With access to his Twitter account back, Donald Trump's campaign is formally petitioning Facebook's parent company to unblock his account there after it was locked in response to the US Capitol riot two years ago.

After Twitter, will Facebook reinstate Donald Trump's account?

As the United States and China grapple with a series of deferring but intertwined geopolitical challenges, a landmark meeting in Zurich in Switzerland US Treasury Janet Yellen met Chinese Vice Premier Liu He.

US-China meet at Zurich: US Treasury Janet Yellen meets Chinese Vice Premier Liu He | WION

Donald Trump has urged&nbsp;Meta to grant him access to Facebook once again&nbsp;as he allegedly attempts to intensify his 2024 US presidential campaign, as reported by the Guardian. More than two years ago, the former US president was banned from Facebook after some of his supporters attempted to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election by attacking the US Capitol.

In a letter to Meta obtained by&nbsp;NBC News on Wednesday, Trump's advisors said that the ban "dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse" and should be repealed.&nbsp;

Meta stated that it will "announce a decision in the coming weeks."

Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter a day after the attack on January 6, 2021—which has been connected to nine deaths, including police officer suicides

Trump urged his supporters to congregate near the Capitol using his Twitter account. Before the assault, he urged supporters to "fight like hell" in a speech. He later criticised his vice president, Mike Pence, on Twitter for continuing certification while the assault was ongoing.

Also watch |&nbsp;US: NYC Mayor Eric Adams says, 'No room for migrants' | English News | WION

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Trump's account was reinstated on Twitter when Elon Musk acquired it last year. However, Trump has chosen to stick with the competing social media platform, Truth Social, and has not tweeted since.

Trump has roughly 88 million followers on Twitter and 34 million followers on Facebook, respectively. He has fewer than 5 million followers on Truth Social.

Throughout his term in office and during his presidential campaign in 2016, Trump made extensive use of Twitter and Facebook.

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Donald Trump has urged Meta to grant him access to Facebook once again as he allegedly attempts to intensify his 2024 US presidential campaign, as reported by the Guardian.

Donald Trump has urged Meta to grant him access to Facebook once again as he allegedly attempts to intensify his 2024 US presidential campaign, as reported by the Guardian. More than two years ago, the former US president was banned from Facebook after some of his supporters attempted to prevent the certification of Joe Biden's win in the 2020 presidential election by attacking the US Capitol. In a letter to Meta obtained by NBC News on Wednesday, Trump's advisors said that the ban "dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse" and should be repealed. Meta stated that it will "announce a decision in the coming weeks." Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter a day after the attack on January 6, 2021—which has been connected to nine deaths, including police officer suicides Trump urged his supporters to congregate near the Capitol using his Twitter account. Before the assault, he urged supporters to "fight like hell" in a speech. He later criticised his vice president, Mike Pence, on Twitter for continuing certification while the assault was ongoing. Also watch | US: NYC Mayor Eric Adams says, 'No room for migrants' | English News | WION Trump's account was reinstated on Twitter when Elon Musk acquired it last year. However, Trump has chosen to stick with the competing social media platform, Truth Social, and has not tweeted since. Trump has roughly 88 million followers on Twitter and 34 million followers on Facebook, respectively. He has fewer than 5 million followers on Truth Social. Throughout his term in office and during his presidential campaign in 2016, Trump made extensive use of Twitter and Facebook. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Trump urges Facebook to reinstate his account as he gears up for 2024 run

Addressing the annual summit hosted by the World Economic Forum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Western supply of tanks and air defence units should come more quickly and should be delivered faster than Russia was able to carry out attacks.

Russia-Ukraine War: US Defence Secy arrives in Berlin; Kyiv says tank supplies should come quicker

Greg Steube health update:&nbsp;US Congressman Greg Steube was involved in an accident at his Florida house. A statement was issued by his office regarding the incident. Republican Steube, 44, is a member of the narrow majority that recently won control of the chamber. After the party's poor midterm elections raised concerns about Kevin McCarthy's leadership in December, he took notice of the situation. Read on to know about the incident and the latest updates on his health.&nbsp;Steube was injured in an accident at his home Wednesday afternoon, according to his office. Taking to twitter, his office wrote that Congressman Steube was involved in an accident on his property late on Wednesday afternoon and sustained several injuries. It added that the office will provide additional updates when possible.

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Congressman Steube was involved in an accident on his property late this afternoon and has sustained several injuries. We will provide additional updates when possible. Please pray for the Congressman and his family.
— Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepGregSteube/status/1615868022102663169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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"Please pray for the Congressman and his family," his office added. Steube resides in Sarasota with his wife and son, as per congressional website. The Republican congressman serves on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees and has represented South Central Florida's 17th congressional district since 2018. His profile states that he is an Army veteran who served in Iraq before starting his political career. A fellow Republican from Florida tweeted, “Horrible to hear about @RepGregSteube’s accident earlier today."&nbsp;

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Horrible to hear about <a href="https://twitter.com/RepGregSteube?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepGregSteube</a>’s accident earlier today. 
 
Sandy and I are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers and wishing him a very speedy recovery.
— Rep. Vern Buchanan (@VernBuchanan) <a href="https://twitter.com/VernBuchanan/status/1615876963754807297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 19, 2023</a></blockquote>
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He has been a vocal opponent of US President Joe Biden and has supported an investigation into the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also co-sponsored legislation to reinstate military personnel who were discharged for refusing the coronavirus vaccine. Steube opposed abortion "at any state of development" and claimed that the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, served as his inspiration for joining the military.&nbsp;

Greg Steube health update: US Congressman Greg Steube was involved in an accident at his Florida house. A statement was issued by his office regarding the incident.

Greg Steube health update: US Congressman Greg Steube was involved in an accident at his Florida house. A statement was issued by his office regarding the incident. Republican Steube, 44, is a member of the narrow majority that recently won control of the chamber. After the party's poor midterm elections raised concerns about Kevin McCarthy's leadership in December, he took notice of the situation. Read on to know about the incident and the latest updates on his health. Steube was injured in an accident at his home Wednesday afternoon, according to his office. Taking to twitter, his office wrote that Congressman Steube was involved in an accident on his property late on Wednesday afternoon and sustained several injuries. It added that the office will provide additional updates when possible. Congressman Steube was involved in an accident on his property late this afternoon and has sustained several injuries. We will provide additional updates when possible. Please pray for the Congressman and his family. — Congressman Greg Steube (@RepGregSteube) January 19, 2023 × "Please pray for the Congressman and his family," his office added. Steube resides in Sarasota with his wife and son, as per congressional website. The Republican congressman serves on the House Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees and has represented South Central Florida's 17th congressional district since 2018. His profile states that he is an Army veteran who served in Iraq before starting his political career. A fellow Republican from Florida tweeted, “Horrible to hear about @RepGregSteube’s accident earlier today." Horrible to hear about @RepGregSteube’s accident earlier today. Sandy and I are keeping him and his family in our thoughts and prayers and wishing him a very speedy recovery. — Rep. Vern Buchanan (@VernBuchanan) January 19, 2023 × He has been a vocal opponent of US President Joe Biden and has supported an investigation into the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. He also co-sponsored legislation to reinstate military personnel who were discharged for refusing the coronavirus vaccine. Steube opposed abortion "at any state of development" and claimed that the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, served as his inspiration for joining the military.

Greg Steube health update: Congressman Greg Steube fell off the roof at Florida house

The United States and Turkey have a very complex relationship both are NATO allies and Turkey is of strategic importance to Washington. But, they have disagreements on different issues including Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

US hopes to convince Turkey to lift objections for NATO expansion

Streaming platform Netflix is all set to record its lowest quarterly revenue growth this Thursday as its ad supported plan struggles to attract customers in the saturating US market. The situation is adding pressure on the company to pull back on content.

Netflix set for its slowest revenue growth, company records 4.5 million subscribers in Q4

A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan. Furthermore, the survey accounting for 1,000 respondents also perceived China as the biggest military threat to New Delhi. Notably, Indians also place greater blame on Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine than on Russian President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

According to the survey, published on Tuesday, some 43 per cent of the 1,000 participants viewed China as the biggest military threat followed by the US at 22 per cent and Pakistan and Russia at 13 per cent. “While the world’s two largest democracies would seem to make for natural partners, especially given their mutual mistrust of China, Indians have strategic reasons to be wary of the world’s Western superpower,” said Sonnet Frisbie and Scott Moskowitz, who oversaw the survey, reported Bloomberg.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indians-among-top-earners-in-us-surpass-other-asian-groups-report-553585">Indians among top earners in US, surpass other Asian groups: Report &nbsp;</a>

The duo also noted that with a rise in tensions between US and China, Indians might be worried about getting in the middle of a possible conflict between the two countries that “destabilises regional security, putting India at risk.” The poll conducted back in October also found that at least 60 per cent of respondents want the Indian government to continue the purchase of Russian oil.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, some 48 per cent of participants said that India should choose Russia as New Delhi’s preferred military equipment provider as opposed to the US. In the context of respondents blaming Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine as opposed to Putin, the report noted that this “should not be taken as a sign that Indians approve of Russia’s actions”. As prior to the conflict, said Frisbie and Moskowitz, the “net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults was around 30 percentage points higher than net favorability toward NATO”, which was also similar to the US.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-fineprint-indian-startups-cut-about-1600-jobs-daily-553582">WION Fineprint: Indian startups cut about 1,600 jobs daily</a>

However, the net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults has plunged while the favorability of NATO and the United States is much less affected in comparison, said the report. New Delhi has managed to remain neutral in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv despite pressure from Western countries which could be attributed to India and Russia’s long-standing relationship and historic ties formed during the Cold War and India’s post-independence period.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan.

A recent survey conducted by the United States-based global business intelligence company, Morning Consult shows that Indians view Washington as the second-most significant security threat, ahead of its neighbouring Pakistan. Furthermore, the survey accounting for 1,000 respondents also perceived China as the biggest military threat to New Delhi. Notably, Indians also place greater blame on Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine than on Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to the survey, published on Tuesday, some 43 per cent of the 1,000 participants viewed China as the biggest military threat followed by the US at 22 per cent and Pakistan and Russia at 13 per cent. “While the world’s two largest democracies would seem to make for natural partners, especially given their mutual mistrust of China, Indians have strategic reasons to be wary of the world’s Western superpower,” said Sonnet Frisbie and Scott Moskowitz, who oversaw the survey, reported Bloomberg. ALSO READ | Indians among top earners in US, surpass other Asian groups: Report The duo also noted that with a rise in tensions between US and China, Indians might be worried about getting in the middle of a possible conflict between the two countries that “destabilises regional security, putting India at risk.” The poll conducted back in October also found that at least 60 per cent of respondents want the Indian government to continue the purchase of Russian oil. Meanwhile, some 48 per cent of participants said that India should choose Russia as New Delhi’s preferred military equipment provider as opposed to the US. In the context of respondents blaming Washington and NATO for the conflict in Ukraine as opposed to Putin, the report noted that this “should not be taken as a sign that Indians approve of Russia’s actions”. As prior to the conflict, said Frisbie and Moskowitz, the “net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults was around 30 percentage points higher than net favorability toward NATO”, which was also similar to the US. ALSO WATCH | WION Fineprint: Indian startups cut about 1,600 jobs daily However, the net favorability toward Russia among Indian adults has plunged while the favorability of NATO and the United States is much less affected in comparison, said the report. New Delhi has managed to remain neutral in the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv despite pressure from Western countries which could be attributed to India and Russia’s long-standing relationship and historic ties formed during the Cold War and India’s post-independence period. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indians view US as second significant security threat ahead of Pakistan, shows survey

Joining the layoffs spree, US tech giant Microsoft Corp on Wednesday announced that it would cut 10,000 jobs by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The layoffs will result in a charge of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2023, representing a negative impact of 12 cents on per share profit, it said.

&nbsp;Microsoft said in July last year that a small number of roles had been eliminated, while news site Axios in October reported that the company had laid off under 1,000 employees across several divisions.

The Satya Nadella-led firm is also grappling with a slump in the personal computer market after a pandemic boom fizzled out, leaving little demand for its Windows and accompanying software.

Microsoft is getting ready to slash more jobs from its worldwide workforce as software companies continue to reduce staff numbers to weather the current economic crisis.&nbsp;According to Bloomberg News, Microsoft may announce layoffs in its engineering departments as soon as Wednesday. Microsoft will not comment on what it referred to as "rumour," a spokeswoman for the company told AFP.

The Washington-based company, which according to industry experts&nbsp;employs over 220,000 people, reduced its workforce twice last year.

"Over the last few weeks we have seen significant headcount cut reduction from stalwarts Salesforce and Amazon," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musks-tesla-trial-for-alleged-fraud-over-funding-secured-tweet-begins-553631">Elon Musk's Tesla trial for alleged fraud over ‘funding secured’ tweet begins</a>

Wedbush is expecting staff cuts of another five to 10 percent across the tech sector, Ives told investors.

"Many of these companies were spending money like 1980's Rock Stars and now need to reign in the expense controls ahead of softer (macro-economic conditions)," Ives wrote.

Also watch |&nbsp;World Business Watch: Tesla under fire in Germany over union concerns on working hours

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Early in January, the online retail giant&nbsp;Amazon announced its decision to eliminate more than 18,000 positions, blaming "the uncertain economy" and the fact that it had "hired swiftly" during the pandemic.

The job-cutting exercise is the most significant among recent layoffs that have hit the hitherto unstoppable US tech sector, including Facebook ownercebook-owner Meta.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Joining the layoffs spree, US tech giant Microsoft Corp on Wednesday announced that it would cut 10,000 jobs by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The layoffs will result in a charge of $1.

Joining the layoffs spree, US tech giant Microsoft Corp on Wednesday announced that it would cut 10,000 jobs by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The layoffs will result in a charge of $1.2 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2023, representing a negative impact of 12 cents on per share profit, it said. Microsoft said in July last year that a small number of roles had been eliminated, while news site Axios in October reported that the company had laid off under 1,000 employees across several divisions. The Satya Nadella-led firm is also grappling with a slump in the personal computer market after a pandemic boom fizzled out, leaving little demand for its Windows and accompanying software. Microsoft is getting ready to slash more jobs from its worldwide workforce as software companies continue to reduce staff numbers to weather the current economic crisis. According to Bloomberg News, Microsoft may announce layoffs in its engineering departments as soon as Wednesday. Microsoft will not comment on what it referred to as "rumour," a spokeswoman for the company told AFP. The Washington-based company, which according to industry experts employs over 220,000 people, reduced its workforce twice last year. "Over the last few weeks we have seen significant headcount cut reduction from stalwarts Salesforce and Amazon," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said in a note to investors. Also read | Elon Musk's Tesla trial for alleged fraud over ‘funding secured’ tweet begins Wedbush is expecting staff cuts of another five to 10 percent across the tech sector, Ives told investors. "Many of these companies were spending money like 1980's Rock Stars and now need to reign in the expense controls ahead of softer (macro-economic conditions)," Ives wrote. Also watch | World Business Watch: Tesla under fire in Germany over union concerns on working hours Early in January, the online retail giant Amazon announced its decision to eliminate more than 18,000 positions, blaming "the uncertain economy" and the fact that it had "hired swiftly" during the pandemic. The job-cutting exercise is the most significant among recent layoffs that have hit the hitherto unstoppable US tech sector, including Facebook ownercebook-owner Meta. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Microsoft to fire 10,000 people as tech layoffs intensify

The US is using a vast stockpile of American ammunition in Israel to supply Ukraine with artillery shells in its war with Russia. Watch to know further.

US supplies reportedly kept in Israel to help Ukraine

In an unprecedented visit by a New York City mayor to the Mexico border, Eric Adams said his city doesn’t have enough "room" to host more migrants. This announcement comes as a blow to hundreds of migrants seeking to take refuge in the city.

Mayor Eric Adams says 'no room in for migrants' in New York City

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka slammed the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, calling her a hypocrite for the comments she had made in a recent interview.

WION Dispatch: Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka hits out at US' envoy to Colombo

After wreaking havoc for weeks, the weather in the US state of California has calmed down a notch but the flood waters continue to create problems.

WION Climate Tracker: California flooded after rain ease up

A US lawmaker has introduced a legislation in the US House of Representatives that seeks to terminate Pakistan's designation as a major non-NATO ally. Watch this report to know further.

US lawmaker moves bill to strip Pakistan of major non-NATO ally status

The US imposed visa restrictions on 25 Belarusians including lawmakers for “undermining democracy” on Tuesday (January 17) over the trial in absentia of exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken who called the trial “politically motivated”.

Tsikhanouskaya, the 40-year-old leader of the opposition fled the country after running against incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 which was followed by mass protests over alleged voter fraud.&nbsp;

In a statement, Blinken said, “These politically motivated trials are the latest examples of the Lukashenko regime’s efforts to intimidate and repress those who seek justice, respect for human rights, and a democratic Belarus.”&nbsp;

He added, “We will not stand by as this regime continues to harass and repress peaceful protesters, the democratic opposition, journalists, unionists, activists, human rights defenders, and everyday Belarusians”.&nbsp;

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The Lukashenka regime's politically motivated trial in absentia of democratic opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya is illustrative of its repression. We've taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 25 regime officials who passed legislation to repress pro-democracy actors.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken/status/1615350313241673728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Additionally, among the 25 people targeted by Washington are lawmakers and members of the National Assembly of Belarus who played a role in passing legislation to authorise the death penalty for people convicted of “attempted acts of terrorism,” a charge that Blinken says has been used to quash the opposition in Belarus. &nbsp;

Furthermore, some of these individuals have also supported laws that revoke citizenship from those outside the country charged with “extremism” and confiscating property for taking “unfriendly actions towards Belarus,” said Blinken.

Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and declared himself the winner of the 2020 presidential election in Belarus which the long-time outspoken critic and leader of the opposition denounced.&nbsp;

Tsikhanouskaya, who now lives in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, told Reuters on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum, “In Belarus there are no honest trials. We live in absolute lawlessness in our country so tomorrow's trial will be a farce and a show but not real justice.”

According to the BelTa state news agency, Tsikhanouskaya and several others will be tried on charges of treason and attempting to seize power.&nbsp;

The opposition leader of Belarus is on trial along with other pro-democracy leaders, including Volha Kavalkova, head of the Coordination Council, who was in charge of Belarus’ democratic transition, said the US official.&nbsp;

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The US imposed visa restrictions on 25 Belarusians including lawmakers for “undermining democracy” on Tuesday (January 17) over the trial in absentia of exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

The US imposed visa restrictions on 25 Belarusians including lawmakers for “undermining democracy” on Tuesday (January 17) over the trial in absentia of exiled democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya. The announcement was made by Secretary of State Antony Blinken who called the trial “politically motivated”. Tsikhanouskaya, the 40-year-old leader of the opposition fled the country after running against incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko in 2020 which was followed by mass protests over alleged voter fraud. In a statement, Blinken said, “These politically motivated trials are the latest examples of the Lukashenko regime’s efforts to intimidate and repress those who seek justice, respect for human rights, and a democratic Belarus.” He added, “We will not stand by as this regime continues to harass and repress peaceful protesters, the democratic opposition, journalists, unionists, activists, human rights defenders, and everyday Belarusians”. The Lukashenka regime's politically motivated trial in absentia of democratic opposition leader Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya is illustrative of its repression. We've taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 25 regime officials who passed legislation to repress pro-democracy actors. — Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 17, 2023 × Additionally, among the 25 people targeted by Washington are lawmakers and members of the National Assembly of Belarus who played a role in passing legislation to authorise the death penalty for people convicted of “attempted acts of terrorism,” a charge that Blinken says has been used to quash the opposition in Belarus. Furthermore, some of these individuals have also supported laws that revoke citizenship from those outside the country charged with “extremism” and confiscating property for taking “unfriendly actions towards Belarus,” said Blinken. Lukashenko has been in power since 1994 and declared himself the winner of the 2020 presidential election in Belarus which the long-time outspoken critic and leader of the opposition denounced. Tsikhanouskaya, who now lives in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, told Reuters on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum, “In Belarus there are no honest trials. We live in absolute lawlessness in our country so tomorrow's trial will be a farce and a show but not real justice.” According to the BelTa state news agency, Tsikhanouskaya and several others will be tried on charges of treason and attempting to seize power. The opposition leader of Belarus is on trial along with other pro-democracy leaders, including Volha Kavalkova, head of the Coordination Council, who was in charge of Belarus’ democratic transition, said the US official. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US imposes visa restrictions on 25 people in Belarus including lawmakers over ‘politically motivated trial’

The Crypto exchange FTX has reported that digital assets worth $415 million were stolen by hackers. FTX has claimed that it has recovered about $5 billion in terms of crypto assets and is still significantly short of the amount it owes to the international and the US customers.

FTX says Cryptos worth $415 million stolen, founder Sam Bankman-Fried says FTX is solvent

Just after US President Joe Biden's visit to Mexico border, New York City Mayor also paid a visit to a border city and declared that there is no room for migrants in New York. This announcement comes as a blow to hundreds of migrants seeking to take refuge in the city.

US: NYC Mayor Eric Adams says, 'No room for migrants' | English News | WION

Earlier this month, an engineer with ties to Chinese companies was arrested by the FBI and charged with theft of trade secrets. Priyanka Sharma tells you more in this report.

WION Fineprint: US cracks down on Chinese industrial espionage

In the state of New Mexico, a failed Republican candidate has been arrested in connection with a series of drive-by shootings, targeting the homes of democratic lawmakers.

US: Ex-GOP candidate arrested for shootings at lawmakers' homes

An American detained in Iran Siamak Namazi, is calling on President Joe Biden to take notice of US detainees there, launching a hunger strike to mark seven years since he was left behind in a prisoner swap.

American held in Iran launches hunger strike and writes to Biden to bring him back

A Wuhan Virus wave has gripped America. Hospitalisations are soaring in over 10 states. Health experts are asking U.S. citizens to exercise caution. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Wuhan Virus infections spike in U.S.

India on Tuesday welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s decision to list Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) deputy chief Abdul Rehman Makki as a global terrorist.

WION Dispatch: India welcomes Abdul Rehman Makki's UN listing as terrorist

A recent analysis comparing industry pledges to climate action by the France-based group Reclaim Finance shows banks and financial institutions, a part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) initiative, continue to invest billions in fossil fuels. The initiative launched by the former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, in 2021 includes 450 organisations across 45 countries with assets of more than $130 trillion who signed up to align their investments with the goal of limiting global temperature rise by 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.&nbsp;

The report published, on Tuesday (January 17), by 13 NGOs, including Reclaim Finance claims that 56 of the largest member banks of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a subgroup under GFANZ have provided $270 billion to 102 major fossil fuel developers through 134 loans and 215 underwriting arrangements. This includes several major banks across Europe, the United Kingdom as well as the United States. &nbsp; 
 
"These 102 companies are currently planning to bring into production an extra 137 billion barrels of oil equivalent, equal to 60 per cent&nbsp;of the new oil and gas the industry intends to bring on-line by 2030," stated the report.&nbsp;

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🚨 NEW REPORT: since joining the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GFANZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GFANZ</a>, financial institutions have provided HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of $ to fossil fuel expansion 💣 
 
It's the finding of a report published today by 13 NGOs including Reclaim Finance.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GFANZFuelsFire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GFANZFuelsFire</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wef23?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wef23</a> <a href="https://t.co/iYWzgEPEeI">pic.twitter.com/iYWzgEPEeI</a>
— Reclaim Finance (@ReclaimFinance) <a href="https://twitter.com/ReclaimFinance/status/1615264364654649345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“GFANZ members are acting as climate arsonists. They’ve pledged to achieve net zero but are continuing to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into fossil fuel developers,” said Paddy McCully, senior analyst and the author of the report, as per the Guardian. He added, “GFANZ and its member alliances will only be credible once they up their game and insist that their members help bring a rapid end to the era of coal, oil and fossil gas expansion.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-big-central-banks-financing-deforestation-of-brazils-amazon-forest-report-520610">Three big central banks financing Brazil’s Amazon forest deforestation firms: Report</a>

Meanwhile, 58 of the largest members of Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM), another group under GFANZ hold at least $847 billion in stocks and bonds in 201 major fossil fuel companies, as of September last year, said the report. According to the&nbsp;France-based group,&nbsp;the fossil fuel companies in question&nbsp;develop new coal-related power plants, mines and infrastructure or new oil and gas fields, pipelines and terminals.&nbsp;

The report accounts for 161 GFANZ members who have provided financial support to at least 230 of the world’s largest fossil fuel developers. Some of the major names from Wall Street include Citigroup and Bank of America (BofA) who have reportedly contributed at least $53 billion to oil, gas and coal firms either in underwriting or lending since they became a part of the NZBA in April 2021. In the UK, Legal &amp; General Investment Management Limited (LGIM), which is the biggest company in the country to be a part of the initiative, held at least $13 billion worth of assets in fossil fuel developers, said the report.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-united-states-protests-against-world-bank-investing-in-fossil-fuels-525204">WION Climate Tracker | United States: Protests against World Bank investing in fossil fuels</a>

“The science is very clear: we must stop the development of new coal, oil and gas projects as soon as possible if we are to meet our climate objectives and avoid a doomsday scenario. . Yet it is business as usual for the majority of banks and investors who continue to support booming fossil fuel companies without restriction, despite their high-profile commitments to carbon neutrality,” said Lucie Pinson founder of Reclaim Finance, in a statement. She also went on to accuse banks and investors of “greenwashing” and called it “damaging” as it casts a doubt on all net zero commitments as well as undermines efforts of people who really act for the climate.&nbsp; 
 
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A recent analysis comparing industry pledges to climate action by the France-based group Reclaim Finance shows banks and financial institutions, a part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) initiative, continue to invest billions in fossil fuels.

A recent analysis comparing industry pledges to climate action by the France-based group Reclaim Finance shows banks and financial institutions, a part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) initiative, continue to invest billions in fossil fuels. The initiative launched by the former Bank of England governor, Mark Carney, in 2021 includes 450 organisations across 45 countries with assets of more than $130 trillion who signed up to align their investments with the goal of limiting global temperature rise by 1.5 degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The report published, on Tuesday (January 17), by 13 NGOs, including Reclaim Finance claims that 56 of the largest member banks of the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a subgroup under GFANZ have provided $270 billion to 102 major fossil fuel developers through 134 loans and 215 underwriting arrangements. This includes several major banks across Europe, the United Kingdom as well as the United States. "These 102 companies are currently planning to bring into production an extra 137 billion barrels of oil equivalent, equal to 60 per cent of the new oil and gas the industry intends to bring on-line by 2030," stated the report. 🚨 NEW REPORT: since joining the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero #GFANZ, financial institutions have provided HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS of $ to fossil fuel expansion 💣 It's the finding of a report published today by 13 NGOs including Reclaim Finance.#GFANZFuelsFire #wef23 pic.twitter.com/iYWzgEPEeI — Reclaim Finance (@ReclaimFinance) January 17, 2023 × “GFANZ members are acting as climate arsonists. They’ve pledged to achieve net zero but are continuing to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into fossil fuel developers,” said Paddy McCully, senior analyst and the author of the report, as per the Guardian. He added, “GFANZ and its member alliances will only be credible once they up their game and insist that their members help bring a rapid end to the era of coal, oil and fossil gas expansion.” ALSO READ | Three big central banks financing Brazil’s Amazon forest deforestation firms: Report Meanwhile, 58 of the largest members of Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM), another group under GFANZ hold at least $847 billion in stocks and bonds in 201 major fossil fuel companies, as of September last year, said the report. According to the France-based group, the fossil fuel companies in question develop new coal-related power plants, mines and infrastructure or new oil and gas fields, pipelines and terminals. The report accounts for 161 GFANZ members who have provided financial support to at least 230 of the world’s largest fossil fuel developers. Some of the major names from Wall Street include Citigroup and Bank of America (BofA) who have reportedly contributed at least $53 billion to oil, gas and coal firms either in underwriting or lending since they became a part of the NZBA in April 2021. In the UK, Legal & General Investment Management Limited (LGIM), which is the biggest company in the country to be a part of the initiative, held at least $13 billion worth of assets in fossil fuel developers, said the report. ALSO WATCH | WION Climate Tracker | United States: Protests against World Bank investing in fossil fuels “The science is very clear: we must stop the development of new coal, oil and gas projects as soon as possible if we are to meet our climate objectives and avoid a doomsday scenario. . Yet it is business as usual for the majority of banks and investors who continue to support booming fossil fuel companies without restriction, despite their high-profile commitments to carbon neutrality,” said Lucie Pinson founder of Reclaim Finance, in a statement. She also went on to accuse banks and investors of “greenwashing” and called it “damaging” as it casts a doubt on all net zero commitments as well as undermines efforts of people who really act for the climate. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Climate arsonists’: Financial actors invest billions into fossil fuels despite net zero pledges, says study

Since last week, United States President Joe Biden has come under fire after his attorneys first acknowledged that he has been in possession of classified documents from when he served as the vice president in the Barack Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. However, over the week additional documents were found at Biden’s personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, said his attorney in a statement on Saturday. This comes amid the ongoing investigation of why classified documents were kept at the incumbent US president’s home and office by the Attorney General, Merrick Garland, appointed special counsel.&nbsp;

How many documents have been found and where?

So far, there have been three different announcements about finding classified documents from Joe Biden’s time as vice president. The first set of documents was reportedly discovered by Biden’s personal lawyers back in November at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, DC, as per media reports.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/classified-documents-from-obama-administration-found-in-bidens-private-office-550962">Classified documents from Obama administration found in Biden's private office</a>

However, the White House later acknowledged the claims. At the time, Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, in a statement had said that they found the documents while “packing files housed in a locked closet to prepare to vacate office space” which Biden used sometimes as an office space between 2017 and 2020.&nbsp;

“The White House is cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice regarding the discovery of what appear to be Obama-Biden Administration records, including a small number of documents with classified markings,” said Sauber. He added, “On the day of this discovery, November 2, 2022, the White House Counsel’s Office notified the National Archives. The Archives took possession of the materials the following morning.”

Subsequently, days later, another media report emerged which said that a second of classified documents have been found, this time at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware. On Thursday (January 12), the incumbent president’s lawyers and the White House acknowledged that documents were found in December in his garage at his house in Delaware.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/documents-from-bidens-vice-presidency-days-found-at-think-tank-550973">Documents from Biden's Vice-presidency days found at Think Tank</a>

The most recent disclosure took place over the weekend when the White House lawyer in a statement said that a total of six pages of classified documents were found during a search of Biden’s private library in his home in Delaware.&nbsp;

“While I was transferring it to the DOJ officials who accompanied me, five additional pages with classification markings were discovered among the material with it, for a total of six pages,” said Sauber on Saturday. He added, “The DOJ officials with me immediately took possession of them.” 
 
However, his statement did not address why the Biden administration waited for two days to give this update while the White House was already facing scrutiny for not disclosing the discovery of the initial documents found at the president’s Washington office.&nbsp;

Notably, no documents were found at Biden’s second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This most recent development took the total number of documents marked classified or top secret found at Biden’s home and previous office to at least 20, out of which nearly 10 were found at the think tank in Washington, a federal law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told CBS, on Saturday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-joe-bidens-lawyers-find-more-classified-documents-at-his-delaware-house-white-house-confirms-552721">US: Joe Biden's lawyers find more classified documents at his Delaware house, White House confirms</a>

One of the biggest questions concerning the documents at the moment remains about their content which is not known since it is believed that&nbsp;much of the case would hinge on the sensitivity of the information. A report by CNN last week said that some documents found at Biden’s office included intelligence and briefing materials on “Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom”, however, nothing has been officially confirmed about the same.&nbsp;

Who&nbsp;is the special counsel appointed to oversee the investigation?

In light of the recently found classified documents and Biden’s apparent mishandling of official records, on Thursday, Garland appointed special counsel Robert Hur a former US attorney from Maryland to oversee the Justice Department probes into the case.&nbsp;

“This appointment underscores for the public the department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law,” said Garland addressing the press, last week.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/former-us-attorney-named-special-counsel-in-biden-classified-documents-case-552120">Former U.S. attorney named special counsel in Biden classified documents case</a>

A special counsel is essentially an attorney appointed, in this case, Hur when the DOJ perceives it having a conflict or deems that it would be in the public interest to have someone outside of the government handle an investigation.&nbsp;

What have Biden and the White House said?

The incumbent US president was first questioned about the discovery of the documents, on Tuesday (January 10) while he was attending a trilateral summit with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Mexico City. “I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office,” said Biden asserting that he did not know about documents being taken to his private office after he had left public service.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Biden’s attorney Sauber and the White House have previously said that they are “confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake.” The White House attorney also said that Biden’s lawyer “immediately and voluntarily” handed over the documents found and will move to refer specific questions to the special counsel’s office moving forward.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-legal-team-finds-another-batch-of-classified-documents-during-a-search-551735">Biden's legal team finds another batch of classified documents during a search</a>

Subsequently, Biden told reporters at the White House that he was “cooperating fully and completely” with a Justice Department investigation, on Thursday. He added, “It’s not like they’re sitting out in the street…People know I take classified documents and classified material seriously”. Furthermore, Biden’s personal attorney, Bob Bauer, attempted to explain why they haven’t been forthcoming about the discovery of the documents.&nbsp;

“The President’s personal attorneys have attempted to balance the importance of public transparency where appropriate with the established norms and limitations necessary to protect the investigation’s integrity,” said Bauer in a statement, on Saturday.&nbsp;

He added that such considerations are important to avoid the public release of detail relevant to the investigation while it is ongoing as it might complicate the ability of authorities to obtain information “readily and in an uncompromised form.” This includes information about the witnesses, documents, and events involved in&nbsp;the case.&nbsp;

Will Biden face legal action?

So far, it does not seem likely that the US president will face criminal charges as several reports citing experts have noted. As it would only be considered a crime by the Justice Department if the retention or removal of classified records is intentional and makes it an offence if a person “knowingly” removes classified documents and stores them in an unauthorised way.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/they-were-inadvertently-misplaced-biden-lawyer-on-the-classified-documents-552188">&nbsp;'They were inadvertently misplaced': Biden lawyer on the classified documents</a>

Additionally, prosecutors would not pursue charges if it is proven that Biden accidentally or unknowingly retained documents. In a statement, Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, had earlier said that Biden’s lawyers appeared to have taken “immediate and proper action” after discovering the documents and that he trusts that the attorney general will “make an impartial decision” about further action.&nbsp;

Furthermore, he also rejected the comparisons between the ongoing investigation and the probe into former US President Donald Trump's alleged&nbsp;mishandling of classified documents called the&nbsp;two cases "apples and oranges," on&nbsp;CNN’s “State of the Union”.&nbsp;

Republicans criticise Biden administration 
 
House Oversight Committee Chairman and&nbsp;Kentucky Republican,&nbsp;James Comer, on&nbsp;CNN’s “State of the Union”, said, “We would never have known about the possession of the classified documents were it not for investigative reporting by CBS that somehow got a leak to determine that this had happened prior to the election.” He also criticised&nbsp;the Biden administration and its&nbsp;handling of classified documents and sought additional information on the ongoing investigation from&nbsp;National Archives and the DOJ.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/white-house-dodges-critical-questions-about-biden-classified-documents-551783">White House dodges 'critical' questions about Biden classified documents</a> 
 
He added, "My concern is that the special counsel was called for, but yet hours after that we still had the president's personal attorneys, who have no security clearance, still rummaging around the president's residence looking for things." Comer also went on to call Biden's&nbsp;residence in Delaware a "crime scene" after the documents were discovered. 
 
In the context of Biden's criticism of Trump for mishandling documents, the&nbsp;new chair of the House&nbsp;committee also said, "While he was doing this, he knew very well that he himself had possession of classified documents so the hypocrisy here is great." 
 
Meanwhile, House Speaker and California Republican,&nbsp;Kevin McCarthy in an interview with Fox News said that the House will have a role in overseeing in the proceedings of the Biden investigation. Earlier this week, he had also&nbsp;said that there is no need for a special prosecutor and that the US Congress should be the one investigating Biden, reported ANI.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-biden-in-trouble-for-mishandling-classified-documents-552455">Gravitas: Biden in trouble for mishandling classified documents?</a>

Along similar lines, during the Fox interview, he said, "They apply a special counsel, but how many agents do they apply to that and apply to President Trump as well?" and described it as "hypocrisy".&nbsp; 
 
Cases of alleged&nbsp;mishandling of documents: Biden and Trump&nbsp;

Speaking of the alleged mishandling of classified documents, Biden’s case also came to light at a time when former US President Trump is&nbsp;facing a special counsel of his own as well as a federal criminal investigation for his handling of classified materials. Notably, both the former and the current US presidents should not have had classified documents in their possession as they are supposed to be handed to the legal custody of the US National Archives during a presidential transition period by the respective administration.&nbsp;

However, many have pointed out the similarities between the two cases&nbsp;but highlighted the key difference in how easily the documents were returned to the authorities as well as the response to the incident. In Biden’s case, his attorneys and administration have so far claimed that the&nbsp;documents were&nbsp;promptly returned to the US National Archives upon their discovery.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-done-nothing-wrong-trump-after-doj-appoints-war-crimes-specialist-in-jan-6-classified-documents-row-535471">'I have done nothing wrong': Trump after DOJ appoints special counsel in Jan 6, classified documents cases</a>

On the other hand, when classified documents were found at the former president’s private club and residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida there was a series of events which are still under investigation. Initially, National Archives requested documents that it believed were in Trump’s possession in May 2021 and tried to collect the documents for over a year without any success.&nbsp;

It was later found that the 15 boxes of documents that Trump returned last year contained classified materials and consequently the matter was referred to the DOJ which issued a subpoena that sought the return of all the official documents. Subsequently, they also asserted that the former US president does not&nbsp;have any more documents.&nbsp;&nbsp;

However, department officials accused Trump’s representatives of not fully complying with a subpoena prompting them to return to his Palm Beach estate with a search warrant. This was also&nbsp;amid concerns of possible obstruction and following the search,&nbsp;the agency recovered an additional 13,000 documents that were in the former president’s possession out of which at least 10 were marked classified.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mar-a-lago-probe-trumps-admission-in-audiotapes-contradicts-his-defence-reports-526948">Mar-A-Lago probe | Trump's admission in audiotapes contradicts his defence: Reports</a>

It is this series of events that put Trump at a real risk of obstruction which special counsel Jack Smith is currently investigating. “When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” said Trump, late Monday, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, as per Al Jazeera.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Since last week, United States President Joe Biden has come under fire after his attorneys first acknowledged that he has been in possession of classified documents from when he served as the vice president in the Barack Obama administration from 2009 to 2017.

Since last week, United States President Joe Biden has come under fire after his attorneys first acknowledged that he has been in possession of classified documents from when he served as the vice president in the Barack Obama administration from 2009 to 2017. However, over the week additional documents were found at Biden’s personal residence in Wilmington, Delaware, said his attorney in a statement on Saturday. This comes amid the ongoing investigation of why classified documents were kept at the incumbent US president’s home and office by the Attorney General, Merrick Garland, appointed special counsel. How many documents have been found and where? So far, there have been three different announcements about finding classified documents from Joe Biden’s time as vice president. The first set of documents was reportedly discovered by Biden’s personal lawyers back in November at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, DC, as per media reports. ALSO READ | Classified documents from Obama administration found in Biden's private office However, the White House later acknowledged the claims. At the time, Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, in a statement had said that they found the documents while “packing files housed in a locked closet to prepare to vacate office space” which Biden used sometimes as an office space between 2017 and 2020. “The White House is cooperating with the National Archives and the Department of Justice regarding the discovery of what appear to be Obama-Biden Administration records, including a small number of documents with classified markings,” said Sauber. He added, “On the day of this discovery, November 2, 2022, the White House Counsel’s Office notified the National Archives. The Archives took possession of the materials the following morning.” Subsequently, days later, another media report emerged which said that a second of classified documents have been found, this time at Biden’s home in Wilmington, Delaware. On Thursday (January 12), the incumbent president’s lawyers and the White House acknowledged that documents were found in December in his garage at his house in Delaware. ALSO WATCH | Documents from Biden's Vice-presidency days found at Think Tank The most recent disclosure took place over the weekend when the White House lawyer in a statement said that a total of six pages of classified documents were found during a search of Biden’s private library in his home in Delaware. “While I was transferring it to the DOJ officials who accompanied me, five additional pages with classification markings were discovered among the material with it, for a total of six pages,” said Sauber on Saturday. He added, “The DOJ officials with me immediately took possession of them.” However, his statement did not address why the Biden administration waited for two days to give this update while the White House was already facing scrutiny for not disclosing the discovery of the initial documents found at the president’s Washington office. Notably, no documents were found at Biden’s second home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. This most recent development took the total number of documents marked classified or top secret found at Biden’s home and previous office to at least 20, out of which nearly 10 were found at the think tank in Washington, a federal law enforcement official familiar with the investigation told CBS, on Saturday. ALSO READ | US: Joe Biden's lawyers find more classified documents at his Delaware house, White House confirms One of the biggest questions concerning the documents at the moment remains about their content which is not known since it is believed that much of the case would hinge on the sensitivity of the information. A report by CNN last week said that some documents found at Biden’s office included intelligence and briefing materials on “Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom”, however, nothing has been officially confirmed about the same. Who is the special counsel appointed to oversee the investigation? In light of the recently found classified documents and Biden’s apparent mishandling of official records, on Thursday, Garland appointed special counsel Robert Hur a former US attorney from Maryland to oversee the Justice Department probes into the case. “This appointment underscores for the public the department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters, and to making decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law,” said Garland addressing the press, last week. ALSO WATCH | Former U.S. attorney named special counsel in Biden classified documents case A special counsel is essentially an attorney appointed, in this case, Hur when the DOJ perceives it having a conflict or deems that it would be in the public interest to have someone outside of the government handle an investigation. What have Biden and the White House said? The incumbent US president was first questioned about the discovery of the documents, on Tuesday (January 10) while he was attending a trilateral summit with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Mexico City. “I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office,” said Biden asserting that he did not know about documents being taken to his private office after he had left public service. Meanwhile, Biden’s attorney Sauber and the White House have previously said that they are “confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake.” The White House attorney also said that Biden’s lawyer “immediately and voluntarily” handed over the documents found and will move to refer specific questions to the special counsel’s office moving forward. ALSO READ | Biden's legal team finds another batch of classified documents during a search Subsequently, Biden told reporters at the White House that he was “cooperating fully and completely” with a Justice Department investigation, on Thursday. He added, “It’s not like they’re sitting out in the street…People know I take classified documents and classified material seriously”. Furthermore, Biden’s personal attorney, Bob Bauer, attempted to explain why they haven’t been forthcoming about the discovery of the documents. “The President’s personal attorneys have attempted to balance the importance of public transparency where appropriate with the established norms and limitations necessary to protect the investigation’s integrity,” said Bauer in a statement, on Saturday. He added that such considerations are important to avoid the public release of detail relevant to the investigation while it is ongoing as it might complicate the ability of authorities to obtain information “readily and in an uncompromised form.” This includes information about the witnesses, documents, and events involved in the case. Will Biden face legal action? So far, it does not seem likely that the US president will face criminal charges as several reports citing experts have noted. As it would only be considered a crime by the Justice Department if the retention or removal of classified records is intentional and makes it an offence if a person “knowingly” removes classified documents and stores them in an unauthorised way. ALSO WATCH | 'They were inadvertently misplaced': Biden lawyer on the classified documents Additionally, prosecutors would not pursue charges if it is proven that Biden accidentally or unknowingly retained documents. In a statement, Representative Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House of Representatives Oversight Committee, had earlier said that Biden’s lawyers appeared to have taken “immediate and proper action” after discovering the documents and that he trusts that the attorney general will “make an impartial decision” about further action. Furthermore, he also rejected the comparisons between the ongoing investigation and the probe into former US President Donald Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents called the two cases "apples and oranges," on CNN’s “State of the Union”. Republicans criticise Biden administration House Oversight Committee Chairman and Kentucky Republican, James Comer, on CNN’s “State of the Union”, said, “We would never have known about the possession of the classified documents were it not for investigative reporting by CBS that somehow got a leak to determine that this had happened prior to the election.” He also criticised the Biden administration and its handling of classified documents and sought additional information on the ongoing investigation from National Archives and the DOJ. ALSO WATCH | White House dodges 'critical' questions about Biden classified documents He added, "My concern is that the special counsel was called for, but yet hours after that we still had the president's personal attorneys, who have no security clearance, still rummaging around the president's residence looking for things." Comer also went on to call Biden's residence in Delaware a "crime scene" after the documents were discovered. In the context of Biden's criticism of Trump for mishandling documents, the new chair of the House committee also said, "While he was doing this, he knew very well that he himself had possession of classified documents so the hypocrisy here is great." Meanwhile, House Speaker and California Republican, Kevin McCarthy in an interview with Fox News said that the House will have a role in overseeing in the proceedings of the Biden investigation. Earlier this week, he had also said that there is no need for a special prosecutor and that the US Congress should be the one investigating Biden, reported ANI. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Biden in trouble for mishandling classified documents? Along similar lines, during the Fox interview, he said, "They apply a special counsel, but how many agents do they apply to that and apply to President Trump as well?" and described it as "hypocrisy". Cases of alleged mishandling of documents: Biden and Trump Speaking of the alleged mishandling of classified documents, Biden’s case also came to light at a time when former US President Trump is facing a special counsel of his own as well as a federal criminal investigation for his handling of classified materials. Notably, both the former and the current US presidents should not have had classified documents in their possession as they are supposed to be handed to the legal custody of the US National Archives during a presidential transition period by the respective administration. However, many have pointed out the similarities between the two cases but highlighted the key difference in how easily the documents were returned to the authorities as well as the response to the incident. In Biden’s case, his attorneys and administration have so far claimed that the documents were promptly returned to the US National Archives upon their discovery. ALSO READ | 'I have done nothing wrong': Trump after DOJ appoints special counsel in Jan 6, classified documents cases On the other hand, when classified documents were found at the former president’s private club and residence in Mar-a-Lago, Florida there was a series of events which are still under investigation. Initially, National Archives requested documents that it believed were in Trump’s possession in May 2021 and tried to collect the documents for over a year without any success. It was later found that the 15 boxes of documents that Trump returned last year contained classified materials and consequently the matter was referred to the DOJ which issued a subpoena that sought the return of all the official documents. Subsequently, they also asserted that the former US president does not have any more documents. However, department officials accused Trump’s representatives of not fully complying with a subpoena prompting them to return to his Palm Beach estate with a search warrant. This was also amid concerns of possible obstruction and following the search, the agency recovered an additional 13,000 documents that were in the former president’s possession out of which at least 10 were marked classified. ALSO WATCH | Mar-A-Lago probe | Trump's admission in audiotapes contradicts his defence: Reports It is this series of events that put Trump at a real risk of obstruction which special counsel Jack Smith is currently investigating. “When is the FBI going to raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House? These documents were definitely not declassified,” said Trump, late Monday, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, as per Al Jazeera. (With inputs from agencies)

US President Biden classified documents investigation: What we know so far

The United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January as a federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr, a leader in the civil rights movement, is honoured by marking the day. The occasion is observed annually on the Monday closest to his birthday, which falls on January 15. It takes place on January 16 this year. King would have turned 94 years old on Sunday. At the age of 39, Memphis, Tennessee saw the murder of Martin Luther King.&nbsp;Martin Luther King fought for legal equality while also pushing for social and economic advancements for African Americans.&nbsp;Only King, George Washington, and Christopher Columbus are commemorated with holidays in the US, according to the White House.

<h2>What is Martin Luther King Jr Day?&nbsp;</h2>

The holiday was first honoured on January 20, 1986, after President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing it into law in 1983. In 2000, it was first observed by all 50 states.&nbsp;According to Reagan, the holiday is intended to honour King and the righteous cause he stood for. Because Martin Luther King Jr. became the country's preeminent nonviolent leader, Reagan claimed in 1983, that America is a more democratic nation, a more just society, a more peaceful nation. The federal holiday is observed on Monday by public schools as well as banks and stock exchanges. In the 1950s and 1960s, King spearheaded a campaign of nonviolent demonstrations and civil disobedience in the fight to eradicate discrimination, especially racial segregation, in the US.

Although race was at the centre of this conflict, economic effects were also felt. King intended to emphasise the fact that black people made far less money than white people. Branch said that his long-term objective was to start a Poor People's Campaign, a multicultural initiative to end poverty. King oversaw a peaceful movement. His fervent opposition to America's involvement in the Vietnam War was a result of his strong views in civil rights and non-violence. Throughout his career, King's beliefs and contributions made him progressively less popular. A Gallup survey found that in 1966, 63 percent of Americans had a negative opinion of King, up from 37 percent in 1963. He is now regarded as one of the most respected individuals in the nation.

<h2>How is the Martin Luther King Jr Day celebrated?&nbsp;</h2>

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations at The King Center in Atlanta, headed by his daughter Bernice King, began on Thursday with child and adult summits to inform the public about how to change the US's unfair policies. A 22-foot bronze statue honouring King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, was unveiled by civic organisations in Boston. Local media stories claim that a photo of a civil rights leader embracing the King when King discovered he had won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize served as the inspiration for the sculpture by Han Willis Thomas. The civil rights activist's church in Atlanta hosted a Sunday service, and President Joe Biden became the first US president to address the gathering. In his remarks, he urged the audience to learn about injustice and extremism from King's life. 
&nbsp;

The United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January as a federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr, a leader in the civil rights movement, is honoured by marking the day.

The United States observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day on the third Monday in January as a federal holiday. Martin Luther King Jr, a leader in the civil rights movement, is honoured by marking the day. The occasion is observed annually on the Monday closest to his birthday, which falls on January 15. It takes place on January 16 this year. King would have turned 94 years old on Sunday. At the age of 39, Memphis, Tennessee saw the murder of Martin Luther King. Martin Luther King fought for legal equality while also pushing for social and economic advancements for African Americans. Only King, George Washington, and Christopher Columbus are commemorated with holidays in the US, according to the White House. What is Martin Luther King Jr Day? The holiday was first honoured on January 20, 1986, after President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing it into law in 1983. In 2000, it was first observed by all 50 states. According to Reagan, the holiday is intended to honour King and the righteous cause he stood for. Because Martin Luther King Jr. became the country's preeminent nonviolent leader, Reagan claimed in 1983, that America is a more democratic nation, a more just society, a more peaceful nation. The federal holiday is observed on Monday by public schools as well as banks and stock exchanges. In the 1950s and 1960s, King spearheaded a campaign of nonviolent demonstrations and civil disobedience in the fight to eradicate discrimination, especially racial segregation, in the US. Although race was at the centre of this conflict, economic effects were also felt. King intended to emphasise the fact that black people made far less money than white people. Branch said that his long-term objective was to start a Poor People's Campaign, a multicultural initiative to end poverty. King oversaw a peaceful movement. His fervent opposition to America's involvement in the Vietnam War was a result of his strong views in civil rights and non-violence. Throughout his career, King's beliefs and contributions made him progressively less popular. A Gallup survey found that in 1966, 63 percent of Americans had a negative opinion of King, up from 37 percent in 1963. He is now regarded as one of the most respected individuals in the nation. How is the Martin Luther King Jr Day celebrated? The Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations at The King Center in Atlanta, headed by his daughter Bernice King, began on Thursday with child and adult summits to inform the public about how to change the US's unfair policies. A 22-foot bronze statue honouring King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, was unveiled by civic organisations in Boston. Local media stories claim that a photo of a civil rights leader embracing the King when King discovered he had won the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize served as the inspiration for the sculpture by Han Willis Thomas. The civil rights activist's church in Atlanta hosted a Sunday service, and President Joe Biden became the first US president to address the gathering. In his remarks, he urged the audience to learn about injustice and extremism from King's life.

Martin Luther King Jr Day: History, facts, celebrations, all you need to know about the US federal holiday

Video captured by a resident in Monrovia, California show a bear taking a dip in their pool during the rain storm. The bear did not seem bothered by the rain and shook off the water a few times once he got out of the pool.

Watch: Bear takes a dip in Monrovia pool during California rain storm

The White House announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden's lawyers uncovered more classified papers at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, than was previously reported. Biden's private library was searched, and six pages of classified documents were discovered, as per&nbsp;a statement from White House attorney Richard Sauber. There was only one page discovered, according to prior statements from the White House.

The most recent revelation adds to the finding of documents from Biden's tenure as vice president that were made in November at his old offices at the Penn Biden Center in Washington and in his garage in December. Former US&nbsp;attorney Robert Hur is investigating any possible improper handling of private information and government documents from the Obama administration.

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The Justice Department has generally set a high threshold before filing criminal charges in situations involving the improper handling of classified material, with the requirement that someone must have had the intent to breach the law rather than have acted carelessly or negligently. It is a crime to "knowingly" remove classified papers and keep them in an unlawful manner, according to the main laws controlling their unauthorised removal and retention.

Also watch |&nbsp;XBB.1.5: New Covid subvariant emergences in United States

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The circumstances surrounding Biden are distinct from a separate inquiry into the improper handling of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida mansion and private club.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The White House announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden's lawyers uncovered more classified papers at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, than was previously reported.

The White House announced on Saturday that President Joe Biden's lawyers uncovered more classified papers at his residence in Wilmington, Delaware, than was previously reported. Biden's private library was searched, and six pages of classified documents were discovered, as per a statement from White House attorney Richard Sauber. There was only one page discovered, according to prior statements from the White House. The most recent revelation adds to the finding of documents from Biden's tenure as vice president that were made in November at his old offices at the Penn Biden Center in Washington and in his garage in December. Former US attorney Robert Hur is investigating any possible improper handling of private information and government documents from the Obama administration. Also read | US judge asks fired Twitter employees to drop crucial lawsuit The Justice Department has generally set a high threshold before filing criminal charges in situations involving the improper handling of classified material, with the requirement that someone must have had the intent to breach the law rather than have acted carelessly or negligently. It is a crime to "knowingly" remove classified papers and keep them in an unlawful manner, according to the main laws controlling their unauthorised removal and retention. Also watch | XBB.1.5: New Covid subvariant emergences in United States The circumstances surrounding Biden are distinct from a separate inquiry into the improper handling of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida mansion and private club. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Joe Biden's lawyers find more classified documents at his Delaware house, White House confirms

This week in World at War with Mohammed Saleh: - Is Russia's artillery fire down by 75 percent? - Bolsonaro's supporters storm the Brazilian parliament - Tigrayan rebels surrender their arms in Ethiopia. Mohammed Saleh gets you an indepth report of the World's biggest warzones of the week in World At War.

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After a lengthy battle nominating Kevin McCarthy to serve as Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Republicans are now looking ahead to their priorities in the 118th Congress.

WION-VOA Co-Production: Conservatives continue to be a problem for McCarthy

Conservatives continue to be a problem for McCarthy

Intense storm spawning dozens of tornadoes stored through large swathes of territory in the southern parts of the United States. Heavy thunderstorms rolled from eastern Texas to Georgia and as far as Indiana and in Mississippi - tornadoes damaged numerous homes.

Tornado wreaks havoc in Alabama, kills at least six people

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