World is watching as Biden assumes office, Trump era ends

As President Joe Biden took his oath of office Wednesday, brining the Trump era to a close after the most tumultuous presidential transition in living memory, world leaders and top officials, along with ordinary people across the globe, looked on with rapt attention, and in many cases cautious optimism.

Some leaders and officials have reached out to embrace the incoming Biden administration, offering congratulations speaking of their hopes for cooperation, especially on issues that fell by the wayside under Trump, such as climate change. Most took a reserved tone, but a few, including among U.S. rivals, were more vociferous...