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Swedish tabloid Expressen has revealed that the country's gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg has such a phobia of bananas that government officials are making sure the yellow fruit is not present at any place she is going to visit. The tabloid viewed several leaked emails and quoted from them in its report to say that Brandberg’s staff had gone to great lengths to ensure that the fruit was never anywhere near her during her official visits.

As per the emails, her staff had asked for any bananas to be removed before several meetings and trips.

“Paulina Brandberg has a strong allergy to bananas, so it would be appreciated that there are no bananas in the areas where she will be staying,” one of the emails from the ministry addressed to the Norwegian Judicial Agency reads ahead of a VIP lunch.&nbsp;

Brandberg also spoke with Expressen on Wednesday and said "It’s sort of an allergy, you could say." &nbsp;"It’s something that I get professional help with," she stated in another email to the news outlet.

In a few other instances of her staff asking for bananas to be removed, Politico reported that her team emailed a county administrative board, telling them “no bananas are allowed on the premises.”

Her staff once told Swedish Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlén “no traces of bananas must be in the room” during her meeting with a colleague, owing to a “strong allergy”.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/what-is-nomophobia-the-fear-of-being-detached-from-your-mobile-phones-check-causes-symptoms-prevention-632873">Nomophobia, the fear of being detached from your mobile phone</a>

Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said that Brandberg’s problem had not affected government work.

“I have all the respect for people who have different phobias,” he said. “I am disturbed when a hard-working cabinet minister is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think you should be too good for that.”

<h2>Brandberg's social media posts</h2>

In 2020, Brandberg admitted in posts on X that she has a phobia of bananas. However, Politico reported that the posts seem to have been taken down after the latest report.

She called it the "world’s craziest phobia" on Aug 6, 2020, and then wrote on Sept 11, 2020, "I have a phobia of bananas".&nbsp;

There are several phobias and food allergies that are not officially classified. Bananaphobia is a rare ailment and has not been classified officially. According to the International Classification of Diseases, fears of food are placed in a group of specific, isolated phobias.

Swedish tabloid Expressen has revealed that the country's gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg has such a phobia of bananas that government officials are making sure the yellow fruit is not present at any place she is going to visit.

Swedish tabloid Expressen has revealed that the country's gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg has such a phobia of bananas that government officials are making sure the yellow fruit is not present at any place she is going to visit. The tabloid viewed several leaked emails and quoted from them in its report to say that Brandberg’s staff had gone to great lengths to ensure that the fruit was never anywhere near her during her official visits. As per the emails, her staff had asked for any bananas to be removed before several meetings and trips. “Paulina Brandberg has a strong allergy to bananas, so it would be appreciated that there are no bananas in the areas where she will be staying,” one of the emails from the ministry addressed to the Norwegian Judicial Agency reads ahead of a VIP lunch. Brandberg also spoke with Expressen on Wednesday and said "It’s sort of an allergy, you could say." "It’s something that I get professional help with," she stated in another email to the news outlet. In a few other instances of her staff asking for bananas to be removed, Politico reported that her team emailed a county administrative board, telling them “no bananas are allowed on the premises.” Her staff once told Swedish Parliament Speaker Andreas Norlén “no traces of bananas must be in the room” during her meeting with a colleague, owing to a “strong allergy”. Also Read: Nomophobia, the fear of being detached from your mobile phone Sweden’s prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, said that Brandberg’s problem had not affected government work. “I have all the respect for people who have different phobias,” he said. “I am disturbed when a hard-working cabinet minister is almost reduced to a phobia and people make fun of it. I think you should be too good for that.” Brandberg's social media posts In 2020, Brandberg admitted in posts on X that she has a phobia of bananas. However, Politico reported that the posts seem to have been taken down after the latest report. She called it the "world’s craziest phobia" on Aug 6, 2020, and then wrote on Sept 11, 2020, "I have a phobia of bananas". There are several phobias and food allergies that are not officially classified. Bananaphobia is a rare ailment and has not been classified officially. According to the International Classification of Diseases, fears of food are placed in a group of specific, isolated phobias.

Swedish minister's banana phobia leads staff to ensure it is nowhere near her

While American&nbsp;billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy look all set to unleash their United States “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) on the US&nbsp;bureaucratic splurge, experts have warned their ambitious agenda might soon face roadblocks.

The DOGE aims to slash government costs by $2 trillion within the next two years by restructuring federal agencies.

However, experts have noted that the executive branch may scuttle their ambitious strides.

Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of American Action Forum, was quoted as saying by the Hill, “There’s the executive branch that might be in their way. The Congress might be in their way. The Constitution is a bit of an obstacle.”

Holtz-Eakin added that the DOGE’s powers will be fully advisory and it will just give recommendations to the government agencies, without having any real authority.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwidlJmmt9yJAxWyqFYBHbrMNzkQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-india-trumps-border-czar-raises-concerns-over-terror-risk-from-canada-776286" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/after-india-trumps-border-czar-raises-concerns-over-terror-risk-from-canada-776286&amp;ved=2ahUKEwidlJmmt9yJAxWyqFYBHbrMNzkQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">After India, Trump’s border czar raises concerns over terror risk from Canada</a>

“They don’t have any authority to do anything other than say, ‘We think this will be good,’” the expert said. “Evidently, Mr. Musk has a lot of free time, and if he wants to waste it, that’s fine,” he stated.

Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, meanwhile expressed doubts over the authority and status of DOGE since it has not been created by Congress.

“But since this was not created by Congress, we don’t know what its authority is and what status it has,” West said. “I mean, any American can make suggestions on ways to cut the government budget, but the question — is anybody going to pay serious attention to this?”

The expert also noted that major budgetary cuts would be approved only by Congress and would not be based on&nbsp;DOGE’s recommendations. 
 
Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwidlJmmt9yJAxWyqFYBHbrMNzkQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-wont-go-home-cant-get-rid-of-him-trump-says-after-billionaires-constant-presence-at-his-home-776219" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-wont-go-home-cant-get-rid-of-him-trump-says-after-billionaires-constant-presence-at-his-home-776219&amp;ved=2ahUKEwidlJmmt9yJAxWyqFYBHbrMNzkQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">`Elon won`t go home, can`t get rid of him,` Trump says after billionaire`s constant presence at his home</a>

However, West warned that Musk had to be taken seriously only because of his closeness to President-elect Donald Trump.

“Musk has the ear of the president, so people have to take it seriously just for that reason,” West was quoted as saying by The Hill.

Trump, on Tuesday (Nov 12) declared that Vivek and Elon would be spearheading the DOGE arm of his government. Trump in a statement said, “It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time. Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of ‘DOGE’ for a very long time.”

(With inputs from agencies)

While American billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy look all set to unleash their United States “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) on the US bureaucratic splurge, experts have warned their ambitious agenda might soon face roadblocks.

While American billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy look all set to unleash their United States “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) on the US bureaucratic splurge, experts have warned their ambitious agenda might soon face roadblocks. The DOGE aims to slash government costs by $2 trillion within the next two years by restructuring federal agencies. However, experts have noted that the executive branch may scuttle their ambitious strides. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of American Action Forum, was quoted as saying by the Hill, “There’s the executive branch that might be in their way. The Congress might be in their way. The Constitution is a bit of an obstacle.” Holtz-Eakin added that the DOGE’s powers will be fully advisory and it will just give recommendations to the government agencies, without having any real authority. Also read: After India, Trump’s border czar raises concerns over terror risk from Canada “They don’t have any authority to do anything other than say, ‘We think this will be good,’” the expert said. “Evidently, Mr. Musk has a lot of free time, and if he wants to waste it, that’s fine,” he stated. Darrell West, a senior fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, meanwhile expressed doubts over the authority and status of DOGE since it has not been created by Congress. “But since this was not created by Congress, we don’t know what its authority is and what status it has,” West said. “I mean, any American can make suggestions on ways to cut the government budget, but the question — is anybody going to pay serious attention to this?” The expert also noted that major budgetary cuts would be approved only by Congress and would not be based on DOGE’s recommendations. Also read: `Elon won`t go home, can`t get rid of him,` Trump says after billionaire`s constant presence at his home However, West warned that Musk had to be taken seriously only because of his closeness to President-elect Donald Trump. “Musk has the ear of the president, so people have to take it seriously just for that reason,” West was quoted as saying by The Hill. Trump, on Tuesday (Nov 12) declared that Vivek and Elon would be spearheading the DOGE arm of his government. Trump in a statement said, “It will become, potentially, ‘The Manhattan Project’ of our time. Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of ‘DOGE’ for a very long time.” (With inputs from agencies)

Congress and Constitution: Experts claim Musk’s DOGE plan may face real obstacles

The ruling National People's Power party, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is all set for a sweeping victory in the parliamentary election. As of 6:30 a.m. local time, with partial results declared, the NPP has secured a substantial 60% of the vote. Watch in or more details!

Sri Lanka Parliamentary Polls 2024: President Dissanayake Seeks To Expand Military Presence

A senior Hamas official said Friday (Nov 15) the Palestinian militant group was “ready for a ceasefire” in besieged Gaza. Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”.

“Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire proposal is presented and on the condition that it is respected” by Israel, said the Hamas official. “We call on the US administration and Trump to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression,” he added.

Naim added that he was in favour of a proposal that would achieve two things:

<ol>
	<li>A definitive ceasefire in the Gaza</li>
	<li>Withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Palestinian territory</li>
</ol>

Naim’s statement comes after the latest round of negotiations collapsed in mid-October. Israel has long maintained it will not agree to longer truces, with more disagreements revolving around the future role of Hamas and Israel’s military presence in Gaza.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjSh8LKzt6JAxW3SmwGHTCaEq8QxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-confirms-suspension-of-gaza-mediation-cites-lack-of-seriousness-from-israel-and-hamas-774896" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-confirms-suspension-of-gaza-mediation-cites-lack-of-seriousness-from-israel-and-hamas-774896&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjSh8LKzt6JAxW3SmwGHTCaEq8QxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE">Qatar confirms suspension of Gaza mediation, says will only resume talks when...</a>

Although Trump has said he is in favour of ending conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu may now take even bolder steps that could lead to further intensification of the war.

<h2>Hamas ally releases new hostage video</h2>

Meanwhile, Hamas ally Islamic Jihad on Friday shared another clip showing a Russian-Israeli citizen Sasha Trupanov, following the first clip shared earlier this week.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjSh8LKzt6JAxW3SmwGHTCaEq8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-hostage-calls-for-pressure-on-netanyahu-govt-video-shared-by-hamas-ally-shows-775845" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-hostage-calls-for-pressure-on-netanyahu-govt-video-shared-by-hamas-ally-shows-775845&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjSh8LKzt6JAxW3SmwGHTCaEq8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Israeli hostage calls for pressure on Netanyahu government in video shared by Hamas ally</a>

Trupanov, 29, was detained by Hamas along with his girlfriend Sapir Cohen. Russia has called on Hamas to release Trupanov as well as another hostage named Maxim Herkin, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 2023 terror attack on Israel.

<h2>Gaza aid access ‘at low point’</h2>

The UN office for humanitarian affairs earlier said that aid access in Gaza was at a low point, as making deliveries to the northern parts of the territory had become nearly impossible.

“From our perspective, on all indicators you can possibly think of in a humanitarian response, all of them are going in the wrong direction,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN office.

Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

A senior Hamas official said Friday (Nov 15) the Palestinian militant group was “ready for a ceasefire” in besieged Gaza. Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”.

A senior Hamas official said Friday (Nov 15) the Palestinian militant group was “ready for a ceasefire” in besieged Gaza. Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”. “Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire proposal is presented and on the condition that it is respected” by Israel, said the Hamas official. “We call on the US administration and Trump to pressure the Israeli government to end the aggression,” he added. Naim added that he was in favour of a proposal that would achieve two things: A definitive ceasefire in the Gaza Withdrawal of the Israeli military from the Palestinian territory Naim’s statement comes after the latest round of negotiations collapsed in mid-October. Israel has long maintained it will not agree to longer truces, with more disagreements revolving around the future role of Hamas and Israel’s military presence in Gaza. Also read: Qatar confirms suspension of Gaza mediation, says will only resume talks when... Although Trump has said he is in favour of ending conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu may now take even bolder steps that could lead to further intensification of the war. Hamas ally releases new hostage video Meanwhile, Hamas ally Islamic Jihad on Friday shared another clip showing a Russian-Israeli citizen Sasha Trupanov, following the first clip shared earlier this week. Also read: Israeli hostage calls for pressure on Netanyahu government in video shared by Hamas ally Trupanov, 29, was detained by Hamas along with his girlfriend Sapir Cohen. Russia has called on Hamas to release Trupanov as well as another hostage named Maxim Herkin, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 2023 terror attack on Israel. Gaza aid access ‘at low point’ The UN office for humanitarian affairs earlier said that aid access in Gaza was at a low point, as making deliveries to the northern parts of the territory had become nearly impossible. “From our perspective, on all indicators you can possibly think of in a humanitarian response, all of them are going in the wrong direction,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN office. Disclaimer: WION takes the utmost care to accurately and responsibly report conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, Syria, Iraq, and non-state actors like the Islamic State, among others. In this context, claims and counterclaims are being made online and offline. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos, and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Hamas ‘ready for ceasefire’; top official requests Trump to press Israel for peace

Iran gave a written letter to United States President Joe Biden's administration last month, saying that it would not seek to assassinate the then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported.&nbsp;

Iran reportedly sent the letter on October 14, aiming at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington ahead of the US presidential elections.&nbsp;

They provided this message in response to a written warning that the US sent Iran in September that Washington would consider an attempt on Trump's life as an act of war.&nbsp;

Last week, US prosecutors announced charges in an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump and a prominent dissident Iranian-American journalist, The Times of Israel reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-says-trump-assassination-claim-by-fbi-totally-unfounded-774761">Also read:&nbsp;Iran says Trump assassination claim by FBI 'totally unfounded'</a>

Trump faced two assassination attempts this year, months ahead of the presidential election in November, including a shooting at a campaign rally when a bullet grazed his ear.

Last week, the US justice department made charges public in a case regarding a thwarted attempt by Iran to kill Trump, winner of the 2024 US presidential elections, back in September.

According to an official complaint filed at Manhattan federal court, an agent in the US was allegedly instructed by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard official to hatch a plan to kill the Republican leader, earlier this year.

Watch |&nbsp;Trump Assassination Bid: FBI probing apparent assassination attempt

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The man has been identified as Farjad Shakeri. He was allegedly ordered by the Iranian official that if he failed to formulate a plan to kill Trump by September, they would have to delay it until the elections happen.

The details of the&nbsp;plot were made public after the US justice department&nbsp;unsealed court documents related to the case days after Trump defeated his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in an election marred by foreign interference, especially by nations like Russia, Iran, and China.

(With inputs from agencies)

Iran gave a written letter to United States President Joe Biden's administration last month, saying that it would not seek to assassinate the then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Iran gave a written letter to United States President Joe Biden's administration last month, saying that it would not seek to assassinate the then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the Wall Street Journal reported. Iran reportedly sent the letter on October 14, aiming at easing tensions between Tehran and Washington ahead of the US presidential elections. They provided this message in response to a written warning that the US sent Iran in September that Washington would consider an attempt on Trump's life as an act of war. Last week, US prosecutors announced charges in an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump and a prominent dissident Iranian-American journalist, The Times of Israel reported. Also read: Iran says Trump assassination claim by FBI 'totally unfounded' Trump faced two assassination attempts this year, months ahead of the presidential election in November, including a shooting at a campaign rally when a bullet grazed his ear. Last week, the US justice department made charges public in a case regarding a thwarted attempt by Iran to kill Trump, winner of the 2024 US presidential elections, back in September. According to an official complaint filed at Manhattan federal court, an agent in the US was allegedly instructed by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard official to hatch a plan to kill the Republican leader, earlier this year. Watch | Trump Assassination Bid: FBI probing apparent assassination attempt × The man has been identified as Farjad Shakeri. He was allegedly ordered by the Iranian official that if he failed to formulate a plan to kill Trump by September, they would have to delay it until the elections happen. The details of the plot were made public after the US justice department unsealed court documents related to the case days after Trump defeated his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in an election marred by foreign interference, especially by nations like Russia, Iran, and China. (With inputs from agencies)

Iran gives written assurance to US, saying it would not assassinate Trump

US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will attend the first day of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit Friday ahead of a face-to-face meeting under a cloud of diplomatic uncertainty cast by Donald Trump's election victory.

Biden and Xi are due to hold talks on Saturday, in what a US administration official said will probably be the last meeting between the sitting leaders of the world's largest economies before Trump is sworn in in January.

With the Republican president-elect having signalled a confrontational approach to Beijing for his second term, the bilateral meeting will be a closely watched affair.

Xi and Biden arrived in Lima Thursday along with other world leaders for a two-day heads-of-state meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping.

APEC, created in 1989 with the goal of regional trade liberalization, brings together 21 economies that jointly represent about 60 per cent of world GDP and over 40 per cent of global commerce.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/starting-latin-america-trip-xi-jinping-opens-huge-port-in-peru-funded-by-china-776355">Also read:&nbsp;Starting Latin America trip, Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China</a>

The summit program was to focus on trade and investment for what proponents dubbed inclusive growth.

But uncertainty over Trump's next moves now clouds the agenda -- as it does for the COP29 climate talks underway in Azerbaijan, and a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next week.

On Thursday, APEC ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, held their own meeting behind closed doors in Lima to set the tone for the summit to follow.

Trump announced this week he will replace Blinken with Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk.

<h2>'America First'&nbsp;</h2>

The summit will also be attended by Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Indonesia, among others.

President Vladimir Putin of APEC member Russia will not be present.

Trump's "America First" agenda is based on protectionist trade policies, increased domestic fossil fuel extraction, and avoiding foreign conflicts.

Watch |&nbsp;China's Xi Arrives In Lima For APEC Meeting, State Visit To Peru

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It threatens alliances Biden has built on issues ranging from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change and commerce.

The Republican president-elect has threatened tariffs of up to 60 per cent on imports of Chinese goods to even out what he says is an imbalance in bilateral trade.

China is grappling with a prolonged housing crisis and sluggish consumption that can only be made worse by a new trade war with Washington.

But economists say punitive levies would also harm the American economy, and others further afield.

<h2>'Criminals and drugs'&nbsp;</h2>

China is an ally of Western pariahs Russia and North Korea and is building up its own military capacity while ramping up pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory.

It is also expanding its reach into Latin America through infrastructure and other projects under its Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi on Thursday inaugurated South America's first Chinese-funded port, in Chancay, north of Lima, even as a senior US official warned Latin American countries to be vigilant when it comes to Chinese investment.

Biden, meanwhile, will on Friday meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol -- key US allies in Asia.

Travelling with Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the partner nations will announce the creation of a secretariat to ensure their alliance "will be an enduring feature of American policy."

China isn't the only country in Trump's economic crosshairs.

The incoming US leader has threatened tariffs of 25 per cent or more on goods coming from Mexico -- another APEC member -- unless it stops an "onslaught of criminals and drugs" crossing the border.

Peru has deployed more than 13,000 members of the armed forces to keep the peace in Lima as transport workers and shop owners launched three days of protests against crime and perceived government neglect.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will attend the first day of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit Friday ahead of a face-to-face meeting under a cloud of diplomatic uncertainty cast by Donald Trump's election victory.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping will attend the first day of an Asia-Pacific leaders' summit Friday ahead of a face-to-face meeting under a cloud of diplomatic uncertainty cast by Donald Trump's election victory. Biden and Xi are due to hold talks on Saturday, in what a US administration official said will probably be the last meeting between the sitting leaders of the world's largest economies before Trump is sworn in in January. With the Republican president-elect having signalled a confrontational approach to Beijing for his second term, the bilateral meeting will be a closely watched affair. Xi and Biden arrived in Lima Thursday along with other world leaders for a two-day heads-of-state meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping. APEC, created in 1989 with the goal of regional trade liberalization, brings together 21 economies that jointly represent about 60 per cent of world GDP and over 40 per cent of global commerce. Also read: Starting Latin America trip, Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China The summit program was to focus on trade and investment for what proponents dubbed inclusive growth. But uncertainty over Trump's next moves now clouds the agenda -- as it does for the COP29 climate talks underway in Azerbaijan, and a G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro next week. On Thursday, APEC ministers, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, held their own meeting behind closed doors in Lima to set the tone for the summit to follow. Trump announced this week he will replace Blinken with Senator Marco Rubio, a China hawk. 'America First' The summit will also be attended by Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia and Indonesia, among others. President Vladimir Putin of APEC member Russia will not be present. Trump's "America First" agenda is based on protectionist trade policies, increased domestic fossil fuel extraction, and avoiding foreign conflicts. Watch | China's Xi Arrives In Lima For APEC Meeting, State Visit To Peru × It threatens alliances Biden has built on issues ranging from the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East to climate change and commerce. The Republican president-elect has threatened tariffs of up to 60 per cent on imports of Chinese goods to even out what he says is an imbalance in bilateral trade. China is grappling with a prolonged housing crisis and sluggish consumption that can only be made worse by a new trade war with Washington. But economists say punitive levies would also harm the American economy, and others further afield. 'Criminals and drugs' China is an ally of Western pariahs Russia and North Korea and is building up its own military capacity while ramping up pressure on Taiwan, which it claims as part of its territory. It is also expanding its reach into Latin America through infrastructure and other projects under its Belt and Road Initiative. Xi on Thursday inaugurated South America's first Chinese-funded port, in Chancay, north of Lima, even as a senior US official warned Latin American countries to be vigilant when it comes to Chinese investment. Biden, meanwhile, will on Friday meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol -- key US allies in Asia. Travelling with Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the partner nations will announce the creation of a secretariat to ensure their alliance "will be an enduring feature of American policy." China isn't the only country in Trump's economic crosshairs. The incoming US leader has threatened tariffs of 25 per cent or more on goods coming from Mexico -- another APEC member -- unless it stops an "onslaught of criminals and drugs" crossing the border. Peru has deployed more than 13,000 members of the armed forces to keep the peace in Lima as transport workers and shop owners launched three days of protests against crime and perceived government neglect. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Biden, Xi to attend Asia-Pacific summit, to hold talks on Saturday

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with yet another controversial appointment to his administration, naming Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with yet another controversial appointment to his administration, naming Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said, “The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country.” “Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!” he added. Divisive appointment Robert F Kennedy Jr is a polarising figure, known for his vocal stance against vaccines and his promotion of baseless health claims. He has spread conspiracy theories about vaccine safety and has made controversial statements about fluoride, claiming it is linked to health problems like bone fractures, cancer, and thyroid disorders. However, organisations like the American Dental Association continue to advocate for adding fluoride to tap water as a safe and effective public health measure. Also read: 'Good news,' Trump ally Elon Musk met with Iran’s UN ambassador: Report In his acceptance statement, Kennedy Jr pledged to prioritise the health of Americans. “I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth,” he said. Strong reactions The appointment sparked mixed reactions. Critics argue that Kennedy Jr’s controversial views are not good for public health. Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, said, “Robert F Kennedy Jr is a clear and present danger to the nation’s health. He shouldn’t be allowed in the building at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), let alone be placed in charge of the nation’s public health agency.” The group added, “Donald Trump’s bungling of public health policy during the Covid pandemic cost hundreds of thousands of lives. By appointing Kennedy as his secretary of HHS, Trump is courting another, policy-driven public health catastrophe.” This could not be more dangerous. There's no telling how far an anti-vaxxer & fringe conspiracy theorist like RFK Jr. could set America back in terms of public health, reproductive rights, research, & more. And the consequences are not theoretical—they're life or death issues. https://t.co/nE3Lw2oJRE — Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) November 14, 2024 × California Representative Robert Garcia called the nomination “f***ing insane” and said Kennedy’s leadership would undermine the country’s vaccine distribution systems, potentially costing lives. Senator Patty Murray echoed similar concerns, calling Kennedy an “anti-vaxxer and fringe conspiracy theorist” and labelling the decision a “life or death issues.” I’m excited by the news that the President-Elect will appoint @RobertKennedyJr to @HHSGov. He helped us defeat vaccine mandates in Colorado in 2019 and will help make America healthy again by shaking up HHS and FDA. I hope he leans into personal choice on vaccines rather than… pic.twitter.com/cILtTYplcn — Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) November 14, 2024 × However, not everyone has criticised the move. Colorado Governor Jared Polis said he shared Kennedy Jr’s concerns about reforming institutions like HHS and the FDA. Polis later said that his support for Kennedy Jr did not diminish his support for vaccines and medical science. “If as a country we follow the science we would also be far more concerned about the impact of pesticides on public health, ag policy on nutrition, and the lack of access to prescription drugs due to drug high prices. This is why I am for a major shake-up in institutions like the FDA that have been barriers to lowering drug costs and promoting healthy food choices,” Polis said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Public health catastrophe,' critics react as Trump picks RFK Jr for top health post

Donald Trump returns to the White House shielded with presidential immunity by the&nbsp;Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;and with the prospect of cementing a conservative majority on the bench for at least a generation.

The Republican President-elect appointed three right-wing justices to the top&nbsp;court&nbsp;during his first term and may have the opportunity to name more during his second stint in the Oval Office.

Archconservatives Clarence Thomas, 76, and Samuel Alito, 74, who wrote the opinion overturning the nationwide right to abortion, are the two oldest justices on the&nbsp;court&nbsp;and they could choose to step down knowing their replacements would be nominated by Trump.

"It certainly presents the opportunity for them to retire with some assurance that their successor would continue their philosophy," said Christopher Peters, a law professor at the University of Akron. "And I certainly wouldn't be surprised if that happened."

Steven Schwinn, a law professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, said if Thomas or Alito have any inclination to quit he expects it to happen "fairly quickly" -- before the 2026 midterm elections, when Republicans could potentially lose control of the Senate.

Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;justices are appointed by the president for life but are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Trump, the only former US president to be convicted of a crime -- falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star -- will take office in January emboldened by the top&nbsp;court's ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from criminal prosecution, Schwinn said.

Trump was charged by Special Counsel Jack Smith with conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election but a trial was delayed by appeals that eventually landed in the&nbsp;Supreme&nbsp;Court, where conservatives enjoy a 6-3 majority.

In an opinion penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, the&nbsp;court&nbsp;ruled that a former president has broad immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office, but can be pursued for unofficial acts.

Smith, the special counsel, is winding down the election interference case against Trump in light of the long-standing Justice Department policy that a sitting US president cannot be indicted or criminally prosecuted.

<h2>'King above the law'</h2>

Schwinn said the immunity ruling "not only allows, but affirmatively invites, a president to engage in illegal behavior and provides a kind of roadmap for doing that while also immunizing themselves.

"And then the question is, 'Is a particular president willing to abuse that power or not?'" he said. "And you know, for my money, I guess a President Trump seems more likely to do that."

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three liberals on the&nbsp;court, warned in her blistering dissent to the immunity ruling that it makes the president a "king above the law."

Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, noted that the&nbsp;Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;did check Trump on a number of occasions during his first term in the White House.

The&nbsp;court&nbsp;initially blocked his Muslim travel ban, protected the young undocumented immigrants known as "Dreamers," and declined to be dragged into lawsuits filed by Trump surrogates falsely claiming he had won the 2020 election.

With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress this time, the&nbsp;Supreme&nbsp;Court&nbsp;will be "the last institution standing between Mr Trump and whatever he wants to do," Vladeck said in a New York Times essay.

But the&nbsp;court, Vladeck noted, has its own problems with approval ratings at near record lows and perceived ethics questions surrounding luxury vacations taken by Thomas and Alito that were paid for by powerful Republican billionaires.

"Without that public support, what would happen if Mr Trump simply ignored a decision by the nation's highest&nbsp;court&nbsp;that he doesn't like?" Vladeck asked.

"If the&nbsp;court&nbsp;rules against Mr Trump and he tells the justices to pound sand, what will happen then?"

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Donald Trump returns to the White House shielded with presidential immunity by the Supreme Court and with the prospect of cementing a conservative majority on the bench for at least a generation.

Donald Trump returns to the White House shielded with presidential immunity by the Supreme Court and with the prospect of cementing a conservative majority on the bench for at least a generation. The Republican President-elect appointed three right-wing justices to the top court during his first term and may have the opportunity to name more during his second stint in the Oval Office. Archconservatives Clarence Thomas, 76, and Samuel Alito, 74, who wrote the opinion overturning the nationwide right to abortion, are the two oldest justices on the court and they could choose to step down knowing their replacements would be nominated by Trump. "It certainly presents the opportunity for them to retire with some assurance that their successor would continue their philosophy," said Christopher Peters, a law professor at the University of Akron. "And I certainly wouldn't be surprised if that happened." Steven Schwinn, a law professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, said if Thomas or Alito have any inclination to quit he expects it to happen "fairly quickly" -- before the 2026 midterm elections, when Republicans could potentially lose control of the Senate. Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president for life but are subject to confirmation by the Senate. Trump, the only former US president to be convicted of a crime -- falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to a porn star -- will take office in January emboldened by the top court's ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from criminal prosecution, Schwinn said. Trump was charged by Special Counsel Jack Smith with conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election but a trial was delayed by appeals that eventually landed in the Supreme Court, where conservatives enjoy a 6-3 majority. In an opinion penned by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court ruled that a former president has broad immunity from prosecution for official acts taken while in office, but can be pursued for unofficial acts. Smith, the special counsel, is winding down the election interference case against Trump in light of the long-standing Justice Department policy that a sitting US president cannot be indicted or criminally prosecuted. 'King above the law' Schwinn said the immunity ruling "not only allows, but affirmatively invites, a president to engage in illegal behavior and provides a kind of roadmap for doing that while also immunizing themselves. "And then the question is, 'Is a particular president willing to abuse that power or not?'" he said. "And you know, for my money, I guess a President Trump seems more likely to do that." Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three liberals on the court, warned in her blistering dissent to the immunity ruling that it makes the president a "king above the law." Steve Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, noted that the Supreme Court did check Trump on a number of occasions during his first term in the White House. The court initially blocked his Muslim travel ban, protected the young undocumented immigrants known as "Dreamers," and declined to be dragged into lawsuits filed by Trump surrogates falsely claiming he had won the 2020 election. With Republicans controlling both chambers of Congress this time, the Supreme Court will be "the last institution standing between Mr Trump and whatever he wants to do," Vladeck said in a New York Times essay. But the court, Vladeck noted, has its own problems with approval ratings at near record lows and perceived ethics questions surrounding luxury vacations taken by Thomas and Alito that were paid for by powerful Republican billionaires. "Without that public support, what would happen if Mr Trump simply ignored a decision by the nation's highest court that he doesn't like?" Vladeck asked. "If the court rules against Mr Trump and he tells the justices to pound sand, what will happen then?" Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Trump returns to White House shielded with presidential immunity by US Supreme Court

The parliamentary election in Sri Lanka got over on Thursday (Nov 14). On Friday, initial results from the Election Commission showed that President&nbsp;Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party- the National People's Power (NPP) was headed for a victory in the polls.&nbsp;

United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump has named&nbsp;Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.&nbsp;

In other news from around the world, the Indian home ministry&nbsp;extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in six Police Stations of five districts of Manipur with immediate effect up till March 31, 2025, to address well-coordinated operation by the security forces in the&nbsp;state to maintain security situation.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-parliamentary-election-ruling-npp-set-for-landslide-victory-in-polls-776337">Sri Lanka parliamentary election: Ruling NPP set for landslide victory in polls</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/11/15/466121-untitled-design.png?imwidth=400" />

Sri Lankan President&nbsp;Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party- the National People's Power (NPP) was headed for a victory in the parliamentary election, the news agency AFP reported on Friday (Nov 15) citing initial results from the Election Commission.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-names-vaccine-sceptic-rfk-jr-as-health-and-human-services-secretary-776318">Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/11/15/466110-stories-39.png?imwidth=400" />

United States President-elect Donald Trump announced yet another controversial appointment, naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy will help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-to-impose-afspa-in-six-police-stations-of-manipur-776341">Indian govt to impose AFSPA in six police stations of Manipur</a>

<img alt="main img" src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2024/11/15/466126-untitled.png?imwidth=400" />

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in six Police Stations of five districts of Manipur with immediate effect up till March 31, 2025 to address well-coordinated operation by the security forces in the ethnic violent-hit state to maintain security situation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rfk-jr-todd-blanche-doug-burgum-donald-trumps-top-picks-spark-debate-776331">RFK Jr, Todd Blanche, Doug Burgum: Donald Trump's top picks spark debate</a>

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Donald Trump's top picks for his cabinet has sparked a debate. On Thursday (Nov 14), Trump announced&nbsp;North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as the secretary of the Department of the Interior,&nbsp;Doug Collins as the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and&nbsp;Todd Blanche as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official.&nbsp;

Watch | World DNA:&nbsp;GRAP III curbs in Delhi amid ‘severe’ AQI

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The parliamentary election in Sri Lanka got over on Thursday (Nov 14). On Friday, initial results from the Election Commission showed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party- the National People's Power (NPP) was headed for a victory in the polls.

The parliamentary election in Sri Lanka got over on Thursday (Nov 14). On Friday, initial results from the Election Commission showed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party- the National People's Power (NPP) was headed for a victory in the polls. United States (US) President-elect Donald Trump has named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. In other news from around the world, the Indian home ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in six Police Stations of five districts of Manipur with immediate effect up till March 31, 2025, to address well-coordinated operation by the security forces in the state to maintain security situation. Click on the headlines to read more: Sri Lanka parliamentary election: Ruling NPP set for landslide victory in polls Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's party- the National People's Power (NPP) was headed for a victory in the parliamentary election, the news agency AFP reported on Friday (Nov 15) citing initial results from the Election Commission. Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary United States President-elect Donald Trump announced yet another controversial appointment, naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy will help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Indian govt to impose AFSPA in six police stations of Manipur Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday extended Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 in six Police Stations of five districts of Manipur with immediate effect up till March 31, 2025 to address well-coordinated operation by the security forces in the ethnic violent-hit state to maintain security situation. RFK Jr, Todd Blanche, Doug Burgum: Donald Trump's top picks spark debate Donald Trump's top picks for his cabinet has sparked a debate. On Thursday (Nov 14), Trump announced North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as the secretary of the Department of the Interior, Doug Collins as the head of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Todd Blanche as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official. Watch | World DNA: GRAP III curbs in Delhi amid ‘severe’ AQI ×

Morning brief: NPP set for landslide win in Sri Lanka parliamentary polls; RFK Jr named US health secy, & more

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russian President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years.

In the call, Scholz "condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and called on President&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;to end it and withdraw troops", the chancellor's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said.

The German leader "urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace", Hebestreit added in a statement.

Scholz also stressed "Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary".

The call comes at a crucial juncture in the war. Ukrainian troops are coming under pressure and the election of Donald Trump in the United States has cast doubt over Washington's continued support for Kyiv.

The call between the two leaders was the first time they have been in contact since December 2022. The conversation lasted "for an hour", a German government source told AFP.

Scholz "particularly condemned the Russian air strikes against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine", said a government source.

"He made it clear that sending North Korean soldiers to Russia for combat missions against Ukraine would lead to a serious escalation and expansion of the conflict," the source added.

The Kremlin, in its readout of the conversation, said the two leaders had had a "frank exchange of views", adding that the call had been initiated by Germany.

"Possible agreements should take into account the security interests of the Russian Federation, proceed from the new territorial realities and, most importantly, address the root causes of the conflict," the Kremlin added.

<h2>Limited contact</h2>

Before picking up the phone to&nbsp;Putin, Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Hebestreit said.&nbsp;

The German and Ukrainian leaders spoke "beforehand and will do so again after the conversation with the Russian president", the spokesman said.

Launched in February 2022, Russia's full-scale of invasion of Ukraine is headed into its third winter, with Kyiv's troops increasingly on the back foot.&nbsp;

Germany has been one of Ukraine's biggest military supporters, second only to the United States in the aid it has sent to Kyiv.&nbsp;

But the election of Trump, who criticised aid to Ukraine on the campaign trail, has called into question Washington's continued support.

Scholz's December 2022 call with&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;was the last known phone call between the Kremlin chief and the leader of a major Western country.

Putin&nbsp;has not spoken to most NATO and Western leaders since 2022, when the EU and the US imposed massive sanctions on Russia for launching its shock Ukraine offensive.

Within the NATO bloc,&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;maintains contact with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban –&nbsp;who is critical of Western policy on Russia –&nbsp;and with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/public-health-catastrophe-critics-react-as-trump-picks-rfk-jr-for-top-health-post-776524">'Public health catastrophe,' critics react as Trump picks RFK Jr. for top health post</a>

Putin&nbsp;has not met other Western leaders in person since days before launching the offensive in February 2022, when a flurry of Western officials visited Moscow in a bid to deter the Kremlin chief from attacking Ukraine.

He will skip a meeting of G20 leaders in Brazil next week, which Scholz will attend, on the grounds that his presence would "wreck" the gathering.

Putin&nbsp;denied an International Criminal Court warrant out against him, for Russia's actions in Ukraine, was a factor in his decision to steer clear of the summit, where Moscow will be represented by Russia's foreign minister.

The German and Russian leaders "agreed to remain in contact", the German government source added.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in peace talks with Ukraine, in the first call between the leaders in almost two years. In the call, Scholz "condemned Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and called on President Putin to end it and withdraw troops", the chancellor's spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said. The German leader "urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace", Hebestreit added in a statement. Scholz also stressed "Germany's unwavering determination to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression for as long as necessary". The call comes at a crucial juncture in the war. Ukrainian troops are coming under pressure and the election of Donald Trump in the United States has cast doubt over Washington's continued support for Kyiv. The call between the two leaders was the first time they have been in contact since December 2022. The conversation lasted "for an hour", a German government source told AFP. Scholz "particularly condemned the Russian air strikes against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine", said a government source. "He made it clear that sending North Korean soldiers to Russia for combat missions against Ukraine would lead to a serious escalation and expansion of the conflict," the source added. The Kremlin, in its readout of the conversation, said the two leaders had had a "frank exchange of views", adding that the call had been initiated by Germany. "Possible agreements should take into account the security interests of the Russian Federation, proceed from the new territorial realities and, most importantly, address the root causes of the conflict," the Kremlin added. Limited contact Before picking up the phone to Putin, Scholz spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Hebestreit said. The German and Ukrainian leaders spoke "beforehand and will do so again after the conversation with the Russian president", the spokesman said. Launched in February 2022, Russia's full-scale of invasion of Ukraine is headed into its third winter, with Kyiv's troops increasingly on the back foot. Germany has been one of Ukraine's biggest military supporters, second only to the United States in the aid it has sent to Kyiv. But the election of Trump, who criticised aid to Ukraine on the campaign trail, has called into question Washington's continued support. Scholz's December 2022 call with Putin was the last known phone call between the Kremlin chief and the leader of a major Western country. Putin has not spoken to most NATO and Western leaders since 2022, when the EU and the US imposed massive sanctions on Russia for launching its shock Ukraine offensive. Within the NATO bloc, Putin maintains contact with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – who is critical of Western policy on Russia – and with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also read: 'Public health catastrophe,' critics react as Trump picks RFK Jr. for top health post Putin has not met other Western leaders in person since days before launching the offensive in February 2022, when a flurry of Western officials visited Moscow in a bid to deter the Kremlin chief from attacking Ukraine. He will skip a meeting of G20 leaders in Brazil next week, which Scholz will attend, on the grounds that his presence would "wreck" the gathering. Putin denied an International Criminal Court warrant out against him, for Russia's actions in Ukraine, was a factor in his decision to steer clear of the summit, where Moscow will be represented by Russia's foreign minister. The German and Russian leaders "agreed to remain in contact", the German government source added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In rare call, German Chancellor Scholz urges Putin to end Ukraine war, warns of escalation risks

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday (Nov 14) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his nominee to be the secretary of the Department of the Interior.&nbsp;

Speaking at Mar-a-Lago for an America First Policy Institute event in Florida, Trump said, "We have a big announcement, and I won’t tell you. I won’t tell you the name of his, the exact name. I think he’s an incredible person. He has an unbelievably wonderful wife named Kathryn. So, I won’t tell you, his name might be something like 'Burgum.' Burgum."

"He’s from North Dakota. He’s going to be announced tomorrow for a huge position," he added by pointing at Burgum.&nbsp;

Speaking at the same event, Trump also announced Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs.&nbsp;

“We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," the president-elect said.&nbsp;

Todd Blanche, the attorney who led the team of lawyers who defended Trump at his hush money trial, has been selected to serve as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official.&nbsp;

While announcing the name, Trump said, "Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-names-vaccine-sceptic-rfk-jr-as-health-and-human-services-secretary-776318">Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary</a>

In yet another controversial appointment, Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy would help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

Notably, Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has often made unverified statements and spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.&nbsp;

<h2>Trump's Other Picks That Sparked Discussion</h2>

'Government Efficiency': Elon Musk&nbsp;

Musk, the world's richest man, was tapped to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, along with another wealthy Trump ally, Vivek Ramaswamy.

Musk says he is targeting $2 trillion in cuts from the federal government's $7 trillion budget, without explaining how.

There has been no explanation of how the Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink boss would navigate conflicts of interest as a major US government contractor.

Secretary of State: Marco Rubio&nbsp;

Trump tapped the Florida senator to be a top diplomat, to intensify the US power struggle with China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sylvester-stallone-calls-trump-2nd-george-washington-at-mar-a-lago-gala-776326">Sylvester Stallone calls Trump '2nd George Washington' at Mar-a-Lago gala</a>

Rubio, a relatively traditional conservative hawk, has said China seeks "to reorient the world."

The son of Cuban immigrants is a fervent supporter of Israel and a longtime critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth&nbsp;

Fox News host and National Guard veteran Hegseth was nominated to lead the world's most powerful military, despite a slim CV.

Hegseth joined Fox News (Trump's favourite network in 2014) and hosts a weekend program.&nbsp;

Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee&nbsp;

Trump says the former Arkansas governor, a Christian pastor-turned-politician, "loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him."

<h2>Trump's 'Biased' Picks&nbsp;</h2>

In 2016, Donald Trump's picks for the White House were termed as "conventional". The cabinet was accused of being in line with that of a traditional Republican.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-know-the-game-he-was-playing-nikki-haley-reacts-to-trumps-post-election-snub-776302">‘I know the game he was playing,’ Nikki Haley reacts to Trump’s post-election snub</a>

In 2024, Trump's 'No Time Wasted' approach to selecting the top picks for his second term in the White House has somewhat sparked the discussion that Trump is, again, choosing people who are hardline Republicans and somewhat "biased."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday (Nov 14) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his nominee to be the secretary of the Department of the Interior.

US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Thursday (Nov 14) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum as his nominee to be the secretary of the Department of the Interior. Speaking at Mar-a-Lago for an America First Policy Institute event in Florida, Trump said, "We have a big announcement, and I won’t tell you. I won’t tell you the name of his, the exact name. I think he’s an incredible person. He has an unbelievably wonderful wife named Kathryn. So, I won’t tell you, his name might be something like 'Burgum.' Burgum." "He’s from North Dakota. He’s going to be announced tomorrow for a huge position," he added by pointing at Burgum. Speaking at the same event, Trump also announced Doug Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. “We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," the president-elect said. Todd Blanche, the attorney who led the team of lawyers who defended Trump at his hush money trial, has been selected to serve as the second-highest-ranking Justice Department official. While announcing the name, Trump said, "Todd is an excellent attorney who will be a crucial leader in the Justice Department, fixing what has been a broken System of Justice for far too long." Also read | Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary In yet another controversial appointment, Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy would help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!” Notably, Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has often made unverified statements and spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Trump's Other Picks That Sparked Discussion 'Government Efficiency': Elon Musk Musk, the world's richest man, was tapped to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency, along with another wealthy Trump ally, Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk says he is targeting $2 trillion in cuts from the federal government's $7 trillion budget, without explaining how. There has been no explanation of how the Tesla, SpaceX and Starlink boss would navigate conflicts of interest as a major US government contractor. Secretary of State: Marco Rubio Trump tapped the Florida senator to be a top diplomat, to intensify the US power struggle with China. Also read | Sylvester Stallone calls Trump '2nd George Washington' at Mar-a-Lago gala Rubio, a relatively traditional conservative hawk, has said China seeks "to reorient the world." The son of Cuban immigrants is a fervent supporter of Israel and a longtime critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Defense Secretary: Pete Hegseth Fox News host and National Guard veteran Hegseth was nominated to lead the world's most powerful military, despite a slim CV. Hegseth joined Fox News (Trump's favourite network in 2014) and hosts a weekend program. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee Trump says the former Arkansas governor, a Christian pastor-turned-politician, "loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him." Trump's 'Biased' Picks In 2016, Donald Trump's picks for the White House were termed as "conventional". The cabinet was accused of being in line with that of a traditional Republican. Also read | ‘I know the game he was playing,’ Nikki Haley reacts to Trump’s post-election snub In 2024, Trump's 'No Time Wasted' approach to selecting the top picks for his second term in the White House has somewhat sparked the discussion that Trump is, again, choosing people who are hardline Republicans and somewhat "biased." (With inputs from agencies)

RFK Jr, Todd Blanche, Doug Burgum: Donald Trump's top picks spark debate

Donald Trump celebrated his victory in the 2024 US Presidential elections at a gala held at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thursday night. In his first extended speech as president-elect, Trump spoke about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, his picks for the Cabinet, and his external advisors Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, among other issues.

Legendary actor Sylvester Stallone was also present at the grand America First Policy Institute gala. "Rocky" Stallone spoke to the audience before introducing Trump on stage, calling him "the second George Washington".

"No one could have done what this man has done," Stallone said. "He’s the second George Washington."

In his speech at the gala, Trump lauded the Republican victory. "No one knew we were going to win it the way we did, that was a big one," Trump said.

Notably, Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House, with a few races still uncalled. The party had already won majority control of the Senate and the leaders are already working to confirm his Cabinet picks.&nbsp;

Trump also announced a few more of his picks in the ministry. He named Doug Burgum, the current governor of North Dakota, as the interior secretary.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-names-vaccine-sceptic-rfk-jr-as-health-and-human-services-secretary-776318">Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary</a>

The department is responsible for the management and conservation of most natural resources and federal lands. Burgum had thrown in his hat for the presidential race in 2023, but suspended his campaign by the end of the year.

<h2>Trump thanks Musk, Ramaswamy and others</h2>

Trump also thanked Argentinian President Javier Milei and House Speaker Mike Johnson in his speech. He told the crowd that Elon Musk, who has been named to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been spending time at his Mar-a-Lago base.

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"He likes this place, I just can't get him out of here, he likes this place and I like having him here too," Trump said about Musk.

He also thanked Vivek Ramaswamy and Tulsi Gabbard. While Ramaswamy is also a part of DOGE, Gabbard has been appointed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

The Russia-Ukraine war also found a mention in his speech, and he said it has "got to stop". He stated that ending the war will be a priority when he assumed power. He said his other priorities include, the Middle East, "cleaning out the corrupt, broken, failing bureaucracies" and ending "child sexual mutilation", without going into details.

He did not say how he would end the war in Ukraine.

Donald Trump celebrated his victory in the 2024 US Presidential elections at a gala held at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thursday night. In his first extended speech as president-elect, Trump spoke about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, his picks for the Cabinet, and his external advisors Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, among other issues.

Donald Trump celebrated his victory in the 2024 US Presidential elections at a gala held at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida on Thursday night. In his first extended speech as president-elect, Trump spoke about ending the Russia-Ukraine war, his picks for the Cabinet, and his external advisors Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, among other issues. Legendary actor Sylvester Stallone was also present at the grand America First Policy Institute gala. "Rocky" Stallone spoke to the audience before introducing Trump on stage, calling him "the second George Washington". "No one could have done what this man has done," Stallone said. "He’s the second George Washington." In his speech at the gala, Trump lauded the Republican victory. "No one knew we were going to win it the way we did, that was a big one," Trump said. Notably, Republicans have won enough seats to control the US House, with a few races still uncalled. The party had already won majority control of the Senate and the leaders are already working to confirm his Cabinet picks. Trump also announced a few more of his picks in the ministry. He named Doug Burgum, the current governor of North Dakota, as the interior secretary. Also Read: Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary The department is responsible for the management and conservation of most natural resources and federal lands. Burgum had thrown in his hat for the presidential race in 2023, but suspended his campaign by the end of the year. Trump thanks Musk, Ramaswamy and others Trump also thanked Argentinian President Javier Milei and House Speaker Mike Johnson in his speech. He told the crowd that Elon Musk, who has been named to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been spending time at his Mar-a-Lago base. × "He likes this place, I just can't get him out of here, he likes this place and I like having him here too," Trump said about Musk. He also thanked Vivek Ramaswamy and Tulsi Gabbard. While Ramaswamy is also a part of DOGE, Gabbard has been appointed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The Russia-Ukraine war also found a mention in his speech, and he said it has "got to stop". He stated that ending the war will be a priority when he assumed power. He said his other priorities include, the Middle East, "cleaning out the corrupt, broken, failing bureaucracies" and ending "child sexual mutilation", without going into details. He did not say how he would end the war in Ukraine.

Sylvester Stallone calls Trump '2nd George Washington' at Mar-a-Lago gala

United States President-elect Donald Trump announced yet another controversial appointment, naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy will help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!”

"The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country," Trump said in a post on X.&nbsp;

"Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!"

Notably, Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has often made unverified statements and spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.&nbsp;

Kennedy issued a statement Thursday, accepting the role and committing to making Americans the "healthiest people on Earth". He vowed to remove “corruption” from the department and help the people of America to make individual health decisions.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-know-the-game-he-was-playing-nikki-haley-reacts-to-trumps-post-election-snub-776302">‘I know the game he was playing,’ Nikki Haley reacts to Trump’s post-election snub</a>

“I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;

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<h2>Trump speaks at&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago</h2>

Later on Thursday night, Trump made an appearance at an event at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. This was his first extended public appearance since being chosen as President-elect. Talking about RFK Jr's appointment, he said, "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health."

"Mr Kennedy will restore these Agencies [Health and Human Services] to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!"

Kenndey Jr belongs to one of the most known Democractic families in the US. He is the son of US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and nephew of President John F Kennedy. Both of them died after being assassinated in the 1960s.

United States President-elect Donald Trump announced yet another controversial appointment, naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

United States President-elect Donald Trump announced yet another controversial appointment, naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Calling it the "most important role of any Administration", Trump said that Kennedy will help "Make America Great and Healthy Again!” "The Safety and Health of all Americans is the most important role of any Administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping ensure that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming Health Crisis in this Country," Trump said in a post on X. "Mr. Kennedy will restore these Agencies to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!" Notably, Kennedy is one of the most prominent anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists in the country. He has often made unverified statements and spread false conspiracy theories about the safety and efficacy of vaccines. Kennedy issued a statement Thursday, accepting the role and committing to making Americans the "healthiest people on Earth". He vowed to remove “corruption” from the department and help the people of America to make individual health decisions. Also Read: ‘I know the game he was playing,’ Nikki Haley reacts to Trump’s post-election snub “I look forward to working with the more than 80,000 employees at HHS to free the agencies from the smothering cloud of corporate capture so they can pursue their mission to make Americans once again the healthiest people on Earth,” Kennedy said. × Trump speaks at Mar-a-Lago Later on Thursday night, Trump made an appearance at an event at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. This was his first extended public appearance since being chosen as President-elect. Talking about RFK Jr's appointment, he said, "For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation, and disinformation when it comes to Public Health." "Mr Kennedy will restore these Agencies [Health and Human Services] to the traditions of Gold Standard Scientific Research, and beacons of Transparency, to end the Chronic Disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again!" Kenndey Jr belongs to one of the most known Democractic families in the US. He is the son of US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy and nephew of President John F Kennedy. Both of them died after being assassinated in the 1960s.

Donald Trump names vaccine sceptic RFK Jr as Health and Human Services secretary

The US Department of Defense has published its annual report on unidentified flying objects. It says there has been an increase in cases of mistaken reports involving SpaceX's Starlink satellites. Watch this report for more details!

Pentagon's Annual UFO Report Finds 21 Cases Of Sightings Need More Analysis

A senior Hamas official said Friday the group was ready to strike a peace deal with Israel.&nbsp;Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”. The UK PM office issued an apology for&nbsp;serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration last month.&nbsp;A spokesperson on Friday acknowledged the "mistake". He further assured that measures would be taken to prevent such oversights in the future. In other news,&nbsp;United States President-elect Donald Trump's close ally Elon Musk allegedly held a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, just one day before the Republican appointed him as the head of the new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Click on the headlines to read more

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A senior Hamas official said Friday (Nov 15) the Palestinian militant group was “ready for a ceasefire” in besieged Gaza.

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, 10 Downing Street, on Friday (Nov 15) apologised after facing criticism for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration last month.&nbsp;

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United States President-elect Donald Trump's close ally Elon Musk allegedly held a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, just one day before the Republican appointed him as the head of the new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

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United States President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the director of national intelligence (DNI) has created fresh troubles for the government of&nbsp;President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine.

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A group of friends of six people died in a horrific car accident in the Indian state of Uttarakhand's Dehradun on Tuesday (Nov 12) after their car collided with a truck.

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Miller’s comeback has now sparked concerns among Indian techies, who majorly rely on the H-1B visa programme to land a job in the US.

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Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with another controversial appointment, naming Robert F&nbsp;Kennedy Jr&nbsp;as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

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India’s main opposition Congress party on Friday (Nov 15) again trained its guns on the chief of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulatory body for securities and commodity market.

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Over the years, we've got a few movies based on the Sabarmati Express incident&nbsp;and its aftermath. And, the most recent one to revisit this dark and debatable topic in the celluloid world is actor Vikrant Masseys The Sabarmati Report. 
 
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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been handed a huge setback in the build-up to the Champions Trophy 2025 on Friday (Nov 15). The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) regions of Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad.

A senior Hamas official said Friday the group was ready to strike a peace deal with Israel. Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”.

A senior Hamas official said Friday the group was ready to strike a peace deal with Israel. Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told news agency AFP that he wanted US President-elect Donald Trump to press Israel to “end the aggression”. The UK PM office issued an apology for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration last month. A spokesperson on Friday acknowledged the "mistake". He further assured that measures would be taken to prevent such oversights in the future. In other news, United States President-elect Donald Trump's close ally Elon Musk allegedly held a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, just one day before the Republican appointed him as the head of the new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Click on the headlines to read more Hamas ‘ready for ceasefire’; top official requests Trump to press Israel for peace A senior Hamas official said Friday (Nov 15) the Palestinian militant group was “ready for a ceasefire” in besieged Gaza. 'Mistake,' UK PM office apologises after meat, alcohol served at Downing Street Diwali event UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, 10 Downing Street, on Friday (Nov 15) apologised after facing criticism for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration last month. 'Good news,' Trump ally Elon Musk met with Iran’s UN ambassador, discussed ways to defuse tensions: Report United States President-elect Donald Trump's close ally Elon Musk allegedly held a meeting with Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations, just one day before the Republican appointed him as the head of the new US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Kyiv scrambling to delete posts made against ‘Russian asset’ Tulsi Gabbard following DNI nomination: Report United States President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for the director of national intelligence (DNI) has created fresh troubles for the government of President Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine. Dehradun car accident: Six friends die after returning from party, heads ripped, body parts scattered on road A group of friends of six people died in a horrific car accident in the Indian state of Uttarakhand's Dehradun on Tuesday (Nov 12) after their car collided with a truck. Trouble for Indian techies? Trump’s latest White House pick may target H-1B regime Miller’s comeback has now sparked concerns among Indian techies, who majorly rely on the H-1B visa programme to land a job in the US. 'Public health catastrophe,' critics react as Trump picks RFK Jr for top health post Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, has made headlines with another controversial appointment, naming Robert F Kennedy Jr as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ‘Coordinated scheme to exploit loopholes,’ Congress targets ‘nexus’ of Adani, SEBI chief Madhabi and BJP India’s main opposition Congress party on Friday (Nov 15) again trained its guns on the chief of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), the regulatory body for securities and commodity market. The Sabarmati Report review: Vikrant Massey's film fails to tackle a serious topic Over the years, we've got a few movies based on the Sabarmati Express incident and its aftermath. And, the most recent one to revisit this dark and debatable topic in the celluloid world is actor Vikrant Masseys The Sabarmati Report. Champions Trophy 2025: ICC cancels trophy tour in PoK, day after PCB's announcement Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been handed a huge setback in the build-up to the Champions Trophy 2025 on Friday (Nov 15). The International Cricket Council (ICC) has cancelled the trophy tour in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) regions of Skardu, Murree, and Muzaffarabad.

Top 10 world news: Hamas says group 'ready' for ceasefire; UK PMO issues apology over Diwali fiasco, and more

Chinese President&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;Jinping&nbsp;on Thursday inaugurated Latin America's first Beijing-funded port in Chancay, Peru -- a symbol of the Asian superpower's growing influence on the continent as it prepares to face off with a new Donald Trump administration.

The $3.5-billion complex, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lima, is meant to serve as a hub for Chinese trade as the country is under threat of major tariff hikes once Trump reenters the White House for a second term.

The port was officially opened in a ceremony overseen virtually by&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;and Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte from Lima, where they will attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Friday and Saturday.

"China plays a major role in the growth of our economy," Boluarte said at the event, even as a US official warned Latin American nations should be vigilant on Chinese investment.

"We believe it is essential that countries across the hemisphere ensure that PRC (People's Republic of China) economic activities respect local laws as well as safeguard human rights and environmental protections," Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Latin America, said in Lima.

Xi, for his part, said the port would help "promote connectivity" between South America and China.

"We are witnessing... the birth of a new land-sea channel between Asia and Latin America in the new era,"&nbsp;Xi&nbsp;said

US President Joe Biden also arrived Thursday to attend the APEC summit in Peru, which Nichols described as a "crucial ally."

<h2>Belt and Road&nbsp;</h2>

Peru,&nbsp;one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies over the past decade, is China's fourth-largest Latin American trading partner, with bilateral flows of nearly $36 billion in 2023.

Chancay port will also serve Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and other South American countries, allowing them to skirt ports in Mexico and the United States as they trade with Asia.

Chancay is the latest addition to a vast collection of railways, highways and other infrastructure projects built under China's massive Belt and Road Initiative to stimulate trade and boost Beijing's political clout.

Hong Kong-listed Cosco Shipping Ports, which owns 60 percent of the port, has a 30-year concession to operate the terminal and has forecast it will handle up to a million containers in its first year of operation.

Cosco Shipping Ports is a subsidiary of China's COSCO Shipping Corporation.

The port's maximum depth is 17.8 meters (58.4 feet), allowing it to handle the world's biggest container ships.

Chancay, a fishing town of some 50,000 inhabitants, was chosen for its strategic location in the heart of South America.

It is now expected to become a major hub for imports of Asian electronics, textiles and other consumer goods and for the export of minerals -- including lithium and copper.

Xi&nbsp;described the complex as South America's "first smart and green port."

Once completed, he said, it will reduce the transit between China and Peru by more than 10 days, and cut logistics costs by over 20 percent.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday inaugurated Latin America's first Beijing-funded port in Chancay, Peru -- a symbol of the Asian superpower's growing influence on the continent as it prepares to face off with a new Donald Trump administration.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday inaugurated Latin America's first Beijing-funded port in Chancay, Peru -- a symbol of the Asian superpower's growing influence on the continent as it prepares to face off with a new Donald Trump administration. The $3.5-billion complex, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lima, is meant to serve as a hub for Chinese trade as the country is under threat of major tariff hikes once Trump reenters the White House for a second term. The port was officially opened in a ceremony overseen virtually by Xi and Peruvian counterpart Dina Boluarte from Lima, where they will attend an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Friday and Saturday. "China plays a major role in the growth of our economy," Boluarte said at the event, even as a US official warned Latin American nations should be vigilant on Chinese investment. "We believe it is essential that countries across the hemisphere ensure that PRC (People's Republic of China) economic activities respect local laws as well as safeguard human rights and environmental protections," Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat for Latin America, said in Lima. Xi, for his part, said the port would help "promote connectivity" between South America and China. "We are witnessing... the birth of a new land-sea channel between Asia and Latin America in the new era," Xi said US President Joe Biden also arrived Thursday to attend the APEC summit in Peru, which Nichols described as a "crucial ally." Belt and Road Peru, one of Latin America's fastest-growing economies over the past decade, is China's fourth-largest Latin American trading partner, with bilateral flows of nearly $36 billion in 2023. Chancay port will also serve Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and other South American countries, allowing them to skirt ports in Mexico and the United States as they trade with Asia. Chancay is the latest addition to a vast collection of railways, highways and other infrastructure projects built under China's massive Belt and Road Initiative to stimulate trade and boost Beijing's political clout. Hong Kong-listed Cosco Shipping Ports, which owns 60 percent of the port, has a 30-year concession to operate the terminal and has forecast it will handle up to a million containers in its first year of operation. Cosco Shipping Ports is a subsidiary of China's COSCO Shipping Corporation. The port's maximum depth is 17.8 meters (58.4 feet), allowing it to handle the world's biggest container ships. Chancay, a fishing town of some 50,000 inhabitants, was chosen for its strategic location in the heart of South America. It is now expected to become a major hub for imports of Asian electronics, textiles and other consumer goods and for the export of minerals -- including lithium and copper. Xi described the complex as South America's "first smart and green port." Once completed, he said, it will reduce the transit between China and Peru by more than 10 days, and cut logistics costs by over 20 percent. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Starting Latin America trip, Xi Jinping opens huge port in Peru funded by China

A group of illegal miners within a closed mine in the North West province of South Africa have been refused access to basic supplies as part of the government's declared campaign against illicit mining, and the government claims it will not assist them.

South Africa: Govt Denies Help to Trapped Illegal Miners in Stilfontein

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, on Friday (Nov 15) apologised after facing criticism for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street last month.&nbsp;

The apology came after members of the British Indian community raised concerns over the issue.&nbsp;

A spokesperson on Friday acknowledged the "mistake" of serving meat and alcohol at the event. He further assured that measures would be taken to prevent such oversights in the future.&nbsp;

“The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street,” the spokesperson said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-diwali-2024-interesting-facts-about-the-festival-of-lights-772026">Also read:&nbsp;Diwali 2024: Interesting facts about the festival of lights</a>

“He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration.

“A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.”

The serving of alcoholic drinks and meat prompted anger among British Hindus.&nbsp;

The concerned guests at the event raised objections to the catering staff. Further, the staff responded that these items were specifically requested.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Diwali 2024: World Is Decked Up For Festival Of Lights | WION Originals

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Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja, representing Leicester East, said, "I feel this speaks poorly against the organisation of this year’s event – with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear."&nbsp;

“As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year’s festivities were overshadowed in the greatest office of state by negativity as a result of this oversight.”

Raja offered to guide the Labour Party government for future Hindu celebrations to ensure appropriate observance.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, on Friday (Nov 15) apologised after facing criticism for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street last month.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office, on Friday (Nov 15) apologised after facing criticism for serving meat and alcohol at its annual Diwali celebration at 10 Downing Street last month. The apology came after members of the British Indian community raised concerns over the issue. A spokesperson on Friday acknowledged the "mistake" of serving meat and alcohol at the event. He further assured that measures would be taken to prevent such oversights in the future. “The Prime Minister was pleased to welcome a range of communities celebrating Diwali to a reception in Downing Street,” the spokesperson said. Also read: Diwali 2024: Interesting facts about the festival of lights “He paid tribute to the huge contribution the British Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities make to our country and how the government is driven by the shared values of hard work, ambition and aspiration. “A mistake was made in the organisation of the event. We understand the strength of feeling on this issue and so would apologise to the community and assure them it will not happen again.” The serving of alcoholic drinks and meat prompted anger among British Hindus. The concerned guests at the event raised objections to the catering staff. Further, the staff responded that these items were specifically requested. Watch | Diwali 2024: World Is Decked Up For Festival Of Lights | WION Originals × Conservative Party MP Shivani Raja, representing Leicester East, said, "I feel this speaks poorly against the organisation of this year’s event – with a disappointing lack of knowledge of the customs and traditions that many British citizens hold dear." “As a practising Hindu, representing thousands of Hindus within my own constituency of Leicester East, I have been deeply saddened to hear that this year’s festivities were overshadowed in the greatest office of state by negativity as a result of this oversight.” Raja offered to guide the Labour Party government for future Hindu celebrations to ensure appropriate observance. (With inputs from agencies)

'Mistake,' UK PM office apologises after meat, alcohol served at Downing Street Diwali event

Colombia’s Congress has voted to eradicate the law that allowed child marriages with parental consent after a 17-year campaign against it. This comes after eight failed attempts to pass the bill through the House and Senate.

The new proposal will prohibit the marriage of anyone below 18 years of age and is aimed at protecting the rights of minors. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro still needs to sign the bill into law.

First presented in 2023, the proposal used the slogan ‘they’re girls, not wives’, which aimed at bringing reform to the existing law that allowed 14-year-old minors to get forced into marriages with parental consent, subjecting young girls to violence and preventing them from getting education and developmental opportunities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/american-tourist-arrested-for-allegedly-defacing-tokyos-meiji-jingu-shrine-776503">American tourist arrested for allegedly defacing Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine</a>

“We do not want to continue seeing the systematic violence and sexual exploitation of children. Colombia is making history because, for the first time, we have managed to ban child marriage after trying eight times,” said Jennifer Pedraza, congresswoman for the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill, after the vote.&nbsp;

“So it is a great message, not only for Colombia in terms of respect for the rights of boys and girls, but also for the world. Colombian childhood is important, we have to protect it and we have to care for it. So we are very happy that Colombia has just left the shameful list of countries that allow childhood marriage,” she added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-opposition-leader-convicted-of-violating-election-law-776418">South Korea opposition leader convicted of violating election law</a>

The previous attempts by the advocacy groups were thwarted by the opposition and Indigenous communities who believed the bill was a threat to tradition and parental rights. According to UNICEF, poverty is the key reason for child marriages in which girls from poor families are married off to a wealthy older partner.

“A lot of the time these girls have no say on entering a relationship and then when they enter it they have even less. Their opinions don’t count, their dreams don’t count and they are viewed as objects,” Marta Royo, executive director of Profamilia, a non-profit organisation promoting reproductive health services, according to a Guardian report.

Once signed into law, Colombia will become one of the 12 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean to have banned child marriages.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Colombia’s Congress has voted to eradicate the law that allowed child marriages with parental consent after a 17-year campaign against it. This comes after eight failed attempts to pass the bill through the House and Senate.

Colombia’s Congress has voted to eradicate the law that allowed child marriages with parental consent after a 17-year campaign against it. This comes after eight failed attempts to pass the bill through the House and Senate. The new proposal will prohibit the marriage of anyone below 18 years of age and is aimed at protecting the rights of minors. However, Colombian President Gustavo Petro still needs to sign the bill into law. First presented in 2023, the proposal used the slogan ‘they’re girls, not wives’, which aimed at bringing reform to the existing law that allowed 14-year-old minors to get forced into marriages with parental consent, subjecting young girls to violence and preventing them from getting education and developmental opportunities. Also read | American tourist arrested for allegedly defacing Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine “We do not want to continue seeing the systematic violence and sexual exploitation of children. Colombia is making history because, for the first time, we have managed to ban child marriage after trying eight times,” said Jennifer Pedraza, congresswoman for the Dignity and Commitment Party and co-author of the bill, after the vote. “So it is a great message, not only for Colombia in terms of respect for the rights of boys and girls, but also for the world. Colombian childhood is important, we have to protect it and we have to care for it. So we are very happy that Colombia has just left the shameful list of countries that allow childhood marriage,” she added. Also read | South Korea opposition leader convicted of violating election law The previous attempts by the advocacy groups were thwarted by the opposition and Indigenous communities who believed the bill was a threat to tradition and parental rights. According to UNICEF, poverty is the key reason for child marriages in which girls from poor families are married off to a wealthy older partner. “A lot of the time these girls have no say on entering a relationship and then when they enter it they have even less. Their opinions don’t count, their dreams don’t count and they are viewed as objects,” Marta Royo, executive director of Profamilia, a non-profit organisation promoting reproductive health services, according to a Guardian report. Once signed into law, Colombia will become one of the 12 nations in Latin America and the Caribbean to have banned child marriages. (With inputs from agencies)

Colombian Congress votes to end child marriages after 17-year-long campaign

Mike Tyson slapped Jake Paul at a charged weigh-in for Friday's controversial heavyweight fight in Texas. WION's Esha Hanspal gets you the details.

Mike Tyson Slaps Youtuber Jake Paul Before Fight

Princess Mikasa, the oldest member of Japan's royal family and great aunt to the emperor, died aged 101 on Friday in a Tokyo hospital, the Imperial Household Agency said.

She had been hospitalised since March after suffering a stroke and pneumonia and had been recuperating there following treatment in intensive care.

Born&nbsp;Yuriko&nbsp;Takagi to an aristocratic family on June 4, 1923, the&nbsp;princess&nbsp;was 18 when she married the younger brother of wartime emperor Hirohito.

The couple had five children -- two girls and three boys. She gave birth to her first, a daughter, in 1944 during World War II.

The imperial couple's house burned down in an air raid and she was forced to stay in a shelter with her baby, according to Japan's Asahi Shimbun daily.

Hirohito -- who served as Japan's commander-in-chief during its brutal march across Asia in the 1930s and 40s -- surrendered in an August 1945 speech, after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Princess Mikasa's husband Prince Mikasa, who died in 2016 at 100, was in favour of the decision to end the war.

But young officers who disagreed would come regularly to the shelter to try and change his mind.

Princess Mikasa&nbsp;recalled that the atmosphere was "very frightening" with "heated arguments and tension, as if bullets were about to fly", the Asahi Shimbun said.

Having lost their home, the decades that followed were far from luxurious for the&nbsp;princess, who took on domestic duties as the family struggled financially.

"When I was raising my children, Japanese society was still in a difficult period," she said on her 100th birthday in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency.

"I recall with deep gratitude how many people, including my husband, always supported me," the&nbsp;princess&nbsp;added.

All three of&nbsp;Princess&nbsp;Misaka's sons passed away before her, including one who died aged 47 while playing squash at the Canadian embassy.

Male-only succession rules mean that Japan's royal women cannot ascend to the throne and must forgo their imperial status if they marry outside the family.

Princess&nbsp;Misaka has three granddaughters who remain princesses, including Akiko, whose 2015 book was a hit in Japan, describing her studies at Oxford and an incident in which her diplomatic passport caused suspicion at an airport.

The 101-year-old's passing followed reports since early November that her condition had begun to deteriorate.

Current Emperor Naruhito's 18-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito is the only young heir to the throne. Naruhito's daughter&nbsp;Princess&nbsp;Aiko is barred from the throne under the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Princess Mikasa, the oldest member of Japan's royal family and great aunt to the emperor, died aged 101 on Friday in a Tokyo hospital, the Imperial Household Agency said.

Princess Mikasa, the oldest member of Japan's royal family and great aunt to the emperor, died aged 101 on Friday in a Tokyo hospital, the Imperial Household Agency said. She had been hospitalised since March after suffering a stroke and pneumonia and had been recuperating there following treatment in intensive care. Born Yuriko Takagi to an aristocratic family on June 4, 1923, the princess was 18 when she married the younger brother of wartime emperor Hirohito. The couple had five children -- two girls and three boys. She gave birth to her first, a daughter, in 1944 during World War II. The imperial couple's house burned down in an air raid and she was forced to stay in a shelter with her baby, according to Japan's Asahi Shimbun daily. Hirohito -- who served as Japan's commander-in-chief during its brutal march across Asia in the 1930s and 40s -- surrendered in an August 1945 speech, after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Princess Mikasa's husband Prince Mikasa, who died in 2016 at 100, was in favour of the decision to end the war. But young officers who disagreed would come regularly to the shelter to try and change his mind. Princess Mikasa recalled that the atmosphere was "very frightening" with "heated arguments and tension, as if bullets were about to fly", the Asahi Shimbun said. Having lost their home, the decades that followed were far from luxurious for the princess, who took on domestic duties as the family struggled financially. "When I was raising my children, Japanese society was still in a difficult period," she said on her 100th birthday in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency. "I recall with deep gratitude how many people, including my husband, always supported me," the princess added. All three of Princess Misaka's sons passed away before her, including one who died aged 47 while playing squash at the Canadian embassy. Male-only succession rules mean that Japan's royal women cannot ascend to the throne and must forgo their imperial status if they marry outside the family. Princess Misaka has three granddaughters who remain princesses, including Akiko, whose 2015 book was a hit in Japan, describing her studies at Oxford and an incident in which her diplomatic passport caused suspicion at an airport. The 101-year-old's passing followed reports since early November that her condition had begun to deteriorate. Current Emperor Naruhito's 18-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito is the only young heir to the throne. Naruhito's daughter Princess Aiko is barred from the throne under the Imperial Household Law, in place since 1947. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Japan's Princess Mikasa, great aunt to emperor, dies aged 101

South Africa will host India in the fourth and final T20I of the series at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

India's Tour Of South Africa: India Take On South Africa In The Fourth And Final T20I Today

An American man has been arrested for allegedly carving letters into a torii gate at a Meiji Jingu Shrine in Japan's Tokyo.&nbsp;

Tokyo Metropolitan Police alleged that the 65-year-old man used his fingernails to carve five letters into the pillar of a torii gate at the popular tourist spot.&nbsp;

The suspect, Steve Lee Hayes, was arrested on Wednesday (Nov 13) on charges of property damage, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesperson told CNN.

The man carved five letters, believed to be the tourist's family name into a gate pillar, public broadcaster NHK reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-to-create-a-conveyor-belt-road-connecting-tokyo-and-osaka-774979">Also read:&nbsp;Japan to create a 'conveyor belt road' connecting Tokyo and Osaka</a>

Police identified the suspect by reviewing security camera footage and launched an investigation.

The suspect and his family arrived in Japan for sightseeing on Monday (Nov 11).&nbsp;

A spokesperson confirmed that the US Embassy staff have visited Hayes and are providing consular assistance. However, they declined to give further details due to privacy concerns.

The suspect now faces up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($1,918) for the alleged vandalism.

Japan has been witnessing a surge in visitors from across the world. However, it becomes a problem as the country also struggles with misbehaving visitors.

Watch |&nbsp;Japan: Shigeru Ishiba To Continue As Prime Minister

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<h2>Similar incidents&nbsp;</h2>

In September, Japan's local police told CNN that a 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested for having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma, a small coastal town about 310 miles north of Tokyo. He then faced charges of disrespecting a place of worship.&nbsp;

Later in October, a Chile-based fitness influencer faces online backlash for posting a clip of herself doing pull-up exercises on a red gate at a different Japanese shrine.&nbsp;

The woman had 139,000 followers on Instagram. She later posted an apology video on the social media platform, saying "it “wasn’t my intention to show disrespect”.

(With inputs from agencies)

An American man has been arrested for allegedly carving letters into a torii gate at a Meiji Jingu Shrine in Japan's Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan Police alleged that the 65-year-old man used his fingernails to carve five letters into the pillar of a torii gate at the popular tourist spot.

An American man has been arrested for allegedly carving letters into a torii gate at a Meiji Jingu Shrine in Japan's Tokyo. Tokyo Metropolitan Police alleged that the 65-year-old man used his fingernails to carve five letters into the pillar of a torii gate at the popular tourist spot. The suspect, Steve Lee Hayes, was arrested on Wednesday (Nov 13) on charges of property damage, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesperson told CNN. The man carved five letters, believed to be the tourist's family name into a gate pillar, public broadcaster NHK reported. Also read: Japan to create a 'conveyor belt road' connecting Tokyo and Osaka Police identified the suspect by reviewing security camera footage and launched an investigation. The suspect and his family arrived in Japan for sightseeing on Monday (Nov 11). A spokesperson confirmed that the US Embassy staff have visited Hayes and are providing consular assistance. However, they declined to give further details due to privacy concerns. The suspect now faces up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 300,000 yen ($1,918) for the alleged vandalism. Japan has been witnessing a surge in visitors from across the world. However, it becomes a problem as the country also struggles with misbehaving visitors. Watch | Japan: Shigeru Ishiba To Continue As Prime Minister × Similar incidents In September, Japan's local police told CNN that a 61-year-old Austrian man was arrested for having sex on the grounds of a shrine in Kesennuma, a small coastal town about 310 miles north of Tokyo. He then faced charges of disrespecting a place of worship. Later in October, a Chile-based fitness influencer faces online backlash for posting a clip of herself doing pull-up exercises on a red gate at a different Japanese shrine. The woman had 139,000 followers on Instagram. She later posted an apology video on the social media platform, saying "it “wasn’t my intention to show disrespect”. (With inputs from agencies)

American tourist arrested for allegedly defacing Tokyo's Meiji Jingu Shrine

United States President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week appointed Stephen Miller as homeland security advisor to his incoming administration. Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed his new role at the White House Monday (Nov 11), who will serve as the deputy chief of policy in the new government, inaugurating&nbsp;on January 20.

Described by Vance as a “fantastic pick”, Miller earlier served as a senior advisor during&nbsp;Trump’s first term and played a central role in policies restricting immigration, including the controversial family separation policy of 2018 and the Muslim travel ban.

<h2>Indian techies concerned</h2>

Miller’s comeback has now sparked concerns among Indian techies, who majorly rely on the H-1B visa programme to land a job in the US. During the previous term, Miller introduced several measures that complicated the H-1B process, including additional documentation and more hurdles for US employers.

Thanks to Miller’s policies, visa approvals for high-skilled foreign workers faced unprecedented delays during that time, allegedly stemming from security and fraud concerns.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjElJ-awN6JAxXoiq8BHcmxG5cQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kai-trump-drops-election-night-vlog-revealing-behind-the-scenes-moments-from-trumps-victory-775441" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/kai-trump-drops-election-night-vlog-revealing-behind-the-scenes-moments-from-trumps-victory-775441&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjElJ-awN6JAxXoiq8BHcmxG5cQxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Kai Trump drops Election Night vlog revealing behind-the-scenes moments from Trump`s victory</a>

Miller and like-minded American conservatives oppose the H-1B programme due to concerns that this scheme leads to US worker displacement and wage suppression as foreign workers are often hired at cheaper rates. For the first time, Miller even tweaked the definition of “specialty occupation,” which led to a reduced number of jobs eligible for H-1B workers. In one viral clip, Miller can be heard saying that those hired through the programme are not even “high-skilled.”

If such restrictions are introduced again, US companies may see lesser profit in hiring talent from India or other nations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjElJ-awN6JAxXoiq8BHcmxG5cQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/s-korean-leader-taking-golf-classes-to-prepare-for-meeting-with-donald-trump-775539" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/s-korean-leader-taking-golf-classes-to-prepare-for-meeting-with-donald-trump-775539&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjElJ-awN6JAxXoiq8BHcmxG5cQxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">S Korean leader taking golf classes to prepare for meeting with Donald Trump</a>

More conservatives like Vivek Ramaswamy and Indian-origin podcaster Rahul Menon have called for reforms in the immigration system. Menon recently said, “Reduce PERM processing time, recapture unused Green Cards, EADs for approved I-140 petitions, stop counting derivative family members, age-out protection, and auto-renew H-1B if no change to the original petition.”

(With inputs from agencies)

United States President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week appointed Stephen Miller as homeland security advisor to his incoming administration. Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed his new role at the White House Monday (Nov 11), who will serve as the deputy chief of policy in the new government, inaugurating on January 20.

United States President-elect Donald Trump earlier this week appointed Stephen Miller as homeland security advisor to his incoming administration. Vice President-elect JD Vance confirmed his new role at the White House Monday (Nov 11), who will serve as the deputy chief of policy in the new government, inaugurating on January 20. Described by Vance as a “fantastic pick”, Miller earlier served as a senior advisor during Trump’s first term and played a central role in policies restricting immigration, including the controversial family separation policy of 2018 and the Muslim travel ban. Indian techies concerned Miller’s comeback has now sparked concerns among Indian techies, who majorly rely on the H-1B visa programme to land a job in the US. During the previous term, Miller introduced several measures that complicated the H-1B process, including additional documentation and more hurdles for US employers. Thanks to Miller’s policies, visa approvals for high-skilled foreign workers faced unprecedented delays during that time, allegedly stemming from security and fraud concerns. Also read: Kai Trump drops Election Night vlog revealing behind-the-scenes moments from Trump`s victory Miller and like-minded American conservatives oppose the H-1B programme due to concerns that this scheme leads to US worker displacement and wage suppression as foreign workers are often hired at cheaper rates. For the first time, Miller even tweaked the definition of “specialty occupation,” which led to a reduced number of jobs eligible for H-1B workers. In one viral clip, Miller can be heard saying that those hired through the programme are not even “high-skilled.” If such restrictions are introduced again, US companies may see lesser profit in hiring talent from India or other nations. Also read: S Korean leader taking golf classes to prepare for meeting with Donald Trump More conservatives like Vivek Ramaswamy and Indian-origin podcaster Rahul Menon have called for reforms in the immigration system. Menon recently said, “Reduce PERM processing time, recapture unused Green Cards, EADs for approved I-140 petitions, stop counting derivative family members, age-out protection, and auto-renew H-1B if no change to the original petition.” (With inputs from agencies)

Trouble for Indian techies? Trump’s latest White House pick may target H-1B regime

Unredacted court documents released on Thursday (Nov 14) show that NSO Group, the company behind the Pegasus spyware, admitted to developing exploits to hack into the phones of around 1,400 WhatsApp users in 2019.

Unredacted court documents released on Thursday (Nov 14) show that NSO Group, the company behind the Pegasus spyware, admitted to developing exploits to hack into the phones of around 1,400 WhatsApp users in 2019. This operation, according to WhatsApp, violated both federal and state laws. The information came to light as part of a lawsuit WhatsApp filed against NSO Group in 2019. The lawsuit reveals how NSO, an Israeli cyber-surveillance company, operates its Pegasus spyware on behalf of government clients. Last week, a federal judge in California ordered the release of previously redacted details from the case. 1,400 WhatsApp users targeted by Pegasus over two weeks in 2019 The unredacted documents included sworn statements from NSO employees, which became public for the first time on Thursday. WhatsApp initiated its lawsuit after discovering that 1,400 users, including journalists and activists, had been targeted by Pegasus over two weeks in 2019. The app is now asking the court to rule on the case, while NSO is opposing this request. Spyware is considered one of the most advanced hacking tools available. Pegasus, described as "zero-click" spyware, can infiltrate devices without requiring users to interact with a suspicious link or file. Also read: 'Good news,' Trump ally Elon Musk met with Iran’s UN ambassador: Report In the court filings, WhatsApp explained how NSO carried out these attacks. NSO employees reportedly reverse-engineered WhatsApp's code and created their own system, called the "WhatsApp Installation Server" (WIS), to send messages through WhatsApp servers. These messages triggered Pegasus spyware to install on the targeted devices. WhatsApp argues that this method violated American laws and the app’s terms of service. 'NSO’s operations violated US law' A WhatsApp spokesperson said that the newly released evidence “shows exactly how NSO’s operations violated US law and launched their cyber-attacks against journalists, human rights activists and civil society.” They added, “We are going to continue working to hold NSO accountable and protect our users.” NSO, not its clients, operates its spyware According to depositions, NSO’s customers didn’t operate the spyware themselves. An NSO employee said that the customer “only needed to enter the target device’s number and ‘press Install, and Pegasus will install the agent on the device remotely without any engagement.’” “The rest is done automatically by the system,” the NSO employee said. "In other words, the customer simply places an order for a target device’s data, and NSO controls every aspect of the data retrieval and delivery process through its design of Pegasus," the WhatsApp filing said. Princess Haya's case In one of the filings, WhatsApp pointed to a case where Pegasus was used to spy on Dubai’s Princess Haya and others connected to her. Princess Haya fled to the United Kingdom in 2019 after learning that Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, had previously abducted two of his daughters and held them against their will. NSO’s CEO, Yaron Shohat, admitted in his deposition that Pegasus was involved in these incidents. NSO Group is yet to release its own unredacted filings. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-based NSO admits hacking 1,400 WhatsApp users with Pegasus spyware, unsealed court docs reveal

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to hold talks in Lima, Peru, on the sidelines of the APEC summit. The meeting aims to address key issues in U.S.-China relations, including trade, security, and global economic challenges.

Joe Biden and Xi Jinping To Meet In Lima At The Sidelines Of APEC

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