New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday promised steadfast support for Israel in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two days after President Donald Trump's inauguration.&nbsp;
Rubio spoke to Netanyahu to "underscore that maintaining the United States' steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for President Trump," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.
Rubio also "congratulated the Prime Minister on Israel's successes against Hamas and Hezbollah and pledged to work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages held in Gaza," she said.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/west-asia-crisis-houthi-rebels-release-crew-of-galaxy-leader-un-welcomes-step-8646301">West Asia crisis: Houthi rebels release crew of Galaxy Leader after over a year; UN welcomes step</a>
Israel and Hamas began implementing a ceasefire in their 15-month war on Sunday that includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners.&nbsp;
Former US president Joe Biden had pushed for months for a deal along the same outlines. Trump sent an envoy to help push through an agreement before he took office, although the Republican has since said he is not confident the deal will hold.&nbsp;
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World | Israel and Hamas began implementing a ceasefire in their 15-month war on Sunday that includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners. 

New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday promised steadfast support for Israel in a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu two days after President Donald Trump's inauguration. Rubio spoke to Netanyahu to "underscore that maintaining the United States' steadfast support for Israel is a top priority for President Trump," State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. Rubio also "congratulated the Prime Minister on Israel's successes against Hamas and Hezbollah and pledged to work tirelessly to help free all remaining hostages held in Gaza," she said. Also read: West Asia crisis: Houthi rebels release crew of Galaxy Leader after over a year; UN welcomes step Israel and Hamas began implementing a ceasefire in their 15-month war on Sunday that includes an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Former US president Joe Biden had pushed for months for a deal along the same outlines. Trump sent an envoy to help push through an agreement before he took office, although the Republican has since said he is not confident the deal will hold. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio vows 'steadfast support' in call with Netanyahu

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the "very high degree of trust" between India and the United States, sharing details of his visit to Washington for Donald Trump’s inauguration and his subsequent high-level meetings with senior officials from the Trump administration.

Marco Rubio expresses USA's desire to advance economic ties with India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held talks with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, reviewing the extensive and growing partnership between India and the United States.

US Secretary of state Marco Rubio meets S. Jaishankar to discuss India-US partnership

Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet the foreign ministers of the QUAD member nations on Tuesday (Jan 21), according to a statement from the US Department of State.
Rubio will host discussions with the Indo-Pacific QUAD Foreign Ministers at 1 pm local time at the Department of State. This will be followed by a one-on-one meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at 3:45 pm.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-fires-first-female-coast-guard-chief-admiral-linda-lee-fagan-elon-musk-reacts-8642254">&lsquo;Racist, sexist diversity nonsense&rsquo;: Trump fires first female Coast Guard chief, Admiral Linda Lee Fagan</a>
Later in the day, Rubio is scheduled to meet individually with Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at the same venue.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking ahead of her meeting with Rubio, described the US-Australia relationship as &ldquo;our most important strategic partnership.&rdquo; She also welcomed the opportunity to gather with other QUAD nations so soon after the new administration began its term.
&ldquo;It&rsquo;s a demonstration of the collective commitment of all countries to the Quad, an iron-clad commitment in this time where close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is so important,&rdquo; Wong said while speaking to reporters in Washington.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-false-claim-during-inaugural-speech-that-us-split-the-atom-upsets-new-zealanders-8640894">Trump&rsquo;s false claim during inaugural speech that US &lsquo;split the atom&rsquo; upsets New Zealanders</a>
Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the QUAD Leaders' Summit in the United States. The summit, held in President Joe Biden&rsquo;s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, brought together leaders from the US, India, Australia, and Japan.
<h2>What is the QUAD?</h2>
The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/quad" rel="dofollow">QUAD</a> is a strategic partnership comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. Together, these nations represent nearly two billion people and account for over a third of the world&rsquo;s gross domestic product. The grouping has been active for more than 15 years.
Initially established in 2007, the Quad began as a union of nations that collaborated in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Since then, its scope has broadened to address regional challenges, including infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, climate change, and maritime security.
China has often criticised the group, alleging that it aims to establish an &ldquo;Asian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/nato" rel="dofollow">NATO</a>.&rdquo; However, the Quad&rsquo;s members maintain that it is a diplomatic initiative.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Marco Rubio will host discussions with the Indo-Pacific QUAD Foreign Ministers at the Department of State. This will be followed by a one-on-one meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet the foreign ministers of the QUAD member nations on Tuesday (Jan 21), according to a statement from the US Department of State. Rubio will host discussions with the Indo-Pacific QUAD Foreign Ministers at 1 pm local time at the Department of State. This will be followed by a one-on-one meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar at 3:45 pm. Also read: ‘Racist, sexist diversity nonsense’: Trump fires first female Coast Guard chief, Admiral Linda Lee Fagan Later in the day, Rubio is scheduled to meet individually with Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Japan's Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi at the same venue. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, speaking ahead of her meeting with Rubio, described the US-Australia relationship as “our most important strategic partnership.” She also welcomed the opportunity to gather with other QUAD nations so soon after the new administration began its term. “It’s a demonstration of the collective commitment of all countries to the Quad, an iron-clad commitment in this time where close cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is so important,” Wong said while speaking to reporters in Washington. Also read: Trump’s false claim during inaugural speech that US ‘split the atom’ upsets New Zealanders Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the QUAD Leaders' Summit in the United States. The summit, held in President Joe Biden’s hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, brought together leaders from the US, India, Australia, and Japan. What is the QUAD? The QUAD is a strategic partnership comprising the United States, India, Japan, and Australia. Together, these nations represent nearly two billion people and account for over a third of the world’s gross domestic product. The grouping has been active for more than 15 years. Initially established in 2007, the Quad began as a union of nations that collaborated in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Since then, its scope has broadened to address regional challenges, including infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, climate change, and maritime security. China has often criticised the group, alleging that it aims to establish an “Asian NATO.” However, the Quad’s members maintain that it is a diplomatic initiative. (With inputs from agencies)

Marco Rubio's diplomatic debut: US Secretary of State to hold talks with QUAD foreign ministers

Several protesters disrupted Wednesday's (January 15) Senate confirmation hearings for United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump's choices to join his cabinet.&nbsp;
According to American media reports, Wednesday was chock full of Senate hearings, including Pam Bondi for attorney general, Marco Rubio for secretary of state, John Ratcliffe for CIA chief, Sean Duffy for transportation secretary, Chris Wright for energy secretary, and Russel Vought for the office of management and budget.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/human-rights-watch-chief-warns-trumps-return-will-threaten-worlds-fraying-rights-system-8628373" rel="dofollow">Human Rights Watch chief warns Trump's return will threaten world's fraying rights system</a>
Protesters from the group Code Pink disrupted the hearings of Rubio and Wright a handful of times.
<h2>'Rubio is a warhawk...'</h2>
A report by The Hill&nbsp;said that Code Pink members piled into Rubio's hearing against the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.&nbsp;
The protesters sat in three rows with their hands painted in red to symbolise the bloodshed.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, Adnaan was arrested for disrupting Marco Rubio's confirmation hearing to become Secretary of State. Here's what he had to say. <a href="https://t.co/WXJaWtFZsm">pic.twitter.com/WXJaWtFZsm</a>
&mdash; CODEPINK (@codepink) <a href="https://twitter.com/codepink/status/1879624848215073035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 15, 2025</a></blockquote>

<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a post on X, Code Pink said, "Peace activists say NO to Rubio for Secretary of State. He&rsquo;s not a diplomat &ndash; he&rsquo;s a warhawk."
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-state-dept-marco-rubio-calls-for-bold-diplomacy-to-end-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-8625151" rel="dofollow">Trump State Dept Marco Rubio calls for 'bold diplomacy' to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine</a>
The report by The Hill said that as Rubio discussed foreign policy during the hearing, a protester yelled in Spanish, sharing her opposition to sanctions on Latin American countries.
&ldquo;I get bilingual protest,&rdquo; Rubio joked after the outburst.
(With inputs from agencies)

Wednesday was chock full of Senate hearings, including Pam Bondi for attorney general, Marco Rubio for secretary of state, John Ratcliffe for CIA chief among others

Several protesters disrupted Wednesday's (January 15) Senate confirmation hearings for United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump's choices to join his cabinet. According to American media reports, Wednesday was chock full of Senate hearings, including Pam Bondi for attorney general, Marco Rubio for secretary of state, John Ratcliffe for CIA chief, Sean Duffy for transportation secretary, Chris Wright for energy secretary, and Russel Vought for the office of management and budget. Also read | Human Rights Watch chief warns Trump's return will threaten world's fraying rights system Protesters from the group Code Pink disrupted the hearings of Rubio and Wright a handful of times. 'Rubio is a warhawk...' A report by The Hill said that Code Pink members piled into Rubio's hearing against the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. The protesters sat in three rows with their hands painted in red to symbolise the bloodshed. Today, Adnaan was arrested for disrupting Marco Rubio's confirmation hearing to become Secretary of State. Here's what he had to say. pic.twitter.com/WXJaWtFZsm — CODEPINK (@codepink) January 15, 2025 In a post on X, Code Pink said, "Peace activists say NO to Rubio for Secretary of State. He’s not a diplomat – he’s a warhawk." Also read | Trump State Dept Marco Rubio calls for 'bold diplomacy' to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine The report by The Hill said that as Rubio discussed foreign policy during the hearing, a protester yelled in Spanish, sharing her opposition to sanctions on Latin American countries. “I get bilingual protest,” Rubio joked after the outburst. (With inputs from agencies)

Several protesters in US disrupt Senate confirmation hearings for Trump's cabinet choices

Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of state, said Wednesday that the next US administration would seek "bold diplomacy" with the goal of ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;
"This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate.&nbsp;
"This is not going to be an easy endeavor," he said, "but it's going to require bold diplomacy."
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-waltz-stephen-miller-marco-rubio-donald-trumps-key-picks-for-white-house-775358" rel="dofollow">Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller &amp; Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's key picks for White House</a>
"It is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians," he said.&nbsp;
Trump has previously vowed to end the war within a day, with his aides speaking of leveraging US assistance to Ukraine to force it into territorial concessions.
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Rubio, a one-time political opponent of Trump, is a three-term senator who has robustly supported both Ukraine and NATO, the transatlantic alliance forged in the Cold War.
Trump in his first term repeatedly described NATO as a bad deal for the United States, accusing European nations who are US economic competitors of freeloading.
Rubio distanced himself from calls to exit NATO but said: "What's important for the United States is not just to have defense allies, it's to have capable defense allies."
"I think there is a question to be asked -- I'm not stating a public policy position, I'm stating a question to be asked.
"And that is, should the role of the United States and NATO in the 21st century be the primary defense role, or as a backstop to aggression, with countries in the region assuming more of that responsibility by contributing more?"
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: "This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate. 

Marco Rubio, President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be secretary of state, said Wednesday that the next US administration would seek "bold diplomacy" with the goal of ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "This war has to end, and I think it should be the official policy of the United States that we want to see it end," Rubio said at his confirmation hearing in the Senate. "This is not going to be an easy endeavor," he said, "but it's going to require bold diplomacy." Also read: Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller & Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's key picks for White House "It is important for everyone to be realistic. There will have to be concessions made by the Russian Federation, but also by the Ukrainians," he said. Trump has previously vowed to end the war within a day, with his aides speaking of leveraging US assistance to Ukraine to force it into territorial concessions. Also read: US lifts ban on Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, two other Indian entities - Why is it important? Rubio, a one-time political opponent of Trump, is a three-term senator who has robustly supported both Ukraine and NATO, the transatlantic alliance forged in the Cold War. Trump in his first term repeatedly described NATO as a bad deal for the United States, accusing European nations who are US economic competitors of freeloading. Rubio distanced himself from calls to exit NATO but said: "What's important for the United States is not just to have defense allies, it's to have capable defense allies." "I think there is a question to be asked -- I'm not stating a public policy position, I'm stating a question to be asked. "And that is, should the role of the United States and NATO in the 21st century be the primary defense role, or as a backstop to aggression, with countries in the region assuming more of that responsibility by contributing more?" Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump State Dept Marco Rubio calls for 'bold diplomacy' to end Russia's invasion of Ukraine

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases.&nbsp;

Based on the profiles of Team Trump, here is an analysis of how different aspects of government will be impacted, from global wars to domestic security.

Note: This time, most of Trump's nominees will eventually get the jobs, as the Senate and House of Represenatives are also Republican-controlled after the November 5 general election. Only the most controversial nominations might get stuck at committee level in House and Senate. But this article assumes all the names would be final.

WATCH- Trump's Cabinet: Congressman Matt Gaetz Named As Attorney General

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&nbsp;

<h2>ENDING WARS IN UKRAINE AND WEST ASIA</h2>

Trump had often claimed during the re-election campaign that he is the only one who can end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and prevent World War 3. The time has come for him to deliver.&nbsp;

He has picked Marco Rubio to lead the State Department. As secretary of state, the Florida Senator will lead efforts to de-escalate the situation.&nbsp;

Trump also chose Mike Huckabee, a staunch defender of Israel, as the US ambassador to the Jewish nation, which is engaged in a multi-front war with terror groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is also fighting Iran and its proxies like Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other militants in Iraq and Syria. The choice of Huckabee is a clear indication that ultimately, the US will favour Israel's views on ending the conflict.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tulsi-gabbard-newly-elected-trumps-spy-chief-served-in-us-military-for-over-two-decades-776235">Also read: Tulsi Gabbard, newly-appointed Trump's spy chief, served in US military for over two decades</a>

But can he really end the war? Trump is averse to the US being dragged into foreign wars, and particularly opposed to paying for them. Also remember that he was the architect of the Abram Accords, the agreements of peace and cooperation between Israel and several of its enemy Arab states. It is quite possible that Trump and his team would be able to start negotiations that could end the war in the Middle East.

The US efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war are going to be skewed in favour of Russia, with Trump having a direct line with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a long time. Trump had been dismissive and critical about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the 'greatest salesman'. Don't forget that Trump's first impeachment in 2019 came as a result of his blocking of aid to Ukraine (to force it to investigate the current President Joe Biden).&nbsp;

The efforts at the United Nations to end the Ukraine war will be led by Trump nominee for US envoy, Elise Stefanik.

Any move by Trump to end the war in a way that could favour Russia would again put him at odds with NATO, which has been helping Ukraine with funds and arms to fight Russia, along with the Biden administration. Trump, in his first term, had wanted the US to cut its contributions to NATO, and pressured its other members from Europe to pay up and level the field on financial contributions to the western military alliance.&nbsp;

<h2>TRUMP'S LEGAL CASES: SHAKING UP THE JUDICIARY AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE&nbsp;</h2>

Trump wants to protect himself from conviction and sentencing in the ongoing legal battles, and will try to wind up all of them.&nbsp;

The cases deal with the 2020 election interference and the 2021 Capitol Hill riot, tax evasion, handling of classified documents, and the Stormy Daniels hush money payment.&nbsp;

Trump will ensure that presidential immunity is intact, and take more efforts to protect himself from future prosecution once he leaves office.

Trump's picks for key posts in the Justice Department are a clear indication of his intentions. He named Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, thus giving the country's top prosecutor role to a staunch ally. One of the things Trump said Gaetz would do is 'end weaponised government', code for what his surrogates call 'lawfare' against political opponents.&nbsp;

More interesting is his pick of Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Blanche was a defence lawyer for several of Trump's court cases.

Many of Trump's cases are being heard in New York courts. Keeping that in mind, he has appointed Jay Clayton, a loyalist, as the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, a very powerful post within the justice department.

<h2>THE BORDER, IMMIGRATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY</h2>

Trump made no secret of his hatred for immigrants trying to enter the US from the southern border. He started building a wall in his first term and will continue to strengthen efforts to prevent individuals and caravans from entering or getting asylum in the US. His homeland security secretary pick, Kristi Noem, is going to play a key role in implementing this.

Trump has once said that he would be a dictator 'may be on the first day', and ordering the deportation of illegal migrants could be one of the things he would do on day one or first week in office.&nbsp;

For this, he has appointed Tom Homan as the border czar who once promised to carry out the largest mass deportation ever by the US. 
Homan comes with significant experience, having led the immigration and customs enforcement in the first Trump administration.

<h2>SHAKING UP THE INTELLIGENCE ESTABLISHMENT</h2>

Trump has been a target of several investigations led by the intelligence establishment, or what he calls the deep state, particularly the classified documents investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There is even talk that he will clip the wings of FBI with funding cuts. In broader terms, Trump has promised to dismantle the deep state, a reference mainly to the government-intelligence cooperation that led to what he calls a 'witchhunt' during and after his first term in office.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-20-tulsi-gabbard-nominated-to-head-us-intelligence-matt-gaetz-to-lead-justice-department-775994">Also read: Trump 2.0: Tulsi Gabbard nominated to head US Intelligence, Matt Gaetz to lead Justice Department</a> 
&nbsp;

Leading the charge would be Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump named as director of national intelligence. Trump also brought back his former DNI John Ratcliffe as the director of Central Intelligence Agency.&nbsp;

There is speculation that Trump would shake up FBI, with a leadership change and reorganisation of its structure. In his view, the agency was used by Biden administration as a tool to prosecute him.

<h2>FUTURE OF AMERICA AT WAR: DEFENCE AND SOLDIERS</h2>

Trump has exhibited strong support for American soldiers and veterans, who in turn backed him in large numbers. His opposition to foreign wars is part economic rationale and part isolationalist approach to global security affairs.&nbsp;

Trump does not want to send American boots to the ground, and had started the process of US troop withrdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan when he left office.&nbsp;

He might find an ally in his new defence secretary nominee Peter Hegseth, who has seen wars first hand. Hegseth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. Having had no strategic or decision making role in military or national securty affairs, his approach is likely to be more grassroots, with an ear for the concerns of the American soldier than the larger goal of global policing.

This might erode the traditional role of America as the pre-eminent global power the international community looks up to intervene in and resolve conflicts.&nbsp;

Will the US want to give strategic space to Russia and rising China in this regard? That's an open question for now. Remember, however, that Trump had cooperated with Russia in helping eliminate the Islamic State terror group in the Middle East.

Trump has nominated the controversial Flordia Congressman Mike Waltz as the national security advisor. The former Army Green Beret is a war veteran of Afghanistan and worked as policy advisor to Republican administrations.

Waltz' appointment is also significant in the context of China, a country Trump might want to keep in check. Waltz has been critical of China on various issues like the mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims. He was also an advocate of the theory that the Covid pandemic originated in a Chinese lab.

<h2>GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND WASTE: WILL ELON MUSK CHANGE THINGS?</h2>

The appointment of the world's richest man Elon Musk, and Trump challenger-turned ally Vivek Ramaswamy to run a new agency of government efficiency is signficant. Trump wants to protect the upper middle class and the rich from taxes, while reducing government spending, and soverign debt. Musk has promised a trillion-dollar cut in government waste. Trump's Repubican base advocates least amount of goverment invervention in their lives. It would be interesting to see how much waste he is able to cut.

<h2>ENVIRONMENT: BACK TO FOSSIL FUELS AND POLLUTING VEHICLES?</h2>

Trump has been an ally of the fossil fuel lobby, having taken the US out of the Paris Accord to tackle climate change during his first term. Trump said he would 'drill baby, drill' to bring back America's very old dominance as the top oil producer. This will practically end the commitments to environmental causes.&nbsp;

For this he has roped in Lee Zeldin, who has no practical experience in the field, to run the environmental protection agency. Zeldin promised to 'restore US energy dominance', meaning back to drilling untapped reserves of petroleum in US and its territorial waters. He also promised, as did Trump, to 'revitalise the auto industry'.

Both these policies appeal to the rust belt America, which is looking forward to a windfall of jobs in the auto and oil sectors.&nbsp;

<h2>HEALTHCARE: WILL BIG PHARMA FACE THE MUSIC?</h2>

At the fag end of his first term, Trump and his allies amplified Covid conspiracy theories as the pandemic hit the US. It might even be argued that Covid was a cause of Trump's defeat in the 2020 election. Now, he has appointed as health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former Democrat who had openly opposed the Covid vaccination mandate. Will he reopen the Covid files and investigate America's response to it is one question. The other is whether he will take on Big Pharma, which made billions of dollars of profit during the Covid pandemic, particularly through their Covid vaccines.

<h2>BUT WHO CAN BLOCK TRUMP?</h2>

Roughly half of Senate and the full House of Representatives went into election along with the presidential election on November 5. Senate term is for six years and the House of Representatives' term is two years. This means there will be mid-term elections, and the Congress composition could change in next couple of years in favour of Democrats who can then block Trump's legislative agenda.

This acts as a check and balance system offering legislature's oversight on presidential actions, as much of it (except perhaps presidential orders) will need Congressional approval.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Democrat-chaired committees in the Senate and House could also put a spanner in the works on Trump policies. The other major check mechanism is the Supreme Court, whose nine judges these days have clear political leanings. Currently, the bench has a Conservative tilt, and Trump will get the opportunity to name more judges. Remember that Supreme Court judges can serve till death, and their rulings can impact a generation.

Then there is the media, the fourth pillar of democracy. Besides the Democrats, much of US media is likely to serve as the Opposition. We can expect dirt to be digged up on all his nominees before, during or after they assume office.

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases.

US President-elect Donald Trump has started his transition ahead of taking the oath of office in January 2025. From the names he suggested for cabinet and other key positions in the White House, it is clear that his second non-consecutive term will try to settle political scores while ensuring protection from court cases. Based on the profiles of Team Trump, here is an analysis of how different aspects of government will be impacted, from global wars to domestic security. Note: This time, most of Trump's nominees will eventually get the jobs, as the Senate and House of Represenatives are also Republican-controlled after the November 5 general election. Only the most controversial nominations might get stuck at committee level in House and Senate. But this article assumes all the names would be final. WATCH- Trump's Cabinet: Congressman Matt Gaetz Named As Attorney General × ENDING WARS IN UKRAINE AND WEST ASIA Trump had often claimed during the re-election campaign that he is the only one who can end the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and prevent World War 3. The time has come for him to deliver. He has picked Marco Rubio to lead the State Department. As secretary of state, the Florida Senator will lead efforts to de-escalate the situation. Trump also chose Mike Huckabee, a staunch defender of Israel, as the US ambassador to the Jewish nation, which is engaged in a multi-front war with terror groups Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel is also fighting Iran and its proxies like Houthi rebels in Yemen, and other militants in Iraq and Syria. The choice of Huckabee is a clear indication that ultimately, the US will favour Israel's views on ending the conflict. Also read: Tulsi Gabbard, newly-appointed Trump's spy chief, served in US military for over two decades But can he really end the war? Trump is averse to the US being dragged into foreign wars, and particularly opposed to paying for them. Also remember that he was the architect of the Abram Accords, the agreements of peace and cooperation between Israel and several of its enemy Arab states. It is quite possible that Trump and his team would be able to start negotiations that could end the war in the Middle East. The US efforts to end Russia-Ukraine war are going to be skewed in favour of Russia, with Trump having a direct line with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a long time. Trump had been dismissive and critical about Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him the 'greatest salesman'. Don't forget that Trump's first impeachment in 2019 came as a result of his blocking of aid to Ukraine (to force it to investigate the current President Joe Biden). The efforts at the United Nations to end the Ukraine war will be led by Trump nominee for US envoy, Elise Stefanik. Any move by Trump to end the war in a way that could favour Russia would again put him at odds with NATO, which has been helping Ukraine with funds and arms to fight Russia, along with the Biden administration. Trump, in his first term, had wanted the US to cut its contributions to NATO, and pressured its other members from Europe to pay up and level the field on financial contributions to the western military alliance. TRUMP'S LEGAL CASES: SHAKING UP THE JUDICIARY AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Trump wants to protect himself from conviction and sentencing in the ongoing legal battles, and will try to wind up all of them. The cases deal with the 2020 election interference and the 2021 Capitol Hill riot, tax evasion, handling of classified documents, and the Stormy Daniels hush money payment. Trump will ensure that presidential immunity is intact, and take more efforts to protect himself from future prosecution once he leaves office. Trump's picks for key posts in the Justice Department are a clear indication of his intentions. He named Matt Gaetz as the attorney general, thus giving the country's top prosecutor role to a staunch ally. One of the things Trump said Gaetz would do is 'end weaponised government', code for what his surrogates call 'lawfare' against political opponents. More interesting is his pick of Todd Blanche as deputy attorney general. Blanche was a defence lawyer for several of Trump's court cases. Many of Trump's cases are being heard in New York courts. Keeping that in mind, he has appointed Jay Clayton, a loyalist, as the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, a very powerful post within the justice department. THE BORDER, IMMIGRATION AND HOMELAND SECURITY Trump made no secret of his hatred for immigrants trying to enter the US from the southern border. He started building a wall in his first term and will continue to strengthen efforts to prevent individuals and caravans from entering or getting asylum in the US. His homeland security secretary pick, Kristi Noem, is going to play a key role in implementing this. Trump has once said that he would be a dictator 'may be on the first day', and ordering the deportation of illegal migrants could be one of the things he would do on day one or first week in office. For this, he has appointed Tom Homan as the border czar who once promised to carry out the largest mass deportation ever by the US. Homan comes with significant experience, having led the immigration and customs enforcement in the first Trump administration. SHAKING UP THE INTELLIGENCE ESTABLISHMENT Trump has been a target of several investigations led by the intelligence establishment, or what he calls the deep state, particularly the classified documents investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. There is even talk that he will clip the wings of FBI with funding cuts. In broader terms, Trump has promised to dismantle the deep state, a reference mainly to the government-intelligence cooperation that led to what he calls a 'witchhunt' during and after his first term in office. Also read: Trump 2.0: Tulsi Gabbard nominated to head US Intelligence, Matt Gaetz to lead Justice Department Leading the charge would be Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump named as director of national intelligence. Trump also brought back his former DNI John Ratcliffe as the director of Central Intelligence Agency. There is speculation that Trump would shake up FBI, with a leadership change and reorganisation of its structure. In his view, the agency was used by Biden administration as a tool to prosecute him. FUTURE OF AMERICA AT WAR: DEFENCE AND SOLDIERS Trump has exhibited strong support for American soldiers and veterans, who in turn backed him in large numbers. His opposition to foreign wars is part economic rationale and part isolationalist approach to global security affairs. Trump does not want to send American boots to the ground, and had started the process of US troop withrdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan when he left office. He might find an ally in his new defence secretary nominee Peter Hegseth, who has seen wars first hand. Hegseth was deployed to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. Having had no strategic or decision making role in military or national securty affairs, his approach is likely to be more grassroots, with an ear for the concerns of the American soldier than the larger goal of global policing. This might erode the traditional role of America as the pre-eminent global power the international community looks up to intervene in and resolve conflicts. Will the US want to give strategic space to Russia and rising China in this regard? That's an open question for now. Remember, however, that Trump had cooperated with Russia in helping eliminate the Islamic State terror group in the Middle East. Trump has nominated the controversial Flordia Congressman Mike Waltz as the national security advisor. The former Army Green Beret is a war veteran of Afghanistan and worked as policy advisor to Republican administrations. Waltz' appointment is also significant in the context of China, a country Trump might want to keep in check. Waltz has been critical of China on various issues like the mistreatment of the Uighur Muslims. He was also an advocate of the theory that the Covid pandemic originated in a Chinese lab. GOVERNMENT SPENDING AND WASTE: WILL ELON MUSK CHANGE THINGS? The appointment of the world's richest man Elon Musk, and Trump challenger-turned ally Vivek Ramaswamy to run a new agency of government efficiency is signficant. Trump wants to protect the upper middle class and the rich from taxes, while reducing government spending, and soverign debt. Musk has promised a trillion-dollar cut in government waste. Trump's Repubican base advocates least amount of goverment invervention in their lives. It would be interesting to see how much waste he is able to cut. ENVIRONMENT: BACK TO FOSSIL FUELS AND POLLUTING VEHICLES? Trump has been an ally of the fossil fuel lobby, having taken the US out of the Paris Accord to tackle climate change during his first term. Trump said he would 'drill baby, drill' to bring back America's very old dominance as the top oil producer. This will practically end the commitments to environmental causes. For this he has roped in Lee Zeldin, who has no practical experience in the field, to run the environmental protection agency. Zeldin promised to 'restore US energy dominance', meaning back to drilling untapped reserves of petroleum in US and its territorial waters. He also promised, as did Trump, to 'revitalise the auto industry'. Both these policies appeal to the rust belt America, which is looking forward to a windfall of jobs in the auto and oil sectors. HEALTHCARE: WILL BIG PHARMA FACE THE MUSIC? At the fag end of his first term, Trump and his allies amplified Covid conspiracy theories as the pandemic hit the US. It might even be argued that Covid was a cause of Trump's defeat in the 2020 election. Now, he has appointed as health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, the former Democrat who had openly opposed the Covid vaccination mandate. Will he reopen the Covid files and investigate America's response to it is one question. The other is whether he will take on Big Pharma, which made billions of dollars of profit during the Covid pandemic, particularly through their Covid vaccines. BUT WHO CAN BLOCK TRUMP? Roughly half of Senate and the full House of Representatives went into election along with the presidential election on November 5. Senate term is for six years and the House of Representatives' term is two years. This means there will be mid-term elections, and the Congress composition could change in next couple of years in favour of Democrats who can then block Trump's legislative agenda. This acts as a check and balance system offering legislature's oversight on presidential actions, as much of it (except perhaps presidential orders) will need Congressional approval. Democrat-chaired committees in the Senate and House could also put a spanner in the works on Trump policies. The other major check mechanism is the Supreme Court, whose nine judges these days have clear political leanings. Currently, the bench has a Conservative tilt, and Trump will get the opportunity to name more judges. Remember that Supreme Court judges can serve till death, and their rulings can impact a generation. Then there is the media, the fourth pillar of democracy. Besides the Democrats, much of US media is likely to serve as the Opposition. We can expect dirt to be digged up on all his nominees before, during or after they assume office.

Trump 2.0: What will his 'revenge cabinet' do to the US and world? Who can stop him?

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump appoints Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in his new cabinet, signaling a shift in foreign policy leadership ahead of his potential return to office.

Donald Trump Names Marco Rubio as Secretary of State in New Cabinet, Who Is He?

US President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to re-enter the White House after beating the Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election has started selecting key members of his cabinet. The former president picked Republican Representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday (Nov 11).

Waltz has been a Trump loyalist and has served in the National Guard as a colonel. He has been a critic of Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific and has voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region.

Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies.

As per a CNN reporter's post on X on Monday (Nov 11), Trump is also expected to tap immigration adviser Stephen Miller as White House deputy chief of staff for policy.&nbsp;

Miller's appointment would place the architect of Trump's restrictive first-term immigration agenda in a top position.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-women-begin-matga-movement-after-trumps-victory-fantasize-poisoning-men-775348">US women begin ‘MATGA’ movement after Trump’s victory, fantasise poisoning men</a>

Miller was a White House senior adviser for policy during Trump's 2017-2021 presidency and the driving force behind the Republican's wide-ranging immigration crackdown. Policies included the construction of a wall on the US - Mexico border, banning people from certain Muslim-majority nations and elsewhere, and a contentious 2018 border policy that separated thousands of migrant families.

Trump, who takes office in January, said in a social media post that the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from his first administration would be in charge of the country's borders in his new administration starting Jan&nbsp;20.

The president-elect made cracking down on illegal immigration the central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations. He is expected to mobilise agencies across the US government to help him deport record number&nbsp;of immigrants in an operation that Vice President-elect JD Vance has said could remove an estimated 1 million people per year.

<h2>US Senator Marco Rubio</h2>

Further, Trump selected US Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, sources said in November, putting the Florida-born politician on track to be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-chooses-elise-stefanik-as-us-ambassador-to-un-in-his-second-term-775331">Trump chooses Elise Stefanik as US ambassador to UN in his second term</a>

Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Trump's shortlist for secretary of state, and he has in past years&nbsp;advocated for a muscular foreign policy concerning America's geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba.

However, over the last few&nbsp;years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Trump's views. The president-elect accuses past US presidents of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy.

The new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than it was when Trump took office in 2017, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and China aligning itself more closely with US foes Russia and Iran.

<h2>Ukraine Crisis High on Rubio's Agenda</h2>

The 53-year-old has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-announces-tom-homan-as-border-czar-to-handle-deportation-of-illegal-aliens-775269">Donald Trump announces Tom Homan as 'border czar' to handle 'deportation of illegal aliens'</a>

He was also one of the 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which was passed in April this year.&nbsp;

By selecting Rubio for a key policy role, Trump may help consolidate gains among Latinos and make clear that they have a place at the highest levels of his administration.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to re-enter the White House after beating the Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election has started selecting key members of his cabinet.

US President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to re-enter the White House after beating the Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election has started selecting key members of his cabinet. The former president picked Republican Representative Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday (Nov 11). Waltz has been a Trump loyalist and has served in the National Guard as a colonel. He has been a critic of Chinese activity in the Asia-Pacific and has voiced the need for the United States to be ready for a potential conflict in the region. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with different agencies. As per a CNN reporter's post on X on Monday (Nov 11), Trump is also expected to tap immigration adviser Stephen Miller as White House deputy chief of staff for policy. Miller's appointment would place the architect of Trump's restrictive first-term immigration agenda in a top position. Also read | US women begin ‘MATGA’ movement after Trump’s victory, fantasise poisoning men Miller was a White House senior adviser for policy during Trump's 2017-2021 presidency and the driving force behind the Republican's wide-ranging immigration crackdown. Policies included the construction of a wall on the US - Mexico border, banning people from certain Muslim-majority nations and elsewhere, and a contentious 2018 border policy that separated thousands of migrant families. Trump, who takes office in January, said in a social media post that the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from his first administration would be in charge of the country's borders in his new administration starting Jan 20. The president-elect made cracking down on illegal immigration the central element of his campaign, promising mass deportations. He is expected to mobilise agencies across the US government to help him deport record number of immigrants in an operation that Vice President-elect JD Vance has said could remove an estimated 1 million people per year. US Senator Marco Rubio Further, Trump selected US Senator Marco Rubio to be his secretary of state, sources said in November, putting the Florida-born politician on track to be the first Latino to serve as America's top diplomat once the Republican president-elect takes office in January. Also read | Trump chooses Elise Stefanik as US ambassador to UN in his second term Rubio was arguably the most hawkish option on Trump's shortlist for secretary of state, and he has in past years advocated for a muscular foreign policy concerning America's geopolitical foes, including China, Iran and Cuba. However, over the last few years he has softened some of his stances to align more closely with Trump's views. The president-elect accuses past US presidents of leading America into costly and futile wars and has pushed for a more restrained foreign policy. The new administration will confront a world more volatile and dangerous than it was when Trump took office in 2017, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and China aligning itself more closely with US foes Russia and Iran. Ukraine Crisis High on Rubio's Agenda The 53-year-old has said in recent interviews that Ukraine needs to seek a negotiated settlement with Russia rather than focus on regaining all territory that Russia has taken in the last decade. Also read | Donald Trump announces Tom Homan as 'border czar' to handle 'deportation of illegal aliens' He was also one of the 15 Republican senators to vote against a $95 billion military aid package for Ukraine, which was passed in April this year. By selecting Rubio for a key policy role, Trump may help consolidate gains among Latinos and make clear that they have a place at the highest levels of his administration. (With inputs from agencies)

Mike Waltz, Stephen Miller & Marco Rubio: Donald Trump's key picks for White House

Trump is targeting China by way of his new appointments. According to reports, US President-elect Donald Trump has selected Florida Congressman Mike Waltz as his National Security Adviser and Florida Senator Marco Rubio as Secretary of State. Both vocal and staunch critics of China. What does this mean for India? Watch this video to find out more.

Donald Trump Targets China in New Appointments | Gravitas

After former US president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump survived the July 13 assassination attempt, all eyes are now on the Republican National Convention in which US President Joe Biden's predecessor is all set to announce his running-mate for the November presidential elections.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-trump-assassination-attempt-has-turbocharged-his-presidential-re-run-740763">How Trump assassination attempt has turbocharged his presidential re-run</a>

Unlike 2016 and 2020, when Trump-Pence banners marked Republican political ascent and descent from the White House, this time Trump is yet to announce who his running mate will be.

Also watch |&nbsp;Who will be Donald Trump's Vice President?

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Here's a look at his potential running mates:&nbsp;

J.D. Vance: The senator from Ohio has been in the elected office since less than two years. But he has emerged as a leading figure of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement. His unparalleled ability to articulate the principle stands of US right-wing&nbsp;— in quite Ben Shapiro style&nbsp;— has earned him praise among Republicans and simultaneous opposition from the Democrats. As the voice of "national conservatives" or "the new right", Vance calls for the need for secure borders and state intervention in the economy.

Doug Burgum: The North Dakota governor has been companion to Donald Trump on the campaign trail while acting as an articulate Republican voice on American&nbsp;television. After Burgum endorsed Donald&nbsp;Trump in January, the former president described him as "the most solid guy." "There’s no controversy whatsoever," Trump was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal.

Marco Rubio: The Florida senator's supporters have projected Donald Trump as the "only hope for the United States". Rubio has thrown off his charisma to both working-class and professional-sector voters, including Hispanics, while pitching his attributes as son of Cuban immigrants. Trump and Rubio bonded during Trump’s presidential term, when Rubio served as an informal adviser on Latin American policy and worked with Ivanka Trump on expanding the Child Tax Credit.

Are we looking at a Trump-Rubio campaign for November? Well, Trump is set to clarify in the Republican National Convention.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After former US president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump survived the July 13 assassination attempt, all eyes are now on the Republican National Convention in which US President Joe Biden's predecessor is all set to announce his running-mate for the November presidential elections.

After former US president and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump survived the July 13 assassination attempt, all eyes are now on the Republican National Convention in which US President Joe Biden's predecessor is all set to announce his running-mate for the November presidential elections. Also read | How Trump assassination attempt has turbocharged his presidential re-run Unlike 2016 and 2020, when Trump-Pence banners marked Republican political ascent and descent from the White House, this time Trump is yet to announce who his running mate will be. Also watch | Who will be Donald Trump's Vice President? × Here's a look at his potential running mates: J.D. Vance: The senator from Ohio has been in the elected office since less than two years. But he has emerged as a leading figure of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement. His unparalleled ability to articulate the principle stands of US right-wing — in quite Ben Shapiro style — has earned him praise among Republicans and simultaneous opposition from the Democrats. As the voice of "national conservatives" or "the new right", Vance calls for the need for secure borders and state intervention in the economy. Doug Burgum: The North Dakota governor has been companion to Donald Trump on the campaign trail while acting as an articulate Republican voice on American television. After Burgum endorsed Donald Trump in January, the former president described him as "the most solid guy." "There’s no controversy whatsoever," Trump was quoted as saying by the Wall Street Journal. Marco Rubio: The Florida senator's supporters have projected Donald Trump as the "only hope for the United States". Rubio has thrown off his charisma to both working-class and professional-sector voters, including Hispanics, while pitching his attributes as son of Cuban immigrants. Trump and Rubio bonded during Trump’s presidential term, when Rubio served as an informal adviser on Latin American policy and worked with Ivanka Trump on expanding the Child Tax Credit. Are we looking at a Trump-Rubio campaign for November? Well, Trump is set to clarify in the Republican National Convention. (With inputs from agencies)

Countdown to Republican VP: Who will be Donald Trump's running mate?

Republican Senator Marco Rubio on Tuesday announced bipartisan legislation to ban China's popular social media app TikTok. The bill comes as scrutiny of TikTok has grown in Washington in recent weeks, after a failed bid by the Trump administration to ban the video-sharing app.

US lawmakers launch fresh bid to ban TikTok

&nbsp;A&nbsp;US&nbsp;congressional&nbsp;report released on Wednesday called for&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;China&nbsp;over&nbsp;human rights abuses, and for&nbsp;US&nbsp;officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations.

The annual human rights report from the&nbsp;Congressional-Executive Commission on&nbsp;China&nbsp;said human rights and rule of law conditions worsened in&nbsp;China&nbsp;from August 2018 to August 2019, the period studied.

The report detailed&nbsp;China's crackdown on religious minorities, labor activists and the press, and focused extensively on the treatment of the minority <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-repression-of-uighur-muslims-china-to-edit-quran-and-bible-to-reflect-socialist-values-270572">Muslim Uighur </a>population in Xinjiang, "where the Commission believes Chinese authorities may be committing crimes&nbsp;against&nbsp;humanity."

"In addition, the Administration should develop talking points for&nbsp;US&nbsp;Government officials including those engaged in trade negotiations that consistently link freedoms of press, speech, and association to the US&nbsp;and Chinese interests," the report said.

It was only the latest salvo from Washington&nbsp;over&nbsp;China's human rights record, particularly the treatment of Uighur Muslims in the northwestern Xinjiang region, where at least a million people have been detained in what is seen by many in the West as a grave abuse of human rights and religious freedom.&nbsp;China&nbsp;rejects the charges.

The Commission is led by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-stops-abruptly-to-drink-water-while-giving-a-speech-and-internet-cant-stop-having-a-laugh-24351">Marco Rubio</a>.

Negotiators were working on a new version of a bill that would require President Donald Trump's administration to toughen its response to&nbsp;China's crackdown on its Muslim minorities, the two lawmakers said at a press conference unveiling the report.

China&nbsp;had reacted angrily when the Democratic-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-panel-launches-probe-into-possible-obstruction-by-trump-200941">House of Representatives</a> passed the bill late last year. It stalled in the Senate, which passed its own, less stringent bill earlier in the year, amid trade talks between Washington and&nbsp;China.

Rubio said he expected a version of the bill that could pass the Senate unanimously avoiding procedural snafus that could block legislation in that chamber - and pass the House and be signed into law by Trump.

McGovern said he expected a compromise bill would move forward in 2020, "hopefully soon," in both the Senate and House, and he expected Trump would sign it.

"We will get to 'yes.' That is my belief," McGovern said.

Some lawmakers at the news briefing called&nbsp;China's treatment of the Uighurs&nbsp;a "crime&nbsp;against&nbsp;humanity."

In Xinjiang, the Chinese government has used facial-recognition cameras and mobile telephone-monitoring systems to create an "open-air prison," the report said.

"US&nbsp;foreign policy must prioritize the promotion of universal human rights and the rule of law in&nbsp;China, not only to respect and protect the basic dignity of the people of&nbsp;China but to better promote security and prosperity for all of humanity," it said.

To address the abuses, the&nbsp;study&nbsp;recommended tightening access to&nbsp;US&nbsp;capital markets for Chinese companies that provide support or technical capabilities for repression.

It recommended rights&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;businesses and officials involved in the mass internment and surveillance of Uighurs.

And it backed controlling the sale of facial-recognition systems, machine learning, and biometric technology by placing agencies on the Department of Commerce's "Entity List," preventing purchases from&nbsp;US&nbsp;suppliers.

The&nbsp;study&nbsp;also described a "further erosion" of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms and said months of pro-democracy protests reveal "deep discontent" at a grassroots level.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office in Hong Kong said the&nbsp;study&nbsp;"distorts the truth," in a statement posted on its website Thursday. Hong Kong residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected, it said, and the "black hand" of the United States is responsible for inciting protests.

A US congressional report released on Wednesday called for sanctions against China over human rights abuses, and for US officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations.

A US congressional report released on Wednesday called for sanctions against China over human rights abuses, and for US officials to keep rights concerns in mind during dealings with Beijing, including trade negotiations. The annual human rights report from the Congressional-Executive Commission on China said human rights and rule of law conditions worsened in China from August 2018 to August 2019, the period studied. The report detailed China's crackdown on religious minorities, labor activists and the press, and focused extensively on the treatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population in Xinjiang, "where the Commission believes Chinese authorities may be committing crimes against humanity." "In addition, the Administration should develop talking points for US Government officials including those engaged in trade negotiations that consistently link freedoms of press, speech, and association to the US and Chinese interests," the report said. It was only the latest salvo from Washington over China's human rights record, particularly the treatment of Uighur Muslims in the northwestern Xinjiang region, where at least a million people have been detained in what is seen by many in the West as a grave abuse of human rights and religious freedom. China rejects the charges. The Commission is led by Democratic Representative Jim McGovern and Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Negotiators were working on a new version of a bill that would require President Donald Trump's administration to toughen its response to China's crackdown on its Muslim minorities, the two lawmakers said at a press conference unveiling the report. China had reacted angrily when the Democratic-led House of Representatives passed the bill late last year. It stalled in the Senate, which passed its own, less stringent bill earlier in the year, amid trade talks between Washington and China. Rubio said he expected a version of the bill that could pass the Senate unanimously avoiding procedural snafus that could block legislation in that chamber - and pass the House and be signed into law by Trump. McGovern said he expected a compromise bill would move forward in 2020, "hopefully soon," in both the Senate and House, and he expected Trump would sign it. "We will get to 'yes.' That is my belief," McGovern said. Some lawmakers at the news briefing called China's treatment of the Uighurs a "crime against humanity." In Xinjiang, the Chinese government has used facial-recognition cameras and mobile telephone-monitoring systems to create an "open-air prison," the report said. "US foreign policy must prioritize the promotion of universal human rights and the rule of law in China, not only to respect and protect the basic dignity of the people of China but to better promote security and prosperity for all of humanity," it said. To address the abuses, the study recommended tightening access to US capital markets for Chinese companies that provide support or technical capabilities for repression. It recommended rights sanctions against businesses and officials involved in the mass internment and surveillance of Uighurs. And it backed controlling the sale of facial-recognition systems, machine learning, and biometric technology by placing agencies on the Department of Commerce's "Entity List," preventing purchases from US suppliers. The study also described a "further erosion" of Hong Kong’s autonomy and fundamental freedoms and said months of pro-democracy protests reveal "deep discontent" at a grassroots level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office in Hong Kong said the study "distorts the truth," in a statement posted on its website Thursday. Hong Kong residents' rights and freedoms are fully protected, it said, and the "black hand" of the United States is responsible for inciting protests.

US congressional study urges sanctions on China over 'crimes against humanity'

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