WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - President Joe Biden's press secretary held her first news conference on Wednesday (Jan 20), seven hours after Mr Biden's inauguration, vowing to bring truth and transparency back to government. Ms Jen Psaki, who served as the chief spokesman at the State Department under former president Barack Obama, told reporters she had a "deep respect for the role of a free and independent press in our democracy". Marking a contrast to former president Donald Trump and his top aides' treatment of what they called "the fake news media", Ms Psaki pledged professional, civil exchange. "There will be moments when we disagree, and there will certainly be days where we disagree for extensive parts of the briefing even, perhaps," she said. "But we have a common goal, which is sharing accurate information with the American people." Mr Biden plans to "bring transparency and truth back to the government to share the truth, even when it's hard to hear", she said. Ms Psaki said she expected to hold daily briefings at the White House on weekdays, and to make available health officials to explain efforts to get the Covid-19 pandemic
TAKHAR: As many as eight Taliban terrorists were killed and seven were wounded in Khawja-Ghar district of Takhar province by Afghan National Army on Sunday."8 Taliban were killed and 7 others were wounded in Khawja-Ghar district of #Takhar province by Afghan National Army last night (Sunday)," Ministry of Defense, Afghanistan tweeted. 8 #Taliban were killed and 7 others were wounded in Khawja-Ghar district of #Takhar province by Afghan National Army last night. — Ministry of Defense, Afghanistan (@MoDAfghanistan) 1610954973000 Besides the attack in Takhar province, Afghan Army killed 25 Taliban terrorists and wounded eight others in a preemptive operation in Zheria and Arghandab districts of Kandahar province yesterday.The Army also discovered two hideouts and three strongholds along with a large amount of their ammunition."25 Taliban were killed and 8 others were wounded in preemptive operation of ANA in Zheria and Arghandab districts of #Kandahar province, yesterday. 25 #Taliban were killed and 8 others were wounded in preemptive operation of #ANA in Zheria and Arghandab districts… https://t.co/Foi67BQEqo — Ministry of Defense, Afghanistan (@MoDAfghanistan) 1610950839000 Additionally, 2 hideouts, 3 strongholds and a large amount of their ammunition and weapons were destroyed," MoD said in a subsequent tweet.
DUBAI (AFP) - Newspapers in Arab states of the Gulf on Thursday (Jan 21) gave a cautious welcome to new United States President Joe Biden, amid uncertainty over whether he will seek to re-engage with regional rival Iran. Leaders of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council - with the exception of Saudi Arabia and Oman - were quick to formally congratulate Mr Biden, who was sworn into office Wednesday in a ceremony boycotted by his predecessor Donald Trump. "Goodbye Trump, hello Biden," Saudi columnist Abdulrahman Al-Rashed wrote in the pan-Arab daily Asharq Al-Awsat. Like other Gulf commentators, he pointed to concerns over whether the new US administration's policies will mirror those of Mr Barack Obama, for whom Mr Biden served as vice-president. Mr Biden is expected to re-adopt a less confrontational stance towards the Islamic republic, unlike Mr Trump's policy of "maximum pressure" and high tensions. Mr Trump "tied Iran's arms, destroying its financial and economic capabilities. Therefore, returning to the same point from which Obama left is almost impossible", Mr Rashed said. Under Mr Trump, Washington withdrew from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and assassinated its once-untouchable military
