved its goals, Afghans must decide own future: President Joe Biden What changed in the 20 years? After Xi Jinping's aggressive military expansion, US security leaders began rethinking their views in 2013. To counter and surpass US military power, China has started building armed bases around the world, including one in Djibouti and several in Asia and the Middle East. Meanwhile, in 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine's Crimea and backed insurgents in eastern Ukraine. Two years later Moscow waged a campaign to influence the US presidential election. At the same time, Kim Jong Un in North Korea was embarking on the quest to create nuclear weapons capable of threatening the United States. A pivot was confirmed by Trump's 2017 National Security Strategy and carried forward by Biden. Also read | Staring at civil war: How bad is the situation in Afghanistan? "China and Russia challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity," it said. "They are determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence." In the Pentagon's view, counterterrorism doesn't end when the US pulls out of Afghanistan. Although it is turning more toward remote-directed attacks, using air and missile strikes from ships and bases in Afghanistan where Al-Qaeda still operates. According to Biden, the US is just revising its counterterrorism posture and repositioning resources to meet the threats where they are now. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan pullout: An end to US 'forever wars'?

Former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January&nbsp;6 attack on the US&nbsp;Capitol. 
 
Trump lost his social media megaphone earlier this year when he was blocked by a slew of platforms after his supporters stormed the Capitol. He was permanently banned from Twitter and remains suspended by Facebook until at least 2023 and by Alphabet's YouTube until the company determines the risk of violence has decreased. 
 
Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington said that joining Rumble was in addition to the former president's plan to start his own platform, rather than a replacement for this plan. Trump, who earlier this month shut down his recently-launched blog, has not given details on the proposed platform. 
 
"It is a great way to reach the American people in a time of unprecedented assault on free speech in our country by Big Tech tyrants," Harrington said in an email to Reuters. 
 
Rumble Chief Executive Officer Chris Pavlovski confirmed Trump's verified account had been set up on the site but declined to comment further. Trump advisor Dan Scavino tweeted that Trump's Ohio rally would be live-streamed on the platform. 
 
Rumble, which was launched in 2013 by Canadian tech entrepreneur Pavlovski as an alternative YouTube-style site, has become popular with US&nbsp;conservatives. 
 
Billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel and JD&nbsp;Vance, the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy', are investors in the platform. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Former US President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Former US President Donald Trump joined video platform Rumble on Saturday, the same day he will take the stage at a campaign-style rally in Ohio, his first such event since the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. Trump lost his social media megaphone earlier this year when he was blocked by a slew of platforms after his supporters stormed the Capitol. He was permanently banned from Twitter and remains suspended by Facebook until at least 2023 and by Alphabet's YouTube until the company determines the risk of violence has decreased. Trump spokeswoman Liz Harrington said that joining Rumble was in addition to the former president's plan to start his own platform, rather than a replacement for this plan. Trump, who earlier this month shut down his recently-launched blog, has not given details on the proposed platform. "It is a great way to reach the American people in a time of unprecedented assault on free speech in our country by Big Tech tyrants," Harrington said in an email to Reuters. Rumble Chief Executive Officer Chris Pavlovski confirmed Trump's verified account had been set up on the site but declined to comment further. Trump advisor Dan Scavino tweeted that Trump's Ohio rally would be live-streamed on the platform. Rumble, which was launched in 2013 by Canadian tech entrepreneur Pavlovski as an alternative YouTube-style site, has become popular with US conservatives. Billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel and JD Vance, the author of 'Hillbilly Elegy', are investors in the platform. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump joins video platform Rumble ahead of Ohio rally

If the US&nbsp;military were a nation-state, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases, a 2019 study found.

Though the British universities of Lancaster and Durham took account only of emissions from fuel usage in their study, it pointed to the huge impact that armed forces across the globe are having on the earth's climate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-crunch-time-and-bidens-climate-gambit-faces-steep-hurdles-386960">It’s crunch time, and Biden’s climate gambit faces steep hurdles</a>

Facing a battle against global warming, NATO has for the first time made it a central focus of planning and strategy.

Leaders of the Western military alliance are set on Monday to agree on a climate action plan to make their armed forces carbon-neutral by 2050, and to adapt to threats posed by global warming.

NATO diplomats say efforts to focus on climate change were stymied during Donald Trump's US&nbsp;presidency. He called climate change a "hoax" and pulled the United States out of the international Paris Agreement to fight climate change.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/restoring-environmental-rules-rolled-back-by-trump-could-take-years-358684">Restoring environmental rules rolled back by Trump could take years</a>

Trump also expressed a lack of trust in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and in 2018 threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance formed in 1949 to contain a Soviet military threat.

Now, with US&nbsp;President Joe Biden prioritising climate action, the diplomats said NATO was able to act on concerns that climate change is a threat both to transatlantic security and to alliance personnel.

"This is a defining challenge of our time, and we must be an organisation that leads on it," a senior European NATO diplomat told Reuters.

Polluters

NATO member states' militaries have long been aware that climate change will have huge security implications, expected to include increased migration, flooding at coastal NATO bases and a larger Russian presence in the Arctic as sea ice melts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nine-things-the-biden-administration-could-do-quickly-on-the-environment-341877">Nine things the Biden administration could do quickly on the environment</a>

But, to reduce their own climate-warming emissions from fossil fuel use, the member states require reform at the centre of the alliance because NATO sets fuel standards across the organisation.

By committing to eliminating its net CO2 emissions by 2050, NATO's action plan would align the organisation with the pathway to deliver the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7°F).

Meeting that goal will mean reducing military emissions that are often exempted from countries' carbon emissions targets - no mean feat for the US&nbsp;Department of Defense, the world's single largest consumer of petroleum, according to research in 2019 by Neta Crawford at Boston University.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pandemic-war-climate-change-fuel-fears-of-global-hunger-food-scarcity-383200">Pandemic, war, climate change fuel fears of global hunger, food scarcity</a>&nbsp;

While experts say EU countries under-report emissions from national militaries, a study commissioned by the European Parliament calculated in February that the carbon footprint of EU military expenditure in 2019 was about 24.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent - about the same as the CO2 emissions released by around 14 million cars.

A German defence expert, who declined to be named, said a main battle tank such as Germany's Leopard 2 guzzles 400 litres (106 gallons) of diesel in the field to cover just 100 km (62 miles). The average fuel consumption in the United States of a light-duty civilian vehicle was 9.4 litres per 100 km in 2018, according to a 2020 International Energy Agency report.

Tank warfare also risks being tougher under global warming. During a NATO exercise in Poland in 2019, temperatures in German Ozelot tanks rose above 40 degrees Celsius, and soldiers could spend only a few hours at a time inside, a military source said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-to-destroy-over-20-of-tea-growing-areas-in-kenya-by-2050-384100">Climate change to destroy over 20% of tea growing areas in Kenya by 2050</a>

Some NATO allies are working to reduce electricity use or are integrating climate prediction models into military missions. Germany has its first carbon-neutral barracks, producing energy almost completely from geothermal power and solar panels. The Dutch military can use solar panels instead of diesel generators during operations.

'Crisis Multiplier'

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have described climate change as a "crisis multiplier".

Militaries are also expecting more operations in climate-vulnerable regions, as troops are called on to help tackle climate-driven natural disasters. Such crisis management is one of NATO's fundamental tasks, because of its ability to provide food supplies and logistical and medical support quickly.

In 2018, eight of the 10 countries that host the largest number of personnel involved in multilateral peace operations were in areas highly exposed to climate change, according to a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Allies are also testing more equipment to operate in extreme cold. The durability of assets on the battlefield has always been a priority, European defence sources told Reuters.

Stoltenberg, a former UN&nbsp;special envoy on climate change, began pushing for a NATO climate agreement before Biden replaced Trump, calling on the alliance to take action on climate in a speech in September 2020. Allies have yet to decide how much climate-related investment to fund jointly at NATO.

"The security policy community now sees more clearly that climate change is a driver of conflict," said Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official now at the Friends of Europe think tank in Brussels.

Because military assets take decades to develop and have a longer life than civilian vehicles, one of NATO's biggest contributions in the medium term, experts say, will be in increased use of synthetic fuels instead of fossil fuels.

Produced from water, CO2 and renewable energy, synthetic fuels do not produce sulphur or nitrogen pollution and still have a high energy density. NATO's standard fuel to power planes or ships is kerosene, one of the more polluting fuels.

The German military, the Bundeswehr, may start adding synthetic fuel to traditional fuel in several years.

Electric tanks, however, are not an option.

"It will prove difficult to install charging stations on the battlefield in time before the fighting starts," said a German defence source who declined to be named.

If the US military were a nation-state, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases, a 2019 study found. Though the British universities of Lancaster and Durham took account only of emissions from fuel usage in their study, it pointed to the huge impact that armed forces across the globe are having on the earth's climate.

If the US military were a nation-state, it would be the world's 47th largest emitter of planet-warming greenhouse gases, a 2019 study found. Though the British universities of Lancaster and Durham took account only of emissions from fuel usage in their study, it pointed to the huge impact that armed forces across the globe are having on the earth's climate. Also read | It’s crunch time, and Biden’s climate gambit faces steep hurdles Facing a battle against global warming, NATO has for the first time made it a central focus of planning and strategy. Leaders of the Western military alliance are set on Monday to agree on a climate action plan to make their armed forces carbon-neutral by 2050, and to adapt to threats posed by global warming. NATO diplomats say efforts to focus on climate change were stymied during Donald Trump's US presidency. He called climate change a "hoax" and pulled the United States out of the international Paris Agreement to fight climate change. Also read | Restoring environmental rules rolled back by Trump could take years Trump also expressed a lack of trust in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and in 2018 threatened to withdraw the United States from the alliance formed in 1949 to contain a Soviet military threat. Now, with US President Joe Biden prioritising climate action, the diplomats said NATO was able to act on concerns that climate change is a threat both to transatlantic security and to alliance personnel. "This is a defining challenge of our time, and we must be an organisation that leads on it," a senior European NATO diplomat told Reuters. Polluters NATO member states' militaries have long been aware that climate change will have huge security implications, expected to include increased migration, flooding at coastal NATO bases and a larger Russian presence in the Arctic as sea ice melts. Also read | Nine things the Biden administration could do quickly on the environment But, to reduce their own climate-warming emissions from fossil fuel use, the member states require reform at the centre of the alliance because NATO sets fuel standards across the organisation. By committing to eliminating its net CO2 emissions by 2050, NATO's action plan would align the organisation with the pathway to deliver the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (34.7°F). Meeting that goal will mean reducing military emissions that are often exempted from countries' carbon emissions targets - no mean feat for the US Department of Defense, the world's single largest consumer of petroleum, according to research in 2019 by Neta Crawford at Boston University. Also read | Pandemic, war, climate change fuel fears of global hunger, food scarcity While experts say EU countries under-report emissions from national militaries, a study commissioned by the European Parliament calculated in February that the carbon footprint of EU military expenditure in 2019 was about 24.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent - about the same as the CO2 emissions released by around 14 million cars. A German defence expert, who declined to be named, said a main battle tank such as Germany's Leopard 2 guzzles 400 litres (106 gallons) of diesel in the field to cover just 100 km (62 miles). The average fuel consumption in the United States of a light-duty civilian vehicle was 9.4 litres per 100 km in 2018, according to a 2020 International Energy Agency report. Tank warfare also risks being tougher under global warming. During a NATO exercise in Poland in 2019, temperatures in German Ozelot tanks rose above 40 degrees Celsius, and soldiers could spend only a few hours at a time inside, a military source said. Also read | Climate change to destroy over 20% of tea growing areas in Kenya by 2050 Some NATO allies are working to reduce electricity use or are integrating climate prediction models into military missions. Germany has its first carbon-neutral barracks, producing energy almost completely from geothermal power and solar panels. The Dutch military can use solar panels instead of diesel generators during operations. 'Crisis Multiplier' NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have described climate change as a "crisis multiplier". Militaries are also expecting more operations in climate-vulnerable regions, as troops are called on to help tackle climate-driven natural disasters. Such crisis management is one of NATO's fundamental tasks, because of its ability to provide food supplies and logistical and medical support quickly. In 2018, eight of the 10 countries that host the largest number of personnel involved in multilateral peace operations were in areas highly exposed to climate change, according to a study by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Allies are also testing more equipment to operate in extreme cold. The durability of assets on the battlefield has always been a priority, European defence sources told Reuters. Stoltenberg, a former UN special envoy on climate change, began pushing for a NATO climate agreement before Biden replaced Trump, calling on the alliance to take action on climate in a speech in September 2020. Allies have yet to decide how much climate-related investment to fund jointly at NATO. "The security policy community now sees more clearly that climate change is a driver of conflict," said Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official now at the Friends of Europe think tank in Brussels. Because military assets take decades to develop and have a longer life than civilian vehicles, one of NATO's biggest contributions in the medium term, experts say, will be in increased use of synthetic fuels instead of fossil fuels. Produced from water, CO2 and renewable energy, synthetic fuels do not produce sulphur or nitrogen pollution and still have a high energy density. NATO's standard fuel to power planes or ships is kerosene, one of the more polluting fuels. The German military, the Bundeswehr, may start adding synthetic fuel to traditional fuel in several years. Electric tanks, however, are not an option. "It will prove difficult to install charging stations on the battlefield in time before the fighting starts," said a German defence source who declined to be named.

With Trump gone, NATO wages war on climate threat

Following an earlier allegation of the former US President, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, spying on Washington post journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016, another media house has backed this claim.

American media house, CNN, has alleged the Trump administration of obtaining phone and email records of a network reporter who was covering the Pentagon at the time Trump was in the White House.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-secretly-obtained-phone-records-of-reporters-reports-383613">Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports</a>

The justice department informed CNN’s Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr that the department has dug out two months of phone and email records for the time period of June 01 to July 31, 207.

As per the letter, the justice department has also seized Starr’s CNN Pentagon booth number, Pentagon extension number, her home number and also her cellphone number, in addition to her work and personal email address.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-resume-political-rallies-from-next-month-reports-385268" hreflang="en">Donald Trump to resume political rallies from next month: Reports</a>

The records have been seized even though the reported is protected by the first amendment.

"CNN strongly condemns the secret collection of any aspect of a journalist’s correspondence, which is clearly protected by the first amendment,” CNN’s president, Jeff Zucker, said in a statement. "We are asking for an immediate meeting with the justice department for an explanation."

This letter has once again amplified the aggressive nature followed by the Trump administration to keep an eye on the reporters who were trying to uncover the links between the former president and the Russian government, and its involvement in the US election 2016.

A few weeks ago, the Washington Post has claimed that the Justice Department has sent letters to three reporters — Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous —and informed them that the department had received work, cell, or home phone records for the period of April 15, 2017, to July 31, 2017.

While the justice department claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made, this has raised questions about the freedom of the press in the country.

"This is a big story that just got bigger," Bruce Brown, the executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said in a statement. "That a journalist from another news organization had communications records seized by the Trump justice department suggests that the last administration’s efforts to intrude into reporter-source relationships and chill newsgathering is more sweeping than we originally thought."

The current US President, Joe Biden, has openly condemned the acts of the justice department under the Trump administration and has said, "it’s simply, simply wrong. I will not let that happen".

Following an earlier allegation of the former US President, Donald Trump, spying on Washington post journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016, another media house has backed this claim.

Following an earlier allegation of the former US President, Donald Trump, spying on Washington post journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016, another media house has backed this claim. American media house, CNN, has alleged the Trump administration of obtaining phone and email records of a network reporter who was covering the Pentagon at the time Trump was in the White House. Also read | Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports The justice department informed CNN’s Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr that the department has dug out two months of phone and email records for the time period of June 01 to July 31, 207. As per the letter, the justice department has also seized Starr’s CNN Pentagon booth number, Pentagon extension number, her home number and also her cellphone number, in addition to her work and personal email address. Also read | Donald Trump to resume political rallies from next month: Reports The records have been seized even though the reported is protected by the first amendment. "CNN strongly condemns the secret collection of any aspect of a journalist’s correspondence, which is clearly protected by the first amendment,” CNN’s president, Jeff Zucker, said in a statement. "We are asking for an immediate meeting with the justice department for an explanation." This letter has once again amplified the aggressive nature followed by the Trump administration to keep an eye on the reporters who were trying to uncover the links between the former president and the Russian government, and its involvement in the US election 2016. A few weeks ago, the Washington Post has claimed that the Justice Department has sent letters to three reporters — Ellen Nakashima and Greg Miller, and former Post reporter Adam Entous —and informed them that the department had received work, cell, or home phone records for the period of April 15, 2017, to July 31, 2017. While the justice department claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made, this has raised questions about the freedom of the press in the country. "This is a big story that just got bigger," Bruce Brown, the executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, said in a statement. "That a journalist from another news organization had communications records seized by the Trump justice department suggests that the last administration’s efforts to intrude into reporter-source relationships and chill newsgathering is more sweeping than we originally thought." The current US President, Joe Biden, has openly condemned the acts of the justice department under the Trump administration and has said, "it’s simply, simply wrong. I will not let that happen".

After Washington Post, CNN alleges Trump of spying on reporters

President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to help organise efforts to rebuild Gaza and said creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the "only answer" to the conflict.

Biden also said he had told the Israelis to stop "intercommunal fighting" in the flashpoint city of Jerusalem.

However, he stressed "there is no shift in my commitment, commitment to the security of Israel" and added that until the region "unequivocally" acknowledges Israel's existence "there will be no peace."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/exceptional-success-we-achieved-our-goals-in-the-operation-says-netanyahu-after-ceasefire-with-hamas-386615" hreflang="en">Exceptional success, we achieved our goals in the operation, says Netanyahu after ceasefire with Hamas</a>

The idea of a two-state solution — with a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel and Jerusalem as their shared capital — has been the cornerstone of decades of international diplomacy aimed at ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

US policy under Donald Trump was criticised as being blatantly pro-Israel and ignoring the Palestinians.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-hamas-conflict-now-the-narrative-war-begins-amid-ceasefire-386592" hreflang="en">Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire</a>

A Mideast peace plan devised by Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner was billed as providing for a two-state solution. But that blueprint envisioned a Palestinian state with only limited sovereignty and Israel maintaining security over that state.

The plan was rejected out of hand by Palestinian leaders.

Biden on Friday insisted on a full-blown two-state remedy.

"There is no shift in my commitment to the security of Israel, period, no shift, not at all," he said.

"But I tell you what there is a shift in. The shift is that we still need a two-state solution. It is the only answer, the only answer," Biden stated.

President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to help organise efforts to rebuild Gaza and said creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the "only answer" to the conflict.

President Joe Biden on Friday pledged to help organise efforts to rebuild Gaza and said creating a Palestinian state alongside Israel is the "only answer" to the conflict. Biden also said he had told the Israelis to stop "intercommunal fighting" in the flashpoint city of Jerusalem. However, he stressed "there is no shift in my commitment, commitment to the security of Israel" and added that until the region "unequivocally" acknowledges Israel's existence "there will be no peace." Also read | Exceptional success, we achieved our goals in the operation, says Netanyahu after ceasefire with Hamas The idea of a two-state solution — with a sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel and Jerusalem as their shared capital — has been the cornerstone of decades of international diplomacy aimed at ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US policy under Donald Trump was criticised as being blatantly pro-Israel and ignoring the Palestinians. Also read | Israel-Hamas conflict: Now, the narrative war begins amid ceasefire A Mideast peace plan devised by Trump's adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner was billed as providing for a two-state solution. But that blueprint envisioned a Palestinian state with only limited sovereignty and Israel maintaining security over that state. The plan was rejected out of hand by Palestinian leaders. Biden on Friday insisted on a full-blown two-state remedy. "There is no shift in my commitment to the security of Israel, period, no shift, not at all," he said. "But I tell you what there is a shift in. The shift is that we still need a two-state solution. It is the only answer, the only answer," Biden stated.

Biden vows to help 'rebuild' Gaza, insists on two-state solution

South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered praise for US&nbsp;President Joe Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery on Friday as&nbsp;the two leaders met during his visit to Washington.

The rising power of China as a rival for leadership in Asia and the powder keg of nuclear-armed North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;loom over the talks.

Against that backdrop, Washington's main emphasis is on rebuilding traditional US alliances in the region, especially with&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;and Japan.

"My congratulations on how the Biden-Harris administration is building back better with the world's most successful vaccine deployment and fastest economic recovery and blazing a trail for inclusiveness and unity by restoring the soul of America,” Moon said during an appearance with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Moon's words echoed those used by Democrat Biden, who described the 2020 presidential campaign against Republican incumbent Donald Trump as a battle for the soul of the nation.

Where Donald Trump treated foreign partners alternately as cut-throat business competitors or freeloaders, Biden is once more leaning on democratic alliances forged in bloody 20th century conflicts as the core to maintaining US supremacy.

Moon comes to Washington as Biden's second foreign guest. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, visiting in April, was the first.

The US-South&nbsp;Korean relationship "is the lynchpin of security and prosperity for northeast Asia and a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House official, who asked not to be identified, said.

"President Biden will reaffirm that ironclad commitment."

Symbolizing the deep, complex history behind those bonds, Moon will join Biden in awarding the Medal of Honor -- the highest US military honor for bravery -- to a 94-year-old US veteran of the Korean War.

Then first lieutenant Ralph Puckett was wounded in 1950 while leading US and Korean soldiers in the desperate defense of a hill against an overwhelming force of Chinese troops -- an early episode in China's decisive entry into the war.

The White House said this would be the first time a foreign leader has taken part in a Medal of Honor ceremony.

'Complete denuclearisation'&nbsp;

Commercial ties will be high on the agenda. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and her&nbsp;South&nbsp;Korean counterpart will hold separate talks involving a raft of CEOs with a focus on high-tech manufacturing -- battery technology, semi-conductors and 5G wireless.

But the bulk of the Biden-Moon meeting will likely focus on China, including its sabre rattling around Taiwan, and on attempts to get North&nbsp;Korea&nbsp;to give up its nuclear weapons.

Don't expect much in the way of strong, clear statements when the presidents issue a joint declaration afterward, however.

Asked if concern over the future of Taiwan would be aired, the White House official said there would be "a reference to regional security generally and maintenance of peace."

And on North&nbsp;Korea, which has foiled US presidents for decades, similarly vague language is likely.

"Our goals remain the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," the official said.

However, the White House has "a clear understanding that the efforts of past administrations have not achieved this objective."

Out are former attempts to reach for a so-called "grand bargain" with Pyongyang or simply to show what diplomats termed "strategic patience."

Now the White House is touting "a calibrated practical approach" -- diplomatic jargon, it seems, for being realistically low key, while open-minded.

"We understand where previous efforts in the past had difficulties and we've tried to learn from those," the official said.

Asked if Biden would consider following up Trump's headline-grabbing but ultimately fruitless summits with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki delivered a dry response Thursday.

"I don't expect that to be top on his agenda," she said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered praise for US President Joe Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery on Friday as the two leaders met during his visit to Washington.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered praise for US President Joe Biden's handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic recovery on Friday as the two leaders met during his visit to Washington. The rising power of China as a rival for leadership in Asia and the powder keg of nuclear-armed North Korea loom over the talks. Against that backdrop, Washington's main emphasis is on rebuilding traditional US alliances in the region, especially with South Korea and Japan. "My congratulations on how the Biden-Harris administration is building back better with the world's most successful vaccine deployment and fastest economic recovery and blazing a trail for inclusiveness and unity by restoring the soul of America,” Moon said during an appearance with Vice President Kamala Harris. Moon's words echoed those used by Democrat Biden, who described the 2020 presidential campaign against Republican incumbent Donald Trump as a battle for the soul of the nation. Where Donald Trump treated foreign partners alternately as cut-throat business competitors or freeloaders, Biden is once more leaning on democratic alliances forged in bloody 20th century conflicts as the core to maintaining US supremacy. Moon comes to Washington as Biden's second foreign guest. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, visiting in April, was the first. The US-South Korean relationship "is the lynchpin of security and prosperity for northeast Asia and a free and open Indo-Pacific," the White House official, who asked not to be identified, said. "President Biden will reaffirm that ironclad commitment." Symbolizing the deep, complex history behind those bonds, Moon will join Biden in awarding the Medal of Honor -- the highest US military honor for bravery -- to a 94-year-old US veteran of the Korean War. Then first lieutenant Ralph Puckett was wounded in 1950 while leading US and Korean soldiers in the desperate defense of a hill against an overwhelming force of Chinese troops -- an early episode in China's decisive entry into the war. The White House said this would be the first time a foreign leader has taken part in a Medal of Honor ceremony. 'Complete denuclearisation' Commercial ties will be high on the agenda. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and her South Korean counterpart will hold separate talks involving a raft of CEOs with a focus on high-tech manufacturing -- battery technology, semi-conductors and 5G wireless. But the bulk of the Biden-Moon meeting will likely focus on China, including its sabre rattling around Taiwan, and on attempts to get North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Don't expect much in the way of strong, clear statements when the presidents issue a joint declaration afterward, however. Asked if concern over the future of Taiwan would be aired, the White House official said there would be "a reference to regional security generally and maintenance of peace." And on North Korea, which has foiled US presidents for decades, similarly vague language is likely. "Our goals remain the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," the official said. However, the White House has "a clear understanding that the efforts of past administrations have not achieved this objective." Out are former attempts to reach for a so-called "grand bargain" with Pyongyang or simply to show what diplomats termed "strategic patience." Now the White House is touting "a calibrated practical approach" -- diplomatic jargon, it seems, for being realistically low key, while open-minded. "We understand where previous efforts in the past had difficulties and we've tried to learn from those," the official said. Asked if Biden would consider following up Trump's headline-grabbing but ultimately fruitless summits with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki delivered a dry response Thursday. "I don't expect that to be top on his agenda," she said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in lauds Biden, says he is 'restoring soul' of America

The former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> has finally appeared on the walls of the famous National Portrait Gallery but this time the former reality TV star has not been able to control the words behind it.

Trump's picture, hanging on the walls of the gallery, was clicked by New York-based Pari Dukovic for Time magazine on 17 June 2019,&nbsp;which was a day before the then-president had announced his plans of seeking re-election.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-former-lawyer-to-testify-in-russia-meddling-case-384712" hreflang="en">Trump's former lawyer to testify in Russia meddling case</a>

In the picture, Trump can be seen sitting, holding on to the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, and can be seen sporting his famous red tie with a suit.

The picture goes along with a caption that highlights that Trump ran for the White House and was elected "after tapping into populist American sentiment". It also reads that the Republican leader "put forth an 'America first'&nbsp;agenda".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-family-got-inappropriately-close-to-secret-service-agent-book-384427" hreflang="en">Trump family got 'inappropriately close' to Secret Service agent: Book</a>

However, as expected, the caption has not missed the controversies that surrounded the 74-year-old leader. Trump was the first president of the US to be impeached twice, which is also mentioned in the caption, and it also points out that the coronavirus pandemic "became a key issue during his re-election campaign".

Continuing the point of re-election, the caption adds, "Trump did not concede [defeat], and a mob of his supporters, who refused to accept the results, attacked the US Capitol complex on 6 January 2021, when Congress was working to certify [Joe] Biden’s win."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-children-cost-taxpayers-140000-in-a-month-383882" hreflang="en">Donald Trump's 'children' cost taxpayers $140,000 in a month</a>

Interestingly, this caption is also written in Spanish, which many feel comes out as an irony considering the controversies of Trump and racism.

His portrait, interestingly, hangs on the back wall of the famous Hope poster of the first Black President of the US, Barack Obama, created by Shepard Fairey. He is also facing the painting of a civil rights hero, John Lewis, who famously chose to boycott Trump’s inauguration.

Many visitors purposely chose to ignore getting clicked with the former president who "looks like an insecure man holding the desk to believe in himself,"&nbsp;the Guardian quoted a visitor. Some visitors also believe the gallery made him look good and not "orange".

The former US President Donald Trump has finally appeared on the walls of the famous National Portrait Gallery but this time the former reality TV star has not been able to control the words behind it.

The former US President Donald Trump has finally appeared on the walls of the famous National Portrait Gallery but this time the former reality TV star has not been able to control the words behind it. Trump's picture, hanging on the walls of the gallery, was clicked by New York-based Pari Dukovic for Time magazine on 17 June 2019, which was a day before the then-president had announced his plans of seeking re-election. Also read | Trump's former lawyer to testify in Russia meddling case In the picture, Trump can be seen sitting, holding on to the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, and can be seen sporting his famous red tie with a suit. The picture goes along with a caption that highlights that Trump ran for the White House and was elected "after tapping into populist American sentiment". It also reads that the Republican leader "put forth an 'America first' agenda". Also read | Trump family got 'inappropriately close' to Secret Service agent: Book However, as expected, the caption has not missed the controversies that surrounded the 74-year-old leader. Trump was the first president of the US to be impeached twice, which is also mentioned in the caption, and it also points out that the coronavirus pandemic "became a key issue during his re-election campaign". Continuing the point of re-election, the caption adds, "Trump did not concede [defeat], and a mob of his supporters, who refused to accept the results, attacked the US Capitol complex on 6 January 2021, when Congress was working to certify [Joe] Biden’s win." Also read | Donald Trump's 'children' cost taxpayers $140,000 in a month Interestingly, this caption is also written in Spanish, which many feel comes out as an irony considering the controversies of Trump and racism. His portrait, interestingly, hangs on the back wall of the famous Hope poster of the first Black President of the US, Barack Obama, created by Shepard Fairey. He is also facing the painting of a civil rights hero, John Lewis, who famously chose to boycott Trump’s inauguration. Many visitors purposely chose to ignore getting clicked with the former president who "looks like an insecure man holding the desk to believe in himself," the Guardian quoted a visitor. Some visitors also believe the gallery made him look good and not "orange".

'Not orange': Donald Trump appears on walls of National Portrait Gallery

A group of scientists, in an open letter, have asked The World Health Organization to order another investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 or c<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">oronavirus</a>. According to them, a new investigation should look for the origins in sources other than those of the animal origin.

It was the third open letter from this group of more than 20 signatories. They propose specific steps on what a new probe should take into account. Ensuring that a team is free of “unnecessary presence” of government officials while undertaking the study, A mandate for broad access to records, samples and data, and removing veto powers from the member selection process are among the suggestions.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/unless-true-origin-of-coronavirus-is-identified-another-chinese-pandemic-is-in-the-offing-320236">Unless true origin of coronavirus is identified, another Chinese pandemic is in the offing</a>

Previously a joint mission that included Chinese scientists and WHO had conducted a study whose aim was defined as probing the zoonotic source of the virus. According to them, a laboratory incident was the least likely hypothesis. They conjectured that the coronavirus had probably spread from bats to humans via other animals. Because the aim was limited, “other theories didn’t receive the same attention and the team didn’t fully investigate labs”, Peter Ben Embarek, co-leader of the trip, said after a report was published in March.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-us-now-australia-to-investigate-coronavirus-origin-298717/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Afterwards, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said that the probe failed to adequately analyse the possibility of a lab accident before reaching the conclusion that most likely, the spread of the pathogen was from bats to humans via another animal. He also said that he is ready to deploy additional missions that involve experts. But, that this will require China’s cooperation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-postpones-coronavirus-origin-report-likely-to-be-out-next-week-370924">WHO postpones coronavirus origin report, likely to be out next week</a>

&nbsp;

The first Covid-19 outbreak site was identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which, is home to a high-security virus lab, and this proximity had triggered former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump and others speculation on the possibility of a leak from the said lab. Denying connection, China floated an alternative theory that the virus may have gained entry into the country via frozen-food imports.

A group of scientists, in an open letter, have asked The World Health Organization to order another investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 or coronavirus.

A group of scientists, in an open letter, have asked The World Health Organization to order another investigation into the origins of the Covid-19 or coronavirus. According to them, a new investigation should look for the origins in sources other than those of the animal origin. It was the third open letter from this group of more than 20 signatories. They propose specific steps on what a new probe should take into account. Ensuring that a team is free of “unnecessary presence” of government officials while undertaking the study, A mandate for broad access to records, samples and data, and removing veto powers from the member selection process are among the suggestions. Also read | Unless true origin of coronavirus is identified, another Chinese pandemic is in the offing Previously a joint mission that included Chinese scientists and WHO had conducted a study whose aim was defined as probing the zoonotic source of the virus. According to them, a laboratory incident was the least likely hypothesis. They conjectured that the coronavirus had probably spread from bats to humans via other animals. Because the aim was limited, “other theories didn’t receive the same attention and the team didn’t fully investigate labs”, Peter Ben Embarek, co-leader of the trip, said after a report was published in March. Afterwards, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said that the probe failed to adequately analyse the possibility of a lab accident before reaching the conclusion that most likely, the spread of the pathogen was from bats to humans via another animal. He also said that he is ready to deploy additional missions that involve experts. But, that this will require China’s cooperation. Also read | WHO postpones coronavirus origin report, likely to be out next week The first Covid-19 outbreak site was identified in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which, is home to a high-security virus lab, and this proximity had triggered former US President Donald Trump and others speculation on the possibility of a leak from the said lab. Denying connection, China floated an alternative theory that the virus may have gained entry into the country via frozen-food imports.

Scientists urge WHO to look further into coronavirus origins

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Tehran's decision to boost uranium enrichment to 60 per cent was a response to Israel's "nuclear terrorism," three days after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility.

"Enabling IR-6 (centrifuges) at Natanz today, or bringing enrichment to 60 per cent: this is the response to your malice," Rouhani said in televised remarks. "What you did was nuclear terrorism. What we do is legal."

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The disclosure came soon before the resumption of talks in Vienna aimed at reviving&nbsp;Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, an accord Israel fiercely opposed, after former US&nbsp;President Donald Trump abandoned it three years ago.

A fissile purity of 90 per cent&nbsp;is suitable for a nuclear bomb.

Announcing 60 per cent&nbsp;enrichment, chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi also said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would activate 1,000 advanced centrifuge machines at Natanz, a nuclear plant hit by an explosion on Sunday that Tehran called an act of sabotage by its arch-foe Israel.

However, an&nbsp;Iranian official told Reuters later that "60% enrichment will be in small quantity" only.

"From tonight, practical preparations for 60% enrichment will begin in Natanz; 60 per cent&nbsp;uranium is used to make a variety of radiopharmaceuticals," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted&nbsp;Iranian nuclear agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said it had been informed of&nbsp;Iran's decision.

In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called&nbsp;Iran's announcement "provocative" and said the Biden administration was concerned, adding that it called into question Tehran's seriousness on nuclear talks.

Last week,&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;and the global powers held what they described as "constructive" talks to salvage the 2015 accord, which has unravelled as&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;has breached its limits on uranium enrichment since Trump re-imposed harsh sanctions on Tehran.

The deal had capped the level of purity to which&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;can enrich uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges, at 3.67 per cent, far below the 90 per cent&nbsp;needed for bomb-grade material.

Iran&nbsp;in recent months has raised enrichment to 20 per cent&nbsp;purity, a level where uranium is considered to be highly enriched and is a significant step towards weapons-grade. Three-five percent is broadly the level required to run civilian nuclear power plants.

The biggest obstacle to producing nuclear weapons is accumulating sufficient quantities of fissile material - either 90 per cent&nbsp;enriched uranium, or plutonium - for the core of a bomb.

One of the central objectives of the 2015 nuclear containment deal was to extend the time&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;would need to do this, if it chose to, to a year from about 2-3 months.

Iran&nbsp;says it has never sought to obtain or develop nuclear weapons, and that it seeks nuclear technology for civilian purposes in the fields of medicine or energy.

Western intelligence services believe&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that was mothballed in 2003, though arch-adversary Israel believes it continues in some form and sees Tehran's nuclear activity as an existential threat.

'Bad gamble'

Iran's top diplomat said earlier on Tuesday that the blast in the underground Natanz plant that it blames on Israel was a "very bad gamble" that would boost Tehran's leverage in the talks to salvage the nuclear deal.

"I assure you that in the near future more advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges will be placed in the Natanz facility," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a news conference alongside his visiting Russian counterpart in Tehran.

The nuclear talks are due to resume on Thursday in Vienna.

Tehran has said the explosion at Natanz, which knocked out electricity in centrifuge production halls, was sabotage by Israel and vowed revenge for the incident, which appeared to be latest episode in a long-running covert war.

Israel, which the Islamic Republic does not recognise, has not formally commented on the matter.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden has said&nbsp;Iran&nbsp;must resume full compliance with curbs on its enrichment activity mandated by the deal, which won the lifting of all international sanctions against Tehran, before Washington can rejoin the pact.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Tehran's decision to boost uranium enrichment to 60 per cent was a response to Israel's "nuclear terrorism," three days after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday Tehran's decision to boost uranium enrichment to 60 per cent was a response to Israel's "nuclear terrorism," three days after an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility. "Enabling IR-6 (centrifuges) at Natanz today, or bringing enrichment to 60 per cent: this is the response to your malice," Rouhani said in televised remarks. "What you did was nuclear terrorism. What we do is legal." The disclosure came soon before the resumption of talks in Vienna aimed at reviving Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, an accord Israel fiercely opposed, after former US President Donald Trump abandoned it three years ago. A fissile purity of 90 per cent is suitable for a nuclear bomb. Announcing 60 per cent enrichment, chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi also said Iran would activate 1,000 advanced centrifuge machines at Natanz, a nuclear plant hit by an explosion on Sunday that Tehran called an act of sabotage by its arch-foe Israel. However, an Iranian official told Reuters later that "60% enrichment will be in small quantity" only. "From tonight, practical preparations for 60% enrichment will begin in Natanz; 60 per cent uranium is used to make a variety of radiopharmaceuticals," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Iranian nuclear agency spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying. The International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N. nuclear watchdog, said it had been informed of Iran's decision. In Washington, White House press secretary Jen Psaki called Iran's announcement "provocative" and said the Biden administration was concerned, adding that it called into question Tehran's seriousness on nuclear talks. Last week, Iran and the global powers held what they described as "constructive" talks to salvage the 2015 accord, which has unravelled as Iran has breached its limits on uranium enrichment since Trump re-imposed harsh sanctions on Tehran. The deal had capped the level of purity to which Iran can enrich uranium hexafluoride, the feedstock for centrifuges, at 3.67 per cent, far below the 90 per cent needed for bomb-grade material. Iran in recent months has raised enrichment to 20 per cent purity, a level where uranium is considered to be highly enriched and is a significant step towards weapons-grade. Three-five percent is broadly the level required to run civilian nuclear power plants. The biggest obstacle to producing nuclear weapons is accumulating sufficient quantities of fissile material - either 90 per cent enriched uranium, or plutonium - for the core of a bomb. One of the central objectives of the 2015 nuclear containment deal was to extend the time Iran would need to do this, if it chose to, to a year from about 2-3 months. Iran says it has never sought to obtain or develop nuclear weapons, and that it seeks nuclear technology for civilian purposes in the fields of medicine or energy. Western intelligence services believe Iran had a clandestine nuclear weapons programme that was mothballed in 2003, though arch-adversary Israel believes it continues in some form and sees Tehran's nuclear activity as an existential threat. 'Bad gamble' Iran's top diplomat said earlier on Tuesday that the blast in the underground Natanz plant that it blames on Israel was a "very bad gamble" that would boost Tehran's leverage in the talks to salvage the nuclear deal. "I assure you that in the near future more advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges will be placed in the Natanz facility," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a news conference alongside his visiting Russian counterpart in Tehran. The nuclear talks are due to resume on Thursday in Vienna. Tehran has said the explosion at Natanz, which knocked out electricity in centrifuge production halls, was sabotage by Israel and vowed revenge for the incident, which appeared to be latest episode in a long-running covert war. Israel, which the Islamic Republic does not recognise, has not formally commented on the matter. US President Joe Biden has said Iran must resume full compliance with curbs on its enrichment activity mandated by the deal, which won the lifting of all international sanctions against Tehran, before Washington can rejoin the pact. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran says 60% uranium enrichment is response to Israel's 'nuclear terrorism'

Former US President and reality TV star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> addressed a group of Republicans at dinner and promised to help them win Congress seats in the 2022 elections.

Trump organised a dinner at his favourite and current resident, Mar-a-Lago Club, in Palm Beach,&nbsp;Florida. He hosted donors of the Republican National Committee and promised them revenge and victory in the next elections.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/clear-the-capitol-mike-pences-plea-for-help-in-capitol-riot-revealed-in-pentagons-document-376757">&nbsp;'Clear the Capitol': Mike Pence's plea for help in Capitol riot revealed in Pentagon's document</a>

The former President faced a historic loss against newly-elected President, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, and lashed out at Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell and former Vice President, Mike Pence.

Since he was put on trial for the second time for impeachment, Trump has openly criticised McConnell. However, this time, he crossed all limits by calling the senator a "son of a b***h", an attendee told Reuters anonymously.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/revelatory-mike-pence-signs-seven-figure-two-book-deal-for-memoir-376006">Revelatory: Mike Pence signs seven-figure two-book deal for memoir</a>

Trump also claimed that since departing the White House, he has spoken to Pence and has made it clear to him that he was still very disappointed in him. This has come after several reports claimed that Trump had scolded Pence for not interfering with the certification of Joe Biden and for not standing up for Trump after the Capitol riots.

Labelling him as the 'Republican kingmaker', Trump talked about the "future of the Republican Party - and what we must do to set our candidates on a course to victory,"&nbsp;as revealed in prepared remarks, seen by Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-may-not-have-pence-as-running-mate-report-367892" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-may-not-have-pence-as-running-mate-report-367892&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjggPql3e3vAhXFzjgGHU_iAYoQFjAAegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2-h6MIzziDxQhEhzGcOcdp" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-may-not-have-pence-as-running-mate-report-367892" target="_blank">Donald Trump may not have&nbsp;Pence&nbsp;as running mate: Report</a>

Guaranteeing a victory in the 2022 elections, he said, "I stand before you this evening filled with confidence that in 2022, we are going to take back the House (of Representatives) and we are going to reclaim the Senate. And then in 2024, a Republican candidate is going to win the White House."

&nbsp;The speech was appreciated by close aides of Trump. "Saturday’s speech will be welcomed words to the Republican donors visiting Mar-a-Lago to hear directly from President Trump. Palm Beach is the new political power center, and President Trump is the Republican Party’s best messenger,"&nbsp;Trump's adviser Jason Miller said.

Former US President and reality TV star Donald Trump addressed a group of Republicans at dinner and promised to help them win Congress seats in the 2022 elections.

Former US President and reality TV star Donald Trump addressed a group of Republicans at dinner and promised to help them win Congress seats in the 2022 elections. Trump organised a dinner at his favourite and current resident, Mar-a-Lago Club, in Palm Beach, Florida. He hosted donors of the Republican National Committee and promised them revenge and victory in the next elections. Also read | 'Clear the Capitol': Mike Pence's plea for help in Capitol riot revealed in Pentagon's document The former President faced a historic loss against newly-elected President, Joe Biden, and lashed out at Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell and former Vice President, Mike Pence. Since he was put on trial for the second time for impeachment, Trump has openly criticised McConnell. However, this time, he crossed all limits by calling the senator a "son of a b***h", an attendee told Reuters anonymously. Also read | Revelatory: Mike Pence signs seven-figure two-book deal for memoir Trump also claimed that since departing the White House, he has spoken to Pence and has made it clear to him that he was still very disappointed in him. This has come after several reports claimed that Trump had scolded Pence for not interfering with the certification of Joe Biden and for not standing up for Trump after the Capitol riots. Labelling him as the 'Republican kingmaker', Trump talked about the "future of the Republican Party - and what we must do to set our candidates on a course to victory," as revealed in prepared remarks, seen by Reuters. Also read | Donald Trump may not have Pence as running mate: Report Guaranteeing a victory in the 2022 elections, he said, "I stand before you this evening filled with confidence that in 2022, we are going to take back the House (of Representatives) and we are going to reclaim the Senate. And then in 2024, a Republican candidate is going to win the White House." The speech was appreciated by close aides of Trump. "Saturday’s speech will be welcomed words to the Republican donors visiting Mar-a-Lago to hear directly from President Trump. Palm Beach is the new political power center, and President Trump is the Republican Party’s best messenger," Trump's adviser Jason Miller said.

'Son of a...': Donald Trump slams Republican leaders during dinner at Mar-a-Lago Club

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> took matters into his own hands.

That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found.

Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that “movement has been slow.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-video-teaser-removed-by-facebook-lara-trump-374661">Donald Trump's video teaser removed by Facebook: Lara Trump</a>

After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive “everything you requested is OK,” even though no contract had been signed.

The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump just days before the contract was issued

In a statement, Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/miss-me-yet-donald-trump-shocks-everyone-by-making-wedding-speech-about-himself-374257" hreflang="en">'Miss me yet?': Donald Trump shocks everyone by making wedding speech about himself</a>

“In a war, you need to move with warp speed,” he wrote. “My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop!”

But the Democrats, led by Rep. James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Navarro’s efforts.

They noted that officials in Navarro’s office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Co., best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field.

Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Virginia, to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients — an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat COVID-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats’ investigation found that Navarro had been introduced to Phlow’s chief executive in November 2019.

“My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved,” Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. “This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Let’s move this now. We need to flip the switch and they can’t move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.”

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found.

The Trump administration was so slow to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic that a top aide to President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands. That aide, Peter Navarro, Trump’s deputy assistant and trade adviser, personally steered hundreds of millions of dollars in contracts for pandemic supplies to politically connected or novice companies, a preliminary investigation by House Democrats has found. Navarro sounded an early alarm about supply shortages, according to emails and other documents released by a House committee overseeing the federal coronavirus response. In a memo dated March 1, 2020, he complained that “movement has been slow.” Also read | Donald Trump's video teaser removed by Facebook: Lara Trump After that, documents show, he prodded the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award a $96 million sole-source contract for respirators to AirBoss Defense Group, a defense industry supplier, telling a company executive “everything you requested is OK,” even though no contract had been signed. The agency awarded the sole-source contract six days later. AirBoss was represented by a retired Army general, Jack Keane, who had been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump just days before the contract was issued In a statement, Navarro said he wanted to move aggressively to combat the threat of the virus. Also read | 'Miss me yet?': Donald Trump shocks everyone by making wedding speech about himself “In a war, you need to move with warp speed,” he wrote. “My mission was to assist the president in saving lives, which we undeniably did. Given the same set of facts, I would do everything exactly the same. Full stop!” But the Democrats, led by Rep. James C. Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 House Democrat, questioned Navarro’s efforts. They noted that officials in Navarro’s office had coordinated with executives at the Eastman Kodak Co., best known for its photography business, which then entered into a letter of intent in June 2020 to collaborate on the domestic manufacture of pharmaceutical agents, even though the company had no experience in that field. Navarro also pushed for the Trump administration to award a $354 million contract to Phlow, a brand-new company in Richmond, Virginia, to manufacture generic medicines and pharmaceutical ingredients — an effort aimed at building up an American manufacturing base for products that were needed to treat COVID-19 but were made overseas. The Democrats’ investigation found that Navarro had been introduced to Phlow’s chief executive in November 2019. “My head is going to explode if this contract does not get immediately approved,” Navarro wrote to top federal health officials in March 2020. “This is a travesty. I need PHLOW noticed by Monday morning. This is being screwed up. Let’s move this now. We need to flip the switch and they can’t move until you do. FULL funding as we discussed.”

Investigators say Trump aide awarded hefty pandemic contracts

The former US President and reality TV star, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, has come out in support of his followers who were a part of the Capitol riots that took place on January 06.

Trump, who has been labelled as the man behind these riots, has defended some of his supporters, claiming that some of these rioters posed "zero threat" to the lawmakers who were trapped inside the US Capitol building.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-north-korea-to-re-run-in-2024-biden-addresses-first-press-conference-373194" hreflang="en">From North Korea to re-run in 2024: Biden addresses first press conference</a>

Several lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Mike Pence, had assembled in the Capitol building to certify the electoral college vote to confirm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a> election <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">victory</a> against Trump.

While the lawmakers were assembling to begin the proceedings, Trump, during a rally, encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol and take back the building. He has been since then accused of instilling the feeling of violence in his supporters, which led to the deadly riots that killed five people.

Trump acknowledged that his supporters "went in and they shouldn’t have done it". However, he quickly turned his statement to prove that the rioters did not mean harm to anyone present in the building.

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"It was zero threat, right from the start, it was zero threat" -- Trump on the January 6 insurrection that left 5 dead, including a police officer <a href="https://t.co/6YBho1bywM">pic.twitter.com/6YBho1bywM</a>
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"Some of them went in and they’re, they’re hugging and kissing the police and the guards. You know, they had great relationships. A lot of the people were waved in and then they walked in and they walked out," Trump said during an interview with Fox News’s Laura Ingraham.

During the interview, Trump also did not shy away from criticising the top US infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci. "I frankly didn’t listen to him too much," Trump claimed.

Fauci was a key adviser at the start of the pandemic but was later ignored by the president as Fauci started pointing out errors in the White House's policy against the deadly coronavirus, which took millions of lives in the US. Fauci has also described it to be a "liberating feeling" in January when he started working for the Biden administration.

The former US President and reality TV star, Donald Trump, has come out in support of his followers who were a part of the Capitol riots that took place on January 06.

The former US President and reality TV star, Donald Trump, has come out in support of his followers who were a part of the Capitol riots that took place on January 06. Trump, who has been labelled as the man behind these riots, has defended some of his supporters, claiming that some of these rioters posed "zero threat" to the lawmakers who were trapped inside the US Capitol building. Also read | From North Korea to re-run in 2024: Biden addresses first press conference Several lawmakers, including Nancy Pelosi and former Vice President Mike Pence, had assembled in the Capitol building to certify the electoral college vote to confirm Joe Biden's election victory against Trump. While the lawmakers were assembling to begin the proceedings, Trump, during a rally, encouraged his supporters to march to the Capitol and take back the building. He has been since then accused of instilling the feeling of violence in his supporters, which led to the deadly riots that killed five people. Trump acknowledged that his supporters "went in and they shouldn’t have done it". However, he quickly turned his statement to prove that the rioters did not mean harm to anyone present in the building. "It was zero threat, right from the start, it was zero threat" -- Trump on the January 6 insurrection that left 5 dead, including a police officer pic.twitter.com/6YBho1bywM — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 26, 2021 × "Some of them went in and they’re, they’re hugging and kissing the police and the guards. You know, they had great relationships. A lot of the people were waved in and then they walked in and they walked out," Trump said during an interview with Fox News’s Laura Ingraham. During the interview, Trump also did not shy away from criticising the top US infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci. "I frankly didn’t listen to him too much," Trump claimed. Fauci was a key adviser at the start of the pandemic but was later ignored by the president as Fauci started pointing out errors in the White House's policy against the deadly coronavirus, which took millions of lives in the US. Fauci has also described it to be a "liberating feeling" in January when he started working for the Biden administration.

'Zero threat': Donald Trump defends his supporters in Capitol riots

Biden is already struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals. Shocking pictures have now emerged from detention centres that show adults and children huddled together in makeshift rooms and separated by plastic sheets.

Allegedly, they don't even have adequate access to food.

Migrants are flooding the borders of the US. Texas facility is overflowing and becoming a crowded space where migrants, including children, are lying on the floor. Sleeping on thin mattresses, with foil blankets, they are separated by plastic sheets.

Reportedly, this government-run site is housing 1,000 people and they don't have adequate access to soap or food.

With the pandemic still raging, there are also concerns over the possible lack of social distancing.

Since taking office, Joe Biden has removed some restrictions that were placed by his predecessor Donald Trump.

Now, the American borders are witnessing a surge.&nbsp; Joe Biden says he knows what's going on. Since Biden's inauguration, American borders have been battling a surge in migration.

In February, border officials encountered more than 18,000 family members and over &nbsp;9,000 unaccompanied children.

Central America is driving the surge. For years, citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have suffered from the violence of gangs, extortion, government corruption and poverty.

However, now back to back hurricanes have only worsened the situation. The devastation has forced many to leave.

The migrants are struggling to enter the borders, and are then struggling to survive.

With the Republicans attacking the Democrats, reports say Joe Biden has dispatched top officials to Mexico and Central America. It seems like Washington is seeking the help of its allies to manage the situation at the border. However, &nbsp;with the migrants determined to reach America, it doesn't look like their flow will stem anytime soon.

Biden is already struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals. Shocking pictures have now emerged from detention centres that show adults and children huddled together in makeshift rooms and separated by plastic sheets.

Biden is already struggling with a surge in migrant arrivals. Shocking pictures have now emerged from detention centres that show adults and children huddled together in makeshift rooms and separated by plastic sheets. Allegedly, they don't even have adequate access to food. Migrants are flooding the borders of the US. Texas facility is overflowing and becoming a crowded space where migrants, including children, are lying on the floor. Sleeping on thin mattresses, with foil blankets, they are separated by plastic sheets. Reportedly, this government-run site is housing 1,000 people and they don't have adequate access to soap or food. With the pandemic still raging, there are also concerns over the possible lack of social distancing. Since taking office, Joe Biden has removed some restrictions that were placed by his predecessor Donald Trump. Now, the American borders are witnessing a surge. Joe Biden says he knows what's going on. Since Biden's inauguration, American borders have been battling a surge in migration. In February, border officials encountered more than 18,000 family members and over 9,000 unaccompanied children. Central America is driving the surge. For years, citizens of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador have suffered from the violence of gangs, extortion, government corruption and poverty. However, now back to back hurricanes have only worsened the situation. The devastation has forced many to leave. The migrants are struggling to enter the borders, and are then struggling to survive. With the Republicans attacking the Democrats, reports say Joe Biden has dispatched top officials to Mexico and Central America. It seems like Washington is seeking the help of its allies to manage the situation at the border. However, with the migrants determined to reach America, it doesn't look like their flow will stem anytime soon.

Lack of sanitation and social distancing: How immigrants in America are struggling

WASHINGTON — It was a familiar play by Donald Trump: lashing out at his enemies and trying to raise money from it.

The former president this week escalated a standoff over the Republican Party’s financial future, blasting party leaders and urging his backers to send donations to his new political action committee — not to the institutional groups that traditionally control the GOP’s coffers.

“No more money for RINOS,” he said in a statement released Monday by his bare-bones post-presidential office, referring to Republicans In Name Only. He directed donors to his own website instead.

The aggressive move against his own party is the latest sign that Trump is trying to wrest control of the low-dollar online fundraising juggernaut he helped create, diverting it from Republican fundraising groups toward his own committee, which has virtually no restrictions on how the money can be spent.

Last week, Trump sent cease-and-desist letters — which appear to have little legal standing — to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, warning them not to appeal to donors using his name and image.

The jockeying comes as the party struggles to chart its path forward after losing the House, the Senate and the White House during Trump’s tenure, with moderate party leaders pushing the party to move beyond the divisive former president while much of the GOP base remains firmly behind him. Who controls a majority of donors’ cash is set to be a fiercely contested point of dispute as Republicans try to regroup and take back power in the 2022 midterm elections.

What’s more, Trump’s advisers believe the future of party fundraising is in low-dollar contributions, not the class of major donors who have mostly signaled that they want distance from him after his monthslong push falsely claiming that the Nov. 3 election had been stolen, which led to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol.

Trump’s maneuvering is born partly out of his anger toward Republican leaders who he feels were disloyal when they edged away from him after Jan. 6. The former president is also being encouraged by people like Dick Morris, the notorious political consultant known for flipping between the parties, who has been meeting with him in New York and encouraging him to take on the party he once led.

Trump’s actions could give him a stream of money at a time when his private company is struggling under the scrutiny of investigations, with some discussions of whether properties need to be sold. His business is now politics, and political action committees have few restrictions on how they operate and use their money, according to campaign finance experts.

The former president could, in theory, pay himself and his family members salaries from the money raised there.

“That sort of PAC has no meaningful restrictions on how it could spend its money,” said Adav Noti, the senior director of trial litigation at the Campaign Legal Center.

People close to the former president say there has been no discussion about Trump giving himself a salary. But historically, his political committees have paid to use his properties, among other things, indirectly enriching him.

Republican fundraising groups have pushed back against the former president. In a letter Monday responding to the cease-and-desist request by Trump’s committee, Justin Riemer, the chief counsel for the RNC, stated, “The RNC, of course, has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in core, First Amendment-protected political speech, and it will continue to do so in pursuit of those common goals.”

But in a sign of the delicate dance between Trump and a Republican Party fearful of alienating its most popular figure, Riemer also said that the RNC had not and would not make fundraising appeals using Trump’s name or likeness without his approval.

And on Tuesday night, Trump released a second statement walking back his earlier attacks on the Republican committees.

“I fully support the Republican Party and important GOP Committees, but I do not support RINOs and fools, and it is not their right to use my likeness or image to raise funds,” he said. But even as he tried to clarify that he supported his party, he gave another plug for his own group. “If you donate to our Save America PAC at DonaldJTrump.com, you are helping the America First movement and doing it right,” he said.

For now, aides said, Trump’s plan is to stockpile money so he can remain a force in politics and help candidates challenging dissident Republicans like Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who supported impeaching him this year.

Trump, along with the national party, raised roughly $250 million between Election Day and President Joe Biden’s inauguration. More than $60 million of that went to a new political action committee. That committee and the former president’s campaign committee were both converted to linked political action committees. Trump’s aides said this week that they had not yet started to send fundraising solicitations since he left office, but planned to do so in the coming days.

The Republican clash could resonate particularly in the House.

If Trump is successful in persuading donors to give money to him instead of supporting Republican House candidates directly, he could cause problems for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, who is trying to take back the House in two years. He needs to flip five seats to do so.

“If you control the money, you control the party,” said Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor.

Some Republican strategists noted that less than a decade ago, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, was the biggest fundraising name in GOP politics. Now he barely recognizes his party.

The strategists played down the threat Trump poses to Republican fundraising. “The donors that are unique to him who would be affected by that message are people who wouldn’t have donated in the first place,” said Josh Holmes, a political adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader.

Holmes also said that as the Biden administration rolled out new policies like a nearly $2 trillion relief bill, Republicans would coalesce in opposition and develop new fundraising constituencies.

“In midterms, you raise a lot of money out of opposition to an administration and policy,” Holmes said. “In presidential years, it becomes more of a face and name of each of the parties. We’re naturally entering a different era of fundraising.”

So far, all Trump’s organization has done is release endorsements for loyalists in key states, like Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina, who is running for reelection. But longtime party fundraisers see that as a reminder by Trump to those lawmakers that they need to stick with him, or else he could pull his endorsement down the road.

Trump aides were split over whether the RNC should have received the threatening letter at all. Ronna McDaniel, the group’s chairwoman, won her job in large part because of Trump’s support. Some of his aides told her that Trump himself had not known that she received one of the threatening letters.

There have historically been tensions between some of Trump’s advisers and RNC officials. But in a phone call with McDaniel over the weekend to smooth over the relationship, Trump played down any intent to directly target the RNC or prevent it from reaching its donors. The takeaway from an overall pleasant conversation, people familiar with the call said, was that Trump was still supportive of Republican donors’ giving money to the RNC and that he did not plan to stand in the way.

The RNC is planning to hold part of its spring fundraising gala at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Palm Beach, Florida. That plan was in the works before the cease-and-desist letters. The Four Seasons in Palm Beach, which is hosting the rest of the gala, had social distancing and space requirements that would not allow for the 350 people who wanted to attend the Saturday night reception where Trump is scheduled to speak. The hotel also expressed concerns about hosting the former president.

WASHINGTON — It was a familiar play by Donald Trump: lashing out at his enemies and trying to raise money from it. The former president this week escalated a standoff over the Republican Party’s financial future, blasting party leaders and urging his backers to send donations to his new political action committee — not to the institutional groups that traditionally control the GOP’s coffers.

WASHINGTON — It was a familiar play by Donald Trump: lashing out at his enemies and trying to raise money from it. The former president this week escalated a standoff over the Republican Party’s financial future, blasting party leaders and urging his backers to send donations to his new political action committee — not to the institutional groups that traditionally control the GOP’s coffers. “No more money for RINOS,” he said in a statement released Monday by his bare-bones post-presidential office, referring to Republicans In Name Only. He directed donors to his own website instead. The aggressive move against his own party is the latest sign that Trump is trying to wrest control of the low-dollar online fundraising juggernaut he helped create, diverting it from Republican fundraising groups toward his own committee, which has virtually no restrictions on how the money can be spent. Last week, Trump sent cease-and-desist letters — which appear to have little legal standing — to the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee, warning them not to appeal to donors using his name and image. The jockeying comes as the party struggles to chart its path forward after losing the House, the Senate and the White House during Trump’s tenure, with moderate party leaders pushing the party to move beyond the divisive former president while much of the GOP base remains firmly behind him. Who controls a majority of donors’ cash is set to be a fiercely contested point of dispute as Republicans try to regroup and take back power in the 2022 midterm elections. What’s more, Trump’s advisers believe the future of party fundraising is in low-dollar contributions, not the class of major donors who have mostly signaled that they want distance from him after his monthslong push falsely claiming that the Nov. 3 election had been stolen, which led to the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Trump’s maneuvering is born partly out of his anger toward Republican leaders who he feels were disloyal when they edged away from him after Jan. 6. The former president is also being encouraged by people like Dick Morris, the notorious political consultant known for flipping between the parties, who has been meeting with him in New York and encouraging him to take on the party he once led. Trump’s actions could give him a stream of money at a time when his private company is struggling under the scrutiny of investigations, with some discussions of whether properties need to be sold. His business is now politics, and political action committees have few restrictions on how they operate and use their money, according to campaign finance experts. The former president could, in theory, pay himself and his family members salaries from the money raised there. “That sort of PAC has no meaningful restrictions on how it could spend its money,” said Adav Noti, the senior director of trial litigation at the Campaign Legal Center. People close to the former president say there has been no discussion about Trump giving himself a salary. But historically, his political committees have paid to use his properties, among other things, indirectly enriching him. Republican fundraising groups have pushed back against the former president. In a letter Monday responding to the cease-and-desist request by Trump’s committee, Justin Riemer, the chief counsel for the RNC, stated, “The RNC, of course, has every right to refer to public figures as it engages in core, First Amendment-protected political speech, and it will continue to do so in pursuit of those common goals.” But in a sign of the delicate dance between Trump and a Republican Party fearful of alienating its most popular figure, Riemer also said that the RNC had not and would not make fundraising appeals using Trump’s name or likeness without his approval. And on Tuesday night, Trump released a second statement walking back his earlier attacks on the Republican committees. “I fully support the Republican Party and important GOP Committees, but I do not support RINOs and fools, and it is not their right to use my likeness or image to raise funds,” he said. But even as he tried to clarify that he supported his party, he gave another plug for his own group. “If you donate to our Save America PAC at DonaldJTrump.com, you are helping the America First movement and doing it right,” he said. For now, aides said, Trump’s plan is to stockpile money so he can remain a force in politics and help candidates challenging dissident Republicans like Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who supported impeaching him this year. Trump, along with the national party, raised roughly $250 million between Election Day and President Joe Biden’s inauguration. More than $60 million of that went to a new political action committee. That committee and the former president’s campaign committee were both converted to linked political action committees. Trump’s aides said this week that they had not yet started to send fundraising solicitations since he left office, but planned to do so in the coming days. The Republican clash could resonate particularly in the House. If Trump is successful in persuading donors to give money to him instead of supporting Republican House candidates directly, he could cause problems for Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, who is trying to take back the House in two years. He needs to flip five seats to do so. “If you control the money, you control the party,” said Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor. Some Republican strategists noted that less than a decade ago, Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, the party’s 2012 presidential nominee, was the biggest fundraising name in GOP politics. Now he barely recognizes his party. The strategists played down the threat Trump poses to Republican fundraising. “The donors that are unique to him who would be affected by that message are people who wouldn’t have donated in the first place,” said Josh Holmes, a political adviser to Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader. Holmes also said that as the Biden administration rolled out new policies like a nearly $2 trillion relief bill, Republicans would coalesce in opposition and develop new fundraising constituencies. “In midterms, you raise a lot of money out of opposition to an administration and policy,” Holmes said. “In presidential years, it becomes more of a face and name of each of the parties. We’re naturally entering a different era of fundraising.” So far, all Trump’s organization has done is release endorsements for loyalists in key states, like Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina, who is running for reelection. But longtime party fundraisers see that as a reminder by Trump to those lawmakers that they need to stick with him, or else he could pull his endorsement down the road. Trump aides were split over whether the RNC should have received the threatening letter at all. Ronna McDaniel, the group’s chairwoman, won her job in large part because of Trump’s support. Some of his aides told her that Trump himself had not known that she received one of the threatening letters. There have historically been tensions between some of Trump’s advisers and RNC officials. But in a phone call with McDaniel over the weekend to smooth over the relationship, Trump played down any intent to directly target the RNC or prevent it from reaching its donors. The takeaway from an overall pleasant conversation, people familiar with the call said, was that Trump was still supportive of Republican donors’ giving money to the RNC and that he did not plan to stand in the way. The RNC is planning to hold part of its spring fundraising gala at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Palm Beach, Florida. That plan was in the works before the cease-and-desist letters. The Four Seasons in Palm Beach, which is hosting the rest of the gala, had social distancing and space requirements that would not allow for the 350 people who wanted to attend the Saturday night reception where Trump is scheduled to speak. The hotel also expressed concerns about hosting the former president.

Trump, hungry for power, tries to wrestle away GOP fundraising

The former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and his wife Melania Trump had received the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a> during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports.

However, it is still unclear as to which vaccine they received and how many doses.

Trump, who claims he is the main force behind getting the vaccine ready 'so quickly', urged his supporters to get vaccinated in their due time at his first public speech since he was asked to leave the White House.

Speaking directly to his supporters and aides at the Conservative Political Action Conference, held in Orlando, Trump urged everyone to get vaccinated saying, "how unpainful that vaccine shot is, so everybody go get your shot".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-teases-2024-presidential-run-in-cpac-2021-speech-366953" hreflang="en">Donald Trump teases 2024 presidential run in CPAC 2021 speech</a>

Trump, once again, repeated and reminded everyone about his contribution to the vaccine campaign in the US. When the pandemic hit, the US was under his leadership and he oversaw the Operation Warp Speed task force.

He believes it is solely him and his administration who deserve all the credit for the mass inoculation programme being run in the US. "Never let them forget this was us. We did this," he said at CPAC.

This has come as a shock due to the secrecy in which Trump and the former FLOTUS got the jab and also because, throughout his time as the POTUS in the pandemic, Trump had dismissed the seriousness of the situation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-chella-cpac-2021-sees-huge-crowds-amid-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-366818" hreflang="en">Trump-chella: CPAC 2021 sees huge crowds, amid surge in coronavirus cases</a>

The aide, who has revealed the information to the American media house CNN, claims that Trump was still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail that the couple was given during his recovery from the time they had tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.

This comes as a contrast to how the other former Presidents and Vice Presidents have reacted to the vaccine. The US President, who won against Trump, Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris got vaccinated on live television in December. Former President including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, too, had volunteered to get vaccinated on camera.

While the former and current Presidents took the chance to raise awareness about the public safety about the vaccines, it still remains a surprise as to how did Trump miss out on a chance to gain a few extra minutes on television screens.

The former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump had received the coronavirus vaccine during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports.

The former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump had received the coronavirus vaccine during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports. However, it is still unclear as to which vaccine they received and how many doses. Trump, who claims he is the main force behind getting the vaccine ready 'so quickly', urged his supporters to get vaccinated in their due time at his first public speech since he was asked to leave the White House. Speaking directly to his supporters and aides at the Conservative Political Action Conference, held in Orlando, Trump urged everyone to get vaccinated saying, "how unpainful that vaccine shot is, so everybody go get your shot". Also read | Donald Trump teases 2024 presidential run in CPAC 2021 speech Trump, once again, repeated and reminded everyone about his contribution to the vaccine campaign in the US. When the pandemic hit, the US was under his leadership and he oversaw the Operation Warp Speed task force. He believes it is solely him and his administration who deserve all the credit for the mass inoculation programme being run in the US. "Never let them forget this was us. We did this," he said at CPAC. This has come as a shock due to the secrecy in which Trump and the former FLOTUS got the jab and also because, throughout his time as the POTUS in the pandemic, Trump had dismissed the seriousness of the situation. Also read | Trump-chella: CPAC 2021 sees huge crowds, amid surge in coronavirus cases The aide, who has revealed the information to the American media house CNN, claims that Trump was still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail that the couple was given during his recovery from the time they had tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. This comes as a contrast to how the other former Presidents and Vice Presidents have reacted to the vaccine. The US President, who won against Trump, Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris got vaccinated on live television in December. Former President including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, too, had volunteered to get vaccinated on camera. While the former and current Presidents took the chance to raise awareness about the public safety about the vaccines, it still remains a surprise as to how did Trump miss out on a chance to gain a few extra minutes on television screens.

Donald and Melania Trump secretly vaccinated in January: Report

As Sacha Baron Cohen picked up the best actor in a motion picture (musical or comdey) award on Sunday at the Golden Globe awards, the actor called the former US President Donald Trump in his acceptance speech.&nbsp; 
 
"Donald Trump is contesting the result," joked the actor, who won for 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'. "He's claiming that a lot of dead people voted, which is a very rude thing to say about the HFPA." HFPA had been called out for not having a single Black member in its 87 member voting team in the days that lead to the award.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-golden-globe-awards-2021-complete-list-of-winners-366951" hreflang="en">Golden Globe Awards 2021: Complete list of winners</a>

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Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/SachaBaronCohen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SachaBaronCohen</a> for winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoldenGlobes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoldenGlobes</a>!<a href="https://t.co/fzbnKc7sOS">pic.twitter.com/fzbnKc7sOS</a>
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldenglobes/status/1366249735015776256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Cohen won two awards-best actor and best film (musical or comedy) for 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/Golden-Globes-2021-Technical-glitches-golden-globes-2021-chadwick-boseman-chloe-zhao-nomadland-the-crown-technical-glitches-diversity-problem-and-hasty-solutions-367013" hreflang="en">Golden Globes 2021: Technical glitches, diversity problem and 'hasty' solutions</a>

In his best picture acceptance speech, Cohen thanked the "all-white" Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Rudy Giuliani, who makes a memorable appearance in his film. "Who could get more laughs out of one unzipping? Just incredible. Our movie was just the beginning for him. Rudy went on to star in a string of comedy films, hits like 'Four Seasons Landscaping', 'Hair Dye Another Day' and the courtroom drama 'A Very Public Fart'."

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Congratulations to <a href="https://twitter.com/SachaBaronCohen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SachaBaronCohen</a> for winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoldenGlobes?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoldenGlobes</a>!<a href="https://t.co/fzbnKc7sOS">pic.twitter.com/fzbnKc7sOS</a>
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldenglobes/status/1366249735015776256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Borat also thanked his team and mentioned how the team put their safety on the line amid the pandemic in order to get the politically charged film out ahead of the 2020 presidential election.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-chadwick-boseman-wins-his-first-golden-globe-award-posthumously-367017" hreflang="en">Chadwick Boseman wins his first Golden Globe award posthumously</a> 
 
The virtual ceremony saw Cohen giving his winning speech from his home with his wife, Isla Fisher seated next tom him- laughing out loud as her husband took sly jabs at Trump, Giuliani and HFPA.&nbsp;

As Sacha Baron Cohen picked up the best actor in a motion picture (musical or comdey) award on Sunday at the Golden Globe awards, the actor called the former US President Donald Trump in his acceptance speech.

As Sacha Baron Cohen picked up the best actor in a motion picture (musical or comdey) award on Sunday at the Golden Globe awards, the actor called the former US President Donald Trump in his acceptance speech. "Donald Trump is contesting the result," joked the actor, who won for 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'. "He's claiming that a lot of dead people voted, which is a very rude thing to say about the HFPA." HFPA had been called out for not having a single Black member in its 87 member voting team in the days that lead to the award. Golden Globe Awards 2021: Complete list of winners Congratulations to @SachaBaronCohen for winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the #GoldenGlobes!pic.twitter.com/fzbnKc7sOS — Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021 × Cohen won two awards-best actor and best film (musical or comedy) for 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm'. Golden Globes 2021: Technical glitches, diversity problem and 'hasty' solutions In his best picture acceptance speech, Cohen thanked the "all-white" Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Rudy Giuliani, who makes a memorable appearance in his film. "Who could get more laughs out of one unzipping? Just incredible. Our movie was just the beginning for him. Rudy went on to star in a string of comedy films, hits like 'Four Seasons Landscaping', 'Hair Dye Another Day' and the courtroom drama 'A Very Public Fart'." Congratulations to @SachaBaronCohen for winning Best Actor in a Motion Picture at the #GoldenGlobes!pic.twitter.com/fzbnKc7sOS — Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021 × Borat also thanked his team and mentioned how the team put their safety on the line amid the pandemic in order to get the politically charged film out ahead of the 2020 presidential election. Chadwick Boseman wins his first Golden Globe award posthumously The virtual ceremony saw Cohen giving his winning speech from his home with his wife, Isla Fisher seated next tom him- laughing out loud as her husband took sly jabs at Trump, Giuliani and HFPA.

Golden Globe Awards 2021: Sacha Baron Cohen takes dig at HFPA, Donald Trump during his acceptance speech

Former US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama have expressed confidence that golf legend Tiger Woods will overcome his injuries following a brutal car crash near Los Angeles on Tuesday

Trump, who honoured Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, called the incident "very tragic".&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/golf-legend-tiger-woods-injured-after-roll-over-car-crash-365774/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He will be back. I have no doubt about it. He will be back," Trump told Fox News.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tiger-woods-receives-serious-injuries-after-car-crash-near-los-angeles-365776">Tiger Woods receives 'serious injuries' after car crash near Los Angeles</a>

He added that Woods has "overcome a lot," and he is going to continue living an "ïncredible life".&nbsp;

Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in a tweet on Wednesday wished Woods a "speedy recovery," adding that never "count Tiger out".&nbsp;

"Sending my prayers to @TigerWoods and his family tonight -- here's to a speedy recovery for the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) of golf. If we've learned anything over the years, it's to never count Tiger out," Obama tweeted.&nbsp;

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Sending my prayers to <a href="https://twitter.com/TigerWoods?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TigerWoods</a> and his family tonight—here’s to a speedy recovery for the GOAT of golf. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s to never count Tiger out.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1364391500864499715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Woods' car flew off the road and then rolled over, something which a law enforcement official described as "very fortunate" to come out alive.&nbsp;

Trump, who himself is an avid golf lover, also said that television ratings were high when Woods was playing.&nbsp;

"All I say is get better and get out there, because we all miss him. We need Tiger," Trump said.&nbsp;

"It's very few people that cause that kind of a phenomenon."

Former US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama have expressed confidence that golf legend Tiger Woods will overcome his injuries following a brutal car crash near Los Angeles on Tuesday Trump, who honoured Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, called the incident "very tragic".

Former US presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama have expressed confidence that golf legend Tiger Woods will overcome his injuries following a brutal car crash near Los Angeles on Tuesday Trump, who honoured Woods with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019, called the incident "very tragic". Watch | "He will be back. I have no doubt about it. He will be back," Trump told Fox News. Also read | Tiger Woods receives 'serious injuries' after car crash near Los Angeles He added that Woods has "overcome a lot," and he is going to continue living an "ïncredible life". Trump's predecessor Barack Obama in a tweet on Wednesday wished Woods a "speedy recovery," adding that never "count Tiger out". "Sending my prayers to @TigerWoods and his family tonight -- here's to a speedy recovery for the GOAT (Greatest of all Time) of golf. If we've learned anything over the years, it's to never count Tiger out," Obama tweeted. Sending my prayers to @TigerWoods and his family tonight—here’s to a speedy recovery for the GOAT of golf. If we’ve learned anything over the years, it’s to never count Tiger out. — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 24, 2021 × Woods' car flew off the road and then rolled over, something which a law enforcement official described as "very fortunate" to come out alive. Trump, who himself is an avid golf lover, also said that television ratings were high when Woods was playing. "All I say is get better and get out there, because we all miss him. We need Tiger," Trump said. "It's very few people that cause that kind of a phenomenon."

'He will be back': Trump, Obama express confidence on Tiger Woods' recovery

The US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a> attorney general nominee has pledged to remove the impact <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Trump's</a> administration has left on the department.

In a testimony prepared for his confirmation hearing, due on Monday and Tuesday, Merrick Garland assured he will be working towards depoliticising the department and aims to remove the stain of the previous administration's interference.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-reassures-americans-covid-vaccines-are-safe-365067" hreflang="en">Biden reassures Americans Covid vaccines are safe</a>

Upon confirmation of his post, he would reaffirm "policies that protect the independence of the department from partisan influence in law enforcement investigations (and) that strictly regulate communications with the White House."

He has also assured that he will draft clear guidelines for FBI investigations. This has been taken into considerations by Garland after the agency faced several allegations in the last few years accusing the organisation of diverging into politics during the investigation of the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-to-appear-for-first-post-white-house-speech-in-cpac-365129" hreflang="en">Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC</a>

Following the uprise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Garland is also aiming to bring racial equality and justice for people of colour and minority groups. He stressed that this issue will be dealt with as an "urgent" task as it has been pending even after 150 years of establishment of the Justice Department.

"The Civil Rights Act of 1957 created the Department's Civil Rights Division, with the mission 'to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society," Garland said. "That mission remains urgent because we do not yet have equal justice."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-his-first-major-global-appearance-biden-draws-sharp-contrast-with-trumps-policies-364920" hreflang="en">At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies</a>

Talking about the recent letdown of the country in form of US Capitol riots that took place on January 06 by Trump supporters, Garland vowed to prosecute the Capitol attackers — as of now nearly 230 people have been charged for the riots.

"If confirmed, I will supervise the prosecution of white supremacists and others who stormed the Capitol on January 6 — a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government," he said.

The 68-year-old leader is known for his work in the Justice Department, where he worked 24 years ago, and then started serving as a judge.

Garland was earlier nominated by former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a> to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. However, the conservatives worked out a plan to fill the vacancy with a Trump nominee to shift the majority of the Supreme Court towards the right-wing.

The US President Joe Biden's attorney general nominee has pledged to remove the impact Trump's administration has left on the department. In a testimony prepared for his confirmation hearing, due on Monday and Tuesday, Merrick Garland assured he will be working towards depoliticising the department and aims to remove the stain of the previous administration's interference.

The US President Joe Biden's attorney general nominee has pledged to remove the impact Trump's administration has left on the department. In a testimony prepared for his confirmation hearing, due on Monday and Tuesday, Merrick Garland assured he will be working towards depoliticising the department and aims to remove the stain of the previous administration's interference. Also read| Biden reassures Americans Covid vaccines are safe Upon confirmation of his post, he would reaffirm "policies that protect the independence of the department from partisan influence in law enforcement investigations (and) that strictly regulate communications with the White House." He has also assured that he will draft clear guidelines for FBI investigations. This has been taken into considerations by Garland after the agency faced several allegations in the last few years accusing the organisation of diverging into politics during the investigation of the 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Also read| Donald Trump to appear for first post-White House speech in CPAC Following the uprise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Garland is also aiming to bring racial equality and justice for people of colour and minority groups. He stressed that this issue will be dealt with as an "urgent" task as it has been pending even after 150 years of establishment of the Justice Department. "The Civil Rights Act of 1957 created the Department's Civil Rights Division, with the mission 'to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans, particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society," Garland said. "That mission remains urgent because we do not yet have equal justice." Also read| At his first major global appearance, Biden draws sharp contrast with Trump's policies Talking about the recent letdown of the country in form of US Capitol riots that took place on January 06 by Trump supporters, Garland vowed to prosecute the Capitol attackers — as of now nearly 230 people have been charged for the riots. "If confirmed, I will supervise the prosecution of white supremacists and others who stormed the Capitol on January 6 — a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government," he said. The 68-year-old leader is known for his work in the Justice Department, where he worked 24 years ago, and then started serving as a judge. Garland was earlier nominated by former US President Barack Obama to fill a Supreme Court vacancy. However, the conservatives worked out a plan to fill the vacancy with a Trump nominee to shift the majority of the Supreme Court towards the right-wing.

Biden's attorney general pick plans to remove Trump's tainted hangover from department

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