An American actor, author, and comedian Whoopi Goldberg once again apologized for comments claiming that the holocaust was not about race. 67-year-old apologizes following online backlash.

EGOT Winner Whoopi Goldberg repeats holocaust slur

An 82-year-old woman in the US state of Alabama was arrested by the police over her unpaid trash bills amounting to $77.&nbsp;The elderly woman, Martha Louis Menefield, said she failed to understand anything as the police officers suddenly visited her, handcuffed her and arrested her for a petty amount of $77.80.&nbsp;

City of Valley police, in its Facebook post, said that Menefield was treated respectfully by the police and that she was notified several times that payment of her bill for three months remains pending.&nbsp;

The City of Valley in Alabama's police chief Mike Reynolds said, "Ms Menefield was treated respectfully by our officers in the performance of their duties and was released on a bond as prescribed by the violation.”&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-knew-about-tax-fraud-in-his-company-says-prosecution-in-closing-arguments-539706">Trump knew about tax fraud in his company, says prosecution in closing arguments</a>&nbsp;

The comments section was flooded with people from Alabama and the rest of the United States denouncing the police department for their actions.&nbsp;

"Everybody who played a role in arresting this 82-year-old Valley, Alabama resident must be held accountable for their actions," the state's former attorney Donald Watkins wrote.&nbsp;

Menefield, in an interview with CBS News, said that her first reaction when she saw two officers arriving at her door last Sunday was laughter.&nbsp;

On seeing the officers, she asked, "You're not kidding?". However, on learning that the police were actually there to arrest her over the pending bills, the old lady said, "I was upset because I didn't know why they would come and arrest me."&nbsp;

One of the officers, after the handcuffs were locked, "kind of whispered it to me: 'Don't cry'", she said. Menefield, recalling the incident, said that she told the officer, “How would you feel if they came and arrested your grandmama?"&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-suppressed-hunter-biden-laptop-story-internal-emails-reveal-539707">Twitter suppressed Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, internal emails reveal</a>&nbsp;

After the arrest, the police took her to the Valley police department where she was temporarily held before being released on bond.&nbsp;

"I was in a little cage-like thing at the police station. And I said, 'Y'all put me in this cage? You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Menefield said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, police chief Reynolds, in his Facebook post, stated that Menefield was contacted several times by the city officials about her unpaid bills.&nbsp;

He added that a citation was received by her for the unpaid bills in August and that the code enforcement department of the city "tried to call Ms Menefield several times and attempted to contact her in person at her residence."&nbsp;

Reynolds further narrated how a notice was left by the officials on her door which had the contact information and an advisory that she needs to appear in court in September.&nbsp;

"A warrant for Failure to Pay Trash was issued when she did not appear in court," said Reynolds, adding that in the past two years, Menefield's trash services have been suspended three times.&nbsp;

Menefield said that she is unaware of the unpaid bills in question and that no notice was sent to her to appear in court.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

An 82-year-old woman in the US state of Alabama was arrested by the police over her unpaid trash bills amounting to $77. The elderly woman, Martha Louis Menefield, said she failed to understand anything as the police officers suddenly visited her, handcuffed her and arrested her for a petty amount of $77.

An 82-year-old woman in the US state of Alabama was arrested by the police over her unpaid trash bills amounting to $77. The elderly woman, Martha Louis Menefield, said she failed to understand anything as the police officers suddenly visited her, handcuffed her and arrested her for a petty amount of $77.80. City of Valley police, in its Facebook post, said that Menefield was treated respectfully by the police and that she was notified several times that payment of her bill for three months remains pending. The City of Valley in Alabama's police chief Mike Reynolds said, "Ms Menefield was treated respectfully by our officers in the performance of their duties and was released on a bond as prescribed by the violation.” ALSO READ | Trump knew about tax fraud in his company, says prosecution in closing arguments The comments section was flooded with people from Alabama and the rest of the United States denouncing the police department for their actions. "Everybody who played a role in arresting this 82-year-old Valley, Alabama resident must be held accountable for their actions," the state's former attorney Donald Watkins wrote. Menefield, in an interview with CBS News, said that her first reaction when she saw two officers arriving at her door last Sunday was laughter. On seeing the officers, she asked, "You're not kidding?". However, on learning that the police were actually there to arrest her over the pending bills, the old lady said, "I was upset because I didn't know why they would come and arrest me." One of the officers, after the handcuffs were locked, "kind of whispered it to me: 'Don't cry'", she said. Menefield, recalling the incident, said that she told the officer, “How would you feel if they came and arrested your grandmama?" ALSO READ | Twitter suppressed Hunter Biden laptop story in 2020, internal emails reveal After the arrest, the police took her to the Valley police department where she was temporarily held before being released on bond. "I was in a little cage-like thing at the police station. And I said, 'Y'all put me in this cage? You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Menefield said. Meanwhile, police chief Reynolds, in his Facebook post, stated that Menefield was contacted several times by the city officials about her unpaid bills. He added that a citation was received by her for the unpaid bills in August and that the code enforcement department of the city "tried to call Ms Menefield several times and attempted to contact her in person at her residence." Reynolds further narrated how a notice was left by the officials on her door which had the contact information and an advisory that she needs to appear in court in September. "A warrant for Failure to Pay Trash was issued when she did not appear in court," said Reynolds, adding that in the past two years, Menefield's trash services have been suspended three times. Menefield said that she is unaware of the unpaid bills in question and that no notice was sent to her to appear in court. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Woman, 82, from Alabama gets arrested over $77 unpaid trash bill; cops' action triggers outrage

A tanker carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel overturned early Thursday in Pennsylvania's Bethlehem, US media outlets reported, citing local police. The reports further mentioned that in the aftermath, hundreds of homes in the region were evacuated.&nbsp;

As per the police, the driver of the truck was transported to the hospital. The driver received some non-life-threatening injuries. The police also said that they evacuated residences within a 1,000-foot radius of the crash site. The officers went door-to-door and also reverse 911 calls were made.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a school in the region has been used as a shelter for displaced families. The statement posted on the Bethlehem Area School District's website noted: "Due to a fuel spill on the west side of Bethlehem, our school is being used as a shelter for displaced families."&nbsp;

"We will delay the opening of school for two hours to ensure that our building is ready to function normally for students and staff while also serving our community's needs," it added.&nbsp;

The respective authorities said that they are still investigating what actually caused that accident, and also mentioned that the cleanup will continue throughout the day.&nbsp;

The American Red Cross said in a tweet: "At the request of Northampton EMA, we are responding to the area of Paul Ave &amp; West Union Blvd in Bethlehem (PA) following a significant fuel oil spill affecting hundreds of homes".&nbsp;

"Currently, we are providing canteen services to responders, mobilizing shelter teams to support the evacuation site, and coordinating with local officials to determine community needs and next steps. This response (&amp; spill) is still active," it added.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

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>.

A tanker carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel overturned early Thursday in Pennsylvania's Bethlehem, US media outlets reported, citing local police.

A tanker carrying thousands of gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel overturned early Thursday in Pennsylvania's Bethlehem, US media outlets reported, citing local police. The reports further mentioned that in the aftermath, hundreds of homes in the region were evacuated. As per the police, the driver of the truck was transported to the hospital. The driver received some non-life-threatening injuries. The police also said that they evacuated residences within a 1,000-foot radius of the crash site. The officers went door-to-door and also reverse 911 calls were made. Meanwhile, a school in the region has been used as a shelter for displaced families. The statement posted on the Bethlehem Area School District's website noted: "Due to a fuel spill on the west side of Bethlehem, our school is being used as a shelter for displaced families." "We will delay the opening of school for two hours to ensure that our building is ready to function normally for students and staff while also serving our community's needs," it added. The respective authorities said that they are still investigating what actually caused that accident, and also mentioned that the cleanup will continue throughout the day. The American Red Cross said in a tweet: "At the request of Northampton EMA, we are responding to the area of Paul Ave & West Union Blvd in Bethlehem (PA) following a significant fuel oil spill affecting hundreds of homes". "Currently, we are providing canteen services to responders, mobilizing shelter teams to support the evacuation site, and coordinating with local officials to determine community needs and next steps. This response (& spill) is still active," it added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: Thousands of gallons of fuel spilled after tanker crashed, hundreds of homes evacuated

In the United States, authorities have concluded that an unattended two-year-old starved after his father died at their upstate New York home this year.&nbsp;

The incident happened on February 15 when 59-year-old David Conde Sr and his toddler son were found dead at their home in Geneva, New York. The kid was identified as David Conde Jr.&nbsp;

The Ontario County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that the father died naturally from "cardiovascular disease", leaving the kid behind unattended.&nbsp;

The sheriff’s department also mentioned that the toddler's cause of death was starvation. It added that the manner was ruled to be accidental.&nbsp;

The statement concluded: "It is believed that Mr. Conde passed away first, and the child was not able to obtain any nourishment after his father passed."&nbsp;

As quoted by the US media outlets, the medical examiner's office said on Tuesday that it looked like the child was unable to seek help or find food after his father died.&nbsp;

The officials also said that deputies found the father and son died during a welfare check at the apartment. The welfare check happened when the family members said they had not heard from them in over a week.&nbsp;

Lt David Cirencione, who is with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, said that the officers had to make a forced entry into the apartment, which was locked. They found both dead bodies in a bathroom,&nbsp;

Lt Cirencione said, "There were no signs of a struggle in the residence, and as I indicated, the door was locked on the inside. There's also a sliding door with a deck that had a security bar that was engaged."&nbsp;

"We do not have any reason to believe anyone else was inside the apartment when these two passed away," the official added.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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=&quot;100%&quot;"></iframe>

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>.

In the United States, authorities have concluded that an unattended two-year-old starved after his father died at their upstate New York home this year. The incident happened on February 15 when 59-year-old David Conde Sr and his toddler son were found dead at their home in Geneva, New York.

In the United States, authorities have concluded that an unattended two-year-old starved after his father died at their upstate New York home this year. The incident happened on February 15 when 59-year-old David Conde Sr and his toddler son were found dead at their home in Geneva, New York. The kid was identified as David Conde Jr. The Ontario County Sheriff's Department said in a statement that the father died naturally from "cardiovascular disease", leaving the kid behind unattended. The sheriff’s department also mentioned that the toddler's cause of death was starvation. It added that the manner was ruled to be accidental. The statement concluded: "It is believed that Mr. Conde passed away first, and the child was not able to obtain any nourishment after his father passed." As quoted by the US media outlets, the medical examiner's office said on Tuesday that it looked like the child was unable to seek help or find food after his father died. The officials also said that deputies found the father and son died during a welfare check at the apartment. The welfare check happened when the family members said they had not heard from them in over a week. Lt David Cirencione, who is with the Ontario County Sheriff's Office, said that the officers had to make a forced entry into the apartment, which was locked. They found both dead bodies in a bathroom, Lt Cirencione said, "There were no signs of a struggle in the residence, and as I indicated, the door was locked on the inside. There's also a sliding door with a deck that had a security bar that was engaged." "We do not have any reason to believe anyone else was inside the apartment when these two passed away," the official added. 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.

Two-year-old starved to death after his father died naturally in New York apartment

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout.&nbsp;

In the meeting, they talked about several issues dominating the election such as abortion access, trans rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety, economic instability and climate injustice.&nbsp;

Targeting the opposition on abortion, Biden said the Senators on the Republican side have made it clear what they want to do. He noted that Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina "wants to federally pass a law that they'd expect the President to sign that would in fact outlaw the right to choose in most cases, no matter whether it's incest or rape or any criminal act".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-is-west-bothered-about-iran-sending-drones-to-russia-528264">Why is West bothered about Iran sending drones to Russia?</a>&nbsp;

But Biden also mentioned, that if Republicans succeed in blocking abortion in every state, then he is going to veto it. "It's not going to happen as long as I'm President," he said.&nbsp;

The US president told activists Monday at his party headquarters in Washington: "We just have 15 days until one of the most important elections in our lifetime. And it's going to shape the way the country looks... for the coming decade." He predicted a late surge.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/people-cast-their-ballots-in-secured-boxes-as-early-voting-for-us-midterm-election-begins-528291/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Meanwhile, the Republicans hope their narrative will help them take back Congress. In case the result favours the Republicans, it would cripple the remaining two years of Biden's presidency.&nbsp;

Democrats made significant headway in recent months but despite that, the Republicans have been pushing forward their campaign with a focus on the economy and law and order. They are also targeting high inflation, violent crime soaring and the immigration crisis, etc.&nbsp;

Some polls have favoured&nbsp;the Republicans in races that will determine which party controls the US Congress, but Biden said last Friday that he is confident that the momentum would shift.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-growing-us-scrutiny-israel-might-tighten-restrictions-on-chinese-investments-528167">Amid growing US scrutiny, Israel might tighten restrictions on Chinese investments</a>&nbsp;

During the campaign, the Republicans have blamed Biden's policies for high inflation and increases in crime.&nbsp;

Notably, the midterms in the nation take place every two years in the middle of a four-year presidential term. The Americans go to the polls on November 8.&nbsp;

In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are on the ballot on November 8. Also the 35 Senate seats, just over a third of the upper chamber.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout.

In the United States, early voting began on Monday (October 24) with people voting in the midterm elections. In his recent meeting with six young "change-makers", President Joe Biden stressed the need for voter turnout. In the meeting, they talked about several issues dominating the election such as abortion access, trans rights, criminal justice reform, gun safety, economic instability and climate injustice. Targeting the opposition on abortion, Biden said the Senators on the Republican side have made it clear what they want to do. He noted that Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina "wants to federally pass a law that they'd expect the President to sign that would in fact outlaw the right to choose in most cases, no matter whether it's incest or rape or any criminal act". ALSO READ | Why is West bothered about Iran sending drones to Russia? But Biden also mentioned, that if Republicans succeed in blocking abortion in every state, then he is going to veto it. "It's not going to happen as long as I'm President," he said. The US president told activists Monday at his party headquarters in Washington: "We just have 15 days until one of the most important elections in our lifetime. And it's going to shape the way the country looks... for the coming decade." He predicted a late surge. Watch this report: × Meanwhile, the Republicans hope their narrative will help them take back Congress. In case the result favours the Republicans, it would cripple the remaining two years of Biden's presidency. Democrats made significant headway in recent months but despite that, the Republicans have been pushing forward their campaign with a focus on the economy and law and order. They are also targeting high inflation, violent crime soaring and the immigration crisis, etc. Some polls have favoured the Republicans in races that will determine which party controls the US Congress, but Biden said last Friday that he is confident that the momentum would shift. ALSO READ | Amid growing US scrutiny, Israel might tighten restrictions on Chinese investments During the campaign, the Republicans have blamed Biden's policies for high inflation and increases in crime. Notably, the midterms in the nation take place every two years in the middle of a four-year presidential term. The Americans go to the polls on November 8. In the House of Representatives, all 435 seats are on the ballot on November 8. Also the 35 Senate seats, just over a third of the upper chamber. (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.

US midterm elections: Early voting begins, but who will seize momentum?

he US&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;rate rose in 2021, particularly among young men, according to official data out Friday -- an increase that ends a two-year-decline.

The number of suicides rose from around 46,000 in 2020 to 47,650 in 2021, according to preliminary figures released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The age-adjusted&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;rate per 100,000 people grew from 13.5 in 2020 to 14 last year. The most significant increase was seen among young boys and men between the ages of 15 and 24, where the rate rose eight percent.

In 2000, after a decade of decline, the United States recorded a recent low of 10 deaths by&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;per 100,000 people.

"One of the things that may have contributed to the decrease in the 1990s was the &nbsp;advent of medications that help reduce risk for&nbsp;suicide," Jill Harkavy-Friedman of the American Foundation for&nbsp;Suicide&nbsp;Prevention, told AFP.

The rate then started growing -- potentially because of new warning labels attached to antidepressants, according to Harkavy-Friedman &nbsp;-- until by 2018 it was 35 percent over 2000 levels.

Then, it fell five percent from 2018 until 2020.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;Harkavy-Friedman, the recent fluctuations are difficult to interpret.

"We don't really know yet what the full implications of this kind of rise are," she said, adding it was necessary to look at patterns over the long term.

The role of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, is complex.

According to the AFSP, research has shown that "people tend to come together during traumatic events initially and this can serve as a protective factor against&nbsp;suicide, though this societal cohesion may not persist as time passes."

Data from 2021 shows that the&nbsp;suicide&nbsp;rate for men is four times higher than for women, which is in line with past trends.

Among the reasons put forward include the idea that men are more likely to use lethal means, and have more difficulty in seeking mental help.&nbsp;

This preliminary data does not yet provide a breakdown by ethnicity or income of the deceased.&nbsp;

According to the CDC, suicides are the second leading cause of death among those aged 10-34.&nbsp;

Recently, the United States introduced a simpler three-digit helpline (988) for people in distress, replacing the previous 10-digit number.

"We're very happy about 988, which is the new mental health crisis line, and the accompanying crisis services that goes with it, because this is going to bring options to people who feel so desperate and in such pain," said Harkavy-Friedman.

he US suicide rate rose in 2021, particularly among young men, according to official data out Friday -- an increase that ends a two-year-decline. The number of suicides rose from around 46,000 in 2020 to 47,650 in 2021, according to preliminary figures released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

he US suicide rate rose in 2021, particularly among young men, according to official data out Friday -- an increase that ends a two-year-decline. The number of suicides rose from around 46,000 in 2020 to 47,650 in 2021, according to preliminary figures released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The age-adjusted suicide rate per 100,000 people grew from 13.5 in 2020 to 14 last year. The most significant increase was seen among young boys and men between the ages of 15 and 24, where the rate rose eight percent. In 2000, after a decade of decline, the United States recorded a recent low of 10 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people. "One of the things that may have contributed to the decrease in the 1990s was the advent of medications that help reduce risk for suicide," Jill Harkavy-Friedman of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, told AFP. The rate then started growing -- potentially because of new warning labels attached to antidepressants, according to Harkavy-Friedman -- until by 2018 it was 35 percent over 2000 levels. Then, it fell five percent from 2018 until 2020. According to Harkavy-Friedman, the recent fluctuations are difficult to interpret. "We don't really know yet what the full implications of this kind of rise are," she said, adding it was necessary to look at patterns over the long term. The role of the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, is complex. According to the AFSP, research has shown that "people tend to come together during traumatic events initially and this can serve as a protective factor against suicide, though this societal cohesion may not persist as time passes." Data from 2021 shows that the suicide rate for men is four times higher than for women, which is in line with past trends. Among the reasons put forward include the idea that men are more likely to use lethal means, and have more difficulty in seeking mental help. This preliminary data does not yet provide a breakdown by ethnicity or income of the deceased. According to the CDC, suicides are the second leading cause of death among those aged 10-34. Recently, the United States introduced a simpler three-digit helpline (988) for people in distress, replacing the previous 10-digit number. "We're very happy about 988, which is the new mental health crisis line, and the accompanying crisis services that goes with it, because this is going to bring options to people who feel so desperate and in such pain," said Harkavy-Friedman.

US suicide rate rose in 2021 after falling for two years

United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday (September 29) that early reports suggest that there has been a substantial loss of life from Hurricane Ian.&nbsp;

Biden also said that the hurricane, which made landfall in Florida yesterday, may end up being Florida's "deadliest" storm ever.&nbsp;

The US president has also promised that the federal government would do everything it could to get Florida residents what they need after the storm.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-18-million-without-power-as-hurricane-ian-causes-devastation-in-florida-520745">Waning Hurricane Ian batters Florida, floods streets, leaves two million people without power</a>&nbsp;

During a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at its headquarters in Washington, Biden said, "This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history. The numbers... are still unclear, but we're hearing reports of what may be a substantial loss of life."&nbsp;

He said that he is planning to visit the affected areas in Florida once conditions permit as Hurricane Ian has devastated parts of the southeastern US state.&nbsp;

"When the conditions allow it, I'm going to be going to Florida," he said and also told reporters it was his "intention" to visit the US Caribbean island territory of Puerto Rico, which is reeling from the earlier Hurricane Fiona.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US President Joe Biden gets confused on stage, looks for dead lawmaker in crowd&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-president-joe-biden-gets-confused-on-stage-looks-for-dead-lawmaker-in-crowd-521015/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Biden also hailed the members of emergency services in Florida. He talked about&nbsp;the challenges faced by them in the huge-scale search and rescue programmes. The emergency services have entered zones devastated by Ian's punishing wind and flooding.&nbsp;

"Search and rescue operations got underway before dawn this morning for people stranded and who are in desperate shape," he said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-imposes-fresh-sanctions-on-export-of-iran-oil-521006">US imposes fresh sanctions on export of Iran oil</a>&nbsp;

Among the "many" resources in action, the US Coast Guard has deployed 16 helicopters, six airplanes and 18 boats, he said. "These are dangerous missions."

While mentioning the residents of Florida, Biden said "many are hurting today and our entire country hurts with them."&nbsp;

He added, "We're continuing to see deadly rainfall, catastrophic storm surges, roads and homes flooded. We're seeing millions of people without power and thousands hunkered down in schools and community centres."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday (September 29) that early reports suggest that there has been a substantial loss of life from Hurricane Ian. Biden also said that the hurricane, which made landfall in Florida yesterday, may end up being Florida's "deadliest" storm ever.

United States President Joe Biden said on Thursday (September 29) that early reports suggest that there has been a substantial loss of life from Hurricane Ian. Biden also said that the hurricane, which made landfall in Florida yesterday, may end up being Florida's "deadliest" storm ever. The US president has also promised that the federal government would do everything it could to get Florida residents what they need after the storm. ALSO READ | Waning Hurricane Ian batters Florida, floods streets, leaves two million people without power During a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at its headquarters in Washington, Biden said, "This could be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history. The numbers... are still unclear, but we're hearing reports of what may be a substantial loss of life." He said that he is planning to visit the affected areas in Florida once conditions permit as Hurricane Ian has devastated parts of the southeastern US state. "When the conditions allow it, I'm going to be going to Florida," he said and also told reporters it was his "intention" to visit the US Caribbean island territory of Puerto Rico, which is reeling from the earlier Hurricane Fiona. WATCH | US President Joe Biden gets confused on stage, looks for dead lawmaker in crowd × Biden also hailed the members of emergency services in Florida. He talked about the challenges faced by them in the huge-scale search and rescue programmes. The emergency services have entered zones devastated by Ian's punishing wind and flooding. "Search and rescue operations got underway before dawn this morning for people stranded and who are in desperate shape," he said. ALSO READ | US imposes fresh sanctions on export of Iran oil Among the "many" resources in action, the US Coast Guard has deployed 16 helicopters, six airplanes and 18 boats, he said. "These are dangerous missions." While mentioning the residents of Florida, Biden said "many are hurting today and our entire country hurts with them." He added, "We're continuing to see deadly rainfall, catastrophic storm surges, roads and homes flooded. We're seeing millions of people without power and thousands hunkered down in schools and community centres." (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.

Hurricane Ian: Joe Biden warns of 'substantial loss of life' in Florida

An "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday (September 28). The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the eye of the storm made landfall at 1905 GMT, with high winds and heavy rain pounding the coast.&nbsp;

The NHC said: "Hurricane Ian has made landfall as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa, Florida."&nbsp;

NHC reported that Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cayo Costa as a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of up to 241 km per hour.&nbsp;

<meta name="uuid" content="uuidhg8t3GSIDmis" /><meta charset="utf-8" />

NHC also stated that the storm's wind speeds put it just shy of a Category 5 designation on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is the most severe classification for storms.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-early-data-shows-monkeypox-vaccine-to-be-highly-effective-520682">US: Early data shows monkeypox vaccine to be highly effective</a>&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
At 305 pm the eye of Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa FL as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a central pressure of 940 mb or 27.75" A station at Tarpin Point in Cape Coral FL reported sustained winds of 77 mph with a gust up to 118 mph <a href="https://t.co/mwqrjELS2S">pic.twitter.com/mwqrjELS2S</a>
— NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSEastern/status/1575205902260371456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
305 PM EDT 28 Sep -- Hurricane <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ian?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ian</a> has made landfall as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa, Florida with maximum sustained winds at 150 mph. The minimum pressure from Air Force Reconnaissance Hurricane Hunters was 940 mb. 
 
Latest: <a href="https://t.co/tnOTyfORCw">https://t.co/tnOTyfORCw</a> <a href="https://t.co/O3agPDOZHk">pic.twitter.com/O3agPDOZHk</a>
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHC_Atlantic/status/1575202655567491072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

As per the forecasters, Ian would unleash storm surges - wind - of up to 18 feet along with intense thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. Ken Graham, who is the director of the National Weather Service said, "This is a storm that we will talk about for many years to come, an historic event."&nbsp;

At a news conference, around the same time when the storm made landfall, Charlotte County Emergency Management director Patrick Fuller said that Punta Gorda, Florida, is beginning to feel heavy impacts from the hurricane.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twenty-three-missing-after-migrant-boat-sinks-off-florida-due-to-hurricane-ian-520673">Twenty-three missing after migrant boat sinks off Florida due to Hurricane Ian</a>&nbsp;

Fuller said, "This is an intense hurricane, we expect that to persist throughout the evening into tomorrow."&nbsp;

He added, "The storm surge, we are still at the very beginning of that. We will see that continue throughout the afternoon into the evening. It’s going to begin to fill up canals, overtop land, and potentially into homes. We are going to see a life-threatening storm surge."&nbsp;

Fuller also warned those who have not left. Fuller said that 60,000 people in the red zone are under evacuation. But also mentioned that they are not sure how many got out ahead of the storm.&nbsp;

Fuller warned that this is just the beginning and also mentioned that they have not received any critical calls so far.&nbsp;

Watch this report:&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hurricane-ian-nears-florida-520670/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Millions without power&nbsp;

According to a US tracker, over a million customers lost power in the hurricane and the number is expected to rise as high winds, heavy rain and floods take their toll.

Of 11 million customers tracked in Florida, 1,040,000 were suffering outages, PowerOutages.us reported.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

An "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday (September 28). The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the eye of the storm made landfall at 1905 GMT, with high winds and heavy rain pounding the coast.

An "extremely dangerous" Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida on Wednesday (September 28). The United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that the eye of the storm made landfall at 1905 GMT, with high winds and heavy rain pounding the coast. The NHC said: "Hurricane Ian has made landfall as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa, Florida." NHC reported that Hurricane Ian made landfall in Cayo Costa as a Category 4 hurricane, with sustained winds of up to 241 km per hour. NHC also stated that the storm's wind speeds put it just shy of a Category 5 designation on the Saffir-Simpson scale, which is the most severe classification for storms. ALSO READ | US: Early data shows monkeypox vaccine to be highly effective At 305 pm the eye of Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa FL as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 mph and a central pressure of 940 mb or 27.75" A station at Tarpin Point in Cape Coral FL reported sustained winds of 77 mph with a gust up to 118 mph pic.twitter.com/mwqrjELS2S — NWS Eastern Region (@NWSEastern) September 28, 2022 × 305 PM EDT 28 Sep -- Hurricane #Ian has made landfall as an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa, Florida with maximum sustained winds at 150 mph. The minimum pressure from Air Force Reconnaissance Hurricane Hunters was 940 mb. Latest: https://t.co/tnOTyfORCw pic.twitter.com/O3agPDOZHk — National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 28, 2022 × As per the forecasters, Ian would unleash storm surges - wind - of up to 18 feet along with intense thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. Ken Graham, who is the director of the National Weather Service said, "This is a storm that we will talk about for many years to come, an historic event." At a news conference, around the same time when the storm made landfall, Charlotte County Emergency Management director Patrick Fuller said that Punta Gorda, Florida, is beginning to feel heavy impacts from the hurricane. ALSO READ | Twenty-three missing after migrant boat sinks off Florida due to Hurricane Ian Fuller said, "This is an intense hurricane, we expect that to persist throughout the evening into tomorrow." He added, "The storm surge, we are still at the very beginning of that. We will see that continue throughout the afternoon into the evening. It’s going to begin to fill up canals, overtop land, and potentially into homes. We are going to see a life-threatening storm surge." Fuller also warned those who have not left. Fuller said that 60,000 people in the red zone are under evacuation. But also mentioned that they are not sure how many got out ahead of the storm. Fuller warned that this is just the beginning and also mentioned that they have not received any critical calls so far. Watch this report: × Millions without power According to a US tracker, over a million customers lost power in the hurricane and the number is expected to rise as high winds, heavy rain and floods take their toll. Of 11 million customers tracked in Florida, 1,040,000 were suffering outages, PowerOutages.us reported. (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.

Hurricane Ian makes landfall in Florida with catastrophic force

The summit this week between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China is a show of force by two autocratic leaders united against what they consider American hegemony. It is also a moment of mutual weakness as Russia suffers losses in Ukraine and China endures an economic slowdown.

They come to the meeting, expected to take place later this week in Uzbekistan, with their own agendas and their own challenges that will test an important relationship both have described as a friendship with “no limits.”

Moscow needs Beijing. Russia’s recent routs on the battlefields of Ukraine, coupled with the broad damage inflicted by Western sanctions, have made Chinese support all the more important. China has emerged as a major buyer of Russian commodities, purchases that have helped replenish Moscow’s coffers.

Beijing, though, remains cautious. It wants to project strength in the increasingly acrimonious competition with the United States and can’t afford for its main partner in an authoritarian alliance to face a humiliating defeat. But providing substantial, additional help to Russia, either economically or militarily, risks running afoul of Western sanctions and imperiling China’s economy.

“Xi’s China has been carrying out an exquisite tightrope walk with regard to Russia,” said Rana Mitter, a professor of history and politics at Oxford University. “It is keen to show support for Russia in general, but finds active support for an invasion too politically embarrassing to contemplate and wants Moscow to resolve matters one way or another.”

Image matters for Xi as he prepares to secure a third term at a pivotal Communist Party congress in Beijing next month. His trip this week, during which he will attend a regional summit in Uzbekistan and visit Kazakhstan, marks the first time Xi has traveled abroad since the start of the pandemic and signals just how much he values the relationship. The meeting with Putin will give the Chinese leader a chance to look like a global statesman, playing well to a home audience.

Russia also provides much-needed backing for China’s agenda. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last month in defiance of China’s claims to the self-ruled democracy, the Kremlin was quick to support Beijing’s stance, describing the trip as “provocative” and pledging “absolute solidarity with China.”

But China has tied itself to a war that has so far backfired for Russia. Any serious weakening of Putin’s dominance in Russia could hurt Beijing’s position at a time when the leadership is dealing with the political and economic fallout from its strict COVID-19 policies.

The question confronting China is whether to double down or let Russia navigate the setbacks on its own. Both strategies carry risks, and most experts expect China to choose a middle path of continued economic support without openly circumventing sanctions or providing outright military assistance.

China, which has avoided describing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a war, appears to be tempering its bets. When Xi’s second-highest-ranking deputy, Li Zhanshu, met with Putin in Russia last week, Chinese state media emphasized the two countries’ shared admiration but steered clear of overt advocacy for Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

China’s official Xinhua News Agency said Li has told Putin that, “political mutual trust, strategic coordination and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries have reached an unprecedented level.”

Xinhua made no mention of Ukraine, even as Russian state media claimed Beijing backed the invasion, portraying Li as having said that China “understands and supports Russia” particularly “on the situation in Ukraine.”

“China keeps avoiding military involvement in any degree in Russia’s war and will continue to do so, especially when the Russians have been in a drastic failure situation in the field,” said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. “China’s diplomatic and political support or sympathy will not really help them, though dramatic purchases of their energy since April help a little non-militarily.”

Putin, who describes his war as part of a battle against nefarious Western powers that threaten Russia’s very existence, appears to find China’s middle ground vexing. He suggested as much last week in describing the long-running negotiations for a new pipeline that could allow Russia to export more Siberian natural gas to China rather than Europe — a matter of critical importance to Moscow as Europe rushes to reduce energy imports from Russia.

“Our Chinese friends are tough bargainers,” Putin said at a conference in the Russian port city of Vladivostok focused on increasing economic ties with Asia. “Naturally, they proceed from their national interests in any deal, which is the only way to go.”

Putin will go into the meeting with Xi looking to China as a lifeline at perhaps Russia’s most tenuous moment since the invasion began in February. Russian forces have recently lost more than 1,000 square miles of territory in Ukraine, creating new political headwinds for Putin — even from some of his longtime supporters, now frustrated by Russia’s bumbling war effort.

At this week’s meeting, Putin hopes to close a deal for the natural gas pipeline. Russia also needs access to China’s high-tech exports and Chinese currency to pay for those goods, since Russia’s access to dollars is severely restricted.

“China has more leverage than Russia,” said Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

As Western countries shun Moscow, it is the expanding ties with China that Putin points to most as proof that Russia cannot be isolated. It is a relationship to which Putin has devoted enormous effort, one that accelerated after relations with the West took a dive following Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014.

The honor of meeting Xi in person is sure to be extolled by Russia’s state media as evidence of Putin’s continued acumen on the world stage. “Our relations have reached unprecedented heights,” Putin said at the Vladivostok conference.

The century-old relationship between the two nations is steeped in ideology and history. Moscow was crucial to the Chinese Communist Party’s founding, early survival and eventual victory in 1949 in China’s Civil War. Relatively close relations have continued, although they were interrupted by a rift in the 1960s so serious that the two countries fought border skirmishes.

Xi has a long-standing connection to Russia and Putin, whom he has met with 38 times. The Chinese leader’s father, Xi Zhongxun, a leading party figure in the 1950s, oversaw Soviet experts who came to China to help build the country’s heavy industry after the civil war, said Joseph Torigian, the author of an upcoming biography on the elder Xi.

Xi’s father visited Moscow, full of admiration. “He brought back mementos from Russia,” Torigian said, “that Xi Jinping later recalled.”

A week after he became China’s president in March 2013, Xi chose Russia for his first trip abroad and hinted in a speech there that the two countries would work together against the West.

“Currently, China and Russia are both in important periods of national revival, and bilateral relations have entered a new stage,” Xi said.

China now has the upper hand in the relationship, given its economic and military might. China’s economy was 10 times the size of Russia’s last year, before the war in Ukraine. From May through July, China bought record amounts of Russian oil at a deep discount and imported more Russian natural gas and coal.

Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, announced last week that China’s payments for gas from one pipeline would no longer be made in dollars or euros, but in Russian rubles and Chinese yuan. Such deals make it easier for Russia to bypass Western banks and buy Chinese goods that are similar to high-tech Western products under export restrictions.

While China has sold many cars and other products that do not use Western technology to Russia, it appears to have avoided the riskier activity of reselling advanced Western technology. China appears to have refrained so far this year from shipping weapons to Russia, forcing Moscow to ask Iran and North Korea for military equipment.

China’s military has a long history of training with its Russian counterparts. Last week, China sent more than 2,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers, 21 combat aircraft and three warships to participate in joint military exercises in eastern Russia.

It was the first time that China had sent air, land and naval forces to participate in the major military exercise, which Putin personally oversaw.

But Xi is unlikely to tie his country more closely to Russia than he did in February, when he declared the limitless friendship.

“I don’t really expect any sort of new statement to be made by Xi Jinping that would be perceived as more strategic support for Russia,” said Li Mingjiang, a specialist in China’s international relations at the National University of Singapore, “nor would I expect China to walk back from what has been said.”

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

The summit this week between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China is a show of force by two autocratic leaders united against what they consider American hegemony.

The summit this week between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China is a show of force by two autocratic leaders united against what they consider American hegemony. It is also a moment of mutual weakness as Russia suffers losses in Ukraine and China endures an economic slowdown. They come to the meeting, expected to take place later this week in Uzbekistan, with their own agendas and their own challenges that will test an important relationship both have described as a friendship with “no limits.” Moscow needs Beijing. Russia’s recent routs on the battlefields of Ukraine, coupled with the broad damage inflicted by Western sanctions, have made Chinese support all the more important. China has emerged as a major buyer of Russian commodities, purchases that have helped replenish Moscow’s coffers. Beijing, though, remains cautious. It wants to project strength in the increasingly acrimonious competition with the United States and can’t afford for its main partner in an authoritarian alliance to face a humiliating defeat. But providing substantial, additional help to Russia, either economically or militarily, risks running afoul of Western sanctions and imperiling China’s economy. “Xi’s China has been carrying out an exquisite tightrope walk with regard to Russia,” said Rana Mitter, a professor of history and politics at Oxford University. “It is keen to show support for Russia in general, but finds active support for an invasion too politically embarrassing to contemplate and wants Moscow to resolve matters one way or another.” Image matters for Xi as he prepares to secure a third term at a pivotal Communist Party congress in Beijing next month. His trip this week, during which he will attend a regional summit in Uzbekistan and visit Kazakhstan, marks the first time Xi has traveled abroad since the start of the pandemic and signals just how much he values the relationship. The meeting with Putin will give the Chinese leader a chance to look like a global statesman, playing well to a home audience. Russia also provides much-needed backing for China’s agenda. When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan last month in defiance of China’s claims to the self-ruled democracy, the Kremlin was quick to support Beijing’s stance, describing the trip as “provocative” and pledging “absolute solidarity with China.” But China has tied itself to a war that has so far backfired for Russia. Any serious weakening of Putin’s dominance in Russia could hurt Beijing’s position at a time when the leadership is dealing with the political and economic fallout from its strict COVID-19 policies. The question confronting China is whether to double down or let Russia navigate the setbacks on its own. Both strategies carry risks, and most experts expect China to choose a middle path of continued economic support without openly circumventing sanctions or providing outright military assistance. China, which has avoided describing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a war, appears to be tempering its bets. When Xi’s second-highest-ranking deputy, Li Zhanshu, met with Putin in Russia last week, Chinese state media emphasized the two countries’ shared admiration but steered clear of overt advocacy for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. China’s official Xinhua News Agency said Li has told Putin that, “political mutual trust, strategic coordination and pragmatic cooperation between the two countries have reached an unprecedented level.” Xinhua made no mention of Ukraine, even as Russian state media claimed Beijing backed the invasion, portraying Li as having said that China “understands and supports Russia” particularly “on the situation in Ukraine.” “China keeps avoiding military involvement in any degree in Russia’s war and will continue to do so, especially when the Russians have been in a drastic failure situation in the field,” said Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Renmin University in Beijing. “China’s diplomatic and political support or sympathy will not really help them, though dramatic purchases of their energy since April help a little non-militarily.” Putin, who describes his war as part of a battle against nefarious Western powers that threaten Russia’s very existence, appears to find China’s middle ground vexing. He suggested as much last week in describing the long-running negotiations for a new pipeline that could allow Russia to export more Siberian natural gas to China rather than Europe — a matter of critical importance to Moscow as Europe rushes to reduce energy imports from Russia. “Our Chinese friends are tough bargainers,” Putin said at a conference in the Russian port city of Vladivostok focused on increasing economic ties with Asia. “Naturally, they proceed from their national interests in any deal, which is the only way to go.” Putin will go into the meeting with Xi looking to China as a lifeline at perhaps Russia’s most tenuous moment since the invasion began in February. Russian forces have recently lost more than 1,000 square miles of territory in Ukraine, creating new political headwinds for Putin — even from some of his longtime supporters, now frustrated by Russia’s bumbling war effort. At this week’s meeting, Putin hopes to close a deal for the natural gas pipeline. Russia also needs access to China’s high-tech exports and Chinese currency to pay for those goods, since Russia’s access to dollars is severely restricted. “China has more leverage than Russia,” said Alexander Gabuev, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. As Western countries shun Moscow, it is the expanding ties with China that Putin points to most as proof that Russia cannot be isolated. It is a relationship to which Putin has devoted enormous effort, one that accelerated after relations with the West took a dive following Russia’s annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in 2014. The honor of meeting Xi in person is sure to be extolled by Russia’s state media as evidence of Putin’s continued acumen on the world stage. “Our relations have reached unprecedented heights,” Putin said at the Vladivostok conference. The century-old relationship between the two nations is steeped in ideology and history. Moscow was crucial to the Chinese Communist Party’s founding, early survival and eventual victory in 1949 in China’s Civil War. Relatively close relations have continued, although they were interrupted by a rift in the 1960s so serious that the two countries fought border skirmishes. Xi has a long-standing connection to Russia and Putin, whom he has met with 38 times. The Chinese leader’s father, Xi Zhongxun, a leading party figure in the 1950s, oversaw Soviet experts who came to China to help build the country’s heavy industry after the civil war, said Joseph Torigian, the author of an upcoming biography on the elder Xi. Xi’s father visited Moscow, full of admiration. “He brought back mementos from Russia,” Torigian said, “that Xi Jinping later recalled.” A week after he became China’s president in March 2013, Xi chose Russia for his first trip abroad and hinted in a speech there that the two countries would work together against the West. “Currently, China and Russia are both in important periods of national revival, and bilateral relations have entered a new stage,” Xi said. China now has the upper hand in the relationship, given its economic and military might. China’s economy was 10 times the size of Russia’s last year, before the war in Ukraine. From May through July, China bought record amounts of Russian oil at a deep discount and imported more Russian natural gas and coal. Gazprom, the Russian gas giant, announced last week that China’s payments for gas from one pipeline would no longer be made in dollars or euros, but in Russian rubles and Chinese yuan. Such deals make it easier for Russia to bypass Western banks and buy Chinese goods that are similar to high-tech Western products under export restrictions. While China has sold many cars and other products that do not use Western technology to Russia, it appears to have avoided the riskier activity of reselling advanced Western technology. China appears to have refrained so far this year from shipping weapons to Russia, forcing Moscow to ask Iran and North Korea for military equipment. China’s military has a long history of training with its Russian counterparts. Last week, China sent more than 2,000 People’s Liberation Army soldiers, 21 combat aircraft and three warships to participate in joint military exercises in eastern Russia. It was the first time that China had sent air, land and naval forces to participate in the major military exercise, which Putin personally oversaw. But Xi is unlikely to tie his country more closely to Russia than he did in February, when he declared the limitless friendship. “I don’t really expect any sort of new statement to be made by Xi Jinping that would be perceived as more strategic support for Russia,” said Li Mingjiang, a specialist in China’s international relations at the National University of Singapore, “nor would I expect China to walk back from what has been said.” 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.

Challenges for Russia and China test a 'no-limits' friendship

Former United States president Donald Trump was spotted playing golf on Monday (September 12). The images from the Virginia golf course went viral.&nbsp;

In the images, Trump can be seen touring the grounds of the Sterling property. Brad Enie, who is Trump's director of grounds for the club, can also be seen in the pictures and videos that surfaced on social media platforms. &nbsp;

The purpose of the visit is not clear, but the images appear to show that he was probably inspecting or giving a tour of his club's golf course.&nbsp;

ALSP READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-shareholders-accept-elon-musks-44-billion-acquisition-proposal-515961">Twitter shareholders accept Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition proposal</a>&nbsp;

He wrote on Truth Social, "Working today at @TrumpWashingtonDC on the Potomac River. What an incredible place!"&nbsp;

When reports emerged that Trump was flying to the DC area, they sparked rumours and speculations over the visit.&nbsp;

There's an evident curiosity among people over the unexpected and unannounced visit to the nation's capital, Washington, DC.&nbsp;

After his scandalous departure from office in January 2021, Trump has only visited Washington DC once.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-it-shot-down-iranian-made-drone-used-by-russia-in-kharkiv-516025">Ukraine says it shot down Iranian-made drone used by Russia in Kharkiv - see pictures</a>&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This smacks of wanting to have a conversation where they feel safe the feds aren’t listening. <a href="https://t.co/fnDV7SOpLS">https://t.co/fnDV7SOpLS</a>
— Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelpfreeman/status/1569440180490346498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mobsters <a href="https://t.co/7zVnLYezAL">pic.twitter.com/7zVnLYezAL</a>
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeidasTouch/status/1569442089846583296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It’s time to re-evaluate whether or not golf is a sport <a href="https://t.co/B85s8nqyCp">pic.twitter.com/B85s8nqyCp</a>
— connectpoliticditto. (@cpoliticditto) <a href="https://twitter.com/cpoliticditto/status/1569414373289984007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
That’s a private meeting, not a golf game, today in rainy Sterling, VA. <a href="https://twitter.com/AP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AP</a> photos blown up. Who is with him and why no golf clubs? 🤔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpinDC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpinDC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpMeltdown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpMeltdown</a> <a href="https://t.co/ziWkTer0Ar">pic.twitter.com/ziWkTer0Ar</a>
— FloridaKaren (@KarenInSoFlo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarenInSoFlo/status/1569361637001547777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
That’s a private meeting, not a golf game, today in rainy Sterling, VA. <a href="https://twitter.com/AP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AP</a> photos blown up. Who is with him and why no golf clubs? 🤔<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpinDC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpinDC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpMeltdown?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpMeltdown</a> <a href="https://t.co/ziWkTer0Ar">pic.twitter.com/ziWkTer0Ar</a>
— FloridaKaren (@KarenInSoFlo) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarenInSoFlo/status/1569361637001547777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

WATCH |&nbsp;Justice Dept issues 40 subpoenas to former US President Donald Trump for tampering with election&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/justice-dept-issues-40-subpoenas-to-former-us-president-donald-trump-for-tampering-with-election-515897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Now, the users are weighing in on the surprise visit. Some theories suggest Trump may be in DC to avoid being arrested by the Department of Justice. Some say he is to receive medical treatment at Walter Reed. There is no official statement on the same.&nbsp;

Reports have claimed that the former president might get indicted in relation to the January 6 attack and his apparent move to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.&nbsp;

Trouble mounted for Trump as the FBI is probing his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The investigation accelerated dramatically when Trump revealed on August 8 that the FBI had raided his home.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

Former United States president Donald Trump was spotted playing golf on Monday (September 12). The images from the Virginia golf course went viral. In the images, Trump can be seen touring the grounds of the Sterling property.

Former United States president Donald Trump was spotted playing golf on Monday (September 12). The images from the Virginia golf course went viral. In the images, Trump can be seen touring the grounds of the Sterling property. Brad Enie, who is Trump's director of grounds for the club, can also be seen in the pictures and videos that surfaced on social media platforms. The purpose of the visit is not clear, but the images appear to show that he was probably inspecting or giving a tour of his club's golf course. ALSP READ | Twitter shareholders accept Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition proposal He wrote on Truth Social, "Working today at @TrumpWashingtonDC on the Potomac River. What an incredible place!" When reports emerged that Trump was flying to the DC area, they sparked rumours and speculations over the visit. There's an evident curiosity among people over the unexpected and unannounced visit to the nation's capital, Washington, DC. After his scandalous departure from office in January 2021, Trump has only visited Washington DC once. ALSO READ | Ukraine says it shot down Iranian-made drone used by Russia in Kharkiv - see pictures This smacks of wanting to have a conversation where they feel safe the feds aren’t listening. https://t.co/fnDV7SOpLS — Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) September 12, 2022 × Mobsters pic.twitter.com/7zVnLYezAL — MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) September 12, 2022 × It’s time to re-evaluate whether or not golf is a sport pic.twitter.com/B85s8nqyCp — connectpoliticditto. (@cpoliticditto) September 12, 2022 × That’s a private meeting, not a golf game, today in rainy Sterling, VA. @AP photos blown up. Who is with him and why no golf clubs? 🤔#TrumpinDC #TrumpMeltdown pic.twitter.com/ziWkTer0Ar — FloridaKaren (@KarenInSoFlo) September 12, 2022 × That’s a private meeting, not a golf game, today in rainy Sterling, VA. @AP photos blown up. Who is with him and why no golf clubs? 🤔#TrumpinDC #TrumpMeltdown pic.twitter.com/ziWkTer0Ar — FloridaKaren (@KarenInSoFlo) September 12, 2022 × WATCH | Justice Dept issues 40 subpoenas to former US President Donald Trump for tampering with election × Now, the users are weighing in on the surprise visit. Some theories suggest Trump may be in DC to avoid being arrested by the Department of Justice. Some say he is to receive medical treatment at Walter Reed. There is no official statement on the same. Reports have claimed that the former president might get indicted in relation to the January 6 attack and his apparent move to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Trouble mounted for Trump as the FBI is probing his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The investigation accelerated dramatically when Trump revealed on August 8 that the FBI had raided his home. 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.

Donald Trump's unannounced visit to Washington DC sparks rumours

The US Marshals Service informed on Monday (September 5) that a military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, widely known as "Fat Leonard" has escaped house arrest in San Diego.

The US Marshals Service informed on Monday (September 5) that a military contractor Leonard Glenn Francis, widely known as "Fat Leonard" has escaped house arrest in San Diego. Francis is at the centre of a major US Navy bribery scandal and his escape is apparently an embarrassment for the US Marshals Service and other law enforcement agencies. Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Omar Castillo told AFP in a statement: "Leonard Francis cut off his GPS monitoring ankle bracelet Sunday morning." Francis, who is a Malaysian businessman, escaped ahead of his impending sentencing on September 22. He ran a military contracting company out of Singapore. In 2015, he pleaded guilty to offering some $500,000 in bribes to Navy officers. The bribe was given to steer official work to his shipyards, carrying out work on US vessels. He was arrested in 2013. The prosecutors have said that his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, overcharged the Navy by an estimated $35 million. The scandal is known as "Fat Leonard". The official said that police were sent to his San Diego residence on Sunday after the agency monitoring his ankle bracelet reported a problem with the device. "Upon arrival, they noticed that nobody was home. They then notified US Marshals who went to the house and verified that he was no longer there. As of now multiple leads are being investigated," Castillo said. A report by the San Diego Union-Tribune mentioned that the cut-off GPS bracelet was found in the house, while neighbours said they had seen U-Haul moving trucks coming and going at the property in the days leading up to his escape. 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.

'Fat Leonard': Military contractor at centre of US Navy bribery scandal escapes house arrest

A detailed list of documents, which were seized during the former United States president Donald Trump's Florida estate search, has been released by US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday (September 2).&nbsp;

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents recovered multiple documents, including those marked "secret" and "top secret" during the Mar-a-Lago search.&nbsp;

As per the newly unsealed Justice Department inventory, the FBI's search also retrieved more than 10,000 US government documents and photographs without classification markings.&nbsp;

The court filing, seen by US media outlets, also shows that more than 40 empty folders with "classified" banners on them were found by the investigators at Mar-a-Lago.&nbsp;

Reports have mentioned that almost four dozen empty folders marked "Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide" were also found during the search.&nbsp;

It is said that in Trump's office and a storage room, &nbsp;the documents and photos without classification markings were found in boxes and containers. Although, there is no confirmation over how many were documents and how many were photos.&nbsp;

As per the inventory, one box&nbsp;contained "99 magazines/newspapers/press articles" and some&nbsp;other boxes with "classified" documents also had press clippings, articles of clothing and gifts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Joe Biden warns equality &amp; democracy under assault in the US&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/joe-biden-warns-equality-democracy-under-assault-in-the-us-512456/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Trump's legal team argued in court for the first time Thursday about the search of his Florida residence for government secrets removed from the White House. They asked for an independent watchdog to review the documents seized last month by FBI agents.&nbsp;

Trump is currently being probed for his potential mishandling of classified materials. The investigation is linked to the documents that Trump allegedly removed from the White House when his presidential term was ending in January 2021.

Recently, US President Joe&nbsp;Biden condemned "Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and the MAGA Republicans" in a speech on Thursday night, calling their "extremism" a threat to democracy.

Responding to that, the Republicans have criticised the speech as divisive.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

A detailed list of documents, which were seized during the former United States president Donald Trump's Florida estate search, has been released by US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday (September 2).

A detailed list of documents, which were seized during the former United States president Donald Trump's Florida estate search, has been released by US District Judge Aileen Cannon on Friday (September 2). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents recovered multiple documents, including those marked "secret" and "top secret" during the Mar-a-Lago search. As per the newly unsealed Justice Department inventory, the FBI's search also retrieved more than 10,000 US government documents and photographs without classification markings. The court filing, seen by US media outlets, also shows that more than 40 empty folders with "classified" banners on them were found by the investigators at Mar-a-Lago. Reports have mentioned that almost four dozen empty folders marked "Return to Staff Secretary/Military Aide" were also found during the search. It is said that in Trump's office and a storage room, the documents and photos without classification markings were found in boxes and containers. Although, there is no confirmation over how many were documents and how many were photos. As per the inventory, one box contained "99 magazines/newspapers/press articles" and some other boxes with "classified" documents also had press clippings, articles of clothing and gifts. WATCH | Joe Biden warns equality & democracy under assault in the US × Trump's legal team argued in court for the first time Thursday about the search of his Florida residence for government secrets removed from the White House. They asked for an independent watchdog to review the documents seized last month by FBI agents. Trump is currently being probed for his potential mishandling of classified materials. The investigation is linked to the documents that Trump allegedly removed from the White House when his presidential term was ending in January 2021. Recently, US President Joe Biden condemned "Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans" in a speech on Thursday night, calling their "extremism" a threat to democracy. Responding to that, the Republicans have criticised the speech as divisive. (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.

US court releases detailed list of materials seized from Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home

There are signs that former United States president Donald Trump's social media platform Truth Social is in financial trouble with a modest following six months after it was launched.&nbsp;

A report by FOX Business stated that the platform is facing a bitter battle with one of its vendors. As per the claims mentioned in the report, Truth Social is stiffing the company out of more than $1 million in contractually obligated payments.&nbsp;

However, there isn't any official comment on ṭhe same by the platform's parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-justice-department-releases-redacted-affidavit-on-search-of-trumps-mar-a-lago-house-510482">US Justice Department releases redacted affidavit on search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago house</a>&nbsp;

The report by FOX Business further added, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter, that the claims suggest that Truth Social is facing significant financial trouble.&nbsp;

The sources also mentioned that the internet infrastructure company RightForge is said to be among Truth Social’s largest vendors and creditors.&nbsp;

WATCH | Zuckerberg admits limiting Hunter Biden's laptop story&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/zuckerberg-admits-limiting-hunter-bidens-laptop-story-510456/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

With Truth Social, Trump's social media presence was also restored more than a year after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook and Alphabet Inc's YouTube after January 6, 2021, US Capitol riots. Trump was accused of posting messages online to incite violence.&nbsp;

One can understand by comparison as Trump's account on Truth Social has 3.91 million followers; on Twitter he had 79.5 million when he was banned.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

There are signs that former United States president Donald Trump's social media platform Truth Social is in financial trouble with a modest following six months after it was launched.

There are signs that former United States president Donald Trump's social media platform Truth Social is in financial trouble with a modest following six months after it was launched. A report by FOX Business stated that the platform is facing a bitter battle with one of its vendors. As per the claims mentioned in the report, Truth Social is stiffing the company out of more than $1 million in contractually obligated payments. However, there isn't any official comment on ṭhe same by the platform's parent company, Trump Media and Technology Group. ALSO READ | US Justice Department releases redacted affidavit on search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago house The report by FOX Business further added, citing people with direct knowledge of the matter, that the claims suggest that Truth Social is facing significant financial trouble. The sources also mentioned that the internet infrastructure company RightForge is said to be among Truth Social’s largest vendors and creditors. WATCH | Zuckerberg admits limiting Hunter Biden's laptop story × With Truth Social, Trump's social media presence was also restored more than a year after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook and Alphabet Inc's YouTube after January 6, 2021, US Capitol riots. Trump was accused of posting messages online to incite violence. One can understand by comparison as Trump's account on Truth Social has 3.91 million followers; on Twitter he had 79.5 million when he was banned. 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.

Is Donald Trump's social media platform in financial trouble?

As per the workers' group Starbucks Workers United, more than 85 workers at Starbucks have been fired over the past several months, The Guardian reported. What's alarming is that the report mentioned that these workers were heavily involved in union organising efforts at the giant coffee chain.&nbsp;

Multiple unfair labour practice charges have been filed, the report mentioned. It also says that seven workers in Memphis and Tennessee were reinstated after a federal judge recently ordered. Reportedly, those workers were fired in February.&nbsp;

US media reported that those seven workers were fired following an in-store media interview about the store's organising. Starbucks Workers United claimed that this was all in retaliation for the union drive.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shinzo-abes-assassination-japan-police-chief-itaru-nakamura-to-resign-cites-fresh-start-510195">Shinzo Abe's assassination: Japan police chief Itaru Nakamura to resign, cites 'fresh start'</a>&nbsp;

On the contrary, Starbucks said the incident violated company policy.&nbsp;

NPR report published on August 18 stated US District Judge Sheryl Lipman said that Starbucks failed to prove that it enforced similar company policies elsewhere and in similar situations.&nbsp;

The Guardian quoted a worker who worked at Starbucks in Augusta, Georgia. Jaysin Saxton, who was fired on August 16, described the treatment.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-may-face-age-quake-as-fertility-rate-hits-record-low-in-2021-510176">South Korea may face 'age quake' as fertility rate hits record low in 2021</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by the report, Saxton said that workers received intense scrutiny and disciplinary measures after a new manager was brought into the store a couple of months ago.&nbsp;

"That's when everything went downhill. They started writing people up a lot, ranging from documented coachings and final written warnings so workers couldn’t transfer or be promoted," said Saxton as quoted by the report.&nbsp;

“They surveil us. It's insane. They just created this intense culture of fear in the store and are trying to push us all out. I expressed to my district manager that I was being treated as the stereotypical angry black man,” said Saxton over how he was treated by managers for trying to address issues and grievances workers were experiencing in the store," he added.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<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>

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>.

As per the workers' group Starbucks Workers United, more than 85 workers at Starbucks have been fired over the past several months, The Guardian reported. What's alarming is that the report mentioned that these workers were heavily involved in union organising efforts at the giant coffee chain.

As per the workers' group Starbucks Workers United, more than 85 workers at Starbucks have been fired over the past several months, The Guardian reported. What's alarming is that the report mentioned that these workers were heavily involved in union organising efforts at the giant coffee chain. Multiple unfair labour practice charges have been filed, the report mentioned. It also says that seven workers in Memphis and Tennessee were reinstated after a federal judge recently ordered. Reportedly, those workers were fired in February. US media reported that those seven workers were fired following an in-store media interview about the store's organising. Starbucks Workers United claimed that this was all in retaliation for the union drive. ALSO READ | Shinzo Abe's assassination: Japan police chief Itaru Nakamura to resign, cites 'fresh start' On the contrary, Starbucks said the incident violated company policy. NPR report published on August 18 stated US District Judge Sheryl Lipman said that Starbucks failed to prove that it enforced similar company policies elsewhere and in similar situations. The Guardian quoted a worker who worked at Starbucks in Augusta, Georgia. Jaysin Saxton, who was fired on August 16, described the treatment. ALSO READ | South Korea may face 'age quake' as fertility rate hits record low in 2021 As quoted by the report, Saxton said that workers received intense scrutiny and disciplinary measures after a new manager was brought into the store a couple of months ago. "That's when everything went downhill. They started writing people up a lot, ranging from documented coachings and final written warnings so workers couldn’t transfer or be promoted," said Saxton as quoted by the report. “They surveil us. It's insane. They just created this intense culture of fear in the store and are trying to push us all out. I expressed to my district manager that I was being treated as the stereotypical angry black man,” said Saxton over how he was treated by managers for trying to address issues and grievances workers were experiencing in the store," he added. 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.

'Intense culture of fear': Starbucks reportedly fires workers involved in union efforts

Charles Dickens Imene Oliha, a diplomat to the United Nations avoided a rape charge in New York City because of diplomatic immunity, the New York Daily News reported.&nbsp;

As per the report, the 46-year-old is a career diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan. He is reportedly accused of making a pass at a woman, who was out walking a friend’s dog in upper Manhattan.&nbsp;

She rejected his advances. But the woman said that he forced his way into her apartment and raped her twice. This happened at 11pm (local time) last Sunday.&nbsp;

The news report also mentioned that the man lives in the same apartment as the woman.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paul-pelosi-husband-of-us-house-speaker-nancy-pelosi-pleads-guilty-to-drunk-driving-charge-509791">Paul Pelosi, husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pleads guilty to drunk driving charge</a>&nbsp;

It is understood that the incident was not immediately reported. The report mentioned that the woman reported the alleged rape to local police several hours after the a convinced her.&nbsp; 
The victim also said she was in shock.&nbsp;

Later, she went to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights to undergo medical tests.&nbsp;

After the police complaint was filed, Oliha was taken into custody, but he was released after the police verified his diplomatic status. The officials stated that they were investigating Oliha.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-un-condemns-cages-put-up-in-mariupol-concert-hall-for-prisoners-of-war-509738">Ukraine war: UN condemns cages put up in Mariupol concert hall for prisoners of war</a>&nbsp;

The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner Julian Phillips said, “This remains an ongoing investigation”. He noted that it was a “state department matter”.&nbsp;

Commenting on the arrest and the subsequent release of Oliha, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams said that an investigation was underway. He also added that “sexual assault of any kind should never be tolerated”.&nbsp;

Stéphane Dujarric, who is a spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said: “We are aware of this report, which is very concerning. Any case of alleged sexual assault needs to be fully investigated. This particular case involves a member of the Permanent Mission of South Sudan who is not a staff member of the United Nations. This is a bilateral issue between South Sudan and the US authorities.”&nbsp;

Dujarric added. “We will continue to follow the situation.”&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE&nbsp;

<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>

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>.

Charles Dickens Imene Oliha, a diplomat to the United Nations avoided a rape charge in New York City because of diplomatic immunity, the New York Daily News reported.

Charles Dickens Imene Oliha, a diplomat to the United Nations avoided a rape charge in New York City because of diplomatic immunity, the New York Daily News reported. As per the report, the 46-year-old is a career diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in South Sudan. He is reportedly accused of making a pass at a woman, who was out walking a friend’s dog in upper Manhattan. She rejected his advances. But the woman said that he forced his way into her apartment and raped her twice. This happened at 11pm (local time) last Sunday. The news report also mentioned that the man lives in the same apartment as the woman. ALSO READ | Paul Pelosi, husband of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, pleads guilty to drunk driving charge It is understood that the incident was not immediately reported. The report mentioned that the woman reported the alleged rape to local police several hours after the a convinced her. The victim also said she was in shock. Later, she went to the New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Washington Heights to undergo medical tests. After the police complaint was filed, Oliha was taken into custody, but he was released after the police verified his diplomatic status. The officials stated that they were investigating Oliha. ALSO READ | Ukraine war: UN condemns cages put up in Mariupol concert hall for prisoners of war The NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner Julian Phillips said, “This remains an ongoing investigation”. He noted that it was a “state department matter”. Commenting on the arrest and the subsequent release of Oliha, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams said that an investigation was underway. He also added that “sexual assault of any kind should never be tolerated”. Stéphane Dujarric, who is a spokesman for the UN secretary-general, said: “We are aware of this report, which is very concerning. Any case of alleged sexual assault needs to be fully investigated. This particular case involves a member of the Permanent Mission of South Sudan who is not a staff member of the United Nations. This is a bilateral issue between South Sudan and the US authorities.” Dujarric added. “We will continue to follow the situation.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: UN diplomat accused of raping a woman. He was arrested but released after claiming immunity

Officials in Florida said that an elderly woman was killed by two alligators in a pond near her home after she fell into the water.

According to a statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff's office, the woman was seen falling into a pond along the course at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood at approximately 7:47 pm.

Authorities believe that although the woman "struggled to stay afloat", the alligators grabbed her and killed her.

Following the horrific incident, a trapper from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) removed the alligators from the pond.

In a similar incident, Sean Thomas McGuinness, a 47-year-old man's arm was torn off in May and he was found dead in John S. Taylor Park in Largo.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mexican-mayor-marries-his-alligator-bride-in-a-ritual-493781/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In 2022, alligators have already taken the lives of multiple people even though their bites are relatively rare as per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Over the last 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that required serious medical attention, according to the commission.

It said in a statement that "The likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1 million."

The commission added that only 26 people have been killed by alligator bites in Florida from 1948 to 2021.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch WION's live TV here:

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><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></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Officials in Florida said that an elderly woman was killed by two alligators in a pond near her home after she fell into the water. According to a statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff's office, the woman was seen falling into a pond along the course at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood at approximately 7:47 pm.

Officials in Florida said that an elderly woman was killed by two alligators in a pond near her home after she fell into the water. According to a statement from the Sarasota County Sheriff's office, the woman was seen falling into a pond along the course at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood at approximately 7:47 pm. Authorities believe that although the woman "struggled to stay afloat", the alligators grabbed her and killed her. Following the horrific incident, a trapper from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) removed the alligators from the pond. In a similar incident, Sean Thomas McGuinness, a 47-year-old man's arm was torn off in May and he was found dead in John S. Taylor Park in Largo. × In 2022, alligators have already taken the lives of multiple people even though their bites are relatively rare as per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Over the last 10 years, Florida has averaged eight unprovoked bites per year that required serious medical attention, according to the commission. It said in a statement that "The likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident in Florida is roughly only one in 3.1 million." The commission added that only 26 people have been killed by alligator bites in Florida from 1948 to 2021. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Florida: After falling into pond, elderly woman killed by two alligators

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday released a report alleging that top Trump administration officials awarded a $700 million pandemic relief loan to a struggling trucking company in 2020 over the objections of career officials at the Defense Department.

The report, released by the Democratic staff of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, describes the role of corporate lobbyists during the early months of the pandemic in helping to secure government funds as trillions of dollars of relief money were being pumped into the economy. It also suggests that senior officials such as Steven Mnuchin, the former Treasury secretary, and Mark Esper, the former defense secretary, intervened to ensure that the trucking company, Yellow Corp., received special treatment despite concerns about its eligibility to receive relief funds.

“Today’s select subcommittee staff report reveals yet another example of the Trump administration disregarding their obligation to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the chairman of the subcommittee, said in a statement. “Political appointees risked hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds against the recommendations of career DOD officials and in clear disregard of provisions of the CARES Act intended to protect national security and American taxpayers.”

The $2.2 trillion pandemic relief package Congress passed in 2020 included a $17 billion pot of money set up by Congress and controlled by the Treasury Department to assist companies that were considered critical to national security. In July 2020, the Treasury Department announced it was giving a $700 million loan to the trucking company YRC Worldwide, which has since changed its name to Yellow.

Lobbyists for Yellow had been in close touch with White House officials throughout the loan process and had discussed how the company employs teamsters as its drivers, according to the report.

Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, was a “key actor” coordinating with Yellow’s lobbyists, according to correspondences that the committee obtained. The report also noted that the White House’s political operation was “almost giddy” in its effort to assist with the application.

The loan raised immediate questions from watchdog groups because of the company’s close ties to the Trump administration and because it had faced years of financial and legal turmoil. The firm had lost more than $100 million in 2019 and was being sued by the Justice Department over claims that it had defrauded the federal government for a seven-year period. It recently agreed to pay $6.85 million to resolve allegations “that they knowingly presented false claims to the U.S. Department of Defense by systematically overcharging for freight carrier services and making false statements to hide their misconduct.”

To qualify for a national security loan, a company needed certification by the Defense Department.

According to the report, defense officials had recommended against certification because of the accusations that the company had overcharged the government. They also noted that the work that the company had been doing for the federal government — which included shipping meal kits, protective equipment and other supplies to military bases — could be replaced by other trucking firms.

But the day after a defense official notified a Treasury official that the company would not be certified, one of Mnuchin’s aides set up a telephone call between him and Esper.

Following the call, Esper certified that the company was critical to national security and a week later the approval of the loan was announced.

Mnuchin then sent an email to Meadows that included news reports praising the loan. He highlighted positive comments from James Hoffa, the longtime president of the Teamsters union, who according to documents in the report made a direct plea to President Donald Trump about the loan.

Mnuchin and Esper declined to comment.

At a congressional oversight hearing before leaving office in late 2020, Mnuchin said the loan was appropriate and necessary for saving jobs and maintaining trucking services to the Defense Department. Lawmakers from both parties, such as Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Pat Roberts, the Republican former senator from Kansas, had sent letters to Mnuchin urging him to consider the loan application.

Yellow had many connections to the Trump administration. The company had financial backing from Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm with close ties to administration officials. Trump had selected the company’s CEO, Darren Hawkins, to serve on a coronavirus economic task force. And he had nominated the company’s former CEO, William Zollars, to the U.S. Postal Service’s board of governors.

The report accuses Yellow of misrepresenting its business to help secure the loan. It claimed to provide a larger share of trucking services to the Defense Department than the department assessed. Communications included in the report also showed a company executive discussing using funds to catch up on capital investments when the relief money was supposed to be used for offsetting losses from the pandemic. The executive said the company had its “hand in the cookie jar.”

Along with the release of the report, Clyburn sent a letter to the Treasury Department’s inspector general asking for an investigation into whether Yellow had violated the False Claims Act.

A law firm representing Yellow sent a letter to Clyburn before the release of the report defending the company’s actions and describing many of the allegations as “baseless.” The letter noted that company had settled its dispute with the government last month.

The letter, which was written by Marc E. Kasowitz, who was previously Trump’s personal attorney, was provided to The New York Times by Heather Nauert, an adviser to Yellow who was previously a spokesperson for Mike Pompeo, Trump’s secretary of state.

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday released a report alleging that top Trump administration officials awarded a $700 million pandemic relief loan to a struggling trucking company in 2020 over the objections of career officials at the Defense Department.

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday released a report alleging that top Trump administration officials awarded a $700 million pandemic relief loan to a struggling trucking company in 2020 over the objections of career officials at the Defense Department. The report, released by the Democratic staff of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, describes the role of corporate lobbyists during the early months of the pandemic in helping to secure government funds as trillions of dollars of relief money were being pumped into the economy. It also suggests that senior officials such as Steven Mnuchin, the former Treasury secretary, and Mark Esper, the former defense secretary, intervened to ensure that the trucking company, Yellow Corp., received special treatment despite concerns about its eligibility to receive relief funds. “Today’s select subcommittee staff report reveals yet another example of the Trump administration disregarding their obligation to be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., the chairman of the subcommittee, said in a statement. “Political appointees risked hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds against the recommendations of career DOD officials and in clear disregard of provisions of the CARES Act intended to protect national security and American taxpayers.” The $2.2 trillion pandemic relief package Congress passed in 2020 included a $17 billion pot of money set up by Congress and controlled by the Treasury Department to assist companies that were considered critical to national security. In July 2020, the Treasury Department announced it was giving a $700 million loan to the trucking company YRC Worldwide, which has since changed its name to Yellow. Lobbyists for Yellow had been in close touch with White House officials throughout the loan process and had discussed how the company employs teamsters as its drivers, according to the report. Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, was a “key actor” coordinating with Yellow’s lobbyists, according to correspondences that the committee obtained. The report also noted that the White House’s political operation was “almost giddy” in its effort to assist with the application. The loan raised immediate questions from watchdog groups because of the company’s close ties to the Trump administration and because it had faced years of financial and legal turmoil. The firm had lost more than $100 million in 2019 and was being sued by the Justice Department over claims that it had defrauded the federal government for a seven-year period. It recently agreed to pay $6.85 million to resolve allegations “that they knowingly presented false claims to the U.S. Department of Defense by systematically overcharging for freight carrier services and making false statements to hide their misconduct.” To qualify for a national security loan, a company needed certification by the Defense Department. According to the report, defense officials had recommended against certification because of the accusations that the company had overcharged the government. They also noted that the work that the company had been doing for the federal government — which included shipping meal kits, protective equipment and other supplies to military bases — could be replaced by other trucking firms. But the day after a defense official notified a Treasury official that the company would not be certified, one of Mnuchin’s aides set up a telephone call between him and Esper. Following the call, Esper certified that the company was critical to national security and a week later the approval of the loan was announced. Mnuchin then sent an email to Meadows that included news reports praising the loan. He highlighted positive comments from James Hoffa, the longtime president of the Teamsters union, who according to documents in the report made a direct plea to President Donald Trump about the loan. Mnuchin and Esper declined to comment. At a congressional oversight hearing before leaving office in late 2020, Mnuchin said the loan was appropriate and necessary for saving jobs and maintaining trucking services to the Defense Department. Lawmakers from both parties, such as Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Pat Roberts, the Republican former senator from Kansas, had sent letters to Mnuchin urging him to consider the loan application. Yellow had many connections to the Trump administration. The company had financial backing from Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm with close ties to administration officials. Trump had selected the company’s CEO, Darren Hawkins, to serve on a coronavirus economic task force. And he had nominated the company’s former CEO, William Zollars, to the U.S. Postal Service’s board of governors. The report accuses Yellow of misrepresenting its business to help secure the loan. It claimed to provide a larger share of trucking services to the Defense Department than the department assessed. Communications included in the report also showed a company executive discussing using funds to catch up on capital investments when the relief money was supposed to be used for offsetting losses from the pandemic. The executive said the company had its “hand in the cookie jar.” Along with the release of the report, Clyburn sent a letter to the Treasury Department’s inspector general asking for an investigation into whether Yellow had violated the False Claims Act. A law firm representing Yellow sent a letter to Clyburn before the release of the report defending the company’s actions and describing many of the allegations as “baseless.” The letter noted that company had settled its dispute with the government last month. The letter, which was written by Marc E. Kasowitz, who was previously Trump’s personal attorney, was provided to The New York Times by Heather Nauert, an adviser to Yellow who was previously a spokesperson for Mike Pompeo, Trump’s secretary of state.

Trump officials awarded $700 million pandemic loan despite objections

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14).&nbsp;

Gallup released the data after interviewing around 6,000 adults in the first and third of these periods. The report states that over 2,000 are in the middle period.&nbsp;

As per the poll, 39 per cent of Generation Z respondents (born 1997-2004) approved of the job Biden has done as president. But now there's a decline of 21 points.&nbsp;

When Biden first took office, 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents had approved of his handling of the job.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/gujarat-first-stop-on-uk-pm-boris-johnsons-india-visit-india-highly-valued-strategic-partner-for-the-uk-471574">Gujarat first stop on UK PM Boris Johnson's India visit: 'India highly valued strategic partner for the UK'</a>

On the other hand, 41 per cent of Millennials (born 1981-1996) approve of Biden's job as president. But just like the Gen Z, there's a decline in this category as well. In January-June 2021 poll, 60 per cent of respondents had approved of his job.&nbsp;

During his initial days in the White House, 60 per cent of both Generation Z adults and millennials approved of the job he was doing.&nbsp;

The approval kept falling ever since as coronavirus (COVID-19) and withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021 might have acted as catalysts for such a fall in ratings.&nbsp;

Important to note that Biden's approval rating held steady among baby boomers (born 1946-1964) and traditionalists (born before 1946).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-supervises-new-weapon-test-to-enhance-nations-tactical-capabilities-471531">North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises new weapon test to enhance nation's 'tactical capabilities'</a>

A part of the report noted: "All generational groups have become less approving of Biden since the summer, after the troubled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021, with the exception of traditionalists, whose approval has not changed."&nbsp;

Apart from a decline in approval rating among various generations, Black and Hispanic adults also show a significant fall. The reports show that during the start of his term, 87 per cent of Non-Hispanic Black adults approved of the job he was doing. That fell to 74 per cent in the summer of 2021 and is now at 67 per cent.&nbsp;

The report further states that among Hispanics, Biden's job approval has slumped from 73 per cent in early 2021 to 52 per cent now — a 21-point fall.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Elon Musk's Twitter play sparks controversies, Tesla owner to modify social media for his interests?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musks-twitter-play-sparks-controversies-tesla-owner-to-modify-social-media-for-his-interests-471530/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14).

The job approval ratings of United States President Joe Biden have dropped since the start of his presidency among young generations - the Gen Z and millennials - as per the new Gallup poll released on Thursday (April 14). Gallup released the data after interviewing around 6,000 adults in the first and third of these periods. The report states that over 2,000 are in the middle period. As per the poll, 39 per cent of Generation Z respondents (born 1997-2004) approved of the job Biden has done as president. But now there's a decline of 21 points. When Biden first took office, 60 per cent of Gen Z respondents had approved of his handling of the job. ALSO READ | Gujarat first stop on UK PM Boris Johnson's India visit: 'India highly valued strategic partner for the UK' On the other hand, 41 per cent of Millennials (born 1981-1996) approve of Biden's job as president. But just like the Gen Z, there's a decline in this category as well. In January-June 2021 poll, 60 per cent of respondents had approved of his job. During his initial days in the White House, 60 per cent of both Generation Z adults and millennials approved of the job he was doing. The approval kept falling ever since as coronavirus (COVID-19) and withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021 might have acted as catalysts for such a fall in ratings. Important to note that Biden's approval rating held steady among baby boomers (born 1946-1964) and traditionalists (born before 1946). ALSO READ | North Korean leader Kim Jong Un supervises new weapon test to enhance nation's 'tactical capabilities' A part of the report noted: "All generational groups have become less approving of Biden since the summer, after the troubled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in late August 2021, with the exception of traditionalists, whose approval has not changed." Apart from a decline in approval rating among various generations, Black and Hispanic adults also show a significant fall. The reports show that during the start of his term, 87 per cent of Non-Hispanic Black adults approved of the job he was doing. That fell to 74 per cent in the summer of 2021 and is now at 67 per cent. The report further states that among Hispanics, Biden's job approval has slumped from 73 per cent in early 2021 to 52 per cent now — a 21-point fall. WATCH | Elon Musk's Twitter play sparks controversies, Tesla owner to modify social media for his interests? ×

A matter of concern? Decline in Joe Biden's approval rating among Gen Z and millennials

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).&nbsp;

A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest&nbsp;human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'"&nbsp;

Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest&nbsp;human being, perhaps, that God ever created."&nbsp;

Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-boris-johnsons-visit-us-says-joe-biden-doesnt-currently-have-any-plans-to-travel-to-ukraine-470275">After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created <a href="https://t.co/D98itzA6vi">pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi</a>
— Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1512944767692259328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington.&nbsp;

He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail.&nbsp;

He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued.&nbsp;

"Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to.&nbsp;

On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-blood-the-dark-side-of-electric-vehicles-470021/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9).

Former United States President Donald Trump is the "most honest human being God has ever created", he himself said it when he spoke at a rally in Selma, North Carolina on Saturday evening (April 9). A burst of laughter followed after Trump's "the most honest human being" remarks at a rally. He quoted one of his friends as saying, "'You know, you've been investigated years and years, millions and millions of pages of documents, they found nothing. You are the cleanest on Earth when you think about it.'" Trump then said, "I've got to be the cleanest sheriff. I think I'm the most honest human being, perhaps, that God ever created." Amid multiple investigations, including his alleged involvement in the US Capitol attacks, Trump's remarks went viral on social media. ALSO READ | After Boris Johnson's visit, US says Joe Biden 'doesn't currently have any plans' to travel to Ukraine Trump: I’ve gotta be the cleanest— I think I’m the most honest human being perhaps that god ever created pic.twitter.com/D98itzA6vi — Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2022 × Recently, Trump defended his conduct during the US Capitol assault in an incendiary interview published last week, saying he did not regret summoning his rioting supporters to Washington. He told The Washington Post he would have accompanied his ultra-loyal followers as they marched on the complex on January 6 last year, but was stopped by his security detail. He offered no contrition for whipping up the crowd with bogus claims that victory was stolen from him through widespread fraud -- although he was clear in his condemnation of the violence that ensued. "Secret Service said I couldn't go. I would have gone there in a minute," he said, in the wide-ranging interview, adding that it was the largest crowd he had ever spoken to. On January 6, 2021, thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol last year in an effort to halt the peaceful transfer of power after Joe Biden won a decisive victory in 2020, described by the government as one of the most secure elections in US history. WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Blood The dark side of Electric Vehicles × (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Donald Trump is the 'most honest human being perhaps God has ever created'. Guess who said it

Shootings in New York City rose during the first quarter compared with the same period last year, even as homicides declined, police officials said Wednesday afternoon, the continuation of a drumbeat of violence that emerged early in the pandemic and has not ebbed with the virus.

Shooting incidents increased to 296 in the first quarter compared with 260 during the same period last year, according to the latest Police Department statistics, which include the first three days of April.

The trend reflects “continuing and completely unacceptable violence in our streets,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said Wednesday.

The briefing at One Police Plaza was the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that city officials gathered collectively for what was once a ritual for police, reporters and the public. In the two years since the Police Department’s last full briefing on crime statistics, pockets of New York have seen upticks in shootings and murders, underscoring concern that America’s most populous city could be headed backward.

Mayor Eric Adams has made reversing that trend the central goal of his administration.

“The NYPD will use every resource and opportunity to secure this city,” Sewell said, but “reversing years will not take weeks.”

She credited the decrease in the homicide rates to a surge of arrests. In March, she said, officers made more than 4,000 felony arrests, more than double the number of those made at the same time last year.

But her remarks came as the city confronts a string of shootings that caught bystanders in crossfire. Last week, 12-year-old Kade Lewin died in Brooklyn when a barrage of bullets hit a parked car in which he was eating a meal with relatives. Days later, a 61-year-old woman died after she was struck by a stray bullet in the Bronx. And, last month, a 3-year-old toddler was shot in the shoulder outside a Brooklyn day care center.

As a weary city emerges from more than two years of pandemic limbo, a gap has opened between perceptions of crime and the realities of the city. This New York is more dangerous by some measures than the one many residents lived in at the start of the pandemic, in the spring of 2020. Yet it remains far safer than in previous years, and crime is lower than in many of the nation’s largest cities.

Gun violence hit historic lows in 2018 and 2019. Even with recent increases, rates of shootings, felony assaults and overall major crimes are similar to or below the levels of the late 2000s and early 2010s. There have been nine fewer murders this year compared with the same period last year.

This year’s first three months have also seen rises in crimes like burglaries, robberies and grand larcenies compared to the same periods in 2020 and 2021, although experts warn against short-term comparisons, particularly during the statistic-skewing pandemic.

New York isn’t the only city struggling to curb crime after the pandemic. In Houston, at least 473 homicides were recorded last year; New York saw only 15 more, with nearly four times the total population. And just 90 minutes south, Philadelphia saw 559 murders in 2021, in a city with just 1.5 million residents.

But fresh anxieties have driven warnings about a return to New York’s “bad old days,” when there were many years with more than 2,000 murders. To some, the resemblance between the periods lies not in the crime or the data, but in the coverage.

“It reminds me of the 1990s, in the sense that every incident of violence becomes a major news story,” said Jeffrey Butts, director of the research and evaluation center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “Some of these things are just shocking. But it’s also important to remember that these things have always happened, and still been fairly infrequent incidents. But they stay with you for so long and stick in your memory.”

Some types of crime have risen significantly since the pandemic began.

Shootings are twice as high as in the years preceding the pandemic, and the burden falls primarily on Black and Latino neighborhoods. More than 1,800 shootings were reported annually in the past two years after dropping under 900 in 2018. Attacks against Asian New Yorkers have spiked, with more than 130 hate-crime complaints reported to police last year, after just one in 2019.

The subway system has also grown more hazardous, with assaults and other major felonies significantly up during the pandemic, when adjusted for a weekday ridership below 60% of former levels. And not all types of frightening events like aggressive encounters on the street or harassment on a train are simple to track.

Still, Adams and Sewell have effected a host of changes at the Police Department, including the reincarnation of plainclothes anti-crime units disbanded in 2020 over allegations of brutality and excessive force. The new units have been reimagined to include training on constitutional rights and de-escalation, and officers now wear a modified uniform instead of street clothes, the Police Department said.

Since being redeployed in March, the units have made 121 arrests, 25 of which were for illegal gun possession, the Police Department said Wednesday.

Indeed, officials said Wednesday they had arrested a 21-year-old man driving a stolen car in Harlem, and were investigating whether he was involved in the drive-by shooting that left Lewin dead in East Flatbush. The suspect was driving a Mercedes-Benz that was one of two cars stolen in Queens on March 10, said James W. Essig, the chief of detectives. The other stolen car was used in the East Flatbush shooting, he said.

Shootings in New York City rose during the first quarter compared with the same period last year, even as homicides declined, police officials said Wednesday afternoon, the continuation of a drumbeat of violence that emerged early in the pandemic and has not ebbed with the virus.

Shootings in New York City rose during the first quarter compared with the same period last year, even as homicides declined, police officials said Wednesday afternoon, the continuation of a drumbeat of violence that emerged early in the pandemic and has not ebbed with the virus. Shooting incidents increased to 296 in the first quarter compared with 260 during the same period last year, according to the latest Police Department statistics, which include the first three days of April. The trend reflects “continuing and completely unacceptable violence in our streets,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said Wednesday. The briefing at One Police Plaza was the first time since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic that city officials gathered collectively for what was once a ritual for police, reporters and the public. In the two years since the Police Department’s last full briefing on crime statistics, pockets of New York have seen upticks in shootings and murders, underscoring concern that America’s most populous city could be headed backward. Mayor Eric Adams has made reversing that trend the central goal of his administration. “The NYPD will use every resource and opportunity to secure this city,” Sewell said, but “reversing years will not take weeks.” She credited the decrease in the homicide rates to a surge of arrests. In March, she said, officers made more than 4,000 felony arrests, more than double the number of those made at the same time last year. But her remarks came as the city confronts a string of shootings that caught bystanders in crossfire. Last week, 12-year-old Kade Lewin died in Brooklyn when a barrage of bullets hit a parked car in which he was eating a meal with relatives. Days later, a 61-year-old woman died after she was struck by a stray bullet in the Bronx. And, last month, a 3-year-old toddler was shot in the shoulder outside a Brooklyn day care center. As a weary city emerges from more than two years of pandemic limbo, a gap has opened between perceptions of crime and the realities of the city. This New York is more dangerous by some measures than the one many residents lived in at the start of the pandemic, in the spring of 2020. Yet it remains far safer than in previous years, and crime is lower than in many of the nation’s largest cities. Gun violence hit historic lows in 2018 and 2019. Even with recent increases, rates of shootings, felony assaults and overall major crimes are similar to or below the levels of the late 2000s and early 2010s. There have been nine fewer murders this year compared with the same period last year. This year’s first three months have also seen rises in crimes like burglaries, robberies and grand larcenies compared to the same periods in 2020 and 2021, although experts warn against short-term comparisons, particularly during the statistic-skewing pandemic. New York isn’t the only city struggling to curb crime after the pandemic. In Houston, at least 473 homicides were recorded last year; New York saw only 15 more, with nearly four times the total population. And just 90 minutes south, Philadelphia saw 559 murders in 2021, in a city with just 1.5 million residents. But fresh anxieties have driven warnings about a return to New York’s “bad old days,” when there were many years with more than 2,000 murders. To some, the resemblance between the periods lies not in the crime or the data, but in the coverage. “It reminds me of the 1990s, in the sense that every incident of violence becomes a major news story,” said Jeffrey Butts, director of the research and evaluation center at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “Some of these things are just shocking. But it’s also important to remember that these things have always happened, and still been fairly infrequent incidents. But they stay with you for so long and stick in your memory.” Some types of crime have risen significantly since the pandemic began. Shootings are twice as high as in the years preceding the pandemic, and the burden falls primarily on Black and Latino neighborhoods. More than 1,800 shootings were reported annually in the past two years after dropping under 900 in 2018. Attacks against Asian New Yorkers have spiked, with more than 130 hate-crime complaints reported to police last year, after just one in 2019. The subway system has also grown more hazardous, with assaults and other major felonies significantly up during the pandemic, when adjusted for a weekday ridership below 60% of former levels. And not all types of frightening events like aggressive encounters on the street or harassment on a train are simple to track. Still, Adams and Sewell have effected a host of changes at the Police Department, including the reincarnation of plainclothes anti-crime units disbanded in 2020 over allegations of brutality and excessive force. The new units have been reimagined to include training on constitutional rights and de-escalation, and officers now wear a modified uniform instead of street clothes, the Police Department said. Since being redeployed in March, the units have made 121 arrests, 25 of which were for illegal gun possession, the Police Department said Wednesday. Indeed, officials said Wednesday they had arrested a 21-year-old man driving a stolen car in Harlem, and were investigating whether he was involved in the drive-by shooting that left Lewin dead in East Flatbush. The suspect was driving a Mercedes-Benz that was one of two cars stolen in Queens on March 10, said James W. Essig, the chief of detectives. The other stolen car was used in the East Flatbush shooting, he said.

Shootings rise in New York, coloring perceptions of city’s safety

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

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

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

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

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected.

He resisted the new name, insisting instead on boys’ clothes, short haircuts and the name the couple had chosen at birth.

What began in a single household in a small community outside Dallas became a very public custody battle between Younger and Dr. Anne Georgulas, transforming him into a folk hero among conservatives and amplifying a growing effort to roll back transgender protections in statehouses across America.

It paved the way, too, for an order late last month by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to investigate parents for child abuse if they provide certain medical treatments to their transgender children.

The abuse investigations ordered by Abbott, the first of their kind, represent the peak of a new round of action in state capitals aimed at transgender Americans, the most significant push by groups opposed to transgender rights since the national campaign to limit bathroom access foundered in 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, a bill passed the Idaho House that would make medical treatments for transgender youth a felony, punishable by life in prison.

But few predicted that it would go as far as it has in Texas. The directive by Abbott very quickly resulted in investigations by the Department of Family and Protective Services, prompted a major Houston hospital to restrict its care for transgender children and raised fears among civil rights advocates of copycat efforts in other states. President Joe Biden has condemned the action and asked federal authorities to step in if cases of discrimination arise.

“This is actually the first time that they’ve succeeded in getting something that looks like a success,” said Kasey Suffredini, the CEO of Freedom for All Americans, a national gay and transgender rights group. “It’s incredibly painful. It is devastating.”

A court battle is underway to stop the investigations across Texas, with a hearing scheduled for Friday.

The fight over transgender issues, waged on several fronts in recent years, has increasingly focused on medical treatments for children.

Major medical groups — along with transgender advocates — back what is known as gender-affirming care, which involves supporting a child’s gender identity and social transition, often through clothes or a name. Such care can also eventually include puberty blockers or hormone treatments, though surgery is not recommended for children. While acknowledging some uncertainty and risk, they cite evidence that the approach can improve children’s mental health and reduce suicide.

Opponents — including some large conservative organizations — argue that children are too young to decide for themselves and must be shielded from potentially life-altering treatments that have only recently gained broader acceptance among the medical community.

Those at the center of the conservative push for new state laws include a coalition of familiar groups — the Heritage Foundation, Family Policy Alliance and Alliance Defending Freedom — that came together in the last two years.

Then last month, a newer player on the right, American Principles Project, took up the cause in Texas, spending more than $600,000 to run a series of highly produced ads on cable television featuring the case of Younger, who has become an outspoken supporter of restrictive legislation on transgender issues. The ads directly targeted Abbott during a hard-fought Republican primary, accusing the governor of not taking steps to “protect our children.”

By that point, Younger, 57, had testified repeatedly at the Capitol in Austin on measures to restrict transgender medical treatments. After the bills failed, he entered the Republican primary for an open seat in the Texas House of Representatives.

Last week, Younger came in second place, qualifying for the May runoff.

For conservative activists, the legislative push has been part of a broader national struggle over social issues, including legislation in Florida to ban teaching about gender identity in schools. Some of the same activists who defend the rights of parents in battles over school curriculum argue that, on the question of transgender treatment, children need protection from their own parents.

“Parents make all sorts of decisions with their kids,” said Craig DeRoche, the CEO of the Family Policy Alliance, part of the coalition helping legislators draft new transgender laws. “And as a community, we chime in as to which decisions should or shouldn’t be available to parents.”

But for many families in Texas, the threat of an investigation by the state has introduced new fears into an already challenging set of medical decisions. Children now worry that classmates or teachers could report their parents for possible abuse. Some families have taken steps to leave the state.

“We’re kind of looking over our shoulder a little bit,” said Autumn Tupper, 43, of Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Because of the governor’s directive, her son, Orion, 17, who came out as transgender over the past year, decided to delay gender-affirming hormone treatment until he turns 18 this summer.

The deeper roots of the current fight over transgender rights in Texas can be traced to a 2015 battle in Houston over a local anti-discrimination ordinance, which would have applied to a range of protected classes, including race, age and gender identity.

Opponents rallied around the notion that the bill would put women in danger by allowing men to enter women’s bathrooms, dubbing it the “bathroom ordinance.” Its defeat helped clear the way for a national conservative push to enact so-called bathroom bills aimed at transgender people.

But the bathroom effort stumbled. The one measure that passed, in North Carolina, was later repealed. In Texas, many social conservatives were angered at the state’s failure to pass such a law.

“This issue is not going to go away,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a firebrand former talk radio host, said at the time, in 2017.

By the next year, the custody case between Younger and Georgulas, in the Dallas suburb of Coppell, began to attract notice in conservative circles.

There have been other such cases of parents fighting over the gender identity of their children. But Younger sought attention with a website and a campaign that featured the birth name of his child. Among the first articles on the case appeared in The Federalist in 2018. Younger sat for many interviews, including with Infowars.

“You cannot understand the political situation in Texas without understanding my political advocacy,” Younger said in a 16-minute call with The New York Times in which he refused to answer questions. “You work for an evil and wicked organization,” he said. “I think you’ll use accuracy against my own values.”

A lawyer for Georgulas declined a request for comment, citing a gag order put in place by the judge in the case.

The couple fought bitterly in court for years. Their marriage was annulled by a court on the grounds of fraud by Younger, who had misrepresented his employment and marital history.

In court transcripts, Georgulas said she had followed the lead of her transgender child, who is now 9, and the determinations of doctors. She has denied forcing her child to identify as a girl as Younger has claimed. She has not provided any puberty blockers or hormones, though she supports their use, if recommended. She filled out intake papers for Genecis, a Dallas clinic specializing in transgender care, but had not yet begun treatment when it shut down last year amid pressure from Abbott.

“Everything that she did was on the basis of professional guidance,” said Karen Hirsch, a friend of Georgulas’s.

A court in August gave Georgulas custody of the children, including control of all medical decisions and the sole right “to make decisions concerning the children’s haircuts.” But it barred her from providing any puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgery without a court order.

The case’s growing public profile coincided with broadening medical acceptance of gender-affirming care — and a backlash. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018 issued its first policy statement on the approach, which urges parents to support the identity expressed by their child and provides guidance for treatment, including medications that delay puberty.

In 2019, the Heritage Foundation, along with the Family Policy Alliance, hosted discussions in Washington on transgender athletes and transgender children, including a panel on the “medical harms” of hormonal and surgical interventions. The groups formed a coalition, known as Promise to America’s Children, and pressed for new laws.

Soon, bills were introduced on restricting transgender athletes and, in more than 20 states, legislatures considered prohibitions on gender-affirming medical care, including in Texas last year.

The bill, which passed in the Senate, failed in the House. And although a measure further restricting transgender athletes passed, some Texas conservatives were angry that the medical treatment bill had stalled.

The governor took note. Then the attorney general, Ken Paxton, facing a tough primary fight, issued an opinion that puberty-blocking drugs or hormone treatments could be considered child abuse under existing law in Texas.

Abbott, who was facing his own primary in days amid a barrage of American Principles Project ads, quickly directed the child protection agency to begin investigations. Among the first to be investigated was an employee of the agency.

The investigation was temporarily halted by a court in Austin last week.

“People don’t understand the treatment; they think it’s always surgery and it’s happening on children,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to stop the investigations along with Lambda Legal. Opponents, he added, have been “weaponizing the confusion.”

Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment. But his top campaign strategist told reporters last week that the issue of “genital mutilation” was a political winner.

“There’s this sense, especially among conservatives, that they’re losing their country,” said Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project. “It was just a few years ago that we were debating gay marriage, and now we’re debating sex changes for minors. I mean, that’s exponential movement in terms of culture.”

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected.

Jeffery Younger fought for years with his ex-wife, a pediatrician, over the gender identity of one of their twins. While she followed the advice of their children’s doctor to affirm the child’s desire to dress as a girl, grow long hair and be known as Luna, Younger steadfastly objected. He resisted the new name, insisting instead on boys’ clothes, short haircuts and the name the couple had chosen at birth. What began in a single household in a small community outside Dallas became a very public custody battle between Younger and Dr. Anne Georgulas, transforming him into a folk hero among conservatives and amplifying a growing effort to roll back transgender protections in statehouses across America. It paved the way, too, for an order late last month by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas to investigate parents for child abuse if they provide certain medical treatments to their transgender children. The abuse investigations ordered by Abbott, the first of their kind, represent the peak of a new round of action in state capitals aimed at transgender Americans, the most significant push by groups opposed to transgender rights since the national campaign to limit bathroom access foundered in 2017 and 2018. On Tuesday, a bill passed the Idaho House that would make medical treatments for transgender youth a felony, punishable by life in prison. But few predicted that it would go as far as it has in Texas. The directive by Abbott very quickly resulted in investigations by the Department of Family and Protective Services, prompted a major Houston hospital to restrict its care for transgender children and raised fears among civil rights advocates of copycat efforts in other states. President Joe Biden has condemned the action and asked federal authorities to step in if cases of discrimination arise. “This is actually the first time that they’ve succeeded in getting something that looks like a success,” said Kasey Suffredini, the CEO of Freedom for All Americans, a national gay and transgender rights group. “It’s incredibly painful. It is devastating.” A court battle is underway to stop the investigations across Texas, with a hearing scheduled for Friday. The fight over transgender issues, waged on several fronts in recent years, has increasingly focused on medical treatments for children. Major medical groups — along with transgender advocates — back what is known as gender-affirming care, which involves supporting a child’s gender identity and social transition, often through clothes or a name. Such care can also eventually include puberty blockers or hormone treatments, though surgery is not recommended for children. While acknowledging some uncertainty and risk, they cite evidence that the approach can improve children’s mental health and reduce suicide. Opponents — including some large conservative organizations — argue that children are too young to decide for themselves and must be shielded from potentially life-altering treatments that have only recently gained broader acceptance among the medical community. Those at the center of the conservative push for new state laws include a coalition of familiar groups — the Heritage Foundation, Family Policy Alliance and Alliance Defending Freedom — that came together in the last two years. Then last month, a newer player on the right, American Principles Project, took up the cause in Texas, spending more than $600,000 to run a series of highly produced ads on cable television featuring the case of Younger, who has become an outspoken supporter of restrictive legislation on transgender issues. The ads directly targeted Abbott during a hard-fought Republican primary, accusing the governor of not taking steps to “protect our children.” By that point, Younger, 57, had testified repeatedly at the Capitol in Austin on measures to restrict transgender medical treatments. After the bills failed, he entered the Republican primary for an open seat in the Texas House of Representatives. Last week, Younger came in second place, qualifying for the May runoff. For conservative activists, the legislative push has been part of a broader national struggle over social issues, including legislation in Florida to ban teaching about gender identity in schools. Some of the same activists who defend the rights of parents in battles over school curriculum argue that, on the question of transgender treatment, children need protection from their own parents. “Parents make all sorts of decisions with their kids,” said Craig DeRoche, the CEO of the Family Policy Alliance, part of the coalition helping legislators draft new transgender laws. “And as a community, we chime in as to which decisions should or shouldn’t be available to parents.” But for many families in Texas, the threat of an investigation by the state has introduced new fears into an already challenging set of medical decisions. Children now worry that classmates or teachers could report their parents for possible abuse. Some families have taken steps to leave the state. “We’re kind of looking over our shoulder a little bit,” said Autumn Tupper, 43, of Frisco, Texas, a Dallas suburb. Because of the governor’s directive, her son, Orion, 17, who came out as transgender over the past year, decided to delay gender-affirming hormone treatment until he turns 18 this summer. The deeper roots of the current fight over transgender rights in Texas can be traced to a 2015 battle in Houston over a local anti-discrimination ordinance, which would have applied to a range of protected classes, including race, age and gender identity. Opponents rallied around the notion that the bill would put women in danger by allowing men to enter women’s bathrooms, dubbing it the “bathroom ordinance.” Its defeat helped clear the way for a national conservative push to enact so-called bathroom bills aimed at transgender people. But the bathroom effort stumbled. The one measure that passed, in North Carolina, was later repealed. In Texas, many social conservatives were angered at the state’s failure to pass such a law. “This issue is not going to go away,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a firebrand former talk radio host, said at the time, in 2017. By the next year, the custody case between Younger and Georgulas, in the Dallas suburb of Coppell, began to attract notice in conservative circles. There have been other such cases of parents fighting over the gender identity of their children. But Younger sought attention with a website and a campaign that featured the birth name of his child. Among the first articles on the case appeared in The Federalist in 2018. Younger sat for many interviews, including with Infowars. “You cannot understand the political situation in Texas without understanding my political advocacy,” Younger said in a 16-minute call with The New York Times in which he refused to answer questions. “You work for an evil and wicked organization,” he said. “I think you’ll use accuracy against my own values.” A lawyer for Georgulas declined a request for comment, citing a gag order put in place by the judge in the case. The couple fought bitterly in court for years. Their marriage was annulled by a court on the grounds of fraud by Younger, who had misrepresented his employment and marital history. In court transcripts, Georgulas said she had followed the lead of her transgender child, who is now 9, and the determinations of doctors. She has denied forcing her child to identify as a girl as Younger has claimed. She has not provided any puberty blockers or hormones, though she supports their use, if recommended. She filled out intake papers for Genecis, a Dallas clinic specializing in transgender care, but had not yet begun treatment when it shut down last year amid pressure from Abbott. “Everything that she did was on the basis of professional guidance,” said Karen Hirsch, a friend of Georgulas’s. A court in August gave Georgulas custody of the children, including control of all medical decisions and the sole right “to make decisions concerning the children’s haircuts.” But it barred her from providing any puberty-blocking drugs, hormones or surgery without a court order. The case’s growing public profile coincided with broadening medical acceptance of gender-affirming care — and a backlash. The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2018 issued its first policy statement on the approach, which urges parents to support the identity expressed by their child and provides guidance for treatment, including medications that delay puberty. In 2019, the Heritage Foundation, along with the Family Policy Alliance, hosted discussions in Washington on transgender athletes and transgender children, including a panel on the “medical harms” of hormonal and surgical interventions. The groups formed a coalition, known as Promise to America’s Children, and pressed for new laws. Soon, bills were introduced on restricting transgender athletes and, in more than 20 states, legislatures considered prohibitions on gender-affirming medical care, including in Texas last year. The bill, which passed in the Senate, failed in the House. And although a measure further restricting transgender athletes passed, some Texas conservatives were angry that the medical treatment bill had stalled. The governor took note. Then the attorney general, Ken Paxton, facing a tough primary fight, issued an opinion that puberty-blocking drugs or hormone treatments could be considered child abuse under existing law in Texas. Abbott, who was facing his own primary in days amid a barrage of American Principles Project ads, quickly directed the child protection agency to begin investigations. Among the first to be investigated was an employee of the agency. The investigation was temporarily halted by a court in Austin last week. “People don’t understand the treatment; they think it’s always surgery and it’s happening on children,” said Chase Strangio, deputy director for transgender justice at the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued to stop the investigations along with Lambda Legal. Opponents, he added, have been “weaponizing the confusion.” Abbott’s office did not respond to a request for comment. But his top campaign strategist told reporters last week that the issue of “genital mutilation” was a political winner. “There’s this sense, especially among conservatives, that they’re losing their country,” said Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project. “It was just a few years ago that we were debating gay marriage, and now we’re debating sex changes for minors. I mean, that’s exponential movement in terms of culture.”

How medical care for transgender youth became 'child abuse' in Texas

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

“Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.”

Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed.

“Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday.

Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968.

“This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.”

In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated.

In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law.

As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure.

But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense.

“Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker.

The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence. It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. “Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.” Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed. “Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday. Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968. “This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.” In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated. In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law. As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense. “Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker. The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

US Congress gives final approval to make lynching a hate crime

First criminal trial in connection with January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol started on Wednesday. The case is likely to be closely watched as it may have bearing on future prosecutions relating to Capitol attack

Guy Reffitt, 49, an oil industry worker from Texas, is accused of bringing a gun to Washington, battling police officers, impeding an official proceeding and other offenses.

Moreover, his children are expected to testify against him at the trial.

Prosecutor Jeffrey Nestler, in his opening statement, described Reffitt as a "leader" of the "worst assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812," when British troops set fire to the seat of Congress.

"A mob needs leaders," Nestler said, and Reffitt was "the tip of this mob's spear."

William Welch, Reffitt's defense attorney, claimed that his client did not bring handgun to Capitol. He also said that Refitt never actually entered the building or assaulted anyone.

More than 750 people have been arrested around the United States for their roles in the failed bid by supporters of the former president to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 presidential election.

Nearly 220 people have pleaded guilty to various charges but Reffitt is the first person facing criminal charges to go on trial for their role in the violent storming of the Capitol.

Reffitt, who has pleaded not guilty, came to the demonstration with other members of a right-wing anti-government group called the Three Percenters, according to the affidavit supporting his arrest.

Photographs released by law enforcement showed Reffitt on the steps of the Capitol wearing a black motorcycle helmet and bulletproof vest.

In one picture, Reffitt is seen washing out his eyes with water after being repelled with pepper spray by police defending the Capitol. 
According to the affidavit, Reffitt's teenaged son and daughter told the FBI that their father, on his return to Texas, had threatened them if they cooperated with law enforcement.

"If you turn me in, you're a traitor and you know what happens to traitors... traitors get shot," Reffitt was quoted as saying.

Reffitt was arrested on January 19, 2021 and FBI agents recovered an AR-15 rifle and Smith &amp; Wesson pistol from his home in Wylie, a suburb of Dallas.

Reffitt, who has been jailed in Washington since his arrest, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

(With inputs from agencies)

First criminal trial in connection with January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol started on Wednesday. The case is likely to be closely watched as it may have bearing on future prosecutions relating to Capitol attack Guy Reffitt, 49, an oil industry worker from Texas, is accused of bringing a gun to Washington, battling police officers, impeding an official proceeding and other offenses.

First criminal trial in connection with January 6, 2021 attack on US Capitol started on Wednesday. The case is likely to be closely watched as it may have bearing on future prosecutions relating to Capitol attack Guy Reffitt, 49, an oil industry worker from Texas, is accused of bringing a gun to Washington, battling police officers, impeding an official proceeding and other offenses. Moreover, his children are expected to testify against him at the trial. Prosecutor Jeffrey Nestler, in his opening statement, described Reffitt as a "leader" of the "worst assault on the Capitol since the War of 1812," when British troops set fire to the seat of Congress. "A mob needs leaders," Nestler said, and Reffitt was "the tip of this mob's spear." William Welch, Reffitt's defense attorney, claimed that his client did not bring handgun to Capitol. He also said that Refitt never actually entered the building or assaulted anyone. More than 750 people have been arrested around the United States for their roles in the failed bid by supporters of the former president to prevent Congress from certifying Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 presidential election. Nearly 220 people have pleaded guilty to various charges but Reffitt is the first person facing criminal charges to go on trial for their role in the violent storming of the Capitol. Reffitt, who has pleaded not guilty, came to the demonstration with other members of a right-wing anti-government group called the Three Percenters, according to the affidavit supporting his arrest. Photographs released by law enforcement showed Reffitt on the steps of the Capitol wearing a black motorcycle helmet and bulletproof vest. In one picture, Reffitt is seen washing out his eyes with water after being repelled with pepper spray by police defending the Capitol. According to the affidavit, Reffitt's teenaged son and daughter told the FBI that their father, on his return to Texas, had threatened them if they cooperated with law enforcement. "If you turn me in, you're a traitor and you know what happens to traitors... traitors get shot," Reffitt was quoted as saying. Reffitt was arrested on January 19, 2021 and FBI agents recovered an AR-15 rifle and Smith & Wesson pistol from his home in Wylie, a suburb of Dallas. Reffitt, who has been jailed in Washington since his arrest, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. (With inputs from agencies)

US Capitol Hill attack: First trial begins, likely to be watched closely

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime.

The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-passengers-looked-on-as-a-woman-was-raped-421904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The police crime lab “attempts to identify crime suspects” by searching a law enforcement database that includes DNA collected from sexual assault victims, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said.

“Rapes and sexual assault are violent, dehumanizing, and traumatic. I am disturbed that victims who have the courage to undergo an invasive examination to help identify their perpetrators are being treated like criminals rather than supported as crime victims,” Boudin said in a statement.&nbsp;

“We should encourage survivors to come forward — not collect evidence to use against them in the future.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/assaulted-in-metaverse-woman-alleges-gang-rape-60-seconds-after-joining-metas-virtual-world-449784">Also read |&nbsp;Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world</a>

“Getting a rape kit can be re-traumatizing. Having that DNA placed in a database for future use creates yet another incentive not to do it. It’s unacceptable,” said state senator Scott Wiener, who represents the city.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he has ordered an investigation.

“We must never create disincentives for crime victims to cooperate with police, and if it’s true that DNA collected from a rape or sexual assault victim has been used by SFPD to identify and apprehend that person as a suspect in another crime, I’m committed to ending the practice,” he said.

San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she learned about the alleged practice last weekend and has asked the city attorney’s office to draft legislation barring the use of rape kit evidence except to investigate the rape, the Chronicle reported.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime. The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights.

The DNA collected as part of a rape exam in San Francisco has been used by the local police to link a woman to a crime. The city’s district attorney has alleged that the move violates the constitutional protection against unreasonable searches and seizures as well as California’s Victims’ Bill of Rights. The police crime lab “attempts to identify crime suspects” by searching a law enforcement database that includes DNA collected from sexual assault victims, District Attorney Chesa Boudin said. “Rapes and sexual assault are violent, dehumanizing, and traumatic. I am disturbed that victims who have the courage to undergo an invasive examination to help identify their perpetrators are being treated like criminals rather than supported as crime victims,” Boudin said in a statement. “We should encourage survivors to come forward — not collect evidence to use against them in the future.” Also read | Assaulted in Metaverse: Woman alleges 'gang rape' 60 seconds after joining Meta's virtual world “Getting a rape kit can be re-traumatizing. Having that DNA placed in a database for future use creates yet another incentive not to do it. It’s unacceptable,” said state senator Scott Wiener, who represents the city. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he has ordered an investigation. “We must never create disincentives for crime victims to cooperate with police, and if it’s true that DNA collected from a rape or sexual assault victim has been used by SFPD to identify and apprehend that person as a suspect in another crime, I’m committed to ending the practice,” he said. San Francisco Supervisor Hillary Ronen said she learned about the alleged practice last weekend and has asked the city attorney’s office to draft legislation barring the use of rape kit evidence except to investigate the rape, the Chronicle reported. (With inputs from agencies)

San Francisco: DNA collected as part of rape exam used to link a woman to a crime

The Covid 19 pandemic has reached yet another grim milestone in the United States. According to the John Hopkins University, the nation's cumulative death toll from the Covid 19 infections has surpassed the 900 000 mark. The latest number has been fueled by the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

United States reaches a grim milestone in fight against Covid 19

A man in Texas named Zachary Taylor Blood has admitted that he was trying to smuggle two people into the United States in a coffin, as per the US Department of Justice's Southern District of Texas. &nbsp;

The justice department revealed on Wednesday (January 26) that the 33-years-old used coffin draped with an American flag, just like those carry soldiers killed in combat.&nbsp;

It has also been understood that those two men in the coffin were Mexican nationals, who admitted to having crossed the Rio Grande river into the US and paying a man to take them to the Texas city of San Antonio.&nbsp;

The suspect was caught when in October he drove a van "modified to transport caskets" to a checkpoint near the US-Mexico border in Texas, federal prosecutor Jennifer Lowery's office said in a statement.

When asked by agents what he was transporting, Blood responded "dead guy, Navy guy," according to the statement. "However, the coffin was in poor condition and the American flag was taped to the top with packing tape," the Justice Department said.&nbsp;

As per the reports, Blood faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.&nbsp;

According to official statistics, the United States recorded nearly two million migrant apprehensions for illegal entry into the country along its southern border with Mexico in 2021.&nbsp;

Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

A man in Texas named Zachary Taylor Blood has admitted that he was trying to smuggle two people into the United States in a coffin, as per the US Department of Justice's Southern District of Texas.

A man in Texas named Zachary Taylor Blood has admitted that he was trying to smuggle two people into the United States in a coffin, as per the US Department of Justice's Southern District of Texas. The justice department revealed on Wednesday (January 26) that the 33-years-old used coffin draped with an American flag, just like those carry soldiers killed in combat. It has also been understood that those two men in the coffin were Mexican nationals, who admitted to having crossed the Rio Grande river into the US and paying a man to take them to the Texas city of San Antonio. The suspect was caught when in October he drove a van "modified to transport caskets" to a checkpoint near the US-Mexico border in Texas, federal prosecutor Jennifer Lowery's office said in a statement. When asked by agents what he was transporting, Blood responded "dead guy, Navy guy," according to the statement. "However, the coffin was in poor condition and the American flag was taped to the top with packing tape," the Justice Department said. As per the reports, Blood faces up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. According to official statistics, the United States recorded nearly two million migrant apprehensions for illegal entry into the country along its southern border with Mexico in 2021. Migrant arrivals to the United States declined markedly during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic but began to pick up later in 2020, before surging since President Joe Biden took office in January last year. (With inputs from agencies)

A man in Texas admits he was trying to smuggle migrants to US in coffin draped in American flag

Hospitalization in the US has reached a record high on Monday, with several states struggling to cope with the spike in cases. Now there were 132,000 hospitalizations for Covid, crossing the record set in January last year. But hospitalizations have been increasing steadily since late December, as the Omicron quickly took over Delta as the dominant version of the virus.

United States break Covid hospitalization record

US telecom companies and airlines have been fighting for weeks over the potential impact of 5g services on aircraft. Here's some background on the dispute and a detailed report on the problems..

United States: Telecom companies and airlines been fighting for weeks

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe".&nbsp;

Walter's remark appeared to be quite alarming for a democratic country that recently hosted the 'Summit of Democracy' with an aim to strengthen democracy and defend against authoritarianism globally.&nbsp;

Is American democracy in crisis?

Walter, who serves on a CIA advisory panel called the Political Instability Task Force, has given an analytical opinion of the US politics&nbsp;in a book, "How Civil Wars Start," which will be out in January.&nbsp;

However, a report has been published by The Washington Post, detailing what Walter has assessed about the country's political situation and how it might pan out in the near future.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-reacts-after-joe-manchin-says-he-wont-vote-for-joe-bidens-build-back-better-bill-438390">White House reacts after Joe Manchin says he won't vote for Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill</a>

The Post mentioned that Walter has studied conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Rwanda, Angola, Nicaragua during her career.&nbsp;

It is understood that the Political Instability Task Force monitors countries around the world and speculates over a possibility of political instability.&nbsp;

"We are closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe. No one wants to believe that their beloved democracy is in decline, or headed toward war," Walter wrote in the to-be-published book, as quoted by The Washington Post.&nbsp;

Weighing in on the political situation of America, Walter said that "if you were an analyst in a foreign country looking at events in America — the same way you'd look at events in Ukraine or the Ivory Coast or Venezuela — you would go down a checklist, assessing each of the conditions that make civil war likely."

"And what you would find is that the United States, a democracy founded more than two centuries ago, has entered very dangerous territory," she added.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-memo-us-air-force-gives-green-signal-to-gender-pronouns-use-for-internal-communication-438165">In memo, US Air Force gives green signal to gender pronouns’ use for internal communication</a>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The CIA actually has a Task Force designed to try to predict where and when political instability and conflict is likely to break out around the world. It's just not legally allowed to look at the U.S. That means we are blind to the risk factors that are rapidly emerging here. <a href="https://t.co/86UMVwhi3C">pic.twitter.com/86UMVwhi3C</a>
— Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfwalter/status/1463667263832211457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We know why democracies decline and ethnic factions emerge. We also know it can be driven by extremists with their own political agendas. Whether these extremists succeed depends on whether we, the American people, challenge them or not. <a href="https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC">https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y0qn1v5Jn8">pic.twitter.com/Y0qn1v5Jn8</a>
— Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) <a href="https://twitter.com/bfwalter/status/1470823914951655425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

If we talk about US politics, the past two-three years have been topsy-turvy — a phase when the administration also changed as Joe Biden was sworn in as 46th US president.&nbsp;

The election was chaotic as former President Donald Trump multiple times claimed that there were some discrepancies in the counting of votes.&nbsp;

On January 6, the deadly attack on the US Capitol also turned out to be a black chapter in the political history of the US.&nbsp;

As mentioned by Walter, the US is now an "anocracy," somewhere between a democracy and an autocratic state.&nbsp;

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe".

Barbara F Walter, who is a political science professor at the University of California at San Diego, said that the United States is closer to "civil war than any of us would like to believe". Walter's remark appeared to be quite alarming for a democratic country that recently hosted the 'Summit of Democracy' with an aim to strengthen democracy and defend against authoritarianism globally. Is American democracy in crisis? Walter, who serves on a CIA advisory panel called the Political Instability Task Force, has given an analytical opinion of the US politics in a book, "How Civil Wars Start," which will be out in January. However, a report has been published by The Washington Post, detailing what Walter has assessed about the country's political situation and how it might pan out in the near future. ALSO READ | White House reacts after Joe Manchin says he won't vote for Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill The Post mentioned that Walter has studied conflicts in Syria, Lebanon, Northern Ireland, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Rwanda, Angola, Nicaragua during her career. It is understood that the Political Instability Task Force monitors countries around the world and speculates over a possibility of political instability. "We are closer to civil war than any of us would like to believe. No one wants to believe that their beloved democracy is in decline, or headed toward war," Walter wrote in the to-be-published book, as quoted by The Washington Post. Weighing in on the political situation of America, Walter said that "if you were an analyst in a foreign country looking at events in America — the same way you'd look at events in Ukraine or the Ivory Coast or Venezuela — you would go down a checklist, assessing each of the conditions that make civil war likely." "And what you would find is that the United States, a democracy founded more than two centuries ago, has entered very dangerous territory," she added. ALSO READ | In memo, US Air Force gives green signal to gender pronouns’ use for internal communication The CIA actually has a Task Force designed to try to predict where and when political instability and conflict is likely to break out around the world. It's just not legally allowed to look at the U.S. That means we are blind to the risk factors that are rapidly emerging here. pic.twitter.com/86UMVwhi3C — Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) November 25, 2021 × We know why democracies decline and ethnic factions emerge. We also know it can be driven by extremists with their own political agendas. Whether these extremists succeed depends on whether we, the American people, challenge them or not. https://t.co/L9TmIk6pGC pic.twitter.com/Y0qn1v5Jn8 — Barbara F Walter (@bfwalter) December 14, 2021 × If we talk about US politics, the past two-three years have been topsy-turvy — a phase when the administration also changed as Joe Biden was sworn in as 46th US president. The election was chaotic as former President Donald Trump multiple times claimed that there were some discrepancies in the counting of votes. On January 6, the deadly attack on the US Capitol also turned out to be a black chapter in the political history of the US. As mentioned by Walter, the US is now an "anocracy," somewhere between a democracy and an autocratic state.

Is United States on the cusp of a civil war? Member of CIA panel thinks so

The White House has issued a statement after Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said that he could not support the legislation's passage of the massive social spending bill.&nbsp;

It is a big blow to United States President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plans as Manchin's vote is deemed crucial to getting the bill through the Senate. It is understood that Democrats have spent weeks trying to secure his support.&nbsp;

Manchin told Fox News Sunday: "I can't vote for it and I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can't. I've tried everything humanly possible, I can't get there... This is a no."

The bill is focused on funnelling funds toward lowering the cost of child care and prescription drugs, supporting the purchasing power of households and investing in the transition to clean energy.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-in-a-gaffe-us-president-joe-biden-calls-kamala-harris-as-president-harris-438379">In a gaffe, US President Joe Biden calls Kamala Harris as ‘President Harris’</a>

After the interview, Manchin's office released a statement in which the Senator reiterated that he couldn't support the legislation. The statement read: "I have always said, 'If I can't go back home and explain it, I can't vote for it.'"

"Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation," it added.&nbsp;

The Senator has raised multiple concerns about the bill regarding paid family leave, a methane fee on emissions, medicare expansion, taxes, climate provisions, etc.&nbsp;

Manchin praised Biden but said that right now, the government should be directing the attention towards the Omicron variant and the threat is coming back in "so many different aspects in different ways". He also said that the present Covid situation is "affecting our lives again."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/0fmAXbcRHn">pic.twitter.com/0fmAXbcRHn</a>
— Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sen_JoeManchin/status/1470886740126842881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 14, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christmas-travel-can-lead-to-doubling-of-omicron-cases-fauci-438291">Christmas travel can lead to doubling of Omicron cases: Fauci</a>

White House reacts

Responding to the same, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Manchin's statements are "at odds with his discussions this week with the President".&nbsp;

The lengthy statement further read: "Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced."

"If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate," Psaki's statement added.&nbsp;Manchin has been facing criticism from some party members.&nbsp;

Senator Bernie Sanders said that the Democrats would take the bill to a vote.&nbsp;"I hope that we will bring a strong bill to the floor of the Senate as soon as we can and let Mr. Manchin explain to the people of West Virginia why he doesn't have the guts to stand up to powerful special interests," he told CNN.&nbsp;

WATCH:&nbsp;Top health experts warn of looming Omicron wave in United States

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/top-health-experts-warn-of-looming-omicron-wave-in-united-states-438292/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

The White House has issued a statement after Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said that he could not support the legislation's passage of the massive social spending bill.

The White House has issued a statement after Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia said that he could not support the legislation's passage of the massive social spending bill. It is a big blow to United States President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion Build Back Better plans as Manchin's vote is deemed crucial to getting the bill through the Senate. It is understood that Democrats have spent weeks trying to secure his support. Manchin told Fox News Sunday: "I can't vote for it and I cannot vote to continue with this piece of legislation. I just can't. I've tried everything humanly possible, I can't get there... This is a no." The bill is focused on funnelling funds toward lowering the cost of child care and prescription drugs, supporting the purchasing power of households and investing in the transition to clean energy. WATCH | In a gaffe, US President Joe Biden calls Kamala Harris as ‘President Harris’ After the interview, Manchin's office released a statement in which the Senator reiterated that he couldn't support the legislation. The statement read: "I have always said, 'If I can't go back home and explain it, I can't vote for it.'" "Despite my best efforts, I cannot explain the sweeping Build Back Better Act in West Virginia and I cannot vote to move forward on this mammoth piece of legislation," it added. The Senator has raised multiple concerns about the bill regarding paid family leave, a methane fee on emissions, medicare expansion, taxes, climate provisions, etc. Manchin praised Biden but said that right now, the government should be directing the attention towards the Omicron variant and the threat is coming back in "so many different aspects in different ways". He also said that the present Covid situation is "affecting our lives again." pic.twitter.com/0fmAXbcRHn — Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) December 14, 2021 × ALSO READ | Christmas travel can lead to doubling of Omicron cases: Fauci White House reacts Responding to the same, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that Manchin's statements are "at odds with his discussions this week with the President". The lengthy statement further read: "Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced." "If his comments on FOX and written statement indicate an end to that effort, they represent a sudden and inexplicable reversal in his position, and a breach of his commitments to the President and the Senator’s colleagues in the House and Senate," Psaki's statement added. Manchin has been facing criticism from some party members. Senator Bernie Sanders said that the Democrats would take the bill to a vote. "I hope that we will bring a strong bill to the floor of the Senate as soon as we can and let Mr. Manchin explain to the people of West Virginia why he doesn't have the guts to stand up to powerful special interests," he told CNN. WATCH: Top health experts warn of looming Omicron wave in United States ×

White House reacts after Joe Manchin says he won't vote for Joe Biden's Build Back Better bill

us-news

Us News, News on Us News, stories on Us News, articles on Us News, Us News stories at Wion, Us News news, Us News latest news

us news