To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them.&nbsp;

Five Black men--including Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, and Kevin Richardson, who were 15 at the time, Korey Wise, then 16 and Raymond Santana, then 14--&nbsp;spend 13 years in prison until their convictions were overturned in 2002.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockerbie-bombing-suspect-appears-in-court-prosecution-seeks-life-in-prison-542505">Also read |&nbsp;Lockerbie bombing suspect appears in court, prosecution seeks life in prison</a>

The city's park design was approved on Monday (Dec 12). The gate will be inscribed with "Gate of the Exonerated."&nbsp;

Sharonne Salaam, Salaam's mother said that the inscription will serve as a reminder of the difficulties wrongfully convicted people face when they try to rebuild their lives after being freed.&nbsp;

She added that this will be the first of its kind in the United States and will speak to the world about the idea of exoneration.&nbsp;

City's mayor Eric Addams called the approval a "moment of truth and reconciliation for New York City."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-is-hiring-apply-if-your-dream-job-is-to-become-rat-czar-and-you-have-general-aura-of-badassery-539550">Also read |&nbsp;NYC is hiring! Apply if your dream job is to become a rat czar, have 'general aura of badassery'</a>

Addams in a statement said, "The Gate of the Exonerated symbolizes the resiliency of the Exonerated Five and all those who have been wrongfully convicted and serves as a lasting reminder of the grave miscarriage of justice that took place more than three decades ago."

Several other entrances to the park have&nbsp;been labelled to reflect groups of people in the city including, Arstians's Gate, Scholars' Gate and Stranger's Gate.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them.

To honour five men who as teenagers were wrongfully convicted and spent years in prison over the rape of a jogger in 1989, New York City is naming a gate in Central Park after them. Five Black men--including Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, and Kevin Richardson, who were 15 at the time, Korey Wise, then 16 and Raymond Santana, then 14-- spend 13 years in prison until their convictions were overturned in 2002. Also read | Lockerbie bombing suspect appears in court, prosecution seeks life in prison The city's park design was approved on Monday (Dec 12). The gate will be inscribed with "Gate of the Exonerated." Sharonne Salaam, Salaam's mother said that the inscription will serve as a reminder of the difficulties wrongfully convicted people face when they try to rebuild their lives after being freed. She added that this will be the first of its kind in the United States and will speak to the world about the idea of exoneration. City's mayor Eric Addams called the approval a "moment of truth and reconciliation for New York City." Also read | NYC is hiring! Apply if your dream job is to become a rat czar, have 'general aura of badassery' Addams in a statement said, "The Gate of the Exonerated symbolizes the resiliency of the Exonerated Five and all those who have been wrongfully convicted and serves as a lasting reminder of the grave miscarriage of justice that took place more than three decades ago." Several other entrances to the park have been labelled to reflect groups of people in the city including, Arstians's Gate, Scholars' Gate and Stranger's Gate. (With inputs from agencies)

NYC to name Central Park gate to honour five teens wrongfully convicted of 1989 rape

The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China.

The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was launched from a B-52H bomber on Friday off California's coast and "reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area," the Air Force said.

"This test was the first launch of a full prototype operational missile," it added.

The US has multiple hypersonic weapons programs. The Pentagon's high-tech research body DARPA tested a different missile earlier this year.

Hypersonic missiles are being touted as a weapon that can tip the global military balance. Due to their extremely high speeds no defense system currently in wide use can successfully intercept them. Hypersonic missiles are capable of being steered to deliver nuclear weapons.

China carried out a test of a hypersonic missile last year, and Russia has used hypersonic weapons during its war in Ukraine. North Korea claims to have conducted test flights as well.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China.

The US Air Force on Monday (December 12) announced that it successfully tested a hypersonic missile. This missiles represent cutting edge, strategic weapons system that's also being developed by Russia and China. The AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) was launched from a B-52H bomber on Friday off California's coast and "reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area," the Air Force said. "This test was the first launch of a full prototype operational missile," it added. The US has multiple hypersonic weapons programs. The Pentagon's high-tech research body DARPA tested a different missile earlier this year. Hypersonic missiles are being touted as a weapon that can tip the global military balance. Due to their extremely high speeds no defense system currently in wide use can successfully intercept them. Hypersonic missiles are capable of being steered to deliver nuclear weapons. China carried out a test of a hypersonic missile last year, and Russia has used hypersonic weapons during its war in Ukraine. North Korea claims to have conducted test flights as well. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

US conducts successful test of hypersonic missile, says air force

Indian tech giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been accused of discriminatory hiring practices in the United States. The company is facing a class action lawsuit in the US over allegations of favouring Indian and South Asian candidates during its hiring practices.

Indian tech giant TCS sued in US for favouring Indian candidates in hiring practices

US airforce was planning to supply Ukraine with the older version of a predator drone. The supply took time due to Pentagon's concern over sensitive technology.

US: Pentagon unsure about sending reaper drones to Ukraine

In the latest sign of improving PlayStation 5 supply, Sony Group led a big jump in video-game hardware sales in the US last month. The Tokyo-based entertainment giant drove a 45 per cent spurt in US games hardware sales in November.

World Business Watch: Sony PlayStation 5 sales surge in US as supply woes ease

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command.

According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

"Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed.

“The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino.

The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat.

The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt.

In an early Sunday morning helicopter assault in eastern Syria, the US killed two ISIS leaders, according to a statement from US Central Command. According to CENTCOM, the attack was a unilateral US action that had "considerable preparation," and the first findings indicated that no civilians were killed or hurt. "Anas," a local ISIS leader active in organising activities in eastern Syria, was one of the officials killed. “The death of these ISIS officials will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out destabilizing attacks in the Middle East,” said Central Command spokesman Col. Joe Buccino. The US reaffirmed that it was dedicated to the fight against ISIS "in conjunction with local forces," notwithstanding recent Turkish operations in northern Syria that targeted Kurdish troops, putting US people at danger and posing a destabilisation threat. The death of ISIS commander Abu al-Hasan al-Hashimi al- Qurayshi was praised by the US two weeks ago. Unlike the previous commander, Hajji Abdullah, who died in a US raid in February, he was not assassinated by American forces. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Two ISIS officials killed by the US in helicopter raid in eastern Syria

Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday as a key pipeline supplying the United States stayed shut while Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to cut production in retaliation for a Western price cap on its exports.

World Business Watch: Oil rises on uncertainty over US pipeline restart, Russian supplies

A Libyan man accused of making the bomb which destroyed Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie 34 years ago is in United States custody. The US announced charges against Abu Agila Masud two years ago, alleging he had played a key role in the Lockerbie bombing on 21 December, 1988.

1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his government is in favour of more prisoner swaps with the United States. The comments were made in the aftermath of a high-profile prisoner exchange between the two countries featuring American basketball star Brittney Griner and Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

More prisoner swaps 'possible' with United States, says Russian President Vladimir Putin

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988. The arrested has once again brought the over-three-decade-old terrorist attack into the spotlight as the officials continue to pursue those responsible for the attack.&nbsp; 
 
How did the Lockerbie attack happen?

On December 21, 1988, a bomb which was planted on Pam Am Flight 103 which was a Boeing 747 exploded less than an hour after the flight took off which destroyed the plane carrying passengers from nearly 21 countries. The plane departed from London’s Heathrow airport and was headed to New York.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lockerbie-bombing-us-confirms-that-alleged-bombmaker-is-in-custody-542104">1988 Lockerbie plane bombing: US confirms that alleged bombmaker is in custody</a>

The attack killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground and remains the deadliest terror attack on British soil, to date. Subsequently, the terrorists were connected to Libya, whose government had engaged in several hostilities with the United States and other Western countries, at the time.&nbsp;

What happened next?

Investigation into the attack has been going on for decades but it was not until at least three years after the incident that two Libyans were charged by US and British officials. On November 13, 1991, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (48) and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah (44) were charged with 270 counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and violating Britain's 1982 Aviation Security Act. The duo was also accused of being Libyan intelligence agents.

However, at the time, the country’s leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi refused to turn them over, leading to long negotiations which concluded in 1999 after the US and Britain proposed to try the suspects in the Netherlands under Scottish law. The trial began in May 2000, before a court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, where the two accused had pleaded not guilty to murder.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-relief-to-family-scottish-body-refers-lockerbie-bombing-case-for-appeal-285685">In relief to family, Scottish body refers Lockerbie bombing case for appeal</a>

On January 31, 2001, Megrahi was found guilty of murder after the historic trial. The judge had recommended a minimum of two decades in jail, given the “horrendous nature of this crime”, and was later sentenced to life. However, the co-accused, &nbsp;Fhimah, was not found guilty and was free to return home. A year later, Megrahi, had appealed against the conviction which was later rejected.&nbsp; 
 
Furthermore, in 2003, his sentence was increased&nbsp;to life in prison&nbsp;after a Scottish law was changed and he was ordered to appear before&nbsp;the courts so that his punishment period could be set. Subsequently, the accused was granted a second appeal against the conviction. Five years later, Megrahi's lawyer reveals that the former Libyan intelligence agent has been diagnosed with “advanced stage” prostate cancer.&nbsp;

In July 2009, Megrahi asked the court to be released on humanitarian grounds due to his illness. The next month the Scottish court let him go and he returned home to Libya aboard a jet belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who let the Lockerbie bomber go was questioned in the Scottish Parliament about his decision where he asserted that he stands by his decision and will live with the consequences.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/theres-a-long-road-to-peace-in-libya-276183">There's a long road to peace in Libya</a>

In 2011, Megrahi died at his home in Tripoli, aged 60. Meanwhile, the families of those killed filed a lawsuit against the Libyan government demanding that they be held accountable and in 2003 the regime formally accepted the responsibility for the bombing and renounced terrorism. Additionally, they also paid $2.7 billion in compensation to the families following negotiations in London.&nbsp;

In 2014, Scotland's top prosecutor, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland pledged that he will continue to track down Megrahi's accomplices. However, until Gaddafi’s ouster, the investigation and pursuit of others responsible for the bombing largely stalled.&nbsp; 
 
What led to Mas’ud’s arrest?

The Libyan man accused of making the bomb that killed 270 people, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, is now in custody two years after the former US Attorney General Bill Barr first announced the charges filed against him. The alleged former senior Libyan intelligence official was in Libyan custody and was charged by the US with two criminal counts related to the bombing.&nbsp;

Even though he will be the third Libyan official charged by the US he will be the first one to be tried in an American court. The court documents in the US described Mas'ud as an expert bombmaker who joined Libya's External Security Organization intelligence service in the 1970s. The accused was working approximately from 1973 to 2011 for the country’s intelligence service and was taken into custody by Libyan law enforcement after Gaddafi’s ouster.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/1988-lockerbie-bombing-libyan-man-suspected-of-making-bomb-in-us-custody-542136">1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody</a>

According to the US justice department, he had worked for Libyan intelligence in various capacities and was also allegedly involved in the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque, Germany, in 1986 which killed two US service members. The breakthrough in the case was marked by the US officials receiving a copy of Mas’ud’s interview conducted, on September 12, 2012, by the Libyan authorities soon after his arrest.&nbsp;

During the interview, the accused admitted that he had built the bomb used in the Pan Am attack and also to working with the aforementioned duo who planted the bomb. According to the FBI affidavit, the accused said that the attack was ordered by Libyan intelligence and that country’s leader Ghadafi had, “thanked him and other members of the team for their successful attack on the United States.” &nbsp;

The arrest, which was first reported by BBC, has reportedly prompted infighting among Libyan politicians which include the parliament on the east side of the country and the Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The former has accused the Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamd al-Dbeibah of taking Washington’s side due to the lack of an extradition treaty.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-clashes-death-toll-rises-to-32-159-wounded-so-far-510981">Libya clashes: Death toll rises to 32, 159 wounded so far</a>

However, there is no clarity on how the accused was taken into custody by the US but reportedly he was flown in from the Libyan city of Misrata. A Justice Department spokesperson, told Reuters, that the US has custody of the accused and that he is expected to make an initial court appearance in a federal court in Washington, the details of which trial will be released soon.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988.

Officials in the United States, on Sunday, announced that they have detained a suspected third conspirator for allegedly making the bomb which blew up the Pan Am flight 103 and killed 270 people over Scotland’s Lockerbie in 1988. The arrested has once again brought the over-three-decade-old terrorist attack into the spotlight as the officials continue to pursue those responsible for the attack. How did the Lockerbie attack happen? On December 21, 1988, a bomb which was planted on Pam Am Flight 103 which was a Boeing 747 exploded less than an hour after the flight took off which destroyed the plane carrying passengers from nearly 21 countries. The plane departed from London’s Heathrow airport and was headed to New York. ALSO READ | 1988 Lockerbie plane bombing: US confirms that alleged bombmaker is in custody The attack killed 259 people in the air and 11 on the ground and remains the deadliest terror attack on British soil, to date. Subsequently, the terrorists were connected to Libya, whose government had engaged in several hostilities with the United States and other Western countries, at the time. What happened next? Investigation into the attack has been going on for decades but it was not until at least three years after the incident that two Libyans were charged by US and British officials. On November 13, 1991, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi (48) and Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah (44) were charged with 270 counts of murder, conspiracy to murder and violating Britain's 1982 Aviation Security Act. The duo was also accused of being Libyan intelligence agents. However, at the time, the country’s leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi refused to turn them over, leading to long negotiations which concluded in 1999 after the US and Britain proposed to try the suspects in the Netherlands under Scottish law. The trial began in May 2000, before a court at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands, where the two accused had pleaded not guilty to murder. ALSO READ | In relief to family, Scottish body refers Lockerbie bombing case for appeal On January 31, 2001, Megrahi was found guilty of murder after the historic trial. The judge had recommended a minimum of two decades in jail, given the “horrendous nature of this crime”, and was later sentenced to life. However, the co-accused, Fhimah, was not found guilty and was free to return home. A year later, Megrahi, had appealed against the conviction which was later rejected. Furthermore, in 2003, his sentence was increased to life in prison after a Scottish law was changed and he was ordered to appear before the courts so that his punishment period could be set. Subsequently, the accused was granted a second appeal against the conviction. Five years later, Megrahi's lawyer reveals that the former Libyan intelligence agent has been diagnosed with “advanced stage” prostate cancer. In July 2009, Megrahi asked the court to be released on humanitarian grounds due to his illness. The next month the Scottish court let him go and he returned home to Libya aboard a jet belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, who let the Lockerbie bomber go was questioned in the Scottish Parliament about his decision where he asserted that he stands by his decision and will live with the consequences. ALSO READ | There's a long road to peace in Libya In 2011, Megrahi died at his home in Tripoli, aged 60. Meanwhile, the families of those killed filed a lawsuit against the Libyan government demanding that they be held accountable and in 2003 the regime formally accepted the responsibility for the bombing and renounced terrorism. Additionally, they also paid $2.7 billion in compensation to the families following negotiations in London. In 2014, Scotland's top prosecutor, Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland pledged that he will continue to track down Megrahi's accomplices. However, until Gaddafi’s ouster, the investigation and pursuit of others responsible for the bombing largely stalled. What led to Mas’ud’s arrest? The Libyan man accused of making the bomb that killed 270 people, Abu Agila Mohammad Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi, is now in custody two years after the former US Attorney General Bill Barr first announced the charges filed against him. The alleged former senior Libyan intelligence official was in Libyan custody and was charged by the US with two criminal counts related to the bombing. Even though he will be the third Libyan official charged by the US he will be the first one to be tried in an American court. The court documents in the US described Mas'ud as an expert bombmaker who joined Libya's External Security Organization intelligence service in the 1970s. The accused was working approximately from 1973 to 2011 for the country’s intelligence service and was taken into custody by Libyan law enforcement after Gaddafi’s ouster. ALSO WATCH | 1988 Lockerbie bombing: Libyan man suspected of making bomb in US custody According to the US justice department, he had worked for Libyan intelligence in various capacities and was also allegedly involved in the bombing of the LaBelle Discotheque, Germany, in 1986 which killed two US service members. The breakthrough in the case was marked by the US officials receiving a copy of Mas’ud’s interview conducted, on September 12, 2012, by the Libyan authorities soon after his arrest. During the interview, the accused admitted that he had built the bomb used in the Pan Am attack and also to working with the aforementioned duo who planted the bomb. According to the FBI affidavit, the accused said that the attack was ordered by Libyan intelligence and that country’s leader Ghadafi had, “thanked him and other members of the team for their successful attack on the United States.” The arrest, which was first reported by BBC, has reportedly prompted infighting among Libyan politicians which include the parliament on the east side of the country and the Government of National Unity in Tripoli. The former has accused the Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamd al-Dbeibah of taking Washington’s side due to the lack of an extradition treaty. ALSO READ | Libya clashes: Death toll rises to 32, 159 wounded so far However, there is no clarity on how the accused was taken into custody by the US but reportedly he was flown in from the Libyan city of Misrata. A Justice Department spokesperson, told Reuters, that the US has custody of the accused and that he is expected to make an initial court appearance in a federal court in Washington, the details of which trial will be released soon. (With inputs from agencies)

1988 Lockerbie plane bombing: What happened and what we know so far

Do you live in Europe or the US? Are you in the need of prescribed antibiotics? If your answer to both the questions is yes then you know what we are talking about. Several western countries are reporting a serious shortage in antibiotics or paracetamol.

Europe hit by shortage of antibiotics; doctors and officials express concern

The US unveiled its new stealth bomber, the B-21 raider in grand fashion. The grand launch of the B-21 Raider was in sharp contrast to its predecessor B-2's debut, which happened more than three decades ago. ‘Deterrence’ was the key word during the unveiling. But why? Who is US trying to scare? What’s the Game Plan for the B-21 Raider? A report by Shivan Chanana.

US B-21 Raider | Who is America trying to scare? | WION Game Plan

A day after American Basketball star Brittney Griner returned to the US following 10 months of imprisonment in a Russian jail. The United States and Russia said that they are open to more prisoner swaps, despite speculation White House is now under pressure to secure the release of former US marine Paul Whelan who was also detained.

WION Fineprint: US, Russia open to more prisoner swaps?

Europe: UK reports shortage in supply of antibiotics; doctors to recommend shorter courses

After US, now Japan is increasingly getting closer to Taiwan. A delegate from Japan, made a visit to the self-governing island. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen met a senior member of Japan's ruling liberal Democratic party. President has pledged deepen security cooperation with Tokyo to ensure freedom in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan lawmaker visits Taiwan; Tokyo, Taipei reaffirm relations

After the US and Russia, China is the new space power. Beijing is steadily working to conquer the final frontier and Washington is wary of the Chinese plans. The head of the US space command said, "China is building capabilities that put most US assets at risk".

China's 'heavenly palace' space station; US space command says 'Our space assets at risk'

President Joe Biden&nbsp;is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent.

In the lead-up to the three-day&nbsp;US-Africa Leaders Summit&nbsp;that begins Tuesday, Biden administration officials played down their&nbsp;increasing concern&nbsp;about the clout of&nbsp;China&nbsp;and&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in Africa, which is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Instead, administration officials tried to put the focus on their efforts to improve cooperation with African leaders.

“This summit is an opportunity to deepen the many partnerships we have on the African continent,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the shadow that China and Russia cast on the meetings. “We will focus on our efforts to strengthen these partnerships across a wide range of sectors spanning from businesses to health to peace and security, but our focus will be on Africa next week.”

To that end, White House officials said that “major deliverables and initiatives” — diplomatic speak for big announcements — will be peppered throughout the meetings. The White House previewed one&nbsp;major summit<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-g-20-summit-africa-us-national-security-council-united-states-government-ecbff4ac4c0051cecd7d1c1e8fe451bf"> </a>announcement&nbsp;on Friday, saying that Biden would use the gathering to declare his support for adding the African Union as a permanent member of the&nbsp;Group of 20&nbsp;nations.

The summit will be the biggest international gathering in Washington since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local officials are warning residents to brace for road blocks and intensified security as 49 invited heads of states and leaders — and Biden — whiz around the city.

Talks are expected to center on the coronavirus, climate change, the impact of&nbsp;Russia’s invasion of<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine"> </a>Ukraine&nbsp;on Africa, trade and more, according to White House officials. Biden is set to deliver remarks at a U.S.-Africa business forum, hold small group meetings with leaders, host a leaders’ dinner at the White House and take part in other sessions with leaders during the gathering.

Biden has spent much of his first two years in office trying to assuage&nbsp;doubters on the international stage<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-nations-general-assembly-taiwan-biden-health-9b1b11a721705d0ea3d3c85141f2f968"> </a>about American leadership&nbsp;after four years of Donald Trump’s&nbsp;“America First” foreign policy. With this summit — a follow-up to the first such gathering held eight years ago by President Barack Obama — Biden has an opportunity to assuage concerns in Africa about whether the U.S. is serious about tending to the relationship.

Biden’s effort to draw African nations closer to the U.S. comes at a complicated moment, as his administration has made plain that it believes that Chinese and Russian activity in Africa is a serious concern to U.S. and African interests.

In its&nbsp;sub-Saharan Africa strategy&nbsp;unveiled in August, the Biden administration warned that China, which has pumped billions into African energy, infrastructure and other projects, sees the region as an arena where Beijing can “challenge the rules-based international order, advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness.”

The administration also argues that Russia, the preeminent arms dealer in Africa, views the continent as a permissive environment for Kremlin-connected oligarchs and private military companies to focus on fomenting instability for their own strategic and financial benefit.

Still, administration officials are emphasizing that concerns about China and Russia will not be central to the talks.

“The United States prioritizes our relationship with Africa for the sake of our mutual interests and our partnership in dealing with global challenges,” Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs,&nbsp;told<a href="https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-u-s-department-of-states-bureau-of-african-affairs-assistant-secretary-molly-phee-and-national-security-council-senior-director-for-african-affairs-judd-devermont/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a>reporters before the summit.&nbsp;“We are very conscious, again, of the Cold War history, we’re conscious, again, of the deleterious impact of colonialism on Africa, and we studiously seek to avoid repeating some of the mistakes of those earlier eras.”

The administration has been disappointed that much of the continent has declined to follow the US&nbsp;in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Biden is not expected to dwell on differences publicly.

The president is expected to participate with leaders in a session on promoting food security and food systems resilience. Africa has been disproportionately impacted by the global rise in food prices that has been caused in part by the drop in shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine.

“One of the unique aspects of this summit is the collateral damage that the Russian war has inflicted on Africa in terms of food supply and the diversion of development assistance to Ukraine. The opportunity costs of the invasion have been very high in Africa,” said John Stremlau, a visiting professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

Four countries that were suspended from the African Union — Guinea, Sudan, Mali and Burkina Faso— were not invited to the summit because coups in those nations led to unconstitutional changes in power. The White House also did not invite the East African nation of Eritrea; Washington does not have full diplomatic relations with the country.

Biden’s decision to invite several leaders to the summit who have questionable records on human rights and democracy is looming large ahead of the gathering.

Equatorial Guinea was invited despite the State Department stating that it held&nbsp;“serious doubts”&nbsp;about&nbsp;last<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-equatorial-guinea-malabo-government-and-politics-teodoro-obiang-nguema-mbasogo-f221186f2e29fc68e4371a13835e1918"> </a>month’s election&nbsp;in the tiny Central African nation. Opposition parties “made credible allegations of significant election-related irregularities, including documented instances of fraud, intimidation, and coercion,” according to the department. Election officials reported that President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling party won nearly 95% of the vote.

Zimbabwe, which has faced years of U.S. and Western sanctions over poor governance, human rights abuses and widespread corruption, also was invited.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seized power from longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, has sought to cast himself as a reformer, but local and international human rights campaigners accuse him of repression that is just as bad or even worse than Mugabe’s.

Although Mnangagwa enjoys cozy relations with China and Russia, as did Mugabe, he has also sought to make friends with the U.S. and other Western countries in an effort to bolster his legitimacy.

In a national address that he delivered in November in a new Chinese-gifted multimillion-dollar parliament building, Mnangagwa held out the invitation to the U.S.-Africa summit as a sign of his administration’s success. He said the southern African country welcomed the invitation, but he also called for the “unconditional” removal of sanctions that he blames for Zimbabwe’s debilitating economic woes.

“Emphasis remains on dialogue,” Mnangagwa said.

Ethiopia received an invitation even though Biden late last last year announced he was&nbsp;cutting out the country<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-africa-united-states-global-trade-a3e49884bef0edb51bb9d8020f2b899b"> </a>from a US&nbsp;trade program,&nbsp;known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, over Ethiopia’s failure to end a war in the Tigray region that led to “gross violations” of human rights. A peace deal was signed last month, but implementation faces major challenges such as the continued presence of troops from neighboring Eritrea.

Analysts say that African leaders will be looking for Biden to make some major commitments during the summit, including announcing his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to bolster the continent’s economy through private sector investment and trade and more.

Perhaps most importantly, it could be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate that Africa is more than a battleground in its economic and military competition with Beijing and Moscow.

“I do strongly believe that the United States is still seen as a superpower from the African perspective, but most African leaders do not want to align with its promotion of democracy,” said Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political analyst and associate professor of political science at the University of Juba in South Sudan. “They need the support of America but not the system of America.”

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President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent.

President Joe Biden is set to play host to dozens of African leaders in Washington this week as the White House looks to narrow a gaping trust gap with Africa — one that has grown wider over years of frustration about America’s commitment to the continent. In the lead-up to the three-day US-Africa Leaders Summit that begins Tuesday, Biden administration officials played down their increasing concern about the clout of China and Russia in Africa, which is home to more than 1.3 billion people. Instead, administration officials tried to put the focus on their efforts to improve cooperation with African leaders. “This summit is an opportunity to deepen the many partnerships we have on the African continent,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the shadow that China and Russia cast on the meetings. “We will focus on our efforts to strengthen these partnerships across a wide range of sectors spanning from businesses to health to peace and security, but our focus will be on Africa next week.” To that end, White House officials said that “major deliverables and initiatives” — diplomatic speak for big announcements — will be peppered throughout the meetings. The White House previewed one major summit announcement on Friday, saying that Biden would use the gathering to declare his support for adding the African Union as a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations. The summit will be the biggest international gathering in Washington since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Local officials are warning residents to brace for road blocks and intensified security as 49 invited heads of states and leaders — and Biden — whiz around the city. Talks are expected to center on the coronavirus, climate change, the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Africa, trade and more, according to White House officials. Biden is set to deliver remarks at a U.S.-Africa business forum, hold small group meetings with leaders, host a leaders’ dinner at the White House and take part in other sessions with leaders during the gathering. Biden has spent much of his first two years in office trying to assuage doubters on the international stage about American leadership after four years of Donald Trump’s “America First” foreign policy. With this summit — a follow-up to the first such gathering held eight years ago by President Barack Obama — Biden has an opportunity to assuage concerns in Africa about whether the U.S. is serious about tending to the relationship. Biden’s effort to draw African nations closer to the U.S. comes at a complicated moment, as his administration has made plain that it believes that Chinese and Russian activity in Africa is a serious concern to U.S. and African interests. In its sub-Saharan Africa strategy unveiled in August, the Biden administration warned that China, which has pumped billions into African energy, infrastructure and other projects, sees the region as an arena where Beijing can “challenge the rules-based international order, advance its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests, undermine transparency and openness.” The administration also argues that Russia, the preeminent arms dealer in Africa, views the continent as a permissive environment for Kremlin-connected oligarchs and private military companies to focus on fomenting instability for their own strategic and financial benefit. Still, administration officials are emphasizing that concerns about China and Russia will not be central to the talks. “The United States prioritizes our relationship with Africa for the sake of our mutual interests and our partnership in dealing with global challenges,” Molly Phee, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told reporters before the summit. “We are very conscious, again, of the Cold War history, we’re conscious, again, of the deleterious impact of colonialism on Africa, and we studiously seek to avoid repeating some of the mistakes of those earlier eras.” The administration has been disappointed that much of the continent has declined to follow the US in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but Biden is not expected to dwell on differences publicly. The president is expected to participate with leaders in a session on promoting food security and food systems resilience. Africa has been disproportionately impacted by the global rise in food prices that has been caused in part by the drop in shipments from major grain exporter Ukraine. “One of the unique aspects of this summit is the collateral damage that the Russian war has inflicted on Africa in terms of food supply and the diversion of development assistance to Ukraine. The opportunity costs of the invasion have been very high in Africa,” said John Stremlau, a visiting professor of international relations at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Four countries that were suspended from the African Union — Guinea, Sudan, Mali and Burkina Faso— were not invited to the summit because coups in those nations led to unconstitutional changes in power. The White House also did not invite the East African nation of Eritrea; Washington does not have full diplomatic relations with the country. Biden’s decision to invite several leaders to the summit who have questionable records on human rights and democracy is looming large ahead of the gathering. Equatorial Guinea was invited despite the State Department stating that it held “serious doubts” about last month’s election in the tiny Central African nation. Opposition parties “made credible allegations of significant election-related irregularities, including documented instances of fraud, intimidation, and coercion,” according to the department. Election officials reported that President Teodoro Obiang’s ruling party won nearly 95% of the vote. Zimbabwe, which has faced years of U.S. and Western sanctions over poor governance, human rights abuses and widespread corruption, also was invited. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seized power from longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017, has sought to cast himself as a reformer, but local and international human rights campaigners accuse him of repression that is just as bad or even worse than Mugabe’s. Although Mnangagwa enjoys cozy relations with China and Russia, as did Mugabe, he has also sought to make friends with the U.S. and other Western countries in an effort to bolster his legitimacy. In a national address that he delivered in November in a new Chinese-gifted multimillion-dollar parliament building, Mnangagwa held out the invitation to the U.S.-Africa summit as a sign of his administration’s success. He said the southern African country welcomed the invitation, but he also called for the “unconditional” removal of sanctions that he blames for Zimbabwe’s debilitating economic woes. “Emphasis remains on dialogue,” Mnangagwa said. Ethiopia received an invitation even though Biden late last last year announced he was cutting out the country from a US trade program, known as the African Growth and Opportunity Act, over Ethiopia’s failure to end a war in the Tigray region that led to “gross violations” of human rights. A peace deal was signed last month, but implementation faces major challenges such as the continued presence of troops from neighboring Eritrea. Analysts say that African leaders will be looking for Biden to make some major commitments during the summit, including announcing his first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa, efforts to bolster the continent’s economy through private sector investment and trade and more. Perhaps most importantly, it could be an opportunity for Biden to demonstrate that Africa is more than a battleground in its economic and military competition with Beijing and Moscow. “I do strongly believe that the United States is still seen as a superpower from the African perspective, but most African leaders do not want to align with its promotion of democracy,” said Abraham Kuol Nyuon, a political analyst and associate professor of political science at the University of Juba in South Sudan. “They need the support of America but not the system of America.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Biden aims to narrow trust gap with US-Africa leaders summit

Twitter is all set to launch a revamped version of its subscription service called Twitter Blue. Now, under the new version, the users could subscribe to the revamp service that will allow subscribers to edit tweets, upload videos and get a blue check mark post account verification.

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A high-level US delegation is traveling to China this week. The visit comes as a follow-up on US President Joe Biden's recent talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Two US officials to visit China, South Korea, Japan; visit comes as a follow-up to Biden-Xi meet

US relations with Russia and China are taking some pretty twisted turns due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and also the tensions in the Taiwan Straits. Now, reports say that the US plans to impose fresh sanctions against Russia and China as supported by the Washington Journal.

US plans sanctions on Russia & China, says reports; sanctions to include drones, illegal fishing

American NBA star and two time Olympic-champion Brittney Griner is released from a Russian prison and has been welcomed by her fellow athletes and also the sporting community. However, many still wait behind bars. Watch this report

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Former cop gets 3.5 years over George Floyd charges for taking away his civil rights and using excessive force that led to his death. Floyd was killed by police in May 2020.

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Is Russia changing its nuclear doctrine amid the ongoing Ukraine war President Putin mulls adopting a 'Washington-like' concept. In this video, have a look at the US & its policy of 'calculated ambiguity'.

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Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has left the democratic party and switched to the independent. White House say defection does not change the Democratic Senate control.

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The United States has blacklisted six Pakistani firms. India and US have warned about nuclear activities. These firms' access to software and tech will now be restricted.

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Russia has said that Viktor Bout has returned home to Russia, according to the state media. The prisoner exchange with US Basketball star Brittney Griner was completed successfully at Abu Dhabi's airport on Thursday. The US administration said that Griner is safe and that the prisoner exchange is successful.

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The Biden-administration is reported to have held a high-level meeting to discuss how to engage with the new Israeli government and the question of whether to meet directly with some of its ultra-nationalist ministers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to form a coalition government which will include the religious Zionism.

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Ukraine will soon get a USD 275 million military aid package from the US. The package would enable Ukraine to acquire new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defenses

As per reports, the package could be announced as early as Friday (December 9).

It is also expected that the Pentagon may include rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers made by Lockheed Martin Corp, 155mm ammunition, Humvee military vehicles and generators.

The $275 million will be covered by Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which allows the United States to transfer defence articles and services from stocks quickly without congressional approval in response to an emergency.

Russia's surge in missile strikes in Ukraine is partly designed to exhaust Kyiv's supplies of air defences and achieve dominance of the skies above the country, a senior Pentagon official said in November.

To counter these attacks, the United States has sent sophisticated anti-aircraft NASAMS systems to Ukraine which have been running for a few weeks.

Washington previously announced it was sending four Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp, and HAWK interceptor missiles.

US allies have also been sending air defence systems.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

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Ukraine will soon get a USD 275 million military aid package from the US. The package would enable Ukraine to acquire new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defenses As per reports, the package could be announced as early as Friday (December 9).

Ukraine will soon get a USD 275 million military aid package from the US. The package would enable Ukraine to acquire new capabilities to defeat drones and strengthen air defenses As per reports, the package could be announced as early as Friday (December 9). It is also expected that the Pentagon may include rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers made by Lockheed Martin Corp, 155mm ammunition, Humvee military vehicles and generators. The $275 million will be covered by Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) which allows the United States to transfer defence articles and services from stocks quickly without congressional approval in response to an emergency. Russia's surge in missile strikes in Ukraine is partly designed to exhaust Kyiv's supplies of air defences and achieve dominance of the skies above the country, a senior Pentagon official said in November. To counter these attacks, the United States has sent sophisticated anti-aircraft NASAMS systems to Ukraine which have been running for a few weeks. Washington previously announced it was sending four Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by Raytheon Technologies Corp, and HAWK interceptor missiles. US allies have also been sending air defence systems. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ukraine to soon get $275 million military aid package from US

Finally, after 65 years, the&nbsp;Philadelphia police were able to identify the boy who was found dead in a box. The police revealed his name.&nbsp;The four-year-old was identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli through investigation and DNA analysis, CNN reported.&nbsp;

The traumatic decades-old incident dates back to February 25, 1957, when Joseph's body was discovered wrapped in a blanket inside a cardboard box. The child was originally buried in a potter's field in the city till 1998.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lawsuit-against-saudi-prince-over-khashoggi-murder-dismissed-in-us-540730">Also read |&nbsp;Lawsuit against Saudi prince over Khashoggi murder dismissed in US</a>

The unsolved case&nbsp;attracted immense public interest.&nbsp;

As per police officials, the mystery remained unsolved as no one came forward to claim Joseph as their child.&nbsp;

City's Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw at a press conference said, "For sixty-five years, the story of America’s Unknown Child has haunted this community, the Philadelphia Police Department, our nation, and the world."

He added that techniques used in Joseph's case will help the department in assisting cold cases and that there will be no unidentified victims in the city.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-50-students-suffer-mysterious-poisoning-in-mexico-523827">Also read |&nbsp;Over 50 students suffer mysterious poisoning in Mexico</a>

As per the city's homicide unit Captian Smith, the boy was "severely beaten" and had multiple bruises on his body. He added that the child had multiple abrasions, contusions and a subdural haemorrhage.&nbsp;

Though the officials are celebrating Joseph being identified, the mystery still remains half solved as the investigation into who was responsible still continues.&nbsp;

Police refused to identify Joseph's parents who are dead, but stated that he has siblings who are alive.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Finally, after 65 years, the Philadelphia police were able to identify the boy who was found dead in a box. The police revealed his name. The four-year-old was identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli through investigation and DNA analysis, CNN reported.

Finally, after 65 years, the Philadelphia police were able to identify the boy who was found dead in a box. The police revealed his name. The four-year-old was identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli through investigation and DNA analysis, CNN reported. The traumatic decades-old incident dates back to February 25, 1957, when Joseph's body was discovered wrapped in a blanket inside a cardboard box. The child was originally buried in a potter's field in the city till 1998. Also read | Lawsuit against Saudi prince over Khashoggi murder dismissed in US The unsolved case attracted immense public interest. As per police officials, the mystery remained unsolved as no one came forward to claim Joseph as their child. City's Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw at a press conference said, "For sixty-five years, the story of America’s Unknown Child has haunted this community, the Philadelphia Police Department, our nation, and the world." He added that techniques used in Joseph's case will help the department in assisting cold cases and that there will be no unidentified victims in the city. Also read | Over 50 students suffer mysterious poisoning in Mexico As per the city's homicide unit Captian Smith, the boy was "severely beaten" and had multiple bruises on his body. He added that the child had multiple abrasions, contusions and a subdural haemorrhage. Though the officials are celebrating Joseph being identified, the mystery still remains half solved as the investigation into who was responsible still continues. Police refused to identify Joseph's parents who are dead, but stated that he has siblings who are alive. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘America’s unknown child’: Philadelphia police identify boy found dead in a box 65 years ago

American NBA star and two time Olympic-champion Brittney Griner is released from a Russian prison and has been welcomed by her fellow athletes and also the sporting community. It's been nearly about 300 days since 32-year-old Griner was arrested at an airport in Moscow.

Brittney Griner returns home, athletes celebrate her homecoming

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