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


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

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

Joe Biden to speak on coronavirus pandemic as Thanksgiving approaches

<p>A day after the Trump administration effectively acknowledged the election of Joe Biden, investors showed their relief by pushing the two major stock market indexes to record highs on Tuesday.</p>

<p>It was a welcome party of sorts for Biden, but what investors were really embracing was the end of uncertainty. Biden has vowed to push for more stimulus to bolster the economy. His selection for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, is well known from her days as Federal Reserve chair. And several new coronavirus vaccine candidates mean that the pandemic could be under control in the months ahead.</p>

<p>President Donald Trump, who on the campaign trail had warned that Biden’s election would lead to stock market armageddon, on Tuesday implied that the day’s highs were his own doing, making an unscheduled stop at a White House briefing to play up the latest gains in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.</p>

<p>On Wall Street, the S&amp;amp;P 500 stock index rose 1.6% to a new high of 3,635.41, while the Dow rose 1.5%, closing above 30,000 for the first time.</p>

<p>“We have an enormous amount of certainty that we didn’t have just a few months ago,” said Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist at Invesco, an investment management firm.</p>

<p>The good news about vaccines has bolstered stocks that had been hit hard by the outbreak. Stocks of airlines and oil companies have soared this month. United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have all climbed by more than 30 percent. The oil giant Chevron is up nearly 38 percent.</p>

<p>Markets also appeared to welcome the return of politics as usual under a future Biden administration, and were reassured by the news that Yellen will be Biden’s nominee to head the Treasury Department. She is a known quantity on Wall Street, well respected for her steady leadership at the head of the central bank, from 2014 to 2018.</p>

<p>“There had been some fear that Biden would pick a Treasury secretary with a strong anti-Wall Street bias,” wrote analysts with High Frequency Economics in a client note on Tuesday. “Janet Yellen isn’t that.”</p>


A day after the Trump administration effectively acknowledged the election of Joe Biden, investors showed their relief by pushing the two major stock market indexes to record highs on Tuesday.

A day after the Trump administration effectively acknowledged the election of Joe Biden, investors showed their relief by pushing the two major stock market indexes to record highs on Tuesday. It was a welcome party of sorts for Biden, but what investors were really embracing was the end of uncertainty. Biden has vowed to push for more stimulus to bolster the economy. His selection for Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, is well known from her days as Federal Reserve chair. And several new coronavirus vaccine candidates mean that the pandemic could be under control in the months ahead. President Donald Trump, who on the campaign trail had warned that Biden’s election would lead to stock market armageddon, on Tuesday implied that the day’s highs were his own doing, making an unscheduled stop at a White House briefing to play up the latest gains in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. On Wall Street, the S&amp;P 500 stock index rose 1.6% to a new high of 3,635.41, while the Dow rose 1.5%, closing above 30,000 for the first time. “We have an enormous amount of certainty that we didn’t have just a few months ago,” said Kristina Hooper, chief global market strategist at Invesco, an investment management firm. The good news about vaccines has bolstered stocks that had been hit hard by the outbreak. Stocks of airlines and oil companies have soared this month. United Airlines, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have all climbed by more than 30 percent. The oil giant Chevron is up nearly 38 percent. Markets also appeared to welcome the return of politics as usual under a future Biden administration, and were reassured by the news that Yellen will be Biden’s nominee to head the Treasury Department. She is a known quantity on Wall Street, well respected for her steady leadership at the head of the central bank, from 2014 to 2018. “There had been some fear that Biden would pick a Treasury secretary with a strong anti-Wall Street bias,” wrote analysts with High Frequency Economics in a client note on Tuesday. “Janet Yellen isn’t that.”

Markets throw a welcome party of sorts for Biden

<p>When the Biden administration takes office in 2021, it will face a unique, fraught decision: Should Donald Trump be criminally investigated and prosecuted?</p>

<p>Any renewed investigative activity or a criminal prosecution would further divide the country and stoke claims that the Justice Department was merely exacting revenge. An investigation and trial would be a spectacle that would surely consume the administration’s energy.</p>

<p>But as painful and hard as it may be for the country, I believe the next attorney general should investigate Mr. Trump and, if warranted, prosecute him for potential federal crimes.</p>

<p>I do not come to this position lightly. Indeed, we have witnessed two U.S. presidential elections in which large crowds have found it acceptable to chant with fervent zeal that the nominee of the opposing party should be jailed. We do not want to turn into an autocratic state, where law enforcement authorities are political weapons of the reigning party.</p>

<p>But that is not sufficient reason to let Mr. Trump off the hook.</p>

<p>Mr. Trump’s criminal exposure is clear. I was a senior member of the investigation led by the former special counsel Robert Mueller to determine whether Russia attempted to subvert our fundamental democratic source of political legitimacy: our electoral system. Among other things, he was tasked with determining whether Mr. Trump interfered with our fact-finding into this issue.</p>

<p>We amassed ample evidence to support a charge that Mr. Trump obstructed justice. That view is widely shared. Shortly after our report was issued, hundreds of former prosecutors concluded that the evidence supported such a charge.</p>

<p>What precedent is set if obstructing such an investigation is allowed to go unpunished and undeterred? It is hard enough for the executive branch to investigate a sitting president, who has the power to fire a special counsel (if needed, through the attorney general) and to thwart cooperation with an investigation by use of the clemency power. We saw Mr. Trump use his clemency power to do just that with, for example, his ally Roger Stone. He commuted Mr. Stone’s sentence, who was duly convicted by a jury but never spent a day in jail for crimes that a federal judge found were committed for the president. The same judge found that Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman, lied to us repeatedly, breaching his cooperation agreement. He, too, was surely holding out hope for a dangled pardon.</p>

<p>Mr. Trump can’t point to what the special counsel investigation did not find (e.g., “collusion”) when he obstructed that very investigation. The evidence against Mr. Trump includes the testimony of Don McGahn, Mr. Trump’s former White House counsel, who detailed how the president ordered the firing of the special counsel and how when that effort was reported in the press, Mr. Trump beseeched Mr. McGahn to deny publicly the truth and, for safe measure, memorialize that falsity in a written memorandum.</p>

<p>The evidence includes Mr. Trump’s efforts to influence the outcome of a deliberating jury in the Manafort trial and his holding out the hope for a pardon to thwart witnesses from cooperating with our investigation. Can anyone even fathom a legitimate reason to dangle a pardon?</p>

<p>His potential criminal liability goes further, to actions before taking office. The Manhattan district attorney is by all appearances conducting a classic white-collar investigation into tax and bank fraud, and the New York attorney general is engaged in a civil investigation into similar allegations, which could quickly turn into a criminal inquiry.</p>

<p>These state matters may well reveal evidence warranting additional federal charges. Such potential financial crimes were not explored by the special counsel investigation and could reveal criminal evidence. Any evidence that was not produced to Congress in its inquiries, like internal State Department and White House communications, is another potential trove to which the new administration should have access.</p>

<p>The matters already set out by the special counsel and under investigation are not trivial; they should not raise concerns that Mr. Trump is being singled out for something that would not be investigated or prosecuted if committed by anyone else.</p>

<p>Because some of the activities in question predated his presidency, it would be untenable to permit Mr. Trump’s winning a federal election to immunize him from consequences for earlier crimes. We would not countenance that result if a former president was found to have committed a serious violent crime.</p>

<p>Sweeping under the rug Mr. Trump’s federal obstruction would be worse still. The precedent set for not deterring a president’s obstruction of a special counsel investigation would be too costly: It would make any future special counsel investigation toothless and set the presidency de facto above the law. For those who point to the pardon of Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford as precedent for simply looking forward, that is not analogous: Mr. Nixon paid a very heavy price by resigning from the presidency in disgrace for his conduct.</p>

<p>Mr. Trump may very well choose to pardon not just his family and friends before leaving office but also himself in order to avoid federal criminal liability. This historic turn of events would have no effect on his potential criminal exposure at the state level. If Mr. Trump bestows such pardons, states like New York should take up the mantle to see that the rule of law is upheld. And pardons would not preclude the new attorney general challenging a self-pardon or the state calling the pardoned friends and family before the grand jury to advance its investigation of Mr. Trump after he leaves office (where, if they lied, they would still risk charges of perjury and obstruction).</p>

<p>In short, being president should mean you are more accountable, not less, to the rule of law.</p>

<p><em><strong>Andrew Weissmann, a senior prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation, is a senior fellow at the New York University School of Law and the author of “Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation.”</strong></em></p>


When the Biden administration takes office in 2021, it will face a unique, fraught decision: Should Donald Trump be criminally investigated and prosecuted? Any renewed investigative activity or a criminal prosecution would further divide the country and stoke claims that the Justice Department was merely exacting revenge.

When the Biden administration takes office in 2021, it will face a unique, fraught decision: Should Donald Trump be criminally investigated and prosecuted? Any renewed investigative activity or a criminal prosecution would further divide the country and stoke claims that the Justice Department was merely exacting revenge. An investigation and trial would be a spectacle that would surely consume the administration’s energy. But as painful and hard as it may be for the country, I believe the next attorney general should investigate Mr. Trump and, if warranted, prosecute him for potential federal crimes. I do not come to this position lightly. Indeed, we have witnessed two U.S. presidential elections in which large crowds have found it acceptable to chant with fervent zeal that the nominee of the opposing party should be jailed. We do not want to turn into an autocratic state, where law enforcement authorities are political weapons of the reigning party. But that is not sufficient reason to let Mr. Trump off the hook. Mr. Trump’s criminal exposure is clear. I was a senior member of the investigation led by the former special counsel Robert Mueller to determine whether Russia attempted to subvert our fundamental democratic source of political legitimacy: our electoral system. Among other things, he was tasked with determining whether Mr. Trump interfered with our fact-finding into this issue. We amassed ample evidence to support a charge that Mr. Trump obstructed justice. That view is widely shared. Shortly after our report was issued, hundreds of former prosecutors concluded that the evidence supported such a charge. What precedent is set if obstructing such an investigation is allowed to go unpunished and undeterred? It is hard enough for the executive branch to investigate a sitting president, who has the power to fire a special counsel (if needed, through the attorney general) and to thwart cooperation with an investigation by use of the clemency power. We saw Mr. Trump use his clemency power to do just that with, for example, his ally Roger Stone. He commuted Mr. Stone’s sentence, who was duly convicted by a jury but never spent a day in jail for crimes that a federal judge found were committed for the president. The same judge found that Paul Manafort, a former Trump campaign chairman, lied to us repeatedly, breaching his cooperation agreement. He, too, was surely holding out hope for a dangled pardon. Mr. Trump can’t point to what the special counsel investigation did not find (e.g., “collusion”) when he obstructed that very investigation. The evidence against Mr. Trump includes the testimony of Don McGahn, Mr. Trump’s former White House counsel, who detailed how the president ordered the firing of the special counsel and how when that effort was reported in the press, Mr. Trump beseeched Mr. McGahn to deny publicly the truth and, for safe measure, memorialize that falsity in a written memorandum. The evidence includes Mr. Trump’s efforts to influence the outcome of a deliberating jury in the Manafort trial and his holding out the hope for a pardon to thwart witnesses from cooperating with our investigation. Can anyone even fathom a legitimate reason to dangle a pardon? His potential criminal liability goes further, to actions before taking office. The Manhattan district attorney is by all appearances conducting a classic white-collar investigation into tax and bank fraud, and the New York attorney general is engaged in a civil investigation into similar allegations, which could quickly turn into a criminal inquiry. These state matters may well reveal evidence warranting additional federal charges. Such potential financial crimes were not explored by the special counsel investigation and could reveal criminal evidence. Any evidence that was not produced to Congress in its inquiries, like internal State Department and White House communications, is another potential trove to which the new administration should have access. The matters already set out by the special counsel and under investigation are not trivial; they should not raise concerns that Mr. Trump is being singled out for something that would not be investigated or prosecuted if committed by anyone else. Because some of the activities in question predated his presidency, it would be untenable to permit Mr. Trump’s winning a federal election to immunize him from consequences for earlier crimes. We would not countenance that result if a former president was found to have committed a serious violent crime. Sweeping under the rug Mr. Trump’s federal obstruction would be worse still. The precedent set for not deterring a president’s obstruction of a special counsel investigation would be too costly: It would make any future special counsel investigation toothless and set the presidency de facto above the law. For those who point to the pardon of Richard Nixon by Gerald Ford as precedent for simply looking forward, that is not analogous: Mr. Nixon paid a very heavy price by resigning from the presidency in disgrace for his conduct. Mr. Trump may very well choose to pardon not just his family and friends before leaving office but also himself in order to avoid federal criminal liability. This historic turn of events would have no effect on his potential criminal exposure at the state level. If Mr. Trump bestows such pardons, states like New York should take up the mantle to see that the rule of law is upheld. And pardons would not preclude the new attorney general challenging a self-pardon or the state calling the pardoned friends and family before the grand jury to advance its investigation of Mr. Trump after he leaves office (where, if they lied, they would still risk charges of perjury and obstruction). In short, being president should mean you are more accountable, not less, to the rule of law. Andrew Weissmann, a senior prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s special counsel investigation, is a senior fellow at the New York University School of Law and the author of “Where Law Ends: Inside the Mueller Investigation.”

Should Trump be prosecuted?

<p>Presidency of Donald Trump, at least on Twitter, seems to be coming to an end as the social media giant has decided to hand over the POTUS (President Of The United States) Twitter account to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, irrespective of how <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;reacts to his loss.</p>

<p>As per the announcement, Twitter will be handing over the account to the President-elect immediately after he is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States in January.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-be-embarrassing-czech-president-asks-donald-trump-to-step-down-344233" hreflang="en">'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down</a></strong></p>

<p>The decision has been taken by Twitter after <strong>Donald Trump&nbsp;</strong>has consistently refused to acknowledge <strong>Joe Biden's</strong>&nbsp;historic win&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a>, with several reports claiming the outgoing President will not be willing to give up his position of power.</p>

<p>Twitter spokesperson Nick Pacilio told a local media channel that&nbsp;the company is "actively preparing to support the transition of White House institutional Twitter accounts on January 20th, 2021."</p>

<p>The handover will take place immediately after the swearing-in ceremony in January, and the accounts '<strong>@POTU</strong>S', '<strong>@FLOTUS</strong>' and '<strong>@VP</strong>' — including several other official accounts — will be handed over to the Biden administration. All old, existing tweets will be archived, and the new administration will start a new chapter with a basic count of zero tweets.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-results-2020-joe-biden-wins-georgia-after-recount-says-state-election-official-344393" hreflang="en">US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official</a></strong></p>

<p>"As we did for the presidential transition in 2017, this process is being done in close consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration," Twitter&nbsp;said.</p>

<p>While the decision has been appreciated by many, some believe this action will not stop Trump from tweeting "FAKE NEWS" as the reality TV star mainly uses his personal Twitter account '<strong>@realDonaldTrump</strong>', whose 88 million followers dwarf @POTUS's 32 million. has more than 88.9 million followers, as compared to @POTUS's&nbsp;32.8 million followers.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-battle-for-social-media-handles-344979/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Social media users are hoping that the @POTUS account will now be used for more purposes rather than simply re-tweeting Donald Trump's personal account's tweets.</p>

<p>Twitter and Trump have not been on good terms for a while now, with Twitter slapping warning labels on almost all of trump's recent tweets, and Trump alleging the <strong>Jack Dorsey</strong>'s company of bias against Republicans.</p>


Presidency of Donald Trump, at least on Twitter, seems to be coming to an end as the social media giant has decided to hand over the POTUS (President Of The United States) Twitter account to Joe Biden, irrespective of how Donald Trump reacts to his loss.

Presidency of Donald Trump, at least on Twitter, seems to be coming to an end as the social media giant has decided to hand over the POTUS (President Of The United States) Twitter account to Joe Biden, irrespective of how Donald Trump reacts to his loss. As per the announcement, Twitter will be handing over the account to the President-elect immediately after he is sworn in as the 46th President of the United States in January. Also read| 'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down The decision has been taken by Twitter after Donald Trump has consistently refused to acknowledge Joe Biden's historic win in the US election, with several reports claiming the outgoing President will not be willing to give up his position of power. Twitter spokesperson Nick Pacilio told a local media channel that the company is "actively preparing to support the transition of White House institutional Twitter accounts on January 20th, 2021." The handover will take place immediately after the swearing-in ceremony in January, and the accounts '@POTUS', '@FLOTUS' and '@VP' — including several other official accounts — will be handed over to the Biden administration. All old, existing tweets will be archived, and the new administration will start a new chapter with a basic count of zero tweets. Also read| US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official "As we did for the presidential transition in 2017, this process is being done in close consultation with the National Archives and Records Administration," Twitter said. While the decision has been appreciated by many, some believe this action will not stop Trump from tweeting "FAKE NEWS" as the reality TV star mainly uses his personal Twitter account '@realDonaldTrump', whose 88 million followers dwarf @POTUS's 32 million. has more than 88.9 million followers, as compared to @POTUS's 32.8 million followers. × Social media users are hoping that the @POTUS account will now be used for more purposes rather than simply re-tweeting Donald Trump's personal account's tweets. Twitter and Trump have not been on good terms for a while now, with Twitter slapping warning labels on almost all of trump's recent tweets, and Trump alleging the Jack Dorsey's company of bias against Republicans.

You're fired: Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Monday was formally given the go-ahead by a federal agency to begin his transition to the presidency, shortly after the battleground state of Michigan certified him as the winner there.

US General Services Administration allows Biden transition funds to begin

United States President-elect Joe Biden has announced his cabinet posts. Several members of Barack Obama administration have made a comeback as Biden shows his inner circle to lead his new team.

Biden Cabinet: Antony Blinken to become Secretary of State

Joe Biden's pick for US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, is one of the most seasoned politician in his most trusted aide. Blinken served as Deputy National Security Advisor in Obama's administration. WION brings you a report.

Antony Blinken: Joe Biden's pick for US Secretary of State

<p>US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>on Monday announced the name of key leaders who will part of his cabinet, which included his longtime foreign policy advisor Anthony Blinken and John Kerry.</p>

<p>All the people whose name were announced were earlier seen in Obama-Biden administration.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-campaign-cuts-ties-with-lawyer-sidney-powell-who-made-voter-fraud-claims-344754">Trump campaign cuts ties with lawyer Sidney Powell who made voter fraud claims</a></strong></p>

<h2>Here is the full list.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Biden made Blinken his secretary of state and former US chief diplomat John Kerry becomes special climate envoy.</p>

<p>He also nominated Cuba-born lawyer Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Latino ever to head the Department of Homeland Security that deals with immigration.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Avril Haines, the former deputy CIA director, was given charge as the director of national intelligence.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden has picked another longtime advisor Jake Sullivan to become US's national security advisor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also said former US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will represent US in the UN.</p>

<p>"We have no time to lose when it comes to our national security and foreign policy," Biden in a statement said</p>

<p>"These individuals are equally as experienced and crisis-tested as they are innovative and imaginative."</p>

<p>Even though Biden has picked the key members, their confirmation needs to be approved by the Senate, whose control will be decided following the two January runoff races in Georgia.</p>


US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced the name of key leaders who will part of his cabinet, which included his longtime foreign policy advisor Anthony Blinken and John Kerry.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday announced the name of key leaders who will part of his cabinet, which included his longtime foreign policy advisor Anthony Blinken and John Kerry. All the people whose name were announced were earlier seen in Obama-Biden administration. Also read | Trump campaign cuts ties with lawyer Sidney Powell who made voter fraud claims Here is the full list. Biden made Blinken his secretary of state and former US chief diplomat John Kerry becomes special climate envoy. He also nominated Cuba-born lawyer Alejandro Mayorkas, the first Latino ever to head the Department of Homeland Security that deals with immigration. Avril Haines, the former deputy CIA director, was given charge as the director of national intelligence. Biden has picked another longtime advisor Jake Sullivan to become US's national security advisor. He also said former US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield will represent US in the UN. "We have no time to lose when it comes to our national security and foreign policy," Biden in a statement said "These individuals are equally as experienced and crisis-tested as they are innovative and imaginative." Even though Biden has picked the key members, their confirmation needs to be approved by the Senate, whose control will be decided following the two January runoff races in Georgia.

Joe Biden announces Cabinet team: Check out who gets what here

Twitter and Facebook have said that they will handover official social media accounts to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden on Jan 20. What does this mean for Trump

Gravitas: The battle for social media handles

<p>US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is all set to announce his&nbsp;cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the&nbsp;veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.</p>

<p>Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy&nbsp;national security adviser in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Obama</a> administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President.</p>

<p>A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace <strong>Mike Pompeo</strong> from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>'s cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections.</a></p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-to-name-his-cabinet-ministers-on-tuesday-344730">Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday</a></strong></p>

<p>Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as&nbsp;Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden.</p>

<p>Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in&nbsp;late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined&nbsp;President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides.</p>

<p>Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kamala-harris">Harris</a>&nbsp;campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.</p>


US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed.

US President-elect Joe Biden is all set to announce his cabinet picks shortly, and one of the main positions of Secretary of State might be filled by the veteran diplomat Antony Blinken, sources have revealed. Blinken has earlier served as one of the top officials at the State Department and as deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration — with Joe Biden as the Vice President. A close Biden ally has now revealed to local media houses that the 58-year-old is most likely to be Joe Biden's most likely pick to replace Mike Pompeo from Donald Trump's cabinet, after Biden's historic win in the recently-held US elections. Also read| Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday Married to Evan Ryan — who has served as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs — Blinken and his family has been a longtime confidante of Biden. Often referred to as "diplomat's diplomat," Blinken is known to be deliberative and relatively soft-spoken, with expertise in nuances of foreign policy. The Harvard-educated scholar started his political career in late 1980s when he helped Michael Dukakis' presidential campaign raise money, and later joined President Bill Clinton's White House as a speechwriter and became one of his national security aides. Blinken was also a strong support for the Biden-Harris campaign, lending them a helping hand his expert thoughts in matters beyond foreign policy too.

Joe Biden to name Antony Blinken as Secretary of State: Reports

<p>One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/us-china-trade-war-in-10-dates-241155"><strong>In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates</strong></a><br />
<br />
Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington.</p>

<p>He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-is-mulling-joining-trade-pact-dumped-by-trump-344669"><strong>Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump</strong></a></p>

<p>"Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian.</p>

<p>Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank.</p>

<p>"The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently.</p>

<p>Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China.</p>

<p>Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said.</p>

<p>"He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars."</p>

<p>The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights.</p>

<p>Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect.</p>

<p>Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency.</p>

<p>At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug".</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration.

One of China’s top political scientists, Zheng Yongnian has said that China must drop its illusion that its relations with the United States will automatically improve under President-elect Joe Biden's administration. In pictures: US-China trade war in 10 dates Zheng, a Chinese government advisor has said that Beijing should be prepared for a tough stance from Washington. He recently said that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade pact would make it “challenging” for the US to form a new united trade front against China. Also read: China is mulling joining trade pact dumped by Trump "Chinese government should utilise every opportunity to mend ties with the US," said Yongnian. Zheng is the Dean of the Advanced Institute of Global and Contemporary China Studies, a Shenzhen-based think tank. "The good old days are over... the Cold War hawks in the US have been in a highly mobilised state for several years, and they will not disappear overnight," Zheng said in an interview on the sidelines of the Understanding China Conference in Guangzhou recently. Zheng, who attended a symposium hosted by President Xi Jinping in August to offer advice on China's long-term strategy, said there was now a bipartisan consensus in the US on containing China. Zheng said President-elect Joe Biden might take advantage of the public resentment towards China after he entered the White House. "American society is torn apart. I don't think Biden can do anything about it," Zheng said. "He is certainly a very weak President, if he can't sort out domestic issues, then he will do something on the diplomatic front, do something against China. If we say Trump is not interested in promoting democracy and freedom, Biden is. (President Donald) Trump is not interested in war... but a Democratic President could start wars." The relationship between China and the United States has deteriorated under President Trump over a variety of reasons, including COVID-19 handling, trade and human rights. Over 300 separate Bills targeting China have been drawn up by both Democrats and Republicans in the Congress, and the important ones addressing the catastrophes in Hong Kong and Xinjiang enjoyed full bipartisan support. The most potentially effective law, the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act, which Trump only reluctantly signed, was co-sponsored by Republican Marco Rubio and Kamala Harris, the Democrats' Vice-President-elect. Chinese foreign policy specialists have said they expect tensions between the US and China to continue under the Biden presidency. At times during the election campaign, Biden took a tough line on China, calling Xi a "thug". (With inputs from agencies)

Joe Biden is a very weak President, could start wars: China’s top political scientist

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden will announce the first of his Cabinet appointments on Tuesday and is planning for a scaled-down inauguration due to the coronavirus pandemic, aides said on Sunday, as he lays the foundation for his new administration despite President Donald Trump's refusal to concede.

Joe Biden all set to annpunce his cabinet appointments

The United States President-elect, Joe Biden, will announce the names of his first Cabinet picks, including the secretary of state, on Tuesday.

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden to unveil first Cabinet picks on Tuesday

<p>To honour the&nbsp;US President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;and his achievements, his home state&nbsp;Pennsylvania has renamed a street after him.</p>

<p>After Biden's historic win in the recently-held&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>, his hometown, Scranton, renamed a street after him, near his childhood home. "This morning I had the opportunity to join U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Marywood University to unveil a Joe Biden Way street sign to honor our President-Elect. This sign is a step toward recognizing this achievement for our City, in hopes of giving a lasting boost of confidence to every child who lives here," the Mayor of Scranton,&nbsp;Paige Cognetti, said on Facebook.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/mayorofscranton/posts/218472676359775" data-show-text="true" data-width="">
<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/mayorofscranton/posts/218472676359775" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<p>This morning I had the opportunity to join U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Marywood University to unveil a Joe Biden Way...</p>
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mayorofscranton/">Mayor of Scranton</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mayorofscranton/posts/218472676359775">Friday, November 20, 2020</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The sign has been installed at the&nbsp;intersection of Fisk Street and North Washington Avenue in the Green Ridge, which is a few steps away from his home where <strong>Biden</strong> grew up, before moving to Delaware.</p>

<p>"He knows how proud of him we are, and it lifts the people of the city. We feel proud one of ours is the President of the United States,"&nbsp;former Scranton Mayor Jimmy Connors told local media channel.</p>

<p>Biden's love for the city has also been mentioned by the former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a>&nbsp;under whom Biden served as Vice President. Obama had appreciated Biden as the "scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son."</p>


To honour the US President-elect Joe Biden and his achievements, his home state Pennsylvania has renamed a street after him. After Biden's historic win in the recently-held US elections, his hometown, Scranton, renamed a street after him, near his childhood home.

To honour the US President-elect Joe Biden and his achievements, his home state Pennsylvania has renamed a street after him. After Biden's historic win in the recently-held US elections, his hometown, Scranton, renamed a street after him, near his childhood home. "This morning I had the opportunity to join U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Marywood University to unveil a Joe Biden Way street sign to honor our President-Elect. This sign is a step toward recognizing this achievement for our City, in hopes of giving a lasting boost of confidence to every child who lives here," the Mayor of Scranton, Paige Cognetti, said on Facebook. This morning I had the opportunity to join U.S. Senator Bob Casey and Marywood University to unveil a Joe Biden Way... Posted by Mayor of Scranton on Friday, November 20, 2020 × The sign has been installed at the intersection of Fisk Street and North Washington Avenue in the Green Ridge, which is a few steps away from his home where Biden grew up, before moving to Delaware. "He knows how proud of him we are, and it lifts the people of the city. We feel proud one of ours is the President of the United States," former Scranton Mayor Jimmy Connors told local media channel. Biden's love for the city has also been mentioned by the former US President Barack Obama under whom Biden served as Vice President. Obama had appreciated Biden as the "scrappy kid from Scranton who became Delaware's favorite son."

'Scrappy kid from Scranton': Pennsylvania renames street to honour Joe Biden

<p>US President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>on Tuesday will name his cabinet picks, his chief of staff said on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden is taking calls related to his job as president ahead of his take over in January 2020 despite Donald Trump refusing to accept the results of the presidential election.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/multiple-blows-narrow-donald-trumps-options-to-retain-presidency-344474">Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency</a></strong></p>

<p>"You are going to see the first of the president-elect's cabinet picks on Tuesday of this week," said Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain to ABC.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-judge-dismisses-trump-election-lawsuit-in-pennsylvania-344586">US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania</a></p>

<p>"You'll have to wait for the president-elect to say that himself on Tuesday,"&nbsp;</p>

<p>Klain also described Trump's denial of election verdict as "corrosive", "harmful".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's not going to change the outcome of what happens here at 12 noon on Jan. 20: Joe Biden will become the next president of the United States," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Trump's chances to retain presidency despite his false claims seem to end as a Pennsylvania judge on Saturday rejected claims that there has been widespread electoral fraud as propagated by Trump's tegal team.</p>

<p>Pennsylvania is part of key battleground states where Trump has lost to Biden, but so far he has not accepted the verdict of these states.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier on Thursday, Georgia, another battleground state, declared Biden as the winner after a recount.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several Republican senators, including Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst have slammed Trump's strategy to not concede defeat.&nbsp;</p>


US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday will name his cabinet picks, his chief of staff said on Sunday. Biden is taking calls related to his job as president ahead of his take over in January 2020 despite Donald Trump refusing to accept the results of the presidential election.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday will name his cabinet picks, his chief of staff said on Sunday. Biden is taking calls related to his job as president ahead of his take over in January 2020 despite Donald Trump refusing to accept the results of the presidential election. Also read | Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency "You are going to see the first of the president-elect's cabinet picks on Tuesday of this week," said Biden's chief of staff Ron Klain to ABC. Also read | US judge dismisses Trump election lawsuit in Pennsylvania "You'll have to wait for the president-elect to say that himself on Tuesday," Klain also described Trump's denial of election verdict as "corrosive", "harmful". "It's not going to change the outcome of what happens here at 12 noon on Jan. 20: Joe Biden will become the next president of the United States," he said. Meanwhile, Trump's chances to retain presidency despite his false claims seem to end as a Pennsylvania judge on Saturday rejected claims that there has been widespread electoral fraud as propagated by Trump's tegal team. Pennsylvania is part of key battleground states where Trump has lost to Biden, but so far he has not accepted the verdict of these states. Earlier on Thursday, Georgia, another battleground state, declared Biden as the winner after a recount. Several Republican senators, including Mitt Romney, Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst have slammed Trump's strategy to not concede defeat.

Joe Biden to name his cabinet ministers on Tuesday

<p>Saudi Arabia expects no major change in its relationship with the US under Joe Biden, a senior official told CNN, despite the president-elect pledging to turn the kingdom into a "pariah".</p>

<p>OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has appeared wary of Biden after he promised a stern stance against the kingdom for its human rights failings.</p>

<p>But Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, dismissed the notion.</p>

<p>"We deal with the president of the United States as a friend, whether he's Republican or Democrat," Jubeir told CNN, in an interview released over the weekend.</p>

<p>"President-elect Biden has been in the (US) Senate for 35 years, he has tremendous experience... I don't expect that there's going to be major change in terms of America's foreign policy."</p>

<p>The comment comes as Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 leaders' summit this weekend, a first for an Arab nation, while global campaigners seek to draw attention to the kingdom's human rights record.</p>

<p>Saudi Arabia has largely escaped US censure under Trump, who along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, has enjoyed a personal rapport with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler.</p>

<p>Trump's defeat leaves Prince Mohammed vulnerable to renewed scrutiny from the kingdom's closest Western ally.</p>

<p>That could leave the crown prince isolated amid economic challenges that imperil his reform agenda, a grinding war in neighbouring Yemen and pockets of domestic opposition to his rule.</p>

<p>During his election campaign, Biden threatened to make Saudi Arabia "the pariah that they are".</p>

<p>Saudi observers dismiss the Democrat leader's campaign speeches about the kingdom as bluster, pointing out that Trump also struck a hostile note in his 2016 campaign before quickly warming up to its rulers.</p>

<p>"We deal with the presidents once they're in office, and we have huge interests with the United States," Jubeir said.</p>

<p>"We are working together on global economic security, on energy security, on financial issues, and we are key in terms of the Muslim world. These interests are huge for us and for the United States."</p>


Saudi Arabia expects no major change in its relationship with the US under Joe Biden, a senior official told CNN, despite the president-elect pledging to turn the kingdom into a "pariah".

Saudi Arabia expects no major change in its relationship with the US under Joe Biden, a senior official told CNN, despite the president-elect pledging to turn the kingdom into a "pariah". OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, a close ally of President Donald Trump, has appeared wary of Biden after he promised a stern stance against the kingdom for its human rights failings. But Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, dismissed the notion. "We deal with the president of the United States as a friend, whether he's Republican or Democrat," Jubeir told CNN, in an interview released over the weekend. "President-elect Biden has been in the (US) Senate for 35 years, he has tremendous experience... I don't expect that there's going to be major change in terms of America's foreign policy." The comment comes as Saudi Arabia hosts the G20 leaders' summit this weekend, a first for an Arab nation, while global campaigners seek to draw attention to the kingdom's human rights record. Saudi Arabia has largely escaped US censure under Trump, who along with his son-in-law Jared Kushner, has enjoyed a personal rapport with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler. Trump's defeat leaves Prince Mohammed vulnerable to renewed scrutiny from the kingdom's closest Western ally. That could leave the crown prince isolated amid economic challenges that imperil his reform agenda, a grinding war in neighbouring Yemen and pockets of domestic opposition to his rule. During his election campaign, Biden threatened to make Saudi Arabia "the pariah that they are". Saudi observers dismiss the Democrat leader's campaign speeches about the kingdom as bluster, pointing out that Trump also struck a hostile note in his 2016 campaign before quickly warming up to its rulers. "We deal with the presidents once they're in office, and we have huge interests with the United States," Jubeir said. "We are working together on global economic security, on energy security, on financial issues, and we are key in terms of the Muslim world. These interests are huge for us and for the United States."

Saudi confident of 'friendly' ties with Biden: official

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Trump's campaign is trying to change the results of key battleground states and in one such move, Trump met Republican lawmakers from Michigan on Friday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youre-fired-twitter-to-hand-over-potus-account-to-biden-whether-trump-concedes-or-not-344466">You're fired: Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not</a></strong></p>

<p>Trump met Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and the house speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House, who said that they don't have any "information" that would change "change the outcome of the election in Michigan".</p>

<p>"We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors," the joint statement of the Republicans said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation."</p>

<p>Trump received another blow on Friday after Georgia became the first of those states to formally certify its results, claiming that Biden won it by 12,670 votes.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Trump's claims on the verdict of Michigan also invited criticism from several Republicans, including Senator Mitt Romney who said: "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American president".</p>

<p>Other Senate Republicans Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst also slammed Trump's strategy to overturn the outcome.&nbsp;</p>


Donald Trump's options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state.

Donald Trump's options to claim presidency despite losing the election to President-elect Joe Biden seems to end as in the latest Republican lawmakers from Republicans have ruled out any attempt to change the verdict of the state. The Trump's campaign is trying to change the results of key battleground states and in one such move, Trump met Republican lawmakers from Michigan on Friday. Also read | You're fired: Twitter to hand over POTUS account to Biden, whether Trump concedes or not Trump met Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and the house speaker Lee Chatfield at the White House, who said that they don't have any "information" that would change "change the outcome of the election in Michigan". "We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors," the joint statement of the Republicans said. "Michigan's certification process should be a deliberate process free from threats and intimidation." Trump received another blow on Friday after Georgia became the first of those states to formally certify its results, claiming that Biden won it by 12,670 votes. Trump's claims on the verdict of Michigan also invited criticism from several Republicans, including Senator Mitt Romney who said: "It is difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action by a sitting American president". Other Senate Republicans Ben Sasse and Joni Ernst also slammed Trump's strategy to overturn the outcome.

Multiple blows narrow Donald Trump's options to retain presidency

As Mike Pompeo became the first US diplomat to visit a West Bank settlement, watchdog reports suggest that Israel is moving ahead with settlement plans in East Jerusalem. On this week's The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis tells you how PM Netanyahu's new settlement plans could test his ties with a Biden White House. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM IST, only on WION.

The West Asia Post | Episode 8 | Your Window to West Asia

<p>Democratic president-elect Joe Biden has narrowly won Georgia after a manual recount of all the ballots cast was completed there in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">presidential election</a>, a local official announced Thursday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-trump-refuses-to-concede-bidens-camp-gets-to-work-343775" hreflang="en">US election 2020: Trump refuses to concede, Biden's camp gets to work</a></p>

<p>"The audit confirmed that the original machine count accurately portrayed the winner of the election," a statement posted on the website of Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger said.</p>

<p>"Like other Republicans. I’m disappointed, our candidate didn’t win Georgia’s electoral votes," said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who called himself a proud Trump supporter. "I live by the motto that numbers don’t lie. As secretary of state, I believe that the numbers that we have presented today are correct."</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-trumps-election-lawsuits-fall-flat-344436/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Democratic candidate Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232 nationwide. Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-asks-judge-to-declare-him-winner-in-pennsylvania-344151" hreflang="en">Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania</a></p>

<p>In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes. The recount found the error rate was no greater than 0.73 per cent in any county and Biden won the state with a narrow margin of 0.5 per cent.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But Gabriel Sterling, a Republican who serves as Georgia's voting system implementation manager, told CNN on Thursday: "One of the big complaints is these machines somehow flipped votes or changed votes or did stuff. They didn't, at least not in Georgia. We proved it."</p>


Democratic president-elect Joe Biden has narrowly won Georgia after a manual recount of all the ballots cast was completed there in the presidential election, a local official announced Thursday.

Democratic president-elect Joe Biden has narrowly won Georgia after a manual recount of all the ballots cast was completed there in the presidential election, a local official announced Thursday. Also read: US election 2020: Trump refuses to concede, Biden's camp gets to work "The audit confirmed that the original machine count accurately portrayed the winner of the election," a statement posted on the website of Georgia secretary of state Brad Raffensperger said. "Like other Republicans. I’m disappointed, our candidate didn’t win Georgia’s electoral votes," said Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who called himself a proud Trump supporter. "I live by the motto that numbers don’t lie. As secretary of state, I believe that the numbers that we have presented today are correct." × Democratic candidate Joe Biden won with 306 electoral votes to Trump's 232 nationwide. Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades. Also read: Donald Trump asks judge to declare him winner in Pennsylvania In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes. The recount found the error rate was no greater than 0.73 per cent in any county and Biden won the state with a narrow margin of 0.5 per cent. But Gabriel Sterling, a Republican who serves as Georgia's voting system implementation manager, told CNN on Thursday: "One of the big complaints is these machines somehow flipped votes or changed votes or did stuff. They didn't, at least not in Georgia. We proved it."

US elections results 2020: Joe Biden wins Georgia after recount, says state election official

<p>It has been a couple of weeks since&nbsp;the outgoing US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;lost the race to White against&nbsp;his Democratic opponent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US elections</a>. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat.</p>

<p>While several world leaders have congratulated the President-elect Joe Biden, the&nbsp;Czech President Milos Zeman has passed on a word of advice to Trump, and that is to not to be embarrassing and let Biden take the lead now, post-January.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-confident-he-knows-he-hasnt-won-joe-biden-on-trump-344203">‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump</a></strong></p>

<p>Talking about how Trump has still not acknowledged his defeat and is still trying to fight the system by filing lawsuits in various states, alleging the Democratic Party of voter fraud, Zeman said, "I personally believe that it would be much more reasonable to give up, not to be embarrassing, and allow the new president to take office."</p>

<p>The 76-year-old leader has served two terms in his country as the President, and one as the Prime Minister. He plays a major role in the country's post-communist politics. The statement was unexpected from Zeman as he has been a supporter of the Republican President in the past.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-campaign-drops-michigan-vote-count-lawsuit-344169">Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit</a></strong></p>

<p>Biden achieved a historic victory against Trump in the Presidential elections that took place on November 03. However, Trump has refused to acknowledge the defeat and has consistently alleged voter fraud in the mail-in ballots. Joe Biden, recently, opened up about Trump's failing lawsuits and blamed him for sending out "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions."</p>


It has been a couple of weeks since the outgoing US President Donald Trump lost the race to White against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the US elections. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat.

It has been a couple of weeks since the outgoing US President Donald Trump lost the race to White against his Democratic opponent Joe Biden in the US elections. However, Trump has refused to concede his defeat. While several world leaders have congratulated the President-elect Joe Biden, the Czech President Milos Zeman has passed on a word of advice to Trump, and that is to not to be embarrassing and let Biden take the lead now, post-January. Also read| ‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump Talking about how Trump has still not acknowledged his defeat and is still trying to fight the system by filing lawsuits in various states, alleging the Democratic Party of voter fraud, Zeman said, "I personally believe that it would be much more reasonable to give up, not to be embarrassing, and allow the new president to take office." The 76-year-old leader has served two terms in his country as the President, and one as the Prime Minister. He plays a major role in the country's post-communist politics. The statement was unexpected from Zeman as he has been a supporter of the Republican President in the past. Also read| Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit Biden achieved a historic victory against Trump in the Presidential elections that took place on November 03. However, Trump has refused to acknowledge the defeat and has consistently alleged voter fraud in the mail-in ballots. Joe Biden, recently, opened up about Trump's failing lawsuits and blamed him for sending out "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions."

'Don't be embarrassing': Czech President asks Donald Trump to step down

Sidney Powell, a former federal prosecutor who is now an election attorney for President Donald Trump, on Thursday (November 19) said again without providing evidence that millions of votes were shifted from Trump to Democratic rival Joe Biden by software designed to rig the election.

Giuliani links latest election fraud claims to 'communist money' from Venezuela

Despite widespread irregularities or lack of evidence of fraud, President Donald Trump's legal team used Thursday's press conference to go through the laundry list of far-fetched, well-dismissed claims on the 2020 election.

Delay in Trump-to Biden transition, Trump pushes legal challenges | WION-VoA Co-Production

Who did the minority groups vote for? | US Election 2020 | WION-VoA Co-Production

<p>India is racing ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine. Serum Institute has said that Oxford COVID-19 vaccine should be available for the general public by April 2021. US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy. And on Thursday, a man attacked several people with a knife in Oberhausen, German authorities said, leaving five injured.</p>

<p><strong>Here are the latest headlines you must not miss:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-us-continues-to-battle-huge-uptick-as-it-sees-over-2200-new-deaths-344219"><strong>Coronavirus: US continues to battle huge uptick as it sees over 2,200 new deaths</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/08/08/153602-us-corona.jpg?itok=vux0e8zM" />The United States in the last 24 hours confirmed more than 2,200 coronavirus deaths, highest ever since May, according to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University tally on Thursday.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-covid-19-vaccine-to-be-available-for-indians-by-april-2021-serum-institute-chief-344212"><strong>Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to be available for Indians by April 2021: Serum Institute Chief&nbsp;</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/10/27/166969-coronavirus-vaccine.jpg?itok=xnnXsZ64" />India is racing ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine as countries around the world sought to conquer the pandemic and rescue their economies.</p>

<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-confident-he-knows-he-hasnt-won-joe-biden-on-trump-344203"><strong>‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/11/16/170065-untitled-design-18.jpg?itok=_N2v_Zfr" /></p>

<p>US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-stabbing-attack-five-injured-in-oberhausen-suspect-arrested-344208"><strong>Germany stabbing attack: Five injured in Oberhausen, suspect arrested</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/11/20/170450-german-police.JPG?itok=ZCwC-Pd0" /></p>

<p>A man attacked several people with a knife in Oberhausen on Thursday evening, German authorities said, leaving five injured.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/irans-revolutionary-guard-corps-unleashes-new-warship-with-drones-helicopters-onboard-344150"><strong>In pics: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unleashes new warship with drones, helicopters onboard</strong></a><br />
<br />
<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/2020/11/19/170394-warship3.jpg" /><br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/your-story-21-year-old-student-begins-a-start-up-company-in-kabul-344202/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>


India is racing ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine. Serum Institute has said that Oxford COVID-19 vaccine should be available for the general public by April 2021.

India is racing ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine. Serum Institute has said that Oxford COVID-19 vaccine should be available for the general public by April 2021. US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy. And on Thursday, a man attacked several people with a knife in Oberhausen, German authorities said, leaving five injured. Here are the latest headlines you must not miss: Coronavirus: US continues to battle huge uptick as it sees over 2,200 new deaths The United States in the last 24 hours confirmed more than 2,200 coronavirus deaths, highest ever since May, according to a tally by the Johns Hopkins University tally on Thursday. Oxford COVID-19 vaccine to be available for Indians by April 2021: Serum Institute Chief India is racing ahead with work on its coronavirus vaccine as countries around the world sought to conquer the pandemic and rescue their economies. ‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. Germany stabbing attack: Five injured in Oberhausen, suspect arrested A man attacked several people with a knife in Oberhausen on Thursday evening, German authorities said, leaving five injured. In pics: Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps unleashes new warship with drones, helicopters onboard

Morning news brief: Covid vaccine by April, Biden criticizes Trump, and more

<p>In a bold move to refurbish their sullied image in Washington, the Palestinians are laying the groundwork for an overhaul to one of their most cherished but controversial practices, officials say: compensating those who serve time in Israeli prisons, including for violent attacks.</p>

<p>That policy, which critics call “pay to slay,” has long been denounced by Israel and its supporters as giving an incentive to terrorism because it assures would-be attackers that their dependents will be well cared for. And because payments are based largely on the length of the prison sentence, critics say the most heinous crimes are the most rewarded.</p>

<p>In a bipartisan rebuke to the system, Congress repeatedly passed legislation to reduce aid to the Palestinians by the amount of those payments. The payments were cited by the Trump administration when it cut off funding and took other punitive measures against the Palestinians starting in 2018.</p>

<p>Now, however, Palestinian officials eager to make a fresh start with the incoming Biden administration — and to have those punitive measures rolled back — are heeding the advice of sympathetic Democrats who have repeatedly warned that without an end to the payments, it would be impossible for the new administration to do any heavy lifting on their behalf.</p>

<p>The proposal being hammered out in Ramallah would give the families of Palestinian prisoners stipends based on their financial need instead of how long they are behind bars, said Qadri Abu Bakr, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners Affairs Commission.</p>

<p>“Economic need must serve as the basis,” Abu Bakr said in a phone interview. “A single man should not be earning the same as someone with a family.”</p>

<p>The plan, which has not been publicly announced, is only the latest in a flurry of moves the Palestinians are making to try to reboot their international relations. On Tuesday, they acquiesced to widespread diplomatic pressure and resumed cooperation with Israel on security and civil matters after a six-month boycott. And on Wednesday, they said they had returned their emissaries to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, after recalling them in protest of those countries’ normalization agreements with Israel.</p>

<p>The details of the proposed changes to the prisoner payment system have not been finalized, Abu Bakr said, and will require the approval of the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas.</p>

<p>It is not yet clear whether de-linking the payments from the crime will satisfy the system’s strongest critics if any payments to prisoners continue.</p>

<p>But the proposal is almost certain to stir intense pushback from many Palestinians, who have long revered prisoners as heroes and freedom fighters.</p>

<p>The status of prisoners may be the most emotionally charged issue on the Palestinian street: One of the biggest protest movements in the West Bank in recent years was in support of prisoners who mounted a hunger strike in 2017. In May, when some Palestinian banks complied with an Israeli military order barring them from distributing the payments to the prisoners’ families, gunmen opened fire on several of the banks’ branches.</p>

<p>The Palestinians have made payments to prisoners of Israel for decades, defending them as critical compensation for an unfair military justice system and necessary to provide income for families who have lost their primary breadwinners.</p>

<p>Under the current system, the Palestinian Authority pays larger stipends to prisoners who have spent longer times in prison, with little regard for their families’ economic welfare. For example, someone who has spent 35 years in prison could earn thousands of dollars a month; someone in prison for four years might receive hundreds.</p>

<p>Ashraf al-Ajrami, a former minister of prisoner affairs, said he fully expected that the public “would respond angrily” to the proposed changes. But he acknowledged that the Palestinian Authority was eager to change the system because of the diplomatic toll it had taken.</p>

<p>Asked about the plan, relatives of inmates expressed disbelief and disgust.</p>

<p>“This is 100% unacceptable and shameful,” said Qassam Barghouti, the son of Marwan Barghouti, who was convicted by Israel of five counts of murder and is serving multiple life sentences.</p>

<p>“The prisoners are not a social welfare issue,” he added. “People are paid more for spending longer periods of time in prison to recognize their sacrifices: The more time you spend behind bars, the greater your value to your society is.”</p>

<p>Officials said they also plan to require released prisoners to take public-sector jobs. Many former prisoners are paid what amount to monthly pensions for sitting idle, Abu Bakr said.</p>

<p>“We shouldn’t be delivering salaries to people for doing nothing,” he said, noting that his commission had already distributed questionnaires to former prisoners about their job preferences. “They should work for them.”</p>

<p>Officials said they also planned to overhaul payments to families of assailants and others killed by Israelis — another extremely sensitive issue among Palestinians, who refer to them as martyrs. While officials said the Palestinians intended to start strictly tying these payments to financial need, the details of how they would do so remained unclear.</p>

<p>The details will matter. Israelis who have harped on the payments for years said they would need to be convinced that the changes were more than cosmetic.</p>

<p>“They finally understand that they have to do something,” said Yossi Kuperwasser, a retired general in military intelligence who is one of most outspoken critics of the payments. “That’s a good thing. But we need to be watchful. I’m still suspicious.”</p>

<p>And some critics consider any payments to the families of prisoners too much.</p>

<p>“A terrorist needs to know that when he takes part in terrorism, his family won’t receive any money from the Palestinian Authority because he has entered prison in Israel,” said Avi Dichter, a Likud lawmaker.</p>

<p>Since early last year, Israel has pressured the Palestinians to stop the payments by withholding part of the more than $100 million it collects in taxes each month on their behalf.</p>

<p>Talks aimed at getting the Palestinians to end the system took on urgency about two months ago, several people involved said. Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N. envoy to the Middle East, along with diplomats from Norway and Germany, were described as instrumental in pressing the Palestinians.</p>

<p>As a Biden victory began to look more likely, Washington think tanks organized numerous Zoom calls with Palestinian officials in which Democratic officials explained why it was vital to end the payment system if the Palestinians had any hope of getting Biden to undo the Trump administration’s moves — like reopening a Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington that Trump had shuttered.</p>

<p>Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, have promised to restore at least some aid and to reopen the diplomatic mission.</p>

<p>But as a practical matter, participants in the calls told the Palestinians, the Biden administration — with little bandwidth for the Middle East and needing to husband every bit of its political capital — would be unable to do much for them unless “pay to slay” was abolished. An act of Congress requires that system to be reformed before much of the aid can be restored.</p>

<p>A State Department official said that the United States “strongly condemns the Palestinian Authority’s practice of paying terrorists or their families and would welcome its immediate cessation.”</p>

<p>Nimrod Novik, a former aide to Prime Minister Shimon Peres and longtime advocate for a two-state solution, said that Palestinian leaders were readily persuaded. But it remained for them to come up with a formula that would satisfy scrutiny from both sides of the conflict and then to figure out how to “put a bulletproof vest around it” to withstand what was expected to be an angry response from the Palestinian public.</p>

<p>Like others apprehensive about popular dissatisfaction, Novik questioned the wisdom of publicly discussing the proposal now.</p>

<p>“The way to sell it is if it comes in a package,” Novik said, such as in exchange for a concrete move by the incoming Biden administration. “Now, it’s in isolation, as a down payment for goodwill. Once it’s in the public domain, the price will be paid.”</p>


In a bold move to refurbish their sullied image in Washington, the Palestinians are laying the groundwork for an overhaul to one of their most cherished but controversial practices, officials say: compensating those who serve time in Israeli prisons, including for violent attacks.

In a bold move to refurbish their sullied image in Washington, the Palestinians are laying the groundwork for an overhaul to one of their most cherished but controversial practices, officials say: compensating those who serve time in Israeli prisons, including for violent attacks. That policy, which critics call “pay to slay,” has long been denounced by Israel and its supporters as giving an incentive to terrorism because it assures would-be attackers that their dependents will be well cared for. And because payments are based largely on the length of the prison sentence, critics say the most heinous crimes are the most rewarded. In a bipartisan rebuke to the system, Congress repeatedly passed legislation to reduce aid to the Palestinians by the amount of those payments. The payments were cited by the Trump administration when it cut off funding and took other punitive measures against the Palestinians starting in 2018. Now, however, Palestinian officials eager to make a fresh start with the incoming Biden administration — and to have those punitive measures rolled back — are heeding the advice of sympathetic Democrats who have repeatedly warned that without an end to the payments, it would be impossible for the new administration to do any heavy lifting on their behalf. The proposal being hammered out in Ramallah would give the families of Palestinian prisoners stipends based on their financial need instead of how long they are behind bars, said Qadri Abu Bakr, the chairman of the Palestinian Authority’s Prisoners Affairs Commission. “Economic need must serve as the basis,” Abu Bakr said in a phone interview. “A single man should not be earning the same as someone with a family.” The plan, which has not been publicly announced, is only the latest in a flurry of moves the Palestinians are making to try to reboot their international relations. On Tuesday, they acquiesced to widespread diplomatic pressure and resumed cooperation with Israel on security and civil matters after a six-month boycott. And on Wednesday, they said they had returned their emissaries to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, after recalling them in protest of those countries’ normalization agreements with Israel. The details of the proposed changes to the prisoner payment system have not been finalized, Abu Bakr said, and will require the approval of the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas. It is not yet clear whether de-linking the payments from the crime will satisfy the system’s strongest critics if any payments to prisoners continue. But the proposal is almost certain to stir intense pushback from many Palestinians, who have long revered prisoners as heroes and freedom fighters. The status of prisoners may be the most emotionally charged issue on the Palestinian street: One of the biggest protest movements in the West Bank in recent years was in support of prisoners who mounted a hunger strike in 2017. In May, when some Palestinian banks complied with an Israeli military order barring them from distributing the payments to the prisoners’ families, gunmen opened fire on several of the banks’ branches. The Palestinians have made payments to prisoners of Israel for decades, defending them as critical compensation for an unfair military justice system and necessary to provide income for families who have lost their primary breadwinners. Under the current system, the Palestinian Authority pays larger stipends to prisoners who have spent longer times in prison, with little regard for their families’ economic welfare. For example, someone who has spent 35 years in prison could earn thousands of dollars a month; someone in prison for four years might receive hundreds. Ashraf al-Ajrami, a former minister of prisoner affairs, said he fully expected that the public “would respond angrily” to the proposed changes. But he acknowledged that the Palestinian Authority was eager to change the system because of the diplomatic toll it had taken. Asked about the plan, relatives of inmates expressed disbelief and disgust. “This is 100% unacceptable and shameful,” said Qassam Barghouti, the son of Marwan Barghouti, who was convicted by Israel of five counts of murder and is serving multiple life sentences. “The prisoners are not a social welfare issue,” he added. “People are paid more for spending longer periods of time in prison to recognize their sacrifices: The more time you spend behind bars, the greater your value to your society is.” Officials said they also plan to require released prisoners to take public-sector jobs. Many former prisoners are paid what amount to monthly pensions for sitting idle, Abu Bakr said. “We shouldn’t be delivering salaries to people for doing nothing,” he said, noting that his commission had already distributed questionnaires to former prisoners about their job preferences. “They should work for them.” Officials said they also planned to overhaul payments to families of assailants and others killed by Israelis — another extremely sensitive issue among Palestinians, who refer to them as martyrs. While officials said the Palestinians intended to start strictly tying these payments to financial need, the details of how they would do so remained unclear. The details will matter. Israelis who have harped on the payments for years said they would need to be convinced that the changes were more than cosmetic. “They finally understand that they have to do something,” said Yossi Kuperwasser, a retired general in military intelligence who is one of most outspoken critics of the payments. “That’s a good thing. But we need to be watchful. I’m still suspicious.” And some critics consider any payments to the families of prisoners too much. “A terrorist needs to know that when he takes part in terrorism, his family won’t receive any money from the Palestinian Authority because he has entered prison in Israel,” said Avi Dichter, a Likud lawmaker. Since early last year, Israel has pressured the Palestinians to stop the payments by withholding part of the more than $100 million it collects in taxes each month on their behalf. Talks aimed at getting the Palestinians to end the system took on urgency about two months ago, several people involved said. Nickolay Mladenov, the U.N. envoy to the Middle East, along with diplomats from Norway and Germany, were described as instrumental in pressing the Palestinians. As a Biden victory began to look more likely, Washington think tanks organized numerous Zoom calls with Palestinian officials in which Democratic officials explained why it was vital to end the payment system if the Palestinians had any hope of getting Biden to undo the Trump administration’s moves — like reopening a Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington that Trump had shuttered. Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, have promised to restore at least some aid and to reopen the diplomatic mission. But as a practical matter, participants in the calls told the Palestinians, the Biden administration — with little bandwidth for the Middle East and needing to husband every bit of its political capital — would be unable to do much for them unless “pay to slay” was abolished. An act of Congress requires that system to be reformed before much of the aid can be restored. A State Department official said that the United States “strongly condemns the Palestinian Authority’s practice of paying terrorists or their families and would welcome its immediate cessation.” Nimrod Novik, a former aide to Prime Minister Shimon Peres and longtime advocate for a two-state solution, said that Palestinian leaders were readily persuaded. But it remained for them to come up with a formula that would satisfy scrutiny from both sides of the conflict and then to figure out how to “put a bulletproof vest around it” to withstand what was expected to be an angry response from the Palestinian public. Like others apprehensive about popular dissatisfaction, Novik questioned the wisdom of publicly discussing the proposal now. “The way to sell it is if it comes in a package,” Novik said, such as in exchange for a concrete move by the incoming Biden administration. “Now, it’s in isolation, as a down payment for goodwill. Once it’s in the public domain, the price will be paid.”

Seeking restart with Biden, Palestinians eye end to prisoner payments

<p>US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-2020-trump-campaign-drops-michigan-vote-count-lawsuit-344169"><strong>Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit</strong></a></p>

<p>Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware.</p>

<p>Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history."</p>

<p>"It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th."</p>

<p>Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes.</p>

<p>Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago.</p>

<p>After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters.</p>

<p>In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit.</p>

<p>"He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media.</p>

<p>Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results.</p>

<p>Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016.</p>

<p><strong>More accusations by Trump camp</strong></p>

<p>Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades.</p>

<p>Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia.</p>

<p>Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people."</p>

<p>"It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face.</p>

<p>As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud."</p>

<p>Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest."</p>

<p><strong>Recount 'did its job'</strong></p>

<p>In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes.</p>

<p>The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday.</p>

<p>Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit.</p>

<p>"The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News.</p>

<p>The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned.</p>

<p>Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud.</p>

<p>"I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN.</p>

<p>The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.</p>


US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities.

US President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday accused Donald Trump of brazenly damaging democracy as the incumbent pressed on with a campaign to reverse his election loss through fraud claims and personal outreach to election authorities. Also read: US elections 2020 — Trump campaign drops Michigan vote count lawsuit Trump is behind "incredibly damaging messages being sent to the rest of the world about how democracy functions," Biden told reporters in his home state of Delaware. Asked about Trump's calls with officials in Michigan, which Biden won on November 3 election by 155,000 votes, Biden said it was "another incident where he will go down in history as being one of the most irresponsible presidents in American history." "It's hard to fathom how this man thinks," Biden said. "I'm confident he knows he hasn't won, is not going to be able to win and we're going to be sworn on January 20th." Trump has refused to accept his loss on November 3, despite his opponent getting over six million more votes. Biden also won the Electoral College votes that ultimately decide who takes the White House by 306 to 232, flipping five states that went to Trump four years ago. After initially making baseless claims of widespread fraud, Trump has appeared to shift his strategy to asking states to overrule the will of voters. In Michigan, Trump placed a telephone call to a Republican on a once-obscure board who wants to withdraw her certification of the election result in the heavily Democratic county that includes majority-Black Detroit. "He was checking to make sure I was safe after seeing/hearing about the threats and doxxing," Wayne County Board of Canvassers chairwoman Monica Palmer told the Detroit Free Press, referring to personal information posted about her on social media. Trump also reportedly invited Michigan Republican lawmakers to the White House, even as his campaign withdrew a federal lawsuit that asked the courts to block final certification of the state's results. Biden's margin of victory in Michigan is more than 10 times higher than Trump's when he won the state in 2016. More accusations by Trump camp Georgia is preparing to release results of a hand recount of its five million ballots that is expected to show that Biden is the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the southern state in almost three decades. Trump dispatched his lawyer Rudy Giuliani to give a news conference Thursday where he read affidavits claiming fraudulent voter activity in multiple states and said the campaign would file a new lawsuit in Georgia. Giuliani, a former mayor of New York, also brazenly accused Democrats of being "crooks" who committed massive fraud in several battleground states "to steal an election from the American people." "It changes the results of the election in Michigan if you take out Wayne County," said Giuliani, who repeatedly wiped the sweat from his brow and at one point had a dark liquid which may or may not has been hair dye snaking down the side of his face. As Giuliani and other Trump lawyers outlined claims that included charges of communist involvement, the president -- apparently watching on television -- took to Twitter to applaud them for laying out "an open-and-shut case of voter fraud." Chris Krebs, the top US election security official who was fired by Trump after calling the election the most secure ever, wrote on Twitter that the news conference was "the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history" and "possibly the craziest." Recount 'did its job' In Georgia, Biden's original winning margin was just over 14,000 votes. The hand recount that began last week and concluded late Wednesday narrowed that gap slightly to more than 12,700 as of early Thursday. Some discrepancies were found in Republican-leaning counties, according to Gabriel Sterling, Georgia's voting system manager who helped monitor the so-called risk-level audit. "The good part was, the audit did its job. It found those tranches of votes," he told Fox News. The issues, which were chalked up to the human error and not fraud, included memory cards that were not scanned in Douglas and Walton counties, more than 2,700 missing votes in Fayette County, and 2,600 ballots from Floyd County that were not scanned. Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who like Sterling is a Republican, said there was no widespread voter fraud. "I don't believe at the end of the day it'll change the total results," Raffensperger told CNN. The laser-like focus on Georgia is not just because of the recount. The state's two US Senate races are going to runoffs on January 5 that will determine control of the chamber and Biden's ability to push through his agenda.

‘I am confident he knows he hasn't won’: Joe Biden on Trump

The recount of votes in the state of Georgia has finished. Recount confirmed the victory of Joe Biden after statewide audit.

US Election 2020: Georgia finishes recount of votes, confirms Biden victory

<p>Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month. The video is a&nbsp;montage, strategically excerpting nuggets of truth and other out-of-context remarks from previous Trump speeches.</p>

<p>“My fellow Americans, a short time ago, Joe Biden beat me in the election,” three different Trumps begin the video, relay-style. “And not only did he win — he won by a lot actually. Therefore, it is time for me to step aside, because let’s face it, I wasn’t probably on my game, and I wasn’t doing so well.</p>

<p>“I’m the only president in history to lose the popular vote twice and to get impeached. It’s time for a change. Greatest dream in the world is that Joe Biden wins because the winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election. Therefore, I humbly concede to Joe Biden. The American people have responded, and they said to me, ‘You’re fired. Bing! Get out.’”<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHrFU6qgMZ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHrFU6qgMZ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHrFU6qgMZ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHrFU6qgMZ7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by The Tonight Show (@fallontonight)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>At press time, President-elect Biden has amassed 290 electoral votes after winning the key battleground states of Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Trump has secured 232 electoral votes.</p>

<p>On Sunday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-almost-admits-he-lost-us-election-says-time-will-tell-343056">the president appeared to acknowledge Biden’s victory by tweeting</a>, “He won because the Election was Rigged.”</p>

<p>“That might be as close to a concession speech as we’re gonna get, folks,” Fallon joked on “The Tonight Show.” “But it was short-lived because he went on to say, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-won-because-donald-trump-acknowledges-democrats-victory-for-first-time-343333#google_vignette">‘I concede NOTHING,’ and ‘I WON THE ELECTION.</a>’”<br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation &amp; bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake &amp; Silent Media, &amp; more! <a href="https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg">https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg</a></p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1327956491056279552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!</p>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1327979630477922304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The comedian also slammed the Trump administration for resisting cooperation with Biden’s incoming team, which will be tasked with handling the COVID-19 pandemic when Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris head to the White House in January.</p>

<p>“I’m really shocked by this because, up until now, Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been flawless. Seriously, why is it so hard for Trump? He’s been passing off COVID responsibilities for eight months. Why stop now?” said Fallon.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech. Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month.

Donald Trump might not have conceded yet, but the writers and creative people from Tonight at Jimmy Fallon, have decided to write him a concession speech. Fallon’s editing team devised a clever way to force Trump to deliver a concession speech after losing the election to former Vice President Joe Biden earlier this month. The video is a montage, strategically excerpting nuggets of truth and other out-of-context remarks from previous Trump speeches. “My fellow Americans, a short time ago, Joe Biden beat me in the election,” three different Trumps begin the video, relay-style. “And not only did he win — he won by a lot actually. Therefore, it is time for me to step aside, because let’s face it, I wasn’t probably on my game, and I wasn’t doing so well. “I’m the only president in history to lose the popular vote twice and to get impeached. It’s time for a change. Greatest dream in the world is that Joe Biden wins because the winner of this vote was decided by a fair and open election. Therefore, I humbly concede to Joe Biden. The American people have responded, and they said to me, ‘You’re fired. Bing! Get out.’” View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Tonight Show (@fallontonight) × At press time, President-elect Biden has amassed 290 electoral votes after winning the key battleground states of Arizona, Nevada and Pennsylvania. Trump has secured 232 electoral votes. On Sunday, the president appeared to acknowledge Biden’s victory by tweeting, “He won because the Election was Rigged.” “That might be as close to a concession speech as we’re gonna get, folks,” Fallon joked on “The Tonight Show.” “But it was short-lived because he went on to say, ‘I concede NOTHING,’ and ‘I WON THE ELECTION.’” He won because the Election was Rigged. NO VOTE WATCHERS OR OBSERVERS allowed, vote tabulated by a Radical Left privately owned company, Dominion, with a bad reputation & bum equipment that couldn’t even qualify for Texas (which I won by a lot!), the Fake & Silent Media, & more! https://t.co/Exb3C1mAPg — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020 × He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 15, 2020 × The comedian also slammed the Trump administration for resisting cooperation with Biden’s incoming team, which will be tasked with handling the COVID-19 pandemic when Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris head to the White House in January. “I’m really shocked by this because, up until now, Trump’s handling of the pandemic has been flawless. Seriously, why is it so hard for Trump? He’s been passing off COVID responsibilities for eight months. Why stop now?” said Fallon.

Donald Trump's 'concession speech' on Jimmy Fallon's show goes viral

<p>Highlighting the "strong bipartisan support" in the US "to strengthen its strategic partnership with India", India's foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that India was looking to work with the new US Administration to "further strengthening and consolidating this multifaceted relationship for our mutual benefit and economic prosperity."</p>

<p>His comments come days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President-elect Joe Biden spoke with each other. The focus of their discussion was on Indo-Pacific, Covid pandemic, Climate Change among other things.</p>

<p>"As two mature, pluralistic and vibrant democracies with shared values, India and the US are natural partners of choice in forging a stable, peaceful and prosperous 21st century," Shringla pointed out,</p>

<p>"The India-US partnership is anchored in mutual trust and friendship, a shared commitment to democracy, converging strategic interests and the robust engagement of our citizens. I have personally witnessed the growing convergence in the strategic perspectives of India and the US over recent years," he said.</p>

<p>Foreign Secretary also spoke on commercial ties saying New Delhi believed that the US was a "natural partner for India" for its quest for building a resilient economy. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In October, 2+2 Dialogue took place between India and the US. Both sides have also been engaging in the Quad format and Malabar exercises. Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries (India, Australia, Japan and the US) had an in-person meeting in Tokyo earlier this year. New Delhi has also invited Australia for Malabar naval exercises that are underway now in the Indian Ocean.</p>


Highlighting the "strong bipartisan support" in the US "to strengthen its strategic partnership with India", India's foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that India was looking to work with the new US Administration to "further strengthening and consolidating this multifaceted relationship for our mutual benefit and economic prosperity.

Highlighting the "strong bipartisan support" in the US "to strengthen its strategic partnership with India", India's foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Thursday that India was looking to work with the new US Administration to "further strengthening and consolidating this multifaceted relationship for our mutual benefit and economic prosperity." His comments come days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President-elect Joe Biden spoke with each other. The focus of their discussion was on Indo-Pacific, Covid pandemic, Climate Change among other things. "As two mature, pluralistic and vibrant democracies with shared values, India and the US are natural partners of choice in forging a stable, peaceful and prosperous 21st century," Shringla pointed out, "The India-US partnership is anchored in mutual trust and friendship, a shared commitment to democracy, converging strategic interests and the robust engagement of our citizens. I have personally witnessed the growing convergence in the strategic perspectives of India and the US over recent years," he said. Foreign Secretary also spoke on commercial ties saying New Delhi believed that the US was a "natural partner for India" for its quest for building a resilient economy. In October, 2+2 Dialogue took place between India and the US. Both sides have also been engaging in the Quad format and Malabar exercises. Foreign Ministers of the Quad countries (India, Australia, Japan and the US) had an in-person meeting in Tokyo earlier this year. New Delhi has also invited Australia for Malabar naval exercises that are underway now in the Indian Ocean.

Looking forward to work with new US administration: Foreign Secretary Shringla

<p>America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.&nbsp;</p>

<p>With the aftereffects of the US election&nbsp;2020&nbsp;clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain.</p>

<p>The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hasty-pullout-of-us-allied-troops-from-afghanistan-could-exact-very-high-price-nato-chief-stoltenberg-343712" hreflang="en">Hasty pullout of US &amp; allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg</a></strong></p>

<p>After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US&nbsp;President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs.</p>

<p>"The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet.</p>

<p>He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan.&nbsp;The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-joe-biden-be-good-for-india-343981/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict.</p>

<p>However, in the deal between the US&nbsp;And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US&nbsp;forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions.&nbsp;As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions.</p>

<p>Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court.&nbsp;The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama&nbsp;for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michelle-obama-slams-donald-trump-says-democracy-bigger-than-anybodys-ego-343717" hreflang="en">Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego</a></strong></p>

<p>Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.”</p>

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqZ-ylrqJd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqZ-ylrqJd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqZ-ylrqJd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CHqZ-ylrqJd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>

<p>The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House."</p>

<p>As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden,&nbsp;to the White House to proceed with the convention.</p>


America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system.

America has for some time been viewed as a guide for the free world, its quest for opportunity and freedom a focusing light for all to follow. In any case, that signal is projecting an alternate light, an admonition to the universe of the delicate idea of vote based system. With the aftereffects of the US election 2020 clear to any unprejudiced spectator, the path to a peaceful transition of power seems anything but certain. The way that President Donald Trump won't recognize the desire of American electors isn't unexpected, yet the quantity of other Republican political pioneers supporting his unmerited paranoid fears and edgy endeavors to stick to control put the eventual fate of the American examination in question. Also read| Hasty pullout of US & allied troops from Afghanistan could exact 'very high' price: NATO chief Stoltenberg After firing Defence Secretary Mark Esper, US President Donald Trump has now fired America's top cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs. "The recent statement by Chris Krebs on the security of the 2020 Election was highly inaccurate, in that there were massive improprieties and fraud," Trump wrote in a tweet. He has also announced the pulling out of more troops from Afghanistan. The US plan is to reportedly bring back 2,500 troops from Afghanistan and 2,500 in Iraq by January 15. There are currently around 4,500 US troops in Afghanistan and 3,000 troops in Iraq. × The Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the Pentagon's announcement it would soon pull about 2,000 US troops from Afghanistan as a "good step" that will help end the country's long-running conflict. However, in the deal between the US And the Taliban, Washington agreed to withdraw all US forces from Afghanistan by May 2021, given the Taliban fulfils Washington's conditions. As of today, the Taliban has not fulfilled those conditions. Trump's lawyer Rudy Guliani was lambasted in a Pennsylvania court. The president himself was slammed by the former first lady- Michelle Obama for his refusal of moving forward with a transition of power. Also read: Michelle Obama slams Donald Trump; says democracy bigger than anybody's ego Taking a jibe at Trump for his unsubstantiated claims of victory in the US election 2020 and his refusal for vacating his seat, she said "Our democracy is so much bigger than anybody’s ego.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) The official progress measure has not formally begun in light of the fact that Trump has unjustifiably would not acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden's triumph. The proper progress is probably going to stay on hold until the political decision is ensured by a Trump nominee inside the General Services Administration in a cycle known as ascertainment. In an Instagram post, Obama said that it took "quality and development to set my outrage aside." In doing such, she continued to welcome Melania Trump to the White House. Obama said she addressed Trump's inquiries concerning "the elevated investigation that accompanies being a first woman to what exactly it resembles to bring kids up in the White House." As per reports, Melania Trump has yet to invite first lady-elect, Jill Biden, to the White House to proceed with the convention.

Post election political chaos in US endangering its democracy

<p>SInce the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/us-election">US election</a> results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff.</p>

<p>Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/theatrics-not-really-lawsuits-trump-electors-want-courts-to-stop-bidens-nevada-win-343793">&nbsp;'Theatrics, not really lawsuits': Trump electors want courts to stop Biden's Nevada win</a></strong></p>

<p>Hobbs said the threats and "continued intimidation tactics will not prevent me from performing the duties I swore an oath to do". Her home in Phoenix was also attacked by protestors.</p>

<p>The protests are being brought her way as Hobbs has the final say of certifying the election results by November 30. Since Hobbs has some forward and revealed the threats she is receiving, other election officers from across the country — in states such as Georgia, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvani — have also reported having received death threats since the elections.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/modi-biden-speak-discuss-cooperation-on-covid-indo-pacific-343790">Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific</a></strong></p>

<p>"Our democracy is tested constantly, it continues to prevail, and it will not falter under my watch," Hobbs said.</p>

<p>Neighbours of the officer have also supported her claim and said some protestors were taking pictures of Hobss' house and were chanting slogans such as "Katie come out and play, we are watching you." and "we want an audit".</p>

<p>The threats have been online and offline, with Hobbs' social media accounts filled with hatred messages for taking a dig at the outgoing&nbsp;President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, claiming his administration was "perpetuating misinformation and are encouraging others to distrust the election results."</p>


SInce the US election results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day Joe Biden was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state.

SInce the US election results have been announced, the election officer of the state of Arizona has been receiving death threats against her family and staff. Secretary of State Katie Hobbs claimed to have been receiving death threats for her family and her staff since the day Joe Biden was declared in the recently concluded elections, breaking the record victory of the Republicans in western US state. Also read| 'Theatrics, not really lawsuits': Trump electors want courts to stop Biden's Nevada win Hobbs said the threats and "continued intimidation tactics will not prevent me from performing the duties I swore an oath to do". Her home in Phoenix was also attacked by protestors. The protests are being brought her way as Hobbs has the final say of certifying the election results by November 30. Since Hobbs has some forward and revealed the threats she is receiving, other election officers from across the country — in states such as Georgia, Nevada, Michigan and Pennsylvani — have also reported having received death threats since the elections. Also read| Modi-Biden speak; discuss cooperation on COVID, Indo-pacific "Our democracy is tested constantly, it continues to prevail, and it will not falter under my watch," Hobbs said. Neighbours of the officer have also supported her claim and said some protestors were taking pictures of Hobss' house and were chanting slogans such as "Katie come out and play, we are watching you." and "we want an audit". The threats have been online and offline, with Hobbs' social media accounts filled with hatred messages for taking a dig at the outgoing President Donald Trump, claiming his administration was "perpetuating misinformation and are encouraging others to distrust the election results."

'We are watching you': Arizona election officer receives death threats after US election results

joe-biden

Joe Biden, News on Joe Biden, stories on Joe Biden, articles on Joe Biden, Joe Biden stories at Wion, Joe Biden news, Joe Biden latest news

joe biden