A few days after it was revealed that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump?page=1">Trump’s</a> children have been lavishly spending taxpayers' money on trips, a book has made another disturbing revelation about the family’s relationship with the Secret Service.

Carol Leonnig, in her book titled 'Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service' has claimed that two Trump family members got “inappropriately — and perhaps dangerously – close” to agents protecting them.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-children-cost-taxpayers-140000-in-a-month-383882">Donald Trump's 'children' cost taxpayers $140,000 in a month</a>

The incident is alleged to have taken place while former US President Donald Trump was in the White House.

In her book, Leonnig claims that Secret Service agents have reported that Vanessa Trump, then-wife of Donald Trump Jr — former president’s oldest son — had "started dating one of the agents who had been assigned to her family". Vanessa had filed for an uncontested divorce from Trump Jr in March 2018. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-secretly-obtained-phone-records-of-reporters-reports-383613" hreflang="en">Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports</a>

However, the concerned agent did not face any disciplinary action as he or the agency were not the official guardians of Vanessa Trump.

Trump’s daughter,&nbsp;Tiffany Trump, was also spotted getting unusually close to an agent after she broke up with her then-boyfriend. As per the sources, Tiffany "began spending an unusual amount of time alone with a Secret Service agent on her detail".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-several-accounts-that-tried-promoting-donald-trumps-content-383358" hreflang="en">Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content</a>

Leonnig also reports that the Secret Service leaders "became concerned at how close Tiffany appeared to be getting to the tall, dark and handsome agent".

However, like the first case, the second agent in question was also not officially questioned and neither Tiffany nor the agent admitted to any such happening. The two further justified their alone time as ‘nature of the agent’s job’ claiming the agent is supposed to spend alone time with his charge. The agent, however, was later reassigned.

Another accusation made in the book is against Donald Trump himself. While it is not clear if the former president was aware of the alleged relationships between his family members and Secret Service agent, he did make sure no ‘short’ or ‘fat’ agents were assigned to protect his family.

"I want these fat guys off my detail," Trump has been quoted as saying. "How are they going to protect me and my family if they can’t run down the street?"

A few days after it was revealed that Trump’s children have been lavishly spending taxpayers' money on trips, a book has made another disturbing revelation about the family’s relationship with the Secret Service.

A few days after it was revealed that Trump’s children have been lavishly spending taxpayers' money on trips, a book has made another disturbing revelation about the family’s relationship with the Secret Service. Carol Leonnig, in her book titled 'Zero Fail: The Rise and Fall of the Secret Service' has claimed that two Trump family members got “inappropriately — and perhaps dangerously – close” to agents protecting them. Also read | Donald Trump's 'children' cost taxpayers $140,000 in a month The incident is alleged to have taken place while former US President Donald Trump was in the White House. In her book, Leonnig claims that Secret Service agents have reported that Vanessa Trump, then-wife of Donald Trump Jr — former president’s oldest son — had "started dating one of the agents who had been assigned to her family". Vanessa had filed for an uncontested divorce from Trump Jr in March 2018. Also read | Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports However, the concerned agent did not face any disciplinary action as he or the agency were not the official guardians of Vanessa Trump. Trump’s daughter, Tiffany Trump, was also spotted getting unusually close to an agent after she broke up with her then-boyfriend. As per the sources, Tiffany "began spending an unusual amount of time alone with a Secret Service agent on her detail". Also read | Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content Leonnig also reports that the Secret Service leaders "became concerned at how close Tiffany appeared to be getting to the tall, dark and handsome agent". However, like the first case, the second agent in question was also not officially questioned and neither Tiffany nor the agent admitted to any such happening. The two further justified their alone time as ‘nature of the agent’s job’ claiming the agent is supposed to spend alone time with his charge. The agent, however, was later reassigned. Another accusation made in the book is against Donald Trump himself. While it is not clear if the former president was aware of the alleged relationships between his family members and Secret Service agent, he did make sure no ‘short’ or ‘fat’ agents were assigned to protect his family. "I want these fat guys off my detail," Trump has been quoted as saying. "How are they going to protect me and my family if they can’t run down the street?"

Trump family got 'inappropriately close' to Secret Service agent: Book

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to expel leader Liz Cheney who had criticised Trump’s claims of a stolen election. Cheney had called out former President Trump for falsely claiming that the presidential was rigged and stolen through fraud.

"I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office," AFP quoted Cheney as saying after the vote.

She was at the helm of Republican leadership and is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. In January, Cheney had voted to impeach Donald Trump for inciting the riots at US Capitol on January 6.

The Republican recently claimed that Trump’s claims of a stolen election were “poisoning our democratic system” and that anybody who supported such claims was “spreading THE BIG LIE”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/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>

"We must go forward based on truth. We cannot both embrace the big lie and embrace the Constitution," she told reporters on Wednesday

According to Republicans, her ousting is about maintaining the party unity. They also claim that Cheney's criticism of the party and the former president has bought the Republicans together after Trump's defeat in the November elections.

Cheney has referred to Trump's following within the party&nbsp;as&nbsp;"dangerous and anti-democratic cult of personality".

On Tuesday, Cheney remained defiant on the House floor, warning that the American democracy could unravel due to Trump's false claims of a rigged election, which could sow doubt in people's minds about the integrity of US election process.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/republicans-seek-to-oust-liz-cheney-from-key-role-in-house-as-ex-centrist-stefanik-rises-on-embrace-of-trump-384010" hreflang="en">Republicans seek to oust Liz Cheney from key role in House as ex-centrist Stefanik rises on embrace of Trump</a>

"Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar,"&nbsp;Cheney&nbsp;said on Tuesday.

Since then, Trump has responded to her claims. "Liz&nbsp;Cheney&nbsp;is a bitter, horrible human being."

He added: "She has no personality or anything good having to do with politics or our Country. She is a talking point for Democrats, whether that means the Border, the gas lines, inflation, or destroying our economy."

(With inputs from agencies)

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to expel leader Liz Cheney who had criticised Trump’s claims of a stolen election. Cheney had called out former President Trump for falsely claiming that the presidential was rigged and stolen through fraud.

Republicans in the US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to expel leader Liz Cheney who had criticised Trump’s claims of a stolen election. Cheney had called out former President Trump for falsely claiming that the presidential was rigged and stolen through fraud. "I will do everything I can to ensure that the former president never again gets anywhere near the Oval Office," AFP quoted Cheney as saying after the vote. She was at the helm of Republican leadership and is the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney. In January, Cheney had voted to impeach Donald Trump for inciting the riots at US Capitol on January 6. The Republican recently claimed that Trump’s claims of a stolen election were “poisoning our democratic system” and that anybody who supported such claims was “spreading THE BIG LIE”. Also read: Trump family got 'inappropriately close' to Secret Service agent: Book "We must go forward based on truth. We cannot both embrace the big lie and embrace the Constitution," she told reporters on Wednesday According to Republicans, her ousting is about maintaining the party unity. They also claim that Cheney's criticism of the party and the former president has bought the Republicans together after Trump's defeat in the November elections. Cheney has referred to Trump's following within the party as "dangerous and anti-democratic cult of personality". On Tuesday, Cheney remained defiant on the House floor, warning that the American democracy could unravel due to Trump's false claims of a rigged election, which could sow doubt in people's minds about the integrity of US election process. Also read: Republicans seek to oust Liz Cheney from key role in House as ex-centrist Stefanik rises on embrace of Trump "Remaining silent and ignoring the lie emboldens the liar," Cheney said on Tuesday. Since then, Trump has responded to her claims. "Liz Cheney is a bitter, horrible human being." He added: "She has no personality or anything good having to do with politics or our Country. She is a talking point for Democrats, whether that means the Border, the gas lines, inflation, or destroying our economy." (With inputs from agencies)

Republicans oust Trump critic Liz Cheney from leadership role

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;administration plans to restart the immigration programme for foreign entrepreneurs that his predecessor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;tried to end.&nbsp;

Three days before his tenure ended in 2017, former president Barack Obama announced the International Entrepreneur program that gives foreign entrepreneurs the right to work in the US for up to five years, as long as their companies are able to attract at least $250,000 in the US venture capital, and meet other requirements.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bidens-approval-rating-boosted-by-covid-response-384213/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Trump administration said that it wants to end the program as it is based on an authority known as parole that lets foreigners enter the US without visas for as long as there is "significant public benefit".&nbsp;

The programme was not ended, but applicants did not apply for it as they understood that US would not entertain their cases.&nbsp;

Since Biden came to office, venture-capital companies have urged the US administration to put the resources to back a program that allows thousands of foreign startup founders to move into the US or expand their businesses in the country.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-evidence-of-russian-government-being-behind-ransomware-attack-says-biden-384191">No evidence of Russian government being behind ransomware attack, says Biden</a>

"Immigrants in the United States have a long history of entrepreneurship, hard work, and creativity, and their contributions to this nation are incredibly valuable," Acting US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Tracy Renaud was quoted as saying by Wall Street Journal.

There is no separate visa program available for startup founders as of now in the US, and entrepreneurs based abroad are to apply via other categories.&nbsp;

Between 2017 and 2019, the US received just 30 applications for the program and just one was approved, according to an USCIS official.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden's administration plans to restart the immigration programme for foreign entrepreneurs that his predecessor Donald Trump tried to end. Three days before his tenure ended in 2017, former president Barack Obama announced the International Entrepreneur program that gives foreign entrepreneurs the right to work in the US for up to five years, as long as their companies are able to attract at least $250,000 in the US venture capital, and meet other requirements.

US President Joe Biden's administration plans to restart the immigration programme for foreign entrepreneurs that his predecessor Donald Trump tried to end. Three days before his tenure ended in 2017, former president Barack Obama announced the International Entrepreneur program that gives foreign entrepreneurs the right to work in the US for up to five years, as long as their companies are able to attract at least $250,000 in the US venture capital, and meet other requirements. Watch | The Trump administration said that it wants to end the program as it is based on an authority known as parole that lets foreigners enter the US without visas for as long as there is "significant public benefit". The programme was not ended, but applicants did not apply for it as they understood that US would not entertain their cases. Since Biden came to office, venture-capital companies have urged the US administration to put the resources to back a program that allows thousands of foreign startup founders to move into the US or expand their businesses in the country. Also read | No evidence of Russian government being behind ransomware attack, says Biden "Immigrants in the United States have a long history of entrepreneurship, hard work, and creativity, and their contributions to this nation are incredibly valuable," Acting US Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Tracy Renaud was quoted as saying by Wall Street Journal. There is no separate visa program available for startup founders as of now in the US, and entrepreneurs based abroad are to apply via other categories. Between 2017 and 2019, the US received just 30 applications for the program and just one was approved, according to an USCIS official.

Biden administration seeks to revive visa programme for entrepreneurs

US politician Elise Stefanik began her Washington career as a moderate, but has changed tack and surged in influence to likely become the most powerful Republican woman in Congress -- a trajectory she owes entirely to her staunch defense of Donald Trump.

Stefanik, just 36 and in Congress for six years, is aiming to oust principled conservative Liz Cheney as House Republican conference chair, a dramatic change of course that concedes the extraordinary shift that is shaping the party's future around the defeated ex-president.

Political scion Cheney, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, is on the verge of being punished for refusing to buy into what she calls Trump's "BIG LIE" that election fraud caused his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden.

The Wyoming conservative's adherence to election truth appears to be apostasy in Trump's remade Republican Party, and its members are expected to vote her out of her number three leadership post as early as Wednesday during a scheduled meeting.

Their argument: The party requires solidarity rather than Cheney's persistent public denunciations of Trump as it seeks to win back the House and Senate majorities in next year's midterm elections.

Stefanik, a Harvard graduate representing an upstate New York district, has stressed party unity and her unstinting loyalty to Trump as she campaigns for the powerful role.

She ticks several important boxes: Aside from being a woman, she can connect with millennials and voters on the US East Coast, demographics with which Republicans have traditionally struggled.

Trump himself has endorsed her for the post, as has number two House Republican Steve Scalise, making her the clear frontrunner.

"My vision is to run with support from the president and his coalition of voters," Stefanik told Steve Bannon, a former Trump White House aide, on his Thursday radio show when asked about her plans for helping the GOP win in 2022.

"We are going to run as an alternative to the Biden agenda," she added.

"I'm committed to being a voice and sending a clear message that we are one team, and that means working with the (former) president and working with all of our excellent Republican members of Congress."

Stefanik's rise is emblematic of how advancing in the party no longer requires adherence to fiscal conservative values or muscular foreign policy, but fealty to a controversial former president who still drives the direction of the Republican Party.

<h2>'New Republican star'&nbsp;</h2>

Stefanik, who worked in George W Bush's White House, won her first House race in 2014 at age 30, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the time.

She earned plaudits for her centrist positions and efforts at bipartisanship.&nbsp;

In 2017 she voted against Trump's controversial tax cuts, and her 2019 support for legislation that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation riled some conservatives.

She even told Cheney she was "very proud" to have nominated her for conference chair.

But Stefanik also began recognizing that her own district's voters were becoming increasingly enamored with Trump, and she made a shrewd political calculation to join them.

She rose to national prominence in late 2019 when she fiercely defended Trump during his first impeachment hearings.

Trump took notice and trained a spotlight on Stefanik, hailing her as "a new Republican star."

Even though she drew a determined Democratic effort to unseat her, Stefanik handily won reelection in November 2020.

Weeks later her fidelity was complete, as she announced in January that she would oppose the Electoral College certification in some swing states that voted for Biden.

She told Bannon she "fully" supports an ongoing, unofficial election recount in Arizona, a process apparently intended to legitimize Trump's false claims of voter fraud.

The majority of Republican lawmakers have been loath to publicly deny Trump's fraudulent election claims, but on Sunday Congressman Adam Kinzinger, siding with Cheney, told CBS that the 74 million people who voted for Trump "weren't disenfranchised, they were simply outnumbered."

"You cannot unify truth with lies. The lie is that the election was stolen, the truth is Joe Biden beat Donald Trump," he said.

While Stefanik may satisfy a pro-Trump litmus test, conservative organizations have raised concerns about her voting record.

Stefanik "is a liberal" with just a 35 percent lifetime rating, "4th worst in the House GOP," the Club For Growth tweeted as it opposed her for conference chair.

"House Republicans should find a conservative to lead messaging and win back the House majority."

Cheney is far more likely than Stefanik to adhere to traditional Republican positions. According to an index by nonpartisan public policy think tank the Lugar Center, Stefanik was ranked as the 13th most bipartisan member of Congress from 2019 to 2020.&nbsp;

Cheney ranked 421st on the index out of the House's 435 members.

US politician Elise Stefanik began her Washington career as a moderate, but has changed tack and surged in influence to likely become the most powerful Republican woman in Congress -- a trajectory she owes entirely to her staunch defense of Donald Trump.

US politician Elise Stefanik began her Washington career as a moderate, but has changed tack and surged in influence to likely become the most powerful Republican woman in Congress -- a trajectory she owes entirely to her staunch defense of Donald Trump. Stefanik, just 36 and in Congress for six years, is aiming to oust principled conservative Liz Cheney as House Republican conference chair, a dramatic change of course that concedes the extraordinary shift that is shaping the party's future around the defeated ex-president. Political scion Cheney, daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, is on the verge of being punished for refusing to buy into what she calls Trump's "BIG LIE" that election fraud caused his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden. The Wyoming conservative's adherence to election truth appears to be apostasy in Trump's remade Republican Party, and its members are expected to vote her out of her number three leadership post as early as Wednesday during a scheduled meeting. Their argument: The party requires solidarity rather than Cheney's persistent public denunciations of Trump as it seeks to win back the House and Senate majorities in next year's midterm elections. Stefanik, a Harvard graduate representing an upstate New York district, has stressed party unity and her unstinting loyalty to Trump as she campaigns for the powerful role. She ticks several important boxes: Aside from being a woman, she can connect with millennials and voters on the US East Coast, demographics with which Republicans have traditionally struggled. Trump himself has endorsed her for the post, as has number two House Republican Steve Scalise, making her the clear frontrunner. "My vision is to run with support from the president and his coalition of voters," Stefanik told Steve Bannon, a former Trump White House aide, on his Thursday radio show when asked about her plans for helping the GOP win in 2022. "We are going to run as an alternative to the Biden agenda," she added. "I'm committed to being a voice and sending a clear message that we are one team, and that means working with the (former) president and working with all of our excellent Republican members of Congress." Stefanik's rise is emblematic of how advancing in the party no longer requires adherence to fiscal conservative values or muscular foreign policy, but fealty to a controversial former president who still drives the direction of the Republican Party. 'New Republican star' Stefanik, who worked in George W Bush's White House, won her first House race in 2014 at age 30, becoming the youngest woman ever elected to Congress at the time. She earned plaudits for her centrist positions and efforts at bipartisanship. In 2017 she voted against Trump's controversial tax cuts, and her 2019 support for legislation that bans discrimination based on sexual orientation riled some conservatives. She even told Cheney she was "very proud" to have nominated her for conference chair. But Stefanik also began recognizing that her own district's voters were becoming increasingly enamored with Trump, and she made a shrewd political calculation to join them. She rose to national prominence in late 2019 when she fiercely defended Trump during his first impeachment hearings. Trump took notice and trained a spotlight on Stefanik, hailing her as "a new Republican star." Even though she drew a determined Democratic effort to unseat her, Stefanik handily won reelection in November 2020. Weeks later her fidelity was complete, as she announced in January that she would oppose the Electoral College certification in some swing states that voted for Biden. She told Bannon she "fully" supports an ongoing, unofficial election recount in Arizona, a process apparently intended to legitimize Trump's false claims of voter fraud. The majority of Republican lawmakers have been loath to publicly deny Trump's fraudulent election claims, but on Sunday Congressman Adam Kinzinger, siding with Cheney, told CBS that the 74 million people who voted for Trump "weren't disenfranchised, they were simply outnumbered." "You cannot unify truth with lies. The lie is that the election was stolen, the truth is Joe Biden beat Donald Trump," he said. While Stefanik may satisfy a pro-Trump litmus test, conservative organizations have raised concerns about her voting record. Stefanik "is a liberal" with just a 35 percent lifetime rating, "4th worst in the House GOP," the Club For Growth tweeted as it opposed her for conference chair. "House Republicans should find a conservative to lead messaging and win back the House majority." Cheney is far more likely than Stefanik to adhere to traditional Republican positions. According to an index by nonpartisan public policy think tank the Lugar Center, Stefanik was ranked as the 13th most bipartisan member of Congress from 2019 to 2020. Cheney ranked 421st on the index out of the House's 435 members.

Republicans seek to oust Liz Cheney from key role in  House as ex-centrist Stefanik rises on embrace of Trump

Michael McConnell, the co-chair of the Facebook Oversight Board, criticized the social media platform in the wake of its indefinite ban on former President Donald Trump, saying Facebook's rules are in "shambles."

McConnell did note that the board also have made recommendations to the company to increase transparency.

"They needed some time because their rules are shambles, they are not transparent, they are unclear, they are internally inconsistent," McConnell said.

He added, "we gave a series of recommendations about how to make their rules clearer and more consistent."

The Oversight Board upheld Facebook's current ban on Trump for his posts on Jan. 6, with some caveats.

"Trump is subject to the same rules on Facebook as everyone else, and the Oversight Board held that this was, in fact, a violation and thus Facebook was justified in taking them down," McConnell said.&nbsp;

"What we did say, though, was that they were not justified in taking him down indefinitely, that they did not provide any reasons for that, that is not a provision in their rules. That was wrong."

Meanwhile, The ex-President has launched his own communications platform called From the Desk of Donald J Trump. The platform which is a subsection of Trump’s official website was launched on May 5. The announcement comes months after Trump was kicked out of all major social platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more.

(With inputs from agencies)

Michael McConnell, the co-chair of the Facebook Oversight Board, criticized the social media platform in the wake of its indefinite ban on former President Donald Trump, saying Facebook's rules are in "shambles.

Michael McConnell, the co-chair of the Facebook Oversight Board, criticized the social media platform in the wake of its indefinite ban on former President Donald Trump, saying Facebook's rules are in "shambles." McConnell did note that the board also have made recommendations to the company to increase transparency. "They needed some time because their rules are shambles, they are not transparent, they are unclear, they are internally inconsistent," McConnell said. He added, "we gave a series of recommendations about how to make their rules clearer and more consistent." The Oversight Board upheld Facebook's current ban on Trump for his posts on Jan. 6, with some caveats. "Trump is subject to the same rules on Facebook as everyone else, and the Oversight Board held that this was, in fact, a violation and thus Facebook was justified in taking them down," McConnell said. "What we did say, though, was that they were not justified in taking him down indefinitely, that they did not provide any reasons for that, that is not a provision in their rules. That was wrong." Meanwhile, The ex-President has launched his own communications platform called From the Desk of Donald J Trump. The platform which is a subsection of Trump’s official website was launched on May 5. The announcement comes months after Trump was kicked out of all major social platforms including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and more. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook rules are internally inconsistent, says oversight board leader

The local police of Himachal Pradesh caught two fake e-passes issued in the names of former US President Donald Trump and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan.

"HP Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in the Covid e-pass platform," Himachal Pradesh Police tweeted. "Shimla Police is registering an FIR under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act for further legal action."

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HP Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in the Covid e-pass platform. Shimla Police is registering a FIR under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act for further legal action.<a href="https://twitter.com/CMOHimachal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMOHimachal</a>
— Himachal Pradesh Police (@himachalpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/himachalpolice/status/1390587975566651393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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E-passes have been made compulsory for people wanting to enter the state of Himachal Pradesh to contain the spread of coronavirus.

These fake e-passes — HP-2563825 and HP-2563287 — had the same phone number and Aadhar Card number, a police spokesperson reported.

An FIR has now been registered at the Shimla East police station on behalf of Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh. The department has alleged that misinformation about the issuance of e-passes was being spread around through social media and news channels, the spokesperson said.

The local police of Himachal Pradesh caught two fake e-passes issued in the names of former US President Donald Trump and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. "HP Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr.

The local police of Himachal Pradesh caught two fake e-passes issued in the names of former US President Donald Trump and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan. "HP Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in the Covid e-pass platform," Himachal Pradesh Police tweeted. "Shimla Police is registering an FIR under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act for further legal action." HP Police is in receipt of a complaint regarding fake registration in the name of Mr. Donald Trump and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan in the Covid e-pass platform. Shimla Police is registering a FIR under relevant sections of IPC and IT Act for further legal action.@CMOHimachal — Himachal Pradesh Police (@himachalpolice) May 7, 2021 × E-passes have been made compulsory for people wanting to enter the state of Himachal Pradesh to contain the spread of coronavirus. These fake e-passes — HP-2563825 and HP-2563287 — had the same phone number and Aadhar Card number, a police spokesperson reported. An FIR has now been registered at the Shimla East police station on behalf of Department of Information Technology, Himachal Pradesh. The department has alleged that misinformation about the issuance of e-passes was being spread around through social media and news channels, the spokesperson said.

Fake e-passes issued in names of Amitabh Bachchan, Donald Trump

Another night of violent encounter between Israeli police and Palestinian youth has injured numerous people, and the police has made at least three arrests. Meanwhile, in the US, gun violence is on rise as another shooting took place at the busy Times Square, injuring three people.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-review-russian-military-might-as-tensions-with-west-soar-383768">Putin to review Russian military might as tensions with West soar</a>

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This year's parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are acutely strained over everything.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shooting-at-new-york-times-square-injures-3-including-a-child-383773" hreflang="en">Shooting at New York Times Square injures 3, including a child</a>

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The injured were hospitalised in Manhattan and are currently out of danger, informed New York police commissioner Dermot Shea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jerusalem-scores-more-injured-in-another-night-of-deadly-clashes-383771" hreflang="en">Jerusalem: Scores more injured in another night of deadly clashes</a>

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Officials claim to have arrested three people who had attacked the police officers during the demonstrations, but locals disagree.

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Another night of violent encounter between Israeli police and Palestinian youth has injured numerous people, and the police has made at least three arrests. Meanwhile, in the US, gun violence is on rise as another shooting took place at the busy Times Square, injuring three people.

Another night of violent encounter between Israeli police and Palestinian youth has injured numerous people, and the police has made at least three arrests. Meanwhile, in the US, gun violence is on rise as another shooting took place at the busy Times Square, injuring three people. Click on headlines to read more Putin to review Russian military might as tensions with West soar This year's parade precedes parliamentary elections in September and comes at a time when Moscow's relations with the West are acutely strained over everything. Shooting at New York Times Square injures 3, including a child The injured were hospitalised in Manhattan and are currently out of danger, informed New York police commissioner Dermot Shea. Jerusalem: Scores more injured in another night of deadly clashes Officials claim to have arrested three people who had attacked the police officers during the demonstrations, but locals disagree. COVID-19: Nepal's Coronavirus tally hits new high Gravitas Plus: A crisis that shook India

Morning news brief: Jerusalem clash continues, shooting at Times Square, and more

Facebook’s Oversight Board on Wednesday upheld the social network’s temporary suspension of Donald Trump but declined to decide when, or whether, that ban should be lifted. The decision dashed the former president’s hopes for a swift reinstatement by a body charged with reviewing the platform’s content moderation practices. But it also sent a message that the scope of the board’s power is limited and that the ultimate responsibility for these questions still lies with Mark Zuckerberg and company.

The London-based body of about 20 outside experts — former political leaders, human rights activists and journalists — called for the company to re-examine the penalty within six months and decide whether to reinstate him, impose a finite suspension or ban him for good. The board was also careful to note that Mr. Trump’s indefinite suspension has no basis in Facebook’s stated policies. “In applying a vague, standardless penalty and then referring this case to the board to resolve, Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities. The board declines Facebook’s request and insists that Facebook apply and justify a defined penalty.”

Assuming Facebook follows its ruling — as it pledged it would when it established the charter for the semi-independent board in 2019 — it’s a setback for Mr. Trump and his allies, who relied heavily on social media to rally support, raise money and spread their polarizing messages. It ensures that he will remain without one of the world’s loudest megaphones in his continuing campaign to undermine the relevance of American democracy by casting Joe Biden’s electoral victory as fraudulent.

It is also, in a sense, a setback for Facebook: Declining to permanently rule on Mr. Trump’s fate on the platform sends the ball back to Mr. Zuckerberg’s court. That’s exactly where he seemed not to want it.

As the decision ricochets across the political world, there will be ample debate as to whether the board made the right call. Upholding Mr. Trump’s suspension sets a precedent for applying the same rules to world leaders as Facebook does to ordinary users, at least in cases of imminent harm — or perhaps even tougher ones, as some communications scholars had suggested. Overturning it, even conditionally, would have militated for a hands-off approach to newsworthy political speech, which seemed to be Mr. Zuckerberg’s own inclination before the winds of power shifted.

While these arguments tend to break mostly along partisan lines, they sometimes come with awkward political role reversals on the deeper questions concerning corporate power over speech. For instance, after Facebook and Twitter banned Mr. Trump in January, some on the left framed the deplatforming as the inviolable prerogative of companies exercising their First Amendment rights, while Trump supporters argued that the companies had a public duty to let him speak. With Wednesday’s announcement, the right may turn with renewed vigor to government intervention.

Then there are the debates about the board’s legitimacy and what legitimacy it confers on Facebook. Does its qualified rebuke of Facebook’s indefinite suspension, which it called “arbitrary,” prove the board’s independence? Or does its refusal to decide Mr. Trump’s future on the platform reinforce its limitations?

What each of these scenarios leaves out, and the entire project of the Oversight Board obscures, is that the problems with Mr. Trump’s presence on Facebook — the lies, the propaganda, the incitements — are not just Trump problems. They’re Facebook problems (and to be fair, Twitter problems).

Manipulation, misinformation, fear and loathing are endemic to today’s social media platforms, whose engagement-driven algorithms are built to spread whatever messages tap into users’ viscera and provoke a quick “like” or an angry comment. Yet the platforms have delegated much of the work of moderating this content to overwhelmed contractors and fallible artificial intelligence software. The tide of hogwash and bile may recede when a super-spewer such as Mr. Trump is deplatformed. But the dynamics that enabled him endure.

It is those underlying dynamics, and not solely Mr. Trump’s right to use the platform, that any truly independent oversight of Facebook would address. Last month, the U.S. Senate began deliberating over how social media algorithms and design choices mold political discourse. While its hearing was inconclusive at best, it at least served notice that they’re a topic of potential regulatory interest.

Facebook endowed the Oversight Board with a measure of autonomy. It funded the board with an irrevocable trust, promised operational independence and pledged to treat its content decisions (though not its policy recommendations) as binding. Yet it did not empower the board to watch over its products or systems — only its rules and how it applies them.

That’s why some communication scholars have dismissed the board as a red herring, substituting a simulacrum of due process in certain high-profile cases for substantive reform. While the term “oversight board” suggests accountability for the institution it oversees, this board’s function is essentially the opposite: to shift accountability for Facebook’s decisions away from the company itself. The board’s power to adjudicate individual content decisions may be real, but it’s a power that Mr. Zuckerberg never wanted in the first place.

That’s not to say it’s a total sham. Wednesday’s decision aside, putting weighty decisions about online speech in the hands of an accomplished group of outsiders would seem more likely to lead to thoughtful and consistent rulings than leaving them to Facebook’s employees and executives. Both today and in previous decisions, the board has revealed itself to be nothing if not thorough, carefully documenting its rationale and the implications of its decisions for similar cases. But its impotence in holding Facebook to account, more than the ruling on Mr. Trump’s suspension, is what makes Wednesday’s announcement unsatisfying.

Among the many public comments that poured in when the board announced it would take the case, a submission from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University best articulated the crux of the matter. Warning that the board’s decision on Mr. Trump would serve as a “fig leaf” for Facebook’s own failures, the institute’s scholars implored the company to delay issuing a ruling until Facebook commissioned an independent study into its own role in the events leading up to the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

There had been at least a sliver of hope that the board might take such a stand. One of its members, Alan Rusbridger, a British journalist, had called publicly in March for the board to examine Facebook’s algorithms, though he acknowledged it might not do so right away. “We’re already a bit frustrated by just saying ‘take it down’ or ‘leave it up,’” Mr. Rusbridger said, according to The Guardian.

Evelyn Douek, a lecturer at Harvard Law School who has chronicled the board’s evolution, told me she’s seen evidence in its early decisions that “the board is chafing against the very limited remit that Facebook has given it so far.” She would like it to go farther in pushing for transparency. For instance, she said, it could call on Facebook to reveal the Trump ban’s impact on an internal metric that it calls “violence and incitement trends.”

The board did take a small step in that direction on Wednesday. Among its policy recommendations, it called for Facebook to undertake a “comprehensive review of its potential contribution to the narrative of electoral fraud and the exacerbated tensions that culminated in the violence in the United States on January 6.” This review, the board said, “should be an open reflection on the design and policy choices that Facebook has made that may allow its platform to be abused.”

But the board’s policy recommendations, unlike its ruling on the case itself, are nonbinding. And by suggesting that Facebook conduct the review itself, it overlooked the company’s long history of generously grading its own homework.

What Facebook needs to solve its Trump problem is not a binding decision from an appeals court but aggressive investigation into how it shapes the flow of political information. That must include insight into both the workings of its algorithms and moderation processes. It may be just one company, but its unilateral power over the public square became untenable long ago. The long-term solution must involve either stronger checks on its power or reducing its scale.

Perhaps the board will eventually channel its frustration into more substantive action, using the leverage it enjoys as a highly public emblem of Facebook’s bid to self-regulate. But on Wednesday, with the world watching, it opted to accept its limitations rather than challenge them. And that says more about its relevance at this moment than anything in the 12,000-word decision it issued.

Facebook’s Oversight Board on Wednesday upheld the social network’s temporary suspension of Donald Trump but declined to decide when, or whether, that ban should be lifted.

Facebook’s Oversight Board on Wednesday upheld the social network’s temporary suspension of Donald Trump but declined to decide when, or whether, that ban should be lifted. The decision dashed the former president’s hopes for a swift reinstatement by a body charged with reviewing the platform’s content moderation practices. But it also sent a message that the scope of the board’s power is limited and that the ultimate responsibility for these questions still lies with Mark Zuckerberg and company. The London-based body of about 20 outside experts — former political leaders, human rights activists and journalists — called for the company to re-examine the penalty within six months and decide whether to reinstate him, impose a finite suspension or ban him for good. The board was also careful to note that Mr. Trump’s indefinite suspension has no basis in Facebook’s stated policies. “In applying a vague, standardless penalty and then referring this case to the board to resolve, Facebook seeks to avoid its responsibilities. The board declines Facebook’s request and insists that Facebook apply and justify a defined penalty.” Assuming Facebook follows its ruling — as it pledged it would when it established the charter for the semi-independent board in 2019 — it’s a setback for Mr. Trump and his allies, who relied heavily on social media to rally support, raise money and spread their polarizing messages. It ensures that he will remain without one of the world’s loudest megaphones in his continuing campaign to undermine the relevance of American democracy by casting Joe Biden’s electoral victory as fraudulent. It is also, in a sense, a setback for Facebook: Declining to permanently rule on Mr. Trump’s fate on the platform sends the ball back to Mr. Zuckerberg’s court. That’s exactly where he seemed not to want it. As the decision ricochets across the political world, there will be ample debate as to whether the board made the right call. Upholding Mr. Trump’s suspension sets a precedent for applying the same rules to world leaders as Facebook does to ordinary users, at least in cases of imminent harm — or perhaps even tougher ones, as some communications scholars had suggested. Overturning it, even conditionally, would have militated for a hands-off approach to newsworthy political speech, which seemed to be Mr. Zuckerberg’s own inclination before the winds of power shifted. While these arguments tend to break mostly along partisan lines, they sometimes come with awkward political role reversals on the deeper questions concerning corporate power over speech. For instance, after Facebook and Twitter banned Mr. Trump in January, some on the left framed the deplatforming as the inviolable prerogative of companies exercising their First Amendment rights, while Trump supporters argued that the companies had a public duty to let him speak. With Wednesday’s announcement, the right may turn with renewed vigor to government intervention. Then there are the debates about the board’s legitimacy and what legitimacy it confers on Facebook. Does its qualified rebuke of Facebook’s indefinite suspension, which it called “arbitrary,” prove the board’s independence? Or does its refusal to decide Mr. Trump’s future on the platform reinforce its limitations? What each of these scenarios leaves out, and the entire project of the Oversight Board obscures, is that the problems with Mr. Trump’s presence on Facebook — the lies, the propaganda, the incitements — are not just Trump problems. They’re Facebook problems (and to be fair, Twitter problems). Manipulation, misinformation, fear and loathing are endemic to today’s social media platforms, whose engagement-driven algorithms are built to spread whatever messages tap into users’ viscera and provoke a quick “like” or an angry comment. Yet the platforms have delegated much of the work of moderating this content to overwhelmed contractors and fallible artificial intelligence software. The tide of hogwash and bile may recede when a super-spewer such as Mr. Trump is deplatformed. But the dynamics that enabled him endure. It is those underlying dynamics, and not solely Mr. Trump’s right to use the platform, that any truly independent oversight of Facebook would address. Last month, the U.S. Senate began deliberating over how social media algorithms and design choices mold political discourse. While its hearing was inconclusive at best, it at least served notice that they’re a topic of potential regulatory interest. Facebook endowed the Oversight Board with a measure of autonomy. It funded the board with an irrevocable trust, promised operational independence and pledged to treat its content decisions (though not its policy recommendations) as binding. Yet it did not empower the board to watch over its products or systems — only its rules and how it applies them. That’s why some communication scholars have dismissed the board as a red herring, substituting a simulacrum of due process in certain high-profile cases for substantive reform. While the term “oversight board” suggests accountability for the institution it oversees, this board’s function is essentially the opposite: to shift accountability for Facebook’s decisions away from the company itself. The board’s power to adjudicate individual content decisions may be real, but it’s a power that Mr. Zuckerberg never wanted in the first place. That’s not to say it’s a total sham. Wednesday’s decision aside, putting weighty decisions about online speech in the hands of an accomplished group of outsiders would seem more likely to lead to thoughtful and consistent rulings than leaving them to Facebook’s employees and executives. Both today and in previous decisions, the board has revealed itself to be nothing if not thorough, carefully documenting its rationale and the implications of its decisions for similar cases. But its impotence in holding Facebook to account, more than the ruling on Mr. Trump’s suspension, is what makes Wednesday’s announcement unsatisfying. Among the many public comments that poured in when the board announced it would take the case, a submission from the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University best articulated the crux of the matter. Warning that the board’s decision on Mr. Trump would serve as a “fig leaf” for Facebook’s own failures, the institute’s scholars implored the company to delay issuing a ruling until Facebook commissioned an independent study into its own role in the events leading up to the insurrection at the Capitol on Jan. 6. There had been at least a sliver of hope that the board might take such a stand. One of its members, Alan Rusbridger, a British journalist, had called publicly in March for the board to examine Facebook’s algorithms, though he acknowledged it might not do so right away. “We’re already a bit frustrated by just saying ‘take it down’ or ‘leave it up,’” Mr. Rusbridger said, according to The Guardian. Evelyn Douek, a lecturer at Harvard Law School who has chronicled the board’s evolution, told me she’s seen evidence in its early decisions that “the board is chafing against the very limited remit that Facebook has given it so far.” She would like it to go farther in pushing for transparency. For instance, she said, it could call on Facebook to reveal the Trump ban’s impact on an internal metric that it calls “violence and incitement trends.” The board did take a small step in that direction on Wednesday. Among its policy recommendations, it called for Facebook to undertake a “comprehensive review of its potential contribution to the narrative of electoral fraud and the exacerbated tensions that culminated in the violence in the United States on January 6.” This review, the board said, “should be an open reflection on the design and policy choices that Facebook has made that may allow its platform to be abused.” But the board’s policy recommendations, unlike its ruling on the case itself, are nonbinding. And by suggesting that Facebook conduct the review itself, it overlooked the company’s long history of generously grading its own homework. What Facebook needs to solve its Trump problem is not a binding decision from an appeals court but aggressive investigation into how it shapes the flow of political information. That must include insight into both the workings of its algorithms and moderation processes. It may be just one company, but its unilateral power over the public square became untenable long ago. The long-term solution must involve either stronger checks on its power or reducing its scale. Perhaps the board will eventually channel its frustration into more substantive action, using the leverage it enjoys as a highly public emblem of Facebook’s bid to self-regulate. But on Wednesday, with the world watching, it opted to accept its limitations rather than challenge them. And that says more about its relevance at this moment than anything in the 12,000-word decision it issued.

Trump is a problem Facebook’s oversight board was built not to solve

While the former US President, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump?page=1">Donald Trump</a>, left the White House on January 20, 2021, his children continued enjoying their privileges, which cost taxpayers.

Trump clan’s activities have cost taxpayers $140,000 in Secret Service security in the month Donald Trump left the White House.

Generally, family members of the outgoing presidents lose their security detail as soon as the president leaves the office. However, Donald Trump ensured his family’s safe future by issuing a directive to extend post-presidency protection by six months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-secretly-obtained-phone-records-of-reporters-reports-383613" hreflang="en">Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports</a>

The security plan has been put in place for his four children and two of their spouses.

These costs, however, are excluding the cost for security at Trump properties in New Jersey, Palm Beach and Briarcliff, New York, revealed a watchdog group Citizens for Ethics. If the cost for trump properties is also included, the security cost would have been much higher, the group claimed.

As per the records of the watchdog group, Trump’s children have maintained a “breakneck speed of travel, and racked up significant hotel and transportation bills for the Secret Service”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-several-accounts-that-tried-promoting-donald-trumps-content-383358" hreflang="en">Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content</a>

For transport alone, the Trump clan had spent $52,296.75 and at least $88,678.39 for hotel services while travelling.

Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law — Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner —went for a luxurious 10-day vacation to Utah immediately after finishing their jobs at the White House. The trip cost the secret service $62,599.

While Eric and Lara Trump spent the majority of their time at Trump’s Briarcliff property, their short trips to New York, Miami and Palm Beach, too, cost the service $12,742. Donald Trump Jr also made up a bill of $13,337 from his trips to New York.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-oversight-board-upholds-ban-on-donald-trump-383012" hreflang="en">Facebook oversight board upholds ban on Donald Trump</a>

If the clan keeps travelling in the same way, the total post-presidency cost could easily cross one million, which is the highest till now.

The group has also revealed that the Trump clan has gone on 12 times the amount of trips in three years that the Obamas made in seven.

“While it may be tempting to put the story of the Trump family’s profiteering in the past, we cannot until they have actually stopped directing taxpayer money into their own bank accounts,” the group said.

As per the rules, the former POTUS and FLOTUS are entitled to receive protection for their whole life and their youngest son, Barron, is entitled to these services till he turns 16. However, Trump nodded for security even for former treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former national security adviser Robert O’Brien, as reported by Washington Post.

While the former US President, Donald Trump, left the White House on January 20, 2021, his children continued enjoying their privileges, which cost taxpayers. Trump clan’s activities have cost taxpayers $140,000 in Secret Service security in the month Donald Trump left the White House.

While the former US President, Donald Trump, left the White House on January 20, 2021, his children continued enjoying their privileges, which cost taxpayers. Trump clan’s activities have cost taxpayers $140,000 in Secret Service security in the month Donald Trump left the White House. Generally, family members of the outgoing presidents lose their security detail as soon as the president leaves the office. However, Donald Trump ensured his family’s safe future by issuing a directive to extend post-presidency protection by six months. Also read | Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports The security plan has been put in place for his four children and two of their spouses. These costs, however, are excluding the cost for security at Trump properties in New Jersey, Palm Beach and Briarcliff, New York, revealed a watchdog group Citizens for Ethics. If the cost for trump properties is also included, the security cost would have been much higher, the group claimed. As per the records of the watchdog group, Trump’s children have maintained a “breakneck speed of travel, and racked up significant hotel and transportation bills for the Secret Service”. Also read | Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content For transport alone, the Trump clan had spent $52,296.75 and at least $88,678.39 for hotel services while travelling. Donald Trump’s daughter and son-in-law — Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner —went for a luxurious 10-day vacation to Utah immediately after finishing their jobs at the White House. The trip cost the secret service $62,599. While Eric and Lara Trump spent the majority of their time at Trump’s Briarcliff property, their short trips to New York, Miami and Palm Beach, too, cost the service $12,742. Donald Trump Jr also made up a bill of $13,337 from his trips to New York. Also read | Facebook oversight board upholds ban on Donald Trump If the clan keeps travelling in the same way, the total post-presidency cost could easily cross one million, which is the highest till now. The group has also revealed that the Trump clan has gone on 12 times the amount of trips in three years that the Obamas made in seven. “While it may be tempting to put the story of the Trump family’s profiteering in the past, we cannot until they have actually stopped directing taxpayer money into their own bank accounts,” the group said. As per the rules, the former POTUS and FLOTUS are entitled to receive protection for their whole life and their youngest son, Barron, is entitled to these services till he turns 16. However, Trump nodded for security even for former treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, former chief of staff Mark Meadows and former national security adviser Robert O’Brien, as reported by Washington Post.

Donald Trump's 'children' cost taxpayers $140,000 in a month

A US national daily has claimed that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Trump administration</a> had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists.

The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-several-accounts-that-tried-promoting-donald-trumps-content-383358" hreflang="en">Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content</a>

Post claims 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.

This has raised concerns over the issue of freedom of speech in the US, especially under the Trump administration. "When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Justice Department shouldn't go spying on journalists at the whims of an administration. 
 
This should never have happened. 
 
When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press. <a href="https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2">https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2</a>
— ACLU (@ACLU) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACLU/status/1390824018027106306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Washington Post was "deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalist," acting executive editor Cameron Barr was quoted as saying.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-the-desk-of-donald-trump-launches-his-own-social-media-space-382830" hreflang="en">'From the Desk of...': Donald Trump launches his own social media space</a>

Pointing out the importance of the First Amendment, Barr added, "The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment."

The Justice Department, however, claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made. However, the department has also not specified the reason behind seizing these records.

Meanwhile, Post has revealed that a major mutual connection between the targeted journalists is that the three had written a story on how Jeff Sessions — who filled the post of attorney general in the Trump administration — had discussed the Trump campaign with the Russian ambassador, and another story on the steps taken by the Obama administration to counter the Russian meddling in the 2016 US election.

No official statement has yet been received from Donald Trump or his campaign.

A US national daily has claimed that the Trump administration had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists. The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016.

A US national daily has claimed that the Trump administration had secretly obtained the phone records of a specific media house's journalists. The accusation on former US President, Donald Trump, has been made by the Washington Post that claims Trump used his power and resources to spy on journalists who were reporting on allegations of Russian meddling in the US presidential election 2016. Also read | Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content Post claims 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. This has raised concerns over the issue of freedom of speech in the US, especially under the Trump administration. "When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press," the American Civil Liberties Union tweeted. The Justice Department shouldn't go spying on journalists at the whims of an administration. This should never have happened. When the government spies on journalists and their sources, it jeopardizes freedom of the press. https://t.co/V6BLYidxF2 — ACLU (@ACLU) May 8, 2021 × Washington Post was "deeply troubled by this use of government power to seek access to the communications of journalist," acting executive editor Cameron Barr was quoted as saying. Also read | 'From the Desk of...': Donald Trump launches his own social media space Pointing out the importance of the First Amendment, Barr added, "The Department of Justice should immediately make clear its reasons for this intrusion into the activities of reporters doing their jobs, an activity protected under the First Amendment." The Justice Department, however, claims to have followed all "established procedures" with respect to the requests made. However, the department has also not specified the reason behind seizing these records. Meanwhile, Post has revealed that a major mutual connection between the targeted journalists is that the three had written a story on how Jeff Sessions — who filled the post of attorney general in the Trump administration — had discussed the Trump campaign with the Russian ambassador, and another story on the steps taken by the Obama administration to counter the Russian meddling in the 2016 US election. No official statement has yet been received from Donald Trump or his campaign.

Trump administration secretly obtained phone records of reporters: Reports

While Jerusalem was filled with noises of violent clashes between the Palestinian youth and Israeli police officers during the holy month of Ramadan, in the West, US President Joe Biden has imposed stricter restrictions against increasing gun violence in the US, especially on 'ghost guns'.&nbsp;

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-calls-on-us-others-to-export-vaccines-rather-than-talk-about-ip-waiver-383578" hreflang="en">EU calls on US, others to export vaccines,&nbsp;rather than talk about IP waiver</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/16/174271-eu-chief-ursula-von-der-leyen.jpg?itok=FQRVCSsq" />

Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on the sidelines of a summit of EU leaders that discussions on the waiver would not produce a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the short- to medium-term.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jerusalem-nightly-violent-encounter-injures-178-palestinians-and-6-police-officers-383586">Jerusalem: Violent encounter injures 178 Palestinians and 6 police officers</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/05/08/194230-jerusalem-attack.jpg?itok=ArAGB-tx" />

Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades on Palestinian youth present at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-enforces-stricter-rules-against-ghost-guns-in-us-383594">Biden enforces stricter rules against 'ghost guns' in US</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/05/08/194232-gun-violence-in-us.jpg?itok=iz-uzELA" />

The US Justice Department has also made it compulsory for retailers to perform background checks on buyers of kits that include parts needed to make a gun at home.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-these-bees-can-detect-covid-19-383576" hreflang="en">Gravitas: These bees can detect COVID-19</a>

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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-covid-surge-why-children-could-be-at-risk-383575">India's COVID surge: Why Children could be at risk</a>

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While Jerusalem was filled with noises of violent clashes between the Palestinian youth and Israeli police officers during the holy month of Ramadan, in the West, US President Joe Biden has imposed stricter restrictions against increasing gun violence in the US, especially on 'ghost guns'.

While Jerusalem was filled with noises of violent clashes between the Palestinian youth and Israeli police officers during the holy month of Ramadan, in the West, US President Joe Biden has imposed stricter restrictions against increasing gun violence in the US, especially on 'ghost guns'. Click on headlines to read more EU calls on US, others to export vaccines, rather than talk about IP waiver Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on the sidelines of a summit of EU leaders that discussions on the waiver would not produce a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the short- to medium-term. Jerusalem: Violent encounter injures 178 Palestinians and 6 police officers Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades on Palestinian youth present at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Friday. Biden enforces stricter rules against 'ghost guns' in US The US Justice Department has also made it compulsory for retailers to perform background checks on buyers of kits that include parts needed to make a gun at home. Gravitas: These bees can detect COVID-19 India's COVID surge: Why Children could be at risk

Morning news brief: Jerusalem's violent clash, vaccine export, and more

Facebook to reassess ban decision in 6 months.

Trump on Ban Extension: A Total disgrace | WION-VOA Co-Production

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter </a>on Thursday announced that it has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trum</a>p by promoting his content.&nbsp;

Earlier this week, Trump launched a page, which he described as coming "straight from the desk of Donald J Trump."

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/facebooks-oversight-board-upholds-donald-trumps-suspension-383101/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The page opened for the public just before Facebook's independent committee upheld the social media platform's ban on Trump. &nbsp;

Twitter said that accounts that were trying to amplify the message from Trump's website posts were taken down.&nbsp;

"As stated in our ban evasion policy, we'll take enforcement action on accounts whose apparent intent is to replace or promote content affiliated with a suspended account," a Twitter spokesperson told news agency AFP.

Also read | <a href="http://wionews.com/technology/twitter-adds-tip-jar-for-selected-content-creators-383354">Twitter adds 'tip jar' for selected 'content creators'</a>

A Trump representative claimed that the former president had nothing to do with the suspended accounts, which included @DJTDesk, @DJTrumpDesk, @DeskofDJT and @DeskOfTrump1, reports news agency Reuters.&nbsp;

Twitter permanently removed Trump's account following the deadly Capitol riot on January 6, saying his account threatens to spark violence.

Earlier also, during and after the 2020 presidential election, Twitter several times labelled Trump's account for false and misleading posts that raised doubts on the free and fair electoral process and rejected <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's </a>victory.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Twitter on Thursday announced that it has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president Donald Trump by promoting his content. Earlier this week, Trump launched a page, which he described as coming "straight from the desk of Donald J Trump.

Twitter on Thursday announced that it has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president Donald Trump by promoting his content. Earlier this week, Trump launched a page, which he described as coming "straight from the desk of Donald J Trump." Watch | The page opened for the public just before Facebook's independent committee upheld the social media platform's ban on Trump. Twitter said that accounts that were trying to amplify the message from Trump's website posts were taken down. "As stated in our ban evasion policy, we'll take enforcement action on accounts whose apparent intent is to replace or promote content affiliated with a suspended account," a Twitter spokesperson told news agency AFP. Also read | Twitter adds 'tip jar' for selected 'content creators' A Trump representative claimed that the former president had nothing to do with the suspended accounts, which included @DJTDesk, @DJTrumpDesk, @DeskofDJT and @DeskOfTrump1, reports news agency Reuters. Twitter permanently removed Trump's account following the deadly Capitol riot on January 6, saying his account threatens to spark violence. Earlier also, during and after the 2020 presidential election, Twitter several times labelled Trump's account for false and misleading posts that raised doubts on the free and fair electoral process and rejected Joe Biden's victory. (With inputs from agencies)

Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content

Germany has opposed US' move to&nbsp;waive patents on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>&nbsp;almost a day after Joe Biden lent his support to the India-led fight. Meanwhile, in the US, the&nbsp;Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has signed a bill imposing new limits on voting by mail and using ballot drop boxes. Making sure the social media platform is not misused ever again for propaganda or false information, Twitter&nbsp;has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trum</a>p by promoting his content.&nbsp;

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-germany-rift-on-covid-vaccine-waiver-endangers-fight-against-deadly-virus-383349" hreflang="en">US-Germany rift on Covid vaccine waiver endangers fight against deadly virus</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/05/07/194118-untitled-design.jpg?itok=TVz9Y13x" />

After the United States gave its nod to waive patents on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>, Germany strongly opposed the move on Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-eu-virtual-summit-talks-on-fta-to-resume-focus-on-dealing-covid-crisis-383347" hreflang="en">India-EU virtual summit: Talks on FTA to resume, focus on dealing Covid crisis</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/07/12/102135-untitled-design-17.jpg?itok=oOQdfWDY" />

The summit that takes place around 5 pm IST will see Indian PM along with Heads of State or Government of all the 27 EU Member States present.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suspends-several-accounts-that-tried-promoting-donald-trumps-content-383358">Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/05/07/194124-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=xn7XqDgO" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter&nbsp;</a>on Thursday announced that it has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trum</a>p by promoting his content.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/florida-governor-tightens-restrictions-on-mail-voting-and-ballot-drop-boxes-383352" hreflang="en">Florida governor tightens restrictions on mail voting and ballot drop boxes</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/florida-governor-tightens-restrictions-on-mail-voting-and-ballot-drop-boxes-383352/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-sends-10000-vials-of-beximcos-remdesivir-to-india-383355" hreflang="en">Bangladesh sends 10,000 vials of Beximco's Remdesivir to India</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-sends-10000-vials-of-beximcos-remdesivir-to-india-383355/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Germany has opposed US' move to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines almost a day after Joe Biden lent his support to the India-led fight. Meanwhile, in the US, the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has signed a bill imposing new limits on voting by mail and using ballot drop boxes.

Germany has opposed US' move to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines almost a day after Joe Biden lent his support to the India-led fight. Meanwhile, in the US, the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, has signed a bill imposing new limits on voting by mail and using ballot drop boxes. Making sure the social media platform is not misused ever again for propaganda or false information, Twitter has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president Donald Trump by promoting his content. Click on headlines to read more US-Germany rift on Covid vaccine waiver endangers fight against deadly virus After the United States gave its nod to waive patents on coronavirus vaccines, Germany strongly opposed the move on Thursday. India-EU virtual summit: Talks on FTA to resume, focus on dealing Covid crisis The summit that takes place around 5 pm IST will see Indian PM along with Heads of State or Government of all the 27 EU Member States present. Twitter suspends several accounts that tried promoting Donald Trump's content Twitter on Thursday announced that it has suspended several accounts that are trying to evade its ban on former president Donald Trump by promoting his content. Florida governor tightens restrictions on mail voting and ballot drop boxes Bangladesh sends 10,000 vials of Beximco's Remdesivir to India

Morning news brief: Germany opposes vaccine waiver, Twitter strikes down Trump, and more

Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington pressurised its allies to pack up oil imports from Iran just because it wanted to put “maximum pressure” on the Islamic republic. Around the same time, Washington also put pressure on fellow NATO members to up their military budgets. It also pressed US allies to fight Huawei.

US President Joe Biden promised to put an end to this maximalist approach towards diplomacy. But just 100 days into office, Biden seems to have changed his mind. Washington is pressing Taiwan to supply microchip so that the Biden administration can revive and drive the American economy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-is-pressing-taiwan-for-microchips-383079">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-us-is-pressing-taiwan-for-microchips-383079/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Microchips are tiny wafers of semiconducting materials and are needed in smartphones, computers and gaming consoles. Each car has over 1,000 microchips which help in controlling the car radio, the climate control system, tyre pressure etc. Currently, there is a global shortage of microchips and automakers are feeling the pinch.

From General Motors to Ford, auto-companies have been forced to shut plants and press break on production in the US. This has threatened Biden's promise of accelerating economic recovery. Autoworkers are facing cuts in their hours and wages. Additionally, this has threatened Biden's approval ratings as he stares at mid-term elections and Democrats struggle to hold their House majority.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/taipei-to-dispatch-military-aircraft-ships-to-counter-chinese-activities-in-taiwan-strait-382948" hreflang="en">Taipei to dispatch military aircraft, ships to counter Chinese activities in Taiwan Strait</a>

The situation is so dire that in April, the White House convened a summit to address chip shortage. Now, America is exporting its problem and directing the pressure towards an ally.

Taiwan has the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing industry and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is among the world's leading microchip producers and makes nearly 12 million microchips a year.

America wants these wafers to be shipped to US automobile companies. But the demand for Taiwanese microchips is not limited to the US alone. The TSMC, for example, has clients across Europe, Japan, South Korea, even China but Washington wants priority. The US is leveraging its position as Taiwan's main defence exporter. As the main foreign source of weapons, Taiwan need US to defend itself from China.

“Not a day goes by that we don't push on that”, said US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo told an executive from General Motors. “There are so many American jobs on the line”, she added. US is betting on Taiwan's vulnerability against an increasingly aggressive China.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/economic-warfare-against-tech-sector-taiwan-bans-recruitment-for-jobs-in-china-to-combat-brain-drain-381547" hreflang="en">Economic warfare against tech sector: Taiwan bans recruitment for jobs in China to combat brain drain</a>

Trump's legacy of pressing adversaries and allies alike still lingers in the White House. American diplomacy under Biden is increasingly being shaped by national politics.

Be it the refugee cap, or helping a natural ally like India in times of a global healthcare crisis, Biden believes in testing the waters at home first. And he is not shy of escalating pressure on an ally if it serves his national interest. Biden promised to be different from Rrump when he declared “America is back”. But 100 days in office and America is back to its old tactics.

Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington pressurised its allies to pack up oil imports from Iran just because it wanted to put “maximum pressure” on the Islamic republic.

Under former US President Donald Trump, Washington pressurised its allies to pack up oil imports from Iran just because it wanted to put “maximum pressure” on the Islamic republic. Around the same time, Washington also put pressure on fellow NATO members to up their military budgets. It also pressed US allies to fight Huawei. US President Joe Biden promised to put an end to this maximalist approach towards diplomacy. But just 100 days into office, Biden seems to have changed his mind. Washington is pressing Taiwan to supply microchip so that the Biden administration can revive and drive the American economy. Watch | Microchips are tiny wafers of semiconducting materials and are needed in smartphones, computers and gaming consoles. Each car has over 1,000 microchips which help in controlling the car radio, the climate control system, tyre pressure etc. Currently, there is a global shortage of microchips and automakers are feeling the pinch. From General Motors to Ford, auto-companies have been forced to shut plants and press break on production in the US. This has threatened Biden's promise of accelerating economic recovery. Autoworkers are facing cuts in their hours and wages. Additionally, this has threatened Biden's approval ratings as he stares at mid-term elections and Democrats struggle to hold their House majority. Also read: Taipei to dispatch military aircraft, ships to counter Chinese activities in Taiwan Strait The situation is so dire that in April, the White House convened a summit to address chip shortage. Now, America is exporting its problem and directing the pressure towards an ally. Taiwan has the world's largest semiconductor manufacturing industry and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) is among the world's leading microchip producers and makes nearly 12 million microchips a year. America wants these wafers to be shipped to US automobile companies. But the demand for Taiwanese microchips is not limited to the US alone. The TSMC, for example, has clients across Europe, Japan, South Korea, even China but Washington wants priority. The US is leveraging its position as Taiwan's main defence exporter. As the main foreign source of weapons, Taiwan need US to defend itself from China. “Not a day goes by that we don't push on that”, said US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo told an executive from General Motors. “There are so many American jobs on the line”, she added. US is betting on Taiwan's vulnerability against an increasingly aggressive China. Also read: Economic warfare against tech sector: Taiwan bans recruitment for jobs in China to combat brain drain Trump's legacy of pressing adversaries and allies alike still lingers in the White House. American diplomacy under Biden is increasingly being shaped by national politics. Be it the refugee cap, or helping a natural ally like India in times of a global healthcare crisis, Biden believes in testing the waters at home first. And he is not shy of escalating pressure on an ally if it serves his national interest. Biden promised to be different from Rrump when he declared “America is back”. But 100 days in office and America is back to its old tactics.

What does US pressure on Taiwan for microchips say about Biden administration?

US President Joe Biden has supported India's request for&nbsp;global waiver on patent protections for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>&nbsp;in the pandemic, even though Washington feels&nbsp;intellectual property rights are important for businesses. Meanwhile, one of the largest study has found the Pfizer vaccine is 95 per cent effective against the virus, and these numbers significantly drop when only one of the two prescribed doses are taken.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-backs-india-led-fight-to-waive-covid-vaccines-patents-383092" hreflang="en">US backs India-led fight to waive Covid vaccines patents</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/04/29/193115-untitled-design-9.jpg?itok=RSAzQHji" />

The Biden administration on Wednesday decided to back the India-led fight for a global waiver on patent protections for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/largest-study-on-pfizer-covid-vaccine-says-drug-offers-over-95-protection-383099">Largest study on Pfizer Covid vaccine says drug offers over 95% protection</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/23/175391-pfizer-biontech-vaccine.jpg?itok=k-U1rbIh" />

The study found that the two shots of the vaccine provide 95.3 per cent protection against infection and 96.7 per cent protection against death seven days after the second dose.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nothing-do-with-austerity-drive-claims-mexican-president-after-metro-crash-383102" hreflang="en">'Nothing do with austerity drive', claims Mexican President after metro crash</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/05/05/193846-untitled-design-1.jpg?itok=NIt1FKoJ" />

As the grieving families started burying their loved ones after the crash, Obrador denied accusations made at him by the employers' association Coparmex, who claim the crash took place due to ignorance of repeated warnings and major cuts in the maintenance budget.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebooks-oversight-board-upholds-donald-trumps-suspension-383101" hreflang="en">Facebook's oversight board upholds Donald Trump's suspension</a>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebooks-oversight-board-upholds-donald-trumps-suspension-383101/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-puts-40-mn-into-porton-down-labs-to-boost-coronavirus-vaccines-research-383103" hreflang="en">UK puts $40 mn into Porton Down labs to boost Coronavirus vaccines research</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-puts-40-mn-into-porton-down-labs-to-boost-coronavirus-vaccines-research-383103/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>

US President Joe Biden has supported India's request for global waiver on patent protections for coronavirus vaccines in the pandemic, even though Washington feels intellectual property rights are important for businesses.

US President Joe Biden has supported India's request for global waiver on patent protections for coronavirus vaccines in the pandemic, even though Washington feels intellectual property rights are important for businesses. Meanwhile, one of the largest study has found the Pfizer vaccine is 95 per cent effective against the virus, and these numbers significantly drop when only one of the two prescribed doses are taken. Click on headlines to read more US backs India-led fight to waive Covid vaccines patents The Biden administration on Wednesday decided to back the India-led fight for a global waiver on patent protections for coronavirus vaccines. Largest study on Pfizer Covid vaccine says drug offers over 95% protection The study found that the two shots of the vaccine provide 95.3 per cent protection against infection and 96.7 per cent protection against death seven days after the second dose. 'Nothing do with austerity drive', claims Mexican President after metro crash As the grieving families started burying their loved ones after the crash, Obrador denied accusations made at him by the employers' association Coparmex, who claim the crash took place due to ignorance of repeated warnings and major cuts in the maintenance budget. Facebook's oversight board upholds Donald Trump's suspension UK puts $40 mn into Porton Down labs to boost Coronavirus vaccines research

Morning news brief: Biden backs India, Pfizer 95% effective, and more

Facebook’s Oversight Board has upheld ban on former US President Donald Trump. However, the board says that 'it was not appropriate for Facebook to impose' an indefinite suspension on Trump, and calls on the company to review this decision within the next six months.

Facebook's oversight board upholds Donald Trump's suspension

Facebook has upheld its decision to ban Trump. The former U.S. President may never be back on the platform. Trump has launched his own page to connect with voters and sell his narrative that the 2020 election was rigged

Gravitas: Facebook upholds Trump ban

After getting banned from the majority of the popular social media platforms, former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> has decided to launch his own space where he can freely criticise everyone he dislikes.

He has decided to launch a space on his own website where he can post messages, which can then be shared on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/twitter">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/facebook">Facebook</a>.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-vaccine-immigration-and-2024-presidential-run-donald-trump-attacks-biden-381492" hreflang="en">'Father of vaccine', immigration and 2024 presidential run: Donald Trump attacks Biden</a>

Putting a stop to speculations, Trump’s campaign has clarified that this new, personal platform will not be a collection of his posts from Twitter and Facebook. "We'll have additional information coming on that front in the very near future," said Jaison Miller, Trump’s senior advisor.

Trump’s announcement has come a few hours before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-to-decide-donald-trumps-fate-on-its-platforms-on-may-5-382596">Facebook’s oversight board</a> is due to announce its decision on whether or not Trump will be allowed to post again on the platform ever.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-secret-rules-for-drone-strikes-outside-war-zones-are-disclosed-382340" hreflang="en">Trump’s secret rules for drone strikes outside war zones are disclosed</a>

Local media has, meanwhile, dubbed this new platform as "From the Desk of Donald J. Trump". The posts published on this platform will be open to liking and sharing. The platform has, reportedly, been built by Campaign Nucleus, the digital services company created by Trump's former campaign manager Brad Parscale.

Experts believe Trump will use this platform to, once again, amplify his claims about US election 2020 were manipulated and allege his opposition of voter fraud — without providing any proof.

Meanwhile, Twitter has clarified that posts from this new platform will be allowed to be posted on Twitter as long as the material does not break any of the pre-set rules. However, the platform has also clarified that the former reality TV show personality will never be allowed to return to the platform, even if he runs for the presidential elections again.

YouTube has said it will restore Trump’s account only when the platform decides the risk of violence from his channel has decreased.

After getting banned from the majority of the popular social media platforms, former US President Donald Trump has decided to launch his own space where he can freely criticise everyone he dislikes.

After getting banned from the majority of the popular social media platforms, former US President Donald Trump has decided to launch his own space where he can freely criticise everyone he dislikes. He has decided to launch a space on his own website where he can post messages, which can then be shared on Twitter and Facebook. Also read | 'Father of vaccine', immigration and 2024 presidential run: Donald Trump attacks Biden Putting a stop to speculations, Trump’s campaign has clarified that this new, personal platform will not be a collection of his posts from Twitter and Facebook. "We'll have additional information coming on that front in the very near future," said Jaison Miller, Trump’s senior advisor. Trump’s announcement has come a few hours before Facebook’s oversight board is due to announce its decision on whether or not Trump will be allowed to post again on the platform ever. Also read | Trump’s secret rules for drone strikes outside war zones are disclosed Local media has, meanwhile, dubbed this new platform as "From the Desk of Donald J. Trump". The posts published on this platform will be open to liking and sharing. The platform has, reportedly, been built by Campaign Nucleus, the digital services company created by Trump's former campaign manager Brad Parscale. Experts believe Trump will use this platform to, once again, amplify his claims about US election 2020 were manipulated and allege his opposition of voter fraud — without providing any proof. Meanwhile, Twitter has clarified that posts from this new platform will be allowed to be posted on Twitter as long as the material does not break any of the pre-set rules. However, the platform has also clarified that the former reality TV show personality will never be allowed to return to the platform, even if he runs for the presidential elections again. YouTube has said it will restore Trump’s account only when the platform decides the risk of violence from his channel has decreased.

'From the Desk of...': Donald Trump launches his own social media space

Facebook's independent oversight board on Wednesday upheld&nbsp;the platform's ban of former US President Donald Trump in a case that sets a precedent for how social media handles harmful content from world leaders.

Facebook indefinitely blocked Trump's access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts over concerns of further violent unrest following the January&nbsp;6 storming of the US&nbsp;Capitol by supporters of the former president.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-launches-his-own-social-media-space-on-his-website-382917/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

At the time of the suspension, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that "the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great."

The company later referred the case to its recently established board, which includes academics, lawyers and rights activists, to decide whether to uphold the ban or restore Trump.

"Both of those decisions are no-win decisions for Facebook," said Kate Klonick, an assistant law professor at St. John's University who embedded at Facebook to follow the board`s creation. "So, offloading those to a third party, the Oversight Board, is a win for them no matter what."

The binding verdict marks a major decision for the board, which rules on a small slice of challenging content decisions and which Facebook created as an independent body as a response to criticism over how it handles problematic material. Facebook has also asked the board to provide recommendations on how it should handle political leaders` accounts.

Tech platforms have grappled in recent years with how to police world leaders and politicians that violate their guidelines.

Facebook has come under fire both from those who think it should abandon its hands-off approach to political speech and those who saw the Trump ban as a worrying act of censorship.

Trump was permanently banned from Twitter Inc, where he has more than 88 million followers.

Trump, who has been sending out short, emailed press releases, continued to promote election misinformation in one on Monday, saying "the

Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020 will be, from this day forth, known as THE BIG LIE!"

On Tuesday, he launched a new web page to share messages that readers can then re-post to their Facebook or Twitter accounts. A senior adviser has said Trump also has plans to launch his own social media platform.

Facebook has said Trump, who has 35 million Facebook followers, would be subject to the same policies as ordinary users after the end of his presidency. This means that if Trump returned to the platform, his posts would now be eligible for fact-checking. Following a widening of the board`s scope in April, Facebook users would also be able to appeal the former president`s posts to the board.

Trump`s suspension was the first time Facebook had blocked a current president, prime minister or head of state. Facebook`s oversight board said it received more than 9,000 comments from the public on the Trump ban, the most it has had for a case so far.

Several academics and civil rights groups have publicly shared their letters urging the board to block Trump permanently, while Republican lawmakers and some free expression advocates have criticized the decision.

"I would hope that they`re also thinking about the precedent-setting of this," said Katie Harbath, a former Facebook public policy director and a fellow at the Washington D.C.-based Bipartisan Policy Center. "What does that look like internationally, what does that look like in the long term?" she added.

The Oversight Board, an idea that Zuckerberg first publicly floated in 2018, currently has 20 members, including former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and several law experts and rights advocates. Decisions need only majority approval.

The board, which some have dubbed Facebook`s "Supreme Court," has been hailed as a novel experiment by some researchers but blasted by other critics who have been skeptical over its independence or view it as a PR stunt to deflect attention from the company`s more systemic problems.

It is funded through a $130 million trust created by Facebook and has so far made rulings on a small number of cases from hate speech to nudity.

(With inputs from agencies)

Facebook's independent oversight board on Wednesday upheld the platform's ban of former US President Donald Trump in a case that sets a precedent for how social media handles harmful content from world leaders.

Facebook's independent oversight board on Wednesday upheld the platform's ban of former US President Donald Trump in a case that sets a precedent for how social media handles harmful content from world leaders. Facebook indefinitely blocked Trump's access to his Facebook and Instagram accounts over concerns of further violent unrest following the January 6 storming of the US Capitol by supporters of the former president. At the time of the suspension, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a post that "the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great." The company later referred the case to its recently established board, which includes academics, lawyers and rights activists, to decide whether to uphold the ban or restore Trump. "Both of those decisions are no-win decisions for Facebook," said Kate Klonick, an assistant law professor at St. John's University who embedded at Facebook to follow the board`s creation. "So, offloading those to a third party, the Oversight Board, is a win for them no matter what." The binding verdict marks a major decision for the board, which rules on a small slice of challenging content decisions and which Facebook created as an independent body as a response to criticism over how it handles problematic material. Facebook has also asked the board to provide recommendations on how it should handle political leaders` accounts. Tech platforms have grappled in recent years with how to police world leaders and politicians that violate their guidelines. Facebook has come under fire both from those who think it should abandon its hands-off approach to political speech and those who saw the Trump ban as a worrying act of censorship. Trump was permanently banned from Twitter Inc, where he has more than 88 million followers. Trump, who has been sending out short, emailed press releases, continued to promote election misinformation in one on Monday, saying "the Fraudulent Presidential Election of 2020 will be, from this day forth, known as THE BIG LIE!" On Tuesday, he launched a new web page to share messages that readers can then re-post to their Facebook or Twitter accounts. A senior adviser has said Trump also has plans to launch his own social media platform. Facebook has said Trump, who has 35 million Facebook followers, would be subject to the same policies as ordinary users after the end of his presidency. This means that if Trump returned to the platform, his posts would now be eligible for fact-checking. Following a widening of the board`s scope in April, Facebook users would also be able to appeal the former president`s posts to the board. Trump`s suspension was the first time Facebook had blocked a current president, prime minister or head of state. Facebook`s oversight board said it received more than 9,000 comments from the public on the Trump ban, the most it has had for a case so far. Several academics and civil rights groups have publicly shared their letters urging the board to block Trump permanently, while Republican lawmakers and some free expression advocates have criticized the decision. "I would hope that they`re also thinking about the precedent-setting of this," said Katie Harbath, a former Facebook public policy director and a fellow at the Washington D.C.-based Bipartisan Policy Center. "What does that look like internationally, what does that look like in the long term?" she added. The Oversight Board, an idea that Zuckerberg first publicly floated in 2018, currently has 20 members, including former Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and several law experts and rights advocates. Decisions need only majority approval. The board, which some have dubbed Facebook`s "Supreme Court," has been hailed as a novel experiment by some researchers but blasted by other critics who have been skeptical over its independence or view it as a PR stunt to deflect attention from the company`s more systemic problems. It is funded through a $130 million trust created by Facebook and has so far made rulings on a small number of cases from hate speech to nudity. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook oversight board upholds ban on Donald Trump

After getting banned from the majority of the popular social media platforms, former US President Donald Trump has decided to launch his own social media space. He has decided to launch a space on his own website where he can post messages, which can then be shared on Twitter and Facebook.

Donald Trump launches his own social media space on his website

Facebook Inc on Monday announced that it would give its verdict on former US President Donald Trump’s suspension on the platform on May 5. The company’s independent oversight board&nbsp; announced the decision on Twitter. The verdict would decide the fate of Trump’s future on Facebook and Instagram.

Trump was removed from social media platforms after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol which reportedly were spearheaded by his supporters. The company feared further violence which could be caused by his posts and decided to block.&nbsp;

Since then, the case has been passed over to the company’s oversight board. The board was created by Facebook in response to criticism over how the company handled problematic content on its website.&nbsp;

In mid-April the company said that it had extended the public comment period on the case. According to the board, the Trump case has received 9,000 comments so far, more than any other case.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/after-news-law-feud-australias-seven-west-media-signs-google-facebook-deals-382534" hreflang="en">After news law feud, Australia's Seven West Media signs Google, Facebook deals</a>

Earlier, former US president and reality show star,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, has announced his plans to return to the 2024 presidential elections with the aim of conquering the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a>&nbsp;again.

"Yes, 100%. And the polls show that everybody wants me to do it. 100%, I'm thinking about running," the twice-impeached former president said. His statement came after Trump’s former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices were raided by federal authorities.

Trump, who was often labelled as 'racist' and was opposed to immigration also complained about the inflow of immigrants under the Biden rule. "Now everybody's pouring into our country, it's out of control. It could destroy our country if it keeps going and the longer it goes, the harder it is to stop. We had the best border that we've ever had in history admitted by everybody, and all they had to do is leave it," he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/technology/facebook-allows-advertisers-to-reach-children-interested-in-smoking-gambling-research-381052" hreflang="en">Facebook allows advertisers to reach children interested in smoking, gambling: Research</a>

"They're going to give our country away to China. China will take over this country if they don't do something very quickly. And they've been very, very weak on China. They don't want to do it," he continued.

Alleging Biden of being selfish and benefitting from China, Trump claimed the Biden family has earned money out of China and is therefore not taking strict actions against China.

Facebook Inc on Monday announced that it would give its verdict on former US President Donald Trump’s suspension on the platform on May 5. The company’s independent oversight board announced the decision on Twitter.

Facebook Inc on Monday announced that it would give its verdict on former US President Donald Trump’s suspension on the platform on May 5. The company’s independent oversight board announced the decision on Twitter. The verdict would decide the fate of Trump’s future on Facebook and Instagram. Trump was removed from social media platforms after the January 6 riots at the US Capitol which reportedly were spearheaded by his supporters. The company feared further violence which could be caused by his posts and decided to block. Since then, the case has been passed over to the company’s oversight board. The board was created by Facebook in response to criticism over how the company handled problematic content on its website. In mid-April the company said that it had extended the public comment period on the case. According to the board, the Trump case has received 9,000 comments so far, more than any other case. Also read: After news law feud, Australia's Seven West Media signs Google, Facebook deals Earlier, former US president and reality show star, Donald Trump, has announced his plans to return to the 2024 presidential elections with the aim of conquering the White House again. "Yes, 100%. And the polls show that everybody wants me to do it. 100%, I'm thinking about running," the twice-impeached former president said. His statement came after Trump’s former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices were raided by federal authorities. Trump, who was often labelled as 'racist' and was opposed to immigration also complained about the inflow of immigrants under the Biden rule. "Now everybody's pouring into our country, it's out of control. It could destroy our country if it keeps going and the longer it goes, the harder it is to stop. We had the best border that we've ever had in history admitted by everybody, and all they had to do is leave it," he said. Also read: Facebook allows advertisers to reach children interested in smoking, gambling: Research "They're going to give our country away to China. China will take over this country if they don't do something very quickly. And they've been very, very weak on China. They don't want to do it," he continued. Alleging Biden of being selfish and benefitting from China, Trump claimed the Biden family has earned money out of China and is therefore not taking strict actions against China.

Facebook to decide Donald Trump's fate on its platforms on May 5

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning''&nbsp;of a broader effort.

The families will be allowed to enter the United States through an emergency process known as "humanitarian parole," Michelle Brane, who heads a Biden-created task force that aims to reunite separated families, told a call with reporters on Sunday.

"In these cases that we're talking about this week, the children are in the United States and the parents are coming to join them," Brane said.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/border-agents-traffickers-and-migrants-mix-on-busy-rio-grande-in-us-374818">Border agents, traffickers and migrants mix on busy Rio Grande in US</a>

The US&nbsp;Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether they could be granted longer-term immigration status, she said.

Parents will return to the United States on humanitarian parole while authorities consider other longer-term forms of legal status, said Michelle Brane, executive director of the administration's Family Reunification Task Force. The children are already in the United States only.

Exactly how many families will reunite in the United States and in what order is linked to negotiations with the American Civil Liberties Union to settle a federal lawsuit in San Diego, but Mayorkas said there were more to come.

''We continue to work tirelessly to reunite many more children with their parents in the weeks and months ahead,''&nbsp;Mayorkas told reporters ahead of the announcement.

"We have a lot of work still to do, but I am proud of the progress we have made and the reunifications that we have helped to achieve this week.''

More than 5,000 children were separated from their parents during the Trump administration going back to July 1, 2017, many of them under a ''zero-tolerance''&nbsp;policy to criminally prosecute any adult who entered the country illegally, according to court filings.

The reunifications begin as the Biden administration confronts the third major increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the border in seven years.

The Biden administration is doing its own count going back to Trump's inauguration in January 2017 and, according to Brane, believes more than 1,000 families remain separated.

The Biden administration has been grappling in recent months with a sharp rise in migrant crossings at the border, including unaccompanied minors and families with young children, mostly from Central America.

The Trump administration, known for its hardline stance on immigration, adopted a blanket "zero-tolerance" policy of prosecuting all unauthorized border crossers in spring 2018, resulting in the mass separation of parents from their children.

Trump reversed the policy that summer amid an international outcry, but advocates and government watchdogs found separations began before the policy and continued after it. In some cases, parents were deported and children remained in the United States with other relatives or sponsors.

Biden has called family separations under Trump a "human tragedy."

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who also participated in the call with reporters, declined to provide details about the families, citing privacy concerns, but noted that one is Honduran and another Mexican.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning'' of a broader effort.

The Biden administration said on Monday that four families that were separated at the Mexico border during Donald Trump's presidency will be reunited in the United States this week in what Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas calls ''just the beginning'' of a broader effort. The families will be allowed to enter the United States through an emergency process known as "humanitarian parole," Michelle Brane, who heads a Biden-created task force that aims to reunite separated families, told a call with reporters on Sunday. "In these cases that we're talking about this week, the children are in the United States and the parents are coming to join them," Brane said. Also see| Border agents, traffickers and migrants mix on busy Rio Grande in US The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether they could be granted longer-term immigration status, she said. Parents will return to the United States on humanitarian parole while authorities consider other longer-term forms of legal status, said Michelle Brane, executive director of the administration's Family Reunification Task Force. The children are already in the United States only. Exactly how many families will reunite in the United States and in what order is linked to negotiations with the American Civil Liberties Union to settle a federal lawsuit in San Diego, but Mayorkas said there were more to come. ''We continue to work tirelessly to reunite many more children with their parents in the weeks and months ahead,'' Mayorkas told reporters ahead of the announcement. "We have a lot of work still to do, but I am proud of the progress we have made and the reunifications that we have helped to achieve this week.'' More than 5,000 children were separated from their parents during the Trump administration going back to July 1, 2017, many of them under a ''zero-tolerance'' policy to criminally prosecute any adult who entered the country illegally, according to court filings. The reunifications begin as the Biden administration confronts the third major increase in unaccompanied children arriving at the border in seven years. The Biden administration is doing its own count going back to Trump's inauguration in January 2017 and, according to Brane, believes more than 1,000 families remain separated. The Biden administration has been grappling in recent months with a sharp rise in migrant crossings at the border, including unaccompanied minors and families with young children, mostly from Central America. The Trump administration, known for its hardline stance on immigration, adopted a blanket "zero-tolerance" policy of prosecuting all unauthorized border crossers in spring 2018, resulting in the mass separation of parents from their children. Trump reversed the policy that summer amid an international outcry, but advocates and government watchdogs found separations began before the policy and continued after it. In some cases, parents were deported and children remained in the United States with other relatives or sponsors. Biden has called family separations under Trump a "human tragedy." DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who also participated in the call with reporters, declined to provide details about the families, citing privacy concerns, but noted that one is Honduran and another Mexican. (With inputs from agencies)

Biden begins  reunifying migrant families separated by Trump-era border policy

Both houses of legislature in Florida passed a bill that would possibly stop tech companies from de-platforming politicians. As per the bill, tech platforms will allowed to suspend accounts of the politicians for 14 days, said BBC. The legislation is awaiting nod from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who is considered to be an ally of former US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;

As per the media report, tech companies may be fined USD 250,000 per day under this legislation if they continued the de-platforming beyond the 14-days window.

Former US President Donald Trump was an avid user of the social media. His tweets were often criticised. He was also dubbed a 'Twitter president' during his tenure.

Trump was given the boot by major tech platforms like Twitter, Facebook and others after the deadly Capitol Hill riots in January this year. Trump supporters attacked the Capitol building as US Congress was certifying current President Joe Biden's victory in US Presidential Election 2020.

Trump was accused of being too late to make an appeal for calm through social media.

After his defeat in the elections, Trump has spent most of his time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is believed to have been close with Governor DeSantis and other high-ranking Republicans in the state.

Both houses of legislature in Florida passed a bill that would possibly stop tech companies from de-platforming politicians. As per the bill, tech platforms will allowed to suspend accounts of the politicians for 14 days, said BBC.

Both houses of legislature in Florida passed a bill that would possibly stop tech companies from de-platforming politicians. As per the bill, tech platforms will allowed to suspend accounts of the politicians for 14 days, said BBC. The legislation is awaiting nod from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who is considered to be an ally of former US President Donald Trump. As per the media report, tech companies may be fined USD 250,000 per day under this legislation if they continued the de-platforming beyond the 14-days window. Former US President Donald Trump was an avid user of the social media. His tweets were often criticised. He was also dubbed a 'Twitter president' during his tenure. Trump was given the boot by major tech platforms like Twitter, Facebook and others after the deadly Capitol Hill riots in January this year. Trump supporters attacked the Capitol building as US Congress was certifying current President Joe Biden's victory in US Presidential Election 2020. Trump was accused of being too late to make an appeal for calm through social media. After his defeat in the elections, Trump has spent most of his time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. He is believed to have been close with Governor DeSantis and other high-ranking Republicans in the state.

Florida approves bill stopping tech companies from de-platforming politicians

Former US President Donald Trump alleges Joe Biden over his weak foreign policy towards China. 'They (Joe Biden Administration) are going to give away our country to China', says Donald Trump. 'Biden's son has vested interest in China', he further added.

'They're going to give away our country to China', says Donald Trump

Former US President Donald Trump accused Joe Biden for giving away America to China. Trump also accused Biden administration for taking credit of his vaccine efforts and called himself the 'Father of vaccine'.

Donald Trump accused Biden for giving away America to China

Federal investigators raided the New York apartment of former US President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani early on Wednesday as part of a probe into his dealings in Ukraine.

Rudy Guiliani slams ongoing government investigation

President Joe Biden declared Wednesday that Washington does not wish to have a conflict with China, the US’ strategic rival.

In his first speech to Congress, Biden said that he had told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that "we welcome the competition — and that we are not looking for conflict." 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-hails-us-coronavirus-fight-as-one-of-greatest-logistical-achievements-381248">Also read | Biden hails US coronavirus fight as one of 'greatest logistical achievements'</a> 
 
Biden argued that the spending plans were needed to keep up with China, which his administration sees as a major strategic challenger.

"China and other countries are closing in fast. We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future," Biden said.

He said he had spent a lot of time talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“He’s deadly earnest about becoming the most significant, consequential nation in the world. He and others, autocrats, think that democracy can’t compete in the 21st century with autocracies. It takes too long to get consensus," he said.

Last month, Biden had said he would prevent China from passing the United States to become the most powerful country in the world, vowing to invest heavily to ensure America prevails in the race between the world’s two largest economies.

Today, during his speech to Congress Biden appeared in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at an event scaled back this year because of the pandemic, with a small, specially selected group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers arrayed before him, and the first woman to serve as US Vice President, Kamala Harris, behind him.

Seizing on the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to advance his priorities at a time of political polarisation, Biden told the joint session and millions of people watching on television that "America is ready for a takeoff."

"Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again, turning peril into possibility, crisis into opportunity, setback into strength," Biden said.

(With inputs from agencies)

President Joe Biden declared Wednesday that Washington does not wish to have a conflict with China, the US’ strategic rival. In his first speech to Congress, Biden said that he had told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that "we welcome the competition — and that we are not looking for conflict.

President Joe Biden declared Wednesday that Washington does not wish to have a conflict with China, the US’ strategic rival. In his first speech to Congress, Biden said that he had told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that "we welcome the competition — and that we are not looking for conflict." Also read | Biden hails US coronavirus fight as one of 'greatest logistical achievements' Biden argued that the spending plans were needed to keep up with China, which his administration sees as a major strategic challenger. "China and other countries are closing in fast. We have to develop and dominate the products and technologies of the future," Biden said. He said he had spent a lot of time talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping. “He’s deadly earnest about becoming the most significant, consequential nation in the world. He and others, autocrats, think that democracy can’t compete in the 21st century with autocracies. It takes too long to get consensus," he said. Last month, Biden had said he would prevent China from passing the United States to become the most powerful country in the world, vowing to invest heavily to ensure America prevails in the race between the world’s two largest economies. Today, during his speech to Congress Biden appeared in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives at an event scaled back this year because of the pandemic, with a small, specially selected group of Democratic and Republican lawmakers arrayed before him, and the first woman to serve as US Vice President, Kamala Harris, behind him. Seizing on the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to advance his priorities at a time of political polarisation, Biden told the joint session and millions of people watching on television that "America is ready for a takeoff." "Now, after just 100 days, I can report to the nation: America is on the move again, turning peril into possibility, crisis into opportunity, setback into strength," Biden said. (With inputs from agencies)

US says it 'does not seek conflict' with China, welcomes 'competition'

Former US President Donald Trump's lawyer&nbsp;Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices have been raided by the federal authorities on Wednesday amid a continuing investigation into the former New York mayor's dealings in Ukraine, his attorney said.

Investigators with search warrants combed Giuliani's residence and a separate office, seizing electronic devices.

They also seized a phone from a Washington attorney, Victoria Toensing, who has advised Trump and worked with Giuliani on Ukraine-related matters, according to news reports.

Giuliani, himself once a top New York prosecutor and then mayor of the city, was a personal lawyer for Trump when the president was impeached in December 2019 for seeking political help from Ukraine.

Giuliani spent months trying to help Trump find dirt in Ukraine on election rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter, during 2018-2020.

But the investigation behind Wednesday's raid could be honing in on Giuliani doing paid work for Ukrainian businessmen at the same time, violating US laws against unregistered lobbying for foreign entities.

Two Ukrainian-born men, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who helped Giuliani in those efforts were arrested in October 2019 and charged with illegally funnelling large donations to a pro-Trump fundraising committee.

Legal thuggery

Giuliani's son Andrew Giuliani condemned the raid outside his father's apartment building, calling it "disgusting" and accusing the Justice Department of a political agenda.

"Anybody, any American, whether you're red or blue, should be disturbed by what happened here today, by the continued politicization of the Justice Department," he told reporters.

"If this can happen to the former president's lawyer, this can happen to any American. Enough is enough," he said.

Giuliani's attorney, Robert Costello, told the New York Times that the raids Wednesday were "legal thuggery."

“Why would you do this to anyone, let alone someone who was the associate attorney general, United States attorney, the mayor of New York City and the personal lawyer to the 45th president of the United States?" he asked.

According to reports, the FBI and the Justice Department's prosecutor in New York had sought search warrants for Giuliani's phones last year but were denied that while Trump remained in office, until January 20.

Under the new attorney general, Merrick Garland, in the administration of now-President Biden, the warrants were approved.

The FBI and Justice Department declined to comment on the raids or the investigation.

Investigations of lawyers, especially those who represented a president, are highly sensitive, given the protections they have for privileged dealings with clients.

Nevertheless, a previous personal attorney for Trump, Michael Cohen, was sent to prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to charges including paying hush money to two women who said they slept with Trump, for tax fraud and for lying to Congress.

The impeachment investigation into Trump revealed extensive involvement by Giuliani in Ukrainian affairs. He appeared to take part in a push by powerful Ukrainian business and political figures to have Trump remove the US ambassador, Masha Yovanovitch.

He also helped pressure the government in Kiev to provide information that would support Trump's baseless claim that his Democratic election rival Biden was involved in corrupt dealings in the country.

On January 11, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on four Ukrainians who it said helped Giuliani in the effort to smear Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election.

The Ukraine affair isn't the only legal case facing Giuliani.

In January he was sued by a voting machine maker for $1.3 billion for spreading claims after the November presidential election that its machines were part of alleged massive voting fraud that caused Trump's loss.

No significant fraud has been demonstrated in the election.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices have been raided by the federal authorities on Wednesday amid a continuing investigation into the former New York mayor's dealings in Ukraine, his attorney said.

Former US President Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices have been raided by the federal authorities on Wednesday amid a continuing investigation into the former New York mayor's dealings in Ukraine, his attorney said. Investigators with search warrants combed Giuliani's residence and a separate office, seizing electronic devices. They also seized a phone from a Washington attorney, Victoria Toensing, who has advised Trump and worked with Giuliani on Ukraine-related matters, according to news reports. Giuliani, himself once a top New York prosecutor and then mayor of the city, was a personal lawyer for Trump when the president was impeached in December 2019 for seeking political help from Ukraine. Giuliani spent months trying to help Trump find dirt in Ukraine on election rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter, during 2018-2020. But the investigation behind Wednesday's raid could be honing in on Giuliani doing paid work for Ukrainian businessmen at the same time, violating US laws against unregistered lobbying for foreign entities. Two Ukrainian-born men, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman, who helped Giuliani in those efforts were arrested in October 2019 and charged with illegally funnelling large donations to a pro-Trump fundraising committee. Legal thuggery Giuliani's son Andrew Giuliani condemned the raid outside his father's apartment building, calling it "disgusting" and accusing the Justice Department of a political agenda. "Anybody, any American, whether you're red or blue, should be disturbed by what happened here today, by the continued politicization of the Justice Department," he told reporters. "If this can happen to the former president's lawyer, this can happen to any American. Enough is enough," he said. Giuliani's attorney, Robert Costello, told the New York Times that the raids Wednesday were "legal thuggery." “Why would you do this to anyone, let alone someone who was the associate attorney general, United States attorney, the mayor of New York City and the personal lawyer to the 45th president of the United States?" he asked. According to reports, the FBI and the Justice Department's prosecutor in New York had sought search warrants for Giuliani's phones last year but were denied that while Trump remained in office, until January 20. Under the new attorney general, Merrick Garland, in the administration of now-President Biden, the warrants were approved. The FBI and Justice Department declined to comment on the raids or the investigation. Investigations of lawyers, especially those who represented a president, are highly sensitive, given the protections they have for privileged dealings with clients. Nevertheless, a previous personal attorney for Trump, Michael Cohen, was sent to prison in 2019 after pleading guilty to charges including paying hush money to two women who said they slept with Trump, for tax fraud and for lying to Congress. The impeachment investigation into Trump revealed extensive involvement by Giuliani in Ukrainian affairs. He appeared to take part in a push by powerful Ukrainian business and political figures to have Trump remove the US ambassador, Masha Yovanovitch. He also helped pressure the government in Kiev to provide information that would support Trump's baseless claim that his Democratic election rival Biden was involved in corrupt dealings in the country. On January 11, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on four Ukrainians who it said helped Giuliani in the effort to smear Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election. The Ukraine affair isn't the only legal case facing Giuliani. In January he was sued by a voting machine maker for $1.3 billion for spreading claims after the November presidential election that its machines were part of alleged massive voting fraud that caused Trump's loss. No significant fraud has been demonstrated in the election. (With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's apartment raided by federal authorities

President Joe Biden's address to Congress broke a historic glass ceiling on Wednesday, as two women - Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - sat behind the president for the first time in U.S. history.

The seating arrangement carried a symbolic meaning for the advancement of U.S. women in recent decades since Harris and Pelosi stand first and second in the presidential line of succession, respectively.

Harris, the first woman and the first Black and Asian person to serve as vice president, sat to Biden's right. Pelosi, who became the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007, sat to his left.

The two women are playing a vital role in the early days of the Biden presidency, with Harris as a close adviser and tie-breaker in an evenly divided Senate and Pelosi helping to marshal the president's legislative agenda through Congress.

Biden spoke to a joint session of the House and Senate with attendance restricted to enforce social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Harris arrived ahead of Biden and Pelosi affectionately took the vice president's hand as she reached the dais before quickly switching to a pandemic-appropriate elbow bump.

"Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President," Biden said as he addressed the crowd. "No president has ever said those words from this podium, no president has ever said those words. And it's about time!"

President Joe Biden's address to Congress broke a historic glass ceiling on Wednesday, as two women - Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - sat behind the president for the first time in U.

President Joe Biden's address to Congress broke a historic glass ceiling on Wednesday, as two women - Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - sat behind the president for the first time in U.S. history. The seating arrangement carried a symbolic meaning for the advancement of U.S. women in recent decades since Harris and Pelosi stand first and second in the presidential line of succession, respectively. Harris, the first woman and the first Black and Asian person to serve as vice president, sat to Biden's right. Pelosi, who became the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives in 2007, sat to his left. The two women are playing a vital role in the early days of the Biden presidency, with Harris as a close adviser and tie-breaker in an evenly divided Senate and Pelosi helping to marshal the president's legislative agenda through Congress. Biden spoke to a joint session of the House and Senate with attendance restricted to enforce social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Harris arrived ahead of Biden and Pelosi affectionately took the vice president's hand as she reached the dais before quickly switching to a pandemic-appropriate elbow bump. "Madam Speaker, Madam Vice President," Biden said as he addressed the crowd. "No president has ever said those words from this podium, no president has ever said those words. And it's about time!"

'It's about time:' In historic first, two powerful women flank US president

Former US president and reality show star,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, has announced his plans to return to the 2024 presidential elections with the aim of conquering the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/the-white-house">White House</a> again.

"Yes, 100%. And the polls show that everybody wants me to do it. 100%, I'm thinking about running," the twice-impeached former president said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-lawyer-rudy-giulianis-apartment-raided-by-federal-authorities-381262">Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's apartment raided by federal authorities</a>

His statement came after Trump’s former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices were raided by federal authorities

"Rudy Giuliani is a great patriot. He does these things. He just loves this country and they raid his apartment. It's like so unfair and such a double standard," Trump said. Giuliani is being investigated for allegations of trying to help Trump find dirt in Ukraine on election rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter, during 2018-2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-ally-roger-stone-owes-2-million-in-unpaid-taxes-reports-378314" hreflang="en">Trump's ally, Roger Stone, owes $2 million in unpaid taxes: Reports</a>

Trump, who was often labelled as 'racist' and was opposed to immigration also complained about the inflow of immigrants under the Biden rule. "Now everybody's pouring into our country, it's out of control. It could destroy our country if it keeps going and the longer it goes, the harder it is to stop. We had the best border that we've ever had in history admitted by everybody, and all they had to do is leave it," he said.

"They're going to give our country away to China. China will take over this country if they don't do something very quickly. And they've been very, very weak on China. They don't want to do it," he continued.

Alleging Biden of being selfish and benefitting from China, Trump claimed the Biden family has earned money out of China and is therefore not taking strict actions against China.

"Look, they have business, (Joe Biden's son) Hunter Biden got a lot of money out of China. China is a big economic power that wants to become the biggest economy. It was supposed to have already taken that step and it would have happened, except that we beat China so badly. And then COVID(-19) came along and it was back to step one," Trump explained.

The infamous President also labelled himself as the "father of the vaccine" and claimed it is only because of him that the US was able to produce the coronavirus vaccines.

"I guess in a certain way, I'm the father of the vaccine because I was the one that pushed it. You know, to get it done in less than nine months was a miracle. Fauci said it would take three to five years. He thought it was something that just wouldn't be that effective because it would take so long to get. I pushed the FDA like they have never been pushed before," Trump boasted.

He also accused the Biden administration of pausing the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine for personal gains. "They blew it with Johnson &amp; Johnson. They should have never done a pause with Johnson &amp; Johnson. That was done for either political reasons or because they like Pfizer so much. But what they did with Johnson &amp; Johnson was horrible," he said without providing any evidence.

Former US president and reality show star, Donald Trump, has announced his plans to return to the 2024 presidential elections with the aim of conquering the White House again.

Former US president and reality show star, Donald Trump, has announced his plans to return to the 2024 presidential elections with the aim of conquering the White House again. "Yes, 100%. And the polls show that everybody wants me to do it. 100%, I'm thinking about running," the twice-impeached former president said. Also read | Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani's apartment raided by federal authorities His statement came after Trump’s former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani's Manhattan apartment and offices were raided by federal authorities "Rudy Giuliani is a great patriot. He does these things. He just loves this country and they raid his apartment. It's like so unfair and such a double standard," Trump said. Giuliani is being investigated for allegations of trying to help Trump find dirt in Ukraine on election rival Joe Biden and Biden's son Hunter, during 2018-2020. Also read | Trump's ally, Roger Stone, owes $2 million in unpaid taxes: Reports Trump, who was often labelled as 'racist' and was opposed to immigration also complained about the inflow of immigrants under the Biden rule. "Now everybody's pouring into our country, it's out of control. It could destroy our country if it keeps going and the longer it goes, the harder it is to stop. We had the best border that we've ever had in history admitted by everybody, and all they had to do is leave it," he said. "They're going to give our country away to China. China will take over this country if they don't do something very quickly. And they've been very, very weak on China. They don't want to do it," he continued. Alleging Biden of being selfish and benefitting from China, Trump claimed the Biden family has earned money out of China and is therefore not taking strict actions against China. "Look, they have business, (Joe Biden's son) Hunter Biden got a lot of money out of China. China is a big economic power that wants to become the biggest economy. It was supposed to have already taken that step and it would have happened, except that we beat China so badly. And then COVID(-19) came along and it was back to step one," Trump explained. The infamous President also labelled himself as the "father of the vaccine" and claimed it is only because of him that the US was able to produce the coronavirus vaccines. "I guess in a certain way, I'm the father of the vaccine because I was the one that pushed it. You know, to get it done in less than nine months was a miracle. Fauci said it would take three to five years. He thought it was something that just wouldn't be that effective because it would take so long to get. I pushed the FDA like they have never been pushed before," Trump boasted. He also accused the Biden administration of pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for personal gains. "They blew it with Johnson & Johnson. They should have never done a pause with Johnson & Johnson. That was done for either political reasons or because they like Pfizer so much. But what they did with Johnson & Johnson was horrible," he said without providing any evidence.

'Father of vaccine', immigration and 2024 presidential run: Donald Trump attacks Biden

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