LIVE | US Senate approves Haines as Director of National Intelligence

The United States Senate on Wednesday approved Avril Haines as the Director of National Intelligence, making her the first of President Biden's nominees to be approved. The vote was 84-10, with all 'no' votes coming from the Republicans, reports Reuters.

Donald Trump disappeared on Wednesday behind the walls of his club in Palm Beach, Florida, ending a tumultuous presidency stained by two impeachments, deep political divisions and a pandemic that has caused 400,000 deaths in the United States. "So just a goodbye. We love you. We will be back in some form," Trump told supporters before boarding Air Force One for the flight to Florida, reports Reuters.

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that outgoing President Donald Trump left him a "very generous" letter in the Oval Office, in keeping with tradition.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday signed multiple executive orders including those to rejoin the Paris climate accord and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Joe Biden has directed that federal agencies should halt all rulemaking until his administration has time to review proposed regulations. The order is a staple of presidential transitions, allowing the incoming administration to review the pending actions of their predecessors, reports AP.

United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday signaled plans to place a temporary moratorium on the oil and gas lease activities in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge after the Trump administration issued leases in a remote, rugged area considered sacred by the Indigenous Gwich'in, reports AP.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated US President Joe Biden and said that she looks forward to a new chapter of German-American friendship and cooperation. "Warmest congratulations on your inauguration, @POTUS Joe Biden and @VP Kamala Harris - a true celebration of American democracy," Merkel was quoted as saying in a tweet posted by her spokesman Steffen Seibert, reports AFP.

Kamala Harris was on Wednesday sworn in as the first female Vice President of the United States by Justice Sonia Sotomayor during a grand inauguration at the West Front of the US Capitol. Harris, 56, who is the 49th Vice President of the US is also the first African-American and Indian-origin woman to hold this position. Read more

Joe Biden on Wednesday took oath as the 46th president of the United States, followed by a powerful inaugural address in which he emphasised the importance of democracy and unity. Biden’s call for unity bears significance in the aftermath of Capitol riots when his predecessor, Donald Trump, egged on his supporters to storm the Capitol building, leading to five deaths. Read more

President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are joined by three former presidents — Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — at a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton are also at the event.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are traveling to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Bidens will be joined by former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.

President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff are participating in a pass in review on the East front of the Capitol with members of the military. Pass in reviews are a military tradition that reflects the peaceful transfer of power to a new commander-in-chief. Biden, hosted by the Commander of Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, will review the readiness of military troops.

President Biden signed three documents in the President's Room at the Capitol: Inauguration Day Proclamation, nominations to Cabinet Positions and nominations to sub-Cabinet Positions

French President Emmanuel Macron lauded new US President Joe Biden's decision to return to the Paris climate accord on Wednesday, telling him "welcome back" in a congratulatory message after his inauguration.

"Best wishes on this most significant day for the American people! We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!" Macron tweeted in English.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), on Wednesday congratulated US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris after their inauguration. "Congratulations President @JoeBiden and Vice-President @KamalaHarris on your #Inauguration today. Here's to a healthier, fairer, safer, more sustainable world", Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter.

The recently updated website for President Joe Biden's White House carried an invitation for tech specialists savvy enough to find it. Hidden in the HTML code on https://www.whitehouse.gov/ was an invitation to join the US Digital Service, a technology unit within the White House. "If you're reading this, we need your help building back better," the message said. Former President Barack Obama launched the service in 2014 to recruit technologists to help revamp government services - for example by modernizing Medicare's payment system or reforming hiring practices across government agencies. Tech specialists join the Digital Service for typically one or two years.

The “nuclear football”, a black briefcase which contains the equipment that the commander-in-chief would use to authorise and launch a nuclear strike is carried by a military aide who accompanies the president all the time. Read more

Pope Francis told US President Joe Biden on Wednesday that he was praying that God would guide his efforts to bring reconciliation in the United States and among the nations of the world. In a message sent shortly after the second Catholic US president was sworn in, Francis also said he hoped Biden would work towards a society marked by true justice, freedom and respect for the rights and dignity of every person, especially the poor, the vulnerable and those with no voice. "Under your leadership, may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding," Francis said.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau congratulated Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday congratulated US President Joe Biden on assuming office and said he looked forward to working together to further strengthen the bilateral strategic partnership. Read more

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu congratulates Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States.