The US President Joe Biden who has been hailed by his administration's efforts to strengthen supply chains by creating more jobs in the trucking industry. He said the 2021 was the best year for trucking industry but the much-awaited driverless trucks are still not ready yet.

Much-awaited driverless trucks still not ready in US

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of defence equipment to Taiwan. The Pentagon said that the package will include equipment, training and other items to support the Patriot Air Defense System in a deal valued at up to $95 million.

The US State Department has approved a potential sale of defence equipment to Taiwan. The Pentagon said that the package will include equipment, training and other items to support the Patriot Air Defense System in a deal valued at up to $95 million. It can be a boost to Taiwan's air defence system as Chinese-claimed Taiwan has constantly complained of increased military pressure by Beijing. Taiwan also mentions a possible invasion by China that regards the democratically ruled island as its territory and has vowed repeatedly to seize it one day, by force if necessary. Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement, "The proposed sale will help to sustain the recipient's (Taiwan's) missile density and ensure readiness for air operations." "The proposed sale will help to sustain the recipient's missile density and ensure readiness for air operations. The recipient will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen homeland defense," it added. ALSO READ | US tests hypersonic missile; Australia, US, UK agree to cooperate on hypersonic weapons However, this doesn't mean that a contract has been signed or that negotiations have concluded as the notification mentions a "potential" sale. As per a statement released on Tuesday (April 5), the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) stated, "The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of Contractor Technical Assistance and related equipment for an estimated cost of $95 million." "The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today," the statement further added. IN PICS | Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics As per Taiwan's presidential office, this was the third arms sale announced since President Joe Biden took office. "Taiwan will continue to demonstrate its determination to defend itself," spokesperson Xavier Chang said in a statement as quoted by news agencies. The statement further read: "... and continue to deepen cooperative partnerships with the United States and other like-minded countries." Taiwan's Defense Ministry said it expected the deal to "become effective" within the month. WATCH | Tensions rise in the Korean peninsula after North Korea issues a 'Nuclear' threat × (With inputs from agencies)

A boost to Taiwan as US approves $95 million sale of defence support

As part of the new AUKUS alliance, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia will jointly start collaborating on hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.

As part of the new AUKUS alliance, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia will jointly start collaborating on hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities. The decision has been taken after a call between the leaders of the new defence alliance. In a joint statement, they informed, "We... committed today to commence new trilateral cooperation on hypersonics and counter-hypersonics, and electronic warfare capabilities, as well as to expand information sharing and to deepen cooperation on defence innovation." "These initiatives will add to our existing efforts to deepen cooperation on cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and additional undersea capabilities," the statement read. "As our work progresses on these and other critical defense and security capabilities, we will seek opportunities to engage allies and close partners," it added. IN PICS | Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics AUKUS leaders have agreed to deepen their partnership across defence, technology and information sharing. We are unwavering in our commitment to an international system based on the rule of law and human rights. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇦🇺 — UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 5, 2022 × Meanwhile, the US military said it tested a new hypersonic missile. The US said it completed a free-flight test of an aircraft-launched hypersonic missile that maintained a speed of more than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The three partners of the AUKUS alliance said the joint initiatives will bolster existing efforts to deepen cooperation in numerous areas that they already agreed. The alliance, formed last September, aimed at countering China, The had also prompted Australia to cancel a crucial contract for a conventional French submarine in favour of a nuclear submarine program supported by the United States and Britain. The deal had angered French President Emmanuel Macron and the bilateral ties between France and Australia also appeared to be damaged. Important to note that Russia, China, the United States and North Korea have all test-launched hypersonic missiles. ALSO READ | Angela Merkel rejects Zelensky's criticism, stands by her decision to block Ukraine from NATO WATCH | AUKUS to work on hypersonic weapons × What are Hypersonic missiles? Hypersonic missiles, like traditional ballistic missiles which can deliver nuclear weapons, can fly at more than five times the speed of sound. While ballistic missiles fly high into space in an arc to reach their target, a hypersonic weapon flies on a trajectory low in the atmosphere, potentially reaching a target more quickly. Crucially, a hypersonic missile is manoeuvrable - like the much slower, often subsonic cruise missile - making it much harder to track and defend against. #UPDATE The United States, Britain and Australia said they will begin jointly collaborating on hypersonic weapons and "electronic warfare capabilities", as part of their new AUKUS alliance aimed at countering China https://t.co/9945s5OGyg pic.twitter.com/riSWnWgkS8 — AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 5, 2022 × US tests hypersonic missile On Tuesday (April 5), the US military announced a new successful test of a hypersonic missile, which was done apparently in mid-March but was kept in dark due to the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict. CNN report mentioned that the US remained quiet to avoid escalating tensions with Russia as President Joe Biden was about to travel to Europe. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) said it had recently completed a free-flight test of an aircraft-launched hypersonic missile that maintained a speed of more than Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound (at least 3,800 miles per hour, or 6,100 kilometres per hour). The missile flew to an altitude greater than 19,800 meters and soared over 300 nautical miles, said DARPA, the Pentagon's high-tech research body. (With inputs from agencies)

US tests hypersonic missile; Australia, US, UK agree to cooperate on hypersonic weapons

With lawmakers now ramping up attempts to seek evidence regarding the January 6, 2021 siege on the US capitol, the latest to testify in the capital riot probe is former US President Donald Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump.

United States: Ivanka Trump testifies in capitol riot probe

Oklahoma lawmakers on Tuesday (April 5) passed a bill that would make it illegal to perform an abortion in the state except in medical emergencies, penalizing those who do with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

The Republican-controlled state House of Representatives brought the bill to a vote this week, after it was passed last year by the Midwestern state's Senate. It now heads to the desk of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing.

Stitt has signaled his support for anti-abortion legislation. If he signs the measure, it would take effect this summer unless blocked by courts.

An abortion ban in Oklahoma would widen a swath of the country where there is little to no legal abortion access. The state has become a destination for Texas women seeking abortions since Texas in September banned abortions for pregnancies of six weeks or less.

"This bill has no exceptions and would essentially potentially end abortion access in Oklahoma. And what we also know is that for so many reasons, people will have to travel to out of the state to get the care that they need. And we know this because when Texas lost its abortion access, patients traveled to Oklahoma and providers were seeing more Texas patients than they've ever seen before, so this will just continue kind of that domino effect of now Texas and Oklahoma patients going to other states to get care," Tamya (pronounced: tam-EYE-ah) Cox-Toure (pronounced: to-ray), director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, said.

The measure approved on Tuesday states, "a person shall not purposely perform or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency."

Republican-governed states like Oklahoma have passed a series of restrictive abortion measures in recent years.

The US&nbsp;Supreme Court is due to rule by the end of June in a case involving a Republican-backed Mississippi law that gives its conservative majority a chance to undermine or even repeal the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. During arguments in the case, the conservative justices signalled a willingness to dramatically curtail abortion rights in America.

Oklahoma lawmakers on Tuesday (April 5) passed a bill that would make it illegal to perform an abortion in the state except in medical emergencies, penalizing those who do with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Oklahoma lawmakers on Tuesday (April 5) passed a bill that would make it illegal to perform an abortion in the state except in medical emergencies, penalizing those who do with up to $100,000 in fines and 10 years in prison. The Republican-controlled state House of Representatives brought the bill to a vote this week, after it was passed last year by the Midwestern state's Senate. It now heads to the desk of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for signing. Stitt has signaled his support for anti-abortion legislation. If he signs the measure, it would take effect this summer unless blocked by courts. An abortion ban in Oklahoma would widen a swath of the country where there is little to no legal abortion access. The state has become a destination for Texas women seeking abortions since Texas in September banned abortions for pregnancies of six weeks or less. "This bill has no exceptions and would essentially potentially end abortion access in Oklahoma. And what we also know is that for so many reasons, people will have to travel to out of the state to get the care that they need. And we know this because when Texas lost its abortion access, patients traveled to Oklahoma and providers were seeing more Texas patients than they've ever seen before, so this will just continue kind of that domino effect of now Texas and Oklahoma patients going to other states to get care," Tamya (pronounced: tam-EYE-ah) Cox-Toure (pronounced: to-ray), director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, said. The measure approved on Tuesday states, "a person shall not purposely perform or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency." Republican-governed states like Oklahoma have passed a series of restrictive abortion measures in recent years. The US Supreme Court is due to rule by the end of June in a case involving a Republican-backed Mississippi law that gives its conservative majority a chance to undermine or even repeal the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. During arguments in the case, the conservative justices signalled a willingness to dramatically curtail abortion rights in America.

Oklahoma House passes near-total abortion ban with threat of prison for providers

Randstad NV, a Dutch multinational human resource consulting firm, stated that the phenomenon of 'Great Resignation' is not showing any signs of easing and is here to stay, Bloomberg reported. The report added that the supply of workers, which is already gradually diminishing is likely to persist.&nbsp;

Sander van ‘t Noordende took over as chief executive officer of Randstad NV recently. Noordende said that fewer people in the job market are allowing talented workers to have more options and they are going where their needs are met.&nbsp;

Bloomberg quoted him as saying that "employees are more prepared to attach consequences to their unhappiness or not getting what they want".&nbsp;

He added that employees are "prepared to quit" their jobs if they are not happy. His remarks came as Randstad revealed its latest Workmonitor report.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-remarkable-rise-in-life-expectancy-in-india-but-efforts-needed-to-improve-countrys-healthcare-report-468391">A remarkable rise in life expectancy in India but efforts needed to improve country's healthcare: Report</a>

<hr />
What is The Great Resignation?

Also known as the Big Quit or the Great Reshuffle, this phenomenon is an ongoing economic trend witnessed globally. In this particular trend, employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs beginning in early 2021. The Great Resignation is seen primarily in the United States.&nbsp;

Job exits in the US rose to 4.35 million in February as reports have stated that there were 11.27 million openings in the month. The labour shortage has left businesses struggling to find staff, despite offering higher wages.&nbsp;

As per reports, the trend of Great Resignation is benefitting those employees who are looking for better working conditions and a higher pay scale.&nbsp;

As the economies have opened up after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, employees are finding it easier to quit unappealing positions and look for alternatives. Work from home option has played a vital role in taking such decisions.&nbsp;

<hr />
ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-warns-that-its-now-or-never-to-avoid-climate-catastrophe-468369">United Nations warns that it's 'now or never' to avoid climate catastrophe</a>

As per Randstad's survey, one-third of the participants said they have left a job because it "didn't fit their personal lives".&nbsp;

"More than half of Millennials and Gen-Z respondents said they would quit a job if it prevented them from enjoying life," the Bloomberg report mentioned.&nbsp;

According to the report, 83% and 71% of those who participated in the survey said flexible hours and the workplace were important, respectively.&nbsp;

As quoted, van ‘t Noordende said," Employers really have to raise their game in terms of personalising the work experience for every individual employee."&nbsp;

He said, "Most senior-level executives understand that they can trust their people. The role of the office is becoming more of a collaboration and meeting place than a place where the work gets done."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;The great resignation continues: 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs

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Randstad NV, a Dutch multinational human resource consulting firm, stated that the phenomenon of 'Great Resignation' is not showing any signs of easing and is here to stay, Bloomberg reported.

Randstad NV, a Dutch multinational human resource consulting firm, stated that the phenomenon of 'Great Resignation' is not showing any signs of easing and is here to stay, Bloomberg reported. The report added that the supply of workers, which is already gradually diminishing is likely to persist. Sander van ‘t Noordende took over as chief executive officer of Randstad NV recently. Noordende said that fewer people in the job market are allowing talented workers to have more options and they are going where their needs are met. Bloomberg quoted him as saying that "employees are more prepared to attach consequences to their unhappiness or not getting what they want". He added that employees are "prepared to quit" their jobs if they are not happy. His remarks came as Randstad revealed its latest Workmonitor report. ALSO READ | A remarkable rise in life expectancy in India but efforts needed to improve country's healthcare: Report What is The Great Resignation? Also known as the Big Quit or the Great Reshuffle, this phenomenon is an ongoing economic trend witnessed globally. In this particular trend, employees have voluntarily resigned from their jobs beginning in early 2021. The Great Resignation is seen primarily in the United States. Job exits in the US rose to 4.35 million in February as reports have stated that there were 11.27 million openings in the month. The labour shortage has left businesses struggling to find staff, despite offering higher wages. As per reports, the trend of Great Resignation is benefitting those employees who are looking for better working conditions and a higher pay scale. As the economies have opened up after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, employees are finding it easier to quit unappealing positions and look for alternatives. Work from home option has played a vital role in taking such decisions. ALSO READ | United Nations warns that it's 'now or never' to avoid climate catastrophe As per Randstad's survey, one-third of the participants said they have left a job because it "didn't fit their personal lives". "More than half of Millennials and Gen-Z respondents said they would quit a job if it prevented them from enjoying life," the Bloomberg report mentioned. According to the report, 83% and 71% of those who participated in the survey said flexible hours and the workplace were important, respectively. As quoted, van ‘t Noordende said," Employers really have to raise their game in terms of personalising the work experience for every individual employee." He said, "Most senior-level executives understand that they can trust their people. The role of the office is becoming more of a collaboration and meeting place than a place where the work gets done." WATCH | The great resignation continues: 4.4 million Americans quit their jobs ×

Great Resignation is not slowing and is here to stay as workers put personal lives before jobs: Report

The United States will face England and Iran in Group B at the World Cup finals while Spain will take on Germany in a clash of former winners in Group E. 
 
Holders France will meet Denmark and Tunisia in Group D while the tournament will kick off on Nov. 21 with hosts Qatar playing Ecuador. 
 
For the U.S., the draw pits them against their former colonial rulers England and the Iranians, a country they have had long-running political disputes with.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bruno-fernandes-signs-new-contract-extension-with-manchester-united-till-2026-467469" hreflang="en">Bruno Fernandes signs new contract extension with Manchester United till 2026</a> 
 
The U.S. faced Iran at the 1998 World Cup in France, losing 2-1 to the Gulf nation. 
 
Group G was one of the toughest, pitting five-times World Cup winners Brazil against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. 
 
The draw came after a 45 minute musical and video show as FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised the event would "simply be the best tournament ever".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2022-bcci-likely-to-go-ahead-with-50-percent-capacity-in-stadiums-from-next-week-467470" hreflang="en">IPL 2022: BCCI likely to go ahead with 50 percent capacity from next week</a> 
 
The decision in 2010 to hand the hosting rights to Qatar was heavily criticised and there has been intense scrutiny of the human rights situation in the country. 
 
Qatar`s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani welcomed the guests who included national team coaches, World Cup-winning players and football officials all waiting to discover the group stage match-ups during a ceremony presented by British actor Idris Elba and broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury. 
 
The tournament will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 -- the first time soccer`s top prize has been competed for in the Middle East and there was a distinct Arabian feeling to the show.

The United States will face England and Iran in Group B at the World Cup finals while Spain will take on Germany in a clash of former winners in Group E. Holders France will meet Denmark and Tunisia in Group D while the tournament will kick off on Nov.

The United States will face England and Iran in Group B at the World Cup finals while Spain will take on Germany in a clash of former winners in Group E. Holders France will meet Denmark and Tunisia in Group D while the tournament will kick off on Nov. 21 with hosts Qatar playing Ecuador. For the U.S., the draw pits them against their former colonial rulers England and the Iranians, a country they have had long-running political disputes with. Also read | Bruno Fernandes signs new contract extension with Manchester United till 2026 The U.S. faced Iran at the 1998 World Cup in France, losing 2-1 to the Gulf nation. Group G was one of the toughest, pitting five-times World Cup winners Brazil against Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon. The draw came after a 45 minute musical and video show as FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised the event would "simply be the best tournament ever". Also read | IPL 2022: BCCI likely to go ahead with 50 percent capacity from next week The decision in 2010 to hand the hosting rights to Qatar was heavily criticised and there has been intense scrutiny of the human rights situation in the country. Qatar`s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani welcomed the guests who included national team coaches, World Cup-winning players and football officials all waiting to discover the group stage match-ups during a ceremony presented by British actor Idris Elba and broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury. The tournament will run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 -- the first time soccer`s top prize has been competed for in the Middle East and there was a distinct Arabian feeling to the show.

U.S. to face England and Iran, Spain meet Germany in FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage

The Philippines in the United States are holding their largest-ever annual joint military drills, this is to deepen their defense ties amid fresh tensions in the disputes South China sea region.

United States, Philippines kick off their largest-ever annual joint military drills

Ford motor and general motors will each halt manufacturing next week at a Michigan plant it's due to part shortages. Number two US automaker Ford said it would suspend manufacturing at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant next week where it builds the Mustang.

Ford, GM to halt production in United States

US President Joe Biden announced on Thursday that his government will release one million barrels of oil per day from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve for the next six months, this is a part of Biden administration's efforts to keep the oil prices under control.

United States to release crude from strategic stockpile reserves

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, ensuring that President Joe Biden’s nominee and the first Black woman to be put forward for the post will receive at least one Republican backer.

But whether Collins’ support is singular or opens the door to Jackson attracting the votes of other Republicans remained to be seen. The universe of potential backers from across the aisle shrunk Wednesday with an announcement by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., that he would oppose the nominee. Tillis, a member of the Judiciary Committee, had once been seen as a potential vote for confirmation.

Even as he praised Jackson’s “knowledge, her composure and her character,” Tillis said he could not vote to put her on the court.

Collins made her decision to back the nomination after a second personal meeting with the judge Tuesday afternoon. Collins said Jackson had alleviated some concerns that surfaced after last week’s hearings.

The centrist senator, often a key vote on Supreme Court clashes, said that she had been reassured that Jackson would not be “bending the law to meet a personal preference” and that the nominee met her personal standard for serving on the court.

If Democrats stay united, Collins' vote would avoid the spectacle of Vice President Kamala Harris having to break a tie to seat a nominee on the Supreme Court, an unprecedented outcome that some saw as potentially damaging to the court’s standing.

Among other Republicans on the White House wish list are two retiring senators, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Roy Blunt of Missouri, but it appeared unlikely that either of them would back her.

That leaves two other Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah, as the most promising prospects for crossover support of Jackson. Romney met with the judge Tuesday but said he had not made up his mind and probably would not reveal his decision until the vote, now expected next week.

Murkowski, who is running for reelection this year in a contest projected to be the most expensive and challenging of her career, also may not make her decision known until next week.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, ensuring that President Joe Biden’s nominee and the first Black woman to be put forward for the post will receive at least one Republican backer.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine plans to vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, ensuring that President Joe Biden’s nominee and the first Black woman to be put forward for the post will receive at least one Republican backer. But whether Collins’ support is singular or opens the door to Jackson attracting the votes of other Republicans remained to be seen. The universe of potential backers from across the aisle shrunk Wednesday with an announcement by Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., that he would oppose the nominee. Tillis, a member of the Judiciary Committee, had once been seen as a potential vote for confirmation. Even as he praised Jackson’s “knowledge, her composure and her character,” Tillis said he could not vote to put her on the court. Collins made her decision to back the nomination after a second personal meeting with the judge Tuesday afternoon. Collins said Jackson had alleviated some concerns that surfaced after last week’s hearings. The centrist senator, often a key vote on Supreme Court clashes, said that she had been reassured that Jackson would not be “bending the law to meet a personal preference” and that the nominee met her personal standard for serving on the court. If Democrats stay united, Collins' vote would avoid the spectacle of Vice President Kamala Harris having to break a tie to seat a nominee on the Supreme Court, an unprecedented outcome that some saw as potentially damaging to the court’s standing. Among other Republicans on the White House wish list are two retiring senators, Richard Burr of North Carolina and Roy Blunt of Missouri, but it appeared unlikely that either of them would back her. That leaves two other Republicans, Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Mitt Romney of Utah, as the most promising prospects for crossover support of Jackson. Romney met with the judge Tuesday but said he had not made up his mind and probably would not reveal his decision until the vote, now expected next week. Murkowski, who is running for reelection this year in a contest projected to be the most expensive and challenging of her career, also may not make her decision known until next week.

Collins to back Jackson for Supreme Court, giving her a GOP vote

Russia is yet to capture the capital city of Kyiv and the Russian forces are in some places being pushed back by the Ukrainian forces. In the latest, according to the American intelligence Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly has been misled.

United States: Putin misled on how war progressed

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden signed a bill making lynching a federal hate crime, putting an end to more than a century of delays in criminalising the symbol of what he called "pure terror."

The new law will punish anyone convicted of lynching for up to 30 years, ending what researchers say was an unbroken history of impunity over the thousands of lynchings that took place between the end of the Civil War and 1950.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-in-ukraine-enhances-eus-resolve-to-act-in-indo-pacific-says-top-diplomat-gabriele-466800" hreflang="en">War in Ukraine enhances EU's resolve to act in Indo Pacific, says top diplomat Gabriele</a>

The bill is named after the tragically murdered 14-year-old black teen Bill Emmett Till, who sparked the civil rights movement during the 1950s.

President Biden was joined at the Rose Garden ceremony by Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first Black female vice president, and Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of anti-lynching activist and pioneering Black journalist Ida B. Wells.

Biden said lynching was "pure terror," noting the horrific practice of killing mostly black Americans in public, often in front of enthusiastic white crowds in the post-slavery United States.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-still-doubts-that-russia-is-serious-in-talks-with-ukraine-blinken-466765" hreflang="en">United States still doubts that Russia is serious in talks with Ukraine: Blinken</a>

However, Biden warned that "racial hate isn't an old problem, it's a persistent problem," stating that "hate never goes away, it only hides."

VP Harris also warned that "lynching is not a relic of the past."

"Racial acts of terror still occur in our nation," she said.&nbsp;

Earlier this month the Senate had unanimously passed this bill. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that the long delay has proven to be "a stain on America".

Watch |&nbsp;U.S. President Joe Biden says Asia-Pacific is still a priority as he hosts Singapore PM Loong

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-says-asia-pacific-is-still-a-priority-as-he-hosts-singapore-pm-loong-466806/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In August 1955, Bill Emmett Till was abducted and murdered while visiting relatives in the US southern state of Mississippi. The mutilated body of the teenager was discovered three days later in a nearby river.

This was in response to a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, alleging that he had propositioned her in a store and touched her on the arm, hand, and waist.&nbsp;

The mother of Till famously demanded that her son's remains be displayed in an open casket so that everyone could see what had been done.

A white Mississippi jury acquitted two men charged with murder, Roy Bryant, Carolyn Bryant's husband, and J W Milam, his half-brother. Later, the pair admitted that they had killed the boy in a magazine interview.

(WIth inputs from agencies)

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden signed a bill making lynching a federal hate crime, putting an end to more than a century of delays in criminalising the symbol of what he called "pure terror.

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden signed a bill making lynching a federal hate crime, putting an end to more than a century of delays in criminalising the symbol of what he called "pure terror." The new law will punish anyone convicted of lynching for up to 30 years, ending what researchers say was an unbroken history of impunity over the thousands of lynchings that took place between the end of the Civil War and 1950. Also read | War in Ukraine enhances EU's resolve to act in Indo Pacific, says top diplomat Gabriele The bill is named after the tragically murdered 14-year-old black teen Bill Emmett Till, who sparked the civil rights movement during the 1950s. President Biden was joined at the Rose Garden ceremony by Vice President Kamala Harris, who became the first Black female vice president, and Michelle Duster, the great-granddaughter of anti-lynching activist and pioneering Black journalist Ida B. Wells. Biden said lynching was "pure terror," noting the horrific practice of killing mostly black Americans in public, often in front of enthusiastic white crowds in the post-slavery United States. Also read | United States still doubts that Russia is serious in talks with Ukraine: Blinken However, Biden warned that "racial hate isn't an old problem, it's a persistent problem," stating that "hate never goes away, it only hides." VP Harris also warned that "lynching is not a relic of the past." "Racial acts of terror still occur in our nation," she said. Earlier this month the Senate had unanimously passed this bill. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has said that the long delay has proven to be "a stain on America". Watch | U.S. President Joe Biden says Asia-Pacific is still a priority as he hosts Singapore PM Loong In August 1955, Bill Emmett Till was abducted and murdered while visiting relatives in the US southern state of Mississippi. The mutilated body of the teenager was discovered three days later in a nearby river. This was in response to a white woman, Carolyn Bryant, alleging that he had propositioned her in a store and touched her on the arm, hand, and waist. The mother of Till famously demanded that her son's remains be displayed in an open casket so that everyone could see what had been done. A white Mississippi jury acquitted two men charged with murder, Roy Bryant, Carolyn Bryant's husband, and J W Milam, his half-brother. Later, the pair admitted that they had killed the boy in a magazine interview. (WIth inputs from agencies)

Biden makes the 'pure terror' of lynching a federal crime

The Chinese Communist Party has called the United States as the ''culprit'' behind the Ukraine crisis.

“The eastward enlargement of Nato, led by the United States, is the root of the Ukrainian crisis,” said the article, published on page three of the People’s Daily under the pseudonym Zhong Sheng, used by the party mouthpiece for commentary on key international issues.

“NATO has become a tool for the United States to practice its hegemony,” the commentary said.&nbsp;

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“The US-led Nato has for a long time created turbulence around Russia, including starting ‘colour revolutions’.”

The article, which accused the US of “directing and acting” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was the first in a series planned by the newspaper to focus on blaming Washington for the war in Ukraine.

Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Washington-based Stimson Centre think tank, said Beijing’s Ukraine messaging was primarily for its domestic audience, “and also to stress that China’s siding with Russia is just”.

“China differentiates between rhetoric, which is pro-Russia, and diplomacy, which is more balanced, and real actions, which are lacking on supporting Russia. In this case, I think the pro-Russia rhetoric is a part of the policy.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-apologies-for-saying-putin-cannot-remain-in-power-us-president-biden-466503">'No apologies' for saying Putin 'cannot remain in power': US President Biden</a>

Sun added that China’s pushing of the Ukraine bioweapons claim is an extension of the controversy surrounding the origin of Covid-19.

“The lab theory just plays into China’s narrative about Covid originating from US labs. Of course China won’t miss the opportunity,” she said.

China has refused to condemn close ally Russia over the bloody invasion of Ukraine and lagged behind many other countries in providing humanitarian aid to the war-stricken country.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has accused China of giving political backing to Russia as it invades Ukraine by "spreading blatant lies", and warned Beijing against providing material support to Moscow's war effort.

China must "live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council, refrain from supporting Russia's war effort, and join the rest of the world in calling for an immediate, peaceful end to this war," he said.

But Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that "accusing China of spreading false information about Ukraine is itself spreading disinformation".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-china-accuses-nato-of-pushing-russia-to-breaking-point-460521">Also read |&nbsp;Ukraine crisis: China accuses NATO of pushing Russia to 'breaking point'</a>

"China's position is consistent with the wishes of most countries... any unwarranted accusations and suspicions against China will be defeated," he said at a routine briefing Thursday.&nbsp;

"We have always maintained that Ukraine should become a bridge between the East and West, rather than be in the frontline in a game between great powers."

In one month, the war has created more than 3.6 million refugees and caused over 970 civilian deaths, according to UN figures, and provoked a barrage of international sanctions on Russia that have crippled its economy.

US officials have accused China of signalling its "willingness" to provide military and economic aid to Russia, and said they would be "watching very closely" to see if Beijing delivers weapons.&nbsp;

"China has provided Russia with political support, including by spreading blatant lies and misinformation, and allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the Russian invasion," said Stoltenberg.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Russia's relations with China were at their strongest level ever, at a time when Western nations are seeking to isolate Moscow with unprecedented sanctions over Ukraine.

Beijing has said it is willing to play a role in ceasefire mediation efforts, but so far has not committed to holding peace talks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The Chinese Communist Party has called the United States as the ''culprit'' behind the Ukraine crisis. “The eastward enlargement of Nato, led by the United States, is the root of the Ukrainian crisis,” said the article, published on page three of the People’s Daily under the pseudonym Zhong Sheng, used by the party mouthpiece for commentary on key international issues.

The Chinese Communist Party has called the United States as the ''culprit'' behind the Ukraine crisis. “The eastward enlargement of Nato, led by the United States, is the root of the Ukrainian crisis,” said the article, published on page three of the People’s Daily under the pseudonym Zhong Sheng, used by the party mouthpiece for commentary on key international issues. “NATO has become a tool for the United States to practice its hegemony,” the commentary said. “The US-led Nato has for a long time created turbulence around Russia, including starting ‘colour revolutions’.” The article, which accused the US of “directing and acting” in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was the first in a series planned by the newspaper to focus on blaming Washington for the war in Ukraine. Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Washington-based Stimson Centre think tank, said Beijing’s Ukraine messaging was primarily for its domestic audience, “and also to stress that China’s siding with Russia is just”. “China differentiates between rhetoric, which is pro-Russia, and diplomacy, which is more balanced, and real actions, which are lacking on supporting Russia. In this case, I think the pro-Russia rhetoric is a part of the policy.” Also read | 'No apologies' for saying Putin 'cannot remain in power': US President Biden Sun added that China’s pushing of the Ukraine bioweapons claim is an extension of the controversy surrounding the origin of Covid-19. “The lab theory just plays into China’s narrative about Covid originating from US labs. Of course China won’t miss the opportunity,” she said. China has refused to condemn close ally Russia over the bloody invasion of Ukraine and lagged behind many other countries in providing humanitarian aid to the war-stricken country. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has accused China of giving political backing to Russia as it invades Ukraine by "spreading blatant lies", and warned Beijing against providing material support to Moscow's war effort. China must "live up to its responsibilities as a member of the UN Security Council, refrain from supporting Russia's war effort, and join the rest of the world in calling for an immediate, peaceful end to this war," he said. But Beijing's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that "accusing China of spreading false information about Ukraine is itself spreading disinformation". Also read | Ukraine crisis: China accuses NATO of pushing Russia to 'breaking point' "China's position is consistent with the wishes of most countries... any unwarranted accusations and suspicions against China will be defeated," he said at a routine briefing Thursday. "We have always maintained that Ukraine should become a bridge between the East and West, rather than be in the frontline in a game between great powers." In one month, the war has created more than 3.6 million refugees and caused over 970 civilian deaths, according to UN figures, and provoked a barrage of international sanctions on Russia that have crippled its economy. US officials have accused China of signalling its "willingness" to provide military and economic aid to Russia, and said they would be "watching very closely" to see if Beijing delivers weapons. "China has provided Russia with political support, including by spreading blatant lies and misinformation, and allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the Russian invasion," said Stoltenberg. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said Russia's relations with China were at their strongest level ever, at a time when Western nations are seeking to isolate Moscow with unprecedented sanctions over Ukraine. Beijing has said it is willing to play a role in ceasefire mediation efforts, but so far has not committed to holding peace talks. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese Communist Party calls United States 'culprit' behind Ukraine crisis

Soaring consumer prices are undermining President Joe Biden’s economic approval ratings, making inflation a critical topic for the White House headed into midterm elections — and making fighting it a focus of the administration’s budget, even though the Federal Reserve plays the primary role in countering rapid price increases.

Biden’s administration, in its budget proposal released Monday, emphasized that some of the investments it is making or proposing could lower costs for families.

The budget document — which mentions the word “costs” 47 times and “inflation” six — earmarks funding for port infrastructure development, money to improve the passenger and freight railway system, and funds to help with financing the construction and rehabilitation of inexpensive housing stock, among other measures that might help to improve supply in the economy over time.

Presidential budgets are an outline of an administration’s priorities rather than policies that are actually enacted in full. By repeatedly referencing plans to cut costs for families, Biden is making it clear that the concern ranks high on his list.

But there is not much the White House can do quickly to ease rapid price increases, which have been running at the fastest pace in 40 years. Supply chain fixes could take years to pay off. In the meantime, fighting inflation is primarily the job of the Fed.

The central bank raised interest rates for the first time since late 2018 earlier this month, and officials have forecast that they will continue to increase borrowing costs over the course of this year and next. Doing so will make financing big purchases more expensive in a bid to cool off demand, slow down the economy and temper price increases.

The Fed’s preferred inflation measure is expected to show that prices climbed by 6.4% in the year through February, based on estimates from a Bloomberg survey, when it is released later this week. Central bankers aim for 2% inflation, so that is more than three times their goal. Fed policymakers are hoping that their policy changes, paired with further supply chain and labor market healing, will help them to return annual inflation to 4.3% by the end of the year.

As inflation has accelerated over the past year, it has become a big part of the nation’s consciousness. Biden’s economic approval ratings have fallen sharply, based on the results of an NBC News poll this month, and cost of living is voters’ top concern.

Angst over high prices is also becoming palpable in daily life. A cryptocurrency advertisement that leads with the line “Frustrated by high inflation?” hangs over a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. "Saturday Night Live" included a joke about rising fuel costs earlier this month (“Girl, I know Biden better do something about these gas prices,” Ego Nwodim commiserated with Zoë Kravitz at the start of a skit).

That creates a challenge for the White House, which can do only so much in the face of higher prices. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent fuel prices sharply higher, something neither the administration nor the Fed can immediately or fully counteract. When it comes to broader, economy wide pressures, curbing demand is most likely to be the faster way to slow down price increases — but the Fed’s policy changes work by slowing down the job market, which is unlikely to make voters feel much better.

Much of the world has experienced a burst of inflation in the wake of initial pandemic lockdowns, as factory shutdowns and a shift in buying away from services and toward goods — think couches, cars — choked supply chains and prompted shortages.

“America was not immune to the worldwide inflation that has followed the pandemic,” Biden said in his statement at the start of the budget documents, also blaming rising prices partly on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, given that the conflict has pushed up gas costs.

But America’s price burst has been especially pronounced, even compared to global peers. Many economists attribute that, at least in part, to the country’s spending in response to the pandemic. America spent a lot during the pandemic, including on packages passed during the Trump administration and the $1.9 trillion Biden and congressional Democrats passed in early 2021.

That final package came at a time when growth and the labor market were recovering, and some economists warned that it was too large and poorly targeted and would lead to overheating. 
&nbsp;

Soaring consumer prices are undermining President Joe Biden’s economic approval ratings, making inflation a critical topic for the White House headed into midterm elections — and making fighting it a focus of the administration’s budget, even though the Federal Reserve plays the primary role in countering rapid price increases.

Soaring consumer prices are undermining President Joe Biden’s economic approval ratings, making inflation a critical topic for the White House headed into midterm elections — and making fighting it a focus of the administration’s budget, even though the Federal Reserve plays the primary role in countering rapid price increases. Biden’s administration, in its budget proposal released Monday, emphasized that some of the investments it is making or proposing could lower costs for families. The budget document — which mentions the word “costs” 47 times and “inflation” six — earmarks funding for port infrastructure development, money to improve the passenger and freight railway system, and funds to help with financing the construction and rehabilitation of inexpensive housing stock, among other measures that might help to improve supply in the economy over time. Presidential budgets are an outline of an administration’s priorities rather than policies that are actually enacted in full. By repeatedly referencing plans to cut costs for families, Biden is making it clear that the concern ranks high on his list. But there is not much the White House can do quickly to ease rapid price increases, which have been running at the fastest pace in 40 years. Supply chain fixes could take years to pay off. In the meantime, fighting inflation is primarily the job of the Fed. The central bank raised interest rates for the first time since late 2018 earlier this month, and officials have forecast that they will continue to increase borrowing costs over the course of this year and next. Doing so will make financing big purchases more expensive in a bid to cool off demand, slow down the economy and temper price increases. The Fed’s preferred inflation measure is expected to show that prices climbed by 6.4% in the year through February, based on estimates from a Bloomberg survey, when it is released later this week. Central bankers aim for 2% inflation, so that is more than three times their goal. Fed policymakers are hoping that their policy changes, paired with further supply chain and labor market healing, will help them to return annual inflation to 4.3% by the end of the year. As inflation has accelerated over the past year, it has become a big part of the nation’s consciousness. Biden’s economic approval ratings have fallen sharply, based on the results of an NBC News poll this month, and cost of living is voters’ top concern. Angst over high prices is also becoming palpable in daily life. A cryptocurrency advertisement that leads with the line “Frustrated by high inflation?” hangs over a security checkpoint at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. "Saturday Night Live" included a joke about rising fuel costs earlier this month (“Girl, I know Biden better do something about these gas prices,” Ego Nwodim commiserated with Zoë Kravitz at the start of a skit). That creates a challenge for the White House, which can do only so much in the face of higher prices. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sent fuel prices sharply higher, something neither the administration nor the Fed can immediately or fully counteract. When it comes to broader, economy wide pressures, curbing demand is most likely to be the faster way to slow down price increases — but the Fed’s policy changes work by slowing down the job market, which is unlikely to make voters feel much better. Much of the world has experienced a burst of inflation in the wake of initial pandemic lockdowns, as factory shutdowns and a shift in buying away from services and toward goods — think couches, cars — choked supply chains and prompted shortages. “America was not immune to the worldwide inflation that has followed the pandemic,” Biden said in his statement at the start of the budget documents, also blaming rising prices partly on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, given that the conflict has pushed up gas costs. But America’s price burst has been especially pronounced, even compared to global peers. Many economists attribute that, at least in part, to the country’s spending in response to the pandemic. America spent a lot during the pandemic, including on packages passed during the Trump administration and the $1.9 trillion Biden and congressional Democrats passed in early 2021. That final package came at a time when growth and the labor market were recovering, and some economists warned that it was too large and poorly targeted and would lead to overheating.

Biden’s budget focuses on fighting inflation, but that’s mainly a fed project

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

"For God's sake, this man [Putin] cannot remain in power," United States President Joe Biden said this to a crowd in Warsaw, Poland on Saturday (March 26) while condemning Russia's month-long invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The comments appeared to be a call for Putin's exit and went viral in no time. However, it sent the Biden administration rushing course-correction and giving explanations.&nbsp;

Biden's comments were delivered during the close of three days of marathon diplomacy. The remarks were termed a "horrendous gaffe" by one Republican senator.&nbsp;

US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN: "He gave a good speech at the end, but as you pointed out already, there was a horrendous gaffe right at the end of it."&nbsp;

During his address, Biden cast Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a battle in a much broader conflict between democracy and autocracy.&nbsp;

"The battle for democracy could not conclude and did not conclude with the end of the Cold War. Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have revived all across the globe," Biden said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-says-ukraine-ready-to-discuss-adopting-neutral-status-466182">President Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss adopting neutral status</a>

Biden and other Western allies have been aiming at presenting a determined front against Russia's invasion.

However, the 'regime change' comments had risks that could have, to some extent,&nbsp;jeopardised efforts being done to defuse the situation.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of the incident, which apparently caught even US advisors off guard, the White House clarified within minutes that Biden was not advocating "regime change" in Russia.&nbsp;

Hours earlier Biden had described the Russian President as a "butcher".&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he thinks the President "made the point last night that", quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else.&nbsp;

"As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia - or anywhere else, for that matter," he added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refrain-from-publishing-russia-warns-media-says-dont-report-interview-with-zelensky-466209">'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky</a>

The Russia and Ukraine conflict has already escalated with reports of multiple loss of lives and massive destruction.&nbsp;Amid all the chaos, such comments can act as a catalyst to aggravate the situation further.&nbsp;

Even France's President Emmanuel Macron warned such language could "escalate" a conflict the United States and its NATO allies have sought at all costs to contain. It can even undercut Western efforts to help suffering Ukrainians.&nbsp;

And as long as gaffes are concerned, Biden has a decades-long reputation for unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks.&nbsp;

Risch said the president had again shot himself in the foot. He told the media outlet, "I wish he would stay on script."

"I think most people who don’t deal in the lane of foreign relations don’t realize that those nine words that he uttered would cause the kind of eruption they did,"&nbsp;Risch added.&nbsp;

"Anytime you say, or even as he did suggest, that the policy was regime change, it’s gonna cause a huge problem," the&nbsp;senator added.&nbsp;

Top media outlets and newspapers have previously listed his "top 10 gaffes of all time".&nbsp;

The comments then a U-turn is a clear example that world leaders should keep a filter while speaking regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. "For God's sake, this man [Putin] cannot remain in power," United States President Joe Biden said this to a crowd in Warsaw, Poland on Saturday (March 26) while condemning Russia's month-long invasion of Ukraine. The comments appeared to be a call for Putin's exit and went viral in no time. However, it sent the Biden administration rushing course-correction and giving explanations. Biden's comments were delivered during the close of three days of marathon diplomacy. The remarks were termed a "horrendous gaffe" by one Republican senator. US Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told CNN: "He gave a good speech at the end, but as you pointed out already, there was a horrendous gaffe right at the end of it." During his address, Biden cast Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a battle in a much broader conflict between democracy and autocracy. "The battle for democracy could not conclude and did not conclude with the end of the Cold War. Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have revived all across the globe," Biden said. ALSO READ | President Zelensky says Ukraine ready to discuss adopting neutral status Biden and other Western allies have been aiming at presenting a determined front against Russia's invasion. However, the 'regime change' comments had risks that could have, to some extent, jeopardised efforts being done to defuse the situation. In the aftermath of the incident, which apparently caught even US advisors off guard, the White House clarified within minutes that Biden was not advocating "regime change" in Russia. Hours earlier Biden had described the Russian President as a "butcher". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that he thinks the President "made the point last night that", quite simply, President Putin cannot be empowered to wage war or engage in aggression against Ukraine or anyone else. "As you know, and as you have heard us say repeatedly, we do not have a strategy of regime change in Russia - or anywhere else, for that matter," he added. ALSO READ | 'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky The Russia and Ukraine conflict has already escalated with reports of multiple loss of lives and massive destruction. Amid all the chaos, such comments can act as a catalyst to aggravate the situation further. Even France's President Emmanuel Macron warned such language could "escalate" a conflict the United States and its NATO allies have sought at all costs to contain. It can even undercut Western efforts to help suffering Ukrainians. And as long as gaffes are concerned, Biden has a decades-long reputation for unfortunate off-the-cuff remarks. Risch said the president had again shot himself in the foot. He told the media outlet, "I wish he would stay on script." "I think most people who don’t deal in the lane of foreign relations don’t realize that those nine words that he uttered would cause the kind of eruption they did," Risch added. "Anytime you say, or even as he did suggest, that the policy was regime change, it’s gonna cause a huge problem," the senator added. Top media outlets and newspapers have previously listed his "top 10 gaffes of all time". The comments then a U-turn is a clear example that world leaders should keep a filter while speaking regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict. WATCH | Biden admin's course-correction over 'regime change in Russia' remark ×

What does Joe Biden's 'horrendous gaffe' over Ukraine mean?

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas.

In a 34-page report, the panel argued that the allies — Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser, and Dan Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of staff — were closely involved in efforts to keep Trump in power even after he lost decisively at the polls.

The committee is set to hold a public vote on whether to recommend the charges Monday. A contempt of Congress charge carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. A recommendation from the panel would send the matter to the full House, which would then have to vote to refer the charge to the Justice Department.

Navarro and Scavino are among a handful of Trump’s closest allies who have refused to sit for interviews or turn over documents even as more than 750 witnesses — including other top White House officials — have complied with the committee’s requests.

The committee said Navarro had worked with Steve Bannon, another Trump ally, to carry out a plan to delay Congress’ certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, and ultimately change the election’s outcome. Navarro said more than 100 members of Congress had signed on to the plan.

Navarro also wrote a report alleging a stolen election, which was widely shared with others working to overturn the election. Navarro claimed Trump “himself had distributed Volume 1 of the report to every member of the House and Senate” before Jan. 6, 2021.

The committee issued a subpoena in February to Navarro, but he said he would not comply, citing Trump’s invocation of executive privilege over White House materials from his time in office.

When committee staff members emailed him seeking his lawyer’s name, he replied: “No counsel. Executive privilege.”

The committee argues that Navarro’s work trying to overturn the election was not a part of his official duties and not covered by executive privilege.

As for Scavino, the committee said he had worked with Trump to spread false information via social media regarding election fraud and had recruited a crowd to Washington on that Jan. 6.

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas.

The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol released a report Sunday laying out reasons to charge two allies of former President Donald Trump's with criminal contempt of Congress for their participation in efforts to overturn the 2020 election and their subsequent refusal to comply with the panel’s subpoenas. In a 34-page report, the panel argued that the allies — Peter Navarro, a former White House adviser, and Dan Scavino Jr., a former deputy chief of staff — were closely involved in efforts to keep Trump in power even after he lost decisively at the polls. The committee is set to hold a public vote on whether to recommend the charges Monday. A contempt of Congress charge carries a penalty of up to a year in jail. A recommendation from the panel would send the matter to the full House, which would then have to vote to refer the charge to the Justice Department. Navarro and Scavino are among a handful of Trump’s closest allies who have refused to sit for interviews or turn over documents even as more than 750 witnesses — including other top White House officials — have complied with the committee’s requests. The committee said Navarro had worked with Steve Bannon, another Trump ally, to carry out a plan to delay Congress’ certification of the election on Jan. 6, 2021, and ultimately change the election’s outcome. Navarro said more than 100 members of Congress had signed on to the plan. Navarro also wrote a report alleging a stolen election, which was widely shared with others working to overturn the election. Navarro claimed Trump “himself had distributed Volume 1 of the report to every member of the House and Senate” before Jan. 6, 2021. The committee issued a subpoena in February to Navarro, but he said he would not comply, citing Trump’s invocation of executive privilege over White House materials from his time in office. When committee staff members emailed him seeking his lawyer’s name, he replied: “No counsel. Executive privilege.” The committee argues that Navarro’s work trying to overturn the election was not a part of his official duties and not covered by executive privilege. As for Scavino, the committee said he had worked with Trump to spread false information via social media regarding election fraud and had recruited a crowd to Washington on that Jan. 6.

Jan. 6 panel makes case for contempt charges for 2 former Trump aides

In the United States, millions of genetically modified mosquitoes may soon be released in Florida and California as the country's Environmental Protection Agency has approved Oxitec's pilot projects related to mosquitoes.

In the United States, millions of genetically modified mosquitoes may soon be released in Florida and California as the country's Environmental Protection Agency has approved Oxitec's pilot projects related to mosquitoes. The UK-based biotechnology company Oxitec has developed millions of genetically modified mosquitoes that seek to ward off their natural, disease-causing counterparts. The company is said to be the leading developer of biological pest control solutions. Grey Frandsen, who is the CEO of Oxitec, said in a statement: "Our team is immensely proud to have received yet another milestone approval from the EPA." "This expansion of our U.S. efforts reflects the strong partnerships we’ve developed with a large and diverse range of stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels," Frandsen added. ALSO READ | Study shows several bird species nesting and laying eggs almost a month early Oxitec informed that two pilot projects were approved, one with the Delta Mosquito and Vector Control District (Delta MVCD) in California and one with the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) in Florida. The latest approval is also an extension of the Experimental Use Permit (EUP) granted in 2020 by the EPA for a pilot project in the Florida Keys, which was successfully carried out in 2021. As stated by the company, safe, sustainable and targeted biological pest control technology does not harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. The method is proven to control the disease-transmitting Aedes aegypti mosquito, which has invaded communities in Florida, California and other US states. ALSO READ | Drinking coffee can protect heart instead of triggering ailments, help to live longer, says study As per the Oxitec, the aim is to reduce the transmission of harmful diseases, such as dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya. The data released by the company states that in California, since first being detected in 2013, this mosquito has rapidly spread to more than 20 counties throughout the state, increasing the risk. Alongside its in-depth scientific evaluation process was a 30-day period for public comments. The EPA reviewed and responded to each public comment before issuing its approval. After the EPA's approval, Oxitec will now submit permit applications to state regulators in California and Florida for their review.

US may release billions of genetically modified male mosquitoes. Here's why

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip.

A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place.

This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president.

That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist.

In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president.

“Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.”

“In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.”

And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts.

“They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views.

It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017.

In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers.

(A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.)

But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.)

While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications.

“I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion.

“No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.”

Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference.

She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty.

Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not.

Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial.

Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise.

At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028.

“I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.”

(Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.)

Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party.

“Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.”

But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly.

Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response.

Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings.

“I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik.

DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation.

Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party.

“I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.”

To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country.

“I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said.

Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump.

Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero.

Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.”

Still, there are awkward moments.

Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power.

Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.)

In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district.

“Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections.

On the second floor of an upscale golf resort near Jacksonville, Florida, this past week, House Republicans gathered for drinks as they kicked off a three-day retreat to plot their path to winning the majority in this year’s midterm elections. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, dressed down in a fleece vest, stood in one corner while Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia hustled in and out of the reception area. But it was Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the No. 3 Republican and an architect of the party’s message, who was running the show, working the room with her 7-month-old son on her hip. A year ago, the same House Republican retreat was fraught with drama as Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, who then held the third-ranking leadership post, publicly denounced former President Donald Trump’s election lies. That prompted a backlash from other Republican leaders, who swiftly moved to oust her and install Stefanik in her place. This year, with Stefanik acting as the event’s organizer and emcee, there was little dissent on display. Inflation, immigration and President Joe Biden’s failures were played up, while Trump’s false claims of fraud in the 2020 election and his denial of any responsibility for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol did not even merit a mention — a mark of how thoroughly the party has rallied around the former president. That Stefanik, 37, would be hosting this particular party seemed fitting. A once-moderate Republican who worked in President George W. Bush’s White House and was a protégé of former Speaker Paul Ryan, she is the embodiment of the rapid shift in the Republican Party. In just a few short years, she has morphed from the conservative mainstream into an unlikely star of the MAGA universe and a die-hard Trump loyalist. In an interview on the sidelines of the party retreat, her reinvention was on vivid display. Stefanik repeated Trump’s lies about the 2020 election being stolen and refused to acknowledge Biden as the legitimately elected president. “Joe Biden is in the White House right now — the American people understand that — but they do have questions,” she said in between a lunch with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and a dinner with the author of a book called “Woke, Inc.” “In my district, I still get questions about it,” Stefanik said, adding, “I think there are constitutional questions on the unconstitutional overreach of unelected individuals in states like Pennsylvania.” And as her party veers toward extremism, Stefanik has refused to condemn the Republicans who speak most loudly to the fringe. Asked about Greene, who recently spoke at a white nationalist event, and Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina, who has called President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine a “thug,” she said the two were merely reflecting the views of the voters in their districts. “They represent their constituents, and they are held accountable for the statements they make,” Stefanik said, noting the House Republican conference as a whole did not share their views. It has been a rapid transformation. Stefanik, who graduated from Harvard, was once seen by Democrats as a bright spot in the Republican Party, someone who was going to dig into policy issues on the House Intelligence Committee, which she joined in 2017. In private conversations, Stefanik sometimes conceded to former colleagues and confidants that Trump was a disaster for the party, although she said she did not see an upside to publicly criticizing him. She vented to confidants that the administration made “dumb” decisions that left Republicans in Congress shouldering the blame — frustrated, for example, at Trump’s on-again, off-again backing of sweeping immigration legislation to grant legal status to unauthorized immigrants brought to the United States as children, often known as Dreamers. (A senior adviser to Stefanik, Alex deGrasse, said she never made those comments about Trump and his administration.) But these days, Stefanik is a loud and unapologetic Trump acolyte, even defending his praise of President Vladimir Putin of Russia. (“I think that President Trump was saying that Vladimir Putin assessed the weakness of Joe Biden, and unfortunately took advantage of it,” she said, noting that Putin was a war criminal.) While some Republicans have tried to walk a careful tightrope, supporting Trump’s policies while distancing themselves from his false claims about the stolen election, Stefanik makes no such qualifications. “I speak to President Trump frequently,” she said. “He’s an incredibly important voice in terms of growing the party among the working class.” Asked whether Trump’s influence on the GOP was on the wane, she flatly rejected the notion. “No, it’s on the rise,” she said. “Especially now that voters have regrets about voting for Joe Biden.” Stefanik, who previously said she would serve only one term in leadership, is also on the rise within her party’s ranks. She could lead a powerful House committee or throw her hat in the ring in what is expected to be a competitive race for whip. Part of her success in leadership, aides said, is based on her effort to help elect more Republican women to Congress through her political action committee, which has also helped her build a network of support in her conference. She has worked hard to win over detractors who question her conservative bona fides and is now broadly popular among Republicans, including right-wing members who were once suspicious of her mainstream background. The biggest help in that effort has been the support of Trump, who does not care about her more centrist past when she has shown him total fealty. Trump, people close to him said, would be more than happy to see Stefanik make history as the Republicans’ first female speaker, although he does not plan to get involved in the race for the post and would be unlikely to stand in the way of Rep. Kevin McCarthy, the minority leader, if Republicans succeed in winning back the House majority. But his constant praise of Stefanik serves as a reminder that she has passed a loyalty test with Trump that McCarthy has not. Trump speaks with Stefanik multiple times a week and describes her as “one of my killers,” thanks to her key role as his chief defender on the House Intelligence Committee during his first impeachment trial. Her opportunism is criticized by her detractors, but celebrated by some on the hard right, who think she has revealed herself as someone willing to go to any length to rise. At a recent fundraiser in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump even floated her name as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. “I’m not going to even engage in that,” she said when asked about her future in House leadership. “I’m supporting Kevin McCarthy for speaker. I don’t measure the drapes. It’s a long time between now and the November election.” (Seeking to downplay any hint of rivalry, Stefanik’s aides noted that McCarthy not only attended her wedding in 2017, but also campaigned for her at a biker bar in upstate New York during her first race.) Her political metamorphosis has come with heady rewards for an ambitious politician: a prime-time speaking slot at the Republican National Convention in 2020 and a jet-fueled rise in the ranks of her party. “Congress has gotten tougher and rougher,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla. “She didn’t start that. She’s proven she knows how to mix it up, and that’s one of the qualities we look for in a conference.” But Stefanik’s political calculation stunned the networks she had spent her life cultivating. She lost many of her college friends from Harvard and was asked to step aside from her role on the senior advisory committee of the university’s Institute of Politics because of her false assertions of voter fraud in the 2020 election. Her onetime mentor Ryan declined to comment about her for this article, although aides to both said they are still in touch regularly. Many friends and former colleagues think she made a cynical, short-term political gamble in her full-bore turn to Trumpism. Some have tried to warn her at various points along the road, but received a stony response. Melissa DeRosa, a childhood friend of Stefanik’s who served as a secretary to former Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York, said she had reached out in 2019 after seeing Stefanik’s performance during the impeachment hearings. “I’m really concerned you’re doing these things that will damage your credibility in the long term,” she recalled texting Stefanik. DeRosa said the reply was polite but curt. “She wrote back saying, basically: ‘You should always feel like you can tell me what you think. I appreciate your input.’” It was the end of the conversation. Other former friends and mentors said they found her shape-shifting depressing. Bill Kristol, a prominent Never Trump conservative, said he once viewed her as a rising star in the party. “I introduced her to donors and contributed to her campaign in 2014,” Kristol said, noting that at a meeting in her office in 2018 she privately agreed with him that Trump was a liability. “She seemed like a responsible elected official. Wrong.” To explain her transformation, Stefanik points to the rightward lurch of her onetime swing district, which voted for Barack Obama and was represented by a Democrat before she flipped the seat in 2014 and the district became Trump country. “I believe that my record and my time in Congress is reflective of my constituents,” she said. Privately, she has told people she was “radicalized by Adam Schiff,” the Democratic chair of the Intelligence Committee who led the first impeachment effort against Trump. Other members of the panel say that as Stefanik grew more partisan about the impeachment, her attendance at committee events and briefings dropped to almost zero. Back home, in a district that has become redder in the redistricting process, Stefanik has only grown safer politically. “When you live in an area like this, it’s a little bit of a quiet area,” said Jeff Graham, a conservative radio host and the former mayor of Watertown. “If you see your member of Congress on the news, you feel good about it.” Still, there are awkward moments. Last fall, when Stefanik was at an apple orchard in Saratoga County with her husband and her newborn son, a woman who grew up in the North Country region approached her and told her bluntly how she thought the congresswoman had compromised her values for power. Stefanik bristled, telling the constituent that she was considered one of the most bipartisan congresswomen in the country, a record that she was proud of. (A report by the Lugar Center, which seeks to enhance bipartisanship, ranked her as one of the most bipartisan members of the previous Congress, according to its index.) In an interview, Stefanik said she recalled the incident but refused to believe the woman was from her district. “Not a voter,” she said firmly. “Not a constituent.”

Elise Stefanik, reinvented in Trump’s image, embodies a changed GOP

A new study has shown that several bird species are nesting and laying eggs almost a month early.

The research, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, discusses in detail how a warming climate is causing spring to arrive earlier across most of the United States.

This is throwing off the timing of important natural events like migration and reproduction, as well as prolonging pest and allergy seasons.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-hundreds-of-birds-fell-to-death-in-mexico-453597/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“It was shocking to find this,” said John Bates, curator of birds at the Field Museum and the study’s lead author.&nbsp;

“What we can see is clearly pointing in the direction that climate change is having a significant effect on the behavior of birds. It’s another piece of the puzzle we are trying to figure out in terms of impacts.”

The analysis finds that spring ‘leaf out’ is happening earlier in 76 per cent (181) of the 239 cities analysed, compared to 1981.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/venice-hotels-provide-guests-with-orange-coloured-water-pistols-to-fight-off-gulls-465327">Also read |&nbsp;Venice hotels provide guests with orange-coloured water pistols to fight off gulls</a>

Species including bluejays, yellow warblers and field sparrows are now laying their first eggs 25 days earlier than they were 100 years ago.

Earlier springs created a mismatching in availability of food (and other resources) with important natural events such as migration, hibernation and reproduction.

“If you’re a bird and you nest earlier, you put yourself at risk of these cold snaps that can still arrive in spring, which then affects the plants and insects,” said Bates.&nbsp;

“That then impacts the reproductive success of the birds. Springs are becoming more volatile and that is taking its toll.”

It might seem appealing to shake off the winter cold sooner, but earlier springs can have negative consequences such as longer allergy seasons, more persistent pests (like mosquitoes), and risks to fruit production. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study has shown that several bird species are nesting and laying eggs almost a month early. The research, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, discusses in detail how a warming climate is causing spring to arrive earlier across most of the United States.

A new study has shown that several bird species are nesting and laying eggs almost a month early. The research, published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, discusses in detail how a warming climate is causing spring to arrive earlier across most of the United States. This is throwing off the timing of important natural events like migration and reproduction, as well as prolonging pest and allergy seasons. “It was shocking to find this,” said John Bates, curator of birds at the Field Museum and the study’s lead author. “What we can see is clearly pointing in the direction that climate change is having a significant effect on the behavior of birds. It’s another piece of the puzzle we are trying to figure out in terms of impacts.” The analysis finds that spring ‘leaf out’ is happening earlier in 76 per cent (181) of the 239 cities analysed, compared to 1981. Also read | Venice hotels provide guests with orange-coloured water pistols to fight off gulls Species including bluejays, yellow warblers and field sparrows are now laying their first eggs 25 days earlier than they were 100 years ago. Earlier springs created a mismatching in availability of food (and other resources) with important natural events such as migration, hibernation and reproduction. “If you’re a bird and you nest earlier, you put yourself at risk of these cold snaps that can still arrive in spring, which then affects the plants and insects,” said Bates. “That then impacts the reproductive success of the birds. Springs are becoming more volatile and that is taking its toll.” It might seem appealing to shake off the winter cold sooner, but earlier springs can have negative consequences such as longer allergy seasons, more persistent pests (like mosquitoes), and risks to fruit production. (With inputs from agencies)

Study shows several bird species nesting and laying eggs almost a month early

Ata time when case against Russia of committing war crimes is currently in the International Criminal Court, the US has officially announced that Russia has committed war crimes.

United States charges Russia with war crimes

Retaliations of Washington's removal of Russian diplomats at the United States, Russia has now expelled American diplomat from the country. The Russian ministry of foreign affairs handed note to the head of American diplomatic commissioner.

Russia expels US diplomats in tit-for-tat move

Tributes poured in Wednesday from diplomatic players around the world remembering&nbsp;Madeleine&nbsp;Albright, the first female US secretary of state and one of the most influential stateswomen of her generation, who has died at age 84.

Albright, who came to the United States as an 11-year-old political refugee, rose to serve as the country's top diplomat under president Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001.

Clinton, as well as successors George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, hailed her historic service.&nbsp;

Albright&nbsp;"paved the way for progress in some of the most unstable corners of the world, and was a champion for democratic values. And as an immigrant herself, she brought a unique and important perspective to her trailblazing career," Obama said in a statement.

Born in Prague in 1937,&nbsp;Albright's family -- who were Jewish, although she did not know of her heritage until later in life -- fled ahead of the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939, losing several family members to extermination camps. She moved first to England, then to America a decade later.

"A Czechoslovak born leader, a strong advocate for democracy &amp; human rights. Today more than ever, Central Europe remembers her commitment to NATO enlargement. My heartfelt condolences to her family," the Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Twitter.&nbsp;

In a statement,&nbsp;Albright's family said she died of cancer, "surrounded by family and friends," and paid tribute to "a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend" as well as a "tireless champion of democracy and human rights."

'Trailblazer'&nbsp;

After studying political science,&nbsp;Albright&nbsp;made her entry into politics as a fund raiser, then a congressional aide -- and entered president Jimmy Carter's administration working for Polish-American Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was Carter's national security advisor.

Polish President Andrzej Duda wrote on Twitter that he was saddened by the death of&nbsp;Albright, who "brought enormous contribution to the transatlantic community of security and of values, including to the accession of Poland and of other European countries to NATO."

The United Nations, where&nbsp;Albright&nbsp;had served as US ambassador from 1993 to 1997, held a moment of silence for her.

Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he worked with&nbsp;Albright&nbsp;for years both in and out of government and will remember her as a dear friend.

"I was always struck by her wise counsel, deep experience, unique insights, abiding humanity, warmth and wit," Guterres said in a statement.

"Her life is powerful testament to the invaluable contributions refugees bring to countries that welcome them," Guterres added.&nbsp;

Albright&nbsp;-- whose global influence at the height of her career was compared to that of Margaret Thatcher in Britain -- knew she was part of a new generation of women in public service.

"It used to be that the only way a woman could truly make her foreign policy views felt was by marrying a diplomat and then pouring tea on an offending ambassador's lap,"&nbsp;Albright&nbsp;once said.

"Today, women are engaged in every facet of global affairs."&nbsp;

At her former department, of which she became the head in 1997, current US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remembered&nbsp;Albright's accomplishments as a "brilliant diplomat" and "courageous trailblazer," and reflected on his friendship with his predecessor.&nbsp;

"She was also a wonderful friend to many, including me. I'll miss her very much," Blinken said.&nbsp;

Tributes poured in Wednesday from diplomatic players around the world remembering Madeleine Albright, the first female US secretary of state and one of the most influential stateswomen of her generation, who has died at age 84.

Tributes poured in Wednesday from diplomatic players around the world remembering Madeleine Albright, the first female US secretary of state and one of the most influential stateswomen of her generation, who has died at age 84. Albright, who came to the United States as an 11-year-old political refugee, rose to serve as the country's top diplomat under president Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. Clinton, as well as successors George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, hailed her historic service. Albright "paved the way for progress in some of the most unstable corners of the world, and was a champion for democratic values. And as an immigrant herself, she brought a unique and important perspective to her trailblazing career," Obama said in a statement. Born in Prague in 1937, Albright's family -- who were Jewish, although she did not know of her heritage until later in life -- fled ahead of the Nazi invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939, losing several family members to extermination camps. She moved first to England, then to America a decade later. "A Czechoslovak born leader, a strong advocate for democracy & human rights. Today more than ever, Central Europe remembers her commitment to NATO enlargement. My heartfelt condolences to her family," the Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Twitter. In a statement, Albright's family said she died of cancer, "surrounded by family and friends," and paid tribute to "a loving mother, grandmother, sister and friend" as well as a "tireless champion of democracy and human rights." 'Trailblazer' After studying political science, Albright made her entry into politics as a fund raiser, then a congressional aide -- and entered president Jimmy Carter's administration working for Polish-American Zbigniew Brzezinski, who was Carter's national security advisor. Polish President Andrzej Duda wrote on Twitter that he was saddened by the death of Albright, who "brought enormous contribution to the transatlantic community of security and of values, including to the accession of Poland and of other European countries to NATO." The United Nations, where Albright had served as US ambassador from 1993 to 1997, held a moment of silence for her. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he worked with Albright for years both in and out of government and will remember her as a dear friend. "I was always struck by her wise counsel, deep experience, unique insights, abiding humanity, warmth and wit," Guterres said in a statement. "Her life is powerful testament to the invaluable contributions refugees bring to countries that welcome them," Guterres added. Albright -- whose global influence at the height of her career was compared to that of Margaret Thatcher in Britain -- knew she was part of a new generation of women in public service. "It used to be that the only way a woman could truly make her foreign policy views felt was by marrying a diplomat and then pouring tea on an offending ambassador's lap," Albright once said. "Today, women are engaged in every facet of global affairs." At her former department, of which she became the head in 1997, current US Secretary of State Antony Blinken remembered Albright's accomplishments as a "brilliant diplomat" and "courageous trailblazer," and reflected on his friendship with his predecessor. "She was also a wonderful friend to many, including me. I'll miss her very much," Blinken said.

Madeleine Albright, first female US secretary of state, dies at 84

The United States on Tuesday announced an agreement with Britain to end tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former President Donald Trump.

"By allowing for a flow of duty-free&nbsp;steel&nbsp;and&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;from the&nbsp;UK, we further ease the gap between supply and demand for these products in the United States," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

"And by removing the&nbsp;UK's retaliatory&nbsp;tariffs, we reopen the British market to beloved American products."

The&nbsp;deal&nbsp;was the latest in a series of efforts by President Joe Biden to settle trade spats with US allies, some of which were long-running and others started under the Trump administration.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cheered the announcement of the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;"with our American friends."

"This is fantastic news and a very welcome boost to our&nbsp;steel&nbsp;and&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;industries," he said on Twitter.

Washington and London in January announced the start of negotiations to&nbsp;end&nbsp;the dispute, which began in 2018 when Trump imposed levies of 25 percent on&nbsp;steel&nbsp;and 10 percent on&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;imports from Britain and other nations to protect US industry.

US companies for years have struggled to compete with the glut of supply coming out of China, but Trump penalized close trade partners citing national security concerns, which worsened relations with major US allies.

The Biden administration in October reached a&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to&nbsp;end&nbsp;the&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;on the European Union, and in early February did the same with Japan.

Ending retaliation&nbsp;

Under the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;announced Tuesday, Britain will lift retaliatory&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;it imposed on $500 million in American imports, including alcohol and consumer goods, the statement said.

It also stipulates that any British&nbsp;steel&nbsp;company "owned by a Chinese entity must undertake an audit of their financial records to assess influence from the People's Republic of China government," the results of which will be shared with the United States, the Commerce Department said.

Britain's International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who met with Raimondo in Washington to finalize the agreement, said the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;was "good news for our&nbsp;steel&nbsp;and&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;industries who have been unfairly hit by these&nbsp;tariffs, and the 80,000 people employed across the sector."

US industry was more cautious in its praise, noting the benefits the&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;provided to&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;and&nbsp;steel&nbsp;manufacturers.

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine should remind us all just how critical the domestic&nbsp;steel&nbsp;industry is to our national and economic security,"&nbsp;said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing.&nbsp;

"Section 232 quotas and&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;have permitted the American&nbsp;steel&nbsp;industry to recover, invest, hire, and contribute robustly to our national defense," he said, calling for a pause in more such deals to allow the industry to adjust.

The announcement followed two days of talks between US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Trevelyan in the port city of Baltimore on the broader trade relationship.

In a statement, Tai said the&nbsp;deal&nbsp;to remove the metal&nbsp;tariffs&nbsp;"delivers on President Biden's vision to repair relationships with our allies while also helping to ensure the long-term viability of our&nbsp;steel&nbsp;and&nbsp;aluminum&nbsp;industries."

Free trade&nbsp;deal?

Trevalyan and Tai said they would continue their talks next month in Scotland.

"Hopefully we can now move forward and focus on deepening our thriving trading relationship with the US," the British official said.

However, there was no indication of progress towards a free trade agreement between the two countries -- a priority of Britain following its departure from the European Union.

Marjorie Chorlins, senior vice president for&nbsp;European Affairs&nbsp;at the US Chamber of Commerce, who took part in discussions in Baltimore on Monday, said a trade pact is not likely "at least not anytime soon."

Trump officials seemed ready to make a new bilateral arrangement with London and had even opened negotiations, but the Biden administration has shown little indication of wanting to continue them.

&nbsp;

The United States on Tuesday announced an agreement with Britain to end tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former President Donald Trump. "By allowing for a flow of duty-free steel and aluminum from the UK, we further ease the gap between supply and demand for these products in the United States," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement.

The United States on Tuesday announced an agreement with Britain to end tariffs on steel and aluminum imports imposed by former President Donald Trump. "By allowing for a flow of duty-free steel and aluminum from the UK, we further ease the gap between supply and demand for these products in the United States," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement. "And by removing the UK's retaliatory tariffs, we reopen the British market to beloved American products." The deal was the latest in a series of efforts by President Joe Biden to settle trade spats with US allies, some of which were long-running and others started under the Trump administration. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cheered the announcement of the deal "with our American friends." "This is fantastic news and a very welcome boost to our steel and aluminum industries," he said on Twitter. Washington and London in January announced the start of negotiations to end the dispute, which began in 2018 when Trump imposed levies of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports from Britain and other nations to protect US industry. US companies for years have struggled to compete with the glut of supply coming out of China, but Trump penalized close trade partners citing national security concerns, which worsened relations with major US allies. The Biden administration in October reached a deal to end the tariffs on the European Union, and in early February did the same with Japan. Ending retaliation Under the deal announced Tuesday, Britain will lift retaliatory tariffs it imposed on $500 million in American imports, including alcohol and consumer goods, the statement said. It also stipulates that any British steel company "owned by a Chinese entity must undertake an audit of their financial records to assess influence from the People's Republic of China government," the results of which will be shared with the United States, the Commerce Department said. Britain's International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who met with Raimondo in Washington to finalize the agreement, said the deal was "good news for our steel and aluminum industries who have been unfairly hit by these tariffs, and the 80,000 people employed across the sector." US industry was more cautious in its praise, noting the benefits the tariffs provided to aluminum and steel manufacturers. "The Russian invasion of Ukraine should remind us all just how critical the domestic steel industry is to our national and economic security," said Scott Paul, president of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. "Section 232 quotas and tariffs have permitted the American steel industry to recover, invest, hire, and contribute robustly to our national defense," he said, calling for a pause in more such deals to allow the industry to adjust. The announcement followed two days of talks between US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Trevelyan in the port city of Baltimore on the broader trade relationship. In a statement, Tai said the deal to remove the metal tariffs "delivers on President Biden's vision to repair relationships with our allies while also helping to ensure the long-term viability of our steel and aluminum industries." Free trade deal? Trevalyan and Tai said they would continue their talks next month in Scotland. "Hopefully we can now move forward and focus on deepening our thriving trading relationship with the US," the British official said. However, there was no indication of progress towards a free trade agreement between the two countries -- a priority of Britain following its departure from the European Union. Marjorie Chorlins, senior vice president for European Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, who took part in discussions in Baltimore on Monday, said a trade pact is not likely "at least not anytime soon." Trump officials seemed ready to make a new bilateral arrangement with London and had even opened negotiations, but the Biden administration has shown little indication of wanting to continue them.

US announces deal with UK to end steel, aluminum tariffs

Despite suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group, Beijing has backed President Vladimir Putin in planning to attend the G20 summit in Indonesia later this year.

As per reports US and its allies are considering whether Russia should remain part of the Group of Twenty major economies after its invasion of Ukraine.

However, any move to exclude Russia would probably be vetoed by others, which could mean some countries skip G20 meetings instead.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-spies-in-poland-country-expels-45-russian-diplomats-for-espionage-464868" hreflang="en">Russian spies in Poland?: Country expels 45 Russian diplomats for espionage</a>

The Russian ambassador to Indonesia, which currently holds the rotating G20 chair, said Putin intended to attend the G20 summit on Bali in November.

"It will depend on many, many things, including the COVID situation, which is getting better. So far, his intention is... he wants to," Ambassador Lyudmila Vorobieva told a news conference.

A question about the possible expulsion of Russia from the G20 led her to say that the forum was for discussing economic issues, not a crisis like Ukraine.

"Of course expulsion of Russia from this kind of forum will not help these economic problems to be resolved. On the contrary, without Russia it would be difficult to do so."

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The Chinese government, which is yet to condemn Russia's invasion on Wednesday called Russia an "important member" of the G20.

According to Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the G20 is a group that needs to find answers to critical issues, such as economic recovery from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19 pandemic.</a>

"No member has the right to remove another country as a member. The G20 should implement real multilateralism, strengthen unity and cooperation," he told a news briefing.

The Indonesian foreign ministry declined to comment on calls for Russia to be excluded from the G20.

In a statement on Tuesday, Poland said it had proposed replacing Russia within the G20 group to officials from the US Department of Commerce and that the suggestion had been met with a "positive response".

Watch |&nbsp;Day 28 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russia reiterates 'Nuclear' threat

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/day-28-of-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-russia-reiterates-nuclear-threat-464786/embed" width="560"></iframe>

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, said G20 members would have to decide, but the matter was not a priority at the moment.

"When it comes to the question of how to proceed with the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the G20, it is imperative to discuss this question with the countries that are involved and not to decide individually," Scholz said.

"It is quite clear that we are busy with something else than coming together in such meetings. We urgently need a ceasefire."

As US President Joe Biden meets with allies in Brussels on Thursday, the topic of Russia's participation in the G20 is almost certain to come up.

"We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community," US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

(With inputs from agencies)

Despite suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group, Beijing has backed President Vladimir Putin in planning to attend the G20 summit in Indonesia later this year.

Despite suggestions by some members that Russia could be barred from the group, Beijing has backed President Vladimir Putin in planning to attend the G20 summit in Indonesia later this year. As per reports US and its allies are considering whether Russia should remain part of the Group of Twenty major economies after its invasion of Ukraine. However, any move to exclude Russia would probably be vetoed by others, which could mean some countries skip G20 meetings instead. Also read | Russian spies in Poland?: Country expels 45 Russian diplomats for espionage The Russian ambassador to Indonesia, which currently holds the rotating G20 chair, said Putin intended to attend the G20 summit on Bali in November. "It will depend on many, many things, including the COVID situation, which is getting better. So far, his intention is... he wants to," Ambassador Lyudmila Vorobieva told a news conference. A question about the possible expulsion of Russia from the G20 led her to say that the forum was for discussing economic issues, not a crisis like Ukraine. "Of course expulsion of Russia from this kind of forum will not help these economic problems to be resolved. On the contrary, without Russia it would be difficult to do so." Also read | Amid Ukraine invasion, Russia intensifies crackdown on media The Chinese government, which is yet to condemn Russia's invasion on Wednesday called Russia an "important member" of the G20. According to Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the G20 is a group that needs to find answers to critical issues, such as economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. "No member has the right to remove another country as a member. The G20 should implement real multilateralism, strengthen unity and cooperation," he told a news briefing. The Indonesian foreign ministry declined to comment on calls for Russia to be excluded from the G20. In a statement on Tuesday, Poland said it had proposed replacing Russia within the G20 group to officials from the US Department of Commerce and that the suggestion had been met with a "positive response". Watch | Day 28 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Russia reiterates 'Nuclear' threat Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, said G20 members would have to decide, but the matter was not a priority at the moment. "When it comes to the question of how to proceed with the WTO (World Trade Organization) and the G20, it is imperative to discuss this question with the countries that are involved and not to decide individually," Scholz said. "It is quite clear that we are busy with something else than coming together in such meetings. We urgently need a ceasefire." As US President Joe Biden meets with allies in Brussels on Thursday, the topic of Russia's participation in the G20 is almost certain to come up. "We believe that it cannot be business as usual for Russia in international institutions and in the international community," US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. (With inputs from agencies)

As US, allies talk of expelling Russia from G20, China defends Moscow, calls it an 'important member'

Another mass shooting incident happened in Miami Beach causing deaths of multiple people leading to chaos and eventually a curfew disrupting the spring break festivities for the second time; officers detained two people.

United States: Curfew imposed after twin shooting in Miami Beach

'We can't endure this anymore': Miami Beach slaps curfew on spring break after shootings - see pics

Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Supreme Court, was hospitalized with an infection Friday after experiencing flulike symptoms, the court said in a statement Sunday.

Thomas was being treated with intravenous antibiotics at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, the statement said.

“His symptoms are abating, he is resting comfortably, and he expects to be released from the hospital in a day or two,” it said.

Patricia McCabe, a spokesperson for the Supreme Court, said that Thomas’ illness was not COVID-19 or related to the coronavirus.

The statement said that Thomas would “participate in the consideration and discussion of any cases for which he is not present on the basis of the briefs, transcripts and audio of the oral arguments.”

All of the nine Supreme Court justices have been vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. At least two justices, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, have previously contracted the virus. Justices are regularly tested for the virus, in accordance with court protocol.

Thomas, 73, was nominated by President George H.W. Bush and was seated Oct. 23, 1991, making him the court’s most senior conservative member. He is its second-oldest member, after Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, who in January announced his retirement.

In his resignation letter, Breyer said he intended to retire after the court completed its current term this summer, generally in late June or early July, “assuming that by then my successor has been nominated and confirmed.”

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, President Joe Biden’s nominee to replace Breyer, serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She was nominated to that position last year by Biden.

On Monday, the same day that the Supreme Court reconvenes, the Senate Judiciary Committee will open its hearings on her nomination.

Few Republicans are expected to support Jackson, echoing her federal appeals court nomination, in which only three Republicans voted for her confirmation.

In the days leading up to the start of the committee hearings for her Supreme Court bid, conservative lawmakers — including the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell; and Sen. Josh Hawley of Arizona — have escalated criticism about Jackson’s record as a public defender.

If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice.

Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Supreme Court, was hospitalized with an infection Friday after experiencing flulike symptoms, the court said in a statement Sunday.

Justice Clarence Thomas, the longest-serving member of the U.S. Supreme Court, was hospitalized with an infection Friday after experiencing flulike symptoms, the court said in a statement Sunday. Thomas was being treated with intravenous antibiotics at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, the statement said. “His symptoms are abating, he is resting comfortably, and he expects to be released from the hospital in a day or two,” it said. Patricia McCabe, a spokesperson for the Supreme Court, said that Thomas’ illness was not COVID-19 or related to the coronavirus. The statement said that Thomas would “participate in the consideration and discussion of any cases for which he is not present on the basis of the briefs, transcripts and audio of the oral arguments.” All of the nine Supreme Court justices have been vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. At least two justices, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh, have previously contracted the virus. Justices are regularly tested for the virus, in accordance with court protocol. Thomas, 73, was nominated by President George H.W. Bush and was seated Oct. 23, 1991, making him the court’s most senior conservative member. He is its second-oldest member, after Justice Stephen Breyer, 83, who in January announced his retirement. In his resignation letter, Breyer said he intended to retire after the court completed its current term this summer, generally in late June or early July, “assuming that by then my successor has been nominated and confirmed.” Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, President Joe Biden’s nominee to replace Breyer, serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. She was nominated to that position last year by Biden. On Monday, the same day that the Supreme Court reconvenes, the Senate Judiciary Committee will open its hearings on her nomination. Few Republicans are expected to support Jackson, echoing her federal appeals court nomination, in which only three Republicans voted for her confirmation. In the days leading up to the start of the committee hearings for her Supreme Court bid, conservative lawmakers — including the Senate minority leader, Mitch McConnell; and Sen. Josh Hawley of Arizona — have escalated criticism about Jackson’s record as a public defender. If confirmed, she would be the first Black woman to serve as a Supreme Court justice.

US SC judge Justice Clarence Thomas hospitalised with flu-like symptoms, court says

The United States has formally determined that violence committed against the Rohingya minority by Myanmar's military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity, an official told news agencies.&nbsp;

As per the reports, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to officially announce the decision to designate that crackdown a genocide in remarks at the Holocaust Museum in Washington on Monday. In the museum, an exhibit on "Burma's Path to Genocide" is on display. Burma is the former name for the country.&nbsp;

As per the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Rohingya are one of Myanmar's many ethnic minorities. He had described the community as "one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world".&nbsp;

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Last year in December, during a visit to Malaysia, Blinken had said that the United States was looking "very actively" at whether the treatment of the Rohingya might "constitute genocide."&nbsp;

In 2018, the State Department had released a report that detailed violence against the Rohingya in western Rakhine state as "extreme, large-scale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents."&nbsp;

In 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims started fleeing across the border into Bangladesh after a deadly crackdown by Myanmar's army.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-condemns-slaughters-and-atrocities-taking-place-in-ukraine-464047">Pope condemns 'slaughters and atrocities' taking place in Ukraine</a>

The Rohingya Muslims attempted to escape by sea or on foot after the crackdown, which was described by the United Nations as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing".&nbsp;

Around 850,000 Rohingya are languishing in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, recounting mass killings and rape, while another 600,000 members of the community remain in Rakhine where they report widespread oppression.&nbsp;

A legal designation of genocide - defined by the UN as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group" - could be followed by further sanctions and limits on aid, among other penalties against the already-isolated military junta, the New York Times reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has formally determined that violence committed against the Rohingya minority by Myanmar's military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity, an official told news agencies.

The United States has formally determined that violence committed against the Rohingya minority by Myanmar's military amounts to genocide and crimes against humanity, an official told news agencies. As per the reports, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due to officially announce the decision to designate that crackdown a genocide in remarks at the Holocaust Museum in Washington on Monday. In the museum, an exhibit on "Burma's Path to Genocide" is on display. Burma is the former name for the country. As per the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Rohingya are one of Myanmar's many ethnic minorities. He had described the community as "one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world". ALSO READ | Belgian carnival crash not presumed to be militant attack, says town's mayor Last year in December, during a visit to Malaysia, Blinken had said that the United States was looking "very actively" at whether the treatment of the Rohingya might "constitute genocide." In 2018, the State Department had released a report that detailed violence against the Rohingya in western Rakhine state as "extreme, large-scale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents." In 2017, hundreds of thousands of Rohingya Muslims started fleeing across the border into Bangladesh after a deadly crackdown by Myanmar's army. ALSO READ | Pope condemns 'slaughters and atrocities' taking place in Ukraine The Rohingya Muslims attempted to escape by sea or on foot after the crackdown, which was described by the United Nations as a "textbook example of ethnic cleansing". Around 850,000 Rohingya are languishing in camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, recounting mass killings and rape, while another 600,000 members of the community remain in Rakhine where they report widespread oppression. A legal designation of genocide - defined by the UN as acts "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group" - could be followed by further sanctions and limits on aid, among other penalties against the already-isolated military junta, the New York Times reported. (With inputs from agencies)

United States determines Myanmar army committed genocide against Rohingya

The United States government transferred a number of Patriot antimissile interceptors to Saudi Arabia in order to fulfil an urgent request from Riyadh amid tensions between the two nations.<o:p></o:p>

According to Washington Street Journal, the US officials said that the emergency request from Saudi Arabia was made in order to bolster their defensive munitions that is extremely important for them to fend off drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-us-president-biden-to-visit-poland-on-europe-trip-this-week-464181">Ukraine-Russia conflict: US President Biden to visit Poland this week</a>

Saudi military has been requesting for the interceptors since last year and according to the report, they were running low on supplies. As a result, the request became a bone of contention between Riyadh and the Biden administration.

However, with the transfer of the interceptors, it is being reported that the two nations may return to amicable terms and it will be a big help for the Saudi military.<o:p></o:p>

The interceptors and other munitions sent to Saudi Arabia were taken from U.S. stockpiles elsewhere in the Middle East, one of the officials said according to the WSJ report.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-senior-russian-naval-officer-killed-in-mariupol-officials-confirm-death-464156">Senior Russian naval officer killed in Mariupol, officials confirm death</a>

The US government hopes that the arms transfer will lead to Saudi Arabia pumping more oil in order to mitigate the soaring crude prices and rebuild the trade relations between the two countries.<o:p></o:p>

Earlier, Biden has also criticized Saudi Arabia for their war in Yemen and it was speculated that the US are looking to cut off the flow of some weapons Riyadh could use to target Houthis.

The president also reversed a move by Donald Trump that put the Houthis on the U.S.’s official list of global terrorist groups, a move that Saudi leaders saw as a support for the Yemeni leaders.

<o:p></o:p>

Watch |&nbsp;Biden adds Poland to Europe tour amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-adds-poland-to-europe-tour-amid-the-ongoing-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-464223/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The United States government transferred a number of Patriot antimissile interceptors to Saudi Arabia in order to fulfil an urgent request from Riyadh amid tensions between the two nations.

The United States government transferred a number of Patriot antimissile interceptors to Saudi Arabia in order to fulfil an urgent request from Riyadh amid tensions between the two nations. According to Washington Street Journal, the US officials said that the emergency request from Saudi Arabia was made in order to bolster their defensive munitions that is extremely important for them to fend off drone and missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: US President Biden to visit Poland this week Saudi military has been requesting for the interceptors since last year and according to the report, they were running low on supplies. As a result, the request became a bone of contention between Riyadh and the Biden administration. However, with the transfer of the interceptors, it is being reported that the two nations may return to amicable terms and it will be a big help for the Saudi military. The interceptors and other munitions sent to Saudi Arabia were taken from U.S. stockpiles elsewhere in the Middle East, one of the officials said according to the WSJ report. Also read | Senior Russian naval officer killed in Mariupol, officials confirm death The US government hopes that the arms transfer will lead to Saudi Arabia pumping more oil in order to mitigate the soaring crude prices and rebuild the trade relations between the two countries. Earlier, Biden has also criticized Saudi Arabia for their war in Yemen and it was speculated that the US are looking to cut off the flow of some weapons Riyadh could use to target Houthis. The president also reversed a move by Donald Trump that put the Houthis on the U.S.’s official list of global terrorist groups, a move that Saudi leaders saw as a support for the Yemeni leaders. Watch | Biden adds Poland to Europe tour amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

U.S. sends anti-missile interceptors to Saudi Arabia, fulfills urgent request

A federal judge ruled on Saturday that a former Kentucky clerk violated the constitutional right of same-sex couples by not issuing them marriage licenses – a refusal that landed the clerk in jail.<o:p></o:p>

US District judge David Bunning in Ashland issued the ruling on Friday in the two lawsuits which involved Kim Davis, the former clerk of Rowan County, and the two couples who were denied their licenses. A jury trial will follow to decide whether the couples will receive any damages or not.

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The judge made it clear that that Davis “cannot use her own constitutional rights as a shield to violate the constitutional rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official.”<o:p></o:p>

“It is readily apparent that Obergefell recognizes Plaintiffs’ Fourteenth Amendment right to marry,” the judge wrote, referencing the landmark same-sex marriage Obergefell decision. “It is also readily apparent that Davis made a conscious decision to violate Plaintiffs’ right.”<o:p></o:p>

Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses after the 2015 Supreme Court allowed same-sex couples to marry. That led to the lawsuit against her and she spent five days in jail over her refusal.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/antarctica-experiences-massive-heat-wave-hits-record-high-temperatures-463940" hreflang="en">Antarctica experiences massive heat wave, hits record high temperatures</a>

However, she did receive support from conservative groups in the state and around the country and it seems that her counsel will be filing for an appeal in the higher courts.<o:p></o:p>

“Kim Davis is entitled to protection to an accommodation based on her sincere religious belief," said Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel founder and chairman. "This case raises serious First Amendment free exercise of religion claims and has a high potential of reaching the Supreme Court.”

<o:p>(With inputs from agencies)</o:p>

A federal judge ruled on Saturday that a former Kentucky clerk violated the constitutional right of same-sex couples by not issuing them marriage licenses – a refusal that landed the clerk in jail.

A federal judge ruled on Saturday that a former Kentucky clerk violated the constitutional right of same-sex couples by not issuing them marriage licenses – a refusal that landed the clerk in jail. US District judge David Bunning in Ashland issued the ruling on Friday in the two lawsuits which involved Kim Davis, the former clerk of Rowan County, and the two couples who were denied their licenses. A jury trial will follow to decide whether the couples will receive any damages or not. Also read | North Korea fires multiple rocket launcher, says South Korean military The judge made it clear that that Davis “cannot use her own constitutional rights as a shield to violate the constitutional rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official.” “It is readily apparent that Obergefell recognizes Plaintiffs’ Fourteenth Amendment right to marry,” the judge wrote, referencing the landmark same-sex marriage Obergefell decision. “It is also readily apparent that Davis made a conscious decision to violate Plaintiffs’ right.” Davis stopped issuing all marriage licenses after the 2015 Supreme Court allowed same-sex couples to marry. That led to the lawsuit against her and she spent five days in jail over her refusal. Also read | Antarctica experiences massive heat wave, hits record high temperatures However, she did receive support from conservative groups in the state and around the country and it seems that her counsel will be filing for an appeal in the higher courts. “Kim Davis is entitled to protection to an accommodation based on her sincere religious belief," said Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel founder and chairman. "This case raises serious First Amendment free exercise of religion claims and has a high potential of reaching the Supreme Court.” (With inputs from agencies)

US judge rules against Kentucky clerk who denied same-sex marriage licenses

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