Innovators have not yet released all the products they believe to be the ideal disruptors for the CES 2023 showcase event, but some technological innovations are noteworthy enough to warrant discussion. Check out the curated list from TVs to Laptops to other fascinating AI tech that will be unveiled at CES 2023.&nbsp;

<img alt="LG Gram Style" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4250fda4-2399-410d-a1e6-d8018b500838" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-05T140223.943.png" />

<h2>1. LG Gram Style</h2>

LG Gram laptops are considered to be one of the benchmarks for ultra-thin and light laptops. This amazing tech gadget is a must-have but the device may very well become the benchmark for flamboyant design as well.&nbsp;

The 16-inch OLED display on this 2.7-pound laptop is rather sleek. The device's most striking attributes, however, are its exterior, which changes colour depending on the light, and its eye-catching vanishing touchpad, which vanishes from view when not in use. Simply splendid right? But it is undoubtedly something unique in terms of laptop design.

<img alt="Wireless TV" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c7fce347-c4fa-4758-95bc-e5c6155ac0d7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Wireless%20TVV.png" />

<h2>2. First wireless TV in history</h2>

There is no doubt that wireless technologies are popular since it makes life easier for the user. It becomes simple to put the TV in the appropriate area without much effort. The Displace TV aims to change that; it calls itself the first wireless TV in history. The battery-powered feature of this OLED TV allows you a 30-day of uninterrupted TV viewing.&nbsp;

<img alt="E bike" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0253e49e-c3ed-4b77-ba89-03727e615914" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202023-01-05T140655.228.png" />

<h2>3. Icoma Tatamel Ebike</h2>

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ces-2023-big-announcements-on-new-laptops-ces-date-time-venue-entry-pass-price-registration-information-549308">CES 2023: Big Announcements on New Laptops, CES Date, Time, Venue, Entry Pass Price, Registration Information</a> 
&nbsp;

This Japanese concept ebike, the Icoma Tatamel, is teeny and folds up to be much smaller. The ebike can fit in small places for storage. If the power goes out while you have it inside, you may use it as a portable power source. With it out and unfolded, you can travel up to 25 mph for around 18 miles on a single charge thanks to the 600-watt engine.

<img alt="Foldable " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4749a539-39d9-45b3-adb3-7829a9d9b8f1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Samsung%20foldable%20phones%20.png" />

<h2>4. Samsung’s 'Bend and Snap' foldable screen device&nbsp;</h2>

WATCH | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-philippines-agree-on-direct-communication-channel-549580">China, Philippines agree on direct communication channel</a> 
&nbsp;

Samsung's latest concept device shows how foldable phone technology will go in the future. The right half of Samsung's Flex Hybrid display really swings outward to provide the full panel a significantly larger aspect ratio while the left side folds. Before the slide enlargement, it is a 10.3-inch 4:3 display; when completely expanded, it is a 12.4-inch 16:10 screen.

<img alt="JBL" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dcb0c568-ec84-4148-a648-ae4ab0651f4a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/JBL%20Tech%20.png" />

<h2>5. JBL earbuds with touchscreens, battery life display&nbsp;</h2>

JBL's Tour PRO 2 true wireless earbuds include a 1.45-inch touchscreen and a battery case with wireless charging. You can access the JBL One app settings and your phone's notifications by using the case's screen without ever touching your phone. Additionally, the display will indicate the remaining battery life of each bud as well as the case, which is really useful knowledge to have at a glance.

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Innovators have not yet released all the products they believe to be the ideal disruptors for the CES 2023 showcase event, but some technological innovations are noteworthy enough to warrant discussion.

Innovators have not yet released all the products they believe to be the ideal disruptors for the CES 2023 showcase event, but some technological innovations are noteworthy enough to warrant discussion. Check out the curated list from TVs to Laptops to other fascinating AI tech that will be unveiled at CES 2023. 1. LG Gram Style LG Gram laptops are considered to be one of the benchmarks for ultra-thin and light laptops. This amazing tech gadget is a must-have but the device may very well become the benchmark for flamboyant design as well. The 16-inch OLED display on this 2.7-pound laptop is rather sleek. The device's most striking attributes, however, are its exterior, which changes colour depending on the light, and its eye-catching vanishing touchpad, which vanishes from view when not in use. Simply splendid right? But it is undoubtedly something unique in terms of laptop design. 2. First wireless TV in history There is no doubt that wireless technologies are popular since it makes life easier for the user. It becomes simple to put the TV in the appropriate area without much effort. The Displace TV aims to change that; it calls itself the first wireless TV in history. The battery-powered feature of this OLED TV allows you a 30-day of uninterrupted TV viewing. 3. Icoma Tatamel Ebike ALSO READ | CES 2023: Big Announcements on New Laptops, CES Date, Time, Venue, Entry Pass Price, Registration Information This Japanese concept ebike, the Icoma Tatamel, is teeny and folds up to be much smaller. The ebike can fit in small places for storage. If the power goes out while you have it inside, you may use it as a portable power source. With it out and unfolded, you can travel up to 25 mph for around 18 miles on a single charge thanks to the 600-watt engine. 4. Samsung’s 'Bend and Snap' foldable screen device WATCH | China, Philippines agree on direct communication channel Samsung's latest concept device shows how foldable phone technology will go in the future. The right half of Samsung's Flex Hybrid display really swings outward to provide the full panel a significantly larger aspect ratio while the left side folds. Before the slide enlargement, it is a 10.3-inch 4:3 display; when completely expanded, it is a 12.4-inch 16:10 screen. 5. JBL earbuds with touchscreens, battery life display JBL's Tour PRO 2 true wireless earbuds include a 1.45-inch touchscreen and a battery case with wireless charging. You can access the JBL One app settings and your phone's notifications by using the case's screen without ever touching your phone. Additionally, the display will indicate the remaining battery life of each bud as well as the case, which is really useful knowledge to have at a glance. 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.

CES 2023 Day 1 updates: A sneak peek into the 5 amazing gadgets you must not miss to check out

South Korea and the United States are discussing joint planning and implementation of US nuclear operations to counter North Korea.

US & S. Korea to plan joint nuclear exercise

The 2023 Tennis season is underway, with matches on in Australia as well as India. Reigning US Open Doubles Champion Rajeev Ram is in Pune for the Tata Open and he tells WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo that Novak Djokovic is still the man to beat in 2023.

Exclusive: US Open Champion Rajeev Ram looks ahead to the 2023 Season

US House speaker election was in chaos on Tuesday, after Republican McCarthy failed in three consecutive votes to secure enough support to be elected as the speaker. The House was then adjourned for a day. This was first time in 100 years that a speaker was not elected on the first vote.

US House adjourns without electing speaker; McCarthy loses 3rd US House speaker vote

Leadership of the House of Representatives remains in limbo as Kevin McCarthy faces internal opposition to his bid for speaker. WION tells you more in this report.

U.S. House Speaker Voting: No majority for republican speaker candidate Kevin McCarthy

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to criminal charged that he cheated investors. Bankman's attorney announced that his client has pleaded not guilty on all the accounts. Last year the 30-year-old faced charged of fraud.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried pleads not guilty in US court; October 2 set as tentative trial date

US President Joe Biden has renominated Eric Garcetti, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, as his envoy to India, with the White House exuding confidence that he would be confirmed by the United States Senate this time.

WION Dispatch: Biden renominates Eric Garcetti as US envoy to India

A tornado swept through a field at Macon County in central Illinois on Tuesday (January 3), as severe storms triggered weather warnings across the region.

US: Tornado swirls past wind farm in central Illinois

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is allowing retail pharmacies to offer abortion pills in the United States for the first time, the agency said on Tuesday (January 3), as more states seek to ban medication abortion.

U.S. FDA allows the sale of abortion pills at retail pharmacies

The U.S. House of Representatives was plunged into chaos on Tuesday after Republican leader Kevin McCarthy failed in three consecutive votes to secure enough support to be elected speaker. It was the first time in 100 years that a speaker was not elected on the first vote.

U.S. House adjourns without electing speaker as McCarthy fails in marathon votes

The New York Police Department on Monday said that a 19-year-old boy who attacked three police officers with a machete on New Year's Eve has&nbsp;been charged with assault and attempted murder.&nbsp;

The teenage boy has been identified as Trevor Bickford. Without giving any further details. The police said that Bickford was from Wells, AFP reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-city-three-cops-attacked-with-machete-during-new-years-eve-suspect-shot-548528">Also read | New York City: Three cops injured in machete attack on New Year's Eve; suspect shot</a>

According to the police conference held on January 01, the attack happened around 10 pm outside the Times Square security zone where thousands of New Yorkers gathered to celebrate New Year.

The assailant was shot by a police officer on the shoulder after he attacked two police officers on their heads, without causing life-threatening injury.&nbsp;

The officers were then taken to the hospital for treatment and Mayor Eric Adams said that they&nbsp;were in stable condition. He also praised the police response by saying that officers immediately secured the scene.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-look-like-domestic-terrorists-ex-white-house-aide-hope-hickss-angry-text-messages-released-548896">Also read |&nbsp;'We look like domestic terrorists': Ex-White House aide Hope Hicks's angry text messages released</a>

According to the US media, Bickford exhibited signs of Islamist radicalisation and might have sought to commit a suicide attack.&nbsp;

CNN citing anonymous sources said that the teenager was carrying a diary with him in which he had expressed his desire to join Afghanistan's Taliban and die as a martyr.&nbsp;

Bickford in mid-December was questioned by the FBI after one of his close relatives warned the bureau of his&nbsp;statements, NBC reported. &nbsp;The FBI counterintelligence unit was involved in the investigation, the police said.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The New York Police Department on Monday said that a 19-year-old boy who attacked three police officers with a machete on New Year's Eve has been charged with assault and attempted murder.

The New York Police Department on Monday said that a 19-year-old boy who attacked three police officers with a machete on New Year's Eve has been charged with assault and attempted murder. The teenage boy has been identified as Trevor Bickford. Without giving any further details. The police said that Bickford was from Wells, AFP reported. Also read | New York City: Three cops injured in machete attack on New Year's Eve; suspect shot According to the police conference held on January 01, the attack happened around 10 pm outside the Times Square security zone where thousands of New Yorkers gathered to celebrate New Year. The assailant was shot by a police officer on the shoulder after he attacked two police officers on their heads, without causing life-threatening injury. The officers were then taken to the hospital for treatment and Mayor Eric Adams said that they were in stable condition. He also praised the police response by saying that officers immediately secured the scene. Also read | 'We look like domestic terrorists': Ex-White House aide Hope Hicks's angry text messages released According to the US media, Bickford exhibited signs of Islamist radicalisation and might have sought to commit a suicide attack. CNN citing anonymous sources said that the teenager was carrying a diary with him in which he had expressed his desire to join Afghanistan's Taliban and die as a martyr. Bickford in mid-December was questioned by the FBI after one of his close relatives warned the bureau of his statements, NBC reported. The FBI counterintelligence unit was involved in the investigation, the police said. (with inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

New York City: 19-year-old boy charged over New Year's Eve machete attack on three police officers

In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best.&nbsp;

Notably, this is not the first time that the California lawmaker has sought to lead the 435-member House. In 2015, he faced similar opposition from a small section of the Republican party (GOP) after he entered the race when House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio) resigned.&nbsp;

Last year, following the midterm elections the GOP, took over the House with a narrow majority of 222-213 from the Democrats and the outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, given the opposition against McCarthy so far, from people of his own caucus, Tuesday might become the first time ever in nearly 100 years that a majority is garnered to elect a speaker of the chamber. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-south-korea-plan-coordinated-response-against-north-koreas-nuclear-threat-549144">US, South Korea plan 'coordinated response' against North Korea's nuclear threat</a>

Importance of a House speaker

The role of a speaker is critical for the government in Washington to function since not only will the lawmaker preside over the lower chamber of Congress they would also be next in line for the presidency. Typically, a speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress, however, the House can elect a new one if the incumbent dies, resigns or is removed from office, said a report by Associated Press. &nbsp;

Additionally, the chamber cannot be organised until a speaker who is to preside over it is chosen, therefore, the vote to choose a speaker will be the first one taken once the lawmakers convene for the session on January 3 even before the new and returning members of both parties are sworn in.&nbsp;

The speaker has “massive influence over what sorts of bills and amendments get voted on in Congress”, said Christian Fong, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, to Al Jazeera. He added that this also gives them a significant amount of control over what becomes a law in the upcoming session.&nbsp;

Who will lead the house from both parties in the upcoming session?

After the midterm elections, both the GOP conference and Democratic caucus held an informal vote where they selected the lawmaker they want to lead their party for the upcoming session. Therefore, by mid-November, following a close-door vote with Republicans, McCarthy emerged as the leader of the House for his party. Subsequently, by the end of the month, Democrats chose Representative Hakeem Jeffries from New York to lead the party in the House. &nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-midterms-republicans-win-the-us-house-kevin-mccarthy-to-become-the-house-speaker-535052">US Midterms: Republicans win the U.S. House; Kevin McCarthy to become the House Speaker</a>

How does the voting take place?

Once the House has the minimum number of members present to proceed or quorum, leaders of the house will read out the names of the speaker nominee from their respective party before the roll call vote for the election. Subsequently, the clerk appoints lawmakers from each party as tellers to tally the votes.&nbsp;

Notably, once the Congress begins on January 3, the members are not obligated to vote for the party’s chosen candidate, in fact, while the person typically is a member of the House it is not required. Therefore, any lawmaker including the incumbent President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Senators, can be nominated and have previously received votes for speaker’s office, in the past, but not gained the majority, reported AP.&nbsp;

This is because lawmakers in the House call out the name of their choice from the floor in a time-consuming roll call. So far, the number to reach a majority in the 435-member chamber has been 218 votes, however, many speakers including the outgoing speaker Pelosi have taken the gavel with less than that. &nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-slams-kevin-mccarthy-for-saying-he-would-hit-nancy-pelosi-with-gavel-402272">Twitter slams Kevin McCarthy for saying he would hit Nancy Pelosi with gavel</a>

This is because some members vote present instead of calling out a name, therefore, according to AP, every lawmaker that votes “present” lowers the total tally needed to reach a majority. In case a majority is not reached on the first ballot, as many have speculated would happen in McCarthy’s case, the clerk will repeat the roll call vote several times until a majority is garnered.&nbsp;

The passing of the gavel

Once the speaker nominee has won a majority of the vote the clear announces the results. Subsequently, a bipartisan committee typically one consisting of the members of the candidate’s home state escorts the speaker-elect to the dais for the oath-taking ceremony, where the outgoing speaker, in this case, speaker and California Democrat Pelosi, joins their successor and passes the gavel in a peaceful transition of power.&nbsp;

Why do many people McCarthy would not be able to garner a majority to become the speaker?

The last time a speaker for the House of Representatives was not elected in the first round of votes was exactly a century ago in 1923 when a speaker was selected after nearly nine rounds of voting. “It’s a very thin (GOP majority), so it only takes a small group of determined representatives to really get together and pose a credible threat to prevent the Speaker from being elected”, said Fong to Al Jazeera. The professor also spoke about how despite growing bipartisan opposition to the power of the Speaker, the path to the gavel will be particularly difficult for McCarthy.&nbsp;

The situation that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Republican lawmaker faces&nbsp;is not entirely unique, as&nbsp;the outgoing speaker Pelosi who held the position for nearly four years witnessed similar internal opposition during her reelection in 2021. However,&nbsp;despite protests from five members of her caucus she managed to retain her position with&nbsp;Dems'&nbsp;slim majority in the chamber, at the time.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kevin-mccarthy-struggles-to-clinch-support-to-be-us-house-speaker-amid-hardline-opposition-549139">Kevin McCarthy struggles to clinch support to be U.S. House speaker amid hardline opposition</a> 
 
According to Fong, Republicans who are opposing McCarthy’s bid for the gavel&nbsp;are from the so-called “safe-districts”, where they did not face much competition in the elections&nbsp;or had trouble raising funds due to their strong political base. Therefore, they do not value the power a speaker holds over what would otherwise be “valuable resources” for the House members which include committee assignments and campaign funding.&nbsp;

Additionally, the California Republican faces a number of critics who want change in the way the House operates and have long complained that the structure gives too much power to leaders and argued for changes which would make small groups of dissenters obstruct and change legislation, reported the New York Times.&nbsp;

McCarthy currently faces at least a dozen lawmakers who would choose anyone else but him which has left him scrambling for votes at the last minute&nbsp;and negotiating with the opposing lawmakers on concessions which may dilute his powers, should he take the office of the speaker,&nbsp;in the upcoming session. This mix also includes&nbsp;a group of newly elected lawmakers who are still weighing their options, said the NYT.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-banned-from-all-us-house-of-representatives-managed-devices-547210">TikTok banned from all US House of Representatives-managed devices</a> 
&nbsp;

What will happen if McCarthy fails?

As mentioned earlier, the speaker is an important part of not only the House but also the functioning of the US government, therefore with&nbsp;no one to preside over the chamber, it cannot fully form, name its committee chairmen, or even hold floor proceedings. In one word, chaos,&nbsp;"One thing to stress about this whole process, nothing else happens in the House of Representatives until a speaker is elected. It's the only leadership position specifically mentioned in the Constitution," said NPR's&nbsp;congressional correspondent, Deirdre Walsh.

She added, "Members of Congress cannot even be sworn in to start a new session of Congress without a speaker first being elected. So opening day could be very chaotic."&nbsp;

Additionally, the GOP is holding on to a majority in the lower chamber by just a couple of&nbsp;votes which&nbsp;makes McCarthy’s bid to become the next speaker all the more critical given that members with outsized power can threaten to effectively dilute if not wipe out the&nbsp;power Republicans would otherwise enjoy as a majority in the chamber,&nbsp;affecting potentially every upcoming legislation the dissenters&nbsp;they do not get their way.&nbsp;

“One reason why you don’t see more opposition to the Speaker in the modern era is that the Speaker controls all kinds of valuable resources that members of the House of Representatives really want,” said Fong to Al Jazeera.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best.

In the weeks leading up to the 118th session of the United States Congress, which is set to convene on Tuesday (December 3) at noon (local time), the attention has been focused on Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy whose bid to become the speaker of the House of Representatives has been uncertain at best. Notably, this is not the first time that the California lawmaker has sought to lead the 435-member House. In 2015, he faced similar opposition from a small section of the Republican party (GOP) after he entered the race when House Speaker John Boehner, (R-Ohio) resigned. Last year, following the midterm elections the GOP, took over the House with a narrow majority of 222-213 from the Democrats and the outgoing speaker Nancy Pelosi. However, given the opposition against McCarthy so far, from people of his own caucus, Tuesday might become the first time ever in nearly 100 years that a majority is garnered to elect a speaker of the chamber. ALSO READ | US, South Korea plan 'coordinated response' against North Korea's nuclear threat Importance of a House speaker The role of a speaker is critical for the government in Washington to function since not only will the lawmaker preside over the lower chamber of Congress they would also be next in line for the presidency. Typically, a speaker is elected at the beginning of a new Congress, however, the House can elect a new one if the incumbent dies, resigns or is removed from office, said a report by Associated Press. Additionally, the chamber cannot be organised until a speaker who is to preside over it is chosen, therefore, the vote to choose a speaker will be the first one taken once the lawmakers convene for the session on January 3 even before the new and returning members of both parties are sworn in. The speaker has “massive influence over what sorts of bills and amendments get voted on in Congress”, said Christian Fong, a political science professor at the University of Michigan, to Al Jazeera. He added that this also gives them a significant amount of control over what becomes a law in the upcoming session. Who will lead the house from both parties in the upcoming session? After the midterm elections, both the GOP conference and Democratic caucus held an informal vote where they selected the lawmaker they want to lead their party for the upcoming session. Therefore, by mid-November, following a close-door vote with Republicans, McCarthy emerged as the leader of the House for his party. Subsequently, by the end of the month, Democrats chose Representative Hakeem Jeffries from New York to lead the party in the House. ALSO WATCH | US Midterms: Republicans win the U.S. House; Kevin McCarthy to become the House Speaker How does the voting take place? Once the House has the minimum number of members present to proceed or quorum, leaders of the house will read out the names of the speaker nominee from their respective party before the roll call vote for the election. Subsequently, the clerk appoints lawmakers from each party as tellers to tally the votes. Notably, once the Congress begins on January 3, the members are not obligated to vote for the party’s chosen candidate, in fact, while the person typically is a member of the House it is not required. Therefore, any lawmaker including the incumbent President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Senators, can be nominated and have previously received votes for speaker’s office, in the past, but not gained the majority, reported AP. This is because lawmakers in the House call out the name of their choice from the floor in a time-consuming roll call. So far, the number to reach a majority in the 435-member chamber has been 218 votes, however, many speakers including the outgoing speaker Pelosi have taken the gavel with less than that. ALSO READ | Twitter slams Kevin McCarthy for saying he would hit Nancy Pelosi with gavel This is because some members vote present instead of calling out a name, therefore, according to AP, every lawmaker that votes “present” lowers the total tally needed to reach a majority. In case a majority is not reached on the first ballot, as many have speculated would happen in McCarthy’s case, the clerk will repeat the roll call vote several times until a majority is garnered. The passing of the gavel Once the speaker nominee has won a majority of the vote the clear announces the results. Subsequently, a bipartisan committee typically one consisting of the members of the candidate’s home state escorts the speaker-elect to the dais for the oath-taking ceremony, where the outgoing speaker, in this case, speaker and California Democrat Pelosi, joins their successor and passes the gavel in a peaceful transition of power. Why do many people McCarthy would not be able to garner a majority to become the speaker? The last time a speaker for the House of Representatives was not elected in the first round of votes was exactly a century ago in 1923 when a speaker was selected after nearly nine rounds of voting. “It’s a very thin (GOP majority), so it only takes a small group of determined representatives to really get together and pose a credible threat to prevent the Speaker from being elected”, said Fong to Al Jazeera. The professor also spoke about how despite growing bipartisan opposition to the power of the Speaker, the path to the gavel will be particularly difficult for McCarthy. The situation that the Republican lawmaker faces is not entirely unique, as the outgoing speaker Pelosi who held the position for nearly four years witnessed similar internal opposition during her reelection in 2021. However, despite protests from five members of her caucus she managed to retain her position with Dems' slim majority in the chamber, at the time. ALSO WATCH | Kevin McCarthy struggles to clinch support to be U.S. House speaker amid hardline opposition According to Fong, Republicans who are opposing McCarthy’s bid for the gavel are from the so-called “safe-districts”, where they did not face much competition in the elections or had trouble raising funds due to their strong political base. Therefore, they do not value the power a speaker holds over what would otherwise be “valuable resources” for the House members which include committee assignments and campaign funding. Additionally, the California Republican faces a number of critics who want change in the way the House operates and have long complained that the structure gives too much power to leaders and argued for changes which would make small groups of dissenters obstruct and change legislation, reported the New York Times. McCarthy currently faces at least a dozen lawmakers who would choose anyone else but him which has left him scrambling for votes at the last minute and negotiating with the opposing lawmakers on concessions which may dilute his powers, should he take the office of the speaker, in the upcoming session. This mix also includes a group of newly elected lawmakers who are still weighing their options, said the NYT. ALSO READ | TikTok banned from all US House of Representatives-managed devices What will happen if McCarthy fails? As mentioned earlier, the speaker is an important part of not only the House but also the functioning of the US government, therefore with no one to preside over the chamber, it cannot fully form, name its committee chairmen, or even hold floor proceedings. In one word, chaos, "One thing to stress about this whole process, nothing else happens in the House of Representatives until a speaker is elected. It's the only leadership position specifically mentioned in the Constitution," said NPR's congressional correspondent, Deirdre Walsh. She added, "Members of Congress cannot even be sworn in to start a new session of Congress without a speaker first being elected. So opening day could be very chaotic." Additionally, the GOP is holding on to a majority in the lower chamber by just a couple of votes which makes McCarthy’s bid to become the next speaker all the more critical given that members with outsized power can threaten to effectively dilute if not wipe out the power Republicans would otherwise enjoy as a majority in the chamber, affecting potentially every upcoming legislation the dissenters they do not get their way. “One reason why you don’t see more opposition to the Speaker in the modern era is that the Speaker controls all kinds of valuable resources that members of the House of Representatives really want,” said Fong to Al Jazeera. (With inputs from agencies) 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.

Explained: Will the US House of Representatives have a speaker when it convenes?

U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy is still struggling to clinch the necessary support to become the next speaker, less than a day before the new Congress convenes.

Kevin McCarthy struggles to clinch support to be U.S. House speaker amid hardline opposition

South Korea and the United States are discussing planning and implementation of U.S. nuclear operations to counter North Korea, Seoul's presidential office said on Tuesday.

Seoul: Nuclear exercises can be held between nuclear weapon states

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks with incoming Chinese foreign minister Qin Gang over a phone call. This comes after China announced Qin as a new foreign minister last week.

Blinken talks with Qin over phone, discusses relations

Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade. Prior to his departure, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday, spoke to Qin over the phone about US-China ties and “maintaining open lines of communication”.&nbsp;

The 56-year-old, Qin, was appointed for the role, on December 30, and is said to be a trusted aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The decision was made by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday, said a report by Global Times. Additionally, Qin will replace the 69-year-old Wang who will reportedly remain the state councillor in charge of diplomacy.

Following the conversation between Blinken and his incoming Chinese counterpart, the US official took to Twitter and said, “Spoke by phone this morning with incoming People's Republic of China Foreign Minister Qin Gang as he departs Washington for his new role. We discussed the US-PRC relationship and maintaining open lines of communication.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-top-diplomats-reach-consensus-on-not-seeking-new-cold-war-on-the-sidelines-of-g20-summit-495735">US-China top diplomats reach consensus on not seeking new 'Cold War' on sidelines of G20 summit</a>

Notably, Qin’s 17-month stint as the Chinese ambassador to Washington has been marked by escalating tensions between the two countries on a range of issues from trade, to the ongoing “chip war”, and Taiwan. In response to Blinken, Qin also took to the microblogging platform and said, “I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.”&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Called <a href="https://twitter.com/SecBlinken?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecBlinken</a> to say goodbye. I appreciate several candid, in-depth and constructive meetings with him during my tenure. I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.
— Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbQinGang/status/1609627011261005825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/what-is-china-taiwan-conflict-role-of-us-518832">issue of Taiwan</a> has also become a point of contention between the two countries with China claiming Taiwan as a breakaway province under Beijing’s rule and Taiwan identifying itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-china-battle-over-semiconductors-503123">US-China battle over semiconductors</a>

Earlier this year, in his first one-on-one interview after assuming his post in Washington, Qin had also warned that the US could face “military conflict” with China over the status of Taiwan. “If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict,” said Qin to NPR.&nbsp;

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Qin about India-China relations

In an op-ed article titled, “How China Sees the World” written, on December 26, four days before he was named Beijing's new foreign minister, Qin in reference to “border issues” with India said that the status quo is that both sides are “willing to ease the situation”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/tawang-skirmish-china-stepped-up-efforts-for-improved-access-near-lac-says-australian-think-tank-544999">Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank</a>

“China’s development means a stronger force for peace, not a growing power poised to ‘break the status quo’, as some call it,” wrote the incoming foreign minister in the US magazine National Interest. He added, “As to the border issues between China and India, the status quo is that both sides are willing to ease the situation and jointly protect peace along their borders.”

Notably, the article was written weeks after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector on December 9.&nbsp;

Subsequently, in a statement, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command spokesman, said the Chinese troops “were obstructed by the Indian army who illegally crossed the Line (of Actual Control),” reported AFP.&nbsp;

ALSO READ&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-rejects-chinese-objections-on-indo-us-military-exercise-near-lac-539273">India rejects Chinese objections on Indo-US military exercise near LAC</a>

On the other hand, Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, addressing the parliament days after the incident said that China unilaterally attempted to change the status quo along the LAC, and it was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/garud-commandos-deployed-at-lac-with-cutting-edge-weapons-545609">Indian troops’</a> timely intervention which shunned away the Chinese PLA.&nbsp;

He went on to seemingly blame the US for changing the status quo in Taiwan and defended Beijing and said that tensions in the Taiwan Strait are not created by them, “breaking the status quo, but by ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and external forces continually challenging the status quo of ‘one China’,” wrote Qin.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-will-park-fighter-jets-50km-from-lac-near-china-530647">India will park fighter jets 50km from LAC near China</a>

Similarly, he went on to blame Japan for “altering” the status quo in the South China Sea and wrote, “In the case of the East China Sea, it was Japan who attempted to ‘nationalize’ Diaoyu Dao ten years ago, altering the ‘status quo’’ between China and Japan of agreeing to put aside differences. In the South China Sea, the status quo is that regional countries are consulting on a code of conduct that will lead to meaningful and effective rules for the region.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade.

Recently, China selected Beijing’s ambassador to Washington, Qin Gang, as the new foreign minister of the country as a replacement for Wang Yi who has held the position for nearly a decade. Prior to his departure, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on Sunday, spoke to Qin over the phone about US-China ties and “maintaining open lines of communication”. The 56-year-old, Qin, was appointed for the role, on December 30, and is said to be a trusted aide of Chinese President Xi Jinping. The decision was made by the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday, said a report by Global Times. Additionally, Qin will replace the 69-year-old Wang who will reportedly remain the state councillor in charge of diplomacy. Following the conversation between Blinken and his incoming Chinese counterpart, the US official took to Twitter and said, “Spoke by phone this morning with incoming People's Republic of China Foreign Minister Qin Gang as he departs Washington for his new role. We discussed the US-PRC relationship and maintaining open lines of communication.” ALSO READ | US-China top diplomats reach consensus on not seeking new 'Cold War' on sidelines of G20 summit Notably, Qin’s 17-month stint as the Chinese ambassador to Washington has been marked by escalating tensions between the two countries on a range of issues from trade, to the ongoing “chip war”, and Taiwan. In response to Blinken, Qin also took to the microblogging platform and said, “I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship.” Called @SecBlinken to say goodbye. I appreciate several candid, in-depth and constructive meetings with him during my tenure. I look forward to continuing close working relations with him for a better China-US relationship. — Qin Gang 秦刚 (@AmbQinGang) January 1, 2023 × The issue of Taiwan has also become a point of contention between the two countries with China claiming Taiwan as a breakaway province under Beijing’s rule and Taiwan identifying itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. ALSO WATCH | US-China battle over semiconductors Earlier this year, in his first one-on-one interview after assuming his post in Washington, Qin had also warned that the US could face “military conflict” with China over the status of Taiwan. “If the Taiwanese authorities, emboldened by the United States, keep going down the road for independence, it most likely will involve China and the United States, the two big countries, in a military conflict,” said Qin to NPR. × Qin about India-China relations In an op-ed article titled, “How China Sees the World” written, on December 26, four days before he was named Beijing's new foreign minister, Qin in reference to “border issues” with India said that the status quo is that both sides are “willing to ease the situation”. ALSO READ | Tawang skirmish: China stepped up efforts for improved access near LAC, says Australian think tank “China’s development means a stronger force for peace, not a growing power poised to ‘break the status quo’, as some call it,” wrote the incoming foreign minister in the US magazine National Interest. He added, “As to the border issues between China and India, the status quo is that both sides are willing to ease the situation and jointly protect peace along their borders.” Notably, the article was written weeks after a clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in northeastern India's Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang Sector on December 9. Subsequently, in a statement, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Western Theatre Command spokesman, said the Chinese troops “were obstructed by the Indian army who illegally crossed the Line (of Actual Control),” reported AFP. ALSO READ | India rejects Chinese objections on Indo-US military exercise near LAC On the other hand, Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, addressing the parliament days after the incident said that China unilaterally attempted to change the status quo along the LAC, and it was Indian troops’ timely intervention which shunned away the Chinese PLA. He went on to seemingly blame the US for changing the status quo in Taiwan and defended Beijing and said that tensions in the Taiwan Strait are not created by them, “breaking the status quo, but by ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and external forces continually challenging the status quo of ‘one China’,” wrote Qin. ALSO WATCH | India will park fighter jets 50km from LAC near China Similarly, he went on to blame Japan for “altering” the status quo in the South China Sea and wrote, “In the case of the East China Sea, it was Japan who attempted to ‘nationalize’ Diaoyu Dao ten years ago, altering the ‘status quo’’ between China and Japan of agreeing to put aside differences. In the South China Sea, the status quo is that regional countries are consulting on a code of conduct that will lead to meaningful and effective rules for the region.” (With inputs from agencies) 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.

New Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, talks to his counterpart in Washington about US-China ties

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